US20240023669A1 - Footwear sole configured to impart pressure and stimulation - Google Patents

Abstract

A footwear sole includes a first sole component or an inner portion of the sole and a second sole component or an outer portion of the sole. The upper surface of the first sole component having an undulating pattern of crests and troughs that is out of phase with a lower surface of the first sole component having an undulating pattern of crests and troughs. The vertical alignments of the crests of the upper surface with the troughs of the lower surface are configured to apply pressure at specific locations of the user's foot. The second sole component has a lower surface with an undulating pattern of crests and troughs that is out of phase with that of the lower surface. The combined configuration imparts differential pressure and sensory stimulation to the bottom surface of the user's foot.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention generally pertains to an article of footwear, and in particular, to a sole component with an upper surface having depressions and elevated upper regions, a lower surface with ground contacting regions and raised regions, and each of the elevated regions is vertically aligned with a respective ground contacting region. This configuration may impart pressure and stimulation to the bottom surface of the user's foot while providing the necessary support, cushioning, and traction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Articles of footwear may include a sole structure or component which generally provides support and cushioning of the user's foot and traction for the footwear. The sole structure or component also provides cushioning to the user's foot when formed from resiliently compressible material. Other sole structures or components may also be configured in such a way to reduce the dimensions or weight of the sole in order enhance the comfort and use of the sole.
• However, such designs are not configured to designate pressure to the foot when the user is engaged in standing or in an activity. Such designs also do not adequately provide sensory stimulation to the bottom surface of the user's foot while the user is standing or at rest or engaging in an activity. Such designs also are not configured to provide the positive effects localized pressure or sensory stimulation without also becoming insufficiently stable to support the user when standing or engaging in an activity.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to embodiments of an improved article of footwear with at least a sole having a sole component configured to impart localized pressure or sensory stimulation at certain locations to the user's foot. The sole component has an upper surface and an opposite lower surface. The upper surface may have at least one elevated or arched region. The upper surface may also have one or more depressions and one or more elevated regions.
• The lower surface of the sole component may have ground contacting regions. Each of the ground contacting regions may be positioned along the longitudinal (i.e. heel-to-toe) axis of the sole component such that each ground contacting region is vertically aligned with an elevated region of the upper surface of the sole. These vertically aligned regions may define the thicker regions of the sole component which may impart greater pressure to the user's foot.
• The lower surface may have raised regions adjacent to each of the ground contacting regions. Each of the raised regions may be positioned along the longitudinal axis of the sole and vertically aligned with a depression of the upper surface of the sole component. These vertically aligned pairings of raised regions and depressions define the thinner regions of the sole component which may impart areas of reduced pressure applied to the user's foot.
• In another preferred embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces of the sole component may be configured as wave configurations extending along the longitudinal axis of the sole. The undulating surfaces provide a smoother contoured feel against the user's foot which may enhance the pressure and sensory stimulation. The crests of the upper surface may be vertically aligned with the troughs of the lower surface making these regions the thicker part of the sole component. Since the thicker regions make contact with ground and the foot, the pressure to the foot is directed through these regions. The troughs of the upper surface may be vertically aligned with the lower crests of the lower surface making these regions the thinner part of the sole. The pressure exerted on the foot is minimal as the troughs of the upper surface are not in direct contact with the foot and as the crests of lower surface are not in direct contact of the ground.
• Further to this embodiment, the sole component may be a first sole component that may be at least a part of the inner or central portion of the sole. In another preferred embodiment, the first sole component may be at least partially adjacent to a second sole component with the second sole component. The second sole component may have a lower surface with a second ground contacting regions which are spaced apart by a second raised region interspersed between each of the second ground contacting regions. The second ground contacting regions are spaced apart with the second raised region and the spaced apart second ground contacting regions extend along a longitudinal axis of the sole component. The first ground contacting regions are aligned with the second raised regions along the mediolateral axis of the sole which exposes a portion of the sidewall of the first sole component wherein the exposed portion of the sidewall is visible through the voids created by the second raised regions.
• In another preferred embodiment, the second sole component may be a portion of the outer perimeter of the sole. In some embodiments, the second sole component may be located adjacent to both the medial and lateral sidewalls of the first sole component. The outer sole portion may also entirely surround a first sole component wherein the first sole component is a central or inner portion of the sole.
• The second sole component has an upper surface which may have second depressions and second elevated regions on at least a portion of the upper surface. In another exemplary embodiment, the upper surface of the second sole component has second elevated regions that are level with the first elevated regions of the first sole component. The second elevated regions or second depressions may be horizontally aligned with the first elevated regions and first depressions or they are offset from each other. The second sole component may have a second upper surface and a second lower surface that are configured to be undulating along the longitudinal axis of the sole. The second upper surface having a plurality of second upper crests and a plurality of second upper troughs. The second lower surface having a plurality of second lower crests and a plurality of second lower troughs.
• The second upper crests are vertically aligned with the second troughs making these aligned regions the thicker regions of the second sole component.
• Since the elevated regions or upper crests of the upper surfaces are vertically aligned with the ground contacting regions or lower troughs of the lower surfaces, the applied pressure to the foot is further enhanced given the opposing ground force directed through the ground contacting regions or lower troughs and through the elevated regions or upper crests. The depressions or troughs of the upper surfaces may also form voids under the foot or areas reduced pressure of force on the foot than the elevated regions or crests of the upper surface, The areas of reduced pressure and the areas of enhanced force may be transmitted through the contact with the foot with at least the elevated portions or upper crests of the upper surfaces. The contact may be directly with the foot or indirectly through a layer that is sufficiently flexible to allow the user's foot to be sensitive to the alternating applied pressure or stimulation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• By way of example only, selected embodiments and aspects of the present invention are described below. Each description refers to a figure (“FIG.”) which shows the described matter. Some figures shown in drawings or photographs that accompany this specification may be for footwear that is for either the left or right foot. Each figure includes one or more identifiers for one or more part(s) or elements(s) of the invention.
• Various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, in which:
• FIG.1 shows a bottom perspective view of a sole.
• FIG.2 shows a top plan view of an embodiment of the sole.
• FIG.3 shows a top perspective view of the embodiment shown inFIG.2.
• FIG.4 shows an exterior side view of a sole.
• FIG.5 shows the cross section along the longitudinal midline5-5 inFIG.2.
• FIG.6 shows the cross section along the mediolateral axis taken at line6-6 inFIG.2.
• FIG.7 shows the cross section along the mediolateral axis taken at line7-7 inFIG.2.
• FIG.8 shows the side view of an embodiment of the sole.
• FIG.9 shows a top plan view of the embodiment shown inFIG.8.
• FIG.10 shows the cross section along the longitudinal midline10-10 inFIG.9.
• FIG.11 shows the cross section along the mediolateral axis at line11-11 inFIG.9.
• FIG.12 shows the cross section along the mediolateral axis at line12-12 inFIG.9.
• FIG.13 shows the side view of an embodiment of the sole.
• FIG.14 shows a top plan view of the embodiment shown inFIG.13.
• FIG.15 shows the cross section along the longitudinal midline15-15 inFIG.14.
• FIG.16 shows the cross section along the mediolateral axis at line16-16 inFIG.14.
• FIG.17 shows the cross section along the mediolateral axis at line17-17 inFIG.14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• For purposes of describing axes and directions for a sole structure, it is assumed that surfaces of a sole structure intended for ground contact are resting on a horizontal reference plane. A longitudinal axis refers to a horizontal heel-to-toe axis that extends from an approximately rearmost heel location to an approximately forwardmost toe location. A longitudinal direction extends along the longitudinal axis. A mediolateral axis extends generally between the medial side and the lateral side of the footwear and is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of footwear within the transverse or horizontal plane corresponding to the user's foot. A mediolateral direction extends along the mediolateral axis. A vertical axis extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the sagittal plane corresponding to the user's foot and the mediolateral axis of the sole structure in the coronal plane corresponding to the user's foot. A vertical direction extends along the vertical axis. For example, in cases where a portion of the bottom and/or lower surface of the sole is planted flat on a ground surface, the vertical direction may extend from the ground surface upward. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to individual components of a sole.
• The terms “elevated,” “raised,” and “higher” refer to the vertical direction extending upward from an approximately horizontal plane of the sole, while the terms “downward” and “lowered” refer to the vertical direction extending downward from an approximately horizontal plane of the sole. Similarly, the terms “top,” “upper,” and other similar terms refer to the portion of an object substantially opposite from a portion of the bottom and/or lower surface or region of the sole in a vertical direction. The terms “bottom,” “lower,” and other similar terms refer to the portion of an object substantially closest to a portion of the bottom and/or lower surface or region of the sole in a vertical direction. The term “ground contacting” refers to a portion of the sole that directly contacts the ground or indirectly contacts the ground separated by a thin layer of material.
• In one exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS.1-7, a firstsole component6 forms an inner area or centrally located area and a secondsole component4 forms an outer portion of the sole, which extends at least partially around the first sole component. The secondsole component4 includes anouter sidewall8 and aninner sidewall10. Theinner sidewall10 extends at least partially around the firstsole component6. The secondsole component4 has anupper surface12 and alower surface14. The second sole component may include alateral segment23 extending along the lateral side of the sole in a longitudinal direction and a medial segment24 extending along the medial side of the sole in a longitudinal direction. Firstsole component6 includes asidewall9. In this exemplary embodiment, some portions ofsidewall9 are adjacent and attached to the second sole component'sinner sidewall10 and some portions of thesidewall9 are exposed and not covered by theinner sidewall10. The firstsole component6 has anupper surface13, and alower surface15. The lower surfaces of both the first sole component and the second sole component may collectively form ground contacting surfaces.
• Extended Perimeter Sidewall. Theupper surface12 of the secondsole component4 may have a plurality ofprotrusions16 that have a waveform configuration. In one exemplary embodiment, theprotrusions16 of theupper surface12 may be located along the medial segment24 andlateral segment23 of the secondsole component4, and theprotrusions16 have a waveform configuration generally along the longitudinal axis. Theprotrusions16 of theupper surface12 may extend at least partially or the entire length across the medio-lateral plane of the secondsole component4. Theprotrusions16 and theadjacent troughs19 may be located along the perimeter of the sole to formextended sidewalls52 that cup the exterior surface of the upper50. In other embodiments, the waveform surface of the second sole component may also be positioned underneath the foot to provide enhanced pressure or sensory stimulation.
• The apex of eachprotrusion16 on the upper surface may also be considered an elevated point or highest point that defines a peak orcrest18 of eachprotrusion16 of theupper surface12. Adjacent to protrusion16, a space may define a lowered point or lowest point that defines atrough19.
• Protrusions16 on theupper surface12 of the secondsole component4 may be uniform in size or vary in size with respect to the height along a vertical axis, length along the longitudinal axis, width across the medio-lateral axis.Protrusions16 may also vary based on thesplay angle20 from theadjacent trough19. A splay angle is measured between thetangential lines21. Tangential lines are extrapolated from the lowest point of thetrough19 and inflection point “a” which is the point in which the curvature of theprotrusion16 inflects to the curvature oftrough19. In one embodiment, the protrusions may have a smaller adjacent splay angle in the forefoot region and generally a larger splay angle in the heel region. In one exemplary embodiment, there may be four to five protrusions along a longitudinal side of the upper surface of the second sole component.
• In the exemplary embodiment, shown inFIG.4, theextended perimeter sidewall52 of the second sole component may have a waveform pattern with a space between twoadjacent protrusions16 of theupper surface12 and may have a substantially concave shape having atrough19 between thecrests18 of theconvex protrusions16. The concave space between convex protrusions may resemble a sinusoidal-like waveform that is in phase with the waveform of the lower surface of the secondsole component4. The waveforms may take on waveform shapes or combinations of shapes, e.g. square, triangle, sawtooth, etc. While theextended perimeter sidewall52 may function to cup and secure through bonding of the upper50, the extended perimeter's wave form may be primarily ornamental.
• Upper Surface of the Seconds Sole Component. Further to this embodiment, theupper surface12 of the second sole component may have regions that are entirely devoid or partially devoid ofprotrusions16 other than contours on theextended perimeter sidewall52 and other than the declinedslope54 originating from theextended perimeter sidewall52 towards the inner portion of the sole.Extended perimeter sidewall52 and the declinedslope54 are designed to cup the bottom of the foot or provide raised portions that are well-known in the art to support the foot such as a midfoot arch support. In an alternate embodiment, the upper surface may additionally have a plurality of elevated regions spaced away from each other by a depression which is located along the inner portion of the upper surface away from theextended perimeter sidewall52. The elevated regions extend along the longitudinal axis of the sole. The elevated regions may be configured as a waveform. The elevated regions or crests may be vertically aligned with the ground contacting surfaces or troughs of the lower surface of the second sole component such theground contacting surfaces48 ortroughs49 of thelower surface14 making these regions the thicker portions of the sole.
• The additional elevated regions or crests along with the depressions or troughs of the upper surface of the second sole component may be integrated as part of the overall declined slope that extends from the extended perimeter sidewall. The additional elevated regions or crests may extend and be horizontally aligned to at least a portion of the inner area of the upper surface of the first sole component. The additional or second elevated regions and adjacent depressions may also be horizontally offset with the first elevated regions and adjacent depressions of the first uppers surface of the first sole component.
• Lower Surface of the Second Sole Component. Thelower surface14 of the secondsole component4 may have a plurality ofground contacting regions48, where each of theground contacting regions48 are spaced away from each other by a raisedregion46. The raisedregions46 form a space or cavity within the secondsole component4.
• Theground contacting regions48 of thelower surface14 of theground contacting regions48 may be uniform in size or vary in size with respect to either or in combination with the height generally along a vertical axis, length along the longitudinal axis, width across the medio-lateral axis, and/or a splay angle formed by an interspaced cavity formed within a raisedregion46 between the two adjacentground contacting regions48. Theground contacting regions48 may vary in size such as smaller ground contacting regions in the forefoot and larger ground contacting regions along at least a portion of the heel region. In one exemplary embodiment, there may be four to five ground contacting regions along a longitudinal side of the lower surface of the second sole component. In other embodiments, the number of ground contacting regions may vary, and may be positioned only at locations directed to providing the desired pressure or sensory stimulation to the user's foot.
• In one exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS.1,3, &4, thelower surface14 may form a sinusoidal wave. The sinusoidal wave of thelower surface14 has a plurality of lower crests and a plurality of lower troughs. In an alternate embodiment, the pressure may be enhanced to certain locations of the foot by having at least a portion of the foot supporting upper surface of the second sole component with a sinusoidal wave that is out of phase with the lower surface. The out of phase upper surface has upper crests vertically aligned with the lower surfaces troughs which forms the thicker regions of the sole. The upper surfaces' troughs are vertically aligned with the lower surfaces' crests which forms the thinner regions of the sole. The forefoot of the sole may have a thinner height than in the heel of the sole. The crests and troughs may have substantially the same amplitude (i.e., height) or may have variable amplitudes. The spacing of the crests and troughs may also vary. The spacing may be lesser in the forefoot region than in the heel region.
• In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.4, theground contacting regions48 on thelower surface14 along thelateral segment23 and medial segment24 of the secondsole component4 may have approximate heights (or amplitudes of the troughs) of roughly 2 mm to 10 mm.
• In the exemplary embodiment, the secondsole component4 may haveground contacting regions48 that extend to the perimeter of the sole2. Theground contacting regions48 may extend across the entire medio-lateral width of the lateral andmedial segments23,24 of the secondsole component4. In other embodiments, the ground contacting regions of the second sole component may extend only a partial distance across the width. The second raisedregions46 may also extend from the perimeter of the secondsole component4 and at least partially along the mediolateral width or across the entire width of the secondsole component4.
