Rate dependent systems for footwear

Abstract

A rate dependent tether for securing a shoe to a user, and footwear incorporating the rate dependent tether. The rate dependent tether may include a tube filled with a shear-thickening material and at least one cable or ribbon. In conditions of normal, low, or no intense activity by the user, the rate dependent tether's deformation resistance is low allowing the rate dependent tether to be extended to allow insertion or removal of the foot. At active levels, for example, participating in sporting events or intense activities, the rate dependent tether's deformation resistance is high preventing the rate dependent tether from loosening and securing the shoe on the user. The rate dependent tether may be connected to a saddle. A rate dependent insole for footwear, a support impregnated with a shear-thickening fluid, a rate dependent footcone, and rate dependent bands are also described.

1 . A shoe, comprising:
 a rate dependent tether comprising a first end and a second end,   wherein the rate dependent tether includes a material which increases in viscosity with rate of shear, and   wherein the first end of the rate dependent tether is attached to the shoe, and the second end of the rate dependent tether is attached to the shoe or a closing device configured to connect the second end of the rate dependent tether to the shoe.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the rate dependent tether further comprises a housing, the housing comprising:
 at least one ribbon, and   a shear-thickening material.   
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the rate dependent tether is configured to allow a user to insert a foot into the shoe, while the rate dependent tether exhibits low deformation resistance. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 3 , wherein the rate dependent tether is configured to be activated by exposing the rate dependent tether to a shear stress above a critical shear rate of the material thereby increasing the deformation resistance exhibited by the rate dependent tether and securing the shoe to the foot of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the rate dependent tether is configured to extend through a midsole construction of the shoe. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the rate dependent tether is at least one of a forefront band, a heel band, an under arch tether, an under arch band, an underfoot tether, and an underfoot band. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the rate dependent tether extends through a groove in at least one of a base and a sole of the shoe. 
     
     
         8 . A shoe, comprising:
 a rate dependent tether comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the rate dependent tether includes a material which increases in viscosity with rate of shear; and   a saddle connected to the first end of the rate dependent tether,   wherein the second end of the rate dependent tether is connected to at least one of the saddle, the shoe, a shoelace, or a shoe closing system.   
     
     
         9 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the rate dependent tether further comprises a housing, the housing comprising:
 at least one ribbon, and   the material which increases in viscosity with rate of shear, wherein the material is a shear-thickening fluid.   
     
     
         10 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the first end of the rate dependent tether is connected to a first side of the saddle and the second end of the rate dependent tether is connected to an opposing side of the saddle. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe of  claim 10 , wherein the first end of the rate dependent tether is at least one of an anchor and a hollow portion and the first side of the saddle is the other of an anchor and a hollow portion, and wherein the second end of the rate dependent tether is at least one of an anchor and a hollow portion and the opposing side of the saddle is the other of an anchor and a hollow portion. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the rate dependent tether is configured to be activated by exposing the rate dependent tether to a shear stress above a critical shear rate thereby increasing the deformation resistance exhibited by the rate dependent tether and securing the shoe to a foot of a user. 
     
     
         13 . A rate dependent insole for a shoe, comprising:
 an upper insole layer;   a lower insole layer; and   a material which increases in viscosity with rate of shear located between the upper insole layer and the lower insole layer.   
     
     
         14 . The rate dependent insole of  claim 13  wherein the upper insole layer is bonded to the lower insole layer and the material is located between the upper insole later and lower insole layer after bonding. 
     
     
         15 . The rate dependent insole of  claim 13 , wherein the rate dependent insole is constructed integrally with a shoe. 
     
     
         16 . The rate dependent insole of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one ribbon configured to activate the material. 
     
     
         17 . The rate dependent insole of  claim 13 , wherein the rate dependent insole is configured to be activated by exposing the rate dependent insole to a shear stress above a critical shear rate of the material thereby increasing the deformation resistance experienced by the rate dependent insole and supporting a foot within the shoe. 
     
     
         18 . A support for supporting a body part, comprising:
 a base material for constructing the support;   a material which increases in viscosity with rate of shear,   wherein the base material is impregnated with the material.   
     
     
         19 . The support of  claim 18 , wherein the support is formed integrally with a shoe. 
     
     
         20 . The support of  claim 18 , wherein the support is formed as at least one of a sleeve or a bandage. 
     
     
         21 . The support of  claim 18 , wherein the support is configured to be activated by increasing the shear strain on the support thereby increasing the resistance experienced by the support and stabilizing the body part. 
     
     
         22 . A shoe, comprising:
 a rate dependent footcone comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the rate dependent footcone includes a material which increases in viscosity with rate of shear,   wherein the first end includes one or more connections for connecting to a shoelace.   
     
     
         23 . The shoe of  claim 22 , wherein the rate dependent footcone further comprises a housing, the housing comprising:
 at least one ribbon, and   a shear-thickening material.   
     
     
         24 . The shoe of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one ribbon is aligned with at least one of vertical axis of the footcone and a horizontal axis of the footcone. 
     
     
         25 . The shoe of  claim 22 , wherein the rate dependent footcone is configured to allow a user to insert a foot into the shoe, while the rate dependent footcone exhibits low deformation resistance and wherein the rate dependent footcone is configured to be activated by exposing the rate dependent footcone to a shear stress above a critical shear rate of the material thereby increasing the deformation resistance exhibited by the rate dependent footcone and securing the shoe to the foot of the user. 
     
     
         26 . The shoe of  claim 22 , wherein the rate dependent footcone is a sheet.