Patent Grant
8635788
This invention relates generally to impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear and other foot-receiving devices, such as in the heel areas of footwear or foot-receiving device products.
Conventional articles of athletic footwear have included two primary elements, namely an upper member and a sole structure. The upper member provides a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper member may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides 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 or other contact surface reaction forces, the sole structure may provide traction and control foot motions, such as pronation. Accordingly, the upper member and 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 structure of athletic footwear generally exhibits a layered configuration that includes a comfort-enhancing insole, a resilient midsole formed from a polymer foam material, and a ground-contacting outsole that provides both abrasion-resistance and traction. The midsole 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.
Aspects of this invention relate to impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear and other foot-receiving device products, such as in the heel areas of footwear or foot-receiving device products. Such impact-attenuation systems may be used, at least in part, to help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientations.
More specific aspects of this invention relate to foot-receiving device products, such as articles of footwear, that include: (a) a foot-covering member, such as an upper member for an article of footwear; and (b) a foot-supporting member (such as a sole structure) engaged with the foot-covering member. The foot-supporting member (e.g., sole structure) may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second impact-attenuating member separate from the first impact-attenuating member, wherein the second impact-attenuating member is located at a rear, lateral heel portion of the foot-supporting member. This rear, lateral heel oriented impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force (e.g., forces incident when landing a step or jump) as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. In at least some example structures according to the invention in which an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device includes multiple independent impact-attenuating elements (e.g., in a heel area), the landing column or other impact-attenuating element will be constructed and/or arranged so as to be softer than the posting column or other impact-attenuating element.
Still additional aspects of this invention relate to foot-supporting members and/or impact-attenuating systems, e.g., sole structures or portions thereof, such as heel units or the like, that include two or more impact-attenuating members, e.g., of the various types, constructions, and/or relative characteristics described above. If desired, two or more of the impact-attenuating members may be engaged with a common base member, e.g., to provide an impact-attenuating system or structure that is insertable as a unit into an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device construction.
Other aspects of this invention relate to methods of making footwear or other foot-receiving device products including impact-attenuation members and/or systems in accordance with examples of this invention, e.g., of the various types, constructions, and/or relative characteristics described above. Once incorporated in an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device product structure, the article of footwear or other product may be used in a known and conventional manner (e.g., for athletic or ambulatory activities) and the impact-attenuation members will attenuate the ground or other contact surface reaction forces (e.g., incident forces from landing a step or jump).
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 example embodiments 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 devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and 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,” “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features, elements, and characteristics of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures, orientations at rest, and/or orientations during typical use. 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 Background Relating to the Invention; General Description of Impact-Attenuation Systems and Products Containing Them; Specific Examples of the Invention; and Conclusion.
The following terms may be 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 running shoes, cross training shoes, golf shoes, basketball shoes, tennis shoes, baseball cleats, soccer or football cleats, ski boots, etc.), and the like.
“Foot-covering members” include one or more portions of a foot-receiving device that extend at least partially over and/or at least partially cover at least some portion of the wearer's foot, e.g., so as to assist in holding the foot-receiving device on and/or in place with respect to the wearer's foot. “Foot-covering members” include, but are not limited to, upper members of the types provided in at least some conventional footwear products.
“Foot-supporting members” include one or more portions of a foot-receiving device that extend at least partially beneath at least some portion of the wearer's foot, e.g., so as to assist in supporting the foot and/or attenuating the reaction forces to which the wearer's foot would be exposed, for example, when stepping down in the foot-receiving device and/or landing a jump. “Foot-supporting members” include, but are not limited to, sole members of the type provided in at least some conventional footwear products. Such sole members may include conventional outsole, midsole, and/or insole members.
“Contact surface-contacting elements” or “members” include at least some portions of a foot-receiving device structure that contact the ground or any other surface in use, and/or at least some portions of a foot-receiving device structure that engage another element or structure in use. Such “contact surface-contacting elements” may include, for example, but are not limited to, outsole elements provided in at least some conventional footwear products. “Contact surface-contacting elements” in at least some example structures may be made of suitable and conventional materials to provide long wear, traction, and protect the foot and/or to prevent the remainder of the foot-receiving device structure from wear effects, e.g., when contacting the ground or other surface in use.
In producing athletic footwear, manufacturers generally tend to build structures that restrict movement of a wearer of the footwear as little as possible. However, due to the different loads that arise on bones and muscles during ambulatory activities, footwear also should be designed to reduce fatigue and/or the risk of injuries under the incident loads. One cause of premature fatigue of joints and/or muscles during exercise relates to the misorientation of the foot during a step cycle. During a step, the average person tends to first contact the ground with the heel and subsequently rolls-off off the heel using the ball of the foot.
Many people slightly turn their foot from the outside to the inside between the first ground contact with the heel and pushing-off with the ball of the foot. At ground contact, a person's center of mass typically is located more on the lateral side (the outside) of the foot, but it tends to shift to the medial side (the inside) during the course of the step cycle. This turning of the foot to the medial side is called “pronation.” “Supination,” on the other hand, constitutes a turning of the foot in the opposite direction during the course of a step. Supination and excessive pronation can lead to increased strain on the joints and premature fatigue or even injury. Therefore, manufacturers of shoes, and particularly athletic shoes, make efforts to control the degree of turning of the foot during a step cycle in an effort to avoid these types of misorientations.
There are a number of known ways of influencing pronation. For example, supporting elements often are placed in the midfoot and/or forefoot areas of a sole structure to help users avoid excessive turning of the foot to the medial and/or lateral sides, e.g., during push-off. Typically, the heel portion of such sole structures only serves to attenuate ground reaction forces. Such corrective measures, however, fail to recognize that the initial ground contact phase of a step cycle also influences the later course of motion of the foot during the step.
At least some aspects of the present invention relate to providing foot-supporting structures for articles of footwear and other foot-receiving device products that help provide improved and/or correct orientation of a foot starting from the first ground contact phase of a step cycle. Such improvements and/or corrections can help reduce and/or eliminate misorientations, premature fatigue, and/or wear of the joints and the muscles.
In general, aspects of this invention relate to impact-attenuation members, products and systems in which they are used (such as footwear, other foot-receiving devices, heel cage elements, and the like), and methods for including them in such products and systems and using them in such products and systems. These and other aspects and features of the invention are described in more detail below.
1. Foot-Receiving Device Products Including Impact-Attenuation Members According to the Invention
Foot-receiving device products, such as articles of footwear, in accordance with at least some example aspects of this invention include: (a) a foot-covering member, such as an upper member for an article of footwear; and (b) a foot-supporting member (such as a sole structure) engaged (directly or indirectly) with the foot-covering member. The foot-supporting member (e.g., sole structure) may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second impact-attenuating member separate from the first impact-attenuating member, wherein the second impact-attenuating member is located at a rear, lateral heel portion of the foot-supporting member. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force (e.g., when landing a step or jump) as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. In at least some example structures according to the invention in which an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device includes multiple independent impact-attenuating elements (e.g., in a heel area), the landing column or other impact-attenuating element will be constructed and/or arranged so as to be softer than the posting column or other impact-attenuating element.
Any number of impact-attenuating members may be provided in the sole structure, at any desired locations, without departing from the invention. For example, in some structures according to the invention, impact-attenuating members may be provided in one or more of: (a) the lateral heel portion of the sole structure in front of the lower impact force resistant impact-attenuating member; (b) the medial heel portion of the sole structure in front of the lower impact force resistant impact-attenuating member; (c) the rear, medial heel portion (e.g., along side the lower impact force resistant impact-attenuating member); (d) the arch portion; and/or (e) the forefoot portion. In at least some example foot-receiving device structures according to this invention, some or all of the individual impact-attenuation member(s) (e.g., column structures) may be included at locations and orientations so as to be at least partially visible from an exterior of the article of footwear, e.g., akin to commercial products available from NIKE, Inc., of Beaverton, Oreg. under the “SHOX” brand trademark. Alternatively, if desired, one or more of the impact-attenuation member(s) may be hidden or at least partially hidden in the overall footwear or foot-receiving device product structure, such as within the foam material of a midsole element, within a gas-filled bladder member, etc.
The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member in a wide variety of ways. For example, the first and second impact-attenuating members may include stretchable spring or tension elements, wherein the spring or tension element(s) of the first impact-attenuating member is (are) more rigid under an impact force as compared with the spring or tension element(s) of the second impact-attenuating member (e.g., to thereby make the first impact-attenuating member stiffer, less compressible, less expandable, etc.). As another example, the first and second impact-attenuating members may include relatively rigid body members, wherein the body member(s) of the first impact-attenuating member is (are) stiffer under an impact force as compared with the body member(s) of the second impact-attenuating member (e.g., to thereby make the first impact-attenuating member feel stiffer, less compressible, less expandable, etc.).
As additional examples, the impact-attenuating members may be in the form of column members (optionally elastomeric material-containing column members and/or plastic-containing column members) in which the first elastomeric column member(s) has (have) a higher density, is (are) stiffer, and/or is (are) less compressible than the second elastomeric column member. If desired, one or more of the impact-attenuating members may be selectively adjustable, wherein the first impact-attenuating member(s) is (are) set to a stiffer setting and/or at a stiffer orientation as compared to the second impact-attenuating member. In still other examples, if desired, the first and second impact-attenuating members may be at least partially contained within retaining structures, wherein the retaining structure of the first impact-attenuating member is less flexible and/or less stretchable than the retaining structure of the second impact-attenuating member.
Still additional aspects of this invention relate to foot-supporting members and/or impact-attenuation systems, e.g., sole structures or portions thereof, such as a heel unit or the like, that include two or more impact-attenuating members, e.g., of the various types, constructions, and/or relative characteristics described above. If desired, the various impact-attenuating members may be engaged with a common base member, e.g., to provide a structure that is insertable as a unit (including multiple impact-attenuating members) into an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device constructions.
As noted above, the second impact-attenuating member (e.g., at the step landing area) may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force (e.g., when landing a step or jump) and/or to be “softer” as compared with the first impact-attenuating member (e.g., at the posting area). These characteristics may evince themselves in various ways. For example, in accordance with some examples of this invention, the second impact-attenuating member (e.g., an impact-attenuating column) may experience more compression in the incident force direction, under a given incident force, as compared with compression of the first impact-attenuating member (e.g., an impact-attenuating column). As a more specific example, the second impact-attenuating member may compress at least 5% more in the incident force direction as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. In still other examples, the second impact-attenuating member may compress at least 10%, 15%, 20%, or even 25% more in the incident force direction as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. As another example measurement parameter, the second impact-attenuating member may be made to compress the same amount as the first impact-attenuating member in the incident force direction, but under a lower incident force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. As some more specific examples, the second impact-attenuating member may compress the same amount as the first impact-attenuating member in the incident force direction under at least a 5% lower incident force, or in some examples under at least a 10%, 15%, 20%, or even 25% lower incident force as compared with the force used to compress the first impact-attenuating member the same amount. As yet another example, the speed of compression under an incident force may be used as a measure of an impact-attenuating member's “softness,” e.g., with the second impact-attenuating member fully compressing (e.g., reaching its maximum compression amount for a given incident force) at least 5%, or in some examples, 10%, 15%, 20%, or even 25% more rapidly than the first impact-attenuating member. Other ways of measuring the differences in impact-attenuation characteristics are possible without departing from this invention.
2. Methods of Making and Using Foot-Receiving Device Products According to the Invention
Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of making footwear or other foot-receiving device products including impact-attenuation members in accordance with examples of this invention and methods of using such impact-attenuation members and/or such products, e.g., for attenuating contact surface reaction forces. Such methods may include, for example: (a) providing a foot-covering member, such as an upper member for an article of footwear (e.g., by making it in a conventional manner, obtaining it from another source, etc.); and (b) engaging a foot-supporting member (e.g., a sole structure) with the foot-covering member. As described above, the foot-supporting member (e.g., the sole structure) may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion and (ii) a second impact-attenuating member separate from the first impact-attenuating member, wherein the second impact-attenuating member is located at a rear, lateral heel portion, and wherein the second impact-attenuating member provides less resistance to an impact force (e.g., when landing a step or jump) as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. The relative difference in impact force resistances may be provided in any desired manner, including, for example, the various manners described above.
Another example method of producing a foot-receiving device, such as an article of footwear, in accordance with this invention includes: (a) engaging an upper member or other foot-covering member with a sole structure or other foot-supporting member, wherein the sole structure or other foot-supporting member includes: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion and (ii) a second impact-attenuating member separate from the first impact-attenuating member, wherein the second impact-attenuating member is located at a rear, lateral heel portion of the sole structure or other foot-supporting member structure; and (b) making the second impact-attenuating member less resistant to an impact force (e.g., when landing a step or jump) as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. Again, the relative difference in impact force resistances may be provided in any desired manner, including, for example, the various manners described above. The various steps may take place in any desired order or simultaneously without departing from this invention.
Once incorporated in an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device product structure, the article of footwear or other product may be used in any desired manner, including in its known and conventional manners, and the impact-attenuation members will attenuate the ground reaction forces (e.g., from landing a step or jump). In some more specific examples, the article of footwear will constitute an athletic or training shoe, e.g., used for running, walking, cross-training, specific sports, etc.
Specific examples of structures according to 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-attenuation members, as well as products 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 or similar parts throughout. In the description above and that which follows, various connections and/or engagements are set forth between elements in the overall structures. The reader should understand that these connections and/or engagements in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect.
Also, while the illustrated footwear structure 100 shows the impact-attenuation members 102a/102b open and exposed at the footwear exterior, those skilled in the art will recognize that the impact-attenuation members 102a/102b may be covered or partially covered (e.g., at least partially embedded within a midsole or other portion of the sole or foot-supporting structure, at least partially enclosed by a restraining member structure, at least partially engaged with a fluid-filled bladder member, etc.) without departing from this invention.
In the example structures 100 and 106 illustrated in
As described above, in a typical step, the foot's first contact location with the contact surface is at the lateral rear heel area. By making the rear lateral impact-attenuating member 102b somewhat less resistant to impact forces when landing a step or jump as compared to at least some of the other impact-attenuating members 102a (e.g., particularly the forward lateral impact-attenuating member 102a and/or other impact-attenuating members located on the lateral side), the foot has a better opportunity to naturally turn to the proper position as the step continues, thereby reducing the likelihood of over-pronation.
While the illustrated example sole structure 106 shows the impact-attenuating members 102a as having the same general sizes, shapes, orientations, appearances, and/or impact-attenuation characteristics, this is not a requirement. If desired, any or all of the impact-attenuating members 102a may have different sizes, shapes, orientations, appearances, and/or impact-attenuation characteristics. Alternatively, if desired, some or all of the impact-attenuating members 102a may have the same sizes, shapes, orientations, appearances, impact-attenuation characteristics, etc. Also, if desired, the rear lateral impact-attenuation member 102b may have the same general size, shape, orientation, and/or appearance as compared to the other impact-attenuating members 102a, but with different impact-attenuation characteristics with respect to at least some of the impact-attenuating members 102(a) (e.g., those on the lateral side), as described above. While some of the other impact-attenuating members 102a in a footwear structure may have the same or similar impact-attenuation characteristics as impact-attenuation member 102b, in at least some example footwear structures 100, impact-attenuation member 102b will have a lower resistance to impact forces as compared to all of the other impact-attenuation members 102a in the footwear structure 100.
The impact-attenuating members 102a and/or 102b may have a wide variety of different constructions and shapes without departing from this invention. Some impact-attenuating members 102a and/or 102b may include a spring member or other tensioned element that stretches when an impact force is applied to the shoe (e.g., when landing a step or a jump).
The example impact-attenuating element 102a/102b of
The body members 302 and 304, at least in part, define a base or neutral orientation (e.g., an orientation at which no significant external forces are applied to the device 102a/102b other than forces applied by the components of the device 102a/102b and/or the components of the footwear or other foot-receiving device in which it is mounted). A spring member 308 extends across and is at least partially included in the open space 306. In the base orientation, as illustrated in
The spring member 308 may be molded to or otherwise engaged with respect to at least one of the body members 302 and/or 304 in a variety of manners, such as in a pivotal, rotatable, or hinged manner. In the example illustrated in
The bases 108 and 110 and optional flexible interfaces 320 and 322 may form an integral part of a piece of footwear or other device in which one or more devices 102a/102b may be mounted or included. Alternatively, the bases 108 and 110 and optional flexible interfaces 320 and 322, along with one or more impact-attenuating members 102a/102b, may be included as part of a unitary construction (e.g., as a “heel cage” unit) that may be inserted as a unit into a footwear structure. The flexible interfaces 320 and 322 may be attached to their respective bases 108 and 110, if desired, and/or the body members 302 and 304 may be attached to their respective interfaces 320 and 322, if desired, and/or the body members 302 and 304 may be attached to their respective bases 108 and 110, in any suitable manner, such as through mechanical connectors; adhesive connections; tight, friction fits; fusing techniques; retaining member structures; or the like.
As noted above, the difference in impact-attenuating characteristics (e.g., resistance to incident forces from landing a step or jump) between devices 102a and 102b may be provided in a wide variety of different manners without departing from this invention, optionally while still providing impact-attenuating members 102a/102b having the same general size, shape, orientation, appearance, etc. For example, the spring member 308 of device 102b may be made thinner, with more open space, with narrower arms, with fewer arms, and/or of a stretchier material, etc., as compared with the spring member 308 included in devices 102a. As additional or alternative examples, if desired, one or more of the body members 302 and/or 304 and/or flexible interfaces 320 and/or 322 in devices 102b may be made thinner, with more open space, with a higher void percentage, and/or of a more flexible material, etc., as compared with the body member(s) 302 and/or 304 and/or flexible interfaces 320 and/or 322 in devices 102a.
While not a requirement, all of the spring members 408 in this example structure 102a/102b are identically shaped and sized, although different shapes, sizes, strengths, and materials may be used for the individual spring members 408 without departing from the invention (and/or in order to provide differences in the impact-attenuation characteristics (e.g., different resistance to impact forces) between impact-attenuating members 102a and 102b). Additionally, although
Additional features available in accordance with at least some examples of this invention are illustrated in
Additionally or alternatively, pins 414 or ribs of the types described above also may be used to control and/or fine tune the stiffness of the overall impact-attenuating member 102a/102b. For example, providing ribs or pins 414 as described above may stiffen the body members 402 and/or 404 somewhat while adding less overall weight to the impact-attenuating member 102a/102b as compared to making the entire body members 402 and/or 404 thicker in an effort to provide additional stiffness.
The difference in impact-attenuating characteristics (e.g., resistance to incident impact forces from landing a step or jump) between devices 102a and 102b may be provided in a wide variety of different manners without departing from this invention, optionally while still providing impact-attenuating members 102a/102b having the same general size, shape, orientation, appearance, etc. For example, at least some of the spring members 408 of impact-attenuating members 102b may be made thinner, with more open space, with narrower arms, and/or of a stretchier material, etc., as compared with the spring members 408 included in devices 102a. As additional or alternative examples, if desired, fewer spring members 408 may be included in impact-attenuating members 102b as compared to members 102a. As still additional examples or alternatives, one or more of the body members 402 and/or 404 in devices 102b may be made thinner, with more open space, with fewer or no reinforcing ribs or structures, and/or of a more flexible material, etc., as compared with the body member(s) 402 and/or 404 in devices 102a.
An open space 506 is defined between the various body portions or members 502 and 504, and spring member 508a extends through this open space 506. Spring member 508a is pivotally or hingedly engaged with respect to body member(s) 502 via shafts 520 and 522 and extends through the open area 506 at a location proximate to base member 110. A similar spring member is pivotally or hingedly engaged with respect to body member(s) 504 via shafts 524 and 526 and extends through the open area 506 at a location proximate to base member 108. The ends of shafts 520, 522, 524, and 526 may include slide or rotational wheels 528 that engage tracks 530 in base members 108 and 110 (or other mounting substrates). Furthermore, the body members 502 and 504 may be pivotally or hingedly engaged with respect to one another via shaft members 532 and 534.
When a compressive force is applied to plates 108 and/or 110 (e.g., from landing a step or jump), this causes the body members 502 and 504 to flatten out (e.g., displace in a horizontal direction) as the wheels 528 slide or roll away from one another along tracks 530. This compressive force also causes the spring member 508a and its complementary spring member located at the top of the member 102a/102b to stretch. When the compressive force is relaxed or relieved, the stretched spring members will return toward their original orientation, thereby pulling the attached body members 502 and 504 with them and returning the impact-attenuating members 102a/102b back toward its original orientation. The material of the body members 502 and 504 also may be selected such that it tends to return to or toward its original orientation when the compressive force is relaxed or relieved.
Of course, many alternatives are possible to the construction illustrated in
The difference in impact-attenuating characteristics (e.g., resistance to incident impact forces from landing a step or jump) between devices 102a and 102b may be provided in a wide variety of different manners without departing from this invention, optionally while still providing impact-attenuating members 102a/102b having the same general size, shape, orientation, appearance, etc. For example, one or more of the spring member(s) 508a may be made thinner, with more open space, with narrower arms, and/or of a stretchier material, etc., in impact-attenuating member 102b as compared with the spring member(s) 508a included in impact-attenuating member 102a. As additional or alternative examples, if desired, fewer spring members 508a may be included in impact-attenuating members 102b as compared to members 102a (e.g., in structures in which each spring member 508a constitutes several independent parts). As still additional examples or alternatives, one or more of the body members 502 and/or 504 in devices 102b may be made thinner, narrower, with more open space, and/or of a more flexible material, etc., as compared with the body member(s) 502 and/or 504 in devices 102a. As another example or alternative, if desired, devices 102b may include fewer body members 502 and/or 504 as compared with devices 102a.
The body members 602 and 604 may be made from any suitable or desired materials, such as plastic, elastomeric, or polymeric materials capable of changing shape, size, and/or orientation when a force is applied thereto and returning back to or toward their original shape, size, and/or orientation when the force is relieved or relaxed (e.g., a PEBAX® material (a polyether-block co-polyamide polymer available from Atofina Corporation of Puteaux, France)). If desired, a single or one-piece body member structure may be used that includes body portions that define an open area 606, or the individual body members 602 and/or 604 each may be constructed from multiple pieces, without departing from this invention. Also, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the body members 602 and/or 604 may be semicircular, semi-oval, semi-elliptical, hemispherical, and/or other shapes, including other arched shapes, without departing from this invention. If desired, the various “arched” structures described above may include flat or substantially flat top and/or bottom portions, e.g., to facilitate engagement with or mounting to other structures, such as base members 108 and/or 110 for articles of footwear.
Any suitable or desired spring member 608 structure and/or orientation may be included in the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b of
The spring member 608 may be molded to or otherwise engaged with respect to at least one of the body members 602 and/or 604, as noted above, optionally in a relatively movable manner (e.g., pivotal or rotatable manner). In the example structure 102a/102b illustrated in
The exterior body portion of spring member 608 in the illustrated example includes openings or holes 614a defined therein so that mounting elements 614, e.g., pins 614, optionally included on the exterior surface of the body members 602 and/or 604, may extend through the spring member 608 and may be used to fix the position of the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b. For example, these mounting elements 614 may fit into holes defined in base members 108 and/or 110 (see
Rather than being included as part of the body members 602 and 604, the mounting elements 614, if any, may be formed as part of the spring member 608 and/or they may be separate elements attached to the spring member 608 and/or the body member structures 602 and 604 in some manner. Additionally, the mounting elements 614 may be constructed of any suitable or desired material, in any desired shape, and/or provided at any desired locations, without departing from the invention. For example, the mounting elements 614 may be formed as ribs that are received in tracks, grooves, or openings defined in base members 108 and/or 110 or other mounting substrates, and/or vice versa.
The difference in impact-attenuating characteristics (e.g., resistance to incident impact forces from landing a step or jump) between devices 102a and 102b may be provided in a wide variety of different manners without departing from this invention, optionally while still providing impact-attenuating members 102a/102b having the same general size, shape, orientation, appearance, etc. For example, at least some portions of the spring member 608 of impact-attenuating members 102b may be made thinner (e.g., across open space 606) and/or of a stretchier material, etc., as compared with the spring members 608 included in devices 102a. As additional examples or alternatives, one or more of the body members 602 and/or 604 in devices 102b may be made thinner, with open space, and/or of a more flexible material, etc., as compared with the body member(s) 602 and/or 604 in devices 102a. As additional examples or alternatives, if desired, devices 102a may include additional or more support members to reinforce the body members 602 and/or 604 as compared with the body members 602 and/or 604 included in devices 102b.
When mounted in an article of footwear, the structure 102a/102b may provide both impact-attenuating and shear resistance properties (i.e., resistance to failure or toppling in response to forces in the lateral-to-medial side direction). More specifically, because of the at least partially open structure (e.g., including through hole 704 in this illustrated example), the rigid material of the body member 702 may flex somewhat in response to vertical forces and/or forces experienced when landing a step or jump. Additionally, because of the relatively wide opposing wall structures 706 present in the footwear side-to-side direction (e.g., the direction of through hole 704), lateral stability and resistance to lateral or shear forces are provided (e.g., to provide stability when a wearer quickly stops, cuts, or changes directions in the shoe).
Various other potential example features of structures in accordance with this invention are illustrated in
Restraining elements 710, in at least some examples of the invention, potentially may perform several functions. First, in at least some examples, the restraining element 710 may help prevent mud, dirt, or other debris or foreign material from entering the through hole 704 of the body member 702 and potentially weighing down or damaging the device 102a/102b. Additionally, the restraining element 710 may attenuate some of the compressive force to which the impact-attenuation device 102a/102b is exposed during use, which can help alleviate stress and/or strain on the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b. As another example, if desired, restraining element 710 may function as a stopper to prevent the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b from excessively deforming under the applied compressive force (which again can help alleviate stress and/or strain on the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b). As still another example, portions of the restraining element 710 side walls may exert an inward force on the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b, thereby helping the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b to return back to or toward its original orientation. Such spring back action, in at least some instances, can help improve the wearer's performance by providing a reflexive force to help recover from the exerted compressive force.
Of course, the restraining element 710, when present, can take on any size, configuration, arrangement, or orientation without departing from the invention. For example, the restraining element 710 need not completely cover the opening 704. Additionally or alternatively, the restraining element 710 may fit somewhat loosely around the outside of the body member 702 when no compressive force is applied to the device 102a/102b and then stop or help slow the flexure of the body member 702 and/or compression of impact-attenuation member 102a/102b when the force is applied (e.g., from landing a step or jump). As another alternative, the restraining element 710 may fit rather tightly around the outside of the impact-attenuation member 700 when no compressive force is applied to the member 102a/102b to provide a stiffer overall impact-attenuation member. Additionally, the restraining element 710 need not completely surround the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b (e.g., gaps, openings, or the like may be provided, the restraining element 710 may be C-shaped, etc., without departing from the invention). As still another potential alternative, the restraining element 710 may be made from more than one individual piece without departing from the invention (e.g., the restraining element 710 may constitute two or more C-shaped pieces that can clip around the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b, it may have upper and lower halves, etc.).
The difference in impact-attenuating characteristics (e.g., resistance to incident impact forces when landing a step or jump) between devices 102a and 102b may be provided in a wide variety of different manners without departing from this invention, optionally while still providing impact-attenuating members 102a/102b having the same general size, shape, orientation, appearance, etc. For example, at least some portions of the body member wall 706 in devices 102b may be made thinner, with a larger opening 704, and/or of a more flexible material, etc., as compared with the body member wall 706 in devices 102a. As another example or alternative, if desired, devices 102a may include a restraining member 710 whereas devices 102b do not (or devices 102b may include a weaker restraining member 710). The presence of, the absence of, and/or differences in reinforcing structures provided on or with the body member 702 (e.g., ribs in walls 706) also may produce differences in impact force attenuation for devices 102a and 102b
The various parts of this example impact-attenuation member 102a/102b may be made of any desired materials without departing from this invention. For example, the impact-attenuating member 804 may be made of any desired impact-attenuating material, such as rubber (natural or synthetic), polymeric materials (e.g., polyurethane, ethylvinylacetate, phylon, phylite, foams, etc.), and the like, including impact-attenuating materials of the types used in known midsole structures, impact-attenuating columns, and/or footwear constructions, including those used in footwear commercially available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, Oreg. under the SHOX brand trademark. The frame structure 802 may be made from a rigid but flexible or bendable material, such as rigid plastic materials like thermoplastic materials, thermosetting materials, polyurethanes, and other rigid polymeric materials, etc., including hard plastic or other materials conventionally used in sole structures, footwear, and/or other foot-receiving device structures. As a more specific example, the frame structure 802 may be made from a PEBAX® material (e.g., a polyether-block co-polyamide polymer commercially available from Atofina Corporation of Puteaux, France).
Various other example structural features of the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b may be seen in
While the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b may be mounted in an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device structure in any desired manner without departing from this invention, in this illustrated example structure, the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b may be mounted such that the side walls 802c and 802d extend substantially in the lateral, side-to-side direction of the article of footwear (e.g., such that a horizontal line parallel to and located on the surface of the wall member 802c and/or 802d runs generally in the side-to-side direction of the article of footwear to which it is mounted and/or substantially parallel to an expected direction of lateral or shear force to which the footwear may be exposed, e.g., during a cutting action, during a rapid direction change action, during a quick stopping action, etc.). In other words, in this illustrated example structure, the triangular point of the impact-attenuating member 804 that points out the open side 802e may be arranged to point toward the lateral or medial side of the shoe structure (and optionally toward the interior of the shoe, e.g., of the heel area), such that the broad side 804b of the impact-attenuating member 804 faces outward.
The above described structure and arrangement of the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b in a footwear structure can provide various advantageous features. For example, in the structure and arrangement described above, the open sides 802e and 802f of the frame structure 802 will allow the top wall 802a and bottom wall 802b of the frame structure 802 to deflect and move toward one another under a compressive force (e.g., when a wearer lands a step or jump). The rigidity of the frame structure 802 and the density of the impact-attenuating material 804 may be selected such that the overall structure provides a controlled, desired degree of compression in the substantially vertical direction (and/or provide differences in force resistance for devices 102a as compared to 102b). If desired, the impact-attenuating member 804 may include a through-hole, blind hole, opening, or hollow structure 806, e.g., to allow gas to escape from the material and compression when compressive forces are applied to it. Gaps provided between the impact-attenuating member 804 and the side walls 802c and 802d, if any, also may help keep the frame structure 802 out of the impact-attenuating member 804's way during its compression, such that its compression is not substantially impeded or restricted. Also, if desired, the various features and characteristics of the frame structure 802 (e.g., plastic rigidity, thickness, length, width, height, wall curvature, wall sizes, etc.) may be selected to control its resistance to deflection and compression in the vertical direction (e.g., if desired, to provide minimal or limited compression resistance in the vertical direction, and to allow the impact-attenuating member 804 to perform the majority of the impact-attenuating functions).
Despite its readily controllable compressibility and its ability to compress in the vertical direction (e.g., due, at least in part, to the open ends 802e and 802f of frame structure 802), this overall structure 102a/102b is laterally stable and resistant to shear forces and to collapse, toppling, or other failure from shear forces, e.g., in the horizontal, side-to-side direction (in the lateral-to-medial side direction), due, at least in part, to the presence of the side walls 802c and 802d and their arrangement in a direction substantially parallel to the shear force incident direction. More specifically, the side walls 802c and 802d provide strong structures that resist collapse or movement when forces in opposing horizontal directions are applied at the top and bottom of the side wall structures 802c and 802d in a lateral-to-medial side direction, e.g., when a wearer stops quickly, makes a cutting action, changes directions, etc.
Differences in resistance to impact force between impact-attenuating members 102b and members 102a may be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, various features and characteristics of the frame structure 802 (e.g., plastic rigidity, thickness, length, width, height, wall curvature, wall sizes, etc.) for members 102b may be selected to provide less resistance to impact force (e.g., by providing thinner walls, different materials, more curvature, etc.) as compared to the respective properties of the frame structure 802 for members 102a. As additional examples, the various features and characteristics of the impact-attenuating member 804 in members 102b may be selected to provide less resistance to impact force (e.g., by providing a more compressible structure 804, by providing a lower density structure 804, by providing a higher percentage of voids, by providing a larger through hole 806, etc.), as compared to the similar features and characteristics of impact-attenuating member 804 in members 102a.
