KR20150043481A - Reactive shoe - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to footwear and methods of making same, and more particularly to reactive midsole. In one aspect of the invention, the midsole provides a continuously increasing offset between the center of the heel of the pressure and the center of gravity of the pressure between the mounting and toe steps.

Description

Reactive Shoes {REACTIVE SHOE}

The present disclosure relates to a midsole for a shoe, more particularly a responsive midsole having a dynamic offset.

Athletic footwear provides an ideal protection against injury while enhancing performance. Generally, an athletic footwear includes an upper layer portion and a sole portion. The upper layer ensures minimum footwear on the user's feet and attaches to the sole. The sole traditionally includes a midsole and an outsole. The outsole is in contact with the ground and typically has wear-resistance and slip-resistance properties. The midsole cushions the foot against forces transmitted by the ground during walking or exercising. In the case of running, the midsole is particularly important for absorbing the ground impact forces traveling to the feet, legs and body, since this may affect running gait. For a general description of human gait and running gait in particular, see "Biomechanics and Analysis of Running Gear", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, Duagn et al, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America , 16 2005).

Traditional running shoes are designed as a midsole that focuses on reducing the ground forces being moved to the running athlete through the feet, or affecting running gait. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,678,327 to Halberstadt discloses an athletic shoe that combines a cushioning and gait-adaptation device that provides a resilient cushion while being adapted to the user's gait during running and other athletic activities. The shoe comprises an upper layer and a soles having soles with a heel of medial and lateral ground-participating elements. The cushioning and energy are recovered and a gait-adaptation device is provided and includes a support structure and one or more spring devices. Each spring device generally has a U-shaped center pivot or swivel section and resiliently flexible pods of lateral and medial. The center point section has an intermediate section supported by a center point cradle of the support structure. The elastic stretch of the side pod responding to the weight-bearing forces causes a reaction force to be applied across the medial pod that is being bent, causing the medial pod And brought to the origin for contact.

In addition, U.S. Patent No. 7,076,892 to Meschan discloses that during the entire walking gait cycle of the user, when the shoe is in its non-loaded state and at all other times, during the entire running gait cycle of the user, An arch bridge integral with the plate, a plate bendable in the direction of the plate, an arch bridge integral with the plate, and at least one inflatable cushion spaced from the plate. Meschan is included by reference for all purposes.

Some running shoe designs focus on certain forms of running gaits, for example, U.S. Patent No. 8,166,672 to Murphy ("Murphy ") focuses on midfoot strikers. Murphy is a sole for a running shoe that is good for a midfoot prominent gait that includes a cushion element located between an upper layer surface and a ground-contacting surface, at least on the lateral side of the sole, Desc / Clms Page number 16 > the region between 15% and 90% of the length of the sole of foot as measured from the foot end. The one or more high abrasion-resistant ground-contacting impaction pads are located on the cushioning element and are located on the side of the shoe sole, as measured from the rear foot end of the shoe sole, ≪ / RTI > Preferably, at least the foot soles, which do not have a vertical arch sculpting technique, also include longitudinal grooves located just medially in the impingement pad. Murphy is included as a reference for all purposes.

Additionally, some recent efforts have created design running shoes with an enhanced resilient feature, such as US Patent No. 2011/0138652 to Lucas (Lucas ("Lucas")). Lucas includes a forefoot region and a sole plate having a plurality of leaf spring elements, wherein the sole plate and the plurality of sheet spring elements are fabricated as a single piece. Each of the plurality of sheet spring elements has one free end that is not connected to the sole plate. Lucas is included by reference for all purposes. A similar design for Lucas includes U.S. Patent Application No. 2008/0034615 to U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0178303 to Hurd ("Hurd") and Nishikawa ("Nishikawa"), For example.

Nevertheless, the conventional design does not pay any attention at all during the intervening step to the ground, affecting the mounting dynamic and pressure ball center of the running player's heel center of pressure, or combinations thereof. For example, this is during initial ground contact through the steps of mounting, transition and toe release.

Conventional running shoes use a fixed offset midsole. That is, at a given point, the midsole thickness is generally constant or static, although some compression due to the pressure and force between the running foot and the ground.

What is needed is an athletic shoe with a responsive midsole. For example, the responding midsole provides a continuously increasing offset between the center of the heel of the pressure and the center of gravity of the pressure between the mounting and toe steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and formed into portions of this specification. Together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments and alternative embodiments of the methods in which the invention is made and used are not to be construed as limiting the invention to the embodiments described and illustrated.
Additional features and advantages will become apparent from the description of various embodiments of the invention in more detail, as illustrated by the following referenced drawings.
1A is a side view of a user adapted to one embodiment of the shoe that reacts while the initial ground is in contact with the gait portion;
Figure 1B is a side view of a user that is suitable for one embodiment of the shoe that reacts during the mounting foot portion;
Figure 1C is a side view of a user that is suitable for one embodiment of the shoe that reacts during a transition gait portion;
1D is a side view of a user that is suitable for one embodiment of the footwear that reacts during the toe portion;
Figure 2a is a left elevation view of one embodiment of a reactive shoe;
Figure 2b is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the responsive shoe;
2C is a right front view of one embodiment of a responsive shoe;
Figure 2d is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the responsive shoe;
Figure 2e is a rear elevational view of one embodiment of a responsive shoe;
Figure 3 is a right front view of one embodiment of a responsive shoe;
Example A1 illustrates a side elevational view of a portion of an embodiment configuration of a particular embodiment of a responsive shoe of Example A2-the figure is a scale having an area in millimeters;
Example A2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment part of a particular embodiment of a responsive shoe - the figure is of a scale with area in millimeters;
Example A3 illustrates a medial front view of a portion of an embodiment configuration of a particular embodiment of the responsive shoe of Example A2;
Example A4 illustrates a detailed view of section A-A 'of Example A2 - the figure is of a scale with area in millimeters;
Example A5 illustrates a toe (i.e., front) front view of a portion of an embodiment configuration of a particular embodiment of the responsive shoe of Example A2 - the figure is of a size with area in millimeters;
Example A6 illustrates a heel (i.e., rear) front view of a portion of an embodiment configuration of a particular embodiment of the responsive shoe of Example A2;
Example A7 illustrates a detailed view of compartment B-B 'of Example A2 - the figure is of a scale with area in millimeters;
Example A8 illustrates a detailed view of section C-C 'of Example A2 - the figure is of a scale with area in millimeters;
Example A9 illustrates a detailed view of section DD 'of Example A2 - the figure is of a scale with area in millimeters;
Example A10 illustrates a detailed view of compartment E-E 'of Example A2 - the figure is of a scale with area in millimeters;
Example A11 illustrates a detailed view of the compartment FF 'of Example A2 - the figure is of a scale with area in millimeters;
Example A12 illustrates a detailed view of compartment G-G 'of Example A2 - the figure is of a scale with area in millimeters; And
Example A13 illustrates a table of areas identified in Examples A1-A4 for shoe size - the dimsnsions are in millimeters.
It should be understood that the drawings are not essential to scale. In certain instances, details may be omitted that provide other details that are not necessary or difficult to understand in understanding the present invention. Of course, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein.

Related Cross reference to application

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent application 61 / 684,563 entitled "Responsive Shoes " filed on August 17, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 428,044, 29 / 428,045, filed on July 25, 2012, all entitled "Foot Sole ", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, 29 / 428,047, 29 / 428,049, 29 / 428,051 and 29 / 428,052.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention for providing an athletic shoe with a responsive midsole is to provide an increased offset between the center of the heel of the pressure and the center of the foot of the pressure between the mounting and toe steps . The midsole creates dynamic offsets and, among other things, provides a smooth and more effective running experience. In some embodiments, the midsole comprises a first portion adjacent the heel and a second portion interconnected in a first, generally decreasing thickness, and wherein the first portion is the same or less total distance of the longitudinal axis of the midsole. In some embodiments, the foot center of pressure delivered to the midsole continues to increase between the mounting gait phase and the toe gait phase.

Although many embodiments are focused on athletic footwear, other applications are utilized. The application includes activities for which one or more increased footwear performance, increased athlete performance and increased comfort are desired.

Additionally, the concepts disclosed with respect to footwear and footwear midsole include a variety of other athletic activities, including basketball, baseball, football, soccer, walking, and hiking And can be applied to a variety of non-athlete footwear styles, for example. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that the concepts disclosed herein are applicable to a wide range of footwear styles and are not limited to the specific embodiments discussed below and illustrated in the drawings.

In addition, the concept can be applied to a shoe style that is generally considered to be a non-athlete, including dress shoes, loafers, sandals, and work boots. Thus, the concepts disclosed herein apply to a wide variety of shoe styles. In addition, aspects of the invention may be used in connection with other parts of the footwear structure, such as outsole and insole.

As used in the specification, the presence of the term " a "or" an "means one or more of the foregoing. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at least one" may be interchangeable herein. It should also be noted that the terms " comprising ", " including ", and "having"

As used herein, the terms "at least one," " one or more, "and " and / or" are to be construed as openings that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. - Closed expression. For example, each expression "at least one A, B and C ", at least one A, B or C, at least one A, B and C, A and B together, A and B together, or A, B and C together. &Quot; A "

As used herein, the term "innersole " refers to the removable sole portion of a footwear article, which, depending on the anatomy of the wearer and the intended use of the shoe article, From the opening of the upper layer designed to provide the shoes.

As used herein, the term "midsole " refers to the sole portion of a sandwiched shoe between an insoleole and an outsole and is attached to the bottom window.

As used herein, the term "outsole" means the sole portion of the footwear which is furthest away from the upper layer.

As used herein, "upper layer" refers to any portion of the shoe above the sole.

As used herein, the terms "shoe" and "footwear" refer to goods that are worn by the user's feet.

As used herein, "gait" is a movement pattern of limbs during movement on a solid surface.

As used herein, a "foot strike" is how to kick the ground, which may be the case of a heel, midfoot, or forefoot.

