Patent Application
20180116336
A stiff sole construction is often employed in footwear designed for traversing steep rocky uneven terrain. The stiff sole construction provides support and minimizes foot fatigue. However, since the sole is stiff, often only a portion of the tread on the outsole is engaged with the ground surface, which is undesirable as it limits traction. Also, the stiff sole construction can result in footwear that does not include sufficient shock attenuation. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved footwear for traversing steep rocky uneven terrain.
The present disclosure provides footwear designs and related methods of manufacturing footwear. Certain embodiments of the footwear are particularly well suited for use traversing steep rocky uneven terrain. The footwear provides the user's foot support over steep and uneven terrain, underfoot rock protection, shock attenuation, and maximum traction.
Referring to the figures generally, an embodiment of footwear according to principles of the present disclosure is described further herein. In the depicted embodiment, the footwear 10 includes an upper 12 connected to a sole assembly 14. In the depicted embodiment, the upper is of an over the ankle boot. However, it should be appreciated that the upper can have a number of alternative construction including, for example, a below the ankle shoe (e.g., an approach shoe). In the depicted embodiment, the sole assembly 14 includes an outsole 16, a midsole 18, a chassis 20, an adaptive heel component 22, and an adaptive forefoot component 24. It should be appreciated that many other configurations are also possible. In other embodiments, the sole can include more or less components.
In the depicted embodiment, the outsole 16 includes a heel portion 26, a forefoot portion 28, and an arch portion 30. The arch portion 30 is located between the heel portion 26 and the forefoot portion 28. In the depicted embodiment, the outsole 16 is rubber having a thickness between 1.0 mm to 2.25 mm. In the depicted embodiment, the lugs 44, 46 are tiered lugs. In the depicted embodiment, the outsole include windows 56, 58 that expose the adaptive heel component 22 and the adaptive forefoot component 24. It should be appreciated that many alternative embodiments are possible. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the outsole can be constructed such the heel portion and the forefoot portion are not connected (e.g., no arch portion). Also, it should be appreciated that the lugs/tread can be different than shown and the outsole need not be rubber or have the dimensions referred to above.
In the depicted embodiment, the midsole 18 includes a heel portion 32, a forefoot portion 34, and an arch portion 36. The arch portion 36 connects the heel portion 32 to the forefoot portion 34. In the depicted embodiment, the heel portion 32 of the midsole 18 includes a downwardly extending heel striker 48 that abuts the outsole 16. It should be appreciated that many alternative embodiments are possible. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the midsole does not include a heel striker. In other alternative embodiments, the midsole can include a number of other components.
In the depicted embodiment, the chassis 20 includes a heel stabilizer 38, a forefoot platform 40, and an arch portion 42. The arch portion 42 connects the heel stabilizer 38 to the forefoot platform 40. In the depicted embodiment, the heel stabilizer 38 includes opposed upwardly extending inside and outside walls 50, 52 and an open rear portion 54. In the depicted embodiment, the chassis 20 is formed of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). In the depicted embodiment, the forefoot platform extends to the front periphery zone and side periphery zone of the forefoot portion of the footwear. It should be appreciated that many alternative embodiments are possible. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the chassis include multiple components that are not directly connected to each other. In other alternative embodiment, the chassis include a narrower flat shank in the arch portion as compared to what is illustrated. Likewise in alternative embodiments, forefoot platforms and heel stabilizers can either be absent or have a different construction.
In the depicted embodiment, the adaptive heel component 22 extends from the heel portion 26 of the outsole 16 upwardly through the heel stabilizer 38 of the chassis 20 and through the heel portion 32 of the midsole 18. In the depicted embodiment, the adaptive heel component 22 extends between the opposed side walls 50, 52 of the chassis 20. In the depicted embodiment, the adaptive heel component 22 is located forward of a heel striker 48. In the depicted embodiment, the heel striker is part of the midsole and has a greater firmness than the adaptive heel component 22. It should be appreciated that many alternative embodiments are possible. For example, the adaptive heel component can, for example, extend all the way to the rear of the footwear and could stop short of the top of midsole.
In the depicted embodiment, the adaptive forefoot component 24 is located between the forefoot portion 28 of the outsole 16 and the forefoot platform 40 of the chassis 20. In the depicted embodiment, the adaptive forefoot component is between 1.0-5.0 mm thick. It should be appreciated that many alternative embodiments are possible. For example, the adaptive forefoot component could in an alternative embodiment stop short of the periphery of the footwear or tapper towards the periphery. The adaptive forefoot component can have a number of different constructions.
In the depicted embodiment, the adaptive heel component 22 and the adaptive forefoot component 24 are formed from a material having a greater rebound than the midsole material. In the depicted embodiment, the midsole 18 is formed of an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). In the depicted embodiment, the adaptive heel component 22 and the adaptive forefoot component 24 are constructed of the same material. In the depicted embodiment, the adaptive heel component 22 and the adaptive forefoot component 24 are constructed of a material having both high rebound (e.g., a material having between 42-48 percent rebound as compared to 40 percent rebound for common EVA) and low compression (e.g., a material having 25-35 percent compression as compared to 60 percent for common EVA and 25-28 percent common polyurethane). In the depicted embodiment, the adaptive heel component is shaped to interlock with the chassis 20, midsole 18, and outsole 16. It should be appreciated that many alternative embodiments are possible. A number of different materials can be used to construct these components, and the materials in the adaptive forefoot component can be different than the material in the adaptive heel component.
The present disclosure also discloses a method of manufacturing footwear. In one embodiment, the method including the steps of providing an adaptive forefoot component 24 between the forefoot portion 28 of an outsole and a forefoot platform 40, wherein the adaptive forefoot component is formed of a material that is softer and/or have a greater rebound than the midsole material. The method also includes the step of providing an adaptive heel component 22 forward of the heel strike zone and between opposed side walls 50, 52 of a midsole 18. In the depicted embodiment, the method also includes the step of providing a chassis having side wall extending upwardly in the arch and heel zones. It should be appreciated that many alternative embodiments of the method are possible. Some of which include more steps and some of which include less steps.
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.
