With Means To Turn Foot About Long Axis Of Leg Patents (Class 36/142)
  • Patent number: 11197516
    Abstract: A shoe capable of adjusting heel height includes a front bracket, a rear bracket, a telescopic linkage rack, a telescopic support member, a linking member and a locking mechanism. The rear bracket is rotatably connected to the front bracket. The telescopic linkage rack is pivotally connected to the rear bracket, and can be telescoped with the movement of the rear bracket. The telescopic support member is fixedly connected to the telescopic linkage rack, and can be simultaneously telescoped in the same direction and in the same proportion with the telescoping degree of the telescopic linkage rack. The linked member is pivotally connected to the front bracket and the telescopic support member, and arranged spaced to the rear bracket, and the linked member is spaced to the rear bracket. The locking mechanism can removably fix the telescopic support member for limiting the telescopic support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Tsung-Ju Chiang
  • Patent number: 9872534
    Abstract: The present invention is footwear having opposing wedge shaped configurations in the bottom of the front sole section and the back sole section which provide rotation of the front sole section and the back sole section in opposite directions when weight is applied. The present invention is also footwear convex shaped in the longitudinal direction with a split sole having opposing wedge shaped configurations in the bottom of the front sole section and the back sole section that provide rotation of the front sole section and the back sole section in opposite directions when weight is applied. The invention further includes footwear having at least one pair of wedges on the outsole which provide footwear having improved arch support. The invention is also footwear with a flexible, elastic, member between the front sole section and the back sole section of the sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventors: Shlomo Piontkowski, Sharone Piontkowski
  • Patent number: 9393146
    Abstract: An ankle stabilizing device is designed for use on an ankle and foot of a wearer. The ankle stabilizing device includes an above-the-foot flexible body member designed to substantially encircle the ankle. The body member has an open upper end adapted for extending to a point above the ankle. An elongated, flexible, non-stretch ankle belt is secured to the body member proximate its upper end, and is adapted for extending circumferentially around a lower leg of the wearer. At least one elongated flexible stabilizing strap has a proximal end affixed to the body member, and an opposing free end adapted for extending under the foot and releasably attaching to the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Medical Specialties, Incorporated
    Inventor: Eric Lee Gaylord
  • Patent number: 8984775
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an article of footwear includes a sole defining a lateral side and a medial side, an upper attached to the sole, and a resilient member positioned within the sole. The resilient member includes a plurality of arms including a medial arm extending along the medial side of the sole and a lateral arm extending along the lateral side of the sole, wherein an end of the medial arm is connected to an end of the lateral arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.
    Inventors: David Dombrow, Heather Pieraldi
  • Patent number: 8950086
    Abstract: The therapeutic system of the preferred embodiments includes a foot platform having a lateral segment and a medial segment. The foot platform is coupled to the foot of the patient and supports the body force of the patient. The foot platform functions to move the foot from an equilibrium position to an activated position. The transition of the foot between equilibrium position and activated position, preferably occurs substantially instantaneously once the foot platform supports greater than substantially half of the body force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the LeLand Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Thomas Andriacchi, David Scott Fisher
  • Patent number: 8938893
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a heel section, a mid-foot section, and a toe section. The heel section, the mid-foot section, and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape having a first slope of a polarity along an inner edge of the apparatus from the toe section to the heel section and a second slope of the polarity along the inner edge of the apparatus to an outer edge of the apparatus at the toe section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Athalonz, LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Adair, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 8869435
    Abstract: Golf shoes include one or more of the following: (a) a foot stabilizer system that interacts with a shoe securing system to securely engage and/or wrap around a foot of a wearer; (b) a natural motion sole, optionally including flex grooves that allow a weight transfer from back-to-front and/or from side-to-side; (c) a six cleat configuration (e.g., four cleats in a forefoot region, two cleats in a heel region, and no cleats located directly under a big toe); (d) a forefoot moderator plate positioned to moderate or reduce user feel of the forefoot cleats; (e) a lateral half heel counter extending from a rear heel area to a lateral midfoot or lateral forward heel area of the shoe; and/or (f) one or more medial, forefoot, sidewall traction elements at or near a big toe area of the sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Thomas G. Bell, Chip Jones, Brooke P. Rapf, Ricardo Salinas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8756836
    Abstract: A foot support for use with a human foot having a forefoot portion that supports the foot beneath the metatarsal heads and an arched midfoot portion that supports the foot beneath the metatarsal, cuneiforms, navicular, and cuboid bones and has a slope between a maximum height on the medial side of the foot support and a minimum height on the lateral side of the foot support. The foot support also includes a wedge fixed beneath the forefoot portion such that the maximum wedge height is positioned beneath the first metatarsal head and the minimum wedge height extends beneath the fourth metatarsal head. The foot support may optionally include a heel portion that supports the calcaneus and talus bones in a neutral, varus, or valgus positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Rylo, Inc.
