U.S. patent application number 12/621024 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-19 for articles of footwear.
This patent application is currently assigned to SRL, LLC. Invention is credited to Alain Laverdure, Bernard Merritt.
Application Number | 20110113649 12/621024 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43123521 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110113649 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Merritt; Bernard ; et
al. |
May 19, 2011 |
Articles of Footwear
Abstract
An article of footwear including a footwear upper and a sole
assembly secured to the footwear upper. The sole assembly has a
forefoot portion and a heel portion, and includes an outsole, a
midsole disposed on the outsole and an instability insert disposed
between the outsole and the midsole in the forefoot portion of the
sole assembly. The instability insert causes a forefoot protrusion
to be defined by the outsole in the forefoot portion of the sole
assembly.
Inventors: |
Merritt; Bernard; (Hingham,
MA) ; Laverdure; Alain; (Medford, MA) |
Assignee: |
SRL, LLC
Lexington
MA
|
Family ID: |
43123521 |
Appl. No.: |
12/621024 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/102 ; 36/28;
36/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/145 20130101;
A43B 13/188 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/102 ; 36/28;
36/43 |
International
Class: |
A43B 1/10 20060101
A43B001/10; A43B 13/18 20060101 A43B013/18; A43B 13/38 20060101
A43B013/38 |
Claims
1. An article of footwear comprising: a footwear upper; and a sole
assembly secured to the footwear upper, the sole assembly having a
forefoot portion and a heel portion, the sole assembly comprising:
an outsole; a midsole disposed on the outsole; and an instability
insert disposed between the outsole and the midsole in the forefoot
portion of the sole assembly, the instability insert causing a
forefoot protrusion to be defined by the outsole in the forefoot
portion of the sole assembly.
2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the forefoot portion
of the outsole defines a radius of curvature of between about 130
mm and about 190 mm.
3. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the forefoot portion
of the outsole defines a radius of curvature of about 160 mm.
4. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the forefoot
protrusion has a height, measured from a lowest point of the
protrusion to an outer edge of the outsole, of between about 4 mm
and about 12 mm.
5. The article of footwear of claim 4, wherein the forefoot
protrusion has a height, measured from a lowest point of the
protrusion to an outer edge of the outsole, of about 8 mm.
6. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the instability
insert defines a substantially elliptical shape in top and side
views.
7. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the instability
insert has a thickness of between about 3 mm and about 9 mm, a
length of between about 65 mm and about 85 mm, and a width of
between about 45 mm and about 55 mm.
8. The article of footwear of claim 7, wherein the instability
insert has a thickness of about 6 mm, a length of about 76 mm, and
a width of about 50 mm.
9. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the instability
insert comprises polyurethane.
10. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the instability
insert has a durometer of between about 15 Asker C and about 20
Asker C.
11. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a heel
insert disposed substantially between the outsole and the midsole
in the heel portion of the sole assembly, the heel insert
configured to collapse under a user's weight.
12. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the heel insert
comprises at least one of polyurethane and a ethylene-vinyl-acetate
copolymer (EVA).
13. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the heel insert
has a durometer of between about 42 Asker C and about 48 Asker
C.
14. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the heel insert
has a thickness of between about 10 mm and about 35 mm.
15. An article of footwear comprising: a footwear upper; and a sole
assembly secured to the footwear upper, the sole assembly having a
forefoot portion and a heel portion; wherein the forefoot portion
of the sole assembly is configured to provide a first period of
instability upon receiving the weight of a user followed by a
second period of stability.
16. The article of footwear of claim 15, wherein the heel portion
is configured to at least partially collapse upon receiving the
weight of a user and cause the user to rotate the sole assembly
forward, placing the weight of the user on the forefoot portion of
the sole assembly.
17. The article of footwear of claim 15, the sole assembly
comprises: an outsole; a midsole disposed on the outsole; and an
instability insert disposed between the outsole and the midsole in
the forefoot portion of the sole assembly, the instability insert
causing a forefoot protrusion to be defined by the outsole in the
forefoot portion of the sole assembly.
18. The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the forefoot
portion of the outsole defines a radius of curvature of between
about 130 mm and about 190 mm.
19. The article of footwear of claim 18, wherein the forefoot
portion of the outsole defines a radius of curvature of about 160
mm.
