US20160331082A1

US20160331082A1 - Adaptable shoe upper and adaptable sole

Info

Publication number: US20160331082A1
Application number: US15/142,955
Authority: US
Inventors: Jürgen Weidl
Original assignee: Adidas AG
Current assignee: Adidas AG
Priority date: 2015-05-12
Filing date: 2016-04-29
Publication date: 2016-11-17
Also published as: EP3092914A2; JP2016209565A; CN106136431A; DE102015208763A1; EP3092914A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shoe upper for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, comprising a first layer and a second layer connected to the first layer in a fixed way. The second layer comprises at least two regions separated from each other, and the first layer comprises a higher elasticity in a region not covered by the at least two regions of the second layer than the second layer. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a sole, in particular a sole for a sports shoe, comprising a first layer and a second layer connected to the first layer in a fixed way. The second layer comprises at least two regions separated from each other, and the first layer comprises a higher elasticity at least in a region not covered by the at least two regions of the second layer than the second layer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adaptable shoe upper and an adaptable sole, as well as a shoe that comprises such a shoe upper and/or such a sole.
2. Background Art
Normally shoes comprise a shoe upper and a sole attached thereto. After the purchase of a shoe neither the width nor the length of the shoe upper and/or the sole are adaptable. However, it is often the case that not until after the purchase, after a longer period of wearing a shoe, the wearer notices a not perfectly correct fit of the shoe. Besides, shoes are made on lasts, whose dimensions (e.g. the width) have been determined according to average values out of a population group. Persons whose feet do not correspond to these average values, thus do not always get perfectly optimally fitting shoes. Also the shape and/or the size of the feet can change over time. This is especially true for children, whose shoe size rapidly changes in the first years of life.
A further example is sportspersons who wear bandages for the support of the foot and/or the ankle joint, e.g. for medical reasons. In this case the shoe does not fit optimally due to the bandage and it may lead to chafe marks. Still a further example is persons with differently formed feet, e.g. slightly different size. Because the left and the right shoe of a pair are normally made on mirror-symmetrical lasts, at least in this case one of both shoes is not optimally fitting.
DE 20 2010 017 958 U1 relates to a sports shoe, in particular a soccer shoe, wherein the whole shoe comprises two components—an inner section and an outer section.
According to US 2014/0325871 A1 a sole for a shoe is provided, which comprises a midsole and an outer sole. The midsole comprises thereby a base body and a plurality of deformation elements. The outer sole comprises a first outer sole region and a plurality of first outer sole elements, wherein pressure load onto a first outer sole element leads to a deformation of at least one of the deformation elements that are assigned to the first outer sole element.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,698 B2 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,770,307 B2 describe a footwear article, which comprises a shoe upper, which is at least partially formed of a base layer and thread sections, which lie adjacent to a surface of the base layer. The thread sections are arranged such that they provide structural elements, which, for example, delimit the rotation in directions that correspond to longitudinal axes of the thread sections.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,322 B2 refers to a sole with adaptable size. The sole comprises a solid region and an adaptable region. The adaptable region is deformable, if the sole is heated up to a melting temperature that is assigned to the adaptable region. The shape and the size of the sole can be adapted by deforming the adaptable region.
The present invention relates to the underlying problem to provide a shoe upper and/or a sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, which adapts in an easy manner to the shape of the foot.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention this problem is solved by a shoe upper for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, which comprises a first layer and a second layer connected to the first layer in a fixed way. The second layer comprises at least two regions separated from each other, and the first layer comprises a higher elasticity in a region not covered by the at least two regions of the second layer than the second layer.
According to embodiments of the invention the shoe upper comprises a first layer and a second layer connected therewith. The elasticity of the first layer is higher than the elasticity of the second layer. Through this the shoe upper may adapt in an optimal way to the shape of the foot of a wearer, due to the fact that the first layer yields. In order to enable, a stretching of the first layer, the second, less elastic, layer does not form a closed surface, but forms at least two regions that are separated from each other. At least in a region not covered by these regions the first layer is more elastic than the second layer. The at least two regions of the second layer thus form a gap for the subjacent or overlying first layer. Depending on the shape of the foot, this gap expands more or less so that the shoe upper can adapt to the shape of the foot.
Since the second layer is less elastic than the first layer, the second layer may, despite the flexibility and adaptability of the shoe upper, provide the necessary support for the foot. In particular, the second layer may provide stability to the shoe upper at especially stressed places, for example in the heel and toe region.
