Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege
is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A shoe sole for a shoe, including:
a medial side, a lateral side and a middle sole portion located between
the lateral and medial sides;
a bottom sole;
a midsole which is softer than the bottom sole;
a heel lift;
an inner surface including at least one portion that is convexly rounded
relative to a section of the sloe sole located directly adjacent to the
convexly rounded
portion of the inner surface, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section, when
the shoe
sole is in an upright, unloaded condition;
an outer surface having an uppermost portion which extends to at least
the height of the lowest point of the inner surface, as viewed in a frontal
plane cross-
section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition; characterized
in that:
the outer surface includes at least one concavely rounded portion which
extends down at least one side of the shoe sole to at least proximate a lowest
point of
the shoe sole side, the concavity of the concavely rounded portion of the
outer surface
is determined relative to an inner section of the shoe sole located directly
adjacent to
the concavely rounded portion of the outer surface, as viewed in a frontal
plane cross-
section, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition; and
wherein the concavely rounded portion of the outer surface of the side
of the shoe solo includes a part formed by midsole, and the midsole part of
the
concavely rounded portion of the outer surface extends below a sidemost extent
of the
shoe sole side so that the rounded portion of the shoe sole side deforms to
flatten
easily under a wearer's body weight load during sideways motion of the shoe
sole,
thereby providing improved lateral stability.
2. A shoe sole for a shoe, including:
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a) an inner surface for supporting the foot of an intended wearer;
b) an outer surface;
c) a medial side, a lateral side, and a middle sole portion located
between the lateral and medial sides;
characterized in that the shoe sole further includes:
d) at least one concavely rounded portion located on one of the lateral
and medial sides of the shoe sole, the concavity of the at least one concavely
rounded
portion being determined relative to an intended wearer's foot location inside
the
shoe, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition;
said at least one concavely rounded portion includes an outer surface having a
portion that is concavely rounded relative to an inner section of the shoe
sole located
directly adjacent to the concavely rounded portion of the outer surface, as
viewed in a
frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition;
said at least one concavely rounded portion includes an inner surface having a
portion that is convexly rounded relative to a section of the shoe sole
located directly
adjacent to the convexly rounded portion of the inner surface, as viewed in a
frontal
plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition;
and
wherein the thickness of the shoe sole decreases gradually from a thickness at
least at
one of the concavely rounded portions of the shoe sole to a lesser thickness
on at least
one side of the concavely rounded portion, as viewed in a horizontal plane
when the
shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
3. A shoe sole for a shoe, the shoe sole including:
a sole lateral side, a sole medial side and a middle sole portion located
between the sole lateral side and the sole medial side;
a bottoms sole;
a midsole which is softer than the bottom sole;
an inner surface having at least a portion that is convexly rounded
relative to a section of the shoe sole located directly adjacent the convexly
rounded
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inner surface portion, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the
shoe sole is
in an upright, unloaded condition;
the midsole having an uppermost part which extends to at least the
height of the lowest point of the inner surface, as viewed in a frontal plane
cross-
section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition; characterized
in that:
the outer surface of the middle sole portion includes at least one
concavely rounded portion which extends through the lowest point of the shoe
sole,
the concavity of the concavely rounded portion is determined relative to an
inner
section of the shoe sole directly adjacent to the concavely rounded outer
surface
portion, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section, when the shoe sole is in
an upright,
unloaded condition.
4. A shoe sole for a shoe, including:
a sole lateral side, a sole medial side, and a middle sole portion located
between the sole lateral and medial sides;
a midsole having an inner surface of the midsole and an outer midsole
surface, the midsole including portions located in at least the middle sole
portion and
a first side of the shoe sole;
the sole lateral side including a lateral sidemost section located outside
of a vertical line drawn at the sidemost extent of the inner surface of the
midsole;
the sole medial side including a medial sidemost section located
outside of a vertical line drawn at the sidemost extent of the inner surface
of the
midsole;
an bottom sole;
the outer midsole surface of the portion of the midsole located in the
first side of the shoe sole extending up the first side of the shoe sole to a
vertical
height above the vertical height of the lowest point of the inner surface of
the midsole,
as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition; and
the portion of the midsole located in the first side of the shoe sole
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having a greatest thickness, measured between the inner and outer midsole
surfaces,
that is greater than a thickness between the inner and outer midsole surfaces
of the
portion of the midsole located in the middle sole portion, as viewed in a
frontal plane
cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition;
characterized in that:
the outer midsole surface of the portion of the midsole located in the
first side of the shoe sole includes a lowermost part that is concavely
rounded relative
to an inner section of the shoe sole located directly adjacent to the
concavely rounded
outer surface portion, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the
shoe sole is
in an upright, unloaded condition.
5. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 3-4, wherein the
thickness of the shoe sole decreases gradually from a thickness at least at
the location
of one of the concavely rounded portions of the outer surface of the shoe sole
to a
lesser thickness on at least one side of the concavely rounded portion of the
outer
surface, as viewed in a horizontal plane when the shoe sole is in an upright,
unloaded
condition.
6. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 5, wherein a portion of the outer
surface of the area of the shoe sole wherein the sole thickness decreases
gradually, as
viewed in a horizontal plane, is concavely rounded relative to an inner
section of the
shoe sole located directly adjacent to the concavely rounded portion of the
outer
surface, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in
an upright,
unloaded condition.
7. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 5-6, wherein the thickness
of the shoe sole at least at one concavely rounded portion of the shoe sole
decreases
gradually to zero on at least one side of a concavely rounded portion on the
lateral or
medial side of the shoe sole, as viewed in a horizontal plane when the shoe
sole is in
an upright, unloaded condition.
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8. The shoe sole of claim 1, wherein the midsole part of the concavely
rounded portion of the outer surface includes an upper part of the outer
surface, as
viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright,
unloaded
condition.
9. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 2-3, wherein an interior
portion of the at least one concavely rounded portion of the shoe sole located
between
the concavely rounded outer surface portion and the convexly rounded inner
surface
portion includes at least part of the midsole, as viewed in a frontal plane
cross-section
when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
10. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 4, wherein an uppermost part of a
midsole side portion extends to the height of the lowest point of the inner
surface of
the same side of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section
when the
shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
11. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 10, wherein an
uppermost part of a midsole side portion extends above the height of the
lowest point
of the inner surface of the same side of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal
plane
cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
12. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 10-11, wherein the
inner surface of the portion of the midsole located in the first side of the
shoe sole
further includes a portion that is convexly rounded relative to an inner
section of the
shoe sole located directly adjacent to the convexly rounded portion of the
inner
surface, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in
an upright,
unloaded condition.
13. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 12, wherein the convexly rounded
portion of the inner surface of the midsole extends substantially to a
sidemost extent
of the inner surface of the midsole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-
section when the
shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
14. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 12-13, wherein the
convexly rounded portion of the inner surface of the midsole is substantially
coextensive with at least one concavely rounded portion of the outer midsole
surface
of the same portion of the midsole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section
when the
shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
15. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 10-14, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of the outer midsole surface extends to the sidemost
extent
of the outer midsole surface, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when
the shoe
sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
16. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 10-14, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of the outer midsole surface extends continuously
through
the sidemost extent of the outer midsole surface, as viewed in a frontal plane
cross-
section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
17. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 10-14, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of the outer midsole surface extends continuously
through
the lowermost part of the outer midsole surface, as viewed in a frontal plane
cross-
section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
18. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 10-16, wherein at
least one portion of the midsole extends into a second side of the shoe sole,
as viewed
in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition;
the lowermost part of the outer midsole surface of the portion of the
midsole located in the second side of the shoe sole is concavely rounded
relative to an
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intended wearer's foot location inside the shoe, as viewed in a frontal plane
cross-
section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition; and
the portion of the midsole located in the second side of the shoe sole
and which has a concavely rounded outer midsole surface also has a thickness
that is
greater than the thickness of a portion of the midsole located in the middle
sole
portion, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in
an upright,
unloaded condition.
19. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 18, wherein the concavely rounded
portion of the outer midsole surface of the portion of the midsole located in
the second
side of the shoe sole extends to the sidemost extent of the outer midsole
surface, as
viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright,
unloaded
condition.
20. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 18, wherein the concavely rounded
portion of the outer midsole surface of the portion of the midsole located in
the second
side of the shoe sole extends continuously through the sidemost extent of the
outer
midsole surface, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole
is in an
upright, unloaded condition.
21. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 18-20, wherein the first
and second sides of the shoe sole are viewed in the same frontal plane cross-
section.
22. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 10-21, wherein the
outer midsole surface of the at least one portion of the midsole located in a
side of the
shoe sole is concavely rounded relative to an inner section of the shoe sole
located
directly adjacent to the concavely rounded outer surface portion, at one or
more
locations which substantially correspond to the positions of the following
structural
support and propulsion elements of an intended wearer's foot when inside the
shoe:
the base of the calcaneus, the lateral tuberosity of the calcaneus, the head
of the first
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distal phalange, the head of the first metatarsal, the base of the fifth
metatarsal, the
head of the fifth metatarsal, and the main longitudinal arch, as viewed in a
frontal
plane cross-section at the one or more locations when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition.
23. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 22, wherein the outer midsole surface
of the at least one portion of the midsole located in a side of the shoe sole
is concavely
rounded, at least at locations which substantially correspond to the positions
of the
following structural support and propulsion elements of an intended wearer's
foot
when inside the shoe: the base of the calcaneus and the lateral tuberosity of
the
calcaneus, as viewed in frontal plane cross-sections at said locations when
the shoe
sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
24. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 22, wherein the outer midsole surface
of the at least one portion of the midsole located in a side of the shoe sole
is
concavely rounded, at least at locations which substantially correspond to the
positions of the following structural support and propulsion elements of an
intended
wearer's foot when inside the shoe: the head of the fifth metatarsal and the
head of the
first metatarsal, as viewed in frontal plane cross-sections at said locations
when the
shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
25. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 22, wherein the outer midsole surface
of the at least one portion of the midsole located in a side of the shoe sole
is
concavely rounded, at least at locations which substantially correspond to the
positions of the following structural support and propulsion elements of an
intended
wearer's foot when inside the shoe: the head of the fifth metatarsal, the head
of the
first metatarsal, the base of the calcaneus, and the lateral tuberosity of the
calcaneus,
as viewed in frontal plane cross-sections at said locations when the shoe sole
is in an
upright, unloaded condition.
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26. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 22, wherein the outer midsole surface
of the at least one portion of the midsole located in a side of the shoe sole
is
concavely rounded, at least at locations which substantially correspond to the
positions of two of the following structural support and propulsion elements
of an
intended wearer's foot when inside the shoe: the base of the calcaneus, the
lateral
tuberosity of the calcaneus, the head of the first distal phalange, the head
of the first
metatarsal, the base of the fifth metatarsal, the head of the fifth
metatarsal, and the
main longitudinal arch, as viewed in frontal plane cross-sections at said
locations
when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
27. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 22, wherein the outer midsole surface
of the at least one portion of the midsole located in a side of the shoe sole
is
concavely rounded, at least at locations which substantially correspond to the
positions of three of the following structural support and propulsion elements
of an
intended wearer's foot when inside the shoe: the base of the calcaneus, the
lateral
tuberosity of the calcaneus, the head of the first distal phalange, the head
of the first
metatarsal, the base of the fifth metatarsal, the head of the fifth
metatarsal, and the
main longitudinal arch, as viewed in frontal plane cross-sections at said
locations
when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
28. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 22, wherein the outer midsole surface
of the at least one portion of the midsole located in a side of the shoe sole
is concavely
rounded, at least at locations which substantially correspond to the positions
of four of
the following structural support and propulsion elements of an intended
wearer's foot
when inside the shoe; the base of the calcaneus, the lateral tuberosity of the
calcaneus,
the head of the first distal phalange, the head of the first metatarsal, the
base of the
fifth metatarsal, the head of the fifth metatarsal, and the main longitudinal
arch, as
viewed in frontal plane cross-sections at said locations when the shoe sole is
in an
upright, unloaded condition.
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29. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 22, wherein the outer midsole surface
of the at least one portion of the midsole located in a side of the shoe sole
is
concavely rounded, at least at locations which substantially correspond to the
positions of five of the following structural support and propulsion elements
of an
intended wearer's foot when inside the shoe: the base of the calcaneus, the
lateral
tuberosity of the calcaneus, the head of the first distal phalange, the head
of the first
metatarsal, the base of the fifth metatarsal, the head of the fifth
metatarsal, and the
main longitudinal arch, as viewed in frontal plane cross-sections at said
locations
when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
30. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 22, wherein the outer midsole surface
of the at least one portion of the midsole located in a side of the shoe sole
is
concavely rounded, at least at locations which substantially correspond to the
positions of six of the following structural support and propulsion elements
of an
intended wearer's foot when inside the shoe: the base of the calcaneus, the
lateral
tuberosity of the calcaneus, the head of the first distal phalange, the head
of the first
metatarsal, the base of the fifth metatarsal, the head of the fifth
metatarsal, and the
main longitudinal arch, as viewed in frontal plane cross-sections at said
locations
when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
31. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 22, wherein the outer midsole surface
of the at least one portion of the midsole located in a side of the shoe sole
is concavely
rounded, at least at locations which substantially correspond to the positions
of the
following structural support and propulsion elements of an intended wearer's
foot
when inside the shoe: the base of the calcaneus, the lateral tuberosity of the
calcaneus,
the head of the first distal phalange, the head of the first metatarsal, the
base of the
fifth metatarsal, the head of the fifth metatarsal, and the main longitudinal
arch, as
viewed in frontal plane cross-sections at said locations when the shoe sole is
in an
upright, unloaded condition,
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32. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 10-31, wherein the
at least one portion of the midsole located in a side of the shoe sole
includes a midsole
section of greatest thickness, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when
the shoe
sole is in an upright, unloaded condition, and at least one tapered portion at
a location
adjacent to, and anterior or posterior to the midsole section of greatest
thickness, the
tapered portion having a thickness that decreases from the section of greatest
thickness to a lesser thickness, as viewed in a horizontal plane when the shoe
sole is in
an upright, unloaded condition.
33. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 32, wherein the thickness of the at
least one tapered portion of the midsole gradually decreases from the midsole
section
of greatest thickness to the lesser thickness, as viewed in a horizontal plane
when the
shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
34. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 32-33, wherein the at least
one tapered portion of the midsole is concavely rounded relative to an
intended
wearer's foot location inside the shoe, as viewed in a horizontal plane when
the shoe
sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
35. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 32-34, wherein the at least
one tapered portion of the midsole is located anterior to the midsole section
of greatest
thickness, as viewed in a horizontal plane.
36. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 32-34, wherein the at least
one tapered portion of the midsole is located posterior to the midsole section
of
greatest thickness, as viewed in a horizontal plane.
37. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 32-34, including at least
two tapered portions of the midsole, one tapered portion of the midsole
located
posterior to the midsole section of greatest thickness and a second tapered
portion of
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the midsole located anterior to the midsole section of greatest thickness, as
viewed in
a horizontal plane.
38. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 10-37, wherein an
inner surface of at least one side of the midsole includes at least one
portion that
conforms to the shape of the outer surface of an intended wearer's foot when
inside
the shoe, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in
an
upright, unloaded condition.
39. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the frontal plane cross-
section is located in the heel area.
40. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claim 1, wherein an uppermost
portion of the upper side surface of the shoe sole side extends to a point at
least above
the height of the lowest point of the inner surface of the same side of the
shoe sole, as
viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright,
unloaded
condition.
41. A shoe sole as claimed in any of claims 1-2 and 4-40, wherein at least
part of the middle sole portion of the outer surface of the shoe sole is
substantially
flat, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition.
42. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, including midsole;
wherein the medial side of the shoe sole includes a sidemost medial
section at a location outside of a straight, vertical line extending through
the medial
side of the shoe sole at the sidemost extent of the inner surface of the
medial side of
the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole
is in an
upright, unloaded condition;
wherein the lateral side of the shoe sole includes a sidemost lateral
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section at a location outside of a straight, vertical line extending through
the lateral
side of the shoe sole at the sidemost extent of the inner surface of the
lateral side of
the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole
is in an
upright, unloaded condition; and
wherein the midsole extends into the sidemost section of at least the
side of the shoe sole which has at least one concavely rounded outer surface
portion,
as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition.
43. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-42, wherein:
at least a part of a bottom surface of the midsole and at least a part of a
top surface of the bottom sole are substantially flat, as viewed in the
frontal plane
cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
44. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-43, wherein the shoe sole
includes at least two concavely rounded portions of the outer surface each
including
midsole and which are located on opposing sides of the shoe sole, as viewed in
a
frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition.
45. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-44, wherein:
the upper surface of a side portion of the bottom sole is substantially
flat, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition.
46. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-45, including a combined
midsole and lift, and wherein the thickness of the midsole and lift of a
portion of the
shoe sole having a concavely rounded outer surface, as measured in a first
frontal
plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition,
is greater
than the thickness of the midsole and lift of a different sole portion which
does not
have a concavely rounded outer surface, as measured in a second frontal plane
cross-
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section, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
47. The shoe sole of claim 46, wherein the lift is a heel lift.
48. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-47, wherein the at least one
concavely rounded portion of the outer surface is also concavely rounded
relative to
an inner section of the shoe sole located directly adjacent to the concavely
rounded
portion of the outer surface, as viewed in a horizontal plane when the shoe
sole is in
an upright, unloaded condition.
49. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-48, wherein the portion of the
shoe sole which has a concavely rounded outer surface further includes an area
of
increased material density to form a structural support or propulsion element
for the
foot of an intended wearer.
50. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-49, wherein at least part
of the concavely rounded portion of the outer surface of the shoe sole is
formed by a
plurality of substantially straight line segments which, taken together,
approximate a
concavely rounded surface portion, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section
when
the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
51. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-50, wherein a heel area
of the shoe sole has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the
shoe sole in a
forefoot area.
52. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-51, including a tread
pattern on at least part of the outer surface of the shoe sole.
53. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-52, wherein at least part
of the inner surface of at least one portion of the shoe sole having a
concavely
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rounded outer surface is also convexly rounded relative to a section of the
shoe sole
located directly adjacent to the convexly rounded portion of the inner
surface, as
viewed in a horizontal plane when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition.
54. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-53, wherein the shoe
sole further includes a concavely rounded outer surface portion that extends
through a
lowermost heel area of the shoe sole, as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-
section when
the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
55. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-54, wherein the shoe
sole has a substantially uniform thickness from a lowermost heel area to a
rearmost
heel extent, as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is
in an
upright, unloaded condition.
56. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-55, wherein the shoe
sole has a substantially uniform thickness from a lowermost heel area through
a
rearmost heel extent, as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section when the
shoe sole is
in an upright, unloaded condition.
57. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-56, wherein at least part
of the outer surface of at least one portion of the shoe sole having a
concavely
rounded outer surface is also concavely rounded relative to an inner section
of the
shoe sole located directly adjacent to the concavely rounded portion of the
outer
surface, as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in
an upright,
unloaded condition; and
at least part of the inner surface of the at least one concavely rounded
portion of the shoe sole is also convexly rounded relative to a section of the
shoe sole
located directly adjacent to the convexly rounded portion of the inner
surface, as
viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright,
unloaded
condition.
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58. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 57, wherein the thickness of the shoe
sole decreases gradually in an upper rear heel portion, as viewed in a
sagittal plane
cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
59. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-58, wherein the
thickness of the shoe sole at least at one portion of the shoe sole leaving a
concavely
rounded outer surface decreases gradually between a sidemost extent and an
uppermost extent of the side of the shoe sole, and, in the uppermost extent of
the side
of the shoe sole, the thickness is the shortest distance between a point on
the inner
surface and the closest point on one of the outer surface or the upper side
surface, all
as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition.
60. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-59, including a heel lift;
wherein the medial side of the shoe sole includes a sidemost medial
section at a location outside of a straight, vertical line extending through
the medial
side of the shoe sole at the sidemost extent of the inner surface of the
medial side of
the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole
is in an
upright, unloaded condition;
wherein the lateral side of the shoe sole includes a sidemost lateral
section at a location outside of a straight, vertical line extending through
the lateral
side of the shoe sole at the sidemost extent of the inner surface of the
lateral side of
the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole
is in an
upright, unloaded condition; and
wherein the heel lift extends into the sidemost section of at least the
side of the shoe sole which has at least one concavely rounded outer surface
portion,
as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition.
61. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-60, wherein the shoe is
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an athletic shoe.
62. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claim 60, wherein the bottom
sole extends into a sidemost section of the shoe sole and at least a portion
of the outer
surface of the bottom sole in the sidemost section of the shoe sole is
concavely
rounded relative to an inner section of the shoe sole located directly
adjacent to the
concavely rounded outer surface portion, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-
section
when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
63. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-62, wherein the outer surface
forms an arc of more than 90° from the concavely rounded portion to an
uppermost
part, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition.
64. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-63, wherein the portion of the
shoe sole which has a concavely rounded outer surface further includes an area
of
increased material firmness to form a structural support or propulsion element
for the
foot of an intended wearer.
65. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-64, wherein the convexly rounded
portion of the inner surface extends substantially to a sidemost extent of the
inner
surface, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in
an upright,
unloaded condition.
66. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-65, wherein:
the concavely rounded portion of the outer surface extends up at least
one shoe sole side to a location on the shoe sole side proximate to a sidemost
extent of
the shoe sole side, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe
sole is in
an upright, unloaded condition.
-65-
67. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-65, wherein:
the concavely rounded portion of the outer surface extends up at least
one shoe sole side through a sidemost extent of the shoe sole side, as viewed
in a
frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition.
68. The shoe sole of any one of claims 1-67, wherein:
at least a lowermost part of the concavely rounded portion of the outer
surface is formed by bottom sole.
69. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-68, wherein the at least
one concavely rounded portion of the outer surface is located at one or more
locations
on the shoe sole proximate to the locations of one or more of the following
parts of an
intended wearer's foot when inside the shoe: the base of the calcaneus, the
lateral
tuberosity of the calcaneus, the base of the fifth metatarsal, the head of the
fifth
metatarsal, the head of the first metatarsal, and the head of the first distal
phalange.
70. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 69, including a concavely rounded
outer surface portion at a location substantially corresponding to the
location of the
head of the first metatarsal of an intended wearer's foot when inside the
shoe.
71. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 69, including a concavely rounded
outer surface portion at a location substantially corresponding to the
location of the
head of the first distal phalange of an intended wearer's foot when inside the
shoe.
72. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 69, including a concavely rounded
outer surface portion at a location substantially corresponding to the
location of the
base of the calcaneus of an intended wearer's foot when inside the shoe.
73. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 69, including a concavely rounded
outer surface portion at a location substantially corresponding to the
location of the
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lateral tuberosity of the calcaneus of an intended wearer's foot when inside
the shoe.
74. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 69, including a concavely rounded
outer surface portion at a location substantially corresponding to the
location of the
head of the fifth metatarsal of an intended wearer's foot when inside the
shoe.
75. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 71, wherein the at least one concavely
rounded outer surface portion extends to the front of the shoe sole.
76. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 72, wherein the at least one concavely
rounded outer surface portion extends to the rear of the shoe sole.
77. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-69, including a
concavely rounded portion on each of the lateral and medial sides of the shoe
sole, at
least one of said concavely rounded portions extending to the middle sole
portion of
the shoe sole at a location substantially corresponding to the location of at
least one of
the base of the calcaneus and the lateral tuberosity of the calcaneus of an
intended
wearer's foot when inside the shoe, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section
when
the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
78. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims l-69, including a first
concavely rounded outer surface portion at a location substantially
corresponding to
the location of the head of the fifth metatarsal of an intended wearer's foot
when
inside the shoe, an area of lesser thickness adjacent to a posterior side of
the first
concavely rounded outer surface portion, and a second concavely rounded outer
surface portion at a location substantially corresponding to the location of
the lateral
tuberosity of the calcaneus of an intended wearer's foot when inside the shoe,
and an
area of lesser thickness adjacent to an anterior side of the second concavely
rounded
outer surface portion.
-67-
79. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-69, including a first
concavely rounded outer surface portion at a location substantially
corresponding to
the location of the head of the first distal phalange of an intended wearer's
foot when
inside the shoe, a second concavely rounded outer surface portion at a
location
substantially corresponding to the location of the head of the first
metatarsal of an
intended wearer's foot when inside the shoe, and an area of lesser thickness
located
between said first and second concavely rounded outer surface portions.
80. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-79, including at least
three concavely rounded outer surface portions.
81. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-79, including at least
four concavely rounded outer surface portions.
82. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-79, including at least
five concavely rounded outer surface portions.
83. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-79, including at least six
concavely rounded outer surface portions.
84. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 69-83, wherein at least one
concavely rounded outer surface portion is centered substantially around the
position
of one of the structural support and propulsion elements of an intended
wearer's foot
when inside the shoe, as viewed in both a frontal plane cross-section and a
horizontal
plane, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
85. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 69-84, wherein at least
one concavely rounded outer surface portion encompasses substantially all of
an area
of the shoe sole which corresponds to the area of one of the structural
support and
propulsion elements of an intended wearer's foot when inside the shoe, as
viewed in
-68-
both a frontal plane cross-section and a horizontal plane, when the shoe sole
is in an
upright, unloaded condition.
86. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 85, wherein the at least one concavely
rounded outer surface portion coincides substantially with the area of the
shoe sole
which corresponds to the area of one of the structural support and propulsion
elements
of an intended wearer's foot when inside the shoe, as viewed in both a frontal
plane
cross-section and a horizontal plane, when the shoe sole is in an upright,
unloaded
condition.
87. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-86, wherein the
thickness of the shoe sole is defined as the shortest distance between any
point on the
inner surface of the shoe sole and the nearest point on the outer surface of
the shoe
sole, as viewed in a frontal or sagittal plane cross-section when the shoe
sole is in an
upright, unloaded condition.
88. A shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 1-24, wherein the
thickness is defined as a radial thickness; and
the radial thickness is the length of a line extending perpendicular to a
line tangent to the inner surface of the midsole from the inner surface of the
midsole
to the outer midsole surface at the measured location, as viewed in a frontal
plane
cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
89. A sole for a shoe having at least one side portion with rounded surfaces
to increase at least one of lateral and medial stability of the sole, the shoe
sole
including:
a heel area at a location substantially corresponding to the location of a
heel portion of an intended wearer's foot when inside the shoe;
a sole forefoot area at a location substantially corresponding to the
location of a forefoot portion of an intended wearer's foot when inside the
shoe;
-69-
a sole midtarsal area located between the heel area and the sole
forefoot area;
the sole including a midsole component and an outsole component;
the sole including a sidemost lateral section and a sidemost medial
section, each at a location outside of a straight vertical line extending
through the sole
at a sidemost extent of the inner surface of a midsole component, as viewed in
a
frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition;
a sole outer surface of at least part of the sole midtarsal area is
substantially convexly
rounded, as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in
an
upright, unloaded condition, the convexity being determined relative to an
intended
wearer's foot location inside the shoe;
at least one midtarsal area sole side located at one or more of a sole
medial side and a sole lateral side of the sole midtarsal area, the sole
medial and
lateral sides being separated by a middle sole portion;
characterized in that:
each midtarsal area sole side including a concavely rounded portion of
the outer surface of the sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in
the sole
midtarsal area when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition, the
concavity
being determined relative to an inner section of the shoe sole located
directly adjacent
to the convexly rounded portion of the inner surface;
each midtarsal area sole side including a convexly rounded portion of
the inner surface of a midsole component, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-
section in
the sole midtarsal area when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition, the
convexity being determined relative to an inner section of the shoe sole
located
directly adjacent to the convexly rounded portion of the inner surface; and
wherein
each said midtarsal area sole side also includes a midsole component extending
into
the sidemost section of the midtarsal area sole side, as viewed in a frontal
plane cross-
section in the sole midtarsal area when the shoe sole is in an upright,
unloaded
condition; and
each said midtarsal area sole side further includes an upper part of a
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midsole component extending up the midtarsal area sole side to above the
height of
the lowest point of the inner surface of a midsole component of the same
midtarsal
area sole side, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in the sole
midtarsal area
when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
90. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 89, wherein one said midtarsal area
sole side is located on the sole lateral side of the sole midtarsal area.
91. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 89, wherein one said midtarsal area
sole side is located on the sole medial side of the sole midtarsal area.
92. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 89, including two midtarsal area sole
sides, one being located on the sole medial side of the sole midtarsal area
and the
second being located on the sole lateral side of the sole midtarsal area.
93. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-92, further including
at least one heel area sole side located at one or more of a sole medial side
and a sole
lateral side of the heel area, each heel area sole side including a concavely
rounded
portion of both the inner surface of a midsole component and the outer surface
of the
sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross section in the heel area when the
shoe sole is in
an upright, unloaded condition, the concavity being determined relative to an
intended
wearer's foot location inside the shoe.
94. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 93, wherein one said heel area sole
side is located on the sole lateral side of the heel area.
95. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 93, wherein one said heel area sole
side is located on the sole medial side of the heel area.
96. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 93, including two heel area sole
-71-
sides, one being located on the sole medial side of the heel area and the
second being
located on the sole lateral side of the heel arear.
97. The shoe sole as claimed in anyone of claims 89-96, wherein the heel
area includes the following combined components: a midsole component and an
outsole component.
98. The shoe sole as claimed in anyone of claims 89-97, further including
at least one forefoot area sole side located at one or more of a sole medial
side and a
sole lateral side of the sole forefoot area, each forefoot area sole side
including a
concavely rounded portion of both the inner surface of a midsole component and
the
outer surface of the sole, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in the
sole forefoot
area when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition, the concavity
being
determined relative to an intended wearer's foot location inside the shoe.
99. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 98, wherein one said forefoot area
sole side is located on the sole lateral side of the sole forefoot area.
100. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 98, wherein one said forefoot area
sole side is located on the sole medial side of the sole forefoot area.
101. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 98, including two forefoot area sole
sides, one being located on the sole medial side of the sole forefoot area and
the
second being located on the sole lateral side of the sole forefoot area.
102. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-101, wherein one or
more of the heel area and the sole forefoot area include the following
combined
components: a midsole component and an outsole component.
103. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 102, wherein a midsole component
-72-
extends into the sidemost section of each heel area sole side, each forefoot
area sole
side, or each heel area sole ride and each forefoot area sole side, as viewed
in a frontal
plane cross-section in one or more of the sole heel and forefoot areas,
respectively,
when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
104. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 103, wherein an upper part of a
midsole component extends up each heel area sole side, each forefoot area sole
side,
or each heel area sole side and each forefoot area sole side, to above the
height of the
lowest point of the inner surface of a midsole component of the same sole
side, as
viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in one or more of the sole heel and
forefoot
areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
105. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 102-104, wherein an
outsole component extends into the sidemost section of at least one of each
heel area
sole side, each midtarsal area sole side and each forefoot area sole side, as
viewed in a
frontal plane cross-section in one or more of the sole heel, midtarsal and
forefoot
areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
106. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 105. wherein an upper part of an
outsole component extends up at least one of each heel area sole side, each
midtarsal
area sole side and each forefoot area sole side, to above the height of the
lowest point
of the inner surface of a midsole component of the same sole side, as viewed
in a
frontal plane cross-section in one or more of the sole heel, midtarsal and
forefoot
areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
107. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-106, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of the outer surface of one or more of the heel,
midtarsal
and forefoot area sole sides extends through a lowermost portion of the same
sole
side, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in one or more of the sole
heel,
midtarsal and forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
-73-
unloaded condition.
108. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-107, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of the outer surface of one or more of the heel,
midtarsal
and forefoot area sole sides extends into the middle sole portion, as viewed
in a
frontal plane cross-section in one or more of the sole heel, midtarsal and
forefoot
areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
109. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-108, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of the outer surface of one or more of the heel,
midtarsal
and forefoot area sole sides extends to a centerline of the sole middle part,
as viewed
in a frontal plane cross-section in one or more of the sole heel, midtarsal
and forefoot
areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
110. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-109, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface of one or more of the
heel,
midtarsal and forefoot area sole sides extends continuously through a sidemost
extent
of the same sole side, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in one or
more of the
sole heel, midtarsal and forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is
in an
upright, unloaded condition.
111. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-109, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface of one or more of the
heel,
midtarsal and forefoot area sole sides extends up the same sole side to at
least the
height of the lowest point of the inner surface of a midsole component of the
same
sole side, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in one or more of the
sole heel,
midtarsal and forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition.
112. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims. 89-109, wherein the
-74-~~~~~~~ ~~~
concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface of one or more of the
heel,
midtarsal and forefoot area sole sides extends up the same sole side to above
the
height of the lowest point of the inner surface of a midsole component of the
same
sole side, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in one or more of the
sole heel,
midtarsal and forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition.
113. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-109, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface of one or more of the
heel,
midtarsal and forefoot area sole sides extends up the forefoot area sole side
continuously through the portion of the same sole side at the height of the
lowest
point of the inner surface of a midsole component of the same sole side, as
viewed in
a frontal plane cross-section in one or snore of the sole heel, midtarsal and
forefoot
areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
114. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-109, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of the outer surface of one or more of the heel,
midtarsal
and forefoot area sole sides extends to an uppermost part of the same sole
side, as
viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in one or more of the sole heel,
midtarsal and
forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition.
115. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-106, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface of one or more of the
heel,
midtarsal and forefoot area sole sides extends from a lowermost portion of the
same
sole side to a sidemost extent of the same sole side, as viewed in a frontal
plane cross-
section in one or more of the heel, midtarsal and forefoot areas,
respectively, when the
shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
116. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-106, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of tine outer surface of one or more of the heel,
midtarsal
-75-
and forefoot area sole sides extends from a sidemost extent of the same sole
side to an
uppermost part of the same sole side, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-
section in one
or more of the sole heel, midtarsal and forefoot areas, respectively, when the
shoe sole
is in an upright, unloaded condition.
117. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-106, wherein the
concavely rounded portion of the outer surface of one or more of the heel,
midtarsal
and forefoot area sole sides extends from the height of the lowest point of
the inner
surface of a midsole component of the same sole side to an uppermost part of
the
same sole side, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in one or more of
the sole
heel, midtarsal and forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition.
118. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-117, wherein
substantially the entire sole outer surface of the sole midtarsal area is
convexly
rounded, as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in
an
upright, unloaded condition, the convexity being determined relative to an
intended
wearer's foot location inside the shoe.
119. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-118, wherein at least
a portion of the inner surface of a midsole component of the sole midtarsal
area is
convexly rounded, as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section when the shoe
sole is in
an upright, unloaded condition, the convexity being determined relative to an
intended
wearer's foot location inside the shoe.
120. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 119, wherein substantially the entire
inner surface of a midsole component of the sole midtarsal area is convexly
rounded,
as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in an
upright,
unloaded condition.
-76-
121. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-120, wherein the
inner surface of a midsole component of the rearmost part of the heel area
includes a
concavely rounded portion, as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section when
the shoe
sole is in an upright, unloaded condition, the concavity being; determined
relative to an
intended wearer's foot location inside the shoe.
122. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-121, wherein the sole
outer surface of the rearmost part of the heel area includes a concavely
rounded
portion, as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is in
an upright,
unloaded condition, the concavity being determined relative to an intended
wearer's
foot location inside the shoe.
123. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-122, wherein the
inner surface of a midsole component of one or more of the sole heel and
forefoot
areas includes a concavely rounded portion, as viewed in a sagittal plane
cross-section
when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition, the concavity being
determined relative to an intended wearer's foot location inside the shoe.
124. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-123, wherein the sole
outer surface of one or more of the sole heel and forefoot areas includes a
concavely
rounded portion, as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section when the shoe
sole is in an
upright, unloaded condition, the concavity being determined relative to an
intended
wearer's foot location inside the shoe.
125. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-124, wherein an
upper part of a midsole component of the rearmost part of the heel area
extends up the
rear of the heel area to above the height of the lowest point of the inner
surface of a
midsole component of the rear of the heel area, as viewed in a sagittal plane
cross-
section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
-77-
126. The shoe sole as claimed in anyone of claims 89-125 wherein an upper
part of a midsole component of a forward part of the sole forefoot area
extends above
the height of the lowest point of the inner surface of a midsole component in
the sole
forefoot area, as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section when the shoe sole
is in an
upright, unloaded condition.
127. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-126, wherein the
thickness between the inner surface of the midsole component and the outer
surface of
the sole tapers by decreasing gradually and substantially continuously on at
least one
of said heel, midtarsal and forefoot area sole sides from above a sidemost
extent of the
sole side to the uppermost extent of the same sole side, as viewed in a
frontal plane
cross-section in one or more of the sole heel, midtarsal and forefoot areas,
respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
128. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 127, wherein substantially all of the
thickness decrease results from the sole outer surface gradually and
substantially
continuously approaching a centerline of the shoe sole, as viewed in a frontal
plane
cross-section when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
129. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 128, wherein the inner midsole
surface from about a sidemost extent of one or more of the heel, midtarsal and
forefoot area sole sides to the uppermost extent of the same sole side
substantially
conforms to the shape of an intended wearer's foot, as viewed in a frontal
plane cross-
section in one or more of the heel, midtarsal and forefoot areas,
respectively, when the
shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
130. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-129, wherein the sole
has a thickness which is defined as the distance between a first point on the
inner
surface of the midsole component and a second point on the outer surface of
the sole,
said second point being located at a point of intersection of the outer
surface of the
-78-
sole and a line perpendicular to a line tangent to the inner midsole surface
at said first
point on the inner midsole surface.
131. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-130, wherein the sole
outer surface of the middle sole portion of the sole forefoot area has an
indentation. as
viewed in the shoe sole frontal plane cross-section during an unloaded,
upright shoe
condition.
132. The shoe sole as claimed in claim 131, wherein the indentation is
substantially convexly rounded, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section
when the
shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
133. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-132, wherein the
inner surface of a midsole component of the middle sole portion of the sole
forefoot
area has a bulge, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe
sole is in an
upright, unloaded condition.
134. The shoe sole according to claim 133, wherein the bulge is
substantially convexly rounded, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section
when the
shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.
135. The shoe sole according to any one of claims 89-134, wherein the
upper part of a midsole component extends up one or more of the heel,
midtarsal and
forefoot area sole sides to the height of the sidemost extent of the sole
outer surface of
the same sole side, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in one or more
of the
sole heel, midtarsal and forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is
in an
upright, unloaded condition.
136. The shoe sole according to any one of claims 89-134, wherein the
upper part of a midsole component extends up one or more of the heel,
midtarsal and
-79-
forefoot area sole sides to above the height of the sidemost extent of the
sole outer
surface of the same sole side, as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in
one or more
of the sole heel, midtarsal and forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe
sole is in an
upright, unloaded condition.
137. The shoe sole according to any one of claims 89-134, wherein the
upper part of a midsole component extends up one or more of the heel,
midtarsal and
forefoot area sole sides to proximate to an uppermost part of the same sole
side, as
viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in one or more of the sole heel,
midtarsal and
forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition.
138. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-137, wherein the
inner midsole surface substantially conforms to the shape of an intended
wearer's foot,
as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section in one or more of the heel,
midtarsal and
forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition.
