Biomechanical sole unit

Abstract

A shoe sole unit having a polymeric tread including a plurality of lateral structures extending along the midportion of the sole unit and seated in the interior of the tread. The shoe sole unit also has two longitudinal structures to link the lateral structures as well as a heel cradle.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A shoe sole unit comprising: 
 a polymeric tread;    a plurality of lateral structures extending along the midportion of the sole unit and seated in an interior of said tread;    at least one longitudinal structure to link the lateral structures.    
     
     
         2 . The shoe sole unit of claim one wherein there are two longitudinal structures.  
     
     
         3 . The sole unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a heel cradle.  
     
     
         4 . The sole unit of  claim 3 , wherein said heel cradle is symmetrical.  
     
     
         5 . The sole unit of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral structures and the at least one longitudinal structures are selected from the group consisting essentially of carbon fiber, polymeric material such as nylons, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), thermal plastic urethane (TPU), fiber-filled thermoplastic material  
     
     
         6 . The sole unit of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral elements are separated by approximately 12 mm  
     
     
         7 . The sole unit of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral and longitudinal elements are connected during the molding process.  
     
     
         8 . The sole unit of  claim 1 , wherein the inserts are about 1 to about 3 mm thick.  
     
     
         9 . The lateral sole unit of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral inserts are about 5 to about 12 mm/inches wide.  
     
     
         10 . A shoe sole unit comprising: 
 a polymeric tread;    a plurality of lateral structures extending along the midportion of the sole unit;    at least one longitudinal structure to link the lateral structures; and    a heel cradle.    
     
     
         11 . The shoe sole unit of  claim 10 , wherein the sole unit includes two longitudinal structures.