FOOTWEAR SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING FOOTWEAR UPPER LININGS FOR CUSHIONING AND SHOCK ABSORPTION

Abstract

A footwear systems utilizing silica derived gel sheets used as a footwear component in upper linings of the footwear. The upper linings provide a cushioning and shock absorption system, particularly in inclined high-heel shoes where the toes and MTP (metatarsophalangeal) joints typically bear most of the weight in such shoes and come in contact with the footwear linings. The material advantageously not only provides padding, but also absorbs shock to further reduce force placed on the foot by dissipating energy of each footstep. In addition like material may be disposed in the sole of the shoe under the ball of the foot to provide shock absorption and cushioning below as well.

Claims

1. A pressure-responsive footwear system, comprising: a substantially-inclined shoe having a posterior portion and an anterior portion and a middle portion disposed there between, and further having a foot-supporting portion comprising: a unitary, rigid sole portion that is generally incompressible in response to a force applied by a user's foot during use, wherein: the rigid sole portion is either a midsole, or an outsole, or a unitary combination of a midsole and an outsole; the rigid sole portion includes and extends for at least a first thickness between each of an upwardly-orientated foot-engaging surface and a downwardly-orientated ground-engaging surface, the foot-engaging surface includes a first outer boundary, and either or both of a posterior portion and a middle portion of the foot-engaging surface is inclined at an angle equal to or greater than approximately fifteen degrees along an approximately anterior-posterior axis, a first recess formed into the foot-engaging surface of the rigid sole portion and positioned within the outer boundary thereof, the recess presenting an opening at the foot-engaging surface and further extending into but not fully through the rigid sole portion, wherein: a cross-sectional depth profile of the recess is asymmetric along an anterior-posterior plane extending through the recess, a deeper first portion or the recess is disposed closer to the anterior end of the shoe than is a second shallower portion of the recess, and inner surfaces of the recess are concavely curved rather thin angular; a first leak-resistant, flexible bladder disposed mainly within and conforming dimensionally relative to an inner configuration of the recess; a volume of relatively viscous filler material disposed within and filling the bladder, wherein: the filler material imparts a suitably high tension at a surface of the bladder, a portion of the bladder extends above the foot-engaging surface immediately surrounding the opening of the recess, and in response to a three applied downwardly by a portion of a user's foot upon a portion of the bladder during use, the rigid sole portion prevents downward and lateral displacement of the filler material, and instead redirects displacement of the filler material upwardly toward portions of the user's foot located adjacently to the force-applying portion of the user's foot and a shock absorbing toe box.

2. A shoe, comprising: a rigid sole portion including a ground-engaging surface, an opposing foot-engaging surface, and a rigid foot-supporting material disposed there between, wherein: the rigid sole portion is either a midsole, or an outsole, or a unitary combination of a midsole and an outsole; a first thickness of an anterior portion of the rigid sole portion is equal to or greater than one quarter inch, and one or both of a posterior portion and a middle portion of the foot-engaging surface is inclined at an angle equal to or greater than approximately fifteen degrees (1 5. degree.) along an approximately anterior-posterior axis of the shoe; a recess formed into the rigid sole portion with an opening thereto presented at the foot-engaging surface and having an asymmetrical depth profile, wherein; a first portion of the recess is formed to a greater depth into the rigid sole portion of the shoe than is at least a second portion of the recess, the first portion of the recess is disposed more toward the anterior of the shoe than is the second portion of the recess, the recess does not extend fully through the rigid sole portion from the opening at the foot-engaging surface to the ground-engaging surface, and adjacent inner surfaces of the recess are coupled by a curved junction disposed there between; a replaceable, force-deformable bladder disposed mainly within the recess, wherein a portion of the bladder extends downwardly into the recess below the foot-engaging surface and another portion thereof protrudes upwardly through the opening and above the foot-engaging surface; a volume of relatively viscous filler material disposed within the bladder, wherein: the filler material imparts a suitably high tension at a surface of the bladder, a portion of the bladder extends above the foot-engaging surface immediately surrounding the opening of the recess, and in response to a force applied downwardly by a portion of a user's foot upon a portion of the bladder during use, the rigid sole portion prevents downward and lateral displacement of the filler material, and instead redirects displacement of the filler material upwardly toward portions of the user's foot located adjacently to the force-applying portion of the user's foot; and an upper portion coupled with the rigid sole portion and configured to receive and retain a user's foot in position relative to both the foot-engaging surface and the cushioning device, wherein the bladder underlies either or both of a metatarsal-phalangeal junction or a posterior portion of the calcaneus bone of the foot and a shock absorbing toe box.

3. A shoe toe box comprising: an outer decorative piece; and an inner shock absorbing sheet, in which the sheet is coupled to the outer decorative piece.

4. A shoe comprising a shock absorbing toe box a shock absorbing pad disposed in a shoe sole and positioned under a ball of the foot.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 shows typical Women's shoes.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows the typical parts of a shoe.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a cushioning and shock absorbing material suitable for use in lining a toe box.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a shoe component that will be formed into an assembled shoe toe box having the cushioning and shock adsorbing material coupled to an outer decorative piece.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows a shoe including a toe box with cushioning and shock absorbing material.

[0017] FIG. 6 shows a process for building a gel cushioned shoe. Gel material is attached to desired shoe components.

[0018] Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present example may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.

[0020] The examples below describe a footwear system and method having footwear upper linings for cushioning and shock absorption. Although the present examples are described and illustrated herein as being implemented in a high healed women's shoe, the system described is provided as an example and not a limitation. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the present examples are suitable for application in a variety of different types of shoes including women's shoes with a variety of heel heights, men's shoes and the like. In addition the linings for cushioning and shock absorption may be provided as an aftermarket accessory, such as an insert, or the like for existing shoes without such shock absorbing toe boxes.

[0021] FIGS. 1-2 show typical women's shoes, and the nomenclature of common shoe components, or sub assemblies.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows typical Women's shoes. High heel shoes typically shift weigh onto the toes, and ball of the foot. The higher the heel the more pronounced the effect. Unfortunately if the shoe is very comfortable (with a low heel and a wide toe box) it is typically not viewed as stylish. The more stylish the shoe typically has higher levels of discomfort. In short they hurt.

[0023] However, this invention may be applied to a variety of foot wear to alleviate foot pain and discomfort, due to the shock of walking on heels. This invention applies to those shoe components that touch (or are in contact through a lining) the skin of a user, including footwear having as little contact as that of a sandal, and to as much contact as that of a tall boot.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows the typical internal parts of a shoe. Internal parts of the shoe typically contact the foot of a wearer. They are typically provided to prevent wear to the shoe from a foot rubbing against the shoe interior. Footwear uppers may include internal components (which contact a user's foot) and pattern pieces (which are the exterior ornamentation and visual parts of an upper). Components (which make up the basic structure of the shoe) may include the toe box formed from a vamp-corresponding to the vamp lining 9 in outline) including toe box lining 11 (which is typically a flimsy fabric, or a rigid material to provide an aesthetically pleasing shape), heel counter, counter lining, vamp lining 9, and quarter linings, and while there are several other components, the internal components are particularly applicable to the invention described below as the invention provides interior shock absorbing components that provide improved comfort to a wearer not present in the typical shoe.

[0025] Currently, materials used as linings may be various types of leathers (pigskin, calfskin, kidskins, and the like) and textiles which are typically thin (so as not to take up available space for the foot) and durable (which have been thought to require a firm and sturdy material in current practice) with exposed and protruding stitching, all of which are not comfortable on a user's feet given the amount of repetitive blunt force to a foot that is encountered in walking, running and jumping.

[0026] The toe box 11 is the portion of a shoe that surrounds the toes, and typically is positioned under the vamp (which is similar to the vamp lining 9 shown, or front toe portion of the shoe. Toe boxes that do not fit can cause injuries and foot deformities. Toe boxes can come in a variety of shapes and styles some of which are a matter of fashion, and some of which are designed for specialized functions. In the case of high heeled shoes the toes, due to the heel being positioned higher, are often forced into the toe box compressing the toes together, and causing the big toe to point towards the other toes, and not in a straight line. Toe boxes also often taper symmetrically; from both sides often deforming the toes since toes do not naturally taper. Additionally in high heeled shoes, the toe box must typically be made to be somewhat tight—otherwise the heel of the shoe will tend to be loose causing discomfort and ill fit of the shoe.

[0027] FIGS. 3-5 show a footwear system and method having footwear upper linings for cushioning and shock absorption.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary shock absorbing material 301 that may be used to form a toe box. The exemplary material is typically a shock absorbing silicone gel-such as is used in medical burn treatment, or equivalent, that tends to have, in addition to padding properties the advantageous quality of absorbing and dissipating energy applied to it, which reduces the impact felt by one's foot, over that of a typical toe box.

[0029] Silicone (or equivalent energy absorbing material) gel sheets are currently used as a scar treatment. An exemplary material for use as footwear upper linings for cushioning and shock absorption, is the medical-grade (or non-medical grade equivalent) silicone gel sheets 301 that can be customized to various thicknesses. medical-grade silicone is well known to those skilled in the art and typically made from cross-linked polydimethylsiloxane polymer that may be reinforced with a silicone membrane backing In alternative examples the silicone gel may be pre-formed, or molded, if desired.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a shoe component that will be formed into an assembled shoe toe box having the cushioning and shock adsorbing material coupled to an outer decorative piece. Here the outer vamp piece 401 is shown in plan view from the top and from the side. A conventional Vamp would be fitted around a toe box and attached to a sole of the shoe. Here a lining 407 is attached directly to the vamp 401 is bonded with bonding material 403 to the shock absorbing gel material 301. The gel 301 may include a fabric backing or lining on one or both sides. Typically the backing material if present is chosen for comfort and durability. In addition the backing material 403 disposed between the outer decorative pieces (vamp) 401 may be chosen to be rigid enough to give the shoe shape, with that on the opposite side (if any) chosen for comfort. Similar bonding processes may be used to attach the gel 301 to other components such as the heel sole or the like.

[0031] A ⅛″ thickness of shock absorbing material 301 may be useful for the heel and quarter linings, while the vamp lining and toe box 401 linings may be as thick as ¼″ in order to absorb the higher levels of shock from toes pushing into the toe box area of the shoe. This sheeting can be supplied by the manufacturer with or without fabric backings 405 on either or both sides of the shock absorbing material 301 and the idea is that these sheets (after being cut to the required lining pattern 401) would be attached, bonded or coupled (via glue, fusing, stitching, or the like) 403 to the external shoe's upper 401, such that the lining part 301 that touches, or is in close proximity through a lining, the foot's skin, is very soft, durable, shock absorbing, and even temperature resistant made from a material designed specifically to mitigate friction points while not breaking down from friction or temperature. A visit to any shoe store and running your fingers along the interior linings will show anybody that this is not a method of manufacturing or component currently used in this manner.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a shoe system 500 including a toe box with cushioning and shock absorbing material. The toe box described above may advantageously be combined with cushioning and shock absorbing members in the inner sole of the shoe, including that as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,490,297 issued Jul. 23, 2013 the contents of which are incorporated by reference. This reference describes a shock absorbing structure for the ball of the foot 501 that may be included in the shoe system 500. The shoe system has a toe box that surrounds the top and sides of the foot with a shock absorbing gel material 301. The system 500 may also include shock absorbing structure for the ball of the foot 501. And finally the shock absorbing gel material 301 may be included in the heel or other parts of the shoe as desired. For example gel in a heal strap may be thinner than that of the toe box or other parts of the shoe. Gel material tends to be thicker towards the front of a shoe as in a high heel shoe more force against the foot is present where the foot is forced downward. The attached appendix

[0033] FIG. 6 shows a process for building a gel cushioned shoe. Gel material is attached to desired shoe components 601. Cushioning for the ball of the foot is disposed in the sole 605. And finally the various shoe parts including cushioning gel materials are assembled into a show 603.

[0034] Those skilled in the art will realize that the process sequences described above may be equivalently performed in any order to achieve a desired result. Also, sub-processes may typically be omitted as desired without taking away from the overall functionality of the processes described above.