Patent US5679439A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5679439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Heel/metatarsal structure having tapered stabilizing bulges
Assignee: Energaire Corp
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Filing: 1996-01-02
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Granted: 1997-10-21
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Expires: 2016-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A generally U-shaped bulge having a bight portion and elongated leg portions and defining a correspondingly-shaped cavity is molded into the heel portion and/or the metatarsal portion of the outer bottom member of a shoe, the cavities tapering in depth and width from the bight portion to the distal ends of the leg portions. The bulge is disposed and oriented so as to provide a cushioning and lifting effect, and the leg portions are spaced apart a distance substantially greater than their width and are disposed closer to the peripheral edge of the member than to the longitudinal axis thereof for providing improved lateral stability. The bulges may communicate with associated cavities by narrow passageways or may function independently of other bulge structures formed in the member.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl M. Schmidt
- 👤 Stuart E. Jenkins
- 👤 George S. Cole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/02; A61F6/04; A61F6/06; F; F16; F16F; F16F13/00; F16F13/04; F16F13/06; F16F13/08; F16F15/00; F16F15/02; F16F15/023; A61F2006/041; A61F2006/042; A61F2006/043; A61F2006/048; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/239; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24612; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24661; Y10T428/24777; Y10T428/24942
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
Shoe sole and/or heel structure comprising: an outer member including a heel portion and/or a metatarsal portion and having an exterior surface and a peripheral edge and a longitudinal axis, and an elongated bulge formed in one of said portions and projecting from said exterior surface and defining an elongated fluid-containing cavity, said bulge having an elongated leg portion disposed closer to the peripheral edge than to the longitudinal axis and extending along the peripheral edge from a first end to a second end, said cavity having a cross-sectional area which tapers from a maximum value at the first end of said leg portion to a minimum value at the second end of said leg portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
Shoe sole and/or heel structure comprising: an outer member including a heel portion and/or a metatarsal portion and having an exterior surface and a peripheral edge and a longitudinal axis, and an elongated bulge formed in one of said portions and projecting from said exterior surface and defining an elongated fluid-containing cavity, said bulge having an elongated leg portion disposed closer to the peripheral edge than to the longitudinal axis and extending along the peripheral edge from a first end to a second end, said cavity having a cross-sectional area which tapers from a maximum value at the first end of said leg portion to a minimum value at the second end of said leg portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 1, wherein said cavity has a substantially vertical depth in use which tapers from a maximum value at said first end to a minimum value at said second end of said leg portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 1, wherein the portion of said cavity defined by said leg portion has a substantially horizontal width in use which tapers from a maximum value at said first end to a minimum value at said second end of said leg portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 3, wherein said cavity has a substantially vertical depth in use which tapers from a maximum value at said first end to a minimum value at said second end of said leg portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 1, wherein said outer member has an interior surface with said cavity opening at said interior surface, and further comprising a sealing member impermeable to air and fixedly secured to said interior surface for closing and hermetically sealing said cavity, and fluid disposed in said sealed cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 5, wherein said fluid is air at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 1, wherein said bulge is disposed only in a heel portion of said outer member with said first end of said leg portion disposed rearwardly and said second end of said leg portion disposed forwardly of said heel portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 1, wherein said bulge is disposed only in a metatarsal portion of said outer member with said first end of said leg portion disposed forwardly and said second end of said leg portion disposed rearwardly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 8, and further comprising a second elongated bulge molded into a heel portion of said outer member and projecting from said exterior surface and defining an elongated fluid-containing cavity, said second bulge having a leg portion being disposed closely adjacent to the peripheral edge and extending therealong from a first end to a second end, the cavity defined by said second bulge having a cross-sectional area which tapers from a maximum value at the first end of said leg portion of said second bulge to a minimum value at the second end of said leg portion of said second bulge, said first end of said leg portion of said second bulge extending rearwardly and said second end of said leg portion of said second bulge extending forwardly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 1, wherein said first end of said leg portion of said bulge is disposed in a heel portion of said outer member, said second end of said leg portion of said bulge being disposed in a metatarsal portion of said outer member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
103 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 1, wherein said bulge includes two elongated leg portions respectively extending along opposite sides of said outer member, each of said leg portions being disposed closer to the peripheral edge than to the longitudinal axis and extending along the peripheral edge from a first end to a second end, said cavity having a cross-sectional area which tapers from a maximum value at the first ends of said leg portions to a minimum value at the second ends of said leg portions, each of said leg portions having a width substantially less than the distance therebetween.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 11, wherein said bulge is generally U-shaped.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 11, wherein said cavity has a substantially vertical depth in use which tapers from a maximum value at said first ends to a minimum value at said second ends of said leg portions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
180 words
Shoe sole and/or heel structure comprising: an outer member including a heel portion and/or a metatarsal portion and having an exterior surface and a peripheral edge and a longitudinal axis, first and second bulges formed in one of said portions and projecting from said exterior surface and respectively defining first and second fluid-containing cavities, said first bulge being generally U-shaped and having a bight portion and two elongated leg portions, each of said leg portions being disposed closer to the peripheral edge than to the longitudinal axis and extending along the peripheral edge from a bight end to a distal end, said first cavity having a cross-sectional area which tapers from a maximum value at the bight ends of said leg portions to a minimum value at the distal ends of said leg portions, each of said leg portions having a width substantially less than the distance therebetween, said second bulge being disposed between said leg portions of said first bulge, and a restricted passageway formed in said outer member and communicating with each of said first and second cavities.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
180 words
Shoe sole and/or heel structure comprising: an outer member including a heel portion and/or a metatarsal portion and having an exterior surface and a peripheral edge and a longitudinal axis, first and second bulges formed in one of said portions and projecting from said exterior surface and respectively defining first and second fluid-containing cavities, said first bulge being generally U-shaped and having a bight portion and two elongated leg portions, each of said leg portions being disposed closer to the peripheral edge than to the longitudinal axis and extending along the peripheral edge from a bight end to a distal end, said first cavity having a cross-sectional area which tapers from a maximum value at the bight ends of said leg portions to a minimum value at the distal ends of said leg portions, each of said leg portions having a width substantially less than the distance therebetween, said second bulge being disposed between said leg portions of said first bulge, and a restricted passageway formed in said outer member and communicating with each of said first and second cavities.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 14, wherein said restricted passageway communicates with said first cavity at the bight portion of said first bulge.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 14, wherein said first and second bulges are disposed only in a heel portion of said outer member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 14, wherein said first and second bulges are disposed only in a metatarsal portion of said outer member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
176 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 17, and further comprising third and fourth bulges formed in a heel portion of said outer member and projecting from said exterior surface and respectively defining third and fourth elongated fluid-containing cavities, said third bulge being generally U-shaped and having a bight portion and two elongated leg portions, each of said leg portions of said third bulge being disposed closely adjacent to the peripheral edge and extending therealong from a bight end to a distal end, said third cavity having a cross-sectional area which tapers from a maximum value at the bight ends of said leg portions of said third bulge to a minimum value at the distal ends of said leg portions of said third bulge, each of said leg portions of said third bulge having a width substantially less than the distance therebetween, said fourth bulge being disposed between said leg portions of said third bulge, and a second restricted passageway formed in said outer member and communicating with each of said third and fourth cavities.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 14, wherein said second bulge projects from said exterior surface a distance substantially greater than does said first bulge.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
162 words
Shoe sole and/or heel structure comprising: an outer member including a heel portion and/or a metatarsal portion and having an exterior surface and a peripheral edge and a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of bulges formed in said member and projecting from said exterior surface and respectively defining fluid-containing cavities, one of said bulges being generally U-shaped and having a bight portion and two elongated leg portions, each of said leg portions being disposed closer to the peripheral edge than to the longitudinal axis and extending along the peripheral edge from a bight end to a distal end, the cavity defined by said one bulge having a cross-sectional area which tapers from a maximum value at the bight ends of said leg portions to a minimum value at the distal ends of said leg portions, each of said leg portions having a width substantially less than the distance therebetween, the cavity defined by said one bulge being isolated from any other cavity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
162 words
Shoe sole and/or heel structure comprising: an outer member including a heel portion and/or a metatarsal portion and having an exterior surface and a peripheral edge and a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of bulges formed in said member and projecting from said exterior surface and respectively defining fluid-containing cavities, one of said bulges being generally U-shaped and having a bight portion and two elongated leg portions, each of said leg portions being disposed closer to the peripheral edge than to the longitudinal axis and extending along the peripheral edge from a bight end to a distal end, the cavity defined by said one bulge having a cross-sectional area which tapers from a maximum value at the bight ends of said leg portions to a minimum value at the distal ends of said leg portions, each of said leg portions having a width substantially less than the distance therebetween, the cavity defined by said one bulge being isolated from any other cavity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 20, wherein said plurality of bulges includes two bulges other than said one bulge.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 21, wherein said two other bulges are respectively disposed in heel and metatarsal portions of said outer member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 22, and further comprising a restricted passageway formed in said outer member and communicating with each of the cavities defined by said two other bulges.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 20, wherein said one bulge is disposed only in a heel portion of said outer member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
The shoe sole and/or heel structure of claim 20, wherein said bight portion is disposed in a heel portion of said outer member, said leg portions extending forwardly from said heel portion and into a metatarsal portion of said outer member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-04-21 | 2001-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-20 | 2005-04-21 | 2005-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-20 | 2009-04-21 | 2009-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |