U.S. patent application number 15/433371 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-08 for cushioning sole for footwear.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hyman Kramer. Invention is credited to Hyman Kramer.
Application Number | 20170156438 15/433371 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52683139 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170156438 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kramer; Hyman |
June 8, 2017 |
CUSHIONING SOLE FOR FOOTWEAR
Abstract
A cushioning sole for footwear includes a heel portion, an
opening, and a cushioning slide. The heel portion includes a top
surface and a bottom surface. The opening extends vertically
through the heel portion from the bottom surface to the top
surface. The cushioning slide is disposed in the opening and
extends out from the top surface and out from the bottom
surface.
Inventors: |
Kramer; Hyman; (Bronx,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kramer; Hyman |
Bronx |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52683139 |
Appl. No.: |
15/433371 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14595681 |
Jan 13, 2015 |
9603413 |
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15433371 |
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14334278 |
Jul 17, 2014 |
8984771 |
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14595681 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/186 20130101;
A43B 13/188 20130101; A43B 7/24 20130101; A43B 7/148 20130101; A43B
21/24 20130101; A43B 13/184 20130101; A43B 13/141 20130101; A43B
21/26 20130101; A43B 13/18 20130101; A43B 13/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/24 20060101
A43B007/24; A43B 13/14 20060101 A43B013/14; A43B 13/18 20060101
A43B013/18; A43B 7/14 20060101 A43B007/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 10, 2014 |
CN |
20140141084.0 |
Claims
1. A footwear device comprising: a sole, a heel portion disposed
between a top surface of the sole and a bottom surface of the sole,
and an opening extending vertically through the heel portion, the
opening extending continuously through the bottom surface of the
sole; and a cushioning slide having a first horizontal
cross-section, the horizontal cross-section having a shape and a
size, the shape matching a horizontal cross-sectional shape of the
opening, the cushioning slide extending through the opening and
comprising a first portion disposed below the bottom surface of the
sole, and a second portion being disposed in the opening, and
wherein each all of the first and second portions is defined by a
horizontal cross-section having the shape and the size of the first
horizontal cross-section.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
14/595,681 filed 13 Jan. 2015, which application is a Continuation
of U.S. Ser. no. 14/334,278, filed 17 Jul. 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.
8,984,771 issued 24 Mar. 2015, which claims benefit of Serial No.
201410141084.0, filed on Apr. 10, 2014 in China, titled CUSHIONING
SOLE FOR FOOTWEAR. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority
is made to the above-disclosed applications. Also, to the extent
appropriate, the above-disclosed applications are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Gait varies from person to person depending on the
biomechanical characteristics or other factors. FIG. 1 shows three
typical manners in which the foot contacts the ground, from left to
right, pronated, neutral/normal, and supinated. Briefly, in
pronation the foot takes on a position in which most of the body
weight is loaded onto the inner edge of the foot. On the contrary,
in supination the foot takes on a position in which the body weight
is loaded onto the outer edge of the foot.
[0003] From the biomechanical viewpoint, it is correct to rest the
foot on the ground in the neutral manner. Excessive pronation or
supination is the source of many lower extremity problems,
including muscle tiredness, knee joint pain, tendinitis, ligament
strain, and even neurological damage.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure relates to correction of excessive
pronation/supination. Some embodiments provide a cushioning sole
which can be used in any kind of footwear. The sole comprises a
heel portion having an opening for receiving a support element in a
manner that the heel portion will not touch the ground until the
support element is compressed.
[0005] In one embodiment, a cushioning slide, made of a durable
material, is inserted in the opening and extends a distance beyond
the top surface and the bottom surface of the heel portion, so as
to withstand the pressure of the body when walking and running.
[0006] In another embodiment, two cushioning slides are arranged in
the opening and are separated by a flexible substrate.
[0007] In an alternate embodiment, the cushioning slide can be made
with open ends such that it can be filled with a flexible
material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustrative example of a foot in pronated,
neutral, and supinated positions.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the heel portion of the
sole.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the sole.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of a cushioning slide,
comprising an upper part and a lower part connected by a strip.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the heel portion of the
sole according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Various embodiments will be described in detail with
reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.
Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the
claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in
this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set
forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended
claims.
[0014] FIG. 1 is an illustrative example of a foot in pronated,
neutral, and supinated positions. In pronation the foot takes on a
position in which most of the body weight is loaded onto the inner
edge of the foot. On the contrary, in supination the foot takes on
a position in which the body weight is loaded onto the outer edge
of the foot. In a neutral position the body weight is distributed
more evenly across the entire bottom of the foot.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the heel portion 20 of the
sole of one embodiment of the present disclosure. In one
embodiment, the sole comprises a heel portion 20 in which an
opening 30 is formed, preferably at the center of the heel portion
20. A cushioning slide 40 is inserted in the opening 30 in a manner
that the slide extends a distance beyond the bottom 22 and top 21
surfaces of the heel portion 20. In a preferred embodiment, during
walking, the extended cushioning slide 40 always contacts the
ground first. The sole bottom 22 begins to contact the ground only
after the cushioning slide 40 has been compressed. In this way,
flexible material is allowed to be used in footwear while retaining
stability and durability of the sole. The cushioning slide 40, when
contacting the ground and being compressed, changes the downward
pressure applied by the wearer's weight to upward pressure which
assists in walking and running. More importantly, the cushioning
slide 40 ensures the foot always contacts the ground at the correct
location, thereby resisting pronation/supination.
