U.S. patent application number 12/832806 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-31 for support structures in footwear.
This patent application is currently assigned to ACI INTERNATIONAL. Invention is credited to Maurice A. Stubblefield.
Application Number | 20110072684 12/832806 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43778702 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110072684 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stubblefield; Maurice A. |
March 31, 2011 |
SUPPORT STRUCTURES IN FOOTWEAR
Abstract
Support structures for footwear are described including, in one
embodiment, one structure in the heel portion of the footwear and
another structure in the forefoot portion. One or both of the
support structures may be hollow and may include internal support
elements such as ridges or posts to support the foot. Additionally,
air may be included in the structures with a passageway between the
internal support structures permitting the transfer of air back and
forth as the wearer treads. Thus, energy is absorbed as the foot
strikes the treading surface and is either stored to be returned as
the foot rolls forward or, when air is included in the design, is
transferred from the heel to forefoot portions and then back again
as the foot pressure moves from the heel portion to the forefoot
portion.
Inventors: |
Stubblefield; Maurice A.;
(Los Angeles, CA) |
Assignee: |
ACI INTERNATIONAL
Los Angeles
CA
|
Family ID: |
43778702 |
Appl. No.: |
12/832806 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61246028 |
Sep 25, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/29 ;
36/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/122 20130101;
A43B 13/145 20130101; A43B 13/184 20130101; A43B 13/20
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/29 ;
36/28 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/20 20060101
A43B013/20; A43B 13/18 20060101 A43B013/18 |
Claims
1. A footwear sole on an article of footwear having a forefoot
portion and a heel portion comprising: a plurality of pods in the
footwear sole with at least one pod located in the forefoot portion
and at least one pod located in the heel portion; an exterior
surface on at least one pod having a generally convex shape on a
portion of the exterior surface of the pod; an interior portion in
at least one pod adapted to house an internal support structure;
and an internal support structure within at least one of the pods,
the support structure supporting at least some of the weight the
wearer.
2. The footwear sole of claim 1 further comprising: three forefoot
pods; and three heel pods.
3. The footwear sole of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of
internal support elements within at least one of the pods.
4. A footwear sole on an article of footwear having a forefoot
portion and a heel portion comprising: a plurality of pods in the
footwear sole with at least one pod located in the forefoot portion
and at least one pod located in the heel portion; an exterior
surface on at least one pod having a generally convex shape on a
portion of the exterior surface of the pod; an interior portion in
at least one pod adapted to accommodate a volume of gas; and an
internal support structure within at least one of the pods, the
internal support structure supporting at least some of the weight
the wearer.
5. The footwear sole of claim 4 further comprising: gas within a
plurality of pods; a gas passageway between at least two pods;
wherein when force is exerted against the exterior surface of one
pod, gas passes to the other pod.
6. The footwear sole of claim 5 further comprising: three forefoot
pods; three heel pods; and a gas passageway between at least two
pods; wherein when force is exerted against the exterior surface of
one pod, gas passes to the other pod.
7. The footwear sole of claim 4 further comprising: a plurality of
internal support elements within at least one of the pods; a gap in
at least one of the internal support elements; and said gap
permitting the passage of a gas from one portion of the pod to
another portion of the same pod.
8. The footwear sole of claim 7 further comprising: a channel
between at least two pods permitting the movement of a gas between
the pods.
9. A footwear sole on an article of footwear having a forefoot
portion and a heel portion comprising: a forefoot pod and a heel
pod; internal support elements within both pods; and the internal
support elements configured to maintain the exterior portion of
each pod in a generally convex shape as the footwear is being
worn.
10. The footwear sole of claim 9 further comprising: a first ramp
like structure within at least one pod; and said at first ramp like
structure being taller near the apex of the convex shape than it is
near the perimeter of the convex shape.
11. The footwear sole of claim 10 further comprising: a second ramp
like structure spaced away from the first ramp like structure; and
a generally wedge shaped structure in the space between the first
and second ramp like structures.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/246,028, filed Sep. 25, 2009,
the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates, in general, to support
structures in footwear, which are located between the bottom of a
wearer's foot and the floor or ground upon which the wearer treads.