By the arrangement according to some embodiments of the invention and the relative elasticity of the first and second layers an adaptable and flexible shoe upper is then obtained, which is, at the same time, in a position to provide the necessary support and stability to the foot.
The elasticity of materials may, for example, be described by its modulus of elasticity (also referred to as modulus of tension, elasticity coefficient, modulus of elasticity, E-modulus or Young's modulus). The larger the absolute value of the modulus of elasticity is, the larger the tensile stress required in order to evoke a certain stretching.
The second layer may be at least partially arranged on the first layer. Thereby the second layer may delimit the elasticity of the first layer at systematical selected places. The second layer may thus delimit the elasticity of the subjacent first layer in the regions in which the first layer and the second layer overlap.
The first layer may substantially define the shape of the shoe upper. The shape of the shoe upper is then provided by the first layer. This simplifies the manufacturing process of the shoe upper, since no further materials are required—besides the second layer. For example, the first layer may be manufactured as knitted fabric made in one piece on a weft knitting machine or warp knitting machine.
The at least two regions of the second layer may be patches, which are arranged on the first layer at a distance from each other. Patches simply may be cut-out or blanked-out from a suitable material and may be fixed on the first layer.
The at least two regions of the second layer may be made from leather or plastic. These materials are relatively easy to process and provide a high degree of stability and support to the foot at the places at which the regions are arranged at the shoe upper.
The at least two regions of the second layer may be stitched, glued or welded onto the first layer. In this way, a simple but nonetheless durable connection between the first layer and the second layer can be established.
The first layer may be made of an elastic polyurethane material, an elastic polyurethane-coated substrate, or an elastic rubber-coated plastic. These materials comprise an ideal elasticity for some embodiments of the present invention and are durable and enduring.
The first layer may be substantially formed as a two-ply layer. For example, an inner ply may be made of a lining material, for example a foamed material. A second ply, the elastic material, may be applied to the first ply. The second ply may, for example, be glued or welded to the first ply. The first ply and the second ply may at least partially overlap.
The at least two regions of the second ply may be connected by means of at least one first connecting element. The connecting element may delimit the relative arrangement of the two regions to each other and thereby define a maximum stretching of the shoe upper. That way the shoe upper can be prevented from stretching too much and thereby not provide sufficient support and stability to the foot. For example, the connecting element can ensure a maximum distance between the at least two regions of the second ply. The connecting element prevents the gap between the two regions from becoming too large and the first ply being stretched too much. The connecting element thereby delimits the elasticity of the shoe upper.
The connecting element may comprise a lower elasticity than the first ply. Thus, the elasticity of the shoe upper may be effectively delimited.
The at least one connecting element can be made in such a way that it can be severed. If the foot needs more space (e.g. as with shoes for children, bandaged feet, or feet that are asymmetrically formed) the elasticity of the shoe upper in the region of the severed connecting element may be increased by means of a systematic severing of the connecting element. Consequently the shoe upper may be adapted quite systematically to the shape of the foot, and/or size. Such an adaption can be done by the owner of the respective shoe even after the purchase. For that purpose no special tool is needed.
The at least one connecting element may be removably connected with the at least two regions of the second ply. For example, the connecting, element may be attached to the at least two regions of the second ply by means of a hook-and-loop fastener or snap fasteners. Also in this way an elasticity of the shoe upper may be adapted. Because the connecting element may be attached again to the shoe upper, this action is reversible. In case the wearer may set the bandages aside, for example due to a medical recovery, the elasticity of the shoe upper may be adapted according to the smaller required space of the foot by means of reattaching the connecting element.
The maximum distance between the at least two regions of the second layer may increase if the at least one connecting element is severed or removed. In this way, as already explained, the elasticity of the shoe upper may be increased systematically.
The at least one connecting element may be replaced by another connecting element of a different length. That way the maximum elasticity of the shoe upper may be adapted in an easy manner. As with shoes of children, for example, the connecting element may be replaced by a longer connecting element if the foot of the child reaches a certain shoe size.
The at least two regions of the second layer may be connected to each other by means of at least one second connecting element. Thereby, the second connecting element may comprise a different length than the first connecting element. That way the elasticity of the shoe upper may be increased if the shorter connecting element (e.g. the first connecting element) is severed or removed.
