US20220061453A1 - Apparatus and related methods of increasing foot propulsion - Google Patents

Abstract

Biomechanically, a human foot operates as a lever of the second class during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping. Extending the toes during such motion increases the distance between the fulcrum and effort of the foot-lever and results in increased foot propulsion. Disclosed are apparatus and related methods of accomplishing extended toes during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/507,508 (field Jul. 5, 2012), which claims the benefit of Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/574,072 (filed Jul. 28, 2011), entitled “Fulcrum Athletic Shoe.” Both of these earlier filed applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety,
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
• Not applicable.
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
• Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
• The subject disclosure relates to athletic footwear, soles, insoles, inserts and slip-ons.
2. Description of Related Art
• During the motions involved with walking, running or jumping, the human foot operates as a second class lever to cause propulsion. This operation of afoot1000 is illustrated byFIGS. 1A and 1B. As shown in those figures, the weight of the body (or load)2000 resting on thearch1100 of thefoot1000 is propelled byeffort3000 from thecalf1200 to raise the heel and leverage theweight2000 against thetoes1300, which act as afulcrum4000. The propulsion caused by thefoot1000 is equal to the amount ofeffort3000 times the distance between the effort and the fulcrum. When thetoes1300 of the foot are curled, as illustrated inFIG. 1A, thefulcrum4000 is closer to theeffort3000 than when thetoes1300 are extended. The result is that that increasedfoot1000 propulsion can be accomplished by operating thefoot1000 with extended toes1300 (FIG. 1B) instead of curled toes1300 (FIG. 1A).
• The ability to walk or fun faster and jump higher via increased foot propulsion is desirable because it advantageously increases athletic and exercise performance. However, the human toes naturally curl during walking, running or jumping movements so that, thus far, toe extension has only been achieved during the initial foot propulsion (e.g., via a starting block). Subsequent foot propulsions are naturally accomplished with curled toes. In view of the foregoing, a need exists for apparatus and related methods of increasing foot propulsion via continued toe extension.
• In the past several years there have been many advancements in the field of athletic footwear, but none of these advancements have been focused on increased foot propulsion. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,257,470 and 5,253,435 to Auger, et al. discloses athletic footwear with inflatable and deflatable chambers and a built-in pump. The bladder systems focus on the metatarsal, arch and ankle portion for a custom fit that will increase comfort. However, the shoes do not inflate/deflate underneath the ball of foot and do not increase propulsion or facilitate continued toe extension. U.S. Pat. No. 2,086,389 to Pearson and U.S. Pat. No. 2,365,807 to Dialynas both teach an inflatable insole that fits under the arch of the foot. However, this does not affect the distance between the toes and heel of the foot or increase the amount of effort exerted by a user. U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,180 to Dolan, et al. teaches a fluid-filled bladder that provides traction, but does not move the fulcrum forward via toe extension, which is key to propulsion. As a result users of these types of footwear don't get the full explosive movements and propulsion out of their feet.
• Thus a need exists for an insole or footwear that moves the fulcrum or toes of the foot relative to the effort or heel of the foot during motion so that the result is increased athletic performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is an object of the present invention to create an athletic footwear that will engage the toes or phalanges of the foot, moving the fulcrum of the foot forward.
• It is an object of the present invention to create increased propulsion in the feet.
• It is a further object of the present invention to increase stride length while walking.
• It is a further object of the present invention to create a footwear that allows the wearer to run faster and jump higher.
• Other objectives and desires may become apparent to one of skill in the art after reading the below disclosure and viewing the associated figures. Also, These and other embodiments will become apparent from the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The following represents brief descriptions of the drawings wherein:
• FIG. 1A shows how a foot acts a second-class lever with the toes of the foot curled.
• FIG. 1B shows how a foot acts a second-class lever with the toes of the foot extended.
• FIG. 2 is a bottom view a typical foot;
• FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a normal foot delineating the ball of the foot;
• FIG. 4 is a side view of a foot inside of a shoe with a normal insole.
• FIG. 5A shows a top view of the sole of a preferred embodiment of the disclosed athletic footwear.
• FIG. 5B shows a side view of the sole of the preferred embodiment of the disclosed athletic footwear.
• FIG. 6A shows a top view of the sole of a second preferred embodiment of the disclosed athletic footwear.
• FIG. 6B shows a side view of the sole of the second preferred embodiment of the disclosed athletic footwear.
• FIG. 7A shows a top view of the sole of a third preferred embodiment of the disclosed athletic footwear.
• FIG. 7B shows a side view of the sole of the third preferred embodiment of the disclosed athletic footwear.
• FIG. 8 shows perspective view of a preferred athletic footwear.
• FIG. 9 shows perspective view of a second embodiment of a preferred athletic footwear.
• FIG. 10 shows perspective view of a third embodiment of a preferred athletic footwear.
• FIG. 11 shows perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an athletic sock.
• FIG. 12 shows perspective view of a second embodiment of a preferred athletic sock.
• FIG. 13 shows perspective view of a third embodiment of a preferred athletic sock.
• FIG. 14 is side view of the preferred footwear and a foot.
• FIG. 15 is side view of the second embodiment of the preferred footwear and a foot.
• FIG. 10 is side view of the second embodiment of the preferred footwear and a foot.
• It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosed assemblies, and therefore, are not to be considered limiting of their scope, for the disclosed assembles may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
• Biomechanically, a human foot operates as a lever of the second class during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping. Extending the toes during such motion increases the distance between the fulcrum and effort of the foot-lever and results in increased foot propulsion. Disclosed are apparatus and related methods of accomplishing extended toes during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping.
• FIG. 2 depicts the bottom of ahuman foot1000.FIG. 3 depicts the bottom of ahuman foot1000 with theball1500 of thefoot1000 divided into three sections. As seen inFIG. 3, theball1500 of thefoot1000 may be divided into three areas, the upper third1510, the middle third1520, and the bottom third1530.
• Referring toFIGS. 1A through 3, the middle of thetoes1310 are normally curved or curled. As alluded to above,FIG. 1A depicts what happens when a person pushes off on thetoes1310 so that thefoot1000 acts as a second-class lever. Thetoes1300 act as a fulcrum, and theeffort3000 is the lifting of thecalf1200 muscles. As seen in FIG.1A when a person pushes off on thetoes1300, the middle of thetoes1300 are usually not flattened. Instead the ball1500 (FIG. 3) of the foot and the top130 of the toes are engaged with the ground. The flattening of thetoes1300, as shown inFIG. 1B, effectively moves thefulcrum4000 of the lever forward or away from theeffort3000. This increases the distance of the lever. The amount of propulsion generated from the lever is equal to the distance of the lever times the effort. Thus, when thetoes1300 are Moved forward, the propulsion will increase even though the amount of effort remains the same.
• FIG. 4 depicts a typicalathletic shoe200 with atypical insole220. As shown inFIG. 4, only theball1500 of thefoot100 and thetip1310 of thetoes1300 are in contact with theshoe200insole220 and the toes are free to curve or curl.
• The preferred embodiment of the disclosure flattens or extends the toes to increase propulsion.FIG. 5A is a top view the preferred embodiment of aninsole400.FIG. 5B is a side view of theinsole400. Theinsole400 features an abrupt drop off410 and aridge420 surrounding the drop off410. The drop off410 preferably fits under the top third1510 (FIG. 3) of the ball1500 (FIG. 3) of the foot1000 (FIG. 3). Theridge420 supports the pads of the toes1300 (FIG. 3).FIG. 8 depicts ashoe200 with theinsole400 ofFIG. 5 built into theshoe200. Theinsole400 ofFIGS. 5A and 5B is attached to the sole of theshoe200 ofFIG. 8 via adhesive, sewing, melting, electrostatic welding, molding process, or another method known in the art. Theinsole400 can also be manufactured as part of asock300, as shown inFIG. 11. Thesock300 ofFIG. 11 can then be worn inside of a typical athletic shoe200 (FIG. 8).
• In the preferred embodiment, theinsole400 is constructed from pliable materials. In preferred embodiment, theinsole400 is manufactured with a “cookie cutter type process” (e.g. via a die and press arrangement) or cut (e.g. via a blade, scissors or laser) from flat sheets of the pliable material. However, theinsole400 may also be constructed via any other manufacturing method known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of theinsoles400 is in the range between 3/16 of an inch to 1 inch. The range of with ¼ of an inch to ⅜ is the ideal thickness within that range, but other thicknesses may be used. Preferably, the length from the heel to the drop off410 edge, is determined by the average heel to ball of foot length, although varying lengths may be available to accommodate different anatomies.
• FIG. 14 illustrates the strategic placement of a serrated orother edge410 under the upper third1510 (FIG. 3) of theball1500 of thefoot1000 in theinsole400 ofFIG. 5A. This depicted placement allows thetoes1300 to extended, and this moves the fulcrum of thefoot1000 forward and increases propulsion. The pads of thetoes1300 are supported by theinsole ridge420 and this allows thetoes1300 to be put in their most explosive propulsive position.
• An alternate embodiment of theinsole400 is theinsert700 shown inFIG. 6A and 6B. This embodiment features a serrated orother edge705 that preferably goes under the upper third1510 (FIG. 3) of theball1500 of thefoot100.FIGS. 7A and 7B feature another embodiment of theinsole800 with anedge805 that features varying degrees of a severe drop off. This means that the angle A between the drop-off and the toe portion of the insole can be selected as an abrupt angle or a gradual angle or anything in between.FIG. 9 is a perspective view of theinsole700 inside ashoe200.FIG. 15 shows a side view of anathletic shoe200 with theinsert700 ofFIG. 9.FIG. 10 is a perspective view of theinsole800 inside ashoe200.FIG. 16 shows a side view of anathletic shoe200 with theinsert800 ofFIG. 10, Theinserts700,800 are preferably affixed to theshoe200 using enhanced, non-slip treatment to strengthen the grip of theinsert700,800 and to reduce movement of theinsert700,800, although other methods of affixing theinsert700,800 to theshoe200 may be used.
• In preferred embodiment, theinsoles700,800 are manufactured with a “cookie cutter type process” (e.g. via a die and press arrangement) or cut (e.g. via a blade, scissors or laser) from flat sheets, but may also be constructed via any other manufacturing method known in the art. In the embodiments shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the thickness of theinsoles700,800 is in the range between 3/16 of an inch to 1 inch, The range of with ¼ of an inch to318 is the ideal thickness within that range, but other thicknesses may be used. Preferably, the length from the heel to the serrated orother edge705,805, is determined by the average length from the heel to upper third1510 of theball1500 of thefoot1000, although varying lengths may be available to accommodate different anatomies.
• FIGS. 11 through 13 illustrate theinsoles400,700, and800 as part of asock300. Thesock300 can then be worn inside of a typicalathletic shoe200.
CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS & SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
• Accordingly the reader will see that at least one of the embodiments illustrated provides the user the ability to change the fulcrum of the foot and the phalanges angle of launch point and increase its ability to propel said user.
• Other possible embodiments include:
• An athletic device constructed with no insole. The sole could be formed to interact with the balls of the foot and phalanges to increase the fulcrums propelling ability.
• • An athletic device with an inflatable system under the pad of the toes and ball of the feet that adjusts to be rigid or collapses when desired.
  • An athletic device under the pad of toes and/or under the bails of the foot that snaps back each step, with a spongy or collapsible area.
  • An athletic device that forces the toes down upon push off into a rigid, but collapsible area under the toe.
  • An athletic device that manipulates the heel, sole or parts of the upper third of the ball of the foot to move the fulcrum forward and engage the phalanges for more propulsion.
  • A device similar to the disclosed embodiments, but with straps that can be put on the foot so that the device can be used independently.
• Other features will be understood with reference to the drawings. While various embodiments of the method and apparatus have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams might depict an example of an architectural or other configuration for the disclosed method and apparatus, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that might be included in the method and apparatus. The disclosed method and apparatus is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features might be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations might be implemented to implement the desired features of the disclosed method and apparatus. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein might be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.
• Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.
• Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or the like, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.
• The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.
• Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.

Claims (1)

1. A method for improving bipedal motion where the heel of a foot is raised while the toes of the foot are in mechanical contact with the ground, said method comprising the steps of:

placing a portion of the foot over an abrupt drop-off and a ridge on the inside of footwear; and,

raising the heel of the foot so that a portion of the ball of the foot is positioned over the abrupt drop-off and at least a portion of the pads of the toes are positioned on the ridge.

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