Patent ID: 8555526
Filing Date: 2013-10-15
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
1. A shoe having a resilient sole and a heel cavity, worn by a user and configured to be supported by a walking surface during ambulation, comprising: an upper having a heel portion, a toe portion, and a base extending between the heel and toe portions; and, a lower assembly coupled to the base of the upper, the lower assembly including: an intermediate sole layer underlying the heel portion of the upper; and, an outsole having a substantially inelastic sidewall, a substantially inelastic platform defining a generally planar contour peripherally offset from the inelastic sidewall, and an elastic connector bridging the peripheral offset between the inelastic sidewall and the inelastic platform; the heel cavity being defined between the intermediate sole layer and inelastic platform, the inelastic platform being substantially aligned peripherally with the heel cavity to substantially span the heel portion of the base in width; wherein the elastic connector limits movement of the inelastic platform relative the inelastic sidewall between a substantially unloaded position wherein the elastic connector biases the inelastic platform substantially below the inelastic sidewall and the inelastic sidewall is not in contact with the walking surface, and a substantially loaded position, wherein the user applies a substantial portion of weight so that the elastic connector is deformed such that the inelastic platform is deflected into the heel cavity and substantially surrounded by the sidewall, and wherein when in the loaded position the inelastic sidewall and the inelastic platform are both in contact with the walking surface so that lateral movement of the inelastic sidewall relative to the inelastic platform is substantially prevented.