U.S. patent application number 14/158776 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-17 for vibration dampening and pressure relieving innersole for cycling shoe.
This patent application is currently assigned to G-FORM, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is G-FORM, LLC. Invention is credited to Thomas CAFARO, David FOSTER, Richard B. FOX, Ami NEWSHAM, Daniel M. WYNER.
Application Number | 20140196309 14/158776 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45932835 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140196309 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WYNER; Daniel M. ; et
al. |
July 17, 2014 |
VIBRATION DAMPENING AND PRESSURE RELIEVING INNERSOLE FOR CYCLING
SHOE
Abstract
Disclosed herein are innersoles for cycling shoes and to cycling
shoes including such innersoles.
Inventors: |
WYNER; Daniel M.; (North
Scituate, RI) ; FOX; Richard B.; (Smithfield, RI)
; CAFARO; Thomas; (Foster, RI) ; NEWSHAM; Ami;
(Providence, RI) ; FOSTER; David; (Swansea,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
G-FORM, LLC |
Providence |
RI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
G-FORM, LLC
Providence
RI
|
Family ID: |
45932835 |
Appl. No.: |
14/158776 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13237929 |
Sep 20, 2011 |
|
|
|
14158776 |
|
|
|
|
61384700 |
Sep 20, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/1445 20130101;
A43B 5/14 20130101; A43B 13/189 20130101; A43B 13/386 20130101;
A43B 1/0045 20130101; A43B 7/148 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/44 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/38 20060101
A43B013/38; A43B 5/14 20060101 A43B005/14 |
Claims
1. An innersole for a cycling shoe with a cleat region, comprising:
an innersole body; a recessed region defined in the innersole body,
corresponding to the cleat region of the cycling shoe; an insert
disposed in the recessed region, the insert comprising a first
material layer comprising a thickness of between about 0.010'' and
0.150'' and a second material layer comprising a thickness between
about 0.0005'' to about 0.010''.
2. The cycling shoe of claim 1, wherein the first material
comprises a polymeric gel with a durometer ranging from about 0.01
Shore 00 to 70 Shore 00.
3. The cycling shoe of claim 1, comprising a thickness of less than
about 0.300''.
Description
RELATED CASES
[0001] Priority is hereby claimed to commonly-owned and co-pending
Provisional Application No. 61/384,700 filed on Sep. 20, 2010,
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an innersole for a bicycle
shoe that reduces vibration and hot spots and pressure at the point
of contact with the pedal.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In most athletic activities, footwear is designed to absorb
shock and impact of running, walking, jumping or bouncing
activities, which has been accomplished by utilizing many
combinations of supporting shapes and cushioning materials.
[0004] Cycling shoes, unlike other forms of athletic footwear, have
very different design consideration. During cycling, a user's
cycling shoe does not impact the ground, or other surfaces, because
the shoe is attached to or supported by a pedal. Therefore, the
cushioning or impact absorbing characteristics of a cycling shoe
are not the same as would be desirable or necessary for other
athletic shoes, for which impact absorption is important, such as
running, jumping or walking, during which the heel is often a
primary impact site. While some cycling shoes are intended for
walking purposes as well, many are designed solely for
pedaling.
[0005] In addition, reduced weight is an advantage in cycling.
Therefore, cycling shoes are designed to be lightweight.
[0006] During cycling, it is also desirable to maximize the energy
transfer energy from a cyclist's foot, to the pedal of the bike. To
facilitate energy transfer, it is desirable to maintain the
cyclist's foot in fixed relation to the pedal and/or cleat.
Therefore, cycling shoes are often made of stiff materials, such as
carbon fiber composites, which minimizes flexing and shifting
during the cycle stroke.
[0007] Unlike other sports shoes, cycling shoes have a singular,
non-impact contact point, often resulting in numbness and pain.
