Impact-attenuating elements removably mounted in footwear or other products

Abstract

Impact-attenuating elements include a plurality of impact-attenuating members and a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to at least one of the upper member or the sole member of a piece of footwear or other foot-receiving device. The impact-attenuating elements may be included in the footwear or other foot-receiving devices in a selectively removable manner so that a user, retailer, or another can customize and freely select an appropriate element, e.g., depending on user preferences, characteristics of the user, characteristics of the intended use, and the like.

1 . An impact-attenuating element, comprising: 
 a first base member;    a second base member; and    a plurality of impact-attenuating members provided at least partially between the first base member and the second base member,    wherein at least one of the first base member, the second base member, or the impact-attenuating members includes a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to a foot-receiving device.    
     
     
         2 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 1 , wherein the first base member includes the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element, and wherein the second base member includes a second means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to the foot-receiving device.  
     
     
         3 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 2 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element functions independent of the second means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element.  
     
     
         4 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 2 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element differs structurally from the second means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element.  
     
     
         5 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a portion of a hook-and-loop fastener element.  
     
     
         6 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes an attachment element for engaging a securing strap.  
     
     
         7 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a securing strap.  
     
     
         8 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a portion of a snap fastener element.  
     
     
         9 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a portion of a turnbuckle fastener element.  
     
     
         10 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a first recess area for receiving a first tab element provided on the foot-receiving device and an adjacent first retaining element for engaging the first tab element.  
     
     
         11 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a first tab element.  
     
     
         12 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a raised ridge for engaging one or more retaining elements provided on the foot-receiving device.  
     
     
         13 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes at least one retaining element for engaging a raised ridge provided on the foot-receiving device.  
     
     
         14 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a threaded region for engaging a threaded region provided on the foot-receiving device.  
     
     
         15 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 1 , wherein an exterior surface of the second base member includes one or more outsole traction elements.  
     
     
         16 . An impact-attenuating element, comprising: 
 a first base member; and    a plurality of impact-attenuating members engaged with the first base member so as to form an integral structure, wherein at least one of the first base member and the plurality of impact-attenuating members includes a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to a foot-receiving device.    
     
     
         17 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 16 , wherein the first base member includes the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to the foot-receiving device.  
     
     
         18 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 16 , wherein at least some of the impact-attenuating members include the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to the foot-receiving device.  
     
     
         19 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 16 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a raised ridge integrally included as part of each of the impact-attenuating members.  
     
     
         20 . An impact-attenuating element according to  claim 16 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a ring member engaged with each of the impact-attenuating members.  
     
     
         21 . A foot-receiving device, comprising: 
 an upper member;    a sole member engaged with the upper member at least at a toe area of the foot-receiving device; and    an impact-attenuating element engaged with at least one of the upper member or the sole member at least at a heel area of the foot-receiving device, wherein the impact-attenuating element includes a plurality of impact-attenuating members and a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to at least one of the upper member or the sole member.    
     
     
         22 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element secures the impact-attenuating element to a midsole portion of the sole member.  
     
     
         23 . A foot-receiving device according  claim 22 , wherein the impact-attenuating element further includes a second means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to an outsole portion of the sole member.  
     
     
         24 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 23 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element functions independent of the second means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element.  
     
     
         25 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 23 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element differs structurally from the second means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element.  
     
     
         26 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a first portion of a hook-and-loop fastener element and a midsole portion of the outsole member includes a second portion of the hook-and-loop fastener element.  
     
     
         27 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the upper member includes a securing strap and the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes an attachment element for engaging the securing strap.  
     
     
         28 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the sole member includes a securing strap and the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes an attachment element for engaging the securing strap.  
     
     
         29 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a securing strap.  
     
     
         30 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a first portion of a snap fastener element and a midsole portion of the sole member includes a second portion of the snap fastener element.  
     
     
         31 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a first portion of a snap fastener element and the sole member includes a second portion of the snap fastener element.  
     
     
         32 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a first portion of a turnbuckle fastener element and a midsole portion of the sole member includes a second portion of the turnbuckle fastener element.  
     
     
         33 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a first portion of a turnbuckle fastener element and the sole member includes a second portion of the turnbuckle fastener element.  
     
     
         34 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a first recess area and a first retaining element adjacent to the first recess area, and wherein a midsole portion of the sole member includes a first tab element, wherein the first tab element is inserted through the first recess area and abuts against the first retaining element to thereby at least partially secure the impact-attenuating element to the sole member.  
     
     
         35 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a first tab element and a midsole portion of the sole member includes a first recess defined therein and a first retaining element adjacent to the first recess, wherein the first tab element is inserted through the first recess area and abuts against the first retaining element to thereby at least partially secure the impact-attenuating element to the sole member.  
     
     
         36 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a first recess area and a first retaining element adjacent to the first recess area, and wherein the sole member includes a first tab element, wherein the first tab element is inserted through the first recess area and abuts against the first retaining element to thereby at least partially secure the impact-attenuating element to the sole member.  
     
     
         37 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a first tab element and the sole member includes a first recess defined therein and a first retaining element adjacent to the first recess, wherein the first tab element is inserted through the first recess area and abuts against the first retaining element to thereby at least partially secure the impact-attenuating element to the sole member.  
     
     
         38 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a ridge and a midsole portion of the sole member includes one or more retaining elements that engage the ridge.  
     
     
         39 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a ridge and the sole member includes one or more retaining elements that engage the ridge.  
     
     
         40 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes at least one retaining element and a midsole portion of the sole member includes one or more raised ridges that engage the retaining element.  
     
     
         41 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes at least one retaining element and the sole member includes one or more raised ridges that engage the retaining element.  
     
     
         42 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element includes a first threaded region and a midsole portion of the sole member includes a second threaded region that engages the first threaded region.  
     
     
         43 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the impact-attenuating element includes a base member engaging the plurality of impact-attenuating members, and wherein an exterior surface of the base member includes one or more traction elements at the heel area.  
     
     
         44 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the foot-receiving device is a piece of athletic footwear.  
     
     
         45 . A foot-receiving device according to  claim 21 , wherein the sole member at least partially covers the impact-attenuating element.  
     
     
         46 . A foot-receiving device, comprising: 
 an upper member;    a sole member engaged with the upper member; and    an impact-attenuating element engaged with at least one of the upper member or the sole member, wherein the impact-attenuating element includes a plurality of impact-attenuating members and a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to at least one of the upper member or the sole member.    
     
     
         47 . A method, comprising: 
 providing an upper member and a sole member of a foot-receiving device; and    releasably engaging an impact-attenuating element with at least one of the upper member or the sole member, wherein the impact-attenuating element includes a plurality of impact-attenuating members and a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to at least one of the upper member or the sole member.    
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 47 , wherein the impact-attenuating element is releasably engaged at a heel area of the foot-receiving device.  
     
     
         49 . A method according to  claim 47 , wherein the engaging includes releasably engaging the impact-attenuating element with the sole member.  
     
     
         50 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the engaging includes releasably engaging the impact-attenuating element with a midsole portion of the sole member.  
     
     
         51 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the engaging includes releasably engaging a first portion of a hook-and-loop fastener element on the impact-attenuating element with a second portion of the hook-and-loop fastener element on a midsole portion of the sole member.  
     
     
         52 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the upper member includes a securing strap and the engaging includes releasably engaging the securing strap to an attachment element provided on the impact-attenuating element.  
     
     
         53 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the engaging includes releasably engaging a first portion of a snap fastener element provided on the impact-attenuating element with a second portion of the snap fastener element provided on a midsole portion of the sole member.  
     
     
         54 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the engaging includes releasably engaging a first portion of a turnbuckle fastener element provided on the impact-attenuating element with a second portion of the turnbuckle fastener element provided on a midsole portion of the sole member.  
     
     
         55 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the engaging includes: 
 inserting a first tab element provided on a midsole portion of the sole member into a first recess area defined in the impact-attenuating element; and    turning the first tab element with respect to the impact-attenuating element to engage a first retaining element provided in the impact-attenuating element adjacent to the first recess area.    
     
     
         56 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the engaging includes: 
 inserting a first tab element provided on the impact-attenuating element into a first recess area defined in a midsole portion of the sole member; and    turning the first tab element with respect to the midsole portion to engage a first retaining element provided in the midsole portion adjacent to the first recess area.    
     
     
         57 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the engaging includes releasably engaging one or more retaining elements provided with a midsole portion of the sole member with a ridge formed in the impact-attenuating element.  
     
     
         58 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the engaging includes releasably engaging one or more retaining elements provided with the impact-attenuating element with one or more ridges provided with a midsole portion of the sole member.  
     
     
         59 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein the engaging includes releasably engaging a first threaded region on the impact-attenuating element with a second threaded region provided on a midsole portion of the sole member.  
     
     
         60 . A method according to  claim 47 , wherein the impact-attenuating element is provided at a heel area of the foot-receiving device.  
     
     
         61 . A method according to  claim 60 , wherein the impact-attenuating element includes a base member engaging the plurality of impact-attenuating members, and wherein an exterior surface of the base member include traction elements at the heel area.  
     
     
         62 . A method according to  claim 47 , wherein the foot-receiving device is a piece of athletic footwear.  
     
     
         63 . A method according to  claim 47 , further comprising: 
 covering at least a portion of the impact-attenuating element with at least a portion of the sole member.    
     
     
         64 . A method according to  claim 47 , further comprising: 
 disengaging the impact-attenuating element from at least one of the upper member or the sole member; and    releasably engaging a second impact-attenuating element with at least one of the upper member or the sole member.    
     
     
         65 . A method according to  claim 64 , wherein the second impact-attenuating element includes a plurality of impact-attenuating members and a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to at least one of the upper member or the sole member.