SHOE SOLE WITH COMPRESSIBLE PROTRUDING ELEMENT
A footwear sole assembly with at least one compressible protruding element extending downwardly beyond the bottom surface of the outsole, the at least one protruding element providing a natural instability to a wearer when the sole assembly initially contacts a supporting surface. The at least one protruding element is a three-dimensional structure formed of a substantially solid elastomeric material. In another embodiment, the at least one protruding element may also protrude upwardly beyond the sole assembly in such a manner that the wearer's foot can apply pressure to the top portion of said at least one protruding element.
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The present invention relates to a footwear construction and, more particularly, to a footwear sole construction with one or more compressible protruding elements or elastomeric ball-shaped objects.
Numerous attempts have been made over the years to incorporate into a shoe means for providing improved cushioning and resiliency to the shoe. These attempts have included using air cushioning systems such as air cavities or air bladders disposed within the sole of a shoe. However, the conventional cushioning systems only give wearers comfort by cushioning effect.
On the other hand, physical exercise of the foot through ranges of motion and physical stretching have provided for many a modicum of relief. Manual manipulation of an elastomeric member, for example, a rubber ball or stress ball, has proven beneficial to some for muscle toning and/or relief of stress. Furthermore, the benefits of exercising or sitting on a resilient ball, for example, sitting on a fitness ball, are well known. In this regard, the body responds to the instability of the ball and one attempts to remain balanced on the ball thereby engaging many more muscles than normal. Those muscles used to maintain one's balance on the ball become stronger over time. Movement of one's body on the ball changes the center of gravity of the user and causes the user's unused muscles to tighten automatically to maintain balance and stability on the ball.
It would therefore be advantageous to apply the benefits of the stress ball and fitness ball under the foot and develop a footwear platform that both provides comfort and cushioning from impact yet also promotes fitness and muscle toning through normal use. Since a ball is a natural geometric shape that enables multi-axial balance and motion, developing these attributes in a shoe sole would be desirable.
Thus, there exists a need in the art for a system that can be used in footwear to provide natural temporary instability thereby improving balance and muscle tone.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThe present invention pertains generally to a footwear sole assembly which includes one or more elastomeric compressible protruding elements extending outwardly and downwardly from the outsole of the sole assembly. The sole of a typical shoe generally serves three purposes: cushioning, protection and support. Any one of these functions may be accomplished by numerous materials or structure. The present invention serves an additional purpose of exercising certain muscles of the body by providing a natural instability to a wearer's foot.
The protruding compressible elements of the present invention function as an exercise tool for promoting balance and muscle toning. The present invention promotes balance because when the protruding element first strikes the ground or other walking surface, the shape of the protruding element provides deflection of the user's foot and shoe to one side or the other, such deflection being suitable for short term instability. When the user's foot first comes into contact with the ground or the walking surface, contact is first made between the protruding element and the supporting surface. This impact causes the protruding elements to compress as a reaction to how a user's foot first lands on the supporting surface and creates a temporary instability. The user's body responds to this instability of the protruding compressible elements to remain balanced thereby engaging many more muscles to recover to a normal transition. This compression, deflection and recovery cycle is what creates the workout or exercise system to trim and tone certain muscles.
In one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a shoe construction comprised of an arcuate-shaped protrusion projected downwardly beyond the bottom surface of the outsole toward the ground. The protrusion element is a three-dimensional, substantially solid structure formed of a suitable elastomeric material so as to create temporary instability to a wearer of the footwear and to allow the resilient material to be compressed. The protrusion element is physically exposed beyond the outsole.
In accordance with the present invention, the compressible protruding element first comes in contact with the ground or other supporting surface so as to create a natural temporary instability to the wearer's foot. The force of the ground contacting the protrusion and the force of the wearer's heel on the sole assembly and top surface of the protrusion causes the protrusion to be compressed. As the bottom component of the protrusion is compressed, the peripheral edges of the outsole around the protrusion come in contact with the ground so as to provide stability to the wearer's foot during subsequent movement.
Each protrusion element is a partially or substantially ball-shaped object made of any of a number of suitable resilient materials such as foam rubber or plastic. In use, the protrusion element provides a cushioning effect as well as natural instability. The sole assembly comprises at least one protrusion element formed on the bottom surface thereof, extending generally from the heel portion and/or forefoot portion of the outsole. The protrusion element can be designed to follow many geometric shapes, for example, spherical, oval, elliptical and so forth, that can be varied depending on the end use. The protrusion element formed on the bottom surface of the outsole provides the cushioning and deflection suitable for short term instability.
