WO1995028103A1

WO1995028103A1 - Impact absorbing shoe sole insert

Info

Publication number: WO1995028103A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/004406
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert B. Campbell
Original assignee: Bbc International, Ltd.
Priority date: 1994-04-18
Filing date: 1995-04-12
Publication date: 1995-10-26

Abstract

A shoe sole insert (10) for providing impact absorption and support above and beyond that usually provided in a shoe, particularly under the forefoot and heel, where most impacts are typically felt, and under the arch, where most support is typically required, respectively. The shoe sole insert (10) is comprised of a base padding unit (12) having a top side and a bottom side. The top side of the base padding unit (12) has a shape that conforms to the bottom of a typical foot and is covered with a comfortable and durable fabric (14). The bottom side of the base padding unit (12) is formed having a plurality of additional padding protrusions (22) extending outwardly from a forefoot area (18) and a heel area (20) on the base padding unit (12). These additional padding protrusions (22) provide additional impact absorption at both the forefoot area (18) and the heel area (20), where most impacts are typically felt. The bottom side of the base padding unit (12) is also formed having a plurality of additional padding protrusions (24) extending outwardly from an inclined arch area (16) on the base padding unit (12). These additional padding protrusions (24) provide additional support at the inclined arch area (16), where most support is typically required.

Description

IMPACT ABSORBING SHOE SOLE INSERT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear and, more particularly, to a shoe sole insert for providing impact absorption and support above and beyond that usually provided in a shoe, particularly under the forefoot and heel where most impacts are felt and under the arch where most support is required, respectively.

Description of the Prior Art

It is commonly known that participation in exercise and sporting activities requires walking, running, jumping, and other bodily movements which are typically initiated and maintained by the limbs of the lower body, particularly the feet. Each foot contains, besides the bone structure, 19 muscles plus the tendons of 12 more muscles situated in the leg, more than a hundred ligaments, tough connective and protective layers of fascia, and toe nails. It also contains yards of blood vessels and intricate networks of nerves. A foot during walking goes through three forward motions; namely an impact which is sustained by the heel, a transitional horizontal balance phase supported by the arch, and a thrusting by the forefoot. These three forward motions are intensified during running and/or jogging. The act of jumping consists mainly of a similar thrusting by the forefoot and an impact which is sustained by the forefoot. Understandably, the bones, muscles, ligaments, and other tissues of the foot are subject to a great many stresses and strains during typical exercise and sporting activities. Attempts have been made to mitigate these stresses and strains through the use of pads and the like. For example, U.S. Patent No. 545,705 discloses a cushioned sole for footwear which utilizes a pneumatic tubing coiled and secured beneath a foot bearing layer of leather. U.S. Patent No. 1,540,430 discloses a ventilated insole for footwear comprising a multiplicity of perforations in the forward half only of the insole. U.S. Patent No. 2,100,492 discloses an outer sole for a shoe comprising a plurality of lengths of hollow rubber tubing disposed in longitudinal continuous direct contact with each other. U.S. Patent No. 3,552,044 discloses a pad filled with elastomeric pellets or particles which will conform to irregularly shaped feet. U.S. Patent No. 3,589,037 discloses a removable foot supporting and cushioning liner for footwear constructed from a pair of laminated gas impervious sheets of thin, lightweight, plastic material having a multiplicity of separate gas filled pockets distributed over the supporting surface of the member.

To date, however, no means has been prescribed for mitigating the stresses and strains which are inflicted on feet during typical exercise and sporting activities by providing additional impact absorption specifically under the forefoot and heel, where most impacts are typically felt, while also providing additional support under the arch, where most support is typically required. Understandably, it would be desirable to provide such a means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates a shoe sole insert for providing impact absorption and support above and beyond that usually provided in a shoe, particularly under the forefoot and heel, where most impacts are typically felt, and under the arch, where most support is typically required, respectively.

In accord with the present invention, the shoe sole insert is comprised of a base padding unit having a top side and a bottom side. The top side of the base padding unit has a shape that conforms to the bottom of a typical foot and is covered with a comfortable and durable fabric. The bottom side of the base padding unit is formed having a plurality of additional padding protrusions extending outwardly from a forefoot area and a heel area on the base padding unit. These additional padding protrusions provide additional impact absorption at both the forefoot and heel areas, where most impacts are typically felt. The bottom side of the base padding unit is also formed having a plurality of additional padding protrusions extending outwardly from an inclined arch area on the base padding unit. These additional padding protrusions provide additional support at the inclined arch area, where most support is typically required. Intermingled with these additional padding protrusions, at the inclined arch area, are a plurality of perforations for providing improved breathability between the top and bottom sides of the base padding unit.

From the above descriptive summary it is apparent how the present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the above-mentioned prior art by providing means for mitigating the stresses and strains which are inflicted on feet during typical exercise and sporting activities by providing additional impact absorption under the forefoot and heel, where most impacts are typically felt, while also providing additional support under the arch, where most support is typically required. Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a means for mitigating the stresses and strains which are inflicted on feet during typical exercise and sporting activities by providing additional impact absorption under the forefoot and heel, where most impacts are typically felt, while also providing additional support under the arch, where most support is typically required.

Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description and claims, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to facilitate a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference is now be made to the appended drawings. The drawings should not be construed as limiting the present invention, but are intended to be exemplary only.

Figure 1 is a bottom view a shoe sole insert, according to the present invention, that provides impact absorption and support above and beyond that usually provided in a shoe, particularly under the forefoot and heel, where most impacts are typically felt, and under the arch, where most support is typically required, respectively.

Figure 2 is a first side view of the shoe sole insert illustrated in Figure 1, taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a second side view of the shoe sole insert illustrated in Figure 1, taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the shoe sole insert illustrated in Figure 1, taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the shoe sole insert illustrated in Figure 1, taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring to Figures 1-4, there is shown a shoe sole insert 10 according to the present invention. The shoe sole insert 10 is comprised of a base padding unit 12 having a top side and a bottom side. The top side of the base padding unit 12 has a shape that conforms to the bottom of a typical foot and is covered with a comfortable and durable fabric 14. The bottom side of the base padding unit 12 is formed having a plurality of oblong shaped padding protrusions 22 extending outwardly from a forefoot area 18 and a heel area 20 on the base padding unit 12. These oblong shaped padding protrusions 22 provide additional impact absorption at both the forefoot area 18 and the heel area 20, where most impacts are typically felt. The bottom side of the base padding unit 12 is also formed having a plurality of rectangular shaped padding protrusions 24 extending outwardly from an inclined arch area 16 on the base padding unit 12. These rectangular shaped padding protrusions 24 provide additional support at the inclined arch area 16, where most support is typically required. Intermingled with the rectangular shaped padding protrusions 24 are a plurality of perforations 26 for providing improved breathability between the top and bottom sides of the base padding unit 12 (see Figure 5) . Of course, similar perforations may be formed through the forefoot area 18 and/or the heel area 20 of the base padding unit 12. At this point it should be noted that the oblong shaped padding protrusions 22 may take a variety of shapes other than the oblong shape as shown, such as, for example, circular, rectangular, and/or square. Similarly, the rectangular shaped padding protrusions 24 may take a variety of shapes other than the rectangular shape as shown, such as, for example, circular, oblong, and/or square.

On the bottom side of the base padding unit 12, outside of the inclined arch area 16, the forefoot area 18, and the heel area 20, an interlocking honeycomb design 30 is formed along the surface. The main reason for this interlocking honeycomb design 30 is to provide texture to the bottom side of the base padding unit 12 so as to prevent slippage and/or unwanted movement of the shoe sole insert 10 once it is inserted within a shoe.

The bottom side of the base padding unit 12 is actually the top side of the base padding unit 12 during the preferred fabrication process of the base padding unit 12, which is an injection molded fabrication process. Such is the case since the oblong shaped padding protrusions 22 at the forefoot area 18 and the heel area 20 extend outwardly above the rest of the bottom side of the base padding unit 12, and thus during such an injection molded fabrication process each of the oblong shaped padding protrusions 22 are used as fill areas, as evidenced by a plurality of corresponding fill dimples 28. Understandably, it would otherwise be difficult to adequately fill these protrusions 22.

In a specific construction of the shoe sole insert 10, the thickness of the base padding unit 12 between the forefoot area 18 and the heel area 20, excluding the thickness of the oblong shaped padding protrusions 22, gradually decreases from a thickness of 5 mm at the heel area end to a thickness of 3 mm at the forefoot area end. This gradual difference in thickness corresponds to the amount of weight that is typically placed upon those parts of the foot anatomy; i.e. a greater amount of weight is more often placed of the heel than on the forefoot. This gradual difference in thickness also corresponds to the typical slope that is exhibited in most shoes; i.e. most shoes slope downward from the heel to the forefoot. For purposes of balance, the thickness of all of the oblong shaped padding protrusions 22 is 3 mm at both the forefoot area 18 and the heel area 20.

Corresponding to the specific construction just discussed, the thickness of the base padding unit 12 in and around the inclined arch area 16, excluding the thickness of the rectangular shaped padding protrusions 24, is 1.5 mm throughout. For purposes of balance, the thickness of all of the rectangular shaped padding protrusions 24 is 2 mm at the inclined arch area 16.

At this point it should be noted that the base padding unit 12 may be fabricated of a variety of materials, although base padding unit 12 may be fabricated from a particular composition comprising synthetic resinous base, one or more pigment components, and the remainder comprising adjuvants such as catalysts, fillers, blowing agents, and the like. Suitable synthetic resins include vinyl polymers and copolymers, such as acrylics, their polymers and copolymers, elastomeric materials, and other ethylenically unsaturated compounds. Particularly preferred resins are those that are capable of preparing foam bodies therefrom, and specific such composition comprises an ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer.

The other components, such as fillers, may include inorganic salts, with calcium carbonate being exemplary, while catalysts may include cumyl peroxide and dicumyl peroxide, and pigments may likewise vary, with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide being exemplary. A particular composition illustrated herein comprises a resin prepared from an ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer (EVA) , calcium carbonate as a filler, dicumyl peroxide as a catalyst, and the pigments zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (AG) , and sulphur as the blowing agent. It should also be noted that the covering fabric 14 may be a variety of comfortable and durable fabrics, although the preferred fabric is NYLEX™. It should be further noted that the covering fabric 14 may be secured to the base padding unit 12 by a variety of methods, such as by gluing and/or with adhesives, although the preferred method is heat pressing the covering fabric 14 to the base padding unit 12.

It should finally be noted that the inclined arch area 16, the forefoot area 18, and the heel area 20 may be individually provided exclusive of each other on the base padding unit 12, or any combination thereof may be provided dependent upon market demand and/or the particular needs and desires of a shoe wearer.

With the present invention shoe sole insert 10 now fully described, it can thus be seen that the primary objective set forth above is efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above-described shoe sole insert 10 without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A shoe sole insert comprising: a base padding unit having a top side and a bottom side, said top side of said base padding unit having a shape conforming to the bottom of a foot, said bottom side of said base padding unit having located thereon a forefoot area, a heel area, and an inclined arch area, said forefoot area having a plurality of forefoot area padding protrusions extending outwardly therefrom for purposes of impact absorption, said heel area having a plurality of heel area padding protrusions extending outwardly therefrom for purposes of impact absorption, said inclined arch area having a plurality of inclined arch area padding protrusions extending outwardly therefrom for purposes of support; and a covering fabric secured to said top side of said base padding unit.

2. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim l, wherein a plurality of perforations are formed in between said plurality of inclined arch area padding protrusions for providing improved breathability between said top side and said bottom side of said base padding unit.

3. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 1, wherein a plurality of perforations are formed in between said plurality of forefoot area padding protrusions for providing improved breathability between said top side and said bottom side of said base padding unit.

4. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 1, wherein a plurality of perforations are formed in between said plurality of heel area padding protrusions for providing improved breathability between said top side and said bottom side of said base padding unit.

5. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 1, wherein the thickness of said base padding unit between said forefoot area and said heel area, excluding the thickness of said padding protrusions, gradually decreases from the heel area end to the forefoot area end.

6. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 5, wherein the thickness of said forefoot area padding protrusions and said heel area padding protrusions is essentially the same so as to provide balance.

7. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 5, wherein the thickness of said inclined arch area padding protrusions is essentially the same so as to provide balance.

8. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 1, wherein said bottom side of said base padding unit, outside of said forefoot area, said heel area, and said inclined arch area, is formed having a textured surface so as to prevent slippage and/or unwanted movement of said shoe sole insert.

9. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 1, wherein said base padding unit is fabricated from a composition comprising ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA) copolymer, calcium carbonate, dicumyl peroxide, zinc oxide (ZnO) , titanium dioxide (AG) , and a blowing agent.

10. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 1, wherein said covering fabric is secured to said base padding unit by heat pressing said covering fabric to said base padding unit.

11. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 10, wherein said covering fabric is NYLEX™.

12. A shoe sole insert comprising: a base padding unit having a top side and a bottom side, said top side of said base padding unit having a shape conforming to the bottom of a foot, said bottom side of said base padding unit having located thereon a forefoot area and a heel area, said forefoot area having a plurality of forefoot area padding protrusions extending outwardly therefrom for purposes of impact absorption, said heel area having a plurality of heel area padding protrusions extending outwardly therefrom for purposes of impact absorption; and a covering fabric secured to said top side of said base padding unit.

13. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 12, wherein a plurality of perforations are formed in between said plurality of forefoot area padding protrusions for providing improved breathability between said top side and said bottom side of said base padding unit.

14. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 12, wherein a plurality of perforations are formed in between said plurality of heel area padding protrusions for providing improved breathability between said top side and said bottom side of said base padding unit.

15. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 12, wherein the thickness of said base padding unit between said forefoot area and said heel area, excluding the thickness of said padding protrusions, gradually decreases from the heel area end to the forefoot area end.

16. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 15, wherein the thickness of said forefoot area padding protrusions and said heel area padding protrusions is essentially the same so as to provide balance.

17. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 12, wherein said bottom side of said base padding unit, outside of said forefoot area and said heel area, is formed having a textured surface so as to prevent slippage and/or unwanted movement of said shoe sole insert.

18. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 12, wherein said base padding unit is fabricated from a composition comprising ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA) copolymer, calcium carbonate, dicumyl peroxide, zinc oxide (ZnO) , titanium dioxide (AG) , and a blowing agent.

19. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 12, wherein said covering fabric is secured to said base padding unit by heat pressing said covering fabric to said base padding unit.

20. The shoe sole insert as defined in Claim 19, wherein said covering fabric is NYLEX™.