Impact reduction and cushioning systems are widely used for many applications and in many industries. Prior art impact reduction and cushioning systems for footwear often include coils, springs, foam and other devices that provide shock-absorbing and load-bearing functions.

For example, U. S. Pat. No. 4,592, 153 discloses a heel construction constructed of a generally Z-shaped resilient plate, the upper arm of the plate extending towards the toe area and the lower arm of the plate extending toward the periphery of the heel area of a shoe to which the construction is fixed. There are supporting shafts disposed in a transverse direction between the upper and middle arm and between the middle and lower arm of the Z-shaped structure and vertically disposed springs disposed transversely between the arms at a distance from the junctures of the upper and lower arms with the middle arm.

U. S. Pat. No. 5,279, 051 discloses a foot cushioning spring provided on the external portion of the midsole of a shoe. The spring includes one or more angled strips of resilient elastic material. One end of a strip is fixed on the surface of the midsole and the other end of the strip is fixed to the surface of the midsole at least 3 mm above the position where the other end is fixed. The external cushion spring is fixed in a manner that vertical force on the footwear created by a wearer of the footwear striking the outsole on a solid surface causes the angled strip to bend between or at its ends, thereby absorbing a portion of the force.

U. S. Pat. No. 6,284, 346 discloses a macrocellular cushion and folding elastomer truss. The truss may be used in shoes, furniture, mattresses, sports padding etc. A variety of cross-sectional profiles of the trusses are disclosed.

U. S. Pat. No. 2,953, 861 discloses resilient jumping shoes which are comprised of foot engaging portion superposed with respect to a base portion. Resilient means in the form of pairs of leaf springs in operative connection with each other to form a V configuration. No specific teachings are provided with respect to the manner attachment of the leaf springs to the foot engaging portion and the base portion, but the drawing figures suggest that the connection is accomplished by some form of pin or rivet which is rigid.

In general, prior art cushioning and support systems are designed such that they may quickly reach the limit of their ability to sustain increasing pressure and impacts.

Once the structural strength threshold of such systems is exceeded, they quickly lose their ability to provide support and impact reduction.

Another drawback of prior art cushioning and support systems is that they tend to transfer or dissipate the impact-related energy in an outward direction and/or unbalanced fashion from the cushioning elements and materials themselves. Of course, such elements and materials typically are the most critical component affecting the efficacy of an impact reduction system. Therefore, the above-described outward and uneven energy flows have a major negative impact on the performance of an impact reduction system. Accordingly, it is not uncommon for existing cushioning and support systems to experience a permanent loss of structural integrity and shape when subjected to heavy loads and severe impacts.

In light of the foregoing shortcomings and limitations of the prior art, a need exists for an impact reduction system that is designed to withstand greater pressure while maintaining load-bearing strength, cushioning capability and structural integrity.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings and limitations associated with the prior art by providing a new apparatus for performing impact reduction and cushioning functions in an improved manner. It is

another object of the present invention to provide a new apparatus for providing such functions in a variety of industrial and commercial applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cushioning and load- bearing apparatus which comprising a first load bearing member adapted to receive at least one compressible spring member in operative, rotatable, floating engagement. A second load bearing member is spaced apart from said first load bearing member. The second load bearing member is also adapted to receive at least one compressible spring member in operative, rotatable, floating engagement.

At least one compressible spring member is retained between the first and the second load bearing members in operative, floating engagement. The compressible spring member comprises a first arcuate panel having a proximal end and a distal end, and a second arcuate panel having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second panels are contiguous with one another at their respective proximal ends and are oriented in a biconcave V-shape.

