Patent ID: 6327795
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
An energy return system for footwear, comprising:at least one layer of stretchable material having a first side and a second side;a plurality of chambers positioned on either the first side or the second side of the layer; anda plurality of actuators each vertically aligned with a corresponding chamber and positioned opposite said chamber across said at least one layer of stretchable material, such that when the footwear receives a generally vertical compressive force, each actuator pushes against said at least one layer and moves at least partially into a corresponding chamber;wherein each of said plurality of actuators is selectively positioned to provide individual support to a specific portion of the human foot, each said actuator substantially underlying only said specific portion and underlying substantially the entire extent of said portion, said portion being selected from the group consisting of a toe, a toe region that includes the five toes of the human foot, a metatarsal bone, a metatarsal region that includes the five metatarsals of the human foot, a metatarsal portion extending between adjacent metatarsal bones and a heel.