This non-impact contact region is located in the interface between
the forefoot and the pedal, and is often referred to as the "hot
spot" region. Long or medium distance cycling exposes the foot to
continuous pressure and vibration in the hot spot, and the effect
is different in kind than a force or bouncing pressure that can
vary in location and over time in other activities. In cycling,
even though there is no ground impact to consider, there is a
repetitive and sometimes nearly constant pressure, vibration,
friction and sheer forces exerted on the hot spot, as the result of
the steady, repetitive movement during the pedal stroke. The
problems associated with the hot spot can be exacerbated in the
cleat region of clipless cycling shoes.
[0008] There is a need for a cycling innersole that can relieve
pressure, reduce vibration, sheer and/or friction at the hot spot,
and for a cycling shoe including such an innersole.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present disclosure is directed to an innersole for a
cycling shoe with a cleat region, comprising an innersole body, a
recessed region defined in the innersole body, corresponding to the
cleat region of the cycling shoe, an insert disposed in the
recessed region, the insert comprising a first material layer
comprising a thickness of between about 0.010'' and 0.150'' and a
second material layer comprising a thickness between about 0.0005''
to about 0.010''.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing and other features and advantages will be
apparent from the following more particular description of
exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to
the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not
necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings,
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top view of a cycling shoe innersole according
to the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the innersole shown in FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the innersole shown
in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of the innersole shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of the innersole shown in FIG. 1,
without the insert;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the innersole shown in
FIG. 5, without the insert, through line 6-6;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the innersole shown in
FIG. 1, through line 7-7;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the innersole shown in FIG. 1, through line 7-7;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the innersole shown in FIG. 1, through line 7-7; and
[0020] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the innersole shown in FIG. 1, through line 7-7;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The present disclosure relates to an innersole for a cycling
shoe, which relieves problems in the "hot spot" region, and to
cycling shoes comprising such an innersole. The "hot spot region,"
as used herein, means the interface region between the forefoot,
cleat and/or pedal. The innersole comprises an insert disposed in
the hot spot region.
[0022] Space in a cycling shoe is very limited, especially in the
forefoot. Therefore, the present inserts comprises relatively thin
layers of very low durometer gel. By using low durometer gels, the
constant pressure and vibrations from the road transmitted up to
the hot spot region can be relieved and/or dampened. The selection
of gel material is different than usual innersole materials that
would be designed to absorb impacts. The low durometer gels
function like an added layer of fat, taking pressure from the foot,
rather than relieving shocks. The very low durometer materials are
capable of absorbing micro-vibrations from the road that also
contribute to numbness in the hot spot region.
[0023] The size, shape and configuration of the inserts are
user-selected in the present design to correspond to the size,
shape and configuration of the hot spot region for a particular
shoe design. Thus, in the present cycling innersoles, the
cushioning area is minimized, unlike other athletic innersoles,
where it is desirable to maximize the cushioning area.
[0024] FIGS. 1-7, when taken together, illustrate one exemplary
innersole 10 according to the present disclosure. As shown,
innersole 10 comprises an innersole body 18 with opposing top and
bottom surfaces 10a,b, a forefoot region 12, an instep region 14,
and a cupped heel region 16. An insert 20 is disposed in the
forefoot region 12. As noted above, it is desirable for innersoles
for cycling shoes to be as thin and lightweight as possible.
Therefore, innersole 10 can comprise a thickness T.sub.0 ranging
from about 0.050'' to about 0.200'', more particularly about
0.080'' to about 0.150''.
[0025] Insert 20 can comprise a polymeric material layer 30 and an
outer layer 40 and, in some embodiments, an optional layer 50 can
be disposed adjacent to the polymeric layer 30, and opposite the
outer layer 40 (as shown in FIGS. 7-9). Alternatively, as shown in
FIG. 10, the adhesive material 24 can be eliminated, allowing the
insert 20 to be adhered directly to the innersole body 18 in the
recessed region 22.
[0026] The present inserts may be manufactured using the materials
and techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,827,704 and U.S.
Publication Nos. US 2008/0034614 and US 2009/0255625, which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0027] An insert thickness of about 0.090'' has been found
effective for reducing or eliminating the hot spot affect in
cleated cycling shoes, but the thickness maybe varied depending on
a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the shoe
design, cleat dimensions, pedal dimensions, material, and the like.
Accordingly, inserts 20 can comprise a thickness ranging from about
0.020'' to about 0.150'', more particularly about 0.040'' to about
0.120'', more particularly still about 0.060'' to about
0.100''.
[0028] In some embodiments, a traditional sock lining material 80
may be disposed on the top surface 10a of the innersole 10 to, for
example, absorb sweat. Suitable sock lining materials include, but
are not limited to, polyester, nylon, polypropelene, wool, and the
like, including both wovens, nonwovens, and films thereof, and
combinations of the foregoing.
[0029] As shown best in FIG. 5, innersole body 18 comprises a
recessed region 22 with sidewalls 22a, formed in the forefoot
region 12, for receiving the insert 20 therein. Recessed region 22
comprises a depth D, which may vary depending on a variety of
factors including, but not limited to, the material from which the
innersole body 18 is formed, the shoe design and materials, the
cleat design and dimensions, the pedal dimensions, and the like. A
suitable depth D is sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the
insert 20 (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10), although it can be varied
to allow the insert to be recessed (as shown in FIG. 9), or to
extend outside of the recess (as shown in FIG. 8).
[0030] Alternatively, although not illustrated herein, innersole
body 18 can comprise an opening or hole extending from the top
surface to the bottom surface, for receiving the insert 20 therein,
and in such an embodiment, the sidewalls of the insert 20 could be
attached to the sidewalls of the opening or hole, using a variety
of techniques, such as gluing, bonding, welding, and the like.
[0031] The innersole body 18 can be formed from any material
comprising sufficient structural integrity to be formed into
predetermined shapes, including polymeric materials; sufficient
softness and/or pliability to provide comfort against a foot; and
that is capable of withstanding the environment in which it is
intended to be used, without substantial degradation. Suitable
materials for innersole body 18 include, but are not limited to,
polyurethane, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), including
open or closed cell foams thereof, and combinations of the
foregoing.
[0032] The recessed region 22 can be formed in the forefoot region
16 using a variety of techniques, including during molding, or by
molding the innersole body 18 without the recessed region, and
forming the recessed region by compressing the material in that
region. to create the recessed region.
[0033] Suitable materials for layers 30 and 40 of the insert 20 are
described in the above-referenced applications. The gel can
comprise one or more layers of any material or combination of
materials having sufficient structural integrity to be formed into
predetermined shapes, and that is capable of withstanding the
environment in which it is intended to be used, without substantial
degradation. Examples of suitable materials include viscoelastic
polymeric materials, and the like. Examples of suitable polymeric
materials include, but are not limited to, thermosetting polymeric
materials, elastomeric polymeric materials, thermoplastic
materials, including thermoplastic elastomeric materials, and
combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing. Some
possible polymeric materials include, but are not limited to,
polyurethane, silicone, and/or the like, and combinations
comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.
[0034] In such instances, it has been found that viscoelastic
polymeric gels are suitable. In one exemplary embodiment, the gel
insert comprises a polyurethane gel material with a durometer below
60 Shore 00. In another exemplary embodiment, the gel insert
comprises a gel material with a 00 Shore 60 or below. Even lower
durometer ranges have been used depending on the level and type of
vibration dampening desired and the amount of pressure relief.
[0035] One example of a suitable gel is a polyurethane gel
comprising a durometer ranging from about 0.01 Shore 00 to less
than or equal to about 70 Shore A, more particularly less than 70
Shore 00, more particularly still less than 60 Shore 00. The
durometer of the polymer can be determined by those of ordinary
skill in the art using tools such as durometers or
penetrometers.
[0036] Formation of the gel can take place by a variety of methods
known to those of skill in the art. For example, formation of a
polyurethane gel can comprise reacting suitable pre-polymeric
precursor materials e.g., reacting a polyol and an isocyanate in
the presence of a catalyst.
[0037] The gel can comprise a thickness of about 0.010'' and
0.150'', more particularly about 0.040'' and 0.110'', and more
particularly still about 0.060'' and 0.100''.
[0038] In many embodiments, the low durometer gel has a film,
fabric, laminate or other material covering its bottom surface
where it comes in contact with the bottom of the bicycle shoe. This
can also be desirable since the low durometer gel exposed can in
many cases be sticky. Alternatively, it can be covered by a fabric,
non-woven, other film, or film laminate or any proper covering
material.
[0039] The optional outer layer can comprise any material capable
of providing sufficient elasticity to prevent tearing and/or
stretching when a force is applied thereto; sufficient structural
integrity to be formed into predetermined shapes; and that is
capable of withstanding the environment in which it is intended to
be used (e.g., repetitive sliding and the like), without
substantial degradation. The outer layer also can be selected to
facilitate the handling of the polymer layer, which can comprise
adhesive characteristics in some instances. Therefore, after
molding, the outer layer can be selected to comprise a relatively
non-tacky surface and a relatively smooth feel to the human
touch.
[0040] Some possible materials for the outer layer include
polyolefins, polystyrenes, PVC, latex rubber, and thermoplastic
elastomers (TPEs), and/or the like, and combinations comprising at
least one of the foregoing materials. Some possible TPE materials
include polyurethane, silicone, and/or the like, and combinations
comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.
[0041] Other possible materials for the outer layer include, but
are not limited to, fabrics, paper, plastic (e.g., polyester,
nylon, polyolefin, Teflon, silicon, EVA, Vinyl, polyethylene,
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the like) metal, metallized plastic,
and/or the like, and combinations comprising at least one of the
foregoing materials. Polyurethane film can be desirable due to its
combination of durability and elasticity and softness and
flexibility.
[0042] The outer layer can comprise an elongation of about 100
percent (%) to about 1500%, more particularly about 200% to about
1000%, and more particularly still about 300% to about 700%''.
[0043] While PU film or other elastic or somewhat elastic films can
be used as the outer layer, other durable materials can be used for
the outer layer including knit, woven and nonwoven fabrics,
leather, vinyl or any other suitable material. In some cases the
heating or otherwise forming or pre-stretching of materials with
more limited stretch can aid in their use.
[0044] The use of actives in the inner or outer layer or the foam
itself can be desirable, such as the addition of silver or copper
based actives to act as an antimicrobial or antifungal agent.
[0045] The bottom or top surface of the gel can in some embodiments
be covered by a thin film such as a thin TPE film or 0.0005'' to
0.010'' thick or more preferably between 0.0006'' to 0.005''
thick.
[0046] Any number of thicknesses of film can be used, but
polyurethane film thicknesses of between 0.001 and 0.010'' may be
desirable. Thicker films are more durable, but they may add to the
weight of the innersole.
[0047] Outer layer can comprise any thickness capable of allowing
the products to be molded without sticking to the mold. The
thickness of the outer layer can be varied depending upon the
application and the desired thickness for a particular application
can be determined using routine experimentation by those of
ordinary skill in the art. The outer layer can comprise a thickness
ranging from about 0.2 milli-inch (hereinafter "mil") to about 60
mil, more particularly from about 0.5 mil to about 30 mil, and more
particularly still from about 1.0 mil to about 15 mil. For example,
in instances in which the hand-feel of the products is important,
it has been found that this can be achieved with relatively thin
outer layers. Therefore, in such products it can be desirable to
use the thinnest outer layer possible without sacrificing
durability. For example, for applications in which a relatively
thin outer layer is desirable, it can comprise a thickness ranging
from about 0.2 milli-inch to about 6 mil, more particularly from
about 0.5 mil to about 3 mil, and more particularly still from
about 0.6 mil to about 2 mil.
[0048] When the durometer of the polymerized layer is such that it
is tacky, the tacky material can be exposed if the outer layer is
punctured, making the products difficult to handle. In such
instances, it can be desirable to use a thicker outer layer, which
can provide increased durability in comparison to thinner outer
layers. For example, when the present materials are used in
vibration dampening applications, it can be desirable for the
thickness of the outer layer to be about 50 to about 60 mil.
[0049] It may be desirable to include dimples or thin and thick
areas of the gel. Small grooves or channels or raised areas can be
molded into the gel on its top or bottom surface to affect the
vibration dampening and pressure relief properties as well as the
air flow across the gel in the shoe. Deeper channels or
perforations in the gel can be desirable for added breathability or
air flow. Deep molded "fingers" or protrusions in the gel can
provide thickness with elimination of some unnecessary weight and
can help move to reduce sheer and also eliminate vibration, which
are important in reducing the numbness and "hot spots".
[0050] It may be desirable for the area covered by the insert to be
sufficient to cover the maximum adjustment points of the cleat
adjustment through the ranges of sizes for which it is to be used.
Therefore, the dimensions above allow for the fact that the rider
can adjust the cleat position forward in a slide built into the
base of most cycling shoes. In some embodiments, multiple size
shoes may be fitted from the same innersole shape by trimming off
the front of the innersole to fit the particular shoe. Detailed
measurements showing the dimensions from the back of the heel to
the frontmost cleat attach point in a variety of sizes of mens and
womens cycling shoes are shown below in Tables A and B. The
dimensions were measured from the rear of the heel to the cleat,
and the dimensions for the gel area as shown in the tables has been
found suitable for this purpose, but other dimensions can be
utilized.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE A WOMEN'S MEASUREMENTS Slide 3/4 in Slide 3/4
in SIZE SIDIS SHIMANO 36 51/2 in 37 51/2 in 53/4 in 38 53/4 in 6 in
39 6 in 40 61/4 in 41 61/2 in 42 61/2 in 61/2-6 10/16 43 6 11/16
(63/4 in)
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE B MEN'S MEASUREMENTS Slide 1 2/16 in SIZE
SIDIS SHIMANO 40 57/8 in 61/4 in (4'' to toe) 41 5 15/16 in 42 6 in
43 44 61/2 in 45 46 7 2/16 in 47 7 in 48 49 71/2 in
[0051] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the
like herein do not denote any order or importance, but rather are
used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms "a" and
"an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather
denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.
Similarly, it is noted that the terms "bottom" and "top" are used
herein, unless otherwise noted, merely for convenience of
description, and are not limited to any one position or spatial
orientation. In addition, the modifier "about" used in connection
with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the
meaning dictated by the context (e.g., includes the degree of error
associated with measurement of the particular quantity).
[0052] Compounds are described herein using standard nomenclature.
For example, any position not substituted by an indicated group is
understood to have its valency filled by a bond as indicated, or a
hydrogen atom A dash ("-") that is not between two letters or
symbols is used to indicate a point of attachment for a
substituent. For example, - CHO is attached through the carbon of
the carbonyl group. Unless defined otherwise herein, all
percentages herein mean weight percent ("wt. %"). Furthermore, all
ranges disclosed herein are inclusive and combinable (e.g., ranges
of "up to about 25 weight percent (wt. %), with about 5 wt. % to
about 20 wt. % desired, and about 10 wt. % to about 15 wt. % more
desired," are inclusive of the endpoints and all intermediate
values of the ranges, e.g., "about 5 wt. % to about 25 wt. %, about
5 wt. % to about 15 wt. %", etc.). The notation "+/-10% means that
the indicated measurement may be from an amount that is minus 10%
to an amount that is plus 10% of the stated value.
[0053] Finally, unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific
terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood
by one of skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.
[0054] While the disclosure has been described with reference to
exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *