U.S. patent application number 12/384658 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-07 for shoe suspension system.
Invention is credited to Steven Paul Woodard.
Application Number | 20100251571 12/384658 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42824975 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100251571 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Woodard; Steven Paul |
October 7, 2010 |
Shoe suspension system
Abstract
A shoe suspension system and device are provided. In a first
version of the Present Invention a device attached to an undersole
of a shoe directs a spring force toward the ground in one direction
and toward a heel section of the undersole of the shoe, whereby the
heel section receives the spring force in an axis substantially
normal to the undersole. In another version, a ground plate extends
from a hinge, the hinge is attached to the shoe undersole, and a
spring element is coupled at one end to the ground plane and at
another end to the undersole, whereby a substantially planar
orientation of undersole is supported by the device. In yet another
version, a linkage including a plurality of hinges and arms is
attached to a shoe undersole and directs a force toward a heel
plane of the undersole.
Inventors: |
Woodard; Steven Paul;
(Cupertino, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATRICK REILLY
P.O BOX 7218
SANTA CRUZ
CA
95061-7218
US
|
Family ID: |
42824975 |
Appl. No.: |
12/384658 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/103 ; 36/27;
36/28; 36/35R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/181 20130101;
A43B 13/187 20130101; A43B 21/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/103 ; 36/27;
36/28; 36/35.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/14 20060101
A43B013/14; A43B 13/28 20060101 A43B013/28; A43B 13/18 20060101
A43B013/18; A43B 21/26 20060101 A43B021/26 |
Claims
1. An midsole device for footwear comprising: a first hinge, the
first hinge configured for attachment to an undersole of a footwear
and for enabling rotation about an axis substantially normal to a
heel-toe axis of the footwear; a ground plate, the ground plate
coupled with the first hinge and configured to extend from the
first hinge and toward a heel of the footwear; and a spring, the
spring coupled with an insole of the ground plate, whereby the
ground plate is substantially constrained in five degrees of
freedom relative to the footwear.
2. The midsole device of claim 1, wherein the ground plate is
configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole of the footwear and
an external contact surface.
3. The midsole device of claim 1, wherein the first hinge comprises
a spring element, the spring element configured to maintain the
spring in compression against the footwear.
4. In combination, the footwear and the midsole device of claim 1,
wherein the first hinge is coupled with the undersole of the
footwear.
5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the spring is coupled with a
midsole of the footwear.
6. In combination, the footwear and a plurality of midsole devices
of claim 1, wherein each first hinge of the plurality of midsole
devices is coupled with the undersole of the footwear.
7. The midsole device of claim 1, the ground plate comprising: an
intermediate arm, a second hinge and a rear plate, the intermediate
arm coupled with the first hinge and the second hinge; the second
hinge configured for enabling rotation about an axis parallel to
the axis of rotation of the first hinge; and the rear plate coupled
with the second hinge and the spring, whereby the intermediate arm
and the rear plate are substantially constrained in five degrees of
freedom relative to the footwear.
8. The midsole device of claim 7, wherein the ground plate is
configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole of the footwear and
an external contact surface.
9. The midsole device of claim 7, wherein the first hinge comprises
a spring element, the spring element configured to maintain the
spring in compression against the footwear.
10. The midsole device of claim 7, wherein the second hinge
comprises a spring element, the spring element configured to
maintain the spring in compression against the footwear.
11. In combination, the footwear and the midsole device of claim 7,
wherein each first hinge is coupled with the undersole of the
footwear.
12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the spring is coupled with
a midsole of the footwear.
13. In combination, the footwear and a plurality of midsole devices
of claim 5, wherein each first hinge of the plurality of midsole
devices is coupled with the undersole of the footwear.
14. The midsole device of claim 7, the ground plate further
comprising: a plurality of second hinges and additional
intermediate arms, wherein each intermediate arm is coupled with
two second hinges; and each second hinge is configured for enabling
rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the
first hinge.
15. The midsole device of claim 14, wherein the ground plate is
configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole of the footwear and
an external contact surface.
16. An midsole device for footwear comprising: a first hinge, the
first hinge configured for attachment to an undersole of a footwear
and for enabling rotation about an axis substantially normal to a
heel-toe axis of the footwear; a ground plate, the ground plate
coupled with the first hinge and configured to extend from the
first hinge and toward a heel of the footwear; and a linkage, the
linkage coupled with an insole of the ground plate and comprising a
plurality of linkage hinges and a plurality of arms, each linkage
hinge coupled with two arms and each linkage configured for
enabling rotation about axes parallel to the axis of rotation of
the first hinge.
17. The midsole device of claim 16, wherein the linkage comprises
six linkage hinges and six arms, each linkage hinge coupled with
two arms and each linkage configured for enabling rotation about
axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the first hinge.
18. The midsole device of claim 16, wherein the ground plate is
configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole of the footwear and
an external contact surface.
19. The midsole device of claim 16, wherein at least one linkage
hinge includes a spring element configured to provide a spring
force for maintaining the linkage in tension.
20. The midsole device of claim 16, wherein at least one linkage
hinge includes a spring element configured to provide a spring
force for maintaining the linkage in tension.
21. The midsole device of claim 20, the spring element is removably
coupled with the linkage hinge, and the spring element may be
replaced with a second spring element having an alternate spring
quality.
22. The midsole device of claim 20, wherein the spring element may
exhibit a linear spring constant behavior.
23. The midsole device of claim 20, wherein the spring element may
exhibit a non-linear spring constant behavior.
24. The midsole device of claim 16, further comprising a spring,
the spring coupled with the linkage and the spring configured for
maintaining the linkage in tension.
25. The midsole device of claim 16, wherein at least one linkage
hinge is selected from the hinge group consisting of a living hinge
and a pinned hinge.
26. In combination, the footwear and a plurality of midsole devices
of claim 16, wherein each first hinge of the plurality of midsole
devices is coupled with the undersole of the footwear.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The Present Invention relates generally to footwear. The
Present Invention more particularly relates to footwear that
provides both stability and cushioning.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] The prior art and related art includes attempts to provide
cushioning devices that are disposed between a foot and a ground
surface to reduce the impact forces of locomotion. The prior art
methods associated with an increase of cushioning brings with it
some level of proportional decrease in stability. For this reason,
the prior art has involved a compromise between cushioning and
stability.
[0005] The principal objective of the Present Invention is to
provide a device coupled with, or in combination with, a shoe that
sponsors the stability and cushioning of a foot wearing the shoe.
These and other objectives of the Present Invention will be
apparent to those skilled in this field from the following
description of various aspects of the Present Invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Towards this object and other objects that will be made
obvious in light of this disclosure, a first preferred alternate
aspect of the Present Invention includes a midsole device having a
hinge, a ground plate and a spring element. The first preferred
alternate aspect (hereafter "first midsole device") may be coupled
with, or be comprised within, the footwear (hereafter, "shoe"). The
hinge is positioned to rotate about a hinge axis that is
substantially normal to a longitudinal heel-toe axis of the shoe.
The ground plate is rotationally coupled with the hinge, and is
configured to position the spring element to provide a spring force
toward a heel of a wearer and a spring force against a ground
surface.
[0007] Certain alternate aspects of the Present Invention comprise
one or more of the aspects of (1.) two or more spring elements;
(2.) two or more hinges; (3.) one or more spring loaded hinges;
(4.) one or more living hinges; (4.) multiple hinges and arms, each
arm coupled with two hinges; (5.) one or more pinned hinges; and
(6.) one or more rear plates, each rear plate for supporting the
wearer's heel or foot.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,153 (Inventor: Jacinto, J. M.; issued on
Jun. 3, 1986) titled "Heel construction"; U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,110
(Inventors: Goldston, et al.; issued on Aug. 1, 1995) titled
"Adjustable shoe heel spring and stabilizer"; U.S. Pat. No.
6,021,588 (Inventor: Alviso, T.; issued on Feb. 8, 2000) titled
"Shoe assembly"; U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,753 (Inventors: Steszyn, et
al.; issued on Oct. 26, 2004) titled "Shoe with tunable cushioning
system"; U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,756 (Inventor: Haynes, R.; issued on
Aug. 16, 2005) titled "Jump assisting spring heel shoe"; U.S. Pat.
No. 7,100,308 (Inventor: Aveni, M.; issued on Sep. 5, 2006) titled
"Footwear with a heel plate assembly"; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,844
(Inventor: Chu, Y. T.; issued on Jan. 2, 2007) titled
"Shock-absorbing shoe structure having adjustable elasticity"; and
US Patent App. Publication No.'s 20050166422 (Inventors: Schaeffer,
et al.; published on Aug. 4, 2005) titled "Shoe with an articulated
spring-loaded outsole"; and 20070119074 (Inventors: Aveni, et al.;
published on May 31, 2007) titled "IMPACT-ATTENUATION MEMBERS AND
PRODUCTS CONTAINING SUCH MEMBERS" are incorporated herein by
reference and for all purposes. In addition, each and all
publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this
specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same
extent, in their entirety and for all purposes, as if each
individual publication, patent, or patent application was
specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by
reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] These, and further features of the Present Invention, may be
better understood with reference to the accompanying specification
and drawings depicting one or more aspects of a preferred
configuration, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1A is a cut-away side view of a first midsole device
designed in accordance with the method of the Present Invention
(hereafter, "first midsole device") as attached to a shoe;
[0011] FIG. 1B is a cut-away bottom-side view of a first midsole
device of FIG. 1A;
[0012] FIG. 1C is a cut-away reverse view of a first midsole device
of FIG. 1A;
[0013] FIG. 2A is a cut-away view of a second alternate aspect of
the Present Invention (hereafter, "second midsole device") as
attached to a show a first aspect of a living hinge and an included
spring element;
[0014] FIG. 2B is a cut-away top-side view of a second midsole
device of FIG. 2A;
[0015] FIG. 2C is a cut-away side view of a second midsole device
of FIG. 2A with an additional focus on the included living hinge
flex point;
[0016] FIG. 2D is a cut-away side view of a second midsole device
of FIG. 2A an additional focus on the included living hinge flex
point that has optionally configured the living hinge as a stiff
living hinge that is both a hinge and a provider of spring
force;
[0017] FIG. 3A is a cut-away top view of a third alternate aspect
of the Present Invention (hereafter, "third midsole device") that
includes six hinges and six intermediate arms;
[0018] FIG. 3B a cut-away top-side view of a third midsole device
of FIG. 3A that includes the axes of motion;
[0019] FIG. 3C a cut-away side view of a third midsole device of
FIG. 3A;
[0020] FIG. 4A is a cut-away side view of a fourth alternate aspect
of the Present Invention (hereafter, "fourth midsole device") that
includes two hinges;
[0021] FIG. 4B is a cut-away top-side view of a fourth midsole
device of FIG. 4A;
[0022] FIG. 4C is a cut-away rear view of a fourth midsole device
of FIG. 4A;
[0023] FIG. 5A is a cut-away side view of a fifth alternate aspect
of the Present Invention (hereafter, "fifth midsole device") that
includes a second aspect of a living hinge;
[0024] FIG. 5B is a cut-away top-side view of a fifth midsole
device of FIG. 5A;
[0025] FIG. 5C is a front view of the fifth midsole device of FIG.
5A;
[0026] FIG. 6A is a rear view of a first aspect of a midsole spring
block of FIG. 1A that provides spring force through exterior
buckling columns;
[0027] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the first aspect of the
midsole spring block of FIG. 6B;
[0028] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a second aspect of a set of
midsole blocks of FIG. 1A that provides spring force through
interior buckling columns;
[0029] FIG. 7B is a rear view of the set of midsole spring blocks
of FIG. 7A; and
[0030] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a sixth alternate aspect of the
Present Invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] It is to be understood that the Present Invention is not
limited to particular aspects of the Present Invention described,
as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the
terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope
of the Present Invention will be limited only by the appended
claims.
[0032] Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of
the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the
recited order of events.
[0033] Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood
that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower
limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the
upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or
intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the
Present Invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller
ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are
also encompassed within the Present Invention, subject to any
specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated
range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or
both of those included limits are also included in the
invention.
[0034] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the Present
Invention, the methods and materials are now described.
[0035] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIGS. 1A and 1B, FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are respectively a side view
and a bottom-side view of footwear 1 coupled with a first midsole
device 2. The first midsole device 2 includes a ground plate 4A
rotationally coupled with a first hinge 6. The first hinge 6 is
attached to a first undersole 8A of footwear and enables rotation
of the ground plate 4A about an axis 10, wherein the axis 10 (as
per FIG. 1B) is substantially normal to a heel-toe axis H of the
footwear 1. The ground plate 4A extends from the first hinge 6 and
toward a heel of the footwear. A midsole block 12 or blocks 12
provide spring force to the midsole device 2 and is coupled on one
end with the undersole 8A of the footwear 1 and on the other end at
the insole of the ground plate 4A. The ground plate 4A is
optionally configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole 12 of
the footwear 1 and an external contact surface (not shown), whereby
the heel of the footwear 1 does not typically touch the ground when
a wearer of the footwear 1 is walking, standing, or running.
[0036] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIG. 1C, FIG. 1C is a reverse view showing the midsole spring block
12, or spring assembly 12, of the first midsole device 2 of FIG. 1A
and FIG. 1B. The ground plate 4A of the first midsole device 2 may
freely rotate about the axis 10 and is substantially constrained in
the remaining five degrees of freedom relative to undersole 8A of
the footwear 1 by one or more spring assemblies 12 optionally
composed of two polyurethane buckling columns that create spring
force with spring material cores used as general shape support, as
described below in reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A & 7B.
[0037] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly
FIGS. 2A and 2B, FIG. 2A is a cut-away side view of a second
midsole device 14 having a living hinge 16, and FIG. 2B is a
cut-away top-side view of the second midsole device 14. The second
midsole device 14 includes a first aspect of a living hinge 16
coupled with a ground plate 4B. The living hinge 16 is attached to
the front and back of an alternate second undersole 8B of the
footwear 1 and constricts movement in the direction of the axis 10
normal to the heel-toe axis while constraining movement of the
ground plate 4B in relation to the second undersole 8B in the
remaining five degrees of freedom relative to the heel-toe axis.
The one or more spring element midsoles 12 are configured and
positioned to apply a spring force that drives the ground plate 4B
away from a heel of the footwear 1.
[0038] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIG. 2C, FIG. 2C is a cut away side view of the second midsole
device 14 of FIG. 2A with an additional focus on the included
living hinge 16. This aspect of a living hinge 16 could optionally
be constructed of a flexible plastic 15 material and has flex
limiters 17 that constrict the range of flexibility to certain
points on the living hinge 16.
[0039] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIG. 2D, FIG. 2D is a cut-away side view of the second midsole
device 14 of FIG. 2A that has optionally configured the living
hinge 16 as comprising a stiff living hinge 16A that is both a
hinge and a provider of spring force. In this configuration the
stiff living hinge 16A is made of a stiffer flexible plastic 15A
that will provide spring force to drive the undersole 8B and ground
plate 4B apart.
[0040] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, FIG. 3B is a cut-away side view a third
midsole device 18 that includes six hinges 20A-20F and four
intermediate arms 22A-22D, FIG. 3B a cut-away top-side view of a
third midsole device 18 and FIG. 3C is a cut-away side view of the
third midsole device 18 zoomed in closer than FIG. 3A.
[0041] A first intermediate arm 22A is rotationally coupled (a.)
with a first upper hinge 20A to the first undersole 8A, and (b.)
with a first lower hinge 20B to a second intermediate arm 22B. The
second intermediate arm 22B is rotationally coupled (a.) with the
first lower hinge 20B to the first intermediate arm 22A, and (b.)
with a second lower hinge 20C to the ground plate 4C.
[0042] A third intermediate arm 22C is rotationally coupled (a.)
with a third lower hinge 20D to the first undersole 8A, and (b.)
with a fourth lower hinge 20E to a fourth intermediate arm 22D. The
fourth intermediate arm 22D is rotationally coupled (a.) with the
fourth lower hinge 20E to the third intermediate arm 22C, and (b.)
with a second upper hinge 20F to the first undersole 8A.
[0043] It is understood that the hinges 20A-20F may comprise or be
pivot elements optionally provide torsional forces to the
intermediate arms 22A-22D, ground plate 4C, and/or the first
undersole 8A in certain alternate aspects of the Present
Invention.
[0044] The third midsole device 18 includes a spring midsole 12
whereby spring force is directed against a third undersole 8C of
the footwear 1 and a third ground plate 4C. Each intermediate arm
22 is rotationally coupled with a linkage hinge 20 at each of two
ends. Each linkage hinge 20 is configured and positioned to enable
rotation about axes 10A-10F, wherein each axes 10A-10F are
substantially normal to the heel-toe axis of the footwear 1. The
gap between the ground plate 4C and the undersole 8C is spanned by
one or more heel midsoles 12 which provide spring force and are
optionally constructed of two polyurethane buckling columns with
ethylene vinyl acetate foam core. Ethylene vinyl acetate foam, i.e.
Chemical Abstracts Service No. 24937-78-8, also known as "EVA" or
sometimes simply as "acetate". The portion of vinyl acetate of the
EVA foam of the source material 40 typically varies from 10% to 40%
by weight with the remainder of the EVA material being
ethylene.
[0045] Various aspects of the heel midsoles may exhibit a linear
spring constant behavior, a non-linear spring constant.
[0046] A linkage assembly 23 comprising the linkage hinges 20 and
the intermediate arms 22 may be attached to the shoe 1 by an
adhesive or other suitable attachment means known in the art.
Additionally or alternatively, the linkage assembly 23 may be
constrained within a heel module of the shoe, wherein the linkage
assembly is substantially housed within the heel module.
[0047] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, FIG. 4A is a cut-away side view of a fourth
midsole device 24 that includes two hinges 28 & 30, FIG. 4B
cut-away top-side view of the fourth midsole device 24 and FIG. 4C
is a cut-away rear view of the fourth midsole device 24. This
fourth midsole device 24 includes a first hinge 28, an intermediate
arm 26, a second hinge 30 and a fourth ground plate 4D, wherein the
intermediate arm 26 is coupled with the first hinge 28 and the
second hinge 30. The second hinge 30 is configured for enabling
rotation of the ground plate 4D about an axis 10I that is parallel
to the rotational axis 10G of the first hinge 28. The spring
element 12 includes one or more of the midsole block or blocks 12
of the fourth midsole device 24. The fourth ground plate 4D is
thereby coupled with the second hinge 30, whereby the intermediate
arm 26 and the fourth ground plate 4D are enabled to rotate about
the axis 10 and are substantially constrained in five degrees of
freedom relative to the heel-toe axis.
[0048] The fourth ground plate 4D is optionally configured to
inhibit contact of a heel midsole 12 of the footwear 1 and an
external contact surface (not shown), whereby the heel of the
footwear 1 does not typically touch the ground when a wearer of the
footwear 1 is walking, standing, or running.
[0049] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, FIG. 5A is a cut-away side view of a fifth
midsole device 34 that includes a second aspect of a living hinge
36, and FIG. 5B is a cut-away top-side view of a fifth midsole
device 34. This fifth midsole device 34 compromises a fifth
undersole 8E and a fifth ground plate 4E separated by a gap spanned
by a spring element midsole 12 which can optionally be constructed
of one of more blocks comprising two polyurethane buckling columns
that would create spring force with EVA foam core. Additionally the
second living hinge 36 serves as an intermediate arm between the
fifth undersole 8E and the fifth ground plate 4E. The second living
hinge 36 substantially limits motion in the direction of the axis
10 which is normal to the heel-toe axis, but allows motion within
and along the heel-toe axis and a vertical axis (not shown) about
which a standing leg might be centered.
[0050] One or more living hinges 16, 16A, or 36 can optionally and
similarly be stiffened to provide additional spring force much in
the same way of the midsole device referenced by FIG. 2D.
[0051] FIG. 5C is a front view of the fifth midsole device 34.
[0052] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIGS. 6A and 6B, FIG. 6A is a rear view of the first alternate
midsole block 12 (or "first midsole block" 12) that provides spring
force through exterior buckling columns 38 while FIG. 6B is a
perspective view of the same first midsole block 12. The midsole
block 12 of FIG. 1A could be framed by two stiff buckling columns
38 optionally made from polyurethane that would run for the length
of the first midsole block 12 along the heel-toe axis providing
spring force to the footwear 1. Additionally the columns' 38
rigidity would limit movement of the midsole device in the
direction of the heel-toe axis. Furthermore these columns 38 could
optionally be constructed with a side bias in order to ensure the
same direction of collapse with applied weight. The rest of the
midsole block 12 shape would be constructed of a durometer source
material 40 exhibiting low rigidity providing general shape support
for the block. The durometer source material 40 may be or comprise
EVA material, e.g., EVA foam. The column geometry and material
properties are configured to achieve stiff, low vertical
displacement whilst undergoing typical walking loads and compliant,
high vertical displacement whilst undergoing typical running loads.
This arrangement allows the cushioning forces to only react to
loads that exceed a predetermined level.
[0053] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIGS. 7A and 7B; FIG. 7A is a cut-away top-side view of a second
midsole block 12B of a set of second midsole blocks 12B that
provides spring force through interior buckling columns 38 and FIG.
7B is a second view of the same second midsole block 12B. The stiff
buckling columns 38 in each of these second aspect midsole blocks
12B act for the same purpose as well as have the same construction
as the first aspect of the midsole block 12. The placement and
number of these stiff buckling columns 38 could vary according
preference. One or more stiff buckling columns 38 would be placed
at various locations within the midsole blocks 12B to provide
spring force and rigidity, while a less rigid lower durometer
source material 40 could fill in the gaps of the block to maintain
shape.
[0054] Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to
FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is an illustration of a sixth alternate aspect of
the Present Invention 42 that includes a plurality of midsole
devices 2, 14, 18, 24, & 34 attached to an underside 44 of the
footwear 1. The plurality of midsole devices 2, 14, 18, 24, &
34 may be of one configuration or aspect or of a combination of two
or more midsole device types, and may be placed at various
locations of the underside 44 of the footwear 1.
[0055] It is understood that various alternate aspects of the
Present Invention may include various elements, to include: (a.)
living hinges; (b.) living hinges comprising aspects or elements
that provide torsional force to a footwear 1, a ground plate 4C,
and/or an undersole 8C, and/or one or more intermediate arms
22A-22C; (c.) living hinges comprising aspects or elements that
provide a spring force to a footwear 1, ground plate 4C, a and/or
an undersole 8C, and/or one or more intermediate arms 22A-22C; (d.)
one or more pivot hinges that rotationally couple a footwear 1, a
ground plate 4C, and/or an undersole 8C, and/or one or more
intermediate arms 22A-22C; (e.) one or more pivot hinges that
rotationally couple and provide a spring force to a footwear 1, a
ground plate 4C, and/or an undersole 8C, and/or one or more
intermediate arms 22A-22C; and/or (e.) one or more pivot hinges
that include a torsional spring element rotationally couple and
provide a torsional force to a footwear 1, a ground plate 4C,
and/or an undersole 8C, and/or one or more intermediate arms
22A-22C.
[0056] It is further understood that various additional alternate
aspects of the Present Invention may alternatively, additionally,
or optionally include various other aspects or elements, to include
pivot hinges or living hinges that provide both torsional force and
a spring force to a footwear 1, a ground plate 4C, a and/or an
undersole 8C, and/or one or more intermediate arms 22A-22C.
[0057] The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative
only of the Present Invention, and are not intended to limit or
define the scope of the Present Invention. The above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the
examples given include many specificities, they are intended as
illustrative of only certain possible aspects and configurations of
the Present Invention. The examples given should only be
interpreted as illustrations of some of the aspects of the Present
Invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be
determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations
and modifications of the just-described aspects can be configured
without departing from the scope and spirit of the Present
Invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the Present
Invention may be practiced other than as specifically described
herein. The scope of the Present Invention as disclosed and claimed
should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of
one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented
above.
* * * * *