Shoe suspension system

Abstract

A shoe suspension system and device are provided. In a first version of the Present Invention a device attached to an undersole of a shoe directs a spring force toward the ground in one direction and toward a heel section of the undersole of the shoe, whereby the heel section receives the spring force in an axis substantially normal to the undersole. In another version, a ground plate extends from a hinge, the hinge is attached to the shoe undersole, and a spring element is coupled at one end to the ground plane and at another end to the undersole, whereby a substantially planar orientation of undersole is supported by the device. In yet another version, a linkage including a plurality of hinges and arms is attached to a shoe undersole and directs a force toward a heel plane of the undersole.

1 . An midsole device for footwear comprising:
 a first hinge, the first hinge configured for attachment to an undersole of a footwear and for enabling rotation about an axis substantially normal to a heel-toe axis of the footwear;   a ground plate, the ground plate coupled with the first hinge and configured to extend from the first hinge and toward a heel of the footwear; and   a spring, the spring coupled with an insole of the ground plate, whereby the ground plate is substantially constrained in five degrees of freedom relative to the footwear.   
     
     
         2 . The midsole device of  claim 1 , wherein the ground plate is configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole of the footwear and an external contact surface. 
     
     
         3 . The midsole device of  claim 1 , wherein the first hinge comprises a spring element, the spring element configured to maintain the spring in compression against the footwear. 
     
     
         4 . In combination, the footwear and the midsole device of  claim 1 , wherein the first hinge is coupled with the undersole of the footwear. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 4 , wherein the spring is coupled with a midsole of the footwear. 
     
     
         6 . In combination, the footwear and a plurality of midsole devices of  claim 1 , wherein each first hinge of the plurality of midsole devices is coupled with the undersole of the footwear. 
     
     
         7 . The midsole device of  claim 1 , the ground plate comprising:
 an intermediate arm, a second hinge and a rear plate, the intermediate arm coupled with the first hinge and the second hinge;   the second hinge configured for enabling rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the first hinge; and   the rear plate coupled with the second hinge and the spring, whereby the intermediate arm and the rear plate are substantially constrained in five degrees of freedom relative to the footwear.   
     
     
         8 . The midsole device of  claim 7 , wherein the ground plate is configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole of the footwear and an external contact surface. 
     
     
         9 . The midsole device of  claim 7 , wherein the first hinge comprises a spring element, the spring element configured to maintain the spring in compression against the footwear. 
     
     
         10 . The midsole device of  claim 7 , wherein the second hinge comprises a spring element, the spring element configured to maintain the spring in compression against the footwear. 
     
     
         11 . In combination, the footwear and the midsole device of  claim 7 , wherein each first hinge is coupled with the undersole of the footwear. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein the spring is coupled with a midsole of the footwear. 
     
     
         13 . In combination, the footwear and a plurality of midsole devices of  claim 5 , wherein each first hinge of the plurality of midsole devices is coupled with the undersole of the footwear. 
     
     
         14 . The midsole device of  claim 7 , the ground plate further comprising:
 a plurality of second hinges and additional intermediate arms, wherein each intermediate arm is coupled with two second hinges; and   each second hinge is configured for enabling rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the first hinge.   
     
     
         15 . The midsole device of  claim 14 , wherein the ground plate is configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole of the footwear and an external contact surface. 
     
     
         16 . An midsole device for footwear comprising:
 a first hinge, the first hinge configured for attachment to an undersole of a footwear and for enabling rotation about an axis substantially normal to a heel-toe axis of the footwear;   a ground plate, the ground plate coupled with the first hinge and configured to extend from the first hinge and toward a heel of the footwear; and   a linkage, the linkage coupled with an insole of the ground plate and comprising a plurality of linkage hinges and a plurality of arms, each linkage hinge coupled with two arms and each linkage configured for enabling rotation about axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the first hinge.   
     
     
         17 . The midsole device of  claim 16 , wherein the linkage comprises six linkage hinges and six arms, each linkage hinge coupled with two arms and each linkage configured for enabling rotation about axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the first hinge. 
     
     
         18 . The midsole device of  claim 16 , wherein the ground plate is configured to inhibit contact of a heel midsole of the footwear and an external contact surface. 
     
     
         19 . The midsole device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one linkage hinge includes a spring element configured to provide a spring force for maintaining the linkage in tension. 
     
     
         20 . The midsole device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one linkage hinge includes a spring element configured to provide a spring force for maintaining the linkage in tension. 
     
     
         21 . The midsole device of  claim 20 , the spring element is removably coupled with the linkage hinge, and the spring element may be replaced with a second spring element having an alternate spring quality. 
     
     
         22 . The midsole device of  claim 20 , wherein the spring element may exhibit a linear spring constant behavior. 
     
     
         23 . The midsole device of  claim 20 , wherein the spring element may exhibit a non-linear spring constant behavior. 
     
     
         24 . The midsole device of  claim 16 , further comprising a spring, the spring coupled with the linkage and the spring configured for maintaining the linkage in tension. 
     
     
         25 . The midsole device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one linkage hinge is selected from the hinge group consisting of a living hinge and a pinned hinge. 
     
     
         26 . In combination, the footwear and a plurality of midsole devices of  claim 16 , wherein each first hinge of the plurality of midsole devices is coupled with the undersole of the footwear.