Patent Application
20240023669
The present invention generally pertains to an article of footwear, and in particular, to a sole component with an upper surface having depressions and elevated upper regions, a lower surface with ground contacting regions and raised regions, and each of the elevated regions is vertically aligned with a respective ground contacting region. This configuration may impart pressure and stimulation to the bottom surface of the user's foot while providing the necessary support, cushioning, and traction.
Articles of footwear may include a sole structure or component which generally provides support and cushioning of the user's foot and traction for the footwear. The sole structure or component also provides cushioning to the user's foot when formed from resiliently compressible material. Other sole structures or components may also be configured in such a way to reduce the dimensions or weight of the sole in order enhance the comfort and use of the sole.
However, such designs are not configured to designate pressure to the foot when the user is engaged in standing or in an activity. Such designs also do not adequately provide sensory stimulation to the bottom surface of the user's foot while the user is standing or at rest or engaging in an activity. Such designs also are not configured to provide the positive effects localized pressure or sensory stimulation without also becoming insufficiently stable to support the user when standing or engaging in an activity.
The present invention relates to embodiments of an improved article of footwear with at least a sole having a sole component configured to impart localized pressure or sensory stimulation at certain locations to the user's foot. The sole component has an upper surface and an opposite lower surface. The upper surface may have at least one elevated or arched region. The upper surface may also have one or more depressions and one or more elevated regions.
The lower surface of the sole component may have ground contacting regions. Each of the ground contacting regions may be positioned along the longitudinal (i.e. heel-to-toe) axis of the sole component such that each ground contacting region is vertically aligned with an elevated region of the upper surface of the sole. These vertically aligned regions may define the thicker regions of the sole component which may impart greater pressure to the user's foot.
The lower surface may have raised regions adjacent to each of the ground contacting regions. Each of the raised regions may be positioned along the longitudinal axis of the sole and vertically aligned with a depression of the upper surface of the sole component. These vertically aligned pairings of raised regions and depressions define the thinner regions of the sole component which may impart areas of reduced pressure applied to the user's foot.
In another preferred embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces of the sole component may be configured as wave configurations extending along the longitudinal axis of the sole. The undulating surfaces provide a smoother contoured feel against the user's foot which may enhance the pressure and sensory stimulation. The crests of the upper surface may be vertically aligned with the troughs of the lower surface making these regions the thicker part of the sole component. Since the thicker regions make contact with ground and the foot, the pressure to the foot is directed through these regions. The troughs of the upper surface may be vertically aligned with the lower crests of the lower surface making these regions the thinner part of the sole. The pressure exerted on the foot is minimal as the troughs of the upper surface are not in direct contact with the foot and as the crests of lower surface are not in direct contact of the ground.
Further to this embodiment, the sole component may be a first sole component that may be at least a part of the inner or central portion of the sole. In another preferred embodiment, the first sole component may be at least partially adjacent to a second sole component with the second sole component. The second sole component may have a lower surface with a second ground contacting regions which are spaced apart by a second raised region interspersed between each of the second ground contacting regions. The second ground contacting regions are spaced apart with the second raised region and the spaced apart second ground contacting regions extend along a longitudinal axis of the sole component. The first ground contacting regions are aligned with the second raised regions along the mediolateral axis of the sole which exposes a portion of the sidewall of the first sole component wherein the exposed portion of the sidewall is visible through the voids created by the second raised regions.
In another preferred embodiment, the second sole component may be a portion of the outer perimeter of the sole. In some embodiments, the second sole component may be located adjacent to both the medial and lateral sidewalls of the first sole component. The outer sole portion may also entirely surround a first sole component wherein the first sole component is a central or inner portion of the sole.
The second sole component has an upper surface which may have second depressions and second elevated regions on at least a portion of the upper surface. In another exemplary embodiment, the upper surface of the second sole component has second elevated regions that are level with the first elevated regions of the first sole component. The second elevated regions or second depressions may be horizontally aligned with the first elevated regions and first depressions or they are offset from each other. The second sole component may have a second upper surface and a second lower surface that are configured to be undulating along the longitudinal axis of the sole. The second upper surface having a plurality of second upper crests and a plurality of second upper troughs. The second lower surface having a plurality of second lower crests and a plurality of second lower troughs.
The second upper crests are vertically aligned with the second troughs making these aligned regions the thicker regions of the second sole component.
Since the elevated regions or upper crests of the upper surfaces are vertically aligned with the ground contacting regions or lower troughs of the lower surfaces, the applied pressure to the foot is further enhanced given the opposing ground force directed through the ground contacting regions or lower troughs and through the elevated regions or upper crests. The depressions or troughs of the upper surfaces may also form voids under the foot or areas reduced pressure of force on the foot than the elevated regions or crests of the upper surface, The areas of reduced pressure and the areas of enhanced force may be transmitted through the contact with the foot with at least the elevated portions or upper crests of the upper surfaces. The contact may be directly with the foot or indirectly through a layer that is sufficiently flexible to allow the user's foot to be sensitive to the alternating applied pressure or stimulation.
By way of example only, selected embodiments and aspects of the present invention are described below. Each description refers to a figure (“FIG.”) which shows the described matter. Some figures shown in drawings or photographs that accompany this specification may be for footwear that is for either the left or right foot. Each figure includes one or more identifiers for one or more part(s) or elements(s) of the invention.
Various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, in which:
For purposes of describing axes and directions for a sole structure, it is assumed that surfaces of a sole structure intended for ground contact are resting on a horizontal reference plane. A longitudinal axis refers to a horizontal heel-to-toe axis that extends from an approximately rearmost heel location to an approximately forwardmost toe location. A longitudinal direction extends along the longitudinal axis. A mediolateral axis extends generally between the medial side and the lateral side of the footwear and is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of footwear within the transverse or horizontal plane corresponding to the user's foot. A mediolateral direction extends along the mediolateral axis. A vertical axis extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the sagittal plane corresponding to the user's foot and the mediolateral axis of the sole structure in the coronal plane corresponding to the user's foot. A vertical direction extends along the vertical axis. For example, in cases where a portion of the bottom and/or lower surface of the sole is planted flat on a ground surface, the vertical direction may extend from the ground surface upward. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to individual components of a sole.
The terms “elevated,” “raised,” and “higher” refer to the vertical direction extending upward from an approximately horizontal plane of the sole, while the terms “downward” and “lowered” refer to the vertical direction extending downward from an approximately horizontal plane of the sole. Similarly, the terms “top,” “upper,” and other similar terms refer to the portion of an object substantially opposite from a portion of the bottom and/or lower surface or region of the sole in a vertical direction. The terms “bottom,” “lower,” and other similar terms refer to the portion of an object substantially closest to a portion of the bottom and/or lower surface or region of the sole in a vertical direction. The term “ground contacting” refers to a portion of the sole that directly contacts the ground or indirectly contacts the ground separated by a thin layer of material.
In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in
Extended Perimeter Sidewall. The upper surface 12 of the second sole component 4 may have a plurality of protrusions 16 that have a waveform configuration. In one exemplary embodiment, the protrusions 16 of the upper surface 12 may be located along the medial segment 24 and lateral segment 23 of the second sole component 4, and the protrusions 16 have a waveform configuration generally along the longitudinal axis. The protrusions 16 of the upper surface 12 may extend at least partially or the entire length across the medio-lateral plane of the second sole component 4. The protrusions 16 and the adjacent troughs 19 may be located along the perimeter of the sole to form extended sidewalls 52 that cup the exterior surface of the upper 50. In other embodiments, the waveform surface of the second sole component may also be positioned underneath the foot to provide enhanced pressure or sensory stimulation.
The apex of each protrusion 16 on the upper surface may also be considered an elevated point or highest point that defines a peak or crest 18 of each protrusion 16 of the upper surface 12. Adjacent to protrusion 16, a space may define a lowered point or lowest point that defines a trough 19.
Protrusions 16 on the upper surface 12 of the second sole component 4 may be uniform in size or vary in size with respect to the height along a vertical axis, length along the longitudinal axis, width across the medio-lateral axis. Protrusions 16 may also vary based on the splay angle 20 from the adjacent trough 19. A splay angle is measured between the tangential lines 21. Tangential lines are extrapolated from the lowest point of the trough 19 and inflection point “a” which is the point in which the curvature of the protrusion 16 inflects to the curvature of trough 19. In one embodiment, the protrusions may have a smaller adjacent splay angle in the forefoot region and generally a larger splay angle in the heel region. In one exemplary embodiment, there may be four to five protrusions along a longitudinal side of the upper surface of the second sole component.
In the exemplary embodiment, shown in
Upper Surface of the Seconds Sole Component. Further to this embodiment, the upper surface 12 of the second sole component may have regions that are entirely devoid or partially devoid of protrusions 16 other than contours on the extended perimeter sidewall 52 and other than the declined slope 54 originating from the extended perimeter sidewall 52 towards the inner portion of the sole. Extended perimeter sidewall 52 and the declined slope 54 are designed to cup the bottom of the foot or provide raised portions that are well-known in the art to support the foot such as a midfoot arch support. In an alternate embodiment, the upper surface may additionally have a plurality of elevated regions spaced away from each other by a depression which is located along the inner portion of the upper surface away from the extended perimeter sidewall 52. The elevated regions extend along the longitudinal axis of the sole. The elevated regions may be configured as a waveform. The elevated regions or crests may be vertically aligned with the ground contacting surfaces or troughs of the lower surface of the second sole component such the ground contacting surfaces 48 or troughs 49 of the lower surface 14 making these regions the thicker portions of the sole.
The additional elevated regions or crests along with the depressions or troughs of the upper surface of the second sole component may be integrated as part of the overall declined slope that extends from the extended perimeter sidewall. The additional elevated regions or crests may extend and be horizontally aligned to at least a portion of the inner area of the upper surface of the first sole component. The additional or second elevated regions and adjacent depressions may also be horizontally offset with the first elevated regions and adjacent depressions of the first uppers surface of the first sole component.
Lower Surface of the Second Sole Component. The lower surface 14 of the second sole component 4 may have a plurality of ground contacting regions 48, where each of the ground contacting regions 48 are spaced away from each other by a raised region 46. The raised regions 46 form a space or cavity within the second sole component 4.
The ground contacting regions 48 of the lower surface 14 of the ground contacting regions 48 may be uniform in size or vary in size with respect to either or in combination with the height generally along a vertical axis, length along the longitudinal axis, width across the medio-lateral axis, and/or a splay angle formed by an interspaced cavity formed within a raised region 46 between the two adjacent ground contacting regions 48. The ground contacting regions 48 may vary in size such as smaller ground contacting regions in the forefoot and larger ground contacting regions along at least a portion of the heel region. In one exemplary embodiment, there may be four to five ground contacting regions along a longitudinal side of the lower surface of the second sole component. In other embodiments, the number of ground contacting regions may vary, and may be positioned only at locations directed to providing the desired pressure or sensory stimulation to the user's foot.
In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the second sole component 4 may have ground contacting regions 48 that extend to the perimeter of the sole 2. The ground contacting regions 48 may extend across the entire medio-lateral width of the lateral and medial segments 23, 24 of the second sole component 4. In other embodiments, the ground contacting regions of the second sole component may extend only a partial distance across the width. The second raised regions 46 may also extend from the perimeter of the second sole component 4 and at least partially along the mediolateral width or across the entire width of the second sole component 4.
Further to this embodiment in
A First Sole Component. A sole may have a first sole component that is configured to provide desired pressure or sensory stimulation to foot. The first sole component may encompass the entire sole or only a portion of the sole. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In exemplary embodiments, first sole component 6 has a sidewall 9 adjacent to second sole component 4 and is configured to fit within second sole component 4 as a central area of the sole. The sidewall 9 may be configured to be angled inwardly from the upper surface 13 to the lower surface 15, and further configured so that the sidewall 9 may converge toward each other. The first sole component may be separately molded and inserted into the central cavity formed by the second sole component. The inwardly angled sidewall 9 enables a more stable fit of the first sole component within the central cavity of the second sole component which has inner sidewalls of the second sole component that are configured to receive angled sidewalls 9 of the first sole component. Once the first sole component is inserted, it may be bonded to second sole component through the use of heat, adhesives, or any process known in the art. In alternate embodiments, the first sole component and the second sole component may be formed of a unitary construction. In another embodiment, the first sole component may not require a second sole component and the first sole component forms the perimeters of at least most or all of the sole.
The upper surface 13 of the first sole component 6 may have elevated regions 32 and depressions 34 wherein the elevated regions are each spaced away by a depression along the longitudinal axis of the sole. This upper surface 13 may have a waveform configuration forming crests and troughs. Elevated regions may be uniform in dimensions or vary in size with respect to the height along the vertical axis, length along the longitudinal axis, width across the medio-lateral axis, and/or splay angles that extend into the adjacent depressions. Elevated regions may be smaller in size in the forefoot region and larger in size in the heel region. In one exemplary embodiment, there may be four to six elevated regions along a longitudinal side of the upper surface of first sole component. The depressions may be concave with some forming circular depressions while others forming elongated depressions extending across the medio-lateral width of the first sole component. The depressions may vary in shape and are preferred to have large enough dimensions such that voids are perceived by the foot with a pressure differential or sensory stimulation applied to the foot either when the user is standing or engaging in activity. The foot may also perceive differences in texture based on the undulating pattern.
