Article of footwear having shock-absorbing elements in the sole

摘要

A shoe is provided having a sole that provides excellent shock absorption without reducing support and stability or such a shoe that is generally light in weight. The shoe may have a sole for supporting a foot of a wearer, and a shoe upper adjacent the sole. The sole may include an upper force-distribution plate portion, a lower force-distribution plate portion spaced below the upper plate portion, a lateral shell connecting the upper and lower force-distribution plate portions, and at least one resilient shock-absorber element in contact with and between both the upper and lower plate portions.

主权项

1. A shock-absorbing system in a sole of a shoe, the system comprising:
a midsole portion forming a portion of a base of the shoe; a plurality of substantially spherical shock-absorbing elements having a generally circular shape through a horizontal cross section, convex lateral sides through a vertical cross section and that is substantially parallel with the midsole portion, the plurality of substantially spherical shock-absorbing elements integrally formed with one or more resilient integral plates, the plurality of substantially spherical shock-absorbing elements aligned along and beneath the midsole portion, each of the shock-absorbing elements having an upper side proximate the midsole portion and an opposite lower side; a force-distribution plate beneath the plurality of shock-absorbing elements, wherein the force-distribution plate is comprised of a plurality of sockets aligned with and positioned to anchor at least a portion of the plurality of shock-absorbing elements, each of the plurality of shock-absorbing elements permanently attached at the lower side to a corresponding socket of the plurality of sockets of the force-distribution plate; and a lateral shell encompassing the plurality of substantially spherical shock-absorbing elements, wherein the lateral shell includes a durometer hardness of at least 70 shore D to provide support and stability to the shock-absorbing system and wherein the lateral shell integral with at least a portion of the force-distribution plate.