Patent Grant
10856614
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
This invention relates generally to footwear and more particularly to athletic positioning footwear.
As is known, a wide variety of shoes are available in today's market. The types, designs, and style of the shoes vary greatly depending on their use. For example, dress shoes have a particular design and style based on a more formal use. As another example, athletic shoes have a particular design and style based on their use while playing sports. For instance, each of tennis shoes, golf shoes, running shoes, cross training shoes, hiking shoes, basketball shoes, etcetera have a particular sole pattern, a sole design, an insole design, and upper shoe portion design. In addition, each type of shoe may further include, for a variety of health reasons, an arch support design, a pronation compensation design, and/or a supination compensation design.
The toe cap section 18 covers the toe area of the shoe 10 and may further include the reinforced toe guard 34. The toe cap section 18 is constructed of a first material that includes one or more of a leather, a molded plastic, a molded carbon fiber, a polyurethane (PU), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a faux leather, a PU leather, a fabric, steel, aluminum, etc. The reinforced toe guard is optional and, when included, is constructed of one or more materials that include, but are not limited to, a PU, a laminate, a molded TPU, a molded carbon fiber, and a molded plastic. The reinforced toe guard is attached to the toe cap section via lamination, stitching, gluing, painting, embedded, integrated, etc. In addition, the reinforced toe guard is attached to the midsole 12 and/or outsole 14.
The vamp section 20 covers at least a portion of a midfoot area of the shoe (e.g., from the ball of the foot to middle of the arch). The vamp section 20 is constructed of the same material as the toe cap or a different material (e.g., a PU, a TPU, a leather, a faux leather, etc.). For example, each of the toe section 18 and the vamp section 20 is constructed from polyurethane, a leather, or a combination thereof. As another example, the toe section 18 is constructed of a molded plastic to provide a “steel-toed shoe” and the vamp section 20 is constructed from polyurethane, a leather, or a combination thereof.
The quarter section 22 provides a rear portion of the upper section. For example, the quarter section 22 provides the heel wall and sides around the shoe opening. The quarter section 22 may be reinforced to maintain structural integrity of the shoe over time. The quarter section 22 is constructed of the same material as the toe cap section 18, as the vamp section 20, or of a different material (e.g., a PU, a TPU, a leather, a faux leather, etc.). In an embodiment, the quarter section 22 is constructed of a different material than the vamp section 20. In this instance, the quarter section 22 is attached to the vamp section 20 via one or more of lamination, stitching, gluing, riveting, lacing, etc.
In another embodiment, the quarter section 22 and the vamp section 20 are constructed of the same material(s). In this instance, a continuous material(s) is used to implement the quarter section 22 and the vamp section 24. As such, the continuous material provides the coupling between the quarter section 22 and the vamp section 20.
The metatarsal-phalange joint flex area 24 couples to the toe cap section 18 and to the vamp section 20 via one or more of lamination, stitching, gluing, riveting, lacing, etc. The metatarsal-phalange joint flex area 24 is positioned within the upper section 16 to cover the metatarsal-phalange joints of a foot when placed in the shoe 10. In addition, the metatarsal-phalange joint flex area 24 is constructed of a different material than that of the toe section 18, the vamp section 20, and the quarter section 22. For example, the material of flex area 24 includes one or more of a cloth, a fabric, a mesh, a lightweight PU, a polyester, and a synthetic fabric. As another example, the material of the flex area 24 includes a water-resistant material and/or a water-resistant treatment on a non-water proof material.
The material of the metatarsal-phalange joint flex area 24 is of a softer and/or more flexible material than is used in the other parts of the upper. For instance, Young's modulus measures the resistance of a material to elastic (recoverable) deformation under load. A stiff material has a high Young's modulus, changes its shape only slightly under elastic loads, and returns to its original shape when the load is removed. A flexible material has a low Young's modulus, changes its shape considerably under load, and returns to its original shape when the load is removed. Note that specific stiffness is Young's modulus divided by density and that Young's modulus is equal to elastic stress/strain. Further note that strain has no units; thus, units for Young's modulus are the same as for stress: N/m2, or Pascal.
With reference to Young's modulus, material of the metatarsal-phalange joint flex area 24 is of a lower value than that of the materials of the toe cap section 18, the vamp section 20, and the quarter section 22. For example, the Young's modulus value for the material of the metatarsal-phalange joint flex area 24 is no more than 75% of the Young's modulus value for the materials the toe cap section 18, the vamp section 20, and the quarter section 22. With the material of metatarsal-phalange joint flex area 24 being softer and/or more flexible material than the materials used in the other parts of the upper, the pinching and binding on the top of the metatarsals and the phalanges that result from being the toes is substantially eliminated. Thereby providing more comfort and more freedom of movement.
When included, the sock liner 26 is constructed of one or more materials that include, but is not limited to, neoprene, airoprene, spandex, etc. The sock liner 26 is positioned within, and coupled to, at least a portion of the quarter section 22 and at least a portion of the vamp section 20. For example, the sock liner 26 spans from the metatarsal-phalange joint flex area 24 through the vamp and quarter sections 20 and 22 and provides the tongue of the shoe. In another example, the sock liner 26 covers, from within the shoe, the securing mechanism 36 and an upper portion of the quarter section 22. Regardless of the particular embodiment of the sock liner 26, it is coupled to the vamp section 20 and/or the quarter section 22 in one or more places via one or more of lamination, stitching, gluing, riveting, lacing, etc.
As an example, the vamp section 20 and/or the quarter section 22 are attached at the periphery of the sock liner 26. In this manner, the vamp section 20 and/or the quarter section 22 are free to move over the sock liner as the laces are tightened. As another example, the vamp section 20 and/or the quarter section 22 are attached at the periphery of the sock liner 26 and along the lip of the sock liner that forms the free motion opening 32.
The securing mechanism 36 functions to tighten the shoe 10 around a foot when a foot is placed in the shoe 10. The securing mechanism 36 may be implemented in a variety of ways and positioned within the vamp section 20 is a variety of locations. For example, the securing mechanism 36 includes eyelets and a shoelace that is positioned approximately along a center line of the vamp section 20. With respect to
In another example, the securing mechanism 36 includes eyelets and a shoelace that is positioned approximately along a line that is between a midline of the shoe and a medial edge of the shoe. For instance, the midline is approximately centered between the medial edge of the shoe and a lateral edge of the shoe. An embodiment of this example is discussed with reference to one or more of
The midsole 12 is constructed of one or more materials that include, but is not limited to, Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) (PEVA), rubber, carbon fiber, cork, etc. An embodiment of the midsole 12 is discussed in greater detail with reference to
The outsole 14 is constructed of one or more materials that include, but is not limited to, rubber, EVA, PEVA, TPU, carbon fiber, plastic, etc. For an athletic shoe, the outsole 14 will have a tread pattern for a particular sport. For example, the tread pattern for a baseball shoe includes plastic and/or metal cleats arranged to provide traction for running, throwing, hitting, and/or fielding in grass, in dirt, and/or on artificial surface. As another example, a training shoe will have a tread pattern for weight lifting, cardio activities, etc. that occur on a gym floor (e.g., wood, concrete, carpet, etc.). An example of a golf shoe tread pattern is discussed with reference to
Each of the toe lateral wall 30 and the lateral support wall 28 is constructed of one or more materials that include, but is not limited to, PU, TPU, molded carbon fiber, molded plastic, leather, and rubber. The toe lateral wall 30 is attached (e.g., stitched, glued, laminated, etc.) to the upper toe section and to the midsole. The lateral support wall 28 is attached to the upper mid-foot and heel section and to the midsole. The lateral walls 28 and 30 provide a horizontal reactive force when a force is exerted by the foot on the lateral edge of the shoe 10.
The sock liner 24, the vamp section 20, and the quarter section 22 form the free motion opening 32. The size of the free motion opening 32 is proportional to the foot size to allow free motion of the foot and ankle. For example, the free motion opening insures that no material of the shoe is over the muscles, tendons and/or ligaments that restrict flexion of the foot. In one embodiment, the free motion opening is between 33% and 45% of the length of the shoe (e.g., length from heel to toe).
The quarter section 20 may further include a collar that delineates an opening 32 for the shoe 10. The collar (shown as the upper edge of the opening 32) has a geometric shape that minimizes restriction of movement of at least one of a foot and an ankle by substantially eliminated restrictive pressure points of the upper section on the at least one of the foot and the ankle.
The free motion opening 32, the metatarsal-phalange joint flex area 24, the lateral walls 28 and 30, and the midsole 12 function in combination to support optimal athletic positioning throughout an athletic movement with minimal impediments and with minimal energy loss as a result of the shoe. Optimal athletic positioning enables an athlete to maximize his or her ground reaction force, power generation, and to improve efficiency of the kinetic chain.