The footwear may be athletic type footwear, but not necessarily
so.
[0003] More specifically, in an article of footwear having an upper
and a sole structure, a support structure is included as part of
the sole structure. The support structure may be comprised of any
number of resilient materials such as natural rubber, artificial
rubber, or any appropriate flexible resilient elastomeric material,
which could be thermoplastic urethanes, polyester, polyether,
polycaprolactone, polyoxypropylene and polycarbonate macroglycol
based materials, and mixtures thereof.
[0004] The support structure elements may be a part of the midsole,
if there is one, or they may be part of the outsole, or portions in
both, depending on the manufacturing technique chosen. For example,
if the components are molded, the external portions of the support
structures will be part of the outsole, whereas the internal
support elements of the support structure may be included in either
the outsole mold or the midsole mold, or portions in both molds, so
that the components properly marry when the outsole and midsole is
joined.
[0005] The disclosed structure, in the embodiments shown and in
other related embodiments as claimed, provides support for the foot
while also, in some embodiments, creates a limited instability that
assists in toning muscles in the lower leg.
[0006] In certain embodiments, air is transferred from the heel to
the forefoot portion of the footwear as the foot impacts the
walking, running or exercising surface (sometimes referred to
herein as the "treading surface") to absorb shocks and to assist
the walking or running motion by optimizing the transfer of rebound
forces to the bottom of the foot. The air then returns to the heel
portion as the foot rolls forward, which again assists the forward
motion by decreasing the volume under the forefoot. In other
embodiments, no air transfer is used, with the support structures
providing support and rebounding forces. The amount of support and
rebounding will depend on the shapes of the internal support
elements and the resiliency of the materials chosen.
[0007] Previously known structures do not accomplish these
objectives in the straightforward manner shown in the present
disclosure. The features discussed herein improve the comfort of an
article of footwear by combining improved resiliency with improved
compressibility, among other things. Furthermore, the present
disclosure does not depend on an expensive, hermetically sealed
structure or valves to maintain relatively high pressures as shown
in prior attempts at achieving the objectives of the present
disclosure.
SUMMARY
[0008] Disclosed are various embodiments of a structure to provide
support for the foot while also, in some embodiments, to create a
limited instability that assists in toning muscles in the lower
leg. Three basic embodiments are shown below, although other
embodiments may be used, which fall within the scope of the
claims.
[0009] One embodiment comprises two support structures (sometimes
referred to as pods) one structure in the heel portion of an
article of footwear and another structure in the forefoot portion.
One or both of the support structures may be hollow and may include
internal support elements such as ridges or posts to support the
foot. Additionally, air or another gas may be included in the
structures with a passageway between the internal support elements
permitting the transfer of gas back and forth as the wearer treads.
Thus, energy is absorbed as the foot strikes the treading surface
and is either stored to be returned as the foot rolls forward or,
when air is included in the design, is transferred from the heel to
forefoot portions and then back again as the foot pressure moves
from the heel portion to the forefoot portion.
[0010] Another embodiment comprises three support structures in the
heel portion and three in the forefoot portion. Any or all of the
support structures may be hollow, and any or all of them may
include internal support elements such as ridges, posts or other
internal structure to support the foot. Air may be included in some
or all of the structures with a passageway between some or all of
the internal support elements permitting the transfer of air back
and forth as the wearer treads. The number of support structures
can be greater or fewer than three in both portions, and the number
of support structures may be different in the heel and forefoot
portions. All support structures could be entirely in the heel
portion or entirely in the forefoot portion.
[0011] Another embodiment includes one support structure (pod) in
the heel portion and one in the forefoot portion. Each pod includes
ridges that cause the portion of the outsole that contacts the
treading surface to bow outwardly toward the treading surface. No
air or other fluid is transferred between the pods.
