Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
1
SPORT FOOTWEAR
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims priority to US provisional application No
62/061,239, filed on October 8, 2014, and which is incorporated by reference
in
its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates a sport footwear. In particular,
the
present disclosure relates to a sport footwear for inclining a foot of a
wearer or
promoting supination of a foot of a wearer. For example, the present
disclosure
relates to a sport footwear having a sole portion having a 2 to about 9
upward
incline and/or causing a 2 to about 9 supination of a wearer's foot.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] Footwear to be worn for sports, such as walking or running are
typically intended to provide a flat foot bed. Such footwears, soles or
insoles aim
to correct under or over pronating or supinating of the foot when carrying out
a
walking or running motion. Providing a flat foot bed may help a wearer's
posture,
reduce risk of injury and/or reduce uneven wear of the footwear. However, such
footwears, soles or insoles may not be well-suited for sports or activities
that
require a motion of the foot and/or leg that does not closely resemble a
walking
or running motion.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] It would thus be highly desirable to be provided with an apparatus
or a method that would at least partially solve one of the problems previously
mentioned or that would be an alternative to the existing technologies.
[0004] According to one aspect, there is provided a footwear article
comprising an upper and a sole extending between opposing sidewalls of the
upper and having a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion and a rearfoot portion,
an
interior surface of the forefoot portion sloping at least downwardly from an
inner
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
2
side to an outer side of the sole and an interior surface of the forefoot
portion
sloping at least downwardly in a direction from the inner side to the outer
side of
the sole.
[0005] According to another aspect, there is provided a footwear
articling
comprising an upper and a sole extending between opposing sidewalls of the
upper and having a forefoot portion, midfoot portion, and a rearfoot portion,
an
interior surface of the forefoot portion sloping at least downwardly in a
direction
from the inner side to the outer side of the sole and an interior surface of
the
rearfoot portion sloping at least downwardly from an inner side to an outer
side of
the sole.
[0006] According to another aspect, there is provided a sport footwear
comprising:
an upper; and
a sole extending between opposing sidewalls of the upper and having
an inclined upper surface for causing an about 2 to about 90 supination of a
foot
of a wearer.
[0007] According to another aspect, there is provided a sport footwear
having a sole comprising:
a forefoot portion being configured with a general inclination, from an
inner side of the sole towards an outer side of the sole, for causing a
supination
of about 2 to about 9 of a foot of a wearer; and
a rearfoot portion being configured with a general inclination, from the
inner side of the sole towards the outer side of the sole, for causing a
supination
of about 2 to about 9 of the foot of the wearer.
[0008] According to another aspect, there is provided an ice skate having
a sole comprising:
a forefoot portion being configured with a general inclination, from an
inner side of the sole towards an outer side of the sole, for causing a
supination
of about 2 to about 9 of a foot of a wearer; and
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
3
a rearfoot portion being configured with a general inclination, from the
inner side of the sole towards the outer side of the sole, for causing a
supination
of about 2 to about 9 of the foot of the wearer.
[0009] According to another aspect, there is provided a sport footwear
having a sole comprising:
a forefoot portion being at least partially tapered from an inner side of
the sole towards an outer side of the sole, thereby for causing a supination
of
about 2 to about 9 of a foot of a wearer; and
a rearfoot portion being at least partially tapered from the inner side of
the sole towards the outer side of the sole, thereby causing a supination of
about
2 to about 9 of the foot of the wearer.
[0010] According to another aspect, there is provided an ice skate having
a sole comprising:
a forefoot portion being at least partially tapered from an inner side of the
sole towards an outer side of the sole, thereby for causing a supination of
about
2 to about 9 of a foot of a wearer; and
a rearfoot portion being at least partially tapered from the inner side of the
sole towards the outer side of the sole, thereby causing a supination of about
2
to about 9 of the foot of the wearer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The following drawings represent examples that are presented in a
non-limitative manner.
[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a front elevation partially sectioned view of
a
footwear article according to various exemplary embodiments;
[0013] Figure 2 illustrates a top plan view of a sole of a footwear
article
according to various exemplary embodiments;
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
4
[0014] Figure 3 illustrates a front elevation partially sectioned view of
a
footwear article according to other various exemplary embodiments; and
[0015] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a sole portion (top
portion
that contacts the foot of a wearer) of the footwear article (in which several
parts
are not shown for illustrative purposes) according to various exemplary
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0016] The following examples are presented in a non-limitative manner.
[0017] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
forefoot portion promotes supination of a foot of a wearer of the footwear
article.
[0018] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
forefoot portion inclines the foot of the wearer towards the outer side of the
sole.
[0019] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
forefoot portion that is sloping downwardly is spaced apart from a front end
of the
sole.
[0020] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
forefoot portion is downwardly sloped from the inner side to a location
intermediate the inner side and the outer side.
[0021] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, a
height of the forefoot portion with respect to an underlying plane at a
proximal
hallux portion is greater than a height at a distal hallux portion.
[0022] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
midfoot portion promotes supination of a foot of a wearer of the footwear
article.
[0023] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
midfoot portion inclines the foot of the wearer towards the outer side of the
sole.
[0024] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, a
height with respect to an underlying plane of a first metatarsal portion is
greater
than a height of a fifth metatarsal portion of the midfoot portion.
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
[0025] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, a
height with respect to an underlying plane of a first metatarsal portion, a
height of
a second metatarsal portion and a height of a third metatarsal portion are
each
greater than a height of a fifth metatarsal portion of the midfoot portion.
[0026] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
midfoot portion is further downwardly sloping in a direction from a rear end
to a
front end of the sole.
[0027] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, an
interior surface of the rearfoot portion is sloping at least downwardly in a
direction
from the inner side to the outer side of the sole.
[0028] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
interior surface of the rearfoot portion is further sloping downwardly in a
direction
from the rear end to the front end of the sole.
[0029] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
forefoot portion, the midfoot portion and the rearfoot portion are formed of
one
piece.
[0030] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
one piece is fabricated from molding.
[0031] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
thickness of the forefoot portion, the midfoot portion and the rearfoot
portion is
substantially constant.
[0032] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
forefoot portion, the midfoot portion and the rearfoot portion are
substantially
rigid.
[0033] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
upper is bonded to the sole.
[0034] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
upper and the sole are integrally formed.
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
6
[0035] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
footwear article is a skate.
[0036] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
skate is chosen from a figure skate, a hockey skate, and a speed skate.
[0037] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
footwear article is an ice skate.
[0038] For example, according to footwear articles disclosed herein, the
footwear article is chosen from a running shoe, a hiking boot, an alpine ski
boot,
a cross-country ski boot and a skate.
[0039] It has been observed that when a person is participating in
particular types of sports, the movement of a person's leg and/or feet will be
different from the leg and/or feet movement of a typical walking/running
action. In
a typical walking/running action, a person's knee makes a circular motion. For
example, in a walking/running action, the foot reaches a supination stance at
the
arch and subsequently rolls towards the big toe, thereby forming the circular
motion.
[0040] By contrast, it may be beneficial in some sports for the person's
knee to move in a substantially linear (substantially non-circular) manner.
These
sports include skating, alpine skiing and cross-country skiing. For example,
these sports often require the person to balance his or her weight on a single
leg.
This balancing is facilitated when the knee maintains a substantially linear
movement. In such sports, the circular motion made during walking/running may
be undesirable, and participants in these sports overtie their footwear so as
to
reduce or prevent the flex that would result in the undesirable circular
motion.
For example, making the circular motion would cause the participant to lose
their
balance.
[0041] It has been further observed that linear motion of the knee and
balancing on a single leg is further facilitated when at least one foot of the
person
is inclined vertically or outwardly. In inclining thusly, the body weight of
the
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
7
person is also shifted outwardly, which improves balance. For example, the
center of mass/gravity of the person is aligned with the person's grounded
foot.
[0042] The expression "front" as used herein with respect to a sole, a
foot,
or a footwear article refers to a region that generally corresponds to the
toes or
forefoot direction of the foot when the wearer's foot is received in the
footwear
article.
[0043] The expression "rear as used herein with respect to a sole, a foot
or a footwear article refers to a region that generally corresponds to the
heel or
rearfoot direction of the foot when the wearer's foot is received in the
footwear
article.
[0044] The expression "inner side" as used herein with respect to a sole
or
a footwear article refers to a region that generally corresponds to the inner
side
of the foot (ex: hallux, medial cuneiform, etc.) when the foot is received in
the
footwear article.
[0045] The expression "outer side" as used herein with respect to sole
refers to a region that generally corresponds to the outer side of the foot
(ex: fifth
phalanx, fifth metatarsal, cuboid) when the wearer's foot is received in the
footwear article.
[0046] The expression "downwardly sloping" as used herein with respect
to a location on a surface of a sole refers to a property of the surface
wherein a
gradient vector at the location has a non-zero magnitude component. As is well
known in the art, each gradient vector has a direction component and a
magnitude component, which denote respectively the direction and magnitude of
the steepest slope at a point (i.e. direction of the greatest rate of increase
and the
magnitude of the increase). Accordingly, the surface of the sole at the given
location is downwardly sloping in a direction that is opposite to the
direction of
the gradient vector. For example, a drop of water at given point on the
interior
surface 104 would flow downwardly in a direction opposite to the gradient
vector
corresponding to that point. The speed of the flow of that drop of water would
further correspond to the magnitude of the corresponding gradient vector.
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
8
[0047] The expression "height" as used herein refers to the height above
an underlying plane when the footwear article is oriented in a substantially
upright position. For example, the underlying plane may correspond to the
ground supporting the footwear article.
[0048] The expression "supinate" or variants thereof as used herein
refers
to the movement of the foot in which the foot rolls outward with an elevated
arch.
[0049] Referring now to Figure 1, therein illustrated is a front
elevation
partially sectioned view of a footwear article 2 being worn a wearer's foot 4
(right
foot). As illustrated, the footwear article 2 is oriented in a substantially
upright
position, wherein the opposing sidewalls 8 of the upper 16 of the footwear
article
2 are substantially upright with respect to the underlying surface 24. As
further
illustrated, and for example purposes only, the footwear article 2 is a skate,
whereby a blade 32 of the skate is supported by the underlying surface 24,
which
may be a sheet of ice.
[0050] The sidewalls 8 extend upwardly from a sole 100 of the footwear
article 2. For example, the sole 100 may be bounded to the upper 16 to form
the
footwear article 2. Alternatively, the sole 100 and the upper 16 may be
integrally
formed.
[0051] Referring now to Figure 2, therein illustrated is a top plan view
of a
sole 100 of a footwear article according to various exemplary embodiments. It
will
be understood that the sole 100 generally refers to a lower member of the
footwear article that extends between the opposing sidewalls 8 of the footwear
article. The sole 100 includes a forefoot portion 108, midfoot portion 116 and
rearfoot portion 124. The sole 100 is generally shaped according to the shape
of
a wearer's foot 4. When the footwear article 2 is worn, the bottom of the
wearer's
foot is supported by an interior surface 104 of the sole 100. Depending on the
type of footwear article, the exterior surface of the sole 100 may have one or
more accessories attached thereto, such as a blade 32 for an ice skate, wheels
for a roller skate, or a mechanism for attachment with a ski binding.
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
9
[0052] Figure 2 illustrates a plurality of gradient vectors at various
points
on the interior surface 104 of the sole 100 (left foot sole). The gradient
vectors
characterize the topology of the interior surface 104. As is well known in the
art,
each gradient vector has a direction component and a magnitude component,
which denote respectively the direction and magnitude of the steepest slope at
a
point (i.e. direction of the greatest rate of increase and the magnitude of
the
increase).
[0053] The gradient vectors of Figure 2 characterize the steepest slope
at
various points on the interior surface 104 with respect to the underlying
plane 24
when the footwear article 2 is oriented in the substantially upright position.
It will
be appreciated that the presence of a plurality of gradient vectors having non-
zero magnitude components shows that various points on interior surface 104
have varying heights with respect to the underlying plane 24.
[0054] The interior surface 104 of the forefoot portion 108 is sloped at
least downwardly from an inner side 132 of the sole 100 to an outer side 140
of
the sole 100. This downward sloping of the interior surface 104 of the
forefoot
portion 108 is shown in Figure 2 by first gradient vectors 109a, 109b, 109c
and
109d being oriented from the outer side 140 to the inner side 132.
