Shoe having independent packed cushioning elements
US6061928A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA43B13/181
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An improved cushioning assembly is provided in which separate, independent cushioning elements are loaded into a pocket of the sole assembly of the shoe. By providing separate and independent cushioning elements, greater variation of the performance of various regions of the shoe can be provided, by utilizing cushioning elements having variations in one or more of their size, shape, orientation, material properties, and amount of precompression. As a result, different regions of the shoe can be better tailored for a particular activity or a particular user. In addition, by providing separate independent cushioning elements, the cushioning elements can be more closely packed as compared with, for example, prior cushioning elements formed as contiguous sheets. With the enhanced ability to more closely pack the cushioning elements, the cushioning elements can better transfer forces laterally, to better absorb and dissipate the forces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.