U.S. patent application number 12/803782 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-12 for shoe sole structure and assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to AMERICAN SPORTING GOODS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Isaac Alvear, Robert Dillon, Jerome Turner.
Application Number | 20120005920 12/803782 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45437520 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120005920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alvear; Isaac ; et
al. |
January 12, 2012 |
Shoe sole structure and assembly
Abstract
The present invention is a shoe sole comprising an array of
elliptical cells, wherein each cell has a wall, and wherein each
cell wall is conjoined to or contiguous with at least one other
cell wall. The cell wall may be conjoined to another cell wall by a
conjoining element. At least some of the cell walls buckle when
compressive or shear force is applied during use. The sole is made
from any material with elastic properties for this application. The
shoe sole can further comprise a substrate, also made of
elastomeric material, integrated with the cell walls at their upper
level, lower level, or their periphery, forming a unitary piece.
Variations can be made as to the dimensions and arrangement of
these cell walls. This sole can be incorporated into a shoe sole
assembly as a shoe midsole.
Inventors: |
Alvear; Isaac; (Laguna
Niguel, CA) ; Dillon; Robert; (Irvine, CA) ;
Turner; Jerome; (Newport Beach, CA) |
Assignee: |
AMERICAN SPORTING GOODS
CORPORATION
ALISO VIEJO
CA
|
Family ID: |
45437520 |
Appl. No.: |
12/803782 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/28 ;
36/30R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/187 20130101;
A43B 13/181 20130101; A43B 13/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/28 ;
36/30.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/18 20060101
A43B013/18; A43B 13/12 20060101 A43B013/12 |
Claims
1. A shoe sole comprising: an array of elliptical cells, wherein
each cell has a wall; wherein each cell wall is conjoined to or
contiguous with at least one other cell wall; and wherein at least
some of the cell walls buckle when compressive or shear force is
applied during use.
2. The sole of claim 1, wherein the cell wall further comprises: a
major axis and a minor axis, the major axis having opposing
vertices and the minor axis having opposing co-vertices; wherein
the co-vertices are located at an intersection of the minor axis
and the elliptical cell wall; wherein the vertices are located at
an intersection of the major axis and the elliptical cell wall; and
wherein the cell wall is conjoined to or contiguous with another
cell wall at the vertices or co-vertices.
3. The sole of claim 1 wherein a cell wall is conjoined to another
cell wall by a conjoining element.
4. The sole of claim 1 wherein the sole is made of elastomeric
material.
5. The sole of claim 1 further comprising a substrate affixed to an
upper level, lower level, or periphery of the array.
6. The sole of claim 5 wherein the substrate is made of elastomeric
material.
7. The sole of claim 5 wherein the substrate and the array form a
unitary piece.
8. The sole of claim 1 wherein the cell walls are of varying
dimensions.
9. The sole of claim 1 wherein the cells are staggered.
10. A shoe sole assembly comprising: an outsole, a midsole seated
above the outsole, and a support structure seated about the
periphery of the midsole; wherein the outsole has an outer sole
surface, the outer sole surface comprising a heel portion at a
location substantially corresponding to the calcaneus region of the
intended wearer's foot and a forefoot portion at a location
substantially corresponding to the forefoot region of the intended
wearer's foot; the heel portion having an elliptical heel region
with a plurality of projections; the forefoot portion having an
elliptical forefoot region with a plurality of projections; wherein
the midsole comprises: an array of elliptical cells, wherein each
cell has a wall; wherein each cell wall is conjoined to or
contiguous with at least one other cell wall; wherein at least some
of the cell walls buckle when compressive or shear force is applied
during use; and wherein the support structure further accommodates
the fixation of additional shoe components.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention is related to shoes and more
particularly is directed towards an improved shoe sole having an
array of intersecting cells and a shoe sole assembly incorporating
this shoe sole as part of the midsole.
[0002] A shoe generally consists of two basic parts: an upper and a
sole. The upper is generally designed to enclose the foot. The
upper is attached to a sole.
[0003] The sole typically has two components: the outsole and the
midsole. The outsole is the ground-contacting portion of the shoe
and which provides the traction during use of the shoe. The various
elements comprising the midsole provide protection, cushioning and
stability to the foot during use.
[0004] Cushioning and stability are factors in the design and
construction of shoes. Compressive and shear forces are generated
during usage of the shoe, such as when the user is running,
walking, or standing.
[0005] It is well known in the art that shoe design is one manner
in which to reduce stress on the body during running, walking, or
standing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is a shoe sole comprising an array of
elliptical cells, wherein each cell has a wall, and wherein each
cell wall is conjoined to or contiguous with at least one other
cell wall. The cell wall may be conjoined to another cell wall by a
conjoining element. At least some of the cell walls buckle when
compressive or shear force is applied during use. The sole is made
from any material with elastic properties for this application.
[0007] The shoe sole may further comprise an array of elliptical
cells wherein each cell has a major axis and a minor axis, the
major axis having opposing vertices and the minor axis having
opposing co-vertices. The vertices are located at an intersection
of the major axis and the cell wall, and the co-vertices are
located at an intersection of the minor axis and the cell wall. The
cell wall is conjoined to or contiguous with another cell at the
vertices or co-vertices.
[0008] The shoe sole may further comprise a substrate affixed to an
upper level, lower level, or periphery of the array of cells. This
substrate may also be made of elastomeric material. The substrate
and array of cells can form a unitary piece. Variations can also be
made to the height, dimensions and arrangement of the cells.
[0009] The present invention also comprises a shoe sole assembly
incorporating the above shoe sole as a midsole. This shoe sole
assembly comprises an outsole, a midsole seated above the outsole,
and a support structure seated about the periphery of the
midsole.
[0010] The above elements, their combination and their various
embodiments, are described below in more detail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shoe sole of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a shoe sole assembly
incorporating the shoe sole of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the shoe sole shown in FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of several elliptical cells of
the shoe sole shown in FIG. 3 taken within the circular segment "5"
in FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a close-up view of a portion of the shoe sole
shown within circular segment "6" in FIG. 3;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of the shoe sole
shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a left side elevational view of the shoe sole
shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the shoe sole shown in
FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the shoe sole shown in
FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the shoe sole
assembly shown in FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the shoe sole assembly
shown in FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a right side elevational view of the shoe sole
assembly shown in FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a left side elevational view of the shoe sole
assembly shown in FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the shoe sole
assembly shown in FIG. 2;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view of the shoe sole assembly
shown in FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the shoe sole assembly as
shown in FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the support structure of the
shoe sole assembly as shown in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Referring to the drawings, like reference numerals represent
identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views of
FIGS. 1 through 18.
[0030] While the present invention will be described in terms of
the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not
intended to limit the invention to that specific embodiment. The
present invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications
and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the claims herein.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the shoe sole 20 comprises an array of
elliptical cells 21. Each cell has a wall 22 which is conjoined to
or contiguous with at least one other cell wall 22. This shoe sole
20 can be incorporated into a shoe sole assembly 50, as part of the
shoe's midsole, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0032] At least some of the cell walls buckle when compressive or
shear force is applied during use. The array of cells is made with
any material with elastic properties for this application, which
includes materials presently known in the art such as thermoplastic
elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, including gelatinous
elastomers and materials such as Thermal Plastic Resin (TPR).
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, in a preferred embodiment,
the elliptical cell 21 is formed by a combination of two opposing
cell walls 22 and opposing related conjoining elements 22a. An
inner boundary of the cell wall 22 creates the elliptical cell
21.
[0034] As can be seen in FIG. 5, each elliptical cell 21 has a
geometry of an ellipse, which has a major axis 30 and a minor axis
40. The major axis 30 is the longer segment that runs through the
center of the elliptical cell 21 and has opposing endpoints on the
cell wall 22. These endpoints are called vertices 30a. The minor
axis 40, which is the shorter segment, also runs through the center
of the elliptical cell 21 perpendicular to the major axis 30, and
has its opposing endpoints on the cell wall 22. These endpoints are
called co-vertices 40a.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the cell walls intersect
adjacent cell walls by fusion of the elastomeric material in the
region of the vertices 30a and co-vertices 40a. This fusion is
accomplished by a conjoining element 22a. Thus, intersection in
this preferred embodiment is accomplished by conjoining a cell wall
22 to another cell wall 22 by a conjoining element 22a. However,
other means of intersection can be used, such as by contiguous or
adjacent placement of cells without the presence of a conjoining
element 22a, where the cells walls are directly contiguous to one
another.
[0036] The upper layer 41 of the elliptical cell walls 22 are of
uniform height along a horizontal plane. The elliptical cell walls
22 can also be of varying height. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7
and 8, the height of the cell walls may proceed to slightly
decrease towards the frontal region 42 of the element, where the
toes sit. The height of the cell walls 22 could also be greater in
areas of the foot which are frequently exposed to relatively high
levels of ground reaction forces, such as the heel or the ball of
the foot. Alternatively, for arch support, the height of the cell
walls 22 could be greater in the area substantially corresponding
to the arch of the wearer's foot.
[0037] The geometry of the cells can be varied by changing the
ratio of the major axis 30 to the minor axis 40 of any or all of
the cells to create a longer or shorter, wider or narrower
cell.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the elastomeric cell walls 22
extend vertically from the lower level of the wall to its upper
level 41. The cell wall height can range from 0.3 inches to
approximately 1.2 inches. However, such height may be configured
taking into account several factors such as thickness, shape, and
circumference of the cell wall, array pattern, and material used in
fabricating the cell walls.
[0039] The cell walls 22 may also be configured in any number of
shapes and geometries other than an ellipse, such as circles,
squares, S-shaped, diamond-shaped, parallelogram, or triangular,
any combination of such, or any irregular shape, as long as the
cell walls are fused, joined or integrated with adjacent cell
walls.
[0040] In the present embodiment, the cells 21 are arranged in a
staggered fashion such as in FIGS. 1 through 6. In this staggered
arrangement, the cells are arranged in an alternating fashion,
whereby the minor axis 40 of a cell in one row directly corresponds
with the minor axis 40 of another cell in alternate rows. In other
embodiments, the cells are lined up side-by-side, from one row to
the next, along their major axes 30 and minor axes 40 in a uniform
fashion.
[0041] These intersecting elliptical cells may also be arranged
longitudinally, with the major axis 30 of each cell running
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wearer's foot, as shown in
FIGS. 3, 5, and 6. In other embodiments, these intersecting
elliptical cells may be arranged latitudinally, along the
latitudinal axis of the wearer's foot, perpendicular to its
longitudinal axis.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10, the shoe sole 20 can
further comprise a substrate 60. The substrate 60 can be affixed
to, fused, joined, or integrated with the upper 41 or lower level
42 of the array of elliptical cell walls. In the preferred
embodiment, this substrate 60 and array of intersecting elliptical
cells form a unitary piece, with the substrate at the periphery and
lower level of the cell walls. Additional shoe components, such as
an outsole 70, can be affixed to the substrate 60, as depicted in
FIGS. 2, 13, 14, 15 and 16.
[0043] The substrate 60 and its periphery can vary in thickness,
from 0.2 to 1.5 inches, and can also vary in width along the
longitudinal axis of the wearer's foot. The height of the substrate
60 can also be greater in areas of the foot which are frequently
exposed to relatively high levels of ground reaction forces, such
as the heel or the ball of the foot. Alternatively, for arch
support, the height could be greater in the area substantially
corresponding to the arch of the wearer's foot.
[0044] In embodiments where the substrate 60 is integrated with or
affixed to the upper level 41 of the array of cell walls, this
substrate 60 forms the part of where the wearer's foot rests, such
as the insole, which can be covered with any suitable material such
as fabric, leather, vinyl foam, polyurethane or the like.
Alternatively, this substrate 60 can also form the outsole of the
shoe, with an outer sole surface which is the ground-contacting
surface.
[0045] The substrate 60 can be made from the same material as the
elastomeric cell walls 22, or from any material with elastic
properties which include those presently known in the art such as
by way of example, various elastomers which include thermoplastic
elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, gelatinous elastomers, and
TPR. Alternatively, it could also be made from rubber if this
substrate 60 is also the shoe outsole comprising the
ground-contacting surface of the shoe.
[0046] The shoe sole 20 may be manufactured using any appropriate
technique and methodology known in the field, such as, by way of
example, compression molding, thermoforming, or extrusion molding.
The preferred method, however, is injection molding.
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 11, 12, and 13, the present
invention also relates to a shoe sole assembly 50 which
incorporates this shoe sole'20 as part of the midsole. The shoe
sole assembly 50 comprises an outsole 70, a shoe sole 20 seated
above the outsole 70, and a support structure 80 seated about the
periphery of the midsole. The shoe sole 20 which is incorporated as
a midsole of this shoe assembly can be in any of the embodiments of
the shoe sole described above.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the outsole 70 has an outer
sole surface 90, the outer sole surface comprising a heel portion
100 at a location substantially corresponding to the calcaneus
region of the intended wearer's foot and a forefoot portion 200 at
a location substantially corresponding to the forefoot region of
the intended wearer's foot. The calcaneus is the heel bone of a
human foot. The forefoot is composed of the five toes (called
phalanges) and their connecting long bones (called metatarsals).
The outsole 70 and its outer sole surface 90, which is the
ground-contacting surface, are typically made of rubber.
[0049] The heel portion 100 has an elliptical heel region 101 with
a plurality of projections 102. Similarly, the forefoot portion 200
has an elliptical heel region 201 with a plurality of projections
202. These projections aid in traction and gripping the ground
surface during use of the shoe. In various embodiments, these
projections may be in the form of cleats, which include metal,
plastic or hard rubber pieces. These projections may also be
configured in any number of shapes such as, by way of example,
rounded, arcuate, triangular, square, rectangular, oval, or
diamond-shaped.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 2, and 13 through 17, a support structure
80, also forms a part of this sole assembly 50. As can be seen in
FIG. 17, this support structure is attached to the periphery of the
midsole 20 and accommodates the fixation of additional shoe
components. These additional shoe components can be the shoe upper,
insole, or another midsole layer.
[0051] The support structure 80 is typically made of blown plastic
foam such as, by way of example, polyurethane foam or EVA.
Higher-density foam materials are preferred for added support.
[0052] The above-described integrated array of cells facilitates
the attenuation of ground reaction forces by distribution of shear
or compressive forces through enhanced instability. This
instability is achieved through buckling of the cell walls 22, as
described below.
[0053] Specifically, in the operation of the shoe sole assembly 50
of the present invention, the wearer of the shoe places weight on
the shoe by standing, walking, running, or jumping. Various forces,
such as compressive and shear forces, are created by such usage.
These forces are transmitted from ground contact, upon heel strike
to forefoot stance, to the shoe sole components. When shear or
compressive forces are transmitted from the outer sole surface 90,
to the outsole 70, then to the midsole 20 comprising an array of
intersecting elliptical cells made of elastomeric material, the
elliptical cell walls 22 buckle. This buckling of the cell walls 22
upon ground contact by the user disperses the shear and/or
compressive forces to adjoining cell walls, which dispersal is
facilitated by the presence of intersecting cell walls. This is
believed to result in distribution of shear and compressive forces
by the enhanced instability of the midsole provided by this array
of intersecting cell walls.
[0054] The present invention can be used in any use or application
of footwear.
[0055] Moreover, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes
may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and
arrangement of parts, within the principle of the invention, to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the claims herein are expressed.
* * * * *