Mid-sole

Abstract

A mid-sole is provided for footwear in order to reduce shock more effectively while providing stability. The mid-sole includes a cap, a plurality of connection elements and supporting elements, an elastic pad, and a cover. The mid-sole is fabricated in such a way so that it can function as the structure of beams and column, such that the ground reaction force will be transferred to the columns at the time of impact, instead of at the area directly under the foot as in most of the conventional shoes. The connection elements help to transfer force at the first impact of the shoe with the ground, and guide the direction of force along the force line of the shoe. The elastic pad makes the deflection smoother, thus making the shoe more stable, and the feeling of the foot more comfortable, during running.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a footwear and, more particularly, to a footwear mid-sole. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,261, it is intended for shock absorption improvement by the mid-sole for a sneaker, which includes an upper plate 22, a lower plate 24 and four shock absorbers 26 between the upper plate 22 and the lower plate 24. The absorbers 26 of course are used to absorb shock. However, the shock absorbers 26 are not good enough, in that the reduction of shock depends solely on deformation force or energy being absorbed when the mid-sole is subjected to loading of the foot during running, which is small in contrast with the overall ground reaction force. Furthermore, the absorbers in the form of column are tantamount to pressurized spearheads upon impact, which even though insulated from the foot and located at the edges of the mid-sole; the force generated may still hit on points of the sole in a detrimental level ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] The primary advantage of the mid-sole according to the present invention is that the columns will deform at the moment of impact, and thus some force will be absorbed. Another advantage of the mid-sole according to the present invention is that the cap will function as beam and it will deflect to a controlled displacement when subjected to force of the foot. In this way, force or shock transmitted back to the body through the foot will be reduced. Likewise, the supporting elements will help reduce force by transferring part of the ground reaction force to the columns. Another advantage of the mid-sole according to the present invention is that the connection elements at the rear section will transfer force to the columns at the back part where deformation and energy absorption will take place, at the time of first impact of the shoe with the ground in the motion cycle of running, and also guide the direction of force along the force line of the mid-sole, making the transition of force smoother and thus the shoe more stable during running. Another advantage according to the present invention is that the elastic pad will make the deflection of the cap smoother and that it is protected by being sealed in a cavity by a cover.

Problems solved by technology

However, the shock absorbers 26 are not good enough, in that the reduction of shock depends solely on deformation force or energy being absorbed when the mid-sole is subjected to loading of the foot during running, which is small in contrast with the overall ground reaction force.

Furthermore, the absorbers in the form of column are tantamount to pressurized spearheads upon impact, which even though insulated from the foot and located at the edges of the mid-sole; the force generated may still hit on points of the sole in a detrimental level that may also cause discomfort.

Besides, most serious runners are very mindful of the stability of their shoes, but the column structure tends to be unstable due to complex and unstable inertia force produced upon the first strike or impact of the shoe with the ground and in the subsequent motions, during running.

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