GROUND-CONTACTING SYSTEMS HAVING 3D DEFORMATION ELEMENTS FOR USE IN FOOTWEAR

摘要

The present invention discloses a ground-contacting system including 3D deformation elements having interiors filled with either compressible fluid such as a gas or filled with other materials such as liquids, foams, viscous materials and/or viscoelastic materials. The 3D elements are designed to deform, distort or deflect in three mutually orthogonal directions simultaneously and are associated directly with the surfaces that routinely come in direct contact with a ground surface such as the underside of the sole and side portions of the shoe upper near the sole. The 3D elements are also designed to decrease the amount of force transferred to the wearer's feet, legs, back and joints due to their ability to distort three-dimensionally and to dissipate the energy of foot fall into thermal energy. The 3D elements are also designed to allow the shoe or foot to move a measurable amount relative to the ground-contacting surface in response to an applied force such as the forces encounted in walking, running or in any other activity.