    Inventor: Lorri A. Riley
  • Patent number: 8695236
    Abstract: Three or more holes are formed in a lower portion of a first area D1 in a midsole body 29 separated from one another in a front-rear direction Y, each hole opened in a downward direction and having an inner peripheral surface about an axial line extending in an up-down direction; embedded portions each have an outer peripheral surface about the axial line, and are embedded in the midsole body 29 while being fitted into the holes; the embedded portions are formed by a hard member 4 made of a resin harder than midsole bodies 20 and 29 and outsoles 5 and 5A; and the hard member 4 includes a connecting portion for connecting together the embedded portions in the front-rear direction Y on the lower surface of the midsole body 29.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: ASICS Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nishiwaki, Seigo Nakaya, Kenta Moriyasu, Kiyomitsu Kurosaki
  • Patent number: 8635787
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Patent number: 8631592
    Abstract: An apparatus for use as at least part of a sole of a shoe or as at least part of an insole of the shoe, the apparatus comprises a fixed section that provides a positioning of a big toe area at a lower position than a heel area and/or at a lower position than an outer edge area, and an adjustable section associated with the fixed section, wherein the adjustable section adjusts at least one of the lower positioning of the big toe area with respect to the heel area and the lower positioning of the big toe area with respect to the outer edge area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: AdMark Athletic Ventures
    Inventors: Michael R. Adair, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 8607479
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pair of golf shoes with a rolling surface supporting the swing, wherein an external rolling surface is provided along a shoe outer edge and in the big toe region to the tip region of the other shoe an inner rolling surface is provided along the shoe inner edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Johannes Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8601722
    Abstract: A footwear exercising device for use by a wearer in improving various aspects of the wearer's physical condition, health and overall appearance. The footwear exercising device of the present invention includes a reverse wedge for wear below the sole of a wearer's foot, and may be worn with a wide variety of fashion. Prolonged use of the device of the present invention has been shown to improve the tone of the muscle groups of a wearer's body which have to do with the wearer's posture. Prolonged use of the instant invention has also been shown to improve the blood circulation in a wearer's legs and to strengthen significantly the muscles supporting a wearer's knees. The design of the device is such that prolonged wear of the invention is neither strenuous nor taxing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Nancy C. Frye
  • Patent number: 8533977
    Abstract: In order to provide an athletic shoe that does not get caught even when a strong effort to hold on is made when sliding sideways, and that allows for light footwork, the present invention provides an athletic shoe that has an undersurface of a midsole 22 that is formed with a raised portion 24, along a circumferential side edge thereof affixed with an outersole 30 that forms an outsole, and an extending portion 32 that extends up to a circumferential side surface of the midsole is formed at a perimeter edge of the outersole, wherein: at a portion along a little toe of the circumferential side surface 22a of the midsole, a bulged portion 29 having a thickness equal to or more than a thickness substantially corresponding to a thickness of the raised portion 24 of the midsole in a shoe width direction is integrally formed so as to protrude outward, and the extending portion 32 is formed extending from the perimeter edge of the outersole 30 toward a protruding surface of the bulged portion 29 and the extending po
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Yonex Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazushi Hide, Tomonori Sekine, Tomokazu Kai
  • Patent number: 8523194
    Abstract: A forefoot wedge insert, and methods for forming same, are described for a piece of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, or a shoe, such as but not limited to exercise, therapeutic, or physiological footwear, for correcting a pronation and/or supination condition wherein the insert permits the subtalar joint of the affected foot to be placed and/or maintained in a neutral position. In this manner, the insert can provide the corrected foot with adequate balance relative to the skate blade during typical ice skating maneuvers. Also described is a skating boot, or shoe, having an adjustable toe cap portion that is selectively operable to be raised up to accommodate the uplifted forefoot portion of the wearer when the forefoot wedge insert is being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Marie Smirman