In one embodiment, the article of footwear is a footwear article comprising: an upper layer attachable to a user's foot; And a midsole connected to the upper layer, including a second portion proximate to the feet of the foot, defining a first distance between the heel center of the pressure and the ground, with a heel center of pressure imparted to the first portion The heel of the foot, and the center of gravity of the pressure applied to the second portion defining the second distance between the center of gravity of the foot and the ground, and the distance offset excluding the second distance from the first distance, Step is increased.

The first portion may be generally a constant thickness and the second portion may be a thickness that generally decreases along the longitudinal axis of the midsole from the heel of the football. The first part may be 30-50% of the total distance of the longitudinal axis of the midsole. The first part can be interconnected to the second part. The decreasing thickness of the second portion is generally defined by a curve such as a French curve, a compound curve, a uniform curve or an arc, an S-shaped curve, a continuous curve and a discontinuous curve, Can be formed. The distance offset can always be positive between the mounting pace step and the toe pace step. The toe distance can be at least 40 mm in the gait phase. The distance offset of the second distance, excluding the first distance, may increase steadily between the stepping step and the toe stepping step. The foot center of the pressure delivered to the midsole increases between the mounting gait phase and the toe gait phase.

In another embodiment, a method of making a shoe article discloses a method comprising: forming an upper layer adherable to a user's foot; And a second portion proximate to the heel of the foot and a second portion proximate to the ball-of-foot of the foot, with a heel center of pressure delivered to the first portion and a first distance between the center of the pressure heel and the ground Defining a heel of foot, and an upper portion including a ball-of-foot center of pressure delivered to defining a second distance and a second distance between the center of the ball and the ground, To form a midsole connected to the base; Where the offset distance of the first distance from the second distance is increased between the loading gait phase and the toe off gait phase.

In a further embodiment, an athletic shoe is disclosed that includes: an upper layer that can be affixed to a user's foot; And a second portion of generally generally reduced thickness along the longitudinal axis of the midsole from the heel to the ball-of-foot of the foot and a ball-of- -foot), connected to the mid-section and 30-50% of the total distance of the longitudinal axis of the second, has the center of the heel of the pressure delivered to the first part and the second part, the pressure of the first part between the center of the pressure and the ground A heel of foot defining the distance and an upper layer containing the ball-of-foot center of the pressure delivered to define the second portion and the second distance between the center of gravity of the ball and the ground The offset distance of the connected midsole, excluding the second distance from the first distance, is determined by the loading gait phase and the toe off gait p hase and the loading gait phase and the toe gait phase are always positive between the toe off gait phase.

However, in another embodiment, disclosed is an article of footwear comprising: an upper layer that can be affixed to a user's shoe; A first portion proximate to the heel of the foot and a second portion adjacent to the foot of the foot; And an outsole connected to a midsole including a central portion, a medial portion and a side portion, the inner portion and the side portion forming a surface that is not very soft, the central portion having a curved edge Forming a fairly smooth surface. Additionally, in one embodiment, the central portion is the first material, and the medial and lateral portions are the second material. In one embodiment, the central portion extends and is required for at least one of the toe portion and the heel portion of the shoe article.

The foregoing is a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide an understanding of some aspects of the present invention. The above summary is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention and its various embodiments. While not critical or critical elements of the present invention are identified or depicted in the scope of the present invention, the selection of the present invention is intended to be described in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention, alone or in combination, make it possible to utilize one or more of the above features or the following detailed description.

This disclosure, which is a variety of embodiments, configurations, or aspects, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, such as a component, method, apparatus, or apparatus that is substantially depicted and described herein, including various aspects, configurations, sub- Process, system, and / or apparatus. Those skilled in the art will understand how to make and use various aspects, embodiments, configurations, sub-mixtures, and subsets of the present disclosure after understanding the disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and configurations, may provide a device, be in the absence of an item depicted and / or described herein, or may be in the form of an existing device or process, Includes providing devices and processes in various aspects, embodiments, or configurations thereof, including the absence of such items as could be used in existing devices or processes to facilitate obtaining and / or reducing the cost of implementation .

The foregoing discussion of the present disclosure has been described for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure of the formation or formulations disclosed herein. For example, in the foregoing detailed description, various features of the disclosure may be grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, or configurations for purposes of streamlining the disclosure. Features of aspects, embodiments, or configurations of the present disclosure may be compounded in alternative aspects, embodiments, or configurations than those discussed above. The method of the disclosure does not interpret the claim as reflecting an intention to require more characteristics than is explicitly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, aspects of the invention lie less than all of the features of the single preceding disclosed aspects, embodiments, or configurations. Accordingly, the following claims are to be incorporated in the present disclosure as a detailed description with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment.

In addition, although specific terms and modifications, as well as other variations, blends and modifications, may be resorted to by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, Are within the scope of the invention. Alternative, replaceable and / or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to be claimed, whether disclosed or not disclosed herein, are contemplated as alternatives, replaceable and / Embodiments, or configurations to which the present invention is directed, including equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to be claimed.

details

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This disclosure relates generally to footwear and methods of making same, and more particularly to athletic shoes having a responsive midsole. In one aspect of the invention, the midsole provides an increased offset between the center of the heel of the pressure and the ball-of-foot center of the pressure between the mounting and toe steps.

