WO2002037995A1 - A shock absorbing device for a shoe - Google Patents

A shock absorbing device for a shoe Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002037995A1
WO2002037995A1 PCT/IB2001/002116 IB0102116W WO0237995A1 WO 2002037995 A1 WO2002037995 A1 WO 2002037995A1 IB 0102116 W IB0102116 W IB 0102116W WO 0237995 A1 WO0237995 A1 WO 0237995A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
frame
heel
footwear
article
ball
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2001/002116
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Charles Ogilvie Wood
Original Assignee
Charles Ogilvie Wood
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Charles Ogilvie Wood filed Critical Charles Ogilvie Wood
Priority to AU2002214186A priority Critical patent/AU2002214186A1/en
Publication of WO2002037995A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002037995A1/en
Priority to ZA2003/04464A priority patent/ZA200304464B/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B25/00—Stilts or the like
    • A63B25/10—Elastic bouncing shoes fastened to the foot
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
    • A43B13/181—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
    • A43B13/184—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole the structure protruding from the outsole
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/16—Overshoes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
    • A43B5/18—Attachable overshoes for sporting purposes

Definitions

  • THIS invention relates to a shock-absorbing device for an article of footwear, such as a shoe.
  • a shock-absorbing device for an article of footwear including a frame having:
  • the frame is adjustable so that the distance between the heel supporting and ball supporting regions may be varied.
  • the frame is rigid.
  • each cushioned sole has a tread that is arcuate in shape.
  • the heel and ball supporting regions of the frame each include a pair of pneumatically cushioned soles with arcuate treads.
  • the cushioned soles are removable from the frame and are in the form of inserts.
  • the device is releasably attachable to the article of footwear.
  • a shock- absorbing device for an article of footwear, the device including a frame for attachment to a heel region of the article of footwear, the frame including a pair of cushioned soles each having a tread which is arcuate in shape.
  • the invention also relates to a frame for attachment to a ball portion of an article of footwear, the frame including a pair of cushioned soles, each having treads which are arcuate in shape.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of a shock-absorbing device according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a bottom view of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a pictorial view of a cushioned insert for the shock-absorbing device shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 4 - 4in the device of Figure
  • Figure 5 is a pictorial view of a bracket for attaching the device shown in
  • Figure 6 is a side view of a shock-absorbing device according to a second embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
  • a shock-absorbing device 10 is provided for supporting an article of footwear such as shoe 12 (shown in dotted outline together with a foot in the shoe in Figure 1).
  • the shock-absorbing device 10 comprises a rigid frame 14, which supports cushion inserts 16, a bracket 18 and first and second straps 19 and 20 for attaching the shock-absorbing device 10 to the shoe 12.
  • the frame 14 may be made from aluminium or kevlar re-inforced fiberglass, or any other lightweight rigid material.
  • the cushion inserts 16 fit into receptacles 21 in the frame 14.
  • the frame 14 includes two support regions 22 and 24.
  • the support region 22 is for supporting the heel of the foot of a person using the device 10 and the support region 24 is for supporting the ball of the foot of a person using the device 10.
