WO2009154494A1

WO2009154494A1 - Energy storage shoes

Info

Publication number: WO2009154494A1
Application number: PCT/RU2008/000361
Authority: WO
Inventors: Марк Рудольфович ШИРОКИХ
Original assignee: Shirokikh Mark Rudolfovich
Priority date: 2008-06-09
Filing date: 2008-06-09
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Also published as: MX2010009481A; KR101282310B1; KR20110003466A; BRPI0822114A2

Abstract

The invention relates to shoes for storing energy produced by the deformation of a plate spring, which shoes comprise a sole and elements for fixing the foot position in relation to the sole. The invention is characterised in that the front part of the sole is in the form of a downward bent plate spring which is cantilever fitted in relation to the remaining part of the sole and in that the fixing elements are also used for pressing the front part of the foot against the sole spring. The angle between the bent spring and the rear part of the sole corresponds to the beginning of the metatarsus, the foot phalangeal bones or is brought near the heel. The spring may be made of an elastic material, for example, a polymer material. The original bent angle of the sole spring is selected according to the properties thereof, the shoes use and to a user's physical capabilities. The sole spring cross-section is constant or variable along the length thereof. The elastic properties of the sole spring are constant or variable along the length thereof. The sole spring has segments with a C-shaped cross-sections for embracing a part of the foot. The front part of the sole spring can be curved, for example for adhering to the projected unevennesses of a supporting surface.

Description

Shoes with energy storage.

The invention relates to shoes that provide energy storage, including shoes for everyday use, sports shoes for running, jumping, etc., shoes for climbers, as well as shoes used as rehabilitation tools to restore the working capacity of the leg muscle ligaments. Regular shoes serve to protect a person's legs from external influences. In accordance with the purpose, it contains a sufficiently dense and strong sole and an associated top, fixing the position of the sole relative to the foot and protecting the foot if necessary from environmental influences.

The execution form of the sole and the top, depending on the purpose of the shoe, can be different (see. Great Soviet Encyclopedia, hereinafter BES. Shoes. Http://slovari.yandex.ru/dict/bse/article/00054/l 6400.htm? text =% D0% BE% D0% B 1% D 1% 83% D0% B2% D 1% 8Q.

These shoes do not have a significant effect on the way a person is moved. When walking, a person raises one leg, resting at that moment on the second, transfers the raised leg forward and lowers it onto the supporting surface (ground). The process is then repeated.

One of the features of human movement compared to most other mammals is the nature of the contact of the leg with the supporting surface. When transferring weight to the other leg, a person usually first rests on the heel of the foot and only then transfers the load to the entire foot.

The disadvantage of this method of movement when walking is the waste of energy. The gravitational component at each step is completely lost. The organs of the body that have the ability to partially accumulate energy, for example, the Achilles tendon, ankle joint, etc., are not working effectively enough.

Most animals move in a different way. The primary touch of the supporting surface (earth) is carried out by the forefoot (front) part of the leg (paw), while the ankle joint works on twisting, the tendons are pulled together, accumulating energy, and then there is the release of energy and additional repulsion of the leg (paws), carrying out the next step or jump.

In humans, the primary resting on the fingers and metatarsus of the leg occurs only occasionally, for example, when running. A large number of various devices are known for increasing the efficiency of a person’s movement, based on the accumulation of energy by an elastic element that is deformable when walking and when it is released when it returns to its original position.

Known shoes, mainly for sports, including a support device made in the form of a shin covering a boot and an auxiliary system of levers spring-loaded with spiral helical springs, the main of which is installed near the heel of the boot with the possibility of rotation and longitudinal displacement relative to this axis, and its main the part extends downward relative to the sole of the boot (see patent RU N ° 2238125, priority 04/27/1998 GB).

When moving, the shoe user raises and moves the foot and boot forward so that he and the protruding lever do not touch the ground, then when the boot moves down the main lever, first contacting the ground, rotates to overcome the action of the spring, the spiral coil spring is deformed, storing energy that will facilitate the further movement of the boot in the upward direction.

The disadvantage of this shoe and the method of movement in it is the significant complexity of the design and inconvenience of the method of movement, in particular associated with the need to raise the shoe to a considerable height. A similar principle was used when creating the design of the device according to the patent US N ° 6840893, priority 29.04.2002). This device is also based on the use of springs, deforming when lowering the legs to the supporting surface, and returning energy when lifting the legs.

However, the design is also very bulky and unacceptable for use in everyday life.

Known shoes in the form of a high boot, equipped with a device for enhancing the jumping ability, containing a supporting element that provides reliable the fixation of the foot, and the element that spans the calf, which is rotatably connected, the knot of rotation being located on the same axis as the ankle joint. Both elements are interconnected by a tension spring (see patent DE JN ° 4038511, priority 03.12.1990). The disadvantages of this technical solution are similar to the disadvantages of other analogues: the complexity of the design, the inconvenience of operation, the inability to use in everyday life. Moving in such shoes requires considerable effort, special skills and a well-developed coordination system.

As a prototype, shoes with a device for increasing jumping ability were selected. The prototype includes a support platform, which is a sole with fixing the position of the foot relative to the sole elements. Thus, the platform is made in the form of shoes, the back of the platform - the soles of which are connected by means of a vertical element with the fixture fixing element on the calf of the foot. The lower part of the supporting platform - the sole by means of a lever is pivotally connected with the lower part of the arcuate (onion-like) leaf spring. The upper part of the spring is rigidly connected to the fixing element of the device on the calf. The lower supporting part of the arcuate leaf spring is provided with a pad with a radial wear-resistant surface (see US patent JV26840893, priority July 17, 2003). The use of an arcuate spring made it possible to get away from coil springs, which increased the energy storage efficiency and the reliability of the device.

However, the nature of the landing of the leg with the device not only did not change, but also became more pronounced: primary support on the back of the leg and rapid transfer of body weight to the entire foot. The work of the ankle joint and the Achilles tendon does not significantly affect the effectiveness of jumps. The deformation of the spring is carried out only due to the mass of a person.

The use of shoes with such a device is also associated with the following disadvantages: - significant complexity of the design of shoes equipped with the specified mechanism; - the inability to use to increase the efficiency of the process of ordinary walking, the complexity of use in everyday life;

- the process of movement requires lifting the legs to a considerable height;

- the process of movement requires considerable effort, special skills and good coordination of movement.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a simple, easy-to-use shoe for widespread use in everyday life, sports, medicine, etc., which allows the effective use of both the mass of the user and his muscle energy to accumulate (accumulate) energy and transfer this energy to push the leg.

This problem is solved due to the fact that in shoes with energy storage from deformation of the leaf spring, including the sole and the elements fixing it relative to the foot, according to the invention, the front part of the sole is made in the form of a spring bent downwardly cantilever fixed relative to the rest of the sole of the leaf spring, and the fixing the elements also provide pressure on the front of the foot to the sole spring.

The initial angle between the bent spring and the rest of the sole from the supporting surface is less than 180 °.

In this case, the following may be provided: - the area of attachment and bending of the sole spring may correspond to the beginning of the metatarsus, phalanx of the toes of the foot or be closer to the heel.

- the spring may be made of an elastic polymeric material or other elastic material.

- the initial angle of bending of the spring of the sole can be selected depending on its properties, as well as the purpose of the shoe and the physical capabilities of the user.

- the cross section of the spring of the sole can be made constant or variable in length.

- the elastic properties and stiffness of the sole spring can be constant or variable in length. - the spring of the sole may have sections with a C-shaped cross section for partial coverage of the foot. - the front part of the spring of the sole can be made curved, for example, hook-shaped, for engagement with the protruding irregularities of the supporting surface.

Thus, the object of the invention is shoes, in which a leaf spring, designed to accumulate the energy spent on its deformation when walking, and the subsequent return of energy when removing the load, is combined with an element of ordinary shoes - the sole, while its initial position is the bend down. Patent studies have shown that the claimed shoes meet the criteria of "novelty" and "inventive level".

Shoes can be manufactured in an industrial or artisanal way, therefore, meets the criterion of “industrial applicability)).

The invention is illustrated by drawings, which represent: FIG. 1 - the appearance of shoes with a composite sole and an initial angle between the spring and the rest of the sole a little less than 180 °; FIG. 2 - shoes with a composite sole and an initial angle significantly less than 180 °; FIG. 3 - shoes with a composite sole and an angle between the spring and the back of the sole less than 90 °; FIG. 4 - shoes with a composite sole and hook-like curved spring; FIG. 5 shows strain options for walking the sole with the composite sole shown in FIG. 1, depending on the physical properties (elasticity, stiffness) of the spring (the dotted line shows the initial free position of the spring) and the magnitude of the load, incl. :

5a - under load, the spring is straightened (the spring and the rest of the sole are located in the same plane);

56 - under load, the spring is bent in the direction opposite to the initial position; 5c - with insufficient exposure to body weight or insufficient muscle effort, a stiff spring does not reach a flat state, it remains under load bent downward, although with an angle greater than the initial angle between the spring and the back of the sole less than 180 °;

The inventive shoes include sole 1 and upper 2.

The sole 1 is made integral. The front part of the sole 1 is an elastic leaf spring 3, cantilever mounted relative to the second part 4 of the sole 1. The cantilever spring is a continuation of the rear part 4 of the sole 1. In the initial position, the spring 3 is bent downward at an angle ά with respect to the rear part 4 of the sole 1.

The bend zone of the sole 1 may correspond to the traditional places of the bend of the foot: the end of the toe, the zone of the end of the metatarsus (metatarsus) or the zone adjacent to the heel.

The upper 2 of the shoe performs the function of fixing the position of the foot relative to the sole 1, including the function of elements that fix the position of the foot relative to the bendable spring 3. The upper 2 of the shoe can be made partially or completely of elastic material, providing, on the one hand, the possibility of periodic bending or bending the sole 1, and on the other hand, pressing the foot, including its front, to the sole 1. Moreover, if desired, the user can use the muscles to prevent the bend of the sole spring (spring return to ref The battery positive voltage) or force it to straighten.

In shoes without the user's feet placed in it, the initial angle ά between the front elastic and rear main parts 3 and 4 of the sole 1 is less than 180 ° (see Figs. 1,2,3). The angle can be different, including the angle can be less than 90 ° (Fig. 3). The spring 3 of the sole can be made of elastic polymer materials, and the characteristics of the spring can be either constant along its entire length or variable.

The form of the claimed shoe, depending on the purpose, may be different. It can be warm winter shoes in the form of boots or boots, or it can be lightweight summer, for example, in the form of sandals or sneakers (not shown in the drawings).

In any embodiment, the upper of the shoe is configured to periodically bend and straighten the spring 3 of the sole 1, while the human foot is fixed relative to the sole 1 and can move after the spring 3 of the sole 1 or resist movement, preventing the movement (return) of the spring 3 to its original position.

Upper 2 may have the usual shape for closed shoes, but it should be possible to periodically change the angle between parts 3 and 4 of the sole 1 within a fairly wide range. For this, it can be made of elastic material or may contain easily deformable inserts, for example, corrugated ones (not shown in the drawing) in areas subject to stretching and compression. The upper 2 of the shoe may be or include locking elements that provide reliable retention of the foot, including its front forefoot-metatarsal part in the shoe. The fixing elements can be made in the form of:

- the forefoot of the upper shoe, rigidly connected with the front of the sole - a spring 3 and forming a cavity to accommodate the toe of the foot; - covering foot of belts, tapes, etc. rigid or elastic fixing elements, while these or other fixing elements also prevent the displacement of the foot along the sole or its parts;

The initial angle between the parts of the sole 1 (spring 3 of the sole and the rear part 4 of the sole) is less than the traditional angle of 180 °. The smallest possible angle can even be less than 90 ° (see Fig. 3).

Shoes with an angle approaching 90 ° and less than 90 °, it is advisable to use in sports or for training, since in this case, before the start of the movement, certain muscular efforts will have to be applied for the initial preliminary stretching (extension) of the spring 3, in order to exclude Significant kink of the toe. The same efforts are necessary for any separation of the leg from the supporting surface. The use of shoes with angles approaching 90 ° (Fig. 3) is associated with a certain risk and therefore requires special skills.

In some embodiments, the size and shape of the cross section along the length of the spring can be different, for example, to increase the stiffness of the spring in certain areas, the cross-sectional area can be increased. Possible implementation of the spring with a partial coverage of the foot. In this case, the spring may have a C-shaped section in some areas.

The amount of spring stiffness can be selected depending on the purpose: a “soft” spring for everyday shoes and a stiffer spring for sports shoes.

The appearance of the claimed shoes is unusual.

Unlike regular shoes, the sole is not straight (without kinks), but has a pronounced kink, the angle between the parts of the sole (cantilever spring and the rest of the sole) is less than the traditional angle of 180 °, the front part of the sole is bent down .

The execution of a part of the sole in the form of a cantilever elastic element, bent downwards in the initial position, provides periodic deformation of the sole under the influence of the user's mass and / or efforts from the muscles and tendons of the leg with the simultaneous accumulation of energy expended on this deformation. When transferring body weight from one leg to another, the spring on the sole of the first leg, freed from the effects of the mass of a person, tends to return to its original bent down position. The return of the spring to its initial bent position can be made gradually or quickly enough, while it pushes the finger part of the foot from the supporting surface to move the leg forward. The process of moving in the inventive shoes is similar to the movement on tiptoe: the user pushes away from the supporting surface at each step, and repulsion occurs automatically.

During normal walking, the deformation of the spring is mainly provided by the mass of the user. When the leg is torn from the support and the muscles of the foot are relaxed (the foot does not try to maintain a flat position of the spring), the angle between the front and rear parts of the sole due to the release of the spring returns to its original value.

Landing due to the spring bending is carried out on the toe of the foot protruding downward and only then, under the influence of the mass of the person, the sole is straightened and the foot fully or partially supported. With full contact, the angle between the front forefoot and the main back of the sole approaches the traditional 180 °. However, a different character of movement is possible: landing can occur first on the calcaneal part of the leg with simultaneous deformation of the spring under the action of the body mass of a person to a flat state.

It is also possible such a movement, when a person due to the influence of the muscles of the foot prevents the spring from bending at times when the leg does not rest on the surface. In this case, the sole during the movement remains almost straight and the landing can be any, depending on the desire of the user.

Depending on the person’s mass and muscle strength, it is possible to move with maximum deformation of the spring until it fully rests on the foot (the angle between the spring and the rest of the sole is close to 180 ° or with partial deformation of the spring (the angle between the parts of the sole remains less than 180 °), person moves “on tiptoe”, the back of the foot does not touch the supporting surface.

The initial bending angle of the spring may be different. For example, when using such shoes with people who are conservative and not very physically strong, it is advisable to use relatively small deviations from the traditional flat sole, to use shoes with an initial angle from 165 ° - 175 °. For young people and trained people, the starting angle between the spring and the back of the sole can be 140 °. Teenagers will love more extreme options with angles approaching 120 °. For training athletes, as well as for extreme movements, the starting angle can approach 90 ° or even be less than 90 °.

It should be noted that not only the magnitude of the initial deviation of the front of the spring-sole determines the effect of the energy accumulated by this shoe. Efficiency is largely determined by the characteristics of the spring: its elasticity and stiffness, that is, the material from which the sole of the shoe is made, the geometry of the spring, etc. The stiffer the spring, the smaller the initial angle can differ from traditional angles to achieve the required shoe efficiency.

Rigidity and coefficient of elasticity can be distinguished by the length of the spring, for example, in the bend zone, the spring may be less rigid than in the rest of the spring. In addition, it should be noted that in the inventive shoes to facilitate movement, not only the elasticity properties of the sole are used. The back of the sole, for example, located under the heel, when pushing the spring from the supporting surface, acts as a lever relative to the mating point of the spring and the back of the sole. In this case, the action of the released energy accumulated by the spring is supplemented by the action of the lever. The spring, turning relative to the point of cantilever closure, acts on the back of the sole, trying to turn it up.

The characteristics of the elements fixing the position of the foot relative to the sole are also essential. These elements should press the foot to the sole in any position, including the initial curved position of the spring. In addition, this element should provide the possibility of partial or complete straightening of the sole (increasing the angle between the sole spring and the back of the sole up to 180 °) due to the muscular action of the user. Additional conditions are the ability to change the angle without destroying parts of the shoe.

Moving taking into account the described features can be in the form of traditional walking, running, jumping, etc.

The implementation of the front part of the sole in the form of a bent hook allows you to use shoes to move over stones and rocks. In this case, a person, if necessary, can “grab” one leg for uneven soil and find at that moment a suitable support for the second leg. The spring presses the front of the sole with a curved hook-shaped end and, together with it, the toe of the foot to the selected protruding support. Then, by tensioning the muscles, the person “rips” the spring and “detaches” from the support, transferring the weight to the other leg.

Such shoes allow you to effectively use the physical abilities of a person, in particular, to fully utilize his weight and ensure the effective functioning of the muscles and tendons of the foot.

The specified embodiment makes the shoes light, simple and convenient to operate, allowing efficient use of the user's mass and the work of his muscles to accumulate (accumulate) energy and transfer this energy to repel legs. Such shoes can be used as in everyday life, and different categories mountains of users, and for sports. It can be used to develop joints after injuries, etc.

The movement in the inventive shoes is as follows. A person chooses shoes with the most suitable characteristics of spring 3 and fixing elements. In order to put on the claimed shoes, a person must either allow the foot to bend down after the sole 1 under the action of the fixing elements, or immediately in the process of shoeing with the muscle muscles to partially or completely straighten the spring, that is, increase the angle between the spring 3 and the rest of the sole 4 4 to the maximum possible - 180 °. Next, a person stands on a supporting surface (earth), while the mass of a person acts on the spring. Under its influence, the spring 3 is deformed with the approach of the angle between the parts of the sole 1 to 180 °.

Then the person begins to move. He raises one leg while continuing to lean on the other leg. When lifting the legs, the spring is released from the effects of the mass of a person. If the user does not apply certain muscular efforts, then the angle between the spring decreases to the original, while pushing the leg forward and up. The foot of the foot partially or completely bends down along with the bending sole. Further, this leg descends to the supporting surface. The foot can touch the supporting surface with the toe and only then, overcoming the action of the spring, the foot deforms it to an angle of 180 °, and rests on the entire foot.

With a large mass and trained muscles, when walking a dog with a fairly stiff spring, a person rests on the entire surface of the foot. With a small mass and weak muscles, the impact of a person may not be enough for the complete deformation of the spring and he will move, relying only on part of the foot, for example, move “on tiptoe”.

It should be noted that the effectiveness of shoes in relation to the use of accumulated energy will decrease sharply if you rely mainly on the heel when lowering your legs. In this case, the front of the leg, bent down after the spring, remains bent. The leg rests only on the heel. If you carry out the movement with the primary detachment of the heel (support on the toe) and repulsion from the supporting surface of the forefoot (walking on the toes), then the spring acts on the toe of the leg most effectively. Interesting opportunities are provided by such shoes for jumpers. They can prepare their body for the jump and complete it at the optimal moment, which will significantly increase the effectiveness of the jump. To do this, the user performs a preliminary “download”: partial compression and relaxation of the spring due to the action of muscles with a gradual increase in the amplitude and frequency of oscillations. With maximum deformation of the spring, he jumps. In this case, the occurrence and use of the resonance effect is possible.

The same actions can be carried out in preparation for running, especially when running for short distances. Rocking will provide a more powerful leap at startup.

In the inventive shoes, you can sit, stand, walk at a slow or fast pace, run, jump. Claimed shoes can be used by climbers.

The tests carried out confirmed that with the correct selection of the initial angle and the possibility of deforming the top 2, the claimed shoes are convenient for any categories of users, and the speed of movement increases significantly. At the same time, the efforts expended by the user to move with deformation of the spring practically do not differ from the efforts expended to move in ordinary shoes.

The above examples are not exhaustive and it is possible to use various configurations and modifications of the invention without deviating from its essence formulated in the proposed claims and defined by them.

Claims

Claim

1. Shoes with energy storage from deformation of the leaf spring, including a sole and elements fixing the position of the foot relative to the sole, characterized in that the front part of the sole is made in the form of a cantilever bent downward cantilevered relative to the rest of the sole of the leaf spring, and the locking elements also provide clamp the front of the foot to the spring of the sole.

2. Shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the initial angle between the bent spring and the rest of the sole from the supporting surface is less than

180 °.

3. Shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the area of attachment and bending of the spring of the sole corresponds to the beginning of the metatarsus, phalanx of the toes of the foot or to be close to the heel of the foot.

4. Shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring is made of an elastic polymer material or other elastic material.

5. Shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the initial angle of bending of the spring of the sole is selected depending on its properties, as well as the purpose of the shoe and the physical capabilities of the user.

6. Shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross section of the sole spring is constant in length.

7. Shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross section of the spring of the sole is made variable in length.

8. Shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic properties and stiffness of the spring of the sole are constant in length.

9. Shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic properties and stiffness of the sole spring are variable in length.

10. Shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the sole spring has sections with a C-shaped cross section for partial coverage of the foot.

11. Shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the front part of the sole spring is curved, for example, for engaging with protruding irregularities of the supporting surface.