[0001] This invention relates to shoes and more specifically to shoes which are provided
with a cushioning assembly in the rear part. The cushioned shoe according to the present
invention exerts a shock absorbing action when the wearer is in motion and also when
he is standing. The cushioning system also helps to give the foot the correct position.
[0002] The present invention differs from other known devices which are mainly based on
a different type of material being inserted between the shoe upper and the outer sole,
or the presence of dampening inserts made of plastic material which are placed laterally
or which pass through the rear part of the sole.
[0003] The crux of the present invention resides in the insertion of at least one, preferably
a plurality of pins provided with springs in rear portion of the shoe between the
outer sole of the shoe which comes in contact with the ground and the upper. The invention
is further illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
Fig. 1 is an elevational view in cross section of the pin and spring;
Fig. la is a cross section of the pin;
Fig. lb is a plan view in cross section of the spring;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the intersole;
Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the intersole showing the pin to be inserted into
an orifice of the intersole;
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the upper member of the cushioning assembly;
Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the upper member of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 illustrates the arrangement of the different parts of the cushioning assembly.
[0004] By reference to the drawings, Fig. 2, the intersole 5 is made of plastic or metal
and is about 0.3-0.8 cm. It is provided with a plurality of threaded orifices in which
the pins are introduced.
[0005] Numeral 10 in Fig. 6 illustrates the outer sole which is intended to come in contact
with the ground. It is provided with a plurality of orifices 11a in locations corresponding
to the orifices 11 in the intersole 5. Numeral 12 is the upper part of the upper sole
6 which comes in contact with the foot.
[0006] By reference to Fig. 1, the pin 1 comprises bottom portion 2 made of hard thermoplastic
or rubber material and an upper portion 4 which is externally threaded. A spring 3
is placed firmly on the top portion 13. The pin serves three functions, namely it
is a support for the spring, it is provided with a hard portion which comes in contact
with the ground and is threaded to permit engagement with the intersole. The assembly
of the pin and spring is designated by numeral 7 The final Location of the Lower end
of the spring is indicated by the arrows 15, that means the spring is resting in the
groove 16 on the top of the threaded portion 4.
[0007] As shown in Fig. 2, numeral 5 is the intersole provided with threaded orifices 11.
This intersole is made of plastic material or metal. This intersole serves the function
of housing the pin, imparting alignment to the spring, and imparting strength to the
zone where the cushioning action is being exerted. Further it offsets any sliding
of the cushioning assembly.
[0008] Figure 4 illustrates the upper sole 6 provided with a plurality of projections or
teeth 14. The latter enter within the top part of the springs after the shoe is assembled
so that the springs are firmly held in place. This upper sole 6 in addition to holding
the springs and preventing the springs from hurting the foot of the wearer, impart
strenth to the cushioning zone and counterbalance the sliding of the cushioning assembly.
[0009] Numeral 10 in Fig. 6 is a conventional sole of a shoe provided with orifices lla.
These.orifices are of size essentially equal to the base 2 of the pin.
[0010] Numeral 9 in Fig. 6 is another intersole which may optionally be inserted under the
upper sole 6. This intersole is preferably made of foamed material, of low density
so that it creates no resistance and contributes to create a shock absorbing action.
It is provided with orifices llb which must be of same size as the orifices 11 and
lla and are located in positions corresponding to orifices 11 and lla. The spring
3 may be made of different material so that it will have different strength. The intersole
5 may be glued, sewn or may be attached to the outer sole by any suitable means. This
intersole 5 gives the spring the correct direction and angle of inclination, reinforces
the cushioning zone and through an appropriate angle of inclination inwardly, it balances
the slight slipping or sliding outwardly of the assembly. This intersole may be made
of metallic or plastic material or may be rigid, may be made of one piece or composed
of multiple parts.
[0011] Upper sole 6 provided with teeth may be glued, sewn, or fixed by any appropriate
means to the shoe upper. It holds the upper ends of the springs, which may also be
pressed against the toothed surface, thus avoiding skidding during use. It also reinforces
the cushioning zone and counterbalances the skidding of the system by strengthening
the material in the outer part of the foot, and provides a slight amount of inclination
inwardly.
[0012] The diameter of the orifices may vary according to shoe size. It is not necessary
to provide a specially designed system for the various sizes or half-sizes but lower
pre-punched intersoles and toothed upper soles may be utilized for various sizes.
The number of orifices as well as the dimensions and strength of the springs, are
determined by the weight to be supported, or by the orthopedic defect to be corrected.
The number of the orifices in the illustrated example is 13 which is suitable for
average-sized shoes. Smaller sizes have less holes, while larger sizes have a greater
number.
[0013] The total cushioning force resulting from the assembly according to the present invention
is the sum of the number of springs multiplied by the elastic modulus of each spring
and the elastic modulus of the outer sole. Fig. 6 shows how the different parts are
arranged. The pins may be screwed in place by means of a suitable screwdriver. The
base of the pin may be circular or any other shape, for instance hexagonal. When the
pins are worn out, they may be simply replaced in place.
[0014] One advantage of the shoe according to the present invention is that it may be used
for sports footwear, such as training, jogging, tennis and foot-ball shoes, or any
other shoe specifically used for running or marching. Due to its shock-absorbing effect,
it minimizes the consequences of ailments such as tendonitis, periostitis, or any
other temporary or chronic disease. Also the number of springs and the position of
the springs may be varied according to individual needs. The cushioned shoe according
to the invention reduces fatigue, reduces muscular strain and protects the bones of
the foot.
Reference numerals
[0015]
1 pin
2 bottom portion, base of the pin
3 spring
4 upper portion of the pin
5 intersole
6 upper sole
7 assembly of pin and spring
8 shoe upper
9 a further intersole
10 conventional sole or outer sole
11 threaded orifice
11a,orifice
11b
12 upper part of the upper sole
13 top portion of the pin
14 projections or teeth of the upper sole
15 arrows
16 groove of the pin
1. A shoe which has an outer sole (10), an upper (6) and a cushioning assembly (5,6,9)
in the rear part thereof, said cushioning assembly comprising at least one spring
(3)positioned between the outer sole (10) and the shoe upper (8), said shoe comprising
an intersole (5) positioned between the outer sole and the upper.
2. The shoe according to Claim 1 wherein the outer sole (10) has at least one orifice
(11a), the shoe comprising a pin (1) having a rigid base (2) and an externally threaded
portion, said externally threaded portion passing;through said orifice (11a) of the
other sole (10), said intersole (5) having at least one threaded orifice (11) of same
size as the orifice of the outer sole, said threaded portion of said pin being engageable
with said threaded orifice of said intersole, said spring resting on the threaded
portion of said pin.
3. The shoe according to Claim 2 which comprises an upper sole (6), said upper sole
having at least one tooth (14), said tooth entering the upper part of said spring,
whereby the spring is held in place.
4. The shoe according to Claim 3 wherein said base (2) of the pin is a stud integral
with said threaded portion of the pin.
5. The shoe according to Claim 3 which has a plurality of springs said outer sole
(10) has a plurality of orifices (11a) and said upper sole has a plurality of theeth
(14), each tooth entering the upper part of each of said springs and holding said
spring in place.
6. The shoe according to Claim 2 which has a plurality of springs, said upper sole
has a plurality of teeth and the upper part of said springs is held in place between
two adjacent teeth.
7. The shoe according to Claim 2, wherein said intersole (5) comprises a rigid sheet
of appropriate material, preferably plastic material.
8. The shoe according to Claim 7, wherein a further intersole (9) is placed between
the intersole (5) and the uppersole (6), this intersole (9) being prepared preferably
of foamed, elastically deformable material and being provided with orifices (11b)
in alignement with the corresponding teeth of said upper sole (6) and orifices (11)
of said intersole respectively.
9. The shoe according to any of the proceding claims, wherein the pin (1) has a top
portion (13) entering the lower part of the spring (3).