OUTSOLE WITH PODS AND GROOVES

Abstract

An outsole designed to enable stability when standing, facilitate sole flexibility and encourage unhindered natural foot motion between the foot and the ground, the outsole including a top face and a bottom face, the bottom face having a plurality of anatomically placed pods for engaging directly with a walking surface, and a plurality of contact points forming a stable platform for the wearer while standing, the top face including a flex groove matrix having a first plurality of grooves which extend transversely across the top face from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot and intersect with at least some of a second plurality of grooves which extend longitudinally at least partially across the top face from heel to toe.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an outsole which promotes natural motion of the foot by simulating a barefoot experience, and, more particularly, to an outsole having pods for increasing support, traction and stability when standing and having grooves for facilitating foot movement and flexibility.

Throughout most of human history, running was done barefoot or while wearing thin-soled shoes, such as moccasins. In some parts of the world, the practice of barefoot running continues today. Recently, in the western world, the “barefoot” running trend has been gaining in popularity. Proponents of the barefoot running movement assert that this type of running is healthier for feet because it reduces the risk of chronic injuries, particularly repetitive stress injuries which result from constant footstrike in padded running shoes. Barefoot runningenthusiasts are particularly critical of traditional shoe designs, stating that such traditional designs constrain the muscles of the legs and foot, thus limiting the runner's ability to move efficiently. Market leaders have seized upon this trend, producing a variety of athletic shoes which claim to mimic the barefoot running experience while providing protection to the feet. These shoes often include a thin rubber outsole and a lightweight textile upper, sometimes assembled with individual toe segmentations creating the look of “fingers.”

Many problems still exist with such barefoot shoe designs. Structurally, such designs lack cushioning, fail to appropriately protect the underfoot and increase the impact force (and discomfort which results) by encouraging the wearer to land on the forefoot, rather than the heel. Furthermore, the radical aesthetic design of these shoes is unappealing to many consumers. Even for individuals undeterred by the extreme design changes, the wearing occasions of such shoes are very limited, because they are considered too casual to be worn as everyday, footwear. Essentially, the untraditional look of these shoes is not versatile enough for the average consumer who might be interested in wearing such shoes in a variety of situations.

The most important factor to address in all footwear is the ability to provide support and comfort to the wearer as the shoe is worn throughout the day. It is therefore desirable to provide an improved outsole for integration into everyday footwear which provides stability and comfort while simulating the barefoot experience and facilitating natural motion. Specifically, this invention makes it possible to incorporate the barefoot shoe structure into a variety of traditional shoe designs while providing support, stability, flexibility and comfort throughout the course of day-to-day activities. Furthermore, this invention introduces a plurality of contact points for providing support and stability, a matrix of flex grooves for facilitating foot sole flexibility and a plurality of pods which form the contact points and facilitate the distribution of foot pressure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Although the present invention will be described in connection with one embodiment of a typical shoe, it is likewise well-suited for use in essentially any type of shoe construction for men, women and/or children, including shoes having a distinct heel or no heel (flat) configuration. The present outsole is designed to provide support and stability, facilitate sole flexibility, distribute foot pressure and enable unhindered natural foot motion when walking and/or running. The outsole of the present invention is further designed to be affixed on the underside of a variety of different upper portions of a shoe, thus providing individuals the opportunity of having the benefits of the barefoot experience in “everyday” and “office appropriate” footwear.

The outsole of the present invention includes a bottom face for engagement with a walking surface. The bottom face includes a plurality of anatomically placed pods which support parts of the bottom surface of the foot, the pods directly engaging a walking surface and, in some embodiments, may likewise include grooves. The pods are positioned and located so as to form a plurality of contact points to give a stable platform to the wearer while standing. In one embodiment, the outsole may include three contact points for forming tripod stability, these contact points cooperating together to create a stable platform. The present outsole may further include a recessed area located within the hind foot region which serves to receive and locate the wearer's heel within the hind foot region of a shoe.

The anatomically shaped and formed outsole further includes a top face shaped to reflect the natural contours of the human foot. The shaped plantar surface topography maximizes surface contact with the wearer's foot and increases comfort. The outsole of the present invention improves comfort and facilitates foot flexibility by providing a flex groove matrix which is integrated into the top face. The flex groove matrix includes a first plurality of grooves which extend transversely across the top face from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot and intersects with a second plurality of grooves which extend longitudinally across the top face from heel to toe along a generally longitudinal axis. The first and second pluralities of grooves are designed to cooperate together forming the flex groove matrix which allows the sole of the foot to flex in multiple directions as the wearer strides, facilitating natural motion of the foot. As pressure is applied to the outsole, the sole of the foot is received by the shaped plantar surface topography and flex groove matrix of the top face, the pressure being distributed by the anatomically shaped pods of the bottom face.

Specific advantages and features of the present assembly will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description of several illustrative embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom plan view of one embodiment of an outsole constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the outsole of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the outsole of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the outsole of FIG. 2 taken along line 4-4.

It should be understood that the present drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments disclosed herein are sometimes illustrated by fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should also be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Like numbers utilized throughout the various figures designate like or similar parts or structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Footwear generally includes an upper and a sole assembly that is affixed to the upper or to other components of a shoe. It is envisioned that the upper may embody any number of characteristics typical of casual or dress footwear, providing individuals the opportunity of having the benefits of the barefoot experience in “everyday” and “office appropriate” footwear. The sole assembly further includes an outsole, typically having a peripheral shape designed to conform to the shape of a wearer's foot. For ease of reference herein, the human foot may be generally considered to have three regions: the forefoot region (area adjacent the toes), the midfoot region (area adjacent the medial arch between the forefoot and the hind foot regions) and the hind foot region (area adjacent the heel). When referring to such locations and the way in which the regions of the foot are received within a shoe, these terms should be interpreted to include those areas that are disposed generally (and not necessarily directly) beneath the corresponding elements of the foot. It should be understood, however, that the boundaries between the regions are not precise and that these terms should be interpreted loosely and with a great deal of flexibility.

Referring now to the drawings, more particularly by reference numbers, FIG. 1 illustrates an outsole 10 designed to be positioned on the underside of the upper portion of a shoe. The outsole 10 may be secured to the upper shoe portion using any suitable attachment means including, but not limited to, cement, adhesives, glue, welt, direct attachment constructions and the like. The outsole 10 is constructed to enable unhindered natural foot motion between the foot and the ground during a wearer's normal stride. To this end, the outsole 10 may be formed from any suitable single density material, including, but not limited to, rubber, thermoplastic rubber, SEBS, silicone, polyurethane, injection molded polyurethane, compression molded polyurethane, poured polyurethane and the like. The material specifications for the outsole 10 are generally engineered to adequately support body weight in critical areas such as the contact points 14 and the pods 16 as will be hereinafter further explained.

The outsole 10 includes a bottom face 12 for engagement with a walking surface such as the ground, a sidewalk, a floor or other supporting surfaces. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bottom face 12 includes a plurality of anatomically placed pods 16 for engaging directly with a walking surface. Specifically, in one embodiment, three pods 16 may be positioned beneath the forefoot region, namely, pods 16A and 16B located substantially underneath the toes and pod 16C located adjacent thereto as shown in FIG. 1. Pod 16C is substantially longer than Pods 16A and 16B in the transverse direction and defines contact points 14A and 14B as will hereinafter further explained. An additional pair of pods 16 may be positioned beneath the midfoot region, namely, pod 16D located directly beneath the medial arch and pod 16E located under the area directly adjacent to the medial arch within the midfoot region. A pod 16F may be positioned beneath the hind foot region, more particularly, directly underneath the heel. In alternative embodiments, pods 16 may be positioned in additional and/or alternative locations, as desired, to facilitate comfort and support when the wearer is walking.

Pods 16 A-F may be anatomically shaped to mimic the surface of the foot underneath which they each respectively lie in order to facilitate natural motion. In this regard, as best illustrated in FIG. 1, pods 16A-F are irregularly shaped to conform anatomically with certain portions of a wearer's foot located thereabove. It is envisioned that in alternative embodiments, the pods 16 may be formed in a variety of other shapes, as desired, without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, in one embodiment, the bottom surface of each of the pods 16 may further include a plurality of channels 18 as illustrated in FIG. 1 for assisting in distributing weight during footstrike and to further improve traction, flexibility and natural motion. In alternative embodiments, the bottom surface of each of the pods 16 may have a variety of other designs, as desired, to facilitate cushioning and/or shoe traction.

The bottom face 12 further includes a plurality of contact points 14 which are defined by certain of the pods 16 to give a stable platform to the wearer while standing. In one embodiment, the outsole 10 may include three contact points 14A, 14B and 14C as illustrated in FIG. 1, the contacting pointing being positioned and located so as to form a tripod arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, contact points 14A, 14B and 14C cooperate together to create three specific points under the foot to give a stable platform when standing. Specifically, this tripod stability is formed by the contact points 14A, 14B which are associated with pod 16C and which are positioned substantially beneath the forefoot region, and by contact point 14C which is associated with pod 16F and is positioned substantially beneath the hind foot region, more particularly, just below the center portion of the heel. Since the pods 16 extend downwardly below the normal bottom surface of bottom face 12, the pods 16 can be shaped and formed to provide any number of contact points 14 at any number of locations. In alternative embodiments, contact points 14 may be integrated into the structure of the outsole 10 and pods 16 in additional and/or alternative locations, as desired, to facilitate stability and comfort when the wearer is in a substantially upright position. It has been found that the tripod arrangement of contact points 14A-C provides improved stability when simulating a barefoot experience. The structure of the outsole 10 may further include a 0 mm drop from hind foot to forefoot, wherein the tripod stability formed by contact points 14 creates a substantially even platform for receiving the foot and for facilitating natural motion.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outsole 10 includes a top face 13 shaped to conform to the bottom surface of a wearer's foot. The outsole 10 further includes three regions substantially underlying the above-referenced corresponding three regions of the wearer's foot, namely, the forefoot region 20, the midfoot region 22 and the hind foot region 24. The ball of the foot, located in the forefoot region 20, is generally the area of the foot at the juncture between the metatarsal bones and the phalanges bones. The forefoot region 20 of the outsole 10 is positioned to underlie at least an area of the wearer's toes located at the proximate end of the shoe and includes a radiused forepart. The midfoot region 22 of the outsole 10 is preferably raised to underlie at least an area of the medial arch of the wearer's foot. The hind foot region 24 is defined by the peripheral edge 26 formed around the hind foot region 24 from the medial side to the lateral side of the heel. The hind foot peripheral edge 26 forms a raised portion where it wraps around the heel of the wearer's foot. The anatomically shaped and formed outsole 10 is thereby designed to reflect the natural shape of the human foot. The shaped plantar surface topography maximizes surface contact with the wearer's foot and increases comfort. In one embodiment, the midfoot region 22 of the outsole 10 may further include a midfoot support element (or raised portion) 28 having a stiffness which is higher than the rest of the outsole 10 so as to properly provide arch support to the wearer.

The outsole 10 further improves comfort and facilitates foot flexibility by providing a flex groove matrix 30 which is integrated into the top face 13. The flex groove matrix 30 includes a first plurality of grooves 32 which extend transversely across the top face 13 from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot and intersect with portions of a second plurality of grooves 34 which extend longitudinally from heel to toe across portions of the top face 13. In one embodiment, the first plurality of grooves 32 may extend across the top face 13 in a multitude of different angles as shown. In an alternative embodiment, some, but not necessarily all, of the second plurality of grooves 34 extend longitudinally at least partially across the top face 13 from heel to toe and may not intersect with some of the first plurality of grooves 32. Furthermore, some, but not necessarily all, of the first plurality of grooves 32 may extend diagonally across portions of the top face 13 and may intersect with at least some of the second plurality of grooves 34. The first and second plurality of grooves 32, 34 are designed to cooperate together to form the flex groove matrix 30 which allows the sole of the foot to flex in multiple directions as the wearer strides, facilitating natural motion of the foot. In alternative embodiments, the first and second plurality of grooves 32, 34 may extend across the top face 13 forming a variety of other patterns which allow the sole of the foot to flex, as desired, without departing from the scope of the invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the outsole 10 may further include a recessed area 36 located within the hind foot region 24 which serves to receive and locate the wearer's heel within the hind foot region of a shoe. The recessed area 36 is defined by the peripheral edge 26 formed around the hind foot region 24 from the medial side to the lateral side of the heel, wrapping around and thus cradling the wearer's heel. The depth of the recessed area 36 is typically in the range of approximately 3 mm to 20 mm as measured from the top of the peripheral edge 26 on the medial and lateral sides, extending downward to the lowest point of the recessed area 36 on the top face 13. This depth may vary across the hind foot region 24 due to the anatomical shape of the foot, shoe size and/or shoe type. The area covered by the recessed area 36 may also be modified to accommodate a variety of shoe sizes, with the size of the recessed area 36 increasing with increasing length and/or width of the shoe. When the wearer's foot is inserted into a shoe which includes the outsole 10, the recessed area 36 serves to receive and locate the heel in this substantially concaved area located in the hind foot region 24. In one embodiment, the hind foot region 24 may further include an extended heel seat design for evenly distributing foot pressure, maximizing comfort and foot flexibility for the wearer.

Further, the overall dimensions of the embodiments of the present outsole 10 as well as the specific shape and configuration of the various sections thereof are also subject to wide variations and may be sized and shaped into a wide variety of different sizes and configurations so as to be compatible with the size and shape of the particular footwear onto which the present structure may be incorporated and/or secured, or to conform with any space limitations associated therewith out impairing the teachings and practice of the present invention.

It is also understood that various modifications may be made to all of the various embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel outsole. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. An outsole comprising: a top face including a first plurality of grooves which extend across said top face from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot;said top face further including a second plurality of grooves which extend at least partially across said top face from heel to toe;a bottom face having a plurality of pods associated therewith;said bottom face further including a plurality of contact points for engagement with a supporting surface.

2. The outsole of claim 1 wherein at least some of said first plurality of grooves extend diagonally across portions of said top face.

3. The outsole of claim 1 wherein said pods are anatomically shaped.

4. The outsole of claim 1 wherein said plurality of contact points are defined by at least some of said pods and are positioned to define a tripod arrangement when the wearer is in a substantially upright position.

5. The outsole of claim 4 wherein one contact point is located in the hind foot region and two contact points are located in the forefoot region.

6. The outsole of claim 1 wherein the outsole further includes a raised portion at the midfoot region to underlie a medial arch of a wearer's foot.

7. The outsole of claim 1 wherein the top face of the outsole further includes a recessed area to receive the heel of a wearer's foot.

8. The outsole of claim 1 wherein the outsole includes a peripheral edge around the hind foot region to receive and wrap around a heel of a wearer's foot.

9. The outsole of claim 1 wherein the top face of the outsole conforms to the general shape of the human foot.

10. The outsole of claim 1 wherein said first plurality of grooves intersect with said second plurality of grooves forming a flex groove matrix.

11. The outsole of claim 1 wherein the plurality of pods are positioned such that at least one of said pods is located substantially under each region of the foot.

12. The outsole of claim 1 wherein at least some of said pods include a plurality of channels.

13. The outsole of claim 1 wherein the outsole is formed from a single density material.

14. An outsole comprising: a top face including a flex groove matrix;a bottom face including a plurality of anatomically positioned pods;said bottom face further including a plurality of contact points for engagement with a supporting surface, said contact points being defined by at least some of said pods and forming a tripod arrangement.

15. The outsole of claim 14 wherein the flex groove matrix includes a first plurality of grooves and a second plurality of grooves.

16. The outsole of claim 15 wherein said first plurality of grooves intersect with at least some of said second plurality of grooves.

17. The outsole of claim 15 wherein said first plurality of grooves extend transversely across said top face from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot.

18. The outsole of claim 15 wherein said second plurality of grooves extend longitudinally at least partially across the top face from heel to toe.

19. The outsole of claim 15 wherein at least some of said first plurality of grooves extend diagonally across portions of said top face.

20. The outsole of claim 14 wherein the plurality of anatomically positioned pods are located such that at least one of said pods is located substantially under each region of the foot.

21. The outsole of claim 14 wherein the at least some of the plurality of anatomically positioned pods include a plurality of channels.

22. The outsole of claim 14 wherein the outsole is formed from a single density material.