Patent · US Expired

Ball and socket 3D cushioning system

US6823612B2 · kind B2 · utility

16Cited by

60References

13Claims

0Family size

Assignee

adidas International Marketing B.V. · NL

Inventors

Gerd Rainer Manz · Weisendorf, DE
Timothy David Lucas · Herzogenaurach, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Jan 10, 2003
Grant date	Nov 30, 2004
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jan 10, 2023

Classification

Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
CPC primaryA43B21/26
WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The invention relates to a sliding element for a shoe sole. The sliding element includes an upper sliding surface and a lower sliding surface, wherein the lower sliding surface is arranged below the upper sliding surface so as to be slideable in at least two directions. The upper sliding surface can form a lower side of an upper heel cup and the lower sliding surface can form an upper side of a lower heel cup, wherein the upper heel cup and the lower heel cup have corresponding substantially spherical shapes. Complex multi-dimensional sliding and cushioning movements between the upper sliding surface and the lower sliding surface are made possible by the corresponding three-dimensional shapes of the two substantially spherical surfaces.

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