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Footwear with enhanced impact protection

  • US 20060156581A1
  • Filed: 03/15/2006
  • Published: 07/20/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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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:

  • 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.

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