Diversifiable compliance sole structure

Claim 2

A diversifiable compliance sole structure (1), characterized in that it comprises a sole portion (2) formed from a thermoplastic material defining a thickness dimension and bonded to a sole element (3) formed by foaming, also defining a thickness dimension and having at a bottom surface (4) a plurality of seats (6) adapted for accommodating strengthening elements (11,12), said strengthening elements (11,12) being removable from said plurality of seats (6).

Claim 3

A diversifiable compliance sole structure, according to Claim 1, comprising a thermoplastic material sole portion (2) characterized in that it has on the bottom surface (4) and proximately to a peripheral region (7) of a heel portion (5) a plurality of seats (6) also affecting the sole element (3), formed by foaming, said plurality of seats (6) being arranged at symmetrical locations relatively to the longitudinal mid axis of the sole structure (1) and extending perpendicularly to a plane containing said sole portion (2).

Claim 4

A diversifiable compliance sole structure (1), according to Claims 1 and 2, comprising at the bottom surface (4) a plurality of seats (6) characterized in that each seat (6) in said plurality of seats defines a first, cylindrical zone (8) having an axial extension corresponding to the thickness dimension of the sole portion (2), followed by a second conical zone (9), which becomes narrower inwardly of the sole element (3) to a depth corresponding to approximately one third of said thickness dimension of said sole element which is followed by a third cylindrical zone (10), mutually extending along a same longitudinal centerline with the first cylindrical zone (8), and second conical zone (9) to span, almost the full thickness dimension of the sole element (3).

Claim 5

A diversifiable compliance sole structure (1), according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises strengthening elements (11) comprising thermoplastic material plugs (12) insertable into the seats (6) formed at the bottom surface (4), each of said plugs (12) having at the bottom thereof a first cylindrical zone (13), of a slightly larger diameter than the maximum diameter of a first cylindrical zone (8) defined by each seat in said plurality of seats (6), followed by a second conical zone (14), of a slightly larger size than that of a corresponding second conical zone (9) defined by each seat in said plurality of seats (6) and connected by a step to a third cylindrical zone, shaped to mate with a third cylindrical zone (10) defined by each seat in said plurality of seats (6).

Claim 6

A diversifiable compliance sole structure, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said strengthening elements (11,12)has, across a lateral surface (17) of a third cylindrical zone (15) thereof, annular projections (18) formed of the same material as said strengthening element (11,12), and being equispaced apart from each other and adapted to improve the holding power of each of said strengthening elements (11,12) in a respective seat in said plurality of seats (6).

Claim 7

A diversifiable compliance sole structure, according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with strengthening elements having different stiffness characteristics.