JPH0698050B2 - Shoes with a spring-like bottom member - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a leaf spring-like material formed of a polymeric material containing fibers for reinforcement in order to absorb and release energy during footwear, especially during walking or running. A shoe incorporating a seat.

Conventionally, various approaches have been taken in the direction of reducing stress on a person's foot while walking or running. One well-known method among them is to use elastic spring-like members to absorb and release energy step by step when walking or running. The known device absorbs and redistributes localized loads and forces by storing and releasing energy via elastic members arranged to act in a generally perpendicular direction on the sole of the shoe. ing.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,046 arranges springy wires in slots provided in the longitudinal direction of the sole. This springy wire is urged to open the slot,
The slot is closed when the wearer's heel is facing downwards and the spring is under the sole of the shoe as the wearer's weight moves forward to the bulge of the midfoot tip or shank of the big toe. The upper part of the shoe sole is biased away from the part to assist in weight transfer. In the above patent,
Such assistance is described as providing the wearer with a comfortable stride. Obviously, however, such known devices are complicated, heavy and possibly dangerous because the heel end of the sole of the shoe may fall or bend.

Yet another known spring action running shoe is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,534,124. In this patent, an athletic shoe having a leaf spring attached to its toe end is shown. The leaf spring is joined at its rear end to the shoe sole further below. As stated in this patent, the running shoe is in a parallel array at a distance with respect to the lower sole, and any weight on the shoe results in energy being stored in the leaf spring. Such a structure is obviously heavy, bulky, complicated and prone to accidents.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shoe which is simple in structure and economical, which is equipped with a device for storing and releasing energy in a manner that is convenient for the wearer.

The present invention also aims to provide a device for storing and releasing energy in response to the natural movement of the wearer's foot.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a running shoe having a device in which energy stored in each step of the wearer is released in the traveling direction of the wearer.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an elastic leaf spring-like member suitable for incorporation into long-lived shoes.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an elastic spring-like member suitable for use in a shoe, which has a flexural characteristic that is easily adapted to the individual wearer.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an elastic spring-like member suitable for use in shoes because it has elastic properties that easily complement the elastic properties of the running surface. To do.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an elastic spring-like member that can be easily incorporated into a running shoe.

The above and further objects are achieved by the present invention which provides a shoe having a flexible spring-like elastic member disposed near the sole of the shoe. According to the present invention, the flexible elastic member has a predetermined flexing property and flexes with the sole of the shoe in each step of walking or running in the region of the bulge of the wearer's toe. Are arranged as follows. using this method,
The elastic member, which can be made of a polymer material mixed with reinforcing fibers, stores and releases energy in response to the deflection in every step.

In one embodiment of the invention, the material from which the flexible elastic member is formed may be carbon fiber reinforced epoxy formed of multiple layers. The shape and thickness of each layer can be selected to have a predetermined flexural characteristic similar to the number of those layers. Thus, the flexible elastic member is adapted to the weight and other characteristics of the wearer. In one embodiment, several layers are bonded together. In addition, a generally flexible elastic member is provided between the outer and inner soles of the shoe to contact the wearer's foot.

Each layer of fiber reinforced polymeric material can have flexural properties that are in a direction that results from the orientation of the reinforcing fibers within the material. Typically, such materials are capable of supporting greater forces in the fiber's orientation direction, such as bending forces, in its transverse direction. In one example of the invention, the various layers of fiber reinforced material form a flexible elastic member and each layer is oriented with respect to flexural properties. Such layers can also be arranged so that the orientation directions of the fibers are at an angle to each other. In this way, the longitudinal and transverse deflection characteristics can be tailored for the particular application desired by the wearer. In a particular embodiment of the invention, these layers may also be such that the orientation of some of their fibers is in the longitudinal direction of the shoe and the orientation of the other layers is 45 degrees on either side. . For many applications, the flexible elastic member will be stiffer in its longitudinal direction. As mentioned above, the stiffness of the flexible elastic member can be tailored for specific applications by changing the number of layers of reinforcing fiber-containing material and also the angular orientation of those layers. . Deflection characteristics to be incorporated into any given shoe are the weight of the wearer, the style of the wearer's walking or running, the nature of the action or motion the wearer intends to perform, and the performance of such motion or action. It can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the surface or the ground surface. Hard runners need a fairly stiff, flexible elastic member, and therefore elastic members for shoes so tailored to the wearer are independent of the size of the shoe and have a number of layers containing carbon fiber. Will be formed in large numbers. Furthermore, short-distance runners require stiffer flexible elastic members than long-distance runners such as marathons. Because short-distance runners put more force and load on their feet than runners who run slowly like a marathon. Football players generally need to be physically fit and run hard, but require relatively stiff elastic members.

The present invention is more stiff (tough) than conventional athletic shoes in allowing energy to return to the wearer sufficient to improve the wearer's exercise in a given exercise or action. ) Or, it is based on the need for shoes incorporating elastic spring-like members that are more resistant to flexure. This understanding in the present invention requires the acceptance of premises that are completely contrary to the approaches heretofore accepted by those skilled in the shoe art.

The idea that has been accepted so far is that the wearer's speed and comfort are improved by the use of light, supple (flexible) footwear. This view is apparently the reduction in the force required to bend the shoe during use of the shoe and the reduction in weight of the shoe ultimately to the total energy required to be exerted by the shoe user. Is the currently predominant classical belief that it results in reduced wear and improved wearer speed or durability.

According to a practical example of the invention, the flexible elastic member is formed of multiple layers of carbon fiber material that can be molded in a hardener such as epoxy. In running shoes with only one modest lateral or transverse load, it is desirable to achieve longitudinal stiffness substantially along the axial direction of the foot. This stiffness acts like a spring to resist flexure of the shoe near the midfoot tip.

In one running embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable to minimize lateral stiffness. Although a significant amount of lateral stiffness can be avoided by lining the fibers of the carbon layer longitudinally with respect to the wearer's foot, the lack of lateral support that results from this is that the epoxy being cast is carbon fiber. You will be able to break in the direction along. Thus, in a practical embodiment, the carbon fibers are eclectic by orienting the carbon fiber layers at an angle with respect to each other, thus supporting each other. In a preferred embodiment, the carbon fiber layers are arranged offset corresponding to a rotation of about 10 degrees from the longitudinal axis.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, especially male sizes 8-12
For shoes within this range, the elastic spring-like member is formed of four layers of carbon fiber material. The first layer is provided with its carbon fibers in a counterclockwise orientation (+10 degrees) by 10 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the second layer is oriented by 10 degrees in a clockwise direction (-).
Arranged at 10 degrees). The third and fourth layers are -10 degrees and +10 respectively for symmetry and thereby avoiding deformation during setting the epoxy material in the mold.
Arranged in degrees.

Shoes made using flexible elastic members as described above are within the scope of the benefits of the present invention for many people, in terms of energy storage and release. Adjusted. As mentioned previously, tailoring the shoe to a particular individual can be accomplished in a variety of ways, such as varying the number of carbon fiber layers within the elastic member. For example, 2 or 3 for sizes 4-8
Any carbon fiber layer may be used.

The shoe of the present invention is not as flexible as conventional running shoes. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the shoe of the present invention can be heavier than conventional shoes. Thus, the advantages of the present invention are achieved in a manner that seems contrary to the current thinking of those skilled in the art of shoe manufacture.

As mentioned earlier, it is not desirable in lateral stiffness running shoes. Lateral stiffness will increase the wearer's downward tendency, which will appear as a rapid average shift in the center of pressure immediately after the heel hits the ground during travel. However, some exercises, such as tennis and basketball, require the application of high lateral loads during particularly rapid turns. In accordance with the present invention, these athletic-made shoes have substantial lateral stiffness that can be achieved by increasing the orientation angle of carbon fibers aligned in the range of approximately ± 10 degrees to ± 90 degrees. give.

In some embodiments, the flexible elastic member is generally flat and extends only over the front 2/3 of the shoe. The heel of such a shoe is provided with a cushioning member that absorbs and redistributes impact force and load. In another embodiment, the flexible elastic member extends the full length of the shoe and is similar to that described above so as to be flexible in the region of the mid-tip of the wearer's foot, as described above. It can also be made to work with. Furthermore, the flexible elastic member does not have to be entirely flat, but can instead be curved in a direction that matches the sole of the shoe. For example, the flexible elastic member can be curved upward at the front of the shoe.

In an embodiment of the present invention in which the flexible elastic member does not extend the entire length of the shoe, the rear portion of the shoe may be provided with a spacer formed of an elastic cushioning member (damper member). Such spacers can be formed of a cushioning material including a force distribution member marketed under the trade name Sorbothane. When subjected to shock-type loads, the material acts like a liquid in distributing the load throughout the material. This has the effect of reducing the overall impact force experienced by a given point in the heel region of the wearer's foot of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the invention, an inner sole member is provided to prevent direct contact between the flexible member and the wearer's foot. Such direct contact may hurt or damage the foot in the middle of the wearer's foot, behind the groin of the finger. Eliminating or reducing such injuries to the foot significantly improves the athletic activity of the wearer. Further, in some embodiments of the invention, a pad is provided on the inner bottom member at a corresponding location on the posterior portion of the mid-tip of the wearer's foot. Such a pad has the effect of lifting the foot somewhat to alleviate the load on the mid-tip of the foot. This of course also reduces fatigue and improves the wearer's behavior. In addition to the above, the inner bottom member may be provided with a cushion located midway just behind the tip of the foot. Such a cushion will more evenly distribute the force applied to the tip of the foot in the middle.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the flexible elastic member cooperates with the outer sole and the heel of the shoe to achieve the adjusting effect. Thus, the flexible elastic member functions as a spring, while the outer bottom and the heel function as a damper material. In addition, the inner bottom member can also function as a damper member. The damper material reduces the vibrational modes of the wavy impact that occurs on the foot from the impact of the wearer's foot striking the ground and also helps adjust the shoe to the wearer's unique running characteristics. Similarly, in the embodiment of the present invention in which the flexible elastic member extends to the rear portion, it provides an advantageous effect on the heel portion and can function to cushion the vibration of the heel portion as described above. .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe 10 made in accordance with the present invention.
As shown, the shoe 10 has an upper portion 11 that can be made in a manner well known in the art. The shoe has an outer sole 12, which in this embodiment serves as the outermost bottom layer. Flexible elastic member 13 is the outer bottom
It is placed in contact with 12 and extends across the front of the shoe. Cushion spacers at the rear of the shoe
It is designed to absorb and disperse the impact forces that occur when the shoe 15 comes into contact with the outer sole 12 and the heel of the shoe comes into contact with the ground during running (not shown). In addition, the cushion spacer 15 holds the flexible elastic member 13 in position and prevents it from moving backward.

Flexible elastic member 13 and spacer 15 for cushion
Is covered by the inner bottom 16 in the present case.
Further, in this embodiment, a soft cushion layer 17 is provided. The insole and cushioning layer function to provide comfort to the wearer of the shoe, but also protect the wearer's foot from direct contact with the flexible elastic member. In this embodiment, the cushion layer 17 is thickened near the heel of the shoe. This extra thickness provides a load bearing cushion support that will reduce the transmission of peak force to the wearer's heel when running.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a shoe 20 according to the present invention having a removable portion. The shoe of this embodiment has an upper portion 21 which may be of conventional construction. Further, the shoe has an outer sole 22 and a flexible elastic member 23. In this embodiment, the inner bottom 24 is in direct contact with the outer bottom 22 and is provided between the outer bottom and the flexible resilient member. The cushion spacer 25 is provided at the heel of the shoe. However, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cushion spacer and the flexible elastic member are removable in the case of the second embodiment. When removed, the shoe 20 can be used as a normal shoe with the wearer's foot in direct contact with the inner sole 24. The cushion spacer 25 is shown as being associated with a flexible elastic member 23. Any of the seven conventionally known combination methods can be used to keep the cushion spacer and the flexible elastic member in position relative to each other. In this embodiment, an inner bottom 27 for the flexible cushion is provided on the flexible elastic member and the spacer 25 for the cushion. Of course, the cushion layer 27 is removable, thus allowing access to removable flexible elastic members and cushion spacers.

3 and 4 are side and plan views of an example of an inner bottom member 30 for a cushion suitable for use in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The inner bottom member 30 for the cushion can be formed by conventional methods. However, in this embodiment a pad 32 is provided for the middle part of the foot, which is on the inner bottom for cushioning in the area corresponding to the position just behind the leading part of the wearer's midsection. It is provided in. Further, a cushion portion 33 is provided on the inner bottom for cushion, and is located at such a position as to contact the tip of the middle foot of the wearer's foot (the rear portion of the toes).
In this embodiment the cushion 33 is as thick as the rest of the inner bottom for the cushion.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe 50 constructed in accordance with the present invention and utilizing the inner sole described above with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4.
This embodiment of the invention has an outer bottom member 52 with a flexible elastic member 53 disposed immediately above it. In this embodiment, the flexible elastic member 53 extends over a portion of the length of the shoe and is similar to the cushion spacer 55 described above with respect to the cushion spacer of FIGS. 1 and 2. Is provided. The cushion spacer 55 can be made of an elastic material and functions as a cushion for the heel portion (heel portion) and functions to soften the vibration of the flexible elastic member. Apart from this, the flexible elastic members are shoes 50
Can be extended to the rear of, and the need for a cushion spacer 55 is eliminated. In such an embodiment, the outer bottom 52 and optionally the inner bottom 56.
And all cooperate with the foot of the shoe wearer to dampen any vibrations of the flexible elastic member.

In this embodiment, the flexible elastic member 53 has a predetermined curvature, which adds a means to give the wearer a pleasant sensation.

This embodiment of the invention uses a removable cushion insert 30 as described above with respect to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, the inner sole 30 for the cushion corresponds to the curvature of the shoe.

Although some preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the accompanying drawings and the above description.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention in which some elements are removable, and FIGS. Is a side cross-sectional view and plan view of an example of an inner bottom member suitable for use with the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention having a curved flexible elastic member and the inner bottom member of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a shoe formed by [Explanation of symbols for main parts] 10,20,50 …… Shoes 12,22,52 …… Outer sole 13,23,53 …… Flexible elastic member

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A shoe (10, 20, 50) worn on a person's foot to perform a predetermined action on a surface, the shoe being a flexible outer sole for contacting the surface. Means (12, 22, 5
2) and flexible elastic means (13, 23, 53) having a flexing characteristic such as a predetermined spring arranged inside the shoe with respect to said flexible outer sole means, The elastic means and the flexible outer bottom means are arranged so as to bend together in accordance with the bending of the foot that occurs during one step of a predetermined action in the bulging region of the toe of the wearer's toes. The energy provided by the wearer is then stored step by step in the flexible elastic means in response to the deflection,
The energy released when the wearer's foot is lifted from the surface and released from the flexible elastic means is returned to the wearer in the form of a force having a magnitude applied to the wearer over a period of time. The size and the time interval correspond to the predetermined bending characteristic of the flexible elastic means,
The flexible elastic means includes a layer of carbon fiber material encased within an epoxy material, the layer of carbon fiber material having carbon fibers substantially aligned. At least one layer is further provided in addition to the layer of the carbon fiber material placed in the material, the carbon fibers in each layer of the carbon fiber material are arranged in one direction,
Further, the carbon fibers of the plurality of layers of the carbon fiber material are arranged at a predetermined orientation angle in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shoe so as to achieve the predetermined bending characteristic. A shoe having a spring-like bottom member characterized by being present. 2. The predetermined orientation angle is such that it produces a selectable intermediate longitudinal and lateral deflection characteristic.
Shoes described in paragraph. 3. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein the predefinable intermediate flexural characteristic is selected according to the characteristic of the wearer. 4. The predefinable intermediate flexure characteristic is selected according to the type of exercise expected of the wearer to engage. Shoes described in. 5. A metatarsal support means (32, 33) is provided in order to reduce the pressure due to the weight exerted on the tip of the metatarsal foot of the wearer. The shoe according to item 4. 6. A shoe for use on a wearer's foot of the type having a front portion and a back portion, the shoe comprising: an outer sole means disposed at the bottom of the shoe; and a sheet material reinforced with fibers. A spring-like member substantially formed with the spring-like member disposed inside the outer bottom means substantially parallel to the outer bottom means and flexing with the outer bottom means. The spring-like member comprises a layer of carbon fiber material encased in an epoxy material, the spring-like member comprising: The layer of carbon fibrous material has carbon fibers arranged in substantial alignment, and at least one further layer is provided in addition to the layer of carbon fibrous material contained within the epoxy material, In each layer of the carbon fiber material, the carbon fibers are aligned in one direction. And the carbon fibers of the plurality of layers of the carbon fiber material are arranged at a predetermined orientation angle in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shoe to achieve the predetermined bending characteristic. Shoes characterized by being adapted to. 7. The shoe according to claim 6, wherein the spring-like member is provided over the entire length of the shoe. 8. A shoe according to claim 6, wherein the spring-like member is bent upward in the region of the front of the shoe. 9. A shoe according to claim 6 further comprising an inner sole means disposed substantially parallel to said spring-like member on the inside of said shoe. 10. The shoe according to claim 6, further comprising cushioning means near a rear portion of the shoe for absorbing a shock load applied by a wearer. 11. A shoe (10, 20, 50) worn on a person's foot to perform a predetermined action on a surface, the shoe being a flexible outer sole for contacting the surface. Means (12, 22, 5
2) and flexible elastic means (13, 23, 53) having a flexing characteristic such as a predetermined spring arranged inside the shoe with respect to said flexible outer sole means, The elastic means and the flexible outer bottom means are arranged so as to flex together in response to the flexion of the foot that occurs during one step of a predetermined action in the bulge region of the toe of the wearer's toe. The flexible elastic means comprises a layer of fibrous material encased within an epoxy material, the fibers being arranged at predetermined orientation angles clockwise and counterclockwise with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shoe. To achieve said predetermined flexing characteristics, thereby dissipating the energy resulting from the reaction force of the surface generated when the wearer's foot collides with the surface and towards the midfoot tip of the wearer's foot. A spring-like bottom member characterized by being redirected to Example was shoes.