Shoe with integral orthotic/propulsion plate

Abstract

A shoe with an integral orthotic or propulsion plate is provided that includes a shoe defining an upper and a sole, and an orthotic or propulsion plate positioned between the upper of the shoe and the sole of the shoe. The orthotic or propulsion plate defines a toe platform region, a longitudinal arch pad region, and a heel region. In the absence of an applied force to the top surface of the orthotic or propulsion plate and with the sole of the shoe resting on a horizontal surface, the orthotic or propulsion plate bows upward in the longitudinal arch pad region relative to the toe platform region and the heel region. In response to a force being applied to the top surface of the orthotic or propulsion plate, the bowed longitudinal arch pad region flexes downward relative to the toe pad region and the heel region to load a first preload force in the orthotic or propulsion plate. In response to the heel region thereafter moving upward, the bowed longitudinal arch pad flexes upward and the first pre-load force is released to deliver a propulsive force to the top surface of the orthotic or propulsion plate; and the orthotic or propulsion plate flexes to define a flex angle β between the toe platform region and the longitudinal arch pad region and to load a second pre-load force into the orthotic or propulsion plate. In response to the toe platform region thereafter moving upward, the orthotic or propulsion plate returns from its flexed position to eliminate the flex angle β; and the second pre-load force is released to deliver a propulsive force to the top surface of the orthotic or propulsion plate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.