Abstract:
A shoe suspension system and device are provided. In a first version of the Present Invention a device attached to an undersole of a shoe directs a spring force toward the ground in one direction and toward a heel section of the undersole of the shoe, whereby the heel section receives the spring force in an axis substantially normal to the undersole. In another version, a ground plate extends from a hinge, the hinge is attached to the shoe undersole, and a spring element is coupled at one end to the ground plane and at another end to the undersole, whereby a substantially planar orientation of undersole is supported by the device. In yet another version, a linkage including a plurality of hinges and arms is attached to a shoe undersole and directs a force toward a heel plane of the undersole.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The Present Invention relates generally to footwear. The Present Invention more particularly relates to footwear that provides both stability and cushioning. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Background Art 
         [0004]    The prior art and related art includes attempts to provide cushioning devices that are disposed between a foot and a ground surface to reduce the impact forces of locomotion. The prior art methods associated with an increase of cushioning brings with it some level of proportional decrease in stability. For this reason, the prior art has involved a compromise between cushioning and stability. 
         [0005]    The principal objective of the Present Invention is to provide a device coupled with, or in combination with, a shoe that sponsors the stability and cushioning of a foot wearing the shoe. These and other objectives of the Present Invention will be apparent to those skilled in this field from the following description of various aspects of the Present Invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Towards this object and other objects that will be made obvious in light of this disclosure, a first preferred alternate aspect of the Present Invention includes a midsole device having a hinge, a ground plate and a spring element. The first preferred alternate aspect (hereafter “first midsole device”) may be coupled with, or be comprised within, the footwear (hereafter, “shoe”). The hinge is positioned to rotate about a hinge axis that is substantially normal to a longitudinal heel-toe axis of the shoe. The ground plate is rotationally coupled with the hinge, and is configured to position the spring element to provide a spring force toward a heel of a wearer and a spring force against a ground surface. 
         [0007]    Certain alternate aspects of the Present Invention comprise one or more of the aspects of (1.) two or more spring elements; (2.) two or more hinges; (3.) one or more spring loaded hinges; (4.) one or more living hinges; (4.) multiple hinges and arms, each arm coupled with two hinges; (5.) one or more pinned hinges; and (6.) one or more rear plates, each rear plate for supporting the wearer&#39;s heel or foot. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,153 (Inventor: Jacinto, J. M.; issued on Jun. 3, 1986) titled “Heel construction”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,110 (Inventors: Goldston, et al.; issued on Aug. 1, 1995) titled “Adjustable shoe heel spring and stabilizer”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,588 (Inventor: Alviso, T.; issued on Feb. 8, 2000) titled “Shoe assembly”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,753 (Inventors: Steszyn, et al.; issued on Oct. 26, 2004) titled “Shoe with tunable cushioning system”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,756 (Inventor: Haynes, R.; issued on Aug. 16, 2005) titled “Jump assisting spring heel shoe”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,308 (Inventor: Aveni, M.; issued on Sep. 5, 2006) titled “Footwear with a heel plate assembly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,844 (Inventor: Chu, Y. T.; issued on Jan. 2, 2007) titled “Shock-absorbing shoe structure having adjustable elasticity”; and US Patent App. Publication No.&#39;s 20050166422 (Inventors: Schaeffer, et al.; published on Aug. 4, 2005) titled “Shoe with an articulated spring-loaded outsole”; and 20070119074 (Inventors: Aveni, et al.; published on May 31, 2007) titled “IMPACT-ATTENUATION MEMBERS AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SUCH MEMBERS” are incorporated herein by reference and for all purposes. In addition, each and all publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent, in their entirety and for all purposes, as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    These, and further features of the Present Invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting one or more aspects of a preferred configuration, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a cut-away side view of a first midsole device designed in accordance with the method of the Present Invention (hereafter, “first midsole device”) as attached to a shoe; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a cut-away bottom-side view of a first midsole device of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1C  is a cut-away reverse view of a first midsole device of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a cut-away view of a second alternate aspect of the Present Invention (hereafter, “second midsole device”) as attached to a show a first aspect of a living hinge and an included spring element; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is a cut-away top-side view of a second midsole device of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2C  is a cut-away side view of a second midsole device of  FIG. 2A  with an additional focus on the included living hinge flex point; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2D  is a cut-away side view of a second midsole device of  FIG. 2A  an additional focus on the included living hinge flex point that has optionally configured the living hinge as a stiff living hinge that is both a hinge and a provider of spring force; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a cut-away top view of a third alternate aspect of the Present Invention (hereafter, “third midsole device”) that includes six hinges and six intermediate arms; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  a cut-away top-side view of a third midsole device of  FIG. 3A  that includes the axes of motion; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3C  a cut-away side view of a third midsole device of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a cut-away side view of a fourth alternate aspect of the Present Invention (hereafter, “fourth midsole device”) that includes two hinges; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a cut-away top-side view of a fourth midsole device of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4C  is a cut-away rear view of a fourth midsole device of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5A  is a cut-away side view of a fifth alternate aspect of the Present Invention (hereafter, “fifth midsole device”) that includes a second aspect of a living hinge; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5B  is a cut-away top-side view of a fifth midsole device of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5C  is a front view of the fifth midsole device of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6A  is a rear view of a first aspect of a midsole spring block of  FIG. 1A  that provides spring force through exterior buckling columns; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the first aspect of the midsole spring block of  FIG. 6B ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a second aspect of a set of midsole blocks of  FIG. 1A  that provides spring force through interior buckling columns; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7B  is a rear view of the set of midsole spring blocks of  FIG. 7A ; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of a sixth alternate aspect of the Present Invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    It is to be understood that the Present Invention is not limited to particular aspects of the Present Invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the Present Invention will be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0032]    Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events. 
         [0033]    Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the Present Invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the Present Invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention. 
         [0034]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the Present Invention, the methods and materials are now described. 
         [0035]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 1A and 1B ,  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  are respectively a side view and a bottom-side view of footwear  1  coupled with a first midsole device  2 . The first midsole device  2  includes a ground plate  4 A rotationally coupled with a first hinge  6 . The first hinge  6  is attached to a first undersole  8 A of footwear and enables rotation of the ground plate  4 A about an axis  10 , wherein the axis  10  (as per  FIG. 1B ) is substantially normal to a heel-toe axis H of the footwear  1 . The ground plate  4 A extends from the first hinge  6  and toward a heel of the footwear. A midsole block  12  or blocks  12  provide spring force to the midsole device  2  and is coupled on one end with the undersole  8 A of the footwear  1  and on the other end at the insole of the ground plate  4 A. The ground plate  4 A is optionally configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole  12  of the footwear  1  and an external contact surface (not shown), whereby the heel of the footwear  1  does not typically touch the ground when a wearer of the footwear  1  is walking, standing, or running. 
         [0036]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 1C ,  FIG. 1C  is a reverse view showing the midsole spring block  12 , or spring assembly  12 , of the first midsole device  2  of  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B . The ground plate  4 A of the first midsole device  2  may freely rotate about the axis  10  and is substantially constrained in the remaining five degrees of freedom relative to undersole  8 A of the footwear  1  by one or more spring assemblies  12  optionally composed of two polyurethane buckling columns that create spring force with spring material cores used as general shape support, as described below in reference to  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  7 A &amp;  7 B. 
         [0037]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly  FIGS. 2A and 2B ,  FIG. 2A  is a cut-away side view of a second midsole device  14  having a living hinge  16 , and  FIG. 2B  is a cut-away top-side view of the second midsole device  14 . The second midsole device  14  includes a first aspect of a living hinge  16  coupled with a ground plate  4 B. The living hinge  16  is attached to the front and back of an alternate second undersole  8 B of the footwear  1  and constricts movement in the direction of the axis  10  normal to the heel-toe axis while constraining movement of the ground plate  4 B in relation to the second undersole  8 B in the remaining five degrees of freedom relative to the heel-toe axis. The one or more spring element midsoles  12  are configured and positioned to apply a spring force that drives the ground plate  4 B away from a heel of the footwear  1 . 
         [0038]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 2C ,  FIG. 2C  is a cut away side view of the second midsole device  14  of  FIG. 2A  with an additional focus on the included living hinge  16 . This aspect of a living hinge  16  could optionally be constructed of a flexible plastic  15  material and has flex limiters  17  that constrict the range of flexibility to certain points on the living hinge  16 . 
         [0039]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 2D ,  FIG. 2D  is a cut-away side view of the second midsole device  14  of  FIG. 2A  that has optionally configured the living hinge  16  as comprising a stiff living hinge  16 A that is both a hinge and a provider of spring force. In this configuration the stiff living hinge  16 A is made of a stiffer flexible plastic  15 A that will provide spring force to drive the undersole  8 B and ground plate  4 B apart. 
         [0040]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C,  FIG. 3B  is a cut-away side view a third midsole device  18  that includes six hinges  20 A- 20 F and four intermediate arms  22 A- 22 D,  FIG. 3B  a cut-away top-side view of a third midsole device  18  and  FIG. 3C  is a cut-away side view of the third midsole device  18  zoomed in closer than  FIG. 3A . 
         [0041]    A first intermediate arm  22 A is rotationally coupled (a.) with a first upper hinge  20 A to the first undersole  8 A, and (b.) with a first lower hinge  20 B to a second intermediate arm  22 B. The second intermediate arm  22 B is rotationally coupled (a.) with the first lower hinge  20 B to the first intermediate arm  22 A, and (b.) with a second lower hinge  20 C to the ground plate  4 C. 
         [0042]    A third intermediate arm  22 C is rotationally coupled (a.) with a third lower hinge  20 D to the first undersole  8 A, and (b.) with a fourth lower hinge  20 E to a fourth intermediate arm  22 D. The fourth intermediate arm  22 D is rotationally coupled (a.) with the fourth lower hinge  20 E to the third intermediate arm  22 C, and (b.) with a second upper hinge  20 F to the first undersole  8 A. 
         [0043]    It is understood that the hinges  20 A- 20 F may comprise or be pivot elements optionally provide torsional forces to the intermediate arms  22 A- 22 D, ground plate  4 C, and/or the first undersole  8 A in certain alternate aspects of the Present Invention. 
         [0044]    The third midsole device  18  includes a spring midsole  12  whereby spring force is directed against a third undersole  8 C of the footwear  1  and a third ground plate  4 C. Each intermediate arm  22  is rotationally coupled with a linkage hinge  20  at each of two ends. Each linkage hinge  20  is configured and positioned to enable rotation about axes  10 A- 10 F, wherein each axes  10 A- 10 F are substantially normal to the heel-toe axis of the footwear  1 . The gap between the ground plate  4 C and the undersole  8 C is spanned by one or more heel midsoles  12  which provide spring force and are optionally constructed of two polyurethane buckling columns with ethylene vinyl acetate foam core. Ethylene vinyl acetate foam, i.e. Chemical Abstracts Service No. 24937-78-8, also known as “EVA” or sometimes simply as “acetate”. The portion of vinyl acetate of the EVA foam of the source material  40  typically varies from 10% to 40% by weight with the remainder of the EVA material being ethylene. 
         [0045]    Various aspects of the heel midsoles may exhibit a linear spring constant behavior, a non-linear spring constant. 
         [0046]    A linkage assembly  23  comprising the linkage hinges  20  and the intermediate arms  22  may be attached to the shoe  1  by an adhesive or other suitable attachment means known in the art. Additionally or alternatively, the linkage assembly  23  may be constrained within a heel module of the shoe, wherein the linkage assembly is substantially housed within the heel module. 
         [0047]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C, FIG.  4 A is a cut-away side view of a fourth midsole device  24  that includes two hinges  28  &amp;  30 ,  FIG. 4B  cut-away top-side view of the fourth midsole device  24  and  FIG. 4C  is a cut-away rear view of the fourth midsole device  24 . This fourth midsole device  24  includes a first hinge  28 , an intermediate arm  26 , a second hinge  30  and a fourth ground plate  4 D, wherein the intermediate arm  26  is coupled with the first hinge  28  and the second hinge  30 . The second hinge  30  is configured for enabling rotation of the ground plate  4 D about an axis  10 I that is parallel to the rotational axis  10 G of the first hinge  28 . The spring element  12  includes one or more of the midsole block or blocks  12  of the fourth midsole device  24 . The fourth ground plate  4 D is thereby coupled with the second hinge  30 , whereby the intermediate arm  26  and the fourth ground plate  4 D are enabled to rotate about the axis  10  and are substantially constrained in five degrees of freedom relative to the heel-toe axis. 
         [0048]    The fourth ground plate  4 D is optionally configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole  12  of the footwear  1  and an external contact surface (not shown), whereby the heel of the footwear  1  does not typically touch the ground when a wearer of the footwear  1  is walking, standing, or running. 
         [0049]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C,  FIG. 5A  is a cut-away side view of a fifth midsole device  34  that includes a second aspect of a living hinge  36 , and  FIG. 5B  is a cut-away top-side view of a fifth midsole device  34 . This fifth midsole device  34  compromises a fifth undersole  8 E and a fifth ground plate  4 E separated by a gap spanned by a spring element midsole  12  which can optionally be constructed of one of more blocks comprising two polyurethane buckling columns that would create spring force with EVA foam core. Additionally the second living hinge  36  serves as an intermediate arm between the fifth undersole  8 E and the fifth ground plate  4 E. The second living hinge  36  substantially limits motion in the direction of the axis  10  which is normal to the heel-toe axis, but allows motion within and along the heel-toe axis and a vertical axis (not shown) about which a standing leg might be centered. 
         [0050]    One or more living hinges  16 ,  16 A, or  36  can optionally and similarly be stiffened to provide additional spring force much in the same way of the midsole device referenced by  FIG. 2D . 
         [0051]      FIG. 5C  is a front view of the fifth midsole device  34 . 
         [0052]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 6A and 6B ,  FIG. 6A  is a rear view of the first alternate midsole block  12  (or “first midsole block”  12 ) that provides spring force through exterior buckling columns  38  while  FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the same first midsole block  12 . The midsole block  12  of  FIG. 1A  could be framed by two stiff buckling columns  38  optionally made from polyurethane that would run for the length of the first midsole block  12  along the heel-toe axis providing spring force to the footwear  1 . Additionally the columns&#39;  38  rigidity would limit movement of the midsole device in the direction of the heel-toe axis. Furthermore these columns  38  could optionally be constructed with a side bias in order to ensure the same direction of collapse with applied weight. The rest of the midsole block  12  shape would be constructed of a durometer source material  40  exhibiting low rigidity providing general shape support for the block. The durometer source material  40  may be or comprise EVA material, e.g., EVA foam. The column geometry and material properties are configured to achieve stiff, low vertical displacement whilst undergoing typical walking loads and compliant, high vertical displacement whilst undergoing typical running loads. This arrangement allows the cushioning forces to only react to loads that exceed a predetermined level. 
         [0053]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 7A and 7B ;  FIG. 7A  is a cut-away top-side view of a second midsole block  12 B of a set of second midsole blocks  12 B that provides spring force through interior buckling columns  38  and  FIG. 7B  is a second view of the same second midsole block  12 B. The stiff buckling columns  38  in each of these second aspect midsole blocks  12 B act for the same purpose as well as have the same construction as the first aspect of the midsole block  12 . The placement and number of these stiff buckling columns  38  could vary according preference. One or more stiff buckling columns  38  would be placed at various locations within the midsole blocks  12 B to provide spring force and rigidity, while a less rigid lower durometer source material  40  could fill in the gaps of the block to maintain shape. 
         [0054]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 8  is an illustration of a sixth alternate aspect of the Present Invention  42  that includes a plurality of midsole devices  2 ,  14 ,  18 ,  24 , &amp;  34  attached to an underside  44  of the footwear  1 . The plurality of midsole devices  2 ,  14 ,  18 ,  24 , &amp;  34  may be of one configuration or aspect or of a combination of two or more midsole device types, and may be placed at various locations of the underside  44  of the footwear  1 . 
         [0055]    It is understood that various alternate aspects of the Present Invention may include various elements, to include: (a.) living hinges; (b.) living hinges comprising aspects or elements that provide torsional force to a footwear  1 , a ground plate  4 C, and/or an undersole  8 C, and/or one or more intermediate arms  22 A- 22 C; (c.) living hinges comprising aspects or elements that provide a spring force to a footwear  1 , ground plate  4 C, a and/or an undersole  8 C, and/or one or more intermediate arms  22 A- 22 C; (d.) one or more pivot hinges that rotationally couple a footwear  1 , a ground plate  4 C, and/or an undersole  8 C, and/or one or more intermediate arms  22 A- 22 C; (e.) one or more pivot hinges that rotationally couple and provide a spring force to a footwear  1 , a ground plate  4 C, and/or an undersole  8 C, and/or one or more intermediate arms  22 A- 22 C; and/or (e.) one or more pivot hinges that include a torsional spring element rotationally couple and provide a torsional force to a footwear  1 , a ground plate  4 C, and/or an undersole  8 C, and/or one or more intermediate arms  22 A- 22 C. 
         [0056]    It is further understood that various additional alternate aspects of the Present Invention may alternatively, additionally, or optionally include various other aspects or elements, to include pivot hinges or living hinges that provide both torsional force and a spring force to a footwear  1 , a ground plate  4 C, a and/or an undersole  8 C, and/or one or more intermediate arms  22 A- 22 C. 
         [0057]    The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of the Present Invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope of the Present Invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certain possible aspects and configurations of the Present Invention. The examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the aspects of the Present Invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described aspects can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the Present Invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the Present Invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The scope of the Present Invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above.