Patent Application
20090217548
The invention relates generally to impact-attenuating elements, products containing them, and methods of using them. Such elements may be provided in a wide variety of different products, e.g., in footwear products or other foot-receiving devices, such as in the heel and/or toe areas of footwear products.
Conventional articles of athletic footwear have included two primary elements, namely, an upper member and a sole member structure. The upper member provides at least a partial covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper member may have structures and a configuration that protect the foot and provide ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure generally is secured to a lower portion of the upper member and generally is positioned between the foot and the ground. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces (i.e., imparting cushioning), the sole structure may provide traction and help control foot motions, such as pronation. Accordingly, the upper member 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 member or structure of athletic footwear generally has exhibited a layered configuration that includes a comfort-enhancing insole, a resilient midsole (e.g., formed from a polymer foam material), and a ground-contacting outsole that provides both abrasion-resistance and traction. The midsole typically is the primary sole structure element that attenuates ground reaction forces and controls foot motions. Suitable polymer foam materials for the midsole include ethylvinylacetate or polyurethane that compress resiliently under an applied load to attenuate ground reaction forces. Conventional polymer foam materials are resiliently compressible, in part, due to the inclusion of a plurality of open or closed cells that define an inner volume substantially displaced by gas.
As noted above, various ground reaction force attenuating elements and systems have been known, including such elements and systems for use in footwear products including athletic footwear products. Conventionally, the structure, feel, and characteristics of such elements and systems are selected by a footwear manufacturer, and these elements and systems (as well as their associated characteristics) are permanently fixed in the footwear products once the footwear products are made. Each individual footwear user, however, possesses unique characteristics that affect their physical fitness or training regimes, such as weight, foot size, type of workout or exercise performed, stride or gait characteristics (e.g., a pronation or supination tendency), personal tastes and preferences, etc. Therefore, this “one size fits all” approach to footwear design and production can lead to uncomfortable fits and/or limited sales due to the failure of the footwear products to match the conditions or characteristics desired and/or preferred by users.
Accordingly, it would be useful to provide footwear products or other foot-receiving devices that are readily customizable to a user's tastes and specifications, e.g., based on the user's immediate needs and/or the characteristics he/she desires in the footwear product or other foot-receiving device in general and/or at a given time.
The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of at least some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a general form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below.
Aspects of this invention relate to impact-attenuating elements and products in which they are used (such as footwear, other foot-receiving devices, and the like). Impact-attenuating elements in accordance with at least some example aspects of this invention may include, for example: (a) a first base member; (b) optionally a second base member; and (c) a plurality of impact-attenuating members. The impact-attenuating members may be engaged with the first and/or second base members to provide an integral structure and/or they may be at least partially provided between the first and second base members. At least one of the first base member, the second base member, and/or the impact-attenuating members may include a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to a foot-receiving device (e.g., to an upper member, a sole member, and/or the like).
Impact-attenuating elements, e.g., of the type described above, may be included in pieces of footwear and/or other foot-receiving devices (e.g., athletic shoes) in accordance with additional aspects of this invention. Such pieces of footwear or foot-receiving devices may include, inter alia: (a) an upper member; (b) a sole member engaged (directly or indirectly) with the upper member (e.g., at least in a toe area); and (c) an impact-attenuating element included as part of the sole member and/or the upper member and/or provided between the upper member and at least a portion of the sole member (e.g., at least in the heel area). In at least some examples, the impact-attenuating element may be attached to or included as a part of at least one of the upper member or the sole member. The impact-attenuating element may include a plurality of impact-attenuating members and a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to at least one of a portion of the upper member or a portion of the sole member.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods for including impact-attenuating elements in products, such as in pieces of footwear or other foot-receiving devices. Such methods may include, for example: (a) providing an upper member and a sole member of a foot-receiving device; and (b) releasably engaging an impact-attenuating element with at least one of the upper member or the sole member. The impact-attenuating element may include a plurality of impact-attenuating members and a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to at least one of a portion of the upper member or a portion of the sole member. In at least some examples of the invention, the impact-attenuating element will be releasably engaged at a heel area of the foot-receiving device, although it may be engaged in other areas without departing from the invention.
A more complete understanding of the present invention and certain advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:
In the following description of various examples of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example systems and environments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example systems, and environments may be utilized, and that structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “front,” “rear,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention.
To assist the reader, this specification is broken into various subsections, as follows: Terms; General Description of Impact-Attenuating Elements According to Examples of the Invention; Specific Examples of the Invention; and Conclusion.
The following terms are used in this specification, and unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, these terms have the meanings provided below.
“Foot-receiving device” means any device into which a user places at least some portion of his or her foot. In addition to all types of footwear (described below), foot-receiving devices include, but are not limited to: bindings and other devices for securing feet in snow skis, cross country skis, water skis, snowboards, and the like; bindings, clips, or other devices for securing feet in pedals for use with bicycles, exercise equipment, and the like; bindings, clips, or other devices for receiving feet during play of video games or other games; and the like.
“Footwear” means any type of wearing apparel for the feet, and this term includes, but is not limited to: all types of shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, thongs, flip-flops, mules, scuffs, slippers, sport-specific shoes (such as golf shoes, tennis shoes, baseball cleats, soccer or football cleats, ski boots, etc.), and the like.
In general, aspects of this invention relate to impact-attenuating elements, products in which they are used (such as footwear, other foot-receiving devices, and the like), and methods for including them in footwear, foot-receiving devices, and the like. Impact-attenuating elements in accordance with at least some example aspects of this invention may include, for example: (a) a first base member; (b) optionally a second base member; and (c) a plurality of impact-attenuating members. The impact-attenuating members may be engaged with the first and/or second base members to form an integral structure and/or may be provided at least partially between the first and second base members (when two base members are present). At least one of the first base member, the second base member, and/or the impact-attenuating members may include a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to a foot-receiving device. In at least some examples of the invention, both the first base member and the second base member will include means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to a portion of a foot-receiving device, and optionally, in at least some instances, these means will act and function separately and independently from one another. Optionally, if desired, the two means for releasably securing, when two are present, also may structurally differ from one another.
The “means for releasably securing” the impact-attenuating element to another portion of the foot-receiving device structure (e.g., to a portion of the sole member, the upper member, etc.) may take on any desired structure without departing from the invention. For example, the “means for releasably securing” may include: one or more threaded fastener arrangements; one or more hook-and-loop fastener arrangements (e.g., a portion adhesively attached to the impact-attenuating element and a portion adhesively attached to the foot-receiving device (e.g., to a portion of the upper member or sole member)); one or more securing strap arrangements (e.g., attachable to the impact-attenuating element and the foot-receiving device (e.g., to a portion of the upper member or sole member) via snaps, buttons, retaining elements, or other connectors); one or more snap fastener arrangements; one or more turnbuckle fastener arrangements; one or more tab/retaining element type fastener arrangements; one or more raised rib/retaining element type fastening arrangements; and the like.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to pieces of footwear or other foot-receiving devices that include impact-attenuating elements (e.g., athletic shoes). More specifically, such pieces of footwear or other foot-receiving devices may include, inter alia: (a) an upper member; (b) a sole member engaged (directly or indirectly) with the upper member; and (c) an impact-attenuating element provided between the upper member and at least a portion of the sole member and/or engaged (directly or indirectly) with at least one of the upper member or the sole member. The impact-attenuating element may include a plurality of impact-attenuating members and a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to at least one of a portion of the upper member or a portion of the sole member. The impact-attenuating element may be of the general types described above.
In at least some examples of the invention, the sole member may be engaged at a toe area of the foot-receiving device and the impact-attenuating element may be engaged at a heel area of the foot-receiving device. Optionally, in some examples, the sole member (e.g., an outsole portion of the sole member) may cover at least a portion of the impact-attenuating element. In still other examples, an exterior surface of the impact-attenuating element may be formed from a suitable material and/or include one or more traction elements so as to function as at least a portion of an outsole for the footwear or other foot-receiving device. As still other examples, impact-attenuating elements of the type described above may be provided in the toe area, and/or in any other desired location in the foot-receiving device without departing from this invention.
In some example foot-receiving device structures according to the invention, an exterior portion of the impact-attenuating element will remain at least partially visible and exposed, even after assembly of the footwear or foot-receiving device is completed and/or while the footwear or foot-receiving device is in use. In other examples, however, if desired, the impact-attenuating element may be enclosed in the foot-receiving device structure without departing from the invention. Optionally, if desired, the foot-receiving device structure may allow access to the impact-attenuating element in such enclosed structures, e.g., for later removal, customization, etc., as described in more detail below.
