Patent · US Expired

Ball and socket 3D cushioning system

US7243445B2 · kind B2 · utility

66Cited by

65References

9Claims

0Family size

Assignee

adidas International Marketing B.V. · NL

Inventors

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

Key dates

Filing date	Oct 14, 2005
Grant date	Jul 17, 2007
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Oct 14, 2025

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.