THERAPEUTIC CUSHIONED SOLE
The therapeutic cushioned sole has a base that carries a cushioning material capable of simulating the feeling of walking on grass. The cushioning material may attach to the bottom of the footwear, such as a sandal or an over-shoe, or may affix to an after-market insole designed to replace or complement a stock insole. The cushioning material includes an artificial grass-like material such as field turf, Astroturf, or another like material and may be formed in different densities and lengths depending on the comfort level specific to a particular use or wearer.
The present invention relates to a therapeutic cushioned sole. More particularly, the invention relates to an outsole, over-shoe or insole therapeutic cushion capable of simulating walking on a cushioned surface, such as grass.
There are a wide variety of cushioning systems available with various footwear designs. The desired use of the footwear often dictates the type of materials that comprise the cushioning system in order to attain the desired comfort. Cushioning systems vary widely, but generally include an insole, a midsole and an outsole. Accordingly, the insole, midsole or the outsole absorb the majority of the impact forces placed upon footwear during walking or running. In this regard, footwear provides cushioning between the sole of the foot and the contact surface. Footwear typically includes some form of shock absorption materials or cushioning systems that provide comfort and support. For example, cushioning systems may include materials such as gels, plastic, springs, high-tech foams or other encasements that support air-filled chambers.
The aforementioned cushioning materials are designed to absorb and store impact energy generated during walking or running. In this regard, the outsole, midsole and insole are designed to protect and comfort feet. Manufacturers may specifically design these footwear components based on the desired use. For example, walking is generally a slower activity relative to running and requires less cushioning material to absorb impact forces. In fact, running shoes may be uncomfortable or unstable for walkers as these cushioning systems are designed to provide runners with an additional reflexive spring during running. Additionally, walking shoe outsoles typically experience less surface wear due to lower impact forces relative to running shoes. In this regard, it may be desirable to manufacture walking shoe outsoles out of lighter, less robust materials. Of course, most footwear outsoles comprise some form of material capable of withstanding walking or running conditions. For example, the outsole may be manufactured from natural rubber, a synthetic imitation rubber material, leather, wood, etc. The outsole may comprise a single piece of material or several separate interlocking pieces that enhance movement of materials relative to one another. Often, the outsole will at least consist of some durable material that provides traction.
The midsole is typically a layer of footwear material disposed or sandwiched between the outsole and the insole and may be designed to act as a damper therebetween. The midsole is most commonly used for shock absorption, but may also provide other functions such as vertical or lateral foot support. The midsole may consist of shock absorption material such as gel or air-filled chambers beneath the foot to absorb additional pressures most often associated with orthotic footwear. For example, some running footwear includes an inflated heel that functions as an air spring. The air spring is designed to quickly rebound from a compressed condition under force to provide thrust in each step. Of course, the midsole should be designed to rebound based on the type of body movement. In this regard, slower or less powerful responses may be designed specifically for walking or casual footwear and stronger and faster responses may be designed into running footwear. Midsoles vary largely among manufacturers, the type of footwear and the intended use of the footwear. In some cases, footwear may not include a midsole at all.
In one example, the midsole consists of a fluid-filled bladder that contains pressurized gases, viscous fluids or a gel that absorbs shock and stores energy. These fluid-based cushions are particularly ideal as shock absorbers and tend to increase comfort during walking or running. Some models have a large cushioning unit at the heel that is visible from the side of the midsole. The fluid-filled chamber generally includes a collapsible three-dimensional body defining a plurality of fluid cells. The fluid cells may be interconnected by a set of passages capable of dispersing fluid during use. For example, the fluid-filled midsole may have a large encased or encapsulated elastic member. This elastic member depresses when compressed such that the fluid therein escapes into surrounding chambers. This action provides a smoother, more contoured contact surface and supports the perimeter of the inflated area of the midsole. The encapsulated material essentially deforms to dissipate the load transferred upon it by the foot.
The insole is another part of the footwear designed to accommodate foot-related stresses induced during, e.g., walking or running. The insole is generally located along the interior bottom of the footwear and sits directly beneath the foot. Insoles may be permanently sewn or glued to the footwear. Alternatively, stock insoles sold with the footwear itself may be removable and replaceable. Some after-market insole products are designed to be used together with the factory stock insoles to provide extra cushioning or support, while other insoles may be designed to completely replace the factory insole. After-market insoles typically provide some additional comfort or health-related support specific to a particular wearer. For example, insoles may provide additional arch support, control the shape of a shoe or dissipate moisture. Specifically, the insole can distribute stresses associated with walking or running, such as foot motion patterns, vertical ground reaction forces, pressure distribution patterns and mid-foot dynamics. Of course, each of these conditions are different for different footwear, such as walking, running or hiking footwear.
There exists, therefore, a need in the art for a therapeutic cushioned sole capable of simulating walking on a soft surface, such as grass. Such a therapeutic cushioned sole should include a housing capable of securely attaching to a foot, a therapeutic cushioned surface disposed along the contact surface of the foot such that the associated cushioning system attaches directly to the shoe as an outsole, attaches to an over-shoe, or is otherwise provided as an insole. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe therapeutic cushioned sole generally includes a base that carries a cushioning material capable of simulating the feeling of walking on grass. In one embodiment, the cushioning material attaches to the base of a sandal capable of being strapped to the foot of a wearer. In an alternative embodiment, the cushioning material is formed along a bottom portion of an over-shoe that stretches over and encompasses a commercial footwear product, such as a shoe or sandal. In yet another alternative embodiment, the cushioning material affixes to an insole designed to replace or complement a stock insole already associated with the footwear. Preferably, the cushioning material is manufactured from an artificial grass-like material such as field turf, Astroturf, or another like material. In this regard, the cushioning material may be formed in different densities and lengths depending on the comfort level specific to a particular wearer.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention for a therapeutic cushioned sole is generally referred to by the reference number 10. The therapeutic cushioned sole 10 is illustrated herein with respect to three preferred embodiments. First,
As shown in
In
The sandal 12 further includes a front strap 22, a mid strap 24 and a rear strap 26. Accordingly, the front strap 22 and the mid strap 24 comprise two sections capable of being disconnected from one another such that a person may insert a foot into the sandal 12. In this regard, each section of the front strap 22 and the mid strap 24 is attached to the upper portion of the sole 20 by, for example, a set of stitching 28. Of course, the stitching 28 does not interfere with attachment of the cushioning system 18 to the sole 20. The two sections of the front strap 22 and the mid strap 24 may attach to one another by any method known in the art such as by a hook and loop combination (e.g. Velcro), snaps, buttons, buckles, etc. The rear strap 26 is attached to the mid strap 24, as shown in
Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A therapeutic cushioned sandal, comprising:
- a flexible base having a top surface and a bottom surface; and
- a ground engaging cushion fixed relative to the bottom surface, the cushion comprising a plurality of resiliently flexible fibers disposed generally perpendicularly to the bottom surface.
2. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the cushion comprises artificial turf.
3. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a perimeter and an interior, and wherein the cushion is longer in length about the perimeter than adjacent the interior.
4. The sandal of claim 1, further including a strap attached to the top surface, for attaching to a user's foot.
5. The sandal of claim 4, wherein the strap comprises a front strap and a mid strap.
6. The sandal of claim 5, wherein the front and mid straps include a fastening element for adjusting the length thereof.
7. A therapeutic cushioned sandal, comprising:
- a flexible base having a top surface, a bottom surface, a perimeter and an interior; and
- a ground engaging cushion fixed relative to the bottom surface, the cushion comprising a plurality of resiliently flexible fibers disposed generally perpendicularly to the bottom surface where the cushion is longer in length about the perimeter than adjacent the interior, and wherein the cushion comprises artificial turf.
8. The sandal of claim 7, further including a strap attached to the top surface, for attaching to a user's foot.
9. The sandal of claim 8, wherein the strap comprises a front strap and a mid strap.
10. The sandal of claim 9, wherein the front and mid straps include a fastening element for adjusting the length thereof.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 17, 2010
Publication Date: Sep 30, 2010
Inventor: Warren Liu (West Hills, CA)
Application Number: 12/725,632
International Classification: A43B 13/18 (20060101); A43B 3/12 (20060101); A43C 11/00 (20060101);