Sports shoe interface

Abstract

A structural interface for a sports shoe is described. An implementation of the structural interface includes a lateral beam member and a medial beam member connected together by a bridge member. The lateral and medial beam members may each include at least one mounting location for connection means and/or attachment devices. The connection means or attachment devices mate with sports apparatus, for example, snowboard bindings or bike pedals.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A structural interface for a sports shoe, comprising: 
 a lateral beam member having at least one mounting location;    a medial beam member having at least one mounting location; and    at least one bridge member that spans the width of a footbed and connects the lateral and medial beam members together.    
     
     
         2 . The structural interface of    claim 1   , further comprising at least one connection means attached to at least one of the mounting locations.  
     
     
         3 . The structural interface of    claim 1   , further comprising at least one attachment device attached to at least one of the mounting locations.  
     
     
         4 . A method for manufacturing a structural interface for a sports shoe, comprising: 
 constructing a lateral beam member;    constructing a medial beam member;    constructing at least one bridge member having first and second sides; and    connecting the first side of the bridge member to the lateral beam member; and    connecting the second side of the bridge member to the medial beam member.    
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 4   , wherein the lateral beam member, the medial beam member and at least one bridge member are molded separately.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 4   , wherein the lateral beam member, the medial beam member and at least one bridge member are molded together to form a unitary structural interface.  
     
     
         7 . A structural interface for a sports shoe, comprising: 
 at least one lateral beam member;    at least one medial beam member; and    a bridge member that spans the width of a footbed and connects the lateral and medial beam members together.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of    claim 7   , further comprising at least one connection means attached to at least one of the lateral or medial beam members.  
     
     
         9 . The structural interface of    claim 7   , further comprising at least one attachment device attached to at least one of the lateral or medial beam members.  
     
     
         10 . A method for manufacturing a structural interface for a sports shoe, comprising: 
 constructing at least one lateral beam member;    constructing at least one medial beam member;    constructing a bridge member having first and second sides; and    connecting the first side of the bridge member to each lateral beam member; and    connecting the second side of the bridge member to each medial beam member.    
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 10   , wherein the lateral beam members, the medial beam members and the bridge member are molded separately.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 10   , wherein the lateral beam members, the medial beam members and the bridge member are molded together to form a unitary structural interface.  
     
     
         13 . A sports shoe, comprising: 
 an upper;    a structural interface having a lateral beam member attached to a lateral portion of the upper and having at least one mounting location, a medial beam member attached to a medial portion of the upper and having at least one mounting location, and a bridge member connecting the lateral and medial beam members together; and    an outsole connected to the upper.    
     
     
         14 . The sports shoe of    claim 13   , further comprising at least one connection means attached to at least one mounting location.  
     
     
         15 . The sports shoe of    claim 13   , further comprising at least one attachment device attached to at least one mounting location.  
     
     
         16 . The sports shoe of    claim 13   , further comprising a midsole connected to the outsole and to the upper.  
     
     
         17 . The sports shoe of    claim 13   , further comprising a cushioning material wrapped around at least a portion of the structural interface.  
     
     
         18 . The sports shoe of    claim 13   , further comprising a foot support padding layer.  
     
     
         19 . A method for constructing a sports shoe including a structural interface having a lateral beam member, a medial beam member and a bridge member connecting the lateral and medial beam members together, comprising: 
 constructing an upper;    connecting the lateral beam member of the structural interface to a lateral portion of the upper;    connecting the medial beam member of the structural interface to a medial portion of the upper; and    connecting an outsole to the upper.    
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 19   , further comprising connecting at least one connection means to at least one of the medial and lateral beam members.  
     
     
         21 . The method of    claim 19   , further comprising connecting at least one attachment device to at least one of the medial and lateral beam members.  
     
     
         22 . A structural support system for the rider of a snowboard, comprising: 
 at least one snowboard boot including a structural interface having at least one lateral beam member attached to a lateral portion of the upper, at least one medial beam member attached to a medial portion of the upper and a bridge member connecting the lateral and medial beam members together;    at least one connection means attached to at least one of the lateral and medial beam members; and    a snowboard binding including at least one attachment device for mating with the connection means.    
     
     
         23 . A structural support system for the rider of a snowboard, comprising: 
 at least one snowboard boot including a structural interface having at least one lateral beam member attached to a lateral portion of the upper, at least one medial beam member attached to a medial portion of the upper and a bridge member connecting the lateral and medial members together;    at least one attachment device attached to at least one of the lateral and medial beam members; and    a snowboard binding including at least one connection means for mating with the attachment device.