Dynamic sole for shoe

Abstract

A disclosed shoe component includes: (a) a toe section, a heel section, a midfoot section therebetween, an exterior side and an opposed interior side, both extending from the heel section through the midfoot section and to the toe section; (b) a closed cell foam heel cup in the heel section; (c) a heel pad in the heel section at least partially surrounded by the heel cup; (d) a plurality of open cell foam members of varying firmness positioned in a movement pattern corresponding to a user's pressure movement Pattern and extending through the midfoot section and into the toe section; and (e) an optional toe closed cell foam member as a filler in the toe section. The open cell foam members can be positioned on either side of the center path corresponding to a movement configuration of a user to provide varying support on either side of the center path.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A shoe component comprising:
 a. a toe section, a heel section, a midfoot section positioned therebetween, an exterior side and an opposed interior side, both extending from the heel section through the midfoot section and to the toe section;   b. a closed cell foam heel cup positioned in the heel section;   c. a heel pad including any of foam, air, and a combination thereof, the heel pad positioned in the heel section at least partially surrounded by the heel cup;   d. a plurality of open cell foam members of varying firmness positioned in a movement pattern corresponding to a user's pressure movement pattern and extending through the midfoot section and into the toe section; and   e. an optional toe closed cell foam member as a filler positioned in the toe section;   wherein the movement pattern corresponds to a determined pressure pattern associated with a given athletic activity and the movement pattern defines a center path;   wherein the plurality of open cell foam members are positioned on either side of the center path corresponding to a movement configuration of a user to provide varying support on either side of the center path.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe component of  claim 1 , wherein the movement configuration of the user is any of a pronator, neutral, and supinator. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe component of  claim 1 , wherein the open cell foam members define cylindrical cells at least soft, medium, and firm densities. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe component of  claim 3 , wherein the foam members are varied about the center path by rearrangement of the varying soft, medium, and firm density cells. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe component of  claim 3 , wherein firmness is varied by increasing the amount of cylindrical cells corresponding to a desired configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe component of  claim 3 , wherein the movement configuration is a pronator configuration and is provided having more firm cells positioned interior to the center path relative to a neutral configuration and more soft cells positioned exterior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe component of  claim 3 , wherein the movement configuration is a supinator configuration and is provided having more firm cells positioned exterior to the center path relative to a neutral configuration and more soft cells positioned interior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe component of  claim 1  wherein the given athletic activity includes any one of running, hiking, golf, basketball, tennis, football, baseball, and soccer. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe component of  claim 1  wherein the open cell foam members define varying colors corresponding to varying densities and firmness. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe component of  claim 1  wherein the arrangement of foam members about the center path forms passageways that allow air passage through shoe component corresponding to a walking pressure pattern of the user from heel to toe. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe component of  claim 1  wherein the foam members are fabricated from natural rubber latex. 
     
     
         12 . A shoe component comprising:
 support material provided in an area of the component wherein the material is positioned in a pattern corresponding to a path corresponding to a dynamic pressure pattern that occurs during activity such that the material is provided on either side of the path and the material defines a firmness that assists a foot of a user in maintaining stability along the path during activity.   
     
     
         13 . The shoe component of  claim 12 , wherein the dynamic pressure pattern corresponds to a movement configuration of the user and is any of a pronator, neutral, and supinator. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe component of  claim 12 , wherein the material in the pattern is an open cell foam with members defined by at least one shape. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe component of  claim 12 , wherein firmness of the shoe component is varied about the center of the path by rearrangement of the varying soft, medium, and firm density cells. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe component of  claim 12 , wherein firmness is varied by adjusting the amount of cylindrical cell material corresponding to a desired configuration in a given area. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe component of  claim 12 , wherein the dynamic pressure pattern corresponds to a pronator configuration and is provided having firmer cells positioned interior to a center path relative to a neutral configuration and softer cells positioned exterior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The shoe component of  claim 12 , wherein the dynamic pressure pattern corresponds to a supinator configuration and is provided having firmer cells positioned exterior to a center path relative to a neutral configuration and softer cells positioned interior of the center path relative to a neutral configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The shoe component of  claim 12  wherein the foam components define varying colors corresponding to varying densities and firmness. 
     
     
         20 . The shoe component of  claim 12  which allows air passage through passageways formed by open cell foam components corresponding to a walking pressure pattern of the user from heel to toe.