The second connecting element may be arranged above the first connecting element. For example, a shorter first connecting element may be arranged above a longer second connecting element. A severing or removing, of the first connecting element increases the maximum elasticity of the shoe upper.
The second connecting element may be arranged next to the first connecting element. It may be a connecting element of the same length as the first connecting element. Alternatively the second connecting element may have another length, in order to make the maximum elasticity of the shoe upper adaptable, as already described.
The first connecting element and/or the second connecting element may be made of a non-elastic, or only slightly elastic, material. The elasticity of the first and/or second connecting element is in any case smaller than the elasticity of the first layer. The first and/or second connecting element may be made, for example, from a textile material. The textile material may be, for example, a knitted, braided and/or woven material and/or a non-woven fabric.
A further aspect of the present invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, comprising a shoe upper as described above, and a sole attached to the shoe upper.
Still a further aspect of the present invention relates to a sole, in particular a sole for a sports shoe, comprising a first layer and a second layer connected to the first layer in a fixed way. The second layer comprises at least two regions separated from each other, and the first layer comprises a higher elasticity in at least one region not covered by the at least two regions of the second layer than the second layer.
Also this aspect of the invention provides for obtaining a shoe which adapts in an optimal way to the foot. According to some embodiments of the invention the sole comprises namely a first layer and a second layer connected therewith. The elasticity of the first layer is higher than the elasticity of the second layer. Through this the sole can adapt in an optimal way to the sole of the foot of the wearer, because the first layer yields. In order to enable a stretching of the first layer, the second, less elastic layer does not form a closed surface, but forms at least two regions separated from each other. At least in a region not covered by these regions the first layer is, more elastic than the second layer. The at least two regions of the second layer form a gap then for the subjacent or overlying first layer. Depending on the shape of the sole of foot and the load the gap extends more or less, so that it may adapt to the sole.
Due to the fact that the second layer is less elastic than the first layer, the second layer may provide the necessary support for the foot, despite the flexibility and adaptability of the sole. In particular the second layer may give stability to the sole and the especially stressed places, for example in the heel and toe region. Additionally the second layer may be profiled and abrasion-resistant for the ground contact.
Because of the arrangement according to some embodiments of the invention and the relative elasticity of the first and second layer, an adaptable and flexible sole is then obtained, which is, at the same time, in the position to provide the necessary support and stability to the sole of foot as well as traction and abrasion resistance.
The inner sole may comprise at least one first region, which comprises a higher elasticity than a second region of the inner sole. In this manner the inner sole also adapts to the shape of the foot and the load accordingly. The arrangement of the at least first region with a higher elasticity of the inner sole may be adapted to the arrangement of the second layer on the first layer. In regions in which the second layer does not overlap the first layer the inner sole may preferably comprise regions with a higher elasticity.
The second layer may at least partially be arranged on the first layer. Thus, the second layer may delimit the elasticity of the first layer in, systematically selected places. That way the second layer may delimit the elasticity of the subjacent first layer in the regions in which the first layer and the second layer overlap.
The first layer may substantially define the shape of the sole. The shape of the sole is then defined by the first layer. This simplifies the manufacturing process of the sole, since no further materials are necessary, besides the second layer. For example the first layer could be manufactured in a casting process in one piece.
The second layer may be injection-molded to the first layer. In this way, a fixed and permanent connection between both layers may be provided.
The first layer may be made of TPU with a Shore hardness of 60-100, 70-90 or 78-82 A. The second layer may be made of polyamide, for example PA6, PA11 or PA12, and/or TPU with a Shore hardness of 90-100 or 94-96 A.
The sole may further comprise an inner sole. The inner sole may serve as an insole (Brandsohle). An inner sole provides for a feeling that the shoe is comfortable to wear and may be additionally provided with further functions, e.g. air permeability and/or moisture absorption.
The regions with a higher elasticity of the inner sole may overlap at least partially with regions with a higher elasticity of the first layer of the sole. In selected regions (e.g. in the heel and/or toe region) thus the whole sole can adapt to the shape of the sole of the wearer in an optimal way and/or stretch according to the loads.
Still a further aspect of the present invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, comprising a sole as described above, and a shoe upper attached to the sole.
The shoe upper may be a shoe upper as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail with reference to the following figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a shoe with a shoe upper according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2A shows a shoe with a shoe upper according to some embodiments of the invention in a lateral view;