Still additional aspects of the invention relate to methods for including one or more impact-attenuating elements in a piece of footwear or other foot-receiving device. Such methods may include, for example: (a) providing an upper member and a sole member of a foot-receiving device; and (b) releasably engaging an impact-attenuating element (directly or indirectly) with at least one of the upper member or the sole member. The impact-attenuating element may include a plurality of impact-attenuating members and a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to at least one of the upper member or the sole member. In at least some examples of the invention, the impact-attenuating element will be releasably engaged at a heel area of the foot-receiving device, although it may be engaged in other areas, as described above, without departing from the invention.
The step of releasably engaging the impact-attenuating element with the upper member or the sole member may take place in any desired manner without departing from the invention. For example, it may include: engaging threaded regions provided on the various elements; engaging a hook-and-loop fastener arrangement; engaging a securing strap arrangement; engaging buttons, snaps, or other retaining devices; engaging a turnbuckle fastener arrangement; engaging one or more tabs around a retaining element; engaging a retaining element around a raised rib; inserting a tab member through a recess and retaining it against a retaining element; and the like. The impact-attenuating element may be of the types described above (and described in more detail below).
Additional aspects of the invention relate to the ability for users (or others) to freely and selectively interchange one impact-attenuating element for another, e.g., to customize the foot-receiving device for a specific user's characteristics and/or for specific use characteristics. Thus, in accordance with at least some aspects of the invention, a user may disengage one impact-attenuating element from a foot-receiving device and releasably engage another impact-attenuating element with it. The new impact-attenuating element may be of the same structure and other characteristics as the one removed, or it may have a different structure or other characteristics. As more specific examples, the impact-attenuating element may be selected based on one or more characteristics of the intended end user, such as: the user's weight, the user's shoe size, the user's foot width, the user's moving speed or anticipated moving speed, the user's typical stride or gait (e.g., a pronation or supination tendency, etc.), and the like. Also, different impact-attenuating elements may be selected depending on the final intended end use of the footwear or foot-receiving device products. For example, different impact-attenuating elements may be selected depending on whether the user intends to use the product for walking, running, basketball, soccer, football, baseball, softball, sprinting, track events, field events, cross-training, children's games, video games, etc. A user also may select different impact-attenuating elements based on their particular preferences, such as comfort, feel, etc. Further, if desired, one shoe of a pair may have an impact-attenuating element of different characteristics as compared to the other shoe of the pair.
The impact-attenuating elements also may be selected and/or included as part of the footwear or other foot-receiving device structure at any desired location and/or point in the distribution chain without departing from the invention. For example, the impact-attenuating elements may be selected at the assembly factory and the products then may be marketed in a manner targeted to specific intended users or use characteristics (e.g., the sales box or a tag on the product might indicate that the shoe is designed for running or jogging for a user between 165 and 180 lbs.). As another example, shoe retailers or wholesalers may have a supply of impact-attenuating elements available to insert into the footwear or other foot-receiving device at the point of sale and/or a shipping location, e.g., based on the characteristics of the intended user and/or the intended use, to replenish depleted stock, etc. As still another example, users may be allowed to freely select and/or change impact-attenuating elements based on their immediate needs or the characteristics they desire in the footwear or other foot-receiving device at a given time (e.g., by switching one impact-attenuating element for another at a point of use location, etc.).
Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below. The reader should understand that these specific examples are set forth merely to illustrate examples of the invention, and they should not be construed as limiting the invention.
The various figures in this application illustrate examples of impact-attenuating elements useful in systems and methods according to examples of this invention. When the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings to refer to the same part throughout.
Any desired impact-attenuating members 106a through 106d may be used without departing from the invention. In at least some examples, the impact-attenuating members 106a through 106d may include springs, mechanical impact-attenuating devices, and the like. In some examples, the impact-attenuating members 106a through 106d may be of the type used in SHOX® footwear products commercially available from NIKE, Inc., of Beaverton, Oreg. Also, any desired materials may be used for the base members 102 and 104 without departing from the invention, such as metals, polymeric materials, and the like, including conventional materials known and used in the art.
If desired, in at least some example structures in accordance with the invention, at least an exterior surface 108 or exterior layer(s) of the bottom base member 104 and/or the impact-attenuating members 106a through 106d may be made of suitable materials and/or may be formed to include tread elements 110 and/or other structures that allow the exterior surface 108 to function as at least a portion of an outsole member for the piece of footwear or other foot-receiving device in which it is mounted. The exterior surface 108 and/or tread elements 110 may be made from any desired material(s) and/or in any desired shape(s) or construction(s) without departing from the invention, including from conventional materials and/or with conventionally shaped tread elements and/or constructions as are known in the art. In at least some examples of the invention, the exterior surface 108 and the tread elements 110 may be made from materials and formed in a manner the same as or similar to those used in known SHOX® footwear products commercially available from NIKE, Inc., of Beaverton, Oreg.
