Foot strike energy absorption method for shoes

Abstract

A system and method for absorbing energy in shoes from an impact force. A variety of mechanical designs convert at least a portion of response of a first member in a direction of applied impact force, such as when a wearer's heel strikes a surface, to response of a second member in another direction. A mechanism absorbs at least some of the energy from the response in the other direction. A design method is also provided which allows a designer of shoes to select specific characteristics of the energy absorbing system, and precisely relate them to the impact load on the wearer. Modular components of the energy absorbing system can thus be produced having variations of the selected characteristic, for providing customizable selection of the energy absorbing system.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In a shoe, a method for absorbing energy imparted in a direction of applied force from a foot strike as the result of a foot strike, the method comprising steps of: 
 accepting force in the direction of applied force by a first member;    permitting response of said first member resulting from the applied force in said direction of applied force;    converting at least some of said response of said first member in said direction of applied force to response of a second member in a second direction;    absorbing energy of said response of said second member in said second direction by an absorption mechanism.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said response of said second member comprises displacement in said second direction.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of converting utilizes a mechanical actuator.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of converting utilizes a buckling element.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of converting utilizes pressure provided by a working gas.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of converting utilizes pressure provided by a working fluid.  
     
     
         7 . In a shoe, an energy absorption system disposed between a midsole and outsole of the shoe, the system comprising: 
 a first member reactive to force applied in a first direction generally perpendicular to the midsole and outsole as the result of a foot strike and responsive in said first direction;    a second member reactive to displacement of said first member and responsive in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction, said second member serving to accept and thereby transfer response from said first member in said first direction to response of said second member in said second direction;    an absorption mechanism coupled to said second member to absorb and thereby dissipate energy from said response of said second member.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said second member comprises a piston-like mechanism.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said first member comprises a bladder operatively coupled to said piston-like mechanism.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said first and second members each comprise a piston-like mechanism operatively coupled to one another.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 a conversion mechanism operatively coupled to said first and second members for converting at least a portion of said response of said first member in said first direction to response of said second member in said second direction.  
 
     
     
         12 . The system of claim  111  wherein said conversion mechanism comprises a direct mechanical linkage between said first and second members.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said conversion mechanism comprises a fluid chamber.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said conversion mechanism comprises a bladder.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said absorption mechanism comprises a spring.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said absorption mechanism comprises an internal ligament coupled to said second member.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said absorption mechanism comprises an external ligament coupling said second member to a portion of the energy absorption system.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said absorption mechanism is coupled to said second member to at least partially restrain displacement of said second member in said second direction.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 a third member reactive to response of said first member and responsive in a third direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction.  
 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said third member comprises a piston-like mechanism.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said absorption mechanism is coupled to said second member to at least partially restrain response of said second member in said second direction and to said third member to at least partially restrain response of said third member in said third direction.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said first member comprises a bladder having an internal lateral opening, wherein said second and third members each comprise platens coupled to lateral ends of said lateral opening, and wherein said absorption mechanism comprises a ligament operatively coupled to said platens, whereby response of said bladder in said first direction displaces said platens in said second and third directions, and whereby said ligament absorbs energy from said displacement of said second and third members.  
     
     
         23 . In a shoe, an energy absorption system disposed between a midsole and outsole of the shoe, the system comprising: 
 a set of flexible columns coupled to inner portions of the shoe and generally perpendicular to the midsole and outsole, said columns being shaped to deform in a direction generally perpendicular to the midsole and outsole in response to force applied in a plane generally perpendicular to the midsole and outsole as the result of a foot strike;    an energy absorption mechanism connected to said columns to absorb energy and thereby dissipate energy from deformation of said columns.    
     
     
         24 . For a shoe, a method for designing a customizable cushioning system, the method comprising steps of: 
 selecting a first mechanism type for converting at least a portion of response of a first member in a first direction of applied force to response of a second member in a second direction;    selecting said first and second members;    selecting a second mechanism type for absorbing energy of said response in said second direction;    selecting at least one characteristic of said second mechanism type, said selected characteristic having a plurality of possible variations;    relating said variations of said selected characteristic to a plurality of impact load measurements for the shoe; and    designing a plurality of products of said second mechanism type, each of said plurality of products having said selected characteristic in one of said variations.    
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 11  further comprising the step of: 
 selecting one of said plurality of products according to at least one biomechanical characteristic of a potential wearer of said shoe.  
 
     
     
         26 . For a shoe, a method for customizing a cushioning system, the method comprising steps of: 
 providing a product of a first mechanism type for converting at least a portion of response of a first member in a first direction of applied force to response of a second member in a second direction;    providing said first and second members;    providing a plurality of products of a second mechanism type for absorbing energy of said response of said second member in said second direction, each of said plurality of products of said second mechanism type having a variation of a characteristic correlating to impact load on a wearer;    selecting one of said plurality of products of said second mechanism type.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising the step of: 
 combining said selected one of said plurality of products of said second mechanism type with said product of said first mechanism type and said first and second members to assemble the customizable cushioning system.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said at least one biomechanical characteristic is at least one of weight of said wearer and running excursion of said wearer.