FOOTWEAR HAVING SURFACE-DETECTING PROTRUSIONS

Abstract

A piece of footwear including an upper portion operably configured to at least partially surround a user's foot, a sole having an outsole and an insole, and at least one surface-detecting protrusion spanning through the sole. The insole and the upper portion define a foot placement zone. The at least one surface-detecting protrusion includes a proximal end defining a foot contact surface disposed within the foot placement zone. The proximal end is in a spaced relationship away from the insole. The at least one surface-detecting protrusion also includes a distal end, opposite the proximal end. The distal end defines an outer contact surface disposed in a spaced relationship away from the outsole. The foot contact surface is operably configured to translate when the outer contact surface is subjected to a compression force.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/105,940 filed on Jan. 21, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear, and more particularly, relates to footwear having a sole and a plurality of surface-detecting protrusions spanning through the sole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The human foot contains numerous nerve receptors that provide sensory feedback to the brain. The sensory information provided by the feet informs the brain of the type of environment underneath the feet. The brain utilizes this feedback of information to produce many varied adaptive movements of the body. These adaptive movements may serve the purpose of protecting the feet from harmful surfaces, maintaining balance, and ensuring coordinated movement. While driving, the brain processes sensory information from the feet that also serves adaptive functions. Since visual attention must be focused on the road, drivers rely heavily on sensory feedback from the foot to identify where the gas pedal and the brake pedal are in space. Additionally, sensory feedback from the foot must be coordinated with visual cues to properly judge how much pressure is to be applied to each pedal. If sensory feedback from the foot to the brain is compromised during a task such as driving, the results can be catastrophic. It would be advisable for a person with such a deficit to use appropriate available means to remediate, or compensate for, diminished sensory input to the brain from the feet.

A number of medical complications, including diabetes, can impair the body's ability to provide appropriate sensory feedback. According to statistics, as of the year 2015, an estimated 200 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, many of which also suffer from neuropathy, i.e., nerve damage. Factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, aging, and population growth will likely cause the number of people suffering from diabetes to increase to approximately 300 million people by the year 2030. Existing data indicates that about one-half of all individuals with diabetes eventually develop neuropathy. In fact, diabetic neuropathy is the most common variety of neuropathy in the Western world. Individuals with diabetic neuropathy often experience a wide variety of sensory, motor, and autonomic complications. For example, diabetic neuropathy often strikes the feet, compromising one's sense of touch, i.e., haptic sense, as well as one's ability to identify where one's foot is in space, i.e., proprioception. Here, proprioception refers to the process of the nerves of the feet providing continuous input to the brain as to their position and movement. The nerves receive this sensory information from exteroceptors in the feet which essentially gather information from the outside world.

Compromised haptic sense and proprioception can become particularly problematic in real world tasks. For example, individuals having diabetic neuropathy of the feet, often have difficulty sensing where the gas and brake pedals are while driving. Compromised sense of touch in the feet may also result in problems in sustaining adequate pressure on the gas or brake pedals. This condition is especially problematic, if not dangerous and even life-threatening, when the driver so impaired fails to maintain adequate pressure on the brake at a red light or in stop-and-go traffic. Depending upon the extent of the diabetic neuropathy, it may be advisable for some people to cease driving altogether. This is especially true in cases where proprioception has been compromised such that there is marked difficulty and consequential delays when shifting to and from the gas and brake pedals.

Numerous other examples may be cited of how reduced sensory feedback, as a result of diabetes or other conditions, may adversely affect an individual. Diminished sensory feedback may lead to toe scuffing which can present its own special challenges to individuals with diabetes in terms of healing. Diminished sensory feedback may also lead to a greater risk of tripping and falling which carry with them their own great risk for harm and injury.

Typically, individuals with diabetic neuropathy wear specially constructed diabetic shoes. Unfortunately, the typical design of a diabetic shoe has nothing at all to do with enhancing haptics, proprioception or sensory feedback in general. Existing diabetic shoes are often constructed to reduce the risk of skin breakdown. Diabetic shoes are characteristically custom molded from certain materials, such as real leather, Zennon, or similar materials with an emphasis on preventing strains, ulcers, calluses, and injuries that result in infections that may ultimately necessitate amputation of a limb. Contrary to the benefit of enhancing sensory feedback, customary diabetic footwear lifts a user's foot a distance from the ground such that the foot no longer contacts the ground surface. This lift from the ground, especially when combined with other typical features of current diabetic shoes (e.g., extra padding in the shoe for extra interior comfort or a very heavy sole designed to maximize gripping and minimize slipping), all combine to decrease exteroceptor feedback which, in turn, has the effect of further minimizing or obscuring sensory feedback to the brain regarding the surface that the foot is in contact with.