[0055] When the footwear article 2 is worn on a wearer's foot 4, the
downwardly sloping interior surface 104 of the forefoot portion 108 causes the
wearer's foot 4 and leg 110 to be inclined outwardly towards the outer side
104 of
the sole 100. The downwardly sloping of the interior surface 104 of the
forefoot
portion 108 promotes supination of the foot 4 of the wearer. For example, when
the foot 4 is inclined in this way or in the supination position, the tibia of
the
wearer is also oriented vertically or outwardly. For example, when each of the
wearer's feet are positioned over respective soles 100 of the left footwear
article
and the right footwear article, the left and right tibias of the wearer are
oriented
away from one another.
[0056] Referring back to Figure 2, according to various exemplary
embodiments, the downwardly sloping part of the forefoot portion 108 is spaced
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
apart from a front end 164 of the sole 100. Accordingly, a height with respect
to
the underlying surface 24 of the interior surface 104 at its inner side 132 at
a
location spaced apart from the front end 164 is greater than a height with
respect
to the underlying surface 24 of the interior surface 104 of the forefoot
portion 108
at its front end 164. For example, when the footwear article 2 is worn on a
wearer's foot, the difference in height causes of the wearer's foot 4 to also
be
slightly inclined towards the front end 164. This forward inclination of the
foot
further promotes linear movement of the wearer's knee.
[0057] According to various exemplary embodiments, the forefoot portion
108 is downwardly sloping in a side-to-side direction from the inner side 132
of
the sole 100 to a location intermediate the inner side 132 and the outer side
140.
Accordingly, a height of the forefoot portion 108 gradually decreases from the
inner side 132 to the location intermediate the inner side 132 and the outer
side
140. The height of the forefoot portion 108 proximate the outer side 140 may
be
substantially constant.
[0058] According to various exemplary embodiments, a height of the
interior surface 104 at a proximal hallux portion 172 of the forefoot portion
108 is
greater than a height of the interior surface 104 at the distal hallux portion
180 of
the forefoot portion 108. For example, the forefoot portion 108 may be further
partially downwardly sloping in a direction from the rear 244 to a front 164
of the
sole 100 (as denoted by gradient vector 182) For example, when the footwear
article 2 is worn on a wearer's foot, the difference in height causes of the
wearer's foot to also be slightly inclined towards the front end 164.
[0059] According to various exemplary embodiments, the height of the
distal hallux portion 180 is substantially equal to at least a height of the
distal fifth
phalanx portion 188 of the forefoot portion 108. For example, the height of
distal
portions of the second to fifth phalanges may be substantially equal. For
example, a height of the front end 164 of the sole 100 corresponding to the
distal
ends of the five toes of a wearer's foot 4 placed over the sole 100 may be
substantially equal. For example, by having substantially equal heights for
the
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
11
distal ends of toes of the wearer, a flat position of the front ends of the
toes of the
wearer's foot 4 is promoted.
[0060] Continuing with Figure 1, the interior surface 104 of the midfoot
portion 116 is sloped at least downwardly from an inner side 132 of the sole
100
to an outer side 140 of the sole 100. This downward sloping of the interior
surface 104 of the midfoot portion 116 is shown in Figure 1 by second gradient
vectors 190a, 190b, 190c, and 190d being oriented from the outer side 140 to
the
inner side 132.
[0061] When the footwear article 2 is worn on a wearer's foot, the
downwardly sloping interior surface 104 of the midfoot portion 116 causes the
wearer's foot 4 and leg 110 to be inclined outwardly towards the outer side
104 of
the sole 100. The downwardly sloping of interior surface 104 of the midfoot
portion 116 promotes supinaton of the foot 4 of the wearer. For example, when
the foot 4 is inclined in this way or in the supination position, the tibia of
the
wearer is also oriented vertically or outwardly. For example, when each of the
wearer's feet 4 are positioned over respective soles 100 of the left footwear
article 2 and the right footwear article 2, the left and right tibia of the
wearer are
oriented away from one another.
[0062] Accordingly, a region of the midfoot portion 116 proximate the
inner
side 132 of the sole 100 can have a greater height above the underlying
surface
24 than the height above the underlying surface 24 of a region of the midfoot
portion 116 proximate the outer side 140 of the sole 100. Accordingly, the
height
of the topside 156 of the midfoot portion 116 relative to the underlying
surface 24
may be gradually decreasing in a direction from the inner side 132 towards the
outer side 140.
[0063] For example, a height of a first metatarsal portion of the midfoot
portion 116 is greater than a height of a fifth metatarsal portion of the
midfoot
portion 116.
[0064] For example, a height of a first metatarsal portion, a height of a
second metatarsal portion, and a height of a third metatarsal portion of the
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
12
midfoot portion are each greater than a height of the fifth metatarsal portion
of
the midfoot portion 116.
[0065] According to various exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of
the midfoot portion 116 is raised with respect to the forefoot portion 108 and
the
rearfoot portion 124 such that the height of interior surface 104 at the
portion of
the midfoot portion 116 is greater than a height of the interior surface 104
at
either the forefoot portion 108 and rearfoot portion 124. The greater height
of the
midfoot portion 116 is shown in Figure 2 by third gradient vector 192a and
192b
located proximate the forefoot portion 108 and showing a downward sloping from
the midfoot portion 116 towards the forefoot portion 108. The greater height
of
the midfoot portion 116 is also shown in Figure 2 by fourth gradient vectors
194a
and 194b located proximate the rearfoot portion 124 and showing a downward
sloping from the midfoot portion 116 towards the rearfoot portion 124. The
greater height of the midfoot portion 116 is provided to accommodate and
support a medial arch of the wearer's foot 4. However in some embodiments, the
downward sloping from the midfoot portion 116 towards the forefoot portion 108
can promote slight inclination of the wearer's foot 4 towards the front end
164,
thereby further promoting linear motion of the wearer's knee.
[0066] According to various exemplary embodiments, the interior surface
104 of the rearfoot portion 124 may also be sloped at least downwardly from an
inner side 132 of the sole 100 to an outer side 140 of the sole 100. This
downward sloping of the interior surface 104 of the rearfoot portion 124 is
shown
in Figure 2 by fifth gradient vectors 196a, 196b, 196c, and 196d being
oriented
from the outer side 140 to the inner side 132.
[0067] When the footwear article 2 is worn on a wearer's foot, the
downwardly sloping interior surface 104 of the rearfoot portion 124 causes the
wearer's foot 4 and leg to be inclined outwardly towards the outer side 104 of
the
sole 100. The downwardly sloping of interior surface 104 of the forefoot
portion
108 promotes supinaton of the foot 4 of the wearer. For example, when the foot
4
is inclined in this way or in the supination position, the tibia of the wearer
is also
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
13
oriented vertically or outwardly. For example, when each of the wearer's feet
are
positioned over respective soles 100 of the left footwear article and the
right
footwear article, the left and right tibia of the wearer are vertically or
oriented
away from one another.
[0068] According to one exemplary embodiment, at least one region of the
rearfoot portion 124 slopes downwardly continuously from the inner side 132 to
the outer side 140.
[0069] According to various alternative exemplary embodiments, the at
least partially tapered portion of the rearfoot portion 124 extends in a side-
to-side
direction from the inner side 132 of the sole 100 to a location intermediate
the
inner side 132 and the outerside 140. Accordingly, a height of the rearfoot
portion 124 gradually decreases from the inner side 132 to the location
intermediate the inner side 132 and the outer side 140 corresponding to an
edge
of the at least partially tapered portion of the second incliner of the
rearfoot
portion 124.
[0070] According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, at least one
region of the rearfoot portion 124 slopes downwardly in a side-to-side
direction
from the inner side 132 to a location intermediate the inner side 132 and the
outer side 140. Accordingly, the height of the rearfoot portion 132 gradually
decreases from the inner side 132 to the location intermediate the inner side
132
and the outer side 140. The height of the rearfoot portion 124 proximate the
outer
side 140 may be substantially constant.
[0071] According to various exemplary embodiments at least a region of
the rearfoot portion 124 proximate the outer side 140 of the sole may be
further
downwardly sloping from the rear end 244 of the sole 100 towards the front end
164 of the sole 100. Accordingly, when the footwear article 2 is worn, the
rearfoot portion 124 promotes the forward inclination of the outside of the
foot,
which further promotes linear movement of the wearer's knee.
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
14
[0072] According to an alternative embodiment, a region of the rearfoot
portion 124 proximate the inner side 132 of the sole 100 and extending from
the
rear end 244 to the midfoot portion 116 may have a substantially constant
height.
[0073] According to various exemplary embodiments, a height of a region
of the rearfoot portion 124 proximate the rear end 244 of the sole 100 is
greater
than a hallux region of the forefoot portion 108. For example, this region of
the
rearfoot portion 124 corresponds to a calcaneus of the wearer's foot 4.
Accordingly, when the footwear article 2 is worn, the difference in height
behind
the region of the rearfoot portion 124 and the hallux region of the forefoot
portion
108 promotes the forward inclination of the outside of the foot 4, which
further
promotes linear movement of the wearer's knee.
[0074] The forefoot portion 108, midfoot portion 116 and rearfoot portion
124 of the sole 100 are formed in one piece and of a rigid material. For
example,
the rigid material may be a polymer or a derivative thereof..
[0075] Referring now to Figure 4, therein illustrated is a perspective
view
of the sole 100 (detached from upper 16) according to various exemplary
embodiments. A longitudinal axis 106 of the sole 100 extends between a hallux
portion and a center of the heel 244 of the sole 100. A plurality of lateral
vectors
107 that are each perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 106 is also defined.
Each
vector 107 resides within a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis
106. It will be understood that different vectors 107 illustrated in Figures 2
and 4
reside in different planes that are each perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis 106.
[0076] The lateral vectors 107 correspond to orientations of an upper
surface 156 of the sole 100 in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
106.
[0077] For example, lateral vectors 107 may each define a tangent to the
upper surface 156.
[0078] Alternatively, the lateral vectors 107 may each define an average
of
the orientations of the tangents to the upper surface 156 along a path from
the
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
inner side 132 to the outer side 140 of the sole 100 within a plane that is
perpendicular to the lengthwise axis 106.
[0079] Alternatively, the lateral vectors 107 may each define a vector
extending between an intersection of the upper surface 156 with the outer side
140 to an intersection of the upper surface 156 with inner side 132, each
intersection being within the same plane that is perpendicular to the
lengthwise
axis 106.
[0080] The lateral vectors 107 define an upward inclination of the upper
surface of the sole body 104 along a path from the outer side 140 to the inner
side 132 within a plane perpendicular to the lengthwise axis 106.
[0081] According to various exemplary embodiments, the upper surface
156 has an upward inclination of about 2 to about 90 along this path from the
outer side 140 to the inner side 130 within a plane perpendicular to the
lengthwise axis 106. That is, each lateral vector 107 according to various
definitions provided herein forms an angle 112 with an underlying plane vector
110. For each given lateral vector 107, its corresponding underlying plane
vector
110 is the intersection between the underlying plane supporting the sole 100
and
the plane perpendicular to the lengthwise axis 106 in which the given lateral
vector 107 resides. The angle 112 formed between a given lateral vector 107
and
its corresponding underlying plane vector 110 is between about 2 to about 9 .
It
will be understood that various angles shown in the figures are for
illustrative
purposes and may show angles 112 that are greater than between about 2 to
about 9
[0082] When the sole 100 is positioned within a sport footwear, the
underlying plane supporting the sole 100 will be the ground supporting the
footwear.
[0083] According to various exemplary embodiments, the upward
inclination of the upper surface 156 with respect to the underlying plane
supporting it (i.e. angle 112) is between about 4 to about 8 .
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
16
[0084] According to various exemplary embodiments, the upward
inclination of the upper surface 156 with respect to the underlying plane
supporting it (i.e. angle 112) is between about 6 to about 8 .
[0085] According to various exemplary embodiments, the upward
inclination within the ranges disclosed herein extends continuously from a
front
164 to a rear 224 of the sole 100. That is, for any given point on the
lengthwise
axis 106, a plane that includes the given point and is perpendicular to the
lengthwise axis 106 will have a lateral vector 107 and underlying plane vector
110 that form an angle 112 falling within the range of about 2 to about 9 or
other ranges disclosed herein.
[0086] According to various exemplary embodiments, the interior surface
104 of the sole 100 includes an upper layer having a substantially uniform
thickness. The upper layer may have a high friction surface to restrict
sliding of a
wearer's foot.
[0087] When a wearer's foot is positioned within the sport footwear, the
upward inclination of the upper surface 156 causes the wearer's foot to have
an
about 2 to about 9 supination. For example, when the foot has this amount of
supination, the tibia of the wearer is oriented vertically or outwardly. For
example,
when each of the wearer's feet are positioned over respective soles 100, the
left
and right tibia of the wearer are oriented vertically or away from one
another.
