Sport shoe with independently mobile toe segments and an outsole with protrusions

Abstract

An article of footwear is provided including at least an upper, an outsole with protrusions, and a segmented toe region. The protrusions underneath the outsole provide the grip, traction, and anti-slipping features desirable in certain field sports or other activities. The segmented toe region comprises a plurality of compartments, providing autonomous, mobility, and flexibility for individual toes.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The present invention is in the technical field of footwear. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of sports footwear.[0002]Sports footwear and regular footwear are constantly changing. There are many categories of footwear that range from balance to stability and long distance running to tennis shoes. Each category of footwear has a specific functionality. There has been recent popularity with the barefoot shoe, which articulates the toes in the footwear. These are meant to be worn in the gym, with daily activity, and even to the office. Sports footwear is only worn on the field and the basic structure has not been exposed to the barefoot shoe style. The closed toe style of sports footwear allows for certain functionality but it decreases the natural mobility in the foot and thus the athletic potential of the user.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]Embodiments of the invention provide an article of footwear that comprises independently mobile...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]One embodiment is an article of athletic footwear, comprising: an exterior outsole attached underneath said footwear; wherein said exterior outsole includes a plurality of protrusions mounted underneath said exterior outsole; each said protrusion is formed in a short conical frustum shape with a tip that is smaller than its base; each said protrusion is attached to said exterior outsole through said base of protrusion; said smaller tip of said protrusion creates downward engaging force when said user steps on the field surface; each of said base has a larger cross section area than the corresponding tip of said protrusion, thereby transferring the upward force from the protrusion-ground contact, spreading out said force into said exterior outsole evenly, and absorbing energy from the impact of user's foot striking the ground, thereby preventing point pressure from penetrating upward into said user's foot; said protrusions are arranged along the peripheral edge region of the exterior outsole, mounted at locations including at least underneath the ball, underneath the plantar arch, and underneath the heel of said user's foot; wherein said exterior outsole further comprises a structure configured along a longitudinal axis of said exterior outsole to stabilize and support said user's foot by connecting the front to rear portions of said exterior outsole; wherein said exterior outsole further comprises a structure along a transverse axis of said exterior outsole, configured to facilitate the flexion of said user's foot; an interior midsole bonded to and located above said exterior outsole, wherein said interior midsole provides cushion and support for said user's foot; an upper attached to said exterior outsole, wherein said upper and said interior midsole define a main compartment configured to receive said user's foot; a toe region configured to receive toes of said user's foot, wherein said toe region is defined by the front portion of said upper and said interior midsole, comprising: five toe compartments, each shaped as an individual volume to receive one of said user's individual toes separately; wherein a first toe compartment is configured to receive said user's big toe, wherein said first toe compartment is curved slightly upwards, with the tip of said first toe compartment elevated relative to the bottom surface of said exterior outsole; wherein the four remaining toe compartments are curved slightly downward, allowing the other four toes of said user's foot to maintain their natural posture when said user stands on the ground; wherein each of said five toe compartments comprises: (1) an upper and sidewalls made of stretchable, breathable material; (2) a bottom, which is part of said exterior outsole; (3) a front portion of said exterior outsole that extends from the bottom area and wraps around the exterior front end portion of said toe compartments to protect said user's toes from force of contact with external objects and the ground; and (4) a transverse flexion feature on said exterior outsole, located between the forefoot and midfoot regions, such that each of said toe compartments enables each of said user's toes to flex in an independent and free fashion; a heel cup at the rear portion of said footwear, wrapping around the heel of said user's foot, configured to provide cushioning and support.

Problems solved by technology

The closed toe style of sports footwear allows for certain functionality but it decreases the natural mobility in the foot and thus the athletic potential of the user.

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