CA2391760A1

CA2391760A1 - Propulsion footwear

Info

Publication number: CA2391760A1
Application number: CA 2391760
Authority: CA
Inventors: Chad Asmundson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-25
Filing date: 2002-06-25
Publication date: 2003-12-25

Description

BACKC~1~OIJ'ND OF THE INVENTION
Previous inventions of the same sort have zrvt surceeried in working proficiently with the natural hoci impact, rear to front weight transfer and metatarsal push.
The inventions which have integrated this heel to toe movement (when absorbing, amplifying and returning to the user's efforts) have failed to maintain a light-weight design. Lighter versions of the spring footwear fond to return energy to the same portion so the foot that it was absorbed from or, as in many cases, they merely act as a shock absor6cr without avor actually amplifying the user's energy.
An issue that has been neglected entirely by this field is the braking properties of thrust-enhancing footwear. Due to this oversight, spring action footwear has not accomplished a stopping technique which allows for the toe to heel transfer of weight which is a necessity to metatarsal shock absorption for the user's foot.
Maneuverability in regards to cornering situations is another attribute which has been ineffective in previous spring footwear designs.
The above mentioned disadvantages can be overcome through a suspension system combining shock absorbers, torsion springs and coil springs which, when functioning in a cycle, drsstioakly amplifies the thrust capabilities of a runner or jumper and also absorbs the impact from such actions while remaining lightweight and maneuverable.

$lt>(EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of this invention. '~
Figure 2 is a top view of the preferred eznbodinnent with eomprassed air as the spring ,.
factor within the shock absorber. ' Figure 3 depicts tt side view of the preferred embodiment with the addition of ankle support and pivotal connections to the bast plate.
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Figure 4 is a blown .apart view of the ball and socket joint pivotally connection the coil spring to the bast plate.
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DESCRxf'fION 4F THE PREFERRED EMBODIIVIENT
Figure 1 shows a side view wherein one slxoclc absorber 2 is attached to the torsion springs 3 and to the user's foot encasement 1 in such a manner as to absorb shock and then influexACe a forward pivot of the foot encasement 1. The site at which the foal encasement 1 is initially cushioned and then rifted forward is the upper pivotal point G of flea shock 2. In this model the upper attachment point 6 of the shock 2 and the extension 15 (welds have bean utilized to make fixed attachments in this embodiment) ~~'om the foot encasement 1, have a bolt - which allows for pivoting -fastening them together at a point above the user's heel. The lower pivoting point 17 of the shock 2 consists of a fully enclosed ball bearing ring firmly fixed to the bottom -of the shock 2 and the middle of the swing shaped rod 8 that conzi,ects in a pivotal manner 7 to tech torsion spring 3. T'he swing shaped rod is necessary with most shock absorbers, because the shock cannot compress past Fttty percent of its own length_ This amount of compression is optimum for suffzciont travel of the foot encasement's 1 heel. The rod 8, having a Lower pivoting connection 17 to the bottom of the shock absorber 2, allows the shock 2 to realign itsrlf as it is compressed. Two torsion springs 3 are pivotally secured to the central pivoting point 5 of the foot encasement 2 - in this instance four fl~lly enclosed ball bearing rings are used. The lower arms ofthe torsion springs 3 fixedly connect 11 at the rear afthe jumping shoe's base 13. 'flee upper arms of the torsion springs 3 fixedly coxuaect 10 to a rod "
16 which acts as a connection between tile torsion spriuags 3 and the control pivoting point S of the foot encasement 1. A tab 9 protrudes out either side of the foot encasennent 1 positioned with the intent of contacting beneath the upper arms of the torsion springs 3 to result in the restriction offorward pivot by the foot encasernont x.
i A coil spring 4 spans the area between the ball area of the foot encasecuent and the ' apparatus' bast 13. The coil spring 4 is functionally engaged when the torsion spzingg 3 have compressed and the shock 2 has released. A chord 12 attaches tv the 24 same points as the coil spring 11 and regulates the maximum distance between the foot ez~case~nent 1' end the apparatus base 13. The apparatus base 13 is fixedly connected to the footwear sole 14.