[0088] According to various exemplary embodiments, the upward
inclination of the upper surface 156 causes the wearer's foot to have an about
4
to about 8 supination.
[0089] According to various exemplary embodiments, the upward
inclination of the upper surface 156 causes the wearer's foot to have an about
6
to about 7 supination.
[0090] It has been observed that an amount of supination whereby the
wearer's tibia is oriented vertically or outwardly assists the wearer in
maintaining
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
17
balance on one foot only. This assistance may be beneficial in various
activities
and sports where balance on one foot is required, such as skating, skiing,
etc.
[0091] It has been further observed that where as a user's knee would
typically have a circular motion with respect to the ground when running or
walking, maintaining a vertical or outward orientation of the tibia causes the
knee
to have a substantially linear movement. This linear movement is further
beneficial for certain activities and sports, such as skating, skiing, etc.
[0092] The incliner may cause the forefoot portion 108 to have an upward
inclination of about 2 to about 9 along a path from an outer side 140 of the
sole
to the inner side 132 of the sole and perpendicular to a lengthwise axis 106.
That
is, within a plane located in the forefoot portion 108 and perpendicular to
the
lengthwise axis 106, the upper surface of the forefoot portion 108 has the
upward
inclination of about 2 to about 9 .
[0093] According to various exemplary embodiments, the forefoot portion
108 may have an upward inclination of about 4 to about 8 along the path from
an outer side 140 of the sole 100 to the inner side 132 of the sole and
perpendicular to a lengthwise axis 106.
[0094] According to various exemplary embodiments, the forefoot portion
108 may have an upward inclination of about 6 to about 7 along the path from
an outer side 140 of the sole 100 to the inner side 132 of the sole and
perpendicular to a lengthwise axis 106.
[0095] The inclined forefoot portion 108 may cause an about 2 to about 9
supination of a foot of a wearer placed above the sole 100.
[0096] According to various exemplary embodiments, the inclined forefoot
portion 108 may cause a supination of about 4 to about 8 of the foot of the
wearer.
[0097] According to various exemplary embodiments, the inclined forefoot
portion 108 may cause a supination about 6 to about 7 of the foot of the
wearer.
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
18
[0098] For example, the forefoot portion can be configured for causing a
supination of about 4 to about 8 of the foot of the wearer.
[0099] For example, the forefoot portion can be configured for causing a
supination of about 6 to about 7 of the foot of the wearer.
[00100] For example, the rearfoot portion can be configured for causing a
supination of about 4 to about 8 of the foot of the wearer.
[00101] For example, the rearfoot portion can be configured for causing a
supination of about 6 to about 7 of the foot of the wearer.
[00102] The incliner may cause the rearfoot portion 124 to have an upward
inclination of about 2 to about 9 along a path from an outer side 140 of the
sole
to the inner side 132 of the sole and perpendicular to a lengthwise axis 106.
That
is, within a plane located in the rearfoot portion 124 and perpendicular to
the
lengthwise axis 106, the upper surface of the rearfoot portion 124 has the
upward
inclination of about 2 to about 9 .
[00103] According to various exemplary embodiments, the rearfoot portion
124 may have an upward inclination of about 4 to about 8 along the path from
an outer side 140 of the sole to the inner side 132 of the sole and
perpendicular
to a lengthwise axis 106.
[00104] According to various exemplary embodiments, the rearfoot portion
124 may have an upward inclination of about 6 to about 7 along the path from
an outer side 140 of the sole to the inner side 132 of the sole and
perpendicular
to a lengthwise axis 106.
[00105] The inclined rearfoot portion 124 may cause an about 2 to about 9
supination of a foot of a wearer placed above the sole 100.
[00106] According to various exemplary embodiments, the inclined rearfoot
portion 124 may cause an about 4 to about 8 of the foot of the wearer.
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
19
[00107] According to various exemplary embodiments, the inclined rearfoot
portion 124 may cause an about 6 to about 7 of the foot of the wearer.
[00108] The arch 148 may cause the midfoot portion 116 to have an
upward inclination of about 2 to about 90 along a path from an outer side 140
of
the sole to the inner side 132 of the sole and perpendicular to a lengthwise
axis
106. That is, within a plane located in the midfoot portion 116 and
perpendicular
to the lengthwise axis 106, the upper surface of the midfoot portion 116 has
the
upward inclination of about 2 to about 9 .
[00109] According to various exemplary embodiments, the midfoot portion
116 may have an upward inclination of about 4 to about 8 along the path from
an outer side 140 of the sole to the inner side 132 of the sole and
perpendicular
to a lengthwise axis 106.
[00110] According to various exemplary embodiments, the midfoot portion
116 may have an upward inclination of about 6 to about 7 along the path from
an outer side 140 of the sole to the inner side 132 of the sole and
perpendicular
to a lengthwise axis 106.
[00111] The inclined midfoot portion 116 may cause an about 2 to about 9
supination of a foot of a wearer placed above the sole 100.
[00112] According to various exemplary embodiments, the midfoot portion
116 may cause an about 4 to about 8 of the foot of the wearer.
[00113] According to various exemplary embodiments, the midfoot portion
116 may cause an about 6 to about 7 of the foot of the wearer.
[00114] The sole 100 may be formed by molding. For example, the sole 100
may be formed by injection molding or compression molding.
[00115] According to various exemplary embodiments, the thickness of the
sole 100 may be substantially constant. The substantially constant thickness
of
the sole 100 can reduce the amount of material required to form the sole 100.
The substantially constant thickness can also reduce weight of the footwear
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
article 2, which can provide a significant advantage when the footwear article
2 is
used for performance sports.
[00116] Referring back to Figure 1, the sole 100 is illustrated therein
has a
substantially constant thickness. Accordingly, where a given point on the
interior
surface 104 has a height greater that another point on the interior surface
104, a
point on the exterior surface corresponding to the given point will also have
a
height greater than the other point.
[00117] According to various alternative embodiments, and as illustrated
in
Figure 3, the sole 100 may have a varying thickness. For example, a sole 100
having a varying thickness may provide ease of fabrication. Furthermore, the
exterior surface of the sole 100 may be appropriately formed so as to provide
easier attachment of accessories to the exterior surface. For example, as
illustrated, the exterior surface of the sole 100 can have a planar portion
for
attachment of an accessory, such as a holder 260. The holder 260 may hold a
blade 32 (in the case of an ice skate) or wheels (in the case of a roller
skate).
[00118] While the above has been described generally with respect to sport
footwear, it will appreciated that footwear article 2 and sole 100 can be
adapted
for specific types of sports footwear. In particular, these include footwear
for
sports where balancing on one leg is required and/or linear movement of the
knee of the balancing leg is beneficial.
[00119] According to various exemplary embodiments, the footwear article
2 and sole 100 is for sport footwear article that is an ice skate, such as for
figure
skating, hockey, or speed skating.
[00120] According to various exemplary embodiments, the footwear article
2 and sole 100 is for sport footwear article that is an ice hockey skate.
[00121] According to various exemplary embodiments, the footwear article
2 and sole 100 is for sport footwear that is a roller skate.
[00122] According to various exemplary embodiments, the footwear article
2 and sole 100 is for sport footwear that is a boot for downhill skiing.
CA 02963721 2017-04-05
WO 2016/054737
PCT/CA2015/051013
21
[00123] According to various exemplary embodiments, the footwear article
2 and sole 100 is for sport footwear that is a boot for cross-country skiing.
[00124] According to various exemplary embodiments, the footwear article
2 and the sole 100 is for sport footwear that is a shoe for cycling.
[00125] According to various exemplary embodiments, the footwear article
2 and the sole 100 is for sport footwear that is a shoe for golfing.
[00126] According to various exemplary embodiments, the the footwear
article 2 and the sole 100 is for sport footwear that is a springed boot (or
jump
boot), such as a KangooTM boot.
[00127] The person skilled in the art would understand that the various
properties or features presented in a given embodiment can be added and/or
used, when applicable, to any other embodiment covered by the general scope
of the present disclosure.
[00128] The present disclosure has been described with regard to specific
examples. The description was intended to help the understanding of the
disclosure, rather than to limit its scope. It will be apparent to one skilled
in the art
that various modifications can be made to the disclosure without departing
from
the scope of the disclosure as described herein, and such modifications are
intended to be covered by the present document.
