Method for natural adapting the outline of footwear made of a deformable material

Abstract

A method for naturally adapting the outline of a footwear sole made of a deformable material is described. A sole with modified profile obtained according to the method and a basic kit for partially carrying out said method are also described.

1 . A method for controllably modifying an the outline of a footwear sole made of a deformable material, the method comprising:
 forming at least one opening in the footwear sole to be modified;   applying a measured pair of forces acting along the same direction but in opposite senses to opposite sides of said at least one opening, to cause an elastic deformation of said at least one opening and a desired modification of the outline of the footwear sole; and   applying an insert to the footwear sole, said insert being configured to completely cover said opening under deformation in order to stabilize the modified outline of the sole.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening is a single opening in a front portion of the sole, the front portion being a portion opposite to the heel. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the forces are applied to opposite sides of said opening in the front portion of the sole, said forces having a common direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the footwear sole. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein a single force of said forces is directed toward the outside of a respective side of the footwear sole. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pair of forces are applied by introducing the foot into the footwear. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pair of forces are applied by introducing a shoe tree into the footwear. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said insert is applied onto a bottom surface of the footwear sole, said bottom surface being the surface intended to contact the ground. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said insert is made of the same material as the sole. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said insert is made of a material different from that of the sole. 
     
     
         10 . A footwear sole modified according to the method of  claim 2 , wherein the opening formed in the front portion of the sole has an elongated form in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of said footwear sole. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear sole according to  claim 6 , further comprising an annular step formed at said opening, said insert being able to be fitted inside said annular step. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear sole according to  claim 11 , wherein said annular step is formed on a bottom surface of the sole. 
     
     
         13 . A basic for performing the applying and manufacturing steps of the method according to  claim 1 , comprising a sole in which a suitable opening has already been formed, and a corresponding insert.