SPRING-AIR SHOCK ABSORPTION AND ENERGY RETURN DEVICE FOR SHOES

Abstract: A shoe heel insert (10), providing for superior shock absorption, energy return, and a high degree of stability. The insert (10) consists of a substantially heel-shaped outer spring mechanism (10) serving as an internal spring housing having a plurality of internally molded apertures (10f) engaging with a plurality of vertically affixed compression springs (14) retained within and biasing against outer spring mechanism (10). The entire unit filled with a pressurized gas and hermetically sealed with a clear, durable polyurethane material (12) which completely encapsulates the device allowing inner springs (14) to be visible and functional. The assembled unit fixably attached within the molded heel section of the mid-sole (4) of any type of footwear. The internal spring members (14) will be disposed directly below the calcaneus of the wearer and the transparent nature of the devices encapsulation (12) will allow the rear part of the shoe's mid-sole (4) to be molded in such a way that the system can be partially exposed.

Description: INVENTION: SPRING -AIR SHOCK ABSORBTION AND ENERGY RETURN DEVICE FOR SHOES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to improved athletic footwear, and particularly, improvements of superior shock absorbing, energy storing and energy return characteristics by way of a hermetically sealed gas-filled heel insert comprising the use of a spring mechanism and a plurality of compression springs. 2. Description of the Prior Art Today's professional and non-professional athlete alike are continually striving to improve their performance levels, while at the same time , reduce injuries. This can be achieved to some degree by the use of improved sporting equipment, and more specifically improved athletic shoes. The invention disclosed herein is a substantial improvement on any of the prior art that incorporates spring devices in the heel section of the mid-sole of an athletic shoe and therefor, will be of further benefit to the user in terms of an even higher degree of performance enhancement and injury reduction. When playing sport, specifically in high impact sports such as volleyball, basketball and running activities in general, the athletes foot is prone to extreme stress. This is due to the thousands of pounds of force that will be applied upon heel strike, particularly in the area of the calcaneous - the heel bone, during the course of these activities. Further, when an athlete comes down improperly on the heel of his foot such as on the side of the heel, or if they land on another players foot which is especially common in basketball, in most types of athletic shoes the force cannot be adequately displaced. This causes the wearers foot to twist and is the main reason for many ankle related injuries every year. Still further, when an athlete inadvertently lands with a majority of their weight on the heel of the foot, instead of proportionately throughout the entire foot, severe lower back injuries can be incurred from this shock. It is therefor desirable to have a shoe which can more effectively reduce the amount of shock received through the heel and also more effectively displace the impact throughout the heel. It is also essential that while being resilient enough to provide for shock absorbing characteristics that the device maintain sufficient stability to provide for quick lateral movement of the athlete in the shoe. While shock reduction characteristics are essential to a good athletic shoe, performance enhancement features are just as desirable to an athlete. The performance enhancement can be achieved by storing the shock energy imparted by foot strike and returning a substantial amount of energy to the wearers foot during the propelling-off portion of the stride. As mentioned, prior art has disclosed spring devices in the heel of athletic shoes for the purposes of absorbing shock and returning energy to the wearers foot. For example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,815,221 Diaz discloses an energy control system comprising a spring plate having a plurality of spring projections depending from and distributed over the surface of the plate which is disposed within a cavity formed within the mid-sole of an athletic shoe. In U.S. Patent No. 5,381,608 Claveria discloses a composite heel plate with a vertically acting spring member appending from it encapsulated within the heel section of the sole of an athletic shoe. In U.S. Patent No. 5,437,110 Goldston et al. shows an adjustable heel spring and stabilizer device to provide various degrees of shock absorption and energy return characteristics by way of a user adjustable fulcrum movably positioned within a spring mechanism which is disposed within the mid-sole of the athletic shoe. Finally, in U.S. Patent No. 5,511,324, Smith shows a single compression spring vertically affixed through the heel section of the sole of an athletic shoe. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal objective of the present invention is to provide a substantial improvement in the shock absorbing abilities of an athletic shoe over previous related inventions. A second objective is to provide a substantial improvement in the energy storing and return abilities of an athletic shoe over previous related inventions. Another objective is to provide a sufficient amount of lateral stability to the shoe in conjunction with its energy absorbing and energy return characteristics. It is a further objective to provide a device which can be exposed within the mid-sole of an athletic shoe, and not concealed within it, making it integral to the design novelty of the shoe for which it is placed in. It is yet another objective to provide an invention which is easy and cost effective to manufacture of common materials, is easily inserted into the mid-sole of an athletic shoe as a singular assembled component, and durable to withstand an average usage lifetime similar to other high quality athletic shoes currently available on the market. It is a final objective to be able to easily and cost effectively tune the elements of the current invention at the time of manufacture as to allow the shock absorbing and energy return dynamics of the device to be adjusted according to its intended use, such as basketball, tennis, running, etc., and to be suitable for use by various users of different weights and shoe sizes. These and other objectives are realized by providing an athletic shoe heel insert consisting of a substantially heel shaped outer spring mechanism made of a glass or carbon filled thermoplastic. The outer spring mechanism also serves as an internal spring housing having a plurality of internally molded apertures. The said apertures serve to retain the exterior diameters of a plurality of stainless steel or similar type compression springs which are disposed in and biasing the outer spring mechanism. The outer spring mechanism will be encapsulated with a transparent hermetically sealed air impermeable polyurethane type material which will retain a given amount of a pressurized gas which is inserted into the internal chamber of the encapsulated device in the final stage of manufacture. The assembled unit is fixedly disposed within the mid-sole of an athletic shoe upon the manufacture of the said mid-sole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.1 is a side view of a right foot athletic shoe within which the device of the present invention is shown incorporated into the heel section of the mid-sole; FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a top view of the device of the present invention; FIG. 4 is another side view of the shoe of FIG. 1 showing a cutaway of the device of the present invention incorporated into the mid-sole of the shoe as taken along line 4 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a final side view of the shoe shown in FIG. 1 showing the relative position of the device of the present invention within the heel section of the mid-sole, being illustrated by phantom lines. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows the right foot of an athletic shoe 1 that consists of an upper 2, preferably made of leather, which is attached to a mid-sole 4 made of a resilient foamed polyurethane type material, and an out-sole 6 made of a more durable unfoamed type of polyurethane or another type of hard rubber attached to the bottom portion of the mid-sole 4. Between the upper heel portion 4a and the lower heel portion 4b, is shown the vertically affixed compression springs 14 and the transparent polyurethane encapsulating material 12 of the present invention which will be fully discussed in detail below. FIG. 2 and 3 show the preferred embodiment of the present invention which includes a substantially heel shaped outer spring mechanism and internal spring housing 10, constructed of a molded glass or carbon filled thermoplastic, or possibly of stainless steel, which comprises a top plate 10a and a bottom plate 10b which run horizontally and parallel to each other, with the top plate 10a being cantilevered over the bottom plate 10b by way of an integrally molded connecting member 10c at the forward portion of the said outer spring mechanism and housing 10. Running around the perimeter of the upper plate 10a is a downwardly flanged lateral support edge lOd that begins at a point slightly set back from the connecting member 10c and stops at the adjacent side of the said upper plate 10a. On the lower plate 10b, and corresponding to the placement of the upper lateral support edges lOd, is an upwardly flanged lateral support edge lOe. The support edges lOd, lOe are designed primarily to prevent torque of the device and provide lateral stability to the athletic shoe 1. Further illustrated are seven steel or similar type material compression springs having an uncompressed height of about 3/4 of an inch and a deflection rate of about 75 to 150 pounds per inch. The said springs 14 can also be painted, such as by a powder coating paint process, to coordinate with the upper 2 of the athletic shoe 1. The said springs 14 will be vertically affixed within, and biasing the upper plate 10a and lower plate 10b of the outer spring mechanism and internal spring housing 10. The springs 14 are held in place by way of integrally molded spring retaining apertures lOf. Finally, the entire device is encapsulated within a transparent polyurethane material 12 of a thickness of approximately 1/32" that is hermetically sealed and will retain a given amount of a pressurized gas such as Argon (Ar) or Krypton (Kr). The internal gas pressure, when combined with the spring action of the spring mechanism and the internal compression springs 14, will further serve to provide for the superior shock absorbing, energy storing and energy return characteristics of the device within the shoe. While general air can be used for the device, the use of an inert gas such as Argon or Krypton would be most suitable since these gases would limit diffusion of ambient air outside the polyurethane encapsulement 12 from entering into it, and more importantly, due to its heavier weight than the outside ambient air at atmospheric pressure, would allow for a much slower rate of diffusion of the internal gas through the polyurethane encapsulement 12. This will allow for stable air pressures during the useful lifetime of the shoe 1. It should be noted however, that the internal air pressure of the device is not a primary source of the shoes shock absorbing or energy return features, and the shoe can still function satisfactorily even if a large amount of air was to diffuse out. The internal air pressure serves mostly to provide lateral shock absorption upon ground contact, to reinforce the device against bottoming out and to stabilize the sides of the polyurethane material 12 which encapsulates the device, said polyurethane material 12 serving as the attaching member of the said device within the heel of the mid-sole 4. The device of the present invention as illustrated thus far is to be engineered in several different configurations. Specifications that can be changed are the size and tensioning of the heel shaped outer spring mechanism and internal spring housing 10, the height, diameter and load rates of the compression springs 14, and the amount of gas pressure within the device ranging from about 5-25 psi. These variables in design will allow the shoes which the device is incorporated into to be specifically suited, or tuned, for the activity. For example, in a shoe that will be used for jogging it would be desirable to have a shoe with a high degree of shock absorbing qualities and average energy return characteristics. A running shoe would require less shock absorbing abilities and a more direct return of energy to the wearer. In a sport such as basketball or tennis, optimum energy storing and return characteristics for jumping and quick changes in direction are necessary while also being capable of giving the wearer a fair amount of shock absorption. Also required is a high degree of lateral stability within the shoe since these sports require significant lateral movements. This type of shoe would require the firmest configuration of spring members and air pressures in order to be suitable. Finally, a shoe used for crosstraining, which essentially means it can be used for various types of activities, would have a configuration probably somewhere between that of the running shoe and that of the basketball shoe. Another factor which will determine the tuning characteristics is the weight of the wearer. Since body weight can vary greatly in relation to shoe sizes, the device will have to be engineered to handle the average range of weight within each perspective shoe size and for the activity in which it is intended. It is therefore of my opinion that having several individually engineered devices will allow for a suitable match of the device and the shoe that it will be used in, based on the above mentioned requirements and variables of which the shoe is to be used in, providing for satisfactorily performance in almost all applications. Referring now to FIG. 4, a cutaway of the mid-sole 4 portion of the shoe 1 taken along line 4 of FIG. 3 is shown disclosing the device of the present invention within the cut-out 16 which comprises the upper heel portion of the mid-sole 4c and the lower heel portion of the mid-sole 4d. As seen here, the transparent polyurethane material 12 encapsulates the outer spring mechanism and inner spring housing 10, and is fixably attached within the cut-out 16 of the mid-sole 4, 4c, 4d, by way of an adhesive such as cyanoacrylate. The internal portion of the polyurethane material 12 that is in contact with the outer spring mechanism 10 will also be fixably attached in a similar manner as to prevent the said material from pulling away from the outer spring mechanism 10 during heel strike of the shoe and deflection of the said outer spring mechanism 10. As previously described in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 also discloses the top plate 10a and the bottom plate 10b of the outer spring mechanism and internal spring housing 10. The internal portions of the top plate 10a include seven top spring retaining apertures lOf and the bottom plate has seven corresponding retaining apertures 1 Of which fit around the exterior diameter of the vertically affixed compression springs 14 that are biasing against the interior portions of the outer spring housing 10. At the rear of the device is shown a cutaway view of the downwardly flanged lateral support edge lOd of the upper plate 10a and the upwardly flanged lateral support edge lOe of the lower plate 10b. As previously described, the said lateral support edges lOd, lOe give the shoe lateral stability and also prevent heel torque. Secondary objectives of the support edges are that they provide for a more substantial mating area of the side portions of the outer spring housings 10 edges with the internal portions of the rear of the mid-sole 4a, 4b. The placement of the device of the present invention will generally be centered in the area of the shoe 1 directly below the calcaneous, or heel bone, of the wearers foot. In FIG. 5, another view of the placement of the device of the present invention within the mid-sole 4 of an athletic shoe 1 is shown by the use of phantom lines. Also shown is the general proximity of the insole 8 area where the foot will situate, in relation to the position of the device. It can also be more clearly seen how the external upper portion of the heel of the mid-sole 4a, and the external lower portion of the heel of the mid-sole 4b encompass the upper and lower sections of the outer spring mechanism 10 fixedly disposed within. From the foregoing discussion it is obvious that one skilled in the art could make modifications in the design and materials of the preferred embodiment as well as the method of manufacture without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. It is therefore intended that this patent only be limited by the scope of the following claims.

Claims: CLAIMS What is claimed is. 1. An article of footwear of the type which includes an upper, a resilient mid-sole attached to the upper, and an out-sole attached to the mid-sole with a spring mechanism visibly exposed within the heel portion of the mid-sole that will provide for a substantially improved means of absorbing shock, and storing and returning energy to the wearers foot during running and jumping activities, the improvements comprising; a. a substantially heel shaped outer spring mechanism molded of a strong resiliently flexible material; b. said outer spring mechanism having corresponding planar top and bottom plates running parallel to one another and generally horizontally to the mid-sole and being cantilevered from an integral connecting member at the forward end of the spring mechanism; c. the outer spring mechanism further comprises lateral edges on the top plate that are flanged downwardly beginning at a point set back from the said connecting member that encompass the perimeter of and terminate at an adjacent end of the top plate; d. lateral edges on the bottom plate that are flanged upwardly and are corresponding to the position of the lateral edges on the aforementioned top plate; e. a plurality of integrally molded apertures, spaced in a corresponding circular pattern within the said top and bottom plates, and essentially disposed to reside in the area below the calcaneous of the wearers foot when the spring mechanism is inserted within the heel portion of the mid-sole of an athletic shoe, and; f said outer spring mechanism and all aforementioned elements comprising the outer spring mechanism will be injection molded as a unitary component, providing for a simple and a cost effective means of manufacture. 2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein; a. the plurality of integrally molded apertures of the top and bottom plates serve to engage an equal quantity of vertically affixed steel compression springs having an uncompressed height of about 3/4 of an inch and a deflection rate of about 75 to 200 pounds per inch per spring, that will be fixably retained within, and biasing against the said outer spring mechanism, said springs working independently of one another thus providing a means for more effectively displacing shock throughout the outer spring mechanism, and; b. said steel compression springs being painted to coordinate with the color of the aforementioned shoe upper. 3. The mechanism of claim 2 whereas; a. the aforementioned outer spring mechanism will be encapsulated within a highly durable transparent polyurethane material providing relatively low air permeability characteristics and being about 1/32 of an inch in thickness; b. said polyurethane material will be molded of two individual sheets of material that will be hermetically sealed at the top; c. said polyurethane material will retain an amount of a pressurized gas; d. said pressurization within the said polyurethane material will be between 5 psi and about 25 psi. 4. The encapsulated mechanism of claim 3 whereas the said pressurized gas will be either Argon (Ar) or Krypton (Kr). 5. An article of footwear having substantially improved shock absorbing, energy storing and energy return characteristics, comprising; a. an upper; b. a resilient mid-sole attached to the upper, with an out-sole attached to the mid-sole; c. the said mid-sole containing a cut-out throughout the heel portion, and; d. said cutout will contain a visibly inserted spring mechanism, said spring mechanism retaining a quantity of vertically affixed steel compression springs spaced in a circular pattern and being encapsulated within a transparent polyurethane material which will also retain an amount of a pressurized gas.

Inventors: LOMBARDINO THOMAS D, LOMBARDINO, THOMAS, D.
Applicants: LOMBARDINO THOMAS D, LOMBARDINO, THOMAS, D.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A43B13
IPC codes: A43B13, A43B21