FIG. 2B shows a shoe with a shoe upper according to some embodiments of the invention in a plan view;

FIG. 2C shows a shoe with a shoe upper according to some embodiments of the invention in a medial view;

FIG. 3A shows a shoe with a shoe upper according to some embodiments of the invention in a lateral view;

FIG. 3B shows a shoe with a shoe upper according to some embodiments of the invention in a plan view;

FIG. 3C shows a shoe with a shoe upper according to some embodiments of the invention in a medial view; and

FIG. 4 shows a shoe with a sole according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments and variations of the present invention will be described in more detail below.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a shoe 11, which comprises a shoe upper 12 according to some embodiments of the invention. The shoe 11 shown in FIG. 1 is a sports shoe, as for example a soccer shoe. Embodiments of the present invention are applicable to any sports shoes, as for example rugby, soccer, football, basketball, tennis, golf, running shoes, etc. The invention is not limited to sports shoes, but may also be applied in casual shoes and shoes which are worn on formal occasions.
The shoe upper 12 comprises a first layer 13. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 the first layer 13 substantially defines the shape of the shoe upper 12, i.e. the shoe 11 may be worn also without the second layer 14 that is to be explained. The shoe upper 12 would, in this case, however, yield way too much at certain places should the situation arise. In general it is sufficient, if the first layer 13 is arranged in certain regions of the shoe upper 12, i.e. the first layer does not have to extend across the whole shoe upper 12. For example the first layer 13 could be arranged only in a toe region, a heel region, an instep region, or combinations thereof. In general the first layer 13 is arranged at that position where the shoe upper 12 shall be elastic, so that it can adapt to the shape of the foot.
In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 the first layer 13 also comprises two different kinds of regions. A first region is denoted by reference sign 13 a and extends across the front foot region crosswise and along a lower region of the side of the shoe upper 12 into the rear region of the shoe upper 12. Furthermore the first layer 13 comprises a further region 13 b in the toe region, a region 13 c in the front side region and a region 13 d at the instep region of the shoe upper 12. The material used for the region 13 a may be different from the one used for the regions 13 b, 13 c and 13 d. In particular, the elasticity of these materials may be different.
It is also possible that the first layer is substantially formed two-plied. For example, an inner ply could be made of a lining material, for example a foamed material. As a second ply, the elastic material can be applied to the first ply. The second ply may, for example, be glued or welded onto the first ply. The first ply and the second ply may at least partially overlap. For example, as an alternative to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the inner ply may substantially extend across the whole shoe upper and may be visible in the crosswise region denoted by the reference sign 13 a. Onto the inner ply, in the regions denoted by the reference signs 13 a, 13 b, 13 c and 13 d, the second ply may be glued or welded. The elasticity of the first ply may differ from the elasticity of the second ply.
The arrangement and the shape of the regions 13 a, 13 b, 13 c and 13 d in FIG. 1 is only exemplary and may vary according to the application (e.g. the sport) of the shoe 11. Also the first layer 13 may not comprise such regions, but may be made throughout from one material.
The first layer 13 is an elastic material. Potential materials are for example polyurethane or rubber-coated plastic.
The shoe upper 12 also comprises a second layer 14 connected to the first layer 13 in a fixed way, which comprises at least two regions separated from each other. In FIG. 1 two such regions are denoted exemplarily with the reference signs 14 a and 14 b. The regions 14 a and 14 b are patches, which are arranged onto the first layer 13 at a distance from each other. Furthermore FIG. 1 is an exploded view, i.e. the second layer 14 is illustrated spaced apart from the first layer 13 due to illustration reasons. In general, the second layer 14 is however connected in a fixed way to the first layer 13, for example by stitching, gluing or welding.
The at least two regions of the second layer 14 (in FIG. 1 exemplarily denoted by the reference signs 14 a and 14 b) are spaced apart, i.e. the regions 14 a and 14 b are arranged onto the first layer 13 spaced apart from each other. The at least two regions 14 a and 14 b may be made from leather or plastic.
The first layer 13 comprises, according to some embodiments of the invention, a higher elasticity in at least one region not covered by the at least two regions of the second layer than the second layer 14, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 the region 13 a of the first layer 13 is not covered by the second layer 14. The elasticity of the region 13 a is higher than the elasticity of the second layer 14, in particular, in the at least two regions 14 a and 14 b.
The elasticity of materials may be described for example by its modulus of elasticity (also referred to as modulus of tension, elasticity coefficient, modulus of elasticity, E-modulus or Young's modulus). The larger the absolute value of the modulus of elasticity is, the larger the tension required in order to evoke a certain stretching.
Due to the fact that the second layer 14 comprises a lower elasticity than the first layer 13 and is connected to it in a fixed way, the second layer 14 delimits the elasticity of the subjacent first layer 13 in the regions in which the first layer 13 and the second layer 14 overlap.
In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 the second layer 14 overlaps the subjacent first layer 13 completely, i.e. there is no region of second layer 14 that does not overlap the subjacent first layer 13. It is also possible in the scope of the present invention, that the first layer 13 and the second layer 14 overlap only partially. Also in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 the second layer 14 is arranged above the first layer 13. A reverse arrangement is also possible, i.e. the second layer 14 may be arranged below the first layer 13.
In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 the at least two regions 14 a and 14 b of the second, layer 14 are connected with each other by means of an optional, first connecting element. Such a first connecting element is exemplarily denoted by the reference sign 15 a in FIG. 1. The connecting element 15 a ensures a maximum distance between the at least two regions 14 a and 14 b of the second layer 14. Hereby the connecting element 15 a may comprise a lower elasticity than the first layer 13, i.e. the connecting element 15 a delimits the relative movement of both regions 14 a and 14 b with respect to each other, which is possible due to the higher elasticity of the subjacent first layer 13.
The first connecting element 15 a may be made for example from a non-woven material. Alternatively, the first connecting element 15 a may also be a knitted, braided and/or woven material. While in the first example of FIG. 1 the first connecting element 15 a has a tape-like shape, it is also possible, that the first connecting element 15 a comprises a round cross section and is, for example, a thread or yarn.
The first connecting element 15 a may be made in such a way that it may be severed. In the first example of FIG. 1 the first connecting element 15 a may be severed for example by means of scissors. It is also possible that the first connecting element 15 a is removably connected to the at least two regions 14 a and 14 b. For example the first connecting element 15 a and at least one of the two regions 14 a and 14 b may comprise a snap fastener or a hook-and-loop fastener, so that the connecting, element may be removed from this region. It is also possible that the other region also comprises a snap fastener or a hook-and-loop fastener, so that the connecting element 15 a may be removed completely from the shoe upper 12.
When the first connecting element 15 a is severed or removed, in general, the maximum distance between the at least two regions 14 a and 14 b of the second layer increases, since the connecting element does not delimit the relative movement of the two regions 14 a and 14 b with respect to each other anymore, which is possible due to the lower elasticity of the subjacent first layer 13. So, if the connecting element 15 a in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 is severed or removed, the elasticity of the shoe upper 12 increases in the lateral region in which the connecting element 15 a was arranged. The shoe upper 12 could then receive a foot with a larger width.
