Patent · US Expired

Cushioning devices for feet

US5509218A · kind A · utility

41Cited by
6References
12Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 19, 1994
Grant dateApr 23, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 19, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA43B17/02
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A cushioning device for cushioning the contact load on a foot during gait. The cushioning device includes a tread of curvilinear shock absorbing elements substantially extending along a basic contact trajectory equivalent to the locus of substantially maximum contact stress during foot rolling. Each shock absorbing element has a triangular-shaped cross section having an inclined face oriented toward the contact trajectory such that each of the shock absorbing elements is flexed away from the basic contact trajectory during stance. As a result, the cushioning device deforms along the basic contact trajectory to a greater degree than on the rest of the device area, thereby equalizing the plantar contact stresses and improving the shock absorbing process.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.