Sole with cushioning and braking spiroidal contact surfaces
US4624062A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 1985 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA43B13/223
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A sole (12) for an athletic shoe (10) includes a base member (42) having a main lower surface (22). A contact surface (26) extends downwardly from the base member (42) to below the main lower surface (22) in order to contact the ground or floor before the main lower surface (22) as the shoe (10) descends. The contact surface (26) includes a horizontally elongate, resiliently flexible spiroidal member (38). The spiroidal member (38) has a plurality of involutions (56). Each involution (56) has a plurality of longitudinal portions (52-54) and a plurality of transverse portions (48-50). Portions (48-54) have flat bottom surfaces (30) for frictionally gripping the ground or floor disposed opposite the portions' attachments (96) to base member (42). Portions (48-54) provide a braking, shock-absorbing and anti-slipping action in response to horizontal shear forces normal to them. In a preferred embodiment, contact surface (26) includes an endless member ( 34) that aids in entrapping a cushion of air upon downward force being exerted by the wearer's foot on the floor or ground. In a preferred embodiment, both a plantar contact surface (26) and a heel contact surface (28) are provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.