Footwear with adjustable shock absorbing system

Abstract

Footwear is provided that includes an upper portion, an inner sole, an adjustable shock absorbing system, and an outer sole, wherein the adjustable shock absorbing system is positioned within the outer sole or between the outer sole and the inner sole. In some embodiments, the adjustable shock absorbing system includes a first flat spring and a second spring placed inside, and further supporting, the first flat spring. The footwear may be adjusted to provide an appropriate level of shock absorption for individuals of different body weights, using weight as new sizing parameter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe comprising:
 an upper portion, the upper forming an interior portion for receiving a foot, the interior portion including a cavity;   an inner sole that is affixed to the bottom of the interior portion;   an outer sole attached to the insole; and   an adjustable shock absorbing system that is positioned within the outer sole or between the outer sole and the inner sole.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable shock absorbing system comprises a first flat spring and a second spring placed inside, and further supporting, the first flat spring. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe according to  claim 2 , wherein the second spring is a second flat spring. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe according to  claim 3 , wherein the second flat spring is accessible from the outside of the article of footwear and is replaceable by a consumer. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe according to  claim 2 , wherein the second spring is a coiled spring or spring block. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe according to  claim 5 , wherein the coiled spring or spring block is accessible from the outside of the article of footwear and is replaceable by a consumer. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe according to  claim 2 , wherein the first flat spring transverses at least a heel portion and part of an arch portion of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe according to  claim 7 , wherein the second spring is a second flat spring that transverses only a heel portion of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable shock absorbing system is replaceable within the outer sole or between the outer sole and the inner sole. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , comprising a cavity within the outer sole or between the outer sole and the inner sole, the cavity configured to hold one or more shock absorbing systems, wherein the cavity is accessible from the outside of the article of footwear such that the shock absorbing system may be replaced or supplemented with a second shock absorbing system. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe according to  claim 10 , wherein the cavity is located with a mid-sole positioned between the insole and the outsole. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , where shock absorbing system comprises a torsion spring attached to a flat spring or two structural elements. 
     
     
         13 . A kit of parts, comprising:
 an shoe comprising an upper portion, the upper forming an interior portion for receiving a foot, the interior portion including a cavity, an inner sole that is affixed to the bottom of the interior portion, an outer sole attached to the insole, and a cavity located within the outer sole or between the outer sole and the inner sole, wherein the cavity is configured to hold one or more shock absorbing systems, and wherein the cavity is accessible from the outside of the shoe; and   a plurality of shock absorbing systems, each shock absorbing system comprising a spring.   
     
     
         14 . The kit of parts according to  claim 13 , wherein the cavity is configured to hold a single shock absorbing system and each shock absorbing system in the plurality of shock absorbing systems has a different effective spring constant. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of parts according to  claim 13 , wherein the cavity is configured to hold a plurality of shock absorbing systems. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of parts according to  claim 14 , wherein each shock absorbing system in the plurality of shock absorbing systems has a same effective spring constant. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of parts according to  claim 13 , wherein a first flat spring is fixed within the cavity and the plurality of shock absorbing systems comprises a plurality of second springs that fit within the first spring, wherein each second spring in the plurality of second springs has a different effective spring constant. 
     
     
         18 . A method for fitting an article of footwear for an individual, comprising:
 determining a foot size and a body weight for the individual;   selecting a shoe having a size matching the foot size of the individual, wherein the shoe comprises:
 an upper portion, the upper forming an interior portion for receiving a foot, the interior portion including a cavity, an inner sole that is affixed to the bottom of the interior portion, an outer sole attached to the insole, and an adjustable shock absorbing system that is positioned within the outer sole or between the outer sole and the inner sole; and 
 adjusting and/or selecting the shock absorbing system, according to the body weight of the individual, such that the one or more springs are not fully depressed at a force equal to the product of the body weight of the individual and gravity. 
   
     
     
         19 . A shoe comprising:
 an upper portion, the upper forming an interior portion for receiving a foot, the interior portion including a cavity;   an inner sole that is affixed to the bottom of the interior portion;   an outer sole attached to the insole; and   an adjustable shock absorbing system that is positioned within the outer sole or between the outer sole and the inner sole, wherein   the adjustable shock absorbing system of the shoe is fitted for an individual using both a size and a form of the foot of the individual and a weight of the individual as sizing parameters.