[0012] The disclosed construction, in the embodiments shown and in
other related embodiments as claimed, provides support for the foot
while also, in some embodiments, creates a limited instability that
assists in toning muscles in the lower leg. The outer most surfaces
of the support structures may be curved outward appearing convex
when the outsole is viewed from the outside. In the preferred
embodiments, internal support elements such as ridges, posts,
columns or other formations of chosen resilience, elasticity and
weight bearing properties are constructed within the support
structures. In the two-pod configuration of the support structures
where one pod is located in the heel portion and the other pod is
in the forefoot portion of the outsole, each pod is made convex to
a chosen height to provide a measure of instability as the pods
impact the treading surface. This instability causes the wearer to
make balancing adjustments as the wearer executes his or her
stride. These adjustments are made with the muscles in the lower
leg thereby promoting muscle toning. Air or another gas may be
added to the support structures to work in combination with the
solid internal resilient support elements to provide the level of
support necessary to maintain the convex shape of a pod to a height
sufficient to achieve the toning effect while at the same time not
overly emphasizing the instability to the point of making the
footwear uncomfortable.
[0013] The internal support elements that may be placed inside a
support structure can be any number of possible configurations or
geometries. For example, they may be concentric ridges generally
conforming to the shape of the support structure, or pod. If the
pod is generally oval, the internal ridges may be oval as well. The
ridges closest to the outside of the oval would be the shortest
height, with the ridges progressively closer to the central portion
of the oval being progressively higher to assist the pod to bulge
outward closer to the central portion. The width of the ridges can
be varied, as well as the number of ridges. Each ridge could have
different properties of resilience and weight bearing capability.
Many alternatives are possible and can be deduced by one skilled in
the art once the performance parameters are established. The
performance parameters include the amount of weight that the
structure must carry, the amount of resiliency required for the
desired rebounding effect and the amount of convexity to be
maintained during the wearer's stride. The recovery characteristics
could be the same for each internal support element within a
support structure, or the recovery characteristics could vary from
one internal support element to another.
[0014] The internal support elements could be pillars or
protrusions that extend for the entire height of the support
structure, or they may extend only partially from one surface to
the other. The internal support elements or protrusions could be
wedge shaped, pyramidal, conical, plateau, ramp shaped, block
shaped, rectangular or otherwise depending on the impact and
recovery characteristics desired.
[0015] In addition to the physical internal support elements within
the pods, air or another gas can be utilized within the support
structures. In certain embodiments, air is transferred within
channels from the heel to the forefoot portion of the footwear as
the foot impacts the treading surface during walking, running or
exercising to absorb shocks and to assist the striding motion by
optimizing the transfer of rebound forces to the bottom of the
foot. When the footwear impacts the treading surface, usually with
the heel first, the air is forced from the heel pod or pods through
one or more channels, and then the air is returned to the heel
portion as the foot rolls forward, which again assists the forward
motion by decreasing the volume under the forefoot. During certain
foot movements, especially during exercising, the forefoot portion
may strike the treading surface first, forcing the air or other gas
through one or more channels to the heel portion. The gas would
then return when the pod or pods in the heel portion strike the
treading surface. If the heel portion did not strike the ground,
the gas would return to the forefoot portion by virtue of known
fluid dynamics principles, albeit more slowly. In the preferred
embodiment, the gas pressure within the system is at atmospheric
pressure, but could be a different pressure in other embodiments.
The gas system could be hermetically sealed, but is not in the
preferred embodiment. Gas may be permitted to exit the system in
predetermined quantities during use as the pods are impacted and be
replenished by the resiliency of the internal support elements and
the memory characteristics of the outsole shape acting to return
the pods to their initial volume.
[0016] In the preferred embodiment, the convex shape of the pods is
flattened somewhat at the apex in order to minimize movement of the
internal support elements and to moderate the instability caused by
the domed effect of the convex shape.
DRAWINGS
[0017] The above-mentioned features and objects of the present
disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and
in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of the outsole of one embodiment of
the footwear in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the outsole of one embodiment of
the footwear in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the interior portion of outsole of
one embodiment of the footwear in accordance with the present
disclosure taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the outsole of one
embodiment of the footwear in accordance with the present
disclosure taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross section view of a portion of the outsole
of one embodiment of the footwear in accordance with the present
disclosure taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross section view of a portion of the outsole
of one embodiment of the footwear in accordance with the present
disclosure taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the outsole of a second embodiment
of the footwear in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the interior portion of the outsole
of a second embodiment of the footwear in accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a cross section view of a portion the outsole of a
second embodiment of the footwear in accordance with the present
disclosure taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the outsole of a third
embodiment of the footwear in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the outsole depicted in FIG.
