Patent ID: 7954261
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
1. A sole for an article of footwear that allows for the motions, force applications, and proprioceptive feedback of a natural human foot, the foot defining a base of forefoot as the widest part of the weight bearing surface of the forefoot, and a base of heel as the widest part of the hindfoot, the foot includes a subtalar joint, an ankle joint, a first metatarsal joint, a midtarsal joint, and a medial column, the sole therein reducing moments across lower extremity joint segments, the sole comprising a plurality of flexure zones, the flexure zones consisting of: a first flexure zone positioned within the sole and extending posteriorly from the base of heel, wherein the first flexure zone is positioned to substantially correspond to the subtalar joint axis of the foot as it is oriented at heel strike during gait; a second flexure zone positioned within the sole and extending anteriorly from the base of heel, wherein the second flexure zone is positioned substantially collinear with a line representing a transverse plane projection of the ankle joint onto the sole; a third flexure zone positioned within the sole and extending anteriorly from the base of forefoot, wherein the third flexure zone is positioned substantially collinear with a line representing the axis of the first metatarsal joint during propulsion in an externally rotated abducted foot; a fourth flexure zone positioned within the sole and extending anteriorly from the base of heel and intersecting the base of forefoot, wherein the fourth flexure zone is positioned substantially collinear with a line representing a transverse plane projection of the oblique axis of the midtarsal joint; and a fifth flexure zone positioned within the sole and extending posteriorly from the base of forefoot, wherein the fifth flexure zone is positioned substantially collinear with a line representing the transverse plane projection of the first medial column.