Patent Application
20120011743
The invention relates generally to an article of footwear. Articles of footwear in accordance with at least some aspects include an outsole assembly having a rigid layer for maintaining the shape of the footwear and providing stability and balance.
A conventional article of athletic footwear includes two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper provides a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure is secured to a lower portion of the upper and is generally positioned between the foot and the ground. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces (i.e., imparting impact force attenuation), the sole structure may provide traction and control foot motions, such as pronation. Accordingly, the upper and the sole structure operate cooperatively to provide a comfortable structure that is suited for a variety of ambulatory activities, such as walking and running.
The sole structure of athletic footwear generally exhibits a layered configuration that may include a comfort-enhancing insole, a resilient midsole formed from a polymer foam material, and a ground-contacting outsole that provides both abrasion-resistance and traction. In some athletic activities, an athlete may be required to establish a stable and balanced stance in order to achieve some goal. For example, in firearm based athletic events, having a stable and balanced position may affect the accuracy and overall performance of the athlete (i.e., increase in stability may provide an increase in accuracy). Current outsoles often use substantially flexible materials and configurations to provide comfort and impact force attenuation for the wearer. However, outsoles composed using such flexible materials and configurations are prone to deformation (e.g., due to a wearer's shift in weight) and thus, may cause instability in a wearer's stance.
It would be desirable to provide a footwear support system that reduces or overcomes some or all of the difficulties inherent in prior known devices. Particular objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain embodiments.
The principles of the invention may be used to provide an article of footwear having a stable and balanced outsole assembly. In accordance with a first aspect, an outsole assembly may include multiple layers. In particular, the outsole may include a plate layer comprising a rigid material having a predefined stiffness and thickness for maintaining the shape and configuration of the outsole. The outsole assembly may further include one or more additional layers such as a foam or rubber layer for shock absorption, comfort and the like. In one or more configurations, the outsole assembly may comprise a carbon fiber material having a sufficient stiffness to substantially resist flexion or bending of the outsole resulting from, e.g., a wearer's shift in weight.
In accordance with another aspect, the outsole assembly may be sized and configured to extend past a toe and/or heel point of a shoe upper to which the assembly is connected.
Such a configuration may be used to allow a wearer to attach the shoe to a stretcher device that is configured to hold tension forcing the sole to be flat.
In accordance with yet another aspect, a bottom layer of the outsole assembly (i.e., the layer that would contact a walking surface), may include a channel for distributing weight to an outside portion of the outsole assembly. The channel may be positioned within a middle portion of the outsole where a wearer's weight, or a substantial portion thereof, is concentrated. The channel may be cut in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the desired distribution of force in various directions. Further, the depth of the channel may depend on the thickness of the outsole assembly and/or whether a plate member such as a carbon fiber plate is present.
Advantages are achieved by providing an article of footwear with a rigid outsole assembly. In particular, certain embodiments allow an article of footwear to provide stability and balance. These and additional features and advantages disclosed here will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain embodiments.
A more complete understanding of the present invention and at least some advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:
The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale and should be understood to provide a representation of the invention, illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the article of footwear depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Articles of footwear as disclosed herein would have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used.
In the following description of various examples of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
1. Outsole Assembly for an Article of Footwear
Aspects of the invention relate to an outsole assembly for an article of footwear that is of a sufficient rigidity to provide stability and balance for a wearer during various athletic activities (e.g., firearm sports, archery). Articles of footwear according to at least some examples of the invention may include: (a) a shoe upper configured to receive a wearer's foot; and (b) an outsole assembly connected to the shoe upper, wherein the outsole assembly includes at least one layer comprising a material of a rigidity sufficient to resist bending of the outsole assembly due to a wearer's weight. A variety of materials may be used including fiberglass rigid thermoset plastics, other thermoplastic materials and/or metals such as titanium and/or steel. The rigidity of this at least one layer may be configured to improve the wearer's stability and balance despite shifts in weight and/or other causes of wearer instability or imbalance. In at least one or more configurations, the outsole assembly may include another layer disposed either above or below the rigid layer. The additional layer may comprise a foam and/or rubber material and may be configured to provide shock absorption, comfort, traction and the like. Alternatively or additionally, the additional layer may include a bladder impact force attenuation system. In yet at least one other configuration, the rigid layer of the outsole assembly may be sandwiched between two other layers (e.g., two foam/rubber layers) to improve various characteristics of the outsole.
The rigid layer may comprise various types of materials (e.g., carbon fiber material) and may be configured in various sizes and shapes depending on a wearer's preferences and needs. For example, a stiffer material may be required for a wearer weighing, e.g., over 300 pounds, than a material needed for a wearer weighing, e.g., less than 175 pounds. Alternatively or additionally, the thickness of the material may be defined to compensate for differences in the weight of different wearers. The rigid layer may, according to one or more aspects, be of a sufficient size to cover one or more areas of a wearer's foot that is subject to shifts in weight, bending and the like. In one or more arrangements, the size of the rigid layer may match the size of one or more other layers of the outsole assembly. Alternatively, the size of the rigid layer may smaller or greater than the size of other layers of the outsole assembly. In one example, an outsole assembly may include three layers, one of which comprising a rigid material such as a carbon fiber plate. A smaller rigid layer may be sandwiched between two foam and/or rubber layers that provide various types of support for the wearer. Furthermore, the length of the outsole assembly in general may be greater than the length of a connected shoe upper, where length is defined from toe to heel. Such a configuration may be used for articles of footwear designed for firearm competitions as the articles of footwear may be required to connect to another device.
The rigid layer may be positioned in a variety of areas of an outsole assembly so long as the rigid layer covers one or more portions of a wearer's foot that is subject to flexing, weight shifts and the like. For example, the rigid layer may be placed around the mid-foot region of the outsole assembly. The rigid layer may further include multiple pieces of the rigid material. That is, the rigid layer may be divided into multiple pieces rather than one integrally formed layer. Alternatively, the rigid layer may comprise a single integrally formed plate such as a carbon fiber plate.
As another example, articles of footwear according to this invention may include an outsole assembly comprising a layer configured to contact a walking surface, wherein the layer includes an enclosed channel to distribute a force to an outside portion of the outsole assembly. The channel may extend through the entire layer of the outsole assembly or a portion thereof and may, in one or more configurations, be entirely enclosed by the remainder of the layer. For example, an outsole assembly may include a foam or rubber material as a bottom layer of the outsole. A channel (e.g., of a circular shape) may be cut from the foam or rubber material such that a force applied to the outsole may be directed to the remaining portions of the bottom layer. The channel configuration of the outsole assembly may aid in the stability and balance of a wearer by diverting shifts in weight or other changes in a wearer's stance to more stable regions of the outsole. In one example, an outer edge region of an outsole may be subject to less variations in applied force due to the natural concentration of a wearer's weight in a more central region of a wearer's foot.
The channel may be a variety of shapes and sizes and be positioned in various areas of the outsole. According to one or more aspects, the channel may cover at least a mid-foot region of the outsole as the mid-foot region may be more susceptible to shifts in weight (e.g., back and force shifts) than other regions. The shape of the channel may depend on the desired distribution of force. For example, if more force is to be directed to a medial and lateral portion of the outsole, the channel may have an elongated oval shape (length of the oval extending substantially in the toe to heel direction). In one or more arrangements, the channel might not be fully enclosed by the remainder of the outsole layer. In particular, the channel may extend to one or more edges of the layer, again, depending on the desired distribution of weight.
As yet another example, an article of footwear may comprise both a rigid layer in the outsole assembly and a channel (e.g., in the rigid layer or another layer of the assembly).
The use of both a rigid layer and the channel configuration may provide added stability and balance for various activities. Thus, a channel used in conjunction with a rigid layer may be of a smaller size than a channel used without a rigid layer to achieve the same amount of stability or balance. The channel may be formed in a bottom layer connected to the rigid layer and extend through the bottom layer and exposing the material forming the rigid layer. Alternatively, the channel may extend through both the bottom layer and the rigid layer.
2. Methods of Making and Using Outsole Assemblies According to the Invention
Further aspects of this invention relate to methods of making outsole assemblies having improved stability and balance systems and mechanisms. Such methods may include, for example, providing an outsole assembly to a shoe upper using, e.g., stitching, adhesives and/or other attachment means. The outsole assembly may be formed by initially creating each individual layer and combining the layers into a single outsole assembly using any of a variety of well-known attachment means. A rigid layer such as a carbon fiber layer may be formed using injection molding or various extrusion techniques known in the art. The carbon fiber may further be cut into a desired shape and size for the outsole assembly. One or more additional layers may be formed in similar fashion, e.g., a foam or rubber layer may be injection molded according to a desired shape and size.
Alternatively, the foam or rubber layer may be molded in any size and subsequently cut to the desired configuration. A channel, if desired or needed, may be formed in a bottom layer at any time after formation of the bottom layer. For example, the channel may be cut into the bottom layer after the outsole assembly has been formed. Alternatively, the channel may be cut into the bottom layer prior to combining the layers to form the outsole assembly.
Specific examples of structures and methods according to the invention are described in more detail below. The reader should understand, however, that these specific examples are set forth merely to illustrate examples of the invention, and they should not be construed as limiting the invention.
In addition to lacing system 120, upper 105 includes a wrapping securing mechanism 130 that provides an additional level of security. Wrapping mechanism 130 includes a wrapping member 132 that extends around a rear of the upper 105 and extends through multiple receiving apertures 134. A first securing end 137 of wrapping member 132 is configured to wrap around receiving aperture 134a and to attach to itself via a VELCRO® attachment system (not shown). In order to tighten or loosen the wrapping securing mechanism 130, more or less, respectively, of the wrapping member 132 may be extended through receiving aperture 134a. Wrapping securing mechanism 130 may be located in an upper portion of upper 105, e.g., approximately around a wearer's ankle. Alternatively or additionally to the upper securing mechanisms 120 and 130 discussed above, other types of securing systems may also be used, including VELCRO®, zipper arrangements, belt systems and the like.
Upper 105 may further be composed of multiple materials. For example, various portions of upper 105 may be composed of a leather material while other portions may consist of a cloth fabric or plastic material. Certain materials may be included for their functional aspects such as rubber for waterproofing and fabrics for breathability. Similarly, a more rigid material may be used in forming a portion of upper 105 to resist flexion or deformation of that area (e.g., to prevent twisting an ankle or other foot related injuries). In one or more embodiments, upper 105 may be composed of thermally insulative materials to protect a wearer's feet during cold weather.
Further to
Outsole assembly 200 includes three layers 205, 210 and 215. Each of layers 205, 210 and 215 are visible from the sides of shoe 100. Layers 205 and 215 include a rubber or foam material that provides impact force attenuation and traction (in the case of layer 215). The material of layers 205 and 215 may be more rigid than typical outsole materials to provide further balance and stability. In the configuration shown in
Second securing end 138 wraps around aperture 134b and attaches to itself via a VELCRO® attachment mechanism. Additionally, upper 105 includes a second set of apertures 129 through which lace 124 extends. Lace 124 may extend between apertures 123 and 129 by, e.g., criss-crossing over the top of a front portion of shoe 100. The medial side of shoe 100 may be composed of substantially the same materials as the lateral side of shoe 100. The various layers 205, 210 and 215 of outsole assembly 200 are also visible from the medial side.
The shape of bottom layer 215 and outsole assembly 200 in general may correspond to a shape of shoe upper 105. That is, the shape of shoe upper 105 may define the shape and size of a bottom surface of layer 215 and outsole assembly 200. In
In one or more arrangements, outsole assembly 200 and layer 215 might not include an attachment region due to the ability of rigid layer 210 to maintain the flatness and overall shape of outsole assembly 200.
According to one or more aspects, bottom layer 215 may consist of multiple pieces. That is, if the bottom layer 215 is formed of a rubber material, multiple individual pieces of rubber may be used to form the bottom layer 215 to save costs and material while achieving the same level of stability and balance. The individual pieces may be shaped and positioned in regions of outsole assembly 200 to compensate for those areas that are particularly susceptible to instability and/or imbalance (e.g., a mid-foot region).
According to the illustrative embodiment of
As discussed, channel 220 may be formed according to a variety of configurations.
Furthermore, complete enclosure of a channel is not required. Various portions of the channel might not be enclosed to prevent weight from being distributed in the direction of that region.
Midsole 115 is illustrated in
Encasing the rigid layer may help protect accidental cuts or injuries resulting from an exposed sharp edge of the rigid layer. As shown in FIG. 13A, the rigid layer 610 may be placed within second layer 615 by forming the second layer 615 with an opening and an internal cavity 1300 configured to receive the rigid layer 610 (e.g., a carbon fiber plate). Accordingly, as shown in
An insertable rigid layer may also enhance the flexibility of shoe 600's uses. That is, in firearm activities, for example, a user may insert the rigid layer into shoe 600 to provide added stability and balance. However, during other activities such as jogging or walking, the rigid layer may be removed from second layer 615 for added comfort and impact force attenuation. Different types of rigid layers may also be used interchangeably depending on a surface associated with the activity (e.g., grass versus cement). Alternatively or additional outsole devices may also be designed for insertion into layer 615 including bladders and other padding materials. In the example discussed above relating to layer 615 including a top piece and a bottom piece, the bottom piece may be detachable from the remainder of outsole assembly 620. In particular, the bottom piece may be attached to the top piece or the remainder of outsole assembly 620 using a detachable or disengageable attachment mechanism such as a latch, a peg/hole arrangement (e.g., pegs protruding from the bottom piece may be inserted into holes in the top piece) and the like.
Alternatively, rigid layer 610 may extend at least ⅔, ¾ or ⅞ of the width of layer 615 and/or outsole assembly 620. Additionally or alternatively, the cross-sectional area of rigid layer 610 may be configured according to various shapes. For example, a thickness of rigid layer 610 may vary between a first thickness around the edges of layer 610 to a second thickness toward the middle of layer 610. The second thickness, in one or more instances, may be greater than the first thickness to provide additional rigidity and stability to an interior region of a wearer's foot.
According to one or more aspects, a rigid layer may include one or more protruding members to secure the rigid layer to a remainder of the outsole assembly.
An article of footwear according to the various aspects described herein may be configured in a variety of styles and shapes. For example,
While various aspects and features have been described in large part with respect to articles of footwear for firearm activities, the concepts described herein may also be used for other activities and events that require improved balance and stability in a wearer's stance or stride. Further, while only one rigid layer is discussed in the embodiments described herein, multiple rigid layers may be used. For example, two rigid layers may be used in combination with three force attenuation or other layers (i.e., each rigid layer would be sandwiched between two other non-rigid layers).
While the invention has been described in detail in terms of specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and methods. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. ______, currently U.S. application Ser. No. 11/851,119, entitled “Article of Footwear with Improved Stability and Balance”, filed on Sep. 6, 2007, and allowed on Sep. 2, 2011, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11851119 | Sep 2007 | US |
| Child | 13243329 | US |
