초록 ▼

One aspect of the present invention is directed to an article of footwear including a snake-shaped foot plate that prevents “penetration,” when concentrated stresses are transmitted to cause discomfort to the wearer, of intermediate sized rocks through a shoe. Specifically the snake-shaped plate emb

One aspect of the present invention is directed to an article of footwear including a snake-shaped foot plate that prevents “penetration,” when concentrated stresses are transmitted to cause discomfort to the wearer, of intermediate sized rocks through a shoe. Specifically the snake-shaped plate embodiments with plurality of longitudinally staggered, substantially lateral cutouts enable increased torsional flexibility and distribute the stresses towards the outer parts of the shoe. The plate insert can include a plurality of longitudinally staggered cutouts extending substantially laterally from the central longitudinal axis forming a plurality of outriggers such that the cutouts on the left side are not located directly opposite from the cutouts on the right side. The cutouts can be straight or curved and the endpoints can be laterally aligned or not.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An article of footwear having a bottom external surface, a top surface, and a vertical axis extending therebetween; a front end, a back end, and a central longitudinal axis extending therebetween; and an inner side, an outer side, and a lateral axis extending therebetween, said footwear comprisin

1. An article of footwear having a bottom external surface, a top surface, and a vertical axis extending therebetween; a front end, a back end, and a central longitudinal axis extending therebetween; and an inner side, an outer side, and a lateral axis extending therebetween, said footwear comprising: a midsole;an outsole on a bottom external surface of the footwear; anda plate insert disposed along the vertical axis between the midsole and the outsole, comprising:a plurality of longitudinally staggered cutouts extending substantially laterally, thereby forming a plurality of outriggers, wherein the plurality of outriggers are connected together by a central planar portion, anda plurality of support ribs, at least one support rib extending across each of the plurality of cutouts,wherein the plate insert is not exposed on the bottom external surface of the footwear. 2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plurality of outriggers are of substantially similar lateral width. 3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plurality of outriggers are of tapered widths. 4. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plate insert comprises postings at the back heel end extending upwardly to support and enclose a user's foot. 5. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plate insert is composed of a composite of carbon fiber and thermoplastic polyurethane or elastomeric polymer. 6. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the width of the plurality of cutouts is between 0.5 mm and 20 mm. 7. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein none of the plurality of cutouts is directly opposed to another of the plurality of cutouts. 8. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cutouts are curved and extend substantially rearwardly towards the back heel end. 9. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plate insert is rounded at the front end. 10. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plate insert extends from the front toe end to a midfoot area of a user when in use. 11. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cutouts comprises: a first cutout forming a first outrigger and a third outrigger, and a second cutout forming a second outrigger and a fourth outrigger. 12. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the first cutout is located primarily on a first side of the longitudinal axis at a first distance from the front end, and the second cutout is located primarily on a second side of the longitudinal axis at a second distance from the front end. 13. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein two support ribs extend across at least some of the plurality of cutouts. 14. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plate insert further comprises a reinforcing heel cage comprising a posting extending upward from the plate and configured to surround at least a portion of the side of a wearer's rearfoot when in use. 15. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the plate insert further comprises a rearfoot portion, and the midsole further comprises a midsole rearfoot portion disposed generally coextensively with the rearfoot portion of the plate insert, the midsole rearfoot portion comprising an open channel corresponding to a substantial area of a wearer's heel when in use. 16. An article of footwear having a toe end, a heel end, and a central longitudinal axis extending therebetween; and a first side, a second side, and a lateral axis extending therebetween, said footwear comprising: an upper;a midsole coupled to said upper;a reinforcing heel cage coupled to said midsole; anda plate insert disposed between the midsole and the outsole, comprising:a plurality of longitudinally staggered cutouts extending substantially laterally, thereby forming a plurality of outriggers, wherein the plurality of outriggers are connected together by a central planar portion, anda plurality of support ribs, wherein at least two support ribs extend across each of the plurality of cutouts on the first side. 17. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein the plate insert is not exposed on an external surface of the footwear. 18. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein the plurality of cutouts are substantially straight. 19. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein the plurality of cutouts comprises: a first cutout extending from the first side to a first endpoint, a second cutout extending from the second side to a second endpoint, wherein the first endpoint is laterally spaced from the second endpoint. 20. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein at least one support rib extends across each of the plurality of cutouts. 21. A plate insert for an article of footwear, comprising: a plurality of cutouts extending substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the plate defining at least three adjacent, transversely-extending, elongate elements,the elongate elements having endpoints adapted to be disposed towards a lateral side and a medial side of a user's foot, wherein the elongate elements are connected together by a central planar portion,wherein each adjacent elongate element is interconnected to another adjacent elongate element by at least one support rib oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the plate,wherein said plate insert is adapted to substantially correspond to one or more of a forefoot, midfoot and/or rearfoot of a wearer's foot. 22. The plate insert of claim 21, wherein the at least one support rib comprises a support rib on the lateral side and a support rib on the medial side. 23. The plate insert of claim 21, wherein the at least one support rib is disposed towards an edge of the plate. 24. The plate insert of claim 21, wherein the plate further comprises a reinforcing heel cage comprising a posting upwardly extending from the plate and configured to surround a portion of the side of a wearer's rearfoot when in use. 25. The plate insert of claim 21, further comprising a rearfoot portion that has an open channel adapted to correspond to a substantial area of a wearer's heel. 26. The plate insert of claim 25, further comprising a midsole portion disposed adjacent the rearfoot portion, the midsole portion having an open channel generally corresponding to the open channel in the rearfoot portion. 27. The plate insert of claim 21, wherein the elongate elements are substantially parallel to one another. 28. The plate insert of claim 21, wherein the elongate elements have substantially uniform widths along their lengths. 29. The plate insert of claim 21, comprising an elastomeric polymer. 30. The plate insert of claim 25, comprising a single piece of elastomeric polymer.