ATHLETIC SHOE WITH ENERGY RETURN SYSTEM

摘要

In one implementation, the present invention provides for a shoe comprising a shoe sole assembly and a shoe upper assembly. The shoe sole assembly comprises a midsole, at least one stabilizer plug, and at least one outsole member. The midsole has an upper midsole surface, a lower midsole surface, a midsole forefoot portion, and a midsole heel portion. The at least one stabilizer plug has an upper stabilizer plug surface, a lower stabilizer plug surface, at least one trampoline recess disposed in the upper stabilizer plug surface, and at least one projection extending from the lower stabilizer plug surface. The at least one projection substantially underlies at least a portion of the at least one trampoline recess. The lower midsole surface defines at least one stabilizer plug recess sized and shaped to receive a corresponding stabilizer plug. The at least one outsole member has an upper outsole surface and a lower outsole surface. The upper outsole surface is adapted to complimentarily receive the at least one projection extending from the lower stabilizer plug surface. A shoe upper assembly has a bottom portion that is attached to the shoe sole assembly and extends upward to a central, foot-receiving portion. In operation, when a force is applied to the lower outsole surface during a foot strike, the at least one trampoline recess receives underlying portions of the stabilizer plug to accommodate elastic deflection of the underlying portions of the stabilizer plug and the outsole.

主权项

1. A shoe sole assembly having a vertical axis extending therethrough, comprising:
a midsole having an upper midsole surface, a lower midsole surface, a midsole forefoot portion, and a midsole heel portion; at least one stabilizer plug having an upper stabilizer plug surface, a lower stabilizer plug surface, at least one trampoline recess disposed in the upper stabilizer plug surface, and at least one projection extending outwardly from the lower stabilizer plug surface relative to the vertical axis, wherein each projection of the at least one projection substantially underlies at least a portion of the at least one trampoline recess; and at least one outsole member having an upper outsole surface and a lower outsole surface, wherein the upper outsole surface of each outsole member is adapted to complementarily receive the at least one projection of a corresponding stabilizer plug; wherein the lower midsole surface defines at least one stabilizer plug recess sized and shaped to receive a corresponding stabilizer plug; and wherein, when a force is applied to the lower outsole surface during a foot strike, the at least one trampoline recess receives underlying portions of the stabilizer plug to accommodate elastic deformation of the underlying portions of the stabilizer plug and the outsole relative to the vertical axis.