In a preferred embodiment as shown in
Ground contacting regions 38 of the lower surface 15 of the first sole component 6 may be uniform in size or vary in size with respect to the height along the vertical axis, length along the longitudinal axis, width across the medio-lateral axis, and/or splay angle 20 in the spaces between the ground contacting surfaces relative to the longitudinal axis of the base. Ground contacting regions 38 may be smaller in size in the forefoot region and larger in size in the heel region. In one exemplary embodiment, there may be five to seven ground contacting regions along the lower surface of the first sole component.
In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in
In some embodiments, the upper surface of the first sole component resembles a sinusoidal waveform configuration that may be in phase with a sinusoidal waveform. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in
It is understood that the lower surface 15 of the first sole component 6 may have a plurality of elevated points defining crests 18 that are located along the longitudinal direction between two elevated points defining crests 18 on the bottom surface 14 of the second sole component 4. Alternatively, or in combination with the above, it may be understood that the bottom surface 14 of the outer portion 4 may have a plurality of elevated points defining crests 18 that are located along the longitudinal axis between two elevated points defining crests 18 on the lower surface 15 of the inner portion 6.
In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in
Further to the exemplary embodiment, as shown in
In other exemplary embodiments, waveforms of either the upper surface or lower surface of the first sole component may have other shape configurations, including, but not limited to, at least approximately triangular, square, sawtooth or polygonal. A sole component may have the same shape or have varying shapes. The elevated regions and depressions of the first sole component may be configured as a waveform where each crest and trough may have substantially the same amplitude or vary in amplitude. The amplitude may be lesser in the forefoot region than in the heel region. In some preferred embodiments, the amplitude may vary approximately between 2 mm to 7 mm for a women's size 6 shoe. The range of amplitudes for a particular sole may vary based on different sized shoes.
The wavelength may also vary along the longitudinal direction wherein the wavelength is a shorter distance in the forefoot region than in the heel region. Approximate wavelength distances may range between 10 mm to 34 mm for a women's size 6 shoe. The wavelength range of distances may vary based on different sized shoes.
Lower surface 15 of first sole component 6 may form ground contacting surfaces 38 of the sole. Ground contacting surfaces 38 may extend at least partially or the entire length along the mediolateral direction of the first sole component 6. The cavities formed by interspersed raised regions 36 may also extend at least partially or the entire length along the mediolateral direction of the first sole component 6. The ground contacting surfaces 38 may directly contact the ground or have an indirect contact through an attached outsole layer. An added outsole layer may provide enhanced durability to the sole bottom as well as may be used to modulate the applied pressure differential to the foot which be modulated by the rigidity or hardness.
Ground contacting regions 38 on the lower surface 15 of the first sole component 6 may be smaller in the forefoot region and larger in the heel region. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in
In one exemplary embodiment, the ground contacting regions 38 and raised regions 36 resembling a sinusoidal waveform configuration on the lower surface 15 of the first sole component 6 may be out of phase (i.e., staggered) with the ground contacting regions 48 and raised regions 46 resembling a sinusoidal waveform configuration on the lower surface 14 of the second sole component 4, located on each of the lateral segment 23 and the medial segment 24 of the second sole component 4.
In some embodiments, raised regions 36 between ground contacting regions 38 on the lower surface 15 of the first sole component 6 or the lower surface 14 of the second sole component 4 may be angled as it splays downward and outward, forming a splay angle 20. The splay angle 20 is defined by the angle between the tangential lines 21 wherein each tangential line 21 is extrapolated from the highest point of the raised regions 36 to the inflection point “a” wherein the curvature of the raised region 36 inflects to the curvature of the ground contacting regions 38 on either side of the raised regions 36 as shown in
Each of the depressions of the upper surfaces and the raised regions on the lower surfaces may each have a splay angle. The splay angle may vary depending on the desired cushioning and sensory stimulation properties of each depression of the upper surface or raised region on the lower surface.
In one embodiment the splay angles 20 of at least one of the lower surface 14 of the second sole component 4 and the lower surface 15 of the first sole component 6 may be greater than 50 degrees. The splay angles 20 in the depressions 34 on the upper surface 13 of the first sole component 4 may be greater than 50 degrees.
In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in
The higher shore hardness or density in the first sole component may provide higher pressure or stimulation to the central portion of the user's foot. The pressure may be further localized to a region of the user's foot based on the configuration of the upper surface of the first sole component such as having an arched region that focuses the pressure or stimulation to the user's foot. For example, the focus may be along a discrete longitudinal axis of the foot by configuring the upper surface of the first sole component to have an arched region that is arched across the mediolateral direction of the sole with the crest of the arch extending along a longitudinal axis of the first sole component. Further to this embodiment, the pressure or stimulation may be greater when vertically aligned with a ground contacting region either in the form of protrusion or trough of an undulated lower surface of the first sole component. In another exemplary embodiment, there are more than one arched region spaced apart by depression or leveled regions of the upper surface and the pressure or stimulation may be focused based on the direction of the arched curve and the alignment with ground contact regions.
The first sole component 6 may have a shore hardness (ASTM D-2240) between 35-63C and the second sole component 4 may have a shore hardness between 35-48C. In one embodiment, as shown in
In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in
Massaging Units. In another embodiment, the article of footwear includes a massage unit which may provide neuromuscular stimulation.
The massage unit or components of the massage unit responsible for providing a vibrational sensation may be located in a component of the article of footwear, such as the midsole layer. The massage unit may be located in a sole component, insole, or sockliner. The massage unit may be separately located between components of the article of footwear, such as between the midsole and the insole.
In one embodiment, the massage unit is located in a shank of the article of footwear located under the insole but above a midsole component. A preferred embodiment of the massage unit is one that does not interfere with the differentially applied pressure or sensory stimulation of the first sole component. For example, the massage unit or units may be positioned entirely within an area of an elevated region or within an area of a depression of the first sole component.
The massage unit may comprise an assembly of components including at least one rechargeable battery, at least one vibrating motor, and at least one electronic control board. A wireless or manual control device, such as a switch or button, may be operated to activate and or deactivate a function of the massage unit.
The control device may be located near or affixed to the upper or a sole component of the article of footwear. In one embodiment the control device is located on the tongue or instep attachment of the shoe.
The control device may be configured so that each time the control device is activated, it may activate a function of a cyclic sequence of functions where each function corresponds to a predetermined selection of an amplitude (or intensity), frequency, and/or pulse of vibration.
In one embodiment a control button may cycle through (1) a low intensity pulse vibration, (2) a medium intensity pulse vibration, (3) a high intensity pulse vibration, (4) a low intensity constant vibration, (5) a medium intensity constant vibration, (6) a relatively high intensity constant vibration, and (7) deactivation of the massage unit or no vibration. The massage unit may also include an additional pulsation control device which may regulate the frequency, pulse, and amplitude of the vibration.
The massage unit may incorporate a timer which deactivates the massage unit after a pre-selected period of operation.
In one embodiment a power source may be connected to the massage unit via a charging cable, such as USB charging cable. The charging cable may be releasably attached to a connection port on the article of footwear. A wired control button assembly may also be releasably attached to the wired connection port. The wired control button assembly may be removed to facilitate charging the massage unit's rechargeable battery with a charging cable.
In another embodiment, the massage unit may be charged wirelessly through induction as is known in the art.
Materials. The sole components may be constructed of any material used in the art. Some exemplary materials may include but are not limited to a POE such as EVA, TPU, or TPE. Polymer materials may be foamed. The materials may be relatively rigid or compressible under a sufficient load in order to provide a cushioning effect while still applying sufficient pressure to the wearer's bottom of foot. It is generally understood that a more rigid material would exhibit a higher degree of differentially applied pressure.
In an exemplary embodiment, the polymer materials may be foamed either through use of chemical foaming agents or supercritical fluid expansion. The SCF-expanded polymer material may be, but is not limited to, EVA and/or TPU. In one embodiment, the second sole component may have a higher density and hardness than the first sole component. Further to this embodiment, the SCF foamed material may include a plurality of pin hole apertures to provide flexibility, reduction of weight, and desired weight distribution.
In other exemplary embodiments, one or more of the sole components may be a fluid filled compartment. The sole components may also incorporate rigid shanks or plates. The sole components may have hollow chambers or may be solidly constructed with no hollow chambers.
Although the present invention has been described above by referring to particular embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations could be made to the sole structure without departing from the intended scope of invention.
