Patent ID: 7334351
Filing Date: 2008-02-26
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
1. A shoe comprising: an upper having a generally horizontal bottom wall, the bottom wall having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper comprises a forward region having a forward center of loading and a rear region having a rear center of loading; a sole comprising a midsole and an outsole, the midsole comprising a composite suspension element having a generally elliptical-shape defined by a generally convex upper suspension arm and a generally concave lower suspension arm, the composite suspension element being constructed of a composite material having lower hysteresis than an adjacent material of an adjacent portion of the midsole, the composite suspension element having a center of compression, wherein the center of compression is generally aligned with at least one of the first and second centers of loading of the upper, the composite suspension element extending substantially across a width of the midsole adjacent to and proximate the composite suspension element; the outsole is connected to at least a portion of a lower exterior surface of the composite suspension element of the midsole, wherein the lower surface of the bottom wall of the upper is connected to at least a portion of the upper suspension arm of the composite suspension element, wherein the midsole and outsole together comprise a plurality of layers and materials proximate the composite suspension element, and wherein the plurality of layers and materials are constructed proximate the composite suspension element to provide a zero to low change in the rate of loading throughout a user stride.