Shoe suspension system
A shoe suspension system and device are provided. In a first version of the Present Invention a device attached to an undersole of a shoe directs a spring force toward the ground in one direction and toward a heel section of the undersole of the shoe, whereby the heel section receives the spring force in an axis substantially normal to the undersole. In another version, a ground plate extends from a hinge, the hinge is attached to the shoe undersole, and a spring element is coupled at one end to the ground plane and at another end to the undersole, whereby a substantially planar orientation of undersole is supported by the device. In yet another version, a linkage including a plurality of hinges and arms is attached to a shoe undersole and directs a force toward a heel plane of the undersole.
1. Field of the Invention
The Present Invention relates generally to footwear. The Present Invention more particularly relates to footwear that provides both stability and cushioning.
2. Description of the Background Art
The prior art and related art includes attempts to provide cushioning devices that are disposed between a foot and a ground surface to reduce the impact forces of locomotion. The prior art methods associated with an increase of cushioning brings with it some level of proportional decrease in stability. For this reason, the prior art has involved a compromise between cushioning and stability.
The principal objective of the Present Invention is to provide a device coupled with, or in combination with, a shoe that sponsors the stability and cushioning of a foot wearing the shoe. These and other objectives of the Present Invention will be apparent to those skilled in this field from the following description of various aspects of the Present Invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTowards this object and other objects that will be made obvious in light of this disclosure, a first preferred alternate aspect of the Present Invention includes a midsole device having a hinge, a ground plate and a spring element. The first preferred alternate aspect (hereafter “first midsole device”) may be coupled with, or be comprised within, the footwear (hereafter, “shoe”). The hinge is positioned to rotate about a hinge axis that is substantially normal to a longitudinal heel-toe axis of the shoe. The ground plate is rotationally coupled with the hinge, and is configured to position the spring element to provide a spring force toward a heel of a wearer and a spring force against a ground surface.
Certain alternate aspects of the Present Invention comprise one or more of the aspects of (1.) two or more spring elements; (2.) two or more hinges; (3.) one or more spring loaded hinges; (4.) one or more living hinges; (4.) multiple hinges and arms, each arm coupled with two hinges; (5.) one or more pinned hinges; and (6.) one or more rear plates, each rear plate for supporting the wearer's heel or foot.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCEU.S. Pat. No. 4,592,153 (Inventor: Jacinto, J. M.; issued on Jun. 3, 1986) titled “Heel construction”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,110 (Inventors: Goldston, et al.; issued on Aug. 1, 1995) titled “Adjustable shoe heel spring and stabilizer”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,588 (Inventor: Alviso, T.; issued on Feb. 8, 2000) titled “Shoe assembly”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,753 (Inventors: Steszyn, et al.; issued on Oct. 26, 2004) titled “Shoe with tunable cushioning system”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,756 (Inventor: Haynes, R.; issued on Aug. 16, 2005) titled “Jump assisting spring heel shoe”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,308 (Inventor: Aveni, M.; issued on Sep. 5, 2006) titled “Footwear with a heel plate assembly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,844 (Inventor: Chu, Y. T.; issued on Jan. 2, 2007) titled “Shock-absorbing shoe structure having adjustable elasticity”; and US Patent App. Publication No.'s 20050166422 (Inventors: Schaeffer, et al.; published on Aug. 4, 2005) titled “Shoe with an articulated spring-loaded outsole”; and 20070119074 (Inventors: Aveni, et al.; published on May 31, 2007) titled “IMPACT-ATTENUATION MEMBERS AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SUCH MEMBERS” are incorporated herein by reference and for all purposes. In addition, each and all publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent, in their entirety and for all purposes, as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
These, and further features of the Present Invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting one or more aspects of a preferred configuration, in which:
It is to be understood that the Present Invention is not limited to particular aspects of the Present Invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the Present Invention will be limited only by the appended claims.
Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events.
Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the Present Invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the Present Invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the Present Invention, the methods and materials are now described.
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A first intermediate arm 22A is rotationally coupled (a.) with a first upper hinge 20A to the first undersole 8A, and (b.) with a first lower hinge 20B to a second intermediate arm 22B. The second intermediate arm 22B is rotationally coupled (a.) with the first lower hinge 20B to the first intermediate arm 22A, and (b.) with a second lower hinge 20C to the ground plate 4C.
A third intermediate arm 22C is rotationally coupled (a.) with a third lower hinge 20D to the first undersole 8A, and (b.) with a fourth lower hinge 20E to a fourth intermediate arm 22D. The fourth intermediate arm 22D is rotationally coupled (a.) with the fourth lower hinge 20E to the third intermediate arm 22C, and (b.) with a second upper hinge 20F to the first undersole 8A.
It is understood that the hinges 20A-20F may comprise or be pivot elements optionally provide torsional forces to the intermediate arms 22A-22D, ground plate 4C, and/or the first undersole 8A in certain alternate aspects of the Present Invention.
The third midsole device 18 includes a spring midsole 12 whereby spring force is directed against a third undersole 8C of the footwear 1 and a third ground plate 4C. Each intermediate arm 22 is rotationally coupled with a linkage hinge 20 at each of two ends. Each linkage hinge 20 is configured and positioned to enable rotation about axes 10A-10F, wherein each axes 10A-10F are substantially normal to the heel-toe axis of the footwear 1. The gap between the ground plate 4C and the undersole 8C is spanned by one or more heel midsoles 12 which provide spring force and are optionally constructed of two polyurethane buckling columns with ethylene vinyl acetate foam core. Ethylene vinyl acetate foam, i.e. Chemical Abstracts Service No. 24937-78-8, also known as “EVA” or sometimes simply as “acetate”. The portion of vinyl acetate of the EVA foam of the source material 40 typically varies from 10% to 40% by weight with the remainder of the EVA material being ethylene.
Various aspects of the heel midsoles may exhibit a linear spring constant behavior, a non-linear spring constant.
A linkage assembly 23 comprising the linkage hinges 20 and the intermediate arms 22 may be attached to the shoe 1 by an adhesive or other suitable attachment means known in the art. Additionally or alternatively, the linkage assembly 23 may be constrained within a heel module of the shoe, wherein the linkage assembly is substantially housed within the heel module.
Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
The fourth ground plate 4D is optionally configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole 12 of the footwear 1 and an external contact surface (not shown), whereby the heel of the footwear 1 does not typically touch the ground when a wearer of the footwear 1 is walking, standing, or running.
Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
One or more living hinges 16, 16A, or 36 can optionally and similarly be stiffened to provide additional spring force much in the same way of the midsole device referenced by
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It is understood that various alternate aspects of the Present Invention may include various elements, to include: (a.) living hinges; (b.) living hinges comprising aspects or elements that provide torsional force to a footwear 1, a ground plate 4C, and/or an undersole 8C, and/or one or more intermediate arms 22A-22C; (c.) living hinges comprising aspects or elements that provide a spring force to a footwear 1, ground plate 4C, a and/or an undersole 8C, and/or one or more intermediate arms 22A-22C; (d.) one or more pivot hinges that rotationally couple a footwear 1, a ground plate 4C, and/or an undersole 8C, and/or one or more intermediate arms 22A-22C; (e.) one or more pivot hinges that rotationally couple and provide a spring force to a footwear 1, a ground plate 4C, and/or an undersole 8C, and/or one or more intermediate arms 22A-22C; and/or (e.) one or more pivot hinges that include a torsional spring element rotationally couple and provide a torsional force to a footwear 1, a ground plate 4C, and/or an undersole 8C, and/or one or more intermediate arms 22A-22C.
It is further understood that various additional alternate aspects of the Present Invention may alternatively, additionally, or optionally include various other aspects or elements, to include pivot hinges or living hinges that provide both torsional force and a spring force to a footwear 1, a ground plate 4C, a and/or an undersole 8C, and/or one or more intermediate arms 22A-22C.
The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of the Present Invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope of the Present Invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certain possible aspects and configurations of the Present Invention. The examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the aspects of the Present Invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described aspects can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the Present Invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the Present Invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The scope of the Present Invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above.
Claims
1. An midsole device for footwear comprising:
- a first hinge, the first hinge configured for attachment to an undersole of a footwear and for enabling rotation about an axis substantially normal to a heel-toe axis of the footwear;
- a ground plate, the ground plate coupled with the first hinge and configured to extend from the first hinge and toward a heel of the footwear; and
- a spring, the spring coupled with an insole of the ground plate, whereby the ground plate is substantially constrained in five degrees of freedom relative to the footwear.
2. The midsole device of claim 1, wherein the ground plate is configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole of the footwear and an external contact surface.
3. The midsole device of claim 1, wherein the first hinge comprises a spring element, the spring element configured to maintain the spring in compression against the footwear.
4. In combination, the footwear and the midsole device of claim 1, wherein the first hinge is coupled with the undersole of the footwear.
5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the spring is coupled with a midsole of the footwear.
6. In combination, the footwear and a plurality of midsole devices of claim 1, wherein each first hinge of the plurality of midsole devices is coupled with the undersole of the footwear.
7. The midsole device of claim 1, the ground plate comprising:
- an intermediate arm, a second hinge and a rear plate, the intermediate arm coupled with the first hinge and the second hinge;
- the second hinge configured for enabling rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the first hinge; and
- the rear plate coupled with the second hinge and the spring, whereby the intermediate arm and the rear plate are substantially constrained in five degrees of freedom relative to the footwear.
8. The midsole device of claim 7, wherein the ground plate is configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole of the footwear and an external contact surface.
9. The midsole device of claim 7, wherein the first hinge comprises a spring element, the spring element configured to maintain the spring in compression against the footwear.
10. The midsole device of claim 7, wherein the second hinge comprises a spring element, the spring element configured to maintain the spring in compression against the footwear.
11. In combination, the footwear and the midsole device of claim 7, wherein each first hinge is coupled with the undersole of the footwear.
12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the spring is coupled with a midsole of the footwear.
13. In combination, the footwear and a plurality of midsole devices of claim 5, wherein each first hinge of the plurality of midsole devices is coupled with the undersole of the footwear.
14. The midsole device of claim 7, the ground plate further comprising:
- a plurality of second hinges and additional intermediate arms, wherein each intermediate arm is coupled with two second hinges; and
- each second hinge is configured for enabling rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the first hinge.
15. The midsole device of claim 14, wherein the ground plate is configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole of the footwear and an external contact surface.
16. An midsole device for footwear comprising:
- a first hinge, the first hinge configured for attachment to an undersole of a footwear and for enabling rotation about an axis substantially normal to a heel-toe axis of the footwear;
- a ground plate, the ground plate coupled with the first hinge and configured to extend from the first hinge and toward a heel of the footwear; and
- a linkage, the linkage coupled with an insole of the ground plate and comprising a plurality of linkage hinges and a plurality of arms, each linkage hinge coupled with two arms and each linkage configured for enabling rotation about axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the first hinge.
17. The midsole device of claim 16, wherein the linkage comprises six linkage hinges and six arms, each linkage hinge coupled with two arms and each linkage configured for enabling rotation about axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the first hinge.
18. The midsole device of claim 16, wherein the ground plate is configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole of the footwear and an external contact surface.
19. The midsole device of claim 16, wherein at least one linkage hinge includes a spring element configured to provide a spring force for maintaining the linkage in tension.
20. The midsole device of claim 16, wherein at least one linkage hinge includes a spring element configured to provide a spring force for maintaining the linkage in tension.
21. The midsole device of claim 20, the spring element is removably coupled with the linkage hinge, and the spring element may be replaced with a second spring element having an alternate spring quality.
22. The midsole device of claim 20, wherein the spring element may exhibit a linear spring constant behavior.
23. The midsole device of claim 20, wherein the spring element may exhibit a non-linear spring constant behavior.
24. The midsole device of claim 16, further comprising a spring, the spring coupled with the linkage and the spring configured for maintaining the linkage in tension.
25. The midsole device of claim 16, wherein at least one linkage hinge is selected from the hinge group consisting of a living hinge and a pinned hinge.
26. In combination, the footwear and a plurality of midsole devices of claim 16, wherein each first hinge of the plurality of midsole devices is coupled with the undersole of the footwear.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 7, 2009
Publication Date: Oct 7, 2010
Inventor: Steven Paul Woodard (Cupertino, CA)
Application Number: 12/384,658
International Classification: A43B 13/14 (20060101); A43B 13/28 (20060101); A43B 13/18 (20060101); A43B 21/26 (20060101);