435 results about "Heel strike" patented technology

A putter golf club head includes a body fitted with relatively high-density heel and toe inserts. A golf putter club head includes a body formed of a first material (e.g., titanium) having a density of approximately 3.0 g / cm3 to 7.0 g / cm3. Two cavities are formed in the body, one adjacent to the heel region of the body, and another adjacent to the toe region. Inserts are provided in each of the two cavities and are formed of a second material (e.g., tungsten) having a density ranging from approximately 15.0 g / cm3 to 20.0 g / cm3. The cavities may be configured such that they extend to (or are bounded by) the bottom surface and / or the front face of the body. In one embodiment, the body of the putter club head has an elastic modulus greater than approximately 90 GPa while the density of the insert material is greater than the density of the body material by a factor of at least 3.0.

An athletic shoe, with a sole and a shoe upper, connected thereto, which surrounds the front of the foot, the ankle region and the heel region of the foot. The shoe is able to be collapsed down to a low height for packing, without negatively affecting the ability of the shoe to hold the wearers foot in an optimal manner in use. This ability is achieved the shoe upper being provided with an incision in the heel region, running at least nearly in a direction perpendicular to the sole, whereby the parts of the shoe upper, on both sides of the incision can be folded or turned inwards down toward the sole.

A footwear sole includes a shank with a honeycomb reinforcement structure, heel aperture and rib receptacle in the bottom side of a front region of the shank. A fabric sheath surrounds the shank. Polymers are formed in the rib receptacle, in the heel aperture and on the top side of the shank. A foot bed insert is used with the shank. The foot bed insert includes a fabric upper layer, a foam forefoot component, a foam matrix connected to the foam forefoot component, a heel cradle and a heel strike region.

One aspect of the invention is a removable strap for a snowboard boot to preventing the rider's foot from lifting in the boot. The ankle strap enables a soft boot to be used with both a strap-less step-in binding system, and a strap binding system. Another aspect is a snowboard binding including a strap adapted to releasably secure the snowboard boot and constructed and arranged to avoid creation of a pressure point at an instep bone of the rider. A further aspect is an apparatus comprising a snowboard boot and a strap attached thereto. The strap is arranged to prevent the rider's heel from lifting in the snowboard boot, and is constructed and arranged to avoid creation of a pressure point at an instep bone of the rider.

A stable shock absorbing prosthetic foot that transfers energy between heel strike and toe-off. A toe plate is separated from one or more other plates by a bumper assembly located at each of the toe end and heel end of the foot. Certain embodiments of the shock absorbing foot of the present invention are designed for use with a prosthetic ankle. A torsion adapter may also be used to attach a prosthetic foot of the present invention to the remainder of a prosthesis.

A garment that includes at least one inflatable chamber for applying compression to a limb for assisting venous return, and an elevation member to elevate the limb. The elevation member may comprise an inflatable chamber, and the garment may be configured for compressive therapy of the leg while elevating the heel, eliminating or otherwise reducing or mitigating pressure on an individual's heel while the leg is in an extended position and undergoing compressive therapy.

Disclosed herein is a flexible contoured footbed insole for footwear for providing an anatomically correct foot support to a wearer of the footwear. The flexible contoured footbed insole comprises a heel section and a support system extending anteriorly from the heel section. The heel section comprises a cup shaped structure for accommodating a heel of a foot of the wearer. The support system comprises an inner longitudinal arch support, an outer longitudinal arch support, a transverse arch support, a metatarsal arch support, and a toe support for supporting an inner longitudinal arch, an outer longitudinal arch, a transverse arch, a metatarsal arch, and toes of the foot of the wearer respectively. The flexible contoured footbed insole may further comprise a flexible structure disposed within the support system. The flexible structure provides flexibility and freedom of movement to the foot of the wearer.

A shoe is provided with an outsole that contacts the ground, an insole upon which a foot rests, and a midsole located between the outsole and the insole. The midsole cushions the wearer's foot by providing a loose fill material in a front compartment on which the toes and ball of the foot of the wearer rest and a heel compartment on which the heel of the wearer rests. The front compartment is divided into at least two sub compartments to keep the loose fill evenly distributed. The front compartment and the heel compartment are separated by an arch support section of the midsole, which provides relatively rigid support for the arch of the wearer's foot.