Various industries utilize specialized footwear for specialized and customized purposes. For example, known footwear is often developed for therapeutic applications, such as physical therapy or rehabilitation. Military personnel often require specialized footwear for walking on certain surfaces such as those found underwater, on sand, or on slippery surfaces. In addition, active individuals, and sports enthusiasts, such as baseball players, mounting climbers, skiers, runners, and other fitness enthusiasts, often purchase specialized footwear, such as cleats, hiking boots, snow boots, and the like. However, known footwear supplied for these, as well as all other known industries and recreational and other applications, provides the wearer with neither the added benefit of enhanced sensory feedback from the surface touched by the footwear, nor enhancement of the wearer's proprioception or haptic sense.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a piece of footwear that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and which provides the piece of footwear a having a plurality of surface-detecting protrusions spanning through a sole of the piece of footwear.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a piece of footwear including an upper portion operably configured to at least partially surround a user's foot, and a sole having an outsole and an insole. The insole and the upper portion define a foot placement zone. The piece of footwear includes at least one surface-detecting protrusion spanning through the sole and having a proximal end defining a foot contact surface disposed within the foot placement zone and in a spaced relationship away from the insole. The piece of footwear further includes a distal end, opposite the proximal end. The distal end defines an outer contact surface disposed in a spaced relationship away from the outsole. The foot contact surface is operably configured to translate when the outer contact surface is subjected to a compression force.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the piece of footwear includes a web coupling the at least one surface-detecting protrusion to the sole. The web may be made of an elasticity property different than both a material of the surface-detecting protrusion and a material of the outsole.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the web surrounds an outer perimeter of the least one surface-detecting protrusion.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the at least one surface-detecting protrusion upwardly tapers into the foot placement zone.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the at least one surface-detecting protrusion is slender.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention includes the piece of footwear having the at least one surface-detecting protrusion disposed in at least one of a front portion and a heel portion of the piece of footwear. The at least one surface-detecting protrusion may be at least one of cylindrical, square, and rectangular.

In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, another embodiment of the present invention includes the outsole directly coupled to the insole, and the at least one surface-detecting protrusion fixedly coupled to the sole.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention an embodiment of the present invention includes the at least one surface-detecting protrusion removably couplable to the sole.

In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention includes the surface-detecting protrusion having a hinge-like device disposed between the proximal end of the at least one surface-detecting protrusion and the distal end of the at least one surface-detecting protrusion.

In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention includes the piece of footwear including a plurality of surface-detecting protrusions spanning through the sole and disposed along a front portion of the sole in a first direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sole and disposed along a second portion of the sole in a second direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sole, the first direction being different than the second direction.

In accordance with the present invention, an embodiment of the piece of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper portion operably configured to at least partially surround a user's foot and a sole having an insole and an outsole. The insole and the upper portion define a foot placement zone and the outsole includes a ground contact portion. The piece of footwear includes a plurality of surface-detecting protrusions each spanning a thickness of the sole. The plurality of surface-detecting protrusions include a proximal end defining a foot contact surface disposed within the foot placement zone and a distal end defining a ground contact surface disposed a distance below the ground contact portion of the outsole. The distal end is operably configured to translate when the proximal end is subjected to a compression force of a user's foot.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the piece of footwear includes a web coupling the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions to the sole, wherein the web is made of an elastic property different than a material of the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions and a material of the outsole.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the web surrounds an outer perimeter of each of the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions.

