Impact-attenuation systems for articles of footwear and other foot-receiving devices
Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.
1. A foot-receiving device, comprising:
a foot-covering member; and
a foot-supporting member engaged with the foot-covering member, wherein the foot-supporting member includes:
a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion and on a medial side of the foot-supporting member;
a second impact-attenuating member separate from the first impact-attenuating member and located at a rear, lateral heel portion of the foot-supporting member, the first impact-attenuating member being located closer to a front of the foot-receiving device than the second impact-attenuating member, wherein the second impact-attenuating member provides less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member; and
a third impact-attenuating member located in the heel portion on a lateral side of the foot-receiving device and separate from the first and second impact-attenuating members and closer to the front of the foot-receiving device as compared to the second impact-attenuating member, wherein the second impact-attenuating member provides less resistance to an impact force as compared with the third impact-attenuating member;
wherein each impact-attenuating member includes a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member and including a base region with plural vanes extending from the base region.
2. The foot-receiving device according to claim 1 , wherein the impact-attenuating member includes plural independent elements.
3. The foot-receiving device according to claim 1 , wherein the impact-attenuating member includes plural sections arranged between the vanes of the shear resistant member.
4. The foot-receiving device according to claim 1 , wherein the shear resistant member and the impact-attenuating member cooperate to provide a controlled degree of compression in the substantially vertical direction.
5. The foot-receiving device according to claim 1 , wherein the presence of the shear resistant member allows the impact-attenuation member to withstand at least a 25% greater shear force without roll-over or collapse as compared to the impact-attenuating member alone.
6. The foot-receiving device according to claim 1 , wherein the presence of the shear resistant member allows the impact-attenuation member to withstand at least a 50% greater shear force without roll-over or collapse as compared to the impact-attenuating member alone.
7. A foot-receiving device, comprising:
a foot-covering member; and
a foot-supporting member engaged with the foot-covering member, wherein the foot-supporting member includes:
a first impact-attenuating member located at a rear, medial heel portion of the foot-supporting member;
a second impact-attenuating member separate from the first impact-attenuating member and located at a rear, lateral heel portion of the foot-supporting member, wherein the second impact-attenuating member provides less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member,
a third impact-attenuating member located in the heel portion of the foot-receiving device and separate from the first and second impact-attenuating members and located closer to a front of the foot-receiving device as compared to the second impact-attenuating member, wherein the second impact-attenuating member provides less resistance to an impact force as compared with the third impact-attenuating member;
wherein each impact-attenuating member includes a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member and including a base region with plural vanes extending from the base region.
8. The foot-receiving device of claim 7 , wherein the third impact attenuating member is located on a lateral side of the foot receiving device.
9. The foot-receiving device of claim 7 , wherein the third impact attenuating member is located on a medial side of the foot receiving device.
10. The foot-receiving device of claim 7 , wherein the foot supporting member further includes:
a fourth impact-attenuating member located in the heel portion on a medial side of the foot-receiving device and separate from the first, second, and third impact-attenuating members, wherein the fourth impact-attenuating member is located closer to the front of the foot-receiving device as compared to the second impact-attenuating member, wherein the second impact-attenuating member provides less resistance to an impact force as compared with the third and fourth impact-attenuating members.
11. The foot-receiving device according to claim 7 , wherein the impact-attenuating member includes plural independent elements.
12. The foot-receiving device according to claim 7 , wherein the impact-attenuating member includes plural sections arranged between the vanes of the shear resistant member.
13. The foot-receiving device according to claim 7 wherein at least one slat element includes a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the slat element has a thickness extending between the first major surface and the second major surface such that the slat element will bend when subjected to a predetermined load in a predetermined direction.
14. The foot-receiving device according to claim 7 , wherein the shear resistant member and the impact-attenuating member cooperate to provide a controlled degree of compression in a substantially vertical direction.