| 摘要 |
An article of footwear to improve walking ease and comfort, increase running speed, and improve jumping ability by augmenting the natural musculature and biomechanical characteristics of the lower leg, ankle, and foot portion of the human body. Walking, running, and jumping involves a complex series of joint and muscle movements. One of the critical components of this motion is the exertion of muscle force and/or tendon stress at the lower leg, ankle, and foot when releasing weight from the back foot during walking or running (the push off), or from one or both feet when jumping. The present invention augments this natural process by allowing storage of energy within energy storage and release means ( 35 ) as the angle theta produced by the intersection of the lower leg axis and foot axis is decreased (the forward portion of the foot moves closer to the shin) when a person moves forward during walking or running, or when a person jumps. The energy stored within the energy storage and release means ( 35 ) is released as the person continues with forward and/or upward motion, augmenting the natural musculature, allowing longer and/or easier steps, and/or higher jumps. The energy storage and release means ( 35 ) of the present invention connect, or are secured by mounting means that connect, portions of the footwear above the level of the ankle joint and portions of the footwear below the level of the ankle joint, thus taking advantage of the change in theta that occurs during walking, running, or jumping. Because the present invention utilizes the natural motion, musculature, and biomechanics of normal walking, running, or jumping, it provides a more stable, comfortable, and efficient method to achieve the desired goal of walking more easily, running faster, or jumping higher.
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