For the purposes of the following description and explanations, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention may be practiced by those skilled in the art without the specific details set forth herein. As another example, known structures and devices have been shown or discussed more generally to avoid obscuring the present invention. In many cases, the description of operation allows one to implement various aspects of the invention, particularly when the operation is performed in software. It should be noted that there are many different alternative configurations, devices, and techniques to which the disclosed invention may be applied. The entire scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

The following description will be generally referred to specific structural embodiments and methods. It is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments and methods, but the invention may be practiced using other features, elements, methods and embodiments. The preferred embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but rather describe the present invention, which is defined by the claims. The additionally discussed embodiments may be combined with any one or more of the other embodiments described herein either explicitly or impliedly. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the variety of equivalent variations in the description below. Elements of various embodiments will generally be referred to as like reference numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to Figs. 1-3, some representations and configurations of the present invention have been presented. 1A-D, one embodiment of a responsive shoe is depicted as being worn by a user through four gait steps. 1 (b), Fig. 1 (c) shows the transition gait part (step c), and Fig. 1 (d) shows the part of the foot gait (Step d). A user's leg 20 having a foot 22, a toe 24, a ball-of-foot 26, an arch 28 and a heel 30 is suitable for the shoe 100 during movement (e.g., walking or running) along the ground 10 Described. 1-3, the shoe 100 includes a shoe upper layer 110, a shoe upper layer 110, a shoe forehead 120, a shoe heel portion 130, a shoe side portion 140, a medial portion 150 of a shoe, 160 and a shoe midsole 170. The shoe outsole 160 includes a shoe outsole thickness 162, an outsole nominal traction pattern 164, and a shoe bottom outsole S-wave pattern 166. The shoe midsole 170 includes a shoe midsole outer upper rim 172 and a shoe midsole upper rim 174.

1a-d, the central axis of the pressure-heel CP _h And the central axis of the pressure-ball CP _bf . Each of these axes is parallel to the ground 10 and extends laterally with respect to the shoe 100. Each said axis runs through a respective point of the pressure center, as defined by the point through which the center of the pressure is formed by the user's ball-of-foot and heel. In the described other manner, in the user's heel case, the heel forms a pressing surface against the inside of the shoe 100 and receives a force directed upward from the ground 10; Thus, the heel surface experiences a force against the heel surface area, for example, the pressure can be translated kinematically to the center of the pressure point. The ball-of-foot center of the two pressure points, e. G., The heel center and pressure point of the pressure point, can be adjusted to create one center of pressure (COP) Can be mixed.

The central axis of the pressure - heel CP _h will define the distance relative to the ground 10 as the user moves along the ground 10. Similarly, the ball's center of gravity - CP _bf will define the distance relative to the ground 10 as the user moves along the ground 10. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 1A, when the user is in the initial ground contact gait part (step a), the central axis of the pressure-heel CP _h defines a distance with respect to the heel D _{h -a} , - Ball ball CP _bf defines the distance for the ball-of-foot D _{bf -a} . Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the user is in the mounting gait part (step b), the central axis of the pressure-heel CP _h defines a distance to the heel D _{h -b} and the central axis of the pressure- CP _bf defines the distance for the ball-of-foot D _{bf -b} . As shown in Fig. 1C, when the user is in the transition gait part (step c), the central axis of the pressure-heel CP _h Define the distance for the heel D _{h -c} , and the center-of-force-ball CP _bf of the pressure defines the distance for the ball D _{bf -c} . Finally, as shown in Fig. 1d, when the user is in the initial ground contact gait part (step d), the central axis of the pressure-heel CP _h defines a distance with respect to the heel D _{h -d} , - Football CP _bf Defines the distance to the ball-of-foot D _{bf -d} .

Center axis of each pressure - heel CP _{h and} central axis of pressure - ball CP _bf Each The heel 30 and the ball-of-foot 26 and the bottom of the shoe 100. [ In Figures IA-D, the interface is depicted to reside opposite the upper edge of the midsole 170. [ However, in some embodiments, the midsole 170 is not a uniform height, but instead has a shoe midsole outer upper edge 172 and a midsole inner upper edge 174 . In the above embodiment, the central axis of the pressure-heel CP _h And the central axis of the pressure-foot ball CP _bf The user's heel and ball-of-foot interface and the upper midsole edge 174 of the shoe midsole. Additionally, in some embodiments, in the insole on the top of the midsole 170, the central axis of the pressure-heel CP _h And the central axis of the pressure-foot ball CP _bf The user's heel and the user's ball and the upper surface of the insole.

The difference between the distance to the heel and the distance of the ball from any particular gait is the offset. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, the offset is defined as the distance excluding the distance to the ball-of-foot D _{bf -b} at the distance to the heel D _{h -b} .