With the metatarsal-phalange joint flex area positioned over the metatarsal-phalange joints, the lightweight and flexible material of the metatarsal-phalange joint provides negligible interference when the toes are bent in the shoe (e.g., when walking, running, or other physical activity). In addition to providing freer motion, the metatarsal-phalange joint flex area improves comfort of the shoe by minimizing pressure points on the top of the foot when the toes bend in comparison to conventional athletic shoes.
The mid-foot section 64 is juxtaposed to the heel platform section 62 along the intersection line. The mid-foot section and the toe section collectively have a geometric shape that has a first slope along an inner edge of the midsole from a front edge of the midsole to the intersection line. The geometric shape further includes a second slope from the inner edge of the midsole to an outer edge of the midsole. The geometric shape further includes a third slope along the outer edge of the midsole from the front edge of the midsole to the intersection line. The first slope is greater than the third slope. The second slope has a variable angle from the front edge of the midsole to the intersection line that is based on a difference between the first slope and the third slope. When the shoe is worn, the first, second, and third slopes cause imbalanced weight bearing forces with more of the weight bearing forces being at a ball-of-foot and big toe area than in other areas of the toe and mid-foot sections.
In another embodiment, the OAP midsole 12 includes an angular gradient section and a heel section. The heel section has a zero slope from lateral to medial side with respect to the ground. In an embodiment, the heel section has a slope from heel to mid-foot of up to ¼ inch per inch with respect to the ground. In another embodiment, the heel section has no slope from heel to mid-foot with respect to the ground.
The angular gradient section has a lateral to medial downward slope that positions the big toe at a lower point than most or all of the other toes. In an embodiment, the angular gradient section has a downward slope from the lateral edge to the medial edge at a line corresponding to the metatarsal-phalange joints.
The combination of the heel section and the angular gradient section provide a dynamic athletic positioning adjustment for an athlete. In particular, when an athlete wears the athletic shoe and takes an athletic stance, the weight bearing forces of his or her legs are shifted inward and the inner balls of the feet firmly engage the ground via the shoes. In this position, the athlete is optimally positioned to maximize ground reaction force and efficiently use his or her kinetic chain.
Fractions of a second later, the full or near full outsole is in contact with the ground and the ankle has rotated with respect to
In
Fractions of a second later, the full or near full outsole is in contact with the ground and the ankle has rotated with respect to
In
With minimal horizontal reaction force, the horizontal component of the weight force vector causes the foot to push out on the upper as shown in
In this embodiment, the vamp section 20-1 and the quarter section 22-1 are cut lower around the ankle on the lateral and medial sides than in the embodiment of
The vamp section 20-5 and the quarter section 22-5 have a different pattern than the shoe of
The shoe lace based securing mechanism 36-1 may be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, the shoe lace latch is a piece of material similar to the sock liner and sewn to the sock liner along the top and bottom edges of the shoe lace latch to form a slot. When the shoes laces are tied, then are fed through the shoe lace latch 80, which may be a hook a loop, a clasp, or material sewn into the sock liner 26-2.
When the lace 86 includes one or more stopper balls 90 (e.g., sphere, oval, ellipse, block, etc.), the stopper balls help hold the lace in a tightened position. For example, one stopper ball is placed on the end to secure the lace in one of the eyelets of the upper section. Another stopper ball is positioned toward the end of the lace to provide a stopper for the lace from slipping back through the gripped hooks. In another embodiment, the lace includes multiple stopper balls to allow for different tension settings of the lace.
The forefoot pattern 102 is designed to promote foot rotation in one direction and to limit foot rotation in the opposite direction. In addition, the forefoot pattern provides linear movement traction (e.g., running forward, running backward, lateral movements, etc.). The center of the rotational pattern 102 includes a cone shaped cleat. As shown in
As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, the term(s) “configured to”, “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for an example of indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, the term “configured to”, “operable to”, “coupled to”, or “operably coupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more its corresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within another item.
As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1. As may be used herein, the term “compares unfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., fails to provide the desired relationship.
The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or more aspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or more examples. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include one or more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with reference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or different reference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or different ones.
While particular combinations of various functions and features of the one or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, other combinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. The present disclosure is not limited by the particular examples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.
The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/473,928, entitled “Athletic Shoe”, filed Mar. 20, 2017, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes.
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