Sole For Footwear

Abstract

A sole for footwear, including a resilient structural member extending in a direction from toe to heel and having a tread surface, the sole having a plurality of incisions extending transversely to the toe-to-heel direction. The incisions include a first portion extending to a first depth into the sole from the tread surface and a second portion extending to a further depth into the sole from the lower outlet of the first portion. The first portion has a width, measured transversely to the longitudinal extent of the incision, which is smaller than the corresponding width of the second portion. At least the second portion of the incisions is open at the side of the sole.

1 . A sole for footwear, comprising a resilient structural member having a toe-to-heel direction, the sole having a plurality of incisions extending transversely to the toe-to-heel direction, wherein the incisions comprise a first portion extending to a first depth into the sole from a tread surface and a second portion extending to a further depth into the sole from a lower outlet of the first portion, the first portion having a width, measured transversely to the longitudinal extent of the incision, which is smaller than the corresponding width of the second portion, at least the second portion of the incisions passing through and being open at a side of the sole. 
     
     
         2 . The sole for footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion has a constant width over the entire first depth thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The sole for footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the incision varies in a discontinuous manner at a transition zone between the first portion and second portion. 
     
     
         4 . The sole for footwear of  claim 3 , wherein the incisions have a cross-section which is substantially T-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The sole for footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first depth of the first portion has an extent equal to at least half of that of the further depth of the second portion. 
     
     
         6 . The sole for footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion has a laminar formation such that the incisions are substantially completely closed in the first portion, at least in the proximity of the sides, when the sole is flat, and are open in a book-like configuration also in the proximity of the sides when the sole is flexed. 
     
     
         7 . The sole for footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the incisions has a width which greater than the width of the first portion. 
     
     
         8 . The sole for footwear of  claim 1 , comprising auxiliary incisions which extend over a respective depth in the sole from the tread surface and having a width measured transversely relative to the longitudinal extent which is constant over the respective depth. 
     
     
         9 . The sole for footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the auxiliary incisions have a laminar formation. 
     
     
         10 . The sole for footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the auxiliary incisions have a depth and width which is substantially equal to the corresponding depth and width of the first portion of the incisions. 
     
     
         11 . The sole for footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the auxiliary incisions are concentrated in one or more of the forefoot zone backfoot zone. 
     
     
         12 . The sole for footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the incisions are concentrated in the midfoot zone. 
     
     
         13 . The sole for footwear of  claim 1 , wherein one or more lightening areas extending in the toe-to-heel direction are formed in the tread surface. 
     
     
         14 . The sole for footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the lightening area has a depth which extends as far as the second portion. 
     
     
         15 . The sole for footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the lightening area has a curved shape. 
     
     
         16 . The sole for footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the lightening area has a curved shape with an intermediate flexion location. 
     
     
         17 . The sole for footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the width of the lightening area increases towards the midfoot zone and is reduced towards the opposing forefoot and backfoot zones. 
     
     
         18 . The sole for footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the incision has a laminar formation produced by laser cutting. 
     
     
         19 . The sole for footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising ventilation holes extending downwardly from a bottom of the second portion of the incisions. 
     
     
         20 . The sole for footwear of  claim 13 , further comprising ventilation holes extending downwardly from a bottom of the second portion of the incisions.