Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B21/00—Heels; Top-pieces or top-lifts
  • A43B21/24—Heels; Top-pieces or top-lifts characterised by the constructive form
  • A43B21/26—Resilient heels
  • A43B21/265—Resilient heels filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
  • A43B13/143—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form provided with wedged, concave or convex end portions, e.g. for improving roll-off of the foot
  • A43B13/145—Convex portions, e.g. with a bump or projection, e.g. 'Masai' type shoes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
  • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
  • A43B13/181—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
  • A43B13/186—Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
  • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
  • A43B13/187—Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials
  • A43B13/188—Differential cushioning regions
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B17/00—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
  • A43B17/02—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined wedge-like or resilient
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
  • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
  • A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
  • A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
  • A43B7/144—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
  • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
  • A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
  • A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
  • A43B7/145—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the toes, i.e. the phalanges
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
  • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
  • A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
  • A43B7/1455—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form with special properties
  • A43B7/1464—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form with special properties with adjustable pads to allow custom fit
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
  • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
  • A43B7/22—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with fixed flat-foot insertions, metatarsal supports, ankle flaps or the like

Definitions

• This invention relates to shoes, and, more particularly, to leisure and athletic shoes that promote dorsiflexion.
• the metatarsal phalangeal joint is one joint which, heretofore, has been a sink for energy dissipation and very little energy generation at or before take-off. This is because an athlete's foot rolls onto the forefoot and does not plantarflex until after take-off.
• the angle of declination is between 1 degree to 15 degrees, preferably 5 degrees.
• the shoe includes a reinforced, padded toe portion.
• the heel portion is substantially comprised of a low density, viscous-like material, adapted for fitness and training shoes.
• the 5 degree dorsiflex angle produces a shoe that appears more conventional (plantar flex) and thus to be significantly less clumsy, more natural and comfortable, and therefore, much more likely to be purchased and used by amateur athletes as well as professional athletes.
• the shoe of the invention is capable of interfacing with interchangeable insoles of various weight, energy absorption capacity, and rigidity, thus enabling the wearer a greater flexibility in configuring the invention for a particular type of sports activity. Further, the fact that the minimum weight has been reduced, due to the reduced bulk in the sole, means that an even greater range of weight of the shoe is possible.
• the shoe is configured to receive insoles which adjust the thickness of the rear of the shoe from extreme dorsiflex to plantarflex, thus avoiding morphological problems which occur where an insole is designed so as to increase the thickness of the forward portion of the sole from plantarfex to dorsiflex.
• the invention improves the capacity of the foot by improving its efficiency while minimizing the risk to harm to the foot by making the shoe out of materials that absorb stress and by reproducing the rolling motion of the foot.
• FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the shoe of the invention.
• FIG. 2A is a section view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1, showing the constraining strap of the invention in an uncinched position.
• FIG. 3A is a cut-away view showing the reinforced toe region of the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention, having an interchangeable heel portion.
• FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the invention having a composite sole assembly.
• FIG. 7B is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A.
• FIG. 9A is a table showing different embodiments of the power plate of the invention.
• FIG. 10 A is a top view of an insole of the invention.
• FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional side view, taken along line B-B of FIG. 10A. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
• a high performance dorsiflexion shoe 10 has a shell 12, an upper 14, and a constraining device 16 above the metatarsal- phalangeal joint 20.
• the shell 12 has a sidewall portion 22 with an upper edge 13.
• the sidewall portion 12 is connected to a sole portion 24.
• the sole portion 24 has a ground- contacting surface 26, a forefoot region 30, a midfoot region 32 and a heel portion 34.
• the angle ⁇ of declination may vary significantly, from between 1 degree and 15 degrees.
• the preferred angle is 5 degrees.
• a cinchable strap 42 having one end 44 connected adjacent the metatarsal-phalangeals 16 and the other end 46 threaded through a loop 50 attached to the opposite side 52 of the metatarsal phalangeals, transverse to the connection point 54, has an extreme end 56 which includes a "VELCRO"TM backing 60 that mates with a corresponding backing 61 on the upper, such interlocking "VELCRO”TM arrangement enabling locking of the strap in place after cinching.
• the strap may be fabricated as part of the tongue, be attached to the outsole, and vary in width. Further, any known attachment arrangement may be used.
• a rigid comfort insert (not shown) may be attached between the strap 16 and the foot 40, the insert substantially conforming to the shape of the top of the foot above the metatarsal-phalangeal 20, thus increasing the comfort of the strap as it is cinched firmly against the metatarsal-phalangeal joint.
• a rigid comfort insert (not shown) may be attached between the strap 16 and the foot 40, the insert substantially conforming to the shape of the top of the foot above the metatarsal-phalangeal 20, thus increasing the comfort of the strap as it is cinched firmly against the metatarsal-phalangeal joint.
• the toe region 62 is padded with a compressible material 64 for comfort and support and a rigid, curved power plate 66, insert molded below the toe is made of a very high density composite material 70.
• a compressible material 64 for comfort and support
• a rigid, curved power plate 66, insert molded below the toe is made of a very high density composite material 70.
• the heel portion 34 is substantially comprised of a low density, viscous-like material, particularly adapted to fitness and training shoes (note that for competition, this viscous-like material is generally not appropriate — the actual sole design will be made of materials which suit the intended surface and sport).
• the power plate 66 is a rigid ground effect guide which controls the running motion and effects transmission of forces to the ground and into the body of the user.
• the power plate 66 is rigidly formed in a curved shape, having an outward facing surface 80, and an inward facing surface 82, connected by a thin sidewall 84.
• the board 66 is optimized to reproduce, as accurately as possible, the natural rolling effect of the foot.
• ribs 90 are provided in the outward facing surface 80 and extend completely through an endo layer 92 so as to be expose a surface 91 to the outside of the shoe 10.
• the power plate 66 can be fabricated in different colors and the integral ribs 90 will thus be visible and add a pleasing multi-tone aspect to the shoe.
• the power plate 66 is preferably made of a material, having a shore hardness of between 20 and 90, whereas the endo layer 92 as well as the rest of the shell 12 is made of standard, soft material.
• the measured stiffness of the shoe 10 in the region of the power plate 66 is selected so as to be in the range of O.lN.M.Deg-1 and 0.5N.M.Deg-l.
• the shape, length, positioning and density of the power plate 66 vary depending on the intended sport or competitive application. In order to minimize impact on the metabolic cost of propulsion, the weight of the power plate 66 is in the range from 30 to 250 grams.
• the power plate 66 is positioned so as to minimize flexing of the metatarsal phalangeal joint 20, in an effort to reduce energy loss at this joint, particularly during running and jumping.
• the invention substantially reduces energy loss due to metatarsal-phalangeal flexing during running (including slow jogging from speeds of 2 meters/sec through fast sprinting at speeds of 10 meters/sec) and jumping (including any propulsive activity from submaximal hopping to maximal jumping in vertical, horizontal and lateral directions).
• the inventors have shown that, using the invention as compared to a conventional plantarflex shoe, jumping performance can be increased from 5% to 10%, and in running, by about 5%. Testing has shown that, in jumping, the power plate 66 absorbed an average of 24 J during one-legged jumping, assuming a body mass of 70 Kg, which corresponds to a difference in jump height of approximately 3.5 cm.
• an adaptable dorsiflexion shoe assembly 100 includes a shoe 102 adapted to receive an interchangeable insole 104 which inserts into the shoe.
• the assembly 100 results in a dorsiflexion shoe defined by a particular angle ⁇ of declination.
• the insole 104 has weights 106 selected to provide a particular level of energy consumption during use.
• the weights 106 may be adjusted through the use of various configurations in which the weights are insert or injection molded into place in the insole 104 using, for example, a composite molding process at fabrication.
• the shoe 102 of the invention is capable of interfacing with interchangeable insoles 104 of various weight, energy absorption capacity, rigidity, and form thus enabling the wearer a greater flexibility in configuring the invention for a particular type of sports activity corresponding to a particular angle of declination.
• a small angle of declination (5 degrees being ideal) contributes substantially to performance, it is not necessary to use a design corresponding to the bulbous sole design of the prior art.
• the result of this is that the weight of the shoe 10, 102 has been reduced. Consequently, the bulk in the sole portion 24 is greatly reduced and thus, an even greater range of weight of the shoe is possible.
• an insole 120 is shown in which corresponding, interlocking surfaces 122 and 124 help ensure that the insole does not move during operation.
• the foot 40 is supported level, so that the bottom of the wearer's toes are the same height as the bottom of his heel.
• the forefoot region 132 of the composite sole 134 is made from a more rigid material and the heel portion 136 of the sole is made from a soft, viscous, low density, or less rigid material.
• the softness of the heel allows it to deform, under the weight of the user, much more than that of the harder forefoot region 22'. This creates an angle ⁇ of declination upon the deformation of the softer heel region 136, thus providing dorsiflexion in a hybrid shoe 130 that has an appearance of an ordinary shoe.
• a dorsiflex shoe 140 having an interchangeable heel 142 adaptable to the particular sport or activity to be performed. Heels 142 of differing hardnesses connect and disconnect to the interfacing portion of the shoe 140 via a connection device such as a dove tail groove interface 144, a snap-in-place mechanism, or by a pin lock (not shown).
• a connection device such as a dove tail groove interface 144, a snap-in-place mechanism, or by a pin lock (not shown).
• a dorsiflex shoe 150 having a composite sole arrangement.
• a sole assembly 152 is made up of several layers and distinct regions including a sport-surface selected central region 154, a viscous-like heel portion 156, a reinforced forefoot region 160, a high density forward region 162, a medium density upper region 164, a low density region 166 in the rearward part of the shoe, below the wearer's heel, and a soft insole 170 for comfort and cushioning.
• the upper region 164 traverses the shoe 150 from the heel to the toe.
• a padded toe region 172 protects the wear's toes. Note that in FIG.
• region 156 is surrounded by the higher density region 174 or optionally, by high density regions 176, for improved lateral stability.
• region 156 may be formed of various shapes and relative sizes, depending on the sport or surface against which it's intended to bear.
• the insole 104 increases the thickness of the forefoot region 30 changing the shoe 102 from one which is plantarflex to a shoe assembly 100 which is dorsiflex.
• the inventors have learned that this presents challenges in forming the portion of the upper 14 so as to accommodate the changing amount of space inside the shoe assembly 100 available to accommodate the toes and the forefoot. Therefore, in another embodiment, shown in FIG.
• insoles 104' are used which increase the thickness of the heel portion 34 changing the shoe 110 from one which is of maximum dorsiflexion of about 15 degrees (using the lowest heel point situated under the calcaneum bone where the foot takes a rounded shape) to a shoe assembly 112 which is plantarflex or 0 degree decimation (i.e., barefoot posture).
• the thickness of the insoles 104' varies by about 2.5-3 mm per degree of dorsiflexion.
• the insoles 104' must also be constructed of a material having a comparable compression factor with the shell 12, in order to ensure the selected dorsiflexion performance in operation.
• the side wall portion 22 rises up and surrounds the heel area of the wearer and continues in a direction toward the toe region 62 at an angle ⁇ which is less than dorsiflex than the maximum dorsiflex attainable in the shoe.
• the angle ⁇ is in fact plantarflex, so that the dorsiflex configuration is only apparent to the wearer.
• FIG. 9A a table is shown of varying embodiments of the power plate 66, 162, 180, 182, 184, 186, and 190 of the invention, which, as indicated, extend from the toe to the metatarsal phalangeal ("MF"), to the cuniform bones, or to the heel, as the case may be.
• MF metatarsal phalangeal
• the special "S-shaped" form provides improved end-to-end resilience of the shoe 10 and further acts to improve the energy absorbing capacity of the sole by elastic flexion.
