Oh, patents! Vionic® (sandal) soles (3)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The benefits of Vionic® orthotic soles also apply to Vionic® sandals, even Vionic® flip flops. The Vionic® sandal sole patent is recited in the US utility patent US10244813B2, titled Sandals with biomechanical foot support. In response to the prior art of orthotic soles for flipflops or slides, essentially consisting in costly custom solutions or temporary laminated add-on soles, glued to the sandal footbed, the Vionic® patent recites single density injection-molded solutions, providing biomechanical support that is both cost-effective and permanent.  

The biomechanical support recited comprises a low footbed and raised contoured medial (instep) support for Y-shaped thong or single strap slide-in type sandals. The bottom of the soles is also roughed to increase traction and prevent slipping, alternatively designed with grooves to enable water flow. The sandal soles may be designed with a concavity under the arch to provide additional cushioning, or different length, and elasticity, of the Y-straps to support the user’s biomechanical foot motion. Finally, the bottom of the sole may be slightly tilted upwards, instead of flat, to provide additional support.

Three patent drawings are included below, together with the abstract of the patent. An image of the Floriana marketed Vionic® sandal model, embodying invention features, is also included. 

Figures 2A and 2B, respectively depict the top and bottom views of the Vionic® sandal sole (110). Figure 4 depicts a detailed cross-sectional and longitudinal view of the sole's front elevation. In particular, Figure 2A shows the grooves (117) on the bottom surface (116) to enhance water flow and traction. The oval-shaped cavity (118) beneath the arch of the foot is also depicted, with a short horizontal axis (217) and a longer vertical axis (218), designed to provide more cushioning aligned with the toe to heel axis and width axis of the foot. 

The Y-anchor points (111), (112) and (113) for the Y-shaped thong strap are also shown on Figures 2A and 2B. The two rear anchor points (112) and (113) are slightly offset, to allow for different lengths of the two arms of the Y-shaped strap, with varying elasticity. Varying length and elasticity of the two arms are respectively designed to correlate with the movement of the user's foot, and to provide enhanced directional stability. Thus, for example, if the user's toes point inward or outward, the different pull from the two different lengths of the Y-arms of the strap, together with their varying elasticity, are both designed to provide beneficial support for re-centering the direction of the user's foot.  

Sandals with biomechanical foot support, robust usability and cost-effectiveness are disclosed. The footwear may comprise a biomechanical sole and a Y-shaped rubber strap anchored to the sole. The sole has a top surface including a raised contour on the medial side of the sandal, and a low profile heel cup. The raised contour on the medial side and the heel cup match the natural anatomic shape of the foot, and thus provide biomechanical foot support. The bottom surface of the sole may be a roughed surface to provide necessary traction and friction when a wearer/user walks. The bottom surface further comprises a plurality of grooves to allow water to be expelled and increase traction. [Abstract US10244813B2]

Reference 
Vionic® 
https://www.vionicshoes.com/

Oh, patents! Stride Rite® Infant shoes

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Yes, even infant shoes are patented! Indeed, they should be, so as to ensure the best-designed stability and support during the very important evolutionary transition to upright!

US2009272010, titled “Infant shoes”, and filed by Stride Rite®, recites "a support portion and a sole, configured to form a void that securely receives and holds an infant’s foot". The patent further discloses several additional and characterizing aspects of the infant shoe invention.

First, the sole and upper are rounded on the sides in contrast to the angled edges of prior art infant shoes. This rounded shape is designed to better correlate with the rounded shape of an infant's foot, and to prevent falls when small toddlers teeter.

Secondly, in another aspect of the invention, the infant shoe includes a strap which serves both to secure the shoe on the infant’s foot, and to extend the opening of the shoe, thus securing easy-on access for even the chubbiest little feet.

Thirdly, in another aspect of the invention, the infant shoe has a heel tab designed to facilitate pulling the shoe on the infant’s foot.

Outsole groove structurre

 And finally, in yet another aspect of the invention the shoe consists of an outsole with a ground contacting surface and an inner surface. The ground contacting surface is further designed with a series of concentric and overlapping elliptical grooves, each groove serving to enhance the flexibility of the infant shoe. Thus, it is assumed that the flexibility of the shoe, afforded by the grooved sole structure, enables the child to obtain sensory feedback from the ground to assist with the development of a proper gait, somewhat like walking barfeoot.

As for the outsoles’ inner areas, they each contain recessed spaces, in the toe and heel areas, both designed to receive a memory foam inner sole which, together with the outer sole inner configuration, will cradle the infant’s foot, enhancing comfort and it is also assumed, the desire to keep shoes on.

It is further specified that the inner sole consist of a layer of foam measuring 1 to 8 mm, preferably 5 mm, to create a soft and cushioned footbed. And to enhance the softness, flexibility and comfort of the upper, the patent further includes specifications  for the various materials that can be used to manufacture the shoe uppers (i.e.; premium leathers, textiles or non-woven materials). 

The scope of this invention is then extended to include all sorts of different shoe models each comprising the various aspects of the invention (i.e; round edges, strap, tab, outer and inner soles structure).

The abstract for US2009272010, titled “Infant shoes”, is included below with Figures 1 and 7 of the patent drawings and an image of the patented product, currently marketed.

An infant shoe includes a shoe outsole defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The outsole defines a substantially arcuate shape along both the longitudinal and transverse axes. A shoe upper is secured to the shoe outsole. The shoe upper and the shoe outsole together define curved side surfaces. [Abstract US2009272010)

Stride Rite® founded in 1919, also markets shoes under the well-known brand names of KEDS®, Saucony®, and Robeez® baby shoes.  

For another Patent on the soles of happy little feet, see Stride Rite® Twinkle shoes here!

References
Stride Rite®

http://www.striderite.com/en/home 

Mirrors of time (2) - Nike Air Max + 2013 Limited Edition

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann
Tadah! My new Air Max+ 2013 Limited Edition Nikes with cavity viewing system [US2012324761] on the full length of the sole structure.

 

 

And sensor system connected to the sole structure [US2013019694]!

Add to that: waffle skin sole and 500 candlepower, 360-degree reflectivity on logo, swoosh and laces… and… you got high tech patented shoes! J