DYNAMIC SOLE FOR SHOE

Abstract

A disclosed shoe component includes: (a) a toe section, a heel section, a midfoot section therebetween, an exterior side and an opposed interior side, both extending from the heel section through the midfoot section and to the toe section; (b) a closed cell foam heel cup in the heel section; (c) a heel pad in the heel section at least partially surrounded by the heel cup; (d) a plurality of open cell foam members of varying firmness positioned in a movement pattern corresponding to a user's pressure movement Pattern and extending through the midfoot section and into the toe section; and (e) an optional toe closed cell foam member as a filler in the toe section. The open cell foam members can be positioned on either side of the center path corresponding to a movement configuration of a user to provide varying support on either side of the center path.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a sole for a shoe and more specifically, a dynamic sole for a shoe adapted to facilitate comfort and support for walking.

BACKGROUND

Today, most shoes include an insole and an outsole. Sometimes a midsole is provided as a layer between the insole and outsole. A shoe defines an interior cavity formed in an opening for receiving a human foot. Typically, the insole is provided along a floor of the interior cavity, which is in contact with the bottom of the foot during use. The outsole defines an outer portion of the shoe exposed to the surrounding environment. In use, the user wearing a shoe inserts his or her foot into the shoe through the opening, allowing the shoe to substantially form around the foot. The foot generally contacts the insole. The midsole, if one is provided, is sandwiched between the insole and the outsole, which is exposed to the external environment. Some shoes include a removable insole.

Currently, insoles are typically fabricated in a relatively low cost manner providing minimal support and/or minimal additional comfort. Consumers can purchase off the shelf inserts or supports to provide different or added comfort or support for their feet. For example, a consumer may replace the “factory” insole, which is included at the time of purchase of the shoe, with a more supportive arch support, cooling insole fabricated from a more breathable material, or an insole that includes additional padding.

Accordingly, a need exists for a shoe component operable for user customization to provide added comfort, support, and manufacturability in a competitive manner.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to a shoe component (insole, midsole, and/or outsole) including: (a) a toe section, a heel section, a midfoot section positioned therebetween, an exterior side and an opposed interior side, both extending from the heel section through the midfoot section and to the toe section; (b) a closed cell foam heel cup positioned in the heel section; (c) a heel pad including any of foam, air, and a combination thereof, the heel pad positioned in the heel section at least partially surrounded by the heel cup; (d) a plurality of open cell foam members of varying firmness positioned in a movement pattern corresponding to a user's pressure movement pattern and extending through the midfoot section and into the toe section; and (e) an optional toe closed cell foam member as a filler positioned in the toe section. The movement pattern can correspond to a determined pressure pattern associated with a given athletic activity and the movement pattern defines a center path. The plurality of open cell foam members can be positioned on either side of the center path corresponding to a movement configuration of a user to provide varying support on either side of the center path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example shoe component configuration illustrating a pronator configuration.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example shoe component configuration illustrating a neutral configuration.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an example shoe component configuration illustrating a supinator (underpronator) configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the following parts list applies. The terms used to describe each part are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting to any particular structure that may be associated with such terms. It is within the scope of the present disclosure to include additional terms known in the art to describe similar and/or identical features.

PARTS LIST

• • 10—Insole/outsole/midsole configuration
  • 11—Heel Section
  • 12—Toe Section
  • 13—Midfoot section
  • 13A—Exterior side
  • 13B—Interior side (arch side)
  • 14—Close Cell Foam Heel Cup
  • 15—Closed Cell Foam Toe
  • 16—Heel (Air pocket, foam, open cell foam)
  • 17—Dream Cells Firm
  • 18—Dream Cells Soft
  • 19—Air passageways, channels
  • 20—Center Path or Centerline
  • 21—Pressure Path from Walking

The present disclosure relates to a shoe component (insole, midsole, and/or outsole). The shoe component can be incorporated into any conceivable footwear. Examples of footwear include but are not limited to: athletic shoes such as basketball, running, tennis, hiking, walking, cross training, biking, baseball, football, golf, etc., sandals, formal shoes, casual shoes, and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, example schematic sole layouts are provided. These layouts can be incorporated into an insole, a midsole, and/or an outsole. The configuration of each shoe component can correspond to a given pressure map or pattern generated by a given user or predetermined by a particular athletic activity. For example, when walking, a user typically places the foot onto a walking surface moving from heel to toe. This means that typically the heel strikes the surface first and then rolls through the midfoot to the toe. Based on a foot's shape and predetermined pressure pattern, a pressure path of the foot can be determined as the foot touches the walking surface with the heel until the foot pushes off with the toe.

Depending on the particular type of athletic or other activity, this pressure path or pattern can vary. The path can resemble a wave and define a center path, interchangeably referred to as a centerline. In the drawings, centerline 20 of FIG. 2 is shown for a right foot neutral configuration. In this example, centerline 20 begins slightly right of center in the heel and follows a path towards the left of the heel before continuing back to the right to hug the right side midfoot section of the foot. This pressure path then extends back to the left as the path moves from the midfoot into the ball of the foot and into the toe. A mirror image of this path would be provided for a left foot.

FIG. 1-3 illustrate an example sole 10, also referred to as a shoe component, having a toe section 12, a heel section 11, and a midfoot section 13 positioned therebetween. An exterior side 13A and an opposed interior side 13B (corresponding to the arch of the midfoot), both extend from the heel section 11 through the midfoot section 13 and to the toe section 12.

In an example, a closed cell foam heel cup 14 is positioned in the heel section 11. A heel pad 16 can be provided that includes any of foam, air, and a combination thereof. In one example, heel pad 16 includes an air pocket. In another example, heel pad 16 includes an open cell foam material that allows air to push through to the midfoot during use. The heel pad 16 is positioned in the heel section 11 to be at least partially surrounded by the heel cup 14.

Moving from the heel section 11 to the midfoot section 13, a plurality of open cell foam members 17 and 18 are provided. Foam members 17 and 18 can be interchangeably referred to as foam cells and can have varying firmness and/or densities. The cells 17 and 18 are positioned in a movement pattern corresponding to a user's pressure movement pattern 21 and extending through the midfoot section 13 and into the toe section 12. Cells 17 and 18 are configured to provide dynamic support and comfort to a user for walking or any designated athletic activity. The varying firmness and densities allow for customized comfort and support for any particular pressure profile.

An optional toe closed cell foam member 15 can be provided. Typically, the toe member 15 is positioned in an outer corner of the toe where minimal movement pressure exists during use of the shoe. Accordingly, placing a foam member in this particular space can help as a filler and potentially reduce costs of manufacturing.

In an example, the movement pattern 21 corresponds to a determined pressure pattern associated with a given athletic activity and the movement pattern defines a center path 20. The plurality of open cell foam members 17 and 18 are positioned on either side of the center path 20 corresponding to a movement configuration of a user to provide varying support on either side of the center path 20. In an example, the movement configuration of the user can be any of a pronator (FIG. 1), neutral (FIG. 2), and supinators (underpronators) (FIG. 3).

In a further example, members 17, 18 are fabricated from an open cell foam material to allow for air to pass through the sole 10. Members 17 and 18 can include geometries of cylindrical cells having any of soft, medium, and firm densities, and any combination thereof (e.g., soft/medium, soft/firm, medium/firm, or soft/medium/firm). Soft, medium, and firm densities can be relative terms corresponding to the relative manner in which the foam members respond to an applied load. For example, under a given compressive load (e.g., in an axial direction defined by the foam member, such as generally perpendicular to the shoe component surface), a corresponding compressive deformation (e.g., also in the axial direction defined by the foam member) is largest for the soft density, smallest for the firm density, and at an intermediate value for the medium density. In a refinement, the foam members can have a distinct color or other visible index or indicator corresponding to the foam member density and/or firmness. Such a visible index or indicator can permit a user (or other person) to reposition and/or replace foam members within a shoe component, for example to change the shoe component from one movement pattern, pressure pattern, and/or movement configuration to another (e.g., to/from pronator, neutral, and/or supinator (underpronator)).

In examples of FIG. 1-3, members 17 define firm densities and members 18 define soft densities. The firmness of the sole 10 is varied by varying members 17 and 18 about the center path 20 by rearrangement of the varying soft, medium, and firm density cells. This corresponds to support a foot of the user depending on their pressure movement profile. In yet another example, the firmness of the shoe component can be varied by increasing or decreasing the amount of cylindrical cells 17 and 18 according to a desired configuration. Example configurations can include those shown in FIGS. 1-3 or customized according to a given center path for a given pressure map. A pronator (FIG. 1) configuration can be provided having more firm cells 17 positioned interior to the center path 20 relative to a neutral configuration (FIG. 2) and more soft cells 18 positioned exterior of the center path 20 relative to a neutral configuration. A supinator configuration (FIG. 3) is provided having more firm cells 17 positioned exterior to the center path 20 relative to a neutral configuration (FIG. 2) and more soft cells 18 positioned interior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration.

The dynamic sole configurations of the present disclosure can be configured according to various athletic activities. Examples of athletic activities that may result in varying pressure movement profiles include but not limited to any one of running, hiking, golf, basketball, tennis, football, baseball, soccer, etc.

In an example, the open cell foam members 17, 18 define varying colors corresponding to varying densities and firmness. The arrangement of foam members 17, 18 about the center path 20 forms passageways 19 that allow air passage through the sole 10 corresponding to a walking pressure pattern 21 of the user from heel 11 to toe 12. In an example, the foam members are fabricated from natural rubber latex.

The present disclosure further provides for a method of customization of a user's preferred shoe sole. In this example, a user's pressure pattern can be determined. This can be performed using a scanning technique or electronically through a pressure map reader or the like. Based on a pressure mapping, a customized configuration can be made based on identifying a center line and configuring the cells of varying firmness about the center line. This will provide the desired comfort and support for that particular user.

Specific contemplated aspects of the disclosure are described in the following numbered paragraphs.

1. A shoe component (insole, midsole, and/or outsole) comprising: (a) a toe section, a heel section, a midfoot section positioned therebetween, an exterior side and an opposed interior side, both extending from the heel section through the midfoot section and to the toe section; (b) a closed cell foam heel cup positioned in the heel section; (c) a heel pad including any of foam, air, and a combination thereof, the heel pad positioned in the heel section at least partially surrounded by the heel cup; (d) a plurality of open cell foam members of varying firmness positioned in a movement pattern corresponding to a user's pressure movement pattern and extending through the midfoot section and into the toe section; and (e) an optional toe closed cell foam member as a filler positioned in the toe section; wherein the movement pattern corresponds to a determined pressure pattern associated with a given athletic activity and the movement pattern defines a center path; and wherein the plurality of open cell foam members are positioned on either side of the center path corresponding to a movement configuration of a user to provide varying support on either side of the center path.

2. The shoe component of paragraph 1, wherein the movement configuration of the user is any of a pronator, neutral, and supinators (underpronators).

3. The shoe component of paragraph 1, wherein the open cell foam members define cylindrical cells of either soft, medium, and firm densities (e.g., at least including soft, medium, and firm densities, and optionally including other density types).

4. The shoe component of paragraph 3, wherein the foam members are varied about the center path by rearrangement of the varying soft, medium, and firm density cells.

5. The shoe component of paragraph 3, wherein firmness is varied by increasing the amount of cylindrical cells corresponding to a desired configuration.

6. The shoe component of paragraph 3, wherein the movement configuration is a pronator configuration and is provided having more firm cells positioned interior to the center path relative to a neutral configuration and more soft cells positioned exterior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration.