Impact-attenuating elements 100 of the type illustrated in
Various ways of releasably and/or removably attaching one or more impact-attenuating elements, e.g., elements 100, to a foot-receiving device may be used in accordance with examples of this invention.
As illustrated in
Optionally, if desired, more than one securing strap arrangement may be present in the overall structure 300 without departing from the invention (e.g., one or more on each side of the device 300, one or more at the back of the heel, etc.). As another alternative or option, a single securing strap 306 may be provided that extends from a connection point 308 on one side of the foot-receiving device structure 300 (e.g., from the upper member or sole member), around the bottom of the impact-attenuating element 302, and around to a connection point 308 on the opposite side of the foot-receiving device structure 300 (e.g., to the upper member or sole member). Optionally, if desired, such a securing strap 306 also may be secured to a member provided on the impact-attenuating element 302 structure, such as through one or more openings or retaining elements provided as part of the impact-attenuating element 302. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the securing strap 306 may extend through a recess or groove formed in the bottom of the impact-attenuating element structure 302 and/or in the bottom of the outsole member (if any) so that the securing strap 306 or parts thereof do not directly contact the ground surface in use. As still another alternative, the securing strap 306 may fit through or engage a ring or loop or other attachment element or opening provided in the impact-attenuating element 302, the outsole member, and/or other portion of the foot-receiving device structure 300.
In at least some example structures according to this invention, the impact-attenuating element will include bottom base surfaces (or at least portions thereof) that are not designed to directly engage the ground in use.
In this example arrangement 400, the impact-attenuating element 402 further may be secured to the remainder of the foot-receiving device structure by an outsole flap 414 that includes male “snap” type fastener elements 416a through 416d that releasably and removably engage female “snap” type fastener elements provided on the exterior surface of the bottom base member 406 (these female snap elements are not shown in
In this illustrated example, the outsole flap 510 completely covers the bottom surface 508b of the impact-attenuating element 508, and the exterior surface of the outsole flap 510 functions as a portion of the outsole of the piece of footwear 500. If desired, as illustrated in
While one or more threaded engagements are described in conjunction with the structure of
Again, any manner of releasably engaging the impact-attenuating member 602 with the remainder of the foot-receiving device structure 600 and/or the outsole flap 610 may be used without departing from the invention. For example, a rotatable threaded retaining member 608 included as part of the flap 610 may engage a corresponding threaded member provided with the impact-attenuating member 602, and a threaded region on the impact-attenuating member 602 may engage a corresponding threaded member on the upper member 606, the midsole member 604, or the like. As another example, a threaded retaining member 608 included as part of the flap 610 may pass through opening 602c defined in the impact-attenuating member 602 and engage a corresponding threaded member on the upper member 606, the midsole member 604, or the like. Engaging systems other than threaded regions also may be used without departing from the invention, such as turnbuckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, snap fasteners, securing straps, and the like. Additionally, if desired, the system used for attaching the impact-attenuating element 602 to the upper member 606 or the midsole member 604 (or other structure, if any) may differ structurally and functionally from the system used for attaching the outsole flap 610 to the impact-attenuating member 602 without departing from the invention.
Again, any manner of releasably engaging the impact-attenuating member 702 with the remainder of the foot-receiving device structure 700 and/or the outsole flap 710 may be used without departing from the invention. For example, as illustrated in
Also, if desired, plural retaining extensions 714 and retaining tab 716 combinations may be provided without departing from the invention. For example, two or more such combinations may be provided at the back of the heel area of the shoe. As still another alternative, if desired, one or more retaining extensions 714 and retaining tab 716 combinations may be provided that extend around the lateral and/or medial sides of the heel area. Other locations for such combinations also may be used without departing from the invention.
