Shoe sole element for stabilization

Abstract

The present invention provides a stabilizing device that helps to prevent over-pronation or over-supination and a shoe which includes such a stabilizing device. The stabilizing device is provided along a side of the midsole and preferably extends laterally between about 20% and about 35% of a width of the sole towards the opposite side thereof. The stabilizing device includes an elongated portion and a sidewall portion that extends transversely from the elongated portion. The sidewall portion forms part of an outer peripheral wall of the shoe. The sidewall portion has a stiffness which varies along the length of the stabilizing device to provide a predetermined support profile along the side of the sole. The elongated portion can also vary in stiffness along its length. The stabilizing device can be formed of a resilient material using an injection molding procedure or similar technique.

1 . A stabilizing device for use in a shoe having a shoe sole, a medial and lateral side, a rearfoot region, and an arch region, said stabilizing device comprising:
 a first end for mounting in said rearfoot region;   a second end for mounting in said arch region;   an elongated portion positioned between said first end and said second end, said elongated portion being adapted to extend along a periphery of said shoe sole from said rearfoot region into said arch region;   a sidewall portion adapted to extend from said rearfoot region into said arch region, said sidewall portion extending transversely from said elongated portion, said sidewall portion being adapted for forming a portion of a peripheral wall of said shoe on one of said medial and lateral side, said sidewall portion having a stiffness that varies continuously from said first end toward said second end.   
   
   
       2 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein said stiffness of said sidewall portion decreases continuously from said first end toward said second end. 
   
   
       3 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein said stiffness of said sidewall portion increases continuously from said first end toward said second end. 
   
   
       4 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area formed from said sidewall portion and said elongated portion varies continuously from said first end toward said second end. 
   
   
       5 . The stabilizing device of  claim 4 , wherein said cross-sectional area decreases continuously from said first end toward said second end. 
   
   
       6 . The stabilizing device of  claim 4 , wherein said cross-sectional area increases continuously from said first end toward said second end. 
   
   
       7 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein a stiffness of said elongated portion varies continuously from said first end toward said second end. 
   
   
       8 . The stabilizing device of  claim 7 , wherein said stiffness of said elongated portion decreases continuously from said first end toward said second end. 
   
   
       9 . The stabilizing device of  claim 7 , wherein said stiffness of said elongated portion increases continuously from said first end toward said second end. 
   
   
       10 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein said stabilizing device is adapted to extend from said one of said medial side and said lateral side across 20% to 35% of the width of said shoe at said arch region. 
   
   
       11 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated portion comprises a surface adapted for positioning flush with an upper surface of a shoe sole of said shoe. 
   
   
       12 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein said sidewall portion comprises a lower portion that is adapted to extend from said elongated portion towards a ground engaging surface of said shoe. 
   
   
       13 . The stabilizing device of  claim 12 , further comprising a lower extension portion extending transversely from an end of said lower portion away from said elongated portion. 
   
   
       14 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein said stabilizing device is integrally formed of a thermoplastic material. 
   
   
       15 . The stabilizing device of  claim 14 , wherein said thermoplastic material is injection molded thermoplastic. 
   
   
       16 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein said stabilizing device is adapted to be positioned along said medial side of said shoe. 
   
   
       17 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein said stabilizing device is adapted to be positioned along said lateral side of said shoe. 
   
   
       18 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein said stabilizing device further comprises an extended heel portion, said extended heel portion comprising:
 an extended elongated portion that is integrally connected to said elongated portion; and   an extended sidewall portion that is integrally connected to said sidewall portion, said extended sidewall portion having a stiffness that varies continuously;   wherein said extended heel portion is adapted to extend from said one of said medial side or said lateral side, around a heel of end of said shoe, to the other of said medial side or said lateral side of said shoe.   
   
   
       19 . The stabilizing device of  claim 18  wherein the stiffness of at least one of said extended sidewall portion and said extended elongated portion increases continuously along said medial and lateral sides toward the rear of said extended heel portion. 
   
   
       20 . The stabilizing device of  claim 18  wherein the stiffness of at least one of said extended sidewall portion and said extended elongated portion decreases continuously along said medial and lateral sides toward the rear of said extended heel portion. 
   
   
       21 . A shoe comprising an upper, a shoe sole, a medial and a lateral side, a rearfoot region, an arch region, and a stabilizing device positioned along one of said medial side and lateral side, said stabilizing device comprising:
 a first end mounted in said rearfoot region of said shoe;   a second end mounted in said arch region of said shoe;   an elongated portion positioned between said first end and said second end, said elongated portion extending along a periphery of said shoe sole from said rearfoot region into said arch region;   a sidewall portion extending from said rearfoot region into said arch region, said sidewall portion extending transversely from said elongated portion, said sidewall portion forming a portion of a peripheral wall of said shoe on one of said medial and lateral side, said sidewall portion having a stiffness that varies continuously from said first end toward said second end.   
   
   
       22 . The shoe of  claim 21 , wherein said stiffness of said sidewall portion decreases continuously from said rearfoot region toward said arch region. 
   
   
       23 . The shoe of  claim 21 , wherein said stiffness of said sidewall portion increases continuously from said rearfoot region toward said arch region. 
   
   
       24 . The shoe of  claim 21 , wherein the cross-sectional area formed from said sidewall portion and said elongated portion varies continuously from said rearfoot region toward said arch region. 
   
   
       25 . The shoe of  claim 24 , wherein said cross-sectional area decreases continuously from said rearfoot region toward said arch region. 
   
   
       26 . The shoe of  claim 24 , wherein said cross-sectional area increases continuously from said rearfoot region toward said arch region. 
   
   
       27 . The shoe of  claim 21 , wherein a stiffness of said elongated portion varies continuously from said first end toward said second end. 
   
   
       28 . The shoe of  claim 27 , wherein said stiffness of said elongated portion decreases continuously from said first end toward said second end. 
   
   
       29 . The shoe of  claim 27 , wherein said stiffness of said elongated portion increases continuously from said first end toward said second end. 
   
   
       30 . The shoe of  claim 21 , wherein said stabilizing device extends from said one of said medial or lateral sides across 20% to 35% of the width of said shoe at said arch region. 
   
   
       31 . The shoe of  claim 21 , wherein said elongated portion comprises a surface positioned flush with an upper surface of said shoe sole. 
   
   
       32 . The shoe of  claim 21 , wherein said sidewall portion comprises a lower portion that extends from said elongated portion towards a ground engaging surface of said shoe. 
   
   
       33 . The shoe of  claim 32 , further comprising a lower extension portion extending transversely towards the center of said shoe sole from an end of said lower portion away from said elongated portion. 
   
   
       34 . The shoe of  claim 21 , wherein said stabilizing device is integrally formed of a thermoplastic material. 
   
   
       35 . The shoe of  claim 34 , wherein said thermoplastic material is injection molded thermoplastic. 
   
   
       36 . The shoe of  claim 21 , wherein said stabilizing device is adapted to be positioned along said medial side of said shoe. 
   
   
       37 . The shoe of  claim 21 , wherein said stabilizing device is adapted to be positioned along said lateral side of said shoe. 
   
   
       38 . The shoe of  claim 21 , wherein said stabilizing device further comprises an extended heel portion, said extended heel portion comprising:
 an extended elongated portion that is integrally connected to said elongated portion; and   an extended sidewall portion that is integrally connected to said sidewall portion, said extended sidewall portion having a stiffness that varies continuously;   wherein said extended heel portion extends from said one of said medial side or said lateral side, around a heel of end of said shoe, to the other of said medial side or said lateral side or said shoe.   
   
   
       39 . The shoe of  claim 38  wherein the stiffness of at least one of said extended sidewall portion and said extended elongated portion increases continuously along said medial and lateral sides toward the rear of said extended heel portion. 
   
   
       40 . The shoe of  claim 38  wherein the stiffness of at least one of said extended sidewall portion and said extended elongated portion decreases continuously along said medial and lateral sides toward the rear of said extended heel portion