Running shoe with damping sole

Abstract

Running shoe with an outer sole ( 1 ) which in a region of the front part of the foot comprises at least one sole element ( 6 ) that contributes to a reduced friction each time the shoe hits a surface when the running position is such that said element hits the surface first, said sole element ( 6 ) having the form of a material with limited surface friction against hard surfaces like asphalt, concrete and floors. The sole element can typically be made in a wear resistant synthetic material and is typically situated laterally under the front part of the foot.

1 . Running shoe, characterized in that the shoe has an outer sole ( 1 ) which in a region of the front part of the foot comprises at least one sole element ( 6 ) contributing to reduced retardation each time the shoe hits a ground surface when the running position is such that the said element hits the ground surface first, said sole element ( 6 ) having the form of a material with a limited surface friction against hard surfaces. 
   
   
       2 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the sole element ( 6 ) is arranged substantially laterally under the front part of the foot. 
   
   
       3 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that at least 75% of the area of the sole element ( 6 ) is to the lateral side of an imaginary centre line along the front part of the foot. 
   
   
       4 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said sole element ( 6 ) has the form of at least one plate which is adapted to the outer shoe sole ( 1 ). 
   
   
       5 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the outer shoe sole ( 1 ) comprises a recess with mainly the same shape as that of said (at least one) plate. 
   
   
       6 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said sole element ( 6 ) comprises an integral part of the outer shoe sole ( 1 ). 
   
   
       7 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said sole element ( 6 ) has a higher surface hardness than the other parts of the outer shoe sole ( 1 ). 
   
   
       8 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said sole element ( 6 ) is made in a material different from the material of the other parts of the outer shoe sole ( 1 ). 
   
   
       9 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said sole element ( 6 ) protrudes from 0.5 to 5 mm compared to the surrounding parts of the outer shoe sole ( 1 ). 
   
   
       10 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that between said sole element ( 6 ) and the outer sole ( 1 ) there is arranged a compressible damping material ( 8 ) which wholly or partially allows the sole element to sink into the sole for each step. 
   
   
       11 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said sole element ( 6 ) is made in a synthetic material having a high wear resistance. 
   
   
       12 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that said synthetic material is reinforced with fibres or particles to modify the surface properties such as wear resistance and friction coefficient of the material. 
   
   
       13 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said sole element ( 6 ) has a friction coefficient lower than 0.8 against dry asphalt and concrete. 
   
   
       14 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 13 , characterized in that said sole element ( 6 ) has a friction coefficient in the range 0.1-0.6 and more preferred in the range 0.2-0.4 against asphalt and concrete. 
   
   
       15 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said sole element ( 6 ) covers an area of at least 15% of the area of the part of the sole being situated below the front part of the foot. 
   
   
       16 . Running shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said sole element ( 6 ) comprises at least two separate sole elements ( 6   a,    6   b ) which can have different friction against relevant surfaces.