Sole construction for energy storage and rebound

Abstract

A sole construction for supporting at least a portion of a human foot and for providing energy storage and return is provided. The sole construction includes a generally horizontal layer of stretchable material, at least one chamber positioned adjacent a first side of the layer, and at least one actuator positioned adjacent a second side of the layer vertically aligned with a corresponding chamber. Each actuator has a footprint size smaller than that of the corresponding chamber, and is sized and arranged to provide individual support to the bones of the human foot. The support structure when compressed causes the actuator to push against the layer and move the layer at least partially into the corresponding chamber. In one embodiment, dual action energy storage and rebound is provided by using a plurality of actuators that move both upwardly and downwardly into corresponding chambers. In another embodiment, lateral stability is improved by using tapered actuators having a convex shape to accommodate the natural rolling movement of the foot.

1 . An energy storage and return system for footwear, comprising: 
 at least two stretchable layer portions, each of said portions having an upper side and a lower side;    a plurality of actuator elements, wherein at least one of said actuator elements is positioned above a stretchable layer portion and at least one of said actuator elements is positioned below the same stretchable layer portion; and    a plurality of receiving chambers, wherein each receiving chamber corresponds to one of said actuator elements and is sized and positioned to receive at least partially the corresponding actuator element therein when said actuator elements are compressed toward said receiving chambers, each of said receiving chambers being located opposite a corresponding actuator element across a stretchable layer portion.    
     
     
         2 . A sole construction, comprising: 
 a generally horizontal layer of stretchable material;    a plurality of chambers positioned adjacent a first side of the layer; and    a plurality of actuator elements interconnected by at least one torsion armature extending between the lateral sides of the sole construction, and positioned adjacent a second side of the layer, each actuator element being vertically aligned with a corresponding chamber, such that when the support structure is compressed the actuator pushes against the layer and moves the layer at least partially into the corresponding chamber.    
     
     
         3 . An energy storage and return system for footwear, comprising: 
 at least one stretchable layer portion, each of said portions having an upper side and a lower side;    a plurality of actuator elements, wherein at least one of said actuator elements is a single primary actuator positioned above one of the at least one stretchable layer portion; and    a plurality of receiving chambers, wherein each receiving chamber corresponds to one of said actuator elements and is sized and positioned to receive at least partially the corresponding actuator element therein when said actuator elements are compressed toward said receiving chambers, each of said receiving chambers being located opposite a corresponding actuator element across a stretchable layer portion.