A footwear sole includes a footwear sole base with a forefoot region, a mid-foot region, and a heel region. A lower heel cushion is positioned in the heel region. An upper heel cushion is positioned over the lower heel cushion. A shank with reinforcement ribs is positioned in the mid-foot region. A forefoot stabilizer is positioned in the forefoot region. The forefoot stabilizer includes an axial spine and lateral ribs to facilitate forward movement and lateral support. The footwear sole may be used in combination with a foot bed with a flexible base and a rigid orthotic structure. The foot bed may include elastomer cushioning domes at heel and metatarsal impact points. The foot bed may include a liner with moisture wicking and anti-microbe properties.

A method for protecting the ankle against injury, limit subtalar joint motion of the ankle by controlling the motions of segments of the subtalar joint fore and aft of the subtalar joint while permitting motion of the foot about the ankle joint with an improved athletic shoe, ankle orthosis. A supporting structure a part of or connected to the shoe or orthosis is preferably in the form of a heel-sole counter provided about the heel and at least a portion of the foot forward of the subtalar joint which includes a split toe sole extension. The supporting structure has a semi-rigid shape retaining character which is not collapsible vertically and which together with the shoe or orthosis limits torsional movement of the foot about the longitudinal axis of the subtalar joint as seen in a top plan view thereof by an upwardly extending portion thereof which acts as a torsion bar that is, in turn, secured to the lower leg. Preferably, the torsion bar has directional properties for resisting bending which are most rigid in a direction orthogonal or nearly orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the subtalar joint. In a disclosed embodiment of the shoe motion of the midtarsal joint is also limited by the supporting structure to aid in limiting subtalar joint motion and shoe rollover. The shoe is secured to the foot by way of a strap arrangement which applies a force to the foot in a direction which, together with the heel-sole counter opposes the subtalar joint motion in supination.

A shoe structure specifically designed to more securely fit a wider range of feet widths and proportions by providing an integrated resilient heel device in the rearfoot region of the upper. The heel device extends upward and rearward toward the back of the foot to avoid the bulbous end of the calcaneus but also to engage the area just above the heel bone. The heel device has opposing portions that are biased toward one another and provide a secure but comfortable engagement of the shoe onto the wearer's heel. The heel device is smaller than the size of the shoe into which it is incorporated to enhance the biasing effect of the opposing portions.

A sole assembly including a unitary midsole having an upper support surface configured to support a plantar region of a human foot, and a substantially contiguous lower surface extending from a heel portion of the sole assembly to a toe portion of the sole assembly. A semi-rigid heel cradle is coupled to the upper support surface and configured to cradle and support a heel region of the foot from beneath the foot and to support a plurality of sides of the foot when the foot is rested in a heel area of the sole assembly. Further, an outsole is provided on the substantially contiguous lower surface and configured to provide traction with a ground surface.

A shoe comprising a foot retaining portion having a heel area and having an interior side, the interior side sized and shaped to hold a foot and including an upper portion, the upper portion optionally lined with a pliable material; a first exterior insole layer having therein a cut-out adjacent the heel area of the foot retaining portion, the first exterior inside layer having an interior surface forming the bottom of the foot retaining portion and that is lined with pliable material; a second exterior insole layer having a heel strike pad sized and shaped to fit within the cut-out of the first exterior insole layer, the heel strike pad comprised of a material that absorbs and disperses heel strike forces; a third exterior insole layer sized to fit the foot retaining portion and having therein a cut-out adjacent the heel area of the foot retaining portion, the third exterior insole layer comprised of a material that provides foot cushioning; a fourth exterior insole layer adjacent the third exterior insole layer comprised of a material that provides foot tactile stimulation when foot pressure is applied thereto; an outsole layer adjacent the fourth exterior insole layer comprised of a material that provides outsole flexibility and skid resistance, the outsole layer having a heel with an optional depression therein; and an optional heel strike pad sized and shaped to fit within the depression of the heel of the outsole layer and comprised of a material that absorbs and disperses heel strike forces.

The present invention relates to a prosthetic foot comprising a rear foot portion having an attachment platform and a heel strike, and a front foot portion having a momentum interrupter and a toe plate. As the foot approaches toe-off, the toe plate flexibly deflects upwards and the momentum interrupter compresses. The amount of returned energy at toe-off is comprised from stored flexural energy of the toe plate and stored expansive energy of the momentum interrupter. The toe plate of the present invention can have a split toe design. Further, mechanically adjustable stiffeners can be incorporated into the design if desired.

High-heeled footwear has a heel with a resilient compressible element allowing the heel of the foot to be lowered at heel strike to approximate a normal walking pattern in low-heeled shoes. Preferably, the footwear also includes a midfoot support structure, which may be a sprung footbed, or a sling and reinforcement girder, and which serves to redistribute load from the wearer's forefoot to her midfoot.

The invention relates to an improved sole for footwear with a convex or rounded shape, provided with a stabilizer, with a damping system and with an internal system for the rotation of air, which modifies the phase of contact of the foot with the ground in a roller, such that it transforms the process of reception of the ground (with the heel of the foot) and forward translation of the propelling forces (by means of the area of the metatarsus and toes) in a roller effect, obtaining the damping / stability / impulse effects, and the actuation of the airing system by means of a pad / wedge, the outsole thus configured allowing a rotation on the ground such that the inertia of the body and the vertical forces applied from the heel of the foot are more easily converted into horizontal propelling forces.

A shoe comprising a foot retaining portion having a heel area and having an interior side, the interior side sized and shaped to hold a foot and including an upper portion, the upper portion optionally lined with a pliable material; a first exterior insole layer having therein a cut-out adjacent the heel area of the foot retaining portion, the first exterior inside layer having an interior surface forming the bottom of the foot retaining portion and that is lined with pliable material; a second exterior insole layer having a heel strike pad sized and shaped to fit within the cut-out of the first exterior insole layer, the heel strike pad comprised of a material that absorbs and disperses heel strike forces; a third exterior insole layer sized to fit the foot retaining portion and having therein a cut-out adjacent the heel area of the foot retaining portion, the third exterior insole layer comprised of a material that provides foot cushioning; a fourth exterior insole layer adjacent the third exterior insole layer comprised of a material that provides foot tactile stimulation when foot pressure is applied thereto; an outsole layer adjacent the fourth exterior insole layer comprised of a material that provides outsole flexibility and skid resistance, the outsole layer having a heel with an optional depression therein; and an optional heel strike pad sized and shaped to fit within the depression of the heel of the outsole layer and comprised of a material that absorbs and disperses heel strike forces.

A convertible sandal comprises a vamp extending over a forefoot portion of the wearer's foot and first and second connectors located along respective medial and lateral sides of the vamp adjacent a rear margin of the vamp. A strap is secured to the connectors and movable selectively between a first position, in which the strap extends behind a heel of the wearer's foot, and a second position, in which the strap extends over the wearer's forefoot. The connectors may include elongated eyelets through which first and second end sections of the strap are threaded and then folded back against the strap for securing the strap to the connectors. In some embodiments a holder is provided for securing the straps across the forefoot or for connecting the sandal to a second sandal or another item using the strap.

The invention provides a cushioned ankle prosthetic foot and a cosmesis having a slot between the big toe and adjacent toe to allow the amputee to wear thong sandals and the like. The cushioning desirably provides a smooth and more natural-feeling rollover from a heel-strike to a toe-off position and / or improved dynamic response characteristics. Advantageously, the prosthetic foot is configured so that it can be used as either a right or a left foot. Moreover, the cosmesis includes a toe reinforcement strap to desirably provide improved wear resistance to the cosmesis.

The heel counter structure includes a sole plate provided at least at the heel region of the shoe and having a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is upraised along the heel region of the shoe so as to enclose the lower portion of the heel portion of the foot of the wearer. The heel structure also includes a pair of heel counter portions provided on the medial and lateral sides of the heel region of the shoe so as to sandwich the heel portion of the foot sideways. The heel counter portions are coupled to the peripheral portion of the sole plate at the lower ends of the heel counter portions so that the heel counter portions can tilt inwardly and outwardly independently of the sole plate. The heel counter portions are separated from the peripheral portion of the sole plate except the lower ends of the heel counter portions.

A triaxial acceleration sensor and a triaxial angular rate sensor are mounted on each of the lower limb portions on both sides of one joint among joints constituting a part of one lower limb of a subject. The acceleration and angular rate of each lower limb portion are measured by the triaxial acceleration sensor and triaxial angular rate sensor while the subject is walking. The orientations of each lower limb portion while walking are calculated on the basis of the measured acceleration and angular rate. A three-dimensional model including the motion trajectory of one joint is constructed by linking the lower limb portions in the calculated orientation to each other. The angle formed by the acceleration vector of one joint when the heel strikes the ground to the movement trajectory in the sagittal plane is calculated as a gait parameter.

A sporting boot comprising a thermoformed outer shell having a heel portion for receiving the heel of a foot, an ankle portion for receiving the ankle and medial and lateral side portions for receiving the medial and lateral sides of the foot. At least one of the medial and lateral side portions comprises a skirt portion integrally formed with and extending therefrom, the skirt portion being folded inwardly to form a sole having an upper surface for facing the plantar surface of the foot.

A wound dressing for application to a protruding part of a joint of the body, in particular the heel. The dressing includes an elongated first part for placing on one side of the protruding joint part, and a second part for placing on another side of the joint, and two ear parts extending laterally from the second part. At least the central parts of the first part, the second part and the ear parts of the dressing are covered with an absorbent element. A portion of each laterally extending ear part between its outermost lateral point and a longitudinal tip of the second part is concave to facilitate wrapping of the ear parts around the heel without overlapping of the absorbent element.

A convertible sandal comprises first and second connectors provided in or on a vamp of the sandal along respective medial and lateral sides of the vamp adjacent a rear margin of the vamp. The sandal may further include first and second holders located along the respective medial and lateral sides of the vamp. A removable strap may be selectively connected in a first position, in which end sections thereof are detachably connected to the connectors and the strap extends around a heel of the wearer's foot, or in a second position, in which the end sections are detached from the connectors and connected to the holders so that the strap extends over the wearer's forefoot.

A prosthetic foot includes an elongated foot member, extending between a toe section positioned at a toe location of a natural foot and a heel section positioned at a heel location of a natural foot. The elongated foot member also extends through an elevated arch section positioned between the toe section and heel section at an approximate arch location of a natural foot. An arch block is disposed below the elongated foot member under the elevated arch section. The arch block is sized and shaped to substantially fill a space or volume under the arch section. The arch block has geometric and physical properties that facilitate medial to lateral rotation to the prosthetic foot.

An article of footwear has a molded outsole which contains a resilient midsole located in the cavity of the outsole and a footbed cover which has a stretch material layer affixed to the outsole and provides a stretch zone. The stretch zone allows the footbed cover to work in conjunction with the resilient midsole to absorb shock upon heel strike or other compression of the midsole to increase comfort. Preferably, the midsole has sections of different hardness in the heel area and the forefoot area.

An improved lower leg prosthesis is disclosed that, during use, provides an improved dynamic feel at heel strike and that provides improved inversion / eversion compliance. The prosthesis includes an elongated pylon having an upper, generally vertical section and a lower, forwardly oriented foot section, and it further includes a generally horizontally oriented foot plate disposed beneath the pylon and including a heel section projecting a substantial distance rearwardly of a vertical pylon axis. An elastomeric layer is interposed between the pylon and the foot plate, extending along substantially the entire length of the heel section of the foot plate, for attaching the pylon and foot plate together. During use of the prosthesis, at heel strike, upward deflection of the foot plate's heel section is limited in substantial part both by the stiffness of the heel section, itself, and by compression of the portion of the elastomeric layer disposed rearwardly of the vertical pylon axis.

A sub-assembly or kit for forming a shoe comprises a flexible member for incorporation in the base of a shoe. The flexible member is capable of a plurality of foot supporting shapes to adapt to heels of different heights. A removable heel and shaping member has a heel part supporting the rear end of the flexible member at a heel height. A shaping part is removably fastened to the flexible member to cause the flexible member to adopt a particular foot supporting shape or configuration adapted to the heel height.