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USFC2006-1090-04
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{32-060606:131755}{060106}
JOINT
APPENDIX
FILED
U.S.COUm"OF APPEALSFOR
TH_ I:_DI_RALCIRCUIT
JUN
06-1090
UNITED
STATES
COURT
OF APPEALS
AKEVA
FOR THE
I 2006
J_ HORB_Y
FEDERAL
_kI_CUIT
L.L.C.,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
g.
ADIDAS-SALOMON
AG,
Defendant,
and
ADIDAS
AMERICA,
1NC.,
Defendant-Appellee.
Appeals
From The United States District Court For The Middle
Of North Carolina, Greensboro
Division,
In Case No. 1:03-cv-01207,
Judge William L. Osteen
JOINT
APPENDIX
Dirk D. Thomas
Robert A. Auchter
Danielle Avolio
Andr6 J. Bahou
Jason Buratti
Munir R. Meghjee
Robins, Kaplan, Miller
2800 LaSalle Plaza
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.
1801 K Street, N.W., Suite 1200
Washington,
D.C. 20006
Tel:
Tel:
(202) 775-0725
District
800 LaSalle
Minneapolis,
& Ciresi
Avenue
MN 55402
(612) 349-8500
Attorneys for Plaintiff-Appellant
Akeva, L.L.C.
L.L.P.
Table
of Contents
Joint Appendix
Title
Pa_es
Memorandum
Opinion
and Order .....................................................................
Memorandum
Opinion
and Order ...................................................................
Final Order and Judgment
Civil Docket
A 1-51
A52-70
...............................................................................
A71-72
Sheet ...........................................................................................
A73-94
United
States Patent 6,604,300
B2 ................................................................
A95-140
United
States Patent 6,662,471
B2 ..............................................................
A 141-180
Exhibit I, U.S. Patent No. 5,185,943, to Akeva
Response to Adidas Claim Construction
Brief
Exhibit
L, U.S. Patent
L.L.C.'s
Excerpt
Court's
Response
No. 5,560,126,
to Adidas
of Akeva's Motion
Claim Construction
in Support
L.L.C.'s
to Akeva
Claim Construction
A698-727
Brief
of the ..................
Thereof
A756-773
A756-763,
A770-772
.....................................
A786-824
.....................................
A849-861
Thereof
Exhibit E, U.S. Patent No. 5,615,497, to Akeva's
Motion for Partial Reconsideration
of the Court's
Claim Construction
Order and Memorandum
in
Support
A668-685
........................................
for Partial Reconsideration
Order and Memorandum
Exhibit C, U.S. Patent No. 5,806,210, to Akeva's
Motion for Partial Reconsideration
of the Court's
Claim Construction
Order and Memorandum
in
Support
...........................
Thereof
Adidas America, Inc.'s Brief Regarding
Phillips v. A WH Corporation
DCI 45684570.1
................................................
1
A 1002-1011
Excerpt
of Complaint
and Demand
Adidas America's
Answer
Affirmative
Defenses
for Jury Trial ...................................
and .........................................
A 1019-1028
Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of .....................................
Appeals For The Federal Circuit
A1033-1034
Excerpt
of Adidas'
Summary
Judgment
Declaration
to Complaint
A 1012-1015
Brief in support
Regarding
of its Motion
the '300 Patent
of Keith R. Williams,
Excerpt of Akeva L.L.C.'S
for Summary Judgment
for ...................................
A2010-2016
P.H.D ................................................
Response
to Adidas's
A2000,
Motions
A2023-2024
..........................
A2025,
A 1042-1045
Excerpt
of U.S. File History
6,604,300
B2 .....................................................
A3727,
A4268-4271
Excerpt
of U.S. File History
6,662,471
B2 ......................................................
A4339
A4414-4420,
A4496-4499,
A4706-4712,
A4736-4742,
A4749-4952
...........................................................
A5358,
A5463-5465,
A5468-5473,
A5521-5533
ExcerptofU.S.
DCI 45684570.1
File History5,615,497
2
Case
_1:03,cv-O1207-WLO
FOR
AKEVA
Document
133
Filed 05/17/2005
IN THE
UNITED
STATES
THE
MIDDLE
DISTRICT
DISTRICT
OF NORTH
Page
1 of 51
COURT
CAROLINA
L_L.C.,
Plaintiff,
v.
aDIDAS
I:03CV01207
z AMERICA,
INC.,
Defendant.
MEMORANDUM
OSTEEN,
District
Plaintiff
action
("adidas").
Patent
(_'300
and
"Athletic
shoe
with
violation
of
by
A
M@rk_a
Cir.
brings
this
against
Defendant
adidas
America,
asserts
35
United
§
•inventor
1995),
aff'd,
•.
asserted
z The
First,
to
be
the
U.S.
infringed"
company's
trade
Inc.,
370,
_meaning
and
391,
and
must
scope
be
name
116
F.3d
S.
of
the
A 0001
with
to
1384,
patent
Id.
a
in
were
967,
Ct.
determined.
begins
Patent"),
requires
52
Sole"
entitled
patents
assigned
infringement
_nstruments,
517
6,662,471
The
States
Improved
("'471
(b).
Meschan
patent
No.
Inc.
United
with
Structure"
and
F.
Shoe
Patent
Heel
271(a)
David
of
Westview
States
patent
infringed
_Athletic
Improved
U.S.C.
v,
Defendant
entitled
determination
q
(1996)
("Akeva")
6,604,300
Patent")
acquired
ORDEK
L.L.C.
Plaintiff
No.
and
Judge
Akeva
infringement
OPINION
lowercase
Akeva.
two
976
steps.
(Fed.
1396
claims
Second,
"a."
the
Case
1:03-cv-01207-WLO
properly
construed
accused
of
meaning
and
the
duty
full
of
scope
the
briefing
the
I.
Patent,
of
descriptions
of
The
_300
of
wearer's
several
matter
has
now
the
'300
of
been
the
and
product
that
assessment
(the
out
has
is
of
law
and,
the
subject
the
thus,
of
_Markman
proper
'471
construction
Patents.
at
like
heel
a
shoe.
below
is
few
the
details
gives
with
more
of
a
the
general
complete
Analysis
its
interior.
this
athletic
section,
with
heel
that
interior
Generally
cushioning
extra
theme.
with
spring.
Central
A 0002
Claim
the
region
plate
its
shoe
a
durability,
infringed,
the
beneath
trampoline,
an
Beginning
void
on
in
a
section
usefulness,
flexible
andproviding
variations
given
the
a
and
below.
Patent
asserts
a
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This
discloses
incorporates
acts
a
inventions,
claims
_secured"
deflection
plate
the
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claimed
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Akeva
periphery,
the
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first
region
in
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an
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sets
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the
of
sole
herein
6,604,300
features
claim
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the
performance
rear
is
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This
and
terms
of
are
description
whose
first
court.
court
compared
Page 2 of 51
BACKGROUND
aspects
The
be
Filed 05/17/2005
claims,
parties
claim
133
The
patent
the
the
disputed
A.
Id.
of
by
FACTUAL
'471
must
district
and
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claims
infringing.
of
hearing"),
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93,
which
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and
speaking,
to
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of
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its
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the
claims
disputes
Case
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a
1:03-cv-O1207-WLO
feature
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wherein
by
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This
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heel
no
life.
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that
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fast-
back
the
Plaintiff
as
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heel
_spirit"
heel,
of
playing
very
thereby
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when
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ground-engaging,
disagree
attached
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so
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heel
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Page 3 of 51
from
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Filed 05/17/2005
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ground-engaging
is
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133
allowing
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when
properties
basketball
the
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place.
spring
Document
the •
a
of
the
contends,
or
Defendant
argues.
B.
The
The
'471
constructed
recumbent
•each
The
U
other
wearer
returning
Patent
shape
is
made
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joined
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and
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end
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on
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heel
curved
wall
the
recumbent
U
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member"
to
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3
A 0003
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components
weight
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bend
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weight
to
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in
and
adds
energy
6,662,471
added
effect.
a
by
as
at
the
Case
IX.
1:03-cv-01207-WLO
Document
Filed 05/17/2005
Page 4 of 51
ANALYSIS
Here,
the
court
tackles
infringement
determination,
the
First,
patent.
analysis
is
properly
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of
133
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should
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use
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52
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1:03-cv-01207oWLO
Document
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Filed 05/1712005
Page 6 of 51
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52
370,
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227,
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A 0006
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52
1:03-cv-01207-WLO
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1996)
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court
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documents
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1585
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Page 26 of 51
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cushioning
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133
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54-59
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27
A 0027
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Page 29 of 51
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language
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definition
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of
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properties
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or
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defining
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the
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32
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be
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thin
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Case 1:03-cv-01207-WLO
Document 133
3.
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term
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that
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Page 33 of 51
s_stantiallv
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33
A 0033
Case
1:03-cv-01207-WLO
Document
133
Filed 05/17/2005
Page 34 of 51
.."
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this
that
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discusses
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angles
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out
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adidas
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B The
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physical
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a patent
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an athletic
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and
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where
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34
A 0034
prevented
to lateral
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line
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of
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the
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of
Case
l:03-cv-01207-WLO
movement
of
col.
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Page 35 of 51
the
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they
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.
movement,
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Filed 05/17/2005
members
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35
A 0035
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Case
1:03-cv-01207-WLO
Document
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Filed 05/17/2005
Page 36 of 51
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45
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the
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surface
be
Case
/.
1:03-cv-01207-WLO
Document
133
Filed 05/17/2005
Page 46 of 51
.
D.
The
There
31
is
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these
6,662,471
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independent
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Disputed
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disputed
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rear
sole
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comprising:
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surface,
•
. the
member
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wall
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top
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term
discussed
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and
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also
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terms
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from
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of
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.;
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least
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a
the
at least
interior
'300
Patent
"secured,"
are
and
one
was
above.
disputed
by
the
parties.
1. "[T]he
rearward
regions
of the
top
and
being
oriented
toward
_ b_k
of
the
shoe"
adidas
shoe"
should
argues
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construed
surface
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shoe
shoe."
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reaches
that
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the
as
is
term
"oriented
"placed
at
opposite
definition
the
through
46
A 0046
toward
or
near
front
the
a
bottom
walls
back
of
the
side
or
(toe)
of
dictionary
the
the
a
Case 1:03-cv-01207-WLO
definitions
of
opposite
to
(_place
in
the
specification's
at
the
to"),
the
use
of
in
at
the
or
to
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the
a
in
in
in
back
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at
every
or
member
argues
not
the
be
Plaintiff
from
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_directed
near
with
are
need
stem
in
disclosed
shoe.
should
is
point
consistent
claim
toward":
location
a
opposition,
the
of
that
_orient"
"at
U-shaped
Akeva,
construction
of
relation
of
face"),
or
this
because
regions
near
term's
meaning
term
or
Page 47 of 51
something
("near"
that
shoe.
rearward
located
ordinary
the
of
front
"toward"
regions
the
surface
its
claims
of
Filed 05/17/2005
or
as
and
rearward
back
that
side
adidas
referenced
proposes
placed
regarded
the
physically
and
side
of").
embodiment,
that
(_the
relation
direction
placed
"back"
the
the
Document 133
plain
towards
back
of
or
the
shoe."
The
or
"placed
1591
the
dictionary
in
(1986).
adidas
that
plain
not
The
include
toward"
encompasses
particular
and
pointed
ordinary
plain
something
only
of
meaning
requirement
must
the
be
notion
_oriented"
Webster's
of
Webster's
has
the
to. H
definition
of."
(1986).
limited.
relation
The
direction
the
definition
Third
_toward"
Third
to
no
New
the
that
placed
as
a
Int'l
should
phrase
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object
Dictionary
2417
evidence
be
_oriented
that
be
47
A 0047
or
toward"
is
"in
suggesting
rebutted
the
direction.
Dictionary
is
near
object
Int'l
toward"
preposition
physically
that
_directed
New
compelling
meaning
of
is
does
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the
facing
thing.
a
It
Case
l:03-cv-O1207-WLO
Document
133
Filed 05/17/2005
Page 48 of 51
7""
i
Therefore,
back
of
placed
the
in
the
shoe"
proper
construction
should
the
d/rect/on
2.
_Element"
be
of
of
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construed
as
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locat/on
at
or
a
toward
toward
near
a
back
a
or
of
the
shoe."
The
"part"
or
part."
claim
the
meaning
it
§
parts
_
were
this
more
a
part
is
described
used
to
increase
Patent,
for
failure
interpretation
and
to
to
adidas
term
of
the
as
the
ii,
a
shoe,
the
ii.
of
triviality
or
and
the
"[s]tiffening
matters
comply
In
spring
with
also
in
and
or
what
a
term
narrower
should
sense
be
that
rear
kinds
the
description,
the
35
components,
member[]
by
of
that
much
written
generated
ordinary
specific
argues
be
distinctly
applying
parts
know
_element"
cannot
requirements
have
is
constituent
out
and
the
others
"element"
definition
point
shoes
let
definition.
col.
Generally,
all
broad
fail
of
"a
invention,
to
claimed,
the
this
the
claim
enough
_part"
narrow
vagueness,
the
uses
simply
of
Because
be
than
_471
matter
meaning
proposes,
particularly
not
being
specification
Akeva
does
2.
not
as
ordinary
argues
cause
112
would
or,
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however,
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would
U.S.C.
that
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because
this
agree
adidas,
used
of
parties
sole."
given
this
may
be
See
54-57.
"[a]mbiguity,
are
35
undue
matters
U.S.C.
construction."
which
§
112
_nterv@_
48
A 0048
breadth,
go
_
2,
Am.,
to
claim
not
_n_.
validity
to
V,
Kee-Vet
Case 1:03-cv-01207-WLO
Laboratories,
However,
term
Inc.,
it
is
a
familiar
it
"unless
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of
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understand
the
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before
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a
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403
claim
court
of
must
wouldunderstand
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claim
term's
meaning
is
indefiniteness.
ambiguous,
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it
911.
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that
do
to
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49
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If
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Hartford
2004).
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validity
35
is
L.L.C.v.
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skilled
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for
2005)
Id.
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is
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axiom
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to
Nazomi
Bancorp
F.3d
to
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determine
is
when
breadth
construction
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359
their
patent
that
that
look
construing
specification."
CQ,,
must
1364,
law
after
construction,
validity."
F.3d
1989).
at
concludes,
before
Cir.
patent
F.3d
Page 49 of 51
(Fed.
construed
358
court
preserving
Filed 05/17/2005
i053
of
be
court
claims
of
_ns.
axiom
claim
A
purposes
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should
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tools
ambiguous."
2,
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Liebel-Flarsheim,
apply
cart
887
ambiguous,
validity.
not
is
Document 133
be
may
358
not
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at
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specification
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887
F.2d
at
1053.
Case 1:03-cv-01207-WLO
i
i
Although
it
must
_
if
a
U.S.C.
the
282,
In
if
Claim
1
followed
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and
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claim
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at
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but
unambiguous,
further
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may
term
Any
this
that
possesses
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location
interpretation
adidas
the
is
is"
broad,
described
render
addressed
to
that
_element"
quite
choose
term
object's
one
may
interpretation.
structure
is
35
it
and
issues
thus
of
time.
argument,
to
limit
the
this
embodiment
example
claim
of
and
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be
descriptions
as
the
any
term.
invention
limitation
in
The
that
on
scope.
Therefore,
ordinary
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shoe
not
its
valid,
claim
one
term
Page 50 of 51
court
A
the
term
the
specification
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regard
language
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to
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and
is
the
than
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information
amenable
With
is
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it
or
more
the
While
claim
validity.
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ambiguous,
to
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_471
because
is
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top
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ambiguous
of
is
Filed 05/17/2005
that
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the
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term
that
it
of
be
claim
interpretation
ambiguous
Document 133
meaning
the
of
term
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part."
5O
A 0050
given
its
plain
and
Case
1:03-cv-01207-WLO
In
in
both
should
as
conclusion,
the
be
IIl.
with
'300
Patent
construed
discussed
Document
the
and
133
Filed 05/17/2005
exception
the
according
of
'471
to
the
Patent,
their
plain
Page 51 of 51
term
"secured"
used
the
disputed
terms
and
ordinary
meaning
herein.
CONCLUSION
For
IT
claims
the
IS
reasons
ORDERED
asserted
construction
Memorandum
This
set
that
to
are
be
forth
the
above,
meaning
infringed
determined
and
as
set
and
scope
presented
forth
in
of
the
patent
by
the
parties
the
for
foregoing
Opinion.
the
17 th day
of
May
2005.
r
51
A 0051
oistri
• Ca_e
1:03-cv-01207-WLO
141
Filed 08/29/2005
IN THE
UNITED
STATES
THE
MIDDLE
DISTRICT
FOR
AKEVA
Document
DISTRICT
OF NORTH
Page
1 of 19
COURT
CAROLINA
L.L.C.,
Plaintiff,
1:03CV01207
V.
aDIDAS
AMERICA,
INC.,
Defendant.
MEMORANDUM
OSTEEN,
District
In
this
technology
of
Memorandum
Opinion
the
athletic
415
herein
considers
of
the
Court's
Thereof.
For
its
ruling
I.
ORDER
of
the
May
of
of
Appeals
1303
(Fed.
Plaintiff's
Claim
reasons
stated
will
deny
now
17,
the
2005
(the
en
the
its
"Claim
banc
Phil_iDs
Cir.•2005).
for
to
reconsiders
recent
in
Motion
Construction
and
court
light
Court
relating
v.
The
Partial
opinion
of
AW_
court
also
Reconsideration
Order
and
Memorandum
in
below,
the
court
reaffirm
Plaintiff's
will
Support
motion.
BACKGROUND
On
Order
the
Order
in
F.3d
action
shoes,
and
Circuit
_orDoratiQn,
prior
infringement
Order"),
Federal
and
Judge
patent
Construction
OPINION
May
that
Construction
17,
2005,
construed
Order
this
the
court
issued
disputed
claim
construed
all
terms
A 0052
the
Claim
terms.
to
have
Construction
The
their
Claim
plain
and
Case
1:03-c'v-01207-WLO
ordinary
meaning,
with
United
States
Patent
States
Patent
No.
meaning
more
• The
"471
the
court
Patents
now
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asks
meaning.
since
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en
(Fed.
v.
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granting
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Phillips
especially
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both
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held
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meaning.
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'300
scope,
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The
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first
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its
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submitted
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has
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aspects
2004)
to
its
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to
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on
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patents
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impact
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claim
will
Phillips,
and
then
will
address
motion.
pHILLIPS
In
in
376
en
in
ruling.
Plaintiff's
II.
Co_p,,
and
disclaimed
opinion
that
was
specifications
court
2005),
requiring
"secured"
Patent")
Patent")
plain
Page 2 of 19
"secured."
doctrine
Phillips
The
banc
Cir.
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discussing
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its
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word
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term
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Filed 08/2912005
6,604,300
disavowed
of
141
exception.
6,662,•471
that
definition
1303
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language
Plaintiff
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one
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found
construe
Document
V,
relevant
clarifies
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CORPQBATION
part,
the
dictionaries
the
role
and
Federal
of
Circuit's
intrinsic
the
and
specification,
A 0053
discussion
extrinsic
in
in
evidence,
defining
the
Case 1:03-ev-01207-WLO
scope
of
a
patent's
principles
52
claims.
established
F.3d
967
Vitron_cs
(Fed.
Corp.
1996),
and
$¥stem_,
realigned
in
Cir.
v.
381
its
method
addition
Markman
1995),
V.
aff'd,
ConceDtronic.
Innova/Pure
Inc,,
In
I_C,
Iiii
(Fed.
of
to
analysis
reaffirming
the
Ins_r_mQDts,
517
370
U.S.
90
V,
F.3d
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Cir.
to
Page 3 of 19
We$$view
Inc.,
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F.3d
Filed 08/29/2005
(1996),
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downplay
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role
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dictionaries.
Phillips
v.
AWH
CorD.,
415
F.3d
1303,
1269,
slip
at
7-8
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Cir.
Jul.
12,
2005).*
claims
define
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invention
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Mercury
(1983);
court
reconsideration
has
v.
ruling
interlocutory
judgment
Hosp.
constructions
the
FOR
ruling.
reconsider
in
prior
judgment
interlocutory
a
for
the
the
Federal
moved
patents-in-suit,
Order,
MOTION
the
Plaintiff
not
change
reaffirms
III.
the
their
case.
460
v.
U.S.
MUrDhV
Federal
for
they
an
to
discretion
Moses
I,
until
H.
12,
Cone
103
Farms,
Rules
S.
Inc.,
of
reconsideration
are
is
"subject
Civil
of
to
Ct.
326
Case
...-_
l:03-cv-01207-WLO
Document
141
Filed 08/29/2005
Page
15 of 19
.
}
revision
P.
at
any
an
the
Various
judicial
doctrines,
evolved
to
a
end
to
requires
been
Cir.
litigation
the
Inc.
entry
See
of
judgment."
as
the
Fed.
2003)
("[W]here
they
reason
omitted)).
on
to
R.
Civ.
controlling
previously
law;
(2)
available;
clear
error
or
Comm.,
322
F.3d
F.R.D.
468,
552-53
Plaintiff
at
474
(3)
the
or
United
167.
the
without
fairly
narrow
set
order
prior
decision
v.
was
See
Duke
of
and
in
intervening
evidence
injustice.
court's
quotations
interlocutory
an
(2d
good
orders
been
Colqr
the
change
that
was
based
not
on
Official
Enerqv
CorD,,
Po_er
v.
Potter,
199
arguments
in
support
of
218
F.R.D.
2001).
raises
statement
of
147,
(internal
a
already
interlocutory
States
2003);
have
for
nor
additional
manifest
167;
Md.
has
is
(M.D.N.C.
(D.
there
there
wouldwork
reconsider.
recent
(i)
an
F.3d
battled
to
their
reconsider
situations:
Creditors
again."
favors
operation
UnsecBred
322
case,"
policy
that
required,
it
the
questions
once
adhered
reconsider
will
Qf
have
for
have
Public
L,L,_,,
be
battle
courts
Courts
following
Lvbrand,
neither
to
which
opinions.
550,
should
Most
Comm,
litigants
permitted,
grounds
&
of
thatefficient
re-arguing
official
_law
discretion.
recognizes
of
Coopers
such
court's
and
avoidance
v.
decision,
in
guide
decided.
Tile,
a
before
54(b).
have
to
time
First,
by
several
it
the
contends
patent
that
examiner
15
A 0066
the
of
court
the
its
should
'300
motion
consider
Patent,
Case 1:03-cv-01207-WLO
stating
she
of
patent
to
was
made
this
statement
related,
construed
additional
among
and
The
the
public
public
is
two
years
relevancy,
Inc.,
S.
own
of
the
F.3d
Ct.
61
examiner's
see
to
the
'300
cites
1340
to
(Fed.
(2004),
patentee's
but
by
Id.
statement
it
the
Microsoft
at
to
patent
as
broaden
v.
_@r_,
the
F.3d
16
A 0067
Texas
at
on
1583
Akeva
of
nearly
for
Multi-Tech
Systems,
__
did
not
Rather,
how
it
to
narrow
U.S.
rely
,
on
it
relied
understood
attempts
its
the
made
patent
de_i@d,
of
which
examiner
arguing
court
scope
Patent.
granted.
record
examiner.
Here,
as
'300
different
statements
1349-50.
extrinsic
. constitute
In
evidence
these
is
patent
CORD.
2004),
Defendant
the
90
a
a
issued.
Cir.
the
used
of
Microsoft
statements
and
claims.
Patent
patent
the
be
statement
to
claim,
prosecution
to
court.
history
Here,
but
this
is
Vitronics,
file
patentee's
later,
examiner's
the
also
rely_").
the
extrinsic
when
and
the
statements
invention,
the
of
the
after
subsequent
on
1202;
is
This
available.
by
the
it
fixed
during
Akeva
357
consider
a
statement
considered
specification,
entitled
statement
not
is
of
considers
this
prosecution
meaning.
previously
that
be
at
record
the
not
because
F.3d
claims,
was
Page 16 of 19
the
ordinary
prosecution
not
record
and
during
Plaintiff
things,
will
intrinsic
("The
125
other
should
308
plain
the
that
evidence
Diai_al,
its
Filed 08/29/2005
"secured"
Presumably,
court
additional
term
during
evidence
evidence
The
the
have
patent.
argues,
Document 141
claims,
the
to
its
meaning
use
a
the
Case
1:03--cv-01207-WLO
proposition
_hi_ie
a
unsupported
V.
(_The
PPG
is
during
by
Indus,,
purpose
claim
Document
of
to
the
Inc.,
consulting
'exclude
141
any
Filed08/29/2005
case
law
Akeva
402
F.3d
1371,
the
prosecution
ZMI
cites.
1384
2
that
CorD.
v.
19
also
Cir.
in
was
17of
See
(Fed.
history
interpretation
prosecution.'")(quoting
Page
2005)
construing
disclaimed
Cardiac
Resuscitator
!
CorD.,
844
examiner's
F.2d
1576,
statement
Plaintiff
notion
that
analysis.
references
and
rise
2 The
the
to
the
cites
other
references
examiner's
the
error
the
of
were
at
flexible
plate.
The
comes
failed
the
court
_clear
(with
characteristics
in
most,
is
on
patent
to
the
possible
if
vague.
with
to
or
errors
of
do
the
Construction
court.
errors
considered,
quite
claimed).
A 0068
failed
Many
Claim
the
construction
asserted
3
of
analysis
would
The
of _secured,"
meaning"
was.
closest
to an
to understand
claimed
rear
17
claim
the
meaning
_ordinary
disagrees
as
grounded
error."
although
the
difference
may
be one
of pure
court's
opinion,
the
'300
Patent
discloses
which
is a shoe
with
two
features,
a rear
plate
the
either
The
available
it
states
that
she
used
the
ordinary
does
not
elaborate
on what
this
such,
specifications
even
because
its
court
patent
statement,
3 The
argument
that
error
is that
the
court
discloses
two
inventions:
the
discussed
out,
court
in
inventions.
level
As
arguments
that
were
point
1988).
considered.
several
of
Akeva
to
be
contends
aspects
arguments
unhelpful
not
Cir.
committed
understood
to
(Fed.
advances
court
certain
appear
Akeva's
next
the
incorrectly
Order,
will
Plaintiff
recognize
not
1580
be
examiner
but
she
assertion
of clear
the
'300
Patent
sole
and
the
claimed
Akeva's
notion,
semantics.
In the
a single
invention,
sole
and
a flexible
Case
which
the
1:03-cv-01207-WLO
are
better
parties
the
court
IV.
reargue
to
on
claim
Plaintiff
to
declines
addressed
to
Because
Document
has
reconsider
appeal.
not
its
Filed 08/29/2005
The
construction.
the
reconsider
141
court
any
not
situation
Construction
opinion
will
18 of 19
allow
4
advanced
Claim
Page
compelling
Order,
the
court
further.
CONCLUSION
For
the
IT
light
IS
of
reasons
ORDERED
an
__Q__p._, the
set
that
constructions
the
reconsideration
change
reaffirms
in
above,
after
intervening
court
forth
in
its
the
of
law
in
ruling
Phillips
analysis
and
the
Opinion
and
Order
Memorandum
its
v.
AWH
May
17,
in
claim
of
2005;
IT
IS
FURTHER
Reconsideration
ORDERED
of
the
that
Plaintiffs'
Court's
Claim
Motion
Construction
for
Partial
Order
[135]
is
DENIED.
4 It
made
by
embodiment
may
be
helpful
for
the
Plaintiff
contending
in which
part
of
court
to
place
and
part
is rotatable
or adjustable.
not
excluded
from
the
court's
construction
in the
_300
Patent.
The
court
construed
rear
sole
fastened,
Order
portion
of
_secured"
but
not
is one
permanently
that
May
17,
2005
at 25.)
(e.g.,
the
periphery
is
fixed
A
of
adjust
its
on
this
ground.
18
A 0069
argument
an
fixed
in
This
embodiment
is
of "secured"
as used
the
term
to mean
that
rear
sole
the
sole)
or similarly
physicallyadjusted
this
definition
because
the
rear
permanently
fixed
in position.
one
to recognize
permanently
_selectively
in position."
removed,
within
not
be
construction
address
the
court
failed
the
rear
sole
is
in
can
or
permanently
(Mem.
Op.
which
only
be
rotated,
&
one
moved,
could
be encompassed
sole,
as a whole,
would
The
court
declines
to
a
Case
l:03-cv-O1207-WLO
Document
141
Filed 08/29/2005
Page
19 Of 19
,".,
This
the
264
day
of
August
2005.
_]nited
19
A 0070
States
District
Judge
Case
1:03-cv-01207-WLO
Document
IN THE UNITED
FOR THE MIDDLE
Akeva
145
STATES
DISTRICT
Filed 10128/2005
DISTRICT
Page
1 of 2
COURT
OF NORTH
CAROLINA
L.L.C.,
Plaintiff,
V°
1:03-CV-01207
Adidas America,
Inc.,
Defendant.
FINAL
WHEREAS,
terms
in claims
Patent
Number
its Order
in this action for patent
93, 94, 100-106,
6,604,300
and claims
term "secured"
construction
Indirectly
of"secured,"
Akeva
WHEREAS,
defendant
any of the Asserted
of equivalents;
infi-ingement,
the Court
192-194,
has construed
204-232
1-32 of U.S. Patent No. 6,662,471
Construction
L.L.C.
in the Claim Construction
infringe
doctrine
plaintiff
AND JUDGMENT
109, 117, 118, 121-154,
dated May 17, 2005 ("Claim
WHEREAS,
ORDER
of United
("Asserted
States
Claims")
but Akeva
adidas America,
the Court's
concedes
Inc. ("adidas")
construction
of the
that, under the Court's
does not directly
Claims of the patents in suit, either
literally
or
or under the
and
the parties
agree that Akeva
in
Order'');
("Akeva '_) disputes
Order,
the disputed
has preserved
Judgment;
A 0071
its fights to appeal
from this
'
Case
1:03-cv-01207-WLO
It is hereby
ORDERED
Document
145
that final judgment
Filed 10/28/2005
of noninfringement
Page 2 of 2
of the Asserted
Claims
shallbe and hereby isenteredin favorof adidas,and Akeva shalltakenothing from adidas.
This the 28th day of October
2005.
_._3nited
A 0072
States
"
"
CM/F_F-
ncmd-
Docket
Report
Page
18BA,
U.S.
District
North
Carolina
Middle
CIVIL
DOCKET
FOR CASE
AKEVA
Assigned
Demand:
Cause:
Patent
AKEVA
L.L.C.
A North
Carolina
TRIAL
District
(Durham)
#: I:03-cv-01207-WLO
Date
Filed:
12/19/2003
Jury Demand:
Plaintiff
Nature of Suit: 830 Patent
Infringement
Jurisdiction:
represented
Corporation
MEDIATION,
Court
L.L.C.v.
ADIDAS-SALOMON
AG, et al
to: JUDGE
WILLIAM
L. OSTEEN
$0
35:271
APPEAL,
1 of 22
by
Federal
Question
ANDRE
J. BAHOU
ROBINS
KAPLAN
MILLER
CIRESI L.L.P.
&
1801 K ST., N.W., STE. 1200
WASHINGTON,
DC 20006
202-775-0725
Fax: 202-223-8604
LEAD ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY
TO BE NOTICED
DEMETRIUS
T. LOCKETT
ALSTON
& BIRD
1201 W. PEACHTREE
ST.
ONE
ATLANTIC
CTR.
ATLANTA,
GA 30309-3424
404-881-7000
TERMINATED:
11/08/2005
LEAD ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY
DIRK
D. THOMAS
ROBINS
CIRESI
TO BE NOTICED
KAPLAN
MILLER
1801 K ST., N.W.,
WASHINGTON,
202-775-0725
Fax: 202-223-8604
LEAD ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY
STE.
1200
DC 20006
TO BE NOTICED
JASON IL BURATTI
ROBINS
KAPLAN
MILLER
CIRESI L.L.P.
A 0073
https://eef.ncmd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/DktRpt.pl?678757851600017-L
&
L.L.P.
&
1801 K ST., N.W., STE. 1200
WASHINGTON,
DC 20006
202-775-0725
Fax: 202-223-8604
923
0-1
2/3/2006
CM/ECF -
ncmd - Docket
Report
Page 2 of 22
LEAD
ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY
PATRICK
TO BE NOTICED
J. FLINN
ALSTON
& BIRD
1201 W. PEACHTREE
ST.
ONE ATLANTIC
CTR.
ATLANTA,
GA 30309-3424
404-881-7000
TERM1NA TED: 11/08/2005
LEAD ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY
TO BE NOTICED
ROBERT
A. AUCHTER
ROBINS
KAPLAN
MILLER
CIRESI L.L.P.
1801 K ST., N.W.,
&
STE. 1200
WASHINGTON,
DC 20006
202-775-0725
Fax: 202-223-8604
LEAD ATFORNEY
ATTORNEY
TO BE NOTICED
SCOTT
ANDREW
SCIIAAF
TUGGLE
DUGGINS
P.A.
POB 2888
GREENSBORO,
336-378-1431
Fax: 336-274-6590
& MESCHAN,
NC 27402
Email: sschaaf@tuggleduggins.com
LEAD ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY
TO BE NOTICED
V°
ADIDAS-SALOMON
AG
A German Corporation
TERMINATED;
03/08/2004
ADIDAS
A Delaware
AMERICA
INC.
represented
Corporation
H. KELLY,
JR.
by JAMES
KILPATRICK
STOCKTON,
1001 W. FOURTH
ST.
WINSTON-SALEM,
336-607-7351
Fax: 336-734-2625
A 0074
https://ecf.ncmd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/DktRpt.pl?678757851600017-L_923_0-1
L.L.P.
NC 27101
Email: j kelly@kilpatrickstockton.com
LEAD ATTORNEY
2/3/2006
CM/ECF - ncmd - DocketReport
Page 3 of 22
ATTORNEY
TO BE NOTICED
JAMES
JASON LINK
KILPATRICK
STOCKTON,
1001 W. FOURTH
ST.
WINSTON-SALEM,
336-607-7443
Fax: 336-734-2622
L.L.P.
NC 27101
Email: .j link@,kilpatrickst
ockton.com
LEAD ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY
TO BE NOTICED
JOHN
STEVEN
GARDNER
KILPATRICK
STOCKTON,
1001 W. FOURTH
ST.
WINSTON-SALEM,
336-607-7483
Fax: 336-734-2650
Email:
L.L.P.
NC 27101
sgardner@_;kilpatrickstockton.com
LEAD A I"FORNEY
ATTORNEY
KEITH
TO BE NOTICED
A. ZULLOW
GOODWlN
PROCTOR
LLP
599 LEXINGTON
AVE.
NEW YORK,
212-813-8800
NY
10022
LEAD ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY
TO BE NOTICED
WILLIAM
GOODWIN
EXCHANGE
53 STATE
A. MEUNIER
PROCTOR
LLP
PLACE
ST
BOSTON,
MA 02109
617-570-1000
LeADATTORNEr
ArroRN r ro ,e NOtiCED
Date
Filed
Docket
12/19/2003
I **Case
assigned
Dickerson)
to Magistrate
(Entered:
Judge
Text
Sharp. AO Code
18BA
(Ix/.
12/22/2003)
=1
12/19/2003
12/19/2003
COMPLAINT
with attachments;
Filing Fee $150.00
!jury demand (N. Dickerson)
(Entered:
12/22/2003)
SUMMONS
INC.
issued
(N. Dickerson)
for ADIDAS-SALOMON
(Entered:
Receipt
AG, ADIDAS
#80436;
AMERICA
12/22/2003)
A 0075
https://ecf.ncmd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/DktRpt.pl?678757851600017-L_923
0-1
2/3/2006
CM/ECF -
ncmd
- Docket
Report
Page 4 of 22
12/19/2003
Rule 7. l(a) Parent Company
Disclosure
Statement
L.L.C. (N. Dickerson)
(Entered:
12/22/2003)
12/19/2003
Notice of Right
12/22/2003)
12/19/2003
CASE SELECTED
12/22/2003)
FOR MEDIATION
12/19/2003
See related
1:03CV1044
01/20/2004
MOTION
Loekett
to Consent
case(s):
by AKEVA
to Appear
28 USC 636(c)(2)
L.L.C.
Motion(s)
referred:
[4-1] motion
Lockett to Appear Pro Hac Vice
(fe) (Entered:
01/22/2004)
01/26/2004
MOTION
by ADIDAS
01/26/2004
(K. Welch)
(N. Dickerson)
for Patrick
01/22/2004
Pro Hac Vice
(N. Diekerson)
(N. Dickerson)
Pro Hac Vice.
filed by AKEVA
(fe) (Entered:
(Entered:
(Entered:
J. Flinn
(Entered:
12/29/2003)
and Demetrius
T.
01/21/2004)
for Patrick J. Flinn and Demetrius
T.
referred to MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP
AMERICA
INC.
(Entered:
for BRIAN
M. GAFF
to Appear
02/02/2004)
MOTION
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. for STEPHEN
D.
WHETSTONE
to Appear Pro I-Iac Vice (K. Welch) (Entered:
02/02/2004)
01/26/2004
MOTION
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
Appear Pro Hac Vice (K. Welch)
01/26/2004
ANSWER
(Entered:
01/27/2004
ORDER
to Complaint
02/02/2004)
granting
[4-1]
INC. for DOUGLAS
(Entered:
02/02/2004)
by ADIDAS
motion
AMERICA
for Patrick
INC.
J. KLINE
to
(K. Welch)
J. Flinn and Demetrius
T.
Lockett to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Signed by MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP.
Cos dist. [EOD Date 1/28/04] (K. Welch) Modified
on 02/02/2004
(Entered:
01/28/2004)
02/02/2004
Motion(s)
referred:
[7-1] motion for DOUGLAS
J. KLINE to Appear
Hac Vice referred
to MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP, [6-1] motion for
STEPHEN
D. WHETSTONE
to Appear Pro Hac Vice referred to
Pro
MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP,
[5-1] motion for BRIAN M. GAFF to
Appear Pro Hae Vice referred to MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP 0C Welch)
(Entered:
!02/06/2004
ORDER
02/02/2004)
granting
[5-1] motion
Vice. Signed by MAG/JUDGE
:2/6/04] (K. Welch) (Entered:
02/10/2004
1!1 ORDER
granting
[6-1] motion
for BRIAN
M. GAFF
P. T. SHARP.
02/06/2004)
for STEPHEN
Appear Pro Hac Vice signed by MAG/JUDGE
2/10/04] (R. Winchester)
(Entered:
02/10/2004)
02/10/2004
to Appear
Ccs dist. [EOD
D. WHETSTONE
P. T. SHARP
Pro Hac
Date
to
[EOD
Date
122 ORDER
granting
[7-1 ] motion for DOUGLAS
J. KLINE to Appear Pro
Hac Vice signed by MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP [EOD Date 2/10/04] (R.
Winchester)
(Entered:
02/10/2004)
A 0076
https://ecf.ncrnd.useourts.gov/cgi-bin/DktRpt.pl?678757851600017-L_923
0-1
2/3/2006
CM/ECF -nemd -Doeket Report
03/08/2004
Page5 of 22
NOTICE
of Voluntary
FRCvP, plaintiff
Adidas-Salomon
(K. Welch)
03/08/2004
CASE
Dismissal
pursuant
to Rule 41(a)(1)
of the
hereby voluntarily dismisses
all claims asserted against
AG, but with respect to Adidas only, without prejudice.
(Entered:
AT ISSUE
03/09/2004)
0L Winchester)
(Entered:
03/11/2004)
im
03/16/2004
Rule 7. I (a) Parent
AMERICA
03/23/2004
15 NOTICE
03/24/2004
16 MOTION
Company
INC.
Disclosure
(hi. Dickerson)
Statement
(Entered:
filed by ADIDAS
03/17/2004)
of Hearing:
set Initial Pretrial Conference
for 9:30 4/26/04
GREENSBORO
1A COURTROOM
( before MAG/JUDGE
P. T.
SHARP ). Cos. dist. (W. Williamson)
(Entered:
03/23/2004)
Appear
0313012004
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.
Pro Hae Vice 0C Welch)
Motion(s)
referred:
[16-I]
Hac Vice referred
03/30/2004)
for RICHARD
(Entered:
motion
to
03/30/2004)
for RICHARD
to MAG/JUDGE
MYRUS
in
MYRUS
P. T. SHARP
to Appear
(K. Welch)
Pro
(Entered:
nm
04/02/2004
17
ORDER granting
[16-1] motion for RICHARD
MYRUS
to Appear
Hac Vice. Signed by MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP.
Ces. dist. [EOD
4/2/04] (K. Welch) (Entered:
04/02/2004)
04/20/2004
CASE REFERRED
to Mag/Jud
Sharp
(W. Williamson)
(Entered:
04/20/2004)
0412112004
CASE NO LONGER
(Entered:
04/22/2004)
04/21/2004
REFER.RED
re: proposed
to Mag/Jud
Pro
Date
Jt. Rule 26(1) Report.
Sharp
('K. Welch)
L8 Joint Rule 26(t) Report
and Order setting Discovery
cutoff date as
of Intent to file Disp. Motions
due by 11/1/04; Complex
Mediation
should be conducted
midway in the
10/21/04; Notice
case-management;
discovery
period, the exact date to be set by the mediator
after
consultation
with the parties. The parties agree that they shall supplement
this report with the identity of their requested
mediator
within thirty (30)
days from the Entry Date; Plaintiff should be allowed
until ninety (90)
days prior to the expiration
of discovery
to request leave to join
additional
parties or amend pleadings.
Defendant
should be allowed until
ninety (90) days prior to the expiration
of discovery
to request leave to
join additional
parties or amend pleadings.
The parties do not consent
to
reference
this case to the Magistrate
Judge. (Signed by MAG/JUDGE
P.
T. SHARP) E'I"T 5-8 days.
(Entered:
04/22/2004)
Cos. dist. [EOD
Date
4/22/04]
(K. Welch)
u
04/21/2004
Complex
04/21/2004
Mediation
upon
05/27/2004
Case
(K. Welch)
Hearing
a mediator
(Entered:
04/22/2004)
set for no later than 8/23/04.
by 5/21/04.
ORDER
Appointing
pursuant
(Entered:
to LR 83.10d(a).
05/27/2004)
(C. Gammon)
Mediator
JAMES
The parties
(Entered:
D. MYERS
Cos. dist. [EOD
Date
are to agree
04/26/2004)
(signed
5/27/04]
by Clerk)
(C. Gammon)
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20 NOTICE
of Hearing: Set Jury Trial for 9:30 4/4/05 in UNASSIGNED
COURTROOM,
Set Trial Briefs, etc. deadline to 3/15/05 0L
Winchester)
08/03/2004
(Entered:
21 STIPULATION
documents
[EOD
08/05/2004
PROTECTIVE
8/3/04]
ORDER
In Re: confidential
by MAG/JUDGE
(K. Welch)
(Entered:
P. T. SHARP)
Ces. Dist.
08/03/2004)
22 JOINT
MOTION
by AKEVA
L.L.C., ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. for
Amendment
to [18-1] Joint Preliminary
planning
report and discovery
0810612004
filed on April
08/05/2004)
19, 2004
(Joint
26(0
Report).
(L. Simmonds)
r Motion(s)
referred:
[22-1] motion for Amendment
to [18-I] Joint
i Preliminary
planning
report and discovery
schedule
filed on April
2004 (Joint
Winchester)
26(0 Report) referred
(Entered:
08/06/2004)
to MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP
19,
0L
23 ORDER
granting [22-1] motion for Amendment
to [18-1] Joint
Preliminary
planning
report and discovery
schedule
filed on April 19,
2004 (Joint 26(0 Report). Mediation
should be held 9/22/04; Setting
Discovery
deadline
to 11/15/04,
Dispositive
motions due 11/22/04.
Signed by MAG/IUDGE
P. T. SHARP.
Cos. Dist. [EOD Date 8/10/04]
(K. Welch)
08/10/2004
Deadline
i (Entered:
09/29/2004
24 MOTION
(Entered:
08/10/2004)
updated; Setting
08/10/2004)
Mediation
Deadline
to 9/22/04
0C Welch)
by AKEVA
L.L.C. to Compel Defendant
Adidas to Produce
Under Rule 30(B)(6),
to Answer
Questions,
and for Sanctions
Witnesses
(K. Welch)
09/29/2OO4
AND
as set out; (Signed
Date
schedule
(Entered:
08110/2004
06/28/2004)
(Entered:
25 MEMORANDUM
10/01/2004)
with Exhibits
by AKEVA
L.L.C.
in support
of [24-1]
motion to Compel Defendant
Adidas to Produce Witnesses
Under Rule
30(E)(6),
to Answer Questions,
and for Sanctions
by AKEVA
L.L.C. (K.
Welch)
09/29/2004
(Entered:
26 CERTIFICATION
unable
to reach
Akeva's
10/13/2004
27 MOTION
Plaintiff
Motion
28 BRIEF
motion
OF COUNSEL
by AKEVA
L.L.C. Re: the parties
an agreement
concerning
the matters addressed
in
to Compel
0C Welch)
(Entered:
with Exhibits by ADIDAS
AMERICA
Akeva, L.L.C. from Opposing
Adidas'
Constructions
10/13/2004
10/01/2004)
(K. Welch)
(Entered:
with Exhibits by ADIDAS
to Preclude
PlaintiffAkeva,
10/01/2004)
INC. to Preclude
Proposed
Claim
10/13/2004)
AMERICA
INC. in support of [27-1]
L.L.C. from Opposing
Adidas'
Proposed
Claim Constructions
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
expandable
file) (K. Welch) (Entered:
10/13/2004)
10/22/2004
29
JOINT
Amend
are
INC. (located
in
MOTION
by AKEVA
L.L.C., ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. to
the Amended
Joint Report amended
8/10/04 and Discovery
Schedule.
(proposed
Copy of Joint Stipulation
and Consent Order
attached as Exhibit A) CR. Winchester)
(Entered:
10/25/2004)
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30 BRIEF
[24-1]
IN OPPOSITION
motion
to Compel
with Exhibits
Defendant
by ADIDAS
Adidas
AMERICA
to Produce
10/25/2004
11/02/2004
Motion(s)
referred: [29-1] joint motion to Amend
Report amended
8/10/04 and Discovery
Schedule
SHARP (R. Winchester)
(Entered:
10/25/2004)
INC.
Witnesses
Rule 30(B)(6),
to Answer Questions,
and for Sanctions
L.L.C. (K. Welch) (Entered:
10/25/2004)
7 0f22
to
Under
by AKEVA
the Amended
Joint
to MAG/JUDGE
P. T.
31 ORDER
granting [29-1] joint motion to Amend the Amended
Joint
Report of 8/I 0/04 and Discovery
Schedule,
except that dis'positive
motions are due on December
13, responses
are due January 3, 2005, and
replies are due January
10. No further extensions
will be granted. Setting
Discovery
deadline to 12/6/04,
Dispositive
due 12/13/04.
Signed by
MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP.
Cos. Dist. [EOD Date 11/2/04] (K. Welch)
(Entered:
11/02/2004)
11/04/2004
32 REPLY
BRIEF
with Exhibits
by AKEVA
L.L.C.
to response
to [24-1]
motion to Compel Defendant
Adidas to Produce
Witnesses
Under Rule
30(B)(6), to Answer Questions,
and for Sanctions
by AKEVA
L.L.C. (K.
Welch) (Entered:
11/05/2004)
11/05/2004
33 OPPOSITION
with Exhibits by AKEVA
L.L.C.
PlaintiffAkeva,
L.L.C. from Opposing
Preclude
Claim Construction
11/05/2004)
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
to [27-1]
Adidas's
INC.
motion to
Proposed
(K. Welch)
(Entered:
==
11/09/2004
Motion(s)
referred:
Produce Witnesses
Sanctions
referred,
i from Opposing
MAG/JUDGE
11/12/2004
[24-1] motion to Compel Defendant
Adidas to
Under Rule 30(B)(6),
to Answer Questions,
and for
[27-1] motion to Preclude
PlaintiffAkeva,
L.L.C.
Adidas' Proposed Claim Constructions
P. T. SHARP 0L Winchester)
(Entered:
referred
to
11/09/2004)
34 MOTION
with Exhibits by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. to Exclude
the
September 8, 2004 Report ofPlaintiffAkeva,
L.L.C.'s Expert Joseph J.
Skaja (K. Welch) (Entered:
11/15/2004)
iii
11/1212004
35 BRIEF
motion
with Exhibits by ADIDAS
to Exclude the September
L.L.C.'s Expert Joseph
(Entered:
11/15/2004)
J. Skaja
AMERICA
INC. in support of[34-1]
8, 2004 Report of PlaintiffAkeva,
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. (K. Welch)
m
11/22/2004
36 REPLY
BRIEF
to [27-1] motion
Adidas' Proposed
Welch)
11/22/2004
to Produce
11/22/2004
AMERICA
INC.
to response
from Opposing
AMERICA
INC.
(K.
Adidas
Inc.
11/23/2004)
by AKEVA
Samples
L.L.C.
to Compel
of Accused
Defendant
Products
and for Sanctions
America,
(K. Welch)
11/23/2004)
38 MEMORANDUM
of [37-I]
by ADIDAS
to Preclude
PlaintiffAkeva,
L.L.C.
Claim Constructions
by ADIDAS
(Entered:
MOTION
(Entered:
with Exhibits
motion
OF LAW
to Compel
with Exhibits
Defendant
by AKEVA
Adidas
America,
L.L.C.
in support
Inc. to Produce
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Samples of Aeensed Products
Sanctions
by AKEVA
L.L.C.
(Entered:
11/23/2004)
11/22/2004
39 CERTIFICATION
Sanctions
11/2312004
40
by AKEVA
L.L.C., [37-2] motion for
(located in expandable
file) (K. Welch)
OF COUNSEL
1] motion to Compel
Samples of Accused
by plaintiffAKEVA
L.L.C.
Re: [37-
Defendant
Adidas America,
Inc. to Produce
Products
by AKEVA
L.L.C., [37-2] motion
by AKEVA
L.L.C.
8 of 22
(K. Welch)
ORDER signed by MAG/JUDGE
set for oral argument on Plaintiffs
(Entered:
for
11/23/2004)
P.T. SHARP that this matter
motion to compel discovery
shall be
(Pleading
No. 24) on January 31, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. in GREENSBORO
IA
COURTROOM.
At least 30 days prior to that date, the parties shall file a
report to the Court certifying that (1) lead counsel
for the parties have
met and conferred
on the motion in person in Greensboro
or WinstonSalem, and (2) there remain discovery
issues unresolved
by lead counsel.
Ces. Dist. [EOD Date 11/23/04]
0C Welch) (Entered:
11/23/2004)
12/06/2004
41
BRIEF
IN OPPOSITION
with Exlu'bits
by AKEVA
L.L.C.
to [34-1]
motion to Exclude
the September
8, 2004 Report of PlalntiffAkeva,
L.L.C.'s Joseph J. Skaja by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. (located in
expandable
file) (K. Welch) Modified
on 12/07/2004
(Entered:
12/07/2004)
12/10/2004
42 Notice
1/5/05.
of Intent to File Dis'positive Motions.
Filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.
Dis'positive
(K. Welch)
Motions
(Entered:
due by
12/13/2004)
12/13/2004
43 BRIEF IN OPPOSITION
with Exhibits
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.
[37-1] motion to Compel Defendant Adidas America,
Inc. to Produce
Samples of Products by AKEVA
LLC.,
[37-2] motion for Sanctions
AKEVA
L.L.C. (K. Welch) (Entered: 12/14/2004)
12/13/2004
44
12/13/2004
45 BRIEF
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. in support of [44-1] motion
to Exceed Page Limitation with respect to adidas' Markman
by ADIDAS
46 MOTION
AMERICA
INC. (K. Welch)
for Summary
Judgment
47
BRIEF with Exhibits A-D by ADIDAS
[46-1] motion for Summary
Judgment
Welch)
12/13/2004
48 MOTION
defendant
12/13/2004
49 BRIEF
(Entered:
(Entered:
by defendant
INC. on Invalidity
of the '300 Patent
Description
Requirement
(K. Welch)
12/13/2004
by
MOTION
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. for Leave to Exceed Page
Limitation with respect to adidas' Markman
Brief (Copy of Brief
w/Exhibits
provided)
(K. Welch) Modified
on 12/14/2004
(Entered:
12/14/2004)
Leave
12/13/2004
to
12/14/2004)
ADIDAS
for Faihtre
(Entered:
for
Brief
AMERICA
to Satisfy the Written
12/14/2004)
AMERICA
by ADIDAS
INC. in support of
AMERICA
INC. (K.
12/14/2004)
for Summary
Judgment
Regarding
the '300 Patent by
ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. (K. Welch) (Entered:
12/14/2004)
with Exhibits
A-J by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.
in support
of
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[48-1 ] motion for Summary
MDIDAS AMERICA
INC.
12/13/2004
Judgment Regarding
the '300 Patent by
(Exhibit D - SEALED
- located in Sealed
Drawer)
(K. Welch)
(Entered:
12/14/2004)
MOTION
AKEVA
with Memorandum
in Support
L.L.C. (attached
Exhibits A-H)
of Claim Construction
(K. Welch) (Entered:
of
12/14/2004)
12/13/2004
5_! MOTION
for Partial Summary
Judgment
Infi-ingement
and Validity _
Regarding
12/13/2004
52 MEMORANDUM
with Exhibits
by plaintiffAKEVA
Welch) (Entered:
by AKEVA
L.L.C.
L.L.C.
12/14/2004)
in support
of [51-1 ]
motion for Partial Summary
Judgment
by AKEVA
L.L.C. (located in
expandable
file) (Exhibits
5 & 10 - SEALED
located in Sealed Drawer)
CK. Welch) (Entered:
12/14/2004)
12/14/2004
Motion(s)
referred:
[34-1] motion to Exclude the September
8, 2004
Report of Plaintiff Akeva, L.L.C.'s Expert Joseph J. Skaja referred,
[37-2]
motion for Sanctions
referred,
[37-1] motion to Compel Defendant
Adidas America,
Inc. to Produce
Samples of Accused
Products
referred
to MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP (R. Winchester)
(Entered:
12/14/2004)
12/15/2004
Motion submission:
[44-1] motion for Leave to Exceed Page Limitation
with respect to adidas' Markman
Brief submitted
to Judge Osteen 0L
Winchester)
(Entered:
12/15/2004)
12/16/2004
53 Notice
of Intent
1/5/05.
12/20/2004
54 REPLY
12/20/2004
55 MOTION
12/21/2004
56 ORDER
to File Dispositive
Filed by AKEVA
L.L.C.
Motions.
CK. Welch)
Dispositive
(Entered:
Motions
due by
12/20/2004)
BRIEF with Exhibits by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. to response
to [34-1] motion to Exclude
the September
8, 2004 Report of Plaintiff
Akeva, L.L.C.'s Expert Joseph J. Skaja by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. (K.
Welch) (Entered:
12/21/2004)
with Memorandum
in Support by AKEVA
L.L.C. to Strike
Adidas' second motion for summary
judgment,
and Opposition
to
Defendant
Adidas America, lnc.'s Motion for Leave to Exceed Page
Limitation
(K. Welch) (Entered:
12/21/2004)
granting
[44-1]
motion
for Leave
to Exceed
Page Limitation
with respect to adidas' Marlcman Brief. The Court hereby accepts adidas'
Markman
Brief on the Correct Construction
of Disputed
Claim Terms,
! which was filed with the Court on December
13, 2004. Signed by
:JUDGE
Welch)
•
WILLIAM
L. OSTEEN.
(Entered:
12/21/2004)
Cos. Dist. [EOD
Date
12/21/04]
=|
12/28/2004
57 MARKMAN
BRIEF
Correct Construction
01/04/2005
(Entered:
12/30/2004
58 REPLY
BRIEF
with Exhibits
of Disputed
12/28/2004)
with Exhibits
by ADIDAS
Claim
by AKEVA
Terms
L.L.C.
AMERICA
INC.
(K. Welch)
Modified
to response
on the
on
to [37-1]
motion tO Compel Defendant
Adidas America,
Inc. to Produce
Samples
of Accused Products
by AKEVA
L.L.C., [37-2] motion for Sanctions
by
AKEVA
L.L.C.
(K. Welch)
(Entered:
01/03/2005)
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STATEMENT
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. of Errata Related
Markman
Brief correcting
two errors (K. Welch) Modified
on
01/03/2005
01/03/2005
(Entered:
01/03/2005
to its
01/03/2005)
RESPONSE
by plaintiffAKEVA
L.L.C. to [40-2] Court's Order
Requiring
the Lead Counsels
for the Parties to Meet and Confer in
Greensboro
01/03/2005)
01/03/2005
10 of 22
.61
62
or Winston-Salem
RESPONSE
with Exhibits
construction
01/04/2005)
brief
by Dec. 31, 2004
by plaintiffAKEVA
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
(K. Welch)
L.L.C.
INC.
RESPONSE
with Exhibits by AKEVA L.L.C.
Summary
Judgment
Regarding
the '300 Patent
(Entered:
to [57-1]
(K. Welch)
claim
(Entered:
to [48-1] motion for
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC., [46-1] motion for Summary
Judgment
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. (Exhibit 5 - SEALED
- located in Sealed Drawer) (K. Welch)
Modified
on 01/04/2005
(Entered:
01/04/2005)
01/03/2005
6.3_BRIEF
IN OPPOSITION
with Exhibits
by defendant
AMERICA
INC. to [50-1] motion of Claim
L.L.C. (K. Welch) (Entered:
01/04/2005)
01/03/2005
OPPOSITION
with Exhibits
by ADIDAS
motion for Partial Summary
Judgment
SEALED
- located in Sealed Drawer)
,
ADIDAS
Construction
by AKEVA
AMERICA
INC.
to [51-1]
by AKEVA
L.L.C. (Exhibit D (K. Welch) (Entered:
01/04/2005)
m
01/03/2005
65
MOTION
by AKEVA
L.L.C. to Strike the Affidavit
of Jerry Turner from
Defendant
Adidas's
Motion for Summary
Judgment
Regarding
the '300
Patent,
and to Preclude
Adidas's Reliance
on or use as Evidence
the
Affidavit
(Entered:
101/03/2005
of Jerry Turner
01/04/2005)
_6_6MEMORANDUM
motion
to Strike
Turner
in expandable
01/05/2005
Person
01110/2005
and the Turntec
Advertisement
file) (K. Welch)
(K. Welch)
(Entered:
(Entered:
by AKEVA
INC. to response
of the '300 Patent
to Satisfy the Written Description
Requirement
INC. (K. Welch) (Entered:
01/11/2005)
AMERICA
with Exhibits
INC.
(located
AMERICA
INC. to
to Meet and Confer in
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
Judgment
of Invalidility
REPLY BRIEF with Exhibit by ADIDAS
to [48-1] motion for Summary
Judgment
7_0_REPLY
L.L.C.
01/04/2005)
01/06/2005)
REPLY BRIEF with Exhibits
ito [46-1] motion for Summary
ADIDAS
01/10/2005
Regarding
the '300 Patent by AKEVA
L.L.C., [65-2]
Adidas's
Reliance or use as Evidence
the Affidavit
of
with Exhibits by defendant
ADIDAS
the Court's order Requiring
Lead Counsel
for Failure
AMERICA
(K. Welch)
L.L.C. in support of [65-1]
from Defendant
Motion for
6_7_RESPONSE
[40-2]
101/10/2005
Advertisement
with Exhibits by AKEVA
the Affidavit
of Jerry Turner
Summary
Judgment
motion to Preclude
iJerry
and the Turntec
(K. Welch)
by AKEVA
AMERICA
Regarding
(Entered:
L.L.C.
by ADIDAS
INC. to response
the '300 Patent by
01/11/2005)
to response
to [51-1]
motion
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for Partial Summary
Judgment
Regarding
Infringement
AKEVA
L.L.C. (K. Welch) CEntered: 01/11/2005)
01/10/2005
71
SUPPLEMENTAL
MEMORANDUM
and Validity
with Exhibits
by
by plaintiff
AKEVA
L.L.C. in support of [65-1] motion to Strike the Affidavit
of
Jerry Turner from Defendant
Adidas's
Motion for Summary
Judgment
Regarding
the '300 Patent by AKEVA
L.L.C., [65-2] motion to Preclude
Adidas's Reliance
on or use as Evidence
the Affidavit
of Jerry Turner and I
the Tumtec
Advertisement
file) (K. Welch)
01/11/2005
72
STATEMENT
by AKEVA
in Support
73 MEMORANDUM
L.L.C.
of Errata
of Motion
(located
(J. Wilson)CEntered:
Related
to Strike
IN RESPONSE
1] motion to Strike the Affidavit
Motion for Summary
Judgment
L.L.C.
L.L.C.
in expandable
01/11/2005)
by AKEVA
Memorandum
01/11/2005)
01/12/2005
(Entered:
to its Supplemental
(K. Welch)
by ADIDAS
(Entered:
AMERICA
INC.
to [65-
of Jerry Turner fi'om Defendant
Adidas's
Regarding
the BOO Patent by AKEVA
01/12/2005)
m
01/18/2005
Motion submission:
[46-1] motion for Summary
Judgment
submitted,
[48-1] motion for Summary
Judgment
Regarding
the '300 Patent
submitted,
[50-1 ] motion of Claim Construction
submitted,
[50-2]
memorandum
in support motion submitted,
[51-1 ] motion for Partial
Summary
Judgment
submitted,
[55-1] motion to Strike Adidas' second
motion for summary judgment,
and Opposition
to Defendant
Adidas
America,
Inc.'s Motion for Leave to Exceed Page Limitation
submitted,
[55-2] memorandum
Strike the Affidavit
Summary
Judgment
to Preclude
Adidas's
i Jerry
Turner
01/27/2005
Regarding
Reliance
and the Turntec
CR. Winchester)
01/25/2005
in support motion submitted,
of Jerry Turner from Defendant
CEntered:
Advertisement
submitted
to Judge
MOTION
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. to Extend
eight (8) days, to and including
2/3/05 to Respond
to Plaintiffs
Strike and to Preclude
(It. Welch) (Entered:
01/26/2005)
referred:
[74-I]
motion
to Extend
Time
eight
01/28/2005
Time
Motion
(8) days,
to
to and
to Strike and to
(R. Winchester)
Telephonic
Notice: Received
telephone
call from Atty Jason Link re:
Oral Argument
scheduled
for 1/31/05 before Mag/Judge
Sharp on #24
I Motion to Compel. The parties have resolved
the matter,
is not necessary.
(W. Williamson)
(Entered:
01/28/2005)
01/28/2005
Osteen
01/18/2005)
74 CONSENT
Motion(s)
for
the '300 Patent submitted,
[65-2] motion
on or use as Evidence
the Affidavit
of
including
2/3/05 to Respond
to Plaintiffs
Motion
Preclude
referred to MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP
CEntered: 01/27/2005)
101/28/2005
[65-1] motion to
Adidas's Motion
Mediation
75 JOINT
Hearing
MOTION
Approval
CEntered:
held
1/26/05_
by AKEVA
and Entry of Joint
01/28/2005)
(C. Gammon)
L.L.C.,
Stipulation
ADIDAS
CEntered:
AMERICA
and Order.
and the hearing
01/28/2005)
INC.
for
(W. WiUiamson)
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Page12 of
Report
Motion(s)
L.L.C.
motion
no longer referred:
02/02/2005
to Preclude
Plaintiff
Akeva,
from Opposing
Adidas' Proposed
Claim Constructions,
[34-1]
to Exclude
the September
8, 2004 Report of PlaintiffAkeva,
L.L.C.'s
02/01/2005
[27-1 ] motion
22
Expert
Joseph
J. Skaja
(W. Williamson)
(Entered:
02/01/2005)
Motion(s)
referred:
[75-1] joint motion for Approval
and Entryof
Joint
Stipulation
and Order referred to MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP (W.
Williamson)
(Entered:
02/01/2005)
Motion(s)
no longer
referred:
[74-1 ] motion
to Extend
days, to and including
2/3/05 to Respond
to Plaintiffs
and to Preclude
(R. Winchester)
(Entered: 02/02/2005)
Time
eight
Motion
(8)
to Strike
i
02/02/2005
Motion submission:
[74-1 ] motion to Extend Time eight (8) days, to and
including
2/3/05 to Respond
to Plaintiffs
Motion to Strike and to
Preclude
submitted
to Judge Osteen (R. Winchester)
(Entered:
02/02/2005)
02/03/2005
TRIAL CALENDAR
mailed to parties for session
9:30 (D. Mccarty)
(Entered:
02/03/2005)
02/03/2005
Deadline
Updated;
set Jury Trial for 9:30 4/4/05 in GREENSBORO
#1
COURTROOM
before JUDGE
WILLIAM
L. OSTEEN
(D. Mccarty)
(Entered:
02/03/2005
with Exhibits
to Preclude
Adidas's
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.
Reliance
on or use as Evidence
of Jerry Turner and the Turntec
Welch) (Entered:
02/04/2005)
02/04/2005
77 JOINT
STIPULATION
AND
Advertisement
ORDER
by AKEVA
(K. Welch)
78 ORDER
including
(Entered:
granting
2/3/05
[74-1] motion to Extend Time eight (8) days, to and
to Respond
to Plaintiffs
Motion to Strike and to
Cos. Dist. [EOD
79 REPLY
BRIEF filed by PlaintiffAKEVA
L.L.C., to Response
to 65
Motion to Strike the Affidavit
of Jerry Turner, and to Preclude
Adidas's
Reliance
on or use as evidence
the Affidavit
of Jerry Turner and the
8O NOTICE
of Hearing:
Settlement
Conference
in Greensboro
Courtroom
#1 before JUDGE
(Winchester,
02/28/2005
resolves
Entry no. 24.
Date 2/4/05]
Tumtee
Advertisement
filed by AKEVA
L.L.C. (Attachments:
15, #2 Exhibit 16)(Welch,
Kelly) (Entered:
02/23/2005)
02/28/2005
0C
02/04/2005)
Preclude.
Signed by JUDGE WILLIAM
L. OSTEEN.
Date 2/4/05] (K_ Welch) (Entered:
02/04/2005)
02/22/2005
at
to [65-2]
the Affidavit
L.L.C.
as set out; This Order
and disposes of the Plaintiffs
Motion to Compel, Docket
Signed by MAG/JUDGE
P. T. SHARP. Ccs. Dist. [EOD
02/04/2005
4/4/05
02/03/2005)
76 OPPOSITION
motion
beginning
81 MOTION
AMER/CA
Robin)
(Entered:
#1 Exhibit
set for 3/21/2005
11:00
WILLIAM
L. OSTEEN.
AM
03/01/2005)
to Withdraw
as Attorney BRIAN M. GAFF
INC. Responses
due by 3/21/2005
(Welch,
by ADIDAS
Kelly) (Entered:
03/02/2005)
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13 of 22
I
03/01/2005
82 1 MOTION
for a Hearing
on its Second and Third Motions to Compel,
for an Order to Show Cause regarding
contempt
by AKEVA
L.L.C.
Responses
due by 3/22/2005.
(Attachments:
#1 Exhibit 1, #2 Exhibit
I
I #3 Exhibit
1 03/03/2005)
B, #4 Exhibit
C, #5 Exhibit
D)('Weleh,
Kelly)
and
A,
(Entered:
03/01/2005
83
MOTION
to Compel Defendant
to Produce Sales Data, Shoe Blueprints,
and Licensing
Agreements
and Related Correspondence
by AKEVA
L.L.C. Responses
due by 3/22/2005
(Welch, Kelly) (Entered:
03/03/2005)
03/01/2005
84
MEMORANDUM
OF LAW filed by Plaintiff
MOTION
to Compel filed by AKEVA
L.L.C..
03/03/2005)
03/01/2005
85
CERTIFICATION
OF COUNSEL
AKEVA
(Welch,
L.L.C.
Kelly)
re 84 Memorandum
re
(Entered:
by AKEVA
L.L.C. (Attachments:
#(1) Exhibit l, #(2) Exhibit 2,#(3) Exhibit 3,#(4)
Exhibit 4, #(5) Exhibit 5, #(6) Exhibit 6, #(7) Exhibit 7,#(8) Exhibit 8)
(Welch, Kelly) (Entered:
03/03/2005)
m
03/07/2005
Telephone
Settlement
Notice to Atty. Scott Sehaaf and Atty. James
Conference
set for 3/21/05 and rescheduling
Conference
03/07/2005)
03/07/2005
NOTICE
3/23/2005
to 3/23/05
of Rescheduling
Hearing:
02:00 PM in Greensboro
WILLIAM
03/07/2005
at 2:00 p.m. (Winchester,
L. OSTEEN.
Robin)
Settlement
Courtroom
(Winchester,
Robin)
Kelly cancelling
the Settlement
(Entered:
Conference
#1 before
(Entered:
set for
JUDGE
03/07/2005)
NOTICE
of Hearing:
Markman
Hearing set for 3/23/2005
10:00 AM in
Greensboro
Courtroom
#I before JUDGE
WILLIAM
L. OSTEEN.
(Winchester,
Robin)
(Entered:
03/07/2005)
03/07/2005
Motions No Longer Submitted
to Judge Osteen 83 MOTION
to Compel,
8__ MOTION
for Hearing MOTION
for Order to Show Cause MOTION
for Order to Show Cause (Winchester,
Robin) (Entered:
03/07/2005)
03/07/2005
MOTION
83 MOTION
to Compel,
and 8_82,
MOTION
for
Hearing/MOTION
for Order to Show Cause REFERRED
Mag/Jd Sharp. (Winchester,
Robin) (Entered:
03/07/2005)
03/07/2005
8_88 ORDER
Granting
81 Motion
for BRIAN
Attorney.
Signed by Judge WILLIAM
Kelly) (Entered:
03/07/2005)
03/09/2005
M. GAFF
L. OSTEEN
to Judge
to Withdraw
as
on 3/7/05.
(Welch,
89_ ORDER signed by Judge P. TREVOR SHARP on 3-9-05, that this matter
shall be set for a hearing on the pending motions to compel on Thursday,
March 24, 2005, at 10:30a.m.
in Greensboro
(Courtroom
IA). (welch,
Kelly)
(Entered:
03/10/2005)
i
i
03/09/2005
] Set Motion Hearing re 3_ Motion
Motion Hearing set for 3/24/2005
#1A before MAG/JUDGE
(Entered:
03/10/2005)
to Compel, 8_.3MOTION
10:30 AM in Greensboro
P. TREVOR
SHARP.
(Welch,
to Compel:
Courtroom
Kelly)
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Page
990 MOTION
for Pro Hac Vice
ADIDAS
(Entered:
03/14/2005
AMERICA
INC.
03/I 1/2005)
MOTION
90for
(Winchester,
03/15/2005
Admission
Responses
Pro Hac Vice
Robin)
(Entered:
for attorney
Keith
due by 3/31/2005
Admission
A. Zullow
(Welch,
REFERRED
14 of 22
by
Kelly)
to Mag/Jd
Sharp.
03/14/2005)
(SEALED)
TRIAL BRIEF by Defendant ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.
(Attachments:
# (1) Exhibit 1# (2) Exhibit 2# (3) Exhibit 3# (4) Exhibit
4# (5) Exhibit
9)(Winchester,
03/15/2005
92 MOTION
03/I 5/2005
9_3_Defendant
5# (6) Exhibit 6# (7) Exhibit 7# (8) Exhibit
Robin) (Entered: 03/16/2005)
8# (9) Exhibit
for Leave to Supplement
the Claims Construction
and
Summary
Judgment
Record by AKEVA
L.L.C. Responses
due by
4/5/2005
(Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4
Exhibit D)(Weleh,
Kelly) (Entered:
03/16/2005)
03/15/2005
Instructions.
Adidas America,
lnc.'s Proposed
(Winchester,
Robin) (Entered:
Preliminary
03/16/2005)
Defendant
Adidas
Final
(Winchester,
03/15/2005
Proposed
Voir Dire
(Winchester,
03/15/2005
America,
Robin)
Inc.'s
(Entered:
Jury Instructions.
03/16/2005)
by Defendant
Robin)
Proposed
Jury
(Entered:
ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC..
03/16/2005)
TRIAL BRIEF by PlaintiffAKEVA
L.L.C.. (Attachments:
# I Exhibit
A# 2 Exhibit B (part 1)# 3 Exhibit B (Part 2)# 4 Exhibit C-_ _ Exhibit D
(Part 1)# 6 Exhibit D (Part 2)# 7 Extu'bit D (Part 3)# 8 Exhibit E# 9
Exhibit F# 10 Exhibit G# 11 Exhibit H (Part 1)# 12 Extu'bit H (Part 2)#
13 Exhibit I# 14 Exhibit J# 15 Exhibit K# 1_ Exhibit L# 17 Exhibit M#
03/15/2005
18 Exhibit
23 Exhibit
N# _ Exhibit
S# 24 Exhibit
O# 2_QExhibit P# 21 Exhibit
T# 25 Exhibit U# 26 Exhibit
28 Exlu'bit
X# _
Y)(Winchester,
97 Plaintiff
Akeva
Exhibit
LLC's
Proposed
(Entered:
03/17/2005)
03/16/2005
Proposed
(Entered:
Voir Dire by Plaintiff
03/17/2005)
03/16/2005
ORDER
Granting
Zullow,
attorney
90 Motion
03/16/2005
SHARP
(Entered:
Jury Instructions.
AKEVA
for Pro Hae Vice
on 3/16/05.
(Winchester,
Admission
Proctor,
(Welch,
MOTION
to Exclude
the Untimely
and Inadequate
Report of Joseph J. Skaja by ADIDAS
AMERICA
by 4/6/2005
(Welch, Kelly) (Entered:
03/17/2005)
101
Robin)
Robin)
for Keith
LLP. Signed
Kelly)
R#
W#
03/17/2005)
(Winchester,
L.UC..
with the firm of Goodwin
Judge P. TREVOR
03/17/2005)
03 / 16/2005
Robin)
Q# 2_22Exhibit
V# 27 Exhibit
A.
by
(Entered:
Second Supplement
INC. Responses
due
BRIEF filed by Defendant ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. in support ofl00
MOTION
to Exclude
filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. (Welch, Kelly)
(Entered:
03/17/2005)
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03/16/2005
NOTICE
Exclude
Re: Exhibits A-F to 101 BRIEF in support of Motion
(located in original case file) (Welch, Kelly) (Entered:
15 of 22
to
03/17/2005)
03/18/2005
1__02MOTION
in Limine
to Limit
the Number
of Accused
Shoes to the Nine
Shoes Identified
in Akeva's
Interrogatory
Responses
and to Require that
Akeva Elect Representative
Patent Claims from the One Hundred
and
Ten Patent Claims that it has Asserted
Against Addidas by ADIDAS
AMERICA
03/21/2005)
03/18/2005
103
INC.
Responses
due by 4/11/2005
(Welch,
Kelly)
(Entered:
MEMORANDUM
filed by Defendant
ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. in
support of_10_ MOTION
in Limine filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.
(Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit A# 2 Exhibit B# 3 Exhibit C - part 1# 4
Exhibit C part 2# 5 Exhibit D# 6 Exhibit E# 7 Exhibit F# 8 Exhibit G#
Exhibit H# 10 Exhibit I part 1# 11 Exhibit I part 2# 12 Exhibit I part 2-2#
13 Exhibit I part 3# 14 Exhibit I part 4# 15 Exhibit I part 4-1# 16 Exhibit
I part 4-2# 1_27Exhibit I part 4-3# 18 Exhibit I part 4-4# 19 Exhibit I part
4-5# 20 Exhibit I part 4-6# 2__1Exhibit I part 4-7# 22 Exhibit I part 4-8#
23 Exhibit I part 4-9# 24 Exhibit I part 4-10# 25- Exhibit
part 1# 2__7_
Exhibit K part 2# 28 Exhibit K part 3)(Welch,
on 3/21/2005
(Welch, Kelly). (Entered:
03/21/2005)
03/21/2005
041
03/21/2005
ORDER Granting
92 Motion for leave to Supplement
the Claims
Construction
and Summary
Judgment
Record. Signed by Judge
WILLIAM
L. OSTEEN
on 3/21/05.
(Welch, Kelly) (Entered:
03/21/2005)
MOTION
for attorney
WILLIAM
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.
Kelly) (Entered:
03/22/2005)
03/21/2005
03/21/2005
106
MOTION
in Limine
ADIDAS
(Entered:
AMERICA
03/22/2005)
1_0_7BRIEF
l MOTION
1 Exhibit
03/21/2005
1o8
Responses
to Preclude
INC.
A. MEUNIER
Akeva
to appear
Pro Hac Vice
due by 4/13/2005
from Alleging
Responses
due by 4/13/2005
(Welch,
Copying
(Welch,
by
Kelly)
filed by Defendant
ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. in support of 106
in Limine filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. (Attachments:
#
A# 2 Exhibit B# 3 Exhibit C# 4 Exhibit D# _ Exhibit E#
Exhibit
Exhibit
F# 7 Exhibit G# _8 Exhibit H# 9 Exhibit I# 10 Exhibit J# 11
K# 12 Exhibit L# 13 Exhibit M# 14 Exhibit N# 15 Exhibit O# 16
Exhibit
P# !.7. Exhibit
Q)(Weleh,
Kelly)
(Entered:
03/22/2005)
MOTION
for Consideration
of Adidas' Arguments
in Opposition
to
Akeva's Motion for Leave to Supplement
the Claims Construction
and
Summary
Judgment
Record,
and for Reconsideration
of 104 Court's
Order Granting
Leave to Supplement
Responses
due by 4/13/2005
(welch,
03/21/2005
J# 26 Exhibit K
Kelly) Modified,
10__29
BRIEF
MOTION
filed by Defendant
for Consideration
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.
Kelly) (Entered:
03/22/2005)
ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. in support of 108
and for Reconsideration
of L0__4Order
Granting
Motion for Leave filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.
(Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit 1# 2_ Exhibit 2# 3 Exhibit 3# 4 Exhibit
4# 5-
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Exhibit
03/21/2005
5)(Welch,
Kelly)
(Entered:
16 Of 22
03/22/2005)
110 BRIEF
in Opposition
to 83 MOTION
to Compel filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. Replies due by 4/1/2005.
(Attachments:
# l Exhibit
_2 Exhibit 2# 3_Ex/u'bit 3# 4_Exhibit 4# 5 Exhibit 4# 6 Exhibit 6# 7
Exhibit
03/21/2005
Page
7)(Welch,
111 OPPOSITION
Kelly)
(Entered:
to 82 Plaintiffs
1#
03/22/2005)
MOTION
for an Order
to Show
Cause
filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. Replies due by 4/1/2005.
(Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit A# 2 Exhibit B# 3 Extu'bit C# 4_ Exhibit
D# 5
Exhibit E# 6 Exhibit F# 7 Exhibit G# 8 Exhibit H part 1# _ H part 2# 10
H part 3# _!2 H part 4# 12 H part 5# 13 H part 6# 14 H part 7)(Welch,
Kelly) (Entered:
03/22/2005)
03/21/2005
112 OBJECTIONS
03/22/2005
l_l_t3 Opposition
by Defendant
ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. to Akeva's
Exhibit List and Pretrial Disclosures
Pursuant
to Fed. 1L Civ. P. 26(a)(3)
(Attachments:
# _1 Exlu'bit A# 2 Exhibit B# 3 Exhibit C)(Welch,
Kelly)
(Entered:
03/22/2005)
to 100 MOTION
to Exclude the Second Supplemental
Report
of Joseph J. Skaja filed by AKEVA
L.L.C. Replies due by 4/4/2005.
(Attachments:
# 1 Extffoit 1# 2 Exht_oit 2# 3- Exhibit 3# 4_Exhibit 4# _5
Exhibit 5 located in original case file# 6 Exhibit 6)(Welch,
Kelly)
(Entered:
03/24/2005)
03122/2005
NOTICE of Manual Filing RE: EXHIBIT 5 in support
paper form with the Clerk's Office by PlaintiffAKEVA
Kelly) (Entered:
03/24/2005)
0312312005
Minute Entry for proceedings
held before Judge WILLIAM
L.
OSTEEN
: Settlement
Conference
held on 3/23/2005.
(Court Reporter
Beck.)
03/23/2005
(Powell,
Gloria)
(Entered:
Minute Entry for proceedings
OSTEEN
: Markman
Hearing
03/23/2005)
held before Judge
held on 3/23/2005.
@ 10:00 a.m. for replies prior to Hearing
Case will be tried on 7/05 Master. (Court
Gloria) (Entered:
03/23/2005)
03/23/2005
03/23/2005
03/24/2005
of Pleading
113 in
L.L.C. (Welch,
WILLIAM
L.
Hrg confd to 3/24/05
on Pending Motions
to Compel.
Reporter
Beck.) (Poweli,
Markman
Courtroom
Hearing confd to 3/24/2005
10:00 AM in Greensboro
#1 before JUDGE WILLIAM
L. OSTEEN.
(Powell,
(Entered:
03/23/2005)
11__4ORDER
Gloria)
WILLIAM
Granting
105 Motion for Pro Hac Vice Admission
of attorney
A. MEUNIER.
Signed by Judge WILLIAM
L. OSTEEN
or_
3/23/05.
(Welch,
Kelly)
(Entered:
Minute Entry for proceedings
OSTEEN
: Markman
Hearing
03/24/2005)
held before Judge
held on 3/24/2005,
WILLIAM
L.
con't from 3/23/05.
Parties to submit proposed
findings re: claim construction
to submit brief re: pldg. 108 by 3/29/05. Motion Hearings
5/3/05 and 5/4/05.
motions/outstanding
by 4/1/05.
to be held
Pltf.
By 4/7/05, the parties are to provide Ct. w/list of any
issues they wish to discuss. Trial to commence
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Page
8/15/05,
ETT 2 weeks.
(Entered:
03/24/2005)
(Court
Reporter
Snyder.)
(Blumke,
I 7 of 22
Sheila)
Minute Entry for proceedings
held before Judge P. TREVOR
SHARP :
Motion Hearing held on 3/2412005 re 83 MOTION
to Compel filed by
AKEVA
L.L.C.,, 8_2 MOTION
for Hearing MOTION
for Order to Show
Cause MOTION
for Order to Show Cause MOTION
for Order to Show
Cause MOTION
for Order to Show Cause filed by AKEVA
L.L.C.,, 37
Motion to CompelMotion
for SanctionsMotion
for Sanctions
filed by
AKEVA
L.L.C. CL takesmatter under advisement Written
order to
follow.
'03/24/2005
(Court
Sheila)
BRIEF filed
MOTION
for Leave
! Summary
Judgment
Exhibit E# 2 Exhibit
(Blumke,
Sheila)
(Entered:
Jury Trial set for 8/15/2005
#1 before JUDGE
WILLIAM
(Entered:
b
11_!6REPLY
(Entered:
03/24/2005)
09:30 AM in
L. OSTEEN.
03/24/2005)
by PlaintiffAKEVA
L:L.C., in support of 92
to Supplement
the Claims Construction
and
Record filed by AKEVA
L.L.C. (Attachments:
F# 3_ Exhibit G# 4 Exhibit I-I)(Welch,
Kelly)
# 1
04/05/2005)
03/30/2005
LI2
03/31/2005
ILL8 CORRECTED
FURTHER
RESPONSE
TO Court's Inquiry Regarding
Collection
Shoe Samples filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. Replies due by
4/I 1/2005. (Attachments:
# ! Exhibit A)(Welch,
Kelly) (Entered:
04105/2005)
of
REPLY BRIEF filed by PlaintiffAKEVA
L.L.C., in
support of 92 MOTION
for Leave to Supplement
the Claims
ConslTuetion
and Summary
Judgment
Record filed by AKEVA
L.L.C.
(Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit E# 2 Exhibit F# 3_ Exhibit G# 4 Exhibit I-I)
(Welch,
04/01/2005
Snyder.)
_Set Deadlines/Hearings:
Greensboro
Courtroom
_(Blumke,
103/29/2005
Reporter
ORDER
regarding
(Pleading
Kelly)
(Entered:
04/05/2005)
DENYING
Akeva's
__ motion to require adidas to "show
contempt,
GRANTING
Akeva's
third motion to compel
No. 83) as set out; in resolution
of this discovery
dispute
cause"
(Pleading
No. 37), within 40 days of the docketing
of this Order, adidas
shall file with the Court a full listing of all 800 plus models within the
"a3" line, with a full description
of the specific search made for this
product (including
new searches),
ifa sample of this model is not
produced
to Akeva within the 40-day period; the Court does not impose
Rule 37 sanctions
upon either party in connection
with Akeva's
discovery
motions,
although the Court reservesthe issue of sanctions
under the
second and third motions to compel until the discovery
proceedings
outlined in the Order are completed
Signed by Judge P. TREVOR
SHARP on 41/05. (MeKenzie,
Keayba) (Entered:
04/04/2005)
m
04/01/2005
1_!9_OPPOSITION
Regarding
to Adidas's
Collection
due by 4/12/2005.
04/05/2005)
04/04/2005
REPLY
BRIEF
117 Further
of Shoe
Samples
(Attachments:
filed by Defendant
Response
to Court's
filed by AKEVA
# ! Exhibit
ADIDAS
A)(Welch,
AMERICA
Inquiry
L.L.C.
Kelly)
INC.,
Replies
(Entered:
in
A 0089
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Report
Page
support of 100 MOTION
to Exclude
the Untimely
18 of 22
and Inadequate
Second Supplemental
Report of Joseph J. Skaja filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. (Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit G# 2 Errata H# 3 Exhibit
4 Exhibit J# 5 Exhibit K)(Welch,
Kelly) (Entered:
04/05/2005)
04/0512005
121 i NOTICE
OF FILING
a corrected
certificate
of service
I#
for Akeva's
[Proposed]
Order Construing
Claims to replace the previously-filed
service page nunc pro tune by AKEVA
L.L.C. (Welch, Kelly) (Entered:
' 04/06/2005)
04107/2005
122 STATEMENT
Regarding
Pending Motions
and Other Issues by
ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. (Welch, Kelly) (Entered:
Defendant
04/08/2005)
04/11/2005
123
TRANSCRIPT
before Judge
Jo Ann
04/11/2005
of Proceedings
(Status Conference)
William L. Osteen, Sr., in Greensboro,
Snyder.
(Welch,
Kelly)
124 :RESPONSE
__
in Opposition
I Number of Accused Shoes
(Entered:
held on 3/24/05
NC. Court Reporter:
04/12/2005)
to 102 MOTION
in Limine to Limit the
and to Require that Akeva Elect
Representative
Patent Claims filed by AKEVA L.L.C. Replies due by
4/25/2005.
(Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit l# 2 Exhibit 2# 3 Exhibit 3# 4
Exhibit 4# 5 Exhibit 5# 6 Exhibit 6# 7 Exhibit 7# 8 Exhibit 8# 9 Exlu'bit
9# l0 Exhibit
10# ll Exhibit
I l# 12 Exhibit
12# 13 Exhibit
13# 14
Exhibit 14# 15 Exhibit 15)(Welch,
Kelly) Modified on 4/15/2005
update Reply deadline (Welch, Kelly). (Entered:
04/12/2005)
04/13/2005
125 OPPOSITION
to 106 MOTION
in Limine
to Preclude
Akeva
to
from
Alleging Copying filed by AKEVA
L.L.C. Replies due by 4/25/2005.
(Attachments:
# ! Exhibit A# 2 Exhibit B# 3_Exhibit C# 4 Exhibit D# 5
Exhibit E# 6 Exhibit F# 7 Exhibit G# 8 Exhibit H# 9 Exhibit I# 10
Exhibit J# _U_Exhibit K# 12 Exhibit L# 13 Exhibit M# 14 Exhibit N# 1_55
Exhibit
Exhibit
'Exhibit
04/15/2005
O# 16 Exhibit P# 17 Exhibit
T# 21 Exhibit U# 22 Exhibit
Y# 26 Exhibit
Reset Reply
4/25/2005.
04/15/2005
126
MOTION
Deadlines
(welch,
ZXWelch,
Q# 18 Exhibit
V# 23 Exhibit
Kelly)
(Entered:
re 102 MOTION
Kelly)(Entered:
for Confirmation
of Scope
R# 19 Exhibit S# 20
W# 24 Exhibit X# 25
04/15/2005)
in Limine:
04/15/2005
127 CERTIFICATION
of Counsel
due by
04/15/2005)
of Accused
Products
Expedited Briefing and Heating by AKEVA
L.L.C.
5/9/2005(welch,
Kelly). (Entered:
04/18/2005)
04/15/2005
Replies
re 126 MOTION
Responses
due by
for Confirmation
Scope of Accused
Products
and for Expedited
L.L.C. (welch,
Kelly) (Entered:
04/18/2005)
Briefing
MEMORANDUM
L.L.C.
filed by PlaintiffAKEVA
and for
of
by AKEVA
in support
of 1_.__
MOTION
for Confirmation
of Scope of Accused Products
and for
Expedited
Brief'rag and Hearing
filed by AKEVA
L.L.C. (Attachments:
1 Exhibit 1# 2 Exhibit 2# 3 Exhibit 3# -4 Exhibit 4# 5 Exhibit 5# _6
Exhibit 6# 7 Exhibit 7# 8 Exhibit 8# 9 Exhibit 9# 10 Exhibit 10# 1l
Exhibit
12# 12 Exhibit
12# _
Exhibit
13# 14 Exhibit
14# 15 Exhibit
#
15#
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16 Exhibit
104/19/2005
16XWelch,
Kelly)
(Entered:
19 of 22
04/18/2005)
Minute Entry for proceedings
held with Judge WILLIAM
L. OSTEEN:
Telephone
Conference
held on 4/19/2005
with Atty. Douglas K_line, Atty.
Lance Lawson and Atty. Patrick Fline regarding
pldg. 126 Motion for
Conftrmaation
of Scope of Accused Products
and for Expedited
Briefing
and Hearing. The response
shall be filed 04/29/05
and this matter will not
be heard at the 05/03/05
and 05/04/05 hearing. (Winchester,
Robin)
(Entered:
04/20/2005)
04/20/2005
Set Response
Deadline
re 126 MOTION
for Hearing
MOTION
for
Confirmation
of Scope of Accused Products
MOTION
for Confirmation
of Scope of Accused
Products:
Responses
due by 4/29/2005
(Winchester,
Robin)
04/28/2005
(Entered:
04/20/2005)
Telephone
Conference
with Atty. Demetrius
T. Loekett, Atty. Patrick
Flinn, Atty. Scott Schaaf, Atty. James Link, Atty. Richard
Myrns, and
Atty. Lance Lawson held on 4/28/2005
with JUDGE
WILLIAM
L.
OSTEEN
Re: Motions to be discussed
at Hearings
scheduled
for May 3
and 4. The parties have agreed that all matters can be heard May 4, 2005
beginning
at 10:00 a.m. (Winchester,
Robin) (Entered:
04/29/2005)
04/28/2005
129 REPLY
MOTION
BRIEF filed by Defendant
ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. to 102
in Limine to Limit the Number
of Accused Shoes to the Nine
Shoes Identified
in Akeva's Interrogatory
Responses
and to Require
that
Akeva Elect Representatives
Claims filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.
(Attachments:
# _l Exhibit IA 2 Exhibit M# 3_Exhibit N# 4 Exhibit O# 5
Exhibit P# 6 Exhibit Q# 7 Exhibit R# 8 Exhibit
Exhibit U# 1! Exhibit V# 1_-2Exhibit W)(Welch,
05/03/2005)
04/29/2005
130
S# 2 Exhibit T#
Kelly) (Entered:
BRIEF in Opposition
to 1._ MOTION
for Hearing MOTION
Confirmation
of Scope of Accused
Products
and for Expedited
for
Briefing
filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. Replies due by 5/10/2005.
(Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit 1# 2 Exhibit 2# 3 Exhibit 3# 4 Exhibit
Exhibit 5# 6 Exhibit 6# 7 Exhibit 7# 8 Exhibit
10# 1_1.Exhibit 11# 12 Exhibit 12# 13 Exhibit
Exhibit 15# 16 Exhibit
05/03/2005)
05/02/2005
13___!REPLY
BRIEF
16# 1__77
Exhibit
filed by Defendant
Response
to _
MOTION
Copying
filed by ADIDAS
R)(Welch,
Kelly) (Entered:
05/04/2005
Minute
Entry
8# 9 Exhibit 9# 10 Exhibit
13# 1_ Exhibit 14# 15
17)(Welch,
ADIDAS
4# 5
Kelly)(Entered:
AMERICA
INC. to
in Limine to Preclude
Akeva from Alleging
AMERICA
INC.. (Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit
05/03/2005)
for proceedings
beld before
Judge
WILLIAM
L.
OSTEEN
: Motion Hearing held on 5/4/2005 re 65 Motion to Strike
by AKEVA
L.L.C., 100 MOTION
to Exclude
filed by ADIDAS
filed
AMERICA
INC., 92 MOTION
for Leave filed by AKEVA
L.L.C., 34
Motion for Miscellaneous
Relief filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.,
(Court Reporter
Beck.) The court informed
the parties that they should
receive
a ruling
on the Markman
Hearing
by 5/13/05.
The parties
will be
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(Entered:
05/04/2005)
05/11/2005
132 ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.'S
OBTAIN
a3 SHOE
2005. (Attachments:
date.
(Winchester,
DESCRIPTION
SAMPLES
# 1 Exhibit
Robin)
OF ITS EFFORTS
filed pursuant
A# 2 Exhibit
20 of 22
to 115 Order
B# 3 Exhibit
TO
of April 1,
C part 1# 4
Exhibit C part 2# 5 Exhibit D# 6 Exlu'bit E# 7 Exhibit F# 8 Exhibit F part
A# 9 Exhibit F part B# I_Q Exhibit F part C# 11 Exhibit G# 12 Exhibit H#
13 Exhibit I# 14 Exhibit J# 15 Exhibit K# 16 Exhibit L)(Welch,
Kelly)
(Entered:
05/16/2005)
05/17/2005
MEMORANDUM
OPINION
and ORDER signed by Judge WILLIAM
[L. OSTEEN
on 5/17/05, that the meaning and scope of the patent claims
asserted to be infringed
and presented
by the parties
determined
as set forth in the foregoing
Memorandum
Kelly) (Entered:
05/17/2005)
for construction
are
Opinion. (Welch,
,m
o5/18/2oo5
31M REPLY
to Brief
in Opposition
to J,_
MOTION
for Confirmation
of
Scope of Accused Products
and for Expedited
Briefing and Hearing
filed
by AKEVA
L.L.C.(Attaehments:
# 1 Exhibit Letter dated May 2, 2005 to
Patrick Flinn# 2 Exhibit Exhibit List to Plaintiffs
Reply)(N/BURG,
REBECCA)
Modified
text on 5/19/2005
(Welch, Kelly). (Entered:
05/18/2005)
05/18/2005
NOTICE
of Docket Text/Event
Modification
re _
of Motion,
: (Corrected
event to reflect as a "Reply
to Motion")
Terminated
deadlines
(Welch,
Kelly)
Response
in Support
to Brief in Opposition
(Entered:
05/19/2005)
in
06/06/2005
135 MOTION
for Reconsideration
Construction
Order
(Partial)
and Memorandum
of the Court's
in Support
Claim
Thereof
by Attorney
i SCOTT ANDREW
SCHAAF
on behalf of PlaintiffAKEVA
L.L.C.
(Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit A# 2_Exhibit B# 3 Exhibit C# 4 Exhibit D# 5
Exhibit E# _6Exhibit F# 7 Exhibit G)(SCHAAF,
SCOTT) (Entered:
_06/06/2005)
06/13/2005
Minute
Enlry
for proceedings
held before
Judge
WILLIAM
L.
OSTEEN
: Telephone
Conference
held on 6/13/2005
with Atty. Richard
:Myrus, Atty. Patrick Flinn, Atty. Lance Lawson Re: Discussion
of the
IAugust
15, 2005 trial date. (Winchester,
Robin) (Entered:
06/14/2005)
06/14/2005
06/29/2005
Telephone
Notice
on 6/14/2005
Atty. Patrick
Flinn cancelling
(Winchester,
Robin)
to Atty.
set for August
Jason
Link and
15, 2005.
06/14/2005)
RESPONSE
in Opposition
to _
MOTION
for Partial Reconsideration
of the Court's Claim Construction
Order and Memorandum
in Support
!Thereof filed by ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC. Replies due by 7/14/2005.
(Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit
Exhibit E# _6 Exhibit
07/01/2005)
07/18/2005
(Entered:
fi'om chambers
Jury Trial
13___77
iNOTICE
through
A# 2 Exhibit
B# 3. Exhibit
F# 7 Exhi'bit G)(Welch,
of Manual Filing of Prosecution
G) in paper form with the Clerk's
Kelly)
C# _4 Exhibit
D# 5
(Entered:
File Histories
(Exhibits
A
Office by PlaintiffAKEVA
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L.L.C.
iSCHAAF,
i added
0"/11812005
SCOTT)
on 7/2012005
31}_8REPLY,
(Wilson,
(Winchester,
filed by Plaintiff
JoAnne).
Robin).
AKEVA
Additional
(Entered:
L.L.C.,
attachment(s)
07/18/2005)
to Response
to 135 MOTION
for Reconsideration
(Partial) of the Court's Claim Construction
and Memorandum
in Support
Thereoj_filed
by AKEVA
L.L.C..
(Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit H# 2 Exhibit I# 3 Exhibit J)(SCHAAF,
SCOTT)
08/09/2005
139
(Entered:
MEMORANDUM
07/18/2005)
filed by PlaintiffAKEVA
Reconsideration
(Partial)
Memorandum
in Support
Impact of Phillips v. A _
(Attachments:
Order
L.L.C.
re _
MOTION
for
of the Court's Claim Construction
Order and
Thereof(Memorandum
of Law Concerning
the
Corp. on this matter) filed by AKEVA
L.L.C..
# 1 Exhibit
A)(SCHAAF,
SCOTT)
(Entered:
08/09/2005)
imm
08/09/2005
140
BRIEF Regarding
Phillips v. A IYH Corp. by Defendant
ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.. (Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit A# 2 Exhibit B# 3 Exhibit
(Part 1)# 4 Exhibit C (Part 2)# 5 Exhibit D)(LINK,
JAMES)
(Entered:
C
08/09/2005)
m=
08/29/2005
MEMORANDUM
OPINION
and ORDER signed by Judge WILLIAM
L. OSTEEN
on 8/26105. Re: The court reconsidering
its Memorandum
Opinion
Motion
and Order of May 17, 2005, and also considering
Plaintiffs
for Partial Reconsideration
of the Court's Claim Construction
Order and Memorandum
in Support; For the reasons
reconsideration
of its ruling in fight of an intervening
set forth, that after
change in the law
in Phillips v. AWH Corp., the court reaffimas its analysis and the
elaimconstruetions
in the Memorandum
Opinion and Order of May
2005; FURTHER
that Plaintiffs'
Motion for Partial Reconsideration
the Court's Claim Construction
(Entered:
08/29/2005)
10/12/2005
142
Order
_
is DENIED.(Welch,
MOTION
for Pro Hac Vice Admission
ofDirk
Auchter, Jason R. Buratti and Andre J. Bahou
Responses
due by 11/4/2005
(SCHAAF,
D. Thomas,
by AKEVA
SCOTT)
17,
of
Kelly)
Robert
L.L.C..
(Entered:
A.
10/12/2005)
i
10/13/2005
• __
1431 ORDER
Thomas,
Granting
142 Motion for Pro Hac Vice Admission
ofDirk
Robert A. Auehter,
Jason R. Buratti, and Andre J. Bahou.
Signed by Judge WILLIAM
(Entered:
10/13/2005)
10/27/2005
144 ¸ MOTION
to Withdraw
L. OSTEEN
Patrick
on 10/13/05.
J. Flinn,
Lance
(Welch,
A. Lawson
Kelly)
and Demetrius
T. Lockett
(Alston & Bird LLP) as Counsel of Record by AKEVA
Responses
due by 11/21/2005
(SCHAAF,
SCOTT) (Entered:
10/27/2005)
10/28/2005
FINAL
OSTEEN
Asserted
11/08/2005
146
ORDER
AND
JUDGMENT
on 10/28/05,
Claims
that final judgment
shall be and hereby
Akeva shall take nothing
10/28/2005)
from
ORDER
WILLIAM
signed
signed
by Judge
adidas.
by Judge
WILLIAM
of noninfringement
is entered
(welch,
in favor
Kelly)
L. OSTEEN
D.
L.L.C..
L.
of the
of adidas,
and
(Entered:
on 11/8/05,
that
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J. Flinn,
firm ofAlston
Lance
A. Lawson
& Bird LLP are hereby
Akeva L.L.C., Plaintiff
(Entered:
11/08/2005)
II/I5/2005
147
1111712005
12/02/2005
of record for
Kelly)
(Entered:
Filing
fee
11/15/2005)
of Appeal and Docket Sheet to US Court of
Circuit re 147 Notice of Appeal. (Law, Trina)
11/16/2005)
Jo
TRANSCRIPT
REQUE_,ST by AKEVA
L.L.C. for proceedings
held on
03/23/05
and 03/24/05
before Judge William L. Osteen, Sr. sent to Mary
and Jo Ann
Snyder.
(Law, Trina)
(Entered:
11/18/2005)
NOTICE
of Docketing
Appeal from USCA for the Federal Circuit re
Notice of Appeal filed by AKEVA
L.L.C. USCA Case Number:
061090. (Law, Trina) (Entered:
11/28/2005)
/=52 NOTICE
by ADIDAS
AMERICA
Parts of the Transcript
12/02/2005)
TRANSCRIPT
JUDGE
Reporter:
(Entered:
01/17/2006
as counsel
litigation.(Welch,
of MARKMAN
HEARING
Proceedings
held on
i03/23/05
before Judge William L. Osteen, Sr. Court Reporter:. Mary
Beck. (Law, Trina) (Entered:
11/17/2005)
Additional
(Entered:
01/17/2006
and the law
1__49_
TRANSCRIPT
Jo Beck
11/28/2005
SCOTT)
Transmission
of Notice
Appeals
for the Federal
(Entered:
11/16/2005
withdrawn
in the above-captioned
T. Lockett
NOTICE
OF APPEAL
as to 145 Judgment
by AKEVA
L.L.C..
:$ 255. (Attachments:
# 1 Exhibit A# 2 Exhibit B# 3 Exl_'bit C)
(SCHAAF,
III1612005
and Demetrius
of Settlement
WILLIAM
Discussions
L. OSTEEN,
Mary Jo Beck.
01/18/2006)
INC. to Akeva L.L.C.
to be Ordered (LINK,
(located
held on March
(Welch,
PACER
Kelly)
NC.
in expandable
(Welch,
(Entered:
Service
Transaction
02/03/2006
23, 2005
StL, in Greensboro,
file).
TRANSCRIPT
of Motion Hearing held on May 4, 2006
WILLIAM
L. OSTEEN,
SIL, in Greensboro,
NC. Court
Jo Beck.
Designating
JAMES)
before
Court
Kelly)
before JUDGE
Reporter:
Mary
01/18/2006)
Center
Receipt
14:11:50
] 92493-0000-01697
11
l crtp"on: IIDocketR o"tlS C,"=rl
ch
ll:03- v-01207-WLOI
I
Billable
Pages:14
Ilcost:
111.12
II
PACERLogin:I_)016
IlCJlentCode:
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!/
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o2) United
'
States
Patent
(1o) Patent
Meschan
(45) Date
(54) _C
SHO_ WITHIMPROVEDSOLE
221,,592
485,813
537,492
652,887
(75) Inventor:.
• David F.Meschau, Greensboro.NC
(us) "
(73) Assignee:. Akeva LJ.,C., _
.(.)
No.:
of Patent:
A
A
A
A
patent is extended or adjuste d under 215
U,S.C 154(o) by 0 flay_
Y
• _
patent ;i, subject to a. terminal d_cllJ_er.
434
648
693
947
2 154
(I._
6,604,300
'
,Aug.
B2
12, 2003
PATENT DOCUMENTS
Subject to any dischimer,' the term of th_
CH
DE
DE
DE
DE
US
coe_inuedon newpage.)
FORI_GN
Notice:
fk_
11/18"/9 Mttclz_ et eL
" 11/1892 Heeper
" 4/1_89_ Sedt5
7/1900.Butterl_d
"_
_c (us)
KI3A'2
029
339
394 "
0_4
951 .
10/1%7
7/1937
7/1940.
"//1956
5/'197"3
• •
coetinnedon newpage.)
, (65)
Prior PubLication
US 2002_u6842
F.a_rt
2002.
•
AI ,_q_. 29, 2002
Related
"New. Footwear Co_ts"
U.S_ Appllcaflou
17,
2(_0,
of aFplic_oaNo. 0_/641,148,
_
m_v.
applic_ion
PaL
No.
6.324,772,_wh/ch
09/512,433,
No.
_
om ..A,u 8.
17,
1994,
is
_ed
now
Feb.
ou
Pat.
No.
m a matlmmtloa-la-pmt of _plicaaou
on,Aug.
(sl) Int.
•(52) U.S.
17,
ClJ.
CL..-
1993,
now
PaL
..................
..........
No.
•
coefimuttiou
25,2000,"Row
5,560,1.26,
'which
lq_: Ce/lOS_d5, Sled
5,615.497
A43B 21/32; A43B
-._..........
13/48
R; 36/3.7; 36/28;
36/27; 36/35 R
Field ot Search ....................
36/37, 25 R,i5,
36/100,105,103, 42, 31, 35 R, 35 B, 27,
36/25
..
(s6)
_
Cited
.U.S. PATENT
4s,6.s2 A
7/_s6.s ihyw,_
.
2_
P,dmoO_ _r--M:
(74) Aaorney, AS_
l
&
ooomm,_o,, _
li_,_.)
D. Pat_moo
or F_t--Mmln
.
& l_nm,
LLP
As_o_ has an upper, a foot sq_on region ix_doned below
at loimt a po_o_ of tl_ ._p_ to su_lx_ the bottom of
user's foot, a sole secured below the foot supper v08ion, and
• flex_bk member positioned below at leut • po_km of the
R)ot support r_'gion and above at ]east a porliell c( the SOle.
The flexible member has a top _fface.., • bottom surface, •
peripheral poainn,
a.d an interior portion. The interior
port/ou .of the flexbk: member deflects in 'use in • dL-ectinn
substautislly
perpe_dbelar
to • m_j_ lougitud_d
axis of
the sho_. At least • portion oJ[ the peripheral portbn is
res_
from ax_vcme.,m relative to tbe inte_or portion in
• dircctio_ submantially peq_ndicular to the. major longitudinal a._ds of the 6hoe.
_39 c.Ja_
et at
/
'
by E.L de Pont de Nemoum
oaAug.
PaL No. 6,195,916, which is a coatl.mm_a of apptim_m
No. 09/'313,667, filed on .May 18, 1_99, now'P_ No.
6,/_0,I_
which is'a ce_/muttlon of al_l/cat/oa NO.
0s,,_,
e_. on sq,. :so, 19'_, uow rat.No. _,0!S.-_,
is a coe:Smmtioo-l.n-pe_
of qRdicefioaNo; _4'291.
9,45,
dated Jul. 30,
Data
(I_
Coattma_a
of
(ss)
I_clartlioaof:_rry D. St_lefleid
ABSTRACT
iea)
Data".
D
i
'
Dec. 4_ 2001
l
"Fib:d:
(5
(=.)
't
_O_
_U
(21) . Appl. No.: 10/007,._35
A 0095
27 _w_
65't
smx_
•US 6,604,300
Page2.
B2
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
674_S36.A
789,089 A
s18_6t A
990,458
A
t;o46,st5 A
1 _.,.338
A
1,112,635
A
• m9t9 0-_
i,318,247 A
1,346,841. A
1,366,601 A
1,371.339
A
1,410,064 A
1,439,757
A
1,439,758 A
1,444,677 A
1,458,.257 ^
1,479,7"73 A
1,501e765
A
1_1919
.1_11,024 A
1,721,714 A
1,8il,641 A
_A
2,m3,6_6A
•2,_7,311 A
2,119,8o7
A
2,148,9"74
A
2,2oe,2_oA
2,288,168 A
2,300,635 A
2.374.9s4A
2.446.627.
A
2,491,280A
'. 1/1921
2__021
3/1922
12/1922
2,54O,449A
3,._6,4fl9 A
•
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Am_ e_aL
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4.372,058
4,391,048
2/1923 _
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. _1923 V_ Mel_
Free_
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4,455,765
A
4,45_.7_
A.
4,,510,700 A
4,53o,t_A
4_:_,4,124 A
4,541,1_
W_940 I_ydeu
6/1942 Leu
4,561,195
A
4,._46,s._A
4_.S0_
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A
4,5_,.,_ .A'
_m942 sbepb_
_'1945 Pip_ae
8/1948
4_;139
A
_,608,768
A
4,610,100
A
4._2_. "/_ A"
4_..S_
A
Rmh
R_mo "
Holt
Sbmpe .
tueal.
Rakm
Rubens
Me.K_ey •
• eageA
6/1984
4_6,9_4 A
4/t93_ B_
e/t938 Vatey
2/1939 W_ow,t_
_v'_ceate
KmJJ_ama
ODmou_
l,_r
7/1983 St'_8
11/1983 Beate
7./1984 Metro.
5/1984 Stuh61efield
•4,414,7_3 A
4.429,4'74 K
4,449.3o7 A
641925 Robkkmx
12/1926Odmaklt
7/1929.Ro_ •
6/1931 Marcelle
_193 $ Ihzenme "
6/1935 De Bl_lo
12/1949
A
9/1979. Oleick_
7/1980 Gouza_
9/1980 D_-Cano
•
3/1981 Famele_e, Jr.
4/1981 MichdoUi '
_1981 _
5/1981 Bat_
9/1981 Norton e_'tL
3/1982 Sottohea
4V1982 Dyke*
4/1982 Hockerma
8/1982 Mctdbd_n et. tL
12/1982 Bo_
2,/1983 Stubble.field
"3/I.983 Ba_er
4/1983 'Joln_e
7/1983 I,utz
4.3P3._ A"
_24
7/19"24
11/1-924
A
_.yr7.o42A
4,3"m/,43A
12/192_Ream
_.950
2/1951
2,556,842
A. (_1951
2,607,134 A
• 8/1952
• 2/1953
2,628,439 A
5]1955
2,'7o7,_z A
5_P56
234-S.197
•A
.2,so6,._
x
•911957
2.998.661
A • 9/1961
4/1963
3,083,478 A
3,o85,359
A • 4/1963
3J387,TX_
A
4/1963
• _t965
3.169.3"27
A
3/t965
3,171,218 A
9/1965
3.208J63 A
3_Y37,321
'A
3/1966
9/1966
3_t,ss5 .A
5/1967
3,318,o2s.
A
7/19_9
3,455,038 A
11/1969
3.478,447 A
6/1970
3,514,879 A
.Z500,302
A
4,2e_,92_A
4.320_ A
4,322,S94A
4,_22,_5 A
4,342J_8 A
4,363377 A
-
va_2o _
"
,,;263,728A
1(3/1914 May
1_31_Je6A
1,5t6,_ .A
1,542,t74A
4,168,._
A
4,214.-'3.84A
4,,224.749.A
4,258.48O A
4.2_.434 A
5/1901
5/1905 Fnmk
'V1906 lk_ _ a.
4/1911 S_oU
12/1912 ;.zv_e
4,642,917
A
4,_0,8"76 A
, 4,706,392. A
4,709,_t89 A
4,712.,314 A
4,741,t14 A
4,745,693 A
4,7._,095 A
4.9'7@.109A
,4,778,717 A
4.785,557 A
Fu_h
D'Ud_o
4,815,221
A
4,843,'737 A
M_le]ey
MCAuI_©
Aatelo
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Gt']ead
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4,845_163
A
4,866,861 A
4_5,300 A
4,S_8_0 A
4,879,821 A
4,881,329 A
4j887+.._7 A
4.936_8
A
3/tg"TxMorley
.7/1971
3.593,436
A
.2/1972- Gfllfl_
3,646,497 A
Fmmdlone
3/_4,041 A
3,'r75_'74 A
•t2n973 eoane_'_
3,782.OLO A • 1/1974 Fnmallone
4/1974 Ball.
3.804.000 A
13/19"/$ Bente •
3,928,8fli
A
11/19"/6 M_Mlm_c
3,988,fl40
A
8/1977 Holg.u_ e_ tl.
4,043,058
A
•12/1977 ]_.eva,
lfi
4,062,132 A
1/1978 Mlnt'hane •
4,067,123 A
4,098,011
A • ?/1978 Bowe-,man
7/1978 Smrluo
4,102,061 A
t_984. _y
.
4/1985 l_ow_
7/1985 .ksia_, Jr.
8/1985 Scheen
9/19_ Cheu
10/1985 Stubblefield
I1/1985 Sttd_lefie_
12/1985 Onoda et aL
' 7/1986 Mhev_
_19_6. _
9/1986
9/1986 Rhodes
11/1986 Bo_r
I]1989
. 2/1989 .Unga_
7/1987 Peag
11/1989 Yang
12/198'7 Wd_r
12/1987 Stgoloff
._1988 Stubbkfield
541988 Brown
7/1988 Lak_
10/1988 Sac_e
10/1988 Fachnma '
il/1988
Kelley et aL
3/1989 Maccam
3/1989 Diaz
.7/1.989 Vogde_
7/1989 _uas-Mao
9/1989 Nooae.
10/1989 Kszz
11/1989 Bosaty
1U19_90_am
et _L
4;9w,319A
4,99_375
A
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5,014;449
A
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5.o83.385A
5J_6.Y_ A
5.O92.O6O
A
S,_W39_ A 5,185,943A
A 0096
__tt989 c:owley
12/1989
6/1990
12/1990
_etlL
Pesac_
Hayes
2n991 sp_
4/1991 Dt_ et aL
5/1991 Richard et tk
7/1991 Bmw_
10/1991 Barry el el.
12/1991C._mhame_al.
111992 Halfe_l
2/1992 Bac_oc_
3/1992 Fracbw e_sl.
1/1993 Lala
2/1993 Toeg ettl.
.
i
US '6,604',300B2
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s,_,2o6A
s,mm4,mmm
A
3/1993 S_
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I0/1993
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7/1994
5,325,611 A
_,343_39A
9/1.994
5,353,523
A
10/1994
A
tl/t994
5,381,_
A
1/1995
5,_588
A '
4/1995
5,425,184 A
6/1995
11/1995
5,469,638 A-.
6/1996
s_28_2 A
10/1996
5,56o.126 A
A
4/1997
5,615,497
5,722,186
A
3/1998
A
9/1998
5,806,210
5,829,172
A
11/1998
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JP
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Spring
1996
Footwear
PCT/US94_9001
Miz_o
dated
for
Sport Shoe
C_l_g;
of Ttk:aya Kimura
cv 00978).
Mizuno
International
Appl/c_tion
Jan. 2, 1995.
S_ort Shoe Cmlog 09S6).
Elonic Spring
Dccl_atJoo
ca_.
P._port
InternationalS¢_.h
1985
0254-4Y2531).
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02547-0254.9).
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heelofashoe_othe_owu bodyweight,perusal preferen_,
1
ATaLrnCsao . wrr. OVEO sots.
or need. They ins "stuck"with whatever
a manufacturer
This/s a continuation of eppllcatlon Set.No. 091641,148,
happens toFv3vldein their shoe size.
flied
Aug. 17, 20_, now U.S Pat.No. 6,324,772,
which is
- Finally, _e.4e appear to be relatively few, if tny, footwear
a continuation
oftpplicatioa
Se_.No. 09/517.,¢33,
filedFeb. s optmr_ a_le
to those pemons severing from f_t or leg
25, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,916, which is a continuirregulgriti_
foot or leg injuries, and legs of different
atio_ of applicafioa'Sec No. 09/313 667 filed May 18, 1999,
leugths, among other things, wbere thercisa need for the left
now U,S, PaL No, 6,O50,fl02,
which is a COntinuation
of
tnd tight rear roles _ be of a _rc_
height alid/or diffeicnt
cushioningor spring propeaics. Preeently,such options
application Set. No. 08/7Z3, ,857, filed Sep. 3Q,.1996, now
U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,384, _hich is a C_P of 08/291,945 , filed t0 appear to is/elude only custom-made shoe_ that are proh,'biAug. 17, 1994, now U.S.-Pat. No. 5"r560,126, which is • CIP
fix,ely expeusive and rendered useless ff the person's conof {}8/108,065,
filedAug.¶17, _993, now U.S. Pat. No.
dition improvesdr deteriorates.
5,615,497;
all of which age incorporatcdhereln by rc feren6c.
BACKGR(_UND
•"
_s
.I.Fieklof the Invention
OF THE INVENTION .
The present invent/oo
is dixectcd to a shoe that sultana.
tiaUy obv/ates one or mote of,the problems due to I/m/tation_
and diadvantages
of the _lated art.
lmk
The present invention relates generally to an improved
rear sole fo( footwear and, more p_rly,
to a rear sole
" Addit/oe,ll features and ulv_ntages of.the invention will
• . foran athletic
shoe with an extendedand more versatile
llfe
2o be set forth in the _d
whlch follows, and in parl w_
•and betterperfl3rmanceinterm_ of cushioningand spring,
be sppareat f_om the deS_il_iOn , or may 'be _
by
2.Discussionof tbeRelated
An
practice of the inveofio_. Tbe objectives and other advaaAlhletic
shoes,such asthosedesignedforrunning,tennis, lage_ of the invention will be realized tad attained by tbe
• b,skeabaU,
¢rom-trainiag,
hlklng,
wal_x_andother
fmms
shoes _d shoe systems parti¢_tdy l_intedout in the
of cxcrc/sc, typically include a lain/hated
sok aaadgd to • 25 wrlttea d_r/ption
and c/s/ms, as well hs the sppen_d
f_oft and pliable upper. The.lam_." ted sole generally includes
dnwi_.
e, rcailient/'ub_r
outsole attached to • more t,cs/fient.midaole
To w._eve these and other advantagc_ snd/n _
usually made of polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA),
with thepurpose of the invention, as emboda'ed aad bto_lly
•os a ndg_er compouneL Whe,n leminated, the sole h ax_hcd
de.scribed herein, the shoe includes an upper having a heel
"W Ibe upper _ a one-_ece strecttm:,
withthe
3o _gion, • rear sole secured below the beet reg/on of the
•kaegrdwithme _ofwa.,-d
sole_.
upper, and • rear sole support attached to the upper end
One of the princlpai problems associated wiih athletic
configured to sco.tre the rear sole below the heel tegi0n of
shoes is outsole wear. A user rarely.has i choice of running
the upper.'Tbe t_ar sole support includes e flcx_le region.
surfaces, aad Lsphalt aod other abru_e
surfsccs take a
positionedbelow the heel regionof theupper m_d abe_ a
tremendous toll on theoutsole. Th/s problem is exacerbated. 35 portion'of the rear sole. The _n'bk
reg/on is sa_:ient/y
by the fact thai most pronounced outs61e .wear, on running
.. stiff to support tusei"while still bein 8 sufficiently flex_le to
shoes in particular, occurs principally in. two places: the
flex and spring when the user. tans or wtlks vigorously. The
outer.periphery,
of the heel and the ball of the foot, with
. flem'ble'rcgion
ht_ an interior p_rtiou _ch
in its no_maL
peripheral heel wear being, by far, a more aerate proble_t. In . unfl_xed, sqt_ h spaoed upwardly from the l_t_ou of thy
the heel typk:ally wea_ oulmuch faster
llumtherlmt of 40 tear sole immediately below said/medor
portion, the _ntea nmni_g shoe, thus requ./rin8 replacement of the entire shoe
rior portion been8 adapted to flex in a direction _sumtiaUy
even though the bulk of the shoe is still in r_lisfa_Im'y
perpendicul_
to the major lonshudimd axis of the shoe as it
condition.
is used.
Midsole comp_n,
patlk_arly
in the case ofa.thlcti¢
The intL-tiof portion of the fleaa'ble region pfef_ably is
_3Oe_ iS tootheracuteprobk'tIL
As prcviotmly uotod, the 45.elevated relative
to its peripheral l_Ct/on /a a di_c6on
' afidsole is generally made of • rcs_icot material to pmvlde
- towel the heel reg/on of the upper. In certain
oashi_
Ibrthe.uaer. However, _
repeated use,' the
the flerlble regionisanintegral
part of the rear sole support.
midsole becomes compressed due tothelargefomes exerted
The rear sole support may include an integral arch exten.s/oo
on igthereby causing it to lose its cushioning effect. Midaole
extending below the upper fi'um • position proximate
compress/onis t_ wo_ ;- the aeel ue_, _
t_e area so heel region of the UPPer through a subsmu_l ixn't/o_ oftbe
d/reedy unde( the user's heel bone-and the area directly
arch regionof the upper tO suppcrt the arch region. •
above the per_bexal outsole wetr spot.
It is to' be understo6d that.both the fOregoing ge_ra]
• Despitetectmological advaacemee_ in recent years/a
"_5ou
and the following deta_d cksa-ipSoo tre.6xem•midsole des/gn aad coostructlon,
the beneflla of such
lazy and explanatory .oelyand are am restrictive of the
advsnccments can still be largeiy
negated,
ptrticularly in the ss
invention,.
_.daimed.
"
'
.heelamt, by two morqhs of _gular urm.The problems
The
accompanying
dra_
which
are
incorporated
in
become costlyfo_ the.user
sia_ athkti¢shge_arebecoming
• part of this_eciflcatioa,
illustrate
several
more eape-glve each ye_, w/th some top-of-thc.-linc models . a_d cons_ute
embodiments
of the inventionand together with the
priced at over $LSO.O0a pair.
By contrast, with dress shoes,
whose heels can be t_placed.tt nom_l
cost over and over so description, serve to explain the in-inciples of the iny_ention.
tear
. •
_VMMARY
OF THE INVENTION
egtia, the heel area(midso b and-oulsole) of conventional
at/_t/c shoes cannot be. To date,there is nothing in the art
•that successfully
addresses the ptobk, m of midso|e C_mpt'e_ioain alhletic
shoes,and this problem remains especitify severe/n
the heel area of _
shoes:
Another p_bkm
is that perchasem of ¢oaveutioual
ath-
ktic shoes
cannotcustomize.the
cushioning
orspring
inthe
BR_IEF DESCI_ON
OF THE DRAWINGS
FIO. I is an isometric view of tne_ut
of the pre._nt invention.
ofthe shoe
FIG. 2 is aa exploded isometric v_ew of a rear sole
suppo_ flexible member, and _
sole tot the shoe of FIG.
1.
A 0125
............
_- ......
:
US 6,604300]32
•i •
.
,
4.
3
I;10.3.is an explodexl immetric view of umtli_ e.mbodi- m_ai of t rear role support, flexible member,.and rear sole
region: As. shown in FIG.. 2,. rear rok _
140 .may
. include an upwardly.extending wall 142, refermdto es a heel
counter, that-_nrounds the peripl_ry of the heel region of.
""for _
in the abo_ of the prc_em invention.
of _tm_l_ flexible uRper 120 to provide lateral atabilization. Wall 142 preSerFIGS. 4-18 are isometric_
•s ably mrmuad_ the reer tad _k_ of uplmr 120 Pt'mdmete the
me.mb_ embodiments
for me. in the shoe d the pnamnt
heel region and h_ service sq_ports snd mab/I/zm the user's
invention.
. heel as he or she tuns. Rear role ro_rt
140 also inch•dan
FIG. 19 is an isometric view of another_mbodimcm of a
• downwardly extmdin 8 side waft 144"that defines • t'ece*s
• rear _ola ropport for u.tz in th¢ ahem of abe lmmOnt invention.
146 size, d toreceive a portion of rear role 150, preferably' a
-FIG. 20 is an .isometric
view ofanother ctnbodimcm of 1o rear role which is removable a_l rotatable tO several prethe _
of the present iovontloa.
d*termiae41
positions.Wall 144 _
in FIG, 2 is g_.ndly
FIGS. 21 and 22 are isomctrlc views of• tear _le
for the _
Of FIG. 20.
FIG. 23 is an isometric view d tn_r
+mbeOimem of
circular and Securely con•aim end holds rear role 150. A
plurality of _
145 is focmed in wtll 144 to facilitate
securement of rear role 150 to rear role supp_
140. The,
ts compooents of tear role support 140 tt_ preferably made
the _
of the present invention.
integral through injection molding or other _an_.
FIG. 24 is an isoatearic view of a rear role _.tpport for abe
technique* and are preferably _
of plasti_ _tch as
shoe of FIG. 23.
a durable plastic mannfactured under the ,t_ae P1RBAX. It
FIG. 25 is ai_de elevation view of • t_curing member for
is further contemplated-that
the tear sole mtpport can be
use in the shoe of the present itr_ntion.
2o made from • varieay of re•aerial& iocl3tdiog without limitaFIG. 26 iS • .partial ¢nt-•w•y isometric clew of the
tion otber inj_c/ioo-mold_d.tl_mmplestic
_tingrm' rocuting member of FIG. 2&
..
ins.
' "
FIGS. 27-29' •re view* of t rear sole for me in the _oe
_'_m,_
inFI_. I and 2,. rear sole _mppott 140.may
of tl_ p_nt
inv*ntiotL
."
DESCRiP'nON oF THEPREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
(
RefertmctwW
now be made in
prefon_d embodiments
of the in_nth_
illustrated ia the accompanying
_le,
the same mf_reac_ ch_
out the da'aWings to refer to the.same
•
FIG. I illustrtte_
• _
detail tO the pretumt
exampks of which
_
.Wherever
will be u.s_._or h_ pert_
embodiment_0f,
tbe _
_-inchde
ao arch extension
or support 180 to provide
• finn
2s supportfor the arch0f the foot and tOal_viat_ _..
oftbe
present .invention. The .shoe, designated ge.n_'ally am I00,
• la_ a _e
upper 120,rear i
_
140,.a rear role .1_0,
rod • forward role 160. Shoe 100 alto pre_tbly
include_ •
flela_ble member 200 (FIG. 2) positioned between rear role
150 and a heel region of upper 120. The flexible member
provides _m'hag to the user's gait cycle upon.heel *tnT_ mad
reduces or elimi_tes
ioteriot reu mideole compn_ion
in
that.it is more .durable
than sonvantional midrole, material.
gapping pro_lem.s wben: role _w_ll
144.,retold be
adjacent forward role 160. Arch extension
1_ genenny
extends below upper 1_ from the _
portion of male
Wall 144, through the arch region. It may ¢_xteud m fat as the
ball of tim fOOL It is attach_
to uPl_r 120 and fixwazd ml_
160 by gluing _ other coevantkmal methods. Archexteuslon 180 m•y be compo,sed of •be same _
_ the nmr
sole support and made lmcgrad with rear sole._
140 by
injection molding. Altcruafively, it may be made of the same
35 or a d/fferent stiff but flexx_le material (_,tmh. _ carbon or
fibergla._ dbbons in a resin binder) and glaed to rear role
• sopport 140. Such oa¢-piec_ ooa.saxtctioa of tl_ ur, h e,m'nsion together with the rear role support solves anoth.r major
problem, namely the t6nde_y Of.tn athkfic shoe of con4o ventioual re*fllent material in the aw..h Lea to cud at the
" juncture of Ihe substsnlially rigid rear sole SUl_t
with the
• mmai_t _rw_l
role.
..
"
'
Shoe 100 also includes a rear sole 150 that is de••dully
•secured to and/_ rotatably positiotmb]e relative to _
sole
4_ support 140. Rear role 1_, as shoWu in FIG. I. inc.btdm •
rubber _--e_
_
154 ._
• planar
mma and tht_ bewleM .segments _ port•ore iim mft_ heel
sm_
during use. As shown, the bevd_
t*gtmn_
or
portions formed on the outsole We-the
same shape and
so o0afi$_rati(m and are-_
_tmm_
about the
Uppgr.120 maybe cozapnsed of • raft, pliable material
that covets the top and sides of abe user's _oo_ during use.
Leather, nylon,.andotber
_p/ntbel_m are e.xagap,les of the
var/ons types of materials known in tbe art for s/xm upptm.
The particular corn•ruction of the upper is not _
to the
sho_ of the pte_nt inveution, h may eyen be _
as
a &ttlhl or may be made o f molded p_
integnd w/th the
rear role _,
as in the c_se. of ad boots _r toner blade
uppers.
• pcripbetT of the i
and preferably symmetrically po_Forward role 160 'isattached to upper 120 in a cowrenfinned about the center Of reu role 150. As explained in
tional manner, typically by injectioo molding, stitching, or
more detail, rear sole 150 .tad the attachment features that
gluing. _
rok 160 ty_kally inciude_ two layem: an
permit rear sole 150 to .be placed and locked into different
¢lastqmeri_ midrole lam_al_l tO an abrasiotl-I_i_tarlt ore- 5._ positions reladve to rear sole rapport ]4.0 Ir_. _
md
role. The particular corn•ruction ofthe forward role is not
coefigured ro that one symmetrically
located bevded potcriti_
to the invention and varimm conflgurttinm may be
don can be moved into the position pmViowdy occ_pled by
used. For example, the midrole may be 'composed nf matetaothcr beveledportioo.
As a tmult, as one of the beveled
rift such is polyuretbane.or.ethyleoe
vinyl soetate. (EVA)
portions beginsto wear, rear role 150 eaa be mpmitiomd
to
aad may inctude air bladders Or gel-filled tubes anca_d
so place an unworn beveled poftioa in the area of abe shoe
therein,and the outrole may be compceed of, I_y means of
where there is greater wear for t particuler eu:r.. By periexample only., an abrasion_reshttat rut_:_r sompoultd.
odically • ltering the position oftbe sole before any beveled
Rear sole support 140 is also attached to the heel region
•portio a is badly worn, (or any midrole material directly.
above the bevel .is badly compre_
the life aml effectiveof upper 120 in a sonventional, manner, such as injection
molding, stitching, or gluing. Rear role _pport
140 _s es ner_ of the mar role, and.the an_ shoe, can be significantly
ilicreas_.
Moreov_, after a'glvta rear sole wea_ beyond its
litlly
ri_
tad is oonflBu_ed to stabilize the heel
region of upper 120 and secure met role 150 below fl_heel
'
point of usefulness,
A 0126
it can be replaced with • new role with
r-
..-
US
6,604,300B2
5
6
m_ttedtls are l_refarably more resilient than matetiale
for the rear sole support or arch extensi_t.
+
i
used
the same or diffca'eut characteristics. Prior to tepltcement,
it
is also posm'ble that left .and right rear sol_ may be
exchanged with etch other intzm_.h
ta left and right rear
DetachabiLity of rear sole 150 allows the met to change
sole* often exh_it opposite wearpatterm..
rear soles ctitirely when either the sole is worn to • signifiAs shown in.FiG. 2, rear sole Lq0 slso i_Judea a middle
s cant degree _X the user desires a differem sole for dea/red
158 lamina_.d to outsole 1..¢4. Midsole 1.58 includes a
performance characteristics for specific athletic eo_kavors
sobf, tantitlly cyiindrie*l lover portion, 162 and • ,_,anor playing surfaces. The _e_ can mutte the tea_ sole to
relocate a worm section to a lem _
area of tbe sole, and
tlally cylindrkal upper pot'tim 164 that is smtlkx in dimctcr than lower portion 162. Upper portion 16tl inchlde* •
eveut6aIly replace the rear sole altogegher when the sole is
plurality of resilient _
165 that mate with opealings 145 10 ezcoe*ively wont. By penodie*lly changing the posithm of
in mu sole support 140_ As tdmwu_ the te*.flknt knobs 165
the rear sole, morc uaifotm wear and beg l_c (both outsole
and openings 145 are syminetr_tlly
ix_tloned about 'the
and z_sole)
can be achieved. Additin_al longevity in wear
central axis of midsole 158 and tbe.recem of rear sole
may also be achieved by interchanging removable rear soks
support 140, respectively.To _
tear sole 150 to rear sole
as between/he
right and left shoe*, which _y
exhibit
support 140, rear sole 150 is simply Wes_fitted into recess 2s oppo_te wear patterns.
146 until knobs 16$ ensagc corte,q_ndin 8 Openings 145. '
In addition, some usomwill prefer to change the iv.ar sol_,
Thk maunar of ioddm8 rear sole 1.q0 into the shoe at troy one
not because ofadveme wear patterns,
but beeatme of a desire
of several pgsitions is one of several mcchanictl Way_ in
for diffcreot performa_e charucteristi_s
orplayingsurfs_s.
which the _ar sok .can be _moved,'repm_
tnd_r
For example,
it .is .coutemp¼ted
that a peruoa using
•locked to the *"earrote support or other part of a shoe.
2o invention in • shoe mar_ed
as a."cre*_raine_may desire
In the embodimenl
shown in FIG.- 2, upper midsole
one type of rear role for one sport, such as basketball and
portion 164 has a diameter at least equd to and prefcrably
anothertype of rear sole for another, such as running. A
basketball player might require a haxtler and fitmsr rear sole
slightly is.'ger than that of the. recem into which it firs.
Midsole portion 162 has a diamct_ substtntially equ_ to the
for stability, wbete quick, lateral movement is. e_en6al,
• diameter defined by the exterior pofti6o 0f c_mlar wall 144. as whereas • rumor or jogger .misht teud to favor inctee*ed
This contigutatinn of elements ellmlnatesaay
,_ertical.gapshock tb_q_4_ou featarm achievtbk
from • softer, more.
ping pmbkma from Ocoming between the wall ofttie rear
cushloaed heel Similarly, • jogger phtanin 8 a ran outside on
sole sopport and the peripheral surface of the tear sole.
rough asphalt or cement might prefer • mote resilient rear
The im/de.d/ameter of a c/rmlar recem 146, e* measured
sole than th,_type that would be suitebte to ton on tm alretdy.
between the inside mrface*of its sidewalls, or the distae_e 3o resilient indoor wooden track. Rear sole pen¢ormtnce may
between the inside s_rf_-of
a medial sidewall,
aud
aho depend oa the weight of the user or the amoum or type
in'de mu'£tcoof tn oppealtelaterd,
skkwall inthecaseof
of cua3in_
degire_
a non-c/rcular rccg_'(n_t shown), may ac'alaUy be greater
The pte_e.nl inveutlOt3
includes • shoe or shoe kit which
' includes or cta accept a plurtlity of rear soles 1_ htviug
than the width of the heel regiou of the shoe upper as
and/or surface co_figuzltiom,
metmued fi_m the exterior sucftc¢ of the medial side oftbe X+ differedt chara_eristie*
beel region of the upp_ to the e_edof s_'fa_ of tbe lateral.
' tbertbyproviding • _
trainer shoe. As explainedinmore
of theheelregionof theupper (i.e.,
theheelregionof
detail Imlow, the shoc can also be de._gtw.d to igocpl sod ur_
the upper at its widest point). This is po_k
becae_ the
differeat fichu'hie members in the tear sole area, to a_Meve
material used to make the rear sok support 140 and side . optimal fle_ ,ud c_loning, throughthe combinationof •
wails is sufficiently atrong and durable to permit the side. 40 flexible member and rear sole aelectcd to provide the mo*t
walls to "time out" u) • greater width than the heel reginu of " desirable flex. cushion, wear, support, and traction for •
the upper wit_ut r/sk of bteakage. This in turu permits the.
given app}{eatinn. In a prc[erted embodimeat,
both the rear
tree of • larger rear sok 150 with more gronnd-cogtging
sole and the flexible member arc replaceable and I given rear
sutLtce and, hence, more _bility_ (As stated, the exterior
sole can b_ locked in a plm'allty o_ separate positions relative
itisheld.
walls Of the lower por6m Of the tr.ar sole generally align. Io the feces,in_
Vortictlly with the exterior
surfaceof_ _de wallsforming
•Since rearsole150 shown inFIGS, 1 and 2 _sselectively
therecess146).Ittlso.permits
theemployment oft fle_n'ble poaitioneble
relative to reu sole supp_
140 in a tangle
regi, m or member with • corn_pondin_y
huge_ diameter,
plane aboet an a_s pet'pend/cular to the major longitudinal
width or teagth bco*e_ /e p_iphem edges opth_y
axis of the shoe, it may be moved to • plursJity of positions
should _
yuticaUywith the Imd-beu_ side walls of so with a meam proqided to tllow the user to secure the tear
the reor_ Such • larger flcza'ble regina or member, with a
sole at each desired positioo. After a period ofuse, outsole
d_amcter, _
or length gneater than the width of the heel
154 will exhibit • wear paUeru at the point in which the heel
region of the upper at its widest point, cretUm more cu__t
contacts the gwund, Wbeu the mor is mnni_
for
ioning and/or spring for the mset's heel durlog the grit cycle.
cXatmple. Exce,_ve
wear sormany occum at this point, and
The observations
and proviMons contained in this paragraph _s at midsole 158 generally above this point, clegrading the
ate equally applicable to the embodimcnts
described in
performance of the rear sole. When the user detennloes that
FIGS. 1, 2, tnd 3.
the weax in thls atea is sisnifie*nt, the uscr can mote the rear
Rear sole 150 k prefenbly
msde horn tw_ different " sole so that the worn port/on w/ll no longer be in .the location
of the user's first heel stnTge. For the shoe' shown in FIGS.
materials:
an abr-'_inn-reaistaut
mM_er compouud
for
groued-_ngagh_
outsole 1._4; and i softer, mote elastomeric
6O I and 2, _otatiou is accomplished by,detaching the rear sole
material such as polyurethane or ethylene vinyl tcctatc
and reattaching at the desired location. For the embodiment
(EVA) for mldsole 1_. However, rear sole 180 could be
in FIG. 3 discussed below, the rear sole may be rotated
comwised
of a _glc
homogenmm material, or two matewithout separating it from the tear sole support. The number
rials (e.g., EVA enveloped by hard rubber), as wed as a
of positiom into which rear sole of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be
material comprising
air eacaimulating
tubes, for example,
mtatcd is limited by the number Of kmbs/oponinss , but is
disclmed
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,3(X). Fcf e*ch of the
unlimited for the rear sole shown in FIG, 3. The use of other
diumsscd rear sole cmbodlmeutS, the outsole and mldso]e
mechanical ieckmg systems to show selective movement
A 0127
t
US 6,604,300
B2
7
,
'
8.
end.locking of the rear soie is comemplated within the spirit
upward _
top anrftce of re._ sole suppo_.140.
In thk
" of the invent/on.
, embod/meat,
the member, or plate 200 is positioned betwem
Rotating the t_tr _ole sho_ an axis normal _ the shoe'sthe rear sole Lf,0 _id the-heel portion of upper 120. A ledge
major axis to _ position, for example, 180 degreee beyond i_
148 may be formed in rear sole support 140 to support and
stxtt/ag point, will _
the worn poftioa of the mar so_ at 5 la_rally _abillzc fl_m_ble member 200.
or nearthe instep po_on of theshoe. Theinsteppoem is
"
1"he_x_le memberm#yalso .bepem_nentlyetttchedto
an ares of lessimportancefortrt_onin_ stab_ity
, en_the top or bottom of the mar sole _uppot't
or dntaduthly
-. •ion/n_and shock absothing_
A_ longas theworn
secured to _e shoe ut_t
tnd mmov_le
_
t l_t
pordon of the mar soll/s mated beyond the uea of
• fi_med in the material (not sbuwu) typlcaIly iocated on the
/n/I/el hoel saike, pmtoeged t_: of the rear soil is pos_ii.
_0 bottom surfso¢of the upper, or it can be exposed and
The User can continue peri_ically
to rmate the rear sole so
removed tftu removing tbe sodc linex or afle_ tlfting the rear
that an unworn portion of the rear so_ is located in the area
portion of the sock lioec Alternatively, it may be totxlly
of the_
heelstr/ke.
expo_l _ in the _tse of flexibil member 200 showe in FIG.,
Tbe.shape
of rear sole can be c/rculer,
polygonal,
18, wherein the U-shaped c_onin8
member may have
elliptical,
"sand-dollar,"
elongated"sand-dollar.'-or
othez-rs direct contact with the users heel without an ioterveuing
sock liner in ,he heellmrtion of the shoe. _
removatn3_ty
wi_..The
shape of _
146 is formed to be ocxnpefible
of the fle_bil member allows the use of several different
"
with the shape of the rear sole. lu all cn_o_trb
the
typesof flex/bee
m_:mbemof varying _
or ceml_/:
"
invention includes mechamcal means f_ _elecfvc|y locking
.don and,therefore,
can be 'adapted
a_ordi_ to theweiSi_
the rear sole relative to Ihe rear sole suppoa and upper of the
the .type of
aboe. Prefershly, the rear sole is shaped so that at _
the 2o of the nm_e¢, the ability of the _
/
involved, of the amount of c_hion_uSand/6r _
desh'ed
' rear edge of the outsole has a substxntislly idenfcal profile
in the heel of the shoe.
,- at several, of preferably each rotated position. To allow for
a plurality of rotatable poe_ons,
the shape of the oueu_le
..• Rear solel._O may have a coecave top sudaceii6?,
as
pref_rshly sbonM be symmc(ric_ abont its centnd.tz_s. As
shown io FIG. 2. Therefor:, whea the rear sole is attached
shown in FIG. I_ the rear sole has fzce beveled portions
to the rear sole rapport, the top 'mfface of the mar.sok does
not come .into contact with the fle:u'ble memb_ when the
which ate symmetrically l_sitiooed about its central
,The user in.th_ embod/me_
can rotate the mar sole 120°
flexible .member dedec_ within/_
_
ran_ of flex.
and place an imwofn beveled portion at the rear heel region •
,_.s a rcmdt, the middle of the flcxibk member can flex unde_
of the shoe, where wear is often maximum. Alternatively, the
the we/ghtof the _r without being in_
by mu sole
2_0 thus acts h_e a.trampolioe
to
rear sole could have two beveled port/ous, 180" apart (in an 30 150. Flexible.member
oval embodiment th_ would havc to be the c_e), in .which
.provide extra spt'mg in the umw's gait iu addition to
event only one rotation per_oe,-plus anexchange betw_n
miaimi_, or preventing,midsole co_u
inthe
and left rear solen, would be posslb_before
replece_ntral poaion of the rea: sole.
meal of n_r soles would be necessary.
3s
A second prefeenu:l embodiment is showo in FIG. 3. la
Wht'le the above di_ussina is directed towa_l_ a rear _le
this embodiment, a rear sole 2.50 is identical toreir sole 150
that rotate_ or separatesin its emit_y,
it is apec/ficaIIy.
contemplated that the same benefits of this invention can be
achieved ff only • port/on of the rear sole is rotatable of
removable.
_nter _
shoV,'n ili FIG. 2 e_Cept that it hks a grooye 2.q4 helow upper
• mldaole portion 232. ins_ad of knobs •165. A rear role.
_upport.240 indudeJ a downwardly extending wan 244 that
Fof exampil, a portion of the.rear
sole, e.g., the 4o has a serrated bottom edge 246 and a threadedion_ surface
may r_main stafiomry while the p_tlpbery of the
- 248. Rear sole support 240 alsoincludesan upper rhn249_
8round-engagiag
stu'faceor cetsoil ;orates_d/oris detach• able. AS another example, themar sole may ao/be remov-
The embodiment of FIG, 3 e,[so indicates a threaded
• .400. R/ag 400 indude_ a threeded outer su 410 thai mates
able but only wlatably posit_onabil..
w/th Iluended/m_
_
248 of rear sole support 240. The
In k preferred embod/ment
of the inventi_,the
shoe of
_
also includes an outwardly and /nwardly extend_
the laesent invention im:ludesa flexibil region 200 that is
flange 4.1:l that pre.sses against serrated bottom ed8 • 24fi
l_ned
above the rear sole and has'acentral
pot'_onthat
when the ring is screwed into the mar role suppo_ The
in its. aormal unflexed Uarc is spaced upwardly from tbe
bottom surface of flange 412 includes _
414, andmay
•poaionoftheshoe(rearsoil support,
or_ sole)imme- also be.sorrttod to fur_,r grip the rearsale to prewmt
diately
below iL The 8ex_bleregion 200 is designedto So rotation The ring also has two ends 416. and 418, end.end.
416 may have a mail member, and cud 418 may be shaped
providet preselecteddegru:of flex,cu_
andspring,
. to thereby redu_ or ¢liminare hoel..center midsole enmlm:_
to re,oeive the male member to lock the two ends together.
sion found in enaventlomd mate_ial_ Flexible region 200 is
Ring 400 may be mtde of hard pla_i¢ of other substantis_
made of stir,but fl_x_ule, mteritL
Exemp_
of materlda
rigid materials that provide a secure engagement
with rear
• thatn_.ybe.asedin.themanufactureof flen'ble
member
_5 sole ,_rpport 240 end.a
firm fouadatioo
for suppoz_
include
thefollowing:
_'_
i
fiberglass;
_aph/te
(carbon) flexible member200.
fibers set in a re.sin (Le. acrylic I_in) binder; flhergtass fibers
Rear sole 2.50 is attachedto mar sole s_uport 7.40 by
set in a resin (i.e. acrylic re_'in) bi_de_ = combination of
ualocking the e=t_ of _ 4o0 _ pos/_/ou/ugri_.40e
8nphit_ (c4ub<m) fibers and fiberglass fibem set in • rein
around upper midsole portion 252 of the rearsole such that
(i.e. acrylic tea/n) binder, nylon; gla_-filled
nylon; epoxy; 6o flange 412 engages groove 2S4. Ring 400 is.
then firmly
polypropyilne; polyethylene; acrylonitn]e buted/ene styreae
locked onto 'he rear s_le by mating end 416 with end 418.
(ABS); oU_r types of iujec_on-molded
thermoplas_
engiFlem'ble member 200 ia inserted into the rear so.k support so
neering re.s/as;spr/agste_l; andsea/ekes spn_q_
Uoet 7be
that/{ presses age/nat uppe_ r/m 249. R_ 8 400, with tear.
." flexible n:gioo 200 can be incorporated into other elemeut,_
sole 2_0 attached_ is then serewed into the rear sole support
of the shoe or c_mbe a separ_e flexlbil member or plare_ 65 by engaging threaded surface 410 of the r/t_ with threaded
As shown in FIG. 2, flex_le member 200 _
be in the
surface ?.48 of wall 7.44. The ring is when sc._wed into the
form of a plate _apported at its peripheral region by an
rear sole support until senated _,e _
of wsl1244 engages
A 0128
_._i__---7 .............
_
......................
_-
....
.....
' .....................
us 6,604,3OO132
:
10
9
flange 412 of _
400. Serrated edge _6 serves to la'CVent
• omtrti IXXt/on of the m/dsole.of
the rear sole can be
rotmino of abe ring du_
_
and the'top edge of tins 400
eliminated, since the flexible rcg/on of the shoc provides
firmly supports flcxibk member 200.
weight bea_ and_miouing at this area
The rear sole _
si6cwslls n_
not be co_uuous
• Other rear sole suRm_rear sole comblnatk_
for sureraround the eut_
r_
Such sidcwxih may be sub_tsn- 5 .ing the rear sot" to the shoe and for supporting the flex_le
eliminated on the lateral tad medial sides of the rear
member at or below th_ I_el _egio u of the upper are
sole support, or even at the mar emi/o_ f_ont of the _tr sole
contemplated a_l _
wifl_n the spirit of tl_ tnvcmion, as
Suppof_ ex]xming ring 400 whea insml/ed, evcu allowing it
dmc_ibed and clakacd. By means of exunple only, some
to prolmde through the s_dewaLb where the ppeolngs are
such ,ddifioual
_oufigunttin_aredisclos_ in commonlycreated This has ao effe_' Whatsoever on the thread alisn- 10 owned U.S2patentapplication
Set'.
No. 08/291,945,which is
merit ou the inside siu'fime of the remaining sidewalk The
IncorP0r_edhere_ by refereucc. :
advantage of doing II_ is qhat'a dngwith a'_ghtly
larger
Tbe flCkt_le _cSi_ of the prc_zut invention is uet elm/ted
diameter than otherwise po_ib_e tud. heocc, a fle,_'ble
.to a circul_ shape and can be adapted.to aminrm to-the
member with .a slightly larger diameter _
otherwise
shape of tim rear sole. The flcx_le region also need not be
po_u_k may be employed..
used only in conjunction with • detachable tear sole, but can
In the embedimeat
showu in FIG. 3, a variety of different
be used with permanently attached rear soles u welL
flem'ble mcmbem 200 having diffcrcut flex _d cuskinalng
FIGS. 4--i7 show varinus'alternative embodiments of the
chencterisdcs
can be sele4::tively _oqmrtted
into the shac.
flcra,
le member. In each of these embodiments, the flexible
Flexible- member 200, once incoq_kted
into 'the shoe, is
member.'may be .curved or convex in drape, or have tn
soctmdy held in pla_c with rear sole mspport 240. Preferably, 20
_vm_dly curved or concs,_e bouom retrace, such that
the rear sole support cout_.V, _x_le
mem_r 200 eaty
interior portiou_of the flex3"ble member is elevated relative to
along its outer periphray, and rear sole support 240 includes
its pedpbery when the: flexible member is positioned in the
auopeuing
above the flexible member, thereby permitting
shoe in its.norn_113m_cton.
Each of the following flexible
the .plate to pm4x'ede upwardly toward the u_er's heel
member embedimeats
may _ used in'co_junc_/oo
with the ..
Morenve_, because the top surface of r_Lr sole 2_ is 2S
rear_ol9 support/reu.soleco_xinatinnsdisclosedin FIGS.
preferably, coueave in shape, the _entrtl portiop of the rear
1-3 and,mote generally disclosed in this disclcemc in its
sole does aot contact the centnd portico of the-flexible
ent/rery., in addition _ inl/owing disclosed embodiments of
.member in its unflexed, normal pos/_o_ As a result, the
flexible members ca• be integrally
incorporate,
into a
: flem'ble member can als0 flex dowawm'd. The degree Of
portion of the stme. In either even t, the resultant shco has
tiexing of the me.tubercan be ctmtmlled both by. the nelec3e • flem'ble re_oo which pmV'kles It incselcc/ed, flex and
fiou of the materisl and shape of the member, _ well _ the
.relttlve dimensions tml shape of rear sole mtppot't 240 and
sP_d_gshoW_ in FIG. 4, flexible member _00 be,
concave.
rear sole 250. While flexible member 200 rod the cort¢.
under
surface
S02
(when
viewed
born
i/s
bottom)
and.an
• spond_ng access in rctr sole tmppert 240 are clrcular in FIG.
conv_z upper surface, and is circular in shape..As
3, Oth,'r Shapes can be utilized. Rear sole support 240 could. • s _
•. • nmdt, the intedor portion of the flex_le member 5e0 is
be designed to include • renem above upper tim 249 to
clevated relative to its peripheral portiou and is positioeed
accopt the flexible member and • mechsnicshncans,
such tm
below the w,,m"sole'of the user when mq_oned in the slme.
• cinmlar lodging ring, similar to flag 400, to sopport a_d
Fickle
mcmbc_m 5"10and _.0 _howu in FIGS. l'tnd 6.
kx:k the flexible member in place, in such tn emb<xtimcot, .
arc Mmihr in _cm_c
to.flexible member
abe user could change the flex_le membex fi'om the _'of
40 re_-q/vel_,
except that flexible member 510 has • bottom surfam 514.
the shoe. S/mflarly, the flex_'ble member 200 could be fixedly
secured to, or.inempomted as _m intngrtl part, of either the
•and a ninon*shaped notch $12 and flexible membe_ $20 has
rear'sote_rtor
eke rear sotc. Simihr_ticusof
a bottom suffuse _,4 and two opposing moon-shaped
an mtnggal flexible regiou ate within the sp/rii of the
• nCtcbesS_.
NoWh512 o_'flexible memberS10 is preferably
invelltin_
. 45 _
_h
the'back of the lear sole,. One of noteh_ $22
Tbe embodimcut
of FIG. 3 and other embodiments of the
of flexfl_le member 520 may be a/isncd with the back °f the
t_atsole. or xltenativelysuch uotcbesmaybe alignedwith
tha_ includes • flexible '
pmaelu:ted spdng and • the lateral and .medial sides of the shoe. Flexible member
_0 ts _own in FIG. 7 is icknticai in stlxtcture to flexible
is p_cferably runnveble
owu pre-selected cash- 5o member $20 showu in FIG. 6 except that it is not co•vex in
pm_rt/es (bothoutsole ._I midsole)t_ which is " shape, but rather curved in only one direction. The _ex_le
member $30 eJ_ameut opdom arc the same .m those of
Inefersbly removable, mpl_¢eable,
md capable of being
,flermle member _0,
locked 'in place at • pluta_ty of prese_
_
•
/nventinn preferably I_
• shoe
reglou or membex which him _own
cosliinmng claractertUic and which
tud repla,_able, • rear role with its
plural/tyof beveled pe_t/cmou theoutermrhce of the rear
:A_ _
in FIG. 8, flexible me_er 540 includes •
_
_
_C
sole which tre pmfi:rsbly symmetric_y
located about'its S$ pinral/W of q_okes _t2 etch joined el one end to • hub $44
.u_
md an intermlatitmship
of the flex_le member, _ar
and joined at an"oFimsite end to rim _46. The size, shape,
and uemb_- of _
is variable depeuding oa th_ de_,_ed
r,c4e support, andmar sole which permit abe flexible member
_m_t'Ely,
As showu in FIG. 8. each of spokes 542 has •
to fl'eely flex to at _
a predetem_tined cks_:. The fle#blc
region
cud its characteristics,
the rear sole .and its
triangular c_s-section,
although the cross-nection my'also
_
l_ mar sok's relative incsfioe _ll_e
be square, rectangular, or any other 8comelrictl
shape.
Wben positioned in the shoe, hub 544 iselevated rela6ve to
flex/ble region can be selectively
altered, to ptov/dein
rim 546 such that hub 544 isclosertothehecl mgioa of th_
combimtine
an opdmki shoe'for * giveo tppficatioo. Also,
because of the rear sole mtetinu ind replacement permitted
_pper.
The flexible m¢,mbem showu in FIGS. 9-12 arc variations
bythe invention, typically heavy outsole material m•y be
of flexible member 540 shown in FIG. 8. Fle_le
member
m&
thinner than on conventional
athletic shoes, thus
reducing the wetSht of the sho_. The invenSoe •1_ l_rmits
. 550 shown in FIG. 9 is identical in sWmmm: to flex_ie
the weight of the slme to be further reduced because the • member _40, but includes webbln 8 55"2 covering the top
A 0129
....................
7.......
US 6,604_0
"
sur_ce
of flex_le
.B'2
.
11
meml?er 550 and joi_
e_h
of spokes
...
12
.upon im p.ct. 1_he U..,shaped cesh/oning
•542 to mlnfon:e fle_le
member 550. _bbh_8
&_2 may be
injec_ioe molded with the _
of flexibk member, Flexible
member 560 shown in HG. 10 is _
in UruCtur__ to
member is shaped to
generLU7 conform to the shape of the user's heel. Thus, the
open eed o_,tbe U-shape is oriented tow_
the Lent of the
shoe. Cushioning member 650 may be comlx_ed of poly-
flexible member $40 s[_own in FIG: 8; however, spokes 562
decrease in thickness between hub 564 and the central
por,_oa of each of tl_ _
_
•hd t_u inctt_
in
• thh:kness fi'om the ¢entnd portion toward rim $66..
'
5
u_thane or EVAor may be an air-f_led or gel-filkd member.
Cushioein 8 member _
ctn be styled, to flex_le member
SO0 by gluin_ or may be made integral with flexible in
member 5_0 in an injection molding process.. If injeeticm
Fiex/ble member b'70, •hewn in FIG. 11, ak_incindes
a
molded, cush/on/ng member 650 would be made of the same
plund/ty of spokes 572 joined ai oppm/t,"• ends to hub 574 ]o material as flexible member.500. To _
the sfiff_e_ of
and tim 576. In this embu_m_ent, the th/ckne_of
the _okes
chshiomng member 650 in this instance, small b_es (not
dec_a._.s in a direction hem hub 574 toward tim 576. In
shown) may be dn'lled in cu.dx/onin 8 nkmber 650 to weaken
addition, wchbing b'78 may be phc=d over tl_ top sm'faoe o f
it end therchy allow/t to depmsa more t'ead/ly 1_on/mpact
flexible member 570"s_milar t0 that.discloeed in FIG. 9.
and more un/f_rmly with flexible member _4).
FIe. 12 inustmes
a _
580 _or supperfi_
the ..is
The cushioning
member 6f,0 descn'bed above _an be."
fle_a_le member in"thia example,, flex/hie member $60.
incorporated.into
a shoe having any of the va.tious flem:b_e
Housing 580 has all L_
crms-6octinn to support the
regions disclosed in this tppli_tinn and drewinp, as well as
• bottom and s/de _au'ftoe,s _ rim .566. Hoe_g
_80 may be
other s_..
falling within the sco_ of the _tims,
.
.inserted into tbe sho6 heel with flexible member _60 or may
If _hioning
membgr 6S0 is used; the shoe stx:k liner,
be permanently affixed t9 the rear sole sepport. In tither 20 wh/chge.4_ndly.prov/d_cu.._hioning,
may be th/nner in the
case, hou_ng 580 acts as'a rei_ment
for limiting or
heel are•or mmy rennin•teat the forwardedgc ofcushion_ug
• elimlnUingistenl movemautof flexlblememberS60during
o
t'
l
member6S0.Ifcushio_ug _'6S0
iSnotused,thesock
u_:. This may have the effect of making thc cenlg* of the
flexiblemembermorespfit_gy.ltmaytlsoallowthemember
to be made of thinmr and/or I_ghter weight material
.
- FIGS. 13 and 14 show f:u'ther vaziatinns of flext'ble plate
500 shown in FIG. 4. Whlk.flex_le
plate 500 has •
.gener_y
uniform thie.knm_ at any given radh_ flex_le
plate _
shown.in FIG. 13 dectr.4m_ in thickness fro m the
center of the member towtrd its periphray. Flexible membei"
$90 tJaown in FIG. 14, on the other hand, is thicker netr the
center and at the periphery, but thinner th_'chetween.,
FIGS. 15--17A disclose flex_le mambem c_nposed of
carbon n'bbons set in a resin binder. Aitcmattvely, they may
be fibe_tt_
r0_om or • comblnttiou of cad)on and fiber-.
gis_ _.
Ribbons made of other tyl_of
fiber may also
be uacd. Flexible mamber 600 include_ radially or dismetritally projcctin8 nW_om 602, either _
from the
center of flexible .member
toward its i_dphery
or,
preferably, passing through the ceeter fi'om • point on the
per/phery to a diamelrically opposite point on the periphery.,
These ribbons 602 are fi.xcd in po_lion by • resin binder 604
knowu in the art. Flexible mcmbe_r 610shown
in FIG. 16
.also _
cidooa _602
set ins reran bindm" 604,.
but further includes • rim 606 comprised of ribbon preset in
the nmln binder and. defining the periphery of flex3"ble
member 610. Flexible member 620 shown in FIG. 17 is
liner may extend to the rear of the shoe and may be shaped
to canf_'m?to
the user's I_| on its top'sm'fat_ and the
25 flexible .member on its bottom surface. Its bottom surfi_
may _o..compensate
for grim formed by the flem_ble mereber. Forexsmple,
thetux:kliner.mayhaveao_ucavebo_tom
surfaoc ia the heel at_a to co_d
to those.flext'ble
_ members havin 8 convex upper tmrfaces.
In each of the above d_
e_ntr_
•be flex_le
mamber is iJlum'ated as a septrtte component of the shoe
which can be removed f_m the _X>e and rephcr.,d by a
sim/iar _r different flexible member, a_ de_
In each of
35 the e_nts-the
central pot•ion of the flexible member
" h raised relative to .its outer l_.rimetsr so that when placed
in the shoe, the imerlor porti0n in its nomml slate does not
touch the rear sole support and/or rear sole. As • result, the
• int*rio_ of the flexible member will flex in t,cspon_'to
the
4o u._r's atrid_ without _
if ever, contac_An8 the tetr sole
support and/or re.at sole. Such flez3"ble member, therefore,
can be u3ed with tear soles that haw: a fit• upper surface, as
well amtho_ that have a concave upper surface. The relative
shape _
pmitioning
of •be flexible
memberand'thc
_ adjtcenl t:e.4u"
sole support or rear sole can be _
to
pt_de
the optimum flex, _
and spring character_• tics: Hov_"ver,.etch of the above-described
flex3"ble roambersm•ybe
madeintegrtl
with the rearsolcanlv°rt'which
identical to flext'lfle member 610 shown in FIG. 16 exoept
that it further incinde* a cizcutar n'l_oo 608 dis_
in resin
bindcr604andcirmunsctibinsthecuteroffle_dblemembe
r
620. The flex_le member shown in FIG. 17A is identical to
• the flexilfle member 610 alm, wn in FIG. 17 except tim it has
fewer _
aad further includes • plm-ality of cinadar
.r_hona 608 spaced radinlly from the center of the member
and _
in the tes/- binder 604. Flexible membem 600,
610, and 620 m•y be convex in shape _o that tbe center of
the flexible member is raked relative to its outer perimeter,
wflea placeA in tim Shoe. They may aiso have • U-chaped
ctmhioning member placed on or r,e_tcd Io their top surface
•- Like that showo in FIG. 18....
not only decree•e• the number of loose parts snd incretse,q
5o the efficiency of the manufactaring ptocc_
but also further
- limits the lateraldisplacement
of. the peaipbery of the
flex_le member upon deflectioix, i_cntially
cttattn8 more
sprin 8 in the center and/m permitting the _
of thinner
and/or lighter w_isht material.
55
As shown in FIG. 19, retr •ok _mppott 340 is identical in
stmcttuc to mtr sole sopport 140 sbuwn in FIG, 2 except that
rear s61e trapper• 340 has • flexible region 70Othat serye_ the
• mmg. purpo_ and function as any of the above,-dcu:rt]y_
flex_le mcmbem. In fact, any of the abnvc-de_'Bx_
flex6o ible members may be used as fle_fiblc region 700 so 1oo8 as
they can [3¢ made integral with rear sole support 340,. in this
Since itis contemplated that the flex_k member w_l be
example, flexible region 700 is convex in shape and thus
composed of graphite or other stiff, but fleaa'bk, material, it
similar to flexible member 500shown inFIG. 4. Ceshioning
islmfferable toc_shion
theimpact of•he user, shcel tSainst
member 650 or a modified sock liner as descrDx, d above
•be flexible member dur_
t_. As shown in FIG. 18, a 65 may also be used.
sub_ntially
U-shaped cushioning member 650 is disptmed
The flexible region may be incorporated
into other mer
oo the top surftce of flexible member -_00 to ceahion the hccl
sole support embudtments
a.5well. A.5an alternative to using
A 0130
"
,
i
-
,
.
.
-
us'6,604,300B2
,
13
at the same time m_g
the tendency of the shoe to carl
. •[ the j_
of the hard resr sole suppoet With the soft
for'ward sole. Similar to rear.
sole support 240. rear sole 10
support 440 includes • heel counter 442 and a si,k wall 444.
Rear sole support 440 also includes a rim 448 and anchors
452 to"receive and retain a rear sole w/th a meting groom,
"
such as rearsole2,SO.Forward sole260 islongerinthis
embodiment to ex_end back to the edge where it wonld abut 15
the rear sole. Flexible region 710 is identical to flexible
region 700 in FIG. 19.
•
.
14.
• rich extension 180, rear sole support 440 shown in HGS.
• 20-22 includes 'a ihickeued tongue 447 that extends toward .
,,,the ball of the fool Thickened tougue 447 pc6v/des tddi_onsl gluie 8 surface f_r artaching the rGarsole support to
fotw_d sole 160 and additio_l stif_ss to the heel portion. 5
of the r_oe aud the arcb area,' thus _the
_
of
separ_on of the forward sure from the rest"sole sttpport,and
£
,
In another embodiment,
rear sole rapport 460, as shown
in FIGS. 23 tad 24, inelude_ • tongue 462 that is tinner aad
slightly smaller than tongue 447 shown in FIGS. 20--22. z0
However, rearsole.support 460 iocludes a.cu_ed wail464
that he• • pocket formed on its focward side for receiving a
" rating rear edg_ of for-ward sole 360 nditceut the rear sole
support. Curved .wall 464 pros/des a firm, smoo_y, contoured U'ansition flora hard-to-aLign resilient materials of the 2s
-forward•rid rear soles and thereby minimizes gapping. It
also [nov/des a de_'able 4>race or bmnper for the lower
' portion of the rear sole when the use• is running. Fle_n_le
• region 720 is identical to flexible regioas 700 aad 710.
As shown in FIGS. 25 .and26, the flexible member may 3o
• also be integrated with the sesuring member. Seceriog
member 750 is _
in st_cture and funcli6n ag r,ec_n8
member 400 in thai it includes • wall 7_2 with a
" outer surface, an inwardly and outwardly' _dending rim 754,
. and mchors 756. Securing member 750 also includes • 3s
ccazvex flexible region 760 integral
withwall 7.._2.
Fler_le
• region 760, h'ke flex_le
reg/o_s 700 and 710. may incorporate any of the configurations shown in FIGS. 4-18.
• Securing member 750 is simply substituted 'for _ufing
member 400 aud flexible member 200 shown in FIG. 3 to 4o
• llar,h rear sole 250 to rear sole support 240. How_.ver, elnee
g member 750 does not include m•tiog ends z;16, 418,
rear sole 250 is pre_,-fitle.d into securing member 70 until
rear sole gr°°ve 21_1 mates with _
member rim 754" 4s
This may have the effect of _
the center of the. flen'ble
member more springy. It may also allo w the flex_le member
to be made of thia_r and/or lighter weight.malerial.
It will be apparcoi to those sk/lled in the ar_ that varions
. bottom s_face,each
of the non;planar p01dons being
inclined _pwardly fiein another portion _ the boltom
surface.in a direction toward the perimeter of the rear
sole, me of the •t leas1 three non-planar potltms beiug
prolimate the t'earward portion of the rear sole, algl at
least two of the •t least three noo-plunar.po¢liom b_g
pro•ira•to the forward potion of the _
sole and
being oriented so that al least one .edge'of one of the •t
least two uon-planar pot•iota pm_aate
the .forward
portion of the nutr sole is pmxlmate a medisl side of the
rear so_e and at learg one edse of the o(hca"of the at leasl
two non-_hnsr portions proximate the forwud po_on
of the rear sole is pro_nm
• lateral side of the-rear
sole;
"
a fle_ble plate hevin8 upper .and lower surfaces and'
suppot'led between at letst a portkm Oftbe rea: sole and
at tern a ponio•
of the heel region of _e Ul_r,
peripbe_
poainm of 'the plate being re_ttrained horn
i..
movemem _elatlve to-an interior ._.io_of
th_ Fla_ in.
• direction =_bstantlally peq_dkadar
to • major axis
of the shoe-so that the interior portion of the plate is
espable of heing deliected reha/ve _o _ peri_,nd
portinns in a disc•ion substantisUy
major axis of the shoe, at leasl a
surface of the plate being convex,
the lower surface of the FLue
porpend/colar to the
portion of the upper
at least _ port/on of
'berg concave, the..
interior, portion of the plate being _
over a
void; and
an openin8 in the boUom _
_ the t_tr'sole lo_ted
beneath the interior port/on Of the pl_,
the e_aning
bein 8 in commu,_icetion
with the void to expose the
imedc¢ _
of the phte from outride of the shoe.
2. The shoe of claim 1, wbereio ea_ of _ho no_-plma:
portions has a maximum linear dimemiou
less than the
greste_ w/dab of the bottom surfaee alo0g'a line pel_ndi/mlar to a major axis of the shoe.
3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the bonom surfa_
includes an o_tsolu material thai is ground engaging, the rear
sole including middle material above the oatsole material,.
at _
a poe•ion of the midsole.material above the nonpknsr poem
he_'_8, thianer _
the _sole
umexisl
above the at leasl one substantially
pisnsrpoi'fion
of the
bottom star.ace .of the rear sole;
4. The shoe of claim 1, fiu'ther comprising at least One
wall proximate tt kas_ a portion of tbe pe_
po_
of the plate and exte.nding in at least one of an upwardly
direction _
.a downwardly d_tinn
from the plate, abe at
les.st one wall being imegral with the plato.
5. Tbe shoe of dahn I. whereln the uppe¢ he• an arch
region, and further comprising an arch bridge integnl w/th
the plate, the arch br/dge e_e_nS
from • po_tlon pl:oxi-.
mod/fications and varlatiohs cau be made in the sysUan.of 50
thep_nt
invention _
departing from the scOpe or
mate a forwardport/onof the plate, forward U_.a,h at least
spirit of the invent/on. Thus, it is intended that the presem
• port/on of the andx regiou of the appec
lnvemiofi cover the inod_iom
and vt,'htions of this
6. The slice of cluim 5. wherein the arch bridge has a
inveatioo provided they come within the so31_ of the da/ms
bottom surface •hal is at.leKst in part vim'hie from.outslde of
and their eqelvalants.
5s abe shoe.
Whal isclaimedis:.
7. _
shoe of claim' 1, wherein the upper _lnrface has at
L A sboe _omprising:
le_ two convex portions, at. least •. portion of the Ul_.r
_. upperhavin8 • heel region_ '
surface bein 8 concave, the coacave portion of the upper
• rear sole having a rearward portion and in opposite
surface being located between the two convex port/ore of
forward portion ccmeected below the heel region, the
the up_g sudac_.
rear sole having a bottom surface •t least • pot't/on of "
8. The dine of claim 1. fxu'ther compri_og at lensl one.
sidewall above at le_ a portion of the bottom surface of the
which is ground eugaging, the bottom surface includin 8
sole, the at leasl one sidewall having at _
one bole
at least one sub..qanfi/dly planar portion and at least
•thou pot•iota ,_on-planar with the at teut o_ sebstantherethr_atgh Ioc_
on •t less• one. of • laterat side, a me,dial •
fially planar portion, the non-planar por_oes
being 65 side, and a _
Of the shoe.
positioned pr6ximate the pedme_er of tbo marsule and
9. The shoe of claim L wherein at ks.st • subslanthl
separated froth each other by other portiom of the
portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate i_
A 0131
'.
,
•
.
US 6,604,300 B2
:
.t
/..
!
,.
,
/
..
16
15
r_rain_
from movement relative to the interior por_a
of
flexible plate.
•
10. The shoe of cl_
L w_in
the pe_pl_rd pottiam
oftl_/kx_ale
plate being rea_
from move.meat relat/ve
to the inh.tiat portion arc at a po_ along • _
side.and
at a point-along
a I_nd side of the shoe.
11. The shoe of dahn 1, wherein a forward fac_ portia
and a tuu-ward facing portion of the pedphertl po_io,_ of
the flex_le plate are restrs/nnd from movement relat/ve to
the interinr porl/o_
t
12. The shoe of claim 1', s_aer_u the peripbetd portions
of the flex_le plate are resu'sined frum movement relative to
the.interior portion at at legst two spaced apart points along
a medial side of the shoe and at' at least two spac_ apart
points along a lateral side of the shoe, the interior port/on of
the plate being located above a point between the at least two
points along tbe medial side of the shoe end the at leaat two.
points along the lateral side of the shoe and b_aeath the
aRpmx/mate
center of the user's heeL
• 13..The shoe of cla;m 12, wherein upon the deflection of
the interior portion of the plate, the at least two points along
the medial side of the shoe and the at le4_ two points along
the lateral side of the shoe ave d/splaceshlc in a d_ec/inn
_y
parallel to the ground.
14.'The shoe of claim 1, wherein the peripheral portlo_
of the fiex_le plate are re_ra/ned from movement relative to
the interior portion both alo_ at least a.portina ors medial
. "slde and at least a poftinU of a hteral side of tlgshoe _md on
dt ks.st a port/on of a forward fac/ng portion and it iea_ a
portion of a rearward facing portion of the poripberal portiom of the flex/ble plate.
15. The _
of dsim
1, wherein at least one of the
peripheral poainm of the plate being re.s_'a/ned, from movement is along the upper surface of the plate aad at least one
of the peripbetal p_xfion_ of th_ pl_ beh_g tzstrdned from
movement is along the k3wer surface of the plate.
16. The shoe of clahn 15, where/n the peripheral portions
a_ both toward the front of the d_3e.
17. The shoe of clsim L_, wherein the peripheral portions
ate both toward the back of the shoe.
ta opening.in the bottom sudace of the rear role locatod
beneath the/_erior
portiou-of the plate, the opening
being in comm"-ication
with the void to e_
the
interi_ portion of the plate from ou_de of the shoe;
5 ' aa arch bddge integral w/th the plate, the 'arch bridge
e._ending f_3m a posit/on pror;mate'a _orwa/d
of the plate, f_'wa.M,beneath at .lea_ a portion of the
ard= region of the upper; and
at .le_ .one wall proximate at least a portion of the
10
peripberal portions of the plate ant4 extend_g in at least
one of an upwardly d/tee/inn and a d0wn_ntrdly d/teefion fi'om the plate, the •t least one wall being integral
•with the plate..
23. The shoe of dsim 22, wherein the at least one wall
_s extends in 'an upwardly direction.
•
24. The shoe of claim 23, wherein the upwardly extend/_
wall b c_dagcled goat least
a.pot'tina of the heel reSino of
the upper.
2& T_ shoe of dsim 23, where/nat kast • porfice 0f the
_0 epvardly e_.ndin8
w_tl is rifle
f_om out,de of the shoe.
26. The shoe of dsim 2_, wherein at lea_.• _
of tl_
upwardly exteading wall is visible from • medial Mde of the
shoe, from a lateral side of the shoe, and from a rear of the
25
27. The _
of dsim 23_ wherein the at least one wan
inclu_
a wall extend/ng in i downwaxdly d/redo..
28. T_e _oe. of claim 27, wherein the downwardly
extendingwan
contacts at ka.q a portinn of the rear sole.
29. Tbe shoe of claim 27, wherein at kt_ a porfi_ of the
30 downwardly .extending wall ig visible hon3 out,de of the
shoe.
30. The shoe of dsim 29, wherein at lear,t a pot_iion of the
dowuwaxdly extending wall b vi_le
from • _
side of
• the shoe. from a lateral _
of the shoe, mxl from a rear of
3s ibe shce.
•
31. _
shoe bf dsim 22, wherein the at lea_t oue wall
extends in a downwardly direct/on.
32. The shoe of c.lahn 31, wherein the" dowuwaidly
extending wall contacts at leas/a port/on of the re_ sole.
,m
.33. Tbe 'dz_¢ of claim 31, wbereiu at kast a IXXdon of the
downwardly extending wdl is visible from ou_/de of the
shoe.
.
• 34, T_ shoe of claim 22, wherein the erda b6Age is
18: The shoe of daim 15, wherein the-poripheral portions
ate both on the lateral ,tide of the _e.
19. Toe shoe of chim I_, wherein the pofipbera[ po_
are both on the medial side of.the shoe.
. .
20. The shoe of dsim 15, wbeada the peripheral.portions
• integral v{/th ao upwardly extending wall on at lea.st one of
of the upper and lower.serfaces
ate pm:_mate one mothec 4_ a lateral side end a reed/a] _de of the sl_:.
'
"2L The shoe of claim. 20, where the capable of bring
3_. TI_e shoe of dtim 34, where.in rig upwardly extending
•de,flen_l inter/or portion is located betweea the port/ons of
wall is st least in part visible h_m outside of the Mine.
the upper end lower surf_
and a point beneath • oentnd "
36. The sboe of claim 22, wharein the at_ bt'idge has a
portion of the heel region of the upper.
bottom g,,tt,face thai is at least in substantial part visgble fzum
22. A shoe ._mpdsing:
so out,de of the shoe.
an upper hav/ng a heelregion aad an ueh region;
37. The shoe of daim 36, wherein the bottom surface of
• rear sole having • bottom mu'faen, the teat sole being
'the archbridge is vist'ble on a llne perpondic_dtr to amajor
eecured below the heel reg/on of the uppe G
a:ds of the shoe *_x_= a width of the ,n'.h bridge.
38. The shoe of chim 22, wherein the areh bddge is
• flexible plata having upper aad lower surfaces and
I
:
supported between at le•s_t a portion of the rear sole and .s_ integral _
• downwardly extend/_ wall.
39.The shoe ofdsim 38,wherein•tleast• potion.ofthe
at least a portion of the heel reS_)u of the. Upper,
downwardly extending wall is visible from _
of the
peripheral poainm of the plate being rer,trsinnd from
movement relative to aa inter/or portia
of the plate in
40. The shoe Of claim 38, wherein the dowuwan_ly
• direclion substaatinny porpendicuisr
to a major axis
of the shoe so tha_ the interior portion of the plate is so extending wall contacts at least a port/on of the rear sole.
41. The shoe of claim 38, wherein the downwardly
cepable of being deflectedrelative
to the pofipharal
po_ons in a _u
sabsumtis]ly perpendicular to the
extending wall is integral with a rearward portion of the arch
bridge.
major axis of the shoe, at lea_ • portion of the upper
42. The shoe Of ddm
38, wherein the downwardly
surface of the plate being convex,atleast a portionof
extending wall is ar_ate:
the lower surface of the plate being concave,
the
43. The shoe of clshn 38, wherein the downwardly
interior portion of the plate being pos/tioned over a
void;
extending wall is at least io pad acurate.
A 0132
•
4
i
|
us 6,6oa,3ooB2
''
':
18 •
.17
44. The shoe of¢Itlm 38, wherein the _y
56.Theshoeofct6m55,wberetntheperlpheralporti_s
• cxtend_a8 wall is curved.
, a_ both toward tbe from of _e shoe.
•" 45. Th_ shoe of chim38,
whereiu the downwardly.
57.'Fbeshoeofdaim$S,_nere_tbeperipberalportlons
exte_g
wall isat'kas_ in part curved,
arebolh tow'at'd
theback of theshoe.
46. The shoe of claim 22, whel_in the rear sok has a . s
" 58. The shoe of claim 55,wherein
the peripheral po_
t'earward porliou, ted 8a opposites forwu'd porkion connected
a_s both on the.kteral side of the shoe.
below the heel vegioo, the rear sob: having a bottom surface
59. The _
o_ dahn 55,.wherein the peripbe_tl portions.
:_e
a portion of
is ground
engaging,planar,
the pohion
bottom
including
at which
least one
substantially
•
•"m-I
at lca_ two .porl/ons
non--plansr
with the atIcam one
sabstaatially planar portion, the non- phaat portlonx be/ng
ale both on the medial side of the shoe.
60. TI_ shoe of chim 55, wherein tbe peripheral poaions
"
1o of the uFPet" and lower surfaces are proz_nate one al_otber.
•61. "fl_.sboeof daim 60, whereto ',he capeb|e of.belng
positioned proximate the perimeter Of the tear sole and
separated from' e*_ other by other portions of the bottom
deilecied interior por1_
is located between Ibe pe6l_ntl
surface, each of Ibe nou-plxnar porlions being inclined
porlionsoftheupperand
lowerma'f:acesandapointbennsth
Ulrwtrdly from another portion of the bottom surface./n •
• ceatral portion of the heel region of the upper.
_
towani the peahneter of the rear sole, one of the at 15
62.A sboe comprls_
'
lea_ two non-plamr porlioas being prox/matc the reanvtrd
an upper havms, a -heel i_gion;
y
potion of the rear sole, tnd the _
of the at least two
n6n-pisnu porto,s being p_xlmate the forwtrd port/on of
_he_
sore..
47.The Shoe of chim .22,whereinIbeupper .mufacehas 2o
?
•{
"1
a rear sole having abottom
surface, the retr sole bein 8
_
below the heel reg;km of lhe.
upper;,
.
• flex_leplate"having'upper aad lower mmSu:ns and
supported-betwce_
atleast,poaim of-there,
u soleand
• , _ least two ¢on_xpo_ons,
at _
a portion of the upper
•
.-surface
being concave, Ibe concave po_on of the upper
al le.est • pot'_on of the heel region of the upper,.
' sm'face being l_cated between the two convex portions of
peripheral portions of the plate being remralne,d f_om
Ihe 6ppcr surface,
movemenl relative to an interim" portion of 4be plate in
48.'The shoe of clahn 22, furtber comprisin8 at kast one 2Y
a di_n
substtatially pe..q_
to a msjor a_.
sidewall above at least a poaion oftbe bottOm surface Of the
Ofthe shoe ao that the interior pm_/on of the pis_e./s
rea_sole, ti_ _tkststoae_tew_
htvleg at kast oac hol.e "
capable of be/ng dcflccled mht6ve_o the i_d_
' tbe_thmughlocatedonatleastoneofalatexalside,
amqdial
" _inadirec_nsubetanthdlypetlueudlcuhrt°the
aide, and a tear of the shoe.,
major axis of the shoe, at/ease • portion of I_ upper
49. The shoe of claim Z2, wherein' at le,a_ • _,slanlial
_
surface of the plate being convex, at.
_
• pm'twa of
portion of the peripheral portions of the flexible plate is
the lower surface of the plate bei_
concave, the
reUralned from movement _htlw
to the interior port/on of
intedm" portion of the plate being po_onsd
ove_ •
the flexible plate.
.
void;
.
_. The sboe of clahn 22, wherein the _t/pberal
portions
an 0pcning in tbe botlom surfaco of the rear sok Ioctted
. _ftbe flex_le pttte be_agres_ralned frommovcmea_ relstive 3_
beneaththe interior portionof the plat_ the "opening
the ia_erio¢ pordoe.am at a poin! d/rag • medial s/de aad
being in commuaicatlon, with the void to expose the
.at a point along a lateral side of the shoe.
. .
inted¢_ portion of the plate from outside of the slx_;
$1. The _
of claim 22, wherein a forwa?d facing "
and
"
"
portionand a rearward facing porti_
of tbe peripheral
atlca.qo_m sidewtllaboveallea.'_aportion.ofthebottom
portio_oftbefle'xlble_ate
tre w.slrtined from movcmem
4o '
mu'faceoftheteatr.sole,the
atlca_onex_dewailhav_ng
relative to the in_erlor portioe,
at least oue bole tberetbx-ough located on.at lea_q one of
52.The shoe ofclaimZ2,whereintheperipheral
portions
a hteral side, • medial side,.anda rearof theshoe.
of the flex_ie plate.are re_rained fi'om movement relative to
63. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the.atleast one bole
the interior _
a! at least two spaced apart, poinls along
includes at least two holes, ai least one of Ihe .at least two
a medial sideof theshoe and at atleast two spaced aparl 45 bolnsbeing on themedial sideof the shoe and al lcu_.one
points tlong a laleral s/de of the shoe, the inter_r p0rtion of
0f tbe at Ins_ two beles being on the lalend side of Ibe shoe.
the pla_e be/rig located 8bove a point be_wcen the at let..q two
64. The shoe of cishn 63_ wherein tbe pla_ ts at k.t.q/n
points along tbe medial slde of the 8hoe aud the at kast two
ptd visible through both of Ihe at kas_ two holes.
po/n_safovg _e l_teral
sideof theshoe and beueath _he.
65;The sboe of ahhn 62,whereln the_dateisat_asl/n
apim_ximate center of the usem heel
5o part vis/ble Ihmugh _ at le_ oee hole.
.q3. The shoe of ch_
_., wbet_in upoe the ddtec_oa of
66, TI_ shce of cla/m _2, wbemin the al least o_e sidewall
tbe interior imrtloo of.tbe plate, tbe at kast two polnls alon 8
has an interior"m_face, the wid being definedat._ea_
in part tbe medial slde of Ihe sl_oe wd the at lea.q two pointaalong
by. Ibe inter_r surface of tbe at lc,kq oae sidewiU.
laleral side o_ the shoe axe disph_able
in • direction
67. The ahoe of eltlm 66, wherein the void is at least in
sabelantially pa.,allei to the ground.
" _ part vi_'ble thmush the at leastone h01e.
$4. Tbe shoe of daim 22, wbereln the pedpheral portions
68. The .shoe of claim 67, wherein 'at lo_,t'one
bole
of this flex_k phte are restrained from movement relative to/ncludes at kast two holes, at lcest one of the at least two
the interior po_n
both along at least a i_aion of a medial
holes being on the medial _
of the shoe and at k_t one
slde sad at letst a portien 0f a latertl side of the shoe and on
of the at k.ast twu holes being on the lateral sid_ o f lbe Sboe,
at _
• poltion of • _m'ward facilig portion aad at I_l.q • .6o the void being at tea_ in part vis_le throughboth of the at
ka_ two holns.
portion of • rearward facing port/on of the per_heral pof69. The _me of chim 66, wherein the interior surfu:e of
tiom of the _e_bl¢ plate..
_. The shoe of claim 22, wherein at [east one of the
.,he at least one Sidewall is visible throush the opening in the.
bottom sudace of the rear sok.
peripheral portions of the plate b_n 8 restrained from move70.Tbe shoe ofchdm 66,wbereinatleasta portionof tbe
ment is along the upper surface of the plate and al least one
interior
s_rfaceofttie
attcast
ons sidewallisvisiblethrough
of the peripheral portions of the plate bein 8 restra/ncd from
theat Icaslooe hole inthe ttloa._one sidewall
movement is alon 8 the.lower surface of the phte.
A 0133
us 6,604 300 ]32
19
2O
71.The shoe ofch_
66, wherein the at km_e
bole in
. the at lenat one sidewall is on the latend side of the shoe, _he
q, _interinr anffaoe of the at le.a_ one sidewall on the medhl side
(
x
of the'shoe _
vimbla through the at least one hole.
72.The shoe of chim 62, wherein the atle_
one sidewall
inchtd_ midsole matet'_d.
73. The shne of claim 6Z wberein the at ]e_ one sidewall
includes cutso]e materiaL
'74'.The shne of cla;m 62, wbereln the at la•.st one sidewall
inchuins both midsole material and out.sole matet_d.
k
75. Theshoe of claim 62, further comprising ai lem one
wail _)mximate at ]e_ a _
of the l_r_bcml pm"_ns
of the plate an_l extending in at least one of aa upwardly
and a downwardly d/t'_ctiou from the plate, {be at
]eau ooe wall beiog imegrtl with the plate.
:
76. The shoe of claim 62, wherein the uH_r has an Ur.h
region, and f'ur0_r oom_
an arch bridge integral with
Ih¢ plate, the arch bridge extending from • position proximate a forward portion of the plate, forward beoe_th at le_
a portion of the ard) region of _h¢ upper.
" 77. The shoe of ¢isim 76, wherein the arch bridge has a
boUom surface that is at leaat in part vis_le from outside of
, -'the shoe.
- •
"/8. The shoc 0f claim 62, wherein the rear sole has a
rearward IX_OO iod an opposite fo_vud portion
beiow the heel region, the rear sole having a bottom anff.ace
at _
• poaioo of which,is ground engasios, the boitom
• . sm'fac= including at kasl ooe s_bsumtia.lly planar portion
and at le._ two ixmines uon-planer with the at le.as['ou¢
sul_u_itny
plaoar portion, the ooe- phner potions being
po_tinned
proximate the. perimeter of the rear. sole and
separated from e.ac_ o/her by oth_ portioas of the boltom
_r_co,
each Of the non-pl_
portions being inclined
upwardly from aoother portio- of the _
serhco in a
dire_oo toward the perimeter of the rear sole, o_e of the at
ieas_ two n_-planar podiom being pmximat_ the rearward
portion Of the rear sole, md the other of the at ]east'two
•non-planar porfiom being pm:_mate the forward portion _)f
the rear sole.
79. The shoe of claim 62, Wherein tbe.upperendtce
has
at 1_
two convex po_doos, at le,as[ a portion of the upper
m,'fa_ being concave, the" _acave
portion of the upper
. surface being _
betv.'_.u the two couvcx l:_li0ns of
d_ upper ma'fac=. "
80. The'shoe .of olaim 62, wherein at l_s_ i substantial
porti_
of tlie .peripheral portiom of the flex_b]e .plate is
restrahu:d from movement xelative to the interior portion of
the flem_k pkte.
111:The shoe of claim 62, wherein Ibe peripheral portions
the medial side of the. shoe and I_e at lea_ two poinls aloo 8
ht_'nd .side of the shoe. are displaceabk
in a direaioo
• substenti,ny ptral_ to the _0,nd.
•
8S. The sh6e o! claim 62, wherein the peripheral poaions
S of the flexibk plate are restrained Born movement relative to
the interior portion both a]oog at lem a port_ of a media]
• si de and at leaat a i)c(linn of a lateral side of tlie shne aad co
•at ka..q a portion of • fot'4ward f_mg polo n and at least •
polo• of a .rearwaxd £m:ing portionof theperlphera]
_rtioosof theflexible
plate.
_0
86. Tbe Shoe of ciahn 62, ,_ne_in at least one of the
peripl_al portioos of the plate b=_.r_slmin=d
from movemcm is a]eog the upper surface of the plate and at least .oo_
of the peripheral portions of the plite be_
nm_xained Born
movement is *loug._
kiwe.r _
of the plate, .
Is
87. The _oe of chim 86, whereln &e _al
poa.ions
m¢ both toward the front of the shoe.
$8. Tbe shoe of Claim 86, whez¢in the perlpheral portiom
' are both toward the back of the shoe.
89. The shoe of ehim 86, wherein the p_'hcrtl
portiond'
2o a_ both on the lateral s_de of the shne.
90. The shoe of chim 86, wherein the pe_phera] porUo,_
art bo_h on the medial side of the shoe; •
91..The _
of claim S6, w huein th• pe_beral pea_m
.
•
3o
3s
to
ofth= flex_bk plate being _sa'ained fi'om movement relative 5c
to the intortor pOnino arc at • point along a medial side aod
at • point along a lateral
sideof the shoe.
82. The shoe of'chim
62, wherein a forward fa,_ng
port/on.ad a rem varct
p oa
mep ,ben
:of the upper and lower sitrf_ces are pm_oato
oue another.
92. The shoe of claim 91, wherein the c_ab]e
of being
deflec_d interior po_don.is located between the l)e_..
poftinos o f the Ul_qPer
a0d lower turf•can arid • Point beneath
• cen_ra.l portion of the heel _gloo of the, uppe_.
_.As_x)c
coaq)dsi_:
an upper havre8 a heel region;
• rear sok scooted be]ew tbe heel re.g/o_ of the upp_, a_l
a flcx_le plate having upper and lower _
tnd
positioned between at least • portion of the rear sole
end at km • portioo of the heel region of the upper,
peripheral por_ous of abe plaXe being reurained fJom
movemeot relative to aninterlor l)ortton of the plate in
a direction substantially _
to • major axis
of the shot so thattheinterior"
_
of theplateis
,_pabk of being deflec_l
relative to the peripheral
pordons in a _
sabstanfiaUy pe rpe 0dicula_ m the
' major ax_s of the shoe, the _q)per emrfa_e hav_g at kast
,me coneave ponioo, aud .the tower surface being at
least in part vis_l¢ flora outside of the shoe.
94. Tbe shne of claim 93, wherein the lower surface is at
kaat in im't v_sibk thmngh an ope0_ng in the rear sote.
95. Tbe shoe of cJa_ 93, wherein the upper duff•ca h-,et
at leas_ ooe co_vex portion,' the at leas/oo= convex portion
being adjao_n! the at ]east one concave portioo of the upper
surface.
96. Tbe shot of claim 9_, wherein Ibe upper surface has
at least two convex portion_, the concave poflkm of the
upper surface being located b_w_u._
couve x pordoas of.
the upp_ surf•c=. •
97. The shoe of _
96, l_rthercomprisin
8 at ]east one
po_OOS of the flelib]e plate are restrained from movement _s waU pro:6mue at kas_ I po_n
d me pe_pheral portinm
• relative to the in_=dor portion.
of the plateand extending in at. least' one of an .upwLnfly
.83. The shoe.of chim 62, where_u' abe l)_iph=ral por_oos.
direction and • downwardly d/rection from the plate _
at
of_
flex_le plate Ire restrained from inove,4_ent re.,]ative to.
lens_ oue will bebg integral with the plate.
the interior poem
at at least two spaced apart points along
9& Tbe shoe of chhn 96, wherein the upper has an.itch
a medial side of the shoe "and at at kaat two spaced apart eo region, and further comprising an arch brldg_ integral with
points along a lateral side or"'he shoe, the interior portion of
the plate, the arch bridge axe•din8
from a position proximate a forwar_ port_n of tb_ plate, forward beaeatb at least.
_l,e plate bein 8 Iomted above a point betwoeu t_ at kas_ two
points ak)o 8 abe medla/,=ida of the shoe and the at least two
a portioo of the areh region of the upper., the arch bridse
•having a botlom sxtrface that/s at _
in parl vis/bk: _rom.
points .along the laten] side of the shoe aod beneath the
approximate.center
of the user's heeL
outside of the sb0c.
•99. The _ne of claim 96,: wherein the rearsok has a
84. The _
of claim 83, wherein upon the deflec_on of
the imeri_ portion of the plate, the at least two points along
rearward portico and an opposite forward portion counec_ed
A 0134
us 6,60 ,300B2
21
i
{
,
below the heelregion,
the _tr sole having a bottom _fface
• t kut • portion of which k ground eegagin 8, the bottbm
' am'faoe incldding at least one sulm_tinlly
plmu pot_don
and at [east two portin-t non-phtmr.with the at le_t one
_y
planar porfio_ file flow pl,umr portions being
lxmltioeed' proximate, the perimeler of the rear sole and
separated f_om each other by other poplin m of the bottom
_-face,
each of the ooQ*pla_r
poftinm being i_ed
upwardly from sttother portion of the bottom l_xfitce in a
direoioo toward the podmeter o.f the aT.atsole, _me of the at
least two ao.-pbnu.pera_o_
bcing._.tbe
rear'ward
. portion of the rear sole' .and the other of the at lem
.nou2planar poaiona being pmxim_te the forward portion of
•the rear role.
.
"
.
"
• 100.Tbeshoeofc_sim_t3,fertheroompd_atleutone
wall extendin 8 in at least one of an upwardly dire_on and.
• downwardly
direction, the at _
oGe wall being ;ntegnd
_vitli at _
• pot•Joe oftheperipheral
portiom of the plate.
•IOL The shoe of claim 93, wh_re_..tbe upper has ta _-ch
..regk3u..•xxI further comp_
an ard3 bridge integral ,with
• the plate, the tw.h bridge.eattending from a pos/ti_ proximate a fro'ward portion of the plate, forward beneath at least
a portion o[ the amh region o.f the. upp_, the arch bridge
ferthet" having a bottom sm'ft_ thai is at least .in part visa'bin
from outside of the shoe.
.
• 102. The shoe of claim 93, _
"the rear solehas •
1•
"
22
:
..
.108. 'lhe shoe of claim 107, whereto upon the defloaion
of the interior .portion of the plate, the at least two points
alon8 the medial side of the shoe and the atlem two points
along the tatertl side of the shoe are display.able
in a
$ "direction mb6_mtial]y parallel to the gr'oun&
109. The shoe of claim 93, wborein thc imripherid pot•iota
of thel]ex_leplate aret_trained from v_oveme.,_ relative
to
the interior portionboth along atle._ • poaion of a medial
side nod at kaY, a porlion of a lateral side of lhe shoe md on
10 at least a por'don of a forward facing l_rtion and • re.a.nuard
fadng imrtion of the peripheral portions of the Ikxibk plate.
110. "l_ shoe of claim 93, wherein at least one of the
pcrip_al
portions of the plate _
re._ra/ned from movemere it along the tq_er mtrfao: of the plate and at le._ (me
lS o{_the.perip_ral lmrtiotm of the plate b_ng re_strtim:d f_m .
movement is along the lowed surface of the plate,
.
111. The shoe .of claim 110, wherein the. pofi#eral
portioas are i_oth toward the'f_ont oftlv: shoe. "
•
m. _
_
of _
no, _rein't_
_,it_m
20 portions _" both towa,,d the back of fl_'sh6*.
113- The shoe of claim 110, wheaein .thepotipbond
portions ale bo0i oa the lateral side of the du3e.
114. The _
of.clalm
110, wbocein the l_he-qd.
portin_ a._ both.o/, the medial _,ide of the shoe.
2s
11S. TI_ shoe of claim,1.10, wherein the pe_id_.'tl
po_tioes of the upper and lower surfa_
are I_reximate one
another. ,
tettw_
po¢tion and an ol_aite
fotwi.,d pot•ion _mnected
Ll6.'Theshoe of claim 115,whereinthe Calmbl_ of belng
below the heel region, the rear role having a bottom surface
. at kaat• portion of which/s ground _aSq_g,
the bottom
deflected interior portion is Ioea_d between lhe ,p_ipheral
surface inchKlk_ at least one substantially plenar"portinn _o potaions of the upper and lower mrf3tca.s md a Imint beneath
and tt le.ut twu podions mm-lflanu with the tt let,st on•
a c_ntrtl portion of the heel region of the uppec.
117. A shoe.mmpx_inS:
tmbstam_y
plaeu portion, the no•- planar portions being
•positkmed .prmdmate
the perimeter of the rear role and .
an upp*r _avin$ a heel rc$ion;
..
" tteparated fxom etch other by other portions of the bottom
.ma-_
each of thenonglamr
portions being indined _s
a flekible plate having upper and lower s_
and
• upwardly from another por6on of the'bouom surface in a •
roppOrted botWeeo at lea_ a potlion of the rear role and
direction towml the ped_aeter of the rear solo, one of the
at least • portion of t_ l_l
r_ioa.of
the upper,
lea•t two non-planar portions beingproximate the re.4u'ward
l_tipbenl
portio,,_ of the plate being _
from
portion of the rear sole, and the o/her of the at kast two
movegtent relative to an interior p0_ion of the p_ate
no.plan&
portions being pt_x.imate the forward portion of
a d/n:ctinn.mbstantlatly
perpendicular
to • major
the rear sole.
of the rkoe so that the interior portion of the plate is.
103. The ahoe of claim 93, further comptir, in8 at ka..q one
capableof being deflected _letive
to.the peripheral
_
above at leea;t.a lmrd_ of the bottom surfaoe Of _¢
porlinns in a dhw,ctinn mO_stanfially perpendicahr IOthe
role, the at _
one sidewall having at least ooe hole
majo" _
of the shoe, _,t least one portionof a cross
therethmugh located on.at k_ one of • leteral side, a mod_
,is
of the plate perpendicular to • major ax/sof the
• side, and • mar of the_
shoe defininga on_,e in • direc_ongenerallyfrom a
104.The Shoe of claim 93,whe,_in_,t
leasta sub_ten_ial
medial slde of the slx)e to a laletal s_l¢ of the shoe; and
portionof the peripheral
portinosof the flex_leplateis
an
open_g _ _ bonom sm'faca of the rear sole located
restrained
6ore movement relative
totheinterlor
portionof
beneath the intet'inr portinn of the plate that exposes the
the flexible plate.
interin¢ portion of.the plate.
".
10_.Theshned chim93,wherein_ peri#eod pertioes
1.18.
A shoe mmpri_g:
• •
of tim fle_leplate
being restrained from movement relative
m upl_r having a heel regkm; .
• to the interiQr pomona are at a point aloog a medial side nod
a
at •point aloe8 a lateral
_
of the shoe.
..
106. The eboc o[ claim 93, whe_n
• forward facing ss
.portion and a rea_ud
faem 8 _
of the peripheral'
portions of the fle_'ble plate are w,stralned from movement
relative
tothe inteti0r
portion. '
107.The shoeof claim93,,,vboxei_the pedl_xertl
pottia_ "
of the flex_ie.plate
are restrained fxom movement relative to
the interior portin_ at at least two.paced apart polnm aMng
a medial side of the shoe a_d at at least two spa_l
apart
points along a late:d side of the shoe, t_ intsrint portion of
•
the plate being located •bore a point between the at least two
•points along the medial side of the shoe and the at least two 65
point, alon 8 the lateral side of the _oe and beneath the
approximate centerof the e._a'*s heel
sole
bein.,'-
.a rear sole secured below
•
A 0135
'
the heel region of the uppe:;,
fle_b k plate Wing
u_pe_ and Lower sm'f_cea and
ropported between at leL_t a ixmioo of the rear sole and
at _
a portionof the heel regioo of the upper,
peripheral
portiom of t_ platebeing restrained
mo_meot
relative to en interior pot'tiou of-the.plate
in
a direction submatially
perp=xlimdar
to a majoc axis
of the shoe so that 'the inte6_r po_on
of the'phtte Ls
capable of being deflecte_ relative to the peripheral
Fo_iensin• d_.,ctio
o subsusnfially
peq_xliostu tothe
major axisof theshoe,atleastone portionof a cxoss
secl_n of the#ate parallel
tothemaine axisoftheshoe
defining
a curveina direction
generally
h'om a frontof
the.shoeto a back of theshoe; and
.
4
us 6,6O4,3OOB2
3
t
"
*- opudng in the I_ttom sedate of the reu sole io_ted
.bedetth the intet'i_ p0ztton of tha plate that ¢'xpo_s the
• interior portion of the #ate.
'*' n9, Tha _Jme o f _hn
118, wherein tSe upper mrf_e hax .
at leaal two COnVex po_
at least a portion of.the upper S
surfacebeing c_.ave, the cow.ave portion.ofthe upper
surfiu_ being located b¢lween the twD convex por_n_ of
the upper surfa_.
120; The shoe of claim 118, wherein the pedpher*l
po_om
of the fle.x_t e plate _ _
from movement _o
• rehtive to the interior portion at at least two _0*ced apart
pointsalang a medial eideof the shac and atat kern two
.spaced apartpaintsalong • lateralsideof the.shoe, th*
interior portion of the plate being located above • point
between the at lea_ two point_ along the medial.side ofthe _s
shoe and .the at least two [minis along the lateral side Of the
shoe a;idbew.aththeappros_xalecenter of theuser'sheel,
the a_ kast two points along the medial side of tha shoe and
the at least two.points _oug the lateral side of the shoe being
disphceable
in a direction md_stantially parallel to the 2o
ground upon the de_:_on
of the intedor pardon of the
,plate.
" '
" "
121. A shoe opmpd.sing:
to upper having • lieel regiou;
a _tr sole se,cu_l
_tow the heel region of the uppe_
. • flexB3k .plate having upper and lower surfaces-and
sappcn'_l between at least a portion of the rear sole and
_
I
..
.,
24
a direction _t/aly
p_._,,ndk;ular to a majoc a31_
.ol'tha slme so that the.interio¢ port_
of the pht_ is
cqumle of being deeected
n_ive,
to the pertain
porllous in a dir_tion suha_y
pe_
Io the
ma_ _
of th_ shoe_ the upper _
of the plate
bein8 in at k,tst substantial pad mu_,._ in shape, the
imertor pordou of me #ate being poeaioned over.•
• void, and the lower mrface of the phte being at iemt in
p4u_v_'ble from _
of the _e;
ud
a sidewall.ihat tw.htdes midsole material located
the pla_, _e sidewall havin8 an emer_
smqace that is
el le,a_ in-pro visible from 0urge
the ehoe and _m
interi_ sudace that at least pardally defines the void,
the sidewall further having at least ooe.openin 8 tharethrough os at lea_ one of a lateral side of the _boe,,
medial side of the shoe, and .a re_ of the
123. 'I]ae shoe of chimr_,
whea'einthe ,d lea_ one
opening is on b_h a mi_lial slde of the M_e and a latertl slde
of the
10A. The M_oe of _aim 122, wheeein at l e4mt_e ope_"
is on both a medial.s/de of lhe ehoe and a laierd slde of the
shoe, tnd on a t_,ar of the shoe.
125. The shoe of claim 122, wlr..rein tha v61d h vlm'ble at
kara ip part from omsid_ tl_ shoe through tl_ at le_t one
openingin the m&w_.
126. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the lower tmi'_e of
plae is vi_'ble at kasl in part from outside the
through theat_
one Ol_Uing in the _id_wall. "
127. "r_ r_oe of dram 122, _
tha _
mwfa_
at least'
a portion of the heel r_ion _ the .U.l_r
,
of the sidew_dl is vim_le at least in imrt f_m oulmd¢ tl_ M_oe
.peripheral
portionsof thephte being re_xain_lfxbm
through _e at ka.q o_e ope_g
i_ the._k-wal_.
movement t_lat_v¢ m tn interior
parliouof the plate in
12& The rdme of claim 122, wherein at'leut ooe portion
a dhection subsandally
peq_ndicular to a major ax£s
of • cross section of the plate perpe_ar
tO • major axis"
of the shoe so that the interior portion of. the .ph" is
of Ihc sh_ defines a curve in a _n
gen¢_all): fx'mn a
capable of being deflected _latlve
to the peripheral
medial s_de _ the shoe to a lateral side of the shoe, at k,_
P°t_°_in
a_n_stantiallyl_pendicular
t° the 3s one pertmn of a cross s_on
of the phte. paralkl to.lhe
major ui_ of tha _oe, at leau 0he poai_, of a cro_ .
seat/on of the plate perpendicular tO • major axis of.the
major axis of the shoe _
a c'u_e in a.
_xm defl_t_
a oarve.in a directioo 8eoentlly from a.
g,¢ncrally f_:ma ,i front o[ tha thoe to a hack of tt_ shoe. •
medial side of the shoe m a lateral side of the shoe, at
129. The _zoe of clahn 122, whenda the at Ica_ one
non-planar pardon has a malimum lioear dimension less
bea.Mcme portion of • _
sec_u
of the plate parallel 40 than the. greatest width of the bottom sta_ace .akmg •
to the major _
of the shoe definin 8 • curve in a
d/xec6ou generally f_om. a fi'o_ of tk¢ shoe to a hack o f
perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe..
t_ _o¢; and
.
130. The shoe of claim 122, whe_i_ tha bott, un _'_ce
includes
anoulsole material that is ground engagin& the tear
au opening in the bottom smfac¢ Of the rear sole locateM
_ole including middle materiaJ above the oetsole matetmd,
I_meath the interior portion of.the plate that exptmcs the s_ at least • portion of the mid_k
matcrinl abo_ the at karat
intedor portion Of the phte_
o_e non-planar portion be/_ 8 thinner than the m/dmle
122. A,sboe mmpris/_.
material above theat least oae _ubsumtial]y phnm" portion of
an upper having a heel.repot;
the bottom surface of the rear sole.
a_
s_e secured below the b_l re#on and lavla 8 a
13L The shoe of chim 122. wherein the plate has at
_trv_d
poaioe, me ttu _ote furtl_ having a bottom _o one opening therein.
132. The shoe of da/m 131, whereinthe
at _
one
muface at least a portion of wiilch is gtoend engaSing.
the gmund-eng*sing .poaion of the bottom mUfac¢
opening has a center'located beneath the appm_te
center
_g
at least on 9 sutmmndaUy planar i_t-t_on and at
of _e heel of the user.
[east one portionnon-planarwith the at le.4ud,
one
1x33.Theshoe of claim 132. wherein lhe plal¢ has multiple
s_stantlany
planar portion, the at _
one non_lanar
ss elongated cut-out poaiom thcrcthrousb,
portion, being positioned prmdmate a' perimeter of the
134. The shoe ofclahn 133, wherein the clo0geiCd cut-out
.bottom surface and _
upwardly in a direction
pordotm are oriented tutomxl the center of the _
...
t0wlxd, the perimele4r of li_ bott0 m surfaoe fl'0m
t35. The shoe of claim 134, whet, ein the elongated c_xt-out
another portion of tl_ bottom sadace, the at least one • " portions ,we evenly spaced around the center of the opemag.
u_l-planax portion having an outer cdgc coincidcnt
ee
136. The shoe of claim 135, wherein the elongated cut-out
with the pcrimeler-of
the bottom surface and being
portions have • kngth and arc oriented around the ,mutez of
located proximate the rearward port/ou of the waw role;
the opening shc_ that the length is in a directioa away from
• flex_bk #ate having upper and lower surfaces and
the center of the opening and toward the per_hery of the
pmideued betweea a_ lea.U a poai_e of the rear sole
plate.
and at ]easl • portionof lhe.hecl region of the upper, 65
137. The dine of claim LM,. wherein • mid.lo_itluJinal
periphertl imrtmm of the plate being restrained f_om
ax_ *long the length of the elongated cul-out poftiom passes
Ihrougb the approximate center of the ope_.
. movement relative to an imea'ior portion of the pltte in
A 0136
i..
us 6,6o4,3oo
25
26
o
i•
138• The shoe of claim 122, wherein , portion of the
intec[or portion of the plate is _
than • port/on of the
Peripheral
p0rt/o_ of the pttte.
/39• The shoe of claim 137, wherein the ©iongated era-out
portions ate spaced _
the center of the opening in t 5
uar-h_e patter_
",
140• The shoe of claim 137, wh_e_n the plate has dx
_long_,d
cut-out portions around the center of the opeaing,
the cut=out poe•ions being od_i
around the center of the
opoaing i_ (_<legree hu:mmee_
'
_o
141., The shoe of.cl•im
131, w'herein the at least one
opening
sbo¢.
14z.
°
io the plate is at least in part visible from oalside the
of.the peril_ral i_'fiens of theplate bclng _
flora
movement isalong thelower surfioeof the plate•
156. The shoe of claim I$$, wherein the perip_erd
po_
157•
Wlio_
158.
potlio_
159.
portloos
• 160.
portloos
t_bo(h toward the from of the shoe..
"I_ shoe of claim 155, whe_in the pofipheml
am both lowanl the back of the M_oe.
The shoe of claim 155, wherein the Pe_erel
ate both on t_ lateral
sideof the shoe.:
The shoe of _
1_5, wherein the _dpbcrtl
ereboth on the medial side of the shoe•
The shoe of claim L_$, wherein the pedphertL
°f the upper _
lower su:faces are proximate one
anotfi©r.
m, er in
• 161..The shoe o['cltim 160, y/cere the capable of hein8
portion of the gwund-_n_ging
portion of the bottom mtr- s5 deflected idterior portion is located between the peripheral
potlinus of the upper and lower surfaccs and ,, point bcucath. '
face of the rear sob: includes an interior edge, the interior.
edge being locatedpfo_dmate an open_ in the ground• central PO_a
of the heel region of theuppec
162, A shoe comlnisin_
cng/q_iag pot•Joe of the bottom surf*ce.
143: The shoe of claim 142, wherein the.interior edge is
an upper having • heel region and *n a_ h region;
:at least in pert curved.
.
. 20
a rear role having • r_
IXXtiou and an opposite
144. The shoe of claim. 142, wherein .the interior edge is
forwa_ portion connected below the heel region, the
_
in parr a.,_--_'-,ped.
rear sole having • bouom serf_,
at least_ portion of.
14S. Tbo shoe of daim 142, .wherein the interior edge
whid_ _s gro_md engag/ng, the boaom _rf._e indud/ng
deflncs at lem a pos.don of • circP,..
at least one sutnttanl/aIly planar portion and at least two
146. _
shoe of%lehn.142,
wherein the opening is 25
pot•urns non-planar with Jhe at least ode substanfi_.
"
mb_mthny_atu insh_pe_
plunr poclton, the non-plaint lXmi_os boing pod-.
. 147•.The shoe of _
142, wt_ein the rear sole hu an
ti0oed proximate the perimeter of the rear sole and
interior sidewall adjacent and extending upwardly fxom the
separated from each other by othe,: l_<_fions of the
:interior edge of the non-planar portion of the ground.
bottom surface, each of the _-planar
poa/om
©ngaSing portion of the bottom smface.
.
30
up_y
fi_nn another portion of the bottom
148• The sho_ of _
142,. wherein the in,dot
'edge
surfacein a d/recliou
mwanl thePerimet:rof therear
ddincs • thidmms of • hyer of m outsole mated•l, the
sole, ooc of t/_ at least two nou-pfamz porlio_ being
ouUtole layer having an upper surface and • lower surface,
pro_oate
the rearward portion of the _
mle,and the
the tqpper muface com,cting another portion of the reax'sole
o(bor of the at least two nowplanar-portions
being
and the lower surface comptlsing
at least • port/on of the 3s
pr6zimate the forwa_ portion of therearsole;
bottom.eurfaee
of the sear sole.
.a flex_le
plate having upper tnd lower stufaces and
149• The shoe of claim 142, wherein, the Opening in the
so[A0ortcd hetweca at least a pot•ice of the rear sole and
grouud-engaging
portion of the bottom surface exposes •
at least • poaioo of the heel region, of the Ulq)er
wall that defines, st leasl io part, a tnmcemd cone.
peripht'ral po_om of the plate b¢in 8 reatrained fi_m
150, T'm sboe .of claim 122, wherein the Pedi_henl 4o
movement relative to an inter_
poe.i_o of the plate in
portions of the flem'ble plate _re rcslraioed from movemenr
• _
subs_nthdly perp_ltcubr to • m,jot
relative to the interior portion along at least It subst_tia.l
of the _hoe so that the in•odor portion of the plate in
poaiou of me per/_
i,ort/6n_
•
capable of being deflected reh6ve to the peripheral
151.. The _of
claim 12.2.. wlz_ein the peripheral
po_ibm int dixeotion sabstanfially l_q_ndk:alar to the
portimm of the flexible plate are restrained from mo,_emont 45
. m_of axis of the shoe;
•4'el•tire to the _r
poflino at a point along •.medial side'
m opening in the bottom surface o[ the.teat'sole
and al a.point aloa 8 a literal side of rig shoe.
beneath the inter/or
port/oeof the phm _ expose the
The shoe of c/din. 122, whereio • fonmud fa_ng
interior portion of the .plate fxom ontslde of the sbon;
porfioQ and .a rearward facing .portion of the pedpher_
po¢fioos of the flex_le plate are restrained f_m movement
50
reh_v¢ tO the int_rk_ po_doa•.
•
an a_Ch bridge integral with the plate, the asch bridge
exteoding from • position proem=re • _
pordou
L_3. The shoe of claim 122, wherein the periphenl
po_
of the 'flem'ble plate are restrained fJum movemem
of the plate, forward beneath at least • portion of the
_c_,ive to the interior _
both *t • point along • medltl
uch _on
of the ulVer, the ur.h bridge htvlng •
side and at a point along • lateral side _ the shoe and •long 5s
bottom muface that is at _
in part vis_le
flora
Outside of theshoe..
'.a fotwa_l facing portion and •_m'd
fxciog portio n of the
peripheral poaiom of _e Ik,-'ble plate.
163. Toe shoe of chim 162, further including _,t letU one
• 154. The shoe of claim 122, where.in the peripheral.
wall prO:fimate at le_ t portionof the peripheral portions
portioos of the fle:6ble plateatere_rainedfrom movement
of the plate, the •t least cue wall being integral with the plate
rclative to the inter'_r portion both along at leasl • portion
_o and extcndlng in • downwardly d/reckon _/he
plate,.the
of • medial side and at le.._ a portion of • lateral
s_deof the
downw_a_[ly eXtending Wall contac_ng at least • portion of
shoe and on at least a portion of a forward facing portion and
ihe rear sole, at least s portion of the downwaldly extending
at kest a po_on
o_ • _
f_ciag portion O[ the
wall bei_8 visible from o_ck
of the shoe,
peripheralpordo_,s
of the flexible
plate.
I_5. The shoe of claim 122, wherei n at lctm one of the
Peripheral po_us
of the piste being n_rained from movemerit/_ along the upper surface of the plate aad at least one
. 164. The shoe of claim 163, further including •t lea_ one
wall proximate st _
• portion of the peripheral portions
of theplate, the at Ic.ast one wail heing integral
withtheplate
and extending in an upwardly direction from the plate, at
A 0137
US 6,604,300
:
28
27
least • port•on'of the upwardlyextcnding
from outside of the shoe..
•
J
meet t_lat_e lo the interior pordon are at a poiut thing a
medial side and at • point along a lateral side of the shoe.
wall being visible
.
'
165. Tbe shoe of clahn 162, f_thex including at least one
wall pin-mate at least a poftioe of the peripheral ix_tintm
of the ph, te, the at le.a_ one wall being intesral with the plate
and extem_
in an upwardly dixection from the plate, at
least a port:ion of the upwazdly extendilzg wall being yim'ble
from outside of the shoe.
166: The shoe of chim 162, wherein a _
portion
i
W2
182.
jpor_oo
5 portiocs
relative
183.
The shoe of claim !62, wherein a fot_lat'd facing
an& a rcarw*ud flci_
pea•no of the pet_t_end
of the flexible plate are restraine d f.mm movement
to the' interior po_oe.
The shoe of clmm 162, wherein the peripheral
of the flora'bit plate are restrained fmmlmovemeot
relative to the interior I_'tinn beth at • point along • media/
s/de lind • lateral side of the shoe a_l.a_on8 a f_rward fa_
por_oe and • rearward facing _
of the per/i_e_
p<wtinoof.the flexible plate.
184. The shoe of claim 162, wherein the peripheral
lu3rtinne o f the flem'ble plate are restndned hem movenknt
relative to _he interior porti_ both Idoug at l_tst • Fo_oo
of • med_d side tnd a lateral ,_de of the shoe and oe at least
• portionof • forward facin_portionand • rearwardfacing
port/oeof the peripheral portionOf theflex_k plate.
185.The shoe of claim 162. whereinat_leas_
one of Ibe
peripheral portione'of the plate boin 8 restnined horn mov emeat is along the upper surface of the plate aod at le_ one
of the peripheral potions of the plate being restrained from
movement is aloog the _ower s_
of the plate.
.
186. The shoe of claim 185, wherein the pedpberal
_
ar_ both toward the front of the shne.
187..The
shoe of claim 185, whet'ein the peripheral
of the boUom surface of _
arch .bridge is visible fz_m 10
outside of the shoe.
167. The shoe of claim 162, wherein the boUom sur_tce
•of the arch bridge is vim'hie on '• line _
to. a
m•jor axis of the shoe •czess • widlh 0f the trch bridge,
168. The. shoe of claim 162, whe_rein the arch bridge has iS
proximateat least one of • medial side of the shoe and a
side of the shoe at least one wall integral whh the arch
bridge aod extending _z ari epward]y cSmctino.
169. The khoe of claim 168, where•f3 at bast a port•nil of
2o
: the upwardly extending wall of the arch bridge is cetmectnd
to the a_h region of the upper.
170. TI_ shoe of claim 168, wherein at least a portion of
the _y
extending wall of the arch bridge is visible
from outside of the shoe.
171. The shoe of dtlm 170, wherein Ibe arch bridge has 2_
.pin'mate
at least one of-a medial _
of the shoe and •
lateral slde of the ethoeat le•st one wall'intcgrel whh the am..b
potl_m are both t6ward the back of the shoe.
bridge and cxtendlng in • dow_
dL,ection, at _
•
188. The shoe of claLm 185, wherein the pexil_rtl
port,on• axe both on the lateral side of•be shoe..
: portion of the downwardly extending wall of the arch bridge
3o
189: The shoe of claim 185, where;-the
p_
beiag visible from oul_de of the shoe.
172. _
sbo_ of chim 162, wherein the arch br/dg¢ has
po_oe._ are both on the medial side of the shoe.
190. The shoe of claim 185, wherein the peripheral
proximate at least oue of • medial _le of •be shoe and •
latend side of _e r,hne at kam one wall integetl with tbo arck
portioos of ibe upper and lower surfaces.an: proximate oo¢
•neth_
bridge and extending in • dow_
direction, at _
•
19L rl_¢ aJ_e of claim 190, wherein the capable of being
portion c_the downwanfly extendln8 wall of the arch bridge 35
being vim'hie from out_ck of the shoe.
deflected .t.terior pct'_oo is located between the peripheral
173. The shoe of claim 168, fitrther/ndud/ng at least one
porticos of the.up_: and lower md_:es aud • point beneath
• central port/o_ of the heel regine of the upper.
wall pm]fimate at leau • l_'fioe of the pertpber_ portions
" of the plate, •be at lea.'= one wall being integral with the plate
_92:A _
_mp_.
and exteodin 8 in an. upwa.Jly dire_ino _n
the plate. •
4o
an upper having • heel region;
174. The shoe of claim 173, v_erei0 the upwardly extend• rear sole secured below the heelregion of the upper; and
ing wall of the arch bridge is adjacent the upwardly extend. • flex_le plate having upper and lower surfaces and
ing wall of the plate.
supl ._o.rted betw_:en at leas_ • pOrl/oe of the rear sole and
.175. The shoe of claim 173, _
the upwtrdly exteadat l,eest
a portionof the heel regioo of the 'upper;,
ing wtll of the arch bridge is integral with the upwardly 45
••t le..asl a portion of the peripheryof the plate beiog
_xtendi_
wall of thc _
• n_slrainnd from movemenl in It sulztam:itlly vertical
176_ The shoe of claim 175, wherein at least •.portion of
direction mhtive
to an interin_r ponioo so that the
the opwardly extendio 8 waLl of the arch bridge and at least
interior portion of the pl-te is capable of being
• lc_rtion of the upwardly extendin 8 wall of the plate are
deflected relative to at least a portion of the restrained
vis_le from outside of the shoe.
so
periphery in a substenlisl.ly vet'tical _
and
177. The shoe of _
1_2, wbercin f, rtber o_mpt'ising
at least tee s_lewtl] above •t least a pogtioo of the boUom
surfacc-0f the rear sole, the at least one sidewall having at
kast one hole theretln'oush located on at kast ooe of a lateral
side, a medial side, and a rear of the shoe.
55
178. Tbe shoe of cLtlth 177, _
the at least one hole
inchdes at least.two holes, at least ooe of the at-least two
boles being on the medial side of the _
and st least one
of the at kant two holes being ou the late_ side of the shoe.
179• The shoe of clahn 162, wherein • sol,dan•hiportion
of.the peripheral poi'tions of.the FI,-xible plate are restrained
from movement relative to the interior potlion of the flem'ble
plate.
180. The shoe of claim 162, wherein the flex/bl¢ plate has
sebstanti_y
its ee_'e peripheral portion re,a/ned.
181. The shoe of claim 162. wherein the peripheral
pordoos of the flem'ble plate be/rig restrained from move-
supportingsu'neture1o_
pmx_te _ phte havingat
least one wall extending in • d6wn_u'd dit'ection.to st
least partially define • recess, •t lea_ • portion of the
rear sole secured in the _
of•be supp,:n_g structoxe.
193. The shoe of claim 192, wherein the interior porSon
.of the plate is positioned over a void:
194. The shoe of clahn I_3, wherein at lea_ oneportina
of a cross s_'tion of the plate parallel to the major axis of the
shoe defines • carve in • direction
generally from t front of
the shoe to • hack of the shoe.
195. The shoe of claim 194, wherein the plate has an
upper surface with at letr_ two convex portions, at least a
portion of •be upper surface being coneave, the concave
potion of the upper _rface beh_8 located between the two
convex portions of the uR_r surf•ce
A 0138
•
I
+
i
.....
: ........
i
US 6,604300
•t ,
•
•
'30'
29
J
B2
196. The sh0c 'of claim igs, whereln the l_OO
of the
• c_qJable of being delk.cted relative to the peripherld
,,,perlphery
of the plate bei_ .resutiU_'fwm
movemeot
' poflions in a direclino substantially pet'pendiou]ar to the
'
majo_ exis of the shoe; at leaat a portion of at lem one
relative to the interim, portion includes at at least two spaced
apart points'doag t medlalside of the shoe md _t at kast
cmss.sectlon of the plate defin_
a calve, the tmerior
two spaced apart points •tong a htend side of the aboe, the'
portion of theplate
be_
pos_oned over a void, and
interior portion of Ihe plate bein 8 located
above • point
thc lower so_acu of the plate being at _
in pa_
between the at least two points along the medial side of the • "
vm_ole from ou_de
of the shoe, the plate he_og at
aho_a_l _ at _
two points along the latetil side of the
least one opeaingtherein,
the at lcm one.opening
shoe and beoeath the approximate center of the users heel:. •
having a center located beneath the approzimato center
. 197. The shoe of eJa/m 196, whereio upon the deflection 10
of the reef's bee]; and
of the interior portion of the plate, the at least two points
• sidewgl that inchdes midsola ma_ri_d located bene.ah
along Ihe medial Side of the sboe and.the at .least two poims
the plate, the sidewall having an exterior sudace that is
along the lateral side of the rime are displaceable in a
at least in pad vi._'ble horn o_
the'abne and an
_a
substanlinUy parallel to the gro_d.
inter/er amrface that at kast pat_dly.deflnea
the void,
•198.Tee _
of claim 196, wherein the upper has,- ar_ is
the sidewal/further
having at leas1 oee 0pooing the_region, and funhercompd_g
an arch bridge integral with
through on at leas_ one of a lateral side of the shoe, •
the plate, the arch bridgee.xteoding Born • po_tiooproximed_ side of the shoe, and d rein" of•he aboe.
mate • fnrward porto
of the plate, forward beneath at least
205. _
shoe of claim 204, wherein eae at least _e
a portion of the _
region of the ul_,
the m'ch bridge
upeai_g in the sidewsil ison-both a medial s/de of the shoe
herin8 a bottom.sorface
that is at lea••'in pm.vislble
fxom 2o and a isteral
sideof theshne.
'
'
.
, outside of the shoe.
206. The shoe of claim 204. wtiereiathe at"
leastone
,
199.Theshoeof chim19S,furmerc0mp_ at
opening in the sidewall is on boll• • medial _Se of.the shoe
one sidew_
above at least a portion of the bottom surfa_
•.. and • laterat side of the six/e, and on a rear of the sboe.
of the rear _ole, the st least one sidewsil having at leist one
207. The shae of claim 204, wherein the void in vis/ble al
. bole thervthrough k)cated oo at least.one oft lateral side, a
•cast in put f_<_n outside the sbo,= tht.ough the _t lem one
medisl side, and a rear of the shoe.
openiag _a the sidewag
200. The shoe of claim 199, fmtl_r comprising at least
.20& The sboe of claim 204, wherein the lowex me'face of
one wall pr0]dmate at least a p0r_oo of the periphery of the
the plate is visible at least in pm't fJom oe.lside the shoe
plate and extending in tt least one of an upwardly 6h'eclion
through the at leasl one oponing in the _le'wa]L
and a dowuwardly d/rec_n from the plate, the at least one 3o
209. The Shoe of dsim 204, wherein the-interiorsmface
w,n being tntesral _th the plate.
• of the sidewall is visible at leaat in pea fxom outslde the shoe
201. The shoe of claim 200, .wherein at lea.st o_e portion- '
lhm_h the tt leas_ one open.ing in the sldewa]L
of the periphery of the plate bein 8 req_l,lned fxom move.
210. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the at learn one
men• is along the upper am'face 9 f the plate and at lce._ one
non-planar portion has a ma_dmum linear dimension le_
other poaion of the periphery of the plate l_eing restrained 3s than the greatest widXh of the bottom re•face along a line
fxom movement is ttoug the lower sur_c_ of the plate.
perp_diculat- to a major axisof the_oe.
202.The
shoe of claim 201. wherein the po_dous of the "
21L The sboe bf claim 204,' _in
the bolXom sofface
periphery of the Upper and lower'mtrfaces being restrained
includes an on•sole mater/al that I_ ground engaging, the rear
from movement are proximate oae another,
sole idduding midmle material above:the ontsole mate_k
203. The shoe of claim 202, where ,he capable of being 4o at least a portion of the midsole material above the at least
deflected interior portion i_ located betwceo the pmlinus of
one oon-plansr portion being thinner than the mldsole
the periphery of the upper and lower surfaces bein 8
materislabovetbeatleastonesUl:manl_dlypisoa/poRionof
_tralned
am1 a point beueath a central portion of the hce|
the bottom surface of _ae rear sole.
resinn of the upper.
212: The shoe of claim 204, wherein the plato has multiple
"
204. A dine comprising:
.
4s elongated cut.out portions Uaefcfln'mxgh.
"
'
an uppe r herin8 a heelregioa;
213.The shoe of claim 212,where;the elongaled reX-one
• mar sole sooued
below th= heel region and having
• portions are oriented axouod the (:enter Of the openiaS.
"rearward port, on, the mar sole 0.trther ha;,'in8 a bottom
214:The shoe ofchlm 223.where'mthael6asuled
cut-ore
surfam at iem a portion of which is ground cugaglog,
pot'6ons ere evenly _aced arouod the ceo_r of the 0peolng.
the grmmd-cogaging
portion of the botm,,'P, su.-_ce
so
215. Tue shoe of claim 214, wherein the elongated cat-out
including at _
oae mlmV,Jmtlatly planar portion and •t
por_c_s have • lens_h and ere odemed m'olmd the center of
the upenin 8 such that the length is in • direclion away from
• _
one portion non-planar _
_
at kasl one
substantially planar potion, the et least om non-plan•
tile center of the opening and towaxd the periphery of the
portionberg poP,ned pro_-,atea perimeter of the
plate.
:. bottouasurfaceand _
upwardly in a directmn Ss
216. The shoe of claim 215,.wherein • mid-io0gimdtnal
toward the perimeter of the bottom, surface from
axis along the length of the ©long•ted cet-.onl _
trio•bet po_on of ',l_.botthm m+tlflce, the at k+m,tone
0m)esh the •pproz_matecente_ of.the opeaing.
oco-planar portion h•v_ag an outer edge minc_deut
21"/. The shoe of claim 204, where_n • portion of the
with the perimeter of "the bottom muface and being
inter•or porfio,_ of the plate is thinner than a portion of the
located proximate the.rearward port/on of the rear sole; _o p_ph_at
portions of the plate.
21B. The shoe ofchfm 216, wherein the el_gated cut-out
a flexible plate having upper and lower s_taces
and
positio_l
between at least a portion of the rear sole
•
end at lem a poainn of the heel region of the upper,
percher•) portions of theplate beiag re_doed
from.
movement/elative
tn an interior portion of the plate in _
• direction _y
petpendic/dar to • major asis
of the shoe so that the interior portion of the plate is
A 0139
portions are spaced around the oenter of the opening in a
slar-l.i_£e pattern.
. 219. The _6e of claim 216, wherein the plate has six
elongated cut..oul portions around the cen_ of the up,ruing,
the cut-out portions being oriemed.aroundthe mater of the
opeulng ia _degrec
increments.
t
.
" "
us 6, ,3oom
31
..-_-..
i
(
'32
:220. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the at least oec
open.lag in tl_ plate is at.lea_ i_ partvir_ le from out,de, the
.7.3L-Th_ shoe of claim 7,04, wherein the peri#end
•porous of the.flexible plate are re.Mrainedf_um movement
n:lat/ve to the intedor imrtion both at • point a.loog• medial
221. The shoe of Claim 204. whe_in the no,planar
side and at a point aloug a bt_rd side of the ahoe aud atong
potion of _ grouad,-eugagm
$ pocdooOf the bo_m.mu'"_forwa.,d fa"c_ portion and • rearwud faclng portionof the
face of the rear sole includes an interior edge, the imerlor
peripheral po_oes of the flexible plate.
edge being located t_o_ae
*- ope3ieg iu the ground232. The sh_ of clafin 204, wherein the. pe_heral
cngagin8 portion of the Ix_tom mu'f.a_. '
I_
of.the fle:u_bl¢plate are re..,,strained
f_mmovement
"/o_ The shoe of claim 221, wherein the inter e_se/s
_o relative to the'interior portion both aloug at _
a po/tice
at lets_ in part curved. . , .
of a medial'_ide andallea_a _n
ofalatertl
s_le
_ the
223, T_ s_ o_ _aim Z2L _i_
_ i_u_r edge is
at leastln part am-shaped.,
• .dhoeand on atka..q.aponloa of • fi_ward faclug po_ou aud
• 224. The shoe of claim '221, wherein the interi_ edge
at teas_ a' portion of a rearward facin8 portion of the
peripheralpo_ioos of the flexible plate.
defines at te_ a p_'ou of, circle. •
•22.S. The stme of claim 221, wherein the ol_ning is _s
233. The shoc of claim 204, wherein tt k_ one of the
substa,tially _
shape.
.. peripbe_alpordc_s of the plate bein8 resUaiw.,d from move• 226. The shoe of claim 221, wherein the rearsole has an
meritis along the uppe_surface of the plate and at least one
fixte.ciorsidew,dl,adjacent
andexteadiag
upwardly_r_ the
of the pcr/pheral por_ons of_e plate being rcstrhinedf_m
. intent .edge of the non-phnar poutioo of the ground- movem_n! is along the lower surface of the plate.
engaging portion of the bottom surface. •
z0" 234. The shoe of chim 233, whereia the perlphenl
227- The shoe of claim 221, w_ein the intedor edge
pot_n.s an: both toward the f_ontof tbc _hoe.
defines a thickness of a layer of au outsole material, the
235. The "shoe of claim 233, wh_n:/u the pe.,_phend
outmle layer having an upper _
and a lower surface,
pof6.0n.s
are bothtowardthe back of the shoe.
the upper mda,_ couttc/ing t_:,thcr por6on of the re_ sole
236. The shoe. of claim 233, wherein the .peripheral
and.the
lower _-face comprising at letst a potion of the 25 portions an_both on the lateral side of the shoe.
botlom, surface of the _
sole.
•
•
237..Theshoe of claim 233_ wherein the pe_pheral
225. The shoe of claim 221_,wherein the op_in 8 in the
por_oas _ both on the medial _de of the shoe.
g_o_nd-eagaging portion of the bottom surface _
a
238. The shoe of claim 233, wherein the pet_ral
.wallthat
dlcflnca,
at least in part, a t_ncatcd cone.
arc.ix'o_mnate
one
229. The shoe of claim 204, wherein the peripheral 30 portioes of the upper and lower su_.s
another.
portions of theflcx/bJe pl_e are re_rth_ from movemem
239. The shoe.of ¢lahn 238, wherein the capableof bein8
re/aX/veto the interiorportion at a pointa]ooga _
s/de
defleaed intra'iorportiga b located between the ped#aeral
and a/a point along A hteraJ side of the shoe.
ponies of the upper md lower surf_:e,srod.apoiht_.ee_th
• 230. The shoe of claim 204, where/_'a forwan:l fic/n 8
potion and • rearward facing portioe of the peripheral 35 • c_U_l poaion of the heel regioo of the upper.
portio_mof the flem'ble plate are re,.qralnedflora movemem
relative
totl_interior
port/on.
.
A 0140
'_
.
inmmm.nnIBwmu
...
•'
o2) United
States
Patent
(xo) Patent
Meschan
..
(s4) Avm:znc
suoE wrm _e_ROV_ nm_
' FOREIGN
CI-I
DiE
DiE
DE
..
(753 lnveator. David F. Me,elms. Oreemboro.NC
(us)
•- "
DE
(*)
_0_cc:
_
imem _
o,,
coe_,ee
No.:
US
(4_3Date of Patent: .
STRUCIRIRE
• .
USO_247H32
FR
p_-
OB
GB
OB
OB
013
GB
..,-p
,-p .
JP
-_
application filed under 37 CFR
i.53(d_.tnd
is mbjed to the twenty year
patent U:rm pmvlsiom
of 35 U.S.C.
xs4{,X2_
Sub)e_ to any disdtimer, the it:,. of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
. U_.C_ _4(b) bY 0 _
.
6,662,471
B2
*Dec. 16, 2003
I_ATF,
NTDO_
.434029
648339
693 _4
947_4
2 L_4.931
2742 138
533972
" 2_728
63342
•.83342
• 229 _4.
1540926
2 144024
62-41601
62-20(}904
5-1_5
"OTHER
10/1967
7/]937
•
7/1940
-?
5/1973
3/1979
3/]922
11/1909
2/191..1
2/1911
3/1924
2/1979
2/1985
10/1987
12/1987
5/1993
-.
'....
:.
PUBUCATIONS
AppL No.: 091419,64I
F.ton_cSp_g
-
....
(,'_)
Oct. 18, 1999
(65).
Prier Peblkatien
us 2muo'xe_ _,_,.
-.
•
• ..
...
..(s)
'-
-i"
.. ($1)"
(-_)
(S8)
F..q_n D_Jarl_m
of.. krry D. Stubblefie_d"dated
2OO2.
AVIA 1989 Cattlog ex_rpL
AVIA Fell1991 Fomw_ar C_
_ 7oo_
Coatmuation of q_pU_fiou No. 09/149,142, filed on _
8,
19_.. now _
No. 5,.970,628, _
_* • c:outlmutic* o!
tpplkatiou No. 08_1,
_ied 9u OcL 12, L995,uew PaL
N6. s,eoe,2xo.
Int. CI, 7 ..... .L- ....
U3. CI..:.--._.-:L..=__
Field of Search
_
.........
A431_ 13/28
36/27; 36/28; 36/35 R
'
36/42, 39, 36 R,
.36/36 A, 27, 31, 35 R, 15, 37, 69, 41_ 36C,
34 R, 275R, 100, 107, 103, 105, 38
(se)
..Rde_D¢_
_
-
.
48,682A
7rims lhywud _
• 221.592A • tlA_9 _eSal.
3.S1_m2A - 2/1887 Buch ....................
(I_
i_ my2 Hoopu
comlaeed
36/38
JuL 30,...
.
PrU_ryE_r--Ted
K*v_egh
(74)Attorney,
Agent,
orJ_m----M_m& Perram,LLP
(sO
_,vre_cr
A ehoe includes a w._r sok SupPcxt for receivin8 * replaceable rear sole to provide longex wear..The shoe may also
hu:hute * flex_le plate suppoaed by the rear so_'suppOrl
betweeo the heel and flu: mar sole m _
nfidsole
comprcu_ioo,rid provideu_ditiou_d_
PATENT
DOCVU , rS
4as_t3 A
(1986)<
Data
.
....
1996"rmotwcau-catelogue."
Mizuno Sport Shoe Catalog
A mouatio8
member _re_
the _u role m the rear sole _rt,
tad a
member prcvcm.s rotation of the War sole _lat_
to
d_ mu sok _upp_
dur_
use. Tt_ n;plm:eable rear sole.
and _
flcxa)l¢ plate alk_ the sho_ to be _
m
di_reat
desired performtnce
cbar_erist_ depeeding
upon Oz intended activity -rid _n'_do or playing_.
on next p_8c.)
32 Claims,
A 0141
29 Drawing
Slieets
..
..,
,..
:....
....
..
us 662,471B2
..
Ptge 2.
........
u.s. pm-'_T DO_
"
652,887
A
674,636 A
•7/m_
A
•81B_I
9_0.458
1.046.815
A
A
A
7/1_
BaU_fleld
" 5/1901
'
s/igor..Fnu_
1#16,$05
I,,318,2,r7
A
A
.9/1919
10/1919
O'Neill
_
"
_6Z2S"
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A
A
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•
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which are Ininclptlly di_ed
to sboe.s
Th_ is a coutinuttiQn of.tppl/cat/_
Scr. No. 09/1.49,142,
heel _
ouesole(e,g._ dress shoes),
'
filed Sep. 8, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,9'70,638 which-is a 5 having a re,hg_ely _
disc!me, rear sole_ that are. detac_ble
*nd which can be
continuation of Pat.No. 5.806.210Scr. No. (08_12._I,
Iolated whcn• portion of the _
sole becomes worn. Such
.
filed Oct. 12, 1995_ all of which am incmporated be_in by
du_ans, however, have never ctuaht on in-th= _tphce
reference. : ..
.
because it is simply too easy'and relatively _
tOBACKGROUND
OF THE INVENTION
1o bare the ooth'c l_el on such footwearreplm:edat • _mu-.
me_islshoe
_psk shop.
•1. Field of the Invention
•
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•The pre_ut invention relate_ generally to melti-p_
athletic shoes and, moo: parlk'uhdy, to •thletic M3oes with
interchangeable/detachable:rear
sole= that provide exteigled
• rid more vet:tat[In life and heater pcrformaace in terms of
cushioning and spring.
-2. Dbcu,=ion
of theRelated Art
shoes for varimm _.
One reason'is
thatthe
soft. "
_._ilioot materials utifizcd in atl_c_c shoe roles m*ke it
)5 _y
di/_cuh to devise t mm:hanlmn, f_rdeta_ably
securing heel. ekments toeachother
withoUl adverscly
affec_ng the cusbinning and Other dmked pcpen_
of tlx
shoe. On the other hand. utilization of b,rd .materials
in
• thle_c shoes tends to increme weight and _
_omfor_
_
20 and perfarmence.
For ©xtmple, U.S. PaL No. i,439,'/_8
to Rcdm_B di_
•of cxer_u_ typically include • laminated SOle •u•chcd to •
sob and pliable.uppec The sole usually includes an abrasion" close_ ,i delacheble.retr DIe that is scouted to a heel of the.
aboe with a cgnter e_ew that pet_tt_ttes the boltom of the
resistant, nd_ber outsole •ttacbed to • ot_hioolng midsole
rear sole and wh/ch is sc_wnd into the boaom of the hecl of
usually made o[ pol3Atrothtn_ ethylene vinylacetate (EVA),
thc sbo_ Such • des/gn canno4 be used i_ ath/c_
Mines
or • mbher Compound. •
because .the ceu_
ac_ew would detrimentally
affeot the.
One of .tlgprlnc_al pcoblems associMed with •thletlc.
oosMoning propen_ of the n:m2knt mlds_
aad ma_
shoes is_
toboth llgoutsole tnd midsole. Auscr ttt_ly
possibly
I_ _med intotheheeJoftlguserwhoo the_k
has .•choiceof _mnlng orpleyins surfaces, and upbalt and
is compre_.d during use. Furdzm_Ore, • center_rew ebcs •
other abresive surfacestake a ttengadoos toll on the outsole,
pmbkm
is exacerbalnd by the factthat,
with the 3e litl_ fori_ripher'al adherence of the sole lo'the.sho_ heel in
•lhe case of tgallicnt m•texinls. " "
' '
cax:eption of the tennis •hoe, the m_ pronounced out_31e
Another tmhm in _ •tlilet/c
shoe ind_.'yisthat,while
wet• f_r most.mr.•'•, on numing sho_ in puticuler,' occurs
ooshionmg
has received.a
lot of attention,
spring, has
principally in two p|ace_: the outer igfiphet3, of the he_l and
_cceived very little, despite the fact that me_erinls like
the bidl of the foot, wlth heel wear _
by far, • m_4rc
graphite and vulous forms of gr*phite coml_
peese_
•
acute pro6lem hecaur_ oftlg great.force placed on the heel 3.5
the
pmpc_
chtractcr_ics
for
spring
esthanc_nool
withooi
during the: gilt cycle. In fact, the heel typically wears out
t_ming.w_i_bt.
One rc_n
may be thc'peacclv_
ten.
much.fa_er than the n:st of the •!biotic shoe,thusrequidng
deucy of graph_le or grapbi_c compomtc to crack.undcr
replacement of the _
shoe ewn though the _
of the
s_res&.Yet another rea_n may be the _
cost assosboc is still in satisfaclory condition.
•
yet another rct_oti may be that
" Midsoleweer,
on the other hsod. resolts net from atnasive. _ ciatcd with tmch m_dal_,
the t_:m_
vuiMion _n body w_
•nd spring p_eferforcc_ I_t from _.ated
mmpre_sion of the resilient mateence of would--be u._m makes it commep_dly
unfcas_le m
rial formingthemidsoledecto the l_rge force e_erted c_ it
maaa-marki:t
athletic • shoes 'with
graphite
spring•
.during uf,c. thereby cau_tg/t
to lose its c_lhioning eff_L
'
enhancement, given the countless options lhat would have tn
Mid_ole compres_oo
is _
the worm in the heel area, 4s be offered with each _
_.
Sitge heel wrlng i_ ••ripely
ptrtioJledy the outer periphery of the heel dina:tly above the
il_
it_
without saying that tpring opti0rug are
omsole wear spot .and the area d/xcctly under the USer's "
non-ezistenL
ctlcane_
of heel bone.
Also tl_nt from the marketplaoe are truly.mulfi-pui'pose
• .D_lltc
hi_c_ prices •nd increased spccinlizatiou, no.one " athlctic shock. Notwithstamllng a few "ran-walk.," "actablehas yci _
be_l wear pr_lems in aa effective way. To
run," and all-nourt models, ._
unmistakabk
commcmial
date, there is n_.
in the art to •ddresa the. combined
uend appem m be increasedspecializa_u, with no apparproblems of mkhok
ca3mpre_oo
and outsole weer in
em _
awat'cue_ of the facl that the use and function "
• thktlc shoe_ and th4ute problems remain espe_ally
_vere
. of an athletic shoe can be changed dramat/ca_y.if it is simply
in the beci arca of such ahoc&
given intemhangeable
rear soles. Similarly, no athlet_ shoe
are known that specify the _placemem
of the ss msnuf_rhas
yet to Offer vuy_8
heel cushioning firmoodre on•sole of• shoe. Examples imdude those di_losccl in
ness in e_h shoe size, desphe the facl thal cgmemer .b_ly
U..S. PkL No•. 4345,693,
4,377,042 and 4,267,6.50. "lTIgae
weighl for _tch shoe size spans a huge spectrum. While •
concepts are impreclk_
fm most •ppllcatinnf_ however,
few ma_ufactun:_ offer width optinm in Shoe _
varying
especially athletic ._3oez, for several reasons. Fimt, tW,hi
firmness of cuckooing
in a sinalc model or sboc s_zc is
adhereucc between thc sole and the shoe is difficult to ea nouex_c'm
in _bc ma_tplace.
achieve, ptr_cul*dy
around the pcdp_ry
of the sole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Second, replacement of the entire sole is uunec_sary b_sed
The presem invention is dirtied to a shoe that substanupon typical wear patterns in alldctic _.
']'bi/d, replacing
A/hlel_c'f_boe6, sudl as tho_ de._ncd f¢_"131noln8,
baske_ball.cmss_ainlng,
hiking, walking, and ottzr farms
.
• .
..
to cati_ role is or would be more expcm_vc than replecing
tially obvlatez one or more of the needs or probkms due to.
simpJy the worn ekmeut& a factor which bcomlx3unded
if _5 limflatJo_ and dbndvantaSes of the relatedart.
a repho:able, full-length sole for every men's and women's
Additional feat_es •rid advantages of the invention will
shoc size is to bc produced. Finally, it would appear thai the
be set forth in the description
which follows, and i.n
partwill
A 0173
-..
..
us 6 2,471B2
.
.'..'
,3
be apparent from the _
or may be learned by "
'FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective _
of mo_er
practice of the inv_
"The obje_
and other advaw
e_od6_nent of the h¢¢1 _
of thel_ment/nvemion.
•
..
.
.
•ages of the/nventioo
will be rea]L_ and at_
by the
HG. 18 is a p•n_ve
view of.-mourning member for
system perticulady
pointml0stinthewriuendescript.ino
end
_¢ heelsLmcmreshown" inFIG.17.
claims,as wen U theq_cnded d_awings.' " "
.s
FIGS. |gA and 19B _
per_pec_ve viev_ of a Io¢_g
To _e
these and _
advantagesand in=cordsoce
memberfm the heel s_cture
showu in FIG. 17.
with lh¢purposeof tbeiuveml0_ u embodied and broadly
FIO. _ is _o exploded _W.ni_e
view of .mother
deurexd beaei.,,
theshoe indudeaao upper baviog a heel
eml_d/mem
of thebed structure
of thepcesem invention.
• reginnaod rearsolesupportattached
totheheelregionofthe
30
FIG. 21 is •o exploded penq)eefiveview of another
upper.The tearsole supp(xlincludes• base,a _st wall
• •mbodlmem of thebe¢latraem_ of thein•as.st
invention.
extupdin8downwardly from.'the
bane and having • 6m
FIG. 22 is ,;p¢_.
view of s_eral of the heel
groove,and a second downv_Hy extendingwallopposite
components Shown in FIG. 21.
"'
the first wall and havin8 a _
groove ftcin8the lust
. groove.A rearsoleisdetachshlysecut_lto the rearsole
FIGS. 23A-C
are top, side,
and •bottom
views,
support with • monn6_g member attached to the rear sole 3S respectively, of outsok sq_m•nta fix the be,el atrm_re "
sbow. inHG. 21,
: and incind/ng at least one rim for ensagi_
Ibe fin;I ind
second grooves. A locking member en_ageslhe
rear sole
u is ,o
of"
suppgr! and ¢me of the rear •ok and mount/rig member to
embndimetu of the heelstmctere Of thepreset inve.ndoo.
preveot rotutioo of the rear _
re]at/re Io the rear role
FIG: 7.5 is • pempec_ive vkw of too/bar embed•men• of
.
support during use. h is to be undemmod that both the
• rearsok foruse with the_shoe'of theIxeseotinven6oo.- ..
foregoing general dean
,ridthe fonowing detailed
FIG. 26 is an explcxtedperspective_
of anther
description are exe,lapla_ _
expltnattwy only lind'•re _ot
'reau_t/ve
of the invemiou, as dr/mad.
_:mbodimetu of •heel stolcm_of
the pt_ent inve_.
.
The aocompanyin 8 drawings,which a_ iaceq)orated in .
FIGS.27Aand27B
are _le and from viev_ n:spe_vely,
and cmn.slhulc • part o_thisspec/ficat/on,
ilhtatrate e_bodi..._
of.a wafer for use in the heel atl,nctule shown in FIG. 26.
.me_ of _= i.,_,eo.._
to_v.e_witht_ de_p_
D_,cm_no_,oF Tim
••
s_ve m explain thc principles of the inveo_on.
' BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[
EMBOD_II_r_
DKAWINGS
Reference w_ oow be made in de,a0 Io the pt_enl"
"
preferred embodiments of the iow.:nt_oo,cnmpks of whlch
are ill._ted
in the _0m0any/ng
dr•win•sWh_cvcr"
pms/bk, abe same refea_ncedmmcu,rswillbeused througho_t tbe drawings to refer to abe same or like parts. "
.
su'ucmre for the shoe shown/a HG. I.
•FIG. 1 /llns_es
an embodiment
of the sh6e 'ofthe
FIG. 3 is a pempective v/ew of a rear sole support for the ss p_e.or m_
_
s_e, _
San_'_ly as 20, is
he=i sm_ct,_e shown in FIG. 2. •
as athleilc
shoe _tly
de_g0ed fornmulns, wn_ng, " " " "
FIG. 4 is a _n:
vkw _
the undersideof
the
bask••bait, I_
and other fonnS of exercise.
-tear suk support shown in FIG. 3.
,_.sshovm in FIG. 1, shoe 20 ;.,-Indes an uppor 22, wb_cb
:
FIG. 5 is a per_vc
view of,anorber embodiment of the
4o isthalportionoflbcshoe
thatonverstbeuppeaporllonofd_e..
.
stu_ of th= pre_ot inveellon.
u_er's fool The upp_ may be made.of leafier, a symheuc
FIG. 6 is a pempe.clive view of ,; rear sole soppon for the
matsrlal, or any combination of met•rials .wellknown inthe
d_oc slx_w_ in FIG. $.
art.
A forwatel sole 24 is attsched to the forefoot r_:giou of the
FIG. 7 is • pempec_n:.v/ew
•how'in 8 the undemld¢ of the
HG. 1 is a l_mpecdve
of the lmmeot invemion.
.o
OF THE
View of curieembodimem
bed mrucmre
4s upper. The fonva_l .sole is .a lightweight
muctm¢
that
• pmvidea cushioning*ome forefoot _*,_
_y kwd.de
an shras/on..res/stum.rubbev
_tsok
lain/rated to a softe_',
the undem/de of the
..
elmomeric
midsok layei.. The fm_wani sole is attad_
to
the upper in a _,'eofioual
maoner, typically by injection
rear sole support shoWn in FIG. 6.
.FIG. 8 is • side view of a rear sol= for _
shown in FIG. 2.
"
FIG. 9 is a perspectiv_ view showing
rear sole shown in FIG. 8.
of a shoe
_. moldinib s6tcblng or_gluing.: • " •
FIGS, 10A-C are bottom views showh_g alternative
.In some conventional _
the forward sok (simply
gronnd--_._ging
surf_ea for the rear sole shown in FIG. 8.
re farted to in the industw ea a "r,a_e") would extend flora abe
FIG. 11 is a sick view of a too.sting membe_ for the heel
forcfc_ region to the rear .edge of the. be¢l. In other
struc_re sbown in FIG. 2.
conventional
models,portionsoftheoutsolesud/ormidsole
FIG. 12 is a pere_ve
view of• lockingmember for Ibe ss ue reduo:d ne.eVan_na*cd in oett_m _m*stre_
area& soch a_ .
bnel mmcture showo in FIG. 2.
th¢ arch.area,to reduce welsh•. However,"in a radical
FIG: 13 is a perspec_
view showing _e ol_p_z
_k
depart.re from _onvonSonel shoes,theshoe of _bc present
of the locking member shown is FIG. 12.
" invention incorporates a heel mructu_ _'_ling a de/•oh• FIGS. ]4A--C are top, perspe_ive,
end s/de views,
able rear •ok, O_at significantly al.kviatea hecl wear probrespectively, of a flem'ble plate for Ihe heci structure shown eo len_ associated
with conventional
soles and provides
in FIG. 2.
¢.hanced cttshioning and/orspling.
FIGS. 15A-C
are top, pers_ct_ve_
and s_e
views,
An cmbodimeet of the heel s(ruc_re k shown in FIGS. I
respec/ively, of ano_er embed/mere of a flexfole plate for
and 2 and includes s rear •ok _pport 26 attached to the heel
e.se in abe heal s_mcture shown in FIG. 2.
regionof the upper 22, a rear sok 28 detschably secured to
FIGS. 16A and 16B arc lop and side views, reapecdvely,
of another ¢mbod/mem of the flemble plat• for use in the
heel smw_re
shov_ in FIG. 2.
the rear sok support 26, a mounfingmemb=
60 for detach.
ably securing the rear sole 28 totherear sole _port
26, and
Ioc)dn 8 membe:s
A 0174
90 for preVeo6ng
mr•don
of tb¢ rear sole
P
'..
-5
.. :...
"..
28 relative
to the lear sok support 26 dur_
usc. Io addillm; .
/zcludes.a
mbuantiagy ovalor.¢llip_.aDy-shape.d
base30,
with mmes_aat _attened, medial and fatal s/des,bavi_ a
f_p Emrfac¢ that is attached to the upper by stitching, glu_.
m other coev_m/onal mea_
The shape of such btse _ not
l/m/led, and could be circular, polygonal, or any _,Miafioo of
the foregoing. A fze_ wall 32 extends downwardly
from a
.
from edge of lbe base 30, and a rear wan:38 cxxends
dowmvudly
from a _*r edge of the btm: 30: Toged_
•.' from and rear walls define a recess that,, as later
.receives means for deutchably scour/rig the rear sole to the Js
: rearsole.supporL"
..
Tue ftmm wal_ 32 includes t lip 34 tuxned towm'd the
recess, with lip 34and ihe feces5 side of wall 32 deflnin8 _m
atc..thaped.froet groove. The.rear walI3S includes a lip 40
turned toward the _ess,
_h
lip 40 and the recem s_k of 2o
•wail38 deemle8 m arc.ehatxdreargroove otherwi_ mbstami_IIyidenlical
to .andfacingthefxonlgroove.Thefxotn.
.-aod rear 8move.s have the same radi_s of cm_atum and
toged_
my mtitute
arcs of a common ifimk. At k,st .
one, and pref_rtbly both, of the f_oul and t_ar gtuovcs 25
dls_c_,e.d in PIG. 4 (sod all drawinss that dis_k_: h-on! and.
reu g_ves), define,.chcubr arcth*tis le.ss0_an180".As
..
..
.
shown in dlpf s_b draw/n_, bolh of suCh c/rcxdar an_ also
may sat=umt/_y
_rave_
the rear sole support 26 from its
lateral to its medbd Side. The front aud _
_
may tho
be M_
Iodefine
ar_ of a _mmmou .ch'cle havln 8 •
diameter gn:ater than the width of lira rear mk suppo_l 26
or moent/ng member 60 or reef sole 28 or cvea the beel
regioe of theupper 22. The fret tnd mar walb may be'flush
with the outeredge of bare 30 and arespaced from each
o11_ _e the medial tnd lalenl side_ of Ihe ber,e by a di_tnce
X, as _own _n FIG. 4, wh;eh may be sightly _'eater than
the.wldth of the _ar sole suppon 26 or meun6ng member 60
_ _et_ r_le 28.
.
.....6
l/onaJ metlmds. Tbe arch br/d_
the heel structme may include a flex3"bl©pkte 80 f0¢ pro. _
v_
qn'/ng to the heel'of the user and redu_n8 _
.
_used
by midsole campreudon_
As sbowu in FIGS. 3 and 4, tbc teat'sole support 26 s
.,
,.
..
US 6,662,471B2
" " ..
...
:
.
"
46. also may be composed
of the Mine.material M lhe rear sa_e mq_part or a mo_e
.flex_Ic materialandmaybemadelntegndwiththere_rs_c
_.
Such'0ne_iece
_zsmzction-of
the at_ch bridge.
together with the rear sole.mppmt solves a mj0r problem,
and tha.t is.the teu_ucy of ad ',thktic she¢ ofomventioua]
**full body" ax_ _nstruc_on
m _Ld or twisl at the juncm_
of lhe luud rear.eale _
and the redllem forwardink.
It tim t_leees, the w_igl_t of the shoe b_ _
o_.
mat would uormally oocupy me ar_ are.,ao_ me.sao¢
The rear s_l¢ stqpporl, hecl counter, imd alch b_idse nee d
be mtde of _ solid material. Holes _ spao= mty be
_cated, at tbe tlme.of man_.
thmesbo_ the.suucmre
tO decrea._,weight without dimiuish_
mngtb.
As an _e
to'd_ |_b bridge 46.-tl_teat'sole
support26 h_allof tbeembodimenls maY includeuppcr wd
lower horizootal
wilts144 and 145,*sehowe inFIGS. 5--7,
extendi_ 8 fzom, and pr_embly integrated _
_
wall
32.In'rids
embodiment,Ibeforwtrdsole 24 ezte_
into I1_
,rch _egtonand b umdwidsed
between u_e_ m_! b_r
wa_ 144 tnd 14_._
aphm fJ_mtw_ 'w. It. may theu be
funi_ _
by. gh_
As a further alternative, the retr
port/on of the fro,wahl sole may s,h_ply extend tO the rear
role SUplx _ wilboul.uppcr aud .Iow_" warts.144 mkl 145,
andbe _Juedm thefrom_tU 32.A_eUlvety,
merc_ sete
sepp_
26 could have oae wall h_ eilher 144 or 145
cxtendin8 f_m and preferably _ntcgr*le.d with it, but neX
.both walls; or pores, rods, or othe_ memberrb submantially
3o par_dlel to tl_ ground, couM be substituted fm walh and
may extend fa0m and be imegraled with f_ont wan 32 into
or tloe8 the surface of the midmk Orou_ole matedeJ in"the
_orw_rd soM mid flgu r,cCm_ by ghsh_ Otbcr m_m amy
be empk_n:d-as
an tltemative to the trch bridge 46; An.
35 advautage to combiutng the m*r _k suPl_'t'whh wa_ 144
• and/¢r 145. or climlnati_
both ofai_
_
.egt_y,
add all
om_. ,d,-madves
to the in_graZarc_ bdd_, is Oz_
o_ions, u_te d_eimegrd _ bridge,penn/tmuufac_
• of only 0nc rear ko]cSUplmn-mxhable for eilhcrthe]eft or
_m i-ightsh6e, lbusde_manufac_ingc_ts.
. ..
The' rear sok support also has a central opcniag.36
The heel suuctme shown in FIG. 2 also iachules,
rear
directly below the heel reSion of the URPea. This cenlml
.u3k 28 detzchably secured to the mar role _
As
Whichmay be cix_ular,oval, or vlrmth'yany
shown in FIGS. S and 9; rear role 7.8 may. incJude a.
poly_mal shape., tllows tl_ heel of theuserm be c_thioncd
8rouud-engaShx8 o_taole 48 hminated'.m
t _
50,
•by the reu sob: amw.b_ tothe n_arsole suppoa _ by the _s wh/ch may be mo_e res/llem than the outmle, w/th.both the
• :x_le plale 80, i_t_Kl of _ finnmaterial
_ompri_
the
•ou_ok and mldsole being more _e.nt
than the _
sole
•.rear sole support..
Z_rl.
