Patent ID: 9402438
Filing Date: 2016-08-02
CPC Classification: A43B

Claim Text:
1. A method of reducing loads on the knee, the method comprising the steps of: providing a shoe with a sole having a plurality of flexure zones, wherein each of the flexure zones is formed by a groove formed in the sole and which forms a straight line, each straight line extending from an inner portion to an outer portion of the sole; and positioning a first flexure zone within the sole and extending posteriorly from a first apex at a base of the heel; positioning a second flexure zone within the sole and extending anteriorly from the first apex; positioning a third flexure zone extending anteriorly from a second apex at a medial edge of a base of the forefoot; positioning a fourth flexure zone within the sole and having a first end beginning at the first apex and a second end terminating at the second apex; positioning a fifth flexure zone within the sole and extending posteriorly from the base of the forefoot; locating the flexure zones such that the shoe simulates the motions, force applications, and proprioceptive feedback of a natural human foot, thereby reducing a load placed on the knee.