• Further to this embodiment inFIG.1, the toe and heelground contacting regions54,56 may be U-shaped—along the plane formed by the intersection of the mediolateral and longitudinal axes—and extend around the heel and toe regions of the firstsole component6.Ground contacting regions48 along alateral segment23 or medial segment24 of the secondsole component4 may have an approximate length of roughly 4 mm to 10 mm. Aground contacting region48 may extend across the width of thelateral segment23 or medial segment24 of the secondsole component4 may have a width of roughly 20 mm to 27 mm.
• A First Sole Component. A sole may have a first sole component that is configured to provide desired pressure or sensory stimulation to foot. The first sole component may encompass the entire sole or only a portion of the sole. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS.1-7, the firstsole component6 includes asidewall9, a firstupper surface13, and a firstlower surface15. The firstupper surface13 may havedepressions34 andelevated regions32. Thelower surface15 may have firstground contacting surfaces38 and first raisedregions36.
• In exemplary embodiments, firstsole component6 has asidewall9 adjacent to secondsole component4 and is configured to fit within secondsole component4 as a central area of the sole. Thesidewall9 may be configured to be angled inwardly from theupper surface13 to thelower surface15, and further configured so that thesidewall9 may converge toward each other. The first sole component may be separately molded and inserted into the central cavity formed by the second sole component. The inwardly angledsidewall9 enables a more stable fit of the first sole component within the central cavity of the second sole component which has inner sidewalls of the second sole component that are configured to receiveangled sidewalls9 of the first sole component. Once the first sole component is inserted, it may be bonded to second sole component through the use of heat, adhesives, or any process known in the art. In alternate embodiments, the first sole component and the second sole component may be formed of a unitary construction. In another embodiment, the first sole component may not require a second sole component and the first sole component forms the perimeters of at least most or all of the sole.
• Theupper surface13 of the firstsole component6 may haveelevated regions32 anddepressions34 wherein the elevated regions are each spaced away by a depression along the longitudinal axis of the sole. Thisupper surface13 may have a waveform configuration forming crests and troughs. Elevated regions may be uniform in dimensions or vary in size with respect to the height along the vertical axis, length along the longitudinal axis, width across the medio-lateral axis, and/or splay angles that extend into the adjacent depressions. Elevated regions may be smaller in size in the forefoot region and larger in size in the heel region. In one exemplary embodiment, there may be four to six elevated regions along a longitudinal side of the upper surface of first sole component. The depressions may be concave with some forming circular depressions while others forming elongated depressions extending across the medio-lateral width of the first sole component. The depressions may vary in shape and are preferred to have large enough dimensions such that voids are perceived by the foot with a pressure differential or sensory stimulation applied to the foot either when the user is standing or engaging in activity. The foot may also perceive differences in texture based on the undulating pattern.
• In a preferred embodiment as shown inFIG.2, the concave depressions extend from the mediolateral width of the first sole component. The depth of the depressions ranges from 2 mm to 6 mm. The depressions in the heel to midfoot portions may be more circular and larger than the depressions in forefoot region. The depressions in the forefoot portion may be more elongated in the mediolateral direction. The depressions may not fully extend the width of the first sole component. The upper surface of the sole may have multiple depressions spaced by multiple elevated regions along a mediolateral axis.
• Ground contacting regions38 of thelower surface15 of the firstsole component6 may be uniform in size or vary in size with respect to the height along the vertical axis, length along the longitudinal axis, width across the medio-lateral axis, and/orsplay angle20 in the spaces between the ground contacting surfaces relative to the longitudinal axis of the base.Ground contacting regions38 may be smaller in size in the forefoot region and larger in size in the heel region. In one exemplary embodiment, there may be five to seven ground contacting regions along the lower surface of the first sole component.
• In one exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS.1 and5, a raisedregion36 between two substantially convexground contacting regions38 on thelower surface15 of the firstsole component6 wherein the raised region would have a substantially concave shape. The concave shape of the raisedregion36 and theground contacting regions38 may resemble a sinusoidal waveform.
• In some embodiments, the upper surface of the first sole component resembles a sinusoidal waveform configuration that may be in phase with a sinusoidal waveform. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG.5, theupper surface13 may have a sinusoidal waveform configuration which may be out of phase with a sinusoidal waveform configuration of the sinusoidal waveform of thelower surface15. The crests of theupper surface13 may be vertically aligned with troughs of the lower surface making these regions the thicker part of the sole which enables more force transmitted from the ground to the foot.
• It is understood that thelower surface15 of the firstsole component6 may have a plurality of elevatedpoints defining crests18 that are located along the longitudinal direction between two elevatedpoints defining crests18 on thebottom surface14 of the secondsole component4. Alternatively, or in combination with the above, it may be understood that thebottom surface14 of theouter portion4 may have a plurality of elevatedpoints defining crests18 that are located along the longitudinal axis between two elevatedpoints defining crests18 on thelower surface15 of theinner portion6.
• In one exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG.5,elevated regions32 on theupper surface13 of the firstsole component6 may form peaks or crests along the longitudinal midline of the sole. Further to this embodiment, thedepressions34 form the troughs on theupper surface13. The longitudinal axis of the sole may have an overall curvature of forefoot region in which a wave pattern follows. Theupper surface13 may also be generally concave, i.e. the elevated regions and the depressions are overall curved, in order that perimeter regions of the sole structure cup the upper50 as shown inFIG.5. The general concavity along the mediolateral direction may varying depending on the location along the longitudinal axis wherein certain regions are a greater degree of cupping. Theupper surface13 may have a lower focal point, i.e. is less concave, along the medial lateral axis in areas that substantially correspond along a vertical axis to theelevated regions32 on theupper surface13 as shown inFIG.6. Theupper surface13 may have a greater degree of curvature with a greater focal point along the medial lateral axis in areas that substantially corresponddepressions34 as shown inFIG.7.Ground contacting regions38 are interspaced by raisedregions36 along the longitudinal axis of thelower surface15 of the firstsole component6. The secondlower surface14 of the secondsole component4 has positioned secondground contacting regions48 laterally adjacent to the raisedregions36 of the firstsole component6 in order to provide or enhance the stability to the first sole component raised regions that are above the ground. InFIG.6, thelower surface15 of the firstsole component6 and the secondlower surface14 of the secondsole component4 are out of phase with only the firstsole component6 having aground contacting region38. The resulting configuration exposes thesidewall9 of the firstsole component6 and an adjacentinner sidewall10 of the secondsole component4.
• Further to the exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS.3,5, &6, the interface between theupper surface13 of the firstsole component6 and theupper surface12 of the secondsole component4 may be formed to be substantially coplanar at theelevated regions32. In alternate embodiments, the interface may not be coplanar as upper surfaces are configured to have additional depressions and elevated regions for additional sensory stimulation.
• In other exemplary embodiments, waveforms of either the upper surface or lower surface of the first sole component may have other shape configurations, including, but not limited to, at least approximately triangular, square, sawtooth or polygonal. A sole component may have the same shape or have varying shapes. The elevated regions and depressions of the first sole component may be configured as a waveform where each crest and trough may have substantially the same amplitude or vary in amplitude. The amplitude may be lesser in the forefoot region than in the heel region. In some preferred embodiments, the amplitude may vary approximately between 2 mm to 7 mm for a women'ssize 6 shoe. The range of amplitudes for a particular sole may vary based on different sized shoes.
• The wavelength may also vary along the longitudinal direction wherein the wavelength is a shorter distance in the forefoot region than in the heel region. Approximate wavelength distances may range between 10 mm to 34 mm for a women'ssize 6 shoe. The wavelength range of distances may vary based on different sized shoes.
• Lower surface15 of firstsole component6 may formground contacting surfaces38 of the sole.Ground contacting surfaces38 may extend at least partially or the entire length along the mediolateral direction of the firstsole component6. The cavities formed by interspersed raisedregions36 may also extend at least partially or the entire length along the mediolateral direction of the firstsole component6. Theground contacting surfaces38 may directly contact the ground or have an indirect contact through an attached outsole layer. An added outsole layer may provide enhanced durability to the sole bottom as well as may be used to modulate the applied pressure differential to the foot which be modulated by the rigidity or hardness.
• Ground contacting regions38 on thelower surface15 of the firstsole component6 may be smaller in the forefoot region and larger in the heel region. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS.1,4 &5, there are fiveground contacting regions38 along a longitudinal direction of thelower surface15 of theground contacting regions38. Aground contacting region38 may have an approximate range of lengths of approximately 4 mm to 10 mm. The ground contacting region width that are along the mediolateral direction an approximate width range of 40 mm to 50 mm. The range of sizes may vary depending on the size of the shoe.
• In one exemplary embodiment, theground contacting regions38 and raisedregions36 resembling a sinusoidal waveform configuration on thelower surface15 of the firstsole component6 may be out of phase (i.e., staggered) with theground contacting regions48 and raisedregions46 resembling a sinusoidal waveform configuration on thelower surface14 of the secondsole component4, located on each of thelateral segment23 and the medial segment24 of the secondsole component4.
• In some embodiments, raisedregions36 betweenground contacting regions38 on thelower surface15 of the firstsole component6 or thelower surface14 of the secondsole component4 may be angled as it splays downward and outward, forming asplay angle20. Thesplay angle20 is defined by the angle between thetangential lines21 wherein eachtangential line21 is extrapolated from the highest point of the raisedregions36 to the inflection point “a” wherein the curvature of the raisedregion36 inflects to the curvature of theground contacting regions38 on either side of the raisedregions36 as shown inFIG.5.
• Each of the depressions of the upper surfaces and the raised regions on the lower surfaces may each have a splay angle. The splay angle may vary depending on the desired cushioning and sensory stimulation properties of each depression of the upper surface or raised region on the lower surface.
• In one embodiment the splay angles20 of at least one of thelower surface14 of the secondsole component4 and thelower surface15 of the firstsole component6 may be greater than 50 degrees. The splay angles20 in thedepressions34 on theupper surface13 of the firstsole component4 may be greater than 50 degrees.
• In some exemplary embodiments, as shown inFIGS.8-12 andFIGS.13-17, theupper surface13 of the firstsole component6 is convex or arched along a medio-lateral direction and is non-undulating. Further to these embodiments, theupper surface13 of the firstsole component6 is covered entirely by the secondsole component4. The portion of theupper surface12 of the secondsole component4 located above theupper surface13 of the firstsole component6 is also non-undulating. In some embodiments, at least one of the firstsole component6 and the secondsole component4 is of solid construction and has a substantially uniform density and shore hardness. In some embodiments, the material forming the firstsole component6 may have an equal or higher shore hardness or density than that of the secondsole component4.
• The higher shore hardness or density in the first sole component may provide higher pressure or stimulation to the central portion of the user's foot. The pressure may be further localized to a region of the user's foot based on the configuration of the upper surface of the first sole component such as having an arched region that focuses the pressure or stimulation to the user's foot. For example, the focus may be along a discrete longitudinal axis of the foot by configuring the upper surface of the first sole component to have an arched region that is arched across the mediolateral direction of the sole with the crest of the arch extending along a longitudinal axis of the first sole component. Further to this embodiment, the pressure or stimulation may be greater when vertically aligned with a ground contacting region either in the form of protrusion or trough of an undulated lower surface of the first sole component. In another exemplary embodiment, there are more than one arched region spaced apart by depression or leveled regions of the upper surface and the pressure or stimulation may be focused based on the direction of the arched curve and the alignment with ground contact regions.
• The firstsole component6 may have a shore hardness (ASTM D-2240) between 35-63C and the secondsole component4 may have a shore hardness between 35-48C. In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS.8-12, the first sole component may have a shore hardness between 57-63C in the foremost region62 of the firstsole component6, a shore hardness between 62-68C in the portion rearward of the foremost region, and the secondsole component4 may have a shore hardness between 42-48C. In another embodiment, as shown inFIGS.13-17, the firstsole component6 may have a shore hardness between 67-73C and the secondsole component4 may have a shore hardness between 42-48C. Further to the exemplary embodiments shown inFIGS.8-12 and13-17, the sole may have an attachedheel clip72 having a shore hardness of 82-88C and providing additional stability and support to the user's heel In another embodiment, as shown inFIG.5, each of the firstsole component6 and the second sole component may have a hardness between 35-41C.
• In some exemplary embodiments, as shown inFIGS.8,10,13 and15, when downward pressure is not applied to the sole, the firstsole component6 may have lowest points forming firstground contacting regions38 on aground surface82, whereas the secondsole component4 hastroughs49 of thelower surface14 which are vertically higher with respect to theground contacting regions38 of the firstsole component6 and which do not form ground contacting regions. For example, thetroughs49 may be vertically higher by a distance of up to ˜3 mm. When downward pressure is applied, such as when the user's foot compresses the sole, the firstsole component6 may compress allowing one ormore troughs49 of secondsole component4 to form second ground contacting regions.
• Massaging Units. In another embodiment, the article of footwear includes a massage unit which may provide neuromuscular stimulation.
• The massage unit or components of the massage unit responsible for providing a vibrational sensation may be located in a component of the article of footwear, such as the midsole layer. The massage unit may be located in a sole component, insole, or sockliner. The massage unit may be separately located between components of the article of footwear, such as between the midsole and the insole.
• In one embodiment, the massage unit is located in a shank of the article of footwear located under the insole but above a midsole component. A preferred embodiment of the massage unit is one that does not interfere with the differentially applied pressure or sensory stimulation of the first sole component. For example, the massage unit or units may be positioned entirely within an area of an elevated region or within an area of a depression of the first sole component.
• The massage unit may comprise an assembly of components including at least one rechargeable battery, at least one vibrating motor, and at least one electronic control board. A wireless or manual control device, such as a switch or button, may be operated to activate and or deactivate a function of the massage unit.
• The control device may be located near or affixed to the upper or a sole component of the article of footwear. In one embodiment the control device is located on the tongue or instep attachment of the shoe.
• The control device may be configured so that each time the control device is activated, it may activate a function of a cyclic sequence of functions where each function corresponds to a predetermined selection of an amplitude (or intensity), frequency, and/or pulse of vibration.
• In one embodiment a control button may cycle through (1) a low intensity pulse vibration, (2) a medium intensity pulse vibration, (3) a high intensity pulse vibration, (4) a low intensity constant vibration, (5) a medium intensity constant vibration, (6) a relatively high intensity constant vibration, and (7) deactivation of the massage unit or no vibration. The massage unit may also include an additional pulsation control device which may regulate the frequency, pulse, and amplitude of the vibration.
• The massage unit may incorporate a timer which deactivates the massage unit after a pre-selected period of operation.
• In one embodiment a power source may be connected to the massage unit via a charging cable, such as USB charging cable. The charging cable may be releasably attached to a connection port on the article of footwear. A wired control button assembly may also be releasably attached to the wired connection port. The wired control button assembly may be removed to facilitate charging the massage unit's rechargeable battery with a charging cable.
• In another embodiment, the massage unit may be charged wirelessly through induction as is known in the art.
• Materials. The sole components may be constructed of any material used in the art. Some exemplary materials may include but are not limited to a POE such as EVA, TPU, or TPE. Polymer materials may be foamed. The materials may be relatively rigid or compressible under a sufficient load in order to provide a cushioning effect while still applying sufficient pressure to the wearer's bottom of foot. It is generally understood that a more rigid material would exhibit a higher degree of differentially applied pressure.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the polymer materials may be foamed either through use of chemical foaming agents or supercritical fluid expansion. The SCF-expanded polymer material may be, but is not limited to, EVA and/or TPU. In one embodiment, the second sole component may have a higher density and hardness than the first sole component. Further to this embodiment, the SCF foamed material may include a plurality of pin hole apertures to provide flexibility, reduction of weight, and desired weight distribution.
• In other exemplary embodiments, one or more of the sole components may be a fluid filled compartment. The sole components may also incorporate rigid shanks or plates. The sole components may have hollow chambers or may be solidly constructed with no hollow chambers.
• Although the present invention has been described above by referring to particular embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations could be made to the sole structure without departing from the intended scope of invention.

Claims (26)

We claim:

1. A sole comprising:

a first sole component having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a sidewall surface;

the upper surface comprising depressions and elevated regions;

wherein the depressions are spaced apart from each other with an elevated region interspersed between each of the depressions, and the depressions are spaced along a heel-to-toe axis of the sole;

the lower surface comprising first ground contacting regions and first raised regions, the first ground contacting regions are spaced apart from each other with a first raised region interspersed between each of the first ground contacting regions, and the first ground contacting regions are spaced along the heel-to-toe axis of the sole;

each of the elevated regions being vertically and solidly aligned with a corresponding first ground contacting region,

each of the depressions extending across a mediolateral direction of the sole at least within a central portion of the first sole component, and wherein

the upper surface of the first sole component has direct contact with a user's foot or a flexible insert.

2. The sole ofclaim 1, wherein each of the depressions is vertically aligned with one of the elevated lower regions.

3. The sole ofclaim 1, further comprising a second sole component, wherein the second sole component is adjacent to the first sole component being positioned adjacent to the sidewall surface of the first sole component.

4. The sole ofclaim 1 wherein the second sole component has a lower surface, and the lower surface comprising second ground contacting regions that are each spaced away from each other by a second raised region that is interspersed between the second ground contacting regions.

5. The sole ofclaim 4 wherein each of the first ground contacting regions are aligned with the second raised regions along the mediolateral direction of the sole which exposes a portion of the sidewall of the first sole component.

6. The sole ofclaim 5 wherein the second ground contacting regions are at least aligned with the first raised regions along the mediolateral axis of the sole.

7. The sole ofclaim 6 wherein the sidewall surface of the first sole component has a medial surface and a lateral surface, and the second sole component is located adjacent to the medial sidewall and lateral sidewall of the first sole component wherein the first sole component is at least a portion of a central area of the sole.

8. The sole ofclaim 5 wherein the first sole component is constructed of a less dense material than the second sole component.

9. The sole ofclaim 1 wherein the depressions and elevated regions forms an undulating surface along the heel-to-toe axis of the sole.

10. The sole ofclaim 1 wherein the first ground contacting regions and the first raised regions form an undulating surface along the heel-to-toe axis of the sole.

11. The sole ofclaim 1 wherein at least one depression in a heel region of the first sole component is approximately circular and at least one depression in a forefoot region of the first sole component is elongated.

12. An article of footwear comprising:

a first sole component having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a sidewall surface;

the upper surface having an at least one arched region;

the lower surface comprising first ground contacting regions and first raised regions, the first ground contacting regions are spaced apart from each other with a first raised region interspersed between each of the first ground contacting regions, and the first ground contacting regions spaced along the heel-to-toe axis of the article;

each of the first ground contacting regions is vertically aligned with the at least one arched region,

a second sole component which is located along at least a portion of the perimeter of the article and is adjacent to the first sole component being positioned adjacent to the sidewall surface of the first sole component,

the second sole component having a lower surface comprising second ground contacting regions that are each spaced away from each other by a second raised region that is interspersed between the second ground contacting regions,

each of the first ground contacting regions being aligned with the second raised regions along the mediolateral axis of the article which exposes a portion of the sidewall of the first sole component, and wherein

the upper surface of the first sole component has direct contact with a user's foot or an intermediate layer having a lower hardness than a first hardness of the first sole component.

13. The article of footwear ofclaim 12, wherein the upper surface comprising depressions and arched regions;

wherein the depressions are spaced apart from each other with one of the arched regions interspersed between each of the depressions, and the depressions are spaced along a heel-to-toe axis of the article;

each of the depressions extending across a mediolateral direction of the article from an edge of the first sole component to the opposite edge of the first sole component,

14. The article of footwear ofclaim 13 wherein the depressions and the arched regions form an undulating surface along the heel-to-toe axis of the sole.

15. The article of footwear ofclaim 13 wherein the first ground contacting regions and the first raised regions form an undulating surface along the heel-to-toe axis of the sole.

16. The article of footwear ofclaim 14 wherein the sidewall surface of the first sole component has a medial surface and a lateral surface, and the second sole component is located adjacent to the medial sidewall and lateral sidewall of the first sole component and wherein the first sole component is at least a portion of a central area of the sole.

17. The article of footwear ofclaim 12 wherein at least one of the sole components is constructed of material formed by supercritical fluid expansion of a polymer material into its final form.

18. The article of footwear ofclaim 12 wherein the at least one arched region is arched along the mediolateral direction of the sole and extends along the entire upper surface of the first sole component.

19. The article of footwear ofclaim 12 wherein a hardness of the first sole component is greater than the second sole component.

20. The article of footwear ofclaim 19 wherein the hardness of the first sole component is greater in a forefoot region than in a heel region of the first sole component.

21. The article of footwear ofclaim 12 wherein each of the first ground contacting regions has a first lowest point and each of the second ground contacting regions has a second lowest point, and at least one of the second lowest points is vertically higher than at least one of the first lowest points when no downward pressure is applied on the article of footwear.

22. The article of footwear ofclaim 21 wherein the second lower point is vertically higher than the first lower point by a vertical height up to 3 mm.

23. A sole comprising:

a first sole portion and a second sole portion;

the first sole portion located centrally to the second sole portion;

the first sole portion comprising

an upper surface and a lower surface opposite of the upper surface;

the upper surface having an upper sinusoidal wave configuration extending along a longitudinal axis of the sole;

the lower surface having a lower sinusoidal wave configuration extending along the longitudinal axis of the sole;

wherein the upper surface has upper crests and upper troughs;

the lower surface has a plurality of lower crests and lower troughs and;

each of the upper crests are vertically aligned to a corresponding lower trough and each of the lower crests are vertically aligned to a corresponding upper trough; and wherein

the upper surface of the first sole portions having direct contact with a user's foot or a flexible insert.

24. The sole ofclaim 21 wherein the sole further comprises a second sole portion that surrounds the first sole portion and forms a central cavity that receives the first sole portion.

25. The sole ofclaim 22 wherein first sole portion has at least a medial sidewall and a lateral sidewall, and the medial and the lateral sidewalls are angled inwardly from either the upper surface or lower surface of the first sole portion, and the central cavity is reciprocally angled to receive the medial and lateral sidewalls.

26. The sole ofclaim 23 wherein the first sole portion extends from a heel region to a toe region, and the upper surface has 4 to 5 troughs each with a splay angle greater than 50 degrees.

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