The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 30, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 10, 2000
David K. Legatzke, Encino, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
For use in a sole, insole, or heel portion of a footwear article, a footpad is described, having an upper surface on which are disposed a plurality of resilient lugs. The top surfaces of the lugs define a foot supporting surface wherein mutually parallel, spaced-apart edges of adjacent lugs define a complementary arrangement of top surfaces. The side surfaces of adjacent lugs define therebetween a void which extends lattice-like over the footpad. With gentle compression and release, the side surfaces of adjacent lugs expand into the void, and retreat therefrom, cyclically expelling and ingesting air beneath the foot. With heavy compression, the top surfaces of adjacent lugs are approximated to one another to provide a substantially continuous and substantially uniformly supportive foot-supporting surface. Structures selectively providing for preferred combinations of ventilation, cushioning, and stable and comfortable support for bearing heavy loads are described. The selective provision of enhanced support for heavy load bearing parts of the foot is described.