It is as also possible that the first connecting element 15 a may be replaced by another connecting element of another length. So, the maximum elasticity of the shoe upper may be adapted in the region of the connecting element 15 a. A shorter connecting element delimits the elasticity of the shoe upper accordingly, while a longer connecting element allows for a broader distance between the regions 14 a and 14 b of the second layer.
As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the regions 14 a and 14 b of the second layer 14 are connected with each other by means of an optional second connecting element 15 b. The second connecting element 15 b is arranged next to the first element 15 a. However, it is also possible that the second connecting element 15 b is arranged above the first connecting element. The second connecting, element 15 b may comprise another length than the first connecting element. For example, the length of the second connecting element 15 b may be greater than that of the first connecting element 15 a. In case, as already described, the first element 15 a is removed or severed, the elasticity of the shoe upper will increase in the region of the connecting element 15 a, since the maximum distance between the two regions 14 a and 14 b of the second layer 14 is now delimited by the longer second connecting element 15 b.
The shoe 11, illustrated in FIG. 1, also comprises, besides the already described shoe upper 12, a sole 16. It is connected to the shoe upper 12, for example, by stitching, gluing or welding. Alternatively, the sole 16 may be injection-molded directly onto the shoe upper 12. The sole 16 may be an ordinary sole, for example made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), cured rubber or expanded polyurethane (eTPU). Alternatively, it may be a sole according to another aspect of the present invention, which will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.
FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show a further exemplary embodiment of a shoe 11 with a shoe upper 12 according to some embodiments of the invention. This is a soccer shoe that comprises, besides a shoe upper 12 already described with reference to FIG. 1, a sole 16 with studs, three of which are exemplarily denoted by reference sign 21. With reference to the shoe upper 12, what, has been said with reference to FIG. 1 applies here as well. In contrast to the shoe upper 12 according to FIG. 1 the shoe upper according to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C comprises additional connecting elements in the rear foot region and heel region, respectively, two of which are exemplarily denoted by the reference signs 15 c and 15 d. Moreover the shoe upper 12 according to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C comprises overall a higher number of connecting elements 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d, whereby the adaptability of the shoe upper 12 is further increased.
FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show an exemplary embodiment of the invention that is an alternative to the example of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. The shoe 11 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C also comprises a shoe upper 12 according to some embodiments of the invention with the same features as the shoe 11 shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C the shoe 11 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C comprises, however, no connecting elements between regions of the second layer 14. For example, in contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, no connecting element between the regions 14 a and 14 b is arranged. Due to the fact that the shoe 11 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C does not comprise any connecting elements, the elasticity of the first layer 13 is basically lower than in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, in order to count for the absence of connecting elements.
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a shoe 41 with a sole 42 according to a further aspect of the present invention. The shoe 41 shown in FIG. 4 is a soccer shoe. The sole 42 shown in FIG. 4 may, however, be applied to any sports shoes, as for example rugby, soccer, football, basketball, tennis, golf, running shoes, etc. The invention is not limited to sports shoes, but may also be applied to casual shoes and shoes which are worn at formal occasions.