Another example structure that includes an impact-attenuating element releasably secured to the remainder of a foot-receiving device structure is illustrated in
Of course, any manner of securing the impact-attenuating element 802 to the remainder of the foot-receiving device structure 800 (e.g., to the insole, midsole 804, and/or upper member 806) may be used without departing from the invention. For example, the various ways of attaching described above may be used, such as a plug member fitting in a retaining opening, threaded members, turnbuckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, snap fasteners, securing straps, and the like. A more detailed example of a turnbuckle type fastener arrangement that may be used in connection with the structure 800 of
Retaining member 908 includes a raised ring member 912 that includes a plurality of tab elements 912a. Retaining member 910 includes an opening 914 defined in the top base member 902a of the impact-attenuating element 902. The outer edge of the opening 914 is defined so as to include recess areas 914a sized and arranged so as to allow entry of the tab elements 912a of retaining member 908. In use, the tab elements 912a are pushed through the recess areas 914a, and then the impact-attenuating element 902 is rotated with respect to the midsole member 904 (e.g., one-eighth or one-fourth of a complete turn) so that the tab elements 912a move away from the recess areas 914a and engage behind retaining elements 914b defined around the outer edge of opening 910. The tab elements 912a, recess areas 914a, and retaining elements 914b are arranged such that when the tab elements 912a are properly inserted into the recesses 914a and engaged with retaining elements 914b, the outer edge of the impact-attenuating element 902 will smoothly fit between retaining lips 906a through 906d. If desired, the retaining member 908 and/or the top surface 902a of the impact-attenuating element 902 may include rotation stops that prevent over-rotation of the impact-attenuating element 902 with respect to the other portion of the foot-receiving device structure.
Similarly, if desired, the impact-attenuating element 902 may be removed from the midsole member 904 (or other portion of the foot-receiving device structure 900) by turning the impact-attenuating element 902 with respect to the midsole member 904 such that the tab elements 912a move away from the retaining elements 914b and align with the recess areas 914a. The tab elements 912a then may be moved through the recess areas 914a to disengage the impact-attenuating element 902 from the foot-receiving device structure 904.
Of course, many variations in the structures involved in the above-described turnbuckle arrangement may be made without departing from the invention. For example, if desired, the impact-attenuating element 902 may carry the raised ring and tab elements, and the midsole member 904 (or other portion of the foot-receiving device) may define the opening, including the recess areas and retaining elements. The number, sizes, shapes, locations, orientations, and/or other characteristics of the retaining members 908 and/or openings 910 (including tabs, recesses, retaining members, etc.) may be changed and widely varied without departing from the invention.
If desired, the turnbuckle type system described in conjunction with
In this illustrated example, the impact-attenuating element 1002 does not include an upper or top base member, but rather, a single bottom base member 1002a engages and holds the impact-attenuating members 1002b together as a unitary structure. If desired, the base member 1002a may be located at an intermediate position between the tops and bottoms of impact-attenuating members 1002b. The midsole member 1004, in this example structure, includes a surface 1006 that has a plurality of retaining members 1008a through 1008d. Each retaining member 1008a through 1008d in this example structure includes a plurality of retaining elements 1010, which in this illustrated example include projections extending from the surface 1006. The end of each projection 1010 may include an extending lip 1010a.
An upper portion of each impact-attenuating member 1002b includes a raised ridge structure 1012a through 1012d. These raised ridges 1012a through 1012d may be integrally formed as a one piece structure with the outer surface of the impact-attenuating member structure 1002b, or they may be constructed as separate ring elements attached to the impact-attenuating member 1002b in some manner, such as through adhesives, slots, mechanical connectors, a friction fit, etc. The retaining elements 1010 are sized and arranged so as to fit over the raised ridge structures 1012a through 1012d provided with the impact-attenuating members 1002b such that the extending lips 1010a extend around their respective raised ridges 1012a through 1012d and snuggly engage the underside of these ridges 1012a through 1012d.
In at least some examples of the invention, the retaining elements 1010 will be stiff enough to firmly engage the raised ridges 1012a through 1012d and hold to them, yet resilient enough to clip or snap over the raised ridges 1012a through 1012d to engage these elements together. Additionally, the retaining elements 1010 of this example will be resilient enough to allow the retaining elements 1010 to be disengaged from the raised ridges 1012a through 1012d so that the impact-attenuating element 1002 may be removed from the midsole member 1004 (or other portion of the foot-receiving device structure).
Many variations in the retaining element 1010 and/or raised ridge structure 1012a through 1012d are possible without departing from the invention. For example, the retaining element projections 1010a may fit into recesses or openings provided in the raised ridge structure 1012a through 1012d and/or the impact-attenuating member structure 1002b and optionally then turn to engage retaining elements provided in the raised ridge structure 1012a through 1012d (e.g., akin to the turnbuckle arrangement shown in
As described above in conjunction with the structure illustrated in
Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods for providing footwear or foot-receiving devices that include impact-attenuating element(s) of the type described above. As mentioned above, the impact-attenuating characteristics of footwear or other foot-receiving devices according to examples of this invention can be easily changed, for example, by replacing one impact-attenuating element with another having different characteristics.
Various factors may be taken into consideration when determining the specific characteristics of one or more impact-attenuating elements to place in a given piece of footwear or other foot-receiving device. For example, characteristics of the impact-attenuating element(s) may be selected based on one or more characteristics of the intended end user, such as: the user's weight, the user's shoe size, the user's foot width, the user's moving speed, the user's jumping ability, the user's stride or gait characteristics (e.g., a pronation or supination tendency, etc.), and the like. Also, the characteristics of the impact-attenuating element(s) may be selected depending on one or more characteristics of the final intended end use of the footwear or other foot-receiving device product. For example, different impact-attenuating element(s) (e.g., elements having different stiffnesses) may be selected depending on whether the footwear or foot-receiving device is used for walking, running, basketball, soccer, football, baseball, softball, sprinting, various track events, various field events, cross-training, video game play, training exercises, etc.
The potential variability features of impact-attenuating element(s) according to examples of the invention allow manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, users, coaches, trainers, or others to selectively determine and/or change the characteristics of a piece of footwear or other foot-receiving device by selecting different impact-attenuating element(s) for inclusion in these devices. In this manner, if desired, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, users, or others can customize a pair of footwear or other foot-receiving device, e.g., based on one or more characteristics of the intended user, one or more characteristics of the ultimate intended end use of the product, user preference, etc. Moreover, this customization can take place at any stage in the distribution chain, for example, at the construction factory by the manufacturer, by wholesalers or retailers (e.g., at a warehouse or a point of sale location, to replenish depleted stock, etc.), by consumers at the time and/or after the product has been purchased, by trainers or coaches, etc. As one example, the characteristics of the impact-attenuation element(s) may be selected at the assembly factory for a given pair of shoes, and these shoes then may be marketed specifically targeted to specific users or use characteristics (e.g., the sales box and/or a tag on the shoe might indicate that the shoe is designed for running or jogging for a user between 165 and 180 lbs.). Shoes for a series of different uses and for different user weights (or other characteristics) then may be marked on boxes or tags (depending on the characteristics of the impact-attenuating element used) and placed in the market.
As another example, shoe retailers or wholesalers may have a supply of impact-attenuating elements available to insert into the footwear or other foot-receiving device at the point of sale location, e.g., based on the characteristics of the intended user, the intended use, user preference, to replenish depleted stock, etc. As still another example, users may be allowed to freely select and/or change impact-attenuating elements, based on their immediate needs and/or the characteristics they desire in the footwear or other foot-receiving devices (e.g., by switching one impact-attenuating element for another at a point of use location). Impact-attenuating elements labeled with various different characteristics (e.g., for different user characteristics or intended use characteristics as described above) may be made available to the users. These aspects of the invention work particularly well for footwear and foot-receiving device designs in which the impact-attenuating element(s) remain visible and/or are otherwise easily accessible by the user after the device is fully assembled.
As another example, methods according to aspects of the invention further may include providing at least an upper member and a sole member (e.g., an outsole member, a midsole member, an insole member, etc.) for a piece of footwear or other foot-receiving device. Based at least in part on a characteristic of an intended user of the piece of footwear or the device or a characteristic of an intended use of the piece of footwear or device, an impact-attenuating element may be selected or identified for inclusion in the piece of footwear or in the device. As mentioned above, this selection may occur, for example, at the manufacturing location, at a wholesaler location, at a retailer location, after retail purchase, at a point of use location, through use of an on-line internet site, etc. The selected impact-attenuating element then may be included at the desired location in the piece of footwear or other foot-receiving device, e.g., between the upper member and a portion of the sole member, attached to the upper member or a portion of the sole member, etc.
If desired, a user may change the characteristics of a piece of footwear or other foot-receiving device by removing one impact-attenuating element and replacing it with a new one. This feature also can be used for any other desired reason, e.g., to replace a broken impact-attenuating element, to customize a foot-receiving device for a new user, customize a foot-receiving device for changing user or use conditions, etc. Impact-attenuating elements of the type described above also may be provided in the arch area of a foot-receiving device to provide support for the arch, if desired.
While the invention has been described with respect to 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 Non-Provisional U.S. patent application is a divisional application of and claims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/997,981, which was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 29, 2004 and entitled “Impact-Attenuating Elements Removably Mounted in Footwear or Other Products.” This patent application is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10997981 | Nov 2004 | US |
| Child | 12465546 | US |
