Athletic shoe with improved heel structure
DC CAFCFirst Claim
Patent Images
1. A shoe comprising:
- an upper, and a rear sole secured below a portion of the upper, the rear sole comprising;
a member having a top wall with a lower surface, the top wall having at least one peripheral edge proximate a medial side of the shoe and at least one peripheral edge proximate a lateral side of the shoe, the peripheral edges of the top wall having a mid-longitudinal axis therebetween, the top wall having an opening beneath the wearer'"'"'s heel, the mid-longitudinal axis of the peripheral edges of the top wall including a point that is vertically aligned with the approximate center of the opening in the top wall and the approximate center of the wearer'"'"'s heel, the member having a bottom wall with an upper surface, the bottom wall having at least two portions approximately planar with each other, parallel with the ground, and separated by a gap therebetween, the top wall and the bottom wall each having a forward region and a rearward region, the forward regions of the top and bottom walls being connected at a closed end by a curved wall;
the top, bottom, and curved walls being integral, the rearward regions of the top and bottom walls being oriented toward a back of the shoe, at least a portion of the top and bottom walls being spaced a predetermined distance from each other such that during the wearers gait cycle when the shoe is in contact with the ground the predetermined distance between the at least a portion of the top and bottom walls is reduced;
at least one element positioned between at least a portion of the top wall and at least a portion of the bottom wall, the at least one element having at least one interior sidewall;
a void located beneath the opening in the top wall defined at least in part by the at least one interior sidewall of the at least one element, at least a portion of the void being vertically aligned with the approximate center of the opening in the top wall;
at least one opening on at least one of the medial and lateral sides of the shoe, the opening being in communication with the void; and
a bottom surface that is at least in part ground-engaging.
1 Assignment
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A shoe includes a rear sole support for receiving a replaceable rear sole to provide longer wear. The shoe may also include a flexible plate supported by the rear sole support between the heel and the rear sole to reduce midsole compression and provide additional spring. A mounting member secures the rear sole to the rear sole support, and a locking member prevents rotation of the rear sole relative to the rear sole support during use. The replaceable rear sole and the flexible plate allow the shoe to be adapted to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.
182 Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A shoe comprising:
-
an upper, and a rear sole secured below a portion of the upper, the rear sole comprising;
a member having a top wall with a lower surface, the top wall having at least one peripheral edge proximate a medial side of the shoe and at least one peripheral edge proximate a lateral side of the shoe, the peripheral edges of the top wall having a mid-longitudinal axis therebetween, the top wall having an opening beneath the wearer'"'"'s heel, the mid-longitudinal axis of the peripheral edges of the top wall including a point that is vertically aligned with the approximate center of the opening in the top wall and the approximate center of the wearer'"'"'s heel, the member having a bottom wall with an upper surface, the bottom wall having at least two portions approximately planar with each other, parallel with the ground, and separated by a gap therebetween, the top wall and the bottom wall each having a forward region and a rearward region, the forward regions of the top and bottom walls being connected at a closed end by a curved wall;
the top, bottom, and curved walls being integral, the rearward regions of the top and bottom walls being oriented toward a back of the shoe, at least a portion of the top and bottom walls being spaced a predetermined distance from each other such that during the wearers gait cycle when the shoe is in contact with the ground the predetermined distance between the at least a portion of the top and bottom walls is reduced;
at least one element positioned between at least a portion of the top wall and at least a portion of the bottom wall, the at least one element having at least one interior sidewall;
a void located beneath the opening in the top wall defined at least in part by the at least one interior sidewall of the at least one element, at least a portion of the void being vertically aligned with the approximate center of the opening in the top wall;
at least one opening on at least one of the medial and lateral sides of the shoe, the opening being in communication with the void; and
a bottom surface that is at least in part ground-engaging. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
Specification