EP0653914B1 - Schuhsohlenkonstruktion - Google Patents

Schuhsohlenkonstruktion Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0653914B1
EP0653914B1 EP93919919A EP93919919A EP0653914B1 EP 0653914 B1 EP0653914 B1 EP 0653914B1 EP 93919919 A EP93919919 A EP 93919919A EP 93919919 A EP93919919 A EP 93919919A EP 0653914 B1 EP0653914 B1 EP 0653914B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sole
shoe
foot
shoe sole
heel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93919919A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0653914A4 (de
EP0653914A1 (de
Inventor
Frampton E. Ellis Iii
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Anatomic Research Inc
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Anatomic Research Inc
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Publication date
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Priority to AT99203329T priority Critical patent/ATE227946T1/de
Priority to EP99203329A priority patent/EP1002475B1/de
Publication of EP0653914A1 publication Critical patent/EP0653914A1/de
Publication of EP0653914A4 publication Critical patent/EP0653914A4/de
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Publication of EP0653914B1 publication Critical patent/EP0653914B1/de
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/143—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form provided with wedged, concave or convex end portions, e.g. for improving roll-off of the foot
    • A43B13/148—Wedged end portions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/141—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/143—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form provided with wedged, concave or convex end portions, e.g. for improving roll-off of the foot
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/143—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form provided with wedged, concave or convex end portions, e.g. for improving roll-off of the foot
    • A43B13/145—Convex portions, e.g. with a bump or projection, e.g. 'Masai' type shoes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/143—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form provided with wedged, concave or convex end portions, e.g. for improving roll-off of the foot
    • A43B13/146—Concave end portions, e.g. with a cavity or cut-out portion

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to the structure of footwear. More specifically, this invention relates to the structure of athletic shoe soles that copy the underlying support, stability and cushioning structures of the human foot. Still more particularly, this invention relates to the use of relatively inelastic and flexible fiber within the material of the shoe sole to provide both flexibility and firmness under load-bearing pressure. It also relates to the use of sipes, particularly those that roughly parallel the foot sole of the wearer in frontal plane cross sections, contained within the shoe sole under the load-bearing structures of the wearer's foot to provide the firmness and flexibility to deform to flatten under weight-bearing loads in parallel with the wearer's foot sole. Finally, it relates to providing additional shoe sole width to support those areas identified as mandatory to maintaining the naturally firm lateral and medial support of the wearer's foot sole during extreme sideways motion while load-bearing.
  • GB-A-807,305 discloses a shoe sole which is produced from an unvulcanized microcellular sponge rubber composition prepared in sheet form without addressing a problem relating to contoured sides.
  • this invention relates to support and cushioning which is provided by shoe sole compartments filled with a pressure-transmitting medium like liquid, gas, or gel.
  • a pressure-transmitting medium like liquid, gas, or gel.
  • direct physical contact occurs between the upper surface and the lower surface of the compartments, providing firm, stable support.
  • Cushioning is provided by the transmitting medium progressively causing tension in the flexible and relatively inelastic sides of the shoe sole.
  • the compartments providing support and cushioning are similar in structure to the fat pads of the foot, which simultaneously provide both firm support and progressive cushioning.
  • the purpose of the inventions disclosed in these applications was primarily to provide a neutral design that allows for natural foot and ankle biomechanics as close as possible to that between the foot and the ground, and to avoid the serious interference with natural foot and ankle biomechanics inherent in existing shoes.
  • the barefoot provides stability at it sides by puffing those sides, which are flexible and relatively inelastic, under extreme tension caused by the pressure of the compressed fat pads; they thereby become temporarily rigid when outside forces make that rigidity appropriate, producing none of the destabilizing lever arm torque problems of the permanently rigid sides of existing designs.
  • the applicant's new invention simply attempts, as closely as possible, to replicate the naturally effective structures of the foot that provide stability, support, and cushioning.
  • This invention relates to a shoe sole as claimed in claim 1.
  • Figs. 1-10 are modified versions of the applicant's PCT publication no. WO 91/10377.
  • Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a shoe, such as a typical athletic shoe specifically for running, according to the prior art, wherein the running shoe 20 includes an upper portion 21 and a sole 22.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates, in a close-up cross section of a typical shoe of existing art (undeformed by body weight) on the ground 43 when tilted on the bottom outside edge 23 of the shoe sole 22, that an inherent stability problem remains in existing designs, even when the abnormal torque producing rigid heel counter and other motion devices are removed, as illustrated in Fig. 5 of PCT publication no. WO 90/00358.
  • the problem is that the remaining shoe upper 21 (shown in the thickened and darkened line), while providing no lever arm extension, since it is flexible instead of rigid, nonetheless creates unnatural destabilizing torque on the shoe sole.
  • the torque is due to the tension force 155a along the top surface of the shoe sole 22 caused by a compression force 150 (a composite of the force of gravity on the body and a sideways motion force) to the side by the foot 27, due simply to the shoe being tilted to the side, for example.
  • the resulting destabilizing force acts to pull the shoe sole in rotation around a lever arm 23a that is the width of the shoe sole at the edge. Roughly speaking, the force of the foot on the shoe upper pulls the shoe over on its side when the shoe is tilted sideways.
  • the compression force 150 also creates a tension force 155b, which is the mirror image of tension force 155a.
  • Fig. 3 shows, in a close-up cross section of a naturally contoured design shoe sole 28, described in U.S. Patent No. 5,317,819, (also shown undeformed by body weight) when tilted on the bottom edge, tat the same inherent stability problem remains in the naturally contoured shoe sole design, though to a reduced degree.
  • the problem is less since the direction of the force vector 155 along the lower surface of the shoe upper 21 is parallel to the ground 43 at the outer sole edge 32 edge, instead of angled toward the ground as in a conventional design like that shown in Fig. 2, so the resulting torque produced by lever arm created by the outer sole edge 32 would be less, and the contoured shoe sole 28 provides direct structural support when tilted, unlike conventional designs.
  • Fig. 4 shows (in a rear view) that, in contrast, the barefoot is naturally stable because, when deformed by body weight and tilted to its natural lateral limit of about 20 degrees, it does not create any destabilizing torque due to tension force. Even though tension paralleling that on the shoe upper is created on the outer surface 29, both bottom and sides, of the bare foot by the compression force of weight-bearing, no destabilizing torque is created because the lower surface under tension (ie the foot's bottom sole, shown in the darkened line) is resting directly in contact with the ground. Consequently, there is no unnatural lever arm artificially created against which to pull.
  • the weight of the body firmly anchors the outer surface of the foot underneath the foot so that even considerable pressure against the outer surface 29 of the side of the foot results in no destabilizing motion.
  • the supporting structures of the foot like the calcaneus, slide against the side of the strong but flexible outer surface of the foot and create very substantial pressure on that outer surface at the sides of the foot. But that pressure is precisely resisted and balanced by tension along the outer surface of the foot, resulting in a stable equilibrium.
  • Fig. 5 shows, in cross section of the upright heel deformed by body weight, the principle of the tension stabilized sides of the barefoot applied to the naturally contoured shoe sole design; the same principle can be applied to conventional shoes, but is not shown.
  • the key change from the existing art of shoes is that the sides of the shoe upper 21 (shown as darkened lines) must wrap around the outside edges 32 of the shoe sole 28, instead of attaching underneath the foot to the upper surface 30 of the shoe sole, as done conventionally.
  • the shoe upper sides can overlap and be attached to either the inner (shown on the left) or outer surface (shown on the right) of the bottom sole, since those sides are not unusually load-bearing, as shown; or the bottom sole, optimally thin and tapering as shown, can extend upward around the outside edges 32 of the shoe sole to overlap and attach to the shoe upper sides (shown Fig. 5B); their optimal position coincides with the Theoretically Ideal Stability Plane, so that the tension force on the shoe sides is transmitted directly all the way down to the bottom shoe, which anchors it on the ground with virtually no intervening artificial lever arm.
  • the attachment of the shoe upper sides should be at or near the lower or bottom surface of the shoe sole.
  • Fig. 5 The design shown in Fig. 5 is based on a fundamentally different conception: that the shoe upper is integrated into the shoe sole, instead of attached on top of it, and the shoe sole is treated as a natural extension of the foot sole, not attached to it separately.
  • the fabric (or other flexible material, like leather) of the shoe uppers would preferably be non-stretch or relatively so, so as not to be deformed excessively by the tension place upon its sides when compressed as the foot and shoe tilt.
  • the fabric can be reinforced in areas of particularly high tension, like the essential structural support and propulsion elements defined in the applicant's earlier applications (the base and lateral tuberosity of the calcaneus, the base of the fifth metatarsal, the heads of the metatarsals, and the first distal phalange; the reinforcement can take many forms, such as like that of corners of the jib sail of a racing sailboat or more simple straps. As closely as possible, it should have the same performance characteristics as the heavily calloused skin of the sole of an habitually bare foot.
  • the relative density of the shoe sole is preferred as indicated in Fig. 9 of PCT publication no. WO 90/00358, wit the softest density nearest the foot sole, so that the conforming sides of the shoe sole do not provide a rigid destabil
  • the change from existing art of the tension stabilized sides shown in Fig. 5 is that the shoe upper is directly integrated functionally with the shoe sole, instead of simply being attached on top of it.
  • the advantage of the tension stabilized sides design is that it provides natural stability as close to that of the barefoot as possible, and does so economically, with the minimum shoe sole side width possible.
  • the shoe uppers may be joined or bonded only to the bottom sole, not the midsole, so that pressure shown on the side of the shoe upper produces side tension only and not the destabilizing torque from pulling similar to that described in Fig. 2.
  • the upper areas 147 of the shoe midsole, which forms a sharp corner should be composed of relatively soft midsole material; in this case, bonding the shoe uppers to the midsole would not create very much destabilizing torque.
  • the bottom sole is preferably thin, at least on the stability sides, so that its attachment overlap with the shoe upper sides coincide as close as possible to the Theoretically Ideal Stability Plane, so that force is transmitted on the outer shoe sole surface to the ground.
  • the Fig. 5 design is for a shoe construction, including: a shoe upper that is composed of material that is flexible and relatively inelastic at least where the shoe upper contacts the areas of the structural bone elements of the human foot, and a shoe sole that has relatively flexible sides; and at least a portion of the sides of the shoe upper being attached directly to the bottom sole, while enveloping on the outside the other sole portions of said shoe sole.
  • This construction can either be applied to convention shoe sole structures or to the applicant's prior shoe sole inventions, such as the naturally contoured shoe sole conforming to the theoretically ideal stability plane.
  • Fig. 7 shows, in cross section at the heel, the tension stabilized sides concept applied to naturally contoured design shoe sole when the shoe and foot are tilted out fully and naturally deformed by body weight (although constant shoe sole thickness is shown undeformed).
  • the figure shows that the shape and stability function of the shoe sole and shoe uppers mirror almost exactly that of the human foot.
  • Figs. 8A-8D show the natural cushioning of the human barefoot, in cross sections at the heel.
  • Fig. 8A shows the bare heel upright and unloaded, with little pressure on the subcalcaneal fat pad 158, which is evenly distributed between the calcaneus 159, which is the heel bone, and the bottom sole 160 of the foot.
  • Fig. 8B shows the bare heel upright but under the moderate pressure of full body weight.
  • the compression of the calcaneus against the subcalcaneal fat pad produces evenly balanced pressure within the subcalcaneal fat pad because it is contained and surrounded by a relatively unstretchable fibrous capsule, the bottom sole of the foot. Underneath the foot, where the bottom sole is in direct contact with the ground, the pressure caused by the calcaneus on the compressed subcalcaneal fat pad is transmitted directly to the ground. Simultaneously, substantial tension is created on the sides of the bottom sole of the foot because of the surrounding relatively tough fibrous capsule. That combination of bottom pressure and side tension is the foot's natural shock absorption system for support structures like the calcaneus and the other bones of the foot that come in contact with the ground.
  • this system allows the relatively narrow base of the calcaneus to pivot from side to side freely in normal pronation/supination motion, without any obstructing torsion on it, despite the very much greater width of compressed foot sole providing protection and cushioning; this is crucially important in maintaining natural alignment of joints above the ankle joint such as the knee, hip and back, particularly in the horizontal plane, so that the entire body is properly adjusted to absorb shock correctly.
  • existing shoe sole designs which are generally relatively wide to provide stability, produce unnatural frontal plane torsion on the calcaneus, restricting its natural motion, and causing misalignment of the joints operating above it, resulting in the overuse injuries unusually common with such shoes.
  • existing shoe sole designs are forced by lack of other alternatives to use relatively rigid sides in an attempt to provide sufficient stability to offset the otherwise uncontrollable buoyancy and lack of firm support of air or gel cushions.
  • Fig. 8D shows the barefoot deformed under full body weight and tilted laterally to the roughly 20 degree limit of normal range. Again it is clear that the natural system provides both firm lateral support and stability by providing relatively direct contact with the ground, while at the same time providing a cushioning mechanism through side tension and subcalcaneal fat pad pressure.
  • Figs. 9A-9D show, also in cross sections at the heel, a naturally contoured shoe sole design that parallels as closely as possible the overall natural cushioning and stability system of the barefoot described in Fig. 8, including a cushioning compartment 161 under support structures of the foot containing a pressure-transmitting medium like gas, gel, or liquid, like the subcalcaneal fat pad under the calcaneus and other bones of the foot; consequently, Figs. 9A-D directly correspond to Figs. 8A-D.
  • a pressure-transmitting medium like gas, gel, or liquid
  • the optimal pressure-transmitting medium is that which most closely approximates the fat pads of the foot; silicone gel is probably most optimal of materials currently readily available, but future improvements are probable; since it transmits pressure indirectly, in that it compresses in volume under pressure, gas is significantly less optimal.
  • the gas, gel, or liquid, or any other effective material can be further encapsulated itself, in addition to the sides of the shoe sole, to control leakage and maintain uniformity, as is common conventionally, and can be subdivided into any practical number of encapsulated areas within a compartment, again as is common conventionally.
  • the relative thickness of the cushioning compartment 161 can vary, as can the bottom sole 149 and the upper midsole 147, and can be consistent or differ in various areas of the shoe sole; the optimal relative sizes should be those that approximate most closely those of the average human foot, which suggests both smaller upper and lower soles and a larger cushioning compartment than shown in Fig.9.
  • the cushioning compartment can also be very thin, including as thin as a simple sipe or horizontal slit, or a single boundary layer, such as a portion or most of that layer between the bottom sole and the midsole.
  • the cushioning compartments or pads 161 can be placed anywhere from directly underneath the foot, like an insole, to directly above the bottom sole. Optimally, the amount of compression created by a given load in any cushioning compartment 161 should be tuned to approximate as closely as possible the compression under the corresponding fat pad of the foot.
  • Fig. 9 conforms to the natural contour of the foot and to the natural method of transmitting bottom pressure into side tension in the flexible but relatively non-stretching (the actual optimal elasticity will require empirical studies) sides of the shoe sole.
  • Fig. 9 provides firm support to foot support structures by providing for actual contact between the lower surface 165 of the upper midsole 147 and the upper surface 166 of the bottom sole 149 when fully loaded under moderate body weight pressure, as indicated in Fig. 9B, or under maximum normal peak landing force during running, as indicated in Fig. 9C, just as the human foot does in Figs. 8B and 8C.
  • the greater the downward force transmitted through the foot to the shoe the greater the compression pressure in the cushioning compartment 161 and the greater the resulting tension of the shoe sole sides.
  • Fig. 9D shows the same shoe sole design when fully loaded and tilted to the natural 20 degree lateral limit, like Fig. 8D.
  • Fig. 9D shows that an added stability benefit of the natural cushioning system for shoe soles is that the effective thickness of the shoe sole is reduced by compression on the side so that the potential destabilizing lever arm represented by the shoe sole thickness is also reduced, so foot and ankle stability is increased.
  • Another benefit of the Fig. 9 design is that the upper midsole shoe surface can move in any horizontal direction, either sideways or front to back in order to absorb shearing forces; that shearing motion is controlled by tension in the sides. Note that the right side of Figs.
  • 9A-D is modified to provide a natural crease or upward taper 162, which allows complete side compression without binding or bunching between the upper and lower shoe sole layers 147, 148, and 149; the shoe sole crease 162 parallels exactly a similar crease or taper 163 in the human foot.
  • FIG. 9A-D Another possible variation of joining shoe upper to shoe bottom sole is on the right (lateral) side of Figs. 9A-D, which makes use of the fact that it is optimal for the tension absorbing shoe sole sides, whether shoe upper or bottom sole, to coincide with the Theoretically Ideal Stability Plane along the side of the shoe sole beyond that point reached when the shoe is tilted to the foot's natural limit, so that no destabilizing shoe sole lever arm is created when the shoe is tilted fully, as in Fig. 9D.
  • the joint may be moved up slightly so that the fabric side does not come in contact with the ground, or it may be cover with a coating to provide both traction and fabric protection.
  • Fig. 9 design provides a structural basis for the shoe sole to conform very easily to the natural shape of the human foot and to parallel easily the natural deformation flattening of the foot during load-bearing motion on the ground. This is true even if the shoe sole is made like a conventional sole except for the Fig. 9 design, although relatively rigid structures such as heel counters and motion control devices are not preferred, since they would interfere with the capability of the shoe sole to deform in parallel with the natural deformation under load of the wearer's foot sole. Though not optimal, such a conventional flat shoe made like Fig. 9 would provide the essential features of the new invention resulting in significantly improved cushioning and stability.
  • the Fig. 9 is made like a conventional sole except for the Fig. 9 design, although relatively rigid structures such as heel counters and motion control devices are not preferred, since they would interfere with the capability of the shoe sole to deform in parallel with the natural deformation under load of the wearer's foot sole. Though not optimal, such a conventional flat shoe made like Fig. 9 would provide the essential features of
  • Fig. 9 design could also be applied to intermediate-shaped shoe soles that neither conform to the flat ground or the naturally contoured foot.
  • the Fig. 9 design can be applied to the applicant's other designs, such as those described in his PCT publication no. WO 91/04683.
  • the Fig. 9 design shows a shoe construction for a shoe, including: a shoe sole with a compartment or compartments under the structural elements of the human foot, including at least the heel; the compartment or compartments contains a pressure-transmitting medium like liquid, gas, or gel; a portion of the upper surface of the shoe sole compartment firmly contacts the lower surface of said compartment during normal load-bearing; and pressure from the load-bearing is transmitted progressively at least in part to the relatively inelastic sides, top and bottom of the shoe sole compartment or compartments, producing tension.
  • a pressure-transmitting medium like liquid, gas, or gel
  • FIG. 10A and 10C are perspective views of cross sections of the human heel showing the matrix of elastic fibrous connective tissue arranged into chambers 164 holding closely packed fat cells; the chambers are structured as whorls radiating out from the calcaneus. These fibrous-tissue strands are firmly attached to the undersurface of the calcaneus and extend to the subcutaneous tissues. They are usually in the form of the letter U, with the open end of the U pointing toward the calcaneus.
  • the lower surface 165 of the upper midsole 147 would correspond to the outer surface 167 of the calcaneus 159 and would be the origin of the U shaped whorl chambers 164 noted above.
  • Fig. 10B shows a close-up of the interior structure of the large chambers shown in Fig. 10A and 10C.