The sole 42 comprises a first layer 43. The layer 43 may be made from TPU 80A for example. The sole 42 further comprises a second layer 44 connected to the first layer 43 in a fixed way. The second layer 44 comprises a first section 45 in the mid foot region, which is made from PA12. Furthermore the first layer comprises a front foot section 46 a and a heel section 46 b, which is made from TPU 95A. This arrangement of the sections 45, 46 a and 46 b of the second layer 44 allows for a flexible and stretchable outer sole. The arrangement of the sections 45, 46 a and 46 b may, however, vary. Likewise, other materials may be used. The two layers 43 and 44 may be connected to each other by gluing or welding. Alternatively the first layer 43 may be injection-molded to the second layer 44, or vice versa.
The second layer 44 comprises at least two regions separated from each other, from which two are exemplarily denoted in FIG. 4 by the reference signs 47 a and 47 b. The two regions 47 a and 47 b are spaced apart from each other, so that the first layer 43 is visible between the regions 47 a and 47 b of the second layer 44.
According to some embodiments of the invention the first layer 43 comprises a higher elasticity in at least one region not covered by the at least two regions 47 a and 47 b of the second layer 44 than the second layer 44. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, a crosswise region of the first layer 43 is not covered by the second layer 44. The elasticity of the first layer 43 is higher in this region than the elasticity of the second layer 44, in particular as in the at least two regions 47 a and 47 b.
In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 the second layer 44 and the subjacent first layer 43 do not cover completely. For example, the second layer 44 extends up to the edge of the sole 42, however, the first layer 43 does not. In the scope of the present invention it is, however, also possible, that the first layer 43 and second layer 44 cover completely, i.e. there is no region in which the two layers do not cover each other. Also, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the second layer 44 is arranged above the first layer 43. A reverse arrangement is also possible, i.e. the second layer 44 may be arranged below the first layer 43.
Due to the fact that the second layer 44 comprises a lower elasticity than the first layer 43 and is connected to it in a fixed way, the second layer 44 delimits the elasticity of the subjacent first layer 43 in the regions in which the first layer 43 and the second layer 44 overlap.
In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 the first layer 43 substantially defines the shape of the sole 42, i.e. the shoe 41 could be worn without the second layer 44. In this case, however, the sole would yield too much at certain places. In general, it is sufficient, if the first layer 43 is arranged in certain regions of the sole 42, i.e. the first layer 43 does not have to extend across the whole sole 42. For example, the first layer 43 could be arranged only in a toe region, a heel region, a mid foot region, or combinations thereof. In general, the first layer 43 is arranged at positions where the sole 42 shall be elastic, so that it can adapt to the foot sole shape and the loads while wearing the shoe 41.
Optionally the sole 42 may also comprise an inner sole (not shown in FIG. 4). This sole may comprise regions with a higher elasticity than other regions. The regions of higher elasticity of the inner sole may at least partially overlap regions with a higher elasticity of the first layer 43 of the sole 42. In selected regions (e.g. in the heel and/or toe region) the complete sole 42 may adapt to the sole shape of the wearer and/or may stretch according to the loads.
The shoe 41 shown in FIG. 4 also comprises a shoe upper 48, which may be connected to the sole 42, for example, by stitching, gluing or welding. The sole 42 may also be injection-molded onto the shoe upper 48. The shoe upper 48 may be a shoe, upper, as it is used with ordinary soccer shoes. Alternatively, it may be a shoe upper 12 according to some embodiments of the invention, as it was already described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B and 3C.
Within the scope of the present invention exemplary embodiments may be combined with each other, in order to obtain a further exemplary embodiment, which was not explicitly described herein. For example, certain features of an exemplary embodiment may be combined with certain features of another exemplary embodiment, in order to obtain a new exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, which was not explicitly described herein.