Th_ outr,c_ wh_
may be composed of a nlbber.
The *_ar.sok support may I_ composed of hardplasdc, •
compound , prov/dcs Jbras[ou
,resistance *and some
such ss •dumblc
pla._c mauufactm'ed unde_ the name
cusblou_8,
vdu']c the midsole, which my be composed of
PEBA.X'm; graph/re, a graphite composite, or ether male_l_al .so• more t'cm'J_em,:elz_omcricmaterialsuch as polymelba_,
havin 8 suffi_cet rigidity and strength to securely enga_ the
ethylene v/nyl _tc
(EVA),_
s_ (made by ILl.
rear talc allaching mechant_
(discussed below), lujecd0n
DuPont de Ncmoum & Co.), os"olbcr matedab v_g known
mok_z8 o_ otl_ couveatloea|techniqtcsmay be used to
i_ _ m, p,-immy wovi0es,=shioutng m._ b=t_
form_ w,
arsole
rapport.
'TI_ retr sole mppotl 26 may al_ i_iude a heel amnter _
44, as showu in FIG. 3,. for providing bterti stabilizadoe to
user's becL TIz¢ heel oou_ter _uds
upwazd_y horn
edge of the base M in • contoured fashion aad is preferably
made of the same material as, _
integral with, the mar role
support through lajccdoa molding of othcr ceavcadooal
eo
• tcchnkpcs..
..
As r,howu in FIGS. 1-4, an arch bddse.46 my geaerally
exxend from the base 30 o[ Ihe rear sole support to the
forward sole for m_ppo_n 8 the arch region of the fool, The
mob bridge 46 is an optional fetlum composed of a firm,
I/_t
mater_tL _
arch br/dge 46 is I|tacbe.d tO th_
upper 22 and forward sok 24 by gluin 8 or other _nVen-
be,el str_e. Op;iooally, the nmr sole meld be eemprised
of
*_
homogenous mat edal,'_
any nmzzber'of layem or combinadon_ of materials, including * malerlal o_mp_
ak eu_pmhttng
_b¢.s d_sciee_ 'f_ examp_,
in U.S; Pat.'
No. $,00_,300.
The out_lc 48 may be idanex_ nowplao_. Preferably,
_e cmr_le, pardculady cm rennin 8 shoe model_, includes
one or more tapcrcd or bevekdscgmeuts
_., as rdmwn in
FIG. 8, Which wben located at the mar ot"lhe.shoe
w_soflee
,x_l/or_
heel..mdkedudug _heg_ cyck. The beveled
segments _2 may be located at the front _
rearportions of
the mar sole, ts shown in FIG. 10A, idisbtly offr,et from tb e
flout and rear port/ms, as shown in FIGS, 10B and 10C_., or
at an,/other locat/on,
dependingon Ibc pncferuuce of the
A 0175
.
•
:.
'.
.
.
•
'
•
•
.
..
.
,,_
As
•
". 7
"
in
.
.
•.,
,
B2
,
_mewhat flaumedmed_]andister*/sides,
"
8
Bs_: layer 62 may be cufircly clitoral
• '
horn themomat-
'
i_ m_mb__0mow, i. m_. a. _,wh_ =_ m_p_
of th_ top mu:fac_ of rear sok 28 presto= tightly q_dm_ lips
34 .rid 40.of Ib_ rcar.sok
_
wl_
cogag_d: .
S
To p_m
the .rc_ sole from roUd_S r_ldfive to.tl_
with its leith
idon8 I!_ major axis of the shoe .(wren
am, clzd m _ _
sok support and _,dy
_" us_) b_g
.
greater than its lateral width. As a rcmxlt, the rear sole has a
greater Smuud-cnpging
mu_*cc thauff it wen: drcular or
cquilatcnlly, polygonal. S.uch../sic_cased gmund;.engaging
]o
surface pruvicks greater mabi]/_, pan/cululy if multiple or "
large beveled sogments are used. However, the ShallOf the
rear sole 28 ma x also be circular, polygonal, or otbcrwir, c.
Rear sole 28 may or may not feature a bole in ice center as
Shown in FIG. 9, md preferably should not exit if flexible .zs
plst_80 (liner_
"
".
shown in PIG. 9,'rcar s0le 28 is elUpticalorovzl
' _,.w_h
...
i
"
user or soy heel s_la: cr wear pattern. The tg,velcd re:Smears
" 52 may also bc ,d/gncd ob a '_"
ordc_ bsMs m deal
with pardcul_ pronatioo or sup/mid0a charac_dmics
of the '
"
!.
.
US 6,662,471
'.
is not.usa1.
sok mppoaoucecUg,gcdwire c,c_ 0tb_, loddug _.
90 lock the mounting member to the rear role supporl al the
appmpdatc orkntati6n. As shown in FIGS. X2"md 13,
locking member 90 iocludes i base 92"wilh a'substtnlinny
plauu innersur_ce 94 md ,_ omcrsurfa_ 96 eonto,red
acceding
to the sid_
of the rctr sole support when tttiched
thereto.Apdr OfL-shq_t arms98 cxtcudfromtheb_ 92
(/_. crably gram ils top, e.g., kom the extcaml s_fac_ of the
heel counter) *nd eugage oppoacd openings 42 (FIG.'2) in
the rear sole support to pivotally attach tbc locking mcmbcr
90 Io Ihc _r sok suppo_ opeoin_
42 may also b_ formed
in the heel r_ion of thc uppec Wh_ a.ad_d
to .the rear
. P,car sole 28 is dclachab]y secured Io the rcu sole support
26 with a mounting n_mbcr 60. As shown in FIGS. 2 and'
sole. sumxxt, tlg locking mcmbem.occu_, the.spaces,
11, mourning n_mbcr 60 has abss_ layer 62 tlmt is .aff_x_
0roving a leogth X as showu in PIG. 4) bctweed rig hont and
to the top'surfac_ of tbc F,ar sole 28 with adl_sivc or otl_r 2o rear walk of the mar mk supp_% is :shown in FIG. L' "
cooventional
mcam that wfd uot degrade the cushioning/
_nure_
100"are fom=cd in the base 92 for receiving the' "
spring inopcnics of the rcar sole. There is an engaging lair
pmmminm68 of mountingmember60.Tl_.apertUre_
have
64 abow:' base layer62 and notchleycr 74A. Lateral sides
a small opcuiug a_jac_ _
_,thcu expand in diameter
esob ccmain promminm 68 with bulbous ends. Front and
within the b*s_to
a Imqgcr oi_
u_u" suffac_ 96 tO..
rear cods 70 of the eagag/n 8 li,yer'_4 .include ctxcul_r .._
_i:cmmoda,..
(be bulbous ends bf ibc proW_/_ns. 6& As a .
arc-d_pat
rims 72 hsv/ng sub_mfially
the same radius of
_sult. th_ p_U'usin_'soap'_imo
m_ _
1_0,o lock -.
cus'vam_._
the .front and rc_r gmov_ of the mar sole.
the locid_
membe_
in lX_t_on. In addido_ p_
"
•support and cugagc the _oat and rear grooves of _c rear
102 extcnd inwmt_ from oppo_te ends of tnsc 92.aud
sole msppoe..
To a--c_ _ i_ s_ to t_ reu_1_ support,the_r _0'cngagc nmchcs 74 in the mount.rag member between the
from andrc*r ends and tht l_mmd sidc_ (FIOS. 2 and _) *o
sole, with tbc mounting
momber 60 attached (and,
prevent _tio,v
Of _ rear _ole wbcn thc Iockh_ a_mbcr_ .
_y,
with a flcxiblc plate 80..discusaed
]IMer, supam in the pos/fi_n shown in FIG. L
"
po_AI cmtbc mounting member 60), i_,positioocd relative to
As mo_ in FIG.2.mounting incmb_ _0 _
slots .
the mr sok support so that the. from aud rear _
of tbc
76 for mqqxw_
a flc]n'blc plate 80 between the scar sole
mounting'm_mbcr are rotaxcd in a c/xcular manner no more
35 .and _
heel poirtioo of the u]p_ m._tl_i'a portloO of plate'
thau _o'at 9&, about •xis Y h'om their positlons Mmwn in
80 is exposed thr_gh ccotr_ opening 36. The flext_ble plate, "
FIG. 2. "rbc mounting mcmbcg is c_tc_cd ix:tw_cn the front
whichmay be mackof agraphite
compos_ ortuber
and mar grooves, then in-eased agaiuu the bottom.of the base
30 sod ro4atcd less than 180 °, and generally ao mo_c tban
butflcx_le,
matcrisl,
n:d.cesbccl-o=_ midsolecompre_'
siooaud providessprinStotbcusec The flcxlble plate is, of '.
court, miffcr thaa tl_ matedah uaed f_ the omsok or
midsole; but mu_ be md_icnfly
flex_le
m as to no_
dcuimcntally affect cushlooing of the user'ehccLAgraphhe
.
or _raphiwJfil_rglm
compos/tc, indud_g carbon m-carboo
•bout90* (dockwise or cc_ntc&t0ck'v_c),so matdins 72 4o
•/ul/yeng*gc _c b_mt and rear groovesof the rca_'_le
support defined by lips 34 m_l 40 seen in FIG. 4. When the
rea_ porlinn of the _r sole becom_ worn. the rear sole c,n .
be totaled in.a c_cuhu" manacr. 180" so thai thc woru rc4r
portiouuow faces towml the hourof rig slmcmuloccupies 4s sod graphitefibccswoven in m acrylic _ resin bssc,such ,
tn area somewhat
fcovard of the caksoe_
where little or no
v._-/ghtoftheuser
isapplkd. Wbcathe rotated_
as. _
C_,
poninn.
mauufaclurcd by Biemechsoin_
CadiZ, may be used.
_es.Co.
of
As d_owu in FIGS. 14A-C, flcx_le pl_ 80 includ_
of the rear sole also becomes _
the rear sole may be
dclacbcd and cxchsogod w/lh tl_'.rear sole .of the shoe, sinc_
front and rear edges 82 and 84 that an: supported by slots 76
wc,r p_-,-ms of le_ *sxlrightheels arc typlc_y opposite, so (u:eFIG.2)in themountingmember.TIg fle:u'bleplateamy
have • mthsumfially souvex .uppc_ sudace that
upwardly betWCea the hont and rcu edges to an .apex 86,
which is pn:ferably located bclow tbc cak=ncus of the _r.
_d ri_t sh_.
when tbc rear sole is k_
to the rcei" dole mpporL An
The mouting mcmba 60 maybe madeof iny a.mbcrof
apcmsrc
88
may
be
pmvlded
*t the apex 8_t0
inacase
bard, lightwci_t
matcrlals that l_'Qvldc snffidem sUeng_h s$
spring..
aud risidity to firmly engage t_ rear sole supp_
and
.The plate may also be fl*, or amcave_ and racy'tin
suppoa the flex_le plate 80 if used. Examples o_ such
substantially hour gltss-rdmped, as d_own in.FIGS. 14A.--C,
matcri,tg inclu&: hard plastic; PERAX_;
HYTREL TM in
or H-shaped, as is the plafc 180 shown in. FIGS. 1-qA--C.
its ba_d format; .graphite; and grSlpbitc, gr*phitc/flbcqllz _
aud libcrglam ._tes.
Hsvdnc_ of th_ mounting mcm- 60 Other shapes arc also c_atcmpl, tcd.as long as su_ shapes
provide spring mad reduce mldsole compression of therear
bcr amy in fact be cspec_ly
important if flcx_Ic plate 80 is
sole. For cxample, FIGS. I&A' and B show ano_r
hour
usod, bee*use the per_hertl
edges of such plate need to
gless-shspcd
flcxibic plate 280 with disc_,
upper and
Wess against a finn foundatinu ff the cgn_ral portion of such
lower sections 282 and 284.
plate is to pmpcdy deflect uuder tbc weight of tbc u_er's fool
and impm spring to _ user's gait cyck. In any event, the 65
When the flexible ldate is used, tl_ rear sole may be
devoid _ material in im center, as shown in FIG..2, to reduce
mounting pk_: material is generally sliffcr than tbc maw.rials
used for tbc rear sole m/dsolc and outsole.
the weight of the rctr sole. If the.cc0ter is devoid of material.
l_bc rear sole may Mso bc discankd
.one with orwitbomanyn_u
and replaced with a new
_ exchange
betweenleft
A 0176
"
.
..
.
_
".,
•
.
_.
.
i
".
.
.'
.
"
.
US
66 ,471
i".
B2
..
'-
prevent
thereim
."
nmimU_
.
_
debris
.
:
.
"
10
flanged edge, composed ofplaslk of other suitable material
may be imerted imo the void and a_
to the waIla of ibe
from 'entering
or collecting
•Apexs6 is k)(=t_ is FIGS.14c u_ _c., _tly.m
me
..
-.
.
9
void. by tempt•mien _l or otherwise,to seal the v_d and
"
•
b d.UOmay -
•
.
.
=.q u
removabk from abe rear.ink support, ti shown in FIG. 17,
or permanently secured .to the _
role support b)', "for'
exampte, ¢ndo_8 one of me.grooves128 ,t_ 0Z el_ti¢
the4rcln. Also, the .band :may be.
S band has been ime_ed
pusbed or rolled Upward above grooves 128 on 0_e nutr sole
suppe_ prim to'detaching _
men,re
Xg0.md tl_
rear of the center of the meieraxis of plate 80, so as to be
simply rolled _
to t_turn to an iut-smove.positlon
bllowing remadxmem.As t furtheropen. the clinic band
ix_oned
mo_dinc0y
benokth the center of the cakaneus.
re.permanently
attached s_rap flttdd
Thus, it will be necessary to remove and rotate I_te 80 by so may be a remevable
180 on an axin pcrpendicu_.to
the major ax_ 0f the IdJo¢ .
the gmovus and havi_oppmln8
ends that may. be
latched toBathar_
a bell or _el boo(.llu:_
wh¢0 the _ear sole is intern.d, in order m keep the apex
positioned .di_dybeaeath
'
the uslcancu_Howev_r,
plate 80
• As a f)mberatterm_ve(mr shown), * U-drapede0enec- "
: may be formed with the apex in my pc'._tinn to suit a useds
mr ha3'ing opp_tc ends permanently _
toou¢ end of
p_f_.
It may eve_ be placed b the exael center of plate I S bmbInok_ members 90 may be remov_ly _ pummently.
secu_
to de: euter _mrfa_ 0f eithea the f_t
o_ tusr wall
: 80 m ts to obviate the need for plate rotation When the rear
sole is rotated.
of the rear sole support/as
a substitute f_r the symeni
involving tiinges 98 on locking member* 90. The elaS_
FIcx_Ic plate 80 provides sprangto the user'sgab cycle "
in the folknvlng manner. Dur!n 8 heel strike in the'gait cyck,
band and other alternatives to the IMesed Ioddng member
abe u_s
beel_
a downwa_ forc_ against the plate. 2o can be ased in all of the embodimenefof
the invention.
"Since ibe peripherai edge.s bf the plate ate firmly mpporw.d
I(.a flex'_k plain is not deslmd, the embodiment M_wu in
by the m_unting member, the interior po_iem of the plate " FIG. 20 maybe us_l to supply mo_ eonve'nikmai 'midsok
. de_ecta _ly
relative to the peripbend edges. As the
cushloning, ld tiffs embodime_
the mounting membe r 260
force is lemem_ (wlth the u_"s w¢igt_ belng transferred to
is idenhcal.to ,he meumi_d8 member 60 M_ewa in -FIG. 2
the other foot) the defleXted portion of the plate,, due to its 25 except that the I:mse lay_ 62 and slots 76 _ eUm/usted. It
¢hu_c chartcteri_tius,
_|
_tum
to its original shape,
_ao_Id again be noted that the ba_e lair 62 is an optiomd "
therebypmvid_anupwardeqpring
_reg to the u_g's heel
f_atm_ in M.I of th¢.mo_ah_g
.mambo" embodimenm.
In
Such. _
effec_ will also occur whenever a fmce is
place of the retr sele 28 showu in FiG.2,arearmle200has
.
otherwise ap#kd t O and then removed from the bem'ble
tn abgtsion-t'_isUmt
ouVmle 2(12 laminated to • midaok
30 layer 204; On top of this ".m_nole layer 2t4 arc two additioud midmle hyer_ 206 lad 208._
layer bdag smaller
TI_ removabx3ity
of the eexibk pl._e allows *beus_ of
alum the htye_ _
which it reals, with midsole layer 7._
severaldiffe_ rj_.s of ikxmle plates of varyingmtffnoss sized to fit witl_ the central opgning 36 in. the _ear. sole.
or camped'doe,q'uus,fl•m'blaplate deslgm ted character- support 26. Midsok layent 20_ ted 2_1 may comt_'i_ two
plate (e.g., jumping off one foot, or jump/n 8 from both feet
stmummec,_),
'..
:
htlm canbe _dapted_rdin8
:
tb theweightof 0g eser, the 3s separatepieces limdnatedtog•thenor a Mngt9piece molded
or otherwisesl_q_edto bay• two R#o,_ *s
"ab/lity of the uaer, abe type of _ereise or u_ involved, or the
amount of _pdng _.in
the heel of the t/_:. Remov-
In thls en_xlimenl,
the monoting member 260 Is adheri_d by sluing of other means to abe top of the mldso/c layer" 204
detedo_tioe
occur, • ceaorm in the case of vkmtlly any ,to such that it sanmmds.and abuts _galnm the Mdes st midsolc
truly apdng*enhan_
plate material.
layer 204g. ]1 maybe further
secme.dtothe_
of midsole
Tbe becl mrnoture embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is but 0on
layer 206 by gluing or othei mature. The man_.r of a_
of many emtmdimeut_ _utempltted
by the premmt invertthe re,r mk m_d mounting uicmbet to _ rest sek rapport
•. tion_ While _rther cmbodimeuu_ are dlsctmm:d below, addi.
is identica! to that des•re'bed with respect lo the cinb6di®nem
tioual embodimcnts are possible and within the scope of the 4s r,hewn iu FIG. 2. In add;tion, the _p midsola lay_ 208 may,
• in_ntinn. Unless otherwise noted, the ram•turn, material
bul need no_ be, made circular to fac_taie roodion or tu_
composition,
and chanctedutm
of dte h¢¢1 mmlxmeata
rear sole whe0 the midsok layer 206 is inmu:d into the •
slmwe inFIGS. 1 _
2 apply m all of the embodimems.
•eared opening 36. Altem_vely,
d_, layer may be
f_'om layer 206 and planed in open/rig 36 w/th the shoe in an
One mda embodiment is shown in FIGS. 17-19B. In tl_
embodimem, rear sok support 126 is sub_mhally
ideodcal
so inverted.pcf,idou.This maymake installationusdev ff layer
2m is ov, i in m,_, l_"opening 36. It eJ_o permits
to rear sole support 26 shown in FIG. 2 except that i_ has
horizontal grooves 128 on the exterior surfaces of each" Of
_eplKemem'
of layer 208_ rJ_tld its cushioning pmpertka
d¢_rinre_ at a faster rate tht- the real of the _
sole. Of
the _y
extending walls and no boles 42. The
mounting member 160 sbown in FIG. 17 is also identical to
ceon_ this step w_ukl be accomplished bet*0re enMgemem
lear sole supporl 26, which ..
mounting member 60 shown in FIG. 2 except that protru- _ of mounting member 260 _
timm 168 do not have bulbous •ads,
sim_sdy, could be accom#isbed wtu_ the _
is in mi
inverted _
in ruder tbetlayer _
does not fall out or
l.ock/ng members 190 d/ffer from those _
in FIG. 2
ab/I/ty also perm/ts easy replacement
of the plate should.
dislodge
duringimamatinn.
in fiat the h/nges are eliminated. Instead, the exledor
It _
be noted that lay•re 284,206,
m_d 2_ mt.ybe
tm'fac_ of each of the _ng
mcmbem 190 have a horimaterisht, includ_
without
zomai groove 192 that aligns with the exterim groovea 128 eo made of daft•gem _
fccmed on the _car mk support. In addhjo_, apenm'cs 194 "
limitation air-filled dlambenk BfJl-fllled chambera. EVA of
(PIG. 19A) ate cyUnd_t in slope *ed need not bay•
poly,atcthan¢, or my _tiom
that•eL
"
expanded imerio_ potions Idm:e the Frollmsions 168 have no
Yne Ru sole support is deigned to accemmodata a
bulbous ends.
variety of rear sote configumtieBs_ which vary according to
To lock the lock,n8 members in place, an elastic band YIO 6S the activity
ira,
ohm.d,the,_.i#a of'tb_mar, and thecmhionin8and/orR_ing desiredby themar. Although addido_al
rear sole cenfiguntieus
are discussed below, many other rear
is slreAchexi and fitted within the grooves 128on the rear role
s_pcct
and grooves 192 on the locking members. The
A 0177
_
" .
•
...
.
•
i
eok configuratiom
• ude suppgrt 7.6,
One a_
u
..
' .
.
12
mty be used in cotrjunctino with dg _.ar
"
cxamplc
..
..
US 5,662,471 B2
l
'.
.
l
•
l
.
is shown in FIGS. 2"1sod 22. In this
-embodiment,• rearsok 300 is. U_aped memberhaving
"
"
the !7ouomwall maybe solid to incrcasesln_ _r maybe
tunt-_q_l
as shown in FIG. Z_ to fudl_r ix_rease spring,
with or without a stiffening member 4L'L Mounting n_:mber
350is aimilar to that slmwn in FIG. 2 _t
that t_e base
plate 80 re_ts inslots 376_
5 62 is dekted. Again, _:xible
formed in the mounting member and is expo_d to the heel
region of the uppe_ via the central opentn8 36 in the vea_ sole
Suppoa 7,5.
:
_y
paralk! walls 302 and 304 joined by a bend
385. The member .is compow.d of a m/if, but flexibk,
material that will provide spring to. the heel of the liner
without _
comfort. Matefef_ kud3 as tho_ dis"_
rear sole option is show_io
FIG. 7.q.In th_. dosed with r_
to the flcxfl3le plate 80 maybe used for
the rear sole 300.
]0 embedlmunt,,rearfob: SO0 b identical to mar sole 400
-Two hyen of _m
midsule marconi 206 and 2_, • shown in FiG. 7A except that ii has a "tent-Iflu:" wall. 506
©xt_ding from the boUom wall 504 toward top wull'2_02.
which ma_ be moee mm'lk.ut than the U-abapedmember,
are
secured to the lOp of wall 302 by gluing Or other means to " Waft 506 may have a top s_uff;scc 508, or may be david of
material at _
logan.
Wall _
hut abe effect of inacasing
•provideceshi_ug to the heel of the USer, and mounting
mnd_r260isSleed_oO_w_ ut_d_lmthc top_rf*ce _s sfiffnc_ and, therefore, pmv/des men: sprig thun thatof tbe
_ar sole 400 as shown. A Stiffening member 412 may also
" of top wall 302 _ sormund and abet against the sidewall.of
be uscd tofurthcr
increasespring.
Stiffuning
member 412 is
midsole layer 206. It may also be attachedto the side wall
tomember 312 shown inFIG..24ex'pt thatithas
of layer206 by gluing or other mca_. The mounting identical
a stained wall 413 to unmpkmem
and preas agidmsl the from
mcmbct, may also be molded 'to the n:ar sole 300 as a
sa'ucture. ToCmidsole layers 206 and 208, the 2o slopedsurface of wail] 506. Top.wall 502 may hav e a ,',,utnd
ope_dng, _aboWn in lqG. 2.5, or may be solkl, such as Wall
moenti_ member 260, and the war sole support 26 (as wetl
302 shown in FIG. 21. Wall $06 may be used in soy of the
as optional features) am identical to those shown in FIG. 20,
U-shaped t_ sole embodilacUtS.."
.. sod the mmncr *rid olniom.for roaching the rear U/k and
Finally, an optional wafer 600,uMbk in combination with
mouada8 member tO tbe rex: sole soppoi't is the same,
including
without limimioa
the option of scverin8 and
*ny of the abo_ embodiments i_orporating k flex_le plate,
• is di_lou_d in FIGS. 26--27B. As shovmin
FIG. 26, wafer
mmately insttUing by= 7.0s.
600 isdi_
In conJuacttonwith the he_:lmructmu shown
To pm/c_ the bottom _gmund-¢ngaging
surface of the
in FIG. Z Wafer 600 is phiced o,_ abe top eurftce of fle_dble
• U-_aped member and.k7pmvkle cusbiuning, the.rearsole
may indndc unM_miun-_stunt
oatsolc wh_
may .be 3e phte tntt it is exposed to tbe heel re4giea of the opper (not
shown) Via central _
36 of rear role _uppotl 26. Wafer
more t_.,t_,mt than the U-daped member. As shown in FIG.
600 is "made of any suitable materials, sudb as those mate21, the bottom wad 304 of therearauk 300 includes boles
_
for the midsuk layer c_ oumole layer of rear _
306 t&mlgh which _movable
oel_ole Scgt_.nts 308 arc
ude 28,d_t provi_ cushioning to the bee,l of the us_ and . • .
imer_,
T'ae outsolc _ts
308, which may be made of
• a robber compound
or other material typically m_d for 35 which are more rem.q_m tlum the flex_3le plate. '
AS ahown ;,1 FIGS. 27A _
2TB, wafer 600 _,ludce
outsuiC material, provide an abrasion-resisttm
layer for
knobs 602 and 604 thatmap e_gage with_
"
pmtectin 8 the bottom surface of wall 304. As shown in
openhzgs:382 m_d 384 (see FIG. 26") in ae',-'ble plate 380.
FIGS. 23A--C, the oulsole r,egn_ats
haw a a_y
coaic_y-,dutped
top portion 316, a cylindrical ndddle potARboush two knobs are shown in this embodimem, any
number _ knobs may be used; ia fact, the _mobs may be. •
lion 318, and a rounded ground-engaging portion'320. The
coeicany_
_
316 _/ran
ope_fs 306. and 4o eliminated entirely.
the bottom of the cOnkMly-e_al_l
portion acts to retain the
AS abown in FIG. 26,wafer 600 isovd _, Mutp¢, although
outeole segments in the opculngs. Alternatively, a one-piece
aw/shal_ is coe_nphted so fong_ itlnovides thedesked
outsole layer may be attached to the bottom _xrface of wall
cuabiot_g
to tlg heel of the user. If d/robed, the bcXtom
304, _
opc_gs
306 and se_ts
308, or eliminat4_ suds,',- 608 of wafer 600 may be concave in ord_ _o
ing beth und uu_g
"gluingor some other_
inatead.
cunformwith
the curved top surface of fkx/bk
plate 380_
The top surface _
of wafer 600 may-also be concave in
Such outmle layex may then be permanent or removable.
Tbe reu sole 300 lnovides spring to the heel of the user • m_der to coofe_m with the coutoers of tha heel eefioo of thc
opp_r or the user's heel.
SO . The wafu need not.be attached to tbe oex_li: plate.380.
material is elastic, ea_gy mored 'in bend 305 and wall 304
Instead, the wafer.may,
for.example,
be permaoemly
attac_sedtO thebouom oftbeuppeJ, secured within or made
dudn8 deflectiun wgl qxin8 beod 30_ md wd1304 beck to
original poslti_ as weight is shifted, Ibemby pmvld_g
•integnl
wi_, shoe sock _
(not abOwa);_z=d m me
a springeffec_
tothereeds bceL St_'euln8 members 312 or
mar sole support, m attadgd at any other location that
312Aare optional elemente thai may be used to _
the 5S would be capable of unabio_
the mat's heel..
-.
spring generated by the rear sok 300. The sdffeuln 8 memIt will be apparent re.those ,.killed in the a_ that various
bers include _
314 that ¢_gage ap¢.rm_
310 in abe
modifications and variations can be made in the shoe of the
bead of thc fcaz sole 300. Allcrnatively, bouom wall 304
present invention withoel d_
from the. scolg or spirit "
(shown with large hole in middle) may be sofid to increa_
•of the invention and thai cedain features of one embodiment
spring or may be tent-e,haped as _wn
in FIG. 23 to further 60 may be used inic_hangeably
in other embediment_
By way
in the following
manncg. Wbeo the heel of the user ttr_ce
thegmm_ wat1304 w/ll deflecttowardw_ 302. Since the
Inc_ase Rxing, with or without
a uiffcaing
member 412.
Flexible plate 80 may also be used in poujunctlunwith t
retr sole very dm_r to Ihat shown in FIG. 21. As shown in
FIG. 24, rear _le 400 is identical to rear sole 300 shown in
FIG. 21 except Ihat h has an optional opceing in the: top wull
to reduce the wFight of the rear sok and allow additiomd
space within which flex_le plate 80 may flex. Alternatively,
"of exampk only, the w,ar role mpportAockm8
member
¢ombinatiuns
shown in FIGS. 2 and 17 dan be used in
conjunction
with any of the above<k_c_bed
rear sob
co_58uradons , and can be used with or without the flexible.
plate. Similarly, dg arch bridge shown in FIGS. 1--4, upper
and lower botizomal want shown _n FIGS. 5--7 and other
alternatives
A 0178
to the arch bridge d/acuascd
bemln
may be
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proximate the mcdial lide Of the ehoe. tnd moth_ of thc el
letsl two pm_om of the botl0m wall has _" leasl oue
pe_heral edge proximatethe lateral
sideOf the.shoe.'
the
periphertl edg_ _eing al_mely
partllcl with each
other. ........
"
' ' -'
le.T'eeshee._cltim9, wl_temmelperipheudultesof
the at le,am tw_ portions of tbc bottom wall'prmdmate the
medial s/dc and latcra] side of the shoc are at Iclett la parl
visible fron_ oulside the shoe.
••
11. The shoe of claim _, whcvda each of.the .tl leasl two
portio0s of the bottom wail. has th.inte_or ed_c_ thc tnlerlor.
. -
. .
' "
edges of I_ at kest two ponioas of the tmnom v/all b_
.
subs_uli_d_y planar v,,[I/a each other aad ...md_m_tlly par- •
"
'.,n,*l with the 8round.
: '._
12. Tbc shoe of cltim 1, wherein the cm'ved w_ hu at
2.5 Icm one pctlphcrtt edge .pmxinate ouc of theme,dialside
. of.thcShoe sad the. lateral
sideof ll_ sl_oe.
13. The _
of claim 12, wtbel_a tlz"tt
_
o_e
" ....
pcrlphe_tl edge of. the curve.d Wall is at kul in p_t vls_le
..
. from outside the shoe.
. ....
_m
14. The _oc of dtim I, wbc_n
thc curve,d vadl h_ a.
:..
. • mid*longidsdinal
axis, w/tbancqpeu/ng
a_4N, the mid]ong/tudimd _c[S of tl_'ct_ved wi/L
.......
' .
.
- IS. The shoe of .clttm 1_ whc_in
_ae cu_
wall is
.
..
tbc shoe is in o0ntact w/lh the ground the pre_cl_rmi_d distancebetween dz atkast a.perdonof the _
at leest on_ element, poshloncd
bctwccn at .least a
potion of the top wag aud at _
a pot1_0u of.the
.
.
. •
vis_le from outside theshoes." ' ..
y_ The shoe of claim 1, whesem the tmaom Wail rum.at
lessl mu: perlpheral edge proximate ooc of the medial Mde
oftheMu_tndthelMertl_koftheshoe_
....
..
..
8.The ,hoe of datm'7, wherein the *t Io_t ouc pedpheml
edgeofthebottomwalllsstks_pst_vls&kfromoulMde-..
the'shoe.
....
•.
9- Tbi: .shoe of claim 1, whereiJn°ne_°f the el k:tst tw°"
thetopw_llt_ving _s
membcr havin8 a boltom wall w/th tn u_q_.r surfac_ '
Ibcbouomwsnhav/agatlea_twopo_tionsapprox/.
mately planar with etch b0zr, paralkl, with Ibe
ground, and septraled by a gap thercbctwecn, d_c top
win _
Ihc bottom wall Cac_ havtl_ g fot"wltrd
re,on aad a rearward_oe; theforw'akd
tcgiom of
thetopaudbo4tomw_ll.sbc_conncclcd,tacJoscd
• end by a curved wall; thc top, bollom, _md curved
• . walls bcing imegral, the rearwasd rcgioos of/be top'
s_d bosom waUs bc/nK odoured toward a back of tl_
shoe,.a! lea.sl a portion of lhc tpp and boltomw_l_
bciag sptccd•
prcdelerm/ned _
flmm each
othc_ such that dining the.western 8dt cycle when
.
•
. •
_ L
Jo portiomof d_ bouomw*ll tins-* I_
aa ope_
bcncath the wearcr's becl, the midIcosiludiaal axis of the pc_heral
cd_es of the top
wall in_
a point _il is vertically tligncd with "
approximate _enter of the opening in _ top wxll
a_d the tpp_oximatc center of the wcsscr's hr.cl, tl_ 2o
.
-
.,.
=d k
a mcmbcr havin8 a top w_ wiih a Iow_ msrh_, 1he
top wall having at least ooe peripbcrtl edse pmxi- " "
mate • medial side.of lhe shoe. and al leasloae'
periphcrtl edge proximate a lalcrai aide of the shoe, "
thc peripheral edges of thc lop Wall Imv/n8 a .mid-
longimd_t*xismcsetmw_n,
t32
it
that the presem iaventioa cover ill p<m_k combinations of .
the fcamr_ shown -in Ihe di_erent _:m_
_'wcll as
. modificalions and variations of this inveution, provide_ they.
c°me'wflbin
the scope of the claims tnd.lheir eq uivaknlss
What is ¢lahned is:
• l. Ashoc. compds_ng:
_
..
an upper, .and .
.
. a rear sole sr,oucd below a p0rdoo of the upper, the rear
sole comprlslng:• "
.' '
'..
US 6,662,471
.
.
.
..
..
. •
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aplpmX_mst61y p_rpen_
of the shoe. .
to thcma_r
louglmd/na]'a3ds
.
"
..
•
-
••
pasitioucd, bencalh Ihe w_axc_s' heel and 'tbovc at ]ca_. •
portion Of tbc lop Wall of lhc mcmbcr, the tnmhiou and tbc . . .
bottom wail,the*al_s4 oee ok.meathaving,
aSleast
tOpwalleach being made of a material, the material of the
one interior sidew*dl;
40 cushion being more rcss3ient than the matcr_ 0f 1he .top
• void located beneath tbc ope,_
in tlz top wall
wall.
"
defined at kam in part by tl_ at least o_e imcrior
.17. The shoe of claim 16. wbc_cin _.cusldoa
his aa
sidewall of the at ka.M oue element, at k,st a pordo n
Upl_r mtfface conforming/n
Mlspe to tbc bottom surface o f
of tbc void being vcrtictlly aligned wltb tbe approxlthcwcar_'s he.cl.•
male omm_ of Ihe opening in I_ lop widl;
•
4s
18. TI_ _m_ 0f _dm
17, wh_rcln Ihe cushloQ is ]m:aled
atica_oncopedin_oa
at lca_ one of the medlal and
at loam. /u Into beneath the tpprm_m*te
center.of
the
• lateral
sidesoftheshoe.theopeningbeing incornwetrer'sh_..
•
-"
mun/ca6ou wit b tbc.vold; and
.
19. _
shoe c_ claim i8, wherein the cusb_ is located
• bottom sth'_ace"thSl is at lust in pan groundbe_teaih aad adjacent at letsl • porlioo 'of I_ Iris.
-engaging.
so . 20. T'_ r,b_of claim 1, wbcrcinthc
opeota 8 in the top
2.The shoe of cltim"I,whercin t cross-m:c6o,_al
profile
wallisvis_k itl.cgm
ininu't
II_oughtheatle._tone ope_
of the lop md botlom.wans llutt trc coanccted at the closed - onatlcasl.Oncofthemedlalandlaterals_o_thcshoe_
cod by the cmvcd wall is generally in • recumbcm U-Mape.
21. TI_c nhoe of claim 1, wheb:_n tbc _
smrf=ce of the
3. Tbc shoe of claim 1, v,'berein Ibe redeced pt_lclcr-.,
top wall is at least in part Visible from outside the shoc
mioed di_mx'e betweeo the at ]east a portion of the top aod SS throeghlbe at k*_oneopeoiog
oeooe of the medi_'aod
'
bottom walls results from the at kasx.a ix_rdoa ef onc of the
latcrtl sides of the shoe.
top and bottom walls deflecfin 8 toward the oth_. in •
22. The shoeof claim 1, wh_cin tl_ upper msrfsce-bf the
sabstantitlly vertical dbection,
bouom wall is at kasl in pan vi_'ble fi'om oets_k the 8hoe
4.The shoc of chdm L wixcrcla _
tcdaccd pt_lctc_"throughthcU Icast
ooc0pen_ou
a(le.astooc_t:hc
mcdlal
mineddis_ncebctwccotheallcastaponionoftbcmpand
e0 and.lal_alsidesoftbcshoe.
..
bottom w_tUs rcsulcs from the at lea_ a port/on of the top
23. The shoe of claim 1, whc_n
the interior _kwall
of
wall deflecling toward the ground in a _ml_tandnlly vertictl
the at leas_ oat'element is al least in'parl visible fi.om outside
di/v,_oa.
Ihc shOC I_ghlhe
at lCS,MOl_.0peo_g in OOc0f the medial
5. 'The sboc of chim 1, wherein the top wsll lure at lea_t
aad latcrtl sides of the shoe.
.•
oae perlpberal cdgepm,x_matc the rear of thc shoe.
65
24. The _.of
cls/m ], wbc_clo' ihc atIcssl oac interior
6. The shoe of clitm _, wherein the at learn ooc peripheral
sidcwaD of the tt least one clcmeot.is at lca_ in parl vim_lc
edge of tbc top wan proximate one of the medial side of the
from outside the shoc.
..
"
.
."
A 0179
. " •
.
.
.
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.:
US 6,6621471
• .:-
' 15
16
"
top wall over the at leasl'one element is solid.
26. Tl_e shoe of daim 1, wberc_ [b: boltom surface of the
• rear sole has • nee-ground-engaging
portion that is verfi'tally aligned With tt k_ 8 pmtiou of the 0pening in the to p
walL..
.. .
.
27. The sh_ of claim 26, whe_in
the non-groundengaging portion o_the bcztom surfac_ of the rear sole is
located 8t k*_ in part between the at letst two portioes of
the bottomwail
B2
' 30..The shoe of chim
zg, whe_._
the teut.:_aped portion
.extendingtowardthempwall hasatktu me sidewallu tn
tqlie to. the at le.ut in part gmund-eagag_
portlon of the
b_mm smftce, the at least one imedor Mdcwtll of the at
Jeakt One ek, meat being _ an angle tO the at ie_ in part
5 8mund.enlpqlingp_io
e of the bottom surfwe, the at least
one sidewall of the tcnt.4thtped potion being tdjtccnt the at
least onc iatcrior skfewsll of the at leaU me element.
3L The shoc 0f claim 30, wherdn the angk of tbc u le4m
oue sidevndlof me tem.ehapedpeNionthatis adj_em Og
so at _
one haerim sidewall of d_ at ka_ me dement is
28. "I'ne shoe of cltim 26, wherein the non-groundapproximatelythe same as the angle of the at kast oue
¢ngigh]g portion of the boa_a mn'faoe of"tl_ rear sole
interior sidewall of the at least ode ekmem thai is adjacent ..
mml_h= a _ett.titlly
pl*-tr _
rod an _ja_.nI Ihe at_
one sldewallof the tenl-shaped pmlm.
_ portion uon-phnu with Ole pl_ar portion.
33. The shoe of dtim
1, wher¢i_ the at ]eam in part
• 29. Tee shoe of claim 26, wlzrein
the non-_rouud- Js ground-engaging portion of the boUom surface is formed of
otmsole ma_erial.
- engaging portion of the bottom muface of the w.4tr sole
c_ninises
a tem-_al_l
ix_rfion extendi_
towan:l _ 'top
wlt_..
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United States Patent [,9]
m]
Mesdmn
I_]
et al.
4541 ATm,ETIC SHOE wrrll DdPltOVlm SOLE
" "run R, Le, _
t_]
A_dt,,_ A_
O_es.
LL.C.,_
of Patent:
N.C.
Oct.
1, 1996
ir,mm_.
Rdb_,do_.
:_.,oz_
s/1m n=_,=.
2,2_8,1_
e01942
2_0t,_
7n_ m,_.
Leu.
"
2,374_'_ ._n94._ l,tp_.
• ...a:._"
.o0_,_ m _t _..)
Aug. 17,
Related
Dale
i,51"6,384 il/1924
I_d_l't4
_/192_
[2_] Appl. No- 29],945
[22]
s;56o,126
.-
• . FOR,IOON P,_"l_'g"r ]X)CU'M]_r]_
U.S. Applleatlea
• ...
Data
.
.
.
.
_R
._36R
tstl
A43B 2!J'_;A43B
21/32;
A43B 21/24
]bat. CL.e
u.s.a.
• .
947O54._/1_'_,6..
- 2154_I
.....
" .3_
3_v'_,_
s;.
36/36A; 36/2"/;36/31;36/35R; 36/15;
36f3"7
Fiendor Scm:b
.
36V42,
39,6g,
36/4], 366. 36& 36 c, 34_R.ZT.31, 35 P..
25 _ ]5, ]oo.]o_ !o3, ms, _7,3s
[se]
tS_
Rd'_
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7/1991
]_ewa.
_m_.
Mad_
•
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7/1900
501905
818,861
401906
.s_46,s15 ]2/1912
1.062,338
501913
1,112.635 1011914
1.316.505
9/1919
11318124"7 1001919
1.-546Jt41 "'//1920
!,366,601
1/1921
!,._'!.139
3719:21
3/1922
i,410,064
1.439.757 12/15rZ2
I _39,7_
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1,444,677
2/1923.
6/1923
!,458257
!/1924
: 1,479,773
25"/28 -11/19¢9
ID342
2/1911
2291184 3f1924
)5_926 - 2/19_
2]44024 : 2/1_
t,h_
r_gdmn.
Ualu_ Ktagdom.
_
- ..
..
.
r.Jagdem.
.
m_l..
.
.
-
Co_.q_"
: -
by E. L dn Pout dc N_
"
Ethic Spdn8 1996 Foavvear catalogue.
Ime_mflcmd._%aTch l_q)ort for Imemad_
US94,_)001:da_d
Jam. 2, 1995.
P_
_
D. Pau=non
Auomey.Age_. or _rm.--Irm_an. _
_.
Pnak.
Bed_. et _1..
_
KJae.
)/_hty
O'l'qe_
Vtaot.
Pldd_.
_
....
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Hu.
gedlma.
itedmaa.
Fbd_ ...
3_a Mek.
Craig,.
.
.
Oammy.
*'New Foetwe_
Co.(1988)..-
537,492
6,52,8r;
G=nm_uy,
a_
u.s. p_11_IT
!_ 33,648
'" _'n_
2_4_t_ - 3/1_
&
Appln.:
Farabow,
Oam:a & Dunam36/39
,
Yat36 R
36/42
36/42
36_4_
345/39
[57]
AaSTRAC'r
A _oe kglud_ aheel mxpimurtfor m:eiving a mlattl_
and
n:placeable .n:ar tok io lZOVtde kmge_ wear. The shoe may
abe indude a graphite imert mplx_rted by the t_
neplx_
betweea the hCeJ and the rein- r_de to reduce mM_e
o_p._iee
a_ i_le
_dd_tio_ qntnS. T_e m_=ab_
mu_holeml th_graphiteimen allowthe 0hoe to be ada.o_
to diffenm desked tz_'e_manceduncu_a_
de0endtag
ulmutlz ;mendedactivityaridtenain m"playing _'fac_.
4_ Chln_ t9 lka_e_
.
.
.
.-•
Sh_t,
:
.
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|__.
A 0698
AA001131
P_2
U.S. PATi]NT
DOCUMI_'FS
.2,.540.4492,1951
_.
_t1951 agmmr. •
2_o'h134.
8nSS2 t.,i_.
"2;¢m,4_ 2/1953 :Jh=bltn,
_7o'7,341 sq 95.5 Romeo.
2,74.5,l.q7 .sn_ j_.
2,so6,.3o2
3,os3,4"m
3,085,3.59
3,os7.,265
3,17131g
3,_8,1_
3.31s./_
3.4s.5_8
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4;.t"_._3 4/]983 Jdm_.
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4,_9,474
4.541,18.5
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gt1_6 ct_s_r_. :
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36/_
PmJdd.
4.9'79,319 _9_o J_u.
4.._5_,I"_ .2/1991
Spire'.
s;OO_lOO4/199X lYm._ct ,a '
L?./lgg) ._dmm mal.,
1/1992 H_0nt.
"
3/1992 Emche_ et el..
5.255,4,51
_.319,866
,.
11/1_85 Stut_ef_.
71198fi J_vkh
.
4,610J00
_vI_I6 ]rhode,.
4,6,"0.,764 il/19845 _
• 4,6,42_17
_7
[_r.
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11/198"7 Yla_..
... 4.741,114 ,5/3988 Su_bkOc,_.
s/]_88 Kmwu.
4,745,693
• 4,778,71"/ 10/1988 Fltchm_.
4.78.5,557 II/lP88 Kelley e_ al..
4,811,.S00 _71989 Mm:_o.
"4.97.5,300
_.8"79,82111/1989 Gr_smn c__. 4,887,.3_ 12fl989 _
ctal..
36/39
; ;
9/198.50me.
4,606,1_
• 4,,_,7_8
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4.546,5.56io_1sr8.5smut_J_.
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•
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2/1984 bSmo.
- 4,_19.307 5/1984 _
9/1961 lmeJ
4/19_
Rskus
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3.'1965. D'_.hbmm ....
g/'/_
Rnbem
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•
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sheet 2 of _i
Oct. 1, 1996...
5,_60,126
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U.S. Patent
Sheet 3 of 19
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Oct.
U.S. Patent
5,560,126
4or19
i, 1996
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ATHLETI C SHOE
B^cx otr
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"-
Isto be produc_ Finally,
it would _
that0_eheel "
•mlae, /n Im_Im_. has ea_y
d_'ermt needs and.
reqMxemer_ f_om the :es_ 0f 0_ shoe m]e eml deterioraws
manmchfmu_no.e. •
. . . .-.
IMPROVED. SOLE
oFmE uwE rno
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2
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WITH
TMs is a ccadnuadon-ln-pan of U.S. pm_m application
,Ser.
lV_-08t108,065_xIAug.17,1993,1_di_,..
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5,560,]26
s
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havi_, _y
hardh_ aud_
(e.g.,dn_ alma),
I. iqe.ldof the l.nwudon
dJ_
mm..s0t_,. Ihat:m_ _k
and _
c_m be•
muued when a lSmlm.of the n_r role bccom_ worn. For
TI_"pcl=m=nt
iov=ndont'eJal_
gcl)mMlytoIn improved
e_ampae,U.S.PaL"No."1,439,758
m Redmm' _sdo_s a
n_rs_leforfomwearmd,
mmepart[mhdy,
man_rmle
Io detachable n_u'soletl_issecuredtoaheeJoftbeshocwi_h
for ms ath]e_ shoe with _a e___,'_0__
__ and m__ vma_e life
a ,m_ez saew that pesmmm_ she bottom of the gar sale and
=d be_
_xrromaa_
_ _
_ _g
_d _
_,iS_hi, me,,ed _
Z _
of theRelatedAn
Add_l_
md_= mo_d_dg=d_rmni_mds,
bm_C_hO_wal_andmhcrfmmi
_
t_ b_m
of _ h_ o_ ,_. _o_
.
5ud_ a de_gu canno¢ be reed In mhie_c dm_ became th_
_
midsole _l:the.mi_ pliable
upper_ notdgid
mou_ m _min d:c cc=_'sc_.w.
In addim=, d_cem_-
so/_
m_dpIla_ uppe_.
The _
solege_
h_dud_
of 0_ gesflknt mkhole aml may pmdbly be fonxd imotbe
a sm/]i¢_ r_
ou_ole almr..bedm a mine re_Ik_ gaidsole
heeloftheuse_when 0_ m_dsoleispre_l,din/rig
me.
mmllY made °f P01_
eshylene _
ace/_e(EVA)_
. Shoca wflh d_¢
iced"mica tluu lncor_
a cc_tcr
m'az_=rco_V,'hmlam_thcmlc!smachcd
z0 sc_cworoth_r_.laud_dngmems_oaaachthc_m.ml
e
totheepl_maoee-ptu:eun_mm,
wlmmen_u_bdng.
*otheahoeal*omyexpedencegapVm_l:_o_em*.Gappi_
Integral with me f='werd _
1_m to the'gap that m_appem', e/merln/tiany or ov_time
One of the. principal Im_bl_ms asscda_d with mldeslc
with extruded me, Ixtw_z my desachable taxi non-deta_
shoes/sou_2e w_x. A me_ freely
hm a cho/ceo_ham/rig
ablee[ememsofa shoe.'Any
gappingwill_
attm_
mffac_
md asplmlx and oth_ ahrmivc mffac_ takc a _ debm _'. _me flapp_ :aud it otherwir,e ae=hedudly
tmmend0_ toll eh lhe outmle. ']*n/sprol_m it _
tmpleasing. Such a p_blem would be p_
levete la
by the.fact
thatmo_ pn_cxmcedoutsole
wear,_ nm_Ing
a shoe_t InchM_ an=x ,o_em_le ofredliem_
thin .
shoesh_ l_Ocu_, eccm _
hstwo l_a=_ the
Is_ely.m _ or movp away r_m.o_h_ sudacesWi,_
eu1_rpedphe_ofth_heel
m_dtheb_t0ofthefoc/._dlhhee]exumded use.S_mflady,
n_r solesdependenton center:...
.'.wembeing, by f_.,amcn:acutepmblem,
l.nfa_.thehee]
_o. screws are likdy m be.l_
eway at the p_iphexy where ...
._wommuchfastert6_then:_efthemMetlc
n:_ledt mmedah en_:uu:d. While _
m. dlwJmes
'...
aee, tram xequld_ replaceme_ of the entln: dine ev_
vcnlcal bed _
ddewalh, they do uel mlw e/d_. the
dmesh the Imlk'of the thoe is _III 'mmals_
coedilico,
gapping or the pedphe:al pr/-away problem ia the cme of a
• Anothe_associmedwithou_solewea_ismldmle
a_ re_]/_t_mle.Fo_example, debdsisstfl]llkelytolodge
o0_q_xc_don. As izrCv_ously_
II_cn_dso_e h generally
b_wcc_o a hc_l mq_
vc_lk_ sidewall m_da vcrdcal m_nmade u_ a zedllem mamlal to IXovlde _.
fo_ tl_
s_c s_lcwall; m_l thc n_r sole m_y still bc prod _y
at _c
m_x_m_rg_xat_lus_tl_udd_ls_
lz:riPtm'YffCaughttnal_mZ_ntc_m:km'ldz'aston,
iftlz_
" "
d_c to _helnrge forces exeru_ ,_ _ du_ng me, Ihereby
is mdy a ",_rl.[ca]wa]].'to relaln IL The latt_ probh_m i.s
caudagitwlme/_e_',_s.M/ds_compn_on
4o c¢_ooundedbythefaCtthatavcttica]hedmpponddewaE
Is the w_ tn the heel mea, pm'dculadythe ou_ pexiplu_
would gdp a redltent _ar m_k abom its nddsole wh_
of lhc heal md the m.eadin:c0y under the'us_-*l heal bone"
rem_mcy, by deslgn, h khe great_ and le_ able to xesht
Despite m:_mlog/cal advancemma in recem.yem in
dlaplaceme_
...udmok aad oe_te dedgn and _*hebene_ot"
Rota_g a rear sole will lnot, of coune, coumena or
such_'canslfllbelargely_ci_pa_cula_rly
45 aliev/s_midmle_o_oc_n/ng
_lb=heclc_.
/nthehi:dmea, bytwomcemhsofregulm'me.Thepmblems
While n:placement c/" the enth.e rein"sole is always an
Im:m_ co_.ly f_r tl_ _s_ _c
a:hl_ shoes are lxcomiag
op*im_,tt may be Ikat Ihe full baxefit ofroml/on.wi,qlm bare
me_.expendveea_ye_,wtthsometop_4he-li_modds
.]_,dom$1'_0.00apalr.
been realized whea lZe3-ceme_comp_ton
Bycontrast.wlth&e_Mu_t
,
make .xhat
.n_muTordedrabk-.Tl_tl_totaythalthen:m_ybesoo
wtm_elu:e.bcanben_plm:d,_non.d_,:est0v=imdover_o..perip.lmzlemok_.__n_.
d'
-
.....
. . ...
_q_ah_,the hefJ area (nddselc and outsole) of an m/detlc shoe
caxmot be, To da_ there h nethtngld the m_to add_m the •
combined problems of midsok corn
and outsole
vm_rInathletk
slSx_endtbe_e
PnYolems
n_Mn eSl_i_
severe In the Izd an= ofsuch Mines.
"
_
De_gns_areknown tl_ _
_e _.p_
ofthe
emtre outsole of a dine. Examples Inch_ erase disdmed in
U._.l_.Nos.
d,745,_)_,4,377,042m_d4,267,_0.
T'm_.
cencepu m Imlnacdca] f_ mo_ applications, e_y
ad_tic thpe,_ for several reasma. First, tight adherence _o
between the sole m_d the shoe h dif_u]t to m:hk_ pe_.
Although never in om_natton w/th a _etat/ng _ rely.
able re_ sole., there have beea atlempts to deid with bedcenter, midu_le compreudon and_ to add. q_dng to the
us_'sgaitby int_
various
mech_Ic_ components
Into heel conm'act/ou. One appma_ has beea to In.u:x't
horizontally h_ _ I_.m'ea a thin iay_rofhm'd, flexible ' '
_
that Ix_ds und_r.tl_ m_"s wdgl_ a_l tl_ n_z_s
wi_odg_dpodl_wl_dxcw_dgl_ofd_cmca-i_fl_d
. •
tothe other foot* Such.dl/eml_have me't with only ndnlmal
succe_ however, for leyend Ra,mm. Such insert may have
lacked eneugh tnherem n:M!lency fxom the outset. In other
•"*,'_rly =_xmd the pedpl_ of the sde. Semnd, =pla=-
ca._ k may have deterioratedwith use. tn an ca_t, it Im
nt 6f the enlire ude is mmeo_my ba_l ut_n typical
---.:._car
pattam In athlcdc shoes.
Ttdxd,
_placlngan cati_
soleb.o_wmddl_mo_p_dvemas.,'q,b_gdmp_l_
_
worn e,lemen_ a fact_ which is compoend_ ff a _aeeable, fu]l-le_,lh sole fo: e_sy _'s
aad women's d_e dzc
A0719
reded on a nadl/em foundadon m'_undits periid)e_, limll.lng
itsability to flex in the ¢¢z_tct.
,amo0_prob_kt_ath]eticshoepur.ha_cannot
cu.qomlze the cushic_g
m spdng in the bed of a ahoe to
_e_r own body we_ht, pe:7.omJ pnden_ce, or nee_ They
..
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FIG.9 Idm komel_cvleWofsmother'
embody,
oflhe
,ae_
with_'h_-ver
a_
_
vldein_s_rshoe_._
...
sh_ofth_.1_mm.lnvmim.
-.. " •
tmmeu_v_,..w
of e.b=e_
Hnany,th=e_,.._r*
m be_t=i_y few.
tf=y,foo_v_ar _uo. _oi_ ane_pt0_ea
fromfoot
orleg• . an_n_r_r,_s_0fF_O.
footor._ _,.=d.-leO. or_ren_ s
Fir) 11 is m_r
e_)d_
9....
options
evMIabIetolhoSe_'raffcdng
"': ,.
:.:
ba=/x_ v_'w of the.),,,-)
10. .. " " .
' "
lenga_mc_g oth_d_¢s_Whemm_e Isaneedf_t_ le_ . _,tand_=_Of.FlO.
. • _o._._,,=_.es=v=k=,,_wd'e=_=='_e:ofFio.
I1
,'
m c=nbeu_ _
_
•
.tlany
_
_
_,_
o_._m_n_ON
_
.
HO. 14.h _immm_
_ARY
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u ,=,,,_ ,=_-,,,,_
,_,.-.,,
of==_,='i.,==:
,,a,._==.
_om- m Indudeonlycustom-nmdc,daO_
d_at
m'emndk_red
.usr._s if the l_rso_'s c=_flm improvesor d_lmu_s.
.
--
in FIO.1.!;:
.
.
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vicw of mmlh_ _
of
o_me_mm _,m_a.
_.ofFfO. 14...'.
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16.h.mxxber
Isomeek vl_-w
ef thelind, ,uppon of
FIO.IS.. "
= mn_ ofdZ p_:)l_=
due_ lin_tatlo_ -_
mdd_m,lwmmges of thendmed art.
".
_. _7,._=_,_.w
of=_= =_Ui=_ _ _ "
I:_ scLf_th In tl_ d_'_l_0_m wl_
f_0W_, _
Inpart_vtl]
_= _fm_=,
_,,mm_
_
ss_-=__.o=,_r_
_-,, =,,,h_J_
be appan_ from the _U:=r_t_.Or nmybe _med _
prac_ of _ U,w.n,_on.
Theio_t_.
_d oa_ advan-
_o. _ t_mmher_m=r_c ,L_, of _ bed supp_ of
sy,_mpmled_d_0o_med
_uti_me.wr_x=
d=cxi_t_
_
FIO.18..
"
m_l _ _
- th__
m_ _
_ ,ho_ _ _ p_
ia'v=,_
HG. 21 _-an _
_ t_ u_.
:.'
.....
a,_d
• -
_ _ito_.Z_m_<s_n_- _o
•.
rea_
sole,,-_l.ln_d=
_
for use In the _hoc of_he
._,_m_.
•the midso_ made oC_m elaMom_c matcrinl tlmt is mote
nn,u_mthand_ gruun0-eugag_g
_a_
.... '-
HO. _I Is a _c clcvadoavkw of _
In anoth= aspect/.tl_ =hoe indm_.an.Upper, a fos'wm-d
. role _
m xbe upper, a heel support auached to dze
_q)p(_r 8x_d_
ax lcas_ (0_ wa]l_
downwat_y
'fi'um _h__
.
homeulc view of a rein-_
waferfc_._dmeoftheim:u_inveaeon.
_)cu)/xl
_ mumtMy muunu_ to
_)pon and_
..
FIGS. 20A end 20B m'z side z]cvallm', and plan"V_,
wlth_e purpme ©ftheInvemion.
as.embodied
andbxu=_y
mmdzd tothe.ul_c;.
# he_l
sul_vo_
_
"
of FIG."IT.', ..,....
usg_,
oftheInvention
winbeiesl_.and'_n_dby
dak=, aswe_ asth_aOpmded_.
..
to, _ _
_r
"
-
_oaCOfFIO.
RO. 24 fs_,=xp]od_ _omca'ic'r'_v of a lice,l,upi:x_t.
fa_=ri,:a_ =m- talc for u=e in th= d_ of th=
th_ wall ,- ie.as_p_dally de:Sntog(ar=_.ss,
a n_o soleseceivablc
Inlhcreom ofthehod support
and
HO. _ h ,,, e_0_od_l
Isom_'icviewof another.embo_havin_ m least
o_ _und-_gad__mf==, and s _phi=
me_ of a h_ rapport,Ip.a1_t=la.m't,and=_" _L_ fro"me
lmmx _.be_ _
within_xereces_of the heedrapport4o In th__
_r th__
Inv_ndm.
.
•or by the wall of t_ hee_ support between.fl_ re_ sole and
a heelposdon of_ -._ppc_
-• •
.. useIn_e d_ ofd_ Ineu:ut
Invemioa.
..
des_l_ion
andm= foUowlng
dmal]_.
_
=e exempt7 md e_ptam_ory o_ly 8rid a_ _ot n=_ricd_ cf tl_ 4.s me_ of _ !_ _
_
l=m, ariare_.m. _.for
• _ _, _ _0c_"-- _.A_ ._
.==I ,_mi_,
_
of_q_mmi_
mum_
HG. :_ I# ,,',_
o_
',k'wof.a ip'.q_ Imm't.forme
ia _._h= _ _ L_. '_,_=_.
.... " ': :./,:
• :..embomm_tor_ _
_:_eO_. w_m th_d(_=_
so
:V'_.29_'-,,
=x_od_isoa=_
_,_o/"
a_n_"
_
a_
• _i)o, serveto =xp]alnthel_dph= of the"_ve_40_.
elmflc
bandfo_useIntheshoeofthep_scm inVentlo_
HO. 30 h a dde devatlon view of the t'cm"
r,ele =_d idksdc '
BR.I]I_ D_ON
FIGS. IA m_l IB are explod_l .l_c
e_
ba_dof_O_.
OF TH_ DRAWINGS
view= of m_
o_..-_*,;,_m_,
oftheshoeofdz printfoveado_
• HG. 2 Is a i_n
FIG. 4 is a mar elevation view _-I_
.
".....
nu=xof d',=heel_(_t,
grqd_e Inure, =rid _ _/mle
f=
u= ia _ d_,. of theim_mt tav_o=.
HO. _ Jsahison=e_cvkw of tl'_n=m"_ of FIg. _.
of HO. IA.
*hoe of HG. 1A.
HG.._ is an expa=led v_w of,,_
bandfor I]_ d_,o
¢ _o
of FIG. IA.
FIG. 6 is a n:ar dcvadon view of an0_m"embodinu_ of
"""_ shoeofthel)_t_tInvemlo_.
FIG.3_ h ad_
34,
....
F_t_.
"_t,aimmv_ o_t__oe.
ofFic,.
_."
RGS. 8A and 8B an: vtewt deptct_ anent
mint of the sbocofthe _
hsvc.ndon.
.
F]Q. 34 h anexplodedhometrt¢v_¢,,w
of an0thm"embodl-
view of tl_ shoe oI_FIO. IA.
•FIG. 3 is a side dcva_onview.of the _
' -.....
dev:adoa view of the heel mp1_rt efFIG:
-
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"
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EMBODIMEN_
embodiembo¢fia)en_
oftheInve_on,examplesofwld'ch
A 0720
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t_ _-m:eaq)any_ m._
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n_,_
,
vaztev=,
. pennia ,,,, both axe, a totalof only fourmr.hposlm_ due
._ t_ ¢_tl_cM _¢ _, tl_ rcsr_1¢...
.
FIG. IA lllmtrates a _ix embodimmt of the dine ef the "
RoXs_
the _.ar sole about Im_ls net-_
_ .
to the lime's
prestob_mim3.The zhoe,dadlpm_lpszen_._ Ze,lm .s.=mJ_ _ m a ".pO_m_fm._
of leo de_ee,
.a _oeuppa22, a fmwa_ sole_l, abce.l._t_,
a_! • - I_o_lf_mr_Zx3im,_Zla_flzewompo_o_ofthe
• ,_ ._
_
_
,_ _
_
_
_...
,_e-,_r_,z_looor,,--_oc._r0_
•
.
" "
"
' -
m theshoeuppCX
m a cen_z_z_u ma_ez,z710_. •p_1ooiianax_aot'lc_impomm_c
for_it,
"
" 'i'.
"-
'
"."
.
'"
-.
•
_.i
-.
mbfl_,
Az shownLn FIG..&thefmwaxdu_ 24 Indudes
a m nme.,howevex,
thazJn+
__,,,_4_+_.oth_thanth_tdle_.
forward midsole S0 and an esamle 54. The forward mid_:,
in I_L
SO is _mtt_.Upl_ts
dcgn_tonddcved=lx:m_of_xtUsdedusc.Aslongastbc
convanio_ _
tnJeceonmoknngor _g.e_
,_.g., -
mi the euude S4 h
• mue:lzdmthef_rdmt_.
...IMdalbedmg_pmlongedme0ftherear*olelspomd_
In lhe axt.
_ .The tn_r.c_n _uue
.,_ thewn i_ F_3, ZA,'t_ ),,,-_(_a
26 ='d-aa_X
Indud_ a l_d c_m_= 27 f_ )m_dng a bed _
of
theuppa2_lh_.hed._mulaMdewal1381km
ix_odlc_y
toro_te the.n_r sob: so
,),,,) d- mm,=_pe_roaer _ te_. _ae.izlm:axedta me='ca
•drflze
6m 1_J ,ulZ_
..
" . :Thed_peofthexear.mle28_mbe_p_yjmml,
e_=ndsdownwa_ f_theum_aadden=s
sized to n_w
1A, l_.rcar*ok need .nOt
be mzah_ a full lgO
. wom_onofmer=r,aehnX=edb_,_dthe_eaofme
S0,ta,tmg=ce_-_nal
fmddo_ Imowa m tho_ _l]kd
me n_ role. The heel _
an_e_40 _ em_d=d."und-doZtar."_
may aim _' whe.P_=_,me_u_leh
include a mlmam_y
i_t2e_
lop wall 38' fo_ _
the heel ixxdm of me up_
Od_=w_ the mp of the n:u
_mle or an Inu_t, m will be ¢llscu_u:dla mere detMIlat_
wm mplz_ the heal pe_oa 0f 0z upper.T'nea_punems
"muJ-do_
_ ome_.
ehap_.*od_O=_edge.
