Sport shoe with independently mobile toe segments and an outsole with protrusions

Abstract

An article of footwear is provided including at least an upper, an outsole with protrusions, and a segmented toe region. The protrusions underneath the outsole provide the grip, traction, and anti-slipping features desirable in certain field sports or other activities. The segmented toe region comprises a plurality of compartments, providing autonomous, mobility, and flexibility for individual toes.

1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an exterior outsole, which comprises a plurality of protrusions mounted to a bottom portion of said exterior outsole;   an interior midsole bonded to and located above said exterior outsole, wherein said interior midsole provides cushion and support for said user's foot;   an upper attached to said exterior outsole, wherein said upper and said interior midsole define a main compartment configured to receive said user's foot;   a toe region configured to receive toes of said user's foot, wherein said toe region is defined by the front portion of said upper and said interior midsole, and further comprises a plurality of toe compartments, each configured to receive at least one of said user's individual toes; and   a heel cup at the rear portion of said footwear, wrapping around the heel of said user's foot, configured to provide cushioning and support.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said exterior outsole is the bottom portion of said footwear and further comprises:
 a plurality of protrusions mounted to a bottom portion of said exterior outsole;   each said protrusion having a short conical frustum shape;   each said protrusion comprising a tip portion that is smaller than a base portion thereof;
 each said protrusion is attached to said exterior outsole through said base of protrusion; 
 said protrusions are arranged along the peripheral edge region of the exterior outsole, at locations at least underneath the ball, plantar arch, and heel of said user's foot; and 
 said protrusions are configured for creating a downward engaging force when said user steps on a field surface. 
   
     
     
         3 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said exterior outsole further comprises:
 a first structure along a longitudinal axis of said exterior outsole that connects a front portion to a rear portion of said exterior outsole to stabilize and support said user's foot; and   said exterior outsole further comprising a second structure along a transverse axis of said exterior outsole to facilitate the flexion of said user's foot.   
     
     
         4 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of toe compartments comprises:
 a first toe compartment configured to receive said user's big toe, wherein said first toe compartment is curved slightly upwards, with the tip of said first toe compartment elevated relative to the bottom surface of said exterior outsole; and   the remaining toe compartments are curved slightly downward, allowing the other four toes of said user's foot to maintain their natural posture when said user stands on the ground.   
     
     
         5 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of toe compartments comprises:
 an upper and sidewalls made of stretchable, breathable material;   a bottom, which is part of said exterior outsole;   a front portion of said exterior outsole that extends from the bottom area and wraps around the exterior front end portion of said toe compartments to protect said user's toes from force of contact with external objects and the ground; and   a transverse flexion feature on said exterior outsole, located between the forefoot and midfoot regions, such that each of said toe compartments enables each of said user's toes to flex in an independent and free fashion.   
     
     
         6 . The footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fastening configuration;   wherein said fastening configuration is located at the top or the lateral side of the upper;   wherein said fastening configuration comprises one of shoe laces, a buckle, Velcro, snap, or elastic band.   
     
     
         7 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said protrusions are made of one of plastic, rubber, or metal. 
     
     
         8 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said upper further comprising:
 an opening that allows a foot to be inserted into the athletic footwear;   wherein said opening comprises a padded collar.   
     
     
         9 . The footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an insole;   wherein said insole is inserted inside the athletic footwear and provides contact with the user's foot.   
     
     
         10 . The footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a midsole;   wherein said midsole provides additional cushion and support.   
     
     
         11 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said outsole further comprising:
 a bonding area located at the top of the outsole;   wherein the outsole is bonded to the midsole through said bonding area.   
     
     
         12 . The footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising a traction padding at the bottom of the toe region. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said protrusions are configured for the sport of soccer. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said structure in exterior outsole is a support bar along the longitudinal axis, configured to stabilize and support said user's foot by connecting the front to rear portions of said exterior outsole. 
     
     
         15 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said structure of said exterior outsole comprises a plurality of grooves along said transverse axis, configured to facilitate the flexion of said user's foot. 
     
     
         16 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said toe region further comprises five toe compartments, each shaped as an individual volume to receive one of said user's individual toes separately. 
     
     
         17 . The footwear of  claim 2 , wherein each of said base has a larger cross section area than the corresponding tip of said protrusion, wherein the upward force from protrusion-ground contact is transferred and spread out into said exterior outsole evenly, and energy from impact of user's foot striking the ground is absorbed, wherein point pressure is prevented from penetrating upward into said user's foot.