Article of footwear having a spring element and selectively removable components
DC
First Claim
1. An article of footwear having an anterior side, a posterior side, a medial side, a lateral side, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis, comprising an upper, a sole, at least one fastener, and a spring element comprising a superior spring element and an inferior spring element, said superior spring element extending substantially between said posterior side and said anterior side of said article of footwear and substantially positioned within said upper, said inferior spring element and said sole substantially positioned interiorly and externally with respect to said upper, said superior spring element affixed in functional relation to said inferior spring element by said at least one fastener thereby securing said upper in functional relation therebetween.
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Abstract
The article of footwear taught in the present invention includes a spring element which can provide improved cushioning, stability, running economy, and a long service life. Unlike the conventional foam materials presently being used by the footwear industry, the spring element is not substantially subject to compression set degradation and can provide a relatively long service life. The components of the article of footwear including the upper, insole, spring element, and outsole portions can be selected from a range of options, and can be easily removed and replaced, as desired. Further, the relative configuration and functional relationship as between the forefoot midfoot areas of the article of footwear can be readily modified and adjusted. Accordingly, the article of footwear can be customized by a wearer or specially configured for a select target population in order to optimize desired performance criteria.
521 Citations
30 Claims
- 1. An article of footwear having an anterior side, a posterior side, a medial side, a lateral side, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis, comprising an upper, a sole, at least one fastener, and a spring element comprising a superior spring element and an inferior spring element, said superior spring element extending substantially between said posterior side and said anterior side of said article of footwear and substantially positioned within said upper, said inferior spring element and said sole substantially positioned interiorly and externally with respect to said upper, said superior spring element affixed in functional relation to said inferior spring element by said at least one fastener thereby securing said upper in functional relation therebetween.
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26. An article of footwear having an anterior side, a posterior side, a medial side, a lateral side, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a forefoot area, a midfoot area, and a rearfoot area, comprising an upper, a sole, at least one fastener, and a spring element comprising a superior spring element and an inferior spring element, said superior spring element comprising a thickness in the range between 1-4 mm and said inferior spring element comprising a thickness in the range between 2-4 mm, said superior spring element extending substantially between said posterior side and said anterior side of said article of footwear and substantially positioned within said upper, said inferior spring element and said sole substantially positioned interiorly and externally with respect to said upper, said inferior spring element affixed in functional relation to said superior spring element by said at least one fastener thereby securing said upper in functional relation therebetween, said upper, said superior spring element, said inferior spring element, said sole, and said at least one fastener being readily selectively removable, said superior spring element further comprising an anterior spring element and a posterior spring element affixed in functional relation, a substantial portion of said anterior spring element extending anterior of 70 percent of the length of said upper as measured from said posterior side of said upper, said inferior spring element affixed in functional relation to said posterior spring element and projecting rearward and downward therefrom forming a v-shape, a substantial portion of said inferior spring element extending within 50 percent of the length of said upper as measured from said posterior side of said upper, said inferior spring element further comprising a flexural axis deviated from said transverse axis in the range between 10 and 50 degrees, and posterior of said flexural axis the posterior to anterior length of said posterior spring element and said inferior spring element is less on said medial side than on said lateral side, and the posterior most position of said flexural axis on said medial side is in the range between 1-3 inches from said posterior side of said upper, and said spring element in conjunction with said article of footwear provides deflection in said rearfoot area in the range between 8-15 mm.
- 27. An article of footwear having an anterior side, a posterior side, a medial side, a lateral side, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis, comprising a spring element comprising a superior spring element and an inferior spring element, said superior spring element extending substantially between said posterior side and said anterior side of said article of footwear, said inferior spring element substantially positioned within 50 percent of the length between said posterior side and said anterior side and affixed in functional relation to said superior spring element and projecting rearward and downward therefrom forming a V-shape, said inferior spring element comprising a transverse axis and comprising greater length posterior of said transverse axis on said lateral side than on said medial side, said inferior spring element comprising greater concavity downwards adjacent said transverse axis on said medial side than on said lateral side.
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30. An article of footwear having an anterior side, a posterior side, a medial side, a lateral side, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis, comprising a spring element comprising a superior spring element and an inferior spring element, said inferior spring element substantially positioned within 50 percent of the length between said posterior side and said anterior side and affixed in functional relation to said superior spring element and projecting rearward and downward therefrom forming a V-shape, said inferior spring element comprising a transverse axis and comprising greater length posterior of said transverse axis on said lateral side than on said medial side, said inferior spring element comprising greater concavity downwards adjacent said transverse axis on said medial side than on said lateral side.
Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeAdidas AG
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Original AssigneeRobert M. Lyden
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InventorsLyden, Robert M.
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Primary Examiner(s)Kavanaugh, Ted
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Application NumberUS09/523,341Time in Patent Office921 DaysField of Search36/27, 36/28, 36/30.R, 36/38, 36/78US Class Current36/27CPC Class CodesA43B 1/0081 made at least partially of ...A43B 13/183 Leaf springsA43B 13/184 the structure protruding fr...A43B 13/36 Easily-exchangeable soles p...A43B 3/128 characterised by the sole