  • the Fig. 10 design shows a shoe construction including: a shoe sole with a compartments under the structural elements of the human foot, including at least the heel; the compartments containing a pressure-transmitting medium like liquid, gas, or gel; the compartments having a whorled structure like that of the fat pads of the human foot sole; load-bearing pressure being transmitted progressively at least in part to the relatively inelastic sides, top and bottom of the shoe sole compartments, producing tension therein; the elasticity of the material of the compartments and the pressure-transmitting medium are such that normal weight-bearing loads produce sufficient tension within the structure of the compartments to provide adequate structural rigidity to allow firm natural support to the foot structural elements, like that provided the barefoot by its fat pads.
  • That shoe sole construction can have shoe sole compartments that are subdivided into micro chambers like those of the fat pads of the foot sole.
  • socks could be produced to serve the same function, with the area of the sock that corresponds to the foot bottom sole (and sides of the bottom sole) made of a material coarse enough to stimulate the production of callouses on the bottom sole of the foot, with different grades of coarseness available, from fine to coarse, corresponding to feet from soft to naturally tough.
  • the toe area of the sock could be relatively less abrasive than the heel area.
  • Figures 11A-C show a preferred embodiment of fiber strands in previous Figs. 10A-C.
  • the use of fibers in existing shoe soles is limited to only the outer surface, such as the upper surface of insoles, which is typically woven fabric and such as the Dellinger Web, which is a net or web of fabric surrounding the outer surface of the midsole (or portions of it, like the heel wedge, sandwiched into the rest of the shoe sole).
  • No existing use of fiber in shoe soles includes use of those fibers within the shoe sole material itself.
  • PCT publication no. WO 91/10377 copies the use of fibers in the human foot and therefore would be, like the foot sole, integrally suspended within the other material of the shoe sole itself that is, in typical existing athletic shoes, within the polyurethane (PU) or ethylvinylacetate (EVA).
  • PU polyurethane
  • EVA ethylvinylacetate
  • PCT publication no. WO 91/10377 was intended to encompass broadly any use of fiber suspended within shoe sole material to reinforce it, providing strength and flexibility; particularly the use of such fiber in the midsole and bottom sole, since use there copies the U shaped use of fiber in the human foot sole.
  • the orientation of the fiber within the human foot sole structure shown in Fig. 11 is strictly determined by the shape of that structure, since the fibers would be lie within the intricate planar structures.
  • Figures 12A-D shows the use of flexible and relatively inelastic fiber in the form of strands, woven or unwoven (such as pressed sheets), embedded in midsole and bottom sole material.
  • the fiber strands parallel (at least roughly) the plane surface of the wearer's foot sole in the naturally contoured design in Figs. 12A-C and parallel the flat ground in Fig. 12D, which shows a section of conventional, uncontoured shoe sole. Fiber orientations at an angle to this parallel position will still provide improvement over conventional soles without fiber reinforcement, particularly if the angle is relatively small; however, very large angles or omni-directionality of the fibers will result in increased rigidity or increased softness.
  • Fig. 12A is a modification of Fig. 5A
  • Fig. 12B is Fig. 6 modified
  • Fig. 12C is Fig. 7 modified
  • Fig. 12D is entirely new. The position of the fibers shown would be the same even if the shoe sole material is made of one uniform material or of other layers than those shown here.
  • the use of the fiber strands provides protection against penetration by sharp objects, much like the fiber in radial automobile tires.
  • the fiber can be of any size, either individually or in combination to form strands; and of any material with the properties of relative inelasticity (to resist tension forces) and flexibility.
  • the strands of fiber can be short or long, continuous or discontinuous. The fibers facilitate the capability of any shoe sole using them to be flexible but hard under pressure, like the foot sole.
  • the fibers used in both the cover of insoles and the Dellinger Web is knit or loosely braided rather than woven, which is not preferred, since such fiber strands are designed to stretch under tensile pressure so that their ability to resist sideways deformation would be greatly reduced compared to non-knit fiber strands that are individually (or in twisted groups of yarn) woven or pressed into sheets.
  • Figures 13A-D are Figs. 9A-D modified to show the use of flexible inelastic fiber or fiber strands, woven or unwoven (such as pressed) to make an embedded capsule shell that surrounds the cushioning compartment 161 containing a pressure-transmitting medium like gas, gel, or liquid.
  • the fibrous capsule shell could also directly envelope the surface of the cushioning compartment, which is easier to construct, especially during assembly.
  • Fig. 13E is a new figure showing a fibrous capsule shell 191 that directly envelopes the surface of a cushioning compartment 161; the shoe sole structure is not fully contoured, like Fig. 13A, but naturally contoured, like Fig. 10 of PCT publication no. WO 91/19429, which has a flat middle portion corresponding to the flattened portion of a wearer's load-bearing foot sole.
  • Figure 13F shows a unique combination of the Figs. 9 & 10 design of the applicant's PCT publication no. WO 91/10377.
  • the upper surface 165 and lower surface 166 contain the cushioning compartment 161, which is subdivided into two parts.
  • the lower half of the cushioning compartment 161 is both structured and functions like the compartment shown in Fig. 9 of PCT publication no. WO 91/10377.
  • the upper half is similar to Fig. 10 of PCT publication no. WO 91/10377 but subdivided into chambers 164 that are more geometrically regular so that construction is simpler; the structure of the chambers 164 can be of honeycombed in structure.
  • the advantage of this design is that it copies more closely than the Fig.
  • the Fig. 13F design would be relative soft and flexible in the lower half of the chamber 161, but firmer and more protective in the upper half, where the mini-chambers 164 would stiffen quickly under load-bearing pressure.
  • Other multi-level arrangements are also possible.
  • Figures 14A-D are Figs. 9A-D of PCT publication no. WO 91/19429 similarly modified to show the use of embedded flexible inelastic fiber or fiber strands, woven or unwoven, in various embodiments similar those shown in Figs. 12A-D.
  • Fig. 14E is a new figure showing a frontal plane cross section of a fibrous capsule shell 191 that directly envelopes the surface of the midsole section 188.
  • Figures 15A&B show, in frontal plane cross section at the heel area, shoe sole structures like Figs. 5A&B, but in more detail and with the bottom sole 149 extending relatively farther up the side of the midsole.
  • Figs. 15A&B show the preferred embodiment, which is a relatively thin and tapering portion of the bottom sole extending up most of the midsole and is attached to the midsole and to the shoe upper 21, which is also attached preferably first to the upper midsole 147 where both meet at 3 and then attached to the bottom sole where both meet at 4.
  • the bottom sole is also attached to the upper midsole 147 where they join at 5 and to the lower midsole 148 at 6.
  • Figs. 15A&B show a more conventional attachment arrangement, where the shoe sole is attached to a fully lasted shoe upper 21.
  • the bottom sole 149 is attached to: the lower midsole 148 where their surfaces coincide at 6, the upper midsole 147 at 5, and the shoe upper 21 at 7.
  • Fig. 15A shows a shoe sole like Fig. 9D of PCT publication no. WO 91/19429, but with a completely encapsulated section 188 like Figs. 9A&B of that application; the encapsulated section 188 is shown bounded by the bottom sole 149 at line 8 and by the rest of the midsole 147 and 148 at line 9.
  • Fig. 15A shows more detail than prior figures, including an insole (also called sockliner) 2, which is contoured to the shape of the wearer's foot sole, just like the rest of the shoe sole, so that the foot sole is supported throughout its entire range of sideways motion, from maximum supination to maximum pronation.
  • an insole also called sockliner
  • the insole 2 overlaps the shoe upper 21 at 14; this approach ensures that the load-bearing surface of the wearer's foot sole does not come in contact with any seams which could cause abrasions.
  • the heel section is shown in this figure, the same insole structure would preferably be used elsewhere, particularly the forefoot; preferably, the insole would coincide with the entire load-bearing surface of the wearer's foot sole, including the front surface of the toes, to provide support for front-to-back motion as well as sideways motion.
  • the Fig. 15 design like the Fig. 9 designs of both PCT publication nos. WO 91/10377 and WO 91/19429, provides firm flexibility by encapsulating fully or partially, roughly the middle section of the relatively thick heel of the shoe sole (or of other areas of the sole, such as any or all of the essential support elements of the foot, including the base of the fifth metatarsal, the heads of the metatarsals, and the first distal phalange).
  • the outer surfaces of that encapsulated section or sections are allowed to move relatively freely by not gluing the encapsulated section to the surrounding shoe sole.
  • Fig. 15 design Firmness in the Fig. 15 design is provided by the high pressure created under multiples of body weight loads during locomotion within the encapsulated section or sections, making it relatively hard under extreme pressure, roughly like the heel of the foot. Unlike conventional shoe soles, which are relatively inflexible and thereby create local point pressures, particularly at the outside edge of the shoe sole, the Fig. 15 design tends to distribute pressure evenly throughout the encapsulated section, so the natural biomechanics of the wearer's foot sole are maintained and shearing forces are more effectively dealt with.
  • Fig. 15A firm flexibility is provided by providing by encapsulating roughly the middle section of the relatively thick heel of the shoe sole or other areas of the sole, while allowing the outer surfaces of that section to move relatively freely by not conventionally gluing the encapsulated section to the surrounding shoe sole.
  • Firmness is provided by the high pressure created under body weight loads within the encapsulated section, making it relatively hard under extreme pressure, roughly like the heel of the foot, because it is surrounded by flexible but relatively inelastic materials, particularly the bottom sole 149 (and connecting to the shoe sole upper, which also can be constructed by flexible and relatively inelastic material.
  • the same U structure is thus formed on a macro level by the shoe sole that is constructed on a micro level in the human foot sole, as described definitively by Erich Blechschmidt in Foot and Ankle , March, 1982.
  • the Fig 15A design shows a shoe construction for a shoe, comprising: a shoe sole with at least one compartment under the structural elements of the human foot; the compartment containing a pressure-transmitting medium composed of an independent section of midsole material that is not firmly attached to the shoe sole surrounding it; pressure from normal load-bearing is transmitted progressively at least in part to the relatively inelastic sides, top and bottom of said shoe sole compartment, producing tension.
  • the Fig. 15A design can be combined with those of Figs. 11-14 so that the compartment is surrounded by a reinforcing layer of relatively flexible and inelastic fiber.
  • Figs. 15A&B shows constant shoe sole thickness in frontal plane cross sections, but that thickness can vary somewhat (up to roughly 25% in some cases) in frontal plane cross sections, as previously specified in PCT publication no. WO 91/04683.
  • Fig. 15B shows a design just like Fig. 15A, except that the encapsulated section is reduced to only the load-bearing boundary layer between the lower midsole 148 and the bottom sole 149.
  • most or all of the upper surface of the bottom sole and the lower surface of the midsole are not attached, or at least not firmly attached, where they coincide at line 8; the bottom sole and midsole are firmly attached only along the non-load-bearing sides of the midsole.
  • the load-bearing boundary layer 8 like the internal horizontal sipe described in the applicant's PCT publication no. WO 91/19429.
  • the sipe area 8 can be unglued, so that relative motion between the two surfaces is controlled only by their structural attachment together at the sides.
  • the sipe area can be lubricated to facilitate relative motion between surfaces or lubricated a viscous liquid that restricts motion.
  • the sipe area 8 can be glued wit a semi-elastic or semi-adhesive glue that controls relative motion but still permits some; the semi-elastic or semi-adhesive glue would then serve a shock absorption function as well.
  • the sipe can be a channel filled with flexible material like that shown in Fig. 5 of the applicant's PCT publication no. WO 91/11924 or can be simply a thinner chamber than that shown in Fig. 9 of PCT publication no. WO 91/10377.
  • the Fig 15B design shows a shoe construction for a shoe, comprising: a shoe upper and a shoe sole that has a bottom portion with sides that are relatively flexible and inelastic; at least a portion of the bottom sole sides firmly attach directly to the shoe upper; shoe upper that is composed of material that is flexible and relatively inelastic at least where the shoe upper is attached to the bottom sole; the attached portions enveloping the other sole portions of the shoe sole; and the shoe sole having at least one horizontal sipe that is contained internally within the shoe sole.
  • the Fig 15B design can be combined with Figs. 11-14 to include a shoe sole bottom portion composed of material reinforced with at least one fiber layer that is relatively flexible and inelastic and that is oriented in the horizontal plane.
  • FIG. 16 shows a perspective view (the outside of a right shoe) of a flat shoe 20 incorporating the Fig. 15A design for the attachment of the bottom sole to the shoe upper.
  • the shoe appears to be conventional, with portions of the bottom sole 149 wrapped up around and attached to the sides of the lower midsole 148 and upper midsole 147; the bottom sole 149 also wraps around and is attached to the shoe upper 21, like the structure of Fig. 5B, but applied to a flat conventional shoe sole.
  • the bottom sole 149 is shown wrapping around the shoe midsole and upper at the calcaneus 95, the base of the fifth metatarsal 97, the head of the fifth metatarsal 96, and the toe area.
  • the same bottom sole wrapping approach can of course be used with the applicant's Fig. 5 design and his other contoured shoe sole designs.
  • Figs. 17A-D are Figs. 9A-D from the applicant's PCT publication no. WO 91/19429 and show a series of conventional shoe sole cross sections in the frontal plane at the heel utilizing both sagittal plane and horizontal plane sipes, and in which some or all of the sipes do not originate from any outer shoe sole surface, but rather are entirely internal. Relative motion between internal surfaces is thereby made possible to facilitate the natural deformation of the shoe sole.
  • the intent of the general invention shown in Fig. 17 is to create a similar but simplified and more conventional version of the some of the basic principles used in the unconventional and highly anthropomorphic invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of PCT publication no. WO 91/10377, so that the resulting functioning is similar.
  • Fig. 17A shows a group of three lamination layers, but unlike Fig. 18 (Fig. 6C of PCT publication no. WO 91/19429) the central layer 188 is not glued to the other surfaces in contact with it; those surfaces are internal deformation slits in the sagittal plane 181 and in the horizontal plane 182, which encapsulate the central layer 188, either completely or partially.
  • the relative motion between lamination layers at the deformation slits 181 and 182 can be enhanced with lubricating agents, either wet like silicone or dry like teflon, of any degree of viscosity; shoe sole materials can be closed cell if necessary to contain the lubricating agent or a non-porous surface coating or layer can be applied.
  • the deformation slits can be enlarged to channels or any other practical geometric shape as sipes defined in the broadest possible terms.
  • the relative motion can be diminished by the use of roughened surfaces or other conventional methods of increasing the coefficient of friction between lamination layers. If even greater control of the relative motion of the central layer 188 is desired, as few as one or many more points can be glued together anywhere on the internal deformation slits 181 and 182, making them discontinuous; and the glue can be any degree of elastic or inelastic.
  • the outside structure of the sagittal plane deformation sipes 181 is the shoe upper 21, which is typically flexible and relatively inelastic fabric or leather.
  • the shoe upper 21 is typically flexible and relatively inelastic fabric or leather.
  • just the outer edges of the horizontal plane deformation sipes 182 can be glued together.
  • Fig. 17B shows another conventional shoe sole in frontal plane cross section at the heel with a combination similar to Fig. 17A of both horizontal and sagittal plane deformation sipes that encapsulate a central section 188.
  • the Fig. 17B structure allows the relative motion of the central section 188 with its encapsulating outer midsole section 184, which encompasses its sides as well as the top surface, and bottom sole 128, both of which are attached at their common boundaries 183.
  • Fig. 17B approach is analogous to that in Fig. 9 of PCT publication no. WO 91/10377 and this application, which is the applicant's fully contoured shoe sole invention with an encapsulated midsole chamber of a pressure-transmitting medium like silicone; in this conventional shoe sole case, however, the pressure-transmitting medium is a more conventional section of typical shoe cushioning material like PV or EVA, which also provides cushioning.
  • Fig. 17C is also another conventional shoe sole in frontal plane cross section at the heel with a combination similar to Figs. 17A and 17B of both horizontal and sagittal plane deformation sipes.
  • an upper section 187 is partially encapsulated by deformation sipes so that it acts much like the central section 188, but is more stable and more closely analogous to the actual structure of the human foot.
  • the upper section 187 would be analogous to the integrated mass of fatty pads, which are U shaped and attached to the calcaneus or heel bone; similarly, the shape of the deformation sipes is U shaped in Fig. 17C and the upper section 187 is attached to the heel by the shoe upper, so it should function in a similar fashion to the aggregate action of the fatty pads.
  • the major benefit of the Fig. 17C invention is that the approach is so much simpler and therefore easier and faster to implement than the highly complicated anthropomorphic design shown Fig. 10 of PCT publication no. WO 91/10377 and this application.
  • Fig. 17C An additional note on Fig. 17C: the midsole sides 185 are like the side portion of the encapsulating midsole 184 in Fig. 17B.
  • Fig. 17D shows in a frontal plane cross section at the heel a similar approach applied to the applicant's fully contoured design.
  • Fig. 17D is like Fig. 9A of PCT publication no. WO 91/10377 and this application, wit the exception of the encapsulating chamber and a different variation of the attachment of the shoe upper to the bottom sole.
  • Fig. 17D shows a variation of the encapsulation of a central section 188 shown in Fig. 17B, but the encapsulation is only partial, with a center upper section of the central section 188 either attached or continuous with the upper midsole equivalent of 184 in Fig. 17B.
  • Fig. 17D shows a structure of deformation sipes like that of Fig. 17C, with the upper midsole section 187 provided with the capability of moving relative to both the bottom sole and the side of the midsole.
  • the Fig. 17D structure varies from that of Fig. 17C also in that the deformation sipe 181 in roughly the sagittal plane is partial only and does not extend to the upper surface 30 of the midsole 127, as does Fig. 17C.
  • Fig. 18 is Fig. 6C of PCT publication no. WO 91/19429 and shows, in frontal plane cross section at the heel, a similar conventional shoe sole structure horizontal plane deformation sipes 152 extending all the way from one side of the shoe sole to the other side, either coinciding with lamination layers -- heel wedge 38, midsole 127, and bottom sole 128 -- in older methods of athletic shoe sole construction or molded in during the more modem injection molding process.
  • the point of the Fig. 18 design is that, if the laminated layers which are conventionally glued together in a rigidly fixed position can instead undergo sliding motion relative to each other, then they become flexible enough to conform to the ever changing shape of the foot sole in motion while at the same time continuing to provide about the same degree of necessary direct structural support.
  • Such separated lamination layers would be held together only at the outside edge by a layer of elastic material or fabric 180 bonded to the lamination layers 38, 127 and 128, as shown on the left side of Fig. 18.
  • the elasticity of the edge layer 180 should be sufficient to avoid inhibiting significantly the sliding motion between the lamination layers.
  • the elastic edge layer 180 can also be used with horizontal deformation slits 152 that do not extend completely across the shoe sole, like those of Figs. 6A and 6B of PCT publication no. WO 91/19429, and would be useful in keeping the outer edge together, keeping it from flapping down and catching on objects, thus avoiding tripping.
  • the elastic layer 180 can be connected directly to the shoe upper, preferably overlapping it.
  • deformation slit structures shown in conventional shoe soles in Fig. 18 can also be applied to the applicant's quadrant sides, naturally contoured sides and fully contoured sides inventions, including those with greater or lesser side thickness, as well as to other shoe sole structures in his other prior applications already cited.
  • the lamination layers can be attached with a glue or other connecting material of sufficient elasticity to allow the shoe sole to deformation naturally like the foot.
  • Fig. 19 show the upper surface of the bottom sole 149 (unattached) of the right shoe shown in perspective in Figure 16.
  • the bottom sole can be conventional, with a flat section surrounded by the border 17 and with sides that attach to the sides of the midsole in the calcaneus (heel) area 95, the base of the fifth metatarsal 97, the heads of the first and fifth metatarsal 96, and the toe area 98.
  • the outer periphery of the bottom sole 148 is indicated by line 19.
  • the material of the bottom sole can be fabric reinforced.
  • the sides can be continuous, as shown by the dashed lines 99, or with other areas enlarged or decreased, or merged; preferably, the sides will be as shown, to support the essential structural support and propulsion elements, which were defined in the applicant's U.S. Patent No. 5,317,819 as the base and lateral tuberosity of the calcaneus 95, the heads of the metatarsals 96, and the base of the fifth metatarsal 97, and the head of the first distal phalange 98.
  • the bottom sole 149 of Fig. 19 can also be part of the applicant's naturally contoured shoe sole 28, wherein the border of the flat section would be the peripheral extent 36 of the load-bearing portion of the upright foot sole of the wearer and the sides of the shoe sole are contoured as defined in the applicant's U.S. Patent No. 5,317,819 and PCT publication no. WO 91/04683.
  • the bottom sole 149 of Fig. 19 can also be used in the fully contoured versions described in Fig. 15 of the '819 Patent.
  • Figure 20 shows the Fig. 19 bottom sole structure 149 with forefoot support area 126, the heel support area 125, and the base of the fifth metatarsal support area 97. Those areas would be unglued or not firmly attached as indicated in the Fig. 15 design shown preceding which uses sipes, while the sides and the other areas of the bottom sole upper surface would be glued or firmly attached to the midsole and shoe upper. Note that the general area indicated by 18, where metatarsal pads are typically positioned to support the second metatarsal, would be glued or firmly attached to provided extra support in that area similar to well supported conventional shoe soles and that the whole glued or firmly attached instep area functions much like a semi-rigid shank in a well supported conventional shoe sole.
  • sipes can be slits or channels filled with flexible material and have been broadly defined in prior applications.
  • a major advantage of the Fig. 20 design, and those of subsequent Figs. 21-28, is that the shock-absorbing cushioning effect of the sole is significantly enhanced, so that less thickness and therefore weight is required.
  • Figure 21 shows a similar bottom sole structure 149, but with only the forefoot section 126 unglued or not firmly attached, with all (or at least most) the other portions glued or firmly attached.
  • Figure 22 shows a similar bottom sole structure 149, but with both the fore foot section 126 and the base of the fifth metatarsal section 97 unglued or not firmly attached, with all other portions (or at least most) glued or firmly attached.
  • Figure 23 shows a similar view of a bottom sole structure 149, but with no side sections, so that the design would be like that of Fig. 18.
  • the areas under the forefoot 126', heel 125', and base of the fifth metatarsal 97' would not be glued or attached firmly, while the other area (or most of it) would be glued or firmly attached.
  • Fig. 23 also shows a modification of the outer periphery of the convention shoe sole 17: the typical indentation at the base of the fifth metatarsal is removed, replaced by a fairly straight line 100.
  • Figure 24 shows a similar structure to Fig. 23, but with only the section under the forefoot 126 unglued or not firmly attached; the rest of the bottom sole 149 (or most of it) would be glued or firmly attached.
  • Figure 25 shows a similar structure to Fig. 24, but with the forefoot area 126 subdivided into an area under the heads of the metatarsals and another area roughly under the heads of the phalanges.
  • Figure 26 shows a similar structure to Fig. 25, but with each of the two major forefoot areas further subdivided into individual metatarsal and individual phalange. Both this structure and that of Fig. 25 could be used with the Fig. 21 design.
  • Figure 27 shows a similar structure to Fig. 21, but with the forefoot area 126 enlarged beyond the border 17 of the flat section of the bottom sole.
  • This structure corresponds to that shown in Figs. 15 A&B, which show the unattached section 8 extending out through most of the contoured side. That structure has an important function, which is to facilitate the natural deformation of the shoe sole under weight bearing loads, so that it can flatten in parallel to the flattening of the wearer's foot sole under the same loads.
  • the designs shown in Figs. 20 and 22 could be modified according to the Fig. 27 structure.
  • Figure 28 shows a similar structure to Fig. 27, but with an additional section 127 in the heel area where outer sole wear is typically excessive. It should be noted that many other configurations of glued and unglued areas (or firmly and not firmly attached) are possible that would be improvements over existing shoe sole structures, but are not shown due to their number.
  • Figures 29A&B show the full range of sideways motion of the foot.
  • Fig. 29A shows the range in the calcaneal or heel area, where the range is determined by the subtalar ankle joint.
  • the typical average range is from about 10 degrees of eversion during load-bearing pronation motion to about 20 degrees of inversion during load-bearing supination motion.
  • Fig. 29B shows the much greater range of sideways motion in the forefoot, where the range is from about 30 degrees eversion during pronation to about 45 degrees inversion during supination.
  • Figure 29C compares the footprint made by a conventional shoe 35 with the relative positions of the wearer's right foot sole in the maximum supination position 37a and the maximum pronation position 37b.
  • Figure 29C reinforces the Fig. 29A&B indication that more relative sideways motion occurs in the forefoot and midfoot, than in the heel area.
  • Figure 29D shows an overhead perspective of the actual bone structures of the foot that are indicated in Fig. 29A.
  • Figure 30A-D shows the implications of relative difference in range of motions between forefoot, midfoot, and heel areas on the applicant's naturally contoured sides invention introduced in his '819 Patent.
  • Fig. 30A-D is a modification of Fig. 7 of the '819 Patent, with the left side of the figures showing the required range of motion for each area.
  • Fig. 30A shows a cross section of the forefoot area and therefore on the left side shows the highest contoured sides (compared to the thickness of the shoe sole in the forefoot area) to accommodate the greater forefoot range of motion.
  • the contoured side is sufficiently high to support the entire range of motion of the wearer's foot sole. Note that the sockliner or insole 2 is shown.
  • Fig. 30B shows a cross section of the midfoot area at about the base of the fifth metatarsal, which has somewhat less range of motion and therefore the contoured sides are not as high (compared to the thickness of the shoe sole at the midfoot).
  • Fig. 30c shows a cross section of the heel area, where the range of motion is the least, so the height of the contoured sides is relatively least of the three general areas (when compared to the thickness of the shoe sole in the heel area).
  • Each of the three general areas, forefoot, midfoot and heel, have contoured sides that differ relative to the high of those sides compared to the thickness of the shoe sole in the same area.
  • the absolute height of the contoured sides is about the same for all three areas and the contours have a similar outward appearance, even though the actual structure differences are quite significant as shown in cross section.
  • contoured sides shown in Fig. 30A-D can be abbreviated to support only those essential structural support and propulsion elements identified in Fig. 21 of the applicant's '819 Patent, shown here as Fig. 30E .
  • the essential structural support elements are the base and lateral tuberosity of the calcaneus 95, the heads of the metatarsals 96, and the base of the fifth metatarsal.
  • the essential propulsion element is the head of the first distal phalange 98.
  • Figure 31 is similar to Fig. 8 of the applicant's PCT publication no. WO 92/07483 in that it shows a new invention for a shoe sole that covers the full range of motion of the wearer's right foot sole. However, while covering that full range of motion, it is possible to abbreviate the contoured sides of the shoe sole to only the essential structural and propulsion elements of the foot sole, as previously discussed here, and as originally defined in the applicant's '819 Patent in the textual specification describing Fig. 21 of that application.
  • Figure 32 shows an electronic image of the relative forces present at the different areas of the bare foot sole when at the maximum supination position shown as 37a in Figs. 29A & 31; the forces were measured during a standing simulation of the most common ankle spraining position.
  • the maximum force was focused at the head of the fifth metatarsal and the second highest force was focused at the base of the fifth metatarsal. Forces in the heel area were substantially less overall and less focused at any specific point.
  • Fig. 32 indicates that, among the essential structural support and propulsion elements previously defined in the '819 Patent, there are relative degrees of importance. In terms of preventing ankle sprains, the most common athletic injury (about two-thirds occur in the extreme supination position 37a shown in Figs. 29a and 31), Fig. 32 indicates that the head of the fifth metatarsal 15 is the most critical single area that must be supported by a shoe sole in order to maintain barefoot-like lateral stability. Fig. 32 indicates that the base of the fifth metatarsal 16 is very close to being as important. Fig. 29A indicates that both the base and the head of the fifth metatarsal are completely unsupported by a conventional shoe sole.
  • Figures 33A-K show shoe soles with only one or more, but not all, of the essential stability elements defined in the '819 Patent (the use of all of which is still preferred) but which, based on Fig. 32, still represent major stability improvements over existing footwear.
  • This approach of abbreviating structural support to a few elements has the economic advantage of being capable of construction using conventional flat sheets of shoe sole material, since the individual elements can be bent up to the contour of the wearer's foot with reasonable accuracy and without difficulty.
  • a continuous naturally contoured side that extends all of, or even a significant portion of, the way around the wearer's foot sole would buckle partially since a flat surface cannot be accurately fined to a contoured surface; hence, injection molding is required for accuracy.
  • Fig. 33A-K designs can be used in combination with the designs shown earlier, particularly in Figs. 19-22 and Figs. 27 & 28.
  • Figure 33A shows a shoe sole with an otherwise conventional periphery 35 to which has been added the single most critical stability correction 96a to support the head of the fifth metatarsal 15.
  • the use of this support 96a to the head of the fifth metatarsal is mandatory to provide lateral stability similar to that of the barefoot; without support at this point the foot will be unstable in lateral or inversion motion.
  • This additional shoe sole portion even if used alone, should substantially reduce lateral ankle sprains and greatly improve stability compared to existing shoes.
  • the additional shoe sole portion 96a would take the form a naturally contoured side according to the applicant's '819 Patent and PCT publication no. WO 91/04683; briefly, conforming to the shape of the wearer's foot sole, deforming in parallel with it, and maintaining a thickness in frontal plane cross sections that is either constant or varying within a range of about 25 percent.
  • Fig. 33A design The degree to which the Fig. 33A design, and the subsequent Fig. 33 designs, preserves the naturally firm stability of the wearer's barefoot can be tested in a manner similar to the standing sprain simulation test first introduced in the applicant' U.S. Patent Number 4,989,349, filed July 15, 1988 and issued February 5, 1991, page 1, lines 31-68, and discussed in more detail in subsequent applications.
  • the comparative ankle sprain simulation test can be performed with only the forefoot in load-bearing contact with the ground.
  • the Fig. 33A design maintains stability like the barefoot when tilted out sideways to the extreme limit of its range of motion
  • the Fig. 33A design shows a shoe construction for a shoe, comprising: a shoe sole including a side that conforms to the shape of the load-bearing portion of the wearer's foot sole, including its sides, at the head of the fifth metatarsal, whether under a load or unloaded; the shoe sole maintaining constant thickness in frontal plane cross sections; the shoe sole deforming under load and flattening just as does the wearer's foot sole under the same load.
  • Figure 33B shows a shoe sole similar to Fig. 33A, but with the only additional shoe sole portion being a stability correction 97 to support the base of the fifth metatarsal 16.
  • a stability correction 97 to support the base of the fifth metatarsal 16.
  • the importance of the base of the fifth metatarsal is limited somewhat by the fact that in some phases of locomotion, such as the toe-off phase during walking and running, the foot is partially plantar-flexed and supinated with only the forefoot in contact with the ground (a situation that would exist even if the foot were bare), so that the base of the fifth metatarsal would not be naturally supported then even by the ground.
  • the foot becomes more plantar-flexed, its instep area becomes rigid through the functional locking of the subtalar and midtarsal joints; in contrast, those joints are unlocked when the foot is in a neutral load-bearing position on the ground.
  • Figure 33C shows a shoe sole similar to Figs. 33A&B, but combining both stability corrections 96a and 97, with the dashed line surrounding the fifth distal phalange 14 representing an optional additional support.
  • Figure 33D shows a shoe sole similar to Figs. 33A-C, but with a single stability correction 96a that supports both the head of the fifth metatarsal 15 and the fifth distal phalange 14.
  • Figure 33E show the single most important correction on the medial side (or inside) of the shoe sole: a stability correction 96b at the head of the first metatarsal 10; Figs. 33A-D have shown lateral corrections.
  • the Fig. 33A design is mandatory to providing lateral support like that of the barefoot
  • the Fig. 33E design is mandatory to provide medial support like that of the barefoot: without support at this point the foot will be unstable in medial or eversion motion. Eversion or medial ankle sprains where the foot turns to the inside account for about one third of all that occur, and therefore this single correction will substantially improve the medial stability of the shoe sole.
  • Figure 33F shows a show sole similar to Fig. 33E, but with an additional stability correction 98 at the head of the first distal phalange 13.
  • Figure 33G shows a shoe sole combining the additional stability corrections 96a, 96b, and 98 shown in Figs. 33D&F, supporting the first and fifth metatarsal heads and distal phalange heads.
  • the dashed line 98' represents a symmetrical optional stability addition on the lateral side for the heads of the second through fifth distal phalanges, which are less important for stability.
  • Figure 33H shows a shoe sole with symmetrical stability additions 96a and 96b. Besides being a major improvement in stability over existing footwear, this design is aesthetically pleasing and could even be used with high heel type shoes, especially those for women, but also any other form of footwear where there is a desire to retain relatively conventional looks or where the shear height of the heel or heel lift precludes stability side corrections at the heel or the base of the fifth metatarsal because of the required extreme thickness of the sides.
  • the additional stability corrections can be kept relatively inconspicuous. They can even be extended beyond the load-bearing range of motion of the wearer's foot sole, even to wrap all the way around the upper portion of the foot in a strictly ornamental way (although they can also play a part in the shoe upper's structure), as a modification of the strap, for example, often seen on conventional loafers.
  • Figures 33I&J show perspective views of typical examples of the extreme case, women's high heel pimps.
  • Fig. 33I shows a conventional high heel pimp without modification.
  • Fig. 33J shows the same shoe with an additional stability correction 96a.
  • the base of the fifth metatarsal it is preferable for the base of the fifth metatarsal to be structurally supported by a stiff shank-like structure in the instep area of the shoe sole, as is common in well-make women's shoes, so that the base of the fifth metatarsal is well supported even though not in direct structural support of the ground (meaning supporting shoe sole material between the ground and the base of the fifth metatarsal), as would be preferred generally.
  • Figure 33K shows a shoe sole similar to that in Fig. 33H, but with the head of the fifth distal phalange 14 unsupported by the additional stability correction 96a.
  • Figure 33L shows a shoe sole with an additional stability correction in a single continuous band extending all the way around the forefoot area. This is not preferable, but can be acceptable if the shoe sole is thin in the forefoot area so it can buckle as necessary when the forefoot flexes naturally, as discussed under Fig. 33M following.
  • Figure 33M shows a shoe sole similar to the Figs. 33A-G and 33K&L, but showing additional stability correction 97, 96a and 96b, but retaining a conventional heel area.
  • the dashed line around the big toe 13 indicates that a wider last with a bigger toe box can be used to partially correct the problem solved with the additional stability correction 98 of Figs. 33F&G.
  • the major flex axis indicated between the head of the first metatarsal and the head of the first distal phalange makes preferable an abbreviation of the stability side corrections 96b and 98 so that the normal flexibility of the wearer's foot can be maintained.
  • This is a critical feature: if the naturally contoured stability correction extends through the indicated major flex axis, the natural motion of the foot will be obstructed. If any naturally contoured sides extended through the major flex axis, they would have to buckle for the shoe sole to flex along the indicated major axis. Natural flexibility is especially important on the medial or inside because the first metatarsal head and distal phalange are among the most critical load-bearing structures of the foot.
  • Figure 34 shows a conventional athletic shoe in cross section at the heel, with a conventional shoe sole 22 having essentially flat upper and lower surfaces and having both a strong heel counter 141 and an additional reinforcement in the form of motion control device 142.
  • Fig. 34 specifically illustrates when that shoe is tilted outward laterally in 20 degrees of inversion motion at the normal natural limit of such motion in the barefoot.
  • Fig. 34 demonstrates that the conventional shoe sole 22 functions as an essentially rigid structure in the frontal plane, maintaining its essentially flat, rectangular shape when tilted and supported only by its outside, lower corner edge 23, about which it moves in rotation on the ground 43 when tilted.
  • Both heel counter 141 and motion control device 142 significantly enhance and increase the rigidity of the shoe sole 22 when tilted. All three structures serve to restrict and resist deformation of the shoe sole 22 under normal loads, including standing, walking and running. Indeed, the structural rigidity of most conventional street shoe materials alone, especially in the critical heel area, is usually enough to effectively prevent deformation.
  • Figure 35 shows a similar heel cross section of a barefoot tilted outward laterally at the normal 20 degree inversion maximum.
  • Fig. 35 demonstrates that such normal tilting motion in the barefoot is accompanied by a very substantial amount of flattening deformation of the human foot sole, which has a pronounced rounded contour when unloaded, as will be seen in foot sole surface 29 later in Fig. 43.
  • Fig. 35 shows that in the critical heel area the barefoot maintains almost as great a flattened area of contact with the ground when tilted at its 20 degree maximum as when upright, as seen later in Fig 36.
  • Fig. 34 indicate clearly that the conventional shoe sole changes in an instant from an area of contact with the ground 43 substantially greater than that of the barefoot, as much as 100 percent more when measuring in roughly the frontal plane, to a very narrow edge only in contact with the ground, an area of contact many times less than the barefoot.
  • the unavoidable consequence of that difference is that the conventional shoe sole is inherently unstable and interrupts natural foot and ankle motion, creating a high and unnatural level of injuries, traumatic ankle sprains in particular and a multitude of chronic overuse injuries.
  • Fig. 36 shows, in frontal plane cross section at the heel, the applicant's prior invention of PCT publication no. WO 91/05491, the most clearcut benefit of which is to provide inherent stability similar to the barefoot in the ankle sprain simulation test mentioned above.
  • Fig. 36A indicates a conventional shoe sole into which have been introduced deformation slits 151, also called sipes, which are located optimally in the vertical plane and on the long axis of the shoe sole, or roughly in the sagittal plane, assuming the shoe is oriented straight ahead.
  • deformation slits 151 also called sipes
  • the deformation slits 151 can vary in number beginning with one, since even a single deformation slit offers improvement over an unmodified shoe sole, though obviously the more slits are used, the more closely can the surface of the shoe sole coincide naturally with the surface of the sole of the foot and deform in parallel with it.
  • the space between slits can vary, regularly or irregularly or randomly.
  • the deformation slits 151 can be evenly spaced, as shown, or at uneven intervals or at unsymmetrical intervals.
  • the optimal orientation of the deformation slits 151 is coinciding with the vertical plane, but they can also be located at an angle to that plane.
  • the depth of the deformation slits 151 can vary. The greater the depth, the more flexibility is provided. Optimally, the slit depth should be deep enough to penetrate most but not all of the shoe sole, starting from the bottom surface 31, as shown in Fig. 36A.
  • a key element in the applicant's invention is the absence of either a conventional rigid heel counter or conventional rigid motion control devices, both of which significantly reduce flexibility in the frontal plane, as noted earlier in Fig. 34, in direct proportion to their relative size and rigidity. If not too extensive, the applicant's prior sipe invention still provide definite improvement.
  • Figure 37 shows, in frontal plane cross section at the heel, the applicant's prior invention of PCT publication no. WO 91/05491, showing the clearcut advantage of using the deformation slits 151 introduced in Fig 36.
  • the shoe sole With the substitution of flexibility for rigidity in the frontal plane, the shoe sole can duplicate virtually identically the natural deformation of the human foot, even when tilted to the limit of its normal range, as shown before in Fig. 35.