  • the support region 22 is termed the "heel support region” and the support region 24 is termed the "ball support region”.
  • the support regions 22 and 24 are joined by an adjustable neck region 26. The length of the neck region 26 may be adjusted to adjust the spacing between the inserts 16 on the support regions 22 and 24.
  • each insert 16 is hollow and is made from rubber.
  • the insert 16 has an arcuate tread 32 and a groove 34, extending around the insert.
  • the insert 16 is hollow, and thus has a hollow cavity 35.
  • the hollow cavity 35 may be left hollow, or it may contain a spongy material, or it may receive a bladder, which may be inflated by air.
  • a pair of inserts 16 is arranged to support the heel or ball of the foot of a user, and each is about 6 to 8, preferably 7cm in length, and 2 to 4, preferably 3 cm in width.
  • the insert 16 is designed to fit into a receptacle 28 on the device 10.
  • a projection 34 extends from the inner wall of the receptacle 28 into the groove 34 of the insert 16, to lock the insert 16 within the receptacle 28.
  • the bladder may be inflated via a valve which extends through a hole in the insert 16, to a pressure of 2 to 10 bar, but will usually be in the region of 2 bar.
  • the insert 16 is locked within the housing, when inflated. If an insert 16 is punctured, it may be replaced with a new insert, or the insert may be repaid. Further, the inserts 16 are oriented in the frame 16, so that the arcs defined by the arcuate shapes of the treats 34 of the inserts 34 are parallel with an axis "a" running through the frame 14.
  • a bracket 18 for attaching the device 10 to the shoe of a user includes a base portion 38 which is attached, or attachable to the heel support region 22 on the frame 14 of the device 10 shown in Figure 1.
  • the base region 38 is arranged to receive and support the sole of the shoe shown in Figure 1.
  • the bracket 18 includes an adjustable rear wall 40 which is arranged to abut with the back of the heel of a shoe, and adjustable side walls 42 and 44 which are arranged to abut with and engage with the side portions of the heel of a shoe.
  • a strap 19 which comprises a first strap 19a having hook material and a second strap 19b having loop material is provided for strapping the bracket 18 to the heel portion of a shoe.
  • the inserts 16 are arranged to form a first pair at the heel support region 22 which supports the heel of a foot of a user, and a second pair at the ball support region 24 which supports the ball of the foot of a user.
  • the adjustability of the neck region 26 of the frame 14, allows the device 10 to be adjusted for different size feet and shoes 12.
  • the positioning of the insert 16 under the heel and the ball of a foot of a user is important.
  • the heel of the foot supports the weight of the body when the ball of the foot is off the ground, and the ball of the foot supports the weight of the body when the heel is off the ground.
  • the device 10 provides cushioning at the crucial parts of the foot during walking.
  • the rigid frame 14 is also important to support the shoe and foot and provide a comfortable walk. It is also important that the inserts are arcuate in shape to provide proper cushioning during walking. The arcuate shape allows the movement of air within the bladders of the inserts 16, to properly cushion a user's walk.
  • the device 10 according to the invention is shown with the heel support region 22 and ball support region 24 connected by a neck region 26, it is also possible to have separate heel and ball support regions 22 and 24 which are shown in Figure 6. A user may elect to use only the heel support region 22.
  • the separate heel and ball support region are very similar to the device described above in Figure 1 , except the supports are not connected, and thus work in much the same way.

Abstract

According to the invention there is provided a shock-absorbing device for an article of footwear. The device includes a frame having a heel supporting region for supporting a heel portion of the article of footwear, and a ball supporting region for supporting a ball portion of the article of footwear. The heel supporting region includes a pair of cushioned soles each having a tread that is arcuate in shape, and the ball supporting region also includes a pair of cushioned soles each having a tread that it arcuate in shape. The arcuate shape of the treads allow movement of air within the cushions, to properly cushion a user's walk.

Description

A SHOCK ABSORBING DEVICE FOR A SHOE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
THIS invention relates to a shock-absorbing device for an article of footwear, such as a shoe. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a shock-absorbing device for an article of footwear, the device including a frame having:
a) a heel supporting region for supporting a heel portion of the article of footwear, and a ball supporting region for supporting a ball portion of the article of footwear; and
b) a first cushioned sole located at the heel supporting region of the frame, and a second cushioned sole located at the ball region of the frame.
Advantageously, the frame is adjustable so that the distance between the heel supporting and ball supporting regions may be varied.
Preferably, the frame is rigid.
Advantageously, each cushioned sole has a tread that is arcuate in shape.
Conveniently, the heel and ball supporting regions of the frame each include a pair of pneumatically cushioned soles with arcuate treads.
Advantageously, the cushioned soles are removable from the frame and are in the form of inserts.
Conveniently, the device is releasably attachable to the article of footwear.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a shock- absorbing device for an article of footwear, the device including a frame for attachment to a heel region of the article of footwear, the frame including a pair of cushioned soles each having a tread which is arcuate in shape.
The invention also relates to a frame for attachment to a ball portion of an article of footwear, the frame including a pair of cushioned soles, each having treads which are arcuate in shape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side view of a shock-absorbing device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a bottom view of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is a pictorial view of a cushioned insert for the shock-absorbing device shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 4 - 4in the device of Figure
1 ;
Figure 5 is a pictorial view of a bracket for attaching the device shown in
Figure 1 to the shoe of a user; and
Figure 6 is a side view of a shock-absorbing device according to a second embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figures land 2, a shock-absorbing device 10 is provided for supporting an article of footwear such as shoe 12 (shown in dotted outline together with a foot in the shoe in Figure 1).
The shock-absorbing device 10 comprises a rigid frame 14, which supports cushion inserts 16, a bracket 18 and first and second straps 19 and 20 for attaching the shock-absorbing device 10 to the shoe 12. The frame 14 may be made from aluminium or kevlar re-inforced fiberglass, or any other lightweight rigid material. The cushion inserts 16 fit into receptacles 21 in the frame 14.
The frame 14 includes two support regions 22 and 24. The support region 22 is for supporting the heel of the foot of a person using the device 10 and the support region 24 is for supporting the ball of the foot of a person using the device 10. Thus, the support region 22 is termed the "heel support region" and the support region 24 is termed the "ball support region". The support regions 22 and 24 are joined by an adjustable neck region 26. The length of the neck region 26 may be adjusted to adjust the spacing between the inserts 16 on the support regions 22 and 24.
Referring to Figure 3, each insert 16 is hollow and is made from rubber. The insert 16 has an arcuate tread 32 and a groove 34, extending around the insert. The insert 16 is hollow, and thus has a hollow cavity 35. The hollow cavity 35 may be left hollow, or it may contain a spongy material, or it may receive a bladder, which may be inflated by air. A pair of inserts 16 is arranged to support the heel or ball of the foot of a user, and each is about 6 to 8, preferably 7cm in length, and 2 to 4, preferably 3 cm in width. Referring to Figure 4, the insert 16 is designed to fit into a receptacle 28 on the device 10. A projection 34 extends from the inner wall of the receptacle 28 into the groove 34 of the insert 16, to lock the insert 16 within the receptacle 28. In the case where a bladder is provided within the cavity 35, the bladder may be inflated via a valve which extends through a hole in the insert 16, to a pressure of 2 to 10 bar, but will usually be in the region of 2 bar. The insert 16 is locked within the housing, when inflated. If an insert 16 is punctured, it may be replaced with a new insert, or the insert may be repaid. Further, the inserts 16 are oriented in the frame 16, so that the arcs defined by the arcuate shapes of the treats 34 of the inserts 34 are parallel with an axis "a" running through the frame 14.
Referring to Figure 5, a bracket 18 for attaching the device 10 to the shoe of a user (not shown) includes a base portion 38 which is attached, or attachable to the heel support region 22 on the frame 14 of the device 10 shown in Figure 1. The base region 38 is arranged to receive and support the sole of the shoe shown in Figure 1. The bracket 18 includes an adjustable rear wall 40 which is arranged to abut with the back of the heel of a shoe, and adjustable side walls 42 and 44 which are arranged to abut with and engage with the side portions of the heel of a shoe. A strap 19 which comprises a first strap 19a having hook material and a second strap 19b having loop material is provided for strapping the bracket 18 to the heel portion of a shoe.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the inserts 16 are arranged to form a first pair at the heel support region 22 which supports the heel of a foot of a user, and a second pair at the ball support region 24 which supports the ball of the foot of a user. The adjustability of the neck region 26 of the frame 14, allows the device 10 to be adjusted for different size feet and shoes 12. The positioning of the insert 16 under the heel and the ball of a foot of a user is important. During walking, the heel of the foot supports the weight of the body when the ball of the foot is off the ground, and the ball of the foot supports the weight of the body when the heel is off the ground. Thus, the device 10 provides cushioning at the crucial parts of the foot during walking. The rigid frame 14 is also important to support the shoe and foot and provide a comfortable walk. It is also important that the inserts are arcuate in shape to provide proper cushioning during walking. The arcuate shape allows the movement of air within the bladders of the inserts 16, to properly cushion a user's walk.
Although the device 10 according to the invention is shown with the heel support region 22 and ball support region 24 connected by a neck region 26, it is also possible to have separate heel and ball support regions 22 and 24 which are shown in Figure 6. A user may elect to use only the heel support region 22. The separate heel and ball support region are very similar to the device described above in Figure 1 , except the supports are not connected, and thus work in much the same way.

Claims

1. A shock-absorbing device for an article of footwear, the device including a frame having:
a) a heel supporting region for supporting a heel portion of the article of footwear, and a ball supporting region for supporting a ball portion of the article of footwear; and
b) a first cushioned sole located at the heel supporting region of the frame, and a second cushioned sole located at the ball region of the frame.
2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the frame is adjustable so that the distance between the heel supporting and ball supporting regions may be varied.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame is rigid.
4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each cushioned sole has a tread that is arcuate in shape.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein heel and ball supporting regions of the frame each include a pair of cushioned soles with arcuate treads.
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cushioned soles are removable from the frame and are in the form of inserts.
7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, which is releasably attachable to the article of footwear. A shock-absorbing device for an article of footwear, the device including a frame for attachment to a heel region of the article of footwear, the frame including a pair of cushioned soles each having a tread which is arcuate in shape.
A shock-absorbing device for an article of footwear, the device including a frame for attachment to a ball region of the article of footwear, the frame including a pair of cushioned soles, each having a tread which is arcuate in shape.
PCT/IB2001/002116 2000-11-09 2001-11-09 A shock absorbing device for a shoe WO2002037995A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002214186A AU2002214186A1 (en) 2000-11-09 2001-11-09 A shock absorbing device for a shoe
ZA2003/04464A ZA200304464B (en) 2000-11-09 2003-06-09 A shock absorbing device for a shoe

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA2000/6470 2000-11-09
ZA200006470 2000-11-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002037995A1 true WO2002037995A1 (en) 2002-05-16

Family

ID=25588974

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2001/002116 WO2002037995A1 (en) 2000-11-09 2001-11-09 A shock absorbing device for a shoe

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002214186A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2002037995A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA200304464B (en)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003103430A1 (en) * 2002-06-06 2003-12-18 Glide'n Lock Gmbh Outsole
US7181866B2 (en) 2002-06-06 2007-02-27 Glide'n Lock Gmbh Outsole
EP1964485A1 (en) 2002-08-19 2008-09-03 Avi Elbaz Proprioceptive/kinesthetic apparatus and method
KR101162721B1 (en) 2002-06-06 2012-07-05 글리덴 로크 게엠베하 Outsole
US8590179B2 (en) 2007-05-22 2013-11-26 K-Swiss, Inc. Shoe with protrusions and securing portions
WO2014001761A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2014-01-03 Inoveight Limited A heel-lift assembly for footwear
US8758207B2 (en) 2002-08-19 2014-06-24 APOS—Medical and Sports Technologies Ltd. Proprioceptive/kinesthetic apparatus and method
US9125453B2 (en) 2010-05-28 2015-09-08 K-Swiss Inc. Shoe outsole having tubes
US9357812B2 (en) 2002-08-19 2016-06-07 APOS—Medical and Sports Technologies Ltd. Proprioceptive/kinesthetic apparatus and method
US9693927B2 (en) 2011-12-08 2017-07-04 APOS—Medical and Sports Technologies Ltd. Device and methods of treating neurological disorders
US9861509B2 (en) 2010-06-29 2018-01-09 APOS—Medical and Sports Technologies Ltd. Device and methods for treating a lower limb joint pathology and lower limb pain
US10010743B2 (en) 2010-07-02 2018-07-03 APOS—Medical and Sports Technology Ltd. Device and methods for tuning a skeletal muscle
US11363852B2 (en) 2015-06-11 2022-06-21 Apos Medical Assets Ltd. Modular footwear protuberance assembly

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB151202A (en) * 1920-02-05 1920-09-23 George Frederick Story A device for preventing wear of sole of boot or shoe
GB980145A (en) * 1963-01-31 1965-01-13 Christopher Collaro Improvements relating to recreational apparatus
NL8502659A (en) * 1985-09-30 1987-04-16 Matheus Hubertus Gerardus Kier Spring shoe sole component - comprises non-metallic distorting elastic body e.g. strapped to shoe
US4660299A (en) * 1986-01-13 1987-04-28 Dale Omilusik Spring boot
US4774776A (en) * 1984-05-14 1988-10-04 Frank Gulli Bouncing attachment for shoes

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB151202A (en) * 1920-02-05 1920-09-23 George Frederick Story A device for preventing wear of sole of boot or shoe
GB980145A (en) * 1963-01-31 1965-01-13 Christopher Collaro Improvements relating to recreational apparatus
US4774776A (en) * 1984-05-14 1988-10-04 Frank Gulli Bouncing attachment for shoes
NL8502659A (en) * 1985-09-30 1987-04-16 Matheus Hubertus Gerardus Kier Spring shoe sole component - comprises non-metallic distorting elastic body e.g. strapped to shoe
US4660299A (en) * 1986-01-13 1987-04-28 Dale Omilusik Spring boot

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101162721B1 (en) 2002-06-06 2012-07-05 글리덴 로크 게엠베하 Outsole
US7181866B2 (en) 2002-06-06 2007-02-27 Glide'n Lock Gmbh Outsole
WO2003103430A1 (en) * 2002-06-06 2003-12-18 Glide'n Lock Gmbh Outsole
US9788597B2 (en) 2002-08-19 2017-10-17 APOS—Medical and Sports Technologies Ltd. Proprioceptive/kinesthetic apparatus and method
US9055788B2 (en) 2002-08-19 2015-06-16 APOS—Medical and Sports Technologies Ltd. Proprioceptive/kinesthetic apparatus and method
EP1964485A1 (en) 2002-08-19 2008-09-03 Avi Elbaz Proprioceptive/kinesthetic apparatus and method
US8758207B2 (en) 2002-08-19 2014-06-24 APOS—Medical and Sports Technologies Ltd. Proprioceptive/kinesthetic apparatus and method
US9357812B2 (en) 2002-08-19 2016-06-07 APOS—Medical and Sports Technologies Ltd. Proprioceptive/kinesthetic apparatus and method
US8881431B2 (en) 2007-05-22 2014-11-11 K-Swiss, Inc. Shoe with protrusions and securing portions
US8590179B2 (en) 2007-05-22 2013-11-26 K-Swiss, Inc. Shoe with protrusions and securing portions
US9125453B2 (en) 2010-05-28 2015-09-08 K-Swiss Inc. Shoe outsole having tubes
US9861509B2 (en) 2010-06-29 2018-01-09 APOS—Medical and Sports Technologies Ltd. Device and methods for treating a lower limb joint pathology and lower limb pain
US10632006B2 (en) 2010-06-29 2020-04-28 Apos Medical Assets Ltd. Device and methods for treating a lower limb joint pathology and lower limb pain
US10010743B2 (en) 2010-07-02 2018-07-03 APOS—Medical and Sports Technology Ltd. Device and methods for tuning a skeletal muscle
US10744368B2 (en) 2010-07-02 2020-08-18 Apos Medical And Sports Technologies Ltd. Device and methods for tuning a skeletal muscle
US11504571B2 (en) 2010-07-02 2022-11-22 Apos Medical Assets Ltd. Device and methods for tuning a skeletal muscle
US9693927B2 (en) 2011-12-08 2017-07-04 APOS—Medical and Sports Technologies Ltd. Device and methods of treating neurological disorders
WO2014001761A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2014-01-03 Inoveight Limited A heel-lift assembly for footwear
US11363852B2 (en) 2015-06-11 2022-06-21 Apos Medical Assets Ltd. Modular footwear protuberance assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2002214186A1 (en) 2002-05-21
ZA200304464B (en) 2005-02-23

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