Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A shoe sole and heel structure is provided. The structure includes an outsole having interior and exterior surfaces, and a bulge projecting from the exterior surface, with the bulge defining a first cavity opening at the interior surface. The structure also includes a midsole overlying the outsole. The midsole has an outsole-facing surface and a foot-facing surface and a second cavity opening at the outsole-facing surface. The first cavity cooperates with a portion of the midsole to define a first pocket and the second cavity cooperates with a portion of the outsole to define a second pocket. The structure also includes a passageway disposed between the first and second pockets for fluid communication between the first pocket and the second pocket. The interior surface of the outsole is hermetically attached to the outsole-facing surface of the midsole to form a member having a heel portion and a sole portion and so that fluid at atmospheric pressure is permanently located in the space jointly defined by the first and second pockets and the passageway. One of the pockets can be disposed in the heel portion and the other of the pockets can be disposed in the sole portion so that in striding fluid alternates through the passageway between the pockets so as to provide shock absorption and an alternate lifting effect by the pockets which provide forward thrust both in the heel portion and the sole portion that facilitates moving.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim