Foot cushioning construct and system for use in an article of footwear

• US 20040163280A1
• Filed: 02/24/2003
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creative Product Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Kwame Morris, Martin Salem
• Inventors: Salem, Martin, Morris, Kwame
• Granted Patent: US 7,254,906 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/28
• 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 13/383 pieced
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/06 ventilated
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/144 situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1445 situated under the midfoot, i.e. the second, third or fourth metatarsal
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 9/00 Footwear characterised by the assembling of the individual parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 9/02 Footwear stitched or nailed through

Abstract

The present invention provides a unique improvement in foot cushioning constructs and shock absorbing systems for a constructed article of footwear to be worn by a person. The invention employs a deformable and re-formable elastic stretchsole joined as a planar sheet to the perimeter edge of the shoe upper and forms an elastic end closure for the shoe upper; and includes not less than one pre-positioned median air space able to receive at least a part of the deformed elastic stretchsole layer and cushion the compression forces generated thereon by a person'"'"'s foot. The foot cushioning construct and system provides a trampoline effect that will lessen the impact on the foot and create greater comfort for the wearer of the shoe.

Claims

1. In a constructed article of footwear to be worn by a human person which includes at least a shoe upper having a perimeter edge for housing the human foot and an outsole joined to the shoe upper which serves as an exterior bottom for the article of footwear, the improvement in foot cushioning comprising:

an elastic stretchsole which is joined to the perimeter edge of and forms an elastic end closure for the shoe upper, said joined elastic stretchsole being able to deform and rebound repeatedly on-demand in response to the compression forces generated thereon by a person'"'"'s foot, and

at least one median air space housed within the outsole of the footwear article and positioned adjacent to said joined elastic stretchsole of the shoe upper, said median air space means presenting not less than one pre-positioned volume of air able to receive at least a part of a deformed elastic stretchsole and cushion the compression forces generated thereon by a person'"'"'s foot.

6. The improved article of footwear as recited in claim 1 or 2 further comprising an insole lying adjacent to said elastic stretchsole within the shoe upper.

7. The improved article of footwear as recited in claim 6 wherein at least one aligned projection is fixed on a surface of said insole.

8. The improved article of footwear as recited in claim 1 or 2 wherein said elastic stretchsole is formed of a resilient material.

9. The improved article of footwear as recited in claim 1 or 2 wherein said elastic stretchsole is a material selected from the group consisting of elastic webbing, thermal plastic resin, latex, rubber, nylon, polyurethane, and elastomers comprised in part of polyurethane.

10. The improved article of footwear as recited in claim 1 or 2 wherein said elastic stretchsole is joined to the perimeter edge of the shoe upper shoe by sewing means.

11. The improved article of footwear as recited in claim 1 or 2 wherein said elastic stretchsole is joined to the perimeter edge of the shoe upper shoe portion by adhesive means.

12. The improved article of footwear as recited in claim 1 or 2 wherein said elastic stretchsole can be stretched in a manner selected from the group consisting of a one-way stretch mode, a two-way stretch mode, and a multi-directional stretch mode.

2. In a constructed article of footwear to be worn by a person which includes at least a shoe upper having a perimeter edge for housing the human foot and an outsole portion joined to the shoe upper which serves as an exterior bottom for the article of footwear, the improvement in foot cushioning comprising:

an elastic stretchsole which is joined to the perimeter edge of and forms an elastic end closure for the upper shoe, said joined elastic stretchsole being able to deform and rebound repeatedly in response to the compression forces generated thereon by a person'"'"'s foot; and

at least one preformed cavity chamber of determinable dimensions and configuration housed within the outsole of the footwear article, said preformed cavity chamber being positioned adjacent to said joined elastic stretchsole of the shoe upper and presenting not less than one median air space able to receive at least a part of a deformed elastic stretchsole and cushion the compression forces generated thereon by a person'"'"'s foot.

3. The improved article of footwear as recited in claim 2 wherein a single preformed cavity chamber is housed within the outsole.

4. The improved article of footwear as recited in claim 2 wherein multiple preformed cavity chambers are housed within the outsole.

5. The improved article of footwear as recited in claim 2 wherein said preformed cavity chamber is formed of elastomeric material.

13. A foot cushioning system for use in a constructed article of footwear which includes a shoe upper having a perimeter edge for housing the human foot and an outsole which is joined to the shoe upper and serves as an exterior bottom for the article of footwear, said foot cushioning system comprising:

an elastic stretchsole configured as at least one planar sheet and joined as to the perimeter edge of the shoe upper as an end closure, said joined elastic stretchsole end closure deforming and then rebounding into planar layer form in response the compression forces generated thereon by a person'"'"'s foot by; and

at least one median air space existing within a preformed cavity chamber which is housed within the outsole of the footwear article, wherein said median air space and preformed cavity chamber lie adjacent to said joined stretchsole end closure of the shoe upper, and whereby said median air space is able

(i) to receive a deformed stretchsole end closure, and

(ii) to cushion a person'"'"'s foot from the effects of compression forces generated upon a deformed stretchsole end closure.

14. The cushioning system as recited in claim 13 wherein said median air space absorbs at least some of the compression forces from a deformed stretchsole end closure.

15. The cushioning system as recited in claim 13 wherein said compression forces are subsequently transferred to and released through the shoe upper.

16. The cushioning system as recited in claim 13 wherein an increased flow of air is circulated within the shoe upper and the outsole of the footwear.