Footwear with enhanced impact protection
First Claim
1. Improved footwear of the type that includes a sole portion with an elastomeric mid-sole having a given thickness, spring rate and damping coefficient for absorbing impacts acting on the lower surface of a wearer'"'"'s foot, wherein the improvement comprises:
- a plurality of elastomeric pads combined within the mid-sole such that the pads act in series combination with each other and in parallel combination with the mid-sole during conjoint compression thereof;
wherein the combined pads have a thickness and an effective spring rate that are respectively about the same as the thickness and the spring rate of the mid-sole alone; and
, wherein the combined pads have an effective damping coefficient that is substantially greater than the damping coefficient of the mid-sole alone.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Footwear providing enhanced protection against extreme landing impacts includes a sole having an elastomeric mid-sole with elastomeric pads combined in a heel recess thereof such that the pads act in series with each other and in parallel with the mid-sole during conjoint compression thereof. At least one of the pads includes a solid gel having a relatively high damping coefficient. In another embodiment, the heel of the mid-sole is replaced by a toroidal gas cushion and an elastomeric pad including a solid gel having a relatively high damping coefficient disposed in a central recess of the cushion such that the pad is recessed a selected distance below the upper surface of the cushion. The resilient pads may advantageously incorporate a plurality of gas-filled cells, and a solid gel pad may also be disposed in the mid-sole of the footwear below the ball of the wearer'"'"'s foot for increased protection.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Improved footwear of the type that includes a sole portion with an elastomeric mid-sole having a given thickness, spring rate and damping coefficient for absorbing impacts acting on the lower surface of a wearer'"'"'s foot, wherein the improvement comprises:
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a plurality of elastomeric pads combined within the mid-sole such that the pads act in series combination with each other and in parallel combination with the mid-sole during conjoint compression thereof;
wherein the combined pads have a thickness and an effective spring rate that are respectively about the same as the thickness and the spring rate of the mid-sole alone; and
,wherein the combined pads have an effective damping coefficient that is substantially greater than the damping coefficient of the mid-sole alone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. Footwear providing enhanced protection against extreme landing impacts to the feet of a wearer, comprising:
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an upper portion defining a compliant enclosure for at least an upper portion of the wearer'"'"'s foot; and
,a sole portion attached to a lower margin of the upper portion, the sole portion including;
an outsole comprising a strong, resilient, wear-resistant material and having an upper surface defining a support surface for the sole of the wearer'"'"'s foot;
an elastomeric mid-sole disposed on the upper surface of the outsole, the mid-sole having a thickness, a first damping coefficient, a heel portion and a forefoot portion; and
,a plurality of elastomeric pads combined within a heel portion of the mid-sole such that the pads act in series combination with each other and in parallel combination with the mid-sole during conjoint compression thereof. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification