Boots – shoes – and leggings – Heels – Cushion
Patent
1998-07-28
2000-09-12
Patterson, M D
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Heels
Cushion
36 28, A43B 2126
Patent
active
061159433
ABSTRACT:
An athletic shoe with an articulating heel which incorporates a plurality of linkage mechanisms that control heel dynamics. The linkage mechanisms couple a lower heel plate to a spaced apart upper heel plate. A resilient element is located between the upper heel plate and lower heel plate to dampen impact forces and resiliently maintain spacing between the upper and lower heel plates. The linkage mechanisms may be suitably configured alloy bars coupled to the upper and lower plates that constrain the upper and lower plates against motion along a heel transverse axis. Other embodiments of the linkage mechanisms include unitarily constructed panels having flexure joints. During running, the lower heel plate, or an outsole attached to the lower heel plate, will contact and frictionally engage the ground surface while the upper heel plate and footwear will continue forward as the heel articulates about the linkage mechanisms. The impact force will move the upper plate downward compressing the resilient element and the upper heel plate will move closer to, and forward of, the lower heel plate providing heel travel that attenuates the impact forces. The linkage mechanisms constrain the relative motion of the upper heel plate and the lower heel plate against motion transverse of the heel thus providing heel control. The heel dynamics can be further controlled by controlling the orientation of the heel relative to the footwear.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4534124 (1985-08-01), Schnell
patent: 4546555 (1985-10-01), Spademan
patent: 4566206 (1986-01-01), Weber
patent: 4592153 (1986-06-01), Jacinto
patent: 4843737 (1989-07-01), Vorderer
patent: 5365678 (1994-11-01), Shibata
patent: 5509218 (1996-04-01), Arcan et al.
patent: 5625964 (1997-05-01), Lyden et al.
patent: 5713140 (1998-02-01), Baggenstoss
patent: 5822886 (1998-10-01), Luthi et al.
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