In an embodiment, the shoe 100 in the mounting gait portion (step b) is between 0.1 and 5 mm. In a more preferred embodiment, the offset is between 0.1 and 4 mm when the shoe 100 is in the mounting gait part (step b). In the most preferred embodiment, the offset is between 0.1 and 3 mm when the shoe 100 is in the mounting gusset portion (step b).

In one embodiment, the offset is approximately 1 mm when the shoe 100 is in the mounting gusset portion (step b).

In one embodiment, the offset is between 2 and 10 mm when the shoe 100 is in the transition gait portion (step c). In a more preferred embodiment, the offset is between 3 and 9 mm when the shoe 100 is in the transition gait part (step c). In the most preferred embodiment, the offset is between 4 and 9 mm when the shoe 100 is in the transition gait part (step c).

In one embodiment, the offset is approximately 6 mm when the shoe 100 is in the transition gait portion (step c).

In one embodiment, the offset is between 5 and 60 mm when the shoe 100 is in the toe release portion (step d). In a more preferred embodiment, the offset is between 10 and 55 mm when the shoe 100 is in the toe release portion (step d). In the most preferred embodiment, the offset is between 10 and 50 mm when the shoe 100 is in the toe release portion (step d).

In one embodiment, when the shoe 100 is in the toe release portion (step d), the offset is approximately 45.5 mm.

In one embodiment, the central axis of the pressure - the heel CP _h and the bottom of the midsole below the central axis of pressure - the center axis of the pressure from the distance of the heel CP _h - the midsole CP _bf , (midsole) bottom-toe ball CP _bf The value of the excluded distance is between 0.1 mm and 10 mm through the user's gait. In a more preferred embodiment, the distance is between 0.1 mm and 9 mm. In a most preferred embodiment, the distance is between 1 and 7.5 mm. In one embodiment, the distance is between 1 and 4.5 mm. In another embodiment, the distance is between 4 and 7.5 mm.

In one embodiment, the central axis of the pressure - the heel CP _h and the midsole bottom below the central axis of pressure - the center axis of pressure from the distance of the heel CP _h - the midsole CP _bf , ) The value excluding the distance of the bottom-toe ball CP _bf is between 0.1 mm and 6 mm in (a). In a more preferred embodiment, the distance is between 0.1 mm and 9 mm. In a most preferred embodiment, the distance is between 0.5 and 8 mm. In one embodiment, the distance is approximately 1 mm. In another embodiment, the distance is approximately 4 mm.

In one embodiment, the central axis of the pressure-heel CP _h and the bottom-heel of the midsole below the central axis of pressure CP _h of Center axis of pressure from distance - Foot ball CP _bf And the distance of the bottom-toe ball CP _bf of the midsole under the central axis of the pressure is between 3 mm and 10 mm in the transition gait (step c). In a more preferred embodiment, the distance is between 4 mm and 9 mm. In a most preferred embodiment, the distance is between 4 and 8 mm. In one embodiment, the distance is approximately 4.5 mm. In another embodiment, the distance is approximately 7.5 mm.

Figure 3 is a right front view of the midsole portion of one embodiment of a responsive shoe. Specifically, the midsole 170 represents the midsole outer top edge 172 and the midsole inner top edge 174. Also depicted is a shoe outsole 160 that includes a shoe outsole thickness 162. The shoe outsole 160 is depicted as the first distance x ₁ of the shoe outsole defined along the longitudinal axis of the midsole 170 and beginning at the end or heel end of the shoe and bottom outsole. The shoe outsole has a second distance x ₂ of the shoe outsole. The shoe outsole has a height of the shoe outsole defined at the close of the outsole or at the tip of the toe.

In one embodiment, the shoe bottom outsole first distance x _1, as a percentage of the second outsole x ₂ , It is between 25% and 55%. In a more preferred embodiment, the first distance x1 of the shoe bottom outsole as a percentage of the second distance x2 of the shoe bottom outsole is between 30% and 55%. In a most preferred embodiment, the shoe bottom outsole first distance x _1, as a percentage of the second outsole x ₂ , It is between 30% and 50%.

In one embodiment, the first distance x ₁ of the shoe bottom outsole as a percentage of the second distance x ₂ of the shoe bottom outsole is approximately 40%.

In one embodiment, the height y of the shoe sole window as a percentage of the second distance x ₂ of the shoe outsole is between 10% and 25%. In a more preferred embodiment, the height y of the shoe outsole as a percentage of the second distance x ₂ of the shoe outsole is between 12% and 20%. In a most preferred embodiment, the height y of the shoe outsole as a percentage of the second distance x ₂ of the shoe outsole is between 12% and 18%.

In one embodiment, the outsole height y of the shoe as a percent of the second distance x ₂ x ₂ of the shoe bottom outsole is approximately 16%.