Figure 2 shows a top view wherein an air shock is the type of shock absorber 2 utilized and a pivotal connection 17 has not been incorporated. =
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5 Figure 3 sho~cus a side view of the preferred embodiment as depicted by Figure 1 with the addibiozt of pivotal connections between the bast plate 14 and the lower F
extremities of the coil spriztg 4 and the torsion spring extension 13. A ball 23 and socket I8 connection has been utilizAd for the brio of the coil spring 4. Ball bearing rings 19 are the pivotal connection between the torsion spring ~tensioz~s I3 and the brio plate 14. Figure 3 also embodies a pivotal ankle support 20 and tabs 22 to prevent ankle hyper-extension. A rivet 21 has been used as the pivotal connection between the ankle suppart 20 and the foot encasement 1.
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Figure 4 shows that the base of the socket 18 is rubber lined 24 to restrict rotation of the ball 23 upon impact.
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The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been present for purposes of illustration azzd is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as arc suited to the particular user contemplated. For example, two shock absorbers can be used instead ar ane; an overlapping angle spring can be used to assist aad cvea replace the torsion springs; the pouts of connection, both pivoting and fixed can be altered to influence the heel to toe rocking motion for specific type of performaace; and a full boot can replace the sandal style ' foot encasement and ankle support.
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The torsion buildup used to create an amplified metatarsal thrust is fully capitalized through tbo following sequence, which is unique to this apparatus_ When the user places weight on the heel of the foot first, upon impact, the shocks) arid torsioa springs coxxapress to cushion the user's weight. Said shock is the frst to ba fully camprcsscd, at this point the dlt of the foot platform rxks forward under the user's weight and compresses the coil spring.
With a factor rexctiorr time than bath of the spring types, the shocks) decompress first, causing the foot platform to tilt all the way forward and the heel basins to rise.
Hoth the torsion spring and the coil spring ctxomprcss simultaneously to provide lift-off tbrust to the ball area of the foot.

Claims

1. A jumping shoe attachment controlled by the normal heel to toe distribution of the weight and metatarsal thrust of a person as they stride or jump. Said attachment performs by comprising in combination:
a) a foot encasement of a durable, lightweight and rigidly formed material which can allow for the normal motions of the user's foot while securely supporting it. Said encasement is to serve as a platform spaced generally parallel above a base plate. Said foot encasement is to have a point located above the user's heel and behind the ankle, for the upper portion of the shock absorber to pivotally connect. Said foot encasement is to have an attachment point, located below the pivot center of the user's foot, to which the two upper arms of an angle spring device arc to pivotally connect. Said foot encasement is to also have an attachment point for the upper end of a coil spring to firmly connect under the ball area of the user's foot;

b) an angle spring device, hereinafter referred to as torsion springs, pivotally secured under the central pivot point of the foot encasement.
The angle spring's upper arms extend rearward, horizontally when idle, from said central pivot point on either side of the user's heel.
The lower arms of the said torsion springs extend down and attach firmly to the base plate of the apparatus. AT a predetermined point, between said attachment to the foot encasement and the elbow of the angle spring. The lower end of the shock absorber is pivotally secured;
c) shock absorber(s) pivotally secured at it supper and to said foot encasement in a manner that biases said foot encasement towards a generally horizontal position. Said shock absorber is pivotally secured at a predetermined point on its lower end to said attachment point on the angle spring arms;
d) a device with coil spring properties attached to the underside of the foot encasement and the top of said apparatus base in a manner that provides spring to the ball of the foot and imposes a predetermined maximum span between said foot encasement and said base plate;

e) a base plate of a durable, lightweight and rigidly formed material on it supper surface and a means of attachment to a footwear sole suitable to the user's intended application of the propulsion footwear; and f) said shock absorber, said torsion spring and said coil spring cyclically arranged to sequentially absorb the forces of impact and the user's exertion, while generating torsion buildup throughout a rocking heel to toe motion, and then impart an amplified metatarsal thrust to the user.

2. The spring action propulsion footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein the foot encasement extends up to support and guide the user's ankle.

3. The spring action propulsion footwear as defined is claim 1, including a supportive cover for said torsion springs' arms and coils to prevent an excess of directional leeway in said torsion spring arms.

4. The spring action propulsion footwear as defined in claim 2, including lower torsion spring arms which form the frame of the base plate and are pivotally connected to the heel area of said base plate's sole.

5. The spring action propulsion footwear as defined in claim 1, including a rigid tab protruding out either side of the foot platform positioned with the intent of contacting beneath the upper arms of the torsion spring. Said tabs contact said torsion spring arms to result is the restriction of forward pivot by said foot platform.

6. The spring action propulsion footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein the pivotal connection between the torsion spring and the shock absorber is accomplished through a means that connects pivotally to said torsion spring and connected pivotally to the bottom extremity of said shock absorber, allowing said means to introduce a swing type-movement.

7. The spring action propulsion footwear as defined in claim 1, including a pivotal means for attaching the coil spring to the base plate so that the directional thrust of the apparatus is dictated by the angle of the foot encasement and not that of the base plate.

8. The spring action propulsion footwear as defined in claim 7, wherein the coil spring's pivotal connection holds its angled position once the user's weight has been exerted upon the apparatus.

9. The spring action propulsion footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein fully enclosed ball bearing rings are used for the pivot points of the apparatus.

10. The spring notion propulsion footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein fully sealed ball and socket connections are used for given pivot points of the apparatus.

11. The spring action propulsion footwear as defined in claim 1, including a means to regulate the span between the foot encasement and the apparatus' base.