  • Patent number: 8490301
    Abstract: An orthotic device has a readily adjustable variable forefoot posting system. In some embodiments, a generally planar plate is pivotally coupled to a foot-receiving shell. The plate is generally under the arch and not in contact with the supporting surface when in a neutral position. Along the plate's perimeter are raised regions that can be deployed into position as a forefoot post via pivoting the plate. In some versions, adjustability is via a sliding motion. Some areas have a greater height than others do and these raised areas or protrusions can be set at either an inner side or an outer side. Depending upon the shape of the ridges on the plate and the plate's pivoted position, a range of tilts can be variability provided. The plates can be part of an interchangeable system providing more options. Professional versions can have a greater range of settings than consumer versions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Allen Joseph Selner
  • Patent number: 8448352
    Abstract: A sole of a shoe for triple time walks and walking reform has a bottom surface which includes a front rolling portion, a middle rolling portion and a rear rolling portion, wherein the front, the middle and the rear rolling portions of the sole are slanted upwards at a predetermined angle of inclination and thereby form a substantially arc shape. The middle rolling portion is made of a rigid material having a rigidity substantially greater than the front and the rear rolling portions and the middle rolling portion protrudes from the bottom surface of the sole beyond the front and the rear rolling portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: MESP Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong Hyeon Ryu
  • Patent number: 8387277
    Abstract: The therapeutic system of the preferred embodiments includes a foot platform having a lateral segment and a medial segment. The foot platform is coupled to the foot of the patient and supports the body force of the patient. The foot platform functions to move the foot from an equilibrium position to an activated position. The transition of the foot between equilibrium position and activated position, preferably occurs substantially instantaneously once the foot platform supports greater than substantially half of the body force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Thomas Andriacchi, David Scott Fisher
  • Patent number: 8387278
    Abstract: A sole (12) for an item of footwear such as a shoe (10) includes a heel part (18) and a forefoot part (16), the forefoot part (16) including a rocker region (20). The rocker region (20) has a length extending transversely across the sole (12) and a width extending along the sole (12). The sole (12) is arranged so that in use during a gait cycle in which the sole (12) contacts a substantially planar support surface (38), a region of contact between the sole (12) and the support surface (38) moves across the width of the rocker region (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Langer (UK) Ltd
    Inventor: Philip Henry Rees
  • Patent number: 8312648
    Abstract: A foot orthotic for golf that provides solid stability and encourages proper foot bracing and release during the golf swing. The orthotic having a semi-rigid shell, compliant top cover, anti-skid forefoot pad and a heel post. The heel post having a short medial edge to encourage proper bracing and release and an extended lateral edge to resist foot rolling or supination during the golf swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: John K. Ballantyne
  • Patent number: 8251938
    Abstract: A device may include a first plate and a second plate, and a linkage system that attaches the first plate and the second plate to one another such that the plates are capable of translating relative to each other, and the plates are incapable of rotating relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jose Morcuende, Nicole M. Grosland, Kelly Jensen, Nicole Jensen, Robert Kruse
  • Patent number: 8127467
    Abstract: A sole and footwear provided with such soles are capable of properly controlling the movement of a foot pressure center, using a simple configuration. This sole includes: a sole body (41) which forms each bottom part of the footwear; and a foot pressure protrusion portion (43) which is provided in this sole body (41), and guides a foot pressure center corresponding to the center of a pressure applied to the bottom of each foot that moves when a person walks or runs, along a predetermined foot pressure center route from the heel toward the vicinity of the root of the fourth toe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: World Wing Enterprise Co.