20. The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the instability
insert has a thickness of between about 3 mm and about 9 mm, a
length of between about 65 mm and about 85 mm, and a width of
between about 45 mm and about 55 mm.
21. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein the instability
insert has a thickness of about 6 mm, a length of about 76 mm, and
a width of about 50 mm.
22. The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the instability
insert comprises polyurethane.
23. The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the instability
insert has a durometer of between about 15 Asker C and about 20
Asker C.
24. The article of footwear of claim 15, further comprising a heel
insert disposed substantially between the outsole and the midsole
in the heel portion of the sole assembly, the heel insert
configured to collapse under a user's weight.
25. The article of footwear of claim 24, wherein the heel insert
comprises at least one of polyurethane and a ethylene-vinyl-acetate
copolymer (EVA).
26. The article of footwear of claim 24, wherein the heel insert
has a durometer of between about 42 Asker C and about 48 Asker C.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to articles of footwear having
forefoot cushioning.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Articles of footwear, such as shoes, are generally worn
while exercising to protect and provide stability of a user's feet.
In general, shoes include an upper portion and a sole. When the
upper portion is secured to the sole, the upper portion and the
sole together define a void that is configured to securely and
comfortably hold a human foot. Often, the upper portion and/or sole
are/is formed from multiple layers that can be stitched or
adhesively bonded together. For example, the upper portion can be
made of a combination of leather and fabric, or foam and fabric,
and the sole can be formed from at least one layer of natural
rubber. Often materials are chosen for functional reasons, e.g.,
water-resistance, durability, abrasion-resistance, and
breathability, while shape, texture, and color are used to promote
the aesthetic qualities of the shoe.
SUMMARY
[0003] One aspect of the disclosure provides, an article of
footwear including a footwear upper and a sole assembly secured to
the footwear upper. The sole assembly has a forefoot portion and a
heel portion, and includes an outsole, a midsole disposed on the
outsole and an instability insert disposed between the outsole and
the midsole in the forefoot portion of the sole assembly. The
instability insert causes a forefoot protrusion to be defined by
the outsole in the forefoot portion of the sole assembly.
[0004] Another aspect of the disclosure provides, an article of
footwear including a footwear upper and a sole assembly secured to
the footwear upper. The sole assembly has a forefoot portion and a
heel portion. The forefoot portion of the sole assembly is
configured to provide a first period of instability upon receiving
the weight of a user followed by a second period of stability.
[0005] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of
the following features. In some implementations, the heel portion
is configured to at least partially collapse upon receiving the
weight of a user and cause the user to rotate the sole assembly
forward, placing the weight of the user on the forefoot portion of
the sole assembly. In some implementations, the sole assembly
includes an outsole, a midsole disposed on the outsole and an
instability insert disposed between the outsole and the midsole in
the forefoot portion of the sole assembly, the instability insert
causing a forefoot protrusion to be defined by the outsole in the
forefoot portion of the sole assembly.
[0006] In some implementations, the forefoot portion of the outsole
defines a radius of curvature of between about 130 mm and about 190
mm (preferably about 160 mm). The forefoot protrusion can have a
height, measured from a lowest point of the protrusion to an outer
edge of the outsole, of between about 4 mm and about 12 mm
(preferably about 8 mm). The instability insert may define a
substantially elliptical shape in top and side views. In some
examples, the instability insert has a thickness of between about 3
mm and about 9 mm (preferably about 6 mm), a length of between
about 65 mm and about 85 mm (preferably about 76 mm), and a width
of between about 45 mm and about 55 mm (preferably about 50 mm).
The instability insert may comprise polyurethane. In some
implementations, the instability insert has a durometer of between
about 15 Asker C and about 20 Asker C.
[0007] In some implementations, the article of footwear includes a
heel insert disposed substantially between the outsole and the
midsole in the heel portion of the sole assembly, the heel insert
configured to collapse under a user's weight. The heel insert may
comprise at least one of polyurethane and a ethylene-vinyl-acetate
copolymer (EVA). In some examples, the heel insert has a durometer
of between about 42 Asker C and about 48 Asker C and/or a thickness
of between about 10 mm and about 35 mm.
[0008] The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure
are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description
below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent
from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIGS. 1 and 2 are front perspective views showing the left
component of a pair of shoes.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the left component of a pair
of shoes.
