Shoe sole

Claim 2

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface comprising a pair of longitudinal circumferential rims extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said rims along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot, said axial recess allowing only said longitudinal circumferential rims below said heel to come into contact with the ground when a wearer of the shoe is standing on the ground; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess, said projection being substantially wedge-shaped in transverse cross-section, and said projection only coming into contact with the ground at a high pressure load when the entire weight of the wearer is on one heel for a short period, said axial recess preventing said projection from coming into contact with the ground at low compressive loads when the wearer stands with both feet on the ground, wherein said projection has a substantially planar lower surface, and wherein said lower surface forms a solid angle with the ground of between 10° and -10° when said sole is not subjected to pressure; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 3

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface comprising a pair of longitudinal circumferential rims extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending forwardly and rearwardly of said opening and inwardly of said rims along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot, said axial recess allowing only said longitudinal circumferential rims below said heel to come into contact with the ground when a wearer of the shoe is standing on the ground; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess, said projection being substantially wedge-shaped in transverse cross-section, and said projection only coming into contact with the ground at a high pressure load when the entire weight of the wearer is on one heel for a short period, said axial recess preventing said projection from coming into contact with the ground at low compressive loads when the wearer stands with both feet on the ground, wherein said projection has a patterned lower surface; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 4

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface comprising a pair of longitudinal circumferential rims extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending forwardly and rearwardly of said opening and inwardly of said rims along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot, said axial recess allowing only said longitudinal circumferential rims below said heel to come into contact with the ground when a wearer of the shoe is standing on the ground; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess, said projection being substantially wedge-shaped in transverse cross-section, and said projection only coming into contact with the ground at a high pressure load when the entire weight of the wearer is on one heel for a short period, said axial recess preventing said projection from coming into contact with the ground at low compressive loads when the wearer stands with both feet on the ground, wherein said projection has a patterned lower surface; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 5

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said ground-contacting surface along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess to a point above said ground-contacting surface, said projection having a transverse cross-section adapted to the heel bone, wherein said projection has a patterned lower surface; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 6

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said ground-contacting surface along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess to a point above said ground-contacting surface, said projection having a transverse cross-section adapted to the heel bone, wherein said projection has a patterned lower surface; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 7

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said ground-contacting surface along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess to a point above said ground-contacting surface, said projection having a transverse cross-section adapted to the heel bone, wherein said projection has a substantially planar lower surface, and wherein said lower surface forms a solid angle with the ground of between 10° and -10° when said sole is not subjected to pressure; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 8

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said ground-contacting surface along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess to a point above said ground-contacting surface, said projection having a transverse cross-section adapted to the heel bone, wherein said projection has a substantially planar lower surface, and wherein said lower surface forms a solid angle with the ground of between 10° and -10° when said sole is not subjected to pressure; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 9

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said ground-contacting surface along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess to a point above said ground-contacting surface, said projection having a transverse cross-section adapted to the heel bone, wherein said projection has a length of 30-60 mm. in the walking direction, and wherein the greatest width of said projection perpendicular to the walking direction is 30-50 mm., and wherein said projection has a height of 2-22 mm., and wherein the maximum depth of said axial recess is 5-15 mm.; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 10

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said ground-contacting surface along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess to a point above said ground-contacting surface, said projection having a transverse cross-section adapted to the heel bone, wherein said projection has a length of 30-60 mm. in the walking direction, and wherein the greatest width of said projection perpendicular to the walking direction is 30-50 mm., and wherein said projection has a height of 2-22 mm., and wherein the maximum depth of said axial recess is 5-15 mm.; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 11

The sole of claim 5, wherein said projection has a length of approximately 45 mm. in the walking direction, and wherein the greatest width of said projection perpendicular to the walking direction is approximately 35 mm., and wherein said projection has a height of approximately 5 mm., and wherein the maximum depth of said axial recess is approximately 9.5 mm.

Claim 12

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface comprising a pair of longitudinal circumferential rims extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said rims along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot, said axial recess allowing only said longitudinal circumferential rims below said heel to come into contact with the ground when a wearer of the shoe is standing on the ground; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess, said projection being substantially wedge-shaped in transverse cross-section, and said projection only coming into contact with the ground at a high pressure load when the entire weight of the wearer is on one heel for a short period, said axial recess preventing said projection from coming into contact with the ground at low compressive loads when the wearer stands with both feet on the ground, wherein said projection has a length of 30-60 mm. in the walking direction, and wherein the greatest width of said projection perpendicular to the walking direction is 30-50 mm., and wherein said projection has a height of 2-10 mm., and wherein the maximum depth of said axial recess is 5-15 mm.; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 13

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface comprising a pair of longitudinal circumferential rims extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said rims along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot, said axial recess allowing only said longitudinal circumferential rims below said heel to come into contact with the ground when a wearer of the shoe is standing on the ground; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess, said projection being substantially wedge-shaped in transverse cross-section, and said projection only coming into contact with the ground at a high pressure load when the entire weight of the wearer is on one heel for a short period, said axial recess preventing said projection from coming into contact with the ground at low compressive loads when the wearer stands with both feet on the ground, wherein said projection has a length of 30-60 mm. in the walking direction, and wherein the greatest width of said projection perpendicular to the walking direction is 30-50 mm., and wherein said projection has a height of 2-10 mm., and wherein the maximum depth of said axial recess is 5-15 mm.; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 14

The sole of claim 7, wherein said projection has a length of approximately 45 mm. in the walking direction, and wherein the greatest width of said projection perpendicular to the walking direction is approximately 35 mm., and wherein said projection has a height of approximately 5 mm., and wherein the maximum depth of said axial recess is approximately 9.5 mm.

Claim 15

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface comprising a pair of longitudinal circumferential rims extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said rims along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot, said axial recess allowing only said longitudinal circumferential rims below said heel to come into contact with the ground when a wearer of the shoe is standing on the ground; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess, said projection being substantially wedge-shaped in transverse cross-section, and said projection only coming into contact with the ground at a high pressure load when the entire weight of the wearer is on one heel for a short period, said axial recess preventing said projection from coming into contact with the ground at low compressive loads when the wearer stands with both feet on the ground, wherein said projection has a lower surface corresponding to 15-40% of a projection of the area of said axial recess on the ground; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 16

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface comprising a pair of longitudinal circumferential rims extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said rims along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot, said axial recess allowing only said longitudinal circumferential rims below said heel to come into contact with the ground when a wearer of the shoe is standing on the ground; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess, said projection being substantially wedge-shaped in transverse cross-section, and said projection only coming into contact with the ground at a high pressure load when the entire weight of the wearer is on one heel for a short period, said axial recess preventing said projection from coming into contact with the ground at low compressive loads when the wearer stands with both feet on the ground, wherein said projection has a lower surface corresponding to 15-40% of a projection of the area of said axial recess on the ground; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 17

The sole of claim 9, wherein said projection has rounded front and rear ends.

Claim 18

The sole of claim 9, wherein said projection has a substantially planar lower surface, and wherein said lower surface is substantially parallel to the ground when said sole is not subjected to pressure.

Claim 19

The sole of claim 9, further comprising a circumferential recess encircling said projection.

Claim 20

The sole of claim 9, wherein said projection has a lower surface corresponding to approximately 20% of a projection of the area of said axial recess on the ground.

Claim 21

The sole of claim 9, wherein said axial recess is asymmetrically situated relative to the walking direction and said rims.

Claim 22

The sole of claim 9, wherein said sole is made of a foamed plastic.

Claim 23

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said ground-contacting surface along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess to a point above said ground-contacting surface, said projection having a transverse cross-section adapted to the heel bone, wherein said projection has a lower surface corresponding to 15-40% of a projection of the area of said axial recess on the ground; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 24

A sole for use in a shoe, comprising: a heel; a forefoot forward of said heel; a midsole; an outsole below said midsole and having an opening therein at said heel; a ground-contacting surface extending circumferentially on either side of said outsole; an axial recess formed in said midsole and said outsole extending inwardly of said ground-contacting surface along the length of said heel and terminating at said forefoot; and a shock-absorbing projection forming part of said midsole and extending through said opening in said outsole into said axial recess to a point above said ground-contacting surface, said projection having a transverse cross-section adapted to the heel bone, wherein said projection has a lower surface corresponding to 15-40% of a projection of the area of said axial recess on the ground; said opening in said outsole and said projection being positioned to be opposite the heel bone of the foot of the wearer; and said sole being manufactured of a resilient material.

Claim 25

The sole of claim 16, wherein said projection has a substantially planar lower surface, and wherein said lower surface is substantially parallel to the ground when said sole is not subjected to pressure.

Claim 26

The sole of claim 16, further comprising a circumferential recess encircling said projection.

Claim 27

The sole of claim 16, wherein said projection has a lower surface corresponding to approximately 20% of a projection of the area of said axial recess on the ground.

Claim 28

The sole of claim 16, wherein said axial recess is asymmetrically situated relative to the walking direction and said rims.

Claim 29

The sole of claim 16, wherein said sole is made of a foamed plastic.