Patent Publication Number: US-9402440-B2

Title: Cushioning sole for shoe

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation from currently pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/833,379, filed on Jul. 9, 2010, and similarly entitled CUSHIONING SOLE FOR SHOE, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a sole for a shoe, such as an insole or an outsole for a shoe that provides cushioning for a wearer. 
     BACKGROUND 
     During various activities an individual&#39;s feet often bear the initial shock from impact with the ground or floor, which may subsequently be distributed throughout various portions of the individual&#39;s body. Athletic endeavors especially may produce particularly strong forces against the individual&#39;s body. Shoes may be worn on an individual&#39;s feet to provide support and cushion against forces from impact. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The present invention offers several practical applications in the technical arts including, but not limited to, one or more soles for use with a shoe. A shoe may generally be constructed of a variety of components. For example, a shoe may include an “upper” designed to enclose and support a wearer&#39;s foot. In addition, a shoe may include an energy-absorbing “midsole” coupled to the upper. Finally, a shoe may include a ground-contacting outsole component which may be coupled to an underneath side of the midsole. 
     A sole in accordance with the present invention might include a sole for attachment to an outside of a shoe, such as to an underneath side of a midsole. In addition, a sole of the present invention might include a sole for insertion within an inner cavity formed by an upper of a shoe. A sole in accordance with the present invention serves a variety of functions. For example, among other things, a sole in accordance with the present invention might provide cushion, protection, resilience, shock-absorption, responsiveness, rigidity, etc., for a wearer of the shoe. A sole in accordance with the present invention may provide a base and a plurality of protrusions projecting from the base and integrally constructed with the base. Protrusions may include a side extending at an angle from the base and a side extending near perpendicular from the base. The protrusions may serve to absorb the shock of impact with the ground or floor during an activity. 
     Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       A detailed description of the invention is provided below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates, from a perspective view, a sole in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates, from a direct view, an embodiment of a heel portion of a sole in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates, from a direct view, an embodiment of a ball portion of a sole in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sole illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a blown-up view of a portion of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates, from a perspective view, a portion of a sole in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the portion illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a blown-up view of a portion of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates, from a perspective view, a portion of a sole in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the portion illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a blown-up view of a portion of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates, from a perspective view, a portion of a sole in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the portion illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates a blown-up view of a portion of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sole in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sole in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a partially exploded view of a shoe in combination with a sole in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, wherein the sole is attachable to the underneath side of a shoe midsole; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates, in a partially cut-away view, a shoe in combination with a sole in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, wherein the sole is positionable within a cavity formed by the shoe upper; 
         FIGS. 15A-15B  illustrate a sole in accordance with the present invention integrated within a shoe as a midsole; and 
         FIGS. 16A-16C  illustrate a sole in accordance with the present invention integrated within a shoe as a removable insole. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject mater might also be embodied in other ways in conjunction with other present or future technologies. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a sole for a shoe. A sole in accordance with the present invention might be an integral part of a shoe or might be an insole insert that is positionable within, and if desired, removable from, the shoe. By way of example only, and not limitation, a sole in accordance with the present invention might be coupled to the outside of a shoe, such as to the underneath side of a shoe midsole, or may comprise the midsole itself. Moreover, a sole in accordance with the present invention might be integrally constructed with a midsole. In another embodiment, a sole might be inserted into an inner cavity formed by a shoe upper, such that the sole is positionable beneath the bottom of a wearer&#39;s foot when the shoe is worn. 
     Referring now to the drawings in general, and initially to  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4A, and 4B , a sole  10  is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the sole  10  includes a base  12  and a plurality of protrusions  14 A- 14 F and  16 A- 16 D projecting from base  12  and integrally constructed with base  12 . 
     An exemplary embodiment of protrusions in accordance with the present invention is illustrated by protrusion  14 C, which includes various elements. For example, protrusion  14 C includes an angled side  18  and a perpendicular side  20 . In addition, the angled side  18  of protrusion  14 C comprises a first connecting edge  24  adjacent to and extending along the base  12  and a first terminal edge  26  at the opposing edge of the angled side  18  from the first connecting edge  24 . Moreover, the perpendicular side  20  comprises a second connecting edge  28  adjacent to and extending along the base  12  and a second terminal edge  30  at the opposing edge of the perpendicular side  20  from the second connecting edge  28 . In one embodiment, the angled side  18  extends from the base  12  at an approximate thirty-degree angle  22 . In another embodiment, the perpendicular side  20  extends at a near perpendicular angle from the base  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 4A, 5, and 6A  in an example of a sole in accordance with the present invention, a plurality of protrusions are positioned or constructed adjacent one to another. For example, in  FIGS. 1 and 4A  protrusion  14 C is adjacent to protrusion  14 B. As a result, a connecting edge of protrusion  14 B extends along the base  12  consistent with second connecting edge  28  of protrusion  14 C. Accordingly, the angled side of protrusion  14 B shares connecting edge  28  with a perpendicular side  20  of protrusion  14 C. 
     Also illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4A , in another example sole in accordance with the present invention, protrusion  14 C further comprises a surface-facing side  32  extending substantially parallel to the base  12  between the first terminal edge  26  of the angled side  18  and the second terminal edge  30  of the perpendicular side  20 . 
     An alternative sole in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B , which illustrate exemplary protrusion  214 C. Protrusion  214 C may include various elements. For example, protrusion  214 C includes an angled side  218  and a perpendicular side  220 . The angled side  218  comprises a first connecting edge  224  adjacent to and extending along the base  212 . Perpendicular side  220  further comprises a second connecting edge  228  adjacent to and extending along the base  212 . Angled side  218  and perpendicular side  220  terminate at a shared termination edge  232 . Shared termination edge  232  is opposite the first connecting edge  224  of the angled side  218  and is opposite the second connecting edge  228  of the perpendicular side  220 . As a result, protrusion  214 C terminates at a point  233 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B , in a further example sole in accordance with the present invention a plurality of protrusions  214 A- 214 F are positioned or constructed adjacent one to another along base  212 . For example, protrusion  214 B is adjacent to protrusion  214 C. A first connecting edge of protrusion  214 B is adjacent to, and extends along the base  212  consistent with, a second connecting edge  228  of protrusion  214 C. As such, an angled side of protrusion  214 B shares connecting edge  228  with a perpendicular side  220  of adjacent protrusion  214 C. In an embodiment, the angled side  218  extends from the base  212  at approximately a thirty-degree angle  222 . In another embodiment, the perpendicular side  220  extends at a near perpendicular angle from the base  212 . 
     A further example of a sole in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B , which show protrusion  314 C. Protrusion  314 C includes various elements. For example, protrusion  314 C includes an angled side  318  and a perpendicular side  320 . The angled side  318  comprises a first connecting edge  324  adjacent to and extending along the base  312  and a first terminal edge  326  at the opposing edge of the angled side  318  from the first connecting edge  324 . Moreover, the perpendicular side  320  comprises a second connecting edge  328  adjacent to and extending along the base  312  and a second terminal edge  330  at the opposing edge of the perpendicular side  318  from the second connecting edge  328 . In an embodiment, the angled side  318  may extend from the base  312  at an approximate thirty-degree angle  322 . In another embodiment, the perpendicular side  320  may extend at a near perpendicular angle from the base  312 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B , in a further example of a sole in accordance with the present invention a plurality of protrusions  314 A- 314 E are positioned or constructed spaced apart from each other along base  312 . For example, protrusion  314 B is spaced apart from protrusion  314 C such that an angled side of protrusion  314 B does not share a connecting edge with protrusion  314 C. Instead, angled side  334  of protrusion  314 B includes a third connecting edge  336 , which does not run along the base  312  consistent with the second connecting edge  328  of the perpendicular side  318  of protrusion  314 C. A base-surface side  340  extends between and connects second connecting edge  328  and third connecting edge  336 . Moreover, in another exemplary embodiment, protrusion  314 C further comprises a surface-facing side  332  extending substantially parallel to the base  312  between the first terminal edge  326  of the angled side  318  and the second terminal edge  330  of the perpendicular side  320 . 
     A further example of a sole in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 9, 10A and 10B , which includes exemplary protrusion  414 C. Protrusion  414 C includes various elements. For example, protrusion  414 C includes an angled side  418  and a perpendicular side  420 . The angled side  418  comprises a first connecting edge  424  adjacent to and extending along the base  412 . Moreover, the perpendicular side  420  comprises a second connecting edge  428  adjacent to and extending along the base  412 . In an embodiment, angled side  418  and perpendicular side  420  terminate at a shared termination edge  432 , which is opposite each side&#39;s respective connecting edge. As a result, protrusion  414 C terminates at a point  433 . In a further embodiment, the angled side  418  may extend from the base  412  at an approximate thirty-degree angle. Also, the perpendicular side  420  may extend at a near perpendicular angle from the base  412 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9, 10A, and 10B , in a further example of a sole in accordance with the present invention a plurality of protrusions  414 A- 414 F may be positioned or constructed spaced apart from each other along base  412 . For example, protrusion  414 B is spaced apart from protrusion  414 C such that an angled side of protrusion  414 B does not share a connecting edge with protrusion  414 C. Instead, angled side  434  of protrusion  414 B includes a third connecting edge  436 , which does not run along the base  412  consistent with the second connecting edge  428  of the perpendicular side  418  of protrusion  414 C. A base-surface side  440  extends between and connects second connecting edge  428  and third connecting edge  436 . 
     A sole in accordance with aspects of the present invention may include an “as-worn” position and may be combined with a shoe in various manners, such that the sole extends in a substantially planar fashion when the shoe is not flexed. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , a sole in accordance with the present invention may be combined with a shoe by attaching the sole to an underneath side of a midsole. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 14 , a sole may be combined with a shoe by inserting the sole into a cavity formed within the upper of the shoe, wherein the sole is supported on top of a midsole. As shown in  FIGS. 15A-15B , a sole in accordance with the present invention may comprise a midsole constructed itself. In an as-worn position, a sole includes portions or sections that correspond with parts of a foot of a wearer of a shoe. For example, parts of a foot may include a medial side, a lateral side, a ball, and a heel. In an as-worn position, portions or sections of a sole correspond with these parts of a wearer&#39;s foot to provide additional cushioning. 
     As shown in at least  FIGS. 1 and 13  in examples of a sole in accordance with the present invention, a sole may include a medial side  50  positioned beneath the medial side of the foot in an as-worn position. In addition, a sole may include a lateral side  52  positioned beneath the lateral side of the foot in an as-worn position. A sole may also include a ball portion  54  positioned beneath the ball of the foot in an as-worn position. Furthermore, a sole may include a heel portion  56  positioned beneath the heel of the foot in an as-worn position. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1, 3, 13, and 14  the plurality of protrusions may further comprise, at the ball portion  54  of the sole  10 , concentrically arranged shapes formed by surface-facing sides  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and  48 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , first terminal edge  60  and second terminal edge  62  may be positioned closer together near the medial side  50  than at the lateral side  52 , such that a portion of surface-facing side  46  closest to the medial side  50  is narrower than at the lateral side  52 . In another example, concentrically arranged shapes formed by the surface-facing sides  42 ,  44 , and  46  are substantially elliptical. In yet another example of a sole in accordance with the present invention, concentrically arranged shapes comprise at least one circle, such as illustrated by surface facing side  48 . Moreover, at least one of the concentrically arranged shapes may be truncated, such as illustrate by surface-facing side  42 . 
     Another example of a sole in accordance with the present invention is shown in at least  FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 7 and 9  in which the sole  10  comprises concentrically arranged shapes formed by the surface-facing sides  38 ,  39  and  40  at the heel portion  56  of the sole  10 . 
     Additional examples of soles in accordance with the present invention may include a sole  10  for cushioning a wearer&#39;s foot from impact, wherein the sole  10  includes a base portion  12 , a first plurality of concentrically arranged portions, and a second plurality of concentrically arranged portions. An example of a first plurality of concentrically arranged portions is shown in  FIG. 1 , in which a first plurality of concentrically arranged portions includes  14 A- 14 F.  FIG. 1  also illustrates an example of a second plurality of concentrically arranged portions, in which a second plurality of concentrically arranged portions includes  16 A- 16 D. In such an embodiment, the base portion  12  may extend across at least the heel of the wearer&#39;s foot and the ball of the wearer&#39;s foot in an as-worn position. In addition, the base portion  12  may extend in a substantially planar fashion and have a first surface  70  ( FIG. 14 ) and a second surface  72  ( FIG. 1 ). In a further embodiment the first plurality of concentrically arranged portions  14 A- 14 F is substantially centered on the heel of the wearer&#39;s foot in an as-worn position and the second plurality of concentrically arranged portions  16 A- 16 D is substantially centered on the balls of the wearer&#39;s foot in an as-worn position. 
     A first plurality of concentrically arranged portions  14 A- 14 F may extend from at least one of the first surface  70  of the base portion  12  and the second surface  72  of the base portion  12 . In addition, a second plurality of concentrically arranged portions  16 A- 16 D may extend from at least one of the first surface  70  of the base portion  12  and the second surface  72  of the base portion  12 . In one embodiment the first surface  70  of the base portion  12  comprises a top surface of the base portion  12  and the second surface  72  of the base portion  12  comprises a bottom surface of the base  12 , the top surface  70  being more proximate to the wearer&#39;s foot than the bottom surface  72  in an as-worn position. 
     Examples of a sole of the present invention may include alternative configurations, wherein the first plurality of concentrically arranged portions  14 A- 14 F and the second plurality of concentrically arranged portions  16 A- 16 D may be positioned on the same surface  70  and  72  of the base  12  or may be positioned on opposing surfaces of the base  12 . In one exemplary aspect, as shown in  FIG. 14 , in a sole for cushioning, both a first plurality of concentrically arranged portions and a second plurality of concentrically arranged portions extend from the top surface  70  of the base portion. In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 13 , both the first plurality of concentrically arranged portions  14 A- 14 F and the second plurality of concentrically arranged portions  16 A- 16 D may extend from the bottom surface  72  of the base portion  12 . Alternatively, in a version shown in  FIG. 11 , the first plurality of concentrically arranged portions  14 A- 14 F may extend from a bottom surface  72  of the base and a second plurality of concentrically arranged portions, such as  16 A- 16 D, may extend from the top surface  70  of the base. In contrast, as shown in  FIG. 12  the first plurality of concentrically arranged portions  314 A- 314 F may extend from the top surface of the base and the second plurality of concentrically arranged portions, such as  16 A- 16 D, may extend from the bottom surface of the base portion. Although each of  FIGS. 1, 4A, 11, 12, 13, and 14  only depict one type of protrusion, it is contemplated that the configuration illustrated in each respective figure might include one or more other types of protrusions. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15A and 15B , a sole  1520  in accordance with the present invention integrated into shoe  1500  as a midsole is illustrated. Sole  1520  may be positioned between a shoe upper  1510  and an outsole  1530  to operate as a cushioning midsole. Outsole  1530  may comprise portions of a material such as latex or other durable rubber applied to protrusions of the sole  1520 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 16A-16C , a sole  1620  in accordance with the present invention integrated as an insole within a shoe  1600  is illustrated. As illustrated in  FIG. 16A , a sole  1620  in accordance with the present invention may be inserted within the upper  1620  of a shoe  1600  to provide cushioning for a wearer. Any form of outsole  1630 , which may also include any type of midsole  1640  may be provided as part of shoe  1600 . 
     As illustrated further in  FIG. 16B , a sole  1620  in accordance with the present invention used as an insole may provide a plurality of protrusions  1624  and grooves  1626  substantially as described above to provide cushioning for the wearer of a shoe  1600 . As illustrated further in  FIG. 16C , a sole  1620  in accordance with the present invention utilized as an insole may provide a cushioning component  1622  from which protrusions  1624  and grooves  1626  may be formed. A cover  1621  may contact the foot of the wearer of the shoe  1600 . Cover  1621  may be of fabric or other suitable material that may comfortably engage the foot of a wearer (not illustrated), which may be socked or bare. 
     A sole in accordance with the invention may be constructed of a variety of materials. For example, the sole may be constructed of polyeurothane, phylon, EVA, rubber, etc. Any material may be used in conjunction with the various examples of soles in accordance with the present invention. 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
     Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.