WO2005053451A1 - Adjustable cushioning system for the outer sole of footwear - Google Patents

Adjustable cushioning system for the outer sole of footwear Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005053451A1
WO2005053451A1 PCT/BR2004/000115 BR2004000115W WO2005053451A1 WO 2005053451 A1 WO2005053451 A1 WO 2005053451A1 BR 2004000115 W BR2004000115 W BR 2004000115W WO 2005053451 A1 WO2005053451 A1 WO 2005053451A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
disc
cushioning
outer sole
footwear
housing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/BR2004/000115
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
César Cruz HAMZE
Original Assignee
São Paulo Alpargatas S/A
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by São Paulo Alpargatas S/A filed Critical São Paulo Alpargatas S/A
Publication of WO2005053451A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005053451A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B21/00—Heels; Top-pieces or top-lifts
    • A43B21/24—Heels; Top-pieces or top-lifts characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B21/26—Resilient heels
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B1/00—Footwear characterised by the material
    • A43B1/0027—Footwear characterised by the material made at least partially from a material having special colours
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
    • A43B13/181—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
    • A43B13/186—Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
    • A43B13/187—Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials
    • A43B13/188—Differential cushioning regions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/0036—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use characterised by a special shape or design
    • A43B3/0042—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use characterised by a special shape or design with circular or circle shaped parts

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to a novel adjustable cushioning system designed to be installed in the outer sole of footwear in general and, more particularly, sports shoes such as, for example, tennis shoes, wherein said system, by means of a small adjustment, promotes the compensated correction of the incorrect way users step on the ground, that is, when they step in a pronation and supination mode, and it may be adjusted so that the users can step in a normal mode as well.
  • the most common and frequent incorrect step modes are those called pronation mode, that is, when the user steps with his/her foot slightly inclined inward, and those called supination mode, that is, when the user steps with his/her foot slightly inclined outward.
  • pronation mode that is, when the user steps with his/her foot slightly inclined inward
  • supination mode that is, when the user steps with his/her foot slightly inclined outward.
  • the simplest way to evidence this is simply by checking how the heel of the user's shoe is worn out, that is, the user is said to step in the normal way when the worn out portion is concentrated on the back part of the heel; the user is said to step in the pronation mode when the worn out portion is wider in the inner side of the heel; and the user is said to step in the supination mode when the worn out portion is concentrated on the outer side of the heel.
  • said means basically comprising the placement on the inner sole of the shoes, at the factory, of a portion of a material of a higher density than that of remaining part of the outer sole, said inner sole being located either on the left side or on the right side of the heel portion of said outer sole.
  • At least three versions of such known footwear should be manufactured, that is, a first one designed for users who step in a pronation mode, where the portion of harder material should be positioned on the inner side of the heel of the outer sole; a second version, designed for users who step in a supination mode, where said harder portion should be positioned on the outer side of the heel of the outer sole; as well as a third version, designed for users who step in a normal way, where then the whole outer sole should have a uniform density.
  • this solution presented for such known footwear suffers some disadvantages, one of which is the manufacturing process itself, the assembly, supply of the finished product, and the like, since three different versions of outer sole must be produced for each model of footwear, resulting in three "different" finished products.
  • the present adjustable cushioning system for the outer sole of footwear has been created to make it possible for a user who steps either in a supination or pronation mode as well as in a normal way to wear one and the same footwear, wherein a small adjustment made by the user himself/herself is the only thing he/she has to do.
  • the inventive system is comprised of a cushioning disc composed of two diagonal halves of different densities disposed in a housing provided inside the heel portion of the outer sole of the footwear, said cushioning disc being able to turn around its axis by using a suitable tool that is part of the present system by the user, said tool accessing the disc by simply removing the inner sole of the footwear.
  • the purpose of such turn is to position the harder or denser portion of the disc on the outer side of the heel of the outer sole, on the inner side thereof, or on the back portion, in accordance with the way the user steps in a pronation, supination or normal mode, respectively.
  • the lower wall of its housing is transparent and provided with benchmarks, so that the user, by seeing said disc and following the bench marks, may adjust same in accordance with his/her needs.
  • a locking means provided between the lower face thereof and the inner surface of said lower wall of the housing thereof.
  • Figure 1 is a partial bottom exploded perspective view of an outer sole provided with the inventive system
  • Figure 2 is a side cut view of the outer sole, showing the cushioning disc housed therein
  • Figure 3 is a side cut view of the cushioning disc and the adjustment key that is part of the present system
  • Figure 4 is a top view of said cushioning disc
  • Figure 5 illustrates, in a back schematic view, two different positions of the cushioning disc that are attained by actuating the adjustment key
  • Figures 6, 7 and 8 are bottom views of an outer sole provided with the present adjustable cushioning system that is adjusted for a step in the normal way, a step in a pronation mode and a step in a supination mode, respectively.
  • the object of present invention is an adjustable cushioning system for the outer sole of footwear, said system being comprised of a cushioning disc
  • the cushioning disc (1) composed of two diagonal halves of different density and coloration, the former being less steady (1a) and the latter steadier (1b), and housed in a housing (2) provided in the heel portion of the outer sole (S) of the footwear, said cushioning disc (1) being provided, in its center part, with a short cylindrical projection (3) having a fitting means (3a) for an adjustment key (4).
  • the cushioning disc (1) may turn around its axis inside the housing
  • a locking means for locking the final positioning of the disc (1) for preventing same from turning involuntarily being disposed between the disc (1) and the housing (2).
  • the purpose of such turn is to position the harder or more dense portion (1b) of the cushioning disc (1) in accordance with the way the user steps on the ground; that is, to position the harder portion (1b) on the inner side of the heel of the outer sole in order to correct the step in the pronation mode (see figure 7), or on the outer side thereof in order to correct the step in the supination mode (see figure 8), or still facing the front portion of the outer sole, the soft portion (1a) being positioned in the back portion of the heel of the outer sole, for the step in the normal way (see figure 6).
  • the inner wall (2a) of the housing (2) of the adjustable cushioning disc (1) is transparent and provided with benchmarks (5) that indicate the correct positioning of the cushioning disc (2) in accordance with the way the user steps on the ground.
  • said user by inserting the adjustment key (4) into the cushioning disc (1) that can be accessed by simply removing the inner sole of the footwear, and seeing said cushioning disc (1) through the transparent wall (2a) of the outer sole, turns said disc (1) by setting same to the position that is consistent with the way he/she steps, thus making it easier by simply following the benchmarks (5).

Abstract

An adjustable cushioning system for the outer sole of footwear comprised of a cushioning disc (1) composed of two diagonal halves of different density and coloration and housed in a transparent housing (2) provided in the heel portion of the outer sole (S) of the footwear, wherein said disc (1) can turn around its axis inside the housing (2), for the purpose of positioning same correctly, in accordance with the way the user steps on the ground.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
ADJUSTABLE CUSHIONING SYSTEM FOR THE OUTER SOLE OF FOOTWEAR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a novel adjustable cushioning system designed to be installed in the outer sole of footwear in general and, more particularly, sports shoes such as, for example, tennis shoes, wherein said system, by means of a small adjustment, promotes the compensated correction of the incorrect way users step on the ground, that is, when they step in a pronation and supination mode, and it may be adjusted so that the users can step in a normal mode as well.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As it is known in the art, the most common and frequent incorrect step modes are those called pronation mode, that is, when the user steps with his/her foot slightly inclined inward, and those called supination mode, that is, when the user steps with his/her foot slightly inclined outward. And the simplest way to evidence this is simply by checking how the heel of the user's shoe is worn out, that is, the user is said to step in the normal way when the worn out portion is concentrated on the back part of the heel; the user is said to step in the pronation mode when the worn out portion is wider in the inner side of the heel; and the user is said to step in the supination mode when the worn out portion is concentrated on the outer side of the heel. In the market there are a few models of sports shoes provided with means for compensating and consequently correcting such incorrect steps of the user, said means basically comprising the placement on the inner sole of the shoes, at the factory, of a portion of a material of a higher density than that of remaining part of the outer sole, said inner sole being located either on the left side or on the right side of the heel portion of said outer sole. In view of that, at least three versions of such known footwear should be manufactured, that is, a first one designed for users who step in a pronation mode, where the portion of harder material should be positioned on the inner side of the heel of the outer sole; a second version, designed for users who step in a supination mode, where said harder portion should be positioned on the outer side of the heel of the outer sole; as well as a third version, designed for users who step in a normal way, where then the whole outer sole should have a uniform density. However, this solution presented for such known footwear suffers some disadvantages, one of which is the manufacturing process itself, the assembly, supply of the finished product, and the like, since three different versions of outer sole must be produced for each model of footwear, resulting in three "different" finished products. And the result of all that is a higher cost of the finished product. Since the user must choose the version of the tennis shoes that fits him/her best at the time he/she purchases same, in the event the shoe store does not have the appropriate version it may mean a long search from store to store until he/she finds what he/she needs. In order to solve such problems, the present adjustable cushioning system for the outer sole of footwear has been created to make it possible for a user who steps either in a supination or pronation mode as well as in a normal way to wear one and the same footwear, wherein a small adjustment made by the user himself/herself is the only thing he/she has to do.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Having this in mind, the inventive system is comprised of a cushioning disc composed of two diagonal halves of different densities disposed in a housing provided inside the heel portion of the outer sole of the footwear, said cushioning disc being able to turn around its axis by using a suitable tool that is part of the present system by the user, said tool accessing the disc by simply removing the inner sole of the footwear. The purpose of such turn is to position the harder or denser portion of the disc on the outer side of the heel of the outer sole, on the inner side thereof, or on the back portion, in accordance with the way the user steps in a pronation, supination or normal mode, respectively. So that the user can position said cushioning disc correctly, the lower wall of its housing is transparent and provided with benchmarks, so that the user, by seeing said disc and following the bench marks, may adjust same in accordance with his/her needs. To permanently keep the correct positioning of the disc, use is made of a locking means provided between the lower face thereof and the inner surface of said lower wall of the housing thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily understood by reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial bottom exploded perspective view of an outer sole provided with the inventive system; Figure 2 is a side cut view of the outer sole, showing the cushioning disc housed therein; Figure 3 is a side cut view of the cushioning disc and the adjustment key that is part of the present system; Figure 4 is a top view of said cushioning disc; Figure 5 illustrates, in a back schematic view, two different positions of the cushioning disc that are attained by actuating the adjustment key; Figures 6, 7 and 8 are bottom views of an outer sole provided with the present adjustable cushioning system that is adjusted for a step in the normal way, a step in a pronation mode and a step in a supination mode, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of present invention is an adjustable cushioning system for the outer sole of footwear, said system being comprised of a cushioning disc
(1) composed of two diagonal halves of different density and coloration, the former being less steady (1a) and the latter steadier (1b), and housed in a housing (2) provided in the heel portion of the outer sole (S) of the footwear, said cushioning disc (1) being provided, in its center part, with a short cylindrical projection (3) having a fitting means (3a) for an adjustment key (4). The cushioning disc (1) may turn around its axis inside the housing
(2) as the user turns the adjustment key (4), a locking means for locking the final positioning of the disc (1) for preventing same from turning involuntarily being disposed between the disc (1) and the housing (2). The purpose of such turn is to position the harder or more dense portion (1b) of the cushioning disc (1) in accordance with the way the user steps on the ground; that is, to position the harder portion (1b) on the inner side of the heel of the outer sole in order to correct the step in the pronation mode (see figure 7), or on the outer side thereof in order to correct the step in the supination mode (see figure 8), or still facing the front portion of the outer sole, the soft portion (1a) being positioned in the back portion of the heel of the outer sole, for the step in the normal way (see figure 6). Additionally, according to the present system, the inner wall (2a) of the housing (2) of the adjustable cushioning disc (1) is transparent and provided with benchmarks (5) that indicate the correct positioning of the cushioning disc (2) in accordance with the way the user steps on the ground. Thus, said user, by inserting the adjustment key (4) into the cushioning disc (1) that can be accessed by simply removing the inner sole of the footwear, and seeing said cushioning disc (1) through the transparent wall (2a) of the outer sole, turns said disc (1) by setting same to the position that is consistent with the way he/she steps, thus making it easier by simply following the benchmarks (5).

Claims

1. ADJUSTABLE CUSHIONING SYSTEM FOR THE OUTER SOLE OF FOOTWEAR, characterized by comprising a cushioning disc (1) composed of two diagonal halves of different density and coloration, the former being less steady (1a) and the latter steadier (1b), and housed in a housing (2) provided in the heel portion of the outer sole (S) of the footwear, said cushioning disc (1) being provided, in its center part, with a short cylindrical projection (3) having a fitting means (3a) for an adjustment key (4), wherein said cushioning disc (1) may turn around its axis inside the housing (2), for the purpose of positioning same correctly according to the way the user steps on the ground, a locking means for locking the final positioning of the disc being disposed between the housing (2) and cushioning disc (1); wherein the housing (2) is provided with a transparent lower wall (2a) provided with benchmarks (5) that indicate the correct positioning of the cushioning disc (2) in accordance with the way the user steps on the ground.
2. ADJUSTABLE CUSHIONING SYSTEM FOR THE OUTER SOLE OF FOOTWEAR according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means (3a) between the cylindrical projection (3) and the adjustment key (4) are used to configure a male-female type coupling.
3. ADJUSTABLE CUSHIONING SYSTEM FOR THE OUTER SOLE OF FOOTWEAR according to claim 1 , characterized in that the locking means for positioning the cushioning disc (1) in the housing (2) is configured by the corresponding recesses and shoulders that can couple to each other.
PCT/BR2004/000115 2003-12-08 2004-07-15 Adjustable cushioning system for the outer sole of footwear WO2005053451A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BR0305659A BR0305659A (en) 2003-12-08 2003-12-08 Adjustable damping system for shoe soles
BRPI0305659-7 2003-12-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005053451A1 true WO2005053451A1 (en) 2005-06-16

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PCT/BR2004/000115 WO2005053451A1 (en) 2003-12-08 2004-07-15 Adjustable cushioning system for the outer sole of footwear

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WO (1) WO2005053451A1 (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1733636A1 (en) * 2005-06-16 2006-12-20 Diadora - Invicta S.P.A. Footwear with adjustable stabilising system, particularly to control pronation and/or supination
EP1815764A1 (en) * 2006-02-03 2007-08-08 Z-Coil Ltd Shoe sole for correcting gait
WO2007113595A2 (en) * 2006-04-01 2007-10-11 C & J Clark International Limited Sole unit and footbed for an article of footwear
EP1994845A1 (en) * 2007-05-22 2008-11-26 Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Adjustable footwear sole construction
KR100877555B1 (en) 2007-05-22 2009-01-09 박철수 Spring shoe for walking posture correction
JP2009022738A (en) * 2007-05-22 2009-02-05 Wolverine World Wide Inc Footwear sole, sole assembly, and shoe
US20110000101A1 (en) * 2009-07-01 2011-01-06 Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Sole construction and related method of manufacture
US7950167B2 (en) 2007-05-22 2011-05-31 Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Adjustable footwear sole construction
USD668854S1 (en) 2010-11-05 2012-10-16 Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Footwear sole
CN107048588A (en) * 2017-05-26 2017-08-18 廖辉 Corrective shoes

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2634631A1 (en) * 1988-07-27 1990-02-02 Colombel Bernard SLEEVING WITH ADJUSTABLE SIDE HARDNESSES IN THE HEEL AREA
US6324772B1 (en) * 1993-08-17 2001-12-04 Akeva, L.L.C. Athletic shoe with improved sole

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2634631A1 (en) * 1988-07-27 1990-02-02 Colombel Bernard SLEEVING WITH ADJUSTABLE SIDE HARDNESSES IN THE HEEL AREA
US6324772B1 (en) * 1993-08-17 2001-12-04 Akeva, L.L.C. Athletic shoe with improved sole

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1733636A1 (en) * 2005-06-16 2006-12-20 Diadora - Invicta S.P.A. Footwear with adjustable stabilising system, particularly to control pronation and/or supination
EP1815764A1 (en) * 2006-02-03 2007-08-08 Z-Coil Ltd Shoe sole for correcting gait
JP2007203069A (en) * 2006-02-03 2007-08-16 Z-Coil Ltd Shoe sole for correcting walking
WO2007113595A2 (en) * 2006-04-01 2007-10-11 C & J Clark International Limited Sole unit and footbed for an article of footwear
WO2007113595A3 (en) * 2006-04-01 2007-12-06 Clark C & J Int Ltd Sole unit and footbed for an article of footwear
KR100877555B1 (en) 2007-05-22 2009-01-09 박철수 Spring shoe for walking posture correction
EP1994845A1 (en) * 2007-05-22 2008-11-26 Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Adjustable footwear sole construction
JP2009022738A (en) * 2007-05-22 2009-02-05 Wolverine World Wide Inc Footwear sole, sole assembly, and shoe
US7950167B2 (en) 2007-05-22 2011-05-31 Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Adjustable footwear sole construction
US7950168B2 (en) 2007-05-22 2011-05-31 Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Adjustable footwear sole construction
US20110000101A1 (en) * 2009-07-01 2011-01-06 Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Sole construction and related method of manufacture
US8557157B2 (en) 2009-07-01 2013-10-15 Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Method of manufacturing an article of footwear having a direct attach sole component
USD668854S1 (en) 2010-11-05 2012-10-16 Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Footwear sole
CN107048588A (en) * 2017-05-26 2017-08-18 廖辉 Corrective shoes

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