Forefoot catapult for athletic shoes
US8112905B2 · kind B2 · utility
48Cited by
52References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 3, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P30/40
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An athletic shoe includes an upper, an outsole, a pair of hinged plates, and a spring. The pair of hinged plates are attached between the outsole and the upper in a forefoot portion of the shoe, and the spring biases the plates apart, so that energy is stored and returned during a propulsion phase of a gait cycle in a human step. Foam may be disposed between the plates. A shroud may enclose an outer periphery of the plates. An adjustable torsion spring may be disposed in a hinge portion of the plates, and one or more wave springs may be disposed between the plates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.