In accordance with the present invention, protrusion elements are affixed to the sole assembly in a variety of different ways. In this regard, each protrusion element may include a peripheral flange extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof. The peripheral flange allows the protrusion element to be secured in proper position within the sole assembly. The protrusion element has a generally round-shaped or elliptical configuration that extends vertically down in the vicinity of the heel and/or forefoot area with the bottom edges thereof tapered downwardly and inwardly, for defining a semi-ball shaped protrusion. The sole assembly, which includes preferably a midsole and an outsole, receives the protrusion element such that the peripheral flange of the protrusion is held in place within the sole assembly, and is preferably disposed between the midsole and outsole. However, other securing means to hold the protrusion elements in place within the sole assembly can likewise be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the protrusion element can be molded directly into the sole assembly.
Specific advantages and features of the present sole assembly will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description of several illustrative embodiments of the present invention.
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments disclosed herein are sometimes illustrated by fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should also be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Like numbers utilized throughout the various figures designate like or similar parts or structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONA shoe generally includes an upper and a sole assembly that is affixed to the upper. The sole assembly includes an insole, a midsole, and an outsole, each having a peripheral shape designed to conform to the shape of a wearer's foot. To facilitate disclosure of the present invention, reference will be made to various general areas of the foot, such as the heel, arch and forefoot areas. When used to refer to locations on the various sole components, these terms should be interpreted to include those areas of the outsole that are disposed generally (and not necessarily directly) beneath the corresponding elements of the foot. It should be understood, however, that the boundaries between the heel, arch and forefoot areas are not precise and that these terms should be interpreted loosely and with a great deal of flexibility.
The reference numeral 10 designates generally a shoe construction as seen in
Outsole 18 is generally a thin layer made of a wear resistant material such as high density foam, thermoplastic polyurethane, rubber, a foamed polymer or elastomer, a composite thereof or the like depending upon the type of shoe desired. In another embodiment, outsole 18 may be somewhat thicker. Outsole 18 also has a toe end 28 and a heel end 30. The length and width of outsole 18 are completely dependent upon the size of the shoe onto which the outsole 18 will be placed. Outsole 18 is positioned between the midsole 16, if one is used, and the ground, and forms the ground engaging surface. The outsole 18 has an interior surface 32 which faces the midsole 16 and an exterior surface 33 which is subject to engagement with the pavement or other underlying support surface, which will hereinafter be referred to as the “ground”.
As shown in
The shoe upper 22 can be of any suitable style or shape and includes a foot opening 38 and is shown as having a sidewall to form an enclosed slip-on style top. A sock liner or footbed 20 may be provided that is insertable inside the foot receiving opening 38 of the upper 22 and may be a fabric, coated fabric, leather or other suitable material.
As illustrated in
In total contrast, in the embodiment illustrated in
Each protrusion 24 and 26 may be of any suitable size, shape and depth, the geometry of which can be sculpted to accommodate different gait and exercise characteristics. For example, a substantially flat top surface area can be added to increase the stability of the wearer while curved medial side edges are still preferred for creating natural instability. The leading end of the protrusion can be tapered to provide smooth and stable support for the wearer. The protrusion 24 and 26 can likewise be designed to follow any suitable geometric shapes such as, for example, spherical, oval, elliptical or some other arcuate type shape that can be varied depending upon the end use. As an illustrative example, the protrusions 24 and 26 are generally semi-circular arcuate, semi-elliptical arcuate, or partially or substantially curved arcuate in shape on the bottom surface of the protrusions 24 and 26 when viewed from the bottom surface of the outsole 18. The top surface 56 of the protrusions 24 and 26 in the embodiment of
Each protrusion 24 and 26 extends at least from the bottom surface 33 of the outsole 18 and comprises a suitable elastomeric compressible material such as a low-density foam material which is resiliently compressible under an applied load to attenuate ground reaction forces and absorb energy. Protrusion element 24 and 26 can be preferably molded from an elastomeric material such as Polyether Polyurethane, EVA, rubber sponge, solid or foamed elastomer, SEBS and/or TPR gels or dual density Polyurethane. However, it should also be noted that protrusion elements 24 and 26 may also be formed of a molded urethane or any other material having exceptional memory characteristics. In a preferred embodiment, protrusion 24 and 26 is comprised of Polyether Polyurethane of 0.20-0.40 specific gravity, single density and of 25-60° Asker C hardness. One goal includes achieving 50%-60% compression yet allowing immediate recovery of the protrusion element when released from compression. Further, beyond just quick recovery, it is also desirable to achieve total recovery. To achieve this, one goal is to provide for the selection of a peculiarly appropriate foam or compressible material. Regardless of material types, size or shape, the ratio between the force applied and the deflection of the elastomeric material used for the protrusion element should be substantially a straight line that represents a linear response in the deflection range of 0%-50%. That is, the elastomeric compressible material of the protrusion element exhibits a cushion effect that is characterized by a generally linear force versus deflection curve up to about 50% deflection. The slope (stiffness) of the graph can change depending on the material selected for the specific end use, but the material selected should maintain a straight/steady slope through at least 0% to 50% deflection or compression as best illustrated in
In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in
As further illustrated in
In a further embodiment, the protrusion 24 and 26 can include a core made of another polymeric material to enhance compressive resistance.
During walking, running, or other ambulatory activities, the protrusions 24 and 26 initially create temporary instability by the curved surface 44 contacting the ground, and then the protrusions 24 and 26 are compressed between the foot and the ground, thereby attenuating ground reaction forces and reducing the instability as best illustrated in
The protrusions 24 and 26 provide support in the heel and/or forefoot area such that there will be a rocking action of the portions of the outsole 18 and midsole 16 adjacent to the protrusions 24 and 26 during walking and/or running. The protrusions 24 and 26 project from the bottom surface of the outsole 18. In a further embodiment, the outsole 18 may include at least one opening such as the openings 40 and 42 (
The protrusions 24 and 26 are likewise affixed to or otherwise secured to the sole assembly 12 by any suitable means. In the vertical cross section illustrated in
In the illustrated arrangement of
In one embodiment, sole assembly 12 comprises a front protrusion 26 and a rear protrusion 24 projecting downwardly from an outsole 18 as shown in
As can be seen in
Alternatively, as illustrated in
The top component 56 of each protrusion may be curved or circular projecting upwardly a distance H2 (
The protrusions 24 and 26 may be permanently affixed to sole assembly 12. Alternatively, the protrusions 24 and 26 may be removably detachable from the sole assembly 12 such that multiple sets of protrusions 24 and 26 may be utilized in a single footwear for the same wearer or user.
In another embodiment of a replaceable protrusion element, a pull cord 70 is attached to the core of the protrusion 24 and rests within the shoe as illustrated in
Alternatively, a user can heat the sole area of shoe to soften the original adhesive holding a protruding element 24 to detach it from the cavity within the sole assembly 12 as illustrated in
In order to fully appreciate the cushioning effect of the present invention, the operation of the present invention will now be described in detail. It will be readily seen that the footwear construction of the present invention, because of its unique construction, provides natural instability, thereby requiring a user to exert certain muscles to maintain balance during each walking or running gait cycle. When the wearer begins a stride, the heel area of the footwear contacts the ground or other support surface first. At this time, the weight of the wearer applies downward pressure on the protrusion element causing the protrusion element to be forced downwardly. This impact causes the protrusion element(s) to compress as a reaction to how the wearer's foot lands with respect to the ground (soft/hard, media/lateral, fast/slow) and creates a temporary instability. Certain muscles of the wearer's body then react to this situation and the wearer recovers to a normal transition through the midfoot and toe-off. This compression/deflection and recovery cycle is what creates the workout for the wearer to trim and tone certain muscles.
It is recognized and anticipated that many different variations of the present protruding elements 24 and 26 can be utilized in any particular shoe construction. Although several different styles of shoes and several different embodiments of the various protruding elements and the positioning and location of such protruding elements within a particular sole assembly have been described, any combination of the various embodiments disclosed herein can be utilized in any particular shoe construction. For example, the protruding elements 24 and/or 26 can be used singly or in combination with any particular shoe construction such that a protruding element may extend downwardly from the outsole 18 in the heel area only, in the forefoot area only, or a pair or more of such protruding elements could extend downwardly from the outsole 18 in any particular shoe construction. In one aspect of the present invention, the protruding elements extend downwardly only and do not include a top component 56 for engaging the foot of a wearer. In other embodiments, the protruding elements 24 and/or 26 can be used singly in the heel area only, in the forefoot area only, or a pair or more of such protruding elements could be utilized in any particular shoe construction wherein each protruding element includes a bottom portion 44 and a top portion 56 for projecting both downwardly and upwardly as explained above. It is also recognized and anticipated that some of the protruding elements 24 and/or 26 associated with any particular shoe construction may protrude downwardly only from the outsole 18 whereas other protruding elements may protrude upwardly only so as to engage the foot of a wearer as previously explained. It is also recognized and anticipated that some of the protruding elements associated with a particular shoe construction may protrude downwardly only, some of the protruding elements may protrude upwardly only, and some of the protruding elements may protrude both upwardly and downwardly as previously explained. Still further, it is recognized and anticipated that the top component 56 of the present protruding elements 24 and/or 26 may extend completely through the sock liner for engaging the bottom of a wearer's foot, or such top component 56 may slightly protrude through the opening in the sock liner for engaging the bottom of a wearer's foot, or such top component 56 may lie adjacent to or slightly below the sock liner in a position and location wherein a wearer's foot can apply pressure on the top component of the protrusion element during a typical gait cycle. Other variations and arrangements of the protruding elements are likewise envisioned.
Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.
Claims
1. A shoe construction comprising:
- an upper shaped and sized to receive a foot portion of a wearer; and
- a sole assembly attached to said upper, the sole assembly including: an outsole; and at least one protrusion extending outwardly from a bottom surface of said outsole, said at least one protrusion being comprised of an elastomeric compressible material, said at least one protrusion having at least partially an arcuate surface.
2. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein the sole assembly comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion, said first protrusion being disposed at a location corresponding to a location where a forefoot of a wearer's foot would sit on said outsole; and said second protrusion being disposed at a location corresponding to a location where a heel of a wearer's foot would sit on said outsole.
3. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion includes a top component, a bottom component and means for securing said at least one protrusion within the sole assembly, a portion of said top component protruding upwardly beyond said sole assembly, a portion of said bottom component protruding downwardly beyond the bottom surface of said outsole, both said top component and said bottom component having at least partially an arcuate surface.
4. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein at least one opening is formed in said outsole, said at least one protrusion protruding through said at least one opening outwardly beyond the bottom surface of said outsole.
5. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion includes a peripheral flange for securing said at least one protrusion to said sole assembly.
6. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion includes one or more substantially solid pieces of elastomeric material.
7. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion has a curved upper surface.
8. The shoe construction of claim 1 further comprising a sock liner, said sock liner including an opening disposed at a location in registration with the location of said at least one protrusion in such a manner that the wearer's foot can apply pressure on said at least one protrusion through said opening.
9. The shoe construction of claim 8 wherein said sock liner further includes a thin layer covering said opening.
10. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein said outsole includes a recess on the bottom surface thereof along an outer peripheral edge of said at least one protrusion.
11. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein the sole assembly further comprises a midsole disposed between the upper and said outsole, said at least one protrusion including means for securing said at least one protrusion between said midsole and said outsole.
12. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric compressible material exhibits a cushion effect that is characterized by a generally linear force versus deflection curve up to about 50% deflection.
13. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion is removably attachable to and removably detachable from said sole assembly.
14. The shoe construction of claim 13 further comprising a cord affixed to said at least one protrusion in such a manner that said at least one protrusion can be removably detachable from said sole assembly by pulling said cord.
15. The shoe construction of claim 13 further comprising an adhesive strip attached to said at least one protrusion in such a manner that said at least one protrusion can be removably attachable to said sole assembly with said adhesive strip.
16. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion is disposed at a location corresponding to a location where a forefoot of a wearer would sit on said outsole.
17. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion is disposed at a location corresponding to a location where a heel of a wearer would sit on said outsole.
18. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein said sole assembly further includes a skin layer positioned beneath said protrusion, said skin layer covering substantially an entire bottom surface of said protrusion.
19. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface of said outsole includes a curved surface extending beneath said protrusion, said curved surface covering substantially an entire bottom surface of said protrusion.
20. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion extends a distance in the range of about 4 mm to about 2 inches between the bottom surface of said outsole and a bottom edge of said protrusion.
