Patent · US Expired

Mechanical cushioning system for footwear

US7383647B2 · kind B2 · utility

119Cited by
16References
48Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 10, 2005
Grant dateJun 10, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 4, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA43B21/32
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A midsole for footwear comprising a midsole element, which comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, and a plurality of strut members disposed between the top and bottom plates for supporting the top plate a distance away from the bottom plate. Adjacent strut members have a C shaped cross-section facing in the same direction. The midsole element may further comprise a heel cleft to increase the flexibility of the sole. In a preferred embodiment, the strut members on the medial side are arranged at an angle to the strut members on the lateral side of the sole. The directional design provides flexibility and stiffness anisotropically to the sole in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the sole respectively.

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