Energy wave sockliner

Abstract

A sockliner for integration into a shoe assembly including a top face and a bottom face, each having a generally planar surface, extending along a base plane. On the top face, a plurality of grooves extend across the base plane in a generally undulating pattern for engagement with the sole of the foot. On the bottom face, a plurality of alternating ridges and/or valleys extend from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot in a generally sinusoidal pattern for engagement with the outsole. The bottom face having a plurality of ridges positioned parallel and above the base plane, extend downwardly and a plurality of valleys positioned parallel and below at the base plane, extend upwardly. The combination of the generally undulating geometry of the top face and the generally sinusoidal geometry of the bottom face built into the structure of the sockliner for providing support and cushioning integrated into a shoe assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sockliner for use in a shoe construction, the sockliner comprising:
 a top face and a bottom face;   the top face further includes a plurality of grooves, the plurality of grooves forming a generally undulating geometry;   the bottom face further includes a base plane and a plurality of ridges, each ridge further includes a ridge surface and a side wall, the ridge surface positioned parallel and below the base plane, the side wall extending upwardly toward the base plane;   the bottom face further includes a plurality of valleys, each valley further comprised of a valley surface and a side wall, the valley surface positioned parallel and above the base plane, the side wall extending downwardly toward the base plane.   
     
     
         2 . The sockliner of  claim 1  wherein the sockliner is formed from a cushioning material. 
     
     
         3 . The sockliner of  claim 1  wherein the top face conforms to the general shape of the human foot. 
     
     
         4 . The sockliner of  claim 1  wherein the top face further comprises a raised area to support the medial arch. 
     
     
         5 . The sockliner of  claim 1  wherein the top face further comprises a recessed area to receive the heel of the foot. 
     
     
         6 . The sockliner of  claim 1  wherein the ridges and valleys alternate with one another. 
     
     
         7 . The sockliner of  claim 1  wherein the sockliner is formed in unitary construction with an insole. 
     
     
         8 . The sockliner of  claim 1  wherein the sockliner is formed in unitary construction with an outsole. 
     
     
         9 . The sockliner of  claim 10  wherein the sockliner is formed in unitary construction with a midsole. 
     
     
         10 . The sockliner of  claim 1  wherein the sockliner is removeable. 
     
     
         11 . A sockliner comprising:
 a top face and a bottom face;   a plurality of grooves on said top face;   a plurality of alternating ridges and valleys on said bottom face; and   where at least some of said ridges and valleys extend across the sockliner in a generally sinusoidal wave pattern.   
     
     
         12 . The sockliner of  claim 11  wherein the sockliner is formed from a cushioning material. 
     
     
         13 . The sockliner of  claim 11  wherein the top face conforms to the general shape of the human foot. 
     
     
         14 . The sockliner of  claim 11  wherein the top face further comprises a raised area to support the medial arch. 
     
     
         15 . The sockliner of  claim 11  wherein the top face further comprises a recessed area to receive the heel of the foot. 
     
     
         16 . The sockliner of  claim 11  wherein the ridges and valleys alternate with one another. 
     
     
         17 . The sockliner of  claim 11  wherein the sockliner is formed in unitary construction with an insole. 
     
     
         18 . The sockliner of  claim 11  wherein the sockliner is formed in unitary construction with an outsole. 
     
     
         19 . The sockliner of  claim 11  wherein the sockliner is formed in unitary construction with a midsole. 
     
     
         20 . The sockliner of  claim 11  wherein the sockliner is removeable. 
     
     
         21 . A sockliner comprising:
 a top face having a first base plane;   a plurality of grooves extending downwardly below the first base plane, each said groove in said top face including opposing side walls and a bottom, where said bottom of each groove in said top face resides generally in a first lower plane;   a bottom face having a second base plane;   a plurality of valleys extending upwardly above the second base plane, each said valley in said bottom face including opposing side walls and a top, where said top of each valley in said bottom face resides generally in a first upper plane; and   a plurality of ridges extending downwardly below the second base plane, each said ridge in said bottom face including opposing side walls and a bottom, where said bottom of each ridge in said bottom face resides generally in a second lower plane;   where said plurality of ridges and valleys in said bottom face alternate with one another; and   where at least some of the ridges and valleys extend across the sockliner in a generally sinusoidal pattern.   
     
     
         22 . The sockliner of  claim 21  wherein the sockliner is formed from a cushioning material. 
     
     
         23 . The sockliner of  claim 21  wherein the top face conforms to the general shape of the human foot. 
     
     
         24 . The sockliner of  claim 21  wherein the top face further comprises a raised area to support the medial arch. 
     
     
         25 . The sockliner of  claim 21  wherein the top face further comprises a recessed area to receive the heel of the foot. 
     
     
         26 . The sockliner of  claim 21  wherein the ridges and valleys alternate with one another. 
     
     
         27 . The sockliner of  claim 21  wherein the sockliner is formed in unitary construction with an insole. 
     
     
         28 . The sockliner of  claim 21  wherein the sockliner is formed in unitary construction with an outsole. 
     
     
         29 . The sockliner of  claim 21  wherein the sockliner is formed in unitary construction with a midsole. 
     
     
         30 . The sockliner of  claim 21  wherein the sockliner is removeable.