U.S. patent application number 13/524999 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-13 for suspension system for shoes comprised of carbon fiber springs and other components..
The applicant listed for this patent is Timothy Roy Chaffin. Invention is credited to Timothy Roy Chaffin.
Application Number | 20140068966 13/524999 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50231744 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140068966 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chaffin; Timothy Roy |
March 13, 2014 |
Suspension system for shoes comprised of carbon fiber springs and
other components.
Abstract
A new self-contained energy transfer system for shoes, which
absorbs stores and releases energy and can be adapted to any
footwear; engineered to provide the correct biomechanical sequence
of events during the gait cycle, eliminating the need for a
flexible articulation of the shoe at the toe break. It is composed
of two reactionary plates attached at the toe end and open at the
heel end. Between the top reaction plate and the lower reaction
plate is a series of lineally arched progressively resistant spring
components. The toe end of the inner component functions as a
fulcrum for the reaction plates as they are fastened together at
the heel end which places the complete unit in tension. Tensioning
the unit removes any play or slack within the components providing
an efficient energy transfer system; the same principle as
stringing an archer's bow.
Inventors: |
Chaffin; Timothy Roy; (Great
Falls, MT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chaffin; Timothy Roy |
Great Falls |
MT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50231744 |
Appl. No.: |
13/524999 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/187 20130101;
A43B 13/181 20130101; A43B 13/183 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/28 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/18 20060101
A43B013/18 |
Claims
1. That the energy transfer system is an independent unit wholly
contained within itself, allowing the unit to achieve its intended
purpose while adapted to any type of footwear.
2. That the system consists of two reactionary plates of a convex
and concave curvature attached at the toe end and open at the heel
end, serving as a chassis for containment of the inner
components.
3. (canceled)
4. That the component springs are of two single lineal arches
mirrored to each other and bound at the end creating a modified
ellipse.
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
Description
[0001] Please provide a 5-15 word description of what your
invention is or does.
[0002] Suspension system for shoes comprised of carbon fiber
springs and other components.
Do any of the following statements apply to your invention? The
invention was known or used in the U.S. before I invented it. The
invention was patented or published anywhere in the world before I
invented it. The invention has been in public use or on sale in the
U.S. for over one year. The invention was patented or published
anywhere in the world more than one year ago.
[0003] No
Why are you seeking patent protection? Check all that apply
[0004] I want to make and sell my invention.
[0005] I want to prevent my competitors from making, using, and
selling my invention.
[0006] I want to receive credit for my invention for personal or
professional reasons.
Did you invent your invention alone, or with the help of
others?
[0007] I invented the invention alone.
Which of the following statements describes the ownership of the
invention?
[0008] I (we) own all the rights to the invention.
Please select the one category that best describes your
invention.
[0009] Mechanical device or system
Please describe the problem that your invention solves.
[0010] When walking and running human feet strike the ground and
are impacted by a ground reaction force equal to their body mass x
their velocity. Shoes provide some protection and comfort by
absorbing part of this force but often not enough to avoid
discomfort, fatigue, and/or injury to the body.
Please briefly describe how your invention solves this problem.
[0011] My invention is a carbon fiber suspension system which can
be incorporated into the soles of shoes. My invention increases the
amount of the ground reaction force a user's shoes absorb that
otherwise would have to be absorbed by the user's body. The
suspension system absorbs stores and releases energy through-out
the gait cycle. The system works on the principle of force equals
mass times velocity. As the system absorbs force, the velocity of
the mass is reduced before it impacts the ground.
In one or two sentences, please describe how your invention is
different from anything that currently exists.
[0012] My invention is a wholly, self-contained interactive
free-floating shared load lineal spring suspension system for shoes
comprised of carbon fiber lineal springs and other components which
automatically and efficiently distributes applied force from high
to low among the components of the system, allowing a smooth,
progressive, force reducing, loading and unloading cycle as the
user moves through their gait cycle from heel strike, to mid
stance, to toe off.
Specifications of Invention
[0013] Please list and describe each component of your
invention
[0014] COMPONENT TREE
[0015] All components are made of carbon fiber laminate unless
otherwise noted. See FIGS. 1 through 13 below for a diagram
illustrating the shape, size, configuration, and assembly, where
applicable, of the components.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Complete System: Ref # Figure # Name
Description #1 1 & 13 Energy Assembled system, with internal
force System reducing components installed, with #2 pretensioned
and fastened together at the heal area using components #6 and #7
to close and fasten #2. In low profile configurations,
pretensioning is performed by bonding components #3, #4, #10, #14
and #15 at heel aspect (see FIG. 13).
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Assembled Chassis of Energy System: Ref #
Figure # Name Description #2 2 Chassis #3 and #4 bound together at
the toe aspect Frame of the frame using binding material #5 and
polyadhesive glue.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Chassis Frame Components: Ref # Figure #
Name Description #3 3 Foot Distributes force from and transmitted
to Reactionary the foot and body. Surface #4 4 Ground Distributes
force from and transmitted to Reactionary the ground. Surface #5 5
Binding 38 mm 100% polyester with a thickness of Material 0.5 mm
used together with polyadhesive glue to bind various parts
together. For example, it is used to connect components #3 and #4
to each other at the toe aspect to create #2. #6 6 Tensioning
Bracket on top of #8 with holes on the Connector sides for
fastening #7. #7 is fastened to Bracket #6 using a screw and barrel
nut. #7 5 Tensioning Elastic strap that fastens around #4 and is
Strap pulled tight and attached to #6 to fasten and tension #2
together at the rear portion of #1. #8 6 Tensioning 1 mm plastic
spacer on top of #3 and Spacer below #6.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Internal Force Reducing Components of Energy
System: Ref # Figure # Name Description #9 7 Force Distributes and
absorbs force applied from Reducing both #3 and #4. Component #10 8
Force Composed of (2) #12 components mirror Reducing imaged to each
other, bound together at Component the ends by #5 and polyadhesive
glue Spring #11 9 Force Same as #10, but only has one end of the
Reducing mirrored components bound. Open end Component accepts
force reducing spring #10. Carrier Spring #12 10 Force Distributes
and absorbs force applied from Reducing both #3 and #4. Creates an
energy Component bridge and bonding surfaces to stabilize rear and
front springs and also reinforces mid-section of #3. #13 8 Force
Same as #10 composed of (2) #12 Reducing components mirror imaged
to each other, Component bound together at the ends by #5 and
Spring polyadhesive glue. #14 11 Heel Force Filler between
component #4 and #9. Reducing Allows bonding point to #4 for #10.
Made Component from large open cell, light weight Filler orthopedic
grade shock absorbing material (Solflex .RTM. Ultra Cloud .RTM.).
#15 12 Heel Force Filler between component #3 and #9. Reducing
Allows bonding point to #3 for #10. Made Component from large open
cell, light weight Cushion orthopedic grade shock absorbing
material (Solflex .RTM. Ultra Cloud .RTM.). #18 1 Fastener
Self-Adhesive Hook and Loop and/or other flexible material.
[0016] Please describe the relationship between the components or
elements
[0017] The chassis frame (#2) is pre-loaded under tension by the
fastening of the heel ends of #3 and #4. While tensioning, the
chassis frame conforms around the internal components while using
#13 as a fulcrum. The contact points between the chassis and the
internal components, and the contact points of the internal
components with each other, are bonded to #18. As the chassis (#2)
is tensioned, #2 provides compression to the internal
components.
[0018] The chassis (#2) and the internal components (#5-#15) act
together as a complete unit. A complete unit is an Energy System
(#1). #1 incorporates an interactive free-floating, shared load
system between the chassis and the internal components. #1 is a
self-contained unit, pre-loaded under tension. Pre-loading the
system creates the most efficient transfer of energy within the
system. The same principle is applied when an archer's bow is
strung. #1 is designed to progressively reduce, store, and return
the force of impact. Impact being when the foot hits the
ground.
[0019] #1 is a progressive force reducing system engineered with a
shared load system between the chassis and the internal components.
The internal carbon fiber components and the carbon fiber chassis
frame are lineal springs. As the lineal springs compress under
load, they elongate. #18 allows elongation and the translation of
force amongst the internal components and the chassis. Without a
rigid non-yielding connection of the components to each other, they
exist in a type of free-floating system. Free-floating allows
unhindered, independent functions of the individual components and
the chassis, providing efficient energy transfer.
[0020] #1's component system allows for an efficient transfer of
energy. This transfer of energy is immediate from high to low,
obtaining an equilibrium of forces absorbed by #1. Equilibrium
allows a smooth, progressive, force rate reduction within the
system from the applied force of foot impact. #1 slows down the
velocity of foot impact while absorbing the force. The impact force
compresses the components of #1. The stored impact force within the
compressed system is then released progressively as an energy
return to the user during unloading of the system.
[0021] In the rear or heel area of #1, are two #9 carbon components
which provide a dual function. First, they function as a
positioning devise for #10. This positioning allows #10 to function
as the center of rotation (the transition axis of heel strike to
mid-stance). #10 simulates and is positioned to duplicate the
natural bio-mechanical ankle joint. Secondly, the #9 components
reinforce #3 and #4 during the initial phase of heel strike.