In a further embodiment a cushioning and load-bearing outsole for footwear is provided. The outsole comprises a first load bearing member adapted to receive a plurality of compressible spring members in operative, rotatable, floating engagement. A second load bearing member is spaced apart from the first load bearing member and is adapted to receive the plurality compressible spring members in operative, rotatable, floating engagement. There is also provided a plurality compressible spring member retained between the first and the second load bearing members in operative, floating engagement. Means are provided for connecting the first load bearing member to the second load bearing member with the plurality of compressible spring members retained therebetween. A tread means and means for attachment to a midsole is also provided on the outsole. Each of the compressible spring members comprises a first arcuate panel having a proximal end and a distal end, and a second arcuate panel having a proximal end and a distal

end. The first and second panels are contiguous with one another at their respective proximal ends and are oriented in a biconcave V-shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig 1 is a perspective view of a cushioning and load-bearing apparatus shown in a non-compressed state.

Fig 2 is a perspective view of the cushioning and load-bearing apparatus of Fig. 1 shown under compression.

FIG. 3 is perspective view of A cushioning and load-bearing outsole for footwear in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of the outsole of Fig. 3 shown cut along line A-A and exploded to show further detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the drawings, and first with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a cushioning and load-bearing apparatus according to the present invention is shown generally by reference numeral 10. The apparatus comprises a first load bearing member 12 and a second load bearing member 14. Each of the load bearing members 12,14 is adapted to receive at least one compressible spring member 16 in operative, rotatable, floating engagement. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the second load bearing member 14 is spaced apart from the first load bearing member 12. The at least one compressible spring member 16 is retained in the space between the load bearing members 12,14.

The compressible spring member 16 comprises a first arcuate panel 18 having a proximal end 20 and a distal end 22, and a second arcuate panel 24 having a

proximal end 26 and a distal end 28. The first 18 and second 24 panels are contiguous with one another at their respective proximal ends and are oriented in a biconcave V-shape. The apex of the biconcave V-shape is shown at reference 30.

The compressible spring member 16 may be formed integrally from the first 18 and second 24 panels, or the proximal ends 20 and 26 of the panels 18 and 24 can be connected together in a conjoined structure by a connector 32. The connector 32 can serve to stiffen and support the compressible spring member 16. The arcuate shape of each of the arcuate panels 18 and 24 is advantageous in that the shape serves to load the compressible spring member 16 in tension. The tension loading results in the ability of the compressible spring member 16 to withstand greater compressive forces during compression the compression which will occur when weight is placed onto the one of the load bearing surfaces 12,14.

The arcuate panels 18,24 are each provided with bearing means 36, for rotatable, floating engagement with a one of the first and second load bearing members 12,14.

The bearing members 36,36 may either be integral with the arcuate panels 18, 24 or they may be discrete structures which are conjoined with the respective arcuate panel.

The first load bearing member 12 and the second load bearing member 14 are each adapted to receive at least one compressible spring member 16 in operative, rotatable, floating engagement. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this adaptation is accomplished by the load bearing members 12, 14, each having a receiving means 34. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the receiving means is a groove of semi-circular cross section running from front to back. The groove is of a shape and size to accommodate a bearing surface of the compressible spring member 16.

It is preferred that the bearing members 36 be substantially cylindrical in shape, but so long as they can achieve rotatable, floating engagement with a respective one the first and second load bearing members 12,14 the shape of the bearing members can be varied. The recognition and selection of alternative complementary shapes

of the bearing means and respective configuration of the receiving means on the load bearing members 12,14 are within the knowledge of persons ordinarily skilled in the art.

It is preferred that the compressible spring 16 be molded from resilient material consisting of a rectangle folded in the middle. The arcuate panels may be proportionally about 5-25% thinner than the load bearing members. It is preferred that the bearing members 36 be substantially thicker in diameter than the thickness of the arcuate panels. The bearing members 36 need not extend the entire length of the receiving means 34. The bearing means 16 within the receiving are free to move in operative, rotatable, floating engagement within the receiving means 34, essentially forming a live hinge. The live hinge allows for the bearing means 36,36 on each of the arcuate panels 18, 24 of the compressible spring 16 to rotate comfortably and independently with the respective receiving means 34.

As shown in Fig. 2, as weight is applied to cushioning and load-bearing apparatus 12, the weight will act downwardly upon the first load bearing member 14 thereby compressing the compressible spring 16. The arcuate panels 18, 24 are urged closer together. As compression occurs, the bearing means 36,36 may rotate within the receiving means 34,34 to allow the cushioning and load-bearing apparatus 12 to stabilize and align itself while compressing. The live hinge of the present invention thus permits flexibility and natural fluid motion in the structure. Essentially, the arcuate panels 18,24 of the compressible spring float within the space between the load bearing members. This differs from conventional structures wherein the attachment of springs to load bearing structures is fixed, and in some cases rigid.

The live hinge permits self-alignment of the load bearing members with reference to one another and the compressible spring. Accordingly, loads which are applied off- centre or at angles which are not completely vertical can be borne with reduced shear tress on the material used to mold the spring members. The cushioning and load-bearing apparatus is less likely to suffer damage or material fatigue related to the application of heavy compressive loads.

It has been found that the cushioning and load-bearing apparatus of the present invention is particularly well suited for incorporation into footwear. Figs. 3 and 4 show the application of the cushioning and load-bearing apparatus in a footwear outsole generally represented by reference numeral 40. Structures in the outsole which are analogous to those discussed above with reference to the cushioning and load-bearing apparatus are numbered to correspond with the numbering in Figs. 1 and 2. The cushioning and load-bearing outsole 40 for footwear comprises a first load bearing member 12 and a second load bearing member 14. Each of the load bearing members 12,14 is adapted to receive at a plurality of spring members 16 in operative, rotatable, floating engagement. The first 12 and second 14 load bearing members are spaced apart from one another but means 42 are also provided for connecting the first load bearing member 12 and the second load bearing member 14. A tread means 44 and a means for attachment 46 of the outsole to a midsole are also provided. It is preferable, though not necessary for the first load bearing member 12, the second load bearing member 14, the tread means 44 and the means for attachment to a midsole 46 to be manufactured such that they are all contiguous. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 the contiguous structure then forms a pocket structure which contains the plurality of compressible springs 16. The plurality of compressible springs 16 retained between in the first and said second load bearing members in operative, floating engagement form a truss system which can bear the application of successive compressing loads which result from the movement of a wearer's foot as the wearer walks, runs or jumps. As discussed above with reference to the cushioning and load-bearing apparatus generally, the operative, floating engagement of the plurality of bearing members of the plurality of compressible springs form the live hinges. The live hinges permit self-alignment of the load bearing members at the points of contact with each of the spring members along the outsole. This ability of bearing members to rotate with respect to receiving members at numerous points along the compression truss of the outsole, allows the constant re-alignment in response to loads applied to the outsole. The re-alignment can occur at one or more of the receiving means 34 in the second bearing surface 14. In the context of a footwear application such loads would occur when the treads 44 contact with unevenness of the ground such as rocks, potholes etc. The re-

alignment can also occur at one or more of the receiving means 34 in the first bearing surface 14 in response to the application of varying loads due to the movement of the wearer. Accordingly, the independent shock and impact absorbing is possible to stabilize and adjust for loads which are applied off-centre or at angles which are not completely vertical to either the first or the second load bearing member. Accordingly, uneven, non-vertical loads can be borne with reduced shear tress on the material of the outsole, and with improved stability for the wearer. The cushioning and load-bearing apparatus is less likely to suffer damage or material fatigue related to the application of heavy and/or repetitive compressive loads.

These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention may be realized by the provision of an apparatus comprising the cushioning and load- bearing apparatus. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, an apparatus according to the invention may be suitable for use in any field or industry requiring impact reduction, support and/or cushioning functions. Accordingly, the present invention should not be viewed as limited to any particular use or use in any particular industry. While the foregoing describes what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that various modifications may be made thereto and that the invention may be implemented in various forms and embodiments, and that it may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim all such modifications and variations which fall within the true scope of the invention.