FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to footwear construction and more particularly to the use of a shock absorbing heel bed and a stabilizing member disposed within the heel bed of the footwear that is adaptive to different shear forces being applied at heel strike, coupled with a heel portion, the angle of inclination of which relative to the ground is progressively increasing in dimension towards the heel edge, allowing for a rocking motion upon heel strike to midfoot stance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It has been recognized that there is a need to alleviate the strain on the wearer's feet and legs. It is essential that shoes and other like footwear provide suitable shock absorption and stability. In particular, protecting the wearer's feet and legs from strain is a vital consideration where the shoes or footwear are to be used in activities such as exercising, running, jogging, or walking .

[0003] Prior shoe constructions disclose a variety of footwear designs which have been developed for the purpose of improving shock absorption and stability. However, in many of these designs, the materials used cannot properly respond to the different shear forces being applied to the heel upon heel strike. These prior designs generally use resilient elastomer such as EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) foam or polyurethane to partially cushion the impact. Some other prior designs use open or closed gas or liquid filled bladders embedded in the midsole portion of the heel. In many of these designs, the increased resiliency of the shoe sole provides little or no resistance to the wearer's foot, resulting to overpronation and instability. To address this, various configurations have been used including use of a stabilizing bar that traverses the midsole and heel counter, an external heel counter that traverses the midsole, external tabs extending from opposite sides of the outsole to the heel counter of the shoe, and the use of a stabilizing solid wedge in the midsole. However, in these attempts to control instability, the shock absorption qualities of the midsole in the heel portion are compromised. These stabilizers decrease the vertical compression or deformation of the midsole available for energy absorption. It is therefore essential that the shoe sole provide both shock absorption upon heel strike while minimizing instability.

[0004] The present invention provides a shock absorbing heel bed and a stabilizing member disposed within the heel bed of the footwear that is adaptive to different shear forces being applied at heel strike. The present invention also has a heel portion, with an angle of inclination relative to the ground that is progressively increasing in dimension towards the heel edge, allowing for a rocking motion upon heel strike to midfoot stance. The combination of the heel bed, stabilizing member, and the heel portion's angle of inclination provide a footwear with improved shock absorption and stability, and which reduces the impact on the wearer of forces generated by running or walking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention comprises a shoe with an outer sole and a heel bed located above the outer sole. The heel bed is formed of shock absorbing material. The outer sole and the heel bed are affixed to each other, forming the heel portion of the shoe. The heel bed has a cavity which is adapted to receive a stabilizing member, which is affixed within this cavity. The stabilizing member has a top portion and a bottom portion, with the top portion and the bottom portion converging to form a coupled region, forming an opening biased towards the heel edge. The angle of inclination of the heel portion relative to the ground is progressively increasing in dimension towards the heel edge. The stabilizing member can be centrally disposed within the heel bed. The heel bed shape can vary. For example, it can take on the shape of a wedge or be otherwise arcuately configured. The heel bed can also have at least one channel for added shock absorption. [0006] These and other features of the invention, including various embodiments thereof, will be more fully described with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

DRAWINGS

[0007] FIGURE 1 is a right side elevational view of the present invention;

[0008] FIGURE 2 is a left side elevational view of the present invention depicted in FIGURE 1;

[0009] FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view of the present invention depicted in FIGURE 1;

[00010] FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the heel portion of the present invention depicted in FIGURE 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00011] While the present invention will be described in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the invention to that specific embodiment. The present invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims herein. Although the description of the present invention is directed toward athletic shoes used for running and walking, it is understood that the present invention can be incorporated in many other types of foot coverings such as boots, hiking shoes, and sandals.

[00012] The present invention comprises an improved construction for the heel of a shoe as shown in FIG. 1, which illustrates the shoe for use on the right foot of a wearer. The opposite side of this right shoe depicted in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. The left shoe incorporating the present invention would be a mirror image of the shoe depicted in FIG. 1.

[00013] Referring to FIG. 1, a shoe is shown which has an upper 4 and an outer sole 11 and a heel bed 6 located above the outer sole 11. The outer sole 11 and the heel bed 6 are affixed to each other, forming a heel portion 5. The upper 4 used in conjunction with the present invention may be any conventional shoe upper. The heel bed 6 may be made from any conventional cushioning and energy- absorbing materials such as, by way of example but without limitation polyurethane foam or ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) . The heel bed 6 can also be of various configurations and shapes, such as, by way of example but without limitation, wedge-shaped or otherwise arcuately configured. The outer sole 11 is made of conventional materials known in the art such as rubber. [00014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the heel bed 6 has a cavity- adapted to receive a stabilizing member 14. The stabilizing member 14 is affixed within the cavity of the heel bed 6. The stabilizing member 14 has a top portion 8 and a bottom portion 7, with the top portion 8 and the bottom portion 7 converging to form a coupled region 13. The convergence of the top portion 8 and bottom portion 7 forms an opening 9 biased towards the heel edge 10. The top portion 8, bottom portion 7, and opening 9 of the stabilizing member 14 follow the contour of the heel portion 5. The stabilizing member 14 is made of relatively non-compressible material such as, by way of example but without limitation, thermopolyurethane (TPU) , polyurethane, thermoplastic or other materials and combinations thereof such that the stabilizing member 14 has sufficient resistance to the applied forces to achieve the desired stabilizing characteristics. The top portion 8 and the bottom portion 7 are of a thickness sufficient to allow these portions to bend, deform, or otherwise move when pressure is applied upon heel strike. The dimensions of the opening 9 formed by top portion 8 and bottom portion 7 of the stabilizing member 14 can be varied as well, sufficient to allow these portions to bend, deform, or otherwise move when pressure is applied upon heel strike. The stabilizing member 14 is affixed to the heel bed 6 through methods conventionally used and known in the art, such as, by way of example but without limitation, using glue, cement, or other types of adhesives. The opening 9 formed by the convergence of the top portion 8 and the bottom portion 7 can be filled with a shock absorbing, resilient material, such as, by way of example but without limitation, gel, foam, or other compressible materials.

[00015] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the stabilizing member 14 is centrally disposed within the cavity of the heel bed 6 and provides a resilient support structure that is adaptive or is capable of responding to different shear forces applied at heel strike. The top portion 8 and the bottom portion 7 of the stabilizing member 14 are capable of bending when the foot of a wearer imposes a downwardly directed force. During motion, the force caused by the shoe heel striking a surface will deform the heel bed 6. In response, the top portion 8 and the bottom portion 7 of the stabilizing member 14 move, while at the same time providing resistance by deflecting the force.

[00016] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the angle (θ) of inclination of the heel portion 5 relative to the ground is progressively increasing in dimension 20, 21, 22, 23 towards the heel edge 10. When the outer sole 11 contacts the ground, from heel strike to midfoot stance when in motion, the angled heel portion 5 facilitates rocking. The angle of inclination of the heel portion 5 relative to the ground can be varied as long as such angle permits the rocking motion upon heel strike to midfoot stance. [00017] The ability of the present invention to improve shock absorption and stability is provided by the cooperation of the heel bed 6, the stabilizing member 14, and the progressively increasing angle of inclination of the heel portion 5. During motion, the foot of the wearer will roll from heel strike to midfoot stance then to forefoot stance. Upon heel strike, the force imposed on the heel bed 6 will deform the heel bed 6, and the stabilizing member 14, provides resistance and responds by movement of the top portion 8 and the bottom portion 7 about their coupled region 13. The heel bed 6 absorbs the force by compressing, and the stabilizing member 14 bends and at the same time deflects part of the force imposed at heel strike .

[00018] The dimensions and properties of the stabilizing member 14 can be varied to accommodate the many considerations involved in footwear use, such as, by way of example but without limitation, the weight of the wearer, the width of the foot, the types of forces that are applied to the shoe, the use of the shoe, and the degree of resistance necessary.

[00019] As shown in FIG. 2, the heel bed 6 can also have at least one channel 12 that runs around the heel bed 6 for added shock absorption. This channel 12 is a recessed groove within the heel bed 6, such channel having a top wall 15 and bottom wall 16. The top wall 15 and bottom wall 16 bend or deform when downward force is applied upon heel strike. [00020] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, an indentation 17 can be formed within the heel bed 6 at its base, for added flexibility, shock absorption, or range of movement by the heel portion 5 upon heel strike. This indentation 17 preferably has a depth of approximately 1 centimeter, but this can be varied depending upon many footwear design factors, such as, by way of example but without limitation, the thickness of the heel bed 6, the thickness of the outer sole 11, the width of the shoe, the heel bed 6 material used, or the degree of resistance necessary. This indentation 17 can also run through both the heel bed 6 and the outer sole 11 of the shoe .

[00021] This disclosure is illustrative only, and changes can be made, while remaining within the principle of the invention.