Walking Shoe

The invention pertains to the field of orthopedic products and more particularly to walking shoes for use by persons to absorb and distribute impact force on the foot in a controlled manner during walking.

The function of the foot during walking is that of balance and support with forward locomotion maintained by the lower extremities and momentum of the upper body. The foot acts as a mobile adaptor to the ground at heel stroke and early stance phase and then stabilizes to function in propulsion of push-off. Body weight is accepted into the foot at heel strike and transferred anteriorly during foot flat and push-off. The heel first contacts the ground in an inverted position. The adaptation of the foot to the ground occurs by eversion of the calcaneus and pronation of the subtalar and midtarsal joints. The medial longitudinal arch undergoes structural change during early stance phase by accepting weight from the talas as it assumes a plantarflexed and adducted position. At midstance, external rotation of the lower extremity initiates supination of the foot. The calcaneus inverts and the talas moves into abduction and dorsiflexion, thereby locking the midtarsal joint, allowing the foot to become more rigid during push-off. Supination is further assisted by the oblique axis between the second and fifth metatarsals which causes the midfoot to supinate passively as weight is shifted onto the metatarsals. The foot also becomes more stable at push-off due to the windlass mechanism of the plantar fascia and the activity of the gastrocsoleus muscle group. During walking, the ground reaction forces in each foot segment varies during different phases of the gait cycle. Weight distribution moves through a line of central pressure. Generally, the center of pressure begins at the lateral heel, moves forward into the midfoot, and then shifts medially where it exits between the first and second toes at push-off. At push-off all of the ground reaction forces are concentrated on the metatarsus and toes. Substantial forces are transferred to the heel, ball and toe of each foot during walking, jogging and running activities. These biomechanics of the foot are reviewed by Gordon E. Doxey in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Therapy May/June 1985 Pages 324-333.

An invention is directed to a walking shoe having motion control, comfort, durability, flexibility and strength. Shoe is relatively light weight and provides the foot with stability to enhance natural walking action. The shoe has a heel with an outwardly directed general U-shaped flange that cooperates with a reinforcing heel counter to stabilize the heel of a foot and provides for motion control of the foot during walking. The forward portion of the sole has a longitudinal pad located between a plurality of lateral pads that provide for lateral stability of the ball portion of the foot and yet permit transverse flexibility allowing for natural push-off during walking. The shoe has a sole generally shaped like the bottom of a human foot divided into a heel, toe section and an arch joined to the heel and toe section. The heel has an outwardly directed inside and outside flange means extended along the opposite sides and around the back thereof. A plurality of generally first longitudinal cleats or pads project downwardly from the inside and outside flange means to provide the heel with motion control and lateral and longitudinal stability. First transverse pads are located between the first longitudinal pads. These pads are longitudinally spaced from each other to provide the heel with transverse flexibility as well as distribute the impact force over the large area of the bottom of the heel. The toe section of the sole has a second longitudinal pad extended downwardly along the center line of the sole forwardly of the arch. A plurality of downwardly directed longitudinally spaced second transverse pads are located adjacent opposite sides of the second longitudinal pad. These pads laterally stabilize the toe portion of the foot and allow for transverse flexibility of the sole. Additional transverse pads are located forwardly of the second longitudinal pad. Further transverse pads are located rearwardly of the second longitudinal pad. The arch has a generally square pad. The transverse pads of the toe section of the sole are surrounded with a downwardly directed peripheral rib.

The counter of the shoe has an upright generally U-shape or cup-shape reinforcing means that is mounted on the heel of the shoe. The reinforcing means has a U-shaped body adapted to receive the heel of a foot and extend around the back and adjacent the opposite sides of a person's heel. The reinforcing means has outwardly directed lips that are secured to the flange means. The inside of the shoe has an insole that is located over the sole. A shock absorbing cushion of resiliant material is located over the insole. A cover means surrounds the reinforcing means of the counter and extends over the toe section to provide a body for a person's foot. The side wall of the toe section of the shoe and a connecting strip has a V-shaped notches that allow for transvere flexibility of the toe section of the shoe. The counter in cooperation with outwardly directed flanges on opposite sides of the heel provide the shoe with lateral stability and motion control without sacrificing comfort, durability, or flexibility of the heel of the sole. This reduces the pronation effects on the foot joints, knee joints as well as the hip joints of a person.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a walking shoe of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the bottom of the sole of the shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sole, counter reinforcing structure, and inner sole of the shoe;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a left walking shoe indicated generally at 10 of the invention. The right shoe (not shown) has the same structure and advantages as shoe 10. The following description is limited to the left walking shoe 10 with the understanding that the right walking shoe has the same structure and features and is adapted to accommodate the right foot of a person.

Shoe 10 has a sole 11 having a heel 12. A counter 13 is mounted on top of heel 12 and is joined to forwardly directed upper body 14 terminating in a front portion or toe 16. Body 14 has a longitudinal top opening that is located adjacent an elongated tongue 17 and closed with a lace or string 18. Upper body 14 has a side wall 19 joined to the outer peripheral upper edge of sole 11. A fabric 21 is secured to the top of side wall 19 to complete upper body 14. Side wall 19 has upright side openings 22, 23, 24 and 25 that are longitudinally spaced from each other to provide the sides of the upper body with limited longitudinal and lateral stretch. The openings are covered with a fabric. The mid-portion of side wall 19 has a downwardly directed V-notch 26 that is generally located adjacent the area that accommodates the little toe of a person's foot. Notch 26 allows the side wall 19 to transversely bend with sole 11 during walking.

Referring to FIG. 2, the bottom of sole 11 has a longitudinal central pad 27 located along the longitudinal center line of the sole. The pad 27 has a generally rectangular configuration and extends from the mid-portion of the ball of the foot toward the arch. The outer peripheral edge of sole 11 has a continuous rib 28 that is spaced from a semi-circular toe pad 29 and adjacent rectangular transverse pad 31. A transverse groove 32 separates pads 29 and 31. Opposite ends of groove 32 are open to a peripheral channel 33 that is located adjacent the inside of rib 28.

A plurality of the side pads 34 are located adjacent the inside of central pad 27. Lateral grooves 36 separate the adjacent side pads 34 from each other. A plurality of longitudinally spaced side pads 37 are located adjacent the outside of center pad 27. Lateral grooves 38 separate adjacent pads 37 from each other. The lateral grooves 38 are in transverse alignment with lateral grooves 36. The side pads 34 and 37 have generally the same rectangular configuration.

A plurality of transverse ribs 39 are located between the center pad 27 and the arch. Transverse grooves 41 separate adjacent ribs from each other. Grooves 41 are open to the peripheral channel 33. A generally square arch pad 42 is located adjacent rib 39 and the heel portion of the sole.

Heel 12 of sole 11 has an outwardly directed generally U-shaped flange 43 having forward opposite edges or shoulders 44 and 46. The outside section of flange 43 has outside cleats or pads 47 and 48. The inside portion of flange 43 has inside cleats or pads 49 and 50. Pads 47 and 48 are generally elongated rectangular structures that are spaced a short distance inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of U-shape flange 43. Pads 48 and 50 are arcuate and curved toward the rear of heel 12. Located between pads 48 and 50 is a generally semi-circular heel pad 51. A plurality of transverse pads 52 extends between pad 51 and the arch pad 42. Transverse grooves 53 separate pads 52 from each other. As shown in FIG. 2, there are four generally rectangular transverse pads 52 located between semi-circular heel pad 51 and the generally square arch pad 42. The outer edges of pads 51 and 52 are separated from the pads 47 and 48 with a generally longitudinal groove 54. The opposite ends of pads 51 and 52 are separated from the side pads 49 and 50 with a generally longitudinal groove of 46. The rear portions of grooves 54 and 46 curve inwardly toward each other adjacent the back of the heel pad 51.

When heel 12 engages the ground or support surface the impact force on the heel is directed to the ground through pads 47, 48 and 49, 50 on opposite sides of the heel of the foot and directly below the heel through transverse pads 51 and 52.

The initial impact force begins at pad 48 and the rear of flange 43. The force causes limited flexing of the rear of flange 43 which absorbs and distributes part of the impact force. As the foot moves forward the impact force spreads across the heel of the foot and then shifts to the front of the foot. Some of the impact forces are spread to opposite sides of the heel providing the foot with lateral stability and motion control.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 shoe 10 has an inner sole 57 located over the top of sole 11. A foot pad or cushion 58 covers the top of inner sole 57. Cushion 58 has the shape on the bottom of a human foot and functions to absorb and distribute impact force on the foot during walking activities. Cushion 58 may be permanently attached to inner sole 57. Alternatively, cushion 58 can be a removeable and replaceable unit. The outer peripheral edge of the inner sole 57 is located on an angular elongated side strip 58 and 59 secured to sole 11 and side wall 19 by adhesive, bonding materials, stitches or the like. Strip 59 as well as the lower edges of side wall 19 and the bottom of inner sole 57 are secured to the top of sole 11. As shown in FIG. 6, strip 59 has side V-notches 61 and 62 to facilitate the transverse bending of sole 11 and inner sole 57 across body 14 of the shoe. This facilitates the longitudinal bending of the shoe during push-off.

Referring to FIG. 6, a generally cup-shaped counter body 63 surrounds the heel of the shoe. Counter body has a generally upright rigid side wall joined to outwardly directed lips or flanges 64 and 66. Flanges 64 and 66 are a continuous outwardly directed member located on top of sole flange 43. The outwardly directed member has a general horizontal U-shape. A plurality of gusset 67 and 68 are joined to lip 64 and 66 and adjacent portions of the side wall of counter body 63 to reinforce the counter body and thereby providing for lateral stability of the foot during walking. Lips 64 and 66 are secured to the outer peripheral portions of sole 11 with adhesives 69 and 71 or suitable bonding material. Stitches may be used to secure lip 64 and 66 to sole 11. As shown in FIG. 1 lips 64 and 66 and gusset 67 and 68 are covered with a covering strip 72 and an outer skin or cover 73. The upper edge of cover 73 extends over the top of the counter body 63 forming a smooth generally curved top edge of the shoe.

During walking the heel force indicated by arrow 74 in FIG. 8 initially is transmitted through the heel of sole 11 via the pads 51 and 52 as indicated by the arrow 75 and a rear of sole 11. Forces indicated by arrow 76 and 77 are also distributed via the side pads 47, 48 and 49, 50 to the support surface. These forces are laterally of the inside and outside of the heel of the foot thereby stabilizing the heel, muscle, and joints thereof in a generally natural upright direction. The weight distribution during a walk moves through a line of central pressure and rolls up onto the longitudinal central pad 27. As indicated by arrow 79 in FIG. 7. The weight is also directed through the side pads 34 and 37 as indicated by arrows 81 and 82. At push-off substantial forces are directed via the metatarsals and toes through toe pad 29.

While there has been shown and described an embodiment of the walking shoe of the invention it is understood that changes in the materials, structure, arrangement of structure may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. The invention is defined in the following claims.