Sole for footwear for unstable surfaces

Abstract

A sole for footwear that is suited for sandy or non-rigid environments, as well as various footwear that includes the sole, are disclosed. The sole includes a first arc structure extending along a forefoot portion of the sole, and a second arc structure extending along a rear foot portion of the sole. The second arc structure has an open end that faces an open end of the first arc structure, and the second arc structure is separated from the first arc structure by a gap. The stability and traction structure further includes a linear structure extending from within the first arc structure to within the second arc structure.

1 . A sole for footwear for unstable environments, the sole comprising:
 a planar bottom side;   a peripheral elongated protrusion extending down from the planar bottom side along a periphery of the sole and having a gap between a forefoot portion and a rear foot portion of the sole; and   a linear elongated protrusion extending down from the planar bottom side substantially in the middle of the peripheral elongated protrusion.   
     
     
         2 . The sole in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral elongated protrusion and linear elongated protrusion have a semicircular cross section. 
     
     
         3 . The sole in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral elongated protrusion and linear elongated protrusion are flexible. 
     
     
         4 . A stability and traction structure for a footwear sole, the stability and traction structure comprising:
 a first arc structure extending along a forefoot portion of the sole;   a second arc structure extending along a rear foot portion of the sole and having an open end that faces an open end of the first arc structure, the second arc structure being separated from the first arc structure by a gap; and   a linear structure extending from within the first arc structure to within the second arc structure.   
     
     
         5 . The stability and traction structure in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the first arc structure and second arc structure includes at least one semicircular U-shaped tube. 
     
     
         6 . The stability and traction structure in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the first and second arc structures and the linear structure are flexible. 
     
     
         7 . A sandal comprising:
 a sole having a top side and bottom side;   a strap connected to the top side of the sole for fastening to a foot of a wearer of the sandal; and   a first elongated protrusion extending down from the bottom side along a periphery of a forefoot portion of the sole and a second protrusion extending down from the bottom side along a periphery of a rear foot portion of the sole.   
     
     
         8 . A sandal in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising a third elongated protrusion extending down from a medial portion of the bottom side and bridging the forefoot and the rear foot of the sole. 
     
     
         9 . A sandal comprising:
 a sole having a top side and bottom side;   a strap connected to the top side of the sole for fastening to a foot of a wearer of the sandal; and   a peripheral elongated protrusion extending down from the bottom side along a periphery of the sole and having a gap between a forefoot portion and a rear foot portion of the sole.   
     
     
         10 . A sandal comprising:
 a sole having a top side and a substantially planar bottom side;   a strap connected to the top side of the sole for fastening to a foot of a wearer of the sandal; and   traction members extending down from the substantially planar bottom side, the traction members comprising a peripheral elongated protrusion extending down from the bottom side along a periphery of the sole and having a gap between a forefoot portion and a rear foot portion of the sole, the traction members further including a central linear protrusion within the peripheral elongated protrusion.   
     
     
         11 . An article comprising:
 footwear; and   a sole connected to an underside of the footwear, the sole having a stability and traction mechanism comprising:
 a first arc structure extending along a forefoot portion of the sole; 
 a second arc structure extending along a rear foot portion of the sole and having an open end that faces an open end of the first arc structure, the second arc structure being separated from the first arc structure by a gap; and 
 a linear structure extending from within the first arc structure to within the second arc structure. 
   
     
     
         12 . The article in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the footwear is a sandal. 
     
     
         13 . The article in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the footwear is a boot. 
     
     
         14 . The article in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the footwear is a sand shoe. 
     
     
         15 . The article in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the footwear is a tennis shoe.