Footwear outsole

Abstract

An outsole ( 2 ) for footwear ( 1 ) comprises at least one protrusion ( 4 ) having a portion ( 8 ) configured for supporting the footwear against a ground surface (S). A traction-enhancing element ( 6 ) is connected to the protrusion ( 4 ) and selectively insertable between said portion ( 8 ) and the ground surface (S). The traction-enhancing element is attached to at least a portion of the protrusion and configured for bending between a first position and a second position; wherein the traction-enhancing element in the second position is between said portion and the ground surface. The movement of the traction-enhancing element between the first position and the second position is effected by a movement of the footwear predominantly along the ground surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An outsole for footwear, comprising at least one protrusion extending from the outsole and having a portion configured for supporting the footwear against a ground surface, wherein
 a traction-enhancing element connected to the protrusion and selectively insertable between said portion and the ground surface when the portion is at least partially supported by the ground surface.   
     
     
         2 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the traction-enhancing element is attached to at least a portion of the protrusion and configured for bending between a first position and a second position; wherein the traction-enhancing element in the second position is between said portion and the ground surface. 
     
     
         3 . The outsole of  claim 2 , wherein the movement of the traction-enhancing element between the first position and the second position is effected by a movement of the footwear predominantly along the ground surface. 
     
     
         4 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the traction-enhancing element is connected to the protrusion via an elastic connection, said connection being configured such that the traction-enhancing element returns to the first position when it is not subjected to external loads, the first position representing a state of equilibrium for the traction-enhancing device. 
     
     
         5 . The outsole of  claim 2 , wherein the traction-enhancing element comprises a first side and a second side, configured such that the first side is generally not in contact with the ground surface when the traction-enhancing element is in the first position, but is at least partially in contact with the ground surface when the traction-enhancing element is in the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The outsole of  claim 5 , wherein the first side comprises a friction-enhancing material. 
     
     
         7 . The outsole of  claim 5 , wherein the second side is generally flush with said portion when the traction-enhancing element is in the first position. 
     
     
         8 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the traction-enhancing element comprises a lip made of an elastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The outsole of  claim 8 , wherein the material of the protrusion and the material of the lip are similar materials. 
     
     
         10 . The outsole of any one of  claim 1 , wherein said portion comprises a recessed portion.