0f the l_gmmfa_e
30 has a m_b_antlally Idew
tirol Wuflk at ead_ n_:d .pgddo_ To allow f_ a plma_
of mtutable positions, the ehape of Ihe _
_mrfece 30 i_.fe_y
_ould be symmeu_
. h
abom m le=t
wan 3S, m p_.ferablx:m_, imegnd mmugh tMcatoa
n_n-phu_, l_enbly, me W_nga_
mmb_e, I_rmolmugmom__*ed_=m_dan_pn:_'s_X
-.m:ulm_o_ munlngzhocmode_Indud_.one.e¢mm_
composed
ofplast_sud_*,adurable
1_as_:
manufama_:
mlx_lo_bcve,
l_ ,xlges
4_,--*hovmInFIO.XA,m _
u_ me m
P_AX.30..hed.su_
dining
me.
.,.-- , . .. - .
• ".-
.,
.;v_amundthepedl_a_/oftheMckwal138maybe
•nmedal_ambbcr_mq_ndf_afU_.l_g_
:
.:.'."
..
..
"
mrfa_30;nndamt_:z.
daston_Y_
maxuiMsm:hsspoly- _
mxd.mc,howuInFIG.IA.Tf__Itsmay _=m_ a
_
ore_e
_mylm:mt_fEVA)furme nddu_ 32. •v_d coup]c_Jy
_mugh tl_ddc wan 3_ _ _q, may
of the heal. Oplienally, a notd_ u:cde_ 46 of i_ midsole
_ _n be made of a hind p_.
_
Howcv_. lhe n_x _
role c_JM be compxised of a _g]© h/m_m:Bc_ mat_Ll, _ "
two _
(e.g. EVA.enyeJoped by hard _),
_" any
number of layer* e_ cembtnalt_s of maxcri_ indud_ a
matexial eoml_
' the e_" ,,,_e,_,_,,_,,
tubes, foz" 4o
mcxely b9 a weaki:ned area.of d_e Mde.wa_ m that II_e8_le
wan thickn_ tn the mea ef Ibe slit h ie_ Ihan the Idde vndl
Ih_x_
_
The _
slll_ allow the 81de
wan to expaud ermegh m that the..i_ sole c_ be IlnulsIIl_ _m_ ib__m_s, u shown in-l_IO_
4._uddIbe_psr_s
_a_nstthcpedph_a__.tmfaceofthe_s01etoretalnltln
"
e_amplc,
di_osedinU_.l_.N¢_A0530_
d_x_c_._Olnlommy,
a_ud_band44:dzcdmm==md
' ""
The _ talc28 Isd_tdzab_ faumtl_b_l suplxm26,
Thisallowatheum_theahll_mchax_en_mlesenti_ely
wheneither the role is we_m a signifa_ deg_
u_
deles
,flze
idd_w_ll_n bc usedtofu_2z_mmm_ there_xm_ I_the
. re_ss, ssthowninFIGS.IAmul3;The_ringbeadmay
o_ the
It. d-re:parolecempon_
a d]ffez_nt
_¢ fm detixed
perfozma_ char- a_ ._te_
u:_:dst_ fo_q_:df_ ath_
em_m
• -
6
nmlt_ Zx)we,_,_ e_dtmem dept,:=d
i_.VlO. ZA
...,
pmd_thesme
._fen_edmn_tenwillbeu,edmmugl_
oezthedrawi_z tozeferto the_
_ like ine'_
.
oqdaying mrfa_e*.-" ...up_
m ehown in FIG..1A, _" made
with tl_.s_dc wall 38 of"tl_" h_
band44' drown in FIG. IB, _
_support. as h
reducingthe
T_ n_m'm_l_
28 canalsobcm_ambly
mount_ (m tl_In_l
suppeat 26. The re_ sole .can be mtaxed to a plmallty of..
number of loosepar_ ammdated wllhthe, slioe.
When mmXlon of lhe rear s01e. 2Jl i, _
po_tom(a_ough_fo_p0_a'mpo_raein._
_1=_.m_ band44(If _..'rota_,"me
tl_ use:
:
_= _.-"
.. .
•.FIO.L_=izl_Um_), wi._a m=os_
toalZow.tl_.s0 ._d re_-ur_d_ ba_ -11_z_._-._l¢.b _rlzed.m.M1ow
.
us_m u:cme the rear.Udeatked_desked pod_m.Aa_a
" .xm_ _on abom two axes of the dine. In addidon to being
30 will exlu'tdt a were"palxe_ a_Ihe polnt in which the heel.
. of the shoe, the year role h lnvertlble, meanlng Ihat the role
fir_ cu_
the Iprou_ wlz:n the me: is rmmtnf, foe
tanbe formed nbom a m:a_d exls ll_t b aligned wlth the
example. Exce_ve wear m:_nm 81 rids point, and at the _ ni_'ax_oflhesboe_lnmder
tol_lin, e_le,
thet_,zrmle
nddsole, degnu:Hngthe perfe_e
of Ihe n:m"role. W_
must have a fu-sl _
eurfa_e 30 located oppoIhe uua determines thaithe were"is t_licant
e_ough, Ihe
- ittea secend grmmd-_ag_g
surfe_e 130. WI_ the user
use: detach_ tbc zear sole 28 h,gmtbcbeelsupport26,_
d
destn_ to change the g:ound.4_al_
un'face e,n_.
t,eCales the _m" role m Iliattlie worn proven wgl no longe_
"Imte4td o( mer_y rotadng the va_rn lpo_ aboul an Inds
beinthelocationofll_eser'sfn_.hede_-t_.Rotattonc_m
60 nonmltothe shoe'smajeraxh,
the Usefdetac_
thex_a
occ_ tn ms axis Mljned WSh the nnjor txis of the _e, m
.t0te and inverts it, and Ihe flrtt gnamd_gagtng
ma'fa_e 30
thai the bed h in Mm .qgpped_ ca invem_ Rolmien can
a,_'ame_lhe reladvc posidon of tl_ second Oound-_
•,o o_u" about _mm_h nornutlto tlz m_ axls of Ihe shoe.
in.face 130, and vtce-veru. Of ceur._ the tmef could rotale
_
any combtna_
of the above. 'l'he re,e: then re.enS_s
the _r role abom both axe_ at the ume lime. tf de_d,
_/md u:cm'u the rear sole to its new podtimt m that the rear 6s Whenthen_ru2chdiscn_edmid_e_:ngaged.
role will n_beanne
didodgeddming u_e.Thenund_of
The side well 38 lweferably co.taint a fast notched
positions inzo which the re_ .zolecan be ruteted is net
A 0721
section 42 thu extends gene_y
horlzoni_
along the
.
.-.
.
• ..
.
.
.'._
.
.
.
.
.
5. o, n6
"
" .7
8:
'
if e_d, fit, aro_ theridewan38 of_ bed_3part end
.re_ upt_t or ccme__
pr_.,f_a _
._e_eu r_
wouklb__tnbk to_,_ R,,tinny
_tMn thef_runoU:hedeectt_.
Bothi_reund-eng_nt' - ".ide _ thetypefJ_at
fac_s
d tlzr_rsole
_ _'eilz_lofit
wifl__ m_ wlth- _dll_ui_l_rwooc_._
Uac_I_: sob.l_mxu_ may
the_c_s4Oeftheheel_ort2_wheaau_mbled.'/'ne
-s..ahodq_doethe.wd_iefthe.us_m_._..Cu_!
.o_ng
mld-sccdonofthe-_so_28hasaS=:o_d'
'fl_
'-. .
' .
•.
.
..
'
,.
n_=d _
4_ ,)o_.It, p_p_=y, andh _z_.m m . :. ]_
_
==i_Jo__o_v
t_ _
withlh's_dm__hthefimm_h_Isi_flm4ZAfl_rt_ ..W_s-of-_ag the_:_ mM to flu_.l_J,
supp_
_e t, poisoned Upwithtn the n:a_ _e
bed
.__htheinv*_O_The_m_'_.fe=e_efthe
",
.
.
.._
-
,
.
.'
,
.
.
":
-":
,
emmen_esa
_om=waeno_
. ...
• In a re:toad embodiment shown Jn FIGS 6 _d 7, ,, _o"
dur_me.
The cempres_n diis 39 Mlow the alde wan 38
ofthel_e]suplmrt26 to¥ eo_
whc_ them_n_
_ t_ow_ in F_GS_;_ _t_ 4, lockedo_ ,!,,. tnt=Jerts ._g _ t,_phe_ or • maengmm_- 88:el mere_ io_e
serf== of th= _
no_! _
42 h = _
of -_.T_
_
86 m_.edt6n_te _fl_,ephn-autyof
.tiv_med'et.-*hat_ slo_ 90 locatedIn a _e_** 41 of a heel
_ loc_xl-,corr_po_d_pos_io_--_ _ior._f_
_ch ,_ ,_ r_ so]cb m_l. U _. l_d.lupi_b_
_m:Imcd_:l_loo46ofth_z_0rsoh_28..'rh=.,mgnmmt
41 whe_thetwou_cdo_.m_,eml_ed,
tot_.lptttgne_
two s4_o0s, to ]_pprox/dc.m=:_a]
_d
_ly
to p_ve_
tl_]_e]oftheshoe.
... _
,tab_
a _d
• l_o • _
the
.=Stormo_ me lnvcn,_':L";e_d
' ' .To fu_h_ _,ck the r_u" sok _o
_
.
slou.
pl=_ a_r arm m th_
.such_s.thosesbownln_O. 6ma_be_mp!oyed. Mme
bevded edges 48 m_ _y
aEIp_ ns _z_m _n HG. Z
HO. 3 dq_u a s_ vlcw'of
_.impmved _hl_Icsh_ 20.
o_" • n_=la_ _
*ok and l:_'om,_o_:ul:)_
• nonnalto'_'ma_eudsoftbe/_oetok_ck.tlLeproUustom
_nmy,
t_ n_r _l_In
tl_ n_
m0_.m_
l_,.such
maps _ref_z_d °n tl_heel_PP o_
_
h_FI0"6 s_le_ga_ _Pemm_s_lath_wM1s_l
tc_
.
.,
.
.
an: do0kt_L'Althooeh..... ,..w_,_
:.
; . _
u_ aoo_ ms4m=_
.=
. .
n u_=_tm .wwams_
.
amm.m_.
• ...
.._.["
.
.
• _.
,'-,-, indu_ ooe. o_ .more bcve_ edg,'- as d=dn:d, a_! O)ey
_ I_ Mlgn_] (at _', Infir_tcnUmb_ for dn:alazr=azsol_).
_._m
th=l_.,]:sup1_,as_.d
FIG. $ shows -, expa_l_
..c_u_.
tl_th_same_s
0fflds-_
cm be
.red, eyed ff Only a pmOcn of du: _- so_ h rotatable m"
byth__.
n_mm'ab_In ,_ _
view of the sccu_n_ I_d 44. _
_1 cl_ sys_m=_1 _d m_ dd boouasddomar_lul_mm-Thel_chpivo_Bomafu_posi6o_w]_e_d_s0.
_agh_
"_ _
_ro_abie _
..
nu1"_" me_s that m h_st c_ p_IB_ceof the re,_r
.me_ whe_.by
a_o_o_o_m__r,o_ e._,
_ cee_,=ca,
-i_mtlmmulosm_wld]e_epedpbe_ef_heg_md-e_ag-
• h eog_,m
a.s_n d .m_d.'lod_. _
wld_ f_sc_t4m _ smYac=m(a_ 8nd/m'h d_chable.
" .
uw. twe ends. Ol the adu:mbly t,_l_z.
_
d_a_mg
A thud embodlment of lhe shoe of the ]:_umt invenlion
assemblles m'e wall-known
in the indumy, e.g., ndlatm"
'
h sh0w_ _nHGS, 8A.e_d 8B. A_¢_r s_e 98 h_.a _
)mscc_
c_r.cou)d_u_ _,_ =m _ve meb==_.
•
of tl_.lavendo_.
..
.
.
. ed_ .I00 rout:a pexlphexMedge: 10Z A tongde )I0 mul
.
.greove 112 _
ux:ure, the _
edgelO0.of
T_m_m
forlocking _-r,¢cuflng the_e
tothe he_ 4_. l]_"_'m_
_8 I_ allow the I_n_sok toq_steagage the]_e]
raPPort h hoe ]/m_d- A _cu_. and fll_ El b _]_I,
l_t
sFplmn 106. The toque 110 In dze .embodying. shown in
alto dze mea= must be e,_lly _compnshed so d_em_ win ' H O..SA ,_tends.the ea_
not be r_lnixed to.remm ti_ dine to d_ nmmYmzmsrC_ a .
. The ab_l_f to .xemove t_.. rc_ sole _
pou_ The urn' can rotate_
reveal p_-
Invertlhe rein",ole m
_cme
a worn smioa to a }e= _dca] area o_the role, aud
eve.ntmdlyn:phu:ethe r_u soleMtog_her when the mk is
exce_vdy
wor_ Ad_tt0mdleugevay in we_ may also be
achieved by imew.hmq_g-re_oxable _e_ role, m between
me dglu a_d Ica dme_ :whtchtyptcsny exMb_ olq_te
dimm_ 0f d_eu,amve_ edge..
100. To ns_mble4 the met _lides the te_
_0 .t_,ue
II0 may be de._gned to _
sole _i t_ ....
[_o the gxeove.ll2
.b_.
in_X_t_the_ solefromihe_ of _e dmc had
dl_ecdy
_o theg_ovc_i) The um'.d_ea,wlngs the xem"
•_u_ 98 up to t_e "heel supp_ 10_,.adn__a meansfor
• m:udng the _.a: role m the bed rapport m that the t_,a_role.
.hi_e]y
aaached. To disa.saembk_tl_'l_SS
h n_n_sed.
The means for u_'lng the t_ar soleis nm.ltxntted; him, n_.ves can include any of the u:cuddg meam described
wear pmY.en_.However; mm_eu.serswm l_.fe_ to duange the
_r roles not beca_ ofi_
w_r paue_ bm bece_
of a de_L,afor_Effc_nt.pcrform_ch_ac_'Is_cs.
For
Altart_iv_s
can,ofcoun_ Include.ln_-_
loddng
example, it h comemplaxed that a permn ua_g Ihh invenalto allamend theeet_"pcdphe_ Qf lh¢Iz¢l,
_d_ tsa
tion ina sheen_dr.eted
a_a "cro_
may de,die
_e
p_
of n_dli_l pmm_om 108 c_ the teatrole which
el"rearsolefo_.oa¢tl_rt,
such asba,kaball,
and • engase a _ng
numbe: of n:_dvtng ape_u_ 116
mlhe_ typeof _ar role for_othe_, such es nmn_g. A
on aa ovedumgin_ portion !14 of tl_ _
,txppert 106. The
play_ might requl_ ,*.hm'd_routfirmerr_ m]e
.O._teoce of an overhanglog _
L!4 nmy mqul_ the
forstability
Wherequick..Mt=_ movcs_ h c$_18], u .longue If0 t0 be made of a xeslllem madam so tlm lhe x_mwh=e= a mnn_"_" Joker. might tend to favo_Imeased . eo]e 98 _ bead downward, and ckarthe.oved_
d_ock abmq_on features m:ldevable from a softer, m_re
I_1_on.114 dmlngesr, em_y or disnssembly.
A 0722
x &nnlt.K.
:..'.
.
•
•
.
.
.
.
9
.
10
dmdred_
When then_ sok is a_ached to the I_
..supp¢_ .the Ol_Ioml anchors .sink into lhc low_ mldsol¢
ponJcm of the rear role due to the weight of the u_ to " ':".. : .:
- im:ventmUUtonofe_e.n:ar_ledminge,
e.
.
..
oftl_sboetod_ttlk_e_
5 .:-. It _oeldbe.no=d.m_-the=_.t_eouofthemS_.
..
will allow for a gn:atcr amount ¢_"surfin_ contact
.bm.wemtl_to_U0m_
.Sr_,_n_tban_cl_-v_bklf
the tnmsvme ulge 1O0andto_e n0 =e odem_.wl.._.
=tb0wat_Fl_.SAe_dtB,
wm a_o Vam_ ,_- ho_oe of _ w_
Sueb_
_pet v,b_._
'
m°rsuSht_Y_"_.'_men_:_'k_¢dbytbcdm
" and*l°wer mid_ ponl°_ _
s_
w'm_ a._l_,
n=_;'_
n_r _k ¢lcm_m. A
uamWra¢ edit w_:adiffeeent
eagle woMd _
ssm_.l_.for
runners who te_d.w _
_
to further ¢liminat_ e_ vetdcal gapping problems.from
occ_
.bawe_ _ wan ._. _ hee_ mvp_ _ _
c,,nyocm. o_me omc+p,mtp_yof me _....__ m_
nmm
p_-',i_ ,_=
or_,_r
_.:
"to=_a tn _
_t_
_
•
...+
tim two whxlows 174, 176.0qO. 10) w'c fom_dtnlhe WM!
Is. ofthebeelsupp_xt, afir_twhidowl74.abovethec_i-away
,dthou_hI_o. SA eep_ themng0en0 e_u:udtagou_._em
the n:arsc_ a_mi_anaxh whlchis parandto,x- major._
o_ mc _boc+iim mmpm c_d l=mad mmmml.Vv,m_..:_
pormmof_ rlman_ a .s_.whutow
I_S posttS_ _S0"
ummd _ wan of thehe_ Supportfromthe _m_window._
add_t_ a u_ l_oe.l_
l_ .f_med _ the i_.
_,
tin/ace of _he np_
_t_n_gk m fl_maj_ _ds uftheihoe,
s_lS_II
ftu with_,_,-_y_n_h=_.t_:_
the run h=i_nm] ,,'am_.
of me ponloe 0f. me._i_oe
. _..Tomnove_n=rso_'_iC_mr,
,tem_y,tlm "Imel mm3m"pm.e_ of the n:m"u_ coOk_ be
.
,..
_ed
tn thb fa_hm.
Anmhercmbodtm_thelm:Seatinveutt_h_tn
FIGS. 9-12. "I_ al_ indudet ,m upper 22, ahed._
140. a n_r _mle l.q0,'and a forward sole I_0. A_ shown In
PIO. 10. ,he heel. [mpport140 indmk_ a heel counlea"142,
a _y
_ar..ading wall 144 that defiees a n:_m 146
stzedto_ei_there_mle.,andafim148fe_medam_d
.thelower p_on of _h,-wall aod extend_ lawardly lainthe
tec_m. Andm_ 1_2 may be formed on the bottom tmface
of the dm 148 and extend downwmdly towan:l the nuu"s_e.
1_.
"
.''+
The n_ sole IS0 includes a _
_
mffa= 15,1 co_dmnS, t_ tM_embodtme_ tla_e:..l;e/ve_.,
_-gu_u _¢ edg_ 1._. As du_vn h_FIO. 12, _ mu__e
150 aim tududes.a mtc_.le 158 laminated to th_ _
. •
heUetamppon, thcr,_r
_ +,,nm neommryto Imai._e ,, q,I/-_ _oo_
.
..
--
In the mffi
Iote for amlc_ing aod w,moving the n_m"sole from Ihe bed
.
_ mppo_As_ownin.FIG.
13, a_arsole2_isstmllaxto
• '.ll_ shown in F1G. 12,butindudl_nQsi_u"allgoOSmandno
small_o_
B_suse tl_.
ul_. p_
2_4_d luw_ •
-..
ponlo_262ofd_enddsole.2._madeofa_[tm_erial.
h can be pren-fiued into the Te¢_ of the heel _
onfll
4o therlm148eagagesthegmove266.1nthisimtance,
tlM:dm
of the heel support need not indi_ tlie c_t-away pe_on or
the windows, as shown In i_IG. 10, and.c_n be a couflmmm
rim, as shown tn FIGS. 14-19+ In"thh instma:e, the bee..1
...
..
imppon may be ms_ of a pl_c m'.othet maledal that is
45 Ih:xIble_°ugh t°allow aslisht_Pansi°a°fthet_ms.
*°
that the n:_ sole cau be pr_f_u:d into i_io_
,_mnallvely, tl_ewall or rlm may Indode comptcm_m dia elmlhe"
. mthoses_,wn.inFIO..1A..Slil!an0theralus'umJvcisf_the.
_'m_sUg_V_.(sho,m),.to__e.
l_fi
_
"
180"
ml¢h n_tcd tn the bed _ppmx umil d_ m_ll indmd_
_inthesecoudwind6w176.Atthisl)_l_lla:_
of the sph,al ..groove is allgaed wilh the ce_er of the
cut_aWayp0nioa. Thetu_',:ag_gsinga_t'wddvcr_
ltm_m-b_'momrimml_tl_ou_h
0g window l?4t0Moth¢
tptnl_oov¢l_&cantl_...t_pl,
yi'et_e.tlien_mletotlmt
the r',mof II_ bed _apport _nlpqp_.d_ spiralipoovc.'rb¢
ncm.mlclsthendmplyt_ta_d:.m_i.ewthcrcartoleoulof
callowerpm, d0a162_l_ycYUnd_:epi_-_
u ,man. _, _
.
164, as thown in PIG.
_mf_L_4.0m_,mbmma_-c_
_s4 _
.
.
b0umn of the nppex mIdmle i_rt_
commo_
r_etn_d to u -tl_ "b_ po_io_,
_,
the •
benefilsof!h_lnvmdonemeacbieved.ff.u_owninPIGS.
_
I_ and 8B, tl_ "_u'.sot¢'tnc.hsd_ only a _
of s_h
"heelpo_Irm".i_ally,
thcr_'mte_ofFIGS.
SA._dSB
.
could be nlalab_ _
_m axis aligned wilh the Ifio¢;l
mdt Jusim in the o_0=r embodkuem _
_:_..
TI_ fcslpre allows the uscxto _e.l_..rcar.
sule4_nver_¢_.flipt_n_s_ealt_fl_esb_-n_
3o
.
midmlepertlem 164"e_ a po_
2o .f,om_po_at_t_troovel__
n_r r_¢ 98 need n0t extend, f_om I1_ reex of _me-focwa_
'
..
rn_ _ I_ _l_t,
the
_
.
..
"
It h in_portm lO note tl_ the _
_le of II_tn_ved
athletic shae role _f FIGS. SA.n_d Im ¢_ be odealedin
_.vm.M dlff=_t maven and em be e_ e_lim_t
of tl_
tnvemie_.Tbeu,ansveneedgel00andtoageeli0maybe
emCedi_thelLla=dtl_oeu_.,
.
.
:. 5,.560,126
•"
.
_ _
t-
..
;
..
...
" - ..
..
• ,
A, _o,,_ _ mQs. _0 -,_ n.,_-w._ _
porttm. A ipmove 166 h formed betwcen.lhe_ _
ahd"
lower pertle_ emd Icc_vel the Ik_ 14_ of t_. hcd.mq_'t.
to teu_ the n:ar ml= tn _he heel suppo_ n_c=ss.
Toeepp_nddsolcponlon
l_4iadud_asplndg_
ss
16_ as shown in FIC_. 10...12, that aJlows the _x _le to
be _-ewcd into the he_ mJppoU./ut drown in FIG..-IO, a
im_tionof the tim of the heel supp_ is cm away at 170, The.
rear sok h so'ewed into the bed rappen by _
the top
oftheq_/ra]_ffoovewithknedgel72oftherimsdjacenHhe
_0
cut-away po_0n. A _xmp insl_umenl (soch as a Idend_r
-',rewddv¢0, _msened thrm_ the window 174 aad _
the
ofthesptr_gmovel68mayakllntl_narl-up_.,
' "-,=-_t_r sok h tl_n _Imply rotal_l, and the rlm _nlpqlcs thc
tptral groove of the reax aole to taew the upp_ mtdmleof _.
then:at s_leimo_herece_
Once fullylnsmed, thetmr t_e
may be n_med fn_Jy within the _'c_ by hand, allxdt.With
,
i4z
. .
extend_ upwanfly from the:I_el tupport and is. _
to
Ihc bed _
of tim upp_ by p,lul_ m"ollm"convlmdoual
methods. The hed eounter Is InCfcrabtymade of dxe uuac
maUuialasdmlmelsuppo_m_d-llim_emb_molded*°be
inlegnd wlth _e heel suppl.. Tue heeJ ¢om_ s_v_ to
stabilLv.clam_al movcmc_ of Ihc hod dudng u_c.
As shown tn F'IOS.9-11_ I1_ shoe of the prcse_ lnvc_on
aho ineferably indudes an a_h bddse 180 anached to, and •
tntegralwtth, lheheelsupl_14ttoprovide_e_nflnner
supl_ fm the arch ofthe foot and for alleviating pote_al
gapping problems where .the _
of the heel mrppm'tis
a_:e=ttheforwm'dsole.Tl_lmm_bfldgel_0genera_y
_tends from Ihe rear of the recks 146 (when: tt anaches to
theheelcounter142andddeWall144)mtheballofthefoo_
'
and is altached to the upper 22 mud fe_xd
sole 160by
gluing _r otl_r _mve_onal
mmh0ds. The m-ohIxidge !$0
A 0723
.
.
'
5,560,I0.6
-
...
•11
"
.12 .
Mm Ispreferably
compmedofd_e_
num_hlas_el_eJ axeupp_ mld,oIe
ixmtlon
364inc_ aplund_ ofmuqm_m_ 8=d b m_lc tn_.i_l _lh d_ 1_.1 mi_o_ 140 _
ion! knd_ 36S _u_xlins f=um fts pcdphe_ml
surfa_._TI_
nmld_ng. Such one_
_
of the m'chtxidgc
lmo_s nmyf_,.'yllnddcal _hown_any_t_
d_=l_
toge_=WlthL_eheel
_ppm mlvetenmher
n_orproblem+ that
w01l_eveat
m_tlonOfehe_areok,Includh_
ih_e
ud d_xIslh(u_lej_'y
ofan8tldedc
_x: d c_nvmllonal
.s knobsdrowninFIO.35.In_dith_,l_.h_..J
mlSpmt:d40
"full body" _
c-omu'm_fonmmd _m_Jun_a_e.of_
. tndud_a.dac_n444ma_f_aSaplmdl_:dopcdnl_
_
hardlzel_wlththete_lemfenm'dmle. .
._mreadvethelmobs365.. ..- .
" ....
.-....
suplmat
240Indudes
aheel
eounm 24ff"
aves'dc_y
e=iem_, thermrsale
may also
tm_vet'tI_e_
I__s Instaio,,.tl_
sr,_
IngMdewsI1244.thatc]e_mcsaxe_mm24_mMe
._. y I0 solcweoIdlmvetwo_mufac_ee_of
_
cunmum_ rlm248_
Immmy Imome
andengage.th_knmm_ae ix_oa _ ofme re_,ole Ix=_ _e e_mineb_ve.__'_.m_.t_ IU=_mqq_ o_."
fortheb=w.led.
_S0 showninFIO.13 m pu;_vem
nmulosofm,.reinm]e 'm,._, mu_ I_ m_kd.m, m
dmlngu__ . .:
.
..
surfsc_ofmcom=d.._$q_mfm_thnotlnme_
lutk_nbod_nem;m,.ix_mq_en240maylndud_a.
.Ls,A.hcrnmlv_y.
u shownin-FIG_..21,.8
.w_. 210 may be
-
.
.
• •.
w_u _ _ s0m,_-t.me_ _
Wan _ b _.fm_b, _
_
_
_-'n=_
•
a idas_m_d_ m_e
_ u_ _a _
_tof_'_d
_
_ __
of
mc um_. A_ mown _nFxO._-_.tbc
waf.__._
Jmem
212. tl_ n_mber of whl_ _
m tl_- munfmrof
Integral Wilh the In_l _
A-gxP 249 Is l_J'e_MiY _- bevelededges1._6',joinedby bm's214. F.w.hhum_has a fiat
f_rn_db_weea'tI_topwa1124_sndaponlonofth_ddc
wall244m _tabletlm
uStr
nottofeehlm
fromsldC
wall
244- " top_
216trod
a bone__
_8 __.w
benealh Ids o_'herfoot.An o_
hok (not sl_wn) may
lhc ahapeo/"the bev_cd _
to._'_d_y p=mddea_ca_
solefl_ hasa fla_mpsurf.a_.As a/csu_ d_e_ar s_ is
'
..
"
gn_xl dmtn_ _
and the _:mte
_a be m_ly
posldoned
Inm infu_ numb_ 0fpo_ion._
wl_chc_not
oco= ifme m_ hm_r_m wan o(tl_n_es,_,.
*i=#y
molded Io maze wl_ me m,_.of
sup_o_
m II_ fo/_
,ok 260.rod 8ddiflonal ttl_nm_'lo the "
thin_ notIn use,as'_
d_ _
by HO.
xem"
1A md
IB.
• .
•sumpon._d_,,,h,-umcmsemi_,_=_gme_=d_nc.yorm=
.
shoc mcud m d_ .jum:mxe
df d_ehard hod suplm/twiththe
soft
furwm'd
sole,
Anom_ _
of m=bee]mq_n is shownh: ss
meh=dnq0pon._d=want444m_dp0_b=m'c_me
rc_rsole andre,- hccl po_lon of _ _cr (notdu_wn)cf _ F
shoe,muong oth_ things.,to reduce hi_1-osme_nddso_
comp_ss_. As shown tn Flfl, _., _,- ch'cu_ _phi_
FIGS.
imert 400 has a dinnmtt_ thatis sligI_ylargerthaa the
|7-19.]n--ilds
en_
a I_
mppo_.340
•
.
dlame_ of the re_e_ 446defined by the dewnwmny
&t_lin_wall444offl_e
Ix:e.l.
mq_ixm440.A llp448h
formed between the inner gnface of the heel eoumer442
andmc m_ 4.46
m mq_ me pe_p_ ofme Jnu_
_
as e_own in FIOS. 17 md l& lxmhu_ s curv_Wall
"thegr_te insea can_
bet_ma_/tly _x.hed t_
341 mat has.a podk_ f..orm_
.m _ fomard*Me f_
_ u_ of the heel mplxm _ ".mmovab_thn_gh a pock_
formedin the canva_'ypc _
ty_.dly Iomed _ _
rece/vin_ a nu_T_gye._
ed_ of_e framed u_e3_0
adJac_
the heel tupport. The curved wall MI Inevkles. a
of the had _
(notd_own)_._*canbedmp]ymn0ved
. . '..
en_ _,oddy _
t_s_tim f_umhan_-_ig_'_s afar mno .vlng-thesock lln_ wI_e no sud_cmvas mau=lal
letamtterids
ofthefarmedand_mrso_ _d
Is eaq,loycd.T_ _emovabillty_.thc l_dai_e Insertanows
mlnlmi_ _
_ a_m_
__
.'c_m_
_.. me ,use _.._.m_
.d_e_m .ty_e:_
ofgra_u__em of ..
:...b_m_ fo_me_nofme=_mle_m.mcu_e_
"...
.v_x_ m_'ne_ o_ _d_o_.imd.
mexefore,
c_.be
• _*._"
. " -..
• :
. " ...... .:-.'_ ..so-a_d_*o:mc:_Zh*-of._n_;.mc_'Ub,.of- :..... :
_dmo0gh=W._ ofmc _.mo_
w ,_
h_ i_q_
m_ mm_, m_ ty_ of_
invoh,
cd,u_m_ m_m, of
"
havlng a Cunti_ou_ Wdl_ defaa_a n_e_,, a _atlnuou,
sln/ag dedn:d in _ heel of d_ shoe.
Includesa b_ m,mx=S4Z,waUS44,rim_m, _ w_n._S,
gap_49,md ._du0_ ._2 dad_r *omose.
_own I_,:FIGS.
2_]_. "r_. mn_u__r7 i_ mim_ asdralghu'y
*s_aU=r.man
4o
tdngue247 idmwnIn FIGS.14-16.Howcv_.,the.bc_ .
wMI is not requtyed..M
shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, aheel
As sho_n In FIGS. 2_ and _;
the rear sole.3_O p_.fe_ab]y.
support_0 _
i_ude two._ mo_ Sl_-a1_
wa_
has a concavetop _ace 30; _o_
wlu:nthe._ u_ie
2e2mateUe_ down_m_ toa__eas_
_
S_ is_
tothehed_
thet_ mrfa_ofthc
_em-soIe
define
arece_The_wall_
*adtIm_udearlm:204 .does not mine into comact wi& the gmpldte 1men.As a
dm extemls
intotherecessIna manma-,amilmt_the
remd_,the uddd_ of the graphitelnse=tcan.flex underII_
previousembo_rn=ts. Therc_ solc shod.nla lqO: _can
wdght oftherum_ nndthusect_ l_e a muntx_e to
be didandla'm-fiucd
Imometoo=s,andmedinsformed provide extra iqnlng h the utedsg_ In sddlflon to
on thedownwm'_yexte.ndm_
wan,of theheel
.rapport
_0 vendng mldsole c_o_.
engage the groove 266 to rein the rearsole in then_.s,
mot
for attm gth=
t ,hlte
wfthanchon 206 I_venti_g _ueloo of the_ sole
4OOis insertedthroughthcbouomof meheel supports.40
o_-unwherew:.mqxm m'e_ypi_yfo_medo_ llie
x_ar soramthepc_he_ ofd= ip'al_ laurapn_u_agah_ d)e
_ u_l_v_ e_uaCush_a_me _
_.
"
_s lower sudace of an upi_r _m _19 of the hee__
A
Anmh_ mam_ ofanm:M_ therein
,oIcw theheal plattic ring 410 is 81m_
in the _
betwe_ the
graphiteinsert and the dm_lS. Such.ring410 h llexFole
supporlIsshown In-FIOS.22 mM23. In dds en_
A 0724
AAnn11.
...:
.
.
5 e,i26
3:
14
.-
mp
eaooghtoanowIImbe tnse_ed
tmome heel
mppo_ Tiz
rlng supporm.thepcdl_c_ of thelow_ redact.ofthe.
l_apldm inse_ T_ n=r sole 4S0is n sccew..In _pe identical
• to the rear sole 150 shows In FIO. 12 exa_ that it ires a
dm.
". :
mp
•
tbcbaud,whe_ themar s_e Ismint.bed
toa l_. mppo_ .-.
suchas hce.l
mpp_ 440shown inFIO._2,b imfdmmd -
against
_ knve_
cdg_o_S_ wan4_L_nm_w_m .fl=
t_. :
• . ..... .shovmin RGS. 30 s oft_stoem_s_gm_uddm_use.,X-_m=mmed
xnd_)toMlowlhegr_h/mlmentofle.x.dm'ingu_
...
'by_w_...o_
Uee_..mpp_
i,dln_ amid m._
- ..
rcafltmt l_mfl.rmlzr than tbc c_ddony midmle,- I!_
:..
.,.
. .
As"a_
in I_6..Z4, a=rUU S4S of a= U_ support
twoau.av/ay,
po_m_ zaST0m_ windowsS74;
cm_aw mpre.face 0_
fl= top ,urf_
Ipm-Rlled,
of gel-filled
m_d _ adding.tim.
575 to.alkyw
thegnq_iteimen and thes_g tobe _
- "
"" :.
Into
tlmmo_s ofd_ehce.l
mPlm_ inaddi_n m Mlowingthe lo Im_ceffect;.
m_ sole to be _:_-wcd omo the bccl m_pon/n the mine
modi_d ushoWn In FIGS. _I-_q8. lu _Is _mb_@um=_. a - • nmuu_ as _
by FIGS. 100 .X1_d,17,. Thedng
416 also I_m windows 412,_414 tl_ are_aHl_¢d with the
w/ndows S74, _6 when _c dnS is im_
into the mocks..
sha_ tom Inn_ tu_ fora _m. In addidon,
several
v_ds
thegol_iteinscn$00 and _M c_m b_ _gcm_,
m
mducc tbcWcight-of
thenm_ ml_ and beuO.,
expl,_the -
and600m beImenedtrim
fl=bee_
su_,jx_
Agaln.
me dng
SlO is f_dblc enough to M_owft to be _tntO
.. "...
tl= bed
sbo_mO_ _ grounddudng
use.
Thevoldsm_...
poddoned_ect_
be3ow t_, knob_ 6_5 to cumbloutb_ R_cb
.
_0 mmsm/ued _om thebed.rappen m theImo_Tn6_tr. "
u_xxt_
a.:_ so_:SSO;. _
_0_:n_ so_ _0
mowniolqO, i_cxcc_S_,_l_h_oc_,cmpmrn_ccas
_n FIGS. _0 m_d_. A heel sdppon_0_
a down-
_:_.
"
_o_h_ m_odlnm_ is _own _ FIGS. _
_d "
inc.tudm_he_..mmmn940;_ grapt_ imm ram,- ring_O.-
_agllyexumdlngw_
S44th,_lumami'i'a_Itm,mmedge
_
8468nd a _lcd
inn=z luffacc 848.._
l_cl supl)o_ _40
also./nc_c_s m_upp_ dm S49;.
"
...
.
'
A _m_led rlng 610/ncludes a thn_ded oup_ sm'facc _12
andamm_.sol_S@.AsshownlnFIO._,dmm_"sol_-750.indudcz a sobslmiflany plm_ gmumLcogag_ mucfac_'XS2,_,.:
a low_ mldsol_ pbr_m 7f_4, and m upp_..mldm_ pmtl._m.7_. A _
of knobs 7_ having bulboum md I_....
xtmmm,-, wire _he._ded
hm=r m_a/= S4S of_xe he_ 3o am formed anmnd',_-pe_ibm'y
of _ up_ _
.rapport S40. I",,,- ring" also includes -_m:-omwan_ .m_d
po_lo_TS_ In add_Jon, dm_ voidsTSgam form_lu
_rmy
ex_amng _
e7
tua_:,-_
_
me
_
t_mm _dSc,8_..
wh_ U= _:_ _,W_d Imo._
-l=eJ SUplX_ "1_ bottom surface of the fbmgc _17 includes
mct_
6_s, andmaya_sobe senaxcdtblunge=gdp _ _ca_
talc toprcvcm rmados. The tin8 alsoIres .tw0 .¢_ls 614 and _
_i6, wkhmd614havingamalcmeanbcrandcod616
"
1"_ _
un_oct_
sol_ SSOis amz_cd (o d_: l_
me ends of ,_-_
mpl_
w_.
m_t_,po_'_
_6
m_,
mid_c Fo_U-?S4..
•
..
As _wn
tn _C_ _, _ _J
_
p_k=
...
fl_c ...
o_._-low__ .::-.
ram,on 940 _
- ; ...
a
tx_omng wan 9a.4t_ comaim a p_ui-a_ of.
ope_hngs Y46 f&._c_ving tl_ imobs 7SlLTI= I_1 .S_l_,
940alsotnc_l_kfi.m94_havinganmswmdbcmpt_ld_-
949. o_,= o_ co_-m_
oz _s 7]o. we_.mo
_-
tn_ 946 of the I_A supp_ ml the _Mm
tm_ 800 _
by 4o shapedaccon_i_y to _t withinthen_cessd ibe"hecl.
..
-_
a_d p0staoa_ t_ _g
.
"
_
_S___l_
around d_ UplX_mldsolc i_ordon.S64 of d_ n:m sole md_
_ gra_
tn._t s_ and_ r_g 7_0 m_ U=_zd fi_o i
that d= fla_ 17.c_
groove 566 d_tbc _
sole. The .
th_ nn:e_s of the I_.J. soRx_ and tl_ zea_ wit 7_0 i_..:
zing 610/s then f_mly locked omo _c rear sole by madn_
prcs_-tlued imo tim xccc_s m that the knobs 7_ _.flW,.n_r/
_nd 614 wkh end 616.Thc graphl/c/n_ 400 h inserted
45 sole engage thc.ope_ngs 946 formed _ tlm wall 944 o(xbc
hno tbc hc_dm_ppon m tha__ lm:a_ _qpdmt the _
rhn
1149.Tl_ ring 610, with _ Rat sole_O_a_:h_l, is th_
ponioo ofd_ n=r sot_ adjnCcmtl_ berndm will Msobc b_.
sC_.wedem _c hec_suppoa,
by e_g/ug.t_cthreaded
.upwa_dlyto_'ccdvclyc_,cal_w.lcdcdg¢o_tlicgio_d_
./....
_
•
" '
m
.su_ace_L_o__ _nS.W_ _ _z_dme_.S_S
of_
.e_,a_t_ _ace.T_
_.7_
c_cd.in me __c
wan 844.T_e r_g ts the_sc_'wedh_m_c heeJrapport unto so allow ihc R_ sotc easily to b_ best to Coufo_mto the _=1_
s_ sCn_m:d
cdsc S46 or _ waUS44_sS_c_ the _c
5_?
• -
i ..
ofthetz_trim_Wedsc, 760 may beimcn_l lame_.voi4a "
of tl_n_'- Sole u"_ are uot sdj_x_m *o *he b_x rlm•..: to .
provld_ lateral *uppOxt
h will
be appamm t0throeddlled/n
tl_m thax
vm'l_
of the _ng.610. The scrramd edge _6scrvcs
to l_rcvcnt
rmm_ o_ tl= _ng du_mg use.
..
The grapt_ fnsen bnm ltm_ to a d_
grat/atm
/risen
andc_mbeadaptedtoconformtoUi¢Mmpe ofthemar s_ modmc_m
andvmiaaomc_ _emade_n'_"_
of i
sole.In addition,
the.grapbim_
may.be concaw m
me
p_esem
tnve_onWimou_
depmlnS
_
,1-,.,cope.
o_
•c_ve= indrapeand may Indudec_._n pdnlon_su_ as
spirit of tl_ hivmdon. Thus, t_ is tmcmkd tim ,I,,"
flmse in the grapld," imm 700 shown in FIG. 2_, to pmvldc
invcmtcm cov_r, dm modi_oos
and va_tlom of this
addi_mml Sln_. The grapl_ ime=t atsb:_ed uot be used
invcmton
provldcd
they
come
wttl_
thc scol_ of_ clalm, !.
only in cc_uncdo_ wllh a dmaclmble ram.sol_, b_ can bc 6o
and
d_r
equlvM.cnls.
'
:
u_d w/th _nnana_y enachcdrc_ _4c_.as wc_.
Wh_ h r,.hdmed.i_:.
-A_
_oach
_o pro_
_k_,_._ _
md/_
I.A shoecomi_dng:
• m_udng b_ cmhtontng b shown In FIGS..29 taxi 30. in
-.axis
emtodimem, a highlymlltm band 900, smsclzd m fit
ov_ the upp_ Fo_Jou of the rear m_ rcm on the top
surface of the lower mtds_ _
362. A Im'd plasdc or
ip_pldle
O-r_g 902 may beprovided
bmw_m the band 900
m up_ havinga heel _cgto_
.
a _c_r sole secu_d be.low the be_ _cgkm c_dm upp_ m_l
a flexible phuc haviug upper and lowc_ surfaces.and.
ml_¢_
b_wccn at least a pordon of thc Ra_ sole xud-.
A 0725
,
:-.
'.-
.:..
"
.
4O
A 0726
AAO01159
D _
,...
.%
.
'
.
.
.
- ,
"
.._
.
-
.
.,"
.
:.'
.
':.-',..
_'.
•
,
.
_
."
-,
-i
..
'.,..'.........
,
'..
m_
.
m
= : ..
]-',
.
.
,.--
;
m
....:
.'_."
._
."
.
,
" .
.
•.,
,
.
.
-
AA00116O
A 0727
-•
"'".'.:.i.:
-. '
IN THE
FOR
AKEVA
L.L.C,
Liability
Company,
THE
a North
UNITED
MIDDLE
Carolina
STATES
DISTRICT
DISTRICT
COURT
OF NORTH
CAROLINA
Limited
Plaintiff,
CIVIL
VS.
ADIDAS
AMERICA
INC.
ACTION
NO. 1:03CV01207
a Delaware
Corporation,
Defendant.
MOTION
FOR
COURT'S
AND
PlaintiffAkeva
reconsideration
requests
Patent
of the Court's
No. 6,604,300
ordinary
meaning.
With Respect
"secured"
its ordinary
"selectively_or
"detachably
secure&"
meaning,
In an office
action
Akeva
hereby
claim consh'uction
respectfully
moves
for partial
Order (the "Order").
of the term "secured"
of the only claim
to U.S. Patent
to U.S_ Patent
THEREOF
as it appears
Plaintiff
in both U.S.
No. 6,662,471.
reconsideration
means
means
1.
May 17, 2005
OF TIEE
ORDER
IN SUPPORT
by and through its counsel;
With respect
"secured"
CONSTRUCTION
of the construction
seeks
ruled that "secured"
Ix_sition."
CLAIM
and U.S. Patent
• This motion
RECONSIDERATION
MEMORANDUM
L.L.C.,
reconsideration
PARTIAL
No. 6,604,300
permanently
No. 6,662,471
respectfully
the Court
(the "'300
fastened,
submits,
correct
did not give its
Patent"),
theCxmfl
but not permanently
(the ""471 Patent"),
The Court should
that occurred
term which
the Court
these errors
fixed in
ruled that
and give
for any of five reasons:
on May 26, 2005
in a patent
application
that is a
.:
continuation
of the '300 Patent,
th_ Examiner
(who also examined
A 0756
the '300 and prior patents
in
the family)
meaning,
expressly
and unambiguously
and even made
exam/nat/on
The Court's
importantportions
that expressly
cons_uction
recited
reasoned
with respect
specifications.
Adidas's
"detachable"
tlmt
" the flexible
the disclosure
3) of a rear sole that could
arched"
analysis
of the patent
to reconcile
The Court
clear that the same
the term "secured"
to have its ordinary
had beenapplied
during the
of the '300 Patent.
2.
attempted
construed
but rotatable
With respect
argument
with the languag o in the specification
plate may be used with a"permanently
without
Figure
overlooked
to the '300 Patent, the Order
in the '300 Patent of an alternative
be rotated
rear sole.
to the '300 and '471 Patents
attached"
embodiment
dctar.lRng was an example
rear sole.
(e.g., Figure
of a "permanently
3 - and every other figure in the patent - depicts,
however, a rear sole that/s detachable. = There is no embodiment pictured anywhere in the patent
iofa"permanently
attached"
yet rotatable
appears not to have considered
the "471 Patent
Patent.
same
in comparison
Nor does it appear
inventor
3.
claimed
separately
Because
a "detaehably
"detaehably
secured."
rear sole.
Withrespect
to the '471 Patent,
the use of the words "detaehably
with the broader
that the Court
claimed
The Court
considered
claims
the "detachable"
some of the claims
secured"
term "secured"
utilized
in the specification
in the claims
in the predecessor
ofthe
of
'471
patent wherein
feature.
of U.S. Patent
rear sole, the Court
did not discuss,
secured"
the Court
No. 5,560,126
concluded
hoWever,
that "secured"
claim
cannot mean
19 of the '126 Patent,
I
Similarly, every figure depicting a rear sole in U.S. Patent No. 5,560,126
.detachable.
The' 126 Patent is incorporated
by reference in the '300 Patent.
A 0757
(the "' 126 Patent")
also depicts
which
the rear sole a s
the
11,
•expressly
(and apart from the word "secured")
detached.
these
Neither
patents,
the Patent
- invention
separate
•the disclosure
2001).
Office
detennined
essentially
rear sole that need not be
to point out the continued
Circuit panels.
rejected
their ordinary
in light of the central
In a ease decided
claim
The fact that
this case markedlyfrom
242 F.3d
construction
1337 (Fed. Cir.
briet_ thus preventing
the ease in any briefing.
role ,__./Med played
disfavor
to apply
Sc/Med
meaning
facts substantially
in the Court's
with which
in late April,
an opportunity
under
distinguishes
of
sole was an
requirement.
@),stems,/nc.,
in its opening
to discuss
and rotatablerear
a restriction
inventions
Cardiovascular
was not cited by Adidas
it necessary
the fact that in the prior file history
that the detachable
two distinct
Inc. 1,. Advanced
Finally,
considered
plate, and imposed
from having the opportunity
Federal
panel
nor the Court
from the flexible
Life @stems,
• 5.
feels
Adidas
contains
Sc/Med
Akeva
a rotatable
2
4.
i,gviMed
claims
that case
a majority
to limit the scope
analysis,
is treated by other
of Federal
Circuit judges
of Patent claims
more compelling
Akeva
than those
in a
to less than
present
here.
ARGUMENT
-L
THIS COURT
HAS POWER
CONSTRUCTION
RULING.
This Court
particularly
has broad discretion
in cases where
CommercialBuilders,/etc.,
interlocutory
entry
there
of final judgment).;
to revisit
1462.(4th
Cir. 1991)
by the trial court----on
Lavespere
v. Niagara
ITS CLAIM
any of its interlocutory
is new matter or evidence.
936 F.2d
and may reviewed
TO RECONSIDER
Machine
E.g.,
Fayetteville
(motionsto
motion
Tool
orders for any reason,
Investors
reconsider
or sua sponte---any
Works,
are
time before
Inc,, 910 F.2d
z
_
claim does not claim a "permanently
attaebed" and rotatable heeL Rather, as explained
merely claims a detachable and rotatable heel that does not have to be detached to rotate.
A 0758
v.
167, 185
below,
it
t
Q
(5th Cir. 1990) (with
reverse.its
decision
intervening
change
this motion,
there
briefing
respect
for any reason
are bases Warranting
FOR ANY OF FIVE
•ITS CONSTRUCTION
A.
application,
continuation
is aware,
like the ones
counsel
application
acquiesced
of new evidence
or an
on other grounds). 3 In
that were in the record at the time of the
that were not available
and could
not have been
Order.
Akova continues
SHOULD
RECONSIDER
GIVE THE TERM ITS
Court's
to prosecute
claim
construction
in the '300 and '471 Patents,
received
was being
in the construction
Confirmed
given
Should
a continuationof
Order.
The claims
the '300 Patent,
pending
used the word "secured"
notification
from the Examiner
In order to avoid any claim
the Court's
Order, Akeva
Be
based on the specifications
in that
in referencing
At or about the time the Order was entered,
preliminary
allowecL
"Secured"
patents
One such application,
of the rear sole to the upper.
patent prosecution
Akeva
reconsideration
and
MEANING.
at the time 0fthe
the attachment
law") (abrogated
REASONS,
THE COURT
OF "SECURED"
AND
in the "300 and "471 Patents.
was pending
even in the absence
ThePatent
Office Has Recently
Given Its Ordinary
Meaning.
As the Court
contained
sufficient,
as well as new matters
ORDINARY
"the trial court is free to reconsider
of the substantive
at any time prior to the Court's
IL
orde_
it deems
in or clarification
and argument,
available
to interlocutory
Akeva's
that such
by a later inf_ger
filed
a Request
that
for
.3 In a very recent case in a U.S. District Court in the Fourth Circuit Com-t of Appea_, the trial _
retied on _
well-settled rule that trial courts have broad discretion to reconsider interlocutory orders such as denying a motion
for_judgn_t:
It is well accepted that no more justification need be offered to support a trial judge's reversal of
his or another distriot judge's negative riding on a smnmary judgment motion than the n_re
asse_on that the judge changed his or her mind, or disagreed with the conclusion ofhis or her
predecessor.
.rraheta v. United of Omdha Life Ins. Co., 2005 WL 701070 at *l (D. Md March 28, 2005) (quoting
D/g/ta/Equ/p.
Corp., 968 F.2d 1213, WL 167946 at *7 (4 _ Cir. J'uL21, 1992) (per curiam).
A 0759
Washington
v.
Continued
Examination
for the recently
. Order, and advised the Examiner
Applicant
allowed
claims,
provided
the Examiner
a copyofthe
as.follows:
is submitting,
with this Information
Disclosure
Statement,
certain additional
prior art and a copy of a Memorandum
Opinion and Order of
the U,S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina,
dated May 17,
2005
(the "Order")
Claims of related
pending
in Litigation
patents,
application
Among
term likewise
3 [this pending
including
claims
the terms construed
in the Order
found in the claims
to have
The court
meaning,
written
its ordinary
allowed
this
"secured," which is a
is the term
in the pending
(i.e., fastened
application.
to have
the Court discussed
of the specification
It has been
for the term
or attached).
the term "secured"
In its reasoning,
description
from which
and in prior applications,
meaning
did not construe
however.
The Order construes
priority.
Applicant's intent, in this application
"secured"
matter].
U.S. Patent No. 6,604,300,
its ordinary
materials
of the '300 patent.
found in the
Because
this
application
adds no new matter to the specification
of the '300 patent, Applicant
has submitted
the Order with this Information
Disclosure
Statement to confirm
whether
the Examiner
allowing
(Attachment
these
the term "secured"
in
A hereto.)
the Examiner
issued
a Notice
has no new matter in the specification
allowing
its ordinary meaning
claims.
On June 2, 2005,
whioh
has given
the claims
1.
The following
considered
The Examiner
Carolina
is an examiner's
this pending
statement
to clarify
by the Examiner
has considered
Court,
the Examiner
filed in the IDS on 5/23/05
to be necessary
and understood
and in allowing
application(as/n
for childpatent claims;
added that was not present
that use the word "secured,"
view of the Opinion
of Allowance
the meaning
when
allowing
the Memorandum
these
the prior
claims
made
of reasons
the
in the '300
statement
of the term "secured"
including
Opinion
applications)
In
is
as used
this language.
and Order
has construed
of the North
the term "secured"
to have
In
following remarks:
for allowance:
the following
claims
Patent.
in
its ordinary
meaning.
(Attachment
relevant
B hereto)
(emphasis
to the construction
F.3d 1340,
1350 (Fed.
added).
of prior issued
As Akeva hasnoted,
patents.
Microsoft
Cir. 2004).
A 0760
file history
Corp.
in later applications
v. Multi-Tech
is
Sys., Inc., 357
•s
The Examiner
necessarily
of the '300
Patent - who is one of at least ordinary
must consU'ue the claims
term "secured"
understanding
to have its ordinary
of a United
and should be considered
White Consolidated
,6
States
to examine
meaning
Indus.,
Patent Examiner,
Inc.,
199 F.3d 1295,
disavowal"
The Court's
Patents'
•
1.
Acknowledging
the claims
where
meaning
The
is highly relevant
possible.
1299 (Fed. Cir. 1999).
See Toro Co. v.
Particularly
in light of
of a term during the prosecution
itself--warrants
reconsideration
Order
that it was not giving
fastened,
includes
and upper
Does
Not Recognize
Critical
The '300 Patent Does Not Depict
Rear Sole that is Rotatable.
but not permanently
Adidas's
arguments,
in the '300 Patent specification.
support
not determinative,
the
oftbe
mechafiical
"secured"
is construed
fixed
means
to mean
in position'"
of the
meaning
Attached"
in the '300 Patent,
'a rear sole selectively
(Order
that, "[i]n
locking
all embodiments,
the rear sole relative
Patent, Col. 7, 11. 17-20).
plate, notes the option
or
at 25).
the Court was conYmonted by two different
for selectively
the flexible
a "Permanently
its ordinary
The first is the statement
of the shoe" ('300
part of the pateni discussing
Aspects
Specifications.
states that "'a rear sole secured'
In addressing
invention
states that she construed
of the term "secured."
B.
permanently
although
of the ordinary
of a patent 4, this new file history material--by
• theCourt
- expressly
in the "300 Patent, and in prior applications.
by the Court in construing
the rule requiring a "clear
construction
them
skill in the art and
The second
of using
statements
the
to the rear sole
statement,
found in a
a"permanently
attached"
rear sole with the plate:
4 SuperGuk_ Corp. v.DirectTFEnter.,Inc.,358 F.3d870,874 (Fed.Cir.2004); Texas Digital,S_,,s.,
Inc_v.
Telegen_ Inc.,308 F.3d 1193, 1204 (Fed.Ck. 2004).
A 0761
$
•
The flexible
region
also need not be used 0nly in conjunction
rear sole, but can be used
(Id., Col.
permanent
noting
attachment"
argument
that this statement
(Order
The Court
relied
did not apply
on a description
the rear sole is rotatable
first heel str_e'
rear sole support.'
rear soles
as well
'300 Patent,
written description
position
(e.g., rotatable)
The reconciliation
language
plainly
permanently
attached,
to conventional
means
portion
did not "disavow
with Adidas's
for attaching
which
shows
will no longer
(Order
at 20).
The Court
out, the rear sole era shoe could
also being detachablefi'om
of the "permanently
to conclude
but rotatable,
attached"
language
that the specification
rear solo.
In this the Court
an "embodiment
of the
separating
it from the
concluded
that "The
be selectively
the shoe."
a rear sole to
be in the location
that 'the rear sole may be rotated without
points
led the Court
this language
of one embodiment,
Col. 6, 11. 58-63"
without
meant that Mr. Meschan
to reconcile
so that the 'worn
and states
patent's
clearly
at 20), attempted
that the term "secured"
•an upper.
user's
attached
10, 11. 14-16.)
The Court,
wherein
with permanently
with a detachable
locked into
Id_
with the "all embodiments!'
depicted
an embodiment
erred, Akcva
with a
respectfully
suggests.
The portion
without
Patent,
separating
of the specification
it from the rear sole support,"
not Figure 2. 5 Figure
sole (by pulling
permanently
first cited by the Court ("the roar solo may be rotated
3 shows
down on the rear sole),
attached
Col. 6, 11. 58-63)
a rear sole that can be rotated
but importantly
refers
to Figure 3 of the '300
without
this embodiment
detaching
the rear
does not have a
rear sole:
s In fact, Figure 2 shows just the opposite: a rear sole that may not be rotated without being detached from the shoe.
CoL 6, IL 59-61.
A 0762
I)
•
This embodiment, as with every embodiment
drawn in the patent, depicts a detachable rear sole.
The text cited by the Court merely points out that the rear sole in one embodiment
(Figure 3)
need not be detached in order to rotate. Neither this figure, nor any other drawing in the patent,
depicts a permanently
attached
but rotatable
rear sole.
Furthermore, other text in the patent makes cleat that more than just rotatable or
detachable rear soles are contemplated
by the invention:
While the above discussion is directed towards a rear sole that rotates or separates
in its entirety, it is specifically contemplated that the same benefits of this
invention can be achieved if only a portion of the rear sole is rotatable or
removable. For example, a portion of the rear sole, e.g., the center area, may
A 0763
!
plate
without
•''Summary
without
discussing
detachable
only the flex_le
or rotatable
as interpreted
compelled
support
referred
between
The '300 Patent's
focus clear by discussing
or rotatable
plate invention,
attached
rear sole.
rear soles.
only the flexible
clearly
('300
plate
As noted earlier,
the specification
and is a patentably
the two inventions
in its proper context.
by the following
includes
rear sole.
Patent,
distinct
states
in a
that the
Col. 10, 11. 14-16).
invention
from, the
rear sole.
by the Court,
• the invention
or rotatable
locked
plate can be used without,
The dichotomy
language
mechanical
to in that portion
of the '300 Patent
The Order
indicated
from the '300 Patent's
means
and upper of the shoe"
('300
for selectively
Patent,
of the specifieatio
the Sc/Med
the rear
Col. 7:17-20;
Order
decision,
that its concision
specification:
locking
n, however,
places
was
"In all embodiments,
sole relative
at 20).
is not the claimed
The
to the rear
"invention"
flexible
plate;
rather,
it
to the rear sole. 12.
The Federal
Systems,
Circuit's
holding
in SciMed
inc., 242 F.3d 1-337 (Fed. Cir. 2001)
Federal
Circuit
claimed
and thus concluded
confronted
not dictate
that, where
inventions
and emphasizes
insert
to a selectively
plate can be used with permanently
the flex_le
refers
secured
makes the patent's
any such reference
flex_le
sole
to a detaehably
of the Invention"
paragraph
Thus,
a limitation
unnecessary
accordingly
"all embodiments"
language
that the language
a specification
limited
separately
their independence,
limitations
appears addresses
is not applicable.
In SciMed,
of that invention.
two or more patentably
concerning
a holding
would
represent
features of the rear sole--its
the
being
Sc/Med
does
distinct
the first should
recess into which it fits, its profile, its symmetry about a central axis, its outsole bevels,
exchange of rear soles between right and leR shoes. There is no mention of the plate.
A 0770
Ca_ovascular
to the very invention
the bounds
describes
Such
Inc. 1,. Advanced
directed
language
into the second.
t2 The entire paragraph _n which this sentence
Life Systems,
be used to
a dramatic
shape, theshape
its rotatabil/ty,
of the
and even
6
expansion
of Sc/Med
of Sc/Med
in subsequent
E.
during a period
in which
Sc/Med Conttnaes
to Receive
the Federal
Circuit.
April
In Gillette
29, 2005,
Co. v. Energizer
the court construed
disclosed
b-peoificafion
refused
warned
showed
stronger
Holding,
for deviating
claiming
infringer
razor would
only three blades,
to merely
and Unfavorable
Inc.., 405 F.3d 1367
The accused
of the problems
to limit the claim
The arguments
narrowing
to get little support in subsequent
and that a four-bladed
in the patent
Limited
a razor blade patent
third blad6s" as one of the elements.
only three blades,
Circuit has been
the reach
cases.
.It bears note that SciMedcontinues
• decisions.
the Federal
(Fed.
argued
not infiinge.
that the claim
over a dissent
in
Cirouit
Cir. 2005),
decided
and
was limited
because
instructive,
• provides
a comparison
Honethelegs,
that relied_aeavily
of the patent in the Gillette
the cocrt
on Sc/Med.
case were much
of the panel held fast to the plain meaning
it is attached
of the patent
to this Motion
yet another reason
for grantitig
in the Gillette
as Attachment
the motion
G.)
rule.
case to the patent in this case is
This recent
case development
for reconsideration.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing
Court's
May 17, 2005
reasons,
claim
Plaintiffrespectfully
construction
Order.
A 0771
rt_tuests
to
the text of the
I
(Indeed,
on
All of the embodiments
and, as noted in the dissent,
from the plain meaning
than they are here, but a majority
Federal
"a group of first, second
of using more than two blades.
three blades,
Treatment
partial reconsideration
of the
Respectfully
submitted
this 6th day of June, 2005.
/s/Scott
A. Schaaf
North
Carolina
Bar Number
28792
TOGGLE, Dt_,_,GINS & MESCBAN, P.A.
228 West Market Street
Cn-eensboro,
North Carolina
(336) 378-1431
(336) 274-6590
27401
- Telephone
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Lance A. Lawson
North Carolina Bar Number
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
Bank of America
23835
Plaza
101 South Tryon Street, Suite 4000
Charlotte, North Carolina 28280
(704)
(704)
444-1000
444-1111
Patrick
- Telephone
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Demetrius T. Lockett
Georgia Bar Number 455547
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
One Atlantic
Center
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Atlanta,
Georgia
Street
30309-3424
(404)
881-7000
- Telephone
(404)
881-7777
- Facsimile
ATTORNEYS
A 0772
FOR
PLAINTIFF
I|imiHIB|,HHUlIHIH
t.I_G00Y_06210A
United
States
Patent
[ 9j
Meschau
[54]
AI1R.,EIIC SHOE WITH IMPROVED
STRUCI_RE
Fsl
_
Da_agM,_m,O,te_x_,n._
[zJ.] ,,,m,L_
Patent
[45]
Date of Patent:
em_
[51]
[_]
[ss]
Int. CL6 "
u._cL
Field o1'Sem'_5
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7/1937
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5,806,210
Sep. I5, 1998
2,556,S42
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[so')
HEEL
[11[
2 144 fl_4
[X_a_crs
nm_.
Oemaay.
Oeammy.
Ocmazr.
Oemaay.
Ommm_r.
Swilzzuhad.
Oalled _.
Uat_d_.
U_aed_asdom.
7/t_._
•
"
United ]_ae_om.
OTHER PUBUC,_ffIONS
"New Footwr,_"CoeoqS_ by E.I. d_ Po_ de Ncmm_r, &
co. 09s8).
US94/09001 da_d/au. 2,1995.
_a_y
_m_er---1_
Ksw_h
A_omey, Agent,or F'm_--F'meg_m, _
(hne.u & Drainer,
I..I..P.
[5'7]
Fa'alx_,.
A_Srl_,c'r
A sho_ indud_s a _._ _ok_ _pipo_ for r_c_iving a _
abk r_r =_I_ t_ pmvid_ lo_.r weac "11_ sh_ may ds_
i_lude a _x_
plae _
by th_rear_ole_0por_
b_ween _,b_l
aad d_ _
role to n:duc_ mkhole
member _¢an_s theruar_oleto_ rearso[_suppo_ and a
locking mead_r _ts
roUaion offl_ _ar sole _elativ¢ to
_e _tr sales_/d_ag
_. The replace,
ab_ re_ sole
• ,,,d d:_ _!_
pL_t_ allo_ the Shoe to _ adapted U_
diff.e._m _
pe.rS:g'mancecturac_ristic_ de_.ndmg
upoa t_ inte.nd_da_tivity and _._ain _ ph_p_g Smf-a_.
36 Oalms,
A 0786
29 D_wlag
Sheets
Ib
6
s o63zo
JPz_ 2 •
u.s. JPATENT[X)C'UMENTS
9/'1961
]sn_d.
4/1963]_kus.
._
P-alM_S.
4/Z9_ /V',dZ_aI_.
9/zgG5[_dJem.
9/19_6]Sk.,_dil_.
5/196"7
h,n_.
it/19__.
6/17_0Patl_oue.
_97Z Z_r_.
