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US 6,964,119 B2Granted
Footwear with impact absorbing system
OwnerRobert B. Weaver, IIIinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An article of footwear includes a sole, an upper portion, and an energy storage system. The upper portion includes a shell for enclosing a user's foot therein. The energy storage system extends between the upper portion and the sole and converts impact forces generated by the user at the heel portion of the shell into propulsion forces to thereby enhance the user's performance.
Claims26
An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper portion forming a shell, said shell having a heel portion and a toe region;
- a sole, said sole having a heel portion and a toe portion;
- and
- an energy storage system, said energy storage system extending between said upper portion and said sole, said energy storage system comprising a first spring provided at or adjacent a medial side of said shell and a second spring provided at or adjacent a lateral side of said shell, each of said springs having a generally C-shape with an upper portion and a lower portion interconnected by an intermediate portion, said upper portions rolling forward relative to said lower portions when said sole makes contact with a ground surface such that said upper portions' moment arms relative to said intermediate portions decrease when said upper portions roll forward to thereby increase the stiffness of said springs wherein said springs convert an impact force generated by the user at or near said heel portion of said shell into a propulsion force to thereby enhance a user's performance.
1 more element
An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper portion, said upper portion forming a shell, said shell including a heel portion and a toe portion and having a longitudinal axis;
- a sole, said sole including a heel portion and a toe portion;
- a pair of spring portions, said spring portions transferring a reaction force from said sole to said upper portion, each of said spring portions including an upper spring portion connecting to said upper portion, a lower spring portion connecting to said sole, and a middle portion extending between said upper and lower spring portions, said middle portions being forward relative to said upper and lower spring portions wherein said upper spring portions deflect about said middle portions to define a first moment arm when said sole makes initial contact with a ground surface with said heel portion of said sole, said upper spring portions translating forward with respect to said lower spring portions when the user's body weight shifts forward, and said upper spring portions rolling about said middle portions as the user's body weight continues to shift forward and, thereafter, generating a propulsion force for the user of the footwear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.