Progressive Compression Attachment for Shoes

Abstract

A cushioning attachment for shoes including athletic shoes and, in particular, running shoes includes two component features: a cushioning feature, and a resilient/traction feature. In addition, the cushioning attachment can include a securing feature for securing the device to the outsole of the shoe of a wearer In the cushioning attachments, the cushioning feature is typically a first layer of the attachment while the resilient/traction feature is typically a second layer of the attachment. In one aspect, a cushioning attachment has a shape suitable for attaching to the outsole of a shoe and comprises: a. a first upper layer comprising a cushioning material; b. a second lower layer comprising a resilient material; c. a securing means for permanently or removably attaching the cushioning attachment to a shoe. In another aspect, a cushioning attachment for a shoe comprises: a. a first upper layer comprising an anti-fatigue material; b. a second lower layer comprising a wear resistant material; c. a securing means for attaching the attachment to an outsole of a shoe. In yet another aspect, an attachment to be worn on the sole of a shoe and which is capable of providing for an increase in the progressive compression of the shoe when worn, comprises a. a first layer comprising a progressive compression providing material; b. a second layer which is in contact with the ground when a shoe having the attachment attached thereto is worn by a person; and c. securing means for attaching the attachment to an outsole of a shoe such that the attachment will not detach from the shoe when a person wearing the shoe with the attachment is jogging.

1 . An attachment to be worn on the sole of an athletic shoe and which is capable of providing for an increase in the progressive compression of the shoe when worn, which attachment comprises
 a. a first layer comprising a progressive compression providing material;   b. a second layer which is in contact with the ground when a shoe having the attachment attached thereto is worn by a person; and   c. securing means for attaching the attachment to a shoe such that the attachment will not detach from the shoe when a person wearing the shoe with the attachment is walking, running or jogging.   
   
   
       2 . The attachment according to  claim 1  wherein the progressive compression material is a closed cell cellular material. 
   
   
       3 . The attachment according to  claim 1  wherein the first layer further includes at least one reinforcement layer attached to each side of the progressive compression material. 
   
   
       4 . The attachment according to  claim 1  wherein the reinforcement layers comprise nylon fabric. 
   
   
       5 . The attachment according to  claim 1  wherein the first layer is curved up on at least one end thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The attachment according to  claim 1  wherein the second layer comprises a solid rubber material. 
   
   
       7 . The attachment according to  claim 1  wherein the securing means comprises a Velcro attachment means. 
   
   
       8 . The attachment according to  claim 1  wherein the securing means comprises a framework having a shape with a toe section and a heel section, where the toe section and the heel section provide a means for attaching the attachment onto the shoe. 
   
   
       9 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing means further comprises at least one strap for attaching the attachment to a foot. 
   
   
       10 . The attachment according to  claim 1  further comprising an anti-sliding device which is capable of decreasing outward lateral sliding of a shoe when the attachment is attached to a shoe and worn by a person. 
   
   
       11 . The attachment according to  claim 11  wherein the anti-sliding device comprises a piece of material attached to an outside edge of the first layer of the attachment when an attachment is attached to a shoe and worn by a person. 
   
   
       12 . An cushioning attachment having a shape suitable for attaching to the sole of a athletic shoe comprising:
 a. a first upper layer comprising a cushioning material;   b. a second lower layer comprising a resilient material;   c. a securing means suitable for attaching the cushioning attachment to a shoe,   wherein the first layer:   (i) is attached to the second layer by a Velcro attachment means;   (ii) has a thickness which is not greater than about 2 inches.   (iii) includes a reinforcement layer comprising at least one fabric layer on the top and bottom thereof, and   (iv) is curved up on both ends thereof, and further   wherein the cushioning material comprises a closed cell material has a compression deflection of not greater than 0.7 according to ASTM D575 or not greater than 30 psi according to ASTM D105.   
   
   
       13 . An anti-fatigue attachment for a shoe comprising:
 a. a first upper layer comprising an anti-fatigue material;   b. a second lower layer comprising a wear resistant material;   c. a securing means for attaching the attachment to a sole of a shoe.   
   
   
       14 . The attachment according to  claim 13  wherein the first upper layer comprises a Nitricell® material. 
   
   
       15 . The attachment according to  claim 13  wherein the second lower layer comprises a high-carbon rubber. 
   
   
       16 . The attachment according to  claim 13  wherein the securing means allows the attachment to be removably attached to a shoe. 
   
   
       17 . An cushioning system for a shoe comprising:
 a. a first upper layer comprising a cushioning material;   b. a second lower layer comprising a resilient material; wherein the cushioning system is capable of being attached to a shoe.   
   
   
       18 . The cushioning system according to  claim 17  wherein the first upper layer comprises a closed cell cellular material 
   
   
       19 . The cushioning system according to  claim 17 , wherein the first upper layer comprises cellular rubber 
   
   
       20 . The cushioning system according to  claim 17  wherein the first upper layer comprises a polyethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, a polychloroprene, a nitrile, a nitrile-butadiene a urethane, a latex, a polyethylene-vinyl acetate material, a polyvinyl chloride-nitrile material, a vinyl-nitrile material, a nitrile-butadiene material, Duralon® or mixtures thereof 
   
   
       21 . The cushioning system according to  claim 17  wherein the cushioning material comprises at least one polymer, which is in its viscoelastic state between the temperatures of 10 F and 120 F, and which has been blown into a closed-cell cellular material. 
   
   
       22 . The cushioning system according to  claim 17  wherein the first layer further comprises at least one reinforcement layer attached to one or both sides of the cushioning material. 
   
   
       23 . The cushioning system according to  claim 22  wherein each reinforcement layer comprises at least one fabric layer. 
   
   
       24 . The cushioning system according to  claim 17  wherein the second layer comprises a high carbon rubber. 
   
   
       25 . The cushioning system according to  claim 17  wherein the second layer comprises two or more pieces of material that together form the desired shape of the second layer.