Performance-enhancing footwear that augments human biomechanics of the leg, ankle, and foot

Abstract

An article of footwear to improve walking ease and comfort, increase running speed, and improve jumping ability by augmenting the natural musculature and biomechanical characteristics of the lower leg, ankle, and foot portion of the human body. Walking, running, and jumping involves a complex series of joint and muscle movements. One of the critical components of this motion is the exertion of muscle force and/or tendon stress at the lower leg, ankle, and foot when releasing weight from the back foot during walking or running (the push off), or from one or both feet when jumping. The present invention augments this natural process by allowing storage of energy within energy storage and release means ( 35 ) as the angle θ produced by the intersection of the lower leg axis and foot axis is decreased (the forward portion of the foot moves closer to the shin) when a person moves forward during walking or running, or when a person jumps. The energy stored within the energy storage and release means ( 35 ) is released as the person continues with forward and/or upward motion, augmenting the natural musculature, allowing longer and/or easier steps, and/or higher jumps. The energy storage and release means ( 35 ) of the present invention connect, or are secured by mounting means that connect, portions of the footwear above the level of the ankle joint and portions of the footwear below the level of the ankle joint, thus taking advantage of the change in θ that occurs during walking, running, or jumping. Because the present invention utilizes the natural motion, musculature, and biomechanics of normal walking, running, or jumping, it provides a more stable, comfortable, and efficient method to achieve the desired goal of walking more easily, running faster, or jumping higher.

1 . An article of performance enhancing footwear, comprising; 
 one or more energy storage and release means connecting the portion of the footwear located above the ankle joint of the wearer to a portion of the footwear below the ankle joint of the wearer;    whereby, the decrease in the angle formed by the intersection of the lower leg axis and the foot axis,  0 , associated with application of force, through muscles and/or gravity, during the process of running, walking, or jumping, is associated with energy storage within the energy storage means;    whereby, as θ increases during a later time while walking, running, or jumping, energy stored within the energy storage and release means is released;    and whereby said release of energy augments the wearer's natural musculature and biomechanics associated with walking, running, or jumping;    and whereby said storage and release of energy which augments the natural musculature and biomechanics of walking, running, and jumping results in greater ease of walking, the ability to run faster, or the ability to jump higher.    
   
   
       2 . The performance enhancing footwear of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage and release means connect an upper, front portion of the footwear above the level of the ankle joint with an upper, front portion of the footwear below the level of the ankle joint.  
   
   
       3 . The performance enhancing footwear of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage and release means connect an upper, front portion of the footwear above the level of the ankle joint with an upper, front portion of the footwear below the level of the ankle joint using a mounting means to secure the energy storage and release means.  
   
   
       4 . The performance enhancing footwear of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage and release means connect an upper, front portion of the footwear above the level of the ankle joint with an upper, front portion of the footwear below the level of the ankle joint using a complex (hinged) mounting means to secure the energy storage and release means.  
   
   
       5 . The performance enhancing footwear of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage and release means connect an upper portion of the footwear above the level of the ankle joint with a portion of the footwear below the level of the ankle joint, using complex (hinged) mounting means to secure the energy storage and release means, along the sides of the footwear.  
   
   
       6 . The performance enhancing footwear of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage and release means connect an upper portion of the footwear above the level of the ankle joint with a portion of the footwear below the level of the ankle joint, using mounting means to secure the energy storage and release means, along the sides of the footwear.  
   
   
       7 . The performance enhancing footwear of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage and release means connect an upper portion of the footwear above the level of the ankle joint with a portion of the footwear below the level of the ankle joint, at the rear of the footwear.  
   
   
       8 . The performance enhancing footwear of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage and release means connect an upper portion of the footwear above the level of the ankle joint with a portion of the footwear below the level of the ankle joint, using mounting means to secure the energy storage and release means, at the rear of the footwear.  
   
   
       9 . The performance enhancing footwear of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage and release means connect an upper portion of the footwear above the level of the ankle joint with a portion of the footwear below the level of the ankle joint, using complex (hinged) mounting means to secure the energy storage and release means, at the rear of the footwear.  
   
   
       10 . The performance enhancing footwear of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage and release means connect an upper portion of the footwear above the level of the ankle joint with a portion of the footwear below the level of the ankle joint, using a combination of front, side, and/or rear locations for connections of energy storage and release means and/or combination of front, side, or rear locations for mounting means to secure the energy storage and release means.  
   
   
       11 . The performance enhancing footwear of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage and release means are coupled with more complex mechanical and/or electronic apparatus to allow variable rates, timings, and quantities of energy storage and release.  
   
   
       12 . The performance enhancing footwear of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage and release means are coupled with supplementary mechanical, chemical, or electrical power sources to increase the energy release capabilities.  
   
   
       13 . The performance enhancing footwear of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage and release means are used to augment the natural musculature and biomechanics associated with the decrease and increase of the angle formed by the intersection of the axis of the toes and the axis of the foot.