Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 1/40
WORLD
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
International
Bureau
er
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED
UNDER
THE
PATENT
COOPERATION TREATY
(PCT)
(51)
International
Patent
Classification
4
A 43B
5/00,13/42,
21/32
Al
(11)
International Publication Number: O
90/01276
(43)
International Publication
Date:
22
Febraary
1990
(22.02.90)
(21)
International
Application
Number:
CT/US89/03259
(22)
International
Filing Date:
8 July 1989
(28.07.89)
(30) Priority
data:
226,058
29
July
1988
(29.07.88)
US
(71)Applicant:
VTA ROUP
NTERNATIONAL, NC.
[US/US]; 6160
S.W. Upper
Boones
Feny
Road,
Port-
land, OR
97223
(US).
(72)Inventors:
TONG, ames,
Kai
080 S.W. 60th
Street,
Beaverton, OR
97007
(US).
SELBIGER,
Lawrence
931
N.W.
0th ,
,21,
Portland,
OR
97209
US).
STUBBLE-
FIELD,
Jerry,
D.
1725
N.W.
Damascus
Road,
Port-
land, OR 7229 US). URLEY, ac k 1 leasant
Street,
Dunstable,
MA
01827
(US).
(74)Agents:
GOLDSTEIN,
Jorge,
A.
et
al.;
Saidman,
Sterne,
Kessler
Goldstein,
22 5
Connecticut Avenue,
N.W.,
Suite 300 , Washington,
DC
20036
(US).
(81) Designated
State: JP .
Published
it h
international search report
(54)Title:
THLETIC
SHOE
HAVING
AN INSERT
MEMBER
1
(57) Abstract
An
insert
(56)
fo r an athletic shoe
(20)
is described. Th e
insert
(56)
is generally
used
in conjunction with other
shoe
compo-
nents
(28)
to provide
additional stability
to
a
shoe
sole (24).
Th e insert
member (56) includes
a
central
body
(58)
an d
a
plurality
of
insert
extensions
(60-72)
which extend
outwardly
from
th e central
body (58).
Th e
extensions
(60-72)
may
cooperate
with
lugs
(32-46) of an outsole
(26).
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 2/40
FOR
TH PURPOS S OF
INFORM TION ONLY
Codes used to identify States par ty
to
th e CT on
th e
front pages of pa m ph le t s publ ish ing international
appl i cat ions under th e P CT .
A T
i a t t a
A ll
uttnJt i
B S u i a d M
B E c lp i i i i
B F uitiuFiao
B G u lg u a
B J enin
B R
oz S
C A u u d a
C F
entral Afrkan R epubl ic
CG
ongo
C H
wszerljDd
C M
unetoon
DE
enniny
F ed era l
R e p u b l i c of
DK ennurt
E 5 p a in
F I
i n k n d
F R
r a n c e
G A
a b o n
G B ni t ed mtiom
HU
i u i fa ty
IT taly
JP apan
K P e m o c r a t i c P e o p l e s R epu b l i c
of
K o r e a
KR
epu b l i c of K o r e a
U
echt era t e i n
riUnka
UU
u x e m b o u r i
MC
o n a c o
M G
Madagascar
M L
Ma l i
M R
Mauri tania
M W
Malawi
NL
Netherlands
NO
Norway
RO
Roman i a
S D
Sudan
S E Sweden
SS
Senega l
S U
Soviet
Union
TO
Chad
TG
T ogo
U S United
States
of
America
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 3/40
WO
90 / 0 1276 CT/US89/03259
-1-
ATHLETIC
SHOE
HAVING AN I N S E R T MEMBER
BACKGROUND O F THE I N V E N T I O N
F i e l d
o f
t h e
I n v e n t i o n
T h i s i n v e n t i o n
r e l a t e s generally
t o
a t h l e t i c s h o e s ,
a n d
m o r e particularly
t o
a n
apparatus
a n d
m e t h o d f o r pr ov id in g
i n c r e a s e d d u r a b i l i t y , sta b il ity a n d r e b o u n d i n athletic s h o e s .
2 .
D e s c r i p t i o n
o f
R e l a t e d
Art
A
r e c e n t
s u r g e t o
p r o v i d e
f o o t w e a r
w h i c h i s
b o t h
c o m f o r t -
a b l e a n d
anatomically
b e n e f i c i a l
h a s
r e s u l t e d i n a pl e th or a o f
i d e a s h a v i n g v a r y i n g d e g r e e s o f e f f e c t i v e n e s s .
ost o f th e se
i d e a s
a r e
merely
variations
o f i d e a s
w h i c h h a v e b e e n
around
f o r
y e a r s .
i s t o r i c a l l y ,
t h e r e
h a v e
b e e n a
n u m b e r
o f
attempts
t o
i n c r e a s e t h e
cushioning
a n d
c o n t r o l
o f a n athletic
s h o e
b y
making modifications
t o
t h e
m i d s o l e ,
w h i c h
i s
t h a t m a t e r i a l
w h i c h g e n e r a l l y l i e s
a b o v e
t h e o u t s o l e . h e de ve l o pme n t o f
t h e
midsole
h a s
l e d
t o
s h o e s
w h i c h
t a k e
i n t o
a cco un t
t h e
physiology o f
t h e
f o o t .
he n u m e r o u s a t t e m p t s t o provide
superior c u s h i o n i n g
i n
athletic
s h o e s
h a v e
l e d
t o
three
b r o a d
c a t e g o r i e s
o f
d e v e l o p m e n t s ,
t w o
o f
w h i c h
i n v o l v e t h e
mid sol e
d i r e c t l y .
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 4/40
WO 90/01276 CT/US89/03259
-2 -
T h e
f i r s t
broad
category u t i l i z e s
different
materials a n d
configurations
of
t h e
midsole
t o i m p r o v e cushioning
a s
w e l l a s
provide
effective
f o o t
c o n t r o l .
o r
e x a m p l e ,
materials
o f
different hardnesses may
b e u s e d t o
p r o v i d e
cushioning a n d
f o o t c o n t r o l ,
o r
a
variety o f
d e v i c e s may b e encapsulated
i n
a
midsole
t o
increase
c u s h i o n i n g . h i s t y p e o f show
h a s
t h e
disadvantage
of a short
l i f e
d u e t o b r e a k d o w n of
t h e materials
u s e d
t o
form
the
m i d s o l e . i n c e
m a n y
s h o e s
u s e
o n l y
e t h y l
v i n y l acetate
E V A
o r
p o l y u r e t h a n e ( P U )
f o r
cushioning, t h e
c e l l s
o f
these f o a m s
h a v e a t e n d e n c y t o break
d o w n
a n d
t h u s
diminish
t h e usefulness
o f
t h e s h o e .
T h e
second
category of
d e v i c e
u t i l i z e s
p ne uma t ic
devices
within
the
m i d s o l e . n
e x a m p l e o f t h i s i s
taught
i n U . S .
P a t e n t N o .
5 4 5 , 7 0 5 ,
i s s u e d t o
M c D o n a l d .
he
McDonald
device
i s
a n
elastic
a i r
filled
c u s h i o n i n g
device
which
i s
i n c o r -
p o r a t e d
i n t o
t h e
h e e l
of
a s h o e t o
p r o v i d e
c u s h i o n i n g .
s i m i l a r
device i s taught i n U . S . a t e n t N o .
,498,838 t o
H a r r i s o n
J r .
which u s e s a n u m b e r o f
t u b e s
which l i e
within
t h e
m i d s o l e . hese
t u b e s
a r e
i n f l a t e d
b y
a v a l v e
t o
maintain a
p r e s s u r e
a b o v e a m b i e n t .
he
t u b e s
i n
t h e
Harrison
J r .
device
a r e
m a d e
of a flexible i n e l a s t i c
m a t e r i a l .
T h e
disadvantages
o f e n c a p s u l a t i n g
g a s
within
t h e
midsole
o f
a
s h o e
a r e
n u m e r o u s . t
i s exceedingly
difficult
a n d
costly
t o
encapsulate g a s i n a m a t e r i a l .
t
i s
m u c h
e a s i e r ,
f o r
e x a m p l e ,
t o
c u t
a
piece
o f c o n v e n t i o n a l
mid so le
m a t e r i a l
s u c h
a s e t h y l
v i n y l
acetate ( E V A ) t o
a desired specification
t h a n
t o
make
a
container
which
r e t a i n s pressurized
a i r
o r
o t h e r
g a s .
he
p r o b le m
o f
d i f f u s i o n
o f
g a s
from
a
container
c a n
b e
s o m e w h a t d e c r e a se d
b y u s i n g l a r g e molecule
gases a s
t h e
encapsulated g a s .
s i n g
s u c h
a
g a s i s
expensive
and
a s s u c h
i n c r e a s e s
t h e
expense
o f
manufacturing
s u c h
a
s h o e .
M a t e r i a l
puncture
i s
a l s o
a p r o b l e m w i t h
pressurized g a s
m i d s o l e s . g a i n , hile t h i s r o b l e m
might
e
omewhat
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 5/40
W 9 0 / 0 1 2 7 6 CT/US89/03259
diminished y
c a r e f u l
a t e r i a l
e l e c t i o n , h e problem o f
p u n c t u r e
evertheless
x i s t s
n d
h e olution
o
s u c h
problem c a n
a d d
a d d i t i o n a l
manufacturing
e x p e n s e .
e t
a n o t h e r
s e r i o u s
d r a w b a c k w i t h t h i s
t y p e
o f
s h o e
i s
t h a t
t h e
pressure
of t h e g a s
within
t h e
e n c a p s u l a t i n g container
i s
temperature
d e p e n d e n t .
s s u c h ,
t h e
s t i f f n e s s
o f t h e s h o e
varies
a s
t h e
s h o e
warms
u p .
i m i l a r l y ,
t h e s h o e
may
respond
differently
i n
c o l d
a n d
w a r m t e m p e r a t u r e s . l o n g these s a m e l i n e s ,
t h e
midsoles
a r e
altitude
d e p e n d e n t ,
which
means t h a t t h e
s h o e
w i l l
h a v e
different
s u p p o r t
characteristics
depending
o n
w h a t
a l t i t u d e i t
i s
u s e d a t .
R e a r f o o t c o n t r o l
a n d s t a b i l i t y
i s
another
problem w i t h
s h o e s
which encapsulate g a s
within
t h e
m i d s o l e .
n s i m p l e
t e r m s , encapsulated g a s m i d s o l e s
a r e oftentimes t o o
m u s h y
t o
g i v e
proper
s u p p o r t .
I n l i g h t
o f
t h e m u l t i t u d e
o f problems
associated
w i t h
gas-encapsulated m i d s o l e s , i t
i s
o f
g r e a t
importance t o
f i n d
alternatives
w h i c h p r o v i d e
b o t h a d e q u a t e c u s h i o n i n g , s t a b i l i t y
a n d
s u p p o r t .
u c h
a l t e r n a t i v e s m u s t b e
e c o n o m i c a l a n d
m u s t
eliminate
t h e
p r o b l e m s
o f
e n c a p s u l a t e d
t u b e
technology
w i t h o u t
sacrificing c u s h i o n i n g .
The t h i r d b r o a d c a t e g o r y
o f
d e v i c e s
which a r e
i n t e n d e d
t o
i n c r e a s e t h e
cushioning
o f
a
s h o e
i n c l u d e devices
w h i c h
modify
a n
o u t s o l e .
n
outsole
i s t y p i c a l l y made o f m a t e r i a l s u c h a s
r u b b e r ,
polyurethane ( P U ) , thermoplastic rubber
( e . g . , V A )
a n d
t h e
l i k e . hese
m a t e r i a l s
a r e
c h o s e n for
outsoles
b e c a u s e
t h e y
a r e w e a r
r e s i s t a n t .
y p i c a l l y ,
these
materials
h a v e
f a i r l y
g o o d
memory
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s .
h a t
i s ,
i f
t h e
o u t s o l e
m a t e r i a l
i s
deformed
e i t h e r b y
compression
o r
bending
f o r c e s ,
i t
t e n d s
t o
r e t u r n
t o i t s
o r i g i n a l
s h a p e .
h e b e s t e x a m p l e o f
a
s h o e
which
f a l l s i n t o t h i s t h i r d
broad
category
i s U . S .
P a t e n t N o . 4,372,058
t o S t u b b l e f i e l d ,
which teaches a n
o u t s o l e
i n which
t h e
periphery
o f
t h e
h e e l o f
t h e
outsole
maintains
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 6/40
WO
90 /01276 CT/US89/03259
-4-
the
remaining
p o r t i o n
o f
t h e h e e l
o f
t h e outsole i n
a
s p a c e d
a p a r t
relationship t o t h e
g r o u n d .
h i s
configuration i s
k n o w n
a s
a
cantilever
o u t s o l e .
he
cantilever
configuration
h e l p s
t o
redirect
v e r t i c a l
f o r c e s
while
i n c r e a s i n g energy r e t u r n
t o
a r u n n e r .
I n
t h e Stubblefield
p a t e n t referred
t o
a b o v e , a n
o u t s o l e
i s
provided w h i c h
h a s
a
plurality of
l u g s
o r
l e v e r s
which
e x t e nd
from t h e
periphery
o f t h e bottom
of
t h e
o u t s o l e .
hese
l u g s
a r e
designed
t o
r e d i r e c t
v e r t i c a l
f o r c e s
o n t h e
o u t s o l e
s o that t h e f o r c e s
h a v e
a t
l e a s t
a h o r i z o n t a l
omponent
t h e r e b y r e d u c i n g t h e
s t r e s s e s
o n a
r u n n e r . h e
Stubblefield
patent
provides
a
s h o e
w h i c h
provides
b o t h
c u s h i o n i n g
a n d
s t a b i l i t y .
One
object
o f t h e present
i n v e n t i o n
i s
t o i m p r o v e t h e
design
of
t h e
Stubblefield s h o e
b y
providing e v e n better
stability
a n d
r e b o u n d
characteristics a n d t o
p r o v i d e a
s h o e
which utilizes
a
minimum
a m o u n t
o f t h e
h e a v y
o u t s o l e m a t e r i a l
found
i n c o n v e n t i o n a l o u t s o l e s .
S U M M A R Y
O F
TH E
I N V E N T I O N
T o chieve t h e f o r e g o i n g
n d
other
o b j e c t s ,
n d n
accordance
w i t h t h e
p u r p o s e s
o f
the
p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ,
a s
embodied
a n d
b r o a d l y described
h e r e i n , t h e
a t h l e t i c s h o e o f
the
present i n v e n t i o n
i n c l u d e s
t h e u s e
of
a
c o n v e n t i o n a l
upper
a n d a s o l e
a t t a c h e d
t o
t h e
u p p e r .
h e s o l e i n c l u d e s a n
outsole
h a v i n g a
c e n t r a l
e e l ortion
a n d a plurality o f
p e r ip h e r y
l u g s .
h e s e
l u g s
are
effective
t o
c o n t a c t
t h e
g r o u nd a n d
t o maintain
t h e c e n t r a l
h e e l
p o r t i o n i n
a
s p a c e d
apart
relationship t o t h e
g r o u n d .
he
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
o f
t h e
present
i n v e n t i o n
may
a l s o
i n c l u d e
a
midsole
a n d
a n i n s e r t
m e m b e r .
T h i s
i n s e r t
member i s made of a
m a t e r i a l
w h i c h
may
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 7/40
W
9 0 / 0 1 2 7 6
Cr/ U S89/ 0 325 9
h a v e
a h a r d n e s s greater t h a n
t h e
midsole a n d positioned t o
cooperate w i t h
t h e
o u t s o l e
b y
c o a c t i n g
w i t h
t h e
o u t s o l e .
I n
o n e
a s p e c t
o f
t h e
i n v e n t i o n ,
t h e
c e n t r a l
h e e l
portion
o f
t h e
o u t s o l e
defines a n opening which
m a y
e x p o s e
t h e i n s e r t
m e m b e r .
nother
a s p e c t o f
t h e
i n v e n t i o n
i s f o r t h e p e r ip h e r y
l u g s
t o e x t e n d downwardly a n d
outwardly
f r o m
t h e
c e n t r a l h e e l
p o r t i o n
a n d
f o r
i n s e r t
extensions
t o
a l s o
e x t e n d d o w nw a r d ly
a n d
o u t w a r d l y .
I n
yet
a n o t h e r a s p e c t
o f
t h e
i n v e n t i o n ,
t h e i n s e r t h a s a
substantially
p l a n a r b o d y
p o r t i o n
a n d
h a s i n s e r t
extensions
which
e x t e n d
downward from
t h e b o d y p o r t i o n .
h e
i n s e r t
member
may
b e m a d e of
a number of
materials
s u c h
a s a p o l y -
meric
m a t e r i a l
s u c h
a s H y t r e l ,
D e l r i n ,
o r
R y n i t e ,
a l l products
made b y
E . I .
D u p o n t
d e
N e m o u r s & C o . , I n c . h e i n s e r t
me mb e r
may
a l s o
b e
m a d e
of
a
combination of t h e s e materials, o r
e x a m p l e , a
c o m b i n a t i o n
o f R y n i t e a n d
H y t r e l . i m i l a r l y , t h e
polymeric
m a t e r i a l
may
b e
glass-reinforced
a n d may
h a v e
a
number
o f
o p e n i n g s f o r reducing t h e
w e i g h t
o f t h e i n s e r t
o r
b u i l t
u p
p o r t i o n s
f o r i n c r e a s i n g
t h e r i g i d i t y a n d
strength
o f
t h e
i n s e r t
m e m b e r .
n
a d d i t i o n ,
other
h i g h
m e m o r y ,
resilient
m a t e r i a l
may
b e
u s e d
t o
practice
t h e
i n v e n t i o n .
Y e t
a n o t h e r a s p e c t of t h e i n v e n t i o n
i s a
method f o r
fabricating
s o l e . h i s
method
n c l u d e s
h e
t e p s
f
p r e l o a d i n g
n n s e r t member
n d
e n c a p s u l a t i n g
t h e
n s e r t
member
i n a
midsole
m a t e r i a l whereby
t h e
midsole
m a t e r i a l
r e t a i n s
t h e
i n s e r t
member i n a
preloaded
c o n d i t i o n . n
u s i n g
t h i s
m e t h o d ,
t h e i n s e r t
member may
h a v e a
b o d y
portion
a n d a
plurality
of
e x t e n s i o n
members
w h i c h
e x t e n d
downwardly
a n d
outwardly f r o m
s a i d
b o d y
p o r t i o n .
o p r e l o a d t h e i n s e r t
m e m b e r ,
t h e
i n s e r t
extensions
may
b e
f o r c e d
i n t o
a
mold which
r e t a i n s
t h e
i n s e r t
member i n a
p r e l o a d e d
p o s i t i o n . idsole
m a t e r i a l
may t h e n
b e
b l o w n
i n t o t h e m o l d
a n d s e t t o retain t h e
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 8/40
WO
90 /01276 Cr/US89/03259
-6-
i n s e r t
member
i n
t h e
loaded p o s i t i o n . h i s
me t h o d
a l l o w s
a
midsole t o s t o r e
p o t e n t i a l
e n e r g y .
I n
o n e
a s p e c t
of
t h i s
m e t h o d ,
t h e
i n s e r t
m em ber
h a s
a
h a r d n e s s
which i s greater
t h a n
t h e h a r d n e s s
o f t h e midsole
m a t e r i a l .
he
i n s e r t
i n
t h i s method may b e made
o f
a
p o l y -
meric m a t e r i a l s u c h a s
a
polyester
elastomer s u c h a s
H y t r e l .
I n a d d i t i o n ,
t h e m a t e r i a l
may
b e
a
polyamide
s u c h
a s
Z y t e l
o r
t h e
l i k e .
O n e
advantage of t h e
i n v e n t i o n
i s
t h a t t h e
i n s e r t
m em ber
p r o v i d e s
m p r o v e d nergy e t u r n n d m p r o v e s
he
emory
characteristics
of
t h e
s o l e .
Y e t nother dvantage f t h e n v e n t i o n s hat t
i n c r e a s e s
t h e
l i f e
of
a
s h o e
b e c a u s e
i t w i l l
n o t break d o w n
a n d s l o w s f a t i g u e .
f
a midsole
i s u s e d i n conjunction w i t h
t h e
i n s e r t ,
i t c a n
slow
f a t i g u e
o f t h e
midsole material.
Y e t
nother
dvantage of
t h e n v e n t i o n
s
hat
t
p r o v i d e s
a s o l e w h ic h
h a s i m p r o v e d
l o a d
characteristics a n d
s t r e n g t h .
Y e t
another
advantage
of
t h e
i n v e n t i o n i s
t h a t
i t a l l o w s
t h e
midsole
t o
b e
tuned
d u r i n g
manufacture f o r
o p t imum e n e r g y
r e t u r n
for
i t s
i n t e n d e d
e n d
u s e .
Y e t another advantage of t h e
i n v e n t i o n
i s
t h a t
i t
a l l o w s
a
midsole
t o
recover
t o
a
r e l a x e d
s t a t e
b e t w e e n
s t r i d e s
of
a
u s e r .
B R I E F DESCRIPTION
O F
THE
DRAWINGS
T h e
accompanying
d r a w i n g s , w h i c h
a r e
incorporated
i n
a n d
f o r m
a p a r t
of
t h e
s p e c i f i c a t i o n ,
i l l u s t r a t e
t h e
embodiments
o f
t h e
p r e s e n t
invention a n d ,
together
w i t h t h e
description,
s e r v e
t o
explain
the
principles
of
t h e i n v e n t i o n . n t h e
d r a w i n g s :
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 9/40
WO 9 0 / 0 1 2 7 6 Cr/US89/03259
-7 -
F i g u r e
i s a n
e l e v a t i o n a l
v i e w o f
t h e
l a t e r a l
s i d e
o f
a
s h o e
embodying
t h e
p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ;
F i g u r e 2
i s a
bottom v i e w o f
t h e
s h o e s h o w n
i n
F i g u r e
1 ;
F i g u r e
3
s
s c h e m a t i c
representation
f
a
c r o s s -
s e c t i o n
c u t
a l o n g l i n e 3 - 3 o f
F i g u r e
2 ;
F i g u r e
3 A
i s
a
c r o s s - s e c t i o n o f
another
embodiment
of
t h e
i n v e n t i o n ;
F i g u r e 3 B i s a c r o s s - s e c t i o n
o f
another embodiment
o f t h e
i n v e n t i o n ;
F i g u r e
4 i s a
t o p
p l a n v i e w
o f
o n e
i n s e r t member
o f
t h e
p r e s e n t
i n v e n t i o n ;
F i g u r e
5
i s
a
s i d e
v i e w
o f
t h e
i n s e r t
me mb e r
s h o w n
i n
F i g u r e
4 ;
F i g u r e
6 i s t h e b o t t o m
o f a h e e l s h o w i n g another e m b o d i -
m e n t
o f
t h e i n v e n t i o n ;
F i g u r e
7
i s
a
c r o s s - s e c t i o n a l view
of
F i g u r e
6
c u t
a l o n g
l i n e s 7 - 7 ;
F i g u r e 8 i s a
c r o s s - s e c t i o n
o f
F i g u r e 6 c u t
a l o n g
l i n e s
8 - 8 ;
F i g u r e
9
i s
a
t o p
v i e w
o f
t h e
i n s e r t
u s e d
i n
t h e
o u t s o l e
s h o w n
i n F i g u r e
6 ;
F i g u r e
1 0
i s
a b o t t o m
v i e w
o f
t h e i n s e r t
s h o w n
i n
F i g u r e
9 ;
F i g u r e
1 1
i s a v i e w
o f
F i g u r e 9
c u t
a l o n g l i n e 1 1 - 1 1 ;
F i g u r e
1 2
i s
a
v i e w
o f F i g u r e 9
c u t a l o n g l i n e s
1 2 - 1 2 ;
F i g u r e
1 3 i s
a
v i e w
o f
F i g u r e
1 1
c u t
a l o n g
l i n e s
1 3 - 1 3 ;
F i g u r e 1 4 i s a s i d e
v i e w
o f
F i g u r e
9 looking i n
t h e
direction
o f arrow
1 4 ;
F i g u r e 1 5 i s a
s i d e
o f t h e
i n s e r t
s h o w n
i n
Figure
9 ;
F i g u r e
1 6 i s
yet
a n o t h e r e m b o d i m e n t
of
t h e
i n s e r t
o f t h e
p r e s e n t
i n v e n t i o n ;
F i g u r e
1 7
i s
a s i d e
v i e w
s c h e m a t i c
o f
t h e
i n s e r t
member
o f
F i g u r e
2 0 i n
operation
w i t h o t h e r
components;
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 10/40
WO
90 /01276
Cr/US89/03259
-8-
Figure 1 8 i s a
b o t t o m
view
o f
a n
o u t s o l e
u s e d f o r
practicing t h e
p r e s e n t
i n v e n t i o n ;
F i g u r e
1 9
i s
a
v i e w
o f
F i g u r e
1 8
c u t
a l o n g
l i n e
1 9 - 1 9 ;
Figure
2 0
i s a v i e w
o f F i g u r e 1 8 c u t
a l o n g
l i n e
2 0 - 2 0 ;
a n d
Figure
2 1 i s a v i e w
o f Figure
1 8 c u t
a l o n g
l i n e 2 1 - 2 1 .
DETAILED DESCRTPTTQN O F
THE PREFERRED
E N B O D I M F N T S
Re fe r r ing
i r s t
o i g u r e s - 3 ,
here s
h o w n
n
athletic
h o e
hich
a s m p r o v e d
nergy
e t u r n ,
emory
characteristics
a n d
i n c r e a s e d
d u r a b i l i t y .
s h o e ,
designated
general l y a s 2 0 , i s
m a d e o f
a number of
c o m p o n e n t
p a r t s
which
include a n
u p p e r 2 2
a n d a s o l e 2 4 .
n
t h e
present
i n v e n t i o n ,
a n y c o n v e n t i o n a l
u p p e r
2 2
may
b e
u s e d
t o
practice
t h e
i n v e n -
t i o n .
l though a n
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
i s
s h o w n
i n F i g u r e
1 ,
a n d t h e
specification
i s
d i r e c t e d
i n
particular
t o
a t h l e t i c
s h o e s , i t
i s
contemplated t h a t
t h e
i n v e n t i o n
may
b e
u s e d
o n a
number
o f
d iffe r e nt
c a t e g o r i e s
o f
s h o e s
o r
b o o t s , f o r
e x a m p l e ,
h i k i n g
b o o t s , c a s u a l
s h o e s
a n d t h e l i k e .
he
u p p e r 2 2
i s
a t t a c h e d
t o
a s o l e
2 4
i n
a n y c o n v e n t i o n a l m a n n e r . h e s o l e
2 4
i s
m a d e u p
o f
a n outsole
2 6 m a d e
of
a m a t e r i a l
which
i s
w e a r
resistant
a n d
provides t r a c t i o n .
s
w i t h c o n v e n t i o n a l o u t s o l e s , i t may
b e
m ade
o f a n y
a b r a s i v e
r e s i s t a n t
m a t e r i a l
s u c h
a s
rubber
o r
the
l i k e .
midsole
2 8
i s
disposed
generally
b e t w e e n
outsole
2 6 a n d
upper 2 2 . idsole 2 8
may t a k e
o n a
number of
f o r m s
a n d
mo d ific a t io ns
a s
a n
a r t i s a n
i n
t he f i e l d
of
s h o e s
w i l l readily
r e c o g n i z e .
o r
e x a m p l e ,
midsole
2 8
may
b e
m a d e
f r o m
a
s i n g l e
m a t e r i a l
or
s e v e r a l
different
m a t e r i a l s ,
e a c h
h a v i n g
different
characteristics
s u c h
a s
density a n d rebound c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s .
The
main
purpose
o f m i d s o l e 2 8
i s
for
cushioning
a n d
i t
may
b e
made o f a number
o f
different m a t e r i a l s ,
f o r
e x a m p l e ,
e t h y l
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 11/40
WO
90 / 0 1276 Cr /US89 /03259
-9 -
v i n y l
a c e t a t e ,
p o l y u r e t h a n e ,
o r
a
c o m b i n a t i o n
t h e r e o f .
I n
a d d i t i o n ,
midsole
2 8 may i n c l u d e a
h e e l
w e d g e .
The
h e e l
r e g i o n
o f
t h e
s h o e ,
designated
a s
3 0 ,
i s
t h a t
portion
o f
t h e s h o e
which u n d e r l i e s t h e
h e e l o f a
w e a r e r .
While
h e e l
r e g i o n
3 0
o f
s h o e
2 0
h a s n o p r e c i s e b o r d e r s ,
i t
generally
may
b e
considered
a s
t h a t
half of
t h e s h o e a w a y
from
t h e t o e
o f
a
w e a r e r . lthough t h e
t e r m
h e e l
r e g i o n i s u s e d
throughout
t h i s
s p e c i f i c a t i o n ,
i t
s h o u l d
b e n o t e d
t h a t
t h i s
region
may
e x t e n d
i n t o
what
i s
traditionally
k n o w n
a s
t h e
a r c h
a r e a
of
t h e
s h o e a n d may i n f a c t
e x t e n d w e l l b e y o n d
what
might
traditionally
b e characterized a s
t h e
h e e l .
I n
h e e l
r e g i o n
3 0
o f
outsole
2 6 ,
t h e r e
a r e
a
plurality
o f
l u g s
3 2 - 4 6
( F i g .
2 )
w h i c h
extend
downwardly f r o m
a c e n t r a l
h e e l
p o r t i o n
4 7
( F i g .
3 ) o f t h e
h e e l
r e g i o n
3 0 .
u g s
32-46
a r e
preferably
a r r a n g e d
i n
a cantilever
configuration
a n d
t h u s
maintain
t h e
c e n t r a l
h e e l
p o r t i o n
4 7 a t
a s p a c e d
relationship
t o t h e
g r o u n d . h i s i s
b e s t
s e e n
i n
F i g u r e 3
which i l l u s -
t r a t e s
t h a t t h e
c e n t r a l
h e e l p o r t i o n 4 7
i s
prevented from
contacting t h e
g r o u n d .
o l e
2 4
i s
s h o w n i n
a n
unloaded
condition
i n
t h i s
f i g u r e .
n
a
p r e f e r r e d
embodiment
of
t h e
i n v e n t i o n ,
u g s 32-46 a r e designed t o
f l a r e
o u t w a r d ly t o
c h a n g e
t h e d i r e c t i o n
o f f o r c e s which
a r e d i s p o s e d substantial-
l y
perpendicular
t o
t h e
h e e l . o
h i g h l i g h t t h e
importance
o f
redirecting
f o r c e s , a runner
ma y
g e n e r a t e , u p o n
f o o t
s t r i k e ,
f o r c e s
w h i c h a r e
u p
t o
t h r e e
t i m e s t h e r u n n e r ' s b o d y w e i g h t .
I f
t h e s e
e x t r e m e
f o r c e s
a r e
n o t
d i s s i p a t e d ,
a
runner may
f a c e
s e r i o u s a n d
debilitating
i n j u r i e s . y p i c a l l y ,
f o r c e s
g e n e r a -
t e d
during
r u n n i n g
o r
other
a c t i v i t i e s
a r e
n o t
p r e c ise ly
perpendicular
t o t h e
h e e l .
uring
h e e l
s t r i k e , f o r
e x a m p l e ,
t h e l a t e r a l
s i d e o f
a
s h o e
makes
c o n t a c t w i t h
t h e
ground
f i r s t
a n d
t h e
s h o e
t h e n
r o t a t e s
before
t o e - o f f .
ifferent
s p o r t s
generate
v a r y i n g
f o r c e s
a t
v a r i o u s
a n g l e s
t o
a s h o e .
h e
above-described cantilever outsole s e r v e s t o
r e d i r e c t
f o r c e s
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 12/40
WO
90 /01276
Cr/US89/03259
-10-
irrespective of
the
precise a n g l e
o f
i n c i d e n c e
u p o n
a s h o e .
T h i s cantilever
outsole
c o n c e p t
i s
m o r e f u l l y
disclosed
i n
U . S .
P a t e n t
N o .
4,372,058
t o
S t u b b l e f i e l d ,
t h e
d isc lo su r e
o f
which
i s expressly incorporated h e r e i n
b y r e f e r e n c e .
E a c h
o f t h e
l u g s
3 2 - 4 6
o n
o u t s o l e
2 6 h a v e a
l a n d 4 8
f o r
contacting
t h e g r o u n d . hese
l a n d s
4 8 a r e configured t o m a k e
contact
w i t h
h e ground
n d
p r e f e r a b l y
h a v e a roughened
s u r f a c e
t o
provide t r a c t i o n . a n d s
4 8 may consist of a
f l a t
s u r f a c e
a s s h o w n i n
F i g u r e
2 a n d
3
o r
may
b e
a
point o r s m a l l
a r e a . a c h of t h e l u g s 3 2 - 4 6 may
h a v e
a n angled a r e a
5 0 w h i c h
l e a d s f r o m
t h e
c e n t r a l h e e l
p o r t i o n
4 7
t o
t h e
l a n d s
4 8 .
t
i s
preferred
t h a t t h i s a n g l e d
a r e a
5 0
i s a g r a d u a l
a n g l e a s s h o w n
i n
F i g u r e
3 ,
b u t i t
ma y
a l s o
b e
v e r t i c a l .
n
the
embodiment
of t h e
i n v e n t i o n
shown
i n
F i g u r e
2 ,
wedge-shaped
portions 2 8 '
of midsole 2 8 extend b e t w e e n l u g s
3 2 - 4 6 .
he
spacing 5 2
b e t w e e n adjacent l u g s
e n a b l e s l u g s 3 2 - 4 6 t o
a c t mo r e
i n d e p e n -
dently
of e a c h o t h e r .
Although
t h e
l u g s
i n
t h e a c c o m p a n y i n g
drawings
a r e
s h o w n
t o
b e
s e p a r a t e
a n d
distinct
m e m b e r s ,
i t i s
contemplated
t h a t
t h e
h e e l
p o r t i o n
o f the o u t s o l e may
f o r m
a
c o n c a v i t y ,
without
i n d i v i d u a l
u g s .
n ther w o r d s , n s t e a d f d i s t i n c t ,
i n d i v i d u a l
l u g s
s u c h
a s
t h e
e i g h t
l u g s
3 2 - 4 6 s h o w n
i n
F i g u r e
2 ,
t h e r e may
b e a s i n g l e l u g w h i c h
e x t e n d s
from t h e
m e d i a l
s i d e
o f t h e
s h o e , around
t h e h e e l , t o
t h e
l a t e r a l
s i d e
o f
t h e
h e e l .
Outsole 2 6
m ay
i n c l u d e a c u t - o u t
5 4
i n
substantially t h e
c e n t r a l
e e l ortion 4 7
o f
t h e
o u t s o l e .
ut-out 5 4 i s
provided
primarily
t o
r e d u c e
t h e
weight
of
o u t so le
2 4
b y
eliminating
m a t e r i a l
which i s
n o t
n e c e s s a r y .
ecause c e n t r a l
h e e l
p o r t i o n
4 7 never
makes c o n t a c t
w i t h
t h e g r o u n d , there
i s
n o
n e e d
f o r
t h e
abrasive r e s i s t a n t
m a t e r i a l
of
t h e
outsole
t o
b e p r e s e n t
i n
t h a t
a r e a .
y
h a v i n g a c u t - o u t
5 4 ,
t h e
o v e r a l l
weight o f
t h e
s h o e
i s r e d u c e d
without
r e d u c i n g
s t a b i l i t y . n
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 13/40
WO
90 /01276
CT/US89/03259
- 1 1 -
a d d i t i o n , t h e outsole
may
e x t e n d
u p a l o n g
t h e
s i d e
o f
t h e
midsole
f o r , e . g . b a s k e t b a l l
s h o e s
a n d t h e
l i k e .
T h e
resent
n v e n t i o n
o m p r i s e s
onfiguration
f
components t o
i m p r o v e
t h e
r e b o u n d characteristics o f
a
s o l e
a n d t o provide i m p r o v e d
s t a b i l i t y .
o
achieve t h i s , a n
i n s e r t
member
5 6
i s
generally
u s e d
i n conjunction with t h e
a b o v e -
mentioned s h o e
c o m p o n e n t s
t o
p r o v i d e a d d i t i o n a l
stability
a n d
memory characteristics t o
t h e
s o l e
of t h e
s h o e .
he
i n s e r t
member 5 6
h e l p s t o i n c r e a s e
t h e
l i f e
of a s h o e .
he
i n s e r t
member
while
h a v i n g
a
l o n g
l i f e
i t s e l f
a l s o
h e l p s
p r e v e n t
a
midsole
m a t e r i a l
f r o m
b r e a k d o w n
d u e
t o
f a t i g u e .
l o n g l i f e
a n d
decreased
break
d o w n
d u e t o
f a t i g u e
i s
possible
because i t
i s
t h e
i n s e r t
which
a b s o r b s
a n d
t r a n s m i t s m o s t
o f
t h e
g e n e r a -
t e d f o r c e s .
n a d d i t i o n ,
t h e
i n s e r t
me mb e r a l l o w s
a
midsole
t o recover t o
a
r e l a x e d
s t a t e
b e t w e e n
s t r i d e s . n
r u n n i n g ,
f o r e x a m p l e ,
runner
w h i l e
j o g g i n g may
take
o n e
h u n d r e d
s t r i d e s
p e r m i n u t e .
h i l e
m o s t
midsoles
c a n n o t
recover f u l l y
b e t w e e n
s t r i d e s ,
t h e
p r e s e n t
i n v e n t i o n
w i l l enable a
m i d s o l e
t o
m a k e
s u c h a r e c o v e r y .
T h e
i n s e r t
member
5 6 ,
w h i c h
m a y
b e
positioned
i n
a
n u m b e r
o f
different
l o c a t i o n s
a s
w i l l
b e
amplified
b e l o w , e n h a n c e s
t h e
o v e r a l l
stability
o f
s o l e
2 4 a n d
works i n conjunction
w i t h
t h e
other component
p a r t s o f
s o l e
2 4 .
e n e r a l l y , n s e r t
member
5 6 i s
positioned e i t h e r s a n d w i c h e d
b e t w e e n
t h e
o u t s o l e
2 6 a n d
t h e
midsole 2 8 , e n c a p s u l a t e d
within
t h e
midsole
2 8
o r
encapsulated within o u t s o l e
2 6 .
I n
F i g u r e
3 A ,
a n
a l t e r n a t i v e embodiment
of
t h e
i n v e n t i o n
i s
s h o w n .
h i s
e m b o d i m e n t
i s
a
s i m i l a r
view
a s
F i g u r e
3 ,
b u t
s h o w s
a n
alternative p o s i t i o n o f
i n s e r t
me mb e r 5 6 .
n
t h i s
e m b o d i m e n t , t h e
i n s e r t
member
5 6 m a k e s
contact
with b o t h t h e
o u t s o l e
2 6
a n d
a
l a s t i n g b o a r d
w h i c h
i s
t y p ic a lly placed a b o v e
t h e
midsole
i n
a c o n v e n t i o n a l
a t h l e t i c
s h o e . h i s
c o n f i g u r a -
t i o n
provides f o r a n
e f f i c i e n t
u s e
o f
t h e
i n v e n t i o n ,
s i n c e
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 14/40
WO 9 0 / 0 1 2 7 6 Cr/US89/03259
•12-
there i s n o midsole m a t e r i a l , e . g . ,
p o l y u r e t h a n e , a b o v e
the
i n s e r t
m em ber
5 6
a l o n g
t h e
l o n g i t u d i n a l
center ine
o f
t h e
h e e l
region
of
t h e
s h o e .
I n Figure 3 B ,
ye t a n o t h e r
embodiment
of
t h e
i n v e n t i o n
i s
depicted.
n
t h i s
c r o s s - s e c t i o n a l
i e w ,
t i s
s e e n
t h a t
outsole
2 6
e x t e n d s
u p
t h e s i d e
o f
midsole
2 8 .
he
o u t s o l e may
extend upward
o n t o
t h e
midsole
a r o u n d
t h e
entire
h e e l
o f
t h e
s h o e ,
i f d e s i r e d .
I n a preferred e m b o d i m e n t
o f
t h e i n v e n t i o n
a s
i l l u s t r a t e d
i n
F i g u r e s
4
a n d
5 , i n s e r t member 5 6 h a s a
c e n t r a l
b o d y
portion
5 8
a n d
a
p l u r a l i t y
o f
i n s e r t
extensions
6 0 - 7 2
w h i c h
extend outwardly a n d
downwardly from
c e n t r a l
b o d y
p o r t i o n
5 8 .
I n
g e n e r a l ,
i n s e r t e x t e n s i o n s
6 0 - 7 2 h a v e a
f l a t s e c t i o n 7 5
a t
the
d i s t a l e n d s thereof ( s e e n b e s t
i n F i g u r e s 3 a n d 5 ) .
t
should
b e
n o t e d
t h a t
t h e
i n s e r t
member
5 6
i l l u s t r a t e d i n
Figure 4 u t i l i z e s
t e n
i n s e r t e x t e n s i o n s , while
t h e
i n s e r t
m em ber
o f F i g u r e s
1 - 3
u t i l i z e s eight
i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n s . o r
convenience, t h e
a d d i t i o n a l
t w o
i n s e r t extensions
o f
member 5 6
of Figure 4 h a v e
b e e n
designated
6 0 a
a n d
6 0 b .
n
o p e r a t i o n ,
the
numb e r o f
i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n s
may
b e
v a r i e d
a s
n e e d e d
t o
most
ffectively
p e r a t e
n onjunction
it h
h e t h e r
c o mp o ne nt p a r t s
of
t h e s o l e .
The
r e b o u n d
characteristics of
t h e i n s e r t
member
5 6 c a n
b e controlled
b y
v a r y i n g a
number
o f
different p a r a m e t e r s .
F o r
e x a m p l e , s o m e
o r a l l of
t h e
i n s e r t
extensions
6 0 - 7 2
may
define openings
7 8
o r
may
b e
b u i l t u p .
penings
7 8 i n c r e a s e
fle x ib ilit y
o f a n i n d i v i d u a l i n s e r t extension a n d
decrease
t h e
weight
of
the
i n s e r t
5 6 .
A
numb e r
o f
d i f f e r e n t c o n v e n t i o n a l
materials
a r e a v a i l -
a b l e for
making i n s e r t member
5 6 .
x a m p l e s
o f
possible
materials
i n c l u d e : y t e l , a polyamide
which
may
b e
g l a s s
reinforced
w i t h ,
o r
e x a m p l e ,
8 %
g l a s s ; e l r i n ;
y n i t e ;
H y t r e l ; o r
a
c o m b i n a t i o n
o f t h e above materials s u c h
a s
a
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 15/40
WO 90/01276
CT/US89/03259
•13 -
Hytrel/Rynite
m i x t u r e .
y t e l ,
D e l r i n , R y n i t e a n d
H y t r e l a r e
a l l
manufactured b y
D u P o n t .
y t r e l
i s a
s e m i
c r y s t a l
l i n e
a n d
f u l l y
p o l y m e r i z e d ,
h i g h
mo le c ula r w e i g h t ,
chemically
s t a b l e ,
thermoplastic
olyester
lastomer
o m p o s e d
f
lternate
amorphous
a n d
crystalline
c h a i n s .
The
a b o v e
materials
a r e
i n t e n d e d
t o
b e illustrative
o f
s o m e
of t h e
p o s s i b l e
materials
f o r
u s e
i n
i n s e r t
member
5 6 .
T h i s
l i s t i s n o t
exhaustive
o r
comprehensive
a n d
i t
should
b e
understood
t h a t
m a n y
different materials
may
e u s e d o
practice
t h e i n v e n t i o n .
n
g e n e r a l ,
t h e
c o m m o n
d e no mina t o r
o f
t h e
materials
w h i c h
may
b e utilized t o
e m b o d y
t h e
invention
i s
t h a t
t h e
m a t e r i a l
m u s t h a v e
g o o d
memory
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s ,
t h a t
i s ,
t h e
m a t e r i a l
m u s t
t e n d
t o
r e t u r n
t o i t s
o r i g i n a l
s h a p e
a f t e r
d e f o r m a t i o n .
n
a d d i t i o n ,
t h e
m a t e r i a l
m u s t
b e
durable
a n d
must n o t b e
b r i t t l e ;
o t h e r w i s e ,
i t
m a y
n o t b e
a b l e
t o
withstand h e
o n s t a n t y c l i n g f
h e
a t e r i a l ithout
cracking
o r b r e a k i n g .
h e m a t e r i a l
u s e d f o r
making t h e
i n s e r t
member
may
b e h a r d e r
t h a n
t h e midsole
m a t e r i a l , b u t
n e e d '
n o t
b e
h a r d e r .
i n c e
t h e
h a r d n e s s
o f
t h e
i n s e r t
member
a s
w e l l
a s
i t s
thickness
m a y
b e
modified
t o
a c h i e v e
a
d e s i r e d
r e s p o n s e ,
t h e r e
may
b e
c i r c u m s t a n c e s
whereby
a
r e l a t i v e l y
s o f t
i n s e r t
me mb e r
5 6 i s
u t i l i z e d .
T h e i n v e n t i o n c a n b e
modified a n d
tuned f o r
t h e
d i f f e r e n t
requirements
o f
different
s p o r t s .
I n s e r t
member
5 6 i s preferably disposed
i n
a
l o c a t i o n
which
w i l l allow
t h e
i n s e r t
member
t o
cooperate w i t h
t h e
other s h o e
c o m p o n e n t s .
h i s
l o c a t i o n i s n o t l i m i t e d t o
b e i n g n e x t
t o
o r
juxtaposed
t o
t h e o u t s o l e . h e
i n s e r t
member
5 6
may cooperate
w i t h
t h e
o u t s o l e
i f
i t
i s
encapsulated
w i t h i n
t h e
m i d s o l e ,
sandwiched b e t w e e n
t h e midsole a n d
t h e
o u t s o l e ,
o r encapsu-
l a t e d
within
t h e
o u t s o l e .
T h e
i n s e r t
member
may
a l s o
b e
partially
e n c a p s u l a t e d
within
t h e m i d s o l e .
n t h e
embodiment
o f t h e
i n v e n t i o n s h o w n
i n
F i g u r e s
1 - 3 ,
i n s e r t
member 5 6
l i e s
b e t w e e n o u t s o l e 2 6 a n d midsole 2 8 .
t may b e
attached
t o t h e
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 16/40
WO
90/01276 CT/US89/03259
•14-
outsole
a n d
midsole
i n
a n y c o n v e n t i o n a l
m a n n e r .
o r
e x a m p l e ,
t h e i n s e r t member may
b e
cemented
t o
t h e
o u t s o l e . f i n s e r t
member
5 6
i s
disposed directly
a b o v e
o u t s o l e
2 6 ,
t h e
c e n t r a l
portion o f t h e i n s e r t
me mb e r may
b e
e x p o s e d
through
cut-out 5 4
i n o u t s o l e
2 6
a s s h o w n i n F i g u r e
2 .
h e i n s e r t
extensions 6 0 -
7 2 positionally
correspond
t o
l u g s
3 2 - 4 6
i n outsole
2 6
a n d
cooperate therewith t o provide
i n c r e a s e d
stability
a n d
rebound
characteristics
for
s o l e 2 4 . h e
i n s e r t
extensions 60-72
h a v e
a
f l a t
s e c t i o n 7 5
which
positionally
c o r r e s p o n d
t o l a n d s 4 8 i n
t h e o u t s o l e . n o p e r a t i o n ,
n s e r t
member 5 6
a n d
i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n s
6 0 - 7 2
cooperate
w i t h
l u g s
3 2 - 4 6
a n d
move
outward
a s
f o r c e s i m p i n g e o n
the
s o l e . n
t h i s
s p e c i f i c a t i o n ,
the
term
o u t w a r d
i s
u s e d
t o m e a n
t h a t
d i r e c t i o n
which
i s
away
f r o m
t h e
c e n t r a l
p o r t i o n
of
t h e s h o e i n t h e
p l a n e
defined generally
b y t h e
o u t s o l e .
h i s
direction i s
locally
the direction
perpendicular t o a
line
which i s
t a n g e n t t o
the
p e r ime t e r
of
t h e
o u t s o l e .
n
Figures 2 a n d
3 ,
o u t w a r d
i s
t h e
direction
s h o w n
b y
a r r o w s 7 7 . o n v e r s e l y ,
i n w a r d
i s
the direction
t o w a r d
t h e
c e n t r a l
portion
o f
t h e
s h o e . enerally
s p e a k i n g ,
a
c u r v e d
p o r t i o n
7 6
connects
t h e
f l a t
p o r t i o n
7 5 o f i n s e r t
extensions
6 0 - 7 2 t o c e n t r a l o d y 5 8
of
i n s e r t me mb e r
5 6 .
Member 5 6 ma y
b e tailored t o
s p e c i f i c
n e e d s
b y
a d d i n g a d d i -
t i o n a l
o p e n i n g s
7 8
o r b y
building
u p
s e c t i o n s
o f
t h e
e x t e n -
s i o n s
a s d e s i r e d .
d d i t i o n a l
a p e r t u r e s
w i l l
ncrease
t h e
flexibility o f
t h e i n s e r t e x t e n s i o n h a v i n g
t h e
a p e r t u r e s .
C o n v e r s e l y , building u p
a n
i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n
w i l l
ma k e
t h e
i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n more
r i g i d .
n
e f f e c t ,
t h e i n s e r t me mb e r
may
b e
t u n e d b y
adding
apertures
t o
t h o s e
extension
members
w h e r e
a d d i t i o n a l
flexibility
i s
d e s i r e d a n d
building
u p
t h o s e
extension
members where
i t
i s desirable
f o r
t h e
extension
me mb e r
t o
b e m o r e
r i g i d .
o r
e x a m p l e ,
i t
may
b e d e sir a b le t o
h a v e
a
specific
a r e a
o f
t h e
s o l e
l e s s
compressible
t h a n
t h e
remaining
a r e a s
of t h e
s o l e . T h i s c a n
b e accomplished
b y
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 17/40
WO 90 /01276 Cr/US89/03259
-15-
b u i l d i n g
u p
t h o s e
extension
m e m b e r s i n t h e
a r e a
f o r
which
l e s s
compression
i s
desired o r
b y
a d d i n g apertures t o t h e extension
m e m b e r s
i n
t h e
a r e a
f o r
w h i c h
m o r e compression i s
desired
o r
a
combination of
t h e s e
t w o
a p p r o a c h e s .
F i g u r e s
6 - 1 7
i l l u s t r a t e
y e t
another embodiment
o f
t h e
i n v e n t i o n .
i g u r e s 6 - 8
i l l u s t r a t e a
p a r t
o f a s o l e
8 0
w h i c h
h a s
a n
outsole
8 2
a n d
a
m i d s o l e
8 4 .
s
w i t h t h e
previously
described
mbodiment f t h e
n v e n t i o n ,
utsole 2 h a s
plurality
of
l u g s
8 6 w h i c h
a r e
s h a p e d
t o
maintain
t h e
r e m a i n -
i n g ,
c e n t r a l
p o r t i o n s
o f t h e
s o l e 8 0
a t
a s p a c e d
relationship
t o
t h e
g r o u n d . s
with
o t h e r
embodiments
of
t h e
i n v e n t i o n ,
t h e r e m a y b e
a
c u t o u t 8 8
i n
t h e
o u t s o l e .
h i s
cutout
r e d u c e s
t h e
weight
o f
t h e
s h o e b y
e l i m i n a t i n g
t h e outsole i n a n
a r e a
i t
i s
n o t
n e c e s s a r y .
i g u r e s
7 - 8
i l l u s t r a t e s
a n
i n s e r t
member
9 0 encapsulated
within
m i d s o l e 8 4 .
portion
8 5
of
mid so le
8 4
l i e s
below
i n s e r t
member
9 0 .
y
encapsulating
i n s e r t
member
9 0
w i t h i n
midsole 8 4 , i t
i s
p o s s i b l e
t o
i m p r o v e
t h e
r e b o u n d
characteristics o f t h e
s o l e
8 0 b y pre-stressing i n s e r t member
9 0
p r i o r t o e n c a p s u l a t i o n .
t
s h o u l d
b e
n o t e d ,
h o w e v e r ,
t h a t
prestressing
o f
t h e
i n s e r t
member
i s
n o t
a
requirement
t o
p r a c t i c e
t h e
i n v e n t i o n .
o d o
s o ,
i n s e r t
me mb e r
9 0
i s
f i r s t
p l a c e d
i n a
m o l d , t h e
p e r i m e t e r
of w h i c h
i s
smaller
a t
l e a s t
i n
p a r t
t h a n
t h e perimeter
o f
t h e
pre-stressed
i n s e r t
member
9 0 .
y doing
s o ,
i n s e r t m e m b e r
9 0 e x e r t s a
f o r c e
a g a i n s t
t h e
m o l d a n d
i s
b i a s e d
i n
a n
o u t w a r d
d i r e c t i o n . n
F i g u r e
8 ,
o u t w a r d i s t h e direction d e p i c t e d
b y a r r o w s
1 0 4 .
After
i n s e r t
me mb e r
9 0
h a s
b e e n pre-stressed
a n d
p l a c e d
i n
a
m o l d ,
midsole
m a t e r i a l
s u c h
a s
polyurethane
( P U )
i s
u s e d
t o
encapsulate
i n s e r t
member
9 0 .
h i s
ma y
b e done
b y
i n j e c -
t i o n m o l d i n g ,
f o r
e x a m p l e . y s e l e c t i n g
t h e
proper
m a t e r i a l s ,
t h e
midsole
maintains
t h e i n s e r t i n
a
l o a d e d o r s t r e s s e d
c o n f i g u r a t i o n ,
n d
h u s
t h e
m i d s o l e
h a s
p o t e n t i a l n e r g y
s t o r e d
within i t .
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 18/40
WO 9 0 / 0 1 2 7 6 Cr/US89/03259
•16 -
One
embodiment o f
i n s e r t
member
9 0
f i e r
s e i s
i l l u s t r a t e d
i n Figures 9 - 1 5 .
i g u r e
9
i s a
t o p
view
o f
i n s e r t member 9 0
a n d
Figure
1 0
i s
a
b o t t o m
v i e w .
n s e r t
member
9 0
h a s
i n s e r t
extensions
9 2
which
e x t e n d
outwardly
f r o m
a
c e n t r a l
o d y
portion
9 4 . hese i n s e r t extensions
9 2 cooperate
w i t h
l u g s
8 6
of
outsole
8 2
s o
t h a t
w h e n a
f o r c e
i m p i n g e s
o n t h e s o l e ,
b o t h
l u g s
8 6
a n d
i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n s 9 2
w i l l move
i n
a n
outward
direction
a n d i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n
members
9 2 ,
i n c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h
the
other
components
o f
t h e
s o l e ,
w i l l a c t
a s
a s p r i n g
t o
return
the
s o l e
t o
i t s
o r i g i n a l
s h a p e .
s h o r t e n e d
r e c o v e r y
t ime
o r
shortened
midsole
c y c l e
time
i s
particularly
i m p o r t a n t
i n
s u c h
a c t i v i t i e s
a s
j o g g i n g
a n d
b a s k e t b a l l .
h i s s e r v e s t o
return energy t o t h e u s e r
without
h a v i n g
t h e m u s h y f e e l i n g
associated
w i t h f l u i d
f i l l e d
s h o e s .
I t
c a n b e
s e e n
f r o m F i g u r e
1 1
that
i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n s
9 2
may h a v e
a b u i l t
u p
s e c t i o n
1 0 2
w h i c h e x t e n d s
a l o n g t h e
surface o f
i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n s
9 2 . u i l t
u p s e c t i o n
1 0 2
may
t a k e
o n a number o f
d i f f e r e n t
f o r m s
b u t
i s
u s e d
generally t o
tailor the
response
of
t h e
m i d s o l e .
uilt u p
s e c t i o n
1 0 2
gives
the
i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n s
more
s t r e n g t h
a n d
l e s s
f l e x i -
b i l i t y .
A s
with
b u i l t
u p
s e c t i o n
1 0 2 , i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n s
9 2
may
define
h o l e s
o r
a p e r t u r e s
1 0 0 a s
s h o w n
i n F i g u r e 1 2 .
o l e s
1 0 0
ma y
b e u s e d
a s
n e e d e d
t o
tailor
t h e i n s e r t
9 0 t o
p r o v i d e
a
desired r e s p o n s e .
u i l t
u p
s e c t i o n
1 0 2
a n d
a p e r t u r e s
1 0 0
may
b e
u s e d s
n e e d e d ,
i t h e r
a l o n e n a n n s e r t member
o r
t o g e t h e r .
A s
s h o w n
i n
F i g u r e s
1 3 - 1 5 ,
i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n s
9 2
may
h a v e
a
f l a t
portion 9 6 w h i c h
positionally corresponds
generally t o
t h a t
portion of
t h e
o u t s o l e
8 2
which
contacts
t h e
g r o u n d .
curved portion
9 8
c o n n e c t s
f l a t
p o r t i o n
9 6
t o
c e n t r a l
p o r t i o n
9 4 .
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 19/40
WO
90 / 0 1276 CT/US89/03259
-17-
R e f e r r i n g
n o w t o
F i g u r e s
1 6
a n d
1 7 ,
y e t
another embodi-
m e n t o f t h e
i n v e n t i o n i s s h o w n . i g u r e
1 6
s h o w s
a n i n s e r t
member
1 2 0
h a v i n g a n
extending
p o r t i o n
1 2 4 ,
t h e
d i s t a l
e n d o f
which e x t e n d s
i n t o t h e
forefoot
r e g i o n
o f a
s h o e w h e n
p o s i -
tioned
within
t h e
s o l e
o f
a
s h o e . h e o u t l i n e o f
a
s h o e
1 2 3
i s s h o w n i n F i g u r e 1 8
t o
h e l p
i l l u s t r a t e
o n e
possible
p l a c e -
ment
o f
i n s e r t
member 1 2 0 . he extending
p o r t i o n
1 2 4
may
b e
f o r m e d f r o m a
s i n g l e
p i e c e
o f m a t e r i a l
s u c h a s t h o s e
materials
previously
d e s c r i b e d
f o r making t h e
i n s e r t
member a n d t h e
i n s e r t
member
1 2 0
a n d extending
p o r t i o n
1 2 4
a r e
g e ne r a lly
made
f r o m
a
s i n g l e
monolithic
p i e c e
o f m a t e r i a l . t
i s
u n d e r s t o o d ,
h o w e v e r ,
t h a t
i t i s p o s s i b l e t o
f o r m t h e e x t e n d i n g
portion
1 2 4
f r o m
s e p a r a t e
a n d
distinct p i e c e s
o f m a t e r i a l .
The
e x t e n d i n g
p o r t i o n
1 2 4 may b e
f o r m e d
b y a
plurality
o f
f i n g e r s
1 2 2
w h i c h
e x t e n d generally f r o m t h e
r e m a i n i n g
portion
o f i n s e r t
member
1 2 0
t o w a r d
t h e t o e r e g i o n o f s h o e
1 2 3 .
I n a
p r e f e r r e d e m b o d i m e n t ,
extending
p o r t i o n
1 2 4
i s
m a d e
t o
h a v e
a n
u n d u l a t i n g
o r
s i n u s o i d a l
s h a p e i n
c r o s s
s e c t i o n
( F i g u r e 1 7 ) . h e
undulations
a v e
p e a k s
2 8 which
m a k e
c o n t a c t
w i t h
o u t s o l e
1 1 8
a n d
s p a c e d
b y
v a l l e y s
1 3 0 .
he
s p a c e s 1 3 2 b e t w e e n midsole 1 1 6
a n d
i n s e r t
member 1 2 0 ,
a n d
b e t w e e n o u t s o l e
1 1 8
a n d i n s e r t
member
1 2 0 ,
a r e
f i l l e d
with
a i r
a t
a m b i e n t p r e s s u r e .
I n
o p e r a t i o n ,
t h e extending
p o r t i o n
1 2 4 o f
i n s e r t me mb e r
1 2 0
a c t s
a s a s p r i n g
t o
return
energy
t o
t h e
u s e r . h i s
o c c u r s b e c a u s e
f o r c e s
a c t i n g
perpendicular
t o
s o l e
1 1 8 deflect
t h e
extending
p o r t i o n
1 2 4
a n d t e n d
t o
decrease
t h e
s i z e
of
t h e
p e a k s
1 2 8
a n d
v a l l e y s
1 3 0
w h e n
t h e
l o a d
i s
placed
o n
t h e
extending
p o r t i o n 1 2 4 .
ecause
t h e
materials
u s e d
t o form
extending p o r t i o n 1 2 4
h a v e
good memory
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s ,
t
t e n d s
t o
r e t u r n
t o
i t s
o r i g i n a l ,
n l o a d e d s h a p e .
f
t h e
d i s t a l
e n d
o f
e x t e n d i n g
p o r t i o n
1 2 4
i s
n o t
a t t a c h e d
t o either
t h e
idsole
r
u t s o l e ,
h e
xtending
o r t i o n 2 4 i l l
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 20/40
WO
90 /01276
Cr/US89/03259
•18-
increase
i n o v e r a l l
l e n g t h
u p o n
l o a d i n g .
h i s
occurs
because
the decreasing
o f t h e
p e a k s
2 8 a n d
v a l l e y s
3 0
o f t h e
undulations
e n d
o
o r c e
x t e n d i n g
o r t i o n
2 4
n
h e
direction
a w a y
from
the
remaining
p o r t i o n o f insert
member
1 2 0 .
E x t e n d i n g
ortion 2 4 s e a t u r e which
ncreases
o v e r a l l
cushioning
o f
t he
s o l e
b u t
d o e s
n o t otherwise
affect
t h e operation of the
remaining
p o r t i o n
o f
i n s e r t
m em ber
1 2 0 .
I n other
r e s p e c t s ,
i n s e r t member
1 2 0
s h o w n
i n F i g u r e s
1 8
a n d
1 9
operates substantially t h e s a m e
a s
t h e
i n s e r t
me mb e r s h o w n
i n
F i g u r e
4 .
I n t h e embodiment
o f
t h e i n v e n t i o n depicted
i n
F i g u r e s
1 8 - 2 1 ,
n
n s e r t me mb e r s s u b s t a n t i a l l y
encapsulated b y
o u t s o l e
m a t e r i a l .
h e se
f i g u r e s d e p i c t
a n
outsole 1 4 0
which
h a s a
plurality
of
l u g s
1 4 6 . h e
o u t s o l e
1 4 0
i s
attached
t o
a
midsole 1 4 2 ( s h o w n
i n
p h a n t o m ) . h e s e
l u g s
4 6
w o r k i n
substantially
t h e
s a m e
ma nne r
a s
t h o s e embodiments o f
t h e
i n v e n t i o n previously d e s c r i b e d . h e o u t s o l e 1 4 0 i n c l u d e s a n
u p p e r
p o r t i o n
1 4 8
a n d
a
lower
p o r t i o n
1 5 0 .
e t w e e n
t h e
u p p e r
a n d
l o w e r
portions
1 4 8
a n d 1 5 0 , r e s p e c t i v e l y , i s a n
insert
member
4 4 s h o w n
n
h a n t o m ) .
h i s
n s e r t
m em ber 1 4 4
o p e r a t e s
i n
substantially
t h e s a m e
manner
i n
t h i s embodiment
a s i t
d o e s
i n
t h e
embodiments
o f
t h e
i n v e n t i o n
previously
d e s c r i b e d .
s
s e e n i n
Figure
2 0 a n d
2 1 ,
outsole 1 4 0
may
define
a n
o p e n i n g
1 5 2 .
h e
u p p e r
a n d
l o w e r
portions
ma y
b e
interconnected
t o
wrap a r o u n d
t h e
i n s e r t a s s h o w n
i n F i g u r e
1 9 .
T h e
foregoing
description o f t h e
p r e f e r r e d embodiments
o f
t h e i n v e n t i o n
h a v e
b e e n
presented
f o r p u r p o s e s o f
illustration
a n d
d e s c r i p t i o n . t
i s
n o t
i n t e n d e d
t o b e
exhaustive o r t o
l i m i t h e n v e n t i o n
o
h e
r e c i s e o r m d i s c l o s e d , n d
obviously many modifications a n d
v a r i a t i o n s
a r e
possible i n
l i g h t
o f
t h e a b o v e t e a c h i n g . he e m b o d i m e n t s were c h o s e n
a n d
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 21/40
WO
90 /01276 Cr/US89/03259
- 19 -
described
i n
order
t o b e s t
e x p l a i n
t h e
principles
of
t h e
i n v e n t i o n
n d
i t s
p r a c t i c a l
p p l i c a t i o n
t o thereby
e n a b l e
o t h e r s
skilled
i n
t h e
a r t
t o
b e s t
u t i l i z e
t h e
i n v e n t i o n
i n
v a r i o u s embodiments
a n d
w i t h v a r i o u s mo d ific a t io ns a s a r e
s u i t e d t o t h e particular u s e
c o n t e m p l a t e d . t i s i n t e n d e d
t h a t
t h e
scope
o f
t h e
i n v e n t i o n
b e
defined
b y
t h e
c l a i m s
a p p e n d e d
h e r e t o .
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 22/40
WO 90 / 0 1276 Cr/US89/03259
- 2 0 -
W E
CLAIM
:
1 .
n
athletic
s h o e ,
c o m p r i s i n g :
a .
n
u p p e r ;
b .
o l e
t t a c h e d
o
a i d
p p e r ,
a i d o l e
i n c l u d i n g :
i
m i d s o l e , a i d idsole aving o p
surface
a n d
a
bottom
s u r f a c e :
i i . n o u t s o l e , s a i d
outsole
h a v i n g
a
c e n t r a l
h e e l
portion
a n d
a
p l u r a l i t y o f
periphery l u g s ,
s a i d l u g s
being
effective
t o
c o n t a c t
t h e
ground
a n d
t o
maintain
s a i d
c e n t r a l
h e e l
p o r t i o n
i n a
spaced-apart
relationship
t o
t h e
g r o u n d ; a n d
i i i .
a n
i n s e r t m e m b e r , s a i d i n s e r t member
b e i n g
ma d e
of a m a t e r i a l h a v i n g
a h a r d n e s s
greater t h a n
s a i d
m i d s o l e
a n d aving n s e r t
x t e n s i o n s
hich ooperate
i t h a i d
periphery
l u g s .
2 .
h e
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
o f claim
wherein
s a i d
i n s e r t
me mb e r
i s
positioned
b e t w e e n
s a i d
outsole
a n d
s a i d
m i d s o l e .
3 .
he
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
o f
claim wherein
s a i d
i n s e r t
me mb e r
i s
encapsulated
i n s a i d m i d s o l e .
4 .
he
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
o f
claim wherein
s a i d
i n s e r t
m em ber
i s
partially
e n c a p s u l a t e d
i n
s a i d
m i d s o l e .
5 .
he
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
o f
claim
wherein
s a i d
c e n t r a l
h e e l
portion
d e f i n e s
a n
o p e n i n g .
6 .
he
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
of
claim 5 , wherein
t h e o p e n i n g
d e fine d b y s a i d o u t s o l e
e x p o s e s
s a i d
i n s e r t .
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 23/40
WO 90 / 0 1276 CT/US89/03259
-21-
7 .
h e a t h l e t i c s h o e
o f
claim
1
w h e r e i n s a i d periphery
l u g s
e x t e n d
downwardly a n d
outwardly
f r o m
t h e
c e n t r a l
h e e l
p o r t i o n .
8 . h e
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
of claim
7 ,
w h e r e i n
s a i d
i n s e r t
l u g s e x t e n d
downwardly
a n d
o u t w a r d l y .
9 . h e a t h l e t i c s h o e o f
c l a i m
7 ,
w h e r e i n
s a i d
l o w e r
s u r f a c e o f s a i d
midsole
e x t e n d s b e t w e e n s a i d
periphery
l u g s .
1 0 . h e a t h l e t i c
s h o e
of
claim
w h e r e i n
s a i d i n s e r t
h a s
substantially
p l a n a r
b o d y
p o r t i o n
a n d
wherein
s a i d
i n s e r t l u g s e x t e n d
downwardly
f r o m
s a i d b o d y p o r t i o n .
1 1 . h e a t h l e t i c s h o e o f
c l a i m w h e r e i n
s a i d
i n s e r t
comprises a
p o l y m e r i c m a t e r i a l .
1 2 .
h e
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
o f
claim
1 1 ,
w h e r e i n
s a i d
i n s e r t
comprises H Y T R E L .
1 3 . h e
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
of
c l a i m 1 1 ,
w h e r e i n s a i d
i n s e r t
comprises
D E L R I N .
1 4 . h e a t h l e t i c
s h o e
o f claim
1 1 ,
w h e r e i n s a i d i n s e r t
comprises
R Y N I T E .
1 5 . h e
a t h l e t i c
s h o e o f
claim
1 1 ,
w h e r e i n
s a i d
i n s e r t
comprises
a
c o m b i n a t i o n
of
RYNITE
a n d
H Y T R E L .
1 6 .
h e
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
o f
claim
1 1 ,
w h e r e i n
s a i d p o l y -
meric
m a t e r i a l
i s
g l a s s r e i n f o r c e d .
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 24/40
WO
90 /01276
Cr/US89/03259
•22-
1 7 .
he
athletic
s h o e
o f
c l a i m
1 6 ,
wherein
s a i d
p o l y -
meric
m a t e r i a l
i s glass-reinforced Z Y T E L .
1 8 . h e athletic s h o e o f
c l a i m
1 1 , wherein s a i d i n s e r t
comprised
approximately
1 8 %
glass-reinforced
Z Y T E L .
1 9 .
he athletic
s h o e o f
c l a i m
1 0 ,
wherein
s a i d
i n s e r t
defines
a plurality o f
o p e n i n g s
o r reducing
the weight
t h e r e o f .
2 0 .
s h o e
s o l e
c o n s t r u c t i o n ,
c o m p r i s i n g :
a .
n outsole
h a v i n g
a
plurality
o f l u g s ,
s a i d
l u g s
extending
d o w nw a r d ly f r o m
t h e p e r i p h e r y
of
s a i d
o u t s o l e ;
b . n
i n s e r t
m e m b e r , s a i d
i n s e r t
me mb e r
h a v i n g
a
b o d y p o r t i o n a n d a t
least
o n e i n s e r t
e x t e n s i o n
extending f r o m
s a i d
b o d y p o r t i o n , s a i d
a t
l e a s t o n e
i n s e r t extension
p o s i -
tioned a b o v e
a t
l e a s t
o n e o f s a i d
l u g s .
2 1 .
he
s h o e
a s defined
b y
claim
2 0 ,
further comprising
a
midsole
positioned
a b o v e
t h e
b o d y
p o r t i o n
of s a i d
i n s e r t
member a n d
extending
b e t w e e n
s a i d
plurality
of
l u g s o f
s a i d
o u t s o l e .
2 2 . h e
s h o e a s
defined
b y
c l a i m 2 0 ,
wherein the d i s t a l
e n d
o f
s a i d
l u g s
h a v e l a n d s with a ground-contacting s u r f a c e ,
s a i d ground-contacting surface
o f
s a i d l a n d
defining
a
f i r s t
p l a n e .
2 3 .
n
athletic s h o e c o m p r i s i n g :
a . n
u p p e r ;
b .
o l e
ttached
o a i d p p e r , a i d
o l e
i n c l u d i n g :
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 25/40
WO 90 /01276 CT/US89/03259
•23-
i n
o u t s o l e
h a v i n g a
t o p s u r f a c e ,
a
b o t t o m
s u r f a c e ,
a
f o r e f o o t r e g i o n ,
a n d
a h e e l r e g i o n ,
t h e
h e e l r e g i o n
h a v i n g
a
periphery
r e g i o n
f o r
contacting
t h e
g r o u n d ,
a i d
periphery
r e g i o n i n c l u d i n g
a
plurality
o f
l u g s which
b o t h
c o n t a c t
t h e ground a n d
s u p p o r t
t h e
remaining
a r e a
o f s a i d
h e e l
r e g i o n a b o v e
t h e
g r o u n d ;
i i . n
i n s e r t
m e m b e r ,
s a i d
i n s e r t
me mb e r b e i n g
m a d e
o f a m a t e r i a l h a v i n g
a h a r d n e s s greater
t h a n t h e h a r d n e s s
o f s a i d o u t s o l e a n d b e i n g
p o s i t i o n e d
a b o v e s a i d t o p
s u r f a c e o f
s a i d
outsole
n d plurality o f
n s e r t extensions
w h i c h
c o o p e r a t e
w i t h
s a i d
l u g s
t o
r e d i r e c t v e r t i c a l forces w h i c h
i m p i n g e
o n
s a i d o u t s o l e .
2 4 . he
athletic
s h o e
o f c l a i m
2 3
wherein s a i d
h e e l
r e g i o n
o f
s a i d outsole
d e f i n e s
a n
o p e n i n g .
2 5 . method
of
f a b r i c a t i n g
a s o l e , comprising
t h e
s t e p s
o f :
a .
reloading
a n
i n s e r t
m e m b e r , s a i d
i n s e r t
member
h a v i n g
a
b o d y
portion
a n d
a
plurality
o f
extension
m e m b e r s
e x t e n d i n g
downwardly
a n d
o u t w a r d l y
f r o m
s a i d
body
p o r t i o n ,
s a i d
preloading
b e i n g
e f f e c t i v e
t o b i a s
s a i d
extension
m e m b e r s
s o
t h a t
s a i d
extension
m e m b e r s
e x e r t f o r c e s i n a
direction
a w a y f r o m s a i d
b o d y
p o r t i o n ;
a n d
b . ncapsulating a i d n s e r t m em ber i n
o l e
m a t e r i a l , s a i d s o l e m a t e r i a l r e t a i n i n g s a i d
i n s e r t
m em ber
i n
a
p r e l o a d e d
c o n d i t i o n .
2 6 .
he
method of
c l a i m
2 5
w h e r e i n
s a i d
s t e p o f p r e l o a d -
i n g
a n i n s e r t member c o m p r i s e s
t h e
s t e p
of
placing s a i d
i n s e r t
member i n t o
a
m o l d ,
s a i d
m o l d
h a v i n g a width
which i s
narrower
t h a n
t h e
i n s e r t me mb e r w h e n
s a i d
i n s e r t me mb e r i s i n
a n
u n l o a d e d c o n d i t i o n .
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 26/40
WO
90 / 0 1276
Cr/US89/03259
-24-
2 7 .
h e
method of
c l a i m
2 6 wherein
s a i d
i n s e r t member
comprises
m a t e r i a l
a v i n g
hardness
greater
t h a n
t h e
hardness
of
s a i d midsole
m a t e r i a l .
2 8 .
he
method of
claim
2 7
wherein s a i d i n s e r t c o m p r i s e s
a p o ly e st e r e l a s t o m e r .
2 9 .
he
method f claim
8
wherein a i d olyester
e la st o me r
i s
H Y T R E L .
3 0 .
he method
o f c l a i m
2 7
wherein
s a i d i n s e r t
c o m p r i s e s
a
polyamide.
3 1 .
he
method of
c l a i m
3 0 wherein
s a i d
p o l y a m i d e
i s
Z y t e l .
3 2 .
he
method o f
c l a i m 2 5 f u r t h e r
comprising
t h e
s t e p
o f
attaching s a i d
m i d s o l e
m a t e r i a l with s a i d i n s e r t
member
e nc a p sula t e d
t h e r e i n
t o a n
o u t s o l e .
3 3 .
he
method o f claim 32 wherein
s a i d
o u t s o l e
i s
cantilevered.
- : . .
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 27/40
WO
90 /01276
PCr/US89/03259
1 1 1
N
O
S U B S T I T U T E SHEET
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 28/40
WO 90 /01276
PCr/US89/03259
2 /11
CV J
CD
G:
SUBSTITUTE
S H E E T
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 29/40
WO
90 /01276
PCT/US89/03259
3 /11
0M
O
* : /A fa
ION
W fi ~r*
f c i
^c
A
to
A
e>
w
c :
^v^Sl
* / Y3\
8-
0 v
iv|vL
CO
• ••• vi
k^ l l
C V J
S U B S T I T U T E
H E E T
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 30/40
WO
90 /01276
PCT/US89/03259
4/11
S U B S T I T U T E
S H E E T
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 31/40
WO
90 /01276
PCT/US89/03259
5 /11
i
i~
k
o - o C O
00 C O > C O
S U B S T I T U T E
H Z
to
I
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 32/40
WO 90 /01276
PCT/US89/03259
6/11
8
o
o
x
^
8-
CD
S :
S2
S U B S T I T U T E SHEET
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 33/40
WO
90 / 0 1276
PCr/US89/03259
7/77
f
ro
^ 3 -
I G
o
v
S U B S T I T U T E
H E E T
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 34/40
WO 90 /01276
PCr/US89/03259
6/11
SUBSTITUTE:
S T
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 35/40
WO
9 0 / 0 1 2 7 6
PCT/US89/03259
9
< o .
u
IUB3TITUTE
SHEET
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 36/40
WO
90 /01276
PCr /US89 /03259
JO/7/
o o
o < r
o
o
o
o
o
o
o o
o
o '
0°
•
C=)
J
«
o
\
•^
j
V
(
o
•
) f
=kM
*
e a
o
CO
L .
CVll
1 4
S U B S T I T U T E H E E T
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 37/40
WO
90 /01276
PCT/US89/03259
1 1 1 1
r
C V J
L.
eg
00-
r'St CD
CM CD O
S
S i S Q
S U B S T I T U T E H E E T
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 38/40
INTERNATIONAL
S E A R C H R E P O R T
International ADDlication
o.
PCT/USS
9 0 3
2 5
9
I.
LASSIFICATION
O F
SUBJECT MATTER
il
evera l
lassi fication
ymcois coly .
maicaie
m
Ac c o rd i n g
to
Iniernational Patent Classi fication
IPC)
or
lo ootn Nat ional Classification an d IPC
IN T
C L4 A43B 5/00, 13/42,21/32
U S C L
36/114,
30R,37 12/146B
II
FIELDS
EARCHED
Minimum
Documenta t ion
Searched
Classi fication
System
Classi fication Symools
u s
36/3
0R,30A,32R,37,38,59R,107,
108,114
12/142R,
142P,
142RS,
146B,
146BR,
146S
Documentat ion Searched other than Minimum Documentation
to th e
Eitent
that such
Documents
ar e Included
m
the Fields
Searched
III.
OCUMENTS
CONSIDERED
TO BE
ELEVANT
Category •
Y T
Citation
ol Document , with
indicat ion, where
aporopnate , ol
th e
relevant passages *
Relevant
to
Claim
N o.
3
U S
r
A ,
1,923,365
G A I N E S
22 A U G U S T 1933
A n
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
h a v i n g a n
a r c h
p l a t e
w i t h
e x t e n s i o n s
c o o p e r a t i n g
w i t h t h e
c l e a t s .
US , A,
4,854,057
M IS EVI C H
08 A U G U S T 1989
An
thletic
hoe aving
midsole
ith
f o r c e
d i s e r s i n g
p l a t e .
G B , A ,
1,081,988
N A D A U D
06
S E P T E M B E R
1967
A r e s i l i e n t
s u p p o r t
i n s e r t c o m p r i s i n g
s p r i n g p l a t e
w i t h
a
p l u r a l i t y o f
flanges
nd
rojecting
embers.
G B , A , 2,114,869
C O R R A O
01 S E P T E M B E R 1 9 8
3
A
s t i f f e n i n g
f o r m a t i o n
37
e n c a p s u l a t e d
o r p a r t i a l l y
e n c a p s u l a t e d
i n
t h e
m i d s o l e .
US , A, 4,335,530
S T U B B L E F I E L D
22 J U N E
1982
A n o u t s o l e
h a v i n g
a n o p e n i n g
i n
t h e
h e e l r e g i o n
t o
e x p o s e t h e i n s e r t
US , A,
4,372,058
S T U B B L E F I E L D
08
F E B R U A R Y 198 7,8,9,33
T h e f l e x i b l e l u g s a r e d i s p o s e d
d ow n-
w a r d l y
a n d
o u t w a r d l y
t o c u s h i o n t h e
o n - h
arping-h i m p a
r l -
I n a r i c a n t i l e v e r e f s o l e )
1-24
1-24,27,32
1-33
3,4,11,16,
27,32
5,6,9,24
*
S oac i a l
categories
of
cited
docu me n ts :
0
A
docu me n t defining
th e
genera l
tate
of
th e
a rt
which
is
no t
considered
to
be ol particular
r e levance
E
arl ier document
bu t
publ ished
on
o r
alter th e
i n te rnat ional
filing
date
L ocu me n t
which
ma y throw oubts
n prtority
l a im(s)
r
which
s
cited
o
stabl ish
he
publ ication date
f
nother
citation or other special reason
as specified)
0 ocu me n t
referring
to an
oral disclosure,
use.
exhibi tion
r
other
me ans
P
ocu me n t
publ ished prior
to
th e international filing
date
bu t
later
than
th e priority date
claimed
T
ater
docu me n t publ ished after th e i n te rnat ional
iling
at e
or priority at e an d
ot
n onfl ict with he ppl ication ut
cited
o
understand
he principle r heory
underlying
he
invention
X
ocu me n t l
articular e levance :
he laimed
nvention
canno t
e
onsidered ovel r
anno t
e
onsidered
o
involve
an
inventive
step
Y
ocument
f
articular e levance ;
h e
laimed
nvention
cannot becons idered
to
involve
an
inventive step
when
the
document
is
comome d
with ne
r
more
other
such
docu -
ments , such comomation being obv ious to a person killed
m
he
art.
& ocu me n t member
of
th e same patent family
IV. CERTIFICATION
Date o f th e Ac t ua l Completion
o f
th e I n te rnat ional Search
07 NOVEMBER
1989
Date
o
M
'
i l
gf
ll
jj|jjT98&
ch Repor t
In terna t iona l Search ing Authori ty
ISA/US
S igp e nre ol Author i zed Officer
>- .
/^ d
antes ee hi
fomPOMSA/JloteeccndsneeClftev. l l -ST)
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 39/40
International
Apnlication
N o.
III. DOCUMEHTS
CONSIDERED
TO BE RELEVANT (CONTINUED FROM
THE SECOND SHEET)
PCT/US89/03259
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Category
•
.lal.on
ol Document,
wth
md.ca.ion,
where
ppropnate,
of
the
elevant
assages
elevant
o
Cla.m
o
JP,A,
55-55817
F U K U J O K A
24
A P R IL 1980
i S w i e t h o d o f
f a b r i c a t i n g
a s o l e b y
e n c a p s u l a t i n g
a n i n s e r t
i n
t h e s o l e
m a t e r i a l .
US,A,
4,614,046
D A S S L E R
30
S E P T E M B E R
1986
I n s e r t m e m b e r l o c a t e d b e t w e e n a n
o u t s o l e a n d
a n
i n s o l e .
FR,A5, 481,026
M A R T E A U 24 O C T .
1916
A n
i n s e r t w i t h
a
p l u r a l i t y
o f
e x t e n s i o n s .
US,A,
3,204,347 S N O W
07
S E P T E M B E R
1965
A
s o l e
p l a t e
G B , A ,
1,404,456
B R I T I S H
B A T A
28
A U G U S T
197
5
f o a / m p l a s t i c
s o l e
w i t h
a s k e l e t a l
i n s e r t .
US , A, 4,506,460
R U D Y
26
M A R C H
1985
m o d e r a t o r
16 w i t h
e x t e n s i o n s .
US,A,
4,624,061
W EZ EL
25
N O V E M B E R
1986
A n i n s e r t
21
w i t h l o b e s .
US,A,
3,577,503
I N N O C E N T I
04
M A Y 1971
A ^ p r o c e s s o f
m a k i n g
a n
a t h l e t i c s o l e
w i t h
i n j e c t i o n
m o l d e d s o l e
h a v i n g a
p l a t e .
US , A,
3,852,895
F U N C K
10
D E C E M B E R
1974
m e t h o d
o f
m a k i n g
a
f o o t w e a r
w i t h
a
p l a t e i n t h e m i d s o l e .
25-33
Form
PCT/BAffl io
(tnaihMl)
RWMI-BT)
7/23/2019 Shoe WO9001276A1
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/shoe-wo9001276a1 40/40
i n te rnat ional Applicat ion N o .
PC T/ US89/03259
FURTHER
NFORMATION
CONTINUED
F R O M
HE
SECOND SHEET
Y, P
Y
Y
Y
US,A, 4,815,221 DI AZ 28 M A R C H 1989
H Y T R E L
G B, A, 1,378,461 B R O O K E R 2 7 D E C E M B E R 1974
D E L R I N
US,A,
2,918,733 A N D E R S O N
2 9
D E C E M B E R 1959
N y l o n
p l a t e
US , A,
3,101,763 M c G E H E E
2 7
A U G U S T
1963
ZYTEL
US , A,
4,481,726 PHILLIPS 1 3
N O V E M B E R
1984
I n s e r t
c o m p r i s i n g p o l y e s t e r
r e s i n .
12,15,29
1 3
14,15,30
17,18,31
28
V.Q
OBSERVATIONS
HERE
CERTAIN
CLAIMS W E R E
FOUND
UNSEARCHABLE
1
Tins
international
search
report
ha s
no t been
establ i shed
in
respect
ot
certain
claims
u nde r
Article
17(2)
(a )
fo r
th e
l o l l owm j
reasons:
1.|_J
Claim
numbers
because they relate
to
ubject
matter'-
no t required to be searched
by
this Authority , namely:
2.Q Claim
numbers e c a u s e
they
relate
to
parts
of
th e international
ppl ication
that
do not comply
with th e
prescribed require-
ments
to
such n
extent that
no
meaningfu l
international
search
ca n bt
carried
ou t
13
,
specifical ly:
s.Q
Claim
numbers
PCTRule6.« (a) .
,
t w e a u M
toy
art
dapandant
daira
no t
drafted n
accordance
with
th e
second
an d
third
sentences
of
V I.
0OBSERVATIONS WHERE UNITY
OF
NVENTION S
LACKING'
This
International Search ing
Authority
fou/c j
multiple
inventions
in this
international appl ication
at
fol lows:
G r o u p
I ,
C l a i m s 1-24 d r a w n t o a n
a t h l e t i c
s h o e
w i t h
a n
insert member.
G r o u p
II,
C l a i m s 25-33 d r aw n
t o a
m e t h o d
o f
f a b r i c a t i n g
a
ole
1.0
A
»
al l required addi t ional search lees were
timely
paid
by
th e
appl icant,
this
international
search epor t
covers
al l earchable
claims
o f
th e international
appl ication.
2.[j s
only
some
o f
th e required
addi t ional
search fees were
timely
paid
by
th e
appl icant,
this international
earch epor t
overs
nl y
those
claims o f th e
international
appl ication fo r
which
fees
were paid,
specifical ly
c la ims:
3.Q
No required
addi t ional search fees were timely
paid
by
th e appl icant. Consequent ly , this
international
search
eport
s
estricted
o
th e
invention
first mentioned in th e
cla ims:
it is
covered
by
claim numbers:
4.Q A s al l searchable claims could
be searched without effort
justifymg
n ddi t ional fee, he
nternational
Search ing Authori ty
id
ot
invite payment
of
an y addi t ional fee.
Remark
on Protest
