Athletic shoe having spring cushioned midsole
US5782014A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA43B3/0031
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An athletic shoe having a spring cushioned midsole assembly which is advantageous from a combined stability and impact absorption/energy dissipation standpoint. A preferred form of the invention includes a spring foam midsole unit having plural spaced projections in forefoot and heel regions, with an additional spring foam heel unit having projections facing the projections of the heel portion of the midsole unit. In addition, the central region of the midsole unit is substantially flat to provide sufficient support and stability, while also providing advantageous impact/force absorption and energy dissipation in the front and heel regions of the shoe. By providing spaced projections, in combination with a modulator or base portion having a substantial thickness, the projections can act independently with respect to one another and can interact with the modulator portion to provide an advantageous stable cushioning effect. In an optional aspect of the invention, a mock window is disposed in the exterior of the shoe, and includes a mock representation of the cushioned midsole assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.