Sole assembly and footwear comprising a sole assembly

Abstract

The inventive subject matter is generally directed to a sole assembly comprising a plurality of traction elements disposed on a ground-facing surface of the sole assembly, and wherein the sole assembly is configured to provide a rocker effect. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a sole assembly that includes a spring system based on a semi-rigid polymer shaped to provide the rocker effect. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a golf shoe with a sole profile having a geometric shape that provides a roll-over effect according to rocker shoe technology and wherein the sole profile is optimized to convey the benefits of rocker shoe technology to golf specific activities.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A shoe comprising:
 a sole assembly having a forefoot section, a midfoot section and a rearfoot section, the sole assembly being configured in an unloaded state so that through (i) the midfoot section and at least (ii) the forefoot and/or rearfoot sections, it has an overall convex or outwardly bent curvature along a longitudinal cross-section of the sole assembly that is configured to allow rotation around a pivot axis disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the sole assembly in a midfoot section of the shoe; and   a plurality of replaceable traction elements disposed in receptacles formed in the ground engaging element of the sole assembly.   
     
     
         33 . The shoe of  claim 32  wherein a pair of the traction elements are disposed on the sole assembly just aft of the pivot axis, and a pair of the traction elements are disposed on one the sole assembly just fore of the pivot axis, one element in each pair being disposed along the medial periphery of the sole assembly and the other being disposed along the lateral periphery of the sole assembly. 
     
     
         34 . The shoe of  claim 32  wherein the sole assembly includes a ground engaging element comprising a monolithic plate-like structure. 
     
     
         35 . The shoe of  claim 32  wherein the sole assembly comprises a mechanical spring system with a plurality of springs at least one of which is disposed in a midfoot section of the shoe, and the sole assembly includes a ground engaging element comprising a plate-like structure that is coupled to ground-facing portions of the springs. 
     
     
         36 . The shoe of  claim 35  further comprising a foot-supporting element coupled to opposing, foot-facing portions of the springs. 
     
     
         37 . A sole assembly comprising:
 a foot-supporting element;   a ground-engaging element; and   a plurality of mechanical spring elements disposed between and coupled to the foot-supporting element and the ground-engaging element so as to provide a spring system that is resiliently collapsible or compliant in a forefoot, midfoot, and/or heel section of the sole assembly, the spring elements being spaced along the longitudinal axis of the midfoot and forefoot and/or rearfoot sections and substantially along the entire length and width of said sections; and   when the shoe is in an unloaded state, the ground-engaging element, through (i) the midfoot section and at least (ii) the rearfoot section, has an overall convex or outwardly bent curvature along a longitudinal cross-section of the sole assembly so that the sole assembly is configured with a pivot in the midfoot section that allows for rotation of the rearfoot section around the pivot.   
     
     
         38 . The sole assembly of  claim 37  further comprises a plurality of receptacles configured to each receive a replaceable traction element suitable. 
     
     
         39 . The sole assembly of  claim 37  wherein the foot-supporting element, ground-engaging element, and spring elements are integrated as a single monolithic piece. 
     
     
         40 . The sole assembly of  claim 39  wherein the sole assembly comprises one or more thermoplastic materials. 
     
     
         41 . The sole assembly of  claim 37  wherein the spring system includes spring elements in a wavy profile comprising a plurality of waves with peaks and troughs oriented along the longitudinal axis of the sole assembly. 
     
     
         42 . The sole assembly of  claim 41  wherein the spring elements in the wavy profile are integrated as a single monolithic piece. 
     
     
         43 . The sole assembly of  claim 41  wherein the wavy profile starts in the forefoot section of the sole assembly shoe and extends at least through the midfoot section, and the wavelength progressively increases from the forefoot section into the midfoot section of the sole assembly where the amplitude of the waves maximizes and thereby provides a pivot axis. 
     
     
         44 . The sole assembly of  claim 43  wherein the amplitude of the waves in the rear-foot section does not exceed that maximum amplitude of waves in the midfoot section. 
     
     
         45 . The sole assembly of  claim 37  wherein the overall convex or outwardly bent curvature along a longitudinal cross-section of the sole assembly extends through the forefoot section through the rearfoot section. 
     
     
         46 . The sole assembly of  claim 37  wherein the spring system comprises a series of reinforcing ribs or tubular members that are positioned in a transverse direction along the longitudinal axis of the sole assembly. 
     
     
         47 . A sole assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of rigid traction elements disposed on a ground-facing surface of the sole assembly;   the sole assembly comprising one or more spring elements disposed between a foot-supporting element and a ground-engaging element of the sole assembly; and,   when the shoe is in an unloaded state, the ground engaging element through (i) the midfoot section and at least (ii) the forefoot and/or rearfoot sections has an overall convex or outwardly bent curvature along a longitudinal cross-section of the sole assembly; and   and thereby the combination of the convex curvature and the spring system provides a feedback to the wearer of the shoe indicating the position of an actual balance point.   
     
     
         48 . The sole assembly of  claim 47  further comprising a spring system disposed between the foot-supporting element and the ground-engaging element of the sole assembly, and wherein the spring system is configured to provide a rocker effect. 
     
     
         49 . The sole assembly of  claim 48  wherein the spring system comprises a wavy longitudinal cross-sectional profile positioned in a forefoot section of the sole assembly, and wherein the wavy profile reaches a maximum at about a pivot point of the sole assembly. 
     
     
         50 . The golf shoe of  claim 47  wherein the traction elements are disposed on the ground-engaging element and arranged in a pattern having an alignment along lateral and medial sides of a longitudinal axis of the golf shoe, wherein pairs of traction elements have a transverse alignment along the golf shoe. 
     
     
         51 . A method for making a monolithic structure comprising:
 in one more steps, introducing thermoplastic material into one or more mold components configured to mold a foot-supporting element; a ground-engaging element; and a plurality of mechanical spring elements disposed between and coupled to the foot-supporting element, and the ground-engaging element, the springs elements being spaced along the longitudinal axis of the midfoot and forefoot and/or rearfoot sections, and substantially along the entire length and width of said sections, and when the shoe is in an unloaded state, the ground-engaging element through (i) the midfoot section and at least (ii) the rearfoot section has an overall convex or outwardly bent curvature along a longitudinal cross-section of the sole assembly so that the sole assembly is configured with a pivot in the midfoot section that allows for rotation of the rearfoot section around the pivot; and   allowing the thermoplastic material to form into the aforesaid elements.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the molding method comprises a single-shot molding process for producing the monolithic structure in a single step.