Abstract
An article of footwear includes an upper, a sole attached to the upper, and an impact absorber attached to the upper at least along a midfoot region of the upper and capable of absorbing a portion of a lateral impact when the impact absorber is moved into contact with a top surface of the sole. The impact absorber is be integrally formed with the sole and has a width that varies along a length of the impact absorber. The width of the impact absorber decreases in a forefoot region and a heel region. The upper rolls to contact the top surface of the sole upon lateral impact. The sole and the upper may be attached asymmetrically.
Claims
1. An article of footwear, comprising: a sole having a top portion and a bottom portion, at least a portion of a periphery of each of the top and bottom portions being separate from the other of the top and bottom portions in at least a midfoot region of the sole; an upper; and wherein the top portion of the sole is attached to the upper, thereby allowing rotational freedom between the top and bottom portions of the sole at the at least a portion of the periphery where the top and bottom portions are separated; wherein the top and bottom portions of the sole are separate from one another on both a lateral side and a medial side of the sole; wherein the separation of the top and bottom portions on the lateral side defines a lateral recess; wherein the separation of the top and bottom portions on the medial side defines a medial recess; wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are directly and continuously attached along a center portion of the sole in a longitudinal direction between a forefoot region of the sole and a heel region of the sole; wherein, in a direction from the forefoot region to the heel region of the sole, the lateral recess gradually increases in width from a first minimum lateral recess width at the periphery in the forefoot region to a maximum lateral recess width in the midfoot region and then gradually decreases from the maximum lateral recess width to a second minimum lateral recess width at the periphery in the heel region; and wherein, in the direction from the forefoot region to the heel region of the sole, the medial recess gradually increases in width from a first minimum medial recess width at the periphery in the forefoot region to a maximum medial recess width in the midfoot region and then gradually decreases from the maximum medial recess width to a second minimum medial recess width at the periphery in the heel region.
2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein peripheries of the top and bottom portions of the sole are attached along a peripheral edge of the sole at the heel region of the sole and the forefoot region of the sole.
3. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the upper and the top portion of the sole are configured to roll such that the top portion contacts the bottom portion of the sole upon lateral impact.
4. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the medial and lateral recesses differ from one another in size and shape.
5. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein, along a line laterally across the sole generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sole, at least one of the medial and lateral recesses has a lateral width at least about 10% of a width of the bottom portion.
6. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein, along a line laterally across the sole generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sole, the medial and lateral recesses each have a width of about 50% of a width of the bottom portion, and a sum of the widths of the medial and lateral recesses does not exceed the width of the bottom portion.
7. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein, along a line laterally across the sole generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sole, the medial recess has a width of about 60% of a width of the bottom portion and the lateral recess has a width of about 40% of the width of the bottom portion, and a sum of the widths of the medial and lateral recesses does not exceed the width of the bottom portion.
8. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the medial recess tapers from a higher width in the midfoot region to a zero value width in the forefoot region of the sole and from a higher width in the midfoot region to a zero value width in the heel region of the sole; and wherein the lateral recess tapers from a higher width in the midfoot region to a zero value width in the forefoot region and from a higher width in the midfoot region to a zero value width in the heel region.
9. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the medial recess reaches a single high value width in the midfoot region and the lateral recess reaches a single high value width in the midfoot region.
10. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein, on at least one of the medial side and the lateral side of the sole, the top portion tapers from a higher width in the midfoot region to a zero value width in the forefoot region and from a higher width in the midfoot region to a zero value width in the heel region.
11. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the sole is one piece and the top portion of the sole and the bottom portion of the sole are integrally formed.
12. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein, through the midfoot region, inward spacing of an inner limit of the lateral recess from a periphery of the sole allows at least an inward portion of the top portion to move between an initial position in which the inward portion of the top portion is spaced apart from the bottom portion and a subsequent position in which the inward portion of the top portion contacts the bottom portion such that a first visible portion of the lateral recess in the initial position is greater than a second visible portion of the lateral recess in the subsequent position.
13. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper; a sole attached to the upper, defining a longitudinal axis, and having a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region in between the forefoot region and the heel region; wherein in the midfoot region a lateral side of the sole defines a lateral recess that splits the lateral side of the sole into a lateral top portion and a lateral bottom portion; wherein in the midfoot region a medial side of the sole defines a medial recess that splits the medial side of the sole into a medial top portion and a medial bottom portion; wherein the lateral recess reaches a maximum lateral recess width within the midfoot region and tapers to a zero lateral recess width in the forefoot region and the heel region; wherein the medial recess reaches a maximum medial recess width within the midfoot region and tapers to a zero medial recess width in the forefoot region and the heel region; wherein at least one of the maximum lateral recess width and the maximum medial recess width is at least about 10% of a width of the sole along a line that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and that is generally aligned with the at least one maximum lateral recess width and the maximum medial recess width; wherein the sole has a continuous center portion that is directly attached to both the top and bottom portions, wherein the continuous center portion is disposed laterally between a lateral inner limit of the lateral recess and a medial inner limit of the medial recess and that extends in a longitudinal direction from the forefoot region to the heel region; wherein at least a portion of an outer periphery of the sole in the forefoot region is continuous; wherein at least a portion of the outer periphery of the sole in the heel region is continuous; wherein, in the midfoot region, spacing the lateral inner limit from the outer periphery of the sole allows the lateral top portion to move between a first position in which a portion of the lateral top portion within the lateral recess is spaced apart from the lateral bottom portion thereby exposing a visible portion of the lateral recess, and a second position in which the portion of the lateral top portion within the lateral recess contacts the lateral bottom portion such that the visible portion of the lateral recess is reduced; and wherein, in the midfoot region, spacing the medial inner limit from the outer periphery of the sole allows the medial top portion to move between a first position in which a portion of the medial top portion within the medial recess is spaced apart from the medial bottom portion thereby exposing a visible portion of the medial recess, and a second position in which the portion of the medial top portion within the medial recess contacts the medial bottom portion such that the visible portion of the medial recess is reduced.
14. The article of footwear according to claim 13, wherein the maximum lateral recess width is a single high value and the maximum medial recess width is a single high value.
15. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper; a sole attached to the upper, defining a longitudinal axis, and having a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region in between the forefoot region and the heel region; wherein in the midfoot region, on each of a lateral side and a medial side of the sole, the sole defines a longitudinally extending medial recess that splits the sole into a top portion and a bottom portion and a longitudinally extending lateral recess that splits the sole into the top portion and the bottom portion; wherein the sole is directly and continuously attached to both the top and bottom portions through a center portion of the sole extending along the longitudinal axis from the forefoot region to the heel region; wherein each of the medial recess and the lateral recess reach a maximum recess width within the midfoot region and tapers to a zero recess width in the forefoot region and the heel region; wherein the maximum recess width is at least about 10% of a width of the sole along a line that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and that is generally aligned with the maximum recess width; wherein at least a portion of an outer periphery of the sole in the forefoot region is continuous; wherein at least a portion of the outer periphery of the sole in the heel region is continuous; and wherein, in the midfoot region, spacing an inner limit of the lateral recess from the outer periphery of the sole allows the top portion to move between a first position in which a portion of the top portion within the lateral recess is spaced apart from the bottom portion thereby exposing a visible portion of the lateral recess, and a second position in which the portion of the top portion within the lateral recess contacts the bottom portion such that the visible portion of the lateral recess is reduced.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
(2) FIG. 1 is a lateral side elevational view of an article of footwear according to the present invention.
(3) FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an article of footwear according to the invention.
(4) FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a prior art article of footwear.
(5) FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of a prior art article of footwear positioned on a slope.
(6) FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the first embodiment of the article of footwear taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 8 showing the article of footwear in use with a narrow foot.
(7) FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the first embodiment of the article of footwear taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 8 showing the article of footwear in use with a wide foot.
(8) FIG. 7 is a top view of the sole of an article of footwear according to the invention showing the positioning of the upper relative to the sole.
(9) FIG. 8 is a lateral side elevational view of a first embodiment of an article of footwear.
(10) FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the first embodiment of the article of footwear.
(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the article of footwear.
(12) FIG. 11 is a medial side elevational view of the first embodiment of the article of footwear when a lateral force is applied to the article of footwear.
(13) FIG. 12 is a lateral side elevational view of the first embodiment of the article of footwear when a lateral force is applied to the article of footwear.
(14) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the article of footwear taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 11.
(15) FIG. 14 is a medial side elevational view of the first embodiment of the article of footwear when a medial force is applied to the article of footwear.
(16) FIG. 15 is a lateral side elevational view of the first embodiment of the article of footwear when a medial force is applied to the article of footwear.
(17) FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the article of footwear taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 14.
(18) FIG. 17 is a lateral side elevational view of a second embodiment of an article of footwear.
(19) FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view of the second embodiment of the article of footwear.
(20) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the article of footwear.
(21) FIG. 20 is a top view of the lower portion of a sole of an article of footwear according to the invention showing the positioning of the top portion of the sole relative to the lower portion of the sole.
(22) FIG. 21 is a medial side elevational view of the second embodiment of the article of footwear when a lateral force is applied to the article of footwear.
(23) FIG. 22 is a lateral side elevational view of the second embodiment of the article of footwear when a lateral force is applied to the article of footwear.
(24) FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the article of footwear taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 21.
(25) FIG. 24 is a medial side elevational view of the second embodiment of the article of footwear when a medial force is applied to the article of footwear.
(26) FIG. 25 is a lateral side elevational view of the second embodiment of the article of footwear when a medial force is applied to the article of footwear.
(27) FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the article of footwear taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 24.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(28) The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose an article of footwear.
(29) Concepts related to the article of footwear are disclosed with reference to footwear having a configuration that is suitable for the sport of running. The sole structure is not limited solely to footwear designed for running, however, and may be utilized with a wide range of athletic footwear styles, including basketball shoes, tennis shoes, football shoes, cross-training shoes, walking shoes, soccer shoes, and hiking boots, for example. The sole structure may also be utilized with footwear styles that are generally considered to be non-athletic, including dress shoes, loafers, sandals, and boots. An individual skilled in the relevant art will appreciate, therefore, that the concepts disclosed herein apply to a wide variety of footwear styles, in addition to the specific style discussed in the following material and depicted in the accompanying figures.
(30) An article of footwear 10 is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 as including an upper 20 and a sole or sole structure 30. For reference purposes, footwear 10 may be divided into three general regions: a forefoot region 11, a midfoot region 12, and a heel region 13. Footwear 10 also includes a lateral side 14 and an opposite medial side 15. Forefoot region 11 generally includes portions of footwear 10 corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. Midfoot region 12 generally includes portions of footwear 10 corresponding with the arch area of the foot, and heel region 13 corresponds with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. Lateral side 14 and medial side 15 extend through each of regions 11-13 and correspond with opposite sides of footwear 10. Regions 11-13 and sides 14-15 are not intended to demarcate precise areas of footwear 10. Rather, regions 11-13 and sides 14-15 are intended to represent general areas of footwear 10 to aid in the following discussion. In addition to footwear 10, regions 11-13 and sides 14-15 may also be applied to upper 20, sole structure 30, and individual elements thereof. These elements of footwear 10 are common to all articles of footwear and are also present in the invention described herein.
(31) Turning first to FIGS. 5-7, a first aspect of the invention is apparent. The upper 20 of the article of footwear 10 is attached or coupled to the sole 30 asymmetrically. FIG. 7 shows the top surface 32 of the sole 30 of the article of footwear 10. Axis 31 shows an approximate axis along the center of the top surface 32 of the sole 30. A first dashed line is one embodiment of a medial attachment boundary 34 that represents the position on the top surface 32 of the sole 30 where the upper 20 is joined to the sole 30 on the medial side 15 of the article of footwear 10. This medial attachment boundary 34 is located or spaced inward from the periphery or peripheral edge 36 of the sole 30. The medial attachment boundary 34 need not be a consistent distance from the periphery 36 of the sole 30. Instead, as shown in FIG. 7, the medial attachment boundary 34 approaches and then contacts the periphery 36 as the medial attachment boundary 34 nears the forefoot region 11 and heel region 13. The medial attachment boundary 34 is most clearly spaced from the periphery 36 in the midfoot region 12.
(32) Similarly, a second dashed line is one embodiment of a lateral attachment boundary 38 that represents the position on the top surface 32 of the sole 30 where the upper 20 is joined to the sole 30 on the lateral side 14 of the shoe. This lateral attachment boundary 38 is located or spaced inward from the periphery or peripheral edge 36 of the sole 30. The lateral attachment boundary 38 need not be a consistent distance from the periphery 36 of the sole 30. Instead, as shown in FIG. 7, the lateral attachment boundary 38 approaches and then contacts the periphery 36 as the lateral attachment boundary 38 nears the forefoot region 11 and heel region 13. The lateral attachment boundary 38 is most clearly spaced from the periphery 36 in the midfoot region 12.
(33) The upper 20 is attached or coupled to the sole 30 along the medial attachment boundary 38 on the medial side 15 of the sole 10, spaced from the periphery 36 of the sole 30 at least in a midfoot region 12. The upper 20 is attached or coupled to the sole 30 along the lateral attachment boundary 38 on the lateral side 14 of the sole 10, spaced from the periphery 36 of the sole 30 in at least a midfoot region 12. In the toe region 11 and the heel region 13, the upper 20 is attached or coupled to the sole 30 in an area that is along the periphery 36 of the sole 30. While the upper 20 may be attached to the sole 30 a small distance from the periphery 36 of the sole 30 in the toe region 11 and heel region 13, the upper is attached or coupled about at the periphery 36 and along the periphery 36.
(34) The configuration shown in FIG. 7 is one possible configuration of the positioning and attachment and coupling of the upper 20 relative to the sole 30. In this configuration, the sole 30 has a width 33 at any specific point along the length 39 of the sole 30. The width or distance 35 represents the distance the medial attachment boundary 34 is positioned from the periphery 36 in a particular location along the length 21 of the sole 30 where the medial attachment boundary 34 is spaced from the periphery 36. The width or distance 37 represents the distance the lateral attachment boundary 38 is positioned from the periphery 36 in a particular location along the length 23 of the sole 30 where the lateral attachment boundary 38 is spaced from the periphery 36. It is desirable that for any embodiment of the footwear 10, that at least one of the width 35 and the width 37 be at least 10% of the width 33 of the sole 30 at some point along its respective length 21, 23. The attachment boundaries 34, 38 may be positioned on the sole 30 so that the upper 20 and sole 30 are coupled either symmetrically or asymmetrically about axis 31. As an upper limit, it is of course possible that width 37 and width 35 could be great enough that the attachment boundaries 34, 38 would be in substantially the same location on the sole 30. In such an instance, width 35 and width 37 might each have a value of about 50% the value of width 33. Alternatively, if desired, width 37 might have a value of about 60% of width 33 and width 35 might have a value of about 40% of width 33. Of course, the position of each attachment boundary 34, 38 may be tuned for a particular desired footwear application, and the values of width 37 and width 35 can vary widely, except that of course, the values of width 37 and width 35 added together can never exceed the value of width 33 at any given point along the length 39 of the sole 30. Finally, in some cases, it is possible that the value of width 35 or width 37 in a particular case would be close to zero and that the upper 20 would be attached on one of the medial side 15 or lateral side 14 at an area along the periphery 36 of the sole 30. It is also to be noted that the value of both width 35 and of width 37 vary along the length 39 of the sole 30 and their respective lengths 21, 23. The width 35 and the width 37 taper to a zero value in the areas of the forefoot region 11 and the heel region 13. As shown in FIG. 7, based on the contours of the sole 30 and the attachment boundaries 34, 38, the value of width 35 and width 37 may, but need not, gradually increase to a single high value.
(35) The area on the top surface 32 of the sole 30 on the lateral side 14 between the lateral attachment boundary 38 and the peripheral edge 36 of the sole 30 can be described as the open lateral portion 50. The area on the top surface 32 of the sole 30 on the medial side 15 between the medial attachment boundary 34 and the peripheral edge 36 of the sole 30 can be described as the open medial portion 51. Either one of these portions 50, 51 can be described as an open portion of the sole.
(36) One implication of this configuration of upper 20 being attached or coupled to the sole 30 along the attachment boundaries 34, 38 is that the same sole and upper configuration can be used to accommodate feet having varying widths. Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is shown how the footwear 10 would appear in cross section when used with feet of varying widths. FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross sections of a shoe with a foot inside taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 8. FIG. 5 shows how the footwear 10 will appear in cross-section with a foot having a narrow width 41. The upper 20 is flexible and tightens to conform to the shape of a user's foot. The laces 40 are drawn tightly which leaves the lace edges 42, 44 of the medial 15 and lateral 14 sides, respectively, relatively close to one another. FIG. 6 shows how the footwear 10 will appear in cross section with a foot having a wide width 43. The upper 20 tightens to conform to the shape of the user's foot. When the laces are drawn tightly in this case, the lace edges 42, 44 of the medial 15 and lateral 14 sides, respectively, remain further apart to accommodate the wider width foot. Attention is also directed to the areas marked 46 and 48 on the drawings. When a wider width foot is in the shoe, the amount of upper 20 positioned beneath the foot is increased. This changes how the upper 20 appears with respect to the sole 30 to an observer.
(37) Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, an article of footwear 10 according to the present invention is shown. As noted earlier, the article of footwear 10 includes an upper 20 and a sole 30 coupled or attached to one another. FIGS. 8 and 10 show the lateral side 14 of the footwear 10. Visible on the lateral side 14 of the footwear 10 is an open lateral portion 50 of the top surface 32 of sole 30. Adjacent the open lateral portion 50 is a lateral impact absorber 52 attached to the lateral side 15 of the upper 20. The lateral impact absorber 52 is attached to the upper 20 at least along the midfoot region 12 of the footwear 10. The lateral impact absorber 52 has a height 54 that varies along its length 56. For example, the lateral impact absorber 52 includes various indents 58 that may be included for cosmetic or functional reasons. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 10, the indents 58 correspond in position to various design features of the shoe upper 20. Desirably, the height 54 of the lateral impact absorber 52 tapers or decreases to zero in the forefoot region 11 and the heel region 13 of the footwear 10.
(38) The lateral impact absorber 52 may be made of any of a variety of materials. Consideration of an appropriate material for the lateral impact absorber 52 may take into account a variety of factors. First, the material chosen should be sufficiently flexible to allow the upper 20 to be pulled taut without hindrance from the impact absorber 52. The material chosen should also be capable of absorbing impact when compressed. Finally, the material chosen must be capable of being secured or attached to a corresponding upper material. It is preferred that the impact absorber 52 be attached via an adhesive to the upper 20. However, it could alternatively be attached via a mechanical attachment structure, such as sewing. Finally, the material chosen should be selected for its aesthetic properties since it will be positioned visibly on the outside of the footwear and its shape will be a design element of the footwear. The material and its size and shape can be tuned to the desired impact absorbing properties of the footwear.
(39) On the medial side 15 of the footwear 10 is positioned a medial impact absorber 60 attached to the upper 20. The medial impact absorber 60 will be shown in more detail in other Figures. The medial impact absorber 60 has the same qualities and features as the lateral impact absorber 52. However, the medial impact absorber 60 may have a somewhat different size and shape from the lateral impact absorber 52 due, at least in part, to the different contours of the upper 20 and sole 30 as are common in footwear generally and specifically in footwear 10. For example, the curvature of the medial side 15 of the footwear 10 tends to be concave and the lateral side 14 tends to be convex, as is best seen in FIG. 7. However, the relative size and shape of the impact absorbers 52, 60 may differ for other reasons, such as the amount of impact the impact absorbers are designed to absorb, the position of the attachment boundaries 34, 38, aesthetic reasons, or for any other reason that a designer might consider in designing an article of footwear.
(40) The features described above work together when a user is wearing the footwear 10 to deal with lateral and medial forces differently than prior art footwear. Looking first to FIGS. 11-13, the footwear 10 is shown when a lateral force, i.e., a force toward the lateral side 14 of the footwear 10, is applied. Such a force might be applied when a user makes a quick turn or is running around a curve. Referring first to FIG. 13, the motion of the footwear is apparent. In such an instance, the upper 20 is permitted to rotate or roll slightly towards the lateral side 14. When the upper 20 rolls towards the lateral side 14, the lateral impact absorber 52 comes into contact with the top surface 32 of the sole 30, in the open lateral area 50 of the sole 30. The lateral force or impact applied to the shoe is thereby absorbed in three ways. First, the upper 20 is permitted to roll. Next, the lateral impact absorber 52 becomes compressed. Finally, elements in the sole 30 compress. These three features combine to absorb a great degree of the impact and reduce the impact that the user's body must absorb.
(41) Viewing the footwear 10 from each of the lateral 14 and medial 15 sides is also illustrative of the movement of the footwear 10 when a force is applied. FIG. 11 shows the medial side 15 of the footwear 10 and FIG. 12 shows the lateral side 14 of the footwear 10. When a lateral force is applied toward the lateral side 14, the upper 20 is allowed to roll or pivot. The lateral impact absorber 52 is compressed under the user's foot against the open lateral area 50 on the top surface 32 of the sole 30. An observer looking at the footwear 10 from this lateral side 14 as in FIG. 12 will observe that the visible area of the lateral impact absorber 52 and the visible portion of the top surface 32 of the sole 30 are reduced relative to the visible portions of those elements in the rest position of the footwear as shown in FIG. 8.
(42) Similarly, referring to FIG. 11, when the lateral force is applied toward the lateral side 14, the upper 20 is allowed to roll or pivot. The medial impact absorber 60 is released from under the user's foot and away from the open medial area 51 on the top surface 32 of the sole 30. An observer looking at the footwear 10 from this medial side 15 as in FIG. 12 will observe that the visible area of the medial impact absorber 60 and the visible portion of the top surface 32 of the sole 30 are increased relative to the visible portions of those elements in the rest position of the footwear 10.
(43) A similar result is seen when a medial force is applied to the footwear 10. Looking now to FIGS. 14-16, the footwear 10 is shown when a medial force, i.e., a force toward the medial side 15 of the footwear 10, is applied. Such a force might be applied when a user makes a quick turn or is running around a curve. Referring first to FIG. 16, the motion of the footwear 10 is apparent. In such an instance, the upper 20 is permitted to rotate or roll slightly towards the medial side 14. When the upper 20 rolls towards the medial side 14, the medial impact absorber 60 comes into contact with the top surface 32 of the sole 30, in the open medial area 51 of the sole 30. The medial force or impact applied to the shoe is thereby absorbed in three ways. First, the upper 20 is permitted to roll. Next, the medial impact absorber 60 becomes compressed. Finally, elements in the sole 30 compress. These three features combine to absorb a great degree of the impact and reduce the impact that the user's body must absorb.
(44) Viewing the footwear 10 from each of the lateral 14 and medial 15 sides is also illustrative of the movement of the footwear 10 when a force is applied. FIG. 14 shows the medial side 15 of the footwear 10 and FIG. 15 shows the lateral side 14 of the footwear 10. When a medial force is applied toward the medial side 15, the upper 20 is allowed to roll or pivot. The medial impact absorber 60 is compressed under the user's foot against the open medial area 51 on the top surface 32 of the sole 30. An observer looking at the footwear 10 from this medial side 15 as in FIG. 14 will observe that the visible area of the medial impact absorber 60 and the visible portion of the top surface 32 of the sole 30 are reduced relative to the visible portions of those elements in the rest position of the footwear.
(45) Similarly, referring to FIG. 15, when the medial force is applied toward the medial side 15, the upper 20 is allowed to roll or pivot. The lateral impact absorber 52 is released from under the user's foot and away from the open lateral area 50 on the top surface 32 of the sole 30. An observer looking at the footwear 10 from this lateral side 14 as in FIG. 15 will observe that the visible area of the lateral impact absorber 52 and the visible portion of the top surface 32 of the sole 30 are increased relative to the visible portions of those elements in the rest position of the footwear 10 as seen in FIG. 8.
(46) A review of FIGS. 5-16 and particularly the cross sectional views in FIGS. 5, 6, 13, and 16 and the rear elevational view of FIG. 9 reveals another feature. Referring to the upper 20, on each of the medial side and the lateral side, there exists a free area 64, 62, respectively, that in a standard article of footwear would be likely attached to the sole. Because the upper 20 is attached to the sole 30 along lateral and medial attachment boundaries 38, 34, the free areas 64, 62 of the upper are able to be positioned in varying angles from the top surface 32 of the sole 30. The free areas 64, 62 are located at least in the midfoot region 12 of the footwear 10. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-16, the impact absorbers 60, 52 are attached to the respective free areas 64, 62 of the upper 20. The lateral free area 62 may differ in size and shape than the medial free area 64 for various reasons, including the standard curvature of the footwear in the midfoot region 12 and the asymmetrical attachment of the upper 32 to the sole 30. Also for these reasons, the heights 66, 68 of the free areas 62, 64 vary along their length and taper or decrease to zero at their longitudinal ends in the forefoot and heel regions.
(47) A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 17-26. FIGS. 17-19 show an overview of the structure. The footwear 110 is identical in many respects to the footwear 10 described earlier, including the placement of forefoot, midfoot, and heel regions 11, 12, 13 and lateral and medial sides 14, 15. The footwear 110 also includes an upper 120 that is substantially the same as that described in relation to the earlier embodiment. Numerals from the first embodiment are used identically in this embodiment to describe the same features.
(48) Turning first to FIGS. 17-19, a second embodiment of the footwear 110 is shown. The footwear includes an upper 120 and a sole 130 coupled or attached to one another. FIGS. 17 and 19 show the lateral side 14 of the footwear 110. As particularly seen in these Figs., the sole 130 defines a lateral recess or undercut 121 at least in a midfoot region 12 of the footwear 110. In the area where there is a lateral recess 121, the sole 130 is split into a top portion 122 and a lower portion 123 that are separated from each other by the lateral recess 121, particularly along a periphery 36 of the sole 130. In this embodiment, the use of the lateral and medial recesses 121, 124 allows rotational freedom between the top portion 122 and lower portion 123 of the sole 130 in the peripheral areas 36 in the midfoot region 12 where the top and lower portions 122, 123 are separated.
(49) FIG. 20 shows how the recesses 121, 124 can be configured relative to the sole. FIG. 20 is a view showing the lower portion 123 of the sole 130. Axis 131 shows an approximate axis along the center of the lower portion 123 of the sole 130. A first dashed line 138 is one embodiment of the lateral inner limit of the lateral recess 121. This lateral inner limit 138 is located or spaced inward from the periphery or peripheral edge 36 of the sole 130. The lateral inner limit 138 need not be a consistent distance from the periphery 36 of the sole 130. Instead, as shown in FIG. 20, the lateral inner limit 138 approaches and then contacts the periphery 36 as the lateral inner limit 138 nears the forefoot region 11 and heel region 13. The lateral inner limit 138 is most clearly spaced from the periphery 36 in the midfoot region 12.
(50) Similarly, a second dashed line is one embodiment of a medial inner limit 134 that represents the inner limit of the medial recess 124. This medial inner limit 134 is located or spaced inward from the periphery or peripheral edge 36 of the sole 130. The medial inner limit 134 need not be a consistent distance from the periphery 36 of the sole 130. Instead, as shown in FIG. 20, the medial inner limit 134 approaches and then contacts the periphery 36 as the medial inner limit 134 nears the forefoot region 11 and heel region 13. The medial inner limit 134 is most clearly spaced from the periphery 36 in the midfoot region 12.
(51) The sole 130 can be formed in a number of ways to create this structure. The sole 130 can be molded in one piece so that the top portion 122 and the lower portion 123 are integrally formed. If the sole 130 is formed in this manner, the mold can contain inserts to form the recesses 121, 124 in the sole at the time of molding. Alternatively, the recesses 121, 124 can be machined into the sole 130 after molding. The top portion 122 and lower portion 123 can alternatively be formed separately from one another and then bonded together. Such a configuration would be desirable when, for example, it is desired to use different materials for the top portion 122 and lower portion 123. If the top portion 122 and lower portion 123 are formed separately, the medial and lateral sides of the top portion 122 can also be formed separately from one another and separately secured to the lower portion 123. The method and structure for securing the parts together can be selected by a person having ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation, and will be based on the materials selected for the portions of the sole 130 and the desired strength of the final product. Regardless of the method of making the sole 130, if both the top portion 122 and the lower portion 123 extend into the forefoot area 11 and heel area 13, the peripheral edges 36 of the two should be continuous.
(52) The top portion 122 of the sole 130 is attached or coupled to the upper 120. Because the top portion 122 of the sole 130 is separate from the lower portion 123 of the sole 130 in at least a midfoot region 12, the top portion 122 and upper 120 are effectively attached to the lower portion 123 of the sole 130 only in an area spaced from the periphery 36 of the lower portion 123 of the sole 130, as is best shown in FIG. 20. In the toe region 11 and the heel region 13, the upper 120 is attached or coupled to the sole 130 in an area that is along the periphery 36 of the sole 130. While the upper 120 may be spaced a small distance from the periphery 36 of the sole 130 in the toe region 11 and heel region 13, the upper is attached or coupled about at the periphery 36 and along the periphery 36.
(53) The configuration shown in FIG. 20 is one possible configuration of the positioning and attachment and coupling of the upper 120 and top portion 122 of the sole 130 relative to the lower portion 123 of the sole 30. In this configuration, the lower portion 123 of the sole 130 has a width 133. The width or distance 135 represents the distance the medial inner limit 134 is positioned from the periphery 36 in a particular location along the length 125 of the medial recess 124. The width or distance 137 represents the distance the lateral inner limit 138 is positioned from the periphery 36 in a particular location along the length 127 of the lateral recess 121. It is desirable that for any embodiment of the footwear 10, that at least one of the width 135 and the width 137 be at least 10% of the width 133 of the lower portion 123 of the sole 130. The inner limits 134, 138 may be positioned on the sole 130 so that the upper 120 and the lower portion 123 of the sole 130 are effectively coupled either symmetrically or asymmetrically about axis 131. As an upper limit, it is of course possible that width 137 and width 135 could be great enough that the inner limits 134, 138 would be in substantially the same location on the sole 130. In such an instance, width 135 and width 137 might each have a value of about 50% the value of width 133. Alternatively, if desired, width 137 might have a value of about 60% of width 133 and width 135 might have a value of about 40% of width 133. Of course, the position of each inner limit 134, 138 may be tuned for a particular desired footwear application, and the values of width 137 and width 135 can vary widely, except that of course, the values of width 137 and width 135 added together can never exceed the value of width 133 at any given point along the length 139 of the sole 130. Finally, in some cases, it is possible that the value of width 135 or width 137 in a particular case would be close to zero and that the top portion 122 and the lower portion 123 of the sole 130 would be attached at one of the medial side 15 or lateral side 14 at an area along the periphery 36 of the sole 130 and their respective lengths 125, 127. It is also to be noted that the value of both width 135 and of width 137 vary along the length 139 of the sole 130. The width 135 and the width 137 taper to a zero value in the areas of the forefoot region 11 and the heel region 13. As shown in FIG. 20, based on the contours of the sole 130 and the inner limits 134, 138, the value of width 135 and width 137 may, but need not, gradually increase to a single high value.
(54) In the present configuration, the top portion 122 of the sole 130 acts as an impact absorber in the area where it is secured or coupled to the upper 120. The lateral impact absorber 152 has a height 154 that varies along its length 156. For example, the lateral impact absorber 152 includes various indents 158 that may be included for cosmetic or functional reasons. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 19, the indents 158 correspond in position to various design features of the shoe upper 120. Desirably, the height 154 of the lateral impact absorber 152 tapers or decreases to zero in the forefoot region 11 and the heel region 13 of the footwear 110.
(55) The impact absorbers 152, 160 may be made of any of a variety of materials. Consideration of an appropriate material for the impact absorbers 152, 160 may take into account a variety of factors in addition to those discussed above in considering the manufacture of the sole 130 generally. First, the material chosen should be sufficiently flexible to allow the upper 120 to be pulled taut without hindrance from the impact absorbers 152, 160. The material chosen should also be capable of absorbing impact when compressed. Finally, the material chosen must be capable of being secured or attached to a corresponding upper material. It is preferred that the impact absorber 152 be attached via an adhesive to the upper 120. However, it could alternatively be attached via a mechanical attachment structure, such as sewing. Finally, the material chosen should be selected for its aesthetic properties since it will be positioned visibly on the outside of the footwear and its shape will be a design element of the footwear. The material and its size and shape can be tuned to the desired impact absorbing properties of the footwear.
(56) On the medial side 15 of the footwear 110 is positioned a medial impact absorber 160 attached to the upper 120. The medial impact absorber 160 will be shown in more detail in other Figures. The medial impact absorber 160 has the same qualities and features as the lateral impact absorber 152. However, the medial impact absorber 160 may have a somewhat different size and shape from the lateral impact absorber 152 due, at least in part, to the different contours of the upper 120 and sole 130 as are common in footwear generally and specifically in footwear 110. For example, the curvature of the medial side 15 of the footwear 110 tends to be concave and the lateral side 14 tends to be convex, as is best seen in FIG. 20. However, the relative size and shape of the impact absorbers 152, 160 may differ for other reasons, such as the amount of impact the impact absorbers are designed to absorb, the position of the inner limits 134, 138, aesthetic reasons, or for any other reason that a designer might consider in designing an article of footwear.
(57) The features described above work together when a user is wearing the footwear 110 to deal with lateral and medial forces differently than prior art footwear. Looking first to FIGS. 21-23, the footwear 110 is shown when a lateral force, i.e., a force toward the lateral side 14 of the footwear 110, is applied. Such a force might be applied when a user makes a quick turn or is running around a curve. Referring first to FIG. 23, the motion of the footwear is apparent. In such an instance, the upper 120 is permitted to rotate or roll slightly towards the lateral side 14. When the upper 120 rolls towards the lateral side 14, the lateral impact absorber 152 comes into contact with the top surface 132 of the lower portion 123 of the sole 130. The lateral force or impact applied to the shoe is thereby absorbed in three ways. First, the upper 120 is permitted to roll. Next, the lateral impact absorber 152 becomes compressed. Finally, elements in the sole 130 compress. These three features combine to absorb a great degree of the impact and reduce the impact that the user's body must absorb.
(58) Viewing the footwear 110 from each of the lateral 14 and medial 15 sides is also illustrative of the movement of the footwear 110 when a force is applied. FIG. 21 shows the medial side 15 of the footwear 110 and FIG. 22 shows the lateral side 14 of the footwear 110. When a lateral force is applied toward the lateral side 14, the upper 120 is allowed to roll or pivot. The lateral impact absorber 152 is compressed under the user's foot against lower portion 123 of the sole 130. An observer looking at the footwear 10 from this lateral side 14 as in FIG. 22 will observe that the visible area of the lateral impact absorber 52 and the visible portion of the lateral recess 121 of the sole 30 are reduced relative to the visible portions of those elements in the rest position of the footwear as shown in FIG. 17.
(59) Similarly, referring to FIG. 21, when the lateral force is applied toward the lateral side 14, the upper 120 is allowed to roll or pivot. The medial impact absorber 160 is released from under the user's foot and away from the lower portion 123 of the sole 30. An observer looking at the footwear 110 from this medial side 15 as in FIG. 21 will observe that the visible area of the medial impact absorber 160 and the visible portion of the medial recess 124 are increased relative to the visible portions of those elements in the rest position of the footwear 110.
(60) A similar result is seen when a medial force is applied to the footwear 110. Looking now to FIGS. 24-26, the footwear 10 is shown when a medial force, i.e., a force toward the medial side 15 of the footwear 10, is applied. Such a force might be applied when a user makes a quick turn or is running around a curve. Referring first to FIG. 26, the motion of the footwear is apparent. In such an instance, the upper 120 is permitted to rotate or roll slightly towards the medial side 15. When the upper 120 rolls towards the medial side 15, the medial impact absorber 160 comes into contact with the top surface 132 of the lower portion 123 of sole 130. The medial force or impact applied to the shoe is thereby absorbed in three ways. First, the upper 120 is permitted to roll. Next, the medial impact absorber 160 becomes compressed. Finally, elements in the sole 130 compress. These three features combine to absorb a great degree of the impact and reduce the impact that the user's body must absorb.
(61) Viewing the footwear 110 from each of the lateral 14 and medial 15 sides is also illustrative of the movement of the footwear 110 when a force is applied. FIG. 24 shows the medial side 15 of the footwear 110 and FIG. 25 shows the lateral side 14 of the footwear 110. When a medial force is applied toward the medial side 15, the upper 120 is allowed to roll or pivot. The medial impact absorber 160 is compressed under the user's foot against the lower portion 123 of the sole 130. An observer looking at the footwear 110 from this medial side 15 as in FIG. 24 will observe that the visible area of the medial impact absorber 160 and the visible portion of the medial recess 124 are reduced relative to the visible portions of those elements in the rest position of the footwear.
(62) Similarly, referring to FIG. 24, when the medial force is applied toward the medial side 15, the upper 120 is allowed to roll or pivot. The lateral impact absorber 152 is released from under the user's foot and away from the lower portion 123 of the sole 130. An observer looking at the footwear 110 from this lateral side 14 as in FIG. 24 will observe that the visible area of the lateral impact absorber 152 and the visible portion of lateral recess 121 are increased relative to the visible portions of those elements in the rest position of the footwear 110 as seen in FIG. 17.
(63) The embodiments detailed above include medial and lateral impact absorbers attached on the outside of an upper. It is to be appreciated that for aesthetic reasons, reasons of manufacturability, or other reasons deemed important by a designer, the impact absorbers could be attached to the inner surface of the upper adjacent the foot or could be incorporated between various layers of material in the upper. In such an instance, while the impact absorbers would not be visible, they would still be impact absorbers attached to the upper as discussed herein. In still a further embodiment, the impact absorbers can be minimized or eliminated if desirable for a given application.
(64) The invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.