In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention includes the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions disposed within a front portion of the sole being of a size and shape different than a size and shape of the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions disposed within a heel portion of the sole.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions are made of an elastomeric material.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the outsole is directly coupled to the insole, and the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions are fixedly coupled to the sole.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes, a piece of footwear having an upper portion operably configured to at least partially surround a user's foot and a sole having an outsole and an insole. The insole and the upper portion define a foot placement zone. The piece of footwear includes at least one surface-detecting protrusion spanning through the sole and having a first portion including a foot contact surface disposed within the foot placement zone and in a spaced relationship away from the insole and a second portion aligned with the first portion. The second portion defines an outer contact surface disposed in a spaced relationship away from the outsole. The foot contact surface is operably configured to upwardly translate when the outer contact surface is subjected to a compression force.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the first portion of the at least one surface-detecting protrusion and the second portion of the at least one surface-detecting protrusion are continuously aligned along a common axis.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the at least one surface-detecting protrusion further includes a hinge-like device coupling the first portion of the at least one surface-detecting protrusion to the second portion of the at least one surface-detecting protrusion.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the first portion of the at least one surface-detecting protrusion is coupled to the second portion of the at least one surface-detecting protrusion, and movement of the first portion of the at least one surface-detecting protrusion results in a corresponding movement of the second portion of the at least one surface-detecting protrusion.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a piece of footwear having surface-detecting protrusions, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the piece of footwear, or from a front end of the toe cap to the distal end of the heel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a piece of footwear having at least one surface-detecting protrusion in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the piece of footwear of FIG. 1, having a plurality of surface-detecting protrusions in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the piece of footwear of FIG. 1 along section A-A of FIG. 2, showing the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions spanning through a sole of the piece of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the piece of footwear of FIG. 1 along section A-A of FIG. 2, showing the piece of footwear being worn by a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, fragmentary cross-sectional elevational side view of the at least one surface-detecting protrusion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded, fragmentary cross-sectional elevational side view of the at least one surface-detecting protrusion of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom elevational view of an outsole of the piece of footwear of FIG. 1 including a web; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom elevational view of the outsole of the piece of footwear of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with the claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. The present invention relates to a key improvement in footwear designed to provide significant benefits to any individual who has diminished sensation in the feet, such as individuals suffering from neuropathy in their lower limbs. More specifically, the present invention provides a novel and efficient piece of footwear that facilitates sensory feedback relevant to foot-to-surface-contact through the use of at least one surface-detecting protrusion spanning from a user's foot to a ground contact surface.

Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a perspective view. FIG. 1 shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a piece of footwear 100, as shown in FIG. 1, includes an upper portion 102 operably configured to at least partially surround a user's foot, a sole 104, and at least one surface-detecting protrusion 106 spanning through the sole 104. The term “piece of footwear” may be referred to herein as “footwear.” The term “footwear” is used in the broadest possible sense and refers to any durable covering of the foot including, but not limited to conventional shoes, slippers, sandals, high heels, and boots constructed of any material. The term “spanning” is defined generally as extending throughout the thickness 114 of the sole. The upper portion 102 and the sole 104 may define, generally, the whole piece of footwear 100, in some embodiments.

The surface-detecting protrusion 106 is operably configured to make contact with a user's foot and a ground surface, to provide sensation to a user's foot, thereby enhancing haptic and proprioceptive information to the brain. Said another way, through the use of the surface-detecting protrusion 106, the piece of footwear 100 provides a sense of contact and enhanced feeling sensation with surfaces, e.g., a ground surface, a vehicle pedal, etc., touched during activities such as walking, running, standing, driving, and any other activity that people conceivably engage in while wearing footwear. The term “surface” is used in the broadest possible sense and is generally defined herein as the outermost or uppermost layer of an object or area.

Advantageously, the footwear 100 may be useful for those suffering from medical conditions, as well as in various applications, such as athletic training. For example, in use during athletic training, the footwear 100, more specifically, the surface-detecting protrusion 106, may assist a baseball player in developing a more effective batting stance by providing enhanced proprioception as to the amount of weight placed on the balls of the user's feet. Similarly, enhanced feedback regarding exactly how one's feet are set may be of value to an individual seeking to improve a golf or tennis swing. As an added advantage, the footwear 100 may aid in industrial applications, such as helping a user to better ambulate through muddy or sticky ground surfaces, especially where enhanced feedback regarding the surfaces being detected is critical. In addition, the surface-detecting protrusion 106 so instrumental in enhancing sensory feedback, may be constructed in a customized variation so as to provide the user with massage-type sensory stimulation while the user is walking or otherwise moving the foot while wearing the footwear 100. In this latter recreational use, the enhanced stimulation and massage-type action of the footwear 100 is therapeutic to the extent that it is being used primarily as a means to stimulate or revitalize what might otherwise be characterized as tired or achy feet. Persons who are sedentary, fly on long air trips, or who have jobs where they must sit by computer screens for long periods of time may find the footwear 100 medically beneficial if they use it to purposely stimulate and “self-massage” feet that would otherwise be relatively stationary. In another embodiment, for this sort of self-massage, the surface-detecting protrusion 106 may include a hinge-like device 600 (FIG. 6) in such fashion as to make it amenable to being pushed back-and-forth as a means of “toe exercise.” Here, the surface-detecting protrusion 106 itself serves as the object designed to focus and train sensory feedback in an individual whose capacity for such may have been compromised.

