Support structures in footwear

Abstract

Support structures for footwear are described including, in one embodiment, one structure in the heel portion of the footwear and another structure in the forefoot portion. One or both of the support structures may be hollow and may include internal support elements such as ridges or posts to support the foot. Additionally, air may be included in the structures with a passageway between the internal support structures permitting the transfer of air back and forth as the wearer treads. Thus, energy is absorbed as the foot strikes the treading surface and is either stored to be returned as the foot rolls forward or, when air is included in the design, is transferred from the heel to forefoot portions and then back again as the foot pressure moves from the heel portion to the forefoot portion.

1 . A footwear sole on an article of footwear having a forefoot portion and a heel portion comprising:
 a plurality of pods in the footwear sole with at least one pod located in the forefoot portion and at least one pod located in the heel portion;   an exterior surface on at least one pod having a generally convex shape on a portion of the exterior surface of the pod;   an interior portion in at least one pod adapted to house an internal support structure; and   an internal support structure within at least one of the pods, the support structure supporting at least some of the weight the wearer.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear sole of  claim 1  further comprising:
 three forefoot pods; and 
 three heel pods. 
 
     
     
         3 . The footwear sole of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a plurality of internal support elements within at least one of the pods. 
 
     
     
         4 . A footwear sole on an article of footwear having a forefoot portion and a heel portion comprising:
 a plurality of pods in the footwear sole with at least one pod located in the forefoot portion and at least one pod located in the heel portion;   an exterior surface on at least one pod having a generally convex shape on a portion of the exterior surface of the pod;   an interior portion in at least one pod adapted to accommodate a volume of gas; and   an internal support structure within at least one of the pods, the internal support structure supporting at least some of the weight the wearer.   
     
     
         5 . The footwear sole of  claim 4  further comprising:
 gas within a plurality of pods; 
 a gas passageway between at least two pods; 
 wherein when force is exerted against the exterior surface of one pod, gas passes to the other pod. 
 
     
     
         6 . The footwear sole of  claim 5  further comprising:
 three forefoot pods; 
 three heel pods; and 
 a gas passageway between at least two pods; 
 wherein when force is exerted against the exterior surface of one pod, gas passes to the other pod. 
 
     
     
         7 . The footwear sole of  claim 4  further comprising:
 a plurality of internal support elements within at least one of the pods; 
 a gap in at least one of the internal support elements; and 
 said gap permitting the passage of a gas from one portion of the pod to another portion of the same pod. 
 
     
     
         8 . The footwear sole of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a channel between at least two pods permitting the movement of a gas between the pods. 
 
     
     
         9 . A footwear sole on an article of footwear having a forefoot portion and a heel portion comprising:
 a forefoot pod and a heel pod;   internal support elements within both pods; and   the internal support elements configured to maintain the exterior portion of each pod in a generally convex shape as the footwear is being worn.   
     
     
         10 . The footwear sole of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a first ramp like structure within at least one pod; and 
 said at first ramp like structure being taller near the apex of the convex shape than it is near the perimeter of the convex shape. 
 
     
     
         11 . The footwear sole of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a second ramp like structure spaced away from the first ramp like structure; and 
 a generally wedge shaped structure in the space between the first and second ramp like structures.