U.S. patent application number 13/161365 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for shoe.
This patent application is currently assigned to SKECHERS U.S.A., INC. II. Invention is credited to David Raysse, Kurt Stockbridge.
Application Number | 20120317835 13/161365 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47352545 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120317835 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Raysse; David ; et
al. |
December 20, 2012 |
SHOE
Abstract
A shoe with a curved rocker bottom sole member with an H-shaped
pad that is decoupled from the sole member. The shoe promotes a
mid-foot region footstrike and a more even distribution of
pressure.
Inventors: |
Raysse; David; (Los Angeles,
CA) ; Stockbridge; Kurt; (Palos Verdes Estates,
CA) |
Assignee: |
SKECHERS U.S.A., INC. II
Manhattan Beach
CA
|
Family ID: |
47352545 |
Appl. No.: |
13/161365 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/28 ;
36/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/127 20130101;
A43B 13/145 20130101; A43B 7/143 20130101; A43B 7/142 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/28 ;
36/31 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/00 20060101
A43B013/00; A43B 13/14 20060101 A43B013/14 |
Claims
1. A shoe having an upper and sole member wherein said sole member
comprises: a front tip, a rear tip, a forefoot region, a mid-foot
region, a heel region, a lateral side and medial side, wherein said
sole member has a curvature that curves upwardly towards the upper
from a portion of the mid-foot region to the rear tip; and a pad
located in the mid-foot region to the heel region of the sole
member.
2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the pad is H-shaped and extends
substantially from the lateral side of the sole member to the
medial side of the sole member.
3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the pad is decoupled from the sole
member.
4. The shoe of claim 1 further comprising a rigid plate.
5. A shoe having an upper and sole member wherein said sole member
comprises: a front tip, a rear tip, a forefoot region, a mid-foot
region, a heel region, a lateral side and medial side, wherein said
sole member has a curvature that curves upwardly towards the upper
from a portion of the mid-foot region to the rear tip; and an
H-shaped pad located in the mid-foot region to the heel region of
the sole member.
6. The shoe of claim 5, wherein the H-shaped pad is decoupled from
the sole member.
7. A shoe of claim 5 further comprising a rigid plate.
8. A shoe having an upper and sole member wherein said sole member
comprises: a front tip, a rear tip, a forefoot region, a mid-foot
region, a heel region, a lateral side and medial side; and an
H-shaped pad comprising a lateral leg and a medial leg connected by
a strip, such H-shaped pad being placed in the mid-foot region to
the heel region of the sole member.
9. The shoe of claim 8, wherein said sole member has a curvature
that curves upwardly towards the upper from a portion of the
mid-foot region to the rear tip.
10. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the H-shaped pad is decoupled from
the sole member.
11. The shoe of claim 8 further comprising a rigid plate positioned
in the sole member.
12. A shoe having an upper and sole member wherein said sole member
comprises: a front tip, a rear tip, a forefoot region, a mid-foot
region, a heel region, a lateral side and medial side, wherein said
sole member has a curvature that curves upwardly towards the upper
from a portion of the mid-foot region to the rear tip; and a pad
that is placed in the mid-foot region to the heel region of the
sole member.
13. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the pad is decoupled from the
sole member.
14. The shoe of claim 13 further comprising a rigid plate
positioned in the sole member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to athletic shoes and, in
particular, a shoe that provides more efficient and natural running
by promoting a mid-foot region--rather than a heel
region--footstrike (i.e., the place where the foot first strikes
the ground during the gait cycle) and a more even distribution of
pressure which, in turn, leads to greater running efficiency. All
of this is achieved by combining a rocker bottom curved sole member
with an H-shaped pad which is placed within, but decoupled from,
the sole member.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Prior art shoes have encouraged users to land on their heels
first and transition to their toes during running, thereby putting
the center of pressure and thus the most pressure and load on the
heel region of the foot when it first strikes the ground. That is
not the most efficient or natural motion for running Striking in
the heel region of the foot leads to poor shock absorption, slower
running, over-striding, wasted energy and poor form. Prior art
shoes have attempted to mimic a more natural motion by adding heel
clefts, crash pads, posts and cushioning devices such as air bags,
etc. However, there have been no prior art shoes with a rocker
bottom curved sole member combined with a specialized decoupled
H-shaped pad.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe
that promotes a mid-foot strike, moves the center of pressure of
the foot strike forward to the mid-foot region, and has a more even
distribution of pressure, so as to enable a more natural motion and
greater efficiency during running
[0006] The present invention achieves this objective by combining a
rocker bottom curved sole member with an H-shaped pad that is
decoupled from the sole member. This configuration results in the
user first striking the ground during the gait cycle in the
mid-foot region (rather than in the heel region as with
conventional shoes) and pressure being more evenly dispersed.
[0007] The shoe comprises an upper and a sole member, each having a
medial side and a lateral side. The medial side is the side closest
to the user's opposite leg (and the same side as the user's big
toe) and the lateral side is the side that is opposite the medial
side, away from the user's other leg (and the same side as the
user's small toe). The outsole may also be integrated into or be
part of the midsole. In the preferred embodiment, the outsole is
integrated and is part of the midsole. The midsole/outsole
combination is therefore described with reference to the surface
that contacts the ground as the sole member. The upper, midsole and
outsole each has a front-most point and a rearmost point
substantially opposite the front-most point. As the terms imply,
each front-most point (or front tip) is closer to the user's toes
than each rearmost point and correspondingly each rearmost point
(or rear tip) is closer to the user's heel than each front-most
point.
[0008] The upper and sole member each has a forefoot region. The
forefoot region includes the region that extends substantially from
the medial side to the lateral side at a location that begins in
the vicinity of the front tip of the shoe and extends from there to
a location that is approximately one third of the distance toward
the rear tip of the shoe.
[0009] The upper and sole member each has a heel region. The heel
region includes the region that extends substantially from the
medial side to the lateral side at a location that begins in the
vicinity of the rear tip of the shoe and extends from there to a
location that is approximately one third of the distance toward the
front tip of the shoe.
[0010] The upper and sole member each has a mid-foot region. The
mid-foot region includes the region that extends substantially from
the medial side to the lateral side at a location that extends
approximately between the forefoot region and heel region.
[0011] The sole member has a rocker bottom curved shape. In a
preferred embodiment, the invention includes a sole member that,
when no load is applied, curves continuously upward in a direction
toward the upper beginning at a location near the mid-foot region
of the sole member and ending at a location near the rearmost point
(or rear tip) of the sole member. When the shoe is unloaded in its
normal position on the ground, a substantial portion of the
mid-foot region of the sole member contacts the ground whereas the
other portions do not contact the ground.
[0012] A plate may also be present within the sole member. In the
embodiments of the shoe, different plates, placed within the sole
member may contribute to help disperse and diffuse pressure on the
foot. The plate is usually placed in a portion of the mid-foot
region of the sole member and/or a portion of the mid-foot region
to the heel region of the sole member. However, the plate may
extend the entire length of the sole member. The plate may be a
flat member or a uniquely shaped member comprised of thermoplastic
polyurethane, carbon fiber, aluminum or another rigid material.
[0013] The sole member has an H-shaped pad that is decoupled from
the rest of the sole member. It may be decoupled by being a
completely separate piece of the sole member or the sole member may
be extruded and have fissures that allow the H-shaped pad to be
decoupled. Regardless of whether it is completely separated from
the rest of the sole member or not, the H-shaped pad is an
independent unit that maintains its shape and position when the
forefoot region or heel region of the sole member is flexed.
[0014] The H-shape is due to the fact that the pad is comprised of
two legs that extend longitudinally along the lateral and medial
parts of the sole member and are connected by a strip of material
or "bridge" that extends transversely across the sole member, thus
creating an "H-shape". The H-shaped pad is placed in a portion of
the mid-foot region of the sole member toward the heel region.
[0015] The combined effect of the rocker bottom shape and decoupled
H-shaped pad is a mid-foot region (rather than heel region)
footstrike and a more even distribution of pressure during the gait
cycle which, in turn, leads to greater running efficiency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] By way of example only, selected embodiments and aspects of
the present invention are described below. Each such description
refers to a particular figure ("FIG.") which shows the described
matter. All such figures are shown in drawings that accompany this
specification. Each such figure includes one or more reference
numbers that identify one or more part(s) or element(s) of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a view of a foot pressure chart that illustrates
how pressure is dispersed in a prior art shoe.
[0018] FIG. 1A is a depiction of how the foot strikes in a prior
art shoe.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a view of a foot pressure chart that illustrates
how pressure is dispersed according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2A is a depiction of how the foot strikes according to
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the H-shaped pad.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the H-shaped pad in a
preferred configuration in a sole member.
[0023] FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the
sole member.
[0024] FIG. 5B is a side elevation view of an alternative
embodiment of the sole member.
[0025] FIG. 5C is a top plan view of an embodiment of the sole
member.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a cross-section of an embodiment of the invention
along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of
the sole member of the present invention
[0028] FIG. 8 is a cross-section of an alternative embodiment of
the invention along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] In order to properly understand the invention, prior art
shoes must be examined, specifically, the pressure on the bottom of
the foot due to the footstrike pattern induced by the shoe. FIG. 1
shows the pressure on the bottom of the feet 100 during the
footstrike. The bottom of the feet 100 contains individual circles
104. Each individual circle 104 represents pressure on the bottom
of the feet 100. The darker the circle, the greater the pressure.
The lines 102 show the direction of the movement of the center of
pressure which begins in the heel region 110 and progresses towards
the mid-foot region 108 and then moves to the forefoot region
106.
[0030] FIG. 1A is a depiction of how the footstrike occurs in a
prior art shoe. The heel region 110 has a relatively large angle
formed by the intersection of a longitudinal line from heel to toe
and the ground. The shoe touches the ground 130 first in the heel
region 110, then in the mid-foot region 108, and finally in the
forefoot region 106.
[0031] As seen in FIG. 1, the greatest pressure occurs at the heel
region 110 and the forefoot region 106 as the center of pressure
moves along line 102. During footstrike, when the foot first
impacts the ground, the center of pressure is in the heel region
and therefore the most pressure is also placed on the heel region.
This is not ideal for proper running and puts undue pressure on the
heel and the surrounding joints.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows the pressure on the bottom of the feet 200
during footstrike for the invention. The bottom of the feet 200
contains individual circles 204. Each individual circle 204
represents pressure on the bottom of the feet 200. The darker the
circle, the greater the pressure. The lines 202 show the direction
of the movement of the center of pressure as the user lands in the
mid-foot region 208 and then transitions to the toe-off in the
forefoot region 206. FIG. 2A is a depiction of how the footstrike
occurs in the invention, with the shoe contacting the ground first
in the mid-foot region 208 and then in the forefoot region 206.
[0033] As seen in FIG. 2, the greatest pressure occurs at the
mid-foot region 208 to the forefoot region 206 as the center of
pressure moves along line 202. During footstrike, when the foot
first impacts the ground, the center of pressure is in the mid-foot
region and therefore the most pressure is also placed on the
mid-foot region rather than the heel region. This is ideal for
proper running and diffuses the pressure more evenly across the
foot.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the H-shaped pad 300. The
H-shaped appearance is due to the fact that the pad 300 is
comprised of two legs 302 that extend longitudinally along the
lateral and medial parts of the sole member. The legs are connected
by a strip of material or bridge 304 that extends transversely
across the sole member, thus creating an H-shape. The H-shaped pad
300 is placed in a portion of the mid-foot region 208 to the heel
region 210.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the H-shaped pad 300 placed
in the appropriate location in the mid-foot region 208 to the heel
region 210 of the sole member 410 of the invention. The H-shaped
pad 300 is decoupled from the rest of the sole member 410.
[0036] FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the
sole member 410. FIG. 5A shows the H-shaped pad 300 decoupled from
the sole member 410. In this embodiment, the H-shaped pad 300 is
not completely separated from the rest of the sole member 410 but
is decoupled from it by fissures 502. However, in other
embodiments, the H-shaped pad 300 may be completely separated from
the sole member 410. The H-shaped pad 300, due to it being
decoupled from the sole member 410, is an independent unit that
maintains its shape and position even when the forefoot region or
heel region of the sole member is flexed.
[0037] FIG. 5A also shows the rocker bottom curved shape of the
sole member 410. As shown, the sole member 410 curves upwardly in a
direction toward the upper (not shown) beginning at a location near
the mid-foot region 208 and ending at a location near the rearmost
point of the heel region 210. The combined effect of the rocker
bottom shape of the sole member 410 and the H-shaped pad 300 is a
mid-foot region (rather than heel region) footstrike and a more
even distribution of pressure during the gait cycle which, in turn,
leads to greater running efficiency.
[0038] FIG. 5B is a side elevation view of an alternative
embodiment of the sole member. FIG. 5B depicts the fissures 502
completely separating the H-shaped pad 300 from the sole member
410, thus showing an alternative of how the H-shaped pad may be
decoupled.
[0039] FIG. 5C shows a top plan view of an embodiment of the sole
member 410. The H-shaped pad 300 is shown in phantom because it is
on the bottom of the sole member 410. The line 6-6 is a cross
section of the sole member 410.
[0040] A plate 504 is also shown in FIG. 5C. In the preferred
embodiment of the invention, the plate 504 is placed in the middle
of the sole member 410. The plate allows pressure to be further
diffused across the sole member 410. The plate is placed in a
region in the vicinity of the mid-foot region 208 and may extend to
a region in the vicinity of the heel region 210. In alternative
embodiments, the plate may extend the entire length of the sole
member 410. The plate 504 is shown in phantom because it is located
in the center of the sole member 410.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a cross-section of an embodiment of the invention
along line 6-6. It shows the sole member 410 with fissures 502 that
decouple the H-shaped pad 300 from the sole member 410.
[0042] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of
the sole member 710. As seen, the plate 704 extends from a portion
of the mid-foot region 708 to a portion of the heel region 710.
[0043] FIG. 8 is a cross section along line 8-8 of the sole member
shown in FIG. 7. It shows the sole member 710 with fissures 802
that decouple the H-shaped pad 300 from the sole member 710.
[0044] As can be seen in the figures and as described above, the
present invention uses a sole member with a curved rocker bottom
and a decoupled H-shaped pad to promote a mid-foot region (rather
than heel region) footstrike and a more even distribution of
pressure, which, in turn, leads to greater running efficiency.
[0045] While the foregoing detailed description sets forth selected
embodiments of the present invention, the above description is
illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. The
claims that follow herein collectively cover the foregoing
embodiments. The following claims further encompass additional
embodiments that are within the scope and spirit of the present
invention.
* * * * *