The surface-detecting protrusion 106 may be located at any point along the sole 104, such as, on a front portion 108, a mid-portion 110, or a heel portion 112 of the sole 104. The front portion 108 generally includes the region extending from the user's toe box to the forefoot. The mid-portion 110 generally includes the mid-foot, and the heel portion 112 generally includes the region extending from the user's mid-foot to the heel area, i.e., rear-foot.

In one embodiment, the footwear 100 includes a plurality of surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n, wherein the indicator “a-n” is intended to represent any number of surface-detecting protrusions, with “a” indicating 1 and “n” indicating any number greater than 1. FIG. 1 depicts the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n arranged in pairs along the front portion 108, the mid-portion 110, and the heel portion 112 of the footwear 100. In one embodiment, the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n are concentrated in a particular area of the sole 104. In other embodiments, the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n may extend in any number along the sole 104.

In one embodiment, the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n are disposed along the front portion 108 of the sole 104 in a first direction, with respect to a longitudinal axis 116 of the sole 104 and are disposed along a second portion of the sole 104 in a second direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 116 of the sole 104, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction. In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1, the first direction of the surface-detecting protrusion 106b is angled toward the front portion 108 and the second direction of the surface-detecting protrusion 106a is upright, in other words, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 116 of the sole 104. In other embodiments, the first direction and the second direction of the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n may be angled toward the front portion 108, vertical, angled toward the heel portion 112, or any combination thereof. Advantageously, the various directions and orientations provide stimulation to various portions of the user's foot from different angles, which may be especially beneficial for the previously described use of self-massage of the user's feet.

In one embodiment, the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n are fixedly coupled to the sole 104. The term “fixedly” is defined herein intended to indicate a fastening to, an attachment to, or a placement on another structure or object so as to be firm and not readily movable. In another embodiment, the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n are removably couplable to the sole 104. As such, the sole 104 and the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n may be conveniently replaced following normal wear and tear.

With reference now to FIG. 2, which depicts an elevational side view of the footwear 100, the sole 104 can be seen having an outsole 200 and an insole 202. In one embodiment, the insole 202 and the upper portion 102 define a foot placement zone 204. In other embodiments, the insole 202 and the upper portion 102 do not completely define the foot placement zone 204, rather, other components of the footwear 100 may also define the foot placement zone 204. Generally speaking, the foot placement zone 204 is the portion of the footwear 100 sized and shaped to receive a user's foot. Naturally, the size, i.e., dimensions, of the foot placement zone 204 may vary, depending on the size of the user's foot.

The sole 104 can be made from a variety of materials and may have a variety of properties associated therewith to increase friction, increase durability, and reduce resistance to sweat, water, and other fluids. The insole 202 is the portion of the footwear 100 that sits directly beneath a user's foot and which receives much of a user's weight during activities such as walking, running, standing, or driving. The insole 202 may be made of a soft foam or gel, a durable foam, a silicone, or another type of material that provides comfort and durability to the user's foot. The outsole 200 is the exposed part of the sole 104 that is in contact with a ground surface. More specifically, the outsole 200 includes a ground contact portion 206. The outsole 200 may be made of a rubber, a composite material, or any other similar material operable to withstand elements commonly found outdoors and on ground surfaces.

In one embodiment, the outsole 200 is coupled to the insole 202. In one embodiment, the outsole 200 is directly coupled to the insole 202 with no other existing material between. In other embodiments, a midsole may be coupled between the outsole 200 and the insole 202, as is commonly found in footwear. The outsole 200 may be fixedly or removably coupled to the insole 202.

With reference now to FIG. 3, which depicts a cross sectional view of the footwear 100 along section A-A, the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n can be seen spanning through a width 300 of the sole 104. As will be appreciable by those of ordinary skill in the art, the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n may also be considered herein as defining the outsole 200 and the insole 202. The surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n each include a first portion 302 having a proximal end 304 defining a foot contact surface 306 disposed within the foot placement zone 204. The foot contact surface 306 is the portion of the surface-detecting protrusion 106 configured to contact a user's foot, thereby providing the user with sensory feedback to the brain and stimulation to help the user obtain feedback from whatever surface or object is being touched. As depicted by the surface-detecting protrusion 106n in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the surface-detecting protrusion 106n upwardly tapers into the foot placement zone 204. Advantageously, the tapering configuration provides a shape that contacts a user foot from a more forceful angle than a non-tapering configuration.

The surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n each include a second portion 308 having a distal end 310 opposite the proximal end 304. In one embodiment, the first portion 302 and the second portion 308 may each include approximately half of a total length 400 (FIG. 4) of the surface-detecting protrusion 106a-b. In other embodiments, the first portion 302 may be shorter or longer than the second portion 308, but within 40-60% of the total length 400 (FIG. 4).

The distal end 310 defines an outer contact surface 312 disposed in a spaced relationship away from the outsole 200. In one embodiment, the spaced relationship 314 of the distal end 310 to the ground contact portion 206 of the outsole 200 is approximately ¼-¾ of an inch. In other embodiments, the spaced relationship can vary outside of this range, but is generally no longer than 2 inches and no shorter than 1/32 of an inch. In a similar manner, the spaced relationship 316 of the proximal end 304 to a foot contacting inner surface 318 of the insole 202 may be approximately ¼-¾ of an inch. In other embodiments, the spaced relationship 316 of the proximal end 304 can vary outside of this range, but is generally no longer than 2 inches and no shorter than 1/32 of an inch. For example, a user may prefer the spaced relationship 316 to be approximately ¼ of an inch for massage capabilities and ½ of an inch during driving.

With reference to FIG. 4, the foot contact surface 306 is operably configured to translate when the outer contact surface 312 is subjected to a compression force. In the same vein, the outer contact surface 312 is operably configured to translate when the foot contact surface 306 is subject to a compression force. The term “translate” is defined herein as moving from one location to another, mainly, but not necessarily, in upward-downward directions. The term “compression force” is defined herein as the application of a force, pressure, or exertion that results in the squeezing or compacting of an object, such as the surface-detecting protrusion 106. The foot contact surface 306 may translate upward to contact a user's foot when subjected to a compression force, such as that resulting from a user stepping on a ground surface, such as gravel, clay, asphalt, wood flooring, etc. or that which results from driving, when pressure is exerted to a gas or brake pedal. Similarly, the outer contact surface 312 may translate downward toward the ground surface, pedal, or the like, when pressure is exerted by a user's foot, such as that which occurs during stepping, standing, driving, or other similar activities.

In order to withstand the compression force and provide varying degrees of pressure on the user's foot, the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n may be made from a multitude of materials, ranging from, for example, an elastomeric material e.g., PVC plastic, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane, or the like, to a sponge-like material, e.g., foam rubber. The material described herein is not intended to be limiting, but rather illustrative of the type of material that may be used to make the surface-detecting protrusion 106. The material may be compressible, e.g., that which is capable of changing its shape and returning back to its static-state shape after its change in shape, or may be non-compressible in some embodiments. Advantageously, the variety of materials provide the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n which may be used in a wide array of activities. For example, a user may prefer the sponge-like material during driving and the elastomeric material to gain traction on a soft surface during sporting events, such as baseball. In contrast to traditional footwear, the footwear 100 provides a user with enhanced haptic and proprioceptive feedback regarding where the foot is in space and the surface being touched. Said another way, the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n provide an increased pressure experienced by the user to inform the user that contact is being made with a surface, e.g., a ground surface, gas or brake pedal, or the like.

As depicted in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the surface-detecting protrusion 106a is slender. The term “slender” is defined herein as having the length 400 that exceeds a width 402 of the surface-detecting protrusion 106. In one embodiment the length 400 of the surface-detecting protrusion 106 is between approximately 1.0-2.0 inches and the width 402 is between approximately ¼-½ of an inch. In other embodiments, the length 400 and the width 402 may be outside of these ranges.

In one embodiment, the surface-detecting protrusion 106 may be in the shape of at least one of a cylinder, a square, and a rectangle. In other embodiments, the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n may be depicted in a variety of shapes, including, but not limited to circular, triangular, curved, or any combination thereof. FIG. 4 depicts the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n disposed with the front portion 108 of the sole 104 having a size and shape different than a size and shape of the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n disposed within the heel portion 112 of the sole 104. In other embodiments, the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n may be depicted in different shapes, and may be tapered or non-tapered, when located in the same portion of the sole 104.

With reference now to FIG. 5, the surface-detecting protrusion 106 can be seen extending continuously through the sole 104. More specifically, the first portion 302 and the second portion 308 of the surface-detecting protrusion 106 are continuously aligned with one another along a common axis 500, i.e., vertical axis, with respect to the longitudinal axis 116, i.e., horizontal axis, of the sole 104. The term “continuously” is defined herein as extending the length 114 of the sole 104 void of any gaps. In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 5, the first portion 302 and the second portion 308 of the surface-detecting protrusion 106 are formed as a single unit.

In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 6, the surface-detecting protrusion 106 may be two separate units coupled to each other. More specifically, FIG. 6 depicts the first portion 302 coupled to the second portion 308 to form the surface-detecting protrusion 106. In one embodiment, the first portion 302 and the second portion 308 are coupled to each other through the hinge-like device 600. The “hinge-like device” is a device for holding together two parts such that one can move relative to the other, e.g., a hinge, spring, coil, or another similar connection mechanism that allows relative movement. In another embodiment, the surface-detecting protrusion 106 may be formed as a single unit having the hinge-like device 600 or another similar mechanism operable to facilitate movement. In one embodiment, the hinge like-device 600 may be disposed between the proximal end 304 of the surface-detecting protrusion 106 and the distal end 310 of the object sensing protrusion 106, thereby facilitating translation of the foot contact surface 306 when the outer contact surface 312 is subjected to a compression force. In the same vein, the hinge-like device 600 may facilitate the movement of the outer contact surface 312 when the foot contact surface 306 is subjected to a compression force. In one embodiment, in use, movement of the first portion 302 results in a corresponding movement of the second portion 308. In another embodiment, the first portion 302 may move independently of the second portion 308.

Advantageously, the hinge-like device 600 provides varying degrees of flexibility of the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n for use in various activities, such as running, walking, driving, and the like. For example, during a rigorous activity such as running, a user may prefer to utilize the surface-detecting protrusion 106 having the hinge-like device 600 due to the higher degree of flexibility when compared to the non-hinged surface-detecting protrusion 106 depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an elevational bottom view of the footwear 100, depicting one embodiment of the outsole 200, more specifically, the ground contact portion 206, including a web 700 coupling the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n to the sole 104 (FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the web 700 includes a plurality of securing members 702 arranged diagonally to surround an outer perimeter 704 of the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n. In other embodiments, the securing members 702 may be arranged horizontally, vertically, or in any combination of diagonal, horizontal, and vertical.

In one embodiment, the web 700 is of an elasticity property different than both a material of the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n and a material of outsole 200, e.g., rubber. In other embodiments, the web 700 made be made of the same material as the outsole 200. The web 700 may be installed beneath the outsole 200 or may be installed between the outsole 200 and the insole 202 (FIG. 2).

FIG. 8 is an elevational bottom view of the footwear 100, depicting one embodiment of the outsole 200 defining a plurality of apertures 800. The surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n may be inserted through the apertures 800 to couple the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n to the sole 104 (FIG. 1). Naturally, the size and shape of the apertures 800 may vary to conform to the size and shape of the apertures 106a-n in order to ensure a snug fit between the outer perimeter 704 of each of the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n to prevent outside elements from entering an interior of the footwear 100. The snug fit however, would still permit the surface-detecting protrusions 106a-n to translate relative to the sole 104 (FIG. 1).

A piece of footwear has been disclosed that provides a novel and efficient dual-soled piece of footwear that facilitates users, and in particular those suffering from neuropathy in their lower limbs, in receiving sensory feedback from the surfaces they come in contact with their feet through the use of at least one surface-detecting protrusion. The surface-detecting protrusions may be provided in a myriad of shapes and sizes for use during a wide array of activities involving pressure exerted on a user's feet.

Claims

1. A piece of footwear comprising:

an upper portion of the piece of footwear;

a sole having an outsole including a ground contact portion and an insole including an upper-most inner surface for making contact with a user's foot, the upper-most inner surface of the insole and the upper portion of the piece of footwear being configured to surround the user's foot and defining a foot placement zone sized to receive the user's foot; and

at least one surface-detecting protrusion extending through the sole, the surface-detecting protrusion comprising a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein: the proximal end defines a foot contact surface disposed within the foot placement zone and in a spaced relationship a distance above the upper-most inner surface of the insole; the distal end defines an outer contact surface disposed in a spaced relationship a distance below the ground contact portion of the outsole; and the surface-detecting protrusion is configured to move through the sole when the outer contact surface is subjected to a compression force for providing sensory feedback from the user's foot.

2. The piece of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising:

a web coupling the surface-detecting protrusion to the sole, wherein the web is of an elasticity property different than both a material of the surface-detecting protrusion and a material of the outsole.

3. The piece of footwear according to claim 2, wherein:

the web surrounds an outer perimeter of the surface-detecting protrusion.

4. The piece of footwear according to claim 1, wherein:

the surface-detecting protrusion upwardly tapers into the foot placement zone.

5. The piece of footwear according to claim 1, wherein:

the surface-detecting protrusion is of a slender shape.

6. The piece of footwear according to claim 1, wherein:

one surface-detecting protrusion is disposed in a front portion and another surface-detecting protrusion is disposed in a heel portion of the piece of footwear; and

the surface-detecting protrusion is of cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

7. The piece of footwear according to claim 1, wherein:

the outsole is directly coupled to the insole, and the surface-detecting protrusion is fixedly coupled to the sole.

8. The piece of footwear according to claim 1, wherein:

the surface-detecting protrusion is removably couplable to the sole.

9. The piece of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising:

a hinge-like device disposed between the proximal end of the surface-detecting protrusion and the distal end of the surface-detecting protrusion.

10. The piece of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of surface-detecting protrusions spanning through the sole and disposed along a front portion of the sole in a first direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sole and disposed along a second portion of the sole in a second direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sole, the first direction different than the second direction.

11. A piece of footwear comprising:

an upper portion of the piece of footwear;

a sole having an insole including an upper-most inner surface for making contact with a user's foot and an outsole, the upper-most inner surface of the insole and the upper portion of the piece of footwear being configured to surround the user's foot and defining a foot placement zone sized to receive the user's foot, the outsole having a ground contact portion; and

a plurality of surface-detecting protrusions each extending through a width of the sole, each of the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions comprising a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein: the proximal end defines a foot contact surface disposed within the foot placement zone; the distal ends defines a ground contact surface disposed a distance below the ground contact portion of the outsole; and the surface-detecting protrusions are each configured to move through the width of the sole when the proximal end is subjected to a compression force of the user's foot for providing sensory feedback from the user's foot.

12. The piece of footwear according to claim 11, further comprising:

a web coupling the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions to the sole, wherein the web is made of an elastic property different than a material of the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions and a material of the outsole.

13. The piece of footwear according to claim 12, wherein:

the web surrounds an outer perimeter of each of the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions.

14. The piece of footwear according to claim 11, wherein:

the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions disposed within a front portion of the sole are of a size and shape different than a size and shape of the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions disposed within a heel portion of the sole.

15. The piece of footwear according to claim 11, wherein:

the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions are made of an elastomeric material.

16. The piece of footwear according to claim 11, wherein:

the outsole is directly coupled to the insole, and the plurality of surface-detecting protrusions are fixedly coupled to the sole.

17. A piece of footwear comprising:

an upper portion of the piece of footwear;

a sole having an outsole including a ground contact portion and an insole including an upper-most inner surface for making contact with a user's foot, the upper-most inner surface of the insole and the upper portion of the piece of footwear being configured to surround a user's foot and defining a foot placement zone sized to receive the user's foot; and

at least one surface-detecting protrusion extending through the sole, the surface-detecting protrusion comprising a first portion and a second portion aligned with the first portion, wherein: the first portion defines a foot contact surface disposed within the foot placement zone and in a spaced relationship a distance above the upper-most inner surface of the insole; the second portion defines an outer contact surface disposed in a spaced relationship a distance below the ground contact portion of the outsole; and the surface-detecting protrusion is configured to move through the sole when the outer contact surface is subjected to a compression force for providing sensory feedback from the user's foot.

18. The piece of footwear according to claim 17, wherein:

the first portion of the surface-detecting protrusion and the second portion of the surface-detecting protrusion are continuously aligned along a common axis.

19. The piece of footwear according to claim 17, wherein

the surface-detecting protrusion further comprises: a hinge-like device coupling the first portion of the surface-detecting protrusion to the second portion of the surface-detecting protrusion.

20. The piece of footwear according to claim 17, wherein:

the first portion of the surface-detecting protrusion is coupled to the second portion of the surface-detecting protrusion, and movement of the first portion of the surface-detecting protrusion results in a corresponding movement of the second portion of the surface-detecting protrusion.