[0022] In the midsection of #1, #12 reinforces #3 during mid-stance
and acts as an energy bridge between #10 and #13. #12 also provides
a bonding surface for #10 and #13.
[0023] In the front section of #1, #13 acts as the main force
reducing component from mid-stance to toe off. #13 returns its
stored energy to the user towards the completion of toe off. #13
also functions as the fulcrum for #3 and #4 to create tension
within #2 when #2 is fastened at the heel end. #13 is positioned to
duplicate the natural biomechanical M-P joint.
[0024] The open cell structure of #14, #15 and #18 provides a
flexible material for force transmission. #14 and #15 also limits
the terminal travel of the heel aspect of #3 and #4 at heel strike.
#14 and #15 also provide bonding surfaces for #9, #3, #4 and
#10.
How does the invention work? Specify how each component or element
functions individually to cause the whole invention to perform its
desired function.
[0025] See Table 5 and 6.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Function of Components Ref # Function #1 #1
is designed to progressively reduce, store and return the energy
absorbed from foot impact. #1 slows down the velocity of the foot
impact force, while absorbing and storing some of the impact force.
The impact force compresses the components of #1. The stored impact
force within the compressed system is then released as an energy
return to the user during unloading of the system. #2 Functions to
provide a chassis for the placement and connection of the internal
components; provides pretensioning compression to #1. It absorbs
and returns force from and to the foot and body. #3 Flexes under
load and functions to distribute force from and to the foot and
body; an anatomical reactionary surface. #4 Flexes under load and
functions to distribute force from and to the ground; a ground
reactionary surface. #5 Functions as a binding material for the
force reducing components. #6 Functions as a connector bracket for
tensioning #2 #7 Functions as a tensioning strap for #2 #8
Functions as a spacer between #3 and #6 to reduce sound from
friction #9 Flexes under load and functions to distribute force
from and to the foot and body. Reinforces #3 and #4 at heel strike.
#10 and #13 Flexes under load and functions to distribute force
from and to the foot and body; duplicates anatomical joint axes.
#11 Flexes under load and functions to distribute force from and to
the foot and body. Carrier component to accept other force reducing
component springs such as #10 #12 Flexes under load and functions
to distribute force from and to the foot and body; bridges and
provides bonding surface for #10 and #13 and reinforces mid-section
of #3 and/or #4. #14 Functions as a mounting surface for #10, #9
and #4; limits heel travel and cushions #4 at heel strike #15
Functions as a mounting surface of #10, #9, and #3; limits heel
travel and cushions #3 at heel strike.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 How the invention works as the user steps
through their gait cycle Gait Load Rear area Middle area Front area
Cycle Cycle of #1 of #1 of #1 Heel #1 #2 compresses #2 expands #2
& 13 Strike stores #4 compresses expands energy more quickly
than #3 #10 begins to compress #9, #14 & #15 compresses Heel #1
#2 compresses to #2 compresses #2 & #13 Strike stores maximum
load compresses to Mid energy #10 compresses to #10 compresses
Stance max load to max load #14 & #15 #12 compresses compress
#9 reinforces #3 & #4 Mid #1 #2 compressed #2 compressed #2
& #13 Stance stores #10 compressed #10 compressed compressed
energy #14 & #15 start to #12 compressed decompress Mid #1 #2
expands #2 expands #2 expands Stance releases #10 expands to toe
energy #14 & #15 expands #12 expands off to resting position
#13 expands Toe off #1 Returns to Returns to Returns to releases
resting resting resting energy position position position Note:
Components compress and decompress progressively throughout the
gait cycle.
Which elements are necessary? Which elements are optional? What
elements could be added to make the invention work better?
[0026] The general geometry, characteristics, and interrelated
functions of the components and the function of the system as a
whole remain constant. Implementing the invention for a different
class of application (such as a work shoe) may result in
reconfiguration, but the general geometry, characteristics, and
interrelated functions of the components and the function of the
system as a whole remain constant. Examples of changes which may be
employed for different implementations in the same application
class and/or for different application classes, may include but are
not limited to: #1 as a whole and/or its components can be altered
in size, i.e., the length, the height, the width and/or position of
the apex of the internal lineal springs, and/or length and width
and apex of #3 and #4 of #2. Also, the configuration and the number
of the internal components can be altered or rearranged. Force
reducing components can be nested together--#11 and #10 and/or #10
positioned inside of another #10. Additional cushions and filler
components, such as #14 and #15 can be added in additional
locations. A different method of pretensioning #2 and connecting #3
and #4 at the heel aspect can be implemented (see FIG. 13). Also
the ratio of carbon fibers per mm in relation to the specifics of
the carbon manufacturer can be adjusted higher or lower from the
stated manufacturer's specifics in components #3, #4, #9, #10, #11,
#12 and #13 to modify the force absorbing effects of the
components. A higher concentration yields less flexibility and a
lower concentration yields more flexibility. Adjusted ratios up to
20% or more, in greater or lower percentages, can be used to
customize the system for more or less force reduction. Additional
or different reinforcing materials including but not limited to
Kevlar, glass fiber, aluminum, or spring metals of various
compositions, could be substituted for, or added to the carbon
fiber reinforcement material, in some or all of the components.
Additional or different matrix materials including but not limited
to epoxy resin, polyimide resin, unsaturated polyester resin,
polysulfonic resin, polyethersulfonic resin, polycarbonate resin,
polyetherketone resin, polyetheretherketone resin, aromatic
polyamide resin, polyetherimide resin, thermoplastic polyimide
resin, or thermoplastic polyurethane could be substituted or added
in some or all of the components. It is therefore to be understood
that many possible modifications and variations of the
configuration of the system and its components maybe necessary
and/or can be employed in different application classes, and/or
implementations within the same application class, while still
retaining the general geometry, characteristics, and interrelated
functions of the components and the system as a whole, without
departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended
that this patent will cover such modifications and variations that
fall within the true scope of the invention.
How would a person make the invention?
[0027] They would create molds from the drawings provided. Use a
carbon fiber layup with 2-ply, +/-45 degree weaving in a vacuum
lamination process with a resin component. The molds produce the
shapes of the components and then the components are shaped to
dimension for their application and shoe size. Once the components
are shaped the assemblies are made by binding, positioning,
attaching, gluing, tensioning and fastening the various parts as
described above and illustrated in the diagrams.
How can the components or elements be shuffled, interchanged, or
reconfigured to cause the invention to perform an identical or
similar function?
[0028] The general geometry, characteristics, and interrelated
functions of the components and the function of the system as a
whole remain constant. Implementing the invention for a different
class of application (such as a work shoe) may result in
reconfiguration, but the general geometry, characteristics, and
interrelated functions of the components and the function of the
system as a whole remain constant. Examples of changes which may be
employed for different implementations in the same application
class and/or for different application classes, may include but are
not limited to: #1 as a whole and/or its components can be altered
in size, i.e., the length, the height, the width and/or position of
the apex of the internal lineal springs, and/or length and width
and apex of #3 and #4 of #2. Also, the configuration and the number
of the internal components can be altered or rearranged. Force
reducing components can be nested together--#11 and #10 and/or #10
positioned inside of another #10. Additional cushions and filler
components, such as #14 and #15 can be added in additional
locations. A different method of pretensioning #2 and connecting #3
and #4 at the heel aspect can be implemented (see FIG. 13). Also
the ratio of carbon fibers per mm in relation to the specifics of
the carbon manufacturer can be adjusted higher or lower from the
stated manufacturer's specifics in components #3, #4, #9, #10, #11,
#12 and #13 to modify the force absorbing effects of the
components. A higher concentration yields less flexibility and a
lower concentration yields more flexibility. Adjusted ratios up to
20% or more, in greater or lower percentages, can be used to
customize the system for more or less force reduction. Additional
or different reinforcing materials including but not limited to
Kevlar, glass fiber, aluminum, or spring metals of various
compositions, could be substituted for, or added to the carbon
fiber reinforcement material, in some or all of the components.
Additional or different matrix materials including but not limited
to epoxy resin, polyimide resin, unsaturated polyester resin,
polysulfonic resin, polyethersulfonic resin, polycarbonate resin,
polyetherketone resin, polyetheretherketone resin, aromatic
polyamide resin, polyetherimide resin, thermoplastic polyimide
resin, or thermoplastic polyurethane could be substituted or added
in some or all of the components. It is therefore to be understood
that many possible modifications and variations of the
configuration of the system and its components maybe necessary
and/or can be employed in different application classes, and/or
implementations within the same application class, while still
retaining the general geometry, characteristics, and interrelated
functions of the components and the system as a whole, without
departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended
that this patent will cover such modifications and variations that
fall within the true scope of the invention.
How would a person use this invention? Be specific about the steps
involved.
[0029] The invention is designed to be manufactured into the sole
of a shoe using common manufacturing techniques and adapted to any
type of shoe for any specific application; the shoe would then be
used for the purpose intended.
Can this invention be used in a different way or another field of
technology?
[0030] In a modified form it could be adapted to applications that
utilize high efficiency shared load lineal spring systems.
* * * * *