Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Puma Se

Hunmin Koh

Matthias Hartmann

Reinhold Sussmann

Will Walker

Yihyun Lim

Federico Casalegno

Yasaman Tahouni

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure has a longitudinal extension in a longitudinal direction and a vertical extension in a vertical direction. The sole structure defines a plurality of recesses arranged at least in a rearfoot region thereof and extend at least partially into the sole structure in a transverse direction and along a straight line that extends in the longitudinal direction. Without external forces on the sole structure, each recess of the plurality of recesses is larger in a first direction than in a second direction. The sole structure is configured to provide predetermined dampening and spring deflection characteristics such that, when an external force is applied to the sole structure, the plurality of recesses collapse in a predetermined manner and, when the external force is removed, the plurality of recesses expand back to their original shape.

Sole structure of a shoe

The invention relates to a sole () of a shoe, particularly of an athletic shoe, wherein the sole () has an extension in a longitudinal direction (L) and an extension in a vertical direction (V) perpendicular thereto, wherein a number of recesses () is introduced into the sole (), wherein the recesses () extend in a transverse direction (Q) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and perpendicular to the vertical direction (V) and permeate the sole () at least in part. In order to influence the spring behaviour of the sole in a desired, specified manner, according to the invention, there is a first group of recesses (') which, without external forces on the sole (), are larger in the vertical direction (V) than in the longitudinal direction (L), and that there is a second group of recesses (&#x2033;) which, without external forces on the sole (), are smaller in the vertical direction (V) than in the longitudinal direction (L), wherein at least in sections, at least one row () of recesses (&#x2033;) is arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction (L), wherein a recess (&#x2033;) of the second group is arranged between two recesses (&#x2032;) of the first group.

Sole of a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe

Growing community of inventors

Somerville, MA, United States of America

Hunmin Koh