Sole including support member having lateral and medial supports

Abstract

An article of footwear is provided and includes a sole and a support member on the sole, where the support member includes a body having a lateral support that extends along a lateral side of the sole, a medial support that extends along a medial side of the sole and a connecting member that connects the lateral support and the medial support. The lateral support includes a sidewall that forms part of the outer surface of the sole and extends to a point between an upper surface and a bottom surface of the sole and the medial support includes a sidewall that forms part of the outer surface of the sole and extends to a point between an upper surface and a bottom surface of the sole. A lowest point of the sidewall of the medial support is closer to the bottom surface of the sole than a lowest point of the sidewall of the lateral support.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATIONSOLE INCLUDING SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING LATERAL AND MEDIAL SUPPORTSBACKGROUND

[0001] The present application relates generally to footwear, and more particularly, to a sole including a support member for footwear that supports a user’s feet while efficiently transferring energy from the user’s legs and feet to optimize running efficiency during walking and running while reducing fatigue.

[0002] Running involves the transfer of energy between a person’s legs and feet and an underlying surface, such as the ground, contributing to propel a person forward along a trail, a sidewalk, a street or other path. The power a person is able to produce and the speed at which a person is able to move depends on a number of factors. For example, the ability to properly apply forces on a surface affects the energy produced and the rate of speed that the person is able to move. In particular, the propulsion generated by a person’s legs and feet is important while walking or running. If a person’s feet are not sufficiently supported by their shoes and their feet do not have a stable push off point, less energy will be transferred from the person’s feet to the ground to propel the person forward.

[0003] Running outdoors, such as running on trails, involves inclines, declines and different types of terrain and weather conditions. Due to these factors, it is important for a runner to maintain stability and control while running. It is also important for a runner’s feet to be laterally balanced and sufficiently supported and cushioned as they encounter different types of terrain, such as pavement in urban environments and gravel and rocksAttorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION on trails and in more rural environments. Runners may also encounter steep inclines or declines on pavement in urban areas, trails with hills or trails in mountainous areas.

[0004] It is therefore desirable to provide footwear that has lateral stability and provides support to a person’s feet during walking and running in different types of terrain to optimize force application and energy transfer while maintaining support, balance and stability to enhance a person’s walking and running efficiency.SUMMARY

[0005] The present article of footwear has a sole and a support member that provide enhanced support on different areas of a user’s feet to enhance support, balance and stability on different types of terrain, and enhances comfort during movement.

[0006] In an embodiment, an article of footwear is provided and includes a sole and a support member on the sole, where the support member includes a body having a lateral support that extends along a lateral side of the sole, a medial support that extends along a medial side of the sole and a connecting member that connects the lateral support and the medial support. The lateral support includes a sidewall that forms part of the outer surface of the sole and extends to a point between an upper surface and a bottom surface of the sole and the medial support includes a sidewall that forms part of the outer surface of the sole and extends to a point between an upper surface and a bottom surface of the sole. A lowest point of the sidewall of the medial support is closer to the bottom surface of the sole than a lowest point of the sidewall of the lateral support.

[0007] In another embodiment, an article of footwear is provided and includes a sole and a support member on the sole, where the support member includes a body having a lateral support that extends along a lateral side of the sole, a medial support thatAttorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION extends along a medial side of the sole and a connecting member that connects the lateral support and the medial support. The lateral support includes a sidewall that forms part of the outer surface of the sole and extends to a point between an upper surface and a bottom surface of the sole and the medial support includes a sidewall that forms part of the outer surface of the sole and extends to a point between an upper surface and a bottom surface of the sole. In this embodiment, the sidewall of the medial support extends to the bottom edge of the sole and onto a bottom surface of the sole.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an article of footwear including an embodiment of the present support member.

[0009] Fig. 2 is a top view of the sole of the article of footwear of FIG. 1 showing the position of the support member on the sole.

[0010] Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the sole of Fig. 2.

[0011] Fig. 4 is a right side view of the sole of Fig. 2.

[0012] Fig. 5 is a left side view of the sole of Fig. 2.

[0013] Fig. 6 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 3 taken substantially along line 6-6 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0014] Fig. 7 is a front view of the sole of Fig. 2.

[0015] Fig. 8 is a rear view of the sole of Fig. 2.

[0016] Fig. 9 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 3 taken substantially along line 9-9 and in the direction generally indicated.Attorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION

[0017] Fig. 9 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 3 taken substantially along line 9-9 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0018] Fig. 10 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 3 taken substantially along line 10-10 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0019] Fig. 11 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 3 taken substantially along line 11 -11 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0020] Fig. 12 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 3 taken substantially along line 12-12 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0021] Fig. 13 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 3 taken substantially along line 13-13 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 3 taken substantially along line 14-14 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0023] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an article of footwear including another embodiment of the support member.

[0024] Fig. 16 is a top view of the sole of the article of footwear of FIG. 15 showing the position of the support member on the sole.

[0025] Fig. 17 is a bottom view of the sole of Fig. 16.

[0026] Fig. 18 is a right side view of the sole of Fig. 16.

[0027] Fig. 19 is a left side view of the sole of Fig. 16.

[0028] Fig. 20 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 17 taken substantially along line 20-20 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0029] Fig. 21 is a front view of the sole of Fig. 15.

[0030] Fig. 22 is a rear view of the sole of Fig. 15.Attorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION

[0031] Fig. 23 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 17 taken substantially along line 23-23 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0032] Fig. 24 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 17 taken substantially along line 24-24 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0033] Fig. 25 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 17 taken substantially along line 25-25 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0034] Fig. 26 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 17 taken substantially along line 26-26 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0035] Fig. 27 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 17 taken substantially along line 27-27 and in the direction generally indicated.

[0036] Fig. 28 is a cross-section view of the sole of Fig. 17 taken substantially along line 28-28 and in the direction generally indicated.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention includes an article of footwear that has a support member positioned on or within a sole of the article of footwear where the support member stabilizes and supports a user’s feet during walking and running while enhancing propulsion. More specifically, the present support member includes a body with lateral and medial supports where the lateral support extends along a lateral side of the sole and the medial support extends along a medial side of the sole to provide support to the midfoot area and the forefoot area of a user’s foot while enhancing stability, balance and propulsion during movement.

[0038] Referring now to Figs. 1 -14, an article of footwear 20 includes a sole, generally indicated as 22, where the sole 22 includes a midsole 24 attached to an upperAttorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION26, and an outsole 28. The midsole 24 may be an integral, molded component made of a material having a designated hardness value or made with different materials having the same or different hardness values. For example, one or more portions of the midsole 24 may be made with a material having a hardness or hardness value that is greater than a hardness or hardness value in other areas of the midsole to increase the stability and support in designated areas of the midsole. As shown in Fig. 1 , the outsole 28 is attached to a bottom surface of the midsole 24 by an adhesive or by molding, and is made of rubber. The outsole 28 typically includes a plurality of tread members 28 that are configured to grip an underlying surface, such as the ground, during movement. It should be appreciated that the midsole 24 and outsole 28 may be made of any suitable material or combinations of materials.

[0039] A support member generally indicated as 30 is placed on an upper surface 32 of the sole 22 (Fig. 2) such that the support member is between the sole 22 and the upper 26 of the article of footwear 20. In another embodiment, the upper surface 32 of the sole 22 includes a recessed area (not shown) having shape and depth that corresponds to the shape and thickness of the support member 30. In a further embodiment, the support member 30 is at least partially embedded in the sole 22, and more specifically, fully embedded or molded in the sole using a molding process or by another suitable process.

[0040] In an embodiment, the support member has a body 34 having a lateral support 36 including a front end 38 and a rear end 40 and an opposing medial support 42 including a front end 44 and a rear end 46. The lateral support 36 extends along the lateral side 48 of the sole 22, where the rear end 40 is between the rear end 50 and theAttorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION midfoot area 52 of the sole 22, and the front end 38 of the lateral support 36 is in the forefoot area 54 of the sole 22. It should be appreciated that the lateral support 36 may extend along the entire length of the lateral side 48 of the sole 22 or along a portion of the lateral side 48 of the sole 22.

[0041] As shown, the outer edge 56 of the lateral support 36 corresponds to the outer edge 58 of the lateral side 48 of the sole 22 and a sidewall 60 of the lateral support 36 extends downwardly to form a portion of the outer surface 62 of the sole 22. More specifically, the sidewall 60 of the lateral support 36 extends to a point on the sole 22 that is between the upper surface 32 and the bottom surface 64 of the sole 22. It is also contemplated that the sidewall 60 may extend to the bottom surface 64 of the sole 22. Further, in this embodiment, the sidewall 60 extends from the heel area 66 to the forefoot area 54 of the sole 22 but may extend along the entire length of the lateral support 36 or along a portion of the lateral support 36. Also, the rear ends 40 and 46 of the lateral and medial supports 36 and 42 both curve or point toward the lateral side 48 of the sole 22.

[0042] The medial support 42 extends along the medial side 68 of the sole 22 from the rear end 50 in the heel area 66 to the front end 70 in the forefoot area 54. It should be appreciated that the medial support 42 may extend along the entire length of the medial side 68 of the sole 22 or along a portion of the medial side 68 of the sole 22. As shown, the outer edge 72 of the medial support 42 corresponds to the outer edge 74 of the medial side 68 of the sole 22. The medial support 42 includes a sidewall 76 that forms part of the sole 22 and extends downwardly to the bottom surface 64 of the sole 22 where a portion of the sidewall 76 extends along the bottom surface 64 of the sole 22. It is also contemplated that the sidewall 76 may extend to a point between the upper surface 32Attorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION and the bottom surface 64 of the sole 22. Further, in this embodiment, the sidewall 76 extends from the heel area 66 to the forefoot area 54 of the sole 22 but may extend along the entire length of the lateral support 36 or along a portion of the lateral support 36. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the size of the sidewall 76 of the medial support 42 is greater than the size of the sidewall 60 on the lateral side 48 by having a greater length and width than the lateral support 36. In this way, the support member 30 has more mass on the medial side 68 and thereby provides more support on the medial side 68 of the sole 22 than on the lateral side 48 of the sole 22. This configuration helps to increase the support to the medial side 68 of a user’s foot during movement to help prevent pronation and to add support to the arch and / or the midfoot area of the user’s foot.

[0043] Referring to Fig. 2, the lateral support 36 and the medial support 42 are connected together by a connecting member 78. The connecting member 78 is preferably located in the central portions of the lateral and medial supports 36 and 42, but may be located along any suitable portions of the lateral and medial supports 36 and 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral support 36, the medial support 42 and the connecting member 78 are integrally formed together using a molding process or other suitable manufacturing process. The support member 30 is preferably made with a foam material, but it is contemplated that the support member 30 may be made with metal, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), a composite material, a carbon fiber-reinforced material or any suitable material or combination of materials. Also, the connecting member 78 has a designated width and thickness that may be any suitable width and thickness. The thickness of the connecting member 78 may also vary along the width of the connecting member.Attorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION

[0044] In this embodiment, the medial support 42 has a width that is greater than a width of the lateral support 36 to provide more support to the medial side of a user’s foot during movement. It should be appreciated that the width of the medial support 42 may be greater than the width of the lateral support 36, the width of the lateral support 36 may be greater than the width of the medial support 42 or the width of the lateral support 36 may the same as the width of the medial support 42. Also, the widths of the medial support 42 and the lateral support 36 may be the same or different along the lengths of the medial support 42 and the lateral support 36.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the thickness of the support member 30 may be uniform or may be different in different portions of the support member. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the thickness of the portion of the medial support 42 adjacent to the connecting member 78 is greater than the thickness of the portion of the lateral support 36 that is adjacent to the connecting member 78. The thicknesses of the medial support 42, the lateral support 36 and the connecting member 78 may be the same or different to adjust the support and stability provided by the support member 30. In an embodiment, a thickness of the support member 30 gradually increases from the lateral support 36 on the lateral side 48 across the connecting member 78 and to the medial support 42 on the medial side 68 of the sole 22.

[0046] The midsole 24 and the support member 30 combine to form a two-piece sole 22 to help mitigate over-pronation and over-supination during movement. In an embodiment, the midsole 24 is made with a first foam material and the support member 30 is made with a second foam material where the first foam material has a hardness value that is less than a hardness value of the support member. In other words, the firstAttorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION foam material is softer than the second foam material. As shown, the front arms 77a and 77b of the lateral and medial supports 36 and 42 and the rear arms 79a and 79b of the lateral and medial supports 36 and 42 are spaced from each to provide cushioning areas for the midsole 24. In this way, the combination of the softer midsole 24 and the H-shape of the support member 30 provide more cushioning for absorbing impact forces in the heel area and central forefoot area of a user’s foot while providing firmer support along the medial and lateral sides 68 and 48 of the sole 22. It should be appreciated that the midsole 24 and the support member 30 may have the same hardness values or different hardness values. Also, the hardness values of the midsole 24 and the support member 30 may vary in different parts of the midsole and the support member.

[0047] Referring to Figs. 15 to 28, in another embodiment, a support member generally indicated as 80 is placed on the upper surface 32 of the sole 22 such that the support member 80 is between the sole 22 and the upper 26 of the article of footwear 20. In another embodiment, the upper surface 32 of the sole 22 includes a recessed area (not shown) having shape and depth that corresponds to the shape and thickness of the support member 80. In a further embodiment, the support member 80 is at least partially embedded in the sole 22, and more specifically, fully embedded or molded in the sole 22 using a molding process or by another suitable process.

[0048] In this embodiment, the support member 80 has a body 82 having a lateral support 84 including a front end 86 and a rear end 88 and an opposing medial support 90 including a front end 92 and a rear end 94. The lateral support 84 extends along the lateral side 48 of the sole 22, where the rear end 88 is between the rear end 50 and the midfoot area 52 of the sole 22, and the front end 86 of the lateral support 84 is in theAttorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION forefoot area 54 of the sole 22. In another embodiment, the front end 86 of the lateral support 36 extends to the front end 70 of the sole 22. It should be appreciated that the lateral support 36 may extend along the entire length of the lateral side 48 of the sole 22 or along a portion of the lateral side 48 of the sole 22.

[0049] As shown, a portion of the outer edge 96 of the lateral support 84 corresponds to the outer edge 56 of the lateral side 36 of the sole 22 and a sidewall 98 of the lateral support 36 extends downwardly to form a portion of the outer surface 99 of the sole 22. More specifically, the sidewall 98 of the lateral support 36 extends to a point on the sole 22 that is between the upper surface 32 and the bottom surface 64 of the sole 22. It is also contemplated that the sidewall 98 may extend to the bottom surface 64 of the sole 22. Further, in this embodiment, the sidewall 98 extends from the heel area 66 or the midfoot area 52 of the sole 22 to the forefoot area 54 of the sole 22 but may extend along the entire length of the lateral support 84 or along a portion of the lateral support 84.

[0050] The medial support 90 extends along the medial side 68 of the sole 22 from the rear end 50 in the heel area 66 to the front end 70 in the forefoot area 54. It should be appreciated that the medial support 90 may extend along the entire length of the medial side 68 of the sole 22 or along a portion of the medial side 68 of the sole 22. As shown, the outer edge 100 of the medial support 90 corresponds to the outer edge 74 of the medial side 68 of the sole 22. The medial support 90 includes a sidewall 102 that extends downwardly to a point between the upper surface 32 and the bottom surface 64 of the sole 22. As shown, at least a portion of the sidewall 102 of the medial support 90 extends along the outer surface 99 of the sole 22 to a point that is closer to the bottomAttorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION surface 64 of the sole 22 than the lowest point of the sidewall 98 of the lateral support 84 on the lateral side 48 of the sole 22. It is also contemplated that the sidewall 102 may extend to the bottom surface 64 of the sole 22. Further, in this embodiment, the sidewall 102 extends from the heel area 66 to the forefoot area 54 of the sole 22, and more specifically, to the front end 70 of the sole 22. It should be appreciated that the sidewall 102 of the medial support 90 may extend along the entire length of the medial support or along a portion of the medial support.

[0051] Referring to Fig. 16, the lateral support 84 and the medial support 90 are connected together by a connecting member 104. The connecting member 104 is preferably located in the central portions of the lateral and medial supports 84 and 90, but may be located along any suitable portions of the lateral and medial supports 84 and 90. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral support 84, the medial support 90 and the connecting member 104 are integrally formed together using a molding process or other suitable manufacturing process. The support member 80 is preferably made with a foam material, but it is contemplated that the support member 80 may be made with metal, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), a composite material, a carbon fiber-reinforced material or any suitable material or combination of materials. Also, the connecting member 104 has a designated width and thickness that may be any suitable width and thickness. The thickness of the connecting member 104 may also vary along the width of the connecting member.

[0052] In this embodiment, the medial support 90 has a width that is greater than a width of the lateral support 84 to provide more support to the medial side of a user’s foot during movement. It should be appreciated that the width of the medial support 90Attorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION may be greater than the width of the lateral support 84, the width of the lateral support 84 may be greater than the width of the medial support 90 or the width of the lateral support 84 may the same as the width of the medial support 90. Also, the widths of the medial support 190 and the lateral support 84 may be the same or different along the lengths of the medial support and the lateral support.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the thickness of the support member 80 may be uniform or may be different in different portions of the support member. As shown in Fig. 26, the thickness of the portion of the medial support 90 adjacent to the connecting member 104 is greater than the thickness of the portion of the lateral support 84 that is adjacent to the connecting member 104. The thicknesses of the medial support 90, the lateral support 80 and the connecting member 104 may be the same or different to adjust the support and stability provided by the support member 80.

[0054] In this embodiment, the midsole 24 and the support member 80 combine to form a two-piece sole to help mitigate over-pronation and over-supination during movement. In an embodiment, the midsole 24 is made with a first foam material and the support member is made with a second foam material where the first foam material has a hardness value that is less than a hardness value of the support member. In other words, the first foam material is softer than the second foam material. As shown, the front arms 106 of the lateral and medial supports 84 and 90 and the rear arms 108 of the lateral and medial supports 84 and 90 are spaced from each to provide cushioning areas in the midsole 24. In this way, the combination of the softer midsole 24 and the H-shape of the support member 80 provides more cushioning to absorb impact forces in the heel area and central forefoot area of a user’s foot while providing firmer support along the lateralAttorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION and medial sides 48 and 68 of the sole 22. It should be appreciated that the midsole 24 and the support member 80 may have the same hardness values or different hardness values. Also, the hardness values of the midsole 24 and the support member 80 may vary in different parts of the midsole and the support member.

[0055] When footwear including the sole 22 and support members 30 and 80 described in the above embodiments are used for walking or running, the support members 30 and 80 each provide additional support and stability on the medial side of a user’s foot than on the lateral side. At the same time, the softer foam material of the sole 22 that is exposed between the lateral and medial supports of the support members 30 and 80, provides enhanced cushioning to help mitigate impact forces generated during heel strikes and impact in the forefoot area. The softer foam material in these areas also provides enhanced comfort to users’ feet during movement to help reduce fatigue. The size (length, width and thickness) of the medial and lateral supports of the above support members 30 and 80 may be adjusted to provide additional support, cushioning and comfort in different areas of a user’s feet based on the user’s gait and running tendencies regarding foot placement (pronation or supination) and other criteria.

[0056] While particular embodiments of the present sole and support member are shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATIONCLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . An article of footwear comprising: a sole; and a support member on said sole, said support member including a body having a lateral support that extends along a lateral side of the sole, a medial support that extends along a medial side of the sole and a connecting member that connects the lateral support and the medial support, said lateral support includes a sidewall that forms part of the outer surface of the sole and extends to a point between an upper surface and a bottom surface of the sole; said medial support includes a sidewall that forms part of the outer surface of the sole and extends to a point between an upper surface and a bottom surface of the sole, wherein a lowest point of said sidewall of the medial support is closer to the bottom surface of the sole than a lowest point of the sidewall of the lateral support.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein a length of the medial support is greater than a length of the lateral support.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein a width of the medial support is greater than a width of the lateral support.Attorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION4. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein a width of the medial support is greater than a width of the lateral support.

5. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein said sidewall of the medial support extends to the bottom surface of the sole.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein said sidewall of the medial support extends to the bottom edge of the sole and onto at least a portion of the bottom surface of the sole.

7. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the lateral support has an outer edge that corresponds to the contour of the outer edge of the sole.

8. The article of footwear of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the medial support has an outer edge that corresponds to the contour of the outer edge of the sole.

9. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the medial support has an outer edge that corresponds to the contour of the outer edge of the sole.

10. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the support member gradually increases from the lateral side to the medial side of the sole.Attorney Docket No. 0525.158009PCT PATENT APPLICATION11 . The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein rear ends of the lateral and medial supports both curve toward the lateral side of the sole.

12. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the sole is made with a first material and the support member is made with a second material, wherein the first material has a hardness value that is less than a hardness value of the second material.

13. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first material and the second material is a foam material.

Images