Reactive shoe

Abstract

This invention relates generally to footwear and methods for making the same, and more particularly to an athletic shoe with a reactive midsole. In one aspect of the invention, the midsole provides a continuously increasing offset between a heel center of pressure and a ball-of-foot center of pressure between the loading and a toe off gait phases.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 684,563, entitled “REACTIVE SHOE” filed on Aug. 17, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. This application also cross-references the following U.S. Design patent application Ser. Nos. 29 / 428,044, 29 / 428,045, 29 / 428,047, 29 / 428,049, 29 / 428,051 and 29 / 428,052, all filed Jul. 25, 2012 and all entitled “Shoe Sole,” the entire disclosures of which are all incorporated by reference herein.FIELD[0002]This disclosure relates to a midsole for footwear, more particularly to a reactive midsole having a dynamic offset.BACKGROUND[0003]Athletic footwear ideally provides protection from injury while enhancing performance. Generally, athletic footwear comprises an upper portion and a sole portion. The upper portion at minimum secures the footwear to the user's foot and attaches to the sole. The sole traditionally comprises a midsole and a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]It is one aspect of the present invention to provide an athletic shoe with a reactive midsole that provides an increasing offset between a heel center of pressure and a ball-of-foot center of pressure between the loading and a toe off gait phases. Such a midsole creates a dynamic offset and, among other things, provides a smoother and more efficient running experience. In some embodiments, the midsole comprises a first portion adjacent the heel and a second portion, interconnected to the first, of generally decreasing thickness, in which the first portion is of equal or less total distance of the longitudinal axis of the midsole. In some embodiments, a foot center of pressure imparted to the midsole continuously increases between the loading gait phase and the toe off gait phase.

[0012]Although many of the embodiments are focused on athletic footwear, other applications are available. Such applications include activities in which one or more of increased footwear performance, increased athletic performance and increased comfort is desired.

[0030]The present disclosure, in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and / or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects embodiments, configurations, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the various aspects, embodiments, configurations, sub-combinations, and subsets of the present disclosure after understanding the disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and / or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, or configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.

Problems solved by technology

However, the conventional designs do not appreciably if at all influence the loading dynamics of a runner's heel center of pressure and a ball-of-foot center of pressure, or combinations thereof, during the phases of engagement with the ground.

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