• longitudinal slits 200 may be molded or cut in the power plate 66 in order to better adapt the sole's characteristics to a particular sport of interest.
• the bending moment of inertia of the power plate 66 may be varied by selectively, depending on the sport, adding slits to the power plate 66.
• more than one power plate may be used within the same construction, insert molded parallel to eachother, partially overlapping or in separate lengthwise segments.
• a typical insole 104, 104', for use with the shoe 10 has an arch support 210. Only the cross-hatched portion 212 need have a variable thickness.
• a traditional shoe provides for flexing of the metatarsal phalangeal 20, in order, anatomically, to maintain a reasonable footprint on the ground, to both improve traction and to reduce the stress on the wearer's toes 94.
• the metatarsal phalange 20 is the only part of the foot 40 (ankle excluded) that is actually bending during walking.
• the inventors have found that by increasing the stiffness of the sole portion 24 in the forefoot region 30, and further by restraining the top of the foot 40 above the metatarsal phalangeal region 20 (restraining the foot against bending of the metatarsals), the lever of the foot is increased.
• the 5 degree dorsiflex angle 30 produces a shoe 10, 10' that appears to be significantly less clumsy, more natural and comfortable, and therefore, much more likely to be purchased and used by amateur athletes as well as professional athletes.
• the invention provides a reverse, dorsiflex to the orientation of the foot, to a level which experimentation has shown produces the maximum power output, namely 5 degrees. In fact, the inventors have learned that there is no remarkable benefit to be gained by providing a shoe which a greater reverse dorsiflex incline of 5 degrees.
• the fact that the angle of reverse incline is lesser with the invention as compared to dorsiflex shoes of the prior art, means that less material is required in manufacture. Less material equates to less cost in manufacture as well as a lower minimum weight to the shoe.
• the sidewall of the shell 12 is formed so as to give the impression that the shoe is a conventional plantarflex shoe.
• the invention substantially reduces energy loss due to metatarsal- phalangeal flexing during running and jumping.
• the shoe is configured to receive insoles which adjust the thickness of the rear of the shoe from extreme dorsiflex to plantarflex, thus avoiding morphological problems which occur where an insole is designed so as to increase the thickness of the forward portion of the sole from plantarflex to dorsiflex.
• insoles may be stackably inserted into the shoe, thereby reducing the total bulk and weight of the assembly including all insoles which interface therewith.
• the shoe improves the capacity of the foot by improving its efficiency.
• the risk of harm to the foot is minimized by selecting the materials of the shoe to absorb stress and by reproducing the rolling motion of the foot.
• the shoe configuration allows for improved performance of the plantar flexor muscles.
• the invention increases the power output of a runner and of forces applied to the ground.
• the athlete is able to run faster because stride length is increased and contact time of the foot on the ground is decreased.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
• Heterocyclic Carbon Compounds Containing A Hetero Ring Having Nitrogen And Oxygen As The Only Ring Hetero Atoms (AREA)
• Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)

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• 2004
  • 2004-02-06 US US10/558,884 patent/US20060254093A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2004-06-02 CA CA002527902A patent/CA2527902A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2004-06-02 ES ES04743753T patent/ES2295887T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-06-02 KR KR1020057023228A patent/KR20060069352A/ko not_active Ceased
  • 2004-06-02 WO PCT/IB2004/001887 patent/WO2004105546A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2004-06-02 BR BRPI0410964-3A patent/BRPI0410964A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-06-02 CN CNB2004800153270A patent/CN100479687C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-06-02 EP EP04743753A patent/EP1628548B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-06-02 AU AU2004243257A patent/AU2004243257A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2004-06-02 DE DE602004009441T patent/DE602004009441T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-06-02 AT AT04743753T patent/ATE375100T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-06-02 JP JP2006508435A patent/JP2006526448A/ja active Pending
  • 2004-06-02 PL PL04743753T patent/PL1628548T3/pl unknown
• 2010
  • 2010-11-09 AU AU2010241316A patent/AU2010241316A1/en not_active Abandoned

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