ENERGY RETURN SOLE

• US 20140259785A1
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian Dean Owens, Paul Walter Lester
• Original Assignee: Brian Dean Owens, Paul Walter Lester
• Inventors: Owens, Brian Dean, Lester, Paul Walter
• Granted Patent: US 9,907,353 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/102
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/026 Composites, e.g. carbon fibre or aramid fibre; the sole, one or more sole layers or sole part being made of a composite
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/183 Leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/185 Elasticated plates sandwiched between two interlocking components, e.g. thrustors
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/187 Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials

Abstract

A energy sole including a base structure extending a length of a shoe sole, a flexion extending from the base structure, a toe arm extending forward from the flexion, and a heel arm extend rearward from the flexion.

Claims

1. A energy sole, comprising:

a base structure extending a length of a shoe sole;

a flexion extending from the base structure;

a toe arm extending forward from the flexion; and

a heel arm extend rearward from the flexion.

2. The energy sole according to claim 1, wherein the toe arm includes a toe contact, and wherein the heel arm includes a heel contact.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the energy sole is integrated in a shoe sole.

4. The energy sole according to claim 1, wherein the energy sole is encompassed in an energy returning material.

5. The energy sole according to claim 4, wherein the energy returning material is a foam.

6. The energy sole according to claim 1, wherein a toe contact is integrated with the toe arm, and wherein a heel contact is integrated with a heel arm.

7. The energy sole according to claim 1, wherein the toe arm and a front portion of the base structure form a C-spring, and wherein the heel arm and a rear portion of the base structure form a C-spring.

8. The energy sole according to claim 1, further comprising:

one or more arms extending from the toe arm or the heel arm.

9. The energy sole according to claim 1, wherein the energy sole is formed from carbon fiber.

10. The energy sole according to claim 6, wherein the contacts have a downwardly curved shape.

11. A energy return sole, comprising:

a base structure extending a length of a shoe sole;

a toe arm extending forward from the base structure;

a heel arm extend rearward from the base structure, wherein the toe arm and the heel arm extend in opposite directions.

12. The energy return sole according to claim 11, wherein the base structure is curved to conform to a foot of a user.

13. The energy return sole according to claim 11, wherein the base plate is straight.

14. The energy return sole according to claim 11, wherein the toe arm includes a toe contact, and wherein the heel arm includes a heel contact.

15. The energy return sole according to claim 11, wherein a toe contact is integrated with the toe arm, and wherein a heel contact is integrated with a heel arm.

16. The energy return sole according to claim 11, further comprising:

one or more arms extending from the base structure.

17. The energy return sole according to claim 11, wherein the energy return sole is formed from carbon fiber.

18. The energy return sole according to claim 11, wherein the energy return sole is formed from metal.

19. The energy return sole according to claim 11, wherein the base structure is connected to one or more of the toe arm and the heel arm by a flexion.

20. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper portion having a sole;

a base portion extending along the sole;

at least one spring arm extending from the base portion;

one or more elements extending in opposite directions from the spring arm.