  • the natural deformation capability of the shoe sole provided by the applicant's prior invention shown in Fig. 37 is in complete contrast to the conventional rigid shoe sole shown in Fig. 34, which cannot deform naturally and has virtually no flexibility in the frontal plane.
  • a key feature of the applicant's prior invention is that it provides a means to modify existing shoe soles to allow them to deform so easily, with so little physical resistance, that the natural motion of the foot is not disrupted as it deforms naturally. This surprising result is possible even though the flat, roughly rectangular shape of the conventional shoe sole is retained and continues to exist except when it is deformed, however easily.
  • the deformation sipes shoe sole invention shown in Figs. 36 and 37 can be incorporated in the shoe sole structures described in the applicant's PCT publication no. WO 91/11124, as well as those in the applicant's earlier applications, except where their use is obviously precluded.
  • the deformation sipes can provide a significant benefit on any portion of the shoe sole that is thick and firm enough to resist natural deformation due to rigidity, like in the forefoot of a negative heel shoe sole.
  • the principal function of the deformation sipes invention is to provide the otherwise rigid shoe sole with the capability of deforming easily to parallel, rather than obstruct, the natural deformation of the human foot when load-bearing and in motion, especially when in lateral motion and particularly such motion in the critical heel area occurring in the frontal plane or, alternately, perpendicular to the subtalar axis, or such lateral motion in the important base of the fifth metatarsal area occurring in the frontal plane.
  • sipes exist in some other shoe sole structures that are in some ways similar to the deformation sipes invention described here, but none provides the critical capability to parallel the natural deformation motion of the foot sole, especially the critical heel and base of the fifth metatarsal, that is the fundamental process by which the lateral stability of the foot is assured during pronation and supination motion.
  • the optimal depth and number of the deformation sipes is that which gives the essential support and propulsion structures of the shoe sole sufficient flexibility to deform easily in parallel with the natural deformation of the human foot.
  • Figure 38 shows, in a portion of a frontal plane cross section at the heel, Fig. 9B of the applicant's prior invention of PCT publication no. WO 91/05491, showing the new deformation slit invention applied to the applicant's naturally contoured side invention, in U.S. Patent No. 5,317,819.
  • the applicant's deformation slit design is applied to the sole portion 28b in Fig. 4B, 4C, and 4D of the earlier application, to which are added a portion of a naturally contoured side 28% the outer surface of which lies along a theoretically ideal stability plane 51.
  • Fig. 38 also illustrates the use of deformation slits 152 aligned, roughly speaking, in the horizontal plane, though these planes are bent up, paralleling the sides of the foot and paralleling the theoretically ideal stability plane 51.
  • the purpose of the deformation slits 152 is to facilitate the flattening of the naturally contoured side portion 28b, so that it can more easily follow the natural deformation of the wearer's foot in natural pronation and supination, no matter how extreme.
  • the deformation slits 152, as shown in Fig. 38 would, in effect, coincide with the lamination boundaries of an evenly spaced, three layer shoe sole, even though that point is only conceptual and they would preferably be of injection molding shoe sole construction in order to hold the contour better.
  • deformation slits 152 The function of deformation slits 152 is to allow the layers to slide horizontally relative to each other, to ease deformation, rather than to open up an angular gap as deformation slits or channels 151 do functionally. Consequently, deformation slits 152 would not be glued together, just as deformation slits 152 are not, though, in contrast, deformation slits 152 could be glued loosely together with a very elastic, flexible glue that allows sufficient relative sliding motion, whereas it is not anticipated, though possible, that a glue or other deforming material of satisfactory consistency could be used to join deformation slits 151.
  • deformation slits 152 would parallel the theoretically ideal stability plane 51, but could be at an angle thereto or irregular rather than a curved plane or flat to reduce construction difficulty and therefore cost of cutting when the sides have already been cast.
  • deformation slits 152 approach can be used by themselves or in conjunction wit the shoe sole construction and natural deformation outlined in Fig. 9 of PCT publication no. WO 90/00358.
  • the number of deformation slits 152 can vary like deformation slits 151 from one to any practical number and their depth can vary throughout the contoured side portion 28b. It is also possible, though not shown, for the deformation slits 152 to originate from an inner gap between shoe sole sections 28a and 28b, and end somewhat before the outside edge 53a of the contoured side 28b.
  • Fig. 39A shows, in a frontal plane cross section at the heel, a shoe sole with a combination like Fig. 38 of both sagittal plane deformation slits 151 and horizontal plane deformation slits 152. It shows deformation slits 152 in the horizontal plane applied to a conventional shoe having a sole structure with moderate side flare and without either reinforced heel counter or other motion control devices that would obstruct the natural deformation of the shoe sole.
  • the deformation slits 152 can extend all the way around the periphery of the shoe sole, or can be limited to one or more anatomical areas like the heel, where the typically greater thickness of the shoe sole otherwise would make deformation difficult; for the same reason, a negative heel shoe sole would need deformation enhancement of the thicker forefoot.
  • a single deformation slit 151 in the sagittal plane extending only through the bottom sole 128; even as a minimalist structure, such a single deformation sipe, by itself alone, has considerable effect in facilitating natural deformation, but it can enlarged or supplemented by other sipes.
  • the lowest horizontal slit 152 is shown located between the bottom sole 128 and the midsole 127.
  • Fig. 39B shows, in frontal plane cross section at the heel, a similar conventional shoe sole structure with more and deeper deformation slits 152, which can be used without any deformation slits 151.
  • horizontal plane deformation slits 152 compared to sagittal plane deformation slits 151, is that the normal weight-bearing load of the wearer acts to force together the sections separated by the horizontal slits so that those sections are stabilized by the natural compression, as if they were glued together into a single unit, so that the entire structure of the shoe sole reacts under compression much like one without deformation slits in terms of providing a roughly equivalent amount of cushioning and protection.
  • deformation sipes 151 are parallel to the force of the load-bearing weight of the wearer and therefore the shoe sole sections between those sipes 151 are not forced together directly by that weight and stabilized inherently, like slits 152.
  • Compensation for this problem in the form of firmer shoe sole material than are used conventionally may provide equivalently rigid support, particularly at the sides of the shoe sole, or deformation slits 152 may be preferable at the sides.
  • Fig. 40 shows, in frontal plane cross section at the heel, a conventional shoe with horizontal plane deformation slits 152 with the wearer's right foot inverted 20 degrees to the outside at about its normal limit of motion.
  • Fig. 40 shows how the use of horizontal plane deformation slits 152 allows the natural motion of the foot to occur without obstruction.
  • the attachments of the shoe upper are shown conventionally, but it should be noted that such attachments are a major cause of the accordion-like effect of the inside edge of the shoe sole.
  • Fig. 41 shows, again in frontal plane cross section at the heel, a conventional shoe sole structure with deformation slits 152 enlarged to horizontal plane channels, broadening the definition to horizontal plane deformation sipes 152, like the very broad definition given to sagittal plane deformations sipes 151 in both earlier applications, PCT publication nos. WO 91/05491 and WO 91/11924.
  • the voids created by horizontal plane deformation sipes 152 must be filled by a material that is sufficiently elastic to allow the shoe sole to deform naturally like the foot while at the same time providing structural support.
  • the horizontal plane deformation sipes 152 are intended to include any conceivable shape and certainly to include any already conceived in the form of existing sipes in either shoe soles or automobile tire.
  • deformation sipes in the form of hollow cylindrical aligned parallel in the horizontal plane and sufficiently closely spaced would provide a degree of both flexibility and structural support sufficient to provide shoe sole deformation much closer to tat of the foot than conventional shoe soles.
  • such cylinders, whether hollow or filled with elastic material could also be used wit sagittal plane deformation sipes, as could any other shape.
  • deformation sipes in the horizontal plane As has already been established for deformation sipes in the sagittal plane.
  • deformation sipe depth There can be the same very wide variations wit regard to deformation sipe depth, frequency, shape of channels or other structures (regular or otherwise), orientation within a plane or obliqueness to it, consistency of pattern or randomness, relative or absolute size, and symmetry or lack thereof.
  • Fig. 41 design applies also to the applicant's earlier naturally contoured sides and fully contoured inventions, including those with greater or lesser side thickness; although not shown, the Fig. 41 design, as well as those in Figs. 39 and 40, could use a shoe sole density variation like that in the applicant's PCT publication no. WO 91/04683, as shown in Fig. 7 of the PCT publication no. WO 91/11924.
  • Figs. 42 and 43 show frontal plane cross sectional views of a shoe sole according to the applicant's prior inventions based on the theoretically ideal stability plane, taken at about the ankle joint to show the heel section of the shoe.
  • a foot 27 is positioned in a naturally contoured shoe having an upper 21 and a sole 28.
  • the shoe sole normally contacts the ground 43 at about the lower central heel portion thereof.
  • the concept of the theoretically ideal stability plane as developed in the prior applications as noted, defines the plane 51 in terms of a locus of points determined by the thickness (s) of the sole.
  • the reference numerals are like those used in the prior pending applications of the applicant mentioned above and which are incorporated by reference for the sake of completeness of disclosure, if necessary.
  • Fig. 42 and 43 show frontal plane cross sectional views of a shoe sole according to the applicant's prior inventions based on the theoretically ideal stability plane, taken at about the ankle joint to show the heel section of the shoe.
  • a foot 27 is positioned in a naturally
  • Fig. 43 shows a fully contoured shoe sole design of the applicant's prior invention that follows the natural contour of all of the foot, the bottom as well as the sides, while retaining a constant shoe sole thickness in the frontal plane.
  • the fully contoured shoe sole assumes that the resulting slightly rounded bottom when unloaded will deform under load and flatten just as the human foot bottom is slightly rounded unloaded but flattens under load; therefore, shoe sole material must be of such composition as to allow the natural deformation following that of the foot.
  • the design applies particularly to the heel, but to the rest of the shoe sole as well.
  • the fully contoured design allows the foot to function as naturally as possible. Under load, Fig. 43 would deform by flattening to look essentially like Fig. 42.
  • the naturally contoured side design in Fig. 42 is a more conventional, conservative design that is a special case of the more general fully contoured design in Fig. 43, which is the closest to the natural form of the foot, but the least conventional.
  • the amount of deformation flattening used in the Fig. 42 design which obviously varies under different loads, is not an essential element of the applicant's invention.
  • Figs. 42 and 43 both show in frontal plane cross sections the essential concept underlying this invention, the theoretically ideal stability plane, which is also theoretically ideal for efficient natural motion of all kinds, including running, jogging or walking.
  • Fig. 43 shows the most general case of the invention, the fully contoured design, which conforms to the natural shape of the unloaded foot.
  • the theoretically ideal stability plane 51 is determined, first, by the desired shoe sole thickness (s) in a frontal plane cross section, and, second, by the natural shape of the individual's foot surface 29.
  • the theoretically ideal stability plane for any particular individual is determined, first, by the given frontal plane cross section shoe sole thickness (s); second, by the natural shape of the individual's foot; and, third, by the frontal plane cross section width of the individual's load-bearing footprint 30b, which is defined as the upper surface of the shoe sole that is in physical contact with and supports the human foot sole.
  • the theoretically ideal stability plane for the special case is composed conceptually of two parts. Shown in Fig. 42, the first part is a line segment 31b of equal length and parallel to line 30b at a constant distance (s) equal to shoe sole thickness. This corresponds to a conventional shoe sole directly underneath the human foot, and also corresponds to the flattened portion of the bottom of the load-bearing foot sole 28b.
  • the second part is the naturally contoured stability side outer edge 31a located at each side of the first part, line segment 31b. Each point on the contoured side outer edge 31a is located at a distance which is exactly shoe sole thickness (s) from the closest point on the contoured side inner edge 30a.
  • the theoretically ideal stability plane is the essence of this invention because it is used to determine a geometrically precise bottom contour of the shoe sole based on a top contour that conforms to the contour of the foot.
  • This invention specifically claims the exactly determined geometric relationship just described.
  • Central midsole section 188 and upper section 187 in Fig. 17 must fulfill a cushioning function which frequently calls for relatively soft midsole material.
  • the shoe sole thickness effectively decreases in the Fig. 17 invention shown in this application when the soft central section is deformed under weight-bearing pressure to a greater extent than the relatively firmer sides.
  • Theoretically Ideal Stability Plane 51 has already been generally defined in part as having a constant frontal plane thickness and preferring a uniform material density to avoid arbitrarily altering natural toot motion, it is logical to develop a non-static definition that includes compensation for shoe sole material density.
  • Theoretically Ideal Stability Plane defined in dynamic terms would alter constant thickness to a constant multiplication product of thickness times density.
  • Theoretically Ideal Stability Plane presents an interesting design possibility: the somewhat extended width of shoe sole sides that are required under the static definition of the Theoretically Ideal Stability Plane could be reduced by using a higher density midsole material in the naturally contoured sides.
  • Fig. 44 shows, in frontal plane cross section at the heel, the use of a high density (d') midsole material on the naturally contoured sides and a low density (d) midsole material everywhere else to reduce side width.
  • density (d') is twice that of density (d)
  • shoe sole width can be reduced significantly by using the Theoretically Ideal Stability Plane with a definition of thickness that compensates for dynamic force loads.
  • about one fourth of an inch in width on each side is saved under the revised definition, for a total width reduction of one half inch, while rough functional equivalency should be maintained, as if the frontal plane thickness and density were each unchanging.
  • the boundary between sections of different density is indicated by the line 45 and the line 51' parallel 51 at half the distance from the outer surface of the foot 29.
  • Fig. 44 uses low density midsole material, which is effective for cushioning, throughout that portion of the shoe sole that would be directly load-bearing from roughly 10 degrees of inversion to roughly 10 degrees, the normal range of maximum motion during running; the higher density midsole material is tapered in from roughly 10 degrees to 30 degrees on both sides, at which ranges cushioning is less critical than providing stabilizing support.

Claims (8)

  1. Schuhsohle (28) für einen Schuh (22) mit mindestens:
    einer Innensohlenfläche (30) benachbart zu einem Trägerfuß (27), die mindestens einen ersten konkav abgerundeten Abschnitt im Blick in einer Frontalebene vom Trägerfuß (27) und während eines unbelasteten, aufrechten Schuhzustands hat;
    einer Außensohlenfläche (31), die sich von der Innensohlenfläche (30) erstreckt und mindestens eine Sohlenseite bildet;
    mindestens einem zweiten konkav abgerundeten Abschnitt, der die Außensohlenfläche (31) der Sohlenseite unterhalb eines ersten Punkts an einer ersten Seitenausdehnung (A) der Außensohlenfläche (31) im Blick in der Frontalebene vom Trägerfuß (27) und während eines unbelasteten, aufrechten Schuhzustands bildet;
    gekennzeichnet durch mindestens eine Schicht aus Fasersträngen, die in der Schuhsohle (28) eingebettet sind;
    wobei die Faserschicht relativ flexibel und unelastisch ist; und
    die Faserschicht im wesentlichen parallel zu mindestens dem zweiten konkav abgerundeten Abschnitt der Außensohlenfläche (31) der Sohlenseite verläuft.
  2. Schuhsohle (28) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der erste konkav abgerundete Abschnitt der Innensohlenfläche (30) eine natürlich konturierte Form hat, die sich der natürlich gewölbten Form mindestens einer Seite einer Sohle (29) eines unbelasteten Trägerfußes (27) anpaßt.
  3. Schuhsohle (28) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Faserschicht in einer Bodensohlenstruktur (149) der Sohle (28) eingebettet ist.
  4. Schuhsohle (28) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die Faserschicht in einer Mittensohle (147, 148) der Sohle (28) eingebettet ist.
  5. Schuhsohle (28) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei sich der zweite konkav abgerundete Abschnitt durch einen Mittelpunkt (B) der Außensohlenfläche (31) im Blick in der Frontalebene gemessen an der Ferse eines Trägerfußes (27) erstreckt.
  6. Schuhsohle (28) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die Faserstränge einen eingebetteten Kapselmantel (191) bilden, der im wesentlichen eine Pufferkammer (161) umgibt, die ein druckübertragendes Medium wie Gas, Gel oder Flüssigkeit enthält.
  7. Schuhsohle (28) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die Faserstränge einen Kapselmantel (191) bilden, der im wesentlichen direkt eine Pufferkammer (161) umhüllt, die ein druckübertragendes Medium wie Gas, Gel oder Flüssigkeit enthält.
  8. Schuhsohle (28) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die Faserstränge einen Kapselmantel (191) bilden, der im wesentlichen direkt die Oberfläche eines internen Mittensohlenbereichs (188) umhüllt.
EP93919919A 1992-08-10 1993-08-10 Schuhsohlenkonstruktion Expired - Lifetime EP0653914B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

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AT99203329T ATE227946T1 (de) 1992-08-10 1993-08-10 Schuhsohlenkonstruktion mit aufeinanderliegenden kompartimenten
EP99203329A EP1002475B1 (de) 1992-08-10 1993-08-10 Schuhsohlenkonstruktion mit aufeinanderliegenden Kompartimenten

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US92652392A 1992-08-10 1992-08-10
US926523 1992-08-10
PCT/US1993/007425 WO1994003080A1 (en) 1992-08-10 1993-08-10 Shoe sole structures

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JP2002538866A (ja) * 1999-03-16 2002-11-19 アナトミック リサーチ、インク． コンピュータ・プロセッサ制御式可変圧力を用いる取外し可能な丸くされた中底構造およびチャンバ
US7334350B2 (en) 1999-03-16 2008-02-26 Anatomic Research, Inc Removable rounded midsole structures and chambers with computer processor-controlled variable pressure
US7010869B1 (en) 1999-04-26 2006-03-14 Frampton E. Ellis, III Shoe sole orthotic structures and computer controlled compartments
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US8303885B2 (en) 2003-10-09 2012-11-06 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear with a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure
US8256147B2 (en) 2004-11-22 2012-09-04 Frampton E. Eliis Devices with internal flexibility sipes, including siped chambers for footwear
US7555851B2 (en) 2006-01-24 2009-07-07 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear having a fluid-filled chamber with flexion zones
US7752772B2 (en) 2006-01-24 2010-07-13 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear having a fluid-filled chamber with flexion zones
US8125796B2 (en) 2007-11-21 2012-02-28 Frampton E. Ellis Devices with faraday cages and internal flexibility sipes
US8919015B2 (en) 2012-03-08 2014-12-30 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear having a sole structure with a flexible groove
US9609912B2 (en) 2012-03-23 2017-04-04 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear having a sole structure with a fluid-filled chamber
US9510646B2 (en) 2012-07-17 2016-12-06 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear having a flexible fluid-filled chamber

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US8667709B2 (en) 1999-04-26 2014-03-11 Frampton E. Ellis Shoe sole orthotic structures and computer controlled compartments
US9414641B2 (en) 1999-04-26 2016-08-16 Frampton E. Ellis Shoe sole orthotic structures and computer controlled compartments

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DE69328867T2 (de) 2001-02-08
ATE227946T1 (de) 2002-12-15
EP0653914A4 (de) 1997-01-15
EP0653914A1 (de) 1995-05-24
DE69332510D1 (de) 2003-01-02
EP1002475B1 (de) 2002-11-20
JPH07509640A (ja) 1995-10-26
AU4999293A (en) 1994-03-03
WO1994003080A1 (en) 1994-02-17
EP1002475A1 (de) 2000-05-24
ATE193807T1 (de) 2000-06-15
DE69328867D1 (de) 2000-07-20

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