US4881329A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Athletic shoe with energy storing spring
Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co
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Filing: 1988-09-14
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Granted: 1989-11-21
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Expires: 2008-09-14
Abstract
Abstract An athletic shoe includes a spring in the midsole of the shoe. The spring is generally oval-shaped and includes convex top and bottom walls and a laterally extending opening. The spring is molded from high tensile material such as graphite fibers and resin, kevlar fibers and resin, glass fibers and resin, or ceramic materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin J. Crowley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:39
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B13/00; A43B13/14; A43B13/18; A43B21/00; A43B21/24; A43B21/30; A43B13/181; A43B13/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
An athletic shoe comprising a sole having a heel portion, an instep portion and a toe portion; an upper attached to the sole; and a spring positioned in the heel portion of the sole; the spring being a one-piece, integrally formed member having top and bottom walls which are joined at the front and rear ends thereof and a center opening which extends laterally through the spring between the top and bottom walls, one of the walls being convexly curved.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
An athletic shoe comprising a sole having a heel portion, an instep portion and a toe portion; an upper attached to the sole; and a spring positioned in the heel portion of the sole; the spring being a one-piece, integrally formed member having top and bottom walls which are joined at the front and rear ends thereof and a center opening which extends laterally through the spring between the top and bottom walls, one of the walls being convexly curved.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The shoe of claim 1 in which both of the top and bottom walls of the spring are convexly curved.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The shoe of claim 1 in which the spring is made from molded graphite fibers and resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The shoe of claim 1 in which the spring is made from molded kevlar fibers and resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The shoe of claim 1 in which the spring is made from molded glass fibers and resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The shoe of claim 1 in which the spring is made from molded ceramic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The shoe of claim 1 in which the sole includes an outsole and a midsole above the outsole, the midsole having top and bottom surfaces and a spring chamber between the top and bottom surfaces, the spring being positioned within the spring chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The shoe of claim 7 in which the midsole is molded from polyurethane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The shoe of claim 7 in which the midsole has a heel portion, an instep portion, and a toe portion, the spring being positioned in the heel portion of the sole.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The shoe of claim 9 in which the midsole is provided with openings in each side thereof which communicate the spring chamber with the exterior of the midsole.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The shoe of claim 10 in which the midsole includes a pair of shoulders on each side of the spring chamber for retaining the spring in the spring chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
An athletic shoe comprising a sole, an upper attached to the sole, and a spring positioned in the sole, the spring having top and bottom walls which are joined at the front and rear ends thereof and a center opening which extends laterally through the spring between the top and bottom walls, said sole including an out-sole and a mid-sole above the out-sole, the mid-sole having top and bottom surfaces and a spring chamber between the top and bottom surfaces, the spring being positioned within the spring chamber, both walls of the spring being convexly curved and the bottom wall being thicker than the top wall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
An athletic shoe comprising a sole, an upper attached to the sole, and a spring positioned in the sole, the spring having top and bottom walls which are joined at the front and rear ends thereof and a center opening which extends laterally through the spring between the top and bottom walls, said sole including an out-sole and a mid-sole above the out-sole, the mid-sole having top and bottom surfaces and a spring chamber between the top and bottom surfaces, the spring being positioned within the spring chamber, both walls of the spring being convexly curved and the bottom wall being thicker than the top wall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shoe of claim 12 in which the height of the spring is within the range of about 10 to 15 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
An athletic shoe comprising a sole, an upper attached to the sole, and a spring positioned in the sole, the spring having top and bottom walls which are joined at the front and rear ends thereof and a center opening which extends laterally through the spring between the top and bottom walls, both of the walls being convexly curved and the bottom wall of the spring being thicker than the top wall of the spring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
An athletic shoe comprising a sole, an upper attached to the sole, and a spring positioned in the sole, the spring having top and bottom walls which are joined at the front and rear ends thereof and a center opening which extends laterally through the spring between the top and bottom walls, both of the walls being convexly curved and the bottom wall of the spring being thicker than the top wall of the spring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shoe of claim 14 in which the height of the spring is within the range of about 10 to 15 mm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-20 | 1993-05-22 | 1993-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-20 | 1997-05-22 | 1997-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-20 | 2001-05-22 | 2001-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |