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Outsole with pods and grooves

a technology of outsoles and grooves, applied in the field of outsoles, can solve the problems of limiting the runner's ability to move efficiently, lack of cushioning, and many problems of barefoot shoe designs, and achieve the effect of distributing foot pressure and facilitating sole flexibility

Inactive Publication Date: 2012-12-20
BROWN SHOE
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Although the present invention will be described in connection with one embodiment of a typical shoe, it is likewise well-suited for use in essentially any type of shoe construction for men, women and / or children, including shoes having a distinct heel or no heel (flat) configuration. The present outsole is designed to provide support and stability, facilitate sole flexibility, distribute foot pressure and enable unhindered natural foot motion when walking and / or running. The outsole of the present invention is further designed to be affixed on the underside of a variety of different upper portions of a shoe, thus providing individuals the opportunity of having the benefits of the barefoot experience in “everyday” and “office appropriate” footwear.
[0008]The anatomically shaped and formed outsole further includes a top face shaped to reflect the natural contours of the human foot. The shaped plantar surface topography maximizes surface contact with the wearer's foot and increases comfort. The outsole of the present invention improves comfort and facilitates foot flexibility by providing a flex groove matrix which is integrated into the top face. The flex groove matrix includes a first plurality of grooves which extend transversely across the top face from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot and intersects with a second plurality of grooves which extend longitudinally across the top face from heel to toe along a generally longitudinal axis. The first and second pluralities of grooves are designed to cooperate together forming the flex groove matrix which allows the sole of the foot to flex in multiple directions as the wearer strides, facilitating natural motion of the foot. As pressure is applied to the outsole, the sole of the foot is received by the shaped plantar surface topography and flex groove matrix of the top face, the pressure being distributed by the anatomically shaped pods of the bottom face.

Problems solved by technology

Barefoot runningenthusiasts are particularly critical of traditional shoe designs, stating that such traditional designs constrain the muscles of the legs and foot, thus limiting the runner's ability to move efficiently.
Many problems still exist with such barefoot shoe designs.
Structurally, such designs lack cushioning, fail to appropriately protect the underfoot and increase the impact force (and discomfort which results) by encouraging the wearer to land on the forefoot, rather than the heel.
Furthermore, the radical aesthetic design of these shoes is unappealing to many consumers.
Even for individuals undeterred by the extreme design changes, the wearing occasions of such shoes are very limited, because they are considered too casual to be worn as everyday, footwear.
Essentially, the untraditional look of these shoes is not versatile enough for the average consumer who might be interested in wearing such shoes in a variety of situations.

Method used

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  • Outsole with pods and grooves
  • Outsole with pods and grooves

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Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0015]Footwear generally includes an upper and a sole assembly that is affixed to the upper or to other components of a shoe. It is envisioned that the upper may embody any number of characteristics typical of casual or dress footwear, providing individuals the opportunity of having the benefits of the barefoot experience in “everyday” and “office appropriate” footwear. The sole assembly further includes an outsole, typically having a peripheral shape designed to conform to the shape of a wearer's foot. For ease of reference herein, the human foot may be generally considered to have three regions: the forefoot region (area adjacent the toes), the midfoot region (area adjacent the medial arch between the forefoot and the hind foot regions) and the hind foot region (area adjacent the heel). When referring to such locations and the way in which the regions of the foot are received within a shoe, these terms should be interpreted to include those areas that are disposed generally (and n...

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PUM

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Abstract

An outsole designed to enable stability when standing, facilitate sole flexibility and encourage unhindered natural foot motion between the foot and the ground, the outsole including a top face and a bottom face, the bottom face having a plurality of anatomically placed pods for engaging directly with a walking surface, and a plurality of contact points forming a stable platform for the wearer while standing, the top face including a flex groove matrix having a first plurality of grooves which extend transversely across the top face from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot and intersect with at least some of a second plurality of grooves which extend longitudinally at least partially across the top face from heel to toe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in part of Non-Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 484,379, filed May 31, 2012, entitled FOOTWEAR PROMOTING NATURAL MOTION, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 491,404, filed May 31, 2011, entitled FOOTWEAR PROMOTING NATURAL MOTION, which aforesaid applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent permitted by law.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to an outsole which promotes natural motion of the foot by simulating a barefoot experience, and, more particularly, to an outsole having pods for increasing support, traction and stability when standing and having grooves for facilitating foot movement and flexibility.[0003]Throughout most of human history, running was done barefoot or while wearing thin-soled shoes, such as moccasins. In some parts of the world, the practi...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A43B13/14
CPCA43B7/142A43B7/1425A43B7/1435A43B13/122A43B13/141
Inventor VATTES, DAVID L.
Owner BROWN SHOE
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