Removable rounded midsole structures and chambers with computer processor-controlled variable pressure

• US 7,793,430 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2009
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anatomic Research Inc.
• Original Assignee: Anatomic Research Inc.
• Inventors: Ellis, Frampton E.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATTERSON, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US12/483,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20090241378A1
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 36/15, 36/30.R, 36/59.R, 36/61, 36/62, 36/25.R, 36/32.R, 36/14, 36/88, 36/89, 36/28, 36/29, 36/3.R, 36/3.B, 36142-144
• US Class Current: 36/25.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/125 characterised by the midsole or middle layer
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/14 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/141 with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/186 Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot resilient heel not included in the sole A43B21/26; resilient supports for the heel of the foot A43B21/32
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/187 Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/188 Differential cushioning regions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/189 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/20 Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas inflatable linings for skiboots A43B5/0407
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/203 provided with a pump or valve
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/36 Easily-exchangeable soles protecting-soles A43C13/12
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/24 Collapsible or convertible
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/246 characterised by the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/00 Footwear for sporting purposes non-skid devices, e.g. ice-spurs or studs for football shoes, A43C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/142 situated under the medial arch, i.e. under the navicular or cuneiform bones
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/143 situated under the lateral arch, i.e. the cuboid bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/144 situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1464 with adjustable pads to allow custom fit
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/148 Recesses or holes filled with supports or pads

Abstract

This invention relates generally to footwear such as a shoe, including an athletic shoe, with a shoe sole, including at least one removable midsole section formed by a midsole portion, wherein the removable midsole section is non-orthotic. The removable midsole section is inserted within the shoe upper, the sides of which hold it in position. The shoe sole includes a concavely rounded side or underneath portion, which may be formed in part by the removable midsole section. The removable midsole section may extend the length of the shoe sole or may form only a part of the shoe sole and can incorporate cushioning or structural compartments or components. The removable midsole section provides the capability to permit replacement of midsole material which has degraded or has worn out in order to maintain optimal characteristics of the shoe sole. The shoe sole can, in another embodiment, include at least one compartment containing a fluid, a flow regulator, a pressure sensor to monitor the compartment pressure, and a control system such as a computer processor capable of automatically adjusting the pressure in the compartment(s) in response to the impact of the shoe sole with the ground surface.

Claims

1. A sole for a shoe or other footwear, comprising:

a shoe sole including at least an inner surface, an outer surface and a bottom sole;

the inner surface of the shoe sole including at least one convexly rounded portion, said convexity being determined relative to a portion of the shoe sole directly adjacent to the inner surface of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;

the outer surface of the shoe sole including at least one concavely rounded portion, said concavity being determined relative to a portion of the shoe sole directly adjacent to the outer surface of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;

each said concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface being located on the shoe sole at a location corresponding to the location of at least one convexly rounded portion of the sole inner surface so as to define a rounded portion of the shoe sole located between said convexly rounded portion of the sole inner surface and said concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;

at least two computer controlled compartments, each compartment containing a fluid, and wherein at least a part of each of said at least two computer controlled compartments is located in a single frontal plane cross-section of the shoe sole when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition; and

a duct providing fluid communication between each of said at least two computer controlled compartments.

2. A shoe sole according to claim 1, wherein at least a rounded part of each said rounded portion of the shoe sole between parallel rounded portions of the sole outer surface and inner surface has a uniform thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition, and

said rounded part of the shoe sole having uniform thickness extends from at least a centerline of the shoe sole to proximate at least one said sidemost extent, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

3. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a rounded part of each said rounded portion of the shoe sole between parallel rounded portions of the sole outer surface and inner surface has a uniform thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition, and

said rounded part of the shoe sole having uniform thickness extends proximate to both said sidemost extents of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

4. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least two compartments contain a liquid, gas or gel.

5. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least two computer controlled compartments, the duct and a computer control for the computer controlled compartments are located in an upper portion of a midsole section of the shoe sole.

6. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a rounded part of each said rounded portion of the shoe sole between parallel rounded portions of the sole outer surface and inner surface has a uniform thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition, and

the shoe sole includes at least two rounded parts having a uniform thickness, and wherein one said rounded part of the shoe sole which has a uniform thickness is located on a side of the shoe sole and extends at least proximate to a sidemost extent of the shoe sole side, as viewed in a first frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition, and a second said rounded part of the shoe sole which has a different uniform thickness is located on a side of the shoe sole and extends at least proximate to a sidemost extent of the shoe sole side, as viewed in a second, different frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition.

7. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shoe sole comprises at least three computer controlled compartments, and wherein at least a part of each of said at least three computer controlled compartments is located in a single frontal plane cross-section of the shoe sole when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

8. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shoe sole includes at least one internal sipe having internal sipe surfaces that can move relative to each other and at least a portion of said moveable internal sipe surfaces being in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

9. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one internal sipe partially or completely encapsulates a portion of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

10. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a rounded part of each said rounded portion of the shoe sole between parallel rounded portions of the sole outer surface and inner surface has a uniform thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition, and

said rounded part of the shoe sole which has a uniform thickness extends from a lowest point of the shoe sole to at least proximate a sidemost extent of the side of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition.

11. A sole for a shoe or other footwear, comprising:

a shoe sole including at least an inner surface, an outer surface and a bottom sole;

at least a portion of said shoe sole being formed by a removable midsole section;

the inner surface of the shoe sole including at least one convexly rounded portion, said convexity being determined relative to a portion of the shoe sole directly adjacent to the inner surface of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;

the outer surface of the shoe sole including at least one concavely rounded portion, said concavity being determined relative to a portion of the shoe sole directly adjacent to the outer surface of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;

each said concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface being located on the shoe sole at a location corresponding to the location of at least one convexly rounded portion of the sole inner surface so as to define a rounded portion of the shoe sole located between said convexly rounded portion of the sole inner surface and said concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;

at least two computer controlled compartments, each compartment containing a fluid, and wherein at least a part of each of said at least two computer controlled compartments is located in a single frontal plane cross-section of the shoe sole when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition; and

a duct providing fluid communication between each of said at least two computer controlled compartments.

12. A shoe according to claim 11, wherein at least a rounded part of each said rounded portion of the shoe sole between parallel rounded portions of the sole outer surface and inner surface has a uniform thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition, and

said rounded part of the shoe sole having uniform thickness extends from at least a centerline of the shoe sole proximate to at least one said sidemost extent, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

13. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least a rounded part of each said rounded portion of the shoe sole between parallel rounded portions of the sole outer surface and inner surface has a uniform thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition, and

said rounded part of the shoe sole with uniform thickness extends proximate to both said sidemost extents of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

14. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 11, wherein said removable midsole section and said shoe sole each have an interlocking surface, said removable midsole section is secured to said shoe sole by said interlocking surfaces, said interlocking surface of said removable midsole section forms at least one substantially right angle, and said interlocking surface of said shoe sole forms at least one substantially right angle which corresponds to the substantially right angle formed by said interlocking surface of said removable midsole section.

15. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 14, wherein said interlocking surface of said removable midsole section forms at least two substantially right angles, and said interlocking surface of said shoe sole forms at least two corresponding substantially right angles.

16. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least two computer controlled compartments, the duct and a computer control for the computer controlled compartments are located in the removable midsole section.

17. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least a rounded part of each said rounded portion of the shoe sole between parallel rounded portions of the sole outer surface and inner surface has a uniform thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition, and

the shoe sole includes at least two rounded parts having a uniform thickness, and wherein one said rounded part of the shoe sole which has a uniform thickness is located on a side of the shoe sole and extends at least proximate to a sidemost extent of the shoe sole side, as viewed in a first frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition, and a second said rounded part of the shoe sole which has a different uniform thickness is located on a side of the shoe sole and extends at least proximate to a sidemost extent of the shoe sole side, as viewed in a second, different frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition.

18. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least two compartments contain a liquid, gas or gel.

19. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 11, wherein the shoe sole comprises at least three computer controlled compartments, and wherein at least a part of each of said at least three computer controlled compartments is located in a single frontal plane cross-section of the shoe sole when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

20. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 11, wherein the shoe sole includes at least one internal sipe having internal sipe surfaces that can move relative to each other and at least a portion of said moveable internal sipe surfaces being in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

21. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 20, wherein the at least one internal sipe partially or completely encapsulates a portion of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

22. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least a rounded part of each said rounded portion of the shoe sole located between said convexly rounded portion of the sole inner surface and said concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface has a uniform thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition, and

said rounded part of the shoe sole which has a uniform thickness extends from a lowest point of the shoe sole to at least proximate a sidemost extent of the side of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

23. A shoe comprising:

a shoe upper and a shoe sole including at least an inner surface, an outer surface and a bottom sole;

at least a portion of said shoe sole being formed by a removable midsole section;

at least a portion of the sides of said shoe upper being attached directly to the bottom sole, such that upper envelopes, on the outside, at least the removable midsole section of said shoe sole, such that the removable midsole section of said shoe sole is located within a structure formed by a combination of said bottom sole and a portion of said upper that is attached to said bottom sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;

the inner surface of the shoe sole including at least one convexly rounded portion, said convexity being determined relative to a portion of the shoe sole directly adjacent to the inner surface of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;

the outer surface of the shoe sole including at least one concavely rounded portion, said concavity being determined relative to a portion of the shoe sole directly adjacent to the outer surface of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;

each said concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface being located on the shoe sole at a location corresponding to the location of at least one convexly rounded portion of the sole inner surface so as to define a rounded portion of the shoe sole located between said convexly rounded portion of the sole inner surface and said concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;

at least two computer controlled compartments, each compartment containing a fluid, and wherein at least a part of each of said at least two computer controlled compartments is located in a single frontal plane cross-section of the shoe sole when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition; and

a duct providing fluid communication between each of said at least two computer controlled compartments.

24. A shoe according to claim 23, wherein at least a rounded part of each said rounded portion of the shoe sole between parallel rounded portions of the sole outer surface and inner surface has a uniform thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition, and

said rounded part of the shoe sole having uniform thickness extends from at least a centerline of the shoe sole to proximate at least one said sidemost extent, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

25. A shoe as claimed in claim 23, wherein at least a rounded part of each said rounded portion of the shoe sole between parallel rounded portions of the sole outer surface and inner surface has a uniform thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition, and

said rounded part of the shoe sole having uniform thickness extends to proximate both said sidemost extents of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

26. A shoe as claimed in claim 23, wherein said removable midsole section is secured to said shoe sole by interlocking surfaces located on said removable midsole section and said shoe sole, and said interlocking surface of said removable midsole section forms at least one substantially right angle, and said interlocking surface of said shoe sole forms at least one corresponding substantially right angle.

27. A shoe as claimed in claim 26, wherein said interlocking surface of said removable midsole section forms at least two substantially right angles, and said interlocking surface of said shoe sole forms at least two corresponding substantially right angles.

28. A shoe as claimed in claim 23, wherein the at least two computer controlled compartments, the duct and a computer control for the computer controlled compartments are located in the removable midsole section.

29. A shoe as claimed in claim 23, wherein at least a rounded part of each said rounded portion of the shoe sole between parallel rounded portions of the sole outer surface and inner surface has a uniform thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition, and

the shoe sole includes at least two rounded parts having a uniform thickness, and wherein one said rounded part of the shoe sole which has a uniform thickness is located on a side of the shoe sole and extends at least proximate to a sidemost extent of the shoe sole side, as viewed in a first frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition, and a second said rounded part of the shoe sole which has a different uniform thickness is located on a side of the shoe sole and extends at least proximate to a sidemost extent of the shoe sole side, as viewed in a second, different frontal plane cross-section when the shoe is upright and in an unloaded condition.

30. A shoe as claimed in claim 23, wherein said at least two compartments contain a liquid, gas or gel.

31. A shoe as claimed in claim 23, wherein the shoe sole comprises at least three computer controlled compartments, and wherein at least a part of each of said at least three computer controlled compartments is located in a single frontal plane cross-section of the shoe sole when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

32. A shoe as claimed in claim 23, wherein the shoe sole includes at least one internal sipe having internal sipe surfaces that can move relative to each other and at least a portion of said moveable internal sipe surfaces being in contact with each other in an unloaded condition.

33. A shoe as claimed in claim 32, wherein the at least one internal sipe partially or completely encapsulates a portion of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

34. A shoe as claimed in claim 23, wherein at least a rounded part of each said rounded portion of the shoe sole between parallel rounded portions of the sole outer surface and inner surface has a uniform thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition, and

said rounded part of the shoe sole which has a uniform thickness extends from a lowest point of the shoe sole to at least proximate a sidemost extent of the side of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

35. A sole for a shoe or other footwear, comprising:

at least a portion of said sole being formed by a removable midsole section;

at least two computer controlled compartments, each compartment containing a fluid, and wherein at least a part of each of said at least two computer controlled compartments is located in a single frontal plane cross-section of the sole when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition; and

a duct providing fluid communication between each of said at least two computer controlled compartments.

36. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 35, wherein the shoe sole includes at least one internal sipe having internal sipe surfaces that can move relative to each other and at least a portion of said moveable internal sipe surfaces being in contact with each other in an unloaded condition, and wherein the at least one internal sipe partially or completely encapsulates a portion of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

37. A sole for a shoe or other footwear, comprising:

at least a portion of said sole being formed by a removable midsole section;

at least two computer controlled compartments, each compartment containing a fluid, and wherein at least a part of each of said at least two computer controlled compartments is located in a single frontal plane cross-section of the sole when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition; and

a duct providing fluid communication between each of said at least two computer controlled compartments.

38. A sole as claimed in claim 37, wherein the at least two computer controlled compartments, the duct and a computer control for the computer controlled compartments are located in the removable midsole section.

39. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 37, wherein the shoe sole includes at least one internal sipe having internal sipe surfaces that can move relative to each other and at least a portion of said moveable internal sipe surfaces being in contact with each other in an unloaded condition, and wherein the at least one internal sipe partially or completely encapsulates a portion of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.

40. A shoe comprising:

a shoe upper having sides, and

a shoe sole including a bottom sole, wherein at least a portion of said shoe sole is formed by a removable midsole section;

at least a portion of the sides of said shoe upper being attached directly to the bottom sole, such that upper envelopes, on the outside, at least the removable midsole section of said shoe sole, such that the removable midsole section of said shoe sole is located within a structure formed by a combination of said bottom sole and a portion of said upper that is attached to said bottom sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition;

at least two computer controlled compartments, each compartment containing a fluid, and wherein at least a part of each of said at least two computer controlled compartments is located in a single frontal plane cross-section of the sole when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition; and

a duct providing fluid communication between each of said at least two computer controlled compartments.

41. A shoe as claimed in claim 40, wherein the at least two computer controlled compartments, the duct and a computer control for the computer controlled compartments are located in the removable midsole section.

42. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 40, wherein the shoe sole includes at least one internal sipe having internal sipe surfaces that can move relative to each other and at least a portion of said moveable internal sipe surfaces being in contact with each other in an unloaded condition, and wherein the at least one internal sipe partially or completely encapsulates a portion of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.