7. The shoe component of paragraph 3, wherein the movement configuration is a supinator configuration and is provided having more firm cells positioned exterior to the center path relative to a neutral configuration and more soft cells positioned interior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration.

8. The shoe component of paragraph 1 wherein the given athletic activity includes any one of running, hiking, golf, basketball, tennis, football, baseball, soccer, etc.

9. The shoe component of paragraph 1 wherein the open cell foam members define varying colors corresponding to varying densities and firmness.

10. The shoe component of paragraph 1 wherein the arrangement of foam members about the center path forms passageways that allow air passage through shoe component corresponding to a walking pressure pattern of the user from heel to toe.

11. The shoe component of paragraph 1 wherein the foam members are fabricated from natural rubber latex.

12. A shoe component (insole, midsole, and/or outsole) comprising: support material provided in an area of the component wherein the material is positioned in a pattern corresponding to a path corresponding to a dynamic pressure pattern that occurs during activity (e.g., walking, running, other athletic activity, for example when wearing a shoe comprising the shoe component) such that the material is provided on either side of the path and the material defines a firmness that assists a foot of a user in maintaining stability along the path during activity.

13. The shoe component of paragraph 12, wherein the dynamic pressure pattern corresponds to a movement configuration of the user and is any of a pronator, neutral, and supinators (underpronators).

14. The shoe component of paragraph 12, wherein the material in the pattern is an open cell foam with members defined by at least one shape.

15. The shoe component of paragraph 14, wherein the firmness of the material is adjusted by using different densities of the same material.

16. The shoe component of paragraph 14, wherein the firmness of the material is adjusted by using different amounts of the same material for a given area.

17. The shoe component of paragraph 14, wherein the firmness of the material is adjusted by using different types of materials.

18. The shoe component of paragraph 12, wherein firmness of the shoe component is varied about the center of the path by rearrangement of the varying soft, medium, and firm density cells.

19. The shoe component of paragraph 12, wherein firmness is varied by adjusting the amount of cylindrical cell material corresponding to a desired configuration in a given area.

20. The shoe component of paragraph 12, wherein the dynamic pressure pattern corresponds to a pronator configuration and is provided having firmer cells positioned interior to a center path relative to a neutral configuration and softer cells positioned exterior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration.

21. The shoe component of paragraph 12, wherein the dynamic pressure pattern corresponds to a supinator configuration and is provided having firmer cells positioned exterior to a center path relative to a neutral configuration and softer cells positioned interior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration.

22. The shoe component of paragraph 12 wherein the given activity includes any one of walking, running, hiking, golf, basketball, tennis, football, baseball, soccer, etc.

23. The shoe component of paragraph 12 wherein the foam components define varying colors corresponding to varying densities and firmness.

24. The shoe component of paragraph 12 which allows air passage through passageways formed by open cell foam components corresponding to a walking pressure pattern of the user from heel to toe.

25. The shoe component according to any of the foregoing paragraphs in the form of an insole, midsole, and/or outsole.

26. A footwear article comprising the shoe component of paragraph 25.

27. A method for customizing a shoe component for a user, the method comprising: (a) determining a user's dynamic pressure pattern during activity (e.g., walking, running, or other athletic activity, including the user's feet collectively or each foot individually; for example using a three-dimensional scanning of the user's feet and/or a spatial pressure sensor map); (b) identifying or classifying the user's dynamic pressure pattern (e.g., identify a centerline during movement; identify the pressure pattern as a pronator, neutral, or supinator configuration); (c) arranging support material (e.g., open cell foam members) in the shoe component (e.g., according to any of the foregoing paragraphs) to correspond to the pressure pattern (e.g., can be performed at point of manufacture or after manufacture as a service to an end user); and (d) optionally incorporating the shoe component into an article of footwear.