10.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a cross section view of a portion of the outsole
taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 11.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a cross section view of a portion of the outsole
taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 11.
[0031] FIG. 14 is a cross section view of a portion of the outsole
taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 11.
[0032] FIG. 15 is a cross section view of a portion of the outsole
taken along line 15-15 in FIG. 11.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0033] The preferred and alternative embodiments are shown in the
figures. However, other embodiments may be used, which fall within
the scope of the claims.
[0034] One embodiment comprises two support structures or pods,
which can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The forefoot
support structure or forefoot pod is shown by numeral 2 and the
heel support structure or heel pod is shown by numeral 3. In this
embodiment, both of the support structures 2 and 3 are somewhat
hollow and are adapted to enclose a volume of gas. The support
structures need not be hermetically sealed if they contain air, and
may permit some air to move to the atmosphere and vice versa. The
support structures 2 and 3 include internal support elements to
support the foot. In the embodiment shown, these take the form of
concentric, generally elliptical ridges. In pod 2, there are three
ridges; namely, outermost ridge 2a, middle ridge 2b and innermost
ridge 2c. Pod 3 has two ridges, outermost ridge 3a and innermost
ridge 3b. In this embodiment, the ridges all have gaps (discussed
further below) to allow passage of a gas, which in the preferred
embodiment would be air. A passageway or channel 4 connects pods 2
and 3 permitting the transfer of gas back and forth as the wearer
walks or runs. Thus, energy is absorbed as the foot strikes the
treading surface, such as a floor, and is transferred from the heel
to forefoot portions and then back again as the foot pressure moves
from the heel portion to the forefoot portion.
[0035] As can be seen in the figures, the forefoot and heel support
structures, numerals 2 and 3 respectively, are curved outward
appearing convex when the outsole is viewed from the outside. As
discussed above, this creates a limited instability that assists in
toning muscles in the lower leg. The amount of the curvature may be
altered depending on such factors as the size of the shoe, the
weight expected to be carried, the expected age of the wearer and
the amount of instability desired. The curvature could be reduced
to a very small amount, resulting in only a slight curvature. The
external shape and appearance of the pods could also be altered
without affecting the utilitarian aspects of the features. For
example, the pods could be made more circular or more elliptical,
they could have squared or flattened portions, or the appearance of
the edges of the pods could be given many different looks depending
on aesthetic considerations. Also, designs may be added to the
exterior portions of the support structures for the sake of
appearance or to serve a functional purpose such as increasing
traction. Additionally, the size of the support structures is not
limited to what is shown in the drawings. For example, in FIG. 2,
one or both of the pods could extend to the outer edge of the
outsole.
[0036] The internal support elements that may be placed inside a
support structure can be any number of possible configurations or
geometries. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, they are generally
concentric ridges 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a and 3b that generally conform to
the shape of the support structure, or pod. In this embodiment, the
pod is generally oval and the internal ridges are generally oval as
well. As is shown in FIG. 5, the ridge 2a closest to the outside of
the forefoot pod 2 is shorter than the ridge 2b next to it. Ridge
2c is the tallest of the three. As is shown in FIG. 6, in the heel
pod 3 ridge 3a is shorter than ridge 3b. The number of ridges in
each pod could be greater or fewer than depicted in the drawings.
This progression assists the pods to maintain a bulge outward
closer to the central portion as the wearer strides. However, the
width of the ridges can be varied, as well as the number of ridges.
Additionally, each ridge could have different properties of
resilience and weight bearing capability. Many alternatives are
possible and can be deduced by one skilled in the art once the
performance parameters of a particular shoe are established. The
performance parameters include the amount of weight that the
structure must carry, the amount of resiliency required for the
desired rebounding effect and the amount of convexity to be
maintained during the wearer's stride. The recovery characteristics
could be the same for each support element within a support
structure, or the recovery characteristics could vary from one
support element to another.
[0037] The convex shape of the pods may be flattened somewhat at
the apex in order to minimize movement of the internal support
elements and to moderate the instability caused by the domed effect
of the convex shape.
[0038] In addition to the physical internal support elements within
the pods, air or another gas can be utilized within the support
structures. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, air is
transferred from the heel to the forefoot portion and then back
again via channel 4 that connects pods 2 and 3. The external
channel structure 5 is seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Looking at the
outsole from the perspective of FIG. 2, the outermost surface of
the structure 5 may be raised above the arch area 6 of the outsole
8, but it may also be flush with the arch area 6, or below the
surface of the arch area 6. In fact, there may be no evidence of a
channel 4 when looking at the outsole from the perspective of FIG.
2.
[0039] In FIG. 3, in between the edges of the pods 2 and 3 and the
respective support structures 2a, 2b and 2c, and 3a and 3b, are
channels that permit the gas to flow within the pods. Also, the
support structures themselves have gaps. Forefoot pod gaps are
shown as numerals 10a, 10b and 10c and heel pod gaps are shown as
numerals 12a and 12b. These gaps facilitate the movement of the gas
within the pods. The channels could also be cut into the midsole,
which in the usual construction of this type of shoe would lie on
top of the outsole and the support structures.
[0040] Another embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-9 comprises three
support structures or pods in the heel portion and three in the
forefoot portion. The three forefoot pods are shown at numerals
14a, 14b and 14c, and the three heel pods are shown at numerals
16a, 16b and 16c. An alternative to the internal ridges 2a, 2b and
2c are shown as posts 18a, 18b and 18c. Post 18b is shown in FIG. 9
as being taller than posts 18a and 18c. In such a construction, the
center posts of an array in each pod depicted in FIG. 8 would be
taller than the posts at each side to assist the pods to maintain a
convex shape in order to have the same effect as the convex shapes
in the first embodiment discussed above. In this embodiment, the
areas in between the posts allow for the movement of gas within
each pod. A channel 20 connects the forefoot pods 14a, 14b and 14c
with each other and also with heel pods 16a, 16b and 16c. Air or
another gas is thereby permitted to transfer between the pods as
the wearer treads. The number of support structures can be greater
or fewer than three in both portions, and the number of support
structures may be different in the heel and forefoot portions.
Additionally, all of the support structures could be entirely in
the heel portion or entirely in the forefoot portion without gas
traveling between the forefoot and heel portions.
[0041] The internal support elements need not be limited to ridges
or posts as described above. The internal support elements could be
pillars or protrusions that extend for the entire height of the
support structure, or they may extend only partially from one
surface to the other. The internal support elements or protrusions
could be wedge shaped, pyramidal, conical, plateau, ramp shaped,
block shaped, rectangular or otherwise, depending on the impact and
recovery characteristics desired. A combination of shapes can be
used.
[0042] Another example of an alternative design is shown in FIGS.
10-15, wherein a combination of rectangular and other elements are
shown in a relatively intricate structure. In the perspective view
of FIG. 10 and the cross section view of FIG. 11, one can see a
continuous ramp like configuration generally in the central
portions of the forefoot and heel portions of the outsole, on the
side of the outsole closest to the foot, at numerals 22 and 24
respectively. The continuous ramps 22 and 24 are highest at their
centers so that the external portions of the outsole at both the
forefoot portion 48 and heel portion 50 extend outward in a convex
shape. Partial ramps are included in both the heel portion (26, 28,
30 and 32) and the forefoot portion (34, 36, 38 and 40). Also shown
in this embodiment are wedges in the heel portion (42 and 44) and
wedges in the forefoot portion (46, 48, 50 and 52). All of these
features assist in the basic function of this disclosure, which is
to provide convex shaped structures on the surface contacting
portion of the outsole. The shapes of the internal structures and
the materials used in the construction of the outsole can vary
depending on the loads to be carried by the footwear.
[0043] While the apparatus and method have been described in terms
of what are presently considered to be the most practical and
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure
need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to
cover various modifications and similar arrangements included
within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which
should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass
all such modifications and similar structures. The present
disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following
claims.
* * * * *