Claims

1. A shoe upper for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, comprising:

a first layer; and

a second layer connected to the first layer in a fixed way,

wherein the second layer comprises at least two regions separated from each other, and

wherein the first layer comprises a higher elasticity in a region not covered by the at least two regions of the second layer than the second layer.

2. The shoe upper according to claim 1, wherein the second layer is at least partially arranged on the first layer.

3. The shoe upper according to claim 2, wherein the second layer delimits the elasticity of the subjacent first layer in regions in which the first layer and the second layer overlap.

4. The shoe upper according to claim 1, wherein the first layer substantially defines the shape of the shoe upper.

5. The shoe upper according to claim 1, wherein the at least two regions of the second layer are patches, which are arranged on the first layer at a distance from each other.

6. The shoe upper according to claim 1, wherein the at least two regions of the second layer are made of leather or plastic.

7. The shoe upper according to claim 1, wherein the at least two regions of the second layer are stitched, glued or welded onto the first layer.

8. The shoe upper according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is made of an elastic polyurethane material, an elastic polyurethane-coated substrate, or an elastic rubber-coated plastic.

9. The shoe upper according to claim 1, wherein the at least two regions of the second layer are connected to each other by a first connecting element.

10. The shoe upper according to claim 9, wherein the first connecting element ensures a maximum distance between the at least two regions of the second layer.

11. The shoe upper according to claim 9, wherein the first connecting element comprises a lower elasticity than the first layer.

12. The shoe upper according to claim 9, wherein the first connecting element is made in such a way that it can be severed.

13. The shoe upper according to claim 9, wherein the first connecting element is removably connected to the at least two regions of the second layer.

14. The shoe upper according to claim 13, wherein a maximum distance between the at least two regions of the second layer increases when the first connecting element is removed.

15. The shoe upper according to claim 9, wherein the first connecting element can be replaced by a second connecting element of a different length.

16. The shoe upper according to claim 9, wherein the at least two regions of the second layer are connected to each other by a second connecting element.

17. The shoe upper according to claim 16, wherein the second connecting element comprises a different length than the first connecting element.

18. The shoe upper according to claim 16, wherein the second connecting element is arranged above the first connecting element.

19. The shoe upper according to claim 16, wherein the second connecting element is arranged next to the first connecting element.

20. The shoe upper according to claim 9, wherein the first connecting element is made of a non-woven fabric.

21. The shoe upper according to claim 16, wherein the second connecting element is made of a non-woven fabric.

22. A shoe, in particular a sports shoe, comprising:

a shoe upper according to claim 1; and

a sole attached to the shoe upper.

23. A sole, in particular a sole for a sports shoe, comprising:

a first layer; and

a second layer connected to the first layer in a fixed way,

wherein the second layer comprises at least two regions separated from each other,

wherein the first layer comprises a higher elasticity at least in a region not covered by the at least two regions of the second layer than the second layer,

wherein the sole further comprises an inner sole, and

wherein the inner sole comprises at least a first region which comprises a higher elasticity than a second region of the inner sole.

24. The sole according to claim 23, wherein the second layer is at least partially arranged on the first layer.

25. The sole according to claim 24, wherein the second layer delimits the elasticity of the subjacent first layer in regions in which the first layer and the second layer overlap.

26. The sole according to claim 23, wherein the first layer substantially defines the shape of the sole.

27. The sole according to claim 23, wherein the second layer is injection-molded to the first layer.

28. The sole according to claim 23, wherein the first layer is made of TPU with a Shore hardness of 60-100 A and the second layer is made of PA6, PA11, PA12 and/or TPU with a Shore hardness of 90-100 A.

29. The sole according to claim 23, wherein the regions of higher elasticity of the inner sole at least partially overlap regions of higher elasticity of the first layer of the sole.

30. A shoe, in particular a sports shoe, comprising:

a sole according to claim 23; and

a shoe upper attached to the sole.

31. The shoe according to claim 30, wherein the shoe upper comprises:

a first layer; and

a second layer connected to the first layer in a fixed way,