Dynamic sole

Abstract

A sole for use in footwear that includes an upper surface for contacting the user's foot and a lower surface for engaging a walking surface. The sole extends beneath the heel through the ankle/sub-talar complex and metatarsal head of the user. The lower surface is characterized as having a convex lower surface beneath the ankle/sub-talar complex curving upwardly toward the heel and metatarsal head.

1 . A sole for use in footwear comprising an upper surface for contacting the user's foot and a lower surface for engaging a walking surface, said sole extending beneath the heel through the ankle/sub-talar complex and metatarsal head of a user, said lower surface being characterized as having a convex or flat lower surface beneath the ankle/sub-talar complex curving upwardly toward said heel and metatarsal heads. 
     
     
         2 . The sole of  claim 1  wherein said upward curve of said convex lower surface is tilted at least approximately 20 degrees toward both said heel and metatarsal head. 
     
     
         3 . The sole of  claim 1  wherein said upper surface comprises a cushioning material and an arch to act as a foot cradle to conform to the four major arches of the foot. 
     
     
         4 . The sole of  claim 1  wherein said lower surface comprises a rocker bottom comprising a material capable of retaining its shape upon multiple uses. 
     
     
         5 . The sole of  claim 4  wherein said rocker bottom is thicker in its portion residing beneath the ankle/sub-talar complex than in those portions residing beneath the heel and metatarsal head. 
     
     
         6 . The sole of  claim 1  further comprising a midsole positioned between said upper and lower surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The sole of  claim 6  wherein the thickness of said sole is variable by varying the thickness of said midsole. 
     
     
         8 . A sole for use in footwear comprising an upper surface for engaging a user's foot and a lower surface for engaging a walking surface, said sole extending from the heel through the ankle/sub-talar complex and metatarsal head of the user, said lower surface being characterized as being convex beneath the ankle/sub-talar complex and being curved upwardly toward the heel and metatarsal head. 
     
     
         9 . The sole of  claim 8  wherein said upward curve of said convex lower surface is tilted at least approximately 20 degrees toward both said heel and metatarsal head. 
     
     
         10 . The sole of  claim 8  wherein said upper surface comprises a cushioning material and an arch to conform to a user's foot. 
     
     
         11 . The sole of  claim 8  wherein said lower surface comprises a material capable of retaining its shape upon multiple uses. 
     
     
         12 . The sole of  claim 8  wherein a skeletal structure is embedded within or attached to said sole to maintain the shape of said sole upon multiple uses.