    Inventor: Yasushi Koyama
  • Publication number: 20110131841
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control element (3) for installation in a sole (5) of an article of footwear (1). The control element (3) comprises a rearfoot portion (13), a central portion (15) and a forefoot portion (17). The forefoot portion (17) is suitable for supporting medial and/or lateral portions of a wearer's foot. The central portion (15) joins the rearfoot portion (13) and the forefoot portion (17). The rearfoot portion (13) provides an inclined support (19) for controlling pronation. The present invention also relates to an article of footwear (1) incorporating a control element (3) therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: DAVID W. FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20110061268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sole having a tilt surface, and to a knee joint-protecting shoe including same, and more particularly, to a sole having a tilt surface in which the tilt surface formed at the sole of a shoe enables the foot of a wearer to be inclined or slipped, inwardly or outwardly, in order to correct abnormality in the lower skeletal extremity, and uniformly distribute load on the knee joint of the wearer to prevent degenerative knee arthritis and alleviate pain, and to a knee joint-protecting shoe including the outsole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: INTOOS HCN Corporation LTD.
    Inventors: Hoon Park, Hae Soo Park
  • Publication number: 20110056097
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to footwear with a shoe sole, including at least one insertable midsole orthotic. The insertable midsole orthotic is removably inserted within the shoe upper, the sides of which hold it in position. The shoe sole includes a concavely rounded side or underneath portion, which may be formed in part by the insertable midsole orthotic. The insertable midsole orthotic may extend the length of the shoe sole or may form only a part of the shoe sole and can incorporate cushioning or structural compartments or components. The insertable midsole orthotic permits replacement of midsole material which has degraded or has worn out in order to maintain optimal characteristics of the shoe sole and allows customization for the individual wearer to provide tailored cushioning or support characteristics for the purpose of orthopedic, podiatric, corrective, prescriptive, therapeutic and/or prosthetic purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: FRAMPTON E. ELLIS, III
  • Patent number: 7793437
    Abstract: Shoe sole that promotes a natural walking gait by promoting the natural step motion of a barefoot person walking in sand. The shoe sole has is a single-shot injection molded sole that has a continuously, irregularly curved lower surface and a multi-contoured upper surface. The lower surface has a radius of curvature in the heel area that is smaller than the radius of curvature in the toe area. The upper surface has an arch support, a depression for cradling the ball of the foot, and flex zones that promote flexing of the shoe sole in the longitudinal and transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventors: Steven Chapman, Roger C. Dutilly, Pavan Singh
  • Patent number: 7793430
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to footwear such as a shoe, including an athletic shoe, with a shoe sole, including at least one removable midsole section formed by a midsole portion, wherein the removable midsole section is non-orthotic. The removable midsole section is inserted within the shoe upper, the sides of which hold it in position. The shoe sole includes a concavely rounded side or underneath portion, which may be formed in part by the removable midsole section. The removable midsole section may extend the length of the shoe sole or may form only a part of the shoe sole and can incorporate cushioning or structural compartments or components. The removable midsole section provides the capability to permit replacement of midsole material which has degraded or has worn out in order to maintain optimal characteristics of the shoe sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Anatomic Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Frampton E. Ellis
  • Patent number: 7712231
    Abstract: A midsole of a shoe has a low elastic part 20, a high elastic part 22 and an inclined surface 24. The low elastic part 20 and the high elastic part 22 include air bubbles. An ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) is used as a base polymer in the low elastic part 20 and the high elastic part 22. The inclined surface 24 is inclined upward from the inside to the outside. The low elastic part 20 is located to the inside of the inclined surface 24. The high elastic part 22 is located to the outside of the inclined surface 24. An inner high elastic part 26 is located to the inside of a low elastic part 20. The thickness of the low elastic part 20 becomes gradually larger from the outside to the inside along the inclined surface 24. The thickness of the high elastic part 22 becomes gradually larger from the inside to the outside along the inclined surface 24. The width Wa of the inclined surface 24 in left and right direction is 5 mm or more and 100 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Ikuko Umezawa, Tetsuo Yamaguchi, Kunio Niwa, Toshihiro Horii, Koichi Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 7707742
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to footwear with a shoe sole, including at least one insertable midsole orthotic. The insertable midsole orthotic is removably inserted within the shoe upper, the sides of which hold it in position. The shoe sole includes a concavely rounded side or underneath portion, which may be formed in part by the insertable midsole orthotic. The insertable midsole orthotic may extend the length of the shoe sole or may form only a part of the shoe sole and can incorporate cushioning or structural compartments or components. The insertable midsole orthotic permits replacement of midsole material which has degraded or has worn out in order to maintain optimal characteristics of the shoe sole and allows customization for the individual wearer to provide tailored cushioning or support characteristics for the purpose of orthopedic, podiatric, corrective, prescriptive, therapeutic and/or prosthetic purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Frampton E. Ellis, III
  • Patent number: 7650707
    Abstract: Support structures for footwear and the like include contact surface-contacting members (e.g., outsole structures) having an exterior surface that includes: (a) a recessed segment extending longitudinally from a forefoot to a heel portion, (b) plural lateral motion inhibiting traction elements in the lateral, forefoot portion, and (c) plural medial motion inhibiting traction elements in the lateral, heel portion. The recessed segment provides a flex line about which the medial and lateral sides of the surface-contacting member can move to independently engage and disengage from a contact surface as a wearer's weight shifts. In at least some structures, the lateral side of the foot-supporting member may be less flexible and/or more stable than the medial side. Support structures of the types described above can allow more of the surface-contacting member to remain in contact with the ground and provide a solid base or support for the movement or activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Campbell, Ryusuke Hanaka, Michael Forsey
  • Patent number: 7645251
    Abstract: A quick-release mechanism for disconnecting the footwear and footplate of an orthoses from a rotation bar, 90-degree bar, or other component of an orthosis is disclosed. The mechanism allows the footwear to be fitted to a patient with the bar or other component disengaged, while also allowing the angle between the bar or other component and the footplate to be locked when the orthosis is in place in order to treat conditions such as clubfoot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventors: Dale L. Hatton, Zane G. Wallace, Gary W. Horton
  • Patent number: 7640613
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of foot apparel that includes a platform curved to anticipate the natural movement of a foot. The method includes forming the platform with a heel pad having a geometric center point. The method also includes connecting a retaining covering to the platform that is configured to retain a foot at the front of the platform and to allow the heel of the foot to move freely relative to the heel pad. The article of foot apparel conforms more closely to the actual physiology of the foot and allows the heel of the foot to remain centered in the heel pad when worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Alistair Cockburn
  • Patent number: 7618387
    Abstract: A corrective device to be worn on a human foot having a misalignment and positioned inside of footwear. The device having an inner shell having a first material composition and flexibility, and shaped to accommodate receiving therein and supportingly couple with the foot, and an outer shell having a second material composition and flexibility, the second material composition and flexibility being substantially the same as the first flexibility, the outer shell shaped to accommodate receiving therein the inner shell, supportingly couple with the inner shell and allow positioning into the footwear. At least a sufficient portion of a pressure is distributed by the outer shell and the inner shell over a desired area of the foot to provide an amount of correction to the misalignment while allowing the human to wear the inner shell inside of the outer shell inside of the footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Cascade DAFO, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Buethorn
  • Patent number: 7533476
    Abstract: A sole assembly for a shoe. The sole assembly comprises an exterior sole for engaging with a ground surface with the exterior sole having an upwardly facing surface. A foot bed having an undersurface, facing the upwardly facing surface of the exterior sole, and an upwardly facing surface for supporting a foot of a wearer. At least one lug is secured to the undersurface of the foot bed to space the undersurface from the upwardly facing surface of the exterior sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Bivab, LLC
    Inventor: Gordon Graham Hay
  • Patent number: 7464428
    Abstract: The invention relates to sole elements and methods for manufacturing sole elements for shoes, in particular for sport shoes, with a specific density distribution in a transverse and/or longitudinal direction. The methods include the steps of manufacturing a sole element preform from a polymer material with a thickness varying in the transverse and/or longitudinal direction depending on the desired density distribution and the press-forming of the sole element preform in a forming tool to form the finished sole element from the sole element preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: adidas International Marketing B.V,
    Inventor: Daniel Eugene Norton
  • Patent number: 7444765
    Abstract: A footwear sole structure for dynamically directing interacting forces between a user's foot and the footwear during a stride, including an inner sole located adjacent the user's foot, a mid-sole located between the inner sole and the footwear, and a rib ribbon force transfer structure located between the inner sole and the mid-sole wherein the rib ribbon includes a plurality of ribs spaced along and transversely to a spine axis and attached to a longitudinally extending spine. The rib ribbon resists flexing about an axis parallel to the spine axis and allows a relatively greater degree of flexing about an axis transverse to the spine axis and the rib ribbon is located along a path between the inner and mid-soles to dynamically direct the interacting forces between a user's foot and the footwear as the user's weight shifts from a heel to a toe position during a stride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Bivab, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon Graham Hay, Keith M. Orr, Derek Carroll
  • Patent number: 7415782
    Abstract: The modified oxford shoe (10) providing vertical and horizontal heel pressure diminishment including an optional means of adjusting pronation is an inventive device which diminishes pressures to the heel with a floating collar and supple counter assembly with adjusting strap, with spacing studs attached strategically to the sides of the midsole (15) to prevent exterior pressure to the heel and with a multi functioning cushion assembly coupled with adjustable underlying steel springs and resilient midsole (15) and wearing surface (17) to diminish pressure to the bottom of the heel and provide pronation adjustment if needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Lester Erwin Carroll, III
  • Publication number: 20080016716
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a sandal for balance training or muscle strengthening that may be used, for example, in the game of golf. The sandal includes a sole having a toe portion and a heel portion, each of the toe and heel portions including an upper surface and a lower surface. A coupling mechanism is provided that couples the toe portion to the heel portion. At least one of the toe portion and heel portion includes an angled edge adjacent to the lower surface that allows pivoting of the sandal in a forward pivot direction, a backward pivot direction and/or a side cant direction. The coupling mechanism may allow adjustment of a spacing between the toe portion and the heel portion and may include a threaded rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Adam C. Battaglino
  • Publication number: 20070294922
    Abstract: An adjustable orthotic insole and a unique method of implementation has a shell and a sole lifter that is to correct malalignment of lower extremities and other functions such as cushioning, massage, etc are not anticipated. The distribution of ground reaction force is changed due to the orthotic effect of the sole lifter. A user adjusts position and thickness of the sole lifter incessantly until malalignment of lower extremities is restored to optimal alignment symmetrically. The present invention employs a unique method that the sole lifter is always opposite to rear foot lifter. Once the malalignment of lower extremities is corrected by the orthotic insole, the user would be able to maintain good posture and ambulate in ideal gait. Therefore, symmetric and coordinated movements are harmonious with balanced muscle function. The musculoskeletal system would be protected from overuse injury.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Scott Ma, Tzann-Ywh Tzeng
  • Patent number: 7278227
    Abstract: An conditioning article of footwear for exercise, strength training, or physical therapy having a foot support platform with either straps or an upper shoe portion or the like to engage the foot, a sole having front and rear ends corresponding with the toes and heel of the foot, respectively, and a medial area there between, the sole having a spaced medial support portion having floor engaging surface generally parallel to the foot support platform, the medial support portion situated generally under the ball and (generally) arch of the user's foot. Situated forward the medial portion to the forward tip of the sole is an angled area having an angle of between, for example, 20-60 degrees. Situated behind the medial portion is a short angled area terminating in a thinner rear sole area running generally parallel with the foot platform, but having about fifty percent of the thickness of the medial area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventor: Eshrat Masoodifar
  • Patent number: 7163518
    Abstract: Apparatus attaches to the leg at or below the knee to take the shock of walking off the foot and ankle. The foot is encased in a boot. Two spaced-apart tubes extend upward from a subfloor mounted below the boot. The boot is mounted for sliding up and down on the tubes. A pair of parallel elongate rods are attached at their upper ends to the upper portion of the leg at or below the knee, such that the lower ends of the rods are in the tubes. A spring, preferably a gas compression spring, is inserted into each tube so that the lower end of each rod compresses the spring as body weight is put on the subfloor in walking. The subfloor moves toward the boot as the springs are compressed, reducing some of the shock of walking and transferring forces to the leg. The rods may be attached to the leg by a cast, brace or orthosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: RGPartnership LLP
    Inventors: Martin Roche, Mark Graham
  • Patent number: 6920705
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe sole, in particular for a sports shoe, where the sole includes a cartridge cushioning system that includes a load distribution plate and deformation elements disposed in a forefoot region of the sole to provide support and/or cushioning to the forefoot. The shoe sole may include a second cartridge cushioning system that includes a second load deformation plate and functional elements disposed in a heel region of the sole to guide the foot into a neutral position after the first ground contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: adidas International Marketing B.V.
    Inventors: Robert J. Lucas, Allen W. Van Noy, Stephen M. Vincent, Christian Tresser
  • Patent number: 6751891
    Abstract: A shock absorption and energy return assembly for increasing the stability, shock absorption and energy return capabilities of a shoe. The assembly generally includes lower and upper guide members having a plurality of spring retainers, a plurality of springs positioned within the spring retainers, and a resilient connecting member which fixedly attaches the lower guide member to the upper guide member and serves to limit the separation between the guide members, preventing disengagement of the springs from within the guide members while simultaneously providing a means of allowing the springs to compress below their uncompressed height when a force is applied on the assembly. Alternatively, the assembly could be surrounded by a sealed, transparent encasement, which in one embodiment would comprise a lower portion and an upper portion surrounding the lower guide member and the upper guide member, and a plurality of lower extrusions and upper extrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas D Lombardino
  • Publication number: 20040111925
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pair of shoes with fixtures for walking on a slope and also in a flat place while maintaining the natural posture by adjusting the height of the heel, the toe, or the arched portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Tomio Fukui
  • Patent number: 6665956
    Abstract: An inner sole assembly for a shoe. The inner sole assembly comprises an upper body with an upper surface for engaging with a foot of a wearer. A foot bed composite supporting the lower surface of the upper body, and the foot bed composite comprising at least a heel portion and an arch portion. The heel portion of the foot bed composite provides lift to the heel portion to assist with introducing forward motion of a foot of the wearer. The heel portion of the foot bed composite typically has a plurality of protrusions projecting from a bottom surface of the foot bed composite for engagement with a outer sole of the shoe. The inner sole assembly may also include a frame assembly and a canting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Gordon Graham Hay
  • Patent number: 6622401
    Abstract: The modified oxford shoe providing vertical and horizontal heel pressure diminishment including an optional means of adjusting pronation is an inventive device which diminishes pressures to the heel with a floating collar and supple counter assembly with adjusting strap, with spacing studs attached strategically to the sides of the midsole to prevent exterior pressure to the heel and with a multi functioning cushion assembly coupled with adjustable underlying steel springs and resilient midsole and wearing surface to diminish pressure to the bottom of the heel and provide pronation adjustment if needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Lester Erwin Carroll, III
  • Publication number: 20030150137
    Abstract: A shoe construction is described in which generally concealed means can be manually adjusted to change the degree of transverse orthopedic foot support provided by the shoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Henri E. Rosen
  • Patent number: 6497058
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed, in particular a sports shoe with a sole ensemble and a stability element constructed of a material and configured for the selective support of single parts of the sole ensemble. The stability element includes a base element extending from a rearfoot portion to a forefoot portion of a shoe along the medial or the lateral side of the forefoot portion of the shoe and includes at least one support element. The at least one support element encompasses the sole ensemble upwardly or downwardly or both. Further, the stability element may include a heel support connected to the base element and a second base element for additional lateral support of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: adidas International B.V.
    Inventors: Stephan Johannes Karl Dietrich, Bernhard Knoche
  • Patent number: 6477791
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole with a stability element constructed of a material and configured for controlling, in a preselected manner, the rotation of the forefoot portion of the article of footwear around the longitudinal axis with respect to the rearfoot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: adidas International B.V.
    Inventors: Simon Luthi, Frans Xavier Karl Kalin, Jeffrey E. Gebhard, Charles D. Kraeuter
  • Patent number: RE40215
    Abstract: An athletic shoe is provided which contributes a dynamic stability of the shoe during several athletic activities. The athletic shoe comprises a tapered lateral wedge section and may further include a lateral heel stabilizer, a medial heel wedge and a tapered lateral forefoot section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventors: William G. Cummings, Jay G. Levine