FOOTWEAR WITH TAPERED HEEL, SUPPORT PLATE, AND IMPACT POINT MEASUREMENT METHODS THEREFORE

摘要

An article of footwear having a tapered heel in part defining an impact point associated with a padded impact zone which first strikes a surface upon a foot plant and a plate embedded within a sole of the article such that the plate supports the heel of the sole from flexing or collapsing, the impact point positioned anterior a pivot point of the wearer's ankle. In one aspect the plate avoids positioning at a lateral midfoot area of the sole to allow for impact zone padding and promotes avoiding or reducing heel strike forces when walking or running.

主权项

1. A shoe or boot configured to receive a foot associated with a an ankle having a tibial-talar joint, said shoe or boot comprising:
an upper and a sole, said sole having a total length and comprising:
a heel portion, a midfoot portion, and a forefoot portion, said sole having an impact point oriented anterior a central vertical axis of the tibial-talar joint, said impact point being a posterior-most aspect of said sole in contact with a flat surface when said midfoot portion of said sole lays naturally upon the surface, said midfoot portion having a length of at least 25% of the total length, the pivot axis oriented perpendicular to the surface.