21. The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein said sole assembly includes a midsole disposed above said outsole and said at least one protrusion includes a top component, the top component extending a distance in the range of about 1 mm to about 1 inch between a top surface of said midsole and a top edge of the top component.
22. A shoe construction comprising:
- an upper shaped and sized to receive a foot portion of a wearer; and
- a sole assembly attached to said upper, the sole assembly having a forefoot portion and a heel portion, the sole assembly including: a midsole; an outsole disposed below said midsole; and a first protrusion and a second protrusion, said first protrusion being disposed in the heel portion, said second protrusion being disposed in the forefoot portion, both said first and second protrusions projecting downward from a bottom surface of said outsole, each of said first and second protrusions being comprised of an elastomeric compressible material.
23. The shoe construction of claim 22 wherein at least one of said first and second protrusions includes a top component, a bottom component and means for securing said protrusion within said sole assembly, a portion of said top component protruding upwardly beyond the sole assembly, a portion of said bottom component protruding downwardly beyond said outsole, both said top component and said bottom component having at least partially an arcuate surface.
24. The shoe construction of claim 22 wherein said outsole includes a first opening and a second opening, said first protrusion protruding through said first opening outwardly beyond said outsole and said second protrusion protruding through said second opening outwardly beyond said outsole.
25. The shoe construction of claim 22 wherein at least one of said first and second protrusions includes a peripheral flange for securing said protrusion between said midsole and said outsole.
26. The shoe construction of claim 22 wherein at least one of said first and second protrusions includes one or more substantially solid pieces of elastomeric material.
27. The shoe construction of claim 22 wherein at least one of said first and second protrusions has a curved upper surface.
28. The shoe construction of claim 22 further comprising a sock liner, said sock liner including at least one opening disposed at a location in registration with at least one of said first and second protrusions in such a manner that the wearer's foot can apply pressure on at least one of said first and second protrusions through said at least one opening.
29. The shoe construction of claim 28 wherein said sock liner further includes a thin layer covering said at least one opening.
30. The shoe construction of claim 22 wherein said outsole includes a recess on the bottom surface thereof along an outer peripheral edge of at least one of said first and second protrusions.
31. The shoe construction of claim 22 wherein said elastomeric compressible material exhibits a cushion effect that is characterized by a generally linear force versus deflection curve up to about 50% deflection.
32. The shoe construction of claim 22 wherein at least one of said first and second protrusions is removably attachable to and removably detachable from said sole assembly.
33. The shoe construction of claim 32 further comprising a cord affixed to at least one of said first and second protrusions in such a manner that said protrusion can be removably detachable from said sole assembly by pulling said cord.
34. The shoe construction of claim 33 further comprising an adhesive strip attached to at least one of said first and second protrusions in such a manner that said protrusion can be removably attachable to said sole assembly with said adhesive strip.
35. The shoe construction of claim 22 wherein said sole assembly further includes at least one skin layer positioned beneath at least one of said first and second protrusions, said at least one skin layer covering substantially an entire bottom surface of said at least one protrusion.
36. The shoe construction of claim 22 wherein a bottom surface of said outsole includes a curved surface extending beneath at least one of said first and second protrusions, said curved surface covering substantially an entire bottom surface of said at least one protrusion.
37. The shoe construction of claim 22 wherein at least one of said first and second protrusions extends a distance in the range of about 4 mm to about 2 inches between a bottom surface of said outsole and a bottom edge of said at least one protrusion.
38. The shoe construction of claim 22 wherein at least one of said first and second protrusions includes a top component, the top component extending a distance in the range of about 1 mm to about 1 inch between a top surface of said midsole and a top edge of the top component.
39. A shoe construction comprising:
- an upper shaped and sized to receive a foot portion of a wearer; and
- a sole assembly attached to said upper, the sole assembly including: an outsole including at least one opening; and at least one substantially solid protruding element extending outwardly from a bottom surface of said outsole through said opening, said at least one protruding element being formed of at least one elastomeric compressible material, said at least one protruding element including a ground engaging surface having at least partially an arcuate shape.
40. The shoe construction of claim 39 wherein the sole assembly comprises a first protruding element and a second protruding element, said first protruding element being disposed at a location corresponding to a location where a heel of a wearer's foot would sit on said outsole, and said second protruding element being disposed at a location corresponding to a location where a forefoot of a wearer's foot would sit on said outsole.
41. The shoe construction of claim 39 wherein said at least one protruding element comprises a top component, a bottom component and means for securing said at least one protruding element within the sole assembly, a portion of said top component protruding upwardly beyond the sole assembly, a portion of said bottom component protruding downwardly beyond the bottom surface of said outsole, both said top component and said bottom component having at least partially an arcuate surface.
42. The shoe construction of claim 39 wherein said at least one protruding element includes a peripheral flange for securing said at least one protruding element to said sole assembly.
43. The shoe construction of claim 39 wherein said at least one protruding element has a curved upper surface.
44. The shoe construction of claim 39 further comprising a sock liner, said sock liner including at least one opening disposed at a location in registration with said at least one protruding element in such a manner that the wearer's foot can apply pressure on said at least one protruding element through said at least one opening.
45. The shoe construction of claim 44 wherein said sock liner further includes a thin layer covering said at least one opening thereof.
46. The shoe construction of claim 39 wherein said outsole includes a recess on the bottom surface thereof along an outer peripheral edge of said at least one protruding element.
47. The shoe construction of claim 39 wherein the sole assembly further includes a midsole disposed between the upper and said outsole, said at least one protruding element including means for securing said at least one protruding element between said midsole and said outsole.
48. The shoe construction of claim 39 wherein said elastomeric compressible material exhibits a cushion effect that is characterized by a generally linear force versus deflection curve up to about 50% deflection.
49. The shoe construction of claim 39 wherein said at least one protruding element is removably attachable to and removably detachable from said sole assembly.
50. The shoe construction of claim 49 further including a cord affixed to said at least one protruding element in such a manner that said protruding element can be removably detachable from said sole assembly by pulling said cord.
51. The shoe construction of claim 49 further including an adhesive strip attached to said at least one protruding element in such a manner that said at least one protruding element can be removably attachable to said sole assembly with said adhesive strip.
52. The shoe construction of claim 39 wherein said sole assembly further includes a skin layer positioned beneath said at least one protruding element, said skin layer covering said ground engaging surface.
53. The shoe construction of claim 39 wherein a bottom surface of said outsole includes a curved surface extending beneath said at least one protruding element, said curved surface covering said ground engaging surface.
54. The shoe construction of claim 39 wherein said at least one substantially solid protruding element extends a distance in the range of about 4 mm to about 2 inches between a bottom surface of said outsole and a bottom edge of said at least one protruding element.
55. The shoe construction of claim 39 wherein said sole assembly includes a midsole disposed above said outsole and said at least one substantially solid protruding element includes a top component, the top component extending a distance in the range of about 1 mm to about 1 inch between a top surface of said midsole and a top edge of the top component.
56. A shoe construction comprising:
- an upper shaped and sized to receive a foot portion of a wearer; and
- a sole assembly attached to said upper, the sole assembly including an outsole having an opening disposed at a location corresponding to a location where a heel of a wearer's foot would sit on the outsole; and
- a resilient ball-shaped element extending downwardly from a bottom surface of said outsole through said opening, said ball-shaped element being formed of at least one elastomeric compressible material and including a ground engaging surface having at least partially an arcuate shape so as to create a temporary instability to the wearer of the shoe construction when said ball-shaped element initially contacts a supporting surface, and securing means to secure the ball-shaped element within said sole assembly.
57. A shoe construction comprising:
- a sole assembly having a heel portion and a forefoot portion wherein said sole assembly including an outsole; and
- a substantially solid protruding element disposed in the heel portion, the protruding element projecting downwardly from a bottom surface of said outsole, the protruding element being formed of at least one elastomeric compressible material and including a curved ground engaging surface, said protruding element including securing means to secure the protruding element to said sole assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 2, 2009
Publication Date: Jun 2, 2011
Applicant: BROWN SHOE COMPANY, INC. (St. Louis, MO)
Inventors: David L. Vattes (University City, MO), Jeffery F. Feng (Chesterfield, MO), Jonathan Sundy (St. Louis, MO), Bryce Rutter (St. Louis, MO), Marc Hunter (St. Louis, MO)
Application Number: 12/629,829
International Classification: A43B 17/00 (20060101); A43B 13/12 (20060101); A43B 13/18 (20060101);