[0011] FIGS. 4 and 5 are rear perspective views showing the left
component of a pair of shoes.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view showing the left component
of a pair of shoes.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a sole assembly for a left
component of a pair of shoes.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a top view of the sole assembly of FIG. 7.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a side view of the sole assembly of FIG. 7.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a section view of the sole assembly of FIG. 7
along line 10-10.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a side view of the sole assembly of FIG. 7.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a rear view of the sole assembly of FIG. 7.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a section view of the sole assembly of FIG. 7
along line 13-13.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a section view of the sole assembly of FIG. 7
along line 14-14.
[0021] FIG. 15 is a section view of the sole assembly of FIG. 7
along line 15-15.
[0022] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements. By way of example only, all of the drawings are directed
to an article of footwear (e.g., shoe) suitable to be worn on a
user's left foot. The invention includes also the mirror images of
the drawings, i.e. an article of footwear suitable to be worn on
the infant's right foot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an exemplary article of footwear 100
configured to promote muscle activity in various areas of the
user's body, such as the gastrocnemii (calves), quadriceps
(thighs), and glutaeus maximus (buttocks), while walking or
running. While wearing each article of footwear 100, the user
generally tries to maintain a balanced posture, which promotes
greater muscle activity (and optionally fat burning). The article
of footwear 100 (e.g., shoe, sandal, boot, etc.) includes a
footwear upper 110 and a sole assembly 200 secured to the footwear
upper 110. The footwear upper 110 and the sole assembly 200
together define a void 120 configured to securely and comfortably
hold a human foot. Although a shoe is shown as an exemplary article
of footwear 100, the sole assembly 200 may be used for other types
of articles of footwear, including, but not limited to boots,
sandals, flip-flops, etc.
[0024] The footwear upper 110 may be stitched and/or bonded (e.g.,
by an adhesive) to the sole assembly 200. The footwear upper 110
may be constructed of one or more leathers, textiles, non-woven
materials, and any other suitable material for receiving and
holding a user's foot. In some examples, the footwear upper 110
includes moisture-wicking materials.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 7-15, the sole assembly 200 provides a
subtle instability that encourages the user's body to work harder
to adapt and maintain a balanced gait relative to a generally
stable sole assembly, thereby promoting muscle activity. Referring
to FIGS. 3-10, the sole assembly 200 has a forefoot portion 202 and
a heel portion 204, and includes an outsole 210 and a midsole 220.
The outsole 210 and midsole 220 each have a respective forefoot
portion 212, 222 and a respective heel portion 214, 224
corresponding to the forefoot portion 202 and the heel portion 204
of the sole assembly 200. In some examples, such as FIGS. 10, 14
and 15, the outsole 210 has a thickness T.sub.o of between about 3
mm and about 7 mm (preferably about 5 mm) and the midsole 220 has a
thickness T.sub.m of between about 3 mm and about 20 mm (preferably
about 13 mm). The outsole 210 can be made of natural rubber or
formed of a rubber compound including isobutylene rubber, butadiene
rubber, styrene butadiene rubber and/or natural rubber. The outsole
210 has a durometer of between about 40 Shore A and about 70 Shore
A (preferably 50 Shore A). The midsole 220 can be made of a
polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and have a durometer
of between about 50 Shore A and about 70 Shore A (preferably
between about 60 Shore A and about 65 Shore A).
[0026] The sole assembly 200 includes an instability insert 230
disposed substantially between the outsole 210 and the midsole 220
in the forefoot portion 202 of the sole assembly 200. The
instability insert 230 creates a forefoot protrusion 216 (e.g., a
gently domed bulge) in the outsole 210, such that the user
experiences a slight rocking (fore-aft and/or side-to-side) in the
forefoot portion 202 of the sole assembly. In some examples, the
forefoot portion 212 of the outsole 210 defines a radius of
curvature R of between about 130 mm and about 190 mm (preferably
about 160 mm). The forefoot protrusion 216 may have a height H,
measured from a lowest point of the protrusion 216 to an outer edge
218 of the outsole 210, of between about 4 mm and about 12 mm
(preferably about 8 mm). The user generally exerts relatively more
energy to maintain balance and over-come the instability caused by
the instability insert 230, as compared to that experienced while
wearing a conventional stable shoe.
[0027] In some implementations, the instability insert 230 defines
an elliptical shape in top and side views, as shown in FIGS. 8, 10
and 13. In some examples, the instability insert 230 has a
thickness T.sub.i of between about 3 mm and about 9 mm (preferably
about 6 mm), a length L.sub.i of between about 65 mm and about 85
mm (preferably about 76 mm), and a width W.sub.i of between about
45 mm and about 55 mm (preferably about 50 mm). In some
implementations, the instability insert 230 is arranged such that a
longitudinal axis 235 of the instability insert 230 has an angle
.beta. with a transverse axis 205 of the sole assembly 200 of
between about 10.degree. and about 30.degree. (preferably about
20.degree.). The instability insert 230 can be made of a
polyurethane and have a durometer of between about 10 Asker C and
about 25 Asker C (preferably between about 15 Asker C and about 20
Asker C). By having a softer durometer for the instability insert
230 relative to the outsole 210 and the midsole 220, the user
initially experiences the instability of the forefoot protrusion
216 caused by the instability insert 230 upon contact between the
outsole 210 and the ground. As the user transfers his/her weight
onto the shoe 100, the instability insert 230 at least partially
collapses between the outsole 210 and the midsole 220, thereby at
least partially collapsing (preferably fully collapsing) the
forefoot protrusion 216 and allowing the user to experience
increased or substantially full stability within the forefoot
portion 202 of the sole assembly as the shoe 100 bears the weight
of the user. Consequently, as the user proceeds over a surface
(e.g., walk or run) while wearing a pair of the shoes 100, the user
experiences an initial period of instability while transferring
his/her weight onto one of the shoe 100 followed by a period of
stability when the respective shoe 100 bears at least some of the
weight of the user. For example, the instability insert 230
collapses, thereby collapsing the forefoot protrusion 216 (e.g.,
such the outsole 210 has a relatively decreased radius of curvature
R) upon receiving a threshold load of at least 30 lbs. The
instability insert 230 may be configured to collapse or squish
under other threshold loads as well (e.g., at least 15 lbs, 50 lbs,
etc.), so as to target certain user weight groups. The initial
period of instability causes the user to use stabilizing muscles
and exert more energy relative to a conventional shoe. A completely
unstable shoe, is generally undesirable, thus the period of
stability proceeding the period of at least slight instability
provides the user with a functional and safe shoe for
exercising.
[0028] In some implementations, the sole assembly 200 includes a
heel insert 240 disposed substantially between the outsole 210 and
the midsole 220 in the heel portion 204 of the sole assembly 200,
as shown in FIGS. 9-12 and 15. The heel insert 240 can be made of
polyurethane or a polyolefin, such as an ethylene-vinyl-acetate
copolymer (EVA), and/or have a durometer of between about 25 Asker
C and about 55 Asker C (preferably between about 42 Asker C and
about 48 Asker C). The heel insert 240 can have a thickness T.sub.h
(FIG. 15) of between about 10 mm and about 35 mm (preferably about
25 mm). The heel insert 240 not only provides cushioning and
comfort for a user, but the relatively soft durometer of the heel
insert 240, as compared to the outsole 210 and the midsole 220,
allows the heel portion 204 of the sole assembly 200 to at least
partially collapse under a user's weight, thereby causing the user
to shift his/her weight toward the forefoot portion 202 of the sole
assembly 200. As the user shifts his/her weight to the forefoot
portion 202 of the sole assembly 200, the user experiences the
subtle instability of the forefoot portion 202 (as caused by the
forefoot protrusion 216) and exerts relatively more energy and/or
uses relatively more muscles to maintain balance. As the forefoot
protrusion 216 collapses or subsides due the weight transfer of the
user, the user experiences a subsequent period of stability.
[0029] The article of footwear 100 may include a foot bed 300 (FIG.
6) secured to the shoe assembly 200 and/or insole 130 in the void
120 defined by the upper 100 and the shoe assembly 200. The foot
bed 300 is compliant to conform to and exhibit the shape of the
user's foot bottom and portions of outsole 100. The foot bed 300
may be a foam sheet with a woven or non-woven fabric covering the
foam sheet.
[0030] A number of implementations have been described.
Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope
of the following claims.
* * * * *