Can be used to obtain any of the various described offsets. In one embodiment, the offset can be obtained in a geometric manner of midsole and / or midsole / outsole mix (collectively, "shoe bottom area"). That is, the geometry of the shoe sole area begins in the back or heel area of the shoe, the first part (of the two parts) is generally planar and / or flat, and the second of the second part of the curve, Even if it is not closer to the heel or back of the shoe than the midpoint, at least from the ground starting at the midpoint of the shoe bottom area. The other way described, when the shoe alone (eg when not worn) lies on a flat surface, the back of the first part is based on ground for less than 50% of the total length of the shoe, The second part is not ground based, but instead the curve is off the ground. The geometry may make the dynamic offset functional or described functional.

Alternatively or in combination, the offset can be obtained by a midsole and / or a midsole / outsole in combination with different material properties, for example, different elastic properties and geometric properties . For example, Examples A1-13 detail the cross-sectional view of the midsole / outsole areas of different geometric and material properties, thus providing different resilience enabling the previously mentioned dynamic offset function .

In one embodiment, the outsole includes a midsole including a central portion, a medial portion and a side portion, a medial portion and a side portion forming a surface that is not very smooth, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > a < / RTI > In one embodiment, the medial portion of the outsole is formed by a side portion of the outsole and / or a bottom portion of the outsole rather than a side distance to the edge of the center portion, The largest lateral distance to the nearest edge of the center portion. In one embodiment, in the heel area of the outsole and / or in the back 50% of the outsole, the side part is the side distance to the nearest edge of the center part, the medial portion is approximately the equivalent distance to the nearest edge of the center portion. In one embodiment, the area of the A2 (the illustration is drawn in scale, in millimeters area) is measured in the lateral, medial and lateral directions of the outsole and / or outsole / midsole, ) Part of the geometry.

As referred to above, "offset" means the distance between the portion of the qker surface of the wearer's foot and the ground. In particular, the offset is the difference between the heel of the user above the ground compared to the ball-of-foot height of the higher user. For example, the best shoes are designed to fit 5 mm of heel height at 15 mm above the ball-of-foot height. This is often determined by measuring the total thickness of the sole of foot (outsole, midsole, persistent material, and insole) at the center of the heel and ball-of-foot. With a flat sole, the distance between the heel of the wearer and the ground and the foot and ground of the wearer is generally equal, which provides approximately zero offsets.

The offset of the shoe can affect the wearer's low profile and angle presumed during the gait of the wearer's foot and lower leg. The lower body angle of the body between the feet and lower legs can impact the function of muscles and joints to control the movement of the body. Barefoot running or walking on a flat surface can be used as a reference. The bare feet will experience a zero offset when the heel and ball-of-foot are on a flat surface. The feet go from zero offset while the heel and footbolt in a row of footsteps have both in ground contact with positive offset as the heels take off ground in the driving phase of walking. When the heel and football are kept at the same offset, the offset can be said to be " static "and unchanged. Thus, barefoot running or walking represents a fixed offset. Shoes are usually designed with fixed offsets ranging from zero mm to 15 mm. However, some shoes, such as brand Earthshoes®, have been designed with negative offsets and are often referred to as "negative heels".

The fixed offset is the cause of the foot motion during the heel-lifting and pacing until the pause from the initial ground contact moment until the pause. A brief pause is often mentioned as a "stance" phase of stride. How briefly, a stop in the movement of the foot during a full-bodied walk can reduce the ambiguity of the movement and increase the impact experienced by the forefoot. Removing the stop creates a soft feeling and reduces the impact. A hard rocker-soled shoe can remove the stall by feet that literally literally stroke from the heel to the toe during walking. The present invention is not confused with rocker-soled shoes.

The force plate data (dada) reveals a stop in the movement of the fixed offset shoes. Using a mathematical technique to calculate the center of pressure (COP), the speed of the pressure (COPV) center, and the pressure (COP), as the runners come in and their COPs can even be reversed and moved toward the heel The central acceleration of COPA will become clear. For the center of negative pressure to move in the negative direction, the COPV must be reversed and become negative before returning to the positive during the propulsion phase. COPV The COPA required to make the negative is referred to as the destruction phase.

Conversely, the COP of a shoe with a dynamic offset moves smoothly forward along the foot axis. Dynamic offset The sole does not account for inversion in COPV. The dynamic offset enhances the running experience of all running athletes, as well as the wearer who takes a mid-foot striking gait.

Embodiments provide a shoe that alleviates if it can not be eliminated from stopping in the foot motion by creating a continuously changing offset for the foot, called a dynamic offset. Dynamic offset shoes allow one foot to estimate one offset at the beginning of the walk and then foot to continue increasing the offset through the propulsion phase. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by authorizing the foot to give a forward half downward force on the foot, just as the center of the foot's force moves away from the back part of the foot. The sole of the shoe must be bent downward in the forward half of the shoe under the pressure of the forefoot, and the shape of the sole must be changed. Conversely, though not all, the rocker-soled shoe retains most of its own rocker shape through ever-increasing stride.

It should be noted that in Figures la-d, the foot position of the initial ground contact is not critical to the function and design of the shoe 100, i.e., the dynamic offset motion function.

One embodiment of the present invention is a shoe for placing the wearer ' s foot in a position having an offset of 1 mm at the moment when the foot force is centered in the back half (e.g., "loading" . The offset moves at 4.5 mm as if the center of force were moving towards the toes under the foot (eg "transition" phase). The offset increases continuously after the transition through the release of the toes.

In one embodiment, the dynamic offset is obtained through the exact area and shape of the sole material. When broadly pressed, the vertical area of the soles in the rear half of the foot is constant from mid-heel to midfoot, then decreases from the mid-leg to the toes in a soft fashion. Although in most cases the shoe is reduced from the forefoot to the vertical dimension of the sole, and in one embodiment there are two fatal differences between a dynamic offset shoe and another shoe, such as: 1) dynamic offset shoes Have a relatively constant vertical size (proportional to tapering in the forefoot), and 2) dynamic offset shoes narrow the vertical soles of the shoe at the beginning of the shoe, somewhat midfoot, as in other shoes .

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that outsole / midsole treads can be fashioned in any form to provide the desired contact properties between the sole and the considered surface of operation. That is, the road tread pattern is generally smoother than the native tread pattern, which also includes inclusions of a nub or stiff element to help break into loose or uneven ground can do. In addition, it is an aspect of the present invention which provides sole with various stiffness characteristics. More particularly, in some embodiments, the sole is neutral balanced and the shoe becomes hard along its longitudinal axis. In another embodiment, the soles are each further made to provide a proximity to the medial heel of the shoe with a pronounced pronate. The techniques are well known in the art and can be implemented in connection with the embodiments shown and described herein.

In one embodiment, the sole of an embodiment of the present invention is angled upward to provide a minimum offset during mid-launch. More particularly, the toe portion of the embodiment is angled with respect to the heel portion and the mid-foot portion of the shoe in a curved manner to provide a sole having a straight portion and a relatively angled portion thereon. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the transition portion between the foot portion and the toe portion can also be angled with respect to the heel portion. In one embodiment of the invention, the length of the straight line is between about 30-50% of the total horizontal length of the sole as measured from the tip of the toe to the heel. The length of the portion of the straight line in one embodiment is approximately 40% of the total length of the sole. In some embodiments of the present invention, the distal end of the portion of the straight line is spaced from the heel such that the heel is spaced or angled from a predetermined point.

Example

Without intending to limit the scope of the present invention, embodiments A1-A13 depict one embodiment of an embodiment of the invention in detail on scale. The area is in millimeters.

Examples A1-A3 depict side, bottom, and medial views of each of the outsole / midsole portions of an embodiment of the present invention. Examples A5-A6 depict the respective toe and heel views of the outsole / midsole of Example A1-3. Example A4 generally depicts a longitudinal cross-section along the axial section A-A 'of Example A2. Examples A7-A12 depict a continuous cross-sectional view of the insole / midsole of Example A1-3.

Note the different materials and different geometries of Examples A7-A12. For example, the top layer material (Example A7 dominant material) left on the low right cross section markers is the first material (where CMEVA), and the silver material left in the top right cross section label (middle-top layer portion of Example A7) (Here, VGB), and the two middle bottoms (without cross-section marking) are the third material (here, semi-blown rubber). The same mapping label for the material applies to Examples A8 to A10. In Examples A11-12, the top layer left on the low right cross section (the dominant material of Example A11-12) is the first material (here, CMEVA) and the unlabeled portion (in the middle bottom portion of Examples A11-12) (Lower left bottom portion of Example A11-12) remaining in the upper right cross-section mark is a fourth material (here, a semi-blown rubber) rubber. CMEVA is compression molded Ethyl Vinyl Acetate.

As will be appreciated, it will be possible to provide some features of the invention without providing others.

In order to provide additional clarity to the detailed description provided herein with respect to the related drawings, the following list of components and associated numbers provides:

Reference number. Component

10 Ground

20 legs (Leg)

22 Foot

24 Toes (Toes)

26 Ball-of-Foot

28 Arch

30 Heel

100 Shoes (Shoe)

110 Shoe upper

120 Shore forefoot

130 Shoe Heel Portion

140 Shoe Lateral Portion

150 The medial part of the shoe

160 shoes outsole

162 Shoe outsole thickness

164 Shoe outsole Nominal Traction pattern

166 shoe floor outsole S-wave pattern

170 shoes midsole

172 Shoe midsole Outer upper edge

174 Inner upper edge of shoe midsole

CP _h Center of Pressure Axis - Heel

CP _bf Center of pressure - ball

D _{h -a} distance for heel - step a

D _{bf -a} Distance to ball - Step a

D _{h -b} Distance to heel - step b

D _{bf -b} Distance to ball to ball - Step b

D _{h -c} distance to heel - step c

D _{bf -c} Distance to the ball - Step c

D _{h -d} Distance to heel - step d

D _{bf -d} Distance to the ball - Step d

x ₁ Shoe floor outsole First street

x ₂ shoe outsole Second street

y shoe floor outsole height

While various embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations of the embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, with respect to the following claims, it will be expressly acknowledged that the modifications and variations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

The foregoing discussion of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure for forming or forming the disclosure disclosed herein. For example, in the foregoing detailed description, various features of the present disclosure have been grouped together in one or more embodiments for purposes of streamlining the disclosure. The method of the disclosure requires more particularity than the claimed disclosure is recited explicitly in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie less than all the features of the single previously mentioned disclosed embodiment. The following claims are therefore to be construed in accordance with the following detailed description of each claim in its own right, as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

Additionally, it is intended that the present disclosure include description of one or more embodiments and specific variations and modifications, and that other variations and modifications may be made, for example, after an understanding of the present disclosure, as may be within the skill and knowledge of those skilled in the art, Likewise, it is within the scope of disclosure.

It will be understood that variations, permutations, and / or equivalent structures, functions, ranges, or steps to be claimed are disclosed herein or are not permissible, Functionality, scope, or step of the claimed invention, extended, interchangeable and / or claimed.

Claims (24)

A footwear article comprising:
An upper portion that can be affixed to the user's foot; And
A midsole including a first portion proximate to the heel of the foot and a second portion adjacent to the ball-of-foot of the foot, a heel center of pressure delivered to the first portion, And a ball-of-foot center of pressure delivered to defining a second distance between the second portion and the center of the ball's pressure and the ground, Where the offset distance of the first distance from the second distance is increased between the loading gait phase and the toe off gait phase.
The shoe product of claim 1, wherein the first portion is generally of a constant thickness and the second portion is generally reduced along the longitudinal axis of the midsole from the heel to the footbolt.
The shoe product according to claim 2, wherein the first portion is 30-50% of the total distance of the longitudinal axis of the midsole.
The shoe product of claim 3, wherein the first portion is connected to the second portion.
The shoe product according to claim 2, wherein said decreasing thickness generally forms a French curve.
The shoe product of claim 1, wherein the distance offset is always positive between a loading gait phase and a toe off gait phase.
The shoe product according to claim 1, wherein the toes have a distance offset of at least 40 mm.
The shoe product of claim 1, wherein the step of removing the second distance from the first distance is continuously increased between the step of mounting the gait and the step of gait.
2. The shoe product of claim 1, wherein the foot center pressure applied to the midsole is continuously increased between the step of mounting the footrest and the step of taking the toe.
A method of making a footwear article comprising:
Forming an attachable upper portion to the user ' s foot; And
The first part near the heel of the foot and the second part close to the ball-of-foot of the foot define the first distance between the heel center of the pressure and the ground with the heel center of pressure delivered to the first part And a ball-of-foot center of pressure delivered to define a second distance between the second portion and the ball's center of gravity and the ground, Forming a connected midsole in which the offset distance of the second distance from the first distance is increased between the loading gait phase and the toe off gait phase.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first portion is generally a constant thickness and the second portion is a thickness that generally decreases along the longitudinal axis of the midsole from the heel to the center of the ball.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the first portion is 30-50% of the total distance of the longitudinal axis of the midsole.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the distance offset is always positive between the step of mounting and the steps of stepping.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the distance offset is at least 40 mm in stepping step.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein excluding the second distance from the first distance is continuously increased between the step of mounting the gait and the step of gait.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the pressure of the center of the foot imparted to the midsole is continuously increased between the step of mounting the gait and the step of gait.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the midsole is manufactured using injection molding.
Athletic shoe including:
An upper layer attachable to the user's feet; And
A first portion of generally uniform thickness proximate to the heel of the foot and a second portion of generally reduced thickness along the longitudinal axis of the midsole from the heel to the ball-of-foot of the foot and a ball-of- foot), 30-50% of the total distance of the longitudinal axis of the second and second part, the first distance between the heel center of the pressure and the ground, with the heel center of pressure delivered to the first part And a ball-of-foot center of pressure delivered to define a second distance between the second portion and the ball's center of gravity and the ground The offset distance of the midsole, excluding the second distance from the first distance, is defined by the loading gait phase and the toe off gait phase, And the loading gait phase and the toe gait are always positive between the toe off gait phase.
19. The article of footwear of claim 18, wherein the foot center of the pressure imparted to the midsole is continuously increased between a loading gait phase and a toe gait step.
19. The article of footwear of claim 18, wherein the toe foot has a distance offset of at least 40 mm.
Products of footwear including:
Upper layer that can be affixed to the user's shoe;
A first portion proximate to the heel of the foot and a second portion adjacent to the foot of the foot; And an outsole connected to a midsole including a central portion, a medial portion and a side portion, the inner portion and the side portion forming a surface that is not very soft, the central portion having a curved edge Forming a fairly smooth surface.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the foot heel has a heel center of the first applied pressure and defines a first distance between the heel center of the pressure and the ground and a foot center of the pressure applied to the second portion, Wherein the offset distance of the second distance from the first distance is defined as the distance between the loading gait phase and the toe off gait phase Of the footwear.
22. The article of claim 21, wherein the central portion is made of a first material and the medial and side portions are made of a second material.
22. The article of claim 21, wherein the central portion extends and the toe portion and the heel portion of the shoe product are integral to at least one.

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