Rawls-Meehan U.S. Pat. No. 7,930,783 and U.S. patent Ser. No. 13/449,811 (U.S. Publication No. 2012/0198632) are incorporated herein by reference and disclose foam springs or foam cells and materials/configurations therefor which may be scaled appropriately for incorporation into the shoe components described herein.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A shoe component comprising: a. a toe section, a heel section, a midfoot section positioned therebetween, an exterior side and an opposed interior side, both extending from the heel section through the midfoot section and to the toe section;b. a closed cell foam heel cup positioned in the heel section;c. a heel pad including any of foam, air, and a combination thereof, the heel pad positioned in the heel section at least partially surrounded by the heel cup;d. a plurality of open cell foam members of varying firmness positioned in a movement pattern corresponding to a user's pressure movement pattern and extending through the midfoot section and into the toe section; ande. an optional toe closed cell foam member as a filler positioned in the toe section;wherein the movement pattern corresponds to a determined pressure pattern associated with a given athletic activity and the movement pattern defines a center path;wherein the plurality of open cell foam members are positioned on either side of the center path corresponding to a movement configuration of a user to provide varying support on either side of the center path.

2. The shoe component of claim 1, wherein the movement configuration of the user is any of a pronator, neutral, and supinator.

3. The shoe component of claim 1, wherein the open cell foam members define cylindrical cells at least soft, medium, and firm densities.

4. The shoe component of claim 3, wherein the foam members are varied about the center path by rearrangement of the varying soft, medium, and firm density cells.

5. The shoe component of claim 3, wherein firmness is varied by increasing the amount of cylindrical cells corresponding to a desired configuration.

6. The shoe component of claim 3, wherein the movement configuration is a pronator configuration and is provided having more firm cells positioned interior to the center path relative to a neutral configuration and more soft cells positioned exterior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration.

7. The shoe component of claim 3, wherein the movement configuration is a supinator configuration and is provided having more firm cells positioned exterior to the center path relative to a neutral configuration and more soft cells positioned interior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration.

8. The shoe component of claim 1 wherein the given athletic activity includes any one of running, hiking, golf, basketball, tennis, football, baseball, and soccer.

9. The shoe component of claim 1 wherein the open cell foam members define varying colors corresponding to varying densities and firmness.

10. The shoe component of claim 1 wherein the arrangement of foam members about the center path forms passageways that allow air passage through shoe component corresponding to a walking pressure pattern of the user from heel to toe.

11. The shoe component of claim 1 wherein the foam members are fabricated from natural rubber latex.

12. A shoe component comprising: support material provided in an area of the component wherein the material is positioned in a pattern corresponding to a path corresponding to a dynamic pressure pattern that occurs during activity such that the material is provided on either side of the path and the material defines a firmness that assists a foot of a user in maintaining stability along the path during activity.

13. The shoe component of claim 12, wherein the dynamic pressure pattern corresponds to a movement configuration of the user and is any of a pronator, neutral, and supinator.

14. The shoe component of claim 12, wherein the material in the pattern is an open cell foam with members defined by at least one shape.

15. The shoe component of claim 12, wherein firmness of the shoe component is varied about the center of the path by rearrangement of the varying soft, medium, and firm density cells.

16. The shoe component of claim 12, wherein firmness is varied by adjusting the amount of cylindrical cell material corresponding to a desired configuration in a given area.

17. The shoe component of claim 12, wherein the dynamic pressure pattern corresponds to a pronator configuration and is provided having firmer cells positioned interior to a center path relative to a neutral configuration and softer cells positioned exterior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration.

18. The shoe component of claim 12, wherein the dynamic pressure pattern corresponds to a supinator configuration and is provided having firmer cells positioned exterior to a center path relative to a neutral configuration and softer cells positioned interior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration.

19. The shoe component of claim 12 wherein the foam components define varying colors corresponding to varying densities and firmness.

20. The shoe component of claim 12 which allows air passage through passageways formed by open cell foam components corresponding to a walking pressure pattern of the user from heel to toe.