While the illustrated impact-attenuating member 904 constitutes plural independent and separate sections 904a, this is not a requirement. For example, if desired, some or all of the sections 904a may be joined together and constitute a single piece. Additionally, while the shear resistant member 902 is shown as a single piece in
If desired, as illustrated in
When mounted in an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device product, impact-attenuation members 102a/102b of the types illustrated in
Of course, any number and/or arrangement of vanes 902b may be used without departing from the invention. As some more specific examples, if desired, two vanes 902b may extend from a central region 902a with the central region 902a arranged toward the bottom and/or top of the overall impact-attenuation member structure, e.g., to provide an U- or overall V-shaped and/or inverted U- or V-shaped shear resistant member structure.
Another example impact-attenuation member structure 102a/102b that may be used in examples of this invention is illustrated in
The extending members 1002c of the shear resistant member 1002 may be sized such that the exterior diameter of one extending member 1002c is somewhat smaller than an opening in the base member 1002b (and an open interior diameter of the extending member 1002c) immediately adjacent to it in one direction. In this manner, when compressed against a substantially vertical or other impact force 1008 (e.g., when landing a jump or step), the extending members 1002c will extend through and slide in the openings in the adjacent neighboring base member 1002b and optionally inside its extending member 1002c, e.g., in a telescoping manner. If desired, in its uncompressed state, the extending members 1002c may extend at least somewhat within and/or be retained within its adjacent extending member 1002c in a telescoping manner, which helps maintain the desired telescoping structural arrangement at all times, whether or not compressing forces 1008 act on the overall structure 102a/102b. A tight fit in this telescoping manner also can assist in providing lateral stability and resistance to shear or lateral forces 1010, as the extending portions 1002c will tend to contact one another and provide resistance under lateral or shear force 1010. If necessary or desired, lubricating material may be provided to enable easy sliding movement of one extending member 1002c with respect to others.
While
When mounted in an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device, impact-attenuation members 102a/102b of the types illustrated in
While
The impact-attenuating members 1104a and the shear resistant members 1102a of this structure 102a/102b may be held together in any desired manner without departing from this invention. For example, cements, adhesives, fusing techniques, friction fits, retaining structures, and/or mechanical connectors may be used to hold the various elements in place with respect to one another. As another example, if desired (and as illustrated in the example structure of
If desired, as illustrated in
When mounted in an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device product, impact-attenuation members 102a/102b of the types illustrated in
Of course, other ways for making impact-attenuation member structures 102a/102b of the types illustrated in
The shear resistant wall member 1202 may be made from any desired materials without departing from this invention, including the various materials described above, e.g., for use with the frame structure 802. Likewise, the impact-attenuating member portions 1204a and 1204b may be made from any desired materials without departing from the invention, including the same or different materials, and including the various materials described above for impact-attenuating material 804. If desired, at least a portion of one of the impact-attenuating member portions 1204a and/or 1204b may be at least partially hollowed out and/or contain a through hole, e.g., to allow room for compression, gas release, and/or wall member 1202 deflection or movement during compression of the columnar structure 102a/102b.
The above described structure and arrangement of the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b can provide various advantageous features. For example, in the structure and arrangement described above, the zigzag structure of the wall member 1202 will allow the top surface 1202a and bottom surface 1202b of the wall member 1202 to relatively move toward one another under a compressive force (e.g., when a wearer lands a step or jump) in a uniform and repeatable manner. The rigidity of the wall member 1202 and/or the density of the impact-attenuating member portions 1204a and 1204b may be selected and/or controlled such that the overall structure 102a/102b provides a controlled, desired degree of compression in the substantially vertical or landing direction (and such that devices 102a can be made to have different force resistance as compared to devices 102b). Because of its zigzag structure, the wall member 1202 can be made to relatively freely collapse under compressive force, but it also can be made so as to substantially return to or toward its original shape and orientation once the force is released or relaxed. Also, if desired, the various features and characteristics of the wall member 1202 (e.g., plastic rigidity, thickness, length, width, height, numbers of zigzags, the presence of openings, etc.) may be selected to control its resistance to deformation and compression in the vertical or landing direction (e.g., to provide minimal compression resistance in the vertical or landing direction, if desired, and to allow the impact-attenuating member portions 1204a and 1204b to perform the majority or substantially all of the impact-attenuating functions).
Despite its readily controllable compressibility and its ability to readily compress in the vertical or landing direction (e.g., due, at least in part, to the zigzag structure of wall member 1202), this overall structure 102a/102b is resistant to shear forces and to collapse, toppling, or other failure from shear forces, e.g., in the horizontal, side-to-side direction (in the lateral-to-medial side direction or vice versa) due, at least in part, to the presence of the major wall portion 1202c and its arrangement in a direction substantially parallel to the shear force incident direction. More specifically, the major wall portion 1202c provides a strong structure that resists collapse, deformation, or movement when forces in different directions are applied at its top and bottom, e.g., when a wearer stops quickly, makes a cutting action, changes directions, etc. Of course, other ways of providing a “collapsible” wall member are possible without departing from this invention. For example, if desired, the shear resistant wall member could be curved rather than zigzag structured. As another example, if desired, pre-bent lines or “fail” lines could be provided in a wall member structure to better allow the wall member to collapse in the vertical direction. As still another example, if desired, a multi-part wall member 1202 may be provided, optionally spring biased to the uncompressed orientation, in which one portion of the wall member slides, rotates, or otherwise moves with respect to another part of the wall member to thereby provide a collapsing structure. Also, if desired, a single impact-attenuation member 102a/102b may include multiple shear resistant wall members, e.g., zigzag or otherwise structured.
Rather than replacing an impact-attenuation member or portion thereof with a different member or portion, if desired, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention, impact-attenuation, stiffness, feel, resistance to impact force, and/or other characteristics of an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device product may be altered by changing an orientation of an impact-attenuation member or a portion thereof with respect to the article of footwear or other product. In this same manner, changes in orientation may be used to provide different resistances to impact forces for elements 102a as compared to element 102b.
Of course, any manner of engaging the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b with the base member(s) 1320 is possible without departing from the invention. For example, the exterior surface of the spring member 1308 and/or the body portions 1302 and/or 1304 may include ribs, ridges, and/or other structures that engage with grooves, openings, and/or recesses formed in the base member(s) 1320 interior surface (or vice versa). In this illustrated example structure 102a/102b, ridges 1330 provided around the exterior surface of the spring member 1308 engage grooves 1332 provided in the interior surface of the base member 1320. Because ridges 1330 are provided at spaced locations around the entire exterior of the circular spring member structure 1308, the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b may be engaged with and oriented with respect to the base member 1320 in many different orientations, to thereby provide a variety of different potential impact-attenuation characteristics or “feels.” As additional and/or alternative examples, if desired, mechanical connectors, retaining elements, adhesives, a tight friction fit, and the like may be used to hold the impact-attenuation member(s) 102a/102b in place with respect to the base member(s) 1320. Also, any number of base members 1320 and impact-attenuation members 102a/102b, in any desired combinations of impact-attenuation members 102a/102b with respect to base members 1320, may be used in a footwear or other structure without departing from this invention (e.g., one base member 1320 or base member set may engage any number of impact-attenuation members 102a/102b, and one impact-attenuation member 102a/102b may engage one or multiple base members 1320 without departing from this invention). The structure, arrangement, and/or materials of the body portions 1302 and 1304 provide stability against lateral or shear forces 1324, while the overall device 102a/102b provides adjustable and/or customizable impact-attenuation properties as described above. This shear stability may be provided, for example, by arranging the impact-attenuation member 102a/102b such that the body portions 1302 and 1304 extend in a direction substantially parallel to the expected direction of the shear or lateral force 1324, as shown in
In the example structure 102a/102b of
In the illustrated example structure 102a/102b, six arm members 1408b extend from the central hub region 1408a at an evenly spaced distribution around the hub region 1408a. Of course, any number of arms 1408b, in any desired arrangement or orientation with respect to the hub region 1408a, may be provided without departing from this invention.
Also, in this illustrated example structure 102a/102b, the spring member 1408 has an axial length such that one set of arm members extends from the central hub region 1408a at one side of the structure 102a/102b and a second set of arm members 1408b extends from the central hub region 1408a axially spaced and at the opposite side of the structure 102a/102b. While the body portions 1402a and 1402b extend the entire axial length of the member 102a/102b in this illustrated structure, if desired, separate body portions also may be provided for each separate, axially spaced set of arm members 1408b. Also, the various axially spaced sets of arm members 1408b and/or body portions 1402a and 1402b may be constructed the same or different without departing from the invention, e.g., they may have the same or different overall structures, configurations, numbers, orientations, materials, and the like without departing from this invention. Alternatively, if desired, the arm members 1408b also may extend the entire axial length of the impact-attenuating member 102a/102b. As still additional examples, if desired, plural sets of arm members 1408b may extend from a single axial hub 1408a at different axial locations along the axial hub 1408a length (e.g., one set of arm members 1408b near one end of the hub 1408a near one edge of the member 102a/102b, one set of arm members 1408b near the other end of the hub 1408a near the other edge of the member 102a/102b, one set of arm members 1408b at a central location along the hub 1408a near the center of member 102a/102b, etc.). As yet another example, separate hubs 1408a and arm members 1408b may be provided at various locations along the depth of member 102a/102b. Any desired arrangement and/or numbers of hubs 1408a, sets of arm members 1408b, etc. may be used without departing from this invention. Different hub 1408a, arm member 1408b, and/or spring member 1408 characteristics and/or arrangements may be used to provide the differences in impact-attenuation characteristics for members 102a as compared with members 102b.
As noted above, the body members 1402a and 1402b may be contained within, attached to, and/or integrally formed with a base member 1420. The base member 1420 with the body portions 1402a and 1402b and the spring member 1408 may form a separate impact-attenuation member structure 102a/102b (as shown in
In use, if desired, the spring member 1408 may be releasably and removably mounted with respect to the body portions 1402a and 1402b (e.g., by sliding the spring member 1408 outward). This feature may allow interchange of one spring member 1408 for another, e.g., to provide different impact-attenuation characteristics for different uses, users, and/or locations in a footwear structure, to replace a broken or damaged spring member 1408; etc. Alternatively or additionally, if desired, the body portions 1402a and 1402b (optionally with the spring member attached thereto) may be releasably and removably mounted with respect to any present base member (e.g., base member 1420) or other device or structure to which it is attached (such as an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device, etc,). As still another option or alternative, if desired, the overall structure 102a/102b may be releasably and removably mounted with respect to another article to which it is mounted (with or without a base member 1420), such as an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device, etc. A wide variety of options are possible to allow replacement, interchange, and/or customization of the impact-attenuation properties, e.g., of an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device by replacing, exchanging, and/or reorienting the spring member 1408, body portions 1402a and 1402b, and/or overall impact-attenuation member 102a/102b, e.g., to make one member 102b less resistant to impact forces that one or more of the other members 102a in the footwear structure.
Again, the overall impact-attenuation member structure 102a/102b according to this example provides excellent impact-attenuation properties against substantially vertical, jump, or step landing forces 1422 while also providing stability with respect to lateral or shear forces 1424. This may be accomplished, using the structure 102a/102b, by mounting the structure 102a/102b such that the axial length of the spring member 1408 extends substantially in the expected direction of the lateral forces 1424 (e.g., extending in the medial-to-lateral side direction of the article of footwear or other foot-receiving device product), which in turn mounts the body portions 1402a and 1402b and/or base member 1420 such that their major surfaces extend substantially parallel to the expected direction of the lateral forces 1424.
The second impact-attenuating material 1504 may differ in various respects compared to the first impact-attenuating material 1502 such that at least one impact-attenuating characteristic of the second impact-attenuating material 1504 differs from the corresponding characteristic(s) of the first impact-attenuating material 1502. For example, in the illustrated example structure 102a/102b, the impact-attenuating materials 1502 and 1504 may be formed from foam or other impact-attenuating material, and the material making up the first impact-attenuating material 1502 may have a lower density than the material making up the second impact-attenuating material 1504 such that the second impact-attenuating material 1504 provides greater support, better stability, and/or a different, more firm impact-attenuating effect as compared to the first impact-attenuating material 1502.
In at least some example structures according to the invention, the first impact-attenuating material 1502 may face the second impact-attenuating material 1504 along an interface 1508, and in at least some example structures, the two impact-attenuating materials 1502 and 1504 may contact one another along this interface 1508. This interface 1508, as illustrated in
By providing impact-attenuating materials 1502 and 1504 of different densities and arranging these materials along a sloping interface 1508 such that the cross sectional area of each impact-attenuating material 1502 and 1504 changes continuously along the axial length L of the impact-attenuating element 102a/102b, at least one impact-attenuating characteristic of the impact-attenuating element 102a/102b may be controlled by changing a position or orientation of at least a portion of the impact-attenuating element 102a/102b in the device in which it is placed. Of course, other ways of changing and/or controlling the impact-attenuating characteristics of an element 102a/102b are possible without departing from the invention. Various example features of the invention will be described in more detail below.
As mentioned above, the example impact-attenuating element 102a/102b illustrated in
The impact-attenuating element 102a/102b need not include an impact-attenuating material interface 1508 that is a smooth, constantly sloped line or curve in all examples of the invention. Rather, if desired, the interface 1508 may be curved or shaped such that some portions of the interface surface are more sloped than other portions. Also, as another example, the interface 1508 may be stepped, with constant or differing sized steps, flat or slanted steps, etc., without departing from the invention. In still other examples, if desired, the interface slope or steps on one side of open area 1506 may differ (e.g., in size slope, number, or orientation, etc.) from the interface slope or steps on the other side of open area 1506. Many other variations in the interface 1508 slope, orientation, size, shape, and/or arrangement may occur without departing from the invention. As still additional examples, no clear-cut interface 1508 is required in all examples of the invention. Rather, if desired, the density or other impact-attenuating characteristic of the material may change gradually across the volume of the impact-attenuating element 102a/102b. In other words, the regions of different impact-attenuating material need not have a clear interface between them in all examples of the invention (e.g., a more gradual change in the materials, densities, or regions is possible in at least some examples of the invention).
Also, impact-attenuating elements in accordance with at least some examples of the invention are not limited to those having two regions with different impact-attenuating material densities. Any number of impact-attenuating materials, densities, and/or interfaces may be provided in an impact-attenuating element 102a/102b without departing from the invention. Moreover, it is not necessary for the two impact-attenuating materials to differ compositionally. Rather, if desired, in at least some examples of the invention, an impact-attenuating element 102a/102b may be constructed from a single piece or type of impact-attenuating material wherein one area or region of a unitary piece of impact-attenuating material is treated in some manner so as to change at least one impact-attenuating characteristic of the material in that region as compared to the corresponding impact-attenuating characteristic(s) of the material in another region. Such treatments may include heat treatment, chemical treatments, addition of foam material modifiers during production of at least one region, laser processing, other processing, etc. Even when two (or more) discrete regions of impact-attenuating materials are provided, the general composition of the materials may be the same in each region without departing from the invention, e.g., each region may comprise a polyurethane foam material, but the foam materials may have different densities.
Various ways of maintaining the impact-attenuating elements 102a/102b in place with respect to the foot-receiving device structure 1520 may be used without departing from the invention. For example, the midsole, outsole, upper member, or other portion of the foot-receiving device structure 1520 may include a receptacle (e.g., a cup-shaped receptacle element 1522 that defines opening) or the like into which the top and/or bottom portion(s) of the impact-attenuating element 102a/102b is (are) designed to fit. If desired, the side walls defining the opening may be formed from foam or other impact-attenuating material (e.g., like that used in element 102a/102b and/or other portions of the midsole structure). The top and/or bottom surface(s) of the receptacle may include raised ribs designed to fit into corresponding slots or grooves defined in the top and/or bottom of the impact-attenuating element 102a/102b or vice versa. Additionally or alternatively, as another example, one or more side surfaces of the receptacle 1522 may include raised ribs designed to fit into corresponding slots or grooves defined in the side walls of the impact-attenuating element 102a/102b or vice versa. As still another example, the top and/or bottom surfaces of the receptacle and the impact-attenuating element 102a/102b each may include raised ribs and slot or groove portions without departing from the invention. As still another example, the top, bottom, and/or side surfaces of the receptacle and/or the impact-attenuating element may be roughed and/or otherwise formed from suitable materials and/or formed with suitable surfaces or surface treatments so as to create a high coefficient of friction between these elements, to thereby hinder and/or prevent easy rotation of the impact-attenuating element 100 with respect to the receptacle by a simple friction fit.
As still another example, if desired, the impact-attenuating element 102a/102b may be releasably held in place with respect to the foot-receiving device structure 1520 by some type of mechanical connector or fixing element, such as a stop member that extends from the wall of a receptacle into a side of the impact-attenuating element. As additional examples, one or more set screws, brake members, adhesives, lock or bolt type elements, or the like, also may be used to hold the impact-attenuating element 102a/102b in place with respect to the foot-receiving device structure 1520. The impact-attenuating element 102a/102b also may be formed as a plug or a part that slides and/or otherwise is received onto a shelf and/or into a drawer type system provided as part of the foot-receiving device structure 1520.
As still additional examples, the physical shape of the impact-attenuating element and/or the receptacle into which it fits, if any (e.g., part of the foot-receiving device structure), may at least partially help maintain the impact-attenuating element in place with respect to the remainder of the foot-receiving device structure.
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In use, a user may change the impact-attenuating characteristics of the impact-attenuating element 102a/102b (and thus the characteristics of the entire foot-receiving device structure including this impact-attenuating element 102a/102b) by lifting or otherwise removing the impact-attenuating element 102a/102b out of the opening 1706 provided in the midsole, outsole, insole, upper member or other portion of the foot-receiving device structure via handle 1708 (e.g., opening 1706 may be defined by a corresponding receptacle in the midsole, outsole, upper member, etc.). The impact-attenuating element 102a/102b then may be turned, flipped over, replaced by another, have an impact-attenuating structure added to or taken away from it, or the like, and it then may be replaced within the opening 1706 (or otherwise engaged with the foot-receiving device structure). Such changes in orientation also may be used to change the force resistance properties of one impact-attenuating member (e.g., 102a) with respect to another (e.g., 102b) at another location. As evident from comparing
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 application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/885,598, filed on Sep. 20, 2010, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/459,087, filed Jul. 21, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,877,898, issued on Feb. 1, 2011, entitled “Impact-Attenuation Systems for Articles of Footwear and Other Foot-Receiving Devices.” Aspects of this invention relate to and may be used in conjunction with impact-attenuating members like those described, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/949,812 filed Sep. 27, 2004 in the name of Patricia Smaldone, et al. (now U.S. Published Patent Appln. No. 2006/065499 published Mar. 30, 2006); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/949,813 filed Sep. 27, 2004 in the name of Michael Aveni (now U.S. Published Patent Appln. No. 2006/064900 published Mar. 30, 2006); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/287,474 filed Nov. 28, 2005 in the name of Susan Sokolowski, et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/422,137 filed Jun. 5, 2006 in the name of Michael A. Aveni, et al.; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/422,138 filed Jun. 5, 2006 in the name of Michael A. Aveni, et al. Each of these patents, applications, and publications is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 11459087 | Jul 2006 | US |
| Child | 12885598 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12885598 | Sep 2010 | US |
| Child | 13970140 | US |
