Outsole with pods and grooves

Abstract

An outsole designed to enable stability when standing, facilitate sole flexibility and encourage unhindered natural foot motion between the foot and the ground, the outsole including a top face and a bottom face, the bottom face having a plurality of anatomically placed pods for engaging directly with a walking surface, and a plurality of contact points forming a stable platform for the wearer while standing, the top face including a flex groove matrix having a first plurality of grooves which extend transversely across the top face from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot and intersect with at least some of a second plurality of grooves which extend longitudinally at least partially across the top face from heel to toe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in part of Non-Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 484,379, filed May 31, 2012, entitled FOOTWEAR PROMOTING NATURAL MOTION, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 491,404, filed May 31, 2011, entitled FOOTWEAR PROMOTING NATURAL MOTION, which aforesaid applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent permitted by law.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to an outsole which promotes natural motion of the foot by simulating a barefoot experience, and, more particularly, to an outsole having pods for increasing support, traction and stability when standing and having grooves for facilitating foot movement and flexibility.[0003]Throughout most of human history, running was done barefoot or while wearing thin-soled shoes, such as moccasins. In some parts of the world, the practi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Although the present invention will be described in connection with one embodiment of a typical shoe, it is likewise well-suited for use in essentially any type of shoe construction for men, women and / or children, including shoes having a distinct heel or no heel (flat) configuration. The present outsole is designed to provide support and stability, facilitate sole flexibility, distribute foot pressure and enable unhindered natural foot motion when walking and / or running. The outsole of the present invention is further designed to be affixed on the underside of a variety of different upper portions of a shoe, thus providing individuals the opportunity of having the benefits of the barefoot experience in “everyday” and “office appropriate” footwear.

[0008]The anatomically shaped and formed outsole further includes a top face shaped to reflect the natural contours of the human foot. The shaped plantar surface topography maximizes surface contact with the wearer's foot and increases comfort. The outsole of the present invention improves comfort and facilitates foot flexibility by providing a flex groove matrix which is integrated into the top face. The flex groove matrix includes a first plurality of grooves which extend transversely across the top face from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot and intersects with a second plurality of grooves which extend longitudinally across the top face from heel to toe along a generally longitudinal axis. The first and second pluralities of grooves are designed to cooperate together forming the flex groove matrix which allows the sole of the foot to flex in multiple directions as the wearer strides, facilitating natural motion of the foot. As pressure is applied to the outsole, the sole of the foot is received by the shaped plantar surface topography and flex groove matrix of the top face, the pressure being distributed by the anatomically shaped pods of the bottom face.

Problems solved by technology

Barefoot runningenthusiasts are particularly critical of traditional shoe designs, stating that such traditional designs constrain the muscles of the legs and foot, thus limiting the runner's ability to move efficiently.

Many problems still exist with such barefoot shoe designs.

Structurally, such designs lack cushioning, fail to appropriately protect the underfoot and increase the impact force (and discomfort which results) by encouraging the wearer to land on the forefoot, rather than the heel.

Furthermore, the radical aesthetic design of these shoes is unappealing to many consumers.

Even for individuals undeterred by the extreme design changes, the wearing occasions of such shoes are very limited, because they are considered too casual to be worn as everyday, footwear.

Essentially, the untraditional look of these shoes is not versatile enough for the average consumer who might be interested in wearing such shoes in a variety of situations.

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