139. The shoe sole as claimed in anyone of claims 89-138, wherein the
inner midsole surface substantially conforms to the shape of an intended
wearer's foot,
as viewed in a horizontal plane cross-section in one or more of the heel,
midtarsal and
forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition.
140. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-139, wherein the
bottom sole surface substantially conforms to the shape of am intended
wearer's foot,
as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section in one or more of the heel,
midtarsal and
forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition.
141. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-140, wherein the
bottom sole surface substantially conforms to the shape of an intended
wearer's foot,
as viewed in a sagittal plane cross-section in one or more of the heel,
midtarsal and
forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition.
-80-
142. The shoe sole as claimed in any one of claims 89-141, wherein the
bottom sole surface substantially conforms to the shape of an intended
wearer's foot,
as viewed in a horizontal plane cross-section in one or more of the heel,
midtarsal and
forefoot areas, respectively, when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded
condition.
143. An athletic sloe sole for supporting a foot of an intended wearer, the
shoe sole comprising:
a sole inner surface for supporting the foot of the intended wearer, and
a sole outer surface, the sole outer surface having a sole middle portion and
at least a
sole side adjacent to the sole middle portion;
the sole defining a heel portion at a location substantially
corresponding to a calcaneus of the intended wearer's foot, a midtarsal
portion at a
location substantially corresponding to a midtarsal of the intended wearer's
foot, and a
forefoot portion at a location substantially corresponding to a forefoot of
the intended
wearer's foot;
the heel portion having a lateral heel part at a location substantially
corresponding to the lateral tuberosity of the calcaneus of the intended
wearer's foot,
and a medial heel part at a location substantially corresponding to the base
of the
calcaneus of the intended wearer's foot;
the midtarsal portion being between the forefoot portion and heel
portion, and having a lateral midtarsal part at a location substantially
corresponding to
the base of a fifth metatarsal of the intended wearer's foot, and a main
longitudinal
arch part at a location substantially corresponding to the longitudinal arch
of the
intended wearer's foot;
the forefoot portion having a forward medial forefoot part at a location
substantially corresponding to the head of the first distal phalange of the
intended
wearer's foot, and rear medial and lateral forefoot parts at locations
substantially
corresponding to the heads of the medial and lateral metatarsals of the
intended
wearer's foot;
the sole further including at least one concavely rounded bulge, as
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viewed in a shoe sole frontal plane, during a shoe sole unloaded, upright
condition,
the concavity existing with respect to the intended wearer's foot location in
the shoe;
one said concavely rounded bulge being located at the sole side
proximate to at least one of the medial heel part, lateral heel part, forward
medial
forefoot part, rear medial forefoot part, rear lateral forefoot part, lateral
midtarsal part,
and main longitudinal arch part;
each said at least one concavely rounded bulge including a concavely
rounded portion of the inner surface of a midsole component and a concavely
rounded
portion of the sole outer surface, all as viewed in a shoe sole frontal plane
during a
shoe sole upright, unloaded condition, the concavity existing with respect to
the
intended wearer's foot location in the shoe;
the sole including a lateral sidemost section and a medial sidemost
section, each section at a location outside of a straight vertical line
extending through
the shoe sole at a respective sidemost extent of a midsole component inner
surface, as
viewed in a shoe sole frontal plane cross-section during an unloaded, upright
shoe
sole condition;
each said at least one concavely rounded bulge includes midsole
component extending into the sidemost section of the same sole side as said
bulge, as
viewed in a sole frontal plane cross-section during an unloaded, upright shoe
sole
condition;
each said at least one concavely rounded bulge further includes a
midsole component upper part extending up said at least one concavely rounded
bulge
to above a level corresponding to a lowest point of the midsole component
inner
surface of the same sole side as said bulge, as viewed in a shoe sole frontal
plane
cross-section during an unloaded, upright shoe sole condition; and
the sole outer surface of at least part of the midtarsal portion is
substantially convexly rounded, as viewed in a shoe sole sagittal plane cross
section
during an unloaded, upright shoe sole condition, the convexity existing with
respect to
an intended wearer's foot location in the shoe;
the concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface extending
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through at least a lowermost part of said sole side; and wherein
the shoe sole includes at least two said concavely rounded bulges; and
a heel portion thickness that is greater than a forefoot portion
thickness, as viewed in a shoe sole sagittal plane.
144. A sole according to claim 143, wherein one said concavely rounded
bulge is located at the lateral midtarsal part, another said concavely rounded
bulge is
located at the rear lateral forefoot part, the sole having an indentation
between the
lateral midtarsal part and rear lateral forefoot part concavely rounded bulges
for
forming a first flexibility axis in the sole.
145. A sole according to claim 143, wherein one said concavely rounded
bulge is located at the lateral heel part, another said concavely rounded
bulge is
located at the lateral midtarsal part, and an indentation is located between
said
concavely rounded bulges for forming a flexibility axis in the sole.
146. The shoe sole of claim 143, further including an indentation in the shoe
sole adjacent to the one said concavely rounded bulge, as viewed in a shoe
sole
horizontal plane during a shoe sole upright, unloaded condition.
147. The shoe sole of claim 146, wherein the indentation is a first
indentation, and the sole includes a second indentation, such that the first
indentation
is located anterior to one said concavely rounded bulge and the second
indentation is
located posterior to one said concavely rounded bulge, all as viewed in a shoe
sole
horizontal plane during a shoe sole upright, unloaded condition.
148. The shoe sole of claim 146, wherein one said concavely rounded bulge
is located at the heel portion of the shoe sole, and the first indentation is
located on a
lateral side of the shoe sole anterior to the heel portion bulge, and the
second
indentation is located on a medial side of the shoe sole anterior to the heel
portion
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bulge, all as viewed in a shoe sole horizontal plane.
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