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US 5,185,943 AGranted
Athletic shoe having an insert member in the outsole
AssigneeAVIA Group International, Inc.
InventorsJames K. Tong, Lawrence Selbiger, Jerry D. Stubblefield, Jack Curley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to an insert member for use within the sole region of an athletic shoe. The insert member is made from a resilient material and provides improved energy return to the outsole to enhance recovery from the forces applied to the shoe.
Claims30
A shoe comprising:
- (a) an outsole, said outsole including a central heel portion and a plurality of lugs disposed around the periphery of said central heel portion, said lugs extending downwardly from said central heel portion such that said central heel portion is maintained in a spaced-apart relationship to the ground;
- and
- (b) an insert member at least partially encapsulated in said outsole, said insert member comprising a resilient material which tends to return to its original shape when deformed, said insert member having a central body portion corresponding to said central heel portion of said outsole and having a plurality of insert extensions, said insert extensions extending downwardly and outwardly from said central body portion so that said insert extensions are configured to redirect vertical forces applied to said shoe into substantially horizontal forces, said insert extensions configured to move outward as said vertical forces impinge on said outsole so that said insert member returns energy from said vertical forces to said outsole to enhance recovery of said outsole.
A shoe comprising:
- (a) an outsole, said outsole including a central heel portion and a plurality of lugs disposed around the periphery of said central heel portion, said lugs extending downwardly from said central heel portion such that said central heel portion is maintained in a spaced-apart relationship to the ground;
- (b) a midsole disposed in said shoe above said outsole;
- and
- (c) an insert member at least partially encapsulated in said midsole, said insert member comprising a resilient material which tends to return to its original shape when deformed, said insert member having a central body portion corresponding to said central heel portion of said outsole and having a plurality of insert extensions, said insert extensions extending downwardly and outwardly from said central body portion so that said insert extensions are configured to redirect vertical forces applied to said shoe into substantially horizontal forces, said insert extensions configured to move outward as said vertical forces impinge on said midsole so that said insert member returns energy from said vertical forces to said midsole to enhance recovery of said midsole.
1 more element
A shoe having an upper and a sole, said shoe comprising:
- (a) an outsole, said outsole including a central heel portion and a plurality of lugs disposed around the periphery of said central heel portion, said lugs extending downwardly from said central heel portion such that said central heel portion is maintained in a spaced-apart relationship to the ground;
- (b) a midsole disposed in said shoe above said outsole;
- and
- (c) an insert member disposed in said shoe between said outsole and said midsole, said insert member comprising a resilient material which tends to return to its original shape when deformed, said member having a central body portion corresponding to said central heel portion of said outsole and having a plurality of insert extensions, said insert extensions extending downwardly and outwardly from said central body portion so that said insert extensions are configured to redirect vertical forces applied to said shoe into substantially horizontal forces, said insert extensions configured to move outward as said vertical forces impinge on said outsole so that said insert member returns energy from said vertical forces to said outsole to enhance recovery of said outsole.
1 more element
A shoe having a medial side and a lateral side, said shoe comprising:
- (a) an outsole, said outsole including a central heel portion and a plurality of lugs disposed around the periphery of said central heel portion, said lugs extending downwardly from said central heel portion such that said central heel portion is maintained in a spaced-apart relationship to the ground;
- and
- (b) an insert member at least partially encapsulated in said outsole, said insert member comprising a resilient material which tends to return to its original shape when deformed, said insert member comprising a medial extension extending downwardly and outwardly toward said medial side of said shoe and a lateral extension extending downwardly and outwardly toward said lateral side of said shoe, so that said medial extension and said lateral extension are configured to redirect vertical forces applied to said shoe into substantially horizontal forces, said medial and lateral extensions configured to move outward as said vertical forces impinge on said outsole so that said insert member returns energy from said vertical forces to said outsole to enhance recovery of said outsole.
A shoe having a medial side and a lateral side, said shoe comprising:
- (a) an outsole, said outsole including a central heel portion and a plurality of lugs disposed around the periphery of said central heel portion, said lugs extending downwardly from said central heel portion such that said central heel portion is maintained in a spaced-apart relationship to the ground;
- (b) a midsole disposed in said shoe above said outsole;
- and
- (c) an insert member disposed in said shoe between said outsole and said midsole, said insert member comprising a resilient material which tends to return to its original shape when deformed, said insert member comprising a medial extension extending downwardly and outwardly toward said medial side of said shoe and a lateral extension extending downwardly and outwardly toward said lateral side of said shoe, so that said medial extension and said lateral extension are configured to redirect vertical forces applied to said shoe into substantially horizontal forces, said medial and lateral extensions configured to move outward as aid vertical forces impinge on said outsole so that said insert member returns energy from said vertical forces to said outsole to enhance recovery of said outsole.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.