2/19"/2
_IIld=.
5/1972Fn41tdZos_.
12,,I_r3
IZo_evg_.
I//9"/4
_.
4,414,763IJ/JP_ Bes_.
4,42_,4"742/lPS4 Metro.
4,449._07
_
_.
4,455,766 6/1984 _ub_u.
4,510,700 4/19_ _.
4,541,_
9/'JPSSa_.
4,546,5_ toq_
_.
4,550,510 tl_
SuzY_e_Z,_l.
4,5_4S/
7/1986 MI_'H_.
4,606,t39 _/Zg_ SZh_.
4,6tO,tO0 9/1986 _.
4,_2,764 t_
I_ti=.
4,64_r_
2/1987 v._.
4,74X,114
5/19_ S_M:4M_Id.
4.7_
_tgS_ mown.
11//9/6
1_4_ihme.
l_Z_77 ZZ_z,=z=,,,_d.
1/1978_d_zihme.
7/1978B_rm_m.
7/Z_ O_uzal_.
4_I,500 _
Macooo.
4,S75,300 I_Lg_ r,,_.
4,r_,,82z IJ/1_ Gr_uuuetaL.
4,_7.._ _
Z_adme_c_zL
4,9_,0_
6/Zg_OFusacU.
4/IP81b_he/o_1.
4_19_1l_¢mtc_.
4,.v79j_ z2.rL_ s_."
5,_,.'_0
4/1991 _
_ -I.
_,070.6_ 17_
OrulumctaL.
17./19_2
Bo_os.
_
_,,=.
4/19_3Jo6_zs_z.
7_933 _.
5.25,5,451
LO?Z99_Tou_et aJ.. 5,._z-gA_
_
_
_L.
5.40_88
A 0787
4/1995 Ozab_.
U.S. Patent
"
sep.is, _s
¢D
O4
Sheet1 of29
¢D
¢M
O
A 0788
"
5,80 _,210
"
U.S.
Patent
Sep. 15,1998
5,806,210
Sht_ct 2 of 29
9O
•
26
i__
80
I
_n
i,,'_74
(76
FIG,,
2
...,;'-
A 0789
J
U.S. Patent
sep.
15,1998
Sheet-3of29
A 0790
5,806,210
U.S. Patent
Sop. 15,1998
Sheet 4 of 29
X
,
A 0791
5,806,210
"
U,S. Patent
Sep. 15, 1998
sh_t s of 29
5,806,210
O0
%\
A 0792
U.S. Patent
Sep. 1,5:1998
Sheet
11
II
II
II
I
II
I
!1
I
II
I
/!
/
//
!
/
/
f
..,,
...
A 0793
6 of 29
5,806,210
U.S. Patedt
• Sheet 7 of 29
i
A 0794
" U.S.'Patent
Sep.
She'S orZ9
15, 1998
¢D
,q-
]
]
0
tO
_....
--
]
]
]
]
]
A 0795
5,806,210
U.S.
Patent
sep.15;1998
Sheet 9 of 29
,'-..
FIG. 9
A 0796
5,806,210
U.S. Patenf
Sep. 15, 1998
Sheet 10 of 29
52
FiG. 10,4.
A 0797
"U.S. Patent
Sep. 15, 1998
Sheet
5,806,210
11"of 29
52
FIG.
lOB
A 0798
6
U.S. Patent
sep. Is, _gs
Sh_t _ or29
5,806,210
f_
FIG. 10C
..,..._"
A 0799
U.S. Patent
Sheet 13 of 29
A 0800
5,806,210
"U.S. Patent
Sep. 15, 1998
.
O
5,806,210
SheeC 14"of 29
fq
"0
T-"
"
...":
A 0801
"
R.
lb
U.S. Patent
Sep. 15, 1998
Sheet
15 of 29
A 0802
5,806,210
U.S. Patent
"
Sep. lS, 1998
Sheet
16 of 29
A 0803
5
,_o6_fo
'U.S. Patent
Sep. 15, 1998
Sheet 17 of 29
5,8o6,21o
_mlllllll.
'1'==
©
A 0804
U.S.
Patent
Sep. is, _
sh_ ts or z9
5,806,210
FIG. 16,4
280
282
J
FIG. 16B
..._..
A 0805
U.S. Patent
Sheet
Sep. 15, 1998
19 of 29
80
I
I
I
168
-
I
I
28_.
FIG. 17
A 0806
192
IJ.S. Patent
Sep. 15, 1998
\
A 0807
it
Sheet
20 of 29
5,806,210
t
it
U.S. Patent
Sep. t5, 1998
•
Sheet 21 of 29
9O
194
.FIG. 19A
-.
190
FIG. 19B
A 0808
5,8o6,21o
U.S. Patent
"
S_p. 15,
1998
Sheet22of29
I
!
I
.t
1
206
.
'
FIG. 20
A 0809
5,806,210
•
" t
lJ.S. Paten
sep is, 1_
"
s_t
_ ot z9
::.
3
3t0
t
"-,.
--.
308_
":
3"t4
A 08'!0
U.S. Patent
Sep. 15, 1998
Sheet 24 of 29
5,806,210
8
II
_l
O
A 0821
U,S. Patent
Sep. 15, t998
Sheet 25 of 29
316
FIG. 23A
•,FIG. 23B
FIG. 23C
A 0812
5,80_,210
U.S. Patent
5,806,210
Sheet 26 of 29
9O
j26
i
|
I
41
3-/6J
_
"
"
"
312
I
j,
400
3_
/.,-/'/"
FIG.24
,[..
-
A 0813
312A
_
311.
U.S. Patent
._p. 15, t998
Sheet 27 of 29
A 0814
5,806,210
U.S. Patent
5,806,210
Sheet 28 of 29
Sep. 15, 1998
26
36
FIG. 26
A 0815
U.S: Patent
Sep. 15, t998
5,806,210
Sheet 29 of 29
_ __ _ __
..._. __.=..
,/
---_608
FIG. 27A
j
604_602
_r_)8
FIG. 27B
A 0816
600
600
l
ATHLEFIC
SHOE WITH IMPROVED
STRUCTURE
HEEL
'BACKGROUND OF THE _rVEIq'HON
1. Fkid of d_ lavea6on
'The _
_L/c
d_cs
__
.,rod mo¢¢ _
d_
however, hay• never caughl on _n d_ mm_lacc
bec_
it i_ s_p_y too easy md _ta_w_ U_q_
to
have d_: entire bect on such footv_tr v,-i_lJcedat a _0mS
_,_,_
n_h_s _ly
to mul6-p_or,_
a_l, mo_ im-6_ly,
to •1hi, tic _ocs wlih
_r _k_ tl_t provi_ _
Iff© md beher p_focmanc_ in ,,-rms of
It is diff_ul_ to ad_ such "dress shoe" &sigm to tddetlc
shoes tot vadous _
Oue reason is tim the soft,
_:u'li_
materials ut_ized in aiM©tic shoe soles mMm it
_y
diffumlt to devise a medumism for detachably
1o
sectoringheel ek:me_s to eadh oth_ wilhout advemely
_ec_g m_mshi0etag
ud omu ck_-eax_t_aks of me
Z Di_m_ou
of _
Rell_
_t
_me. On the o_r lured, ufllizaxkm of bud maU:rials ia
athlel_ shout teudsto inmeasewelght and ckcaca_ecemf:x_
audp=fomanc_
of exe_i_
typlmny i=_ude • hmlmted role sttacb_ to s xs
For exampk, U.S.'PtL No. 1,439,758 to Red_
disma ,ud pliable uppec The sok emudly tin:tracksan abrusion_oses a d_tchable tzar role rind is _
to a h_l of the
r_u.mt,
ndDt_r ouUote *mu:tx_ *o • ¢ud_oetn8 midsole
dine wi_h • c_am s_zw that i_ex_J_, es e_e boeom of the
,_u •ok and whk:b b m:rew_! into the bom_m of the he_ of
o_ a rater compound.
the shoe. Suc5,
dudga ca•nat be used In athk6e shoes
because the cen_
_
woeld deh-imenl_y "afl'e_t the
•_hoes iswr_r tob_h th_ou_m_ and n_/_. A _
nndy
_a_fioeieg txot_ks
o_ tl_ res_mt mldmte and my
poss_
be fot.cecl into Ibe heel o f the met wheu the midsok
tuber _
surfaces ttbe a _
toUon Ibe omsole.
ts_
de_g _e. Peahenno_sc_ r_'w does
This problem is exwerbated by the fact that, with the
li_c for pcripbcrd •_ermce of the sok to the shoe heel in
Of I_e_']icut
c_c,q,6oe _ the teeuis shoe, the most proooeuc_d outsole 2_ the _
w©_ [c_ mc_ u_e_ c_ nmmug dm_ in l_ul_
ocoa_
Anomer tmhm in me •six•eric same _bxsUy is Ihat, whik
_dly
i_ _
_
d_ cut_ p_l_z_y
of m_ Iz_l _d
cud_
has n:¢e/v_ a lot of aflcn/k_
spr_
h_
n_ved
v=y llul_, d=pi_
_
f_
_
maU=_
l_
ware pmbk_ be©rise o_ the g_.at f_xoe pltcul o_ th_ heel
. du_
_ho gait cyde. In fact, the heel typ/ctlly w_.ar_ out 30
roach _
dum me t_t of t_ a_eti_ _oe, t_s _
mc_
v,_iSJxC One ndt_n may be the peroeived ten"replac_a_al o[ d_ eut_ s_oe _
_gh
e_ b_r of _e
dency of graphS©
o_ grq,h_ comp_*e t_ cr_c mx_
.shoe is su31 in sattsf.u:_
condition.
sty:s•. Yet mother _aum may be the increased co.:associated _
such nate_ds. Ye_ anoth_ re*_a maybe _hat
me m:maxdous va-ia_n in body welgl_ and sprlug l_e fracuo_ of would.be usens makes h cxmm_ct'ciaIly uufeas_le to
mass-market
••hi©tic shoes with graphlt© spring
_
_
is silo _c v_z in _c becl _rc_
eah_emeut,
giv_ the ceuutk_ options eat w_ekl Imve )o
wi_ each shoe slzc. Since heel spri_ is tu_l_
pmlcehdy meout_perlph=yof meheeld_ctly abovethe 4o be o_
ou_ok
we,r spot *nd.the •ca di_c_y
_r
O_ user's
_
il go_ with•u• saT_ that si_ing optics are als9
cakaaeus or _1 bo_.
uon-existcu_
Also al_em fzem _he _
arc truly _
has y_ addressed bed wear pmbk:ms/n m ©ffec_e way. To
alhletic shoes. N_
s few "ren-wa_" "*¢mbic_
the unmh_kabte _
date, thin is nothing in the m to address the combined _ ran," md a_-court mod_
_ble_s
of midsok _
_d
_
_
in
m_l appca_ m b_ incensed spec_/zadon,
w/_ no app_uh_k m_e_ ._d th=e pub,ternsrein*ineq,e,_any _e
©m _dmw/awareu_s
of the fac/th_ d_ me aud _
in the I_el area of _ch shoes.
of m _d_ic sho_ can be ch._gcd drama_icaUy flit b _q_ly
given imudumgeal2e rear _ok_ Simihdy, no adde_
13esigesarcImownthat specify the _placemem of tin
finnentire o_tso]e of a shoe. Exam_
hick•de th43_ disclosed in 50 numeft_tmer h_ yet to ofl_ varying heel m_oai_g
_
in ca_ shoe si_ de_
_ fa_ th_ comemet body
U_. PaL No•. 4,745,693, 4,.-377,042 and 4,267,650. These
w¢ighx f_r _u:_ shoeslze spare s huSe spc_'mun.While a
c_acepts are hntn'ac_cal for mo_t applintion_,
bo_-ver,
o_ width Ol_Om in sb_ siz©s,w_ua_
'esl_any athleticsho_ ,for sev_l re_oe_ _
tight f_w meufi_uz_
a_be._e
between the _ok and the sho_ i_ diflSc_t to
_
of cushieul_ in a s_le mo&l m"sb_ s_:_ is
arhiew,
pufi_ularly
around th_ _
of the _ole.
m_m_t
in the muk_.
Sco_ud, _pt sceer.._ o{ e_c eati_ _o_ is enncccsr_u_
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
upon typical w_tr patterns ia add_6c shoes.Third, r_placing
an _mtlre sole is o_ would be mo_e expemive than replacing
TI_ present inwntiOa is dkected to • shoe thai sub•tansimply Ibe w_m_
a fac_ which isco_
if
• ,_pla_ab_
hall-length sole _r every men's and women's eo limit•iota mddisadvamagcs
of the relatcd arc
- shoe s/_z i$ w be produced. F'mdly, it wo_dd appear Ihat the
Addainmd f_mres md adwmtages of the inventioa will
h_l _
in pax6c_hr, Im entirely di_ermt ne_
and
bc _t forth in the description which [oflows, and in part will
fequh_men._s from the I_ of the shoe sole whlcb derive in
Ix: apparent from tl_ _I/on,
or m•y be kamcd by
subslantial part from ils r_ of de-sex,salon.
pro:tic© of me inventlon. The objecdv_ m_d e_r_r *dvanom_ _
whi_ ue _pally
m,_cted_o rmoes_ taSe_ of _ invcntlo_ will be rcaUzcd and stlalned by the
hav/ag • rehdwly hard heel and ou_sok (e.g., dress shoes).
sy_em particul,uly pol-tcd outis the _
de•rip•ton and
discl_se rear u:dk:s that u'_ delachabk and which c_m be
c!aims, _- welt as thc appcmk:d druwings.
Midsole we_ oa th_ other hind. rese_ts not from abr*slve
fo_es, bet f_m _atcd
_
of the res_mt materbl fom6ng the midsole due to the IL,_ force e_rted on it
A 0817
To_
5,806,210
3
ll_se audo0aelrslvauXlg_and_naocordm_
4
FIGS. I_A and 1913 are pc_pccliv_ v_ws of a
_
for the heal rm'actu_ dxowo ia lqG. 17.
wlth d_: impo_ of d_ inveudoo, as _'am:l
l:_roadly
dcsa'zq_d bcrcin, lfic M:mem_udes, an uppea hay'rag a h.ecl
FIG. 20 is an cxpIodu:l _
vicw of anolh_
reg:ioo a.ndrca.rsol._ suppoN _
_o II_ Ix:el _'gion of lh.c
embod'm_at of _l_ _
smmm_ of_
lacse_ _.
uppec Tbc t'c._r
soleSUlqPOrt
includcsabasc, a.f_l wall :_
FIG. 21 ,is an exploded _
vlew of too&ca
©xtmdi_ _
f_m t_ base .rod_.
_s_.
_im_t
of the heel mruclm'e of eh,e l_e:scm _nveu6ou.
gn:mvc, and a secom:l dowowaxdly oxXcnd_ w'all _c
lq0. 22 is a _.
view of scvexal of fl_e l:_cl
the tim wall mf having a secood O0ove faclngthe flint
oompone_
d,
owu
i_
FIG.
21.
groovc.A rearsMc isdetadmblysecunxltothesy.tr
sole
FIGS. 23A--C are top, r,Jd¢, mad bottom views,
mspportwlth a mouadag manbe_ _
tothe+carsotc 10
u_¢_iv¢ly,
of oolsok s_m_at fi_rth_ I_¢I slna:lu_ shown
and includlngattern onc rim foreaoging me fu:sX
and
i. FIG. 21.
secoad grooves.A locklngmember engagesthen_tr.
sele
_O. 24 is an _
embod_
of Ih¢ h_!
supportmd one of thetctrsoleand mountingmcmba to
pa_enl rao_
of the _.ar sole relafivu Io _ _ear sak
It is _ be _
m,_ bo_ me f0_,g_i_ g_m_ral.•
dm=_a_ md m__now_ d_ned aes,:xlt_ _ _mplaty amt cxplmam_r
iaveafi0a,
,s_
FIG. 25 is +a exploded pe_,ecslve_
of motb_
of a heclstmctuscof thoinc_ InventloaFIGS.27A aad27B are_de wd fmut views,re_ly,
2o of a wafca- fo,- use iu.the heal mrucem: stmavn in FIG. 2ft.
oQly and axu nat rc_rk:41_ of _
DI_ON
view Of
of Ih¢ p_scm im_mSoo-
F_G. 2_ is a _
v_cw of aoo_h_ embod/mm_ o_
a _.a_r sole fix ,s¢ with the shoe of the iatscm _
_
and mnst/mtca partofth_ spccificadm,
ahsstrate
embodimcnts o_ thc iavcntioa
md too.sher
wi_ _e dcsalpdou,
scrvc to cxptzin the lninc_lut o( tbc iaveu_ioa.
BRII_
_
mrucu_
OF THE DRAV*qNGS
DESCRIPTION OF THE
EMBODIMI_r_
2s
FIG. I is a Re_pectiv_ vlcw of one _
of Ih¢ laCS¢_ iavcutio_
of a sho_
1;10-2 is an Exploded p_uqm_ve
s_rucemrefo*"_ Mboe own _ lqG. 1.
view c_ the bccl
m illmuatedia me *uxantnayingdr_ing_ Wherever
possa2_, the same _eS:_rence duwactus will be ased through_o
-FIG.3 isa p_pcctlve vicwof a zearsolesuppo_ f_rthc
..hcel
stmctun:shown inFIG.2.
R¢_rence wi_ now be mack. in _
to Ih¢ pa:scat
p_ fvn_d cmbod_ts
of tt_ _cmiou,
cxampks of which
lqO. 1 /llus_ral_s an _
• .u _,_c
c_ Ib_ shoe of the
s_._ _,rln_4_ d_,+,_d _ m.u_g, w...nd.g.
• HO. 4 i_a peeve
view_x_
the_
ofIbe
btda:tball,
_.anls,
and odbe_forms of _
•rear_ok seW_ _hdvmin FIO. 3."
As showu/n FIG. I, rdme 20/ndud_
an upp_ 22, wh/ch
FIG. 5 is apcmp¢_¢
view o_ anoll_ mnbodimcnt of Ih¢
• s is tha_ lxaaioa of ihe s_
tha_ cov¢¢s lh¢ Upl_ po_ioo of th¢
shoe o f tl_ I_Smt imamtiou.
users fixer. The upper may be made of le.alhcr, a _
FIG. 6 is a l_-4e;p_
vicw of a rca_ so_ suplp_rt _o¢ the
mat¢ahl, o_rany combination of maledals well known _n the
dx>e shown in _IO. 5.
all
t_as"mk m_port rdmwn in FIO. 6.
FIG. 8 is a s_Ic v/cw of a rear sol_ fo_ II_ lw.cl sh-uctmc
slmwn/n F[O. 2.
FIG.9 isa I_
rear mk draw FIGL 8.
ground-cuOging
vkw _owlng lheundmide oflhe
sur_
4O
A forward sole 24 is attached to Ihe Ra'efoc_ regloo of the
upper. The fro'ward sole h • lightweight axuctare Ihat
pn_idcs cud_
m lhe, fi_'foot regioo, aod may kz:_udc
an _t
m_.r
oetsole lamiaated Io a softcr,
c_
midsok laycr- The forv_
mk is attached to
_s th_ upper
h •amvcatlomdma.ser.,
_dcally by i_o_oa
tbc rcar role dm, wu in FIG. 8.
In some ooaw.afioa*l_
the fo+ward_ok (simply
re_-md to in the indust_ m a "sole') weeld exn:ud from the
fopcfom _ou
to the _m" edge of *he h_L In other
models, poaioas oft_ outsolc md/o¢ midsole
FIG. 12 is a p._ve
vlcw of a lock_
membea fia- lhe so _
are _
or eliminated in oertain _
areas, sech _
le:el .s_ru,_u_ s._ow'u ia FT0. 2.
the ud_ _
to _uluce v._ighc_,
in • radical
RO. 13 is a pcrspecdvc vkw slx:_wlng tbc oppo_
slde
dcpamu-c flora couveaffomd shoes, O_ dxo_ of tl_ prcseut
of lhc lock_ng mmxl:_r slx_wn m FIG. 12.
inveatlon incoqx_tcs
• _
m'ucSm.c, _lud_g
• dc_c_FIGS. 14A--C arc lop, p_poctive_
aad s_de
ss ablct.e.ar
sole,thatsignific_ntty
allcviatcs
bc_l_
pmb_rc_oci_e..ly, of a _c_
ph_ _ the l_el s_mc:tu.m
Ic,ms associated with couventiond
soks and
RG. 2.
HG. 11isasidev'_ of,
mruc_r¢.shown ia FIG. 2.
_
mcmbca"for Ihe h¢¢1
caSmcedcushlouing_
FIGS. -ISA..-C m top, pe_p, ccdv_ aud _
views,
rcspcctivcty,
of ux>thcruntxxlZm_t of • acxiblc plascfor
use m the h¢_! slracture r,howa ia FIG. 2.
q_,g.
Au embod/mcm of _ h_l smw_un: is showu in HOS. 1
and 2 and includes a xcar sok sapport 26 attadaed to the h_l
60 f_gioo of the upper 22, a rear sole 28 dcta_aably secau_ to
FIGS. 16A aud 16B arc top and side views, ru;pectiv¢ly,
d_ rr_ sol_ suppo_ 26, a me.ruing member 60 for dcU,c_of another _nl
of the flexible pla*,- foe _
in the
ably sumdng the _r sole 28 to the _ar sole sapport 26, and
he_l structure shown in FIG. 2.
locking members 90 _r lneVeating mtatk_ of the rear sole
MG. 17 is an _loded
_
view of anoth_
7..8rdative Io the rear sok suppo_ 25 d-m]ag me. In addilion,
cmbodimeat of the heel _r'ucl_rc of Ihe preset _vea_on."
the heel _x'ac_ure may include • flca_le plate 8(I foe
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a moonting member fm
ridingspringm theheel of the tt_ rod _cducmg w'eu
me heel sh'uctur¢ shown in FIG. 17.
caesedby midsolec_npre_,si<m.
A 0818
5,8o6,21o
5
6
/k.s ab0_m in FIGS. 3 and 4, Ihe lear so_ sappoft 26
includm • sub_o/hlly
oval or ellipdcally-r,haped base 30,
,
"wlth mmewtm flatteoed, medial and tatenl sider,, having •
top _
lID/is •thcbedto the _ppef by s6tch_
gla_
m o/bet c_mvc:Qlioml me•re. Tbe shape of such base is not s
Nnmlted, and co,uld be _
polyg_d,
or any vmlation o f
• the fot_
A froet Wan 32 cxteods do_nwmdly from a
fiem edge of the base 30, and i r_r wall 38 extends
dowuwanfly f_m a _tr edge o[ tbe base 30. T_
tbe
lO
ft_mt and _
walls define a rece_ that, as lat_ _
recclves me_s f_ de/_ably
r,amring the _ear sole to tbe
"Ibefm_ w'an32 iachldesa lip34 tamed towald Ibe
_=r_
_ _s0_
._
• ma_ ._.k_,..
and thalisd_eteadeocyofan afhlel_c
slme ofcomre_mal
"full body" uch _
to cud o_ twi_ at the jun_
of Ihe hard re_ sok _plx_
aed Ihe resent
fc_anl
sole.
h alsorcdu,:cs d_: w_bt _ tbe sbe_ _ rcdu_
•1_ _ar _
_l_a,
no_ b_ marc of • sol_
_
o_
_el coun_r. _md _cb bdd_ _
mstc_r_L Hoics o_ sp_:s may be
a¢l_helime of _,
_7,t_J_ghout Ib¢ sll_iclare
As an _
to tbe an_h bvldg_ 4_,. g_, n_ sol_
suppoa 26 ;- all of tbe embodiments may ladle
upper md
iow_ bo(i2m_ walls 144 and 145, m shown in FIGS. 5-7,
v:_ss,
with
l_34md tbe_e_ _leofwall
32deflni_
an
awahape_flora
groove.
Toerear
wall
38inele_•llp40 emendi_ _
tamed towmd _e _ess, wah lip40 md _ber_e_ sldeof
wldl 38 dc_tng m _
_ar groove otherwhe mb"
emutially kkufical to ,ed _
tbe fmut groove. Toe front
and zea_ gxoovcs have the ssme radius of cmvam_ and
tog_:_cf may oom6tme a_s of, ¢Ommoe ct_k. At kast _0
oee, and ln_erably beth, of the f_om aod _
grooves
disclosed in FIG. 4 (and all drawings th_ disclose fzcot and
rear grooves), d_nc a c/rcul_ arc lhat is less t_n 180". As
showa in an of slx_ dr_n_,
bo_h of _h _
an_ also
may s_
Irt_me Ibe rear _ole suppoet 2_ from its 25
laUmd m as medbl sid_ The fn_m aml rear groovm may also
be abapcd to define arcs of a commco circle havlag a
"dlameCergreater
thanIbewidzhof therearink:support26
c_ mou_
memb_ 60 c¢t_r sole28 _ eveu thebnel
_gioo ofthe_Iper2Z Tbe _mm aod re_ w-a_ may be llnsh3o
"_ilhtheouteredse of bese 30 and irespacedflgm each
.. od_ on tbe medial and lah:ral _des of the base by a dislance
; .N, u shown in PIG. 4, whi_ may be sligh/ly grea_/ban
/be widtk of Ihe t_.arsole _q_port 26 o¢ mounl/ng member 60
or w.u sok 28.
3_
_
andpr_erablyimeo_!
_,_i_h,
_
archregiouand is_
betwe_ upper and Iow_
walh 144 and 145 md •gah_t f_t wdl 3_. It may tbeu be
f_h_r sece_
by gt_tn_ As • fiutber _ermtdvc,
tbe v_ar
poaion ef _ fo(wud sole may sheply extend to tbe tear.
sole mtppo_ withom el_pe_ •ud Iow_ 'mdls 144 and t4_,
and be glm:d to the fmet wall 32. Alternative,
the t_.4trsole
26 c_uld have one _
l_ c_er 144 or 145
may extead from tnd b_ integnted with fmut wall 32
of aloog Ibe surface of _be midsok or.o_tsole matctlal in tbe
fo_ard u,k md e_a secmd _y _
Otbermeresm_y
be cmptoy_d as m alfmmtlve to tbe arch !xidge 46. Aa
• dvanu_ to (omb_
_bc _,,w sok mFp_w_i
w'_ls 144 •
aod/or 145, or el/rain•l/n8 be4h o f*mcb wans en_eiy, md all
oth_ _tenmt_s to the t_nt
of only _e
_ear sole sut_x_
_d_ _
t_ eat _ch
saitable for eltber the kl_ _
'I'ae
_ar sole suppc_ atso has a nemral opcoln836
d_
below tbebed _
of theupper.This cum-al
opcaing,Whlch may be ,_mhr. or,d. or vkm_y
any
polyl_)atl shape, allows tbe beel of the user to be cushloned
by the _ar sole attad_d to tbe rear talc _uppo_ o_ by the 40
fle, x_k plate 80, instead of lhc finn m•tcr/a/_
the
Tbe bell sfnu:_me shown in I:IG. 2 ako indedes • _.ar
u)le 28 deacbatdy snem_
to the re_ sok _
_-s
shown in FIGS. 8 aud 9, re_ sok 28 may include •
gnmnd.4m_ag
oe_,oi¢ 48 hm/nucd to • mld_k
SO,
which may be mo_e resalem thau tbe omsol¢, wi_ bo_ tbe
omsote mi midsote beh_ mo_ n_'Ik_ th_ _e ret_ sole
seq[q_rL The o_tsole, wi_h may be <xmq_3sed of a _
" "_be rear _olc support may be cemposcd of hard plasli_
compound,
pv0v/des
abrasion' resistance
and some
such as a dwat_ ph_c
maeufactm_
under the name 45 ct_]oe_
whil_ the midsok, whlch may be composed of
E[HIAX_,
_
a 8nl_te compos_, or other mate6al
amc_re
_:sfllem,
ehUomerlc
materlal
sed_aspo_
haviog _m_:/eat c_d/ty md _t_ng_h to sece_ely ceSage the
e_hy_ vioy_
_ea_e'0_VA).
tt3'TRm._
(m_e by El.
re,rsore_
medaa_
mokliag or c/bet couv¢_t/ceal
(di._'m_ bdow), tn_ion
tochniqne.s m•y be used to
DuPont de _
& Co.), o_ o_er materials well kacrwu
ia t_ _ tm_y
_,_uio_
to tbebed du_
f°nn tbe reu s°le _Pl_°rtbnel stn3_ Op_mdly, the it.at sol¢ meki be compt'iscd of
"Ihe rear sole _pport 26 may al_ inctm_ a heel o_ttW_
• zingk homogceo_s roarer'hi, c_ my mm_ber of t_
o_
44, as shown i_ FIG. 3, for providin8 lateral s_imlion
to
comblma/oos of matu/ats, inc/u_g
• material
/bc uses beel. "!_ bcd coon_ _
_
from _
air e_
tubes disclosed, for example, in U.S. P_
edge of ehe base 30 in a o_ntom'ed fa_oo and is preferably
No. 5,00_.300.
madc of the sac_ u_tcrial as. and/mcgral wi_ thc _ar sotc ss
The m_le
48 may be phn_ c_ non-plsoac Prderably,
_
/_cct_
mo_d_og or o_cr ccovcutk_d
the oeeok, pmkul_y
on _
shoe mod_
tnded_
one or me_e Upe_:d or t_veted segmen_ _Z, _ d_wn in
As sbown./n FIGS. 1-4. ao arch bt'id_ 46 may gmu'ally
FIG. 8, which when k_cated •t the _u of _e shoe w_IIsoften
exteod fn3m tbe base _0 of Ihe t_u- sok _m_r/
to the
and/or align heel _
chu/n8 _e gait cyc_. ']'he beveled
fct'w'a'd sc_e fo_ _
the an:h reglon of tbe foot. Tbe 6o sesm_nts _2 may be k>catcd at the froot and rear pnetions of
at_ h'idge 46 is _u op6oual feature composed of a firm,
tbe _.ar _a31e,as shown in FIG. 10A, dighfly offs¢/from the
llgbtw¢ig_tmaterial.The archbddg¢46 is ,t,_ul
to the
f_oetandreu pcC_m, asshowoin FIGS.10B and10C,or
upper 22 and fo_,Kd _ot- 24 by gluing or o_¢r couv_nat aoy otber Ioca6c_, de_dlo_
oo the in_reoce
of tbe
tlomd method_ Tbe ucb brid_ 46 _lso may be c0mposed
user or auy heeJ sm.'kcor wcar patwm. Tbe bevckd segments
of tbe same matcr/al as tbe rear rmle _tppor_ of • mct-e 6_ 52 may also be aUgned m a "sp¢chl o/de4_ basis Io deal
tkm3:_k matuial md may be made iolegnd wi_h tbe _v.,r tok
w_b par_:ut_ L_Ona_on _ SUl_na_on cb_ac_,dstks
o_ _
support- _
one-piece coo_mtc_a
of the •w.b b_ge
A 0819
5,806_210
8
7
plaU_is to pml_dy deflectundcrtl_ we/gb.tof the umcr's_
and imi_ spring _o tl_ U._'r'sgait cy_. In any e',n_- _,e
mountingplagemartial is g_erally s_ff_r thao fl_ ma_._ls
usM I_ _,c _.a_ mlo midsok and omsok.
_m:hed ,_ 0ze rczrsore suppoa and tzady f_ _e) being
8_
"e4tt_
thanits
latertl
widlh"
puta rc_tl_
lhere'at
s°lehasa S
Base.lay_ _2 may b_emir_ly ©liminatedfrom _ mountgxe.a_'lp_u_l-_gag/_ sud'ac__mn if it wc_ circulLro¢
ing member _ drown in FIG.Z ia which case t_ pcdphcrY
_
r_u
_ FIG. 9, rc_r sole 28 _ cH_ti_l Orc_
surface_vi_s
gre.,u__
p_
m
if mulv_ _
Im_ b¢_l
se_me.msare used. _
th_ sh_ or'tho
_ar _
28 may also be ch_ular, polygoml, of o_:rwis¢.
.l_smdi_
of _ _qz of thc _z_ r,ok :_, ,zn_ok 4S h_s
m allglugate
areahavinga subs_nfially
planar
mnfaceand
:mel_le ,beV.led _f_¢s
non-pha_r with me phum- _rface. Aa ag_:gate area of _e bevckd _tces
is less than
th_ n:maluins _g_U_
acea of omsok 4S, as shown in
.I_GS. 2, 5, 8, 9,10A-C, 17, 20, md 26, _ pmv_ a zt_lo
gmend-mgaging sedate fo_ _he wear_ of the shoe. gear
so_ 28 may or may no4featn_ a bo_/n i_sceate_ras _z_vu
in FIO. 9, m_dIxdera_ly- should uc_¢.ai_if flex_k pla_ 80
0aU= discussed) is nm Used.
Recursok 28 is de_tx_mblyse_u_ _o fl_ rearsole support
.25 w_th a mou_og mem_r 60. A_ shown in FIGS. 2 sad.
11, moenfing member6e lu_ a b*_ hyer _2 mat is al_zed
to dzetop sudzce of @ze_.,tr _le 28 wiflz tdhe_ve o_ o_cr
ceuvemi0ml mea_ thu wal am degnde the ce.51_eing/
_pr_g pmpeales of the retru_e. There is m ©agaglnghyer
_4 8bov_b_s_ hp:_r_2 andnc_h laye_74A. _
sld_ _6
u,:h ,:catam _
_ with b,_o_ eo,:h. 1_o_ and
n:_r rods _0 of the _
layer 64 _
tn:.d_d
_
7_ _
_dly
m_ same mtks o_
..q-,..,"
34 md 40 of ehe rearrole suppoa w'ma engasu/To ip_-v_ tl_ _._ur
s)k f_m n_mg _lat/v_ _od)c_ur
1o sok _
mcc _ga_d w/the._ mb_, lockingm_b_
_0 Io_ d_ mounti_ mm/_" _ th_rearsol©suppoxt
at _h_
tl_z_pda_ _
As sk_wn _ I_C,S. L_ and 13,
_
member-9_ indud_ a ba.sc 92 with a salz_taz_ally
plan_ianer
serrate
_4 andanoeter
surfzcc
_ _
x_ uxz_li_ to the z/d_ of e_e,z,r sok sul_oa when _
m_:to. A pak of _
arm _ cx_d from the tn_ _2
_
fn_mi_ top,e.g., from theextenal _uface of the
the t_r sok saj_t to pivettlly att_ _heIocklng memb_
2o 9e to the _r sole e_ppoa. Olxe/ngs 4_ may al_obe finned
in _ hoel regloo of Ihe apper. When altscbed to fl_e_ar
sok suppoa, the Ioct_ munbc_ oc_qTy _be spa_es
_mrvlng ak_
X _mshown h_FIG.4) _twe_:_ _ _oat aud
_a_ walls of _ _.ar sok support, as showu in FIG. L
_s
pt_rm/ausfi8of mouuti_ uu_b_r 60. l'm q_Um_ ha'_
asmall
op_u/og
ad_accm
suxface
94,th_ cXpaodindiamc_
wi0_ theb_e to a laqr.r
open/rig
war surfi_9_ to
aommmodate the b,dbo_ en& of the p_tru_oos 6& As a
_o msea, _ pmnsi_s "map"iato _e tpertan_ le0 to lock
1_ eX_
_wm_
_a oppos_ a_ds of b_c Y2 and
¢_
no_l_s 74 in the moun_g member bel_weu th_
f_c/and _r ends andthe latc_ _de_s(]FIGS.2/od 11) to
To a/tach the rear role to the _
sok septx_, the reaz
pt_v, at rotationof lhe It.atsok when the Io<:ki_ _
sole, w/th the moua_/ng member 60 a_tached(and.
at'e in the p0is/fioe_owa ;n lqG. L
op_mdly, _
_ fle_bl_ .piat_8O, d/sc_sod_
supx_d cua_ m_m_ m_ub_r,0),isx_xlo_ _uti_ _o '" As shown in FIG.2, moen_g mea_r 60 inchuks slots
76 fur _epot'6ng • flex_k l_Late80 bctween the r_tr sol©
th_ x_armk sui_po_so thattl_ fi'omtud r_r rlms of tl_
and the.heel ix_6_a of the u1_er so thata portion of plate
mmmfingm_b_ _ nm_i in a _n:al_. manner no mcc_
lhaa about 90", abom axk Y fiom thek po_/t/ons d_owa in 4o s0 is _x_d e_uSU c,.aU'_o_ng 3ft.T_ e_bk p_ae.,
FIG.2. TI_.mouudng.u_mb_r is onu_r_ bctwceu 0_ £xont. whkh may be made of a graphitecc_posilc _ oth_ sd_.
bet _,x_k, malcdal, nudes he,el-ccm_ midsole comp_and n_urgroovcx, thin pn_ssedagak_t thcbottom o f th_bas_
r,km andim_d_ sl_ing t_ the u._. The eex_k plate is, of
30 and rotated less than 180°, and genertlly no mot_ thaa
,Ix_t 90" (dockw_ o_ _),
so em rlms 7_ ' co_e, _/iffer tl_ Ihe matemls used for the o_sol¢ o_
Ik:_le m as to not
f_lly euS.tSc the front and ,_ar groove_ of _hc rutr sole _ m_,ok., but must be _dfi_y
_
affec/cushi0e/ng o f the reef's hceLA graphite
-suppot_defined by lips 34 and 40 _een in FIO. 4. When fire
_ding
,_ooe _ c_e
. rearpotion of the rearsok becomea worn, the rearsok can - or _comp_
be l_ttcd in a _/tcztlar mann_c 180" so that II_ _n. _.ar
.a_dgr_b_ flt_ wvwa .in_macv/lic _ rcsmbar_, such
_ d_se_
byB_
Co_cs
Co. of
podlm eow fac_ towud the fn_atof the _oe md oc_tples
tu at_ammewhat fo_razd o_the _
where liUk o_ no 5o Caman-do,Calif., may be e.sed.
As shown /nFIb'S.
14A--C,
flexible.plate
80 inchtdes
weight of _he e._ is applkd. When _e m_d _ poaloe
frontand n:*redg_ 8_ and 84 Ihat are _pot_d
by r,loet 76
of Ihe rear sole also becomes w_m, Ihe _ar role may bc
de/ached tnd exchanged whh the _ s_4eo_ theothershoe.
(see HCL2)/n Ihe moentmgmembec "I_ flext_bleplatemay
havu • _
ceevex upper surface that curv_
since w_ar paeans of Ich _d right heels arc
OplX_/te-The rear sole may aho bc discarded and _placcd
_pwanfly b_w_ d_ _
m/_r
cd_ to/n apex $_,
is im:ferablyIoca/ed below the cakancus of Ihee.wr
when the rea_sole is attachedto th©zear sole s_t't- An
apcaurc 88 may bc l_ovided at d_ apex 85 to
-TI_ moenl/ng member60 may be made of any numberof
•_
I/_twei_t mtteriah that _
sul_ckm
and _id/ty to firmly eng_Se _ rear sole support, and 6o The plate may also be fiat or _on_tve, and may be
seb_mt/tily hour_pcd,
as mown in FIGS. 14A--C,
supp0ft the _ex_le plate 80 if used. Extmple_ of _mch
matcdah_cb_lc: bardplastic;_;
HYTRI_ TM in
m H<Aq_.d, _ is theplate 180 shownia FIGS. 15A--C
its hard fm"m_ graphh¢; and graphite, graphite_b_aEla.
_
Other shap_ ue also o_etcmphtr.A _ long as such sluqx_
aud £_'g/aSs comp_te_. Hmt_
of th_ mouu_g me.mp_ovidc slp_ug ,rid reduce midsole compre._o of *I_ _._r
l:zor,mr,.am_, lqC_. 16A aod B show ano_e_rh,o_
becau.__ peripl_l edgesof sach plate u_d to
glass.._q_d fl_x_k: plate 280 with _
uppe_ and
low,ors_tiom 282 and 284.
press against a firm faend_ion ff the central portionof such
A 0820
5,806,210
9
10
When thencx_le phte isused, me _ar sok n_ybe
devoid of_
inits
o:nte_asd_wn inFIG.2,toseduce
theweightofthet_arsole.
Ifthecentcrisdevoidofmatcdal,
a thin_
membrme (notshow_),withoc withouta
hanged cdgc,c_
ofpltsllc
o¢othersailabkmatcrizl$
may be hssetqed
ialothcvoidand attached
tothewallsofthe
_kl,.by
m
mef od_Wise, tq seal me vold and
px_mt
.molsmxe = debris from _
_ cenec_Z
thel_
To lock the _
membem in place, an cb.qic band U|
is stt_:hed and fitted within gig gmovu_ I28 oo the tea: sok
suppoa and groov_ 192 ea eW Ioe_ng membe_
The
claslk: band 110 may be a separate compooent _
gcmovable fl-em the t_.tr mk suppo_ as slmwu in FIG. 17,
or pennaoe_y
seca_d to the rear sote suEpmt by, fi_
exwl,_
_
ooe o( the gm0ves 128 taer the d_ic
band has been imened _
Also, the band may be
pushed or m_kd upward above 8xoove_ 128 on.lhe n_r sok
Ioddugmemb_ 1_0. md mee
Apex 85 is kxated, i,, FIGS. 14C and 15C, sllghtly to the :o m_poa p_ m de_d_
_p_ mUea_
_ _mm _ m t_
po_e
rear o_ _e ccme¢ o_ e_e majo¢ uls of plate 80, soas Io be
fellowiag
_atsdunem. As, furthcr
option,tl_e
chsticb=xl
_
m_'e dln:c_ bcaca_ _ =nter of the _
may be a mmovablc _ pcananemtlyanach_ stropfitted
"Dins, it wm be ncce=a_
to _move *m/mote ph,e se by
180" on an axls perpeudiceh: to e_e major ,.x_ of/he ,hoe
to_
l]kca held_ 'sklboot latch.
wheu
_e n:ar sek is m/ated, in eMer Io lwep the apex xs _
pomm_ dlm:eybe=am meoak,aces,floweret,ph*eSe
As a fnabe:_
(aotslmwn),a U-_
coanecmay be foxwed wilbthetpexinmy poedtloa
tosuita user's
_ havlag
ot_t,
osltc
cuds
pennaneney
attsched
tooneeadof
_
IImay eveQ be phced k_the ¢_mct center of phte
bo*hIo_
membe_ 90 m_y bc rcmovablyorpcnmncudy
SO so as to obviae the need fo_ pltatc mtatioa when the n_r
_
eotheoute_surfaceof c/ther.thc
fmut or re_ wzll
sol© is mitred.
• 20 of there_ solc suppo_ as a'sub_tute fix tbe _
invelving hinges 98 on _
membe_ _0. 3"he el*sti_
R_o_Ic pla_ 80 Im_clk_s_3dng .ioII_ILs_r's
_
cI_
ium_ _
tbc uses
m*_L _u_g _
mmm inmc g_ c_r._.
bcel pmvidcs a dowuward fn_c aga/m_ tbc phtc.
slaoc mc tulpend e_cs of _ ph_ uo em]y sum_acd
by the mmue_munb_ the fnZdorposem of thc ph_c
Ifs flex_Ic
plateisu_ dcsised,
tbce,
mbodimast sfmwn in
FIG. 20 may be used to supply _
cecal
midsok
dce_ccts dowaws_y
n_elvc _o _c _
edges. As _c
cm_fi_g.
I_ thls cmbod_eet,
the m_ie8
mm_
260
forceislesscaed
(wah the_nes"sw_ightbeh_g_
m
is identl_ to the _
member 60 shown in FIG. 2
tl_otherfoot)ebede_eaed p0akm of theplstc,
_t_etoits"
that the bas_ layc¢ and dots 76 age elimimled. It
ehsec_
war _tum toitsafigiu_
skq,c, shoekl again be noted that the base hyer ct is m optianal
feature h_ all of the _
member embodlmmts. In
Such _0t_g eff.ect will aho c_c_ _
s Rnce is
phge of Ihe rear sole 28 shown in I_G.'7_ a t'_arsoic 200 h*¢
otbexwise'q, ldied to md mm removed _
the flexible
an __
otttsole 2_ lan6nated to a midsok
phte (e.g.,]mldugoffme f.ot,
c_]umpiugfrom bornfcct
layer 204. On top o( thls mldsok- hye_ 204 are two adk_
tiomR midsole iaye4_ 206 and 208, ead] layer being smalk_
" "1_ _emonbilhy
o( _: tlexlbk phle allows _: use of _ Ihan the hyer upoa whlch it rc_t, wlth mldsole larger 208
sized to fit wi_
the cetaral _
36 in ehe rear selc
severd d/_reut _es of nex_te pL_ _.va3_g s_5=ss
or _mpo_ee. Thu_mn_b_ph_ d=Igm _ _.
support 26. Midsole layers 206 ud 208 m_ mmpthe tw_
istics
can be adalpted
acc_
totheweightofthouscr,thc
separate pk_cs lan_nstcd _o_cthec or a _c
p/c_c rooked
_lltY °fthcu'_cC
thetYPe°f cu_rclse
c_useinvelve_eethe 4o o: mbcrw/.sc shsl_t to hsvc two re_oas ss d_own.
_unmmt ofsp6ng dcsin_din tbchcelof.theshoc.RanovIn thi_ anbod/mc_
tlz mount/n_ mcmbev _0 is adhc_l
,*bitltydso peau_ easy replacemcm of tbcphac _xou_d
by _I_
a o_h_ a_ms _o ,hc top of the mids_
tsar _4 "
"dctez'knation.
occur,a _oem
in thecaseof v_
any
such _as i_sm_unds and _
a_._b_t tbc a/dcs of mid_olc
tndy_:y.nhmc_ pU_ u=a_
layer 20_. I_ m_y be furtl_ sanucd to the s_cs o_ midsok
The heeJ structure _
shown i- FIG. 2 h but c_e
_.yc_ 20_ b_ _u/n_ or o_cr mcsns. "rac m_=c_ or sUs_
of mmy cmbodlmemscontc_lmd by the pm=nt _vee- 45 tbe teat'sole md mounting mcmb_ to tbc rc= sok ml_a
tla_. W'h_ farther _
ate dk_sssed below, addi.
is ideutlcal to that _
with respcct to the embodiment
showa i- FIG..Z la add_m, the top midsolc layer 7._ uay,
tiara1 embod_gnts
at'e posu_k and wlthin tim ux_pe of the
inveatio,- Unk_ otl_wtse
noted, tlz stmcttae, taat=hl
but need not be, made c/rcular, to facilitate rmation of the
50 rear sok when _e midsok layer 208 is pressed inlo the
in FIGS, Imd 2 applytoaU ofthcembodimcuek
centrtl o_
3_. A]_-nafively, th_ layer may be seveged
fr_n lap=r _06 a_l placed in _
36 with the shae in m
Oue _ac_ embodhnem is shovm/n HG_ 17-I9B. In tMs
iuvectcd lmsifion. This may makc ins_adlmiou _i=r il ia_,f
e.mbediment, tear role suppot_ 126 fl substanlially identical
.2m/s ov_ i_ sh,pe, h_e oxxa_ _. u ,_o pamit_
la gear sok support 26 shown in FIG. 2 czoel_ that il has
pmp=ti_
hofizomal grieves 128 oe the exted_ seffac_ of ead_ of _$ _pt=m_m of L,y_ _OS,st_,_d _ _
dctczionle
tta lamertatcthinthcse_ o_ tbcrcarsolc.Of
the _owuwa_y
enending
wafts and no _
4'_. The
c_uz_, this _p w,u_ bc a_
b_om _
moenting member 1_0 shown tn FIG. I7 is also identical to
of mourning member 260 w'dh _.ar sok support 26, which
moueting mcmbe_ 60 shown in FIG. 2 except that protra.
siom 168 cto not have bua>ous e,nds.
similarly could be accomplished whik the shoc isin an
Loctdng m_mbe_ 190 dflYcr flora lho_ rd_wn _ b3[G. 2 _o inverted position in etde: Ihtt layex 208 doe_ not fall oet _"
dislodge du_mg imlallal_.
in that the hinges ue cllmlntted. InUead, the exterk_
It should be noted that layers 204, 206, a_l 208 may be
surfaces of each of the _
_
19_ have • hodmade of 6_tar.nt cusl_oisg ma_dals, _
zontal gr_vc 192 that aligns with the extr_or grooves 128
limimion,_-fillcd
dmmb_s, g_ll-all_l
chamlx_ EVAo_
formed oe the rear sok _
la additio_ wettun_ 194
.(FIG.19A) are _
i. shape and ueed not bavc 65 polyerethane, _ toy combinatloes _rooC
expanded interi_ poftiom _e
the pmCm_om 168 have no
The tear sok support is deugned to accommedatc •
bulbous ends.
vark:ty of tr.arsok .configuxatlon_ which vary. according to "
A 0821
•
Q
5,806,210
11
12
FIG. 21 excep_ tim it has an optional Ol_n_8 in Ihe top wall
being.md/_
stx_g
de_i.:d
_ _hcuse_
Ammegh_tditioe_ to _htce the wdl_ of the rear sok and allow ad_hml
_,arm/_ m_rz6ms
ue di;cessed
bdn,w.nany odor rc_r
since w/tl_ wh/c_ _.xibk plate 80 may flex. Al_m_vdy,
sole co,figumk_
may bc ,._1 in co,j_c_km wlth tl_ r_tr
the bouom wan may be solld to increa._ sprig o_. may bc
sole sappon 26.
s ,cu_..d.,i_d,.s shownin FIG.2S to f,ud]cri_xcasc sp_mg.
w/lhorwithouta stiffen_member 412,.
Mounting meu/_
Ooe sm_.¢xamplc is shown in FIGS. 21 md 2Z. In th/s
3_ i_ sln_ar to _hat shown in FIG. 2 except _ml the ba_e
en_dim_ a_,_sek30e15aU-_apedmemberlw_g
is deldcd. Again, _kx_le plate _I0 resh; in'slols
376
mbstan6ally paranel walk 3_ and 304 _oined.by • bend
_n-med ;-thc _
men_e_" and is CZlX_r_dto Ihe hod
30& The memb_ is cmaposed of a st/_, but flexa_,
via _e ounnl ol_ew8 36 In Ihe n:_ sole
materialthatwillprovidespc_g to thc heel of the U._r _o t_bn _the _xr
widget u_
comfm. M_:rials sach u eese dissetq, oa 26.
dcetcdwflhrc_pe_toII_kxible plalc_ m,y bc tu;cdfor
_ Another rutr _
q_oe
is alwwn _n FI(Z 2& In Ibis
e_e rearsek 3co.
_
t_ar sok 50e is ldu_cal
to n_tr sole 4e0
lWo ttye_sof u_/Ikntm/dsok material2_ md 2_,
which may bc mote resa_ieel than the U-4haped meml_r, are
secgmd to I_ top of wall 3_2 by glalag o_ otl_ meam to
shov_ in FIO._ _
t_ a has a "te_-I_" wa_ f_
]_ extrudingf_m _e t_eom wall _e4 mwud top wall _0..
wan 506 may have a top smfa_e 5_, or may be devold of
_
at Ibis ioca_
Wsll $06 has d)e e_e_ ofha,_u/ng
_
a,d, thadon:, provides m_ siring tlum that of e_e
memb_ 2_e is gt.ed,x othev_
anad_
to _e top _tce
re_ ude 4e0 u dm_a.'A _
memb_ 412.m_ alsu
of top waO 3e2 to mm_nd a,d abet aoi_
the atdew_ of
inctea_ sl_ag. S_nkg
memb_ 41_ is
midsole hye_ 206. h may also bc attached to Ihe slde wall 2o be used to f_er
identical to membe_ 312 shown _ PIGS. 24 cx, x_ that it has
of layer 206 by gh_g or o_r
me_m_ The m_nl_
membe_ may also bc molded to the rc_ sole 3_ as a
a_
wan413_o,_,lemcet mdp,e_ agak_ _hefx_n
sloped surface of wail _.
Top wall _
may have a ccnlrai
. one-plece s_,:e.
The midsok hyeas 206 tad 208, _he
openk_ a_ shTm_ _n PIG. 2.f_ of may be solid, snch as wall
e_mflng
memb_ 260_ md the ,_:4_sak s,i, po_ 7.6 (_ wdl
302 show_ b, FIG. 2L Wall 506 may be u_ed in tny of the
as optional fe.mm_) are kkatkal to those s_x_vn _n FIG. 20,
U-shaped re.at sok cmbodhnents.
and the mam_ and Ol_OUS for atla_xh]g the reaz sole and
_
mcmb_ to the rear sak SUpl_rt h _
same ,
t_.dly, anoptionalwafra600,esable/n comb/attirew/th
ia(:ln_mg whlmat timitafi_ fl_e op6on of seve_
and
awj,of the above _Is
incoq_
a flex_le phte.,
seou_
i_aning try=2ee.
is disdosed in FIGS. 26-27B. A.s showa _nFIG. 7.6, wafea
ia cenje_:tion w/_." the .I_.I stmce_ drown
To pn_ct the bettom gmund-enSaSk_ surhce of the _e 6ee is _
in FIQ. 2. Wder 60e is pltced un the tu_ se_._x __ezlbk.
plate 380 so _ut it ts exposuito the bed n:glon of the uppe_
may iududc an *bmloo-n_stm_
outso_ whkh may be
mo_e _llem
thin the U-ehal_ member. As shown i, FIG.
(rot _)
via ,x_nl openi_ 36 of _tr role se;_a
26.
21"1_ Ix_°mwall304afeh"mars°k300inchuksb°les
35
306 tla'_gh _
removable outsok sesmeeet 308 arc
hn_t_d. The o_ok
_esmenls _8, whk_ may be made of
a mbbe_ campa,ad or o_:_ matedal typically used for
o,t_k-mate_al,
provide an _
layer fec
proW_/ng I1_ boUmn sm_
of wdl 304. As d_own in 4o
FIGS. 23A-C, theoutu_ segma_ ha_ a sah_tam_y
conk_ly-sbaped
top l_afen 31(b • _dmJdctl
mldd_ po¢-
tlo. 3_8_anda rended Oe.ed-eeSaS_ portioe_.
couically-ehap_
portio_ 316 sm_
The
As shown/n FIGS. 27A and 2713, wafra" 600 ind.d_
kmt_ 6e2 and 604 that m_p engage with _
ot_:e_s.3_
md 3S4(_.c F/o. 7.6)in _cx_btc_
3S0.
Aldx,,gh tw_ knobs _ sJxnvn _n thk embodlme_
aay
uember of kao_ may be used; in fact, II_ Ima_ may bc
h_o opeah_SS 306, and
.th_bottemof theceelcany-ehq,ed
poaioe _._ to _dn _e
.o_sote_gmeuts intheol_
omsok hy_ maybe ae_d
Wafer 6_hmadeofanysuttablc
_mu;hastho_
materlahdisdmed
f_lhe mid_k laye_ cr outsok laye_ of
n_ar _u_e 28, that pray/de _
Io the bed cg the us_
and wh_
ue more t_a'Jlent than the flex_k ph_
Al_vely.
• one-piece
m thebottomsm£we ofwall
304.u_/mg o_:._gs
306ml sel0neets
3eS,
orel/m_.
mg bothand.t_img_e/ng_ some_
me4msio_d.
As shown in l_IO. 26_ wafer _eO is ov,I/n shape, a_
,uy slapc 5s con_mpi,x_d so Io.g *s it provid_ ,he d_/r_!
cushioning *o Ihc heel of the asst. If dca_r_f, _,c b0_om
surface6e8 of w'af_ 6e_ may be a_c_ve in o_d_ _
con_ut-m
with
_ ,_,,ed
ep.mrfa_of_
t_hte
3Se.
Such oatsok layer may then be puanment or zemo_bk.
5o The top serhce 606 of waf_ (_00 may also be coucavc in
onl_ to oon[onn _h the c_n_
of _s: I_d _glo_ of the
The rear sole 300 IXOVi,kaspdn8 to the bed of the e._er
in the following manne& When the heel of the u.._r s_kes
upper _ theuser'sheel.
the gn_ad, w_1304 wiIi deSect toward wall 30Z Since thc
'l'hc wtfcr need aot be aUached to the flex_k plate 380.
ma_dal ls damk. ¢a_
stored inbeod 3OS and wall 304
Instead, .the wafea may, for example,
be .permanently
dudng dcflec_ioe will sp_g bend 305 tnd wdl 3e4 back to ss -aaached Io the bottom of _ac _r,
sccmed wilh/n o_ made
the/r oris/md _/6oa
_s weigld is shifted, thereby f_vid/_g
integndw/ma si_ocsock It_r (not show@,se,:m_ _ethe
a sprig e_ect to Ibe reef's heel. S4_ening membe_ 31_ of
sole _
or aUached at my other lo,u_o,that
312A are opthnal _ts
that may be e.wd to inc_a_ the
woeld bc ca_
of _ming
the u_er's heeL
spring generated by the _e4n_talc 300.The s_m]ng
mereIt willbc appa.reat Io tho_ skilkd/n the trt that vari)_
• be_incl,depr_u_314
_haleegage apert, x_31ein
the ee medifications amJ vtdatio_ can be madc in the _e of thc
bead of_be rearrole300.ARcmatlvdy, bottom w'dl304
present iaventi_ _
depming fr(_ the scope c_ splrit
(s_wn w/thhrge ha_eiamiddk) may be solidtoira-ease of _he invenlion tad that certain f_ttwes of one embodime_
spt'h_g
ormay be tcn/-ehapcd
asshown/n FIG. 25 t0further may be u_d inte_umgeably
in other cmbodhneuls. By way
Increase si_
w/lh or wilh_
a_
member 412.
of _ample oafS, ,_- rear sole s,ppea/locking
memb_
Flext_le plalc 80 may also be u_d in c_]junc_0u with a
c_mbinatlons shown in HGS. 2 and 17 can be used hi
rear sok vet_ sim_x to thai shown ;n FIG. 21. A._showu in
with any of the abov_
rear sole
FIG. 24, retr sok 400 is ideal;cal torear sok 3e0 showa in
couflgnratio_
and can bc u_ with o¢ without the flex_ie
A 0822
se,x_
grooves; and
.alocldngmemb_ c_Jng
Ch__ rolesup0o_ *_Ioae
of Ibo m*r r,
ob and mou_
member *o p,_-vem
mem_a of lh=re_ solemla_u _)_berestso_ s_por*
din/rig use.
2. The sboc o( chlm 1. wbccein _he fi_ and second walls
aresp*ced fromeac_aChera_ag a pm_ptxcry
of*berearsoI_
suppo_ _ d_6ne a spac_._
lhelo_
member
s_ed *o occup_ tbcspa_e ajar Ib= _e_ salc l_s beeu
am_cxl m _ mar mk sulqxxC
• & TI_ _
of _Jm 2, wl_
o_r mufao_ of tl_ tim
anclsecoml wags mud lheloc_
memlx_ eac_ inclnd_a
wle_'llb_
In engak_
_
me t_W
m_u_
21. Tnc d_oc o_ da_n 20.w'ae*'c_ _be omsole indudes a
plurdi_r of _1_
segum_
cng_,ing _
tu tl_
bomm w_IL
22. "l_ sbo_ of daim 1_, whc_
_ho rear sok fm_h_
c_mp_,cs a_leasl
oueuddsolelaye:am_bed *oa *opsm&c_
of ll_U._
member topwz_ lhenm_Iso_e
t*3q_r
composed _ a maU_d.mom _
aun _ _
merebc_
z_. Themae o__
Z_,wb_u m_ maumi_ mm_b_
is _)o
_ top _
o( the U-e_p_l mcmb_.tap
w_t and mmmmds lhe "nn_isok lays.
.
_
i=oov_s _o rctak tl_ lock_ng member
• di_po_d bctweeu _be t_p aed boaem mar sole walh tnd
wilh _h_ rear sok supp_ a_l ou_ of the re_tr
a_aeem the bern poaion.
2& "I'_ shoe of chim L wherein the iock_g member is
4_ "The sho_ ,_ ,_m
1, wl_eln me moum_
memb_
plvx_ally attached to one of_
e_r _ole s_Fea
and the
iu_les
a nok:h and I_ locking memb_ h_cludes a prolrus_a f_r ¢_gtgi_
the nard] m l_-V_nt m_
& The shoe ofchim 1., fro,tier compd_g
a fl_
plat_
s_ported between th_ hecl rcg/ou of the upp_- and the r¢.xr
a mtr :roterapport attad_l to the heel regltm of the u_er,
sole, the flex/bit phtc b_ving _
cdgcs suplm._ by
Ihe mar mk suppot't including a firm downwaxdly
the mo_m_
memb_ so that w _
potion of_b_ '
e_e_l_
wall hav_
a firm [_oov_, aod a seo:_cl
• exxq_e, plate de_
rehtive to d_ periphe_ ulges.
.
_y
exx_lmg wzn ha_
a se._md g:mov_
6. The stme of chlm 5, f:m-th_ _mpHs/n8
a cuddoah _
4_
a it,at m_ d_achably seemed Io lhc r¢_ sob s_xt;.
wafer sup_
abow a loprun,aceo[ II__x_k ph_ Io
a m0ulh_
m_ub_r atl_l_l to the n:m"sok m_d h_cJndo_oa
the heel_n
of the upl__m_,_ k=s/om dm _oc ¢oOghg d_ fl_ and.mxxmd
7.Tl_ shoe ofchlm 6,wbc_lu a bonm_ smfac_ o_the
gxugvcs to seoue _e _x role to the re_"so_e suppo_
waJ_ in_edes**Ic_ ou_ knob farcmga_
au ol_dng ou
50
Ibe moen6ag member mduding an external pm_'uslo_
• top surfaceof.theflex_k pla_
md
-8.The shoe of chlm 6, _In
the wafe_ _n_ud_
a locking _
cQg_in_ Ih_ _r sok: mxp_m_ and o_
•centre uppe_ and _
surfaces.
of t_ rear sok and moum_
m_=ber to p_'v_
9. The sh_ o_ claim 5, wth_t_u tl_ fl_uq_ phtt¢ k shaped
motion of I1_ rear sole _ehfi_ to the re_ sok support
•o define a niscd intcd_ pordou betwem the peripher, l
ss
10. The shoe of claim 5, wherein
..;" .
Oa_g use,_ lock_ _a_.t
_r
Ihc me_ntlng member
plate.
11. 'rnc shoe of daim 5, whe_.in the fles_bk plate has •
coavex upper surface.
eo
_,. 2h¢ sbc_ of dahn 5, _
fl_ _eu sole suppo_
m_ades • cculralopeningsiz_l toCXl)O_ • m_bsxamJal
po_
of the flcx_k plate to th_ b_l region of the upper.
.13. The Mboe of daim 5, wbctc_n the flcxibk plait is
removable f_m the shoe.
_s
.14. 1"he, shoe of claim 5, wherein Ihe flcx_le plate
inctudes an tpe_tu_.
_
_
external
_
wotr_on
aa_
to c_k,_c
the
, rear sok _
_xad_l to _e hecl region d _.. e_)er.
thc reu sole sut_
including a _um_ _
exteading wall having • f_ g_ove, and a.u_nd
dovmwanlly extead_
w_ having a second groove;
a t'earsok _ly
seated Io I1_ rca_ sok mqppor_ Ih_
rc_ soleh_vinganmaso_ mxla mJdsol¢m_c muT_.el
theomsok, file
middle compdsg_ *__
two
midsol¢ hyctr,, the w.ar sole mqq_ort _
a oeniral
A 0823
5,806,210
15
16
olamiag and an _x:nuos_ midsolc layer sized _ fit
on= arc-shaped sarraceo_ the moamieg memim"/nclad_sat
wiLhiath=cena_ opeaiag _ cud/oa the IzeA_gioa of
lcas_ oae rim f_r ¢agagiag _ Ooovcs.
th_ upl_,
31.'I_ shoe of chim 29, -,_meia the a_.-shaped sa_gac_
of the _
aad second _dls _
a_s of a commm
• a moumh_ member _
to the rearsok andiachab
lag at least oae rim for mg-aghg the flna and se.amd $ ¢ircl¢.
32. TI_ sho_of cbth_3L wbr_:M t_ oommon_rd_ h_
ga_vcs Io =cam t/_ n:ar r,o_ Io the mu role sut_
a_
gna_r _hsaa vrklth
of_h__¢.ar
sole
sa_p¢_
33. TI_ shoe.o f clalm 29, whe_in tb: *m.._oed sutfsce
_ _ eo a _p s_a_e of ou_ of _ n_l_ole _
aod
cO'atlea._ o_ _
aadsecoadwalls eoml,/sea m _¢
sm-tumdh_ tnatl_r ouc of Ihe mid_oJcla_l; md
_o
of
a
ci_
havlng
a
d/ame._
gr¢_r _an a "wid_aof _a¢_at
a.locklag
memb_ cagaglag
lhc_a_sole
sa1_m andom
of the_.arsoleand mourningmember W lam_at
34. "lb¢shoe of daim 2_,._ia
the am of a_ least oa_
roO_a o¢'_h=
re._
sole
rc_
totl__arso__
of the wall'sarrac_ is le.ss _,,,, aboat 1L_.
2S.Ashoe co=la_h_
_s
m Itpp_hav_ a h_e.J
rqgi_;
a_.=r
sol_
sapport
aaad_d_ th_hedrcgiaa
_ theuppe_
,. the rearsolesupportiadndlag• .dowmcudlyea_udi_ _us__alla_ a do_mcmlly_
s_oad wan,atIcas_
oneo_ the_r_ and secoudwalls
2o
aS. Aa_
aa _r,
a n:alrolesupp_ atucb_dtoth_al_a;md
a rearso_ scm_ed_o_h__.a_
_olesa1_xah
_hotea_
_olc
havlnga bo_z)msmfac_allea_ap6a_itm
ofwlilch
is
_
_ eoa_a s=f._ hav/agw *a_ga_ area, _ ag_.gm area havlag = _
phaar su.,.faceaad at 1era t_ b_led sazfac_ ranplaint _h _ l_mar _
_a _
srea _ th_
at ie._ two beveled saxfac_ beiag Icss ehaa _e.
mma=_g agg_ga_ =ca of the bottomserlhog _
of
d_ at least _
beve.l_d sagac_ inctialag ia aa
a mnc/a_
rear
sere;
an_
a_
_
attach_l
_ tl_r_rsaleaadhaviag
"at
lea_o_ axc-ehaped
smfacemm_lemeatayofth_
axc-e_ail_d
smface_n a_lea_one of _ fi=st
and _s
secood walls. (f_ mo_a_ag in_mbc.r _tachably
_" _e bew.l=d smface, tow_ aa o_t_r ed_ o_ the
sec=_d to _ r_r _lc suR_ort_ e_a_ing _ aroshtped s='fzcc of t_ mau_ting m_nt_ with the
beveled
_aaface,
alle.asl
a p_n oftheou_redgoof
azc-eha_d s;urf=cc_ tb¢ at _s_ oo_ _ _bc _st a_d
_e l_-w.led
smfac_ l_ingmlncidcmvA_ theome_
second wa_ sn_b th_ sa._ a_ k.ast o_e _
aa
_lge of _ I:_tam su.tfa_, ,ad tl_ tr.at sole b_g
_nrezace.bf Ihc moualing membe¢ is beseech the fl_
posifioa_le
ia• plaral_. _ 1_
r_lative _o
and secmld wdls.
' x_= sol_s_rL
36. Ta_ s_e o_ daim _S,whe/_in_ _ar _
is
2_. "l'aeslme o_ daim 28, _e_ia .ead_ o_ _h¢ _ and
seooad _d_ haw a_.c_ped smfaces.
de.t_k_ly
seoan:d
_oth_rearsnI=
sappoo.
30. "I'm shoe of c_im 29, v,'hctela tl_ _
w_
_u_:s
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A 0824
IHHH|iiBllBIHaBwnBB
US005615497A
United States Patent
l_)
Patent Number:.
Mesdum
[45)
Date of Patent:
[54]
A_qt_ILETIC SHOE WITH IMPROVED
. *
5,615,497
Apr. 1, 1997
SOLE
0._ ¢_tha_edon n_xtl_e.)
H.C. 27410
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DO_IMENTS
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An tmpm_ _hte_ thee ,ele withn_xbie _d u_a:e_6ql
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36/36R
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dear, to Fmvidethe u_ with
langer we_ The hrveadea 8ho ip_dde* the u_ with the
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and ea_nx td_t the rote t_ _
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Apr.1, 199"7
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Apr. 1, 1997
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fo_ mosx_ilcalions, e_y
1
ATHLE'I_C
SIiOE WITH IMPROVI_
SOLE
Old'ritE INVENTION
_
m_ _
bctwem
fl_ sole _nd r_*.=tm¢ is _t
m m::hicv_ Im'-
_muu._y_mma m_ p=tt_=y or m_ m_. S=ood. f_,sa_-
" Th_lxCScm_,,vc_onrc_Cmgcocnd]ytommhM_icsho¢
5 mere of fl_ cmim ,o_ is unn¢ccs_ry lined upc_ _c_!
we_ paucms tn mhl_ic dmes. Tht_ nqd_ing ,,, cmins
_e
wkh Im exZendab_ ead mm_e versaflk: life dae to the
_!¢ ts m would be mo_ m_emtv¢ than _plad_
dmply Vae
worn ¢_mm_s, a fro:Cotwld_ is compmmded ff a xcqp_ceMnT_y
of mc m_ mn:id,sc¢oradju_poalom _ m_ ou_r
role of fl_ dine.
al_.. fMl_
ml_ for ew.y me_'s m_d ,mm_a's dxo¢ slze
Io is m be pmdmm£ l%any,_
would 8ppcm- flul d_e bed
m_otiom _, _
has cmirdy @_6"¢,u_xu=ds md
B,AC:XC_tn_ o_'rm_ n_v'n_rnos
n:qulmmmUs flum tl_ n_ of fl_ dine sc_ aud it d¢=xioAtld¢_ shoes m'¢ Ixccm_l
um_ ¢xlm_ve esch year.
Top..of-me-ll_
modds of m¢ leadi_
_
¢_
U.S. Pst. l_x 4,.262.434 (Mkhelo_
dbclou_ a sole f_"
sow real _r ma_ _m o_ ImmlnM ddlm a pain Ti_s
nmulng shoes lh_ employs _
m_l e.lemm_ How•tfl_l]l_m_ is tI_t _
_I]1 m_mc
m be_onz _
mm_
eve_ e= _
ef e= _t_e_e
_teau of),_zlcei h
with m imlxu_l u_leand.mm¢p=dcu_y, m m mlde_
h_.a=_l ,,, _a=y re_ecu, l_orexam_ the dcm of
_d=tout qm_u, m _ male maengdemure, with the
_
t_t =d thorn o_ _ dem pot_
epw_
_nkd
tl_ co_ lm_.
W_ q_ou oa _e d_oe upp_ have
b¢¢o retufom_ with I,.,,.e_ S_tch_
h betu:r aod sddom
wle_a a "_
thkk body 14" efthe,ek_ w_k_ _
uunn.eh, cau= md mck_ _
_ t=p_ved.
• mcmdng m_ fl_ m_s m'¢ leu ipmo¢ m scparm: dining _c.
be_ thee_
asdnddseleiaon_ tohcesethere_
Psddi_
=mind tl_ aul_ col1_ aud ,m fl= mng,_ Im
impmvcd comfoa. NaUwa] .rod uum-nm_ fi,bdc, m'e mm'¢ 2_ ,pacefoe_hcl_mbofthedcat_ c_thcin_
ofthedear
kaob m_
It_
Xikelythatthe_
w_l fed thedea_
dm'M:2¢nod _
t._*' ¢ts_omm" compommCs ha_
kno_ ontheboeem ofIEsfeet,
in_
a_e_rIsevltable
mldsoledetederatlen
thatm:c_
exteudeduse-Abo,
.foraddedmn_a. _
me_uds J_ven_!
the _
d=tsn h _n_ty _
fo_ the bed of
so m_y mM¢_ dine, w'oe_ demcbab!e ¢le_s m_ mo_ pmue m
•i_ ¢omm_ _
n:du=dme dsk_ Jx_ury.
" One =_¢,,however.,
Inw'alc_=¢hno_a_ l=s mxIo_xpa_
msux_'n_ h=t _n_t.n:qui_ asdon_ ariamo_ du_bl_
_r_ugagmm_ sym:m..
li ue_l we_ 1_ emu_l_
me uead 0f a good p_r of
rmm_
*boo* _
ta 1993 do¢_ n0t eppcm" to be
,_y _
derab_ thanthetn_d_ a good I_ m_
'_
In 1983,o_f_fthatma_
1973.A me_ n_elybm a cholce
e_n_
,=f=e_and,_
•lake a _
sad_he_,halve*_ac=
IM]_n th_ ou_ml_
ornm_dug shoe_ The
i_me/em_, =_ed
by_- _ m= m_mmxOmuoumxd4o
umd w¢_ on nmn_g dine*_ immml_ oc_ _y
In two plac¢_ th_ o_u_
of _he he¢_ m_l the ba_ of
fl_ foo_ Bed were* Is by fin"a,,* m_¢ atom problem. Tlds
Is _
inmmu_ m tb¢ Imlmct fcs.ce on fl_e bed
of a jogg=. _=' emunp_ has b¢¢u esflmazed = abo= dine
e
to four thnes _e wo_ht of the jogS_ Tlms, a jogger
w_
150potm_ wo_Id cn_e a fo_:eof 600 pouads of
ahock oe tee heel _th each bed lmpactteg the grams!
al_y
800 ttmm p_ mik, itIs not d_zeeitto
_
why theheelofa nmnin8 shoeiathefu_tpaxtof
the _oe to wear cm. T'ue fa_ that thh t. where _R_
is su
mo_t needed ouly u_es to compouad the problem. Sadly.
_
adnmmm_ ie Uee._
and-_,-
md eomuec_on
keel we_.
•
h=g_
c_Uo_
caa be negated by two mooths of
Tread were" m cdm- typea of ath.le_
thorn ts al_o a
his xhoes m'e cdm" exampMs of athletic _e_
w'a_ exh_
.n_
uead w=r tn heiaU:d arem _ in dis_alve
paaen_
ov"n
T'ee pt.=eot tnvemice h directed to _m tm_mt
tthletic
_oe _
en upt_, a forwat'd to]e auad_
to the
uppe_ a hed mppm't aho sttached to the uppe_ and a t_m"
_c attached
m thcheelmp_
The restsolehm a gn_
e_
_
e_e e_n_a_ ,idewalM.and a top,urfac_
The_e_
sok. Is mounted on. the heel _8_t
m m to bc
detadm_
_m-ed
th¢_wm.
The rear role can aho bc
m_abte m_
_ph_
-.._....
¢_ins _
of a dine. Examp_ h_clud_ _xose disdoscd
In U_. Pat. No_ 4.745,693 4577,042 and 4,267.650- These
t_th a_ag the
Inv_t_ ¢_ "fllpped," md aloug _m m_ mmml m tl_ majo*'.
_d.s of l:l::e_
A m_m foe secm'iug II_ xem"role In cm:_
_
md m me _ed _
Is p.ovlm:d._d m0m_
e_
the f_
eoleef the s_etic shee ha_ a
mldso_ a bau: lay_ atlad_ed11=n:_.and an mae_ok
auadu_ tothebarnlaye_The outmole comalnsa phualltY
of_
whlchope_ areallgn_
ove_
a plmllty
of
re=3tem
p=a h_egnmyfunned
ontotheb=e hye_The
n:_UUmt,
poreexten_
downwan_ t_u_h _e outm_e
ope_
A plundity
oft_dlle_dea_ isdetachab_secured
to the poal. each of the dears cc_dntng a cavity w'otch h
slzed m x¢celve the .com:spos6_g
po_ md 8n _
mean, m that the d_t is dcmchably _
to the poet
formed oo flu:ba_ lay¢_ Addldoual a_cts
of the taventton
m_: mc_ feny deum'bed bclow.
There appea_ no imxt_ m the hodzon thax will _
_o
Acco_gly.
c_
clabiy ¢ohance the usab_ life of an athktlc shoe's outersc_e
pmvlde m ml_l_
when mbjected to the umal _
farces. Nm" do the_
boUom u2¢ ,ecdom
o¢ the dine.
appear m be my m_sl_c shoes cuxr¢_ly In the madmXplac_
wim_
su_ _r _
u_d demmu_
' D_igm u¢ knov_ mm spe¢_ m_ _
of _
of t_.
major- exis of e,_ ehoe m that the rim" sole. is. tn elect
obj¢_ of the px¢._t inwntlon h to
shoc wt_ _'l_te
o_ adjus_le
m impmv_ and pml¢_ the useful life
_
o_ec_ o_"m,- lnCSe_ _
is to l_ovid_ m_
6s mhlcdc dine whereby ucadlife c_m be emended by sek_
I:I_ cmi_ sole of a shoe.
A 0856
t
i
5,615,497
3
4
_ms _.tech_pes
that.nllow d_ we_ cff ,_,- sboa to
_xe
,_- _
s_e _
w_oet bavi_ to Lake,_
two nx_s
(e..g.,BVA _ve_ped by l_d nabl_r),or any
shae to a n_al sto_ _ nq3_Ixa_0 for _vi_
_ffmal_als, hr-J_g a
A/_xd_r abJec/of the inven_e is '_ ixovide e_- me_ 5 nismberof Inye_ or ce_bln_
with _e eJ_Iit_to change re_ su_ nndtorde,us b_xl on
we_ or _ de_in_ l_cc
d_ac_edse_
or ink/The n_ _/e 28 is _
from _e bed mppa_ 26.
Thh s_ws t_ _cr t_- sl/l_ m chnngen_ soles en_ndy
d_gn_ or _t_
inqx_ed a_e_c _oe th_ will anow n_u_ace_
_ no when e_h_ the sa_eis w_31 _o a si_
_
deshes a dif_ent role fo_ de$1ruilxxfo_nee d_racu_ist_ forspect_ a_d_/c en_av_ _r play/_ sm_ce_
Thc_ and a/be_ nspecU of the l_escet J_yc_Ic_ w_l
The n_ _e 28 csn abobe n_ml_ moun_d _ _e heel.
l_zome _
_ tho_esl_lled _n_I_em aftera readingo_
uq_pa_ 2_ The n_ _e c_ be round _ a phn_l_ of
I nt_m_O,
wlth a n_m_ providedto a_w tl_ _
to
_n_ tl_ n_r sole st m:h d_'_
Atter a pna_d
FIG. I is sn exl_ded hom_dc vk-w _ffm,/n_mved
a_alesl_emlew_a_heannd
_
Tephceab_
l_
2/s a t_n view _ 8n imp_vcd a_c_ sh_ u_]_/G. 3 b a sh_ devatlon view _ 8n lnqx_n_ a_e6c
.shoe u_.
l_I(}. 4 is a re_ e_.vul/_ v_--wc_ sn hnl_oved Male_c
shoe sole.
lq_ 5 is _ cxp_Jed view of a securl_ b_d _d
_
m¢_ _r one ¢mbodimm¢ of m _
_I¢¢icdno¢ ml_
orb/bit a we_- l_ttma -, th_ l_t_t tn whtda tl_ h_ _wst
_ts
_e _u_d, wf_ethee_r f_nn_h_ farc_e_
_
_ ,I,.. n_r sote..Wbeml_ln=
userd¢_¢rmlnaes
_lmttin=
h m/l_nillcmmt
enough.
,,_'.-u_='det.¢he$Ih=nmr",w _
axls
o_thed_e,eran_ee_nl/m_ e__e _ave."lhe
_er
._'!'
The numh_ ef_
h_o _Id_ _e _e_ role_
I_
,:,"
FIG.7 b a l_m _icwof_h_embodhne_shm_ _nFIG.
FIG.I pernd_ m b_h n_e_ s _
of ec]y _ s_h po_/on_
3s _e to the e_Ip6cal s_l_e _f d_en_r _le.
FI_
IIA ,,-_ m_.dx_,w_ ¢:X:lploded.
view ,,..,4_
Ro_/ng the rear role _ut m nxh _
_o _heshae'8
essembled vie'w, tespecl/v_y, a_"aoe embodime_ a_"a
_r
axts m a pae_an af. f_a"e:xan_e, _" l _0 deg_e_
6...
FIO._. 9 d_h
meh_ of _
U depict seve_ _Idi_,,_
_adlcle_ fo¢ an lu_n_ed afl_tc d_o¢ •
i_rtlo_ is en _a ot'l_s _'_m_
_" U_l_
_Y.
•
Dt_CRIPYK)N OF THB _
•
nora,_vev_, _at _ne_,adlm=_ oth_. n..,, tb_t _ka_ed;
. inI_CLI, lhore_l
_ b_ s_l
a f_l 1_0 d_g_e_
4_ to ndaleve th_ bene_ of ex_e_ded use..As lon_ as the w_
poaioaofth=_ Io_ b roCatcxl
beyoudth=m_m ofd_
Tl_ us_ _a _ne
_y
_-,tyroned_en_r sole so
"I_ drawia__r=for
_ pmpo_ ofdram'Wang
a pcc_mcd
thst an _
l_dan M _hen_ sa_/s locked/n _ _ea
embodlm¢_ ofthe_
mxl_e _otImeodedtollm_
II_la'¢sem
_v=m_oo.
FIO.I Is,m_
l_a_dc v_-wof_ athle_c
_0=oe
Iacoqx_ng
• nm_a_ ._d n_c_abl_ r_ _ol_ _d a
Wi_ Pnff_0_y, _aen_r _ is shaped sa that_e n_r ed_
of ,.Iv_.gmo_d_
_
30 _ a mb_m_dly
-_y as 2_ hss a sh_ upi_ 22, a forward so_ 24,, heel ,_ _Jeofical pro.file m' eac_ xola_l p_]floe. To allow for a
s_q_[_t 2_ _d a rear rote"2_ The ._want soto _nd bee_
suppe_ _re _hed
to a_ daoe _l_r In a convea_[oml • q_
_r_
_y,Uo_d_
_,bo_
'the heel suppe_ 2_ has a slde wall 38 th_ _
dow_
plank m"non-plansr.Px_efexably.
Ihe xem"ami fot'wa_ edges
ward beyond the upper22 n_d de._es a recess 40.
_o of thegxeunde_,agtag nuface oo xunntng*hoe mm_ w_l
be tapexedor beveled, ,,* _u_n in PIG. 1. to mflen heel
mike dining use.
fro_ tht_ d_ere_ ma_Is: a rub_" coml_d fi_ra firU
_n_nd ¢_t_
_m_ce 30:. a mfte_ _mm_c
mm_al
A ldm,M_ of comtnes_
slits 39 wld_ ran geaexally
mtically areond _he _
of the side wall 38 may be
n_dmle ;_ of the I_cel;and a l_rd_ plnsdc ma_l
for a
_
andm'ethown _ FIG. L The dils maym'ea_ea v_d
no_hed s_fi_ 46 _at _
lhe hodz_l
nfidcompte_y th_u_h me ,lae waU_ _ mey may m,_Jy be
sec/_e of _e rears_e _,,FIG. L (r_FI_ I, the n_r role _
a wea.lbe:uedax_a of the M.dewa_ so that the _ide w'a.U
A 0857
'lk
5,615,497
S
6
tlddme_ tn the =ca of the set h leu than the 8tdeWan
ing the two sections wh=dr/the n_r sak is bah detachable
tldckne_ elsewhere,
androtatat_ l'hc band44, = slxnvnin FIG. 1, is net shown
A IIm_ded stud 132 may I_ kv..._d hathe t_ter of the
in FIGL4. altlmughit codd beincludedas m_olxiontcceu 4e ef thebed _o_.,
as _aewn tn I_I(Z L Thc stud
HG. $ d_m _ :q:_l_l Viceor'tl_ sec_l_gI:m144.
132passestlneugbmqac=mmLMofthere_rsMe28,
snd s The_a_tyht_Uarmthecomenamallatda
is u_ed
w'aha _readed tmllar l._ "I_ apealm'e134 h
and dasp tyaem u_d en mint ekt bee_ end _mn_" eq_pnx_sed _ ¢_mnmenk m that e'_ _
D6 whm tewud
mint. The bt:h _ive_ ft_a a fra _eifi_ vCa=ethe dasp
doe* notezU_l beymd the _st gnmndengag_ mffaee _.
h enga_
m a _ad
and Iockleg l_tfle_ which fe_
u_' dtun_
the edla_ 136, _au_
e= band44, Wdm .m
the t_ e_e eft ef the _caded aud 13_ "_ste£' m" ram"
role, _aes the t_, sde badt m the encaded _
and
te_ctm_ _e ba_daudm_a_ "[het'_a"_31eof PIG.I h _ed
to alkn_ mtatk3aM_outtwo axes of the s_oe. In addilkm m
beta8 llitala_abeut m_llt axl& wht_'t's nr_nnl IOthe U
majar_
ef the _oe., the t'_"mte e¢ I_3. I is tnvem'ble,
meaa_ a_t t_e _e cm be me_! eb_ a wmad axh that
h 8_ned with the =_
_h of the ehee. In mlek to _
_
the r=r sere nnnt line a _a_t gna_ad enSaglng
reface 130. Whenthe t_g_ d=tres to cbaage rig gtooal 2o
_
=e weS-knowu tn the tndm_ e4., ra_t_
heee ¢_al_ et=.a_uld be reed andm_ ad_'e the bene_
e_ rid, lnvemien.
la" atmthe_ embed_cat d_vn In FIG. _ the Jeaulng
mcmsh 8chie_db_areatmle29havtngal_ntl_d
_'ePea
l_mm_m _ i°cated akmg (hePeriPherYaf a
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m_d_xdtom:=_e ,_. Fa_w_w inch_ tb_rc_ _lo _
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_lc :_ witl_ tin: z_:c_ 41 _a_ t_ mtcri_
_ th_ bc¢l,
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set s_a_ws P4 inch -_ thown in FIG.I_axdd be employed.
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eaen_ _le.
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ee a_ h_tar sm_e e_ the tint notd_ m_
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_12 b a phwal_ _ al_am_t d_ple, 43. A p/ah-a_ ef
ndoca_ a w_a_ secd_ to a le_ _cal m'eaof lhe mle_and
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pmtflem
_
_:e
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=e _o d_e
bet became of a de_ f_ di_eax:nt_
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to _p atign_ twe _ao=. _o_z_ ta-ev_
_
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az .a "cmz_m,e_
may
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n:eun 40 wh_ the met plvoU on the bed of the slme.
de,din erie typeof_ar u_lef_rone _pott. seda as Imlee/bd_
Aim slm,wn tn FIG_1 b a _t_e_d e_xlhnent"
55 and Imothur type of tc_ role for m_
such as mmzlng.A
t_a
. bask_ball pla_ mtgl_ mtu_ a lind=" a=l finer _
sore
l_raltty of. tndli=t dem 36, _
secun:il to tt_
fo_ stabtEty wlz_ q_k, I,_-al movemeat Is euetat_.
fofwa_ role 24. The cleats m-edi_u.qed in greater detail
wlu:t.e_ a t,mm_ e_ Joggcr n_ht tead to laver tnea_a_.
below.
_odc al_q_am feannes ad_evab_ fwm a u_ae_ m_
FIG.2 isa plmaviewofan_
ofnnimlnov_l eedfioued heel S_a3ndy, aJogg_ phn_g a tea eet_de _
athleac
slme20anddeplastheground_gagh_ su_ce 30
rough awhalt c_ aemem might pt_r a m_e n:dllent g="
oftlgxe_ sole25a_dtl__llem dems 36.
ude m,*- thetype thatwouldbe suitableto maee an al.,u,dy
i_ 3 dep_ a t_tc view of an improved a_aletlcelme
t.lm'lt_ tndoor k,mdea m_
2e, _
the bcna_ edg_ 4_ ef _e gr_d =gag_
While the able dt_m_
h £a_eted t_a_h a _ar role
_
as per a nmnlngshoe model, agMnam de_
that t'etat_ _ uaa,w=_ _ _ emtxcty, It b Wec:tfi_
FIG. 4 Is a xe_ elevadeu of lhe.hed imppot.t 26 and the
c_
that
thc_
beue.fi_
oftlds
_
c_mbe
_e_ =31e_8. and deplc_ a pt_f=_cd embodlmc_ for axtachachieved if'o_ly a lmalm of a= t_x role Is mta_ble
A 0858
A 0859
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the n_at a_le to _e
A 0860
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A 0861
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
GREENSBORO
DIVISION
Akeva L.L_C.,
Plaintiff,
V.
C.A. No.: 1:03-CV-01207
adidas America, Inc.,
Defendant.
ADIDASAME.I_!CA_INC_.'SBRIEF REGARDINGPHILI.lPS V. AWH (]ORPORATION
A 1002
INTRODUCTION
The Federal Circuit's en banc decision in Phillins v. AWH Com.. Nos. 03-1269, 03-1286, 2005
WL 1620331 (Fed. Cir. July 12, 2005) (attached as Ex. A), adopts the specification-based
claim
construction methodology that adidas advocated from the outset of tiffs case and further validates this
Court's constructions of"secured."
_
criticizes the Texas Di_iti_l approach, which Akeva
advocated here, for placing "too much reliance on extrinsic sources such as dictionaries, treatises, and
encyclopedias and too little on intrinsic sources, in particular the specification and prosecution history."
Id_ at "13. "Assigning
such a limited role to the specification,
and in particular requiring that any
definition of claim language in the specification be express, is inconsistent with [prior Federal Circuit]
rulings that the specification
specification
is 'the single best guide to the meaning of a disputed term' and that the
'acts as a dictionary when it expressly defines terms used in the claims or when it defines
terms by implication."
Id_.:.
(quoting Yitronics Coro. y, Conceptroni_,
1996)). Moreover, the _
1576 (Fed. Cir.
decision cites SciMed Life Sys,, Inc, v. Advanced Cardiovascular S,/s..
Inc.. 242 F.3d 1337 (Fed. Cir. 2001) with approval, _
Akeva's suggestion that Sc_ed
_c,, 90F.3d
is disfavored.
2005 WL 1620331, at *8, and thus dispels
In short, _
not only supports, but mandates, the
Court's claim constructions of"secured" in the Akeva patents.
also is instructive regarding the proper role of a patent's file history in claim construction
analysis. The Federal Circuit's guidance is pertinent given tlmt Akeva has recently based much of its
argument on the tangled web of file histories that it began to spin twelve years ago and that it continues to
expand now in an attempt to undercut this Court's claim construction
ruling. Specifically,
• cautions that the prosecution history represents an ongoing negotiation between the PTO and the applicant
that "often lacks the clarity of the specification and thus is less useful [than the specification]
construction
purposes." Id___.
_
for claim
makes clear that the prosecution history oftbe patent in suit may be
relevant to the extent it reflects "whether the inventor limited the invention in the course of prosecution,
making the claim scope narrower than it otherwise would be." ld. (emphasis added). Akeva's attempt to
A 1003
the scope of the patents in suit by relying on the prosecution history of other, unasserted patents
and pending applications conflicts sharply with this straightforward principle.
ARGUMENT
I.
Phillips Rejects the Dictionary-Based
Approach
to Claim Construction that Texas Digital Has Come
To Stand for and that Akeva HaS Advocated In this Case.
In its claim construction briefing, adidas urged the Court to conslz_
the terms at issue in light of
the patents' specifications in order to determine what one of ordinary skill would understand the disputed
terms to mean.
Relying on the Texas Digital approach, Akeva argued that the specification is relevant
only to the extent that it overcomes a presumption in favor of affording claim terms their dictionary
meanings by using explicit words of manifest exclusion or restriction. (Motion and Memorandum in
Support of Claim Construction
of Akeva L.L.C. at 8 [hereinafter, Motion for Reconsideration].)
In Phillins. the Federal Circuit stated that "It]he principal question that this case presents to us is
the extent to which we should resort to and rely on a patent's specification in seeking to ascertain the
proper scope of its claims." _
2005 WL 162033 I, at * 14. The Federal Circuit then answered this
question unambiguously by reaffirming that "the specification 'is always highly relevant to the claim
construction
term.'"
analysis.
Usually, it is dispositive; it is the single best guide to the meaning of a disputed
ld. at *7 (quoting _
90 F.3d at 1582). _
reaffirmed that the language of the claims
and specification, and to a lesser degree the prosecution history, should be the primary basis for
consmdng the claims.
The Federal Circuit in _
also pointedly rejected the Texas Digital approach upon which
Akeva has relied throughout this case: "That approach, in our view, improperly restricts the role ofthe
specification in claim construction."
Id, at * 13. PhHfins makes clear that (I) it is not required to start
with a dictionary meaning and (2) that an express definition or disavowal of scope in the specification is
not required to overcome the dictionary meaning.
In particular, the _
definition of claim language in the specification be express, is inconsistent
A 1004
states that "requiring that any
with our rulings that the
specification
is 'the single best guide to the meaning of a disputed term,' and that the specification
'acts
as a dictionary when it expressly defines terms used in the claims or when it defines terms by
implication."
,.
ld.__.
(quoting _
90 F.3d at 1582). According to the Federal Circuit:
The problem is that if the district court starts with the broad dictionary definition in every case
and fails to fully appreciate how the specification implicitly limits that definition, the error will
systematically cause the constntction of the claim to be unduly expansive.
Id. at *14.
emphasizes that the specification
is paramount and should be read holistically to
determine what one 0f ordinary skill would objectively understand the disputed claim term to mean.
Under the claim construction
specifications
analysis elucidated by _
of Akeva's patents that the Court cited in its claim construction
question that the Court's constructions of"secured"
II.
the numerous statements in the
order establish beyond
are proper?
Philllp..s Validates the Court's Reliance on SciMed,
and Debunks Akeva's Assertion that SciMed Is Disfavored,
In an obvious effort to conjure an intervening change in law to justify its reconsideration motion,
Akeva asserted in its motion for reconsideration that recent Federal Circuit decisions demonstrated that
SciM_
was disfavored.
Akeva that SciM_
(Motion for Reconsiderat/on at 16.) _
is not good law. _
cites SciM_
now puts to rest any claim by
approvingly, including for the key point that
"the specification may reveal an intentional disclaimer, or disavowal, ofclaim
scope by the inventor.
In
that instance as well, the inventor had dictated the correct claim scope, and the inventor's intention, as
expressed in the specification, is regarded as dispositive."
_
2005 WL 1620331, at *8.
Under Philfivs. seve_ other claim constructions that the Court adopted based on dictionary definitions
are overly broad in view of the statements in the written descriptions of the Akeva patents, adidas stands
ready to address these issues in further briefing if the Court so desires.
A 1005
HL
_
Exposes Additional Flaws in Akeva's Attempt To Rely
on the Examiner's Recent Statement, the Prosecution Histories
of Patents not in Su_ and the Claims ofUnasserted patents.
Well after the close of fact discovery and on the eve of the claim consUuction hearing, Akeva
began to inundate adidas with pending patent applications and file histories that Akeva had never
previously identified. 2 As a threshold matter, Akeva's attempt to construe the claims of the '300 patent
and '471 patent by reference to the claims, specifications and prosecution histories of numerous o_er
Akeva patents, file histories, and pending patent applications,
both published and unpublished, is c,ont_'ary
to the public notice function of patents became no person of ordinary skill in the relevant field could be
expected to obtain, review, end assin3ilate Akeva's tangled and constantly shifting patent portfolio. See
The Examiner's Recent Statement Is Improper Because
It Constitutes Extrinsic Evidence that Seeks To
Broaden the Scope of the Claims and Falls To Take Account of Phillips ,
notes that "because the prosecution history represents an ongoing negotiation between the
PTO and the applicant, rather than the final product of that negotiation, it often lacks the clarity of the
specification and thus is less useful for claim construction purposes."
ld. at *9. While the prosecution
history of a patent in suit can demonstrate how the inventor understood the invention, _
also makes
clear that "[t]he purpose of consulting the prosecution history in construing a claim is to exclude any
interpretation that was disclaimed during prosecution." [d. (citing Chimie v. PPG Indus.. Inc.. 402 F.3d
1371, 1384 (Fed. Cir. 2005)) (internal quotations omitted).
Thus, _
confirms that Akeva's recent attempt to use the Examiner's statements from a
pending application as a vehicle to b_aden the claims of the issued '300 patent is improper. Indeed, the
only two cases cited by Akeva for the proposition that statements in a subsequent patent's prosecution
history can be used in construing the claims of an earlier patent, Microso_ Corp. v. Multi-Tech Sys., In_,,
2Most recently, on July 29, Akeva sent adidas several compact disks containing numerous previously
unproduced patent documents, including, among other things, pending Australian patent applications.
A 1006
357 F.3d 1340 (Fed. Cir. 2004) and Howmedic_ 0_,0_c$
Col'p. v, T_'anquil Prospects Ltd., 401 F.3d
1367 (Fed. Cir. 2005), are cases in which the inventor made n_owin_
statements, s See _
357
F.3d at 1349-50; Howmedica, 401 F.3d at 1373.
Akeva argues that the Examiner's recent statements in a pending Akeva patent application are
probative because they demonstrate that, "from the perspective
'secured' was not redefined in the specification."
of one of ordinary skill in the art,
(Plaintiff's Reply in Support oflts Motion for Partial
Reconsideration of the Court's Claim Construction Order at 8.) A bald statement in a pending application
is not intrinsic evidence with respect to the '300 patent, even if made by one of ordinary skill, and it does
not fall into any of the categories of extrinsic evidence that _
consider.
identifies as relevant for a court to
See PhiiliDs, 2005 WL 1620331, at *10 ("conclusory, unsupported assertions by experts as to
the definition of a claim term are not useful to a court").
statements without the benefit of_
Last, the Examiner made her conclusory
which further establishes that her statements are irrelevant.
b.
Akeva's Muddled and Erroneous Assertion that the File History of the '126 Patent
Shows that the '300 Patent Includes Several Distinct Inventions
Is the Type of Flie-His_ory Argument that PhiUips Disfavors.
_'
statement that the prosecution history "often lacks the clarity of the specification and
thus is leas useful for claim construction purposes," id. at *9, is particularly apt with respect to Akeva's
assertion that in the prosecution history of the ' 126 patent, the Examiner found that the applicant had
claimed several distinct inventions. It is exactly this type of convoluted
and incomplete argument that
cautions against. As adidas explained in its opposition to Akeva's motion for reconsideration,
Examiner in fact identified several species of the same invention, and therefore Akeva's argument is
misleading.
(adidas America, Inc.'s Opposition to Akeva's Motion for partial Reconsideration of the
Court's Claim Construction Order at 17-18.)
3 Howmedica. in fact, involved a re-examination of the patent in dispute, not statements fi'om the file
history ofa difl'e_t patent. Howmedica. 401 F.3d at 1373.
A 1007
the
c.
Claim Differentiation Applies to the Claims of the Patent
in Suit_ Not to Vnrelated Claims from Unas_erted Patents, as Akeva Suggests.
notes that "[o]ther claims of the patent in auestion, both asserted and unasserted, can be
valuable sources of enlightenment as to the meaning of a claim term ....
normally used consistently throughout the patent ....
" _
[b]ecause claim terms are
2005 WL 162033 !, at *7. However,
Akeva's pseudo-claim differentiation arguments rely only upon the claims of other, unasserted Akeva
patents with separate prosecution histories, such as the '126 and '210 patents. (Motion for
Reconsideration at 10-12.) Akeva is unable to point to any claims of the patents in suit that give rise to a
legitimate claim differentiation argument, and Akeva has identified no support for the assertion that its
attenuated theories trump the clear and unequivocal
statements in the specifications
of the patents in suit.
Specifically, the '126 patent's specification differs materially from the '300 patent's
specification, and therefore Akeva's comparison of the claims of these patents is meaningless.
See '126
patent (attached as Ex. B); '300 patent (attached as Ex. C). Likewise, claim I of the '210 patent claims a
"rear sole detachably secured to the mar sole support," but goes on to describe a "mounting
attached to the rear sole..,
to secure the rear sole to the rear sole support ....
I of the '210 patent, Akeva uses the term "secure" to describe a "detachably
member
" Thus, even within claim
secured" rear sole. See '210
patent, claim 1 and col. 7, li. 21-57 (attached as Ex. D). More importantly, the '210 patent claims a
different invention and uses a host of differeut claim terms, thus rendering Akeva's attempted comparison
with the '471 patent pointless.
IV.
The Federal Circuit's Analysis of the Claim Term "Baffles" in Phillivs
Supports the Court's Claim Construction of "Secured" Here.
The patent at issue in _
is directed to vandalism-resistant building modules.
ultimately gave the term "baffles" in that patent its ordinary meaning because, although the patent's
specification describes that one of the advantages of the invention is its projectile-deflecting
function, the
specification does not describe, expressly or otherwise, that in order to qualify as "baffles" within the
meaning of the claims, the internal support structures must serve the projectile-deflecting
A 1008
function in all
embodiments.
_
2005 WL 1620331, at * ! 7. _
further observed that the specification
discusses other purposes served by the claimed baffles and that several figures of the patent do not show
baffles in a projectile-deflecting
arrangement. ]d. at * 18. In short, the Federal Circuit concluded that
"baffles" should not be limited to specific or preferred embodiments in the specification
gave "baffles"
and therefore
its ordinary meaning.
This Court's claim construction of"secured" is not dependent on specific or preferred
embodiments
described in the specifications of the Akeva patents or on the claimed inventions'
objectives. 4 The patent in _
differs fundamentally fi'om the Akeva patents in that the Akeva
patents'
specifications
contain
nmnemus statements
thatunmnbiguouslymake cleartoone ofordinary
skill
thattheinvention
claimedinthe'300patentincludes
a rearsolethatisnotpermanentlyfixedin
position
andtheinvention
ofthe'471patent
includes
a detachably
securedrearsole.Putdifferently,
the
Akeva patents'
specifications
estabfish
thattheclaimsand theembodimentsdescribed
inthespecification
• of each patent are coextensive.
See ld. at * 16.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, _
confirms that the Court's constructions of"secured" are
proper.
Respectfully
submitted this 9thday of August 2005.
Is J. Jason Liz_k
Jmnes H. Kelly, Jr. (NC State Bar No. 2499)
Steven Gardner (NC State Bar No. 20984)
J. Jason Link (NC State Bar No. 25689)
KILPATRICK STOCKTON LLP
1001 West Fourth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 2710 I
Telephone: (336) 607-7300
jlink(_ktlpatrickstockton.com
In contrast to the _
patent, none of the '300 patent's figures depicts an embodiment that is
inconsistent with the Court's definition of"secured."
Moreover, Akeva's argument that permanent
attachment is not depicted in the '300 patent contradicts Akeva's own assertion that "secured" should be
consU'ued to encompass permanent attachment.
A 1009
OF COUNSEL:
Douglas J. Kline
Richard B. Myrus
Ketth A. Zullow
William A. Meuaier
GOODWIN PROCTER LLP
Exchange Place
53 State Street
• Boston, MA 02109
Telephone: (617) 570-1000
Fax: (617) 248-7100
Attorneys for Defendant adidas America, Inc.
A 1010
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
/, J. Jason Link, hereby certify that on this dam I caused the foregoing ADIDAS AMERICA,
INC.'S BRIEFREGARDING
PHILLIPS V. AWH CORPORATION to be served upon the following
counsel of record by first class mail, postage prepaid:
Scott A. Schaaf, Esq.
Tuggle, Duggins & Meschan, P_.
P.O. Box 2888
Greensboro. NC 27402-2888
Patrick J. Fiinn, Esq.
Demetrius Tennell LockeR, Esq.
Aiston & Bird, LLP
•1201 West Peachtree Sl_eet
Atlanta, GA 30309-3424
This the 9t_ day of August, 2005.
/sd J. l_son Link
J. Jason Link
KILPATRICK STOCKTON LLP
I001 West Fotmh Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
Telephone: 336.607.7300
jlink@kilpatrickstockton.com
A 1011
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ADIDAS
AMERICA
Corpoi'aflon,
Defendants.
FOR
PlaintiffAkeva
L.L.C.
("Akcva"
AND
JURY
DE'MAND
TRIAL
or "Plaintiff")
brings
this action agah_
adidas-Salomon
.
AG ("Adidas'')
infringement
Patent")
and Adidas
America,
of U.S. Patent Nos.
(collectively
the "Akeva
Inc. ("Adidas
Amei'ica'')
6,604,300
(the "'300"
Patents''),
for monetary.damages
(collectively
Patent)and
"'Defendants'')
6,662,471
for
(the "'471.
and injunctive
relief
associatedwith thatinfringement. Plaintiff
allegesthe fol|owing factsupon actualknowledge
with respect
to information
concerning
itself
and its own acts and upon
information
and belief
as
to all other matters,
JURISDICTION
°
Plaintiffis
the state of North
Street,
Greensboro,
Carolina,
a limited
liability
with its principal
NorthCarolina
corporation
place
of business
27401.
A 1012
ATL01/11530617v2
organized
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COMPLAINT
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and existing
located
under
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the laws of
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FORTHE
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business
Adidas
_it 5055 N. Greeley
3.
Defendant
g
America
is a Delaware
Ave, P0rtland_
Adidas.is
Oregon
a German
corporation
having
itsprincipal
place
of
97217.
corporation
having
its principal
place
of business
.
t
at Adi-Dassler-Strasse
4.
p
an action
for patent infringement
28 U.S.C.
oth_
Herzogenaurach,
Germany.
This action arises under the Patent
This Court
.
•'
1-2, 91074
§§ 1331
6.
elsewhere.
thi_ judicial
has jurisdiction
Patents
over
States
Code,
and is
under § 271 (a) and Co).
the subject
matter of this action
p_t
to •
and 1338 (a).
This action
activities
of the Akeva
Act, Title 35 of the United
0fAdidas
Defendants
district
arises
out of the transaction
America
have
and Adidas
conducted
within.the
business
and elsewhere,the
ofbusiness_
unlawful
within
Middle
commission
District
this judicial
acts complained
of injury
of North
district,
of herein
and.
Carolina
committed
and
within
and are therefore
J
subject
to personal jurisdiction
7.
Venue
in theState
of N0rth
Carolina
is proper in this Court pursuant
and the jurisdiction
to 28 U.S.C.
§§ 139i
of this Court.
Co) and (c) and
1400 Co):
CLAIM
.
°.
The allcgatiom
.
I
...
contained
in Paragraphs
1 through
7 above
arc inco]poratcd
herein by reference.
9.
" On August
12, 2003,
United
State, Patent No. 6,604,300
correct
copy of the '300 Patent
the _300 Patent, including
infringement
entitled
is attached
the right
States
"Athletic
hereto
Patent
Office
duly and lawfully
Shoe
With
Improved
as Exhibit
"A."
Plaintiff
to sue for and recover
thereof.
,
ATL01111530617v2
the United
A 1013
for past, present
Sole."
issued
A true and
is the lawful
and future
owner
of
=
#
.
o
I
•
,|
a
I0.
patented
Defendants make,,use,offerto sell,sell,or import.athletic
shoes embodying the
invention.
11.
Defendants
have directly
gt
infringement
infi-inged,
or induced
the
.
of one.or.mow
i2.
in,in" ged, contributorily
el .rams of the '300 Patent.
Defendants'
i_'inging
activities
are wiilful
and deliberate
and will continue.until
a
and unless
restrained
13.
by this Court.
Plaintiff
this Court
enjoins
has been'and
Defendants'
will continue
infi'inging
to be damaged
The allegations
contained
15.
United
copy
Owner 0fthe
'471
infringement
thereof.
16.
patented
i6, 2003,
the United
Patent No. 6,662,471entitled
role and correct
-' '
| through
_"
7 above
are incorporated
..
On D_ember
States
d
H
in Paragraphs
herein by reference.
hajured unless
activities.
CLAIM
14.
and irreparably
of the"471
Patent,
Defendants
"Athletic
Patent
including
make,
States
is attached
Patent
Office
Shoe With Improved
h_reto
_ Exhibit
the fight to sue for an'd recover
use, offer
to sell,
duly and iawfuUy
Heel
Structure."
"B".
Plainfiffis
for past,
present
sell, or import
athletic
con_'ibutorily
infringed,
shoes
issued
A
the lawful
and future
embodying
the
invention.
17.
Defendants
infringement
of one or more
18.
and unless
Defendants'
restrained
have
directly
claimsof
infringing
infringed,
the
the '471 Patent.
activities
are willful
by this Court.
A 1014
ATL01/11530617v2
or induced
and deliberate
and will continue
until
J
°'
t
0
.I
19.
this Court
Plaintiff'has
enjoins
been
DefendantS'
and will continue
inflinging
tO be damaged
and irreparably
injured
unless
activities..
RELIEF
SOUGHT
t
,)
Plaintiffresp_ffully
A.
seeks
Enter judgmen}
infi-ing_nent
that the Court grant the following
relief:
for Plaintiff
and against
Defendants,
jointly
and severally,
and against
Defendants
for infi-ingeme_t
for
of the '300 Patent;
B.
Enter judgment
f01"Plaintiff
C.
Enter.judgment
that Defendants'
D.
Permanently
of the
'471
Patent;
inflingemefit
was and is willful;
=
representatives,
servants,
acting
in concert
made,
selling
causing
or causing
or induces
or using
an amount
that will adequately
patented
with them,
or causing
the hxfzingement
Enter judgment
and amount
their
successors,
to be sold, offering
E.
circumstances
Defendants,
employees,
or participation
to be imported,
infringes;
enjoin
flora
affiliates,
directl.y
or indirectly
to be used,
in favor of Plaintiff
of the"300
against
royalty
principals,
subsidiaries
or causing
for sale,
that infringes,
Patent
or '471
Defendants,
jointly
infzingemenL
for Defendants'
agents,
sales
and all those
making
to be offered
any product
it for Defendants'
less than a reasonable
directors,
assigns,
to sell or causing
of any claim
compensate
of_cers,
to be
importing
or
contributorily
Patent;
and severally,
but under
for
no
use of the Plaintiff's
inventions;
i F.
for pre-judgment
Enter judgment
interest
in favor
on all damages
of Plaintiff
and against
awarded;
A 1015
ATL01/11530617v2
Defendants,
jointly
and severally,
,°
.4
IN THE UNITED
FOR THE
MIDDLE
STATES
DISTRICT
• GREENSBORO
AKEV. A, L.L.C.,
a North
DISTRICT.COURT.
OF NORTH
CAROLINA
DIVISION
Carolina
Corporation,
Plaintiff,
)
)
V_°
CIVIL ACTION
)
ADIDAS,SALOMON-AG,
Corporation;
INC.,
AMERICA,
Corporation,
Defendants.
adidas
America's
Answer
to Complaint
ANSWER
Defendant
PlaintiffAkeva
adidas n America,
L.L.C. ("Akeva")
1:03CV01207
)
)
)
)
)
a German
and ADIDAS
a Delaware
NO.
and Affirmative
Defenses
TO COMPLAINT
Inc., answers
the numbered
paragraphs
of the Complaint
of
as follows:
JURISDICTIQN
1.
Plaintiffis
the state of North
Street,
Greensboro,
.ANSWER:
form a belief
Carolina,
North
a limited
liability
with its principal
Carolina
corporation
place
organized
of business
and existing
located
under the laws of
at 228 West
Market
27401.
adidas America,
Inc., is without
as to the truth of the allegations
knowledge
in this paragraph.
0 In its proper form, the corporate name "adidas" is not capitalized.
A 1019
or information
sufficient
to
2.
business
Defendant
at 5055
N. Greeley
ANSWER:
3.
place
adidas
5.
America
is a German
, Inc.,
admits
its principal
b,0rporation
adidas
that, upon
America,
Inc.,
place
of
having
its principal
Germany.
information
denies
and
belief_
the remaining
adidas-
allegations
of
response
this Court
Patents
under
States
Code,
and
is
§271 (a) and Co).
has jurisdiction
over
the subject
matter
of this action
pursuant
to 28
and 1338(a).
is required.
The
information
lacks standing
aliegations
To the extent
has jurisdiction
upon
of the Akeva
35 of the United
Adm/tted.
This Court
§§1331
arises under the Patent Act, Title
infringement
ANSWER:
therefore,
AG]
1-2, 9 1074 Herzogenaurach,
corporation,
This action
ANSWER:
because,
having
3 of the Complaint.
action for patent
U.S.C.
corporation
Oregon97217.
adidas[-Salomon
AG is a German
4.
an
Portland,
at Adi-Dassler-SWasse
ANSWER:
• paragraph
Ave,
is a Delaware
Admitted.
Defendant
ofbnsiness
Salomon
adidas America
over
in this
that a response
the claims
and belief,
to assert
paragraph
Akeva
asserted
are
is required,
under
A 1020
conclusions
adidas America,
the 6,604,300
is not the assignee
the claims.
legal
of record
and
to which
Inc., denies
6,662,471
of these
no
that
patents
patents
and,
6.
This action
other activities
Carolina
ofadidas
and
committed
America
elsewhere.
within
are therefore
a rises o Ut o f t he transaction
and adidas[-Salomon
Defendants
this judicial
district
subject to personal
o fb nsiness,
have
AG] within
conducted
and elsewhere
jurisdiction
the Middle
business
within
the.unlawful
in the State of North
c 0mmission
o f injury
Dis_ct
of North
judicial
district,
this
acts complained
Carolina
and
of herein and
and the jurisdiction
of
this Court.
ANSWER:
district
adidas
and elsewheTe.
which no response
.
America,
Inc.,
The remaining
admits
it transacts
allegations
business
in this paragraph
within
are legal
this judicial
conclusions
to
is required.
Venue
is proper
in this
Court
pursuant
to 28 U.S.C.
§§
1391(b)
and
(c)
and
to which
no
1400(b).
ANSWER:
response
The
allegations
in
this
paragraph
are
legal
conclusions
is required.
CLAIM
8.
The
allegations
contained
I
in Paragraphs
1 through
7 above
are
incorporated
herein by reference.
ANSWER:
answers
to paragraphs
adidas
America,
Inc.,
realleges
I-7, above.
A 1021
and incorporates
herein
by reference
its
9.
On August
States Patent No. 6,604,300
entitled
the '300 Patent is attached
hereto as Exln'bit "A."
including
("the" 300 patent")
implication
duly
"Athletic
the right to sue for and recover
ANSWER:
and lawfully
information
adidas
indicates
issued,
Piaint_is
Inc.,
admits
that
is valid,
adidas
to form
Sole."
adidas
America,
Inc.,
denies
as Exhibit "A."
a belief
Inc.,
of the '300 Patent,
thereof.
Patent
12, 2003,
denies
that
truth
of the
Inc.,is
No.
6,604,300
but denies
any
the '300 patent
was
that a tree and correct
adidas America,
as to the
States
on August
America,
issued United
A true and correct copy of
the lawful owner
theUnited
o n its face t hat it w as issued
to the complaint
sufficient
Shoe With Improved
duly and lawfully
for past, present an d futm'e infringement
America,
that the '300 patent
patent was attached
J
12, 2003, the United States Patent Office
copy
without
remaining
of the '300
knowledg
ailegations
e or
in this
paragraph.
10.
patented
Defendants
make,
use, offer
to sell,
sell,
or import
athletic
denies
all of the allegafons
shoes
embodying
the
invention.
ANSWER:
10 of the Complaint
11.
infiingement
adidas America,
have
directly
of one or more claims
11 of the Complaint
contained
in paragraph
that apply to it.
Defendants
ANSWER:
Inc.,
infiinged,
contn'butorily
infringed,
or induced
the
of the '300 Patent•
adidas
America,
that apply
to it.
Inc., denies
all of the allegations
A 1022
contained
in paragraph
12.
Defe_adants'
unless restrained
activities
are willful and dehl_rato
adidas
12 of the Complaint
Plaintiff
America,
Inc., denies
has boon and will continue
Defendants'
ANSWER:
adidas
13 of the Complaint
infnnging
The
contained
in paragraph
America,
to be damaged
and in'eparably
injured
unle_s
Inc., denies
all of the allegations
contained
in paragraph
that apply to it.
allegations
contained
H
in Paragraphs
! through
7 above
are incorporated
by reference.
"ANSWER:
answers
all of the allegations
activities.
CLAIM
herein
until and
that apply to it.
• this Court enjoins
14.
and will conlinue
by this Court.
ANSWER:
13.
inf_ging
to paragraphs
adidas
America,
Inc.,
realleges
1-7, above.
A 1023
and
incorporates
herein
by
reference
its
15.
United
States
On Decanber
16, 2003,
Patent No. 6,662,471
the United
entitled
States
'!Athletic
Patent
Office
duly
Shoe With Improved
and correct copy
of the '471 Patent is attached hereto as Exl£oit
the '471 Patent,
including
the right to sue for and recover
"B".
and lawfully
Heel Structure."
Piaintiffis
issued
A true
the lawfid Owner of
for past, present and future infringement
thereof.
ANSWER:
adidas
'471 patent")
implication
that the
duly and lawfully
to form a belief
16.
patented
indicates
America,
admits
adidas
is valid,
America,
adidas
make,
use,
offer
America,
sell,
PatentNo.
16, 2003,
Inc., denies
allegations
to sell,
United States
on December
Inc., is without
as to the truth of the remaining
Defendants
that the
on its face that it was issued
'471 patent
issued,
Inc.,
knowledge
6,662,471
but denies
any
that the '471 patent
was
or information
sufficient
in this paragraph.
or import
athletic
shoes
embodyingthe
invention.
ANSWER:
16 of the COmplaint
17.
infringement
adidas
America,
Inc., denies
all of the allegations
contained
in paragraph
that apply to it.
Defendants
have
directly
infringed,
contn'butorily
infringed,
or induced
the
of one or more Claims of the '471 Patent.
ANSWER:
17 of the Complaint
adidas
America,
that apply
to it.
Inc.,
denies
all of the allegations
A 1024
contained
in paragraph
18.
Defendants'
unless restrained
adidas
Complaint
!9.
me willful
Plaintiff
America,
has been
Defendants'
ANSWER:
adidas
Inc., denies
all of the allegations
Complaint
and will continue
infringing
America,
to be damaged
contained
in paragraph
and irreparably
injured
unless
activities.
Inc., denies
all of the allegations
contained
in paragraph
that apply to it.
AFFIRMAT_
relief
and deh'berate and will continue until and
that apply to it.
this Com-t enjoins
19 0fthe
activities
by this Court.
ANSWER:
18 ofthe
infringing
adidas _-ncrica,
Inc., asserts
1.
Complaint
Akeva's
the following
DEFENS_
affirmative
fails to state a claim
against
defenses
to Akeva's
adidas America,
claims:
lnc.: upon
which
may be granted.
2.
United
America,
Inc.,
States Patent Nos. 6,604,300
3.
infringe,
adidas
adidas
America,
any vali d claims
has not infringed,
and 6,662,471
and does not infringe,
.any valid claims
(the "patents-in-suit").
Inc., has not contn'butorily
of the patents-in-suit.
,..:=_.
A 1025
infringed,
and does not contributorily
of
•4.
adidas
infi'ingement
5.
statutory
America,
of, any valid claims
Each
of
requirements
6.
Inc.,
has not
infringement
of,
and
does
not
induce
of the patents-in-suit.
the patents-in-suit
for patentability
Prosecution
induced
history
is invalid
for failure
set forth in 35 U.S.C.
¢stopp¢l
applies
to meet
one
or more
of the
§§ 101 et seq.
to preclude
reliance
on
the
doctrine
of
vquival_nts.
7.
Relief
is barred
•8.
Akeva
lacks standing
9.
adidas
for in its Complaint
1.
Dismiss
2.
Deny
3.
Award
waiver,
Inc.,
denies
and/or
estoppel.
for infringement
matter jurisdiction
America,
of the patents-in-suit.
over Akeva's
that Akeva
claims.
is entitled
to any
of the
relief
and prays that this Court:
Akeva's
Complaint
with prejudice;
all relief
requested
by Akeva;
adidas
America,
Inc.,
this action;
4.
of laches,
to bring an action
The Court lacks subject
WHEREFORE,
prayed
because
its attorneys'
fees
and costs
incurred
and
Grant such other further relief
as the Court may deem
A 1026
appropriate.
in defending
°._
Respectfully
subn_'tted
thi.,j ___l_y
ofJanuary
2004.
_
,_,_
_
Jarh6s H._Kelly,
Jr.
NC State Bar No. 2499
Steven
Gardner
NC State Bar No. 20984
J. Jason Link
NC State Bar No. 25689
KILPATRICK
STOCKTON
1001 West Fourth Street
Winston-Salem,
Telephone:
Fax:
OF COUNSEL
. Douglas
J. Kline
Stephen D. Whetstone
Brian M. Gaff
TESTA,
HURW1TZ
& THIBEAULT,
LLP
High Street Tower
125 High Street
Boston, MA 02110
Telephone:
Fax: (617)
Attorneys
(617) 248-7000
248-7100
for Defendant
adidas
America,
Inc.
A 1027
(336)
(336)
NC
27101
60727300
607-7500
LIP
.
•
",
,
.
CERTIFICATE
I, J. Jason Link, hereby
Answer
thereof
to Complaint
in the United
certify
that on this date I served
and Affirmative
Stat_
OF SERVICE
Defenses
mail,postage
upon
counsel
prepaid and addressed
the foregoing
adidas
America's
of record b y depositing
a copy
as follows:
A.Sch ,
Tuggle, Duggins
P.O. Box 2888
& Meschan,
Greensboro,
27402-2888
NC
P.A.
Patrick J. Flinn, Esq.
Alston & Bird, LLP
1201 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta,
GA
30309-3424
This the 26 tb day 0f January 2004.
_j ta_on
L-_
Attorney
KILPATRICK
STOCKTON
1001 West Fourth
LLP
Street
Winston-Salem,
North Carolina
Telephone:
336.607.7300
2710!
A 1028
_
for Defendant
adidas
America,
Inc.
Case 1:03-cv-01207-WLO
Filed 11/15/2005
Doct.u'nent147
Page 1 of 3
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
GREENSBORO DIVISION
AKEVA L.L.C., a North Carolina Limited
Liability Company,
CIVIL ACTION NO. I:03CV01207
Plaintiff,
VS.
ADIDAS AMERICA
Corporation,
INC., a Delaware
Defendant.
NOTICE
OF APPEAL
TO THE
COURT OF APJ'EALS _R
Notice
the above
Federal
is hereby
named
THE FEDERAL cmctaT
given that PlaintiffAkeva
case hereby
appeals
STATES
L.L.C. ("Akeva")
to the United
as a party in
States Court of Appeals
for the
Circuit from the:
1)
Final Order and Judgment
of U.S. Patent Nos.
6,604,300
patent") based upon the court's
28, 2005
related
and entered
prior Orders
2)
"secured"
docket
UNITED
Court
of non-_ement
of the Asserted
("the '300 patent") and 6,662,471
construction
("the '471
of the term "secured"
on the docket the same day (Exhibit
Claims
dated October
A hereto),
and fTom all
including,
Memorandum
in the '300
Opinion
and '471 patents
on the same day (Exhibit
and Order
dated May
B hereto),
and the
A 1033
construing
the claim term
17, 2005 and entered
on the
Case l:03-cv-01207-WLO
3)
and Plaintiff's
August
Memorandum
Motion
26, 2005
Document 147
Opinion
and Order regarding
for Reconsideration
and entered
Filed 11/15/2005
on August
Respectfully
Dated:
November
15, 2005
the claim term "secured"
of the Court's
on the docket
Page 2 of 3
claim consu_ction
29, 2005
(Exhibit
dated
C hereto).
submitted,
Scott A. Sc at"
SCOTT A. SCHAAF
North Carolina Bar No. 28792
TUGGLE,
228 West
Greensboro,
DUGGINS
& MESCHAN,
Market Street
North Carolina
P.A.
27401
Telephone:
(336) 378-1431
Fax: (336) 274-6590
Dirk D. Thomas, Pro Hac Vice
D.C. Bar No. 414910
Robert A. Auchter, Pro Hac Vice
D.C. Bar No. 441669
ROBINS,
L.L.P.
KAPLAN,
1801 K Street N.W.,
MILLER
& CIRESI
Suite 1200
Washington,
D.C. 20006
Telephone:
(202) 775-0275
Fax: (202) 223-8604
Attorneys
A 1034
2
for Plaintiff
Akeva
L.L. C
•
't
.l
6
'
!
,
,
L,.
IN THlg UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF NORTH CARO
GREENSBORO
DMSION
Akeva UL.C.,
Plaintiff,
V.
C.A. No.: 1:03-ev--01207
adidas America,
Inc.,
/
Defendant.
ADIDAS'
FOR SUMMARY
BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF ITS MOTION
JUDGMENT
REGARDING
THE '300 PATENT
James H. Kelly, Jr.
Steven Gardner
J. Jason Link
Kilpatrick Stockton LIP
1001 WestFourth
Street
Winston-Salem,
(336) 607-7300
North Carolina
27101
Douglas J. Kline
Richard Myrus
Testa, Hurwitz & Ttu'beault LLP
125 High Street
Boston, Massachusetts
02110
(617) 248-7000
Attorneys
A 2000
for adidas America,
Inc.
FIG. 12
560
Although the '300 patent
relative
lateral
prosecution
movement
of the flex_le
of the '300 patent
elairns of the '300 patent.
claims were patentably
relative
member's
this feature
192, and 204 (plus various
from certain
Examiner
prior
art shoes
such movement
Claims
is asserting
the '300 patent's
disclosure,
identified
therefrom)
all of the asserted
it as the reason
Notice
a rear sole "secured"
•
"a flexible plate"; and
below the heel region
A 2010
for allowing
the
Of Allowability,
as required
in the allowed claims.
are directed
the
allowed
[d.
claims 93, 117, 118, 121, 122,
adidas
shoe models.
to a shoe having,
characteristics:
•
the
the prior art shoes
independent
the
during
only because
against various
claims
for preventing
gained importance
to the Examiner's
'300 Patent
claims dependent
required
periphery,
According
and did not "restrain"
In this lawsuit, Akeva
things, the following
to describing a structure
(Exh. B, at 2).
The Asserted
with the '300 patent's
only a few seniences
When the Patent
different
lateral movement
B.
devotes
of the claimed shoe's
upper,
Consistent
among
other
•
the peripheral portion of the flex_le
an interior potion of the plate?
plate being "restrained
(Exh. A, '300 paten1, at claims 93, 117, 118, 121,122,
For the reasons
discussed
in adidas'
claim limitations should be construed
.....
from movement
to"
192, and 204).
Mm-kman
brief filed concurrently
with this motion,
these
as follows:
a rear sole "seCured" below the heel region of the uppe_,
rear sole selectively
position below the heel region of the upper;,
"a flexible
repeatedly
relative to
downward),
relative
locked into
..
plate": a separate and removable piece of material that is capable of being
bent from a normal tmflexed state Cm which its central portion is elevated
its periphery) into a flexed state (in which the central portion
is bent
without deforming permanently;, and
the peripheral portion of the flex_le plate being "restrained from movement relative to"
an interior potion of the plate: the peripheral portion of the flexa'ble plate is prevented
from changing its plaee or position with respect to an interior portion of the plate.
claims
C.
The Accused
Akeva
apparently
of the
'300
infringement
explanation,
limited
different
intends
patent.
positions
structures
to accuse
In its
for just
are representative
to the so-called
(1)
adidas Shoe Models
nine
and features,
The purported
interrogatory
of these
of other adidas
"representative"
numerous
adidas
Midas
responses,
accused
shoe
shoe models
of infringing
howeve L A.keva
models,
which
shoe models. 2 Accordingly,
shoe models. 3 Although
has
Akeva
the asserted
provided
cursory
asserts,
without
the scope of this motion
theseaccused
shoe models
is
have
they all ha_,,e at least four things in common:
rear sole of each accused
shoe model
is permanently
attached
below
the
upper, and not secured so that it can be selectively locked into position as required in the
claims of the '300 patent. (Declaration
of Keith R. Williams Ph.D. dated December
12,
2004, at ¶ 5, attached as Exh. C).
, In claim
192, the restraint
must be in the vertical
direction.
In the remaining
must be in the horizontal (or medial to lateral) direction.
2 On December 3, 2004, Akeva provided annotated photographs
claims, the restraint
of certain of these shoes and finally
identified them by article number, as adidas had repeatedly requested.
3 Although Akeva has ignored adidas' request to confirm the identity of the representative
appears their article numbers are 677172, 147908, 036368, 038694, 016133, 036540, 037995,
and 549246.
A 2011
shoes, it
549122,
"':.
°
(2)
The interior portion of the purported
flexible plate in each accused
• integral with the accused- shoe, and is not • separate and removable
required in the claims of the '300 patent. 0_ at ¶ 6).
The interior portion of the purported
(3)
flexl"ol¢ plate in each accused
below the periphery of the plate, and not elevated
'300 patent. __L. at ¶ 7).
(4)
model is positioned
above it as required in the claims of the
.The periphet-y of the purported flexfole plate in each accused model can move in relation
•to the interior of the plate, and is not restrained from such movement as required in the
.claims of the '300 patent.
(Rule 26 Expert Report of Keith R_ Willisms, .Ph.D.
Concerning
hL
model is made
component
as
Akeva's
Infringement
Allegations
at 7, attached as Exh. D).
Argument
A.
Under the Correct
To Summary
Claim
Judgment
Construction,
adidas Is Entitled
Of Noninfringement
Of The '300 Patent
A patent owner's fight to exclude others from making, using, offering
invention
is deemed and limited by the language
Electric U.S.A.,
process:
of the patent claims.
Inc.,
868 F.2d 1251, 1257 (Fed. Cir. 1989).
(1) interpreting
Court, cover the accused
product.
Southwall
Coming
Detemxining
ttm claims and (2) dete.rmining whether
to sell, or selling the patented
Glass Works
v. Sumitorno
patent infringement
is a two-step
.the claims, as properly
interpreted
by the
Teehs., Inc. v. C4u'dinal IG Co., 54 F.3d 1570, 1575 (Fed. Cir.
1995).
Here, the proper interpretation
therefore,
is amenable
of the '300 patent's
to surnrnary judgrnent.
1989); see also Markman
v. Westview
Johnston
Instrumeots,
claims is a question
of law for the Court and,
v, IVAC Cot-p. 885 F.2d 1574, 1579-80 (Fed. Cir.
Inc., 52 F.3d 967, 979 (Fed. Cir. 1995) C__b__.__, a_ck
517 U.S. 370, 116S. Ct. