US5528842A — Insert for a shoe sole

Claim 1

Independent Claim 245 words

A foot support comprising: a sole body having a toe end, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel end; a substantially hollow cavity formed within said sole body, said cavity defined by two sidewalls, a front wall, a rear wall and an insert support surface; and a flexible insert disposed within and partially filling said cavity which responds to body weight shifting of the wearer in the same manner as the longitudinal arch of the foot of said wearer, said insert including (a) a forward end, a heel terminus, a lateral side and a medial side; (b) a bottom surface shaped correspondingly to said insert support surface; (c) a generally arcuate arch support surface which follows the contour of the longitudinal arch of the foot, disposed between said forward end and said heel terminus of said insert; (d) a heel lever disposed between said arch support surface and said heel terminus at an angle to said arch support surface; and (e) a heel incline surface disposed between said heel lever and said arch support surface, wherein said heel incline surface and said heel lever define a substantially V-shaped heel support including a fulcrum at the junction of said heel incline surface and said heel lever which supports said heel support; wherein said heel support absorbs energy from the impact of the foot of a user during heel strike and returns said stored energy to the foot of a user upon heel lift off.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 245 words

A foot support comprising: a sole body having a toe end, a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel end; a substantially hollow cavity formed within said sole body, said cavity defined by two sidewalls, a front wall, a rear wall and an insert support surface; and a flexible insert disposed within and partially filling said cavity which responds to body weight shifting of the wearer in the same manner as the longitudinal arch of the foot of said wearer, said insert including (a) a forward end, a heel terminus, a lateral side and a medial side; (b) a bottom surface shaped correspondingly to said insert support surface; (c) a generally arcuate arch support surface which follows the contour of the longitudinal arch of the foot, disposed between said forward end and said heel terminus of said insert; (d) a heel lever disposed between said arch support surface and said heel terminus at an angle to said arch support surface; and (e) a heel incline surface disposed between said heel lever and said arch support surface, wherein said heel incline surface and said heel lever define a substantially V-shaped heel support including a fulcrum at the junction of said heel incline surface and said heel lever which supports said heel support; wherein said heel support absorbs energy from the impact of the foot of a user during heel strike and returns said stored energy to the foot of a user upon heel lift off.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 19 words

The foot support of claim 1, wherein said insert is disposed on said insert support surface of said cavity.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

The foot support of claim 1, further comprising a depressed heel area disposed adjacent said heel end of said sole body beneath said cavity.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

The foot support of claim 1, wherein said sole body is formed of an elastomeric material.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 15 words

The foot support of claim 4, wherein said elastomeric material comprises ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The foot support of claim 1, wherein said insert is formed of a carbon-fiber composite.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 14 words

The foot support of claim 6, wherein said carbon-fiber composite comprises carbon and glass.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 17 words

The foot support of claim 1, further comprising a plate having a bottom disposed above said cavity.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 13 words

The foot support of claim 8, wherein said plate is formed of plastic.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 36 words

The foot support of claim 8, further comprising: an indentation formed within said heel lever adjacent said heel terminus; and a protrusion disposed on said plate bottom, wherein said protrusion engages said indentation during heel strike.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 13 words

The foot support of claim 1, wherein said sole body comprises a midsole.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 14 words

The foot support of claim 1, further comprising fingers formed within said heel lever.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 14 words

The foot support of claim 1, further comprising through holes formed within said insert.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 30 words

The foot support of claim 1, further comprising a lateral curvature formed within said arch support surface and extending between said lateral side and said medial side of said insert.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The foot support of claim 1, wherein a portion of said insert is encapsulated within an elastomeric material.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 158 words

A foot support comprising: a sole body including a forward end and a heel end; a substantially hollow cavity formed within said sole body, said cavity defined by two sidewalls, a front wall, a rear wall and an insert support surface; and a flexible insert disposed within and partially filling said cavity, said insert including (a) a forward end, a heel terminus, a lateral side and a medial side; (b) a bottom surface shaped correspondingly to said insert support surface; and (c) a heel lever and a heel incline surface, wherein said heel lever and said heel incline surface define a substantially V-shaped heel support including a fulcrum at the junction of said heel incline surface and said heel lever which supports said heel support; wherein said heel support absorbs energy from the impact of the foot of a user during heel strike and returns said stored energy to the foot of a user upon heel lift off.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 158 words

A foot support comprising: a sole body including a forward end and a heel end; a substantially hollow cavity formed within said sole body, said cavity defined by two sidewalls, a front wall, a rear wall and an insert support surface; and a flexible insert disposed within and partially filling said cavity, said insert including (a) a forward end, a heel terminus, a lateral side and a medial side; (b) a bottom surface shaped correspondingly to said insert support surface; and (c) a heel lever and a heel incline surface, wherein said heel lever and said heel incline surface define a substantially V-shaped heel support including a fulcrum at the junction of said heel incline surface and said heel lever which supports said heel support; wherein said heel support absorbs energy from the impact of the foot of a user during heel strike and returns said stored energy to the foot of a user upon heel lift off.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 25 words

The foot support of claim 16, further comprising a moderator disposed above said cavity which moderates the impact forces on said insert upon heel strike.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 32 words

The foot support of claim 16, wherein said forward end of said insert is disposed adjacent the region where the heel of the foot of a user merges with the longitudinal arch.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 15 words

The foot support of claim 16, wherein said insert is formed of a carbon-fiber composite.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 15 words

The foot support of claim 16, wherein said insert is formed of a fiberglass material.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-06-25	1999-12-25	2000-06-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-06-25	2003-12-25	2004-06-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-06-25	2007-12-25	2008-06-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Insert for a shoe sole

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