Enhanced impact and energy absorbing product for footwear, protective equipment, floors, boards, walls, and other surfaces

Abstract

A complete energy absorbing system for a variety of items, including athletic shoes. To accomplish the foregoing, the invention utilizes a series of encapsulated springs that are always in a state of suspension. In the preferred mode, the encapsulated springs are conical in nature, providing the utmost in strength and support while preventing the springs from bottoming out upon impact. Such is a result of the unique stiffening of the conical spring during compression thereof. Importantly, as distinguished from the prior art, an encapsulating material placed around a plurality of conical springs prevents the springs from being continually placed in a stressed situation, thus maintaining their structural integrity. Such encapsulating material may be made of a polymeric or thermoplastic material, which conforms to the conical shape of the springs and their respective apertures, functioning to aid in the dissipation of impact forces. The uniqueness of the encapsulation of the springs is that such a configuration allows for specific designs, lengths, and widths, as well as ease of placement in pre-formed openings in the padding or encapsulating material for the manufacture of the final product. Because the springs work in conjunction with one another, and because the springs work in conjunction with the encapsulating material, the present invention provides a durable, long-lasting system that allows for previously-unattained stability and comfort.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple conical springs, comprising: 
 padding comprising an outermost layer and innermost layer, and further comprising a plurality of conical apertures, each of a previously-determined size, and each located in a previously-determined area;    a plurality of conical spring members, each of a previously-determined varying length, inserted within the conical apertures of the padding, and encapsulated by the padding;    the outermost panel covering the plurality of springs of the assembly, the outermost panel functioning to receive primary forces coming in contact therewith, with the plurality of springs receiving secondary forces, the padding encapsulating same receiving additional forces, and only remaining dissipated forces distributed to a user.    
     
     
         2 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is incorporated within a previously-determined area of an athletic shoe.  
     
     
         3 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 2 , wherein longer springs are located at a heel portion of the athletic shoe, and gradually shorter springs are located towards a mid-section of the athletic shoe.  
     
     
         4 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 3 , wherein springs are located along the length of the entire athletic shoe, including to a toe portion thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 1 , wherein springs are located along the width of the entire athletic shoe, including left and right sides thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 1 , wherein the spring assembly is used in connection with items selected from the group consisting of helmets, chest protectors, shin guards, shoulder pads, knee pads, elbow pads, crash mats, boards, floors, walls, and other flat surfaces.  
     
     
         7 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is used for an activity selected from the group consisting of diving, swimming, ice hockey, roller hockey, roller skating, skateboarding, field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, football, arena football, boxing, wrestling, gymnastics, baseball, auto racing, motorcycle racing, cycling, and track and field events.  
     
     
         8 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 1 , wherein the presence of springs within the assembly reduces a quantity of padding needed, thus reducing weight and manufacturing costs.  
     
     
         9 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is used in conjunction with boards of indoor sporting arenas.  
     
     
         10 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 1 , wherein each spring is tailored to absorb and dissipate foreseeable forces of ground surfaces, humans and objects coming in contact with the spring assembly.  
     
     
         11 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 1 , wherein the springs are manufactured of polymeric materials.  
     
     
         12 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 1 , wherein the springs are manufactured of metal materials, including steel and titanium.  
     
     
         13 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 1 , wherein the spring is of a width of a range of one-sixteenth inch to one half inch.  
     
     
         14 . The impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple springs as described in  claim 1 , wherein the spring assembly is manufactured in a variety of previously determined sizes, functioning to render the spring assembly effective for multiple previously determined sporting events and hazardous activities.  
     
     
         15 . An impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple ribbon-shaped springs, comprising: 
 padding comprising an outermost layer and innermost layer, and further comprising a plurality of apertures, each of a previously-determined size, and each located in a previously-determined area;    a plurality of ribbon-shaped spring members, each of a previously-determined varying length, inserted within the apertures of the padding, and encapsulated by the padding;    the outermost panel covering the plurality of springs of the assembly, the outermost panel functioning to receive primary forces coming in contact therewith, with the plurality of springs receiving secondary forces, the padding encapsulating same receiving additional forces, and only remaining dissipated forces distributed to a user.    
     
     
         16 . An impact and energy absorbing assembly utilizing multiple bell-shaped springs, comprising: 
 padding comprising an outermost layer and innermost layer, and further comprising a plurality of apertures, each of a previously-determined size, and each located in a previously-determined area;    a plurality of bell-shaped spring members, each of a previously-determined varying length, inserted within the apertures of the padding, and encapsulated by the padding;    the outermost panel covering the plurality of springs of the assembly, the outermost panel functioning to receive primary forces coming in contact therewith, with the plurality of springs receiving secondary forces, the padding encapsulating same receiving additional forces, and only remaining dissipated forces distributed to a user.