[0016] A person having excessive pronation/supination problem
repeatedly puts his/her body weight on a side of the foot. As a
result, the periphery of the heel portion 20 of the sole wears out
quickly, causing a more severe problem. In preferred embodiments,
to avoid this, the heel section 28 is formed at an angle .alpha. in
the periphery of the heel portion 20 with respect to its bottom
surface 22. It is desirable to incorporate an angle .alpha. in the
whole back 23 lower end of the heel portion 20. The angle .alpha.
is an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. In
some embodiments the angle .alpha. is in a range from about 10
degrees to about 60 degrees. In other embodiments the angle .alpha.
is in a range from about 20 degrees to about 50 degrees.
[0017] In alternative embodiments, the heel lacks a support element
and does not contain an opening for receiving that element. In
these embodiments, the sole still contains the heel section 28
formed at an angle .alpha. in the periphery of the heel portion 20
with respect to its bottom surface 22. Without wishing to be bound
to any particular theory, it is believed that heel section 28 can
correct excessive pronation/supination problem all by itself, and
that a support element, e.g., cushioning slide 40, is optional.
[0018] The distance d of the cushioning slide 40 beyond the bottom
22 surface of the heel portion 20 should be within a suitable
range. If the distance d is too small, the cushioning slide 40 may
not be able to separate the heel portion 20 of the sole from the
ground after a long period of walking. If the distance d is too
large, the wearer may experience an uncomfortable feeling. In one
embodiment, the distance d is in a range from about 1/16 inch and
1/4 inch, or about 1/8 inch to retain the cushioning slide's 40
function for a long period without causing an uncomfortable
feeling.
[0019] The cushioning slide 40 in some embodiments is made of
plastic, rubber or other cushioning materials. The cushioning slide
40 can be formed into different shapes, which can include, but are
not limited to, a cylinder, prism or cone. The example shown in
FIG. 2 includes a cylindrically shaped cushioning slide. Other
embodiments include, for example, rectangular or elliptical
cross-sectional shapes. The opening 30 typically has a
cross-sectional shape that matches the cross-sectional shape of the
cushioning slide 40. In some embodiments corners and edges are
rounded to reduce pressure points and to reduce the chance of
catching on another object.
[0020] In some embodiments, the cushioning slide 40 is slideably
retained in the heel portion 20 and is not permanently secured to
the heel portion 20. In this way the cushioning slide is slidable
within the opening 30 and can be replaced when worn out.
Additionally, in some embodiments the cushioning slide 40 can be
made with open ends 42 so that it can be filled with a flexible
material to absorb shock in a more efficient way.
[0021] As can be seen from FIG. 2, the upper end of the cushioning
slide 40 also extends beyond the top surface 21 of the heel portion
20. The resistant force of the compressed cushioning slide 40 acts
on the wearer's heel, helping the wearer to walk easily.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the sole. In some embodiments, the
left rear wall 24 and the right rear wall 25 of the heel portion 20
are also angled with an angle .alpha. in a tapered configuration
with respect to the bottom 22 surface to avoid wear of the sole. In
one embodiment, the tapered configuration 29 is applied around the
whole bottom 22 heel portion 20 of the sole, including the front
portion, so that the edges of the footwear do not touch the ground.
In other embodiments, the tapered configuration is applied to whole
bottom 22 heel portion 20 of the sole and also to the front portion
of the sole.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of one embodiment of the
cushioning slide 40, comprising an upper slide portion 51 and a
lower slide portion 52 connected by a substrate. In this example,
the substrate is a strip 50. In some embodiments, the strip 50 has
at least one cross-sectional dimension greater than the upper slide
portion 51 and the lower slide portion 52 extending into sides of
the opening. The strip 50 is used to support the cushioning slide
40 and prevent it from moving. In some embodiments the upper slide
portion 51 and the lower slide portion 52 are formed of a
cushioning material, while the strip 50 is formed of either a
cushioning material or a rigid material. In other embodiments, the
upper slide portion 51 and the lower slide portion 52 are formed of
a rigid material, while the strip 50 is formed of a cushioning
material to provide the cushioning for the cushioning slide. The
cushioning material is at least a material with greater flexibility
than the rigid material.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the present
disclosure. The cushioning slide 41 comprises two slide portions 61
separated by a substrate 60. In some embodiments, the substrate 60
is a flexible substrate. The upper and lower slides 61 respectively
extend beyond the top surface 21 and the bottom surface 22 of the
heel portion 20. The physical property of the flexible substrate 60
can be adjusted according to different ground conditions. The use
of flexible substrate 60 increases the compact resistance in a
controlled way and further stabilizes the foot.
[0025] Some embodiments include a plurality of flexible substrates
having different flexibilities. Also, in some embodiments at least
one of the upper and lower portions are removable. The flexible
substrates are replaceable within the opening to permit selective
insertion of a flexible substrate having a desired flexibility
according to the conditions or preferences of the wearer.
[0026] The distance d of the cushioning slide 41 beyond the bottom
22 surface of the heel portion 20 should be within a suitable
range. If the distance d is too small, the cushioning slide 41 may
not be able to separate the heel portion 20 of the sole from the
ground after a long period of walk. If the distance d is too large,
the wearer may experience an uncomfortable feeling. In one
embodiment, the distance d is in a range from about 1/16 inch and
1/4 inch, or about 1/8 inch to retain the cushioning slide's 41
function for a long period without causing an uncomfortable
feeling.
[0027] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the
claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily
recognize various modifications and changes that may be made
without following the example embodiments and applications
illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the following claims.
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