Footwear With Rocker Sole

Abstract

An article of footwear with a rocker sole has an outsole with a rocker sole element that has a rear apex located 20 to 45 millimeters, preferably, 35 to 40 millimeters rearwardly of the metatarsophalangeal joint area of the footwear and a generally curved surface extending forwardly and upwardly from the apex to a toe area of the footwear.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to the field of footwear; and, more particularly, to footwear sole and insole combinations known as rocker soles.BACKGROUND[0002]The normal operation of the foot provides a smooth rolling motion throughout a step when walking. In a normal walking gait, the load on a person's foot moves from heel to toe and at an angle from the outside of the foot (supination) to the inside of the foot (pronation). A normal step begins with the heel strike as the heel is set down on the walking surface and ends with the toe off as the large toe pushes the foot off the walking surface. Generally, in a barefoot walking gait, the toe at the end of the step and the heel at the beginning of the step are on the same horizontal plane.[0003]Traditional shoe constructions provide a sole with a heel that raises the bottom horizontal plane of the heel above the bottom horizontal plane of the ball of the foot and toes. With these traditional shoe soles, the heel...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention provides an article of footwear which provides increased energy return to the wearer as the wearer's stride causes the forward rocker section of the outsole to roll forwardly and propel the walker with each step. The stiffness of the outsole provides support for the wearer and encourages the rolling gait associated with a rocker sole construction. At the same time, the increased thickness of the rubber rocker insert that provides the desired stiffness is more durable and longer lasting than conventional sole designs and provides reduced problems of compression set associated with conventional EVA sole constructions.

Problems solved by technology

This insole is typically made of a soft, cushioning material, but due to the outsole construction, often cannot provide an even, continuous support along the bottom of the foot when walking.

Conventional rocker soles are generally perceived by the wearer as unstable.

While there is a specific market for unstable shoe constructions targeted at customers who desire to obtain muscle toning effects associated with the constant position and balance adjustments necessitated by the unstable shoe construction, this is a distinct market and is not applicable to all customers.

In particular, unstable rocker sole shoe constructions are undesirable where the wearer is elderly or disabled, as the wearer is at greater risk of losing their balance and falling.

An additional known problem with conventional rocker soles is that they may cause undesirable biomechanical compensations, such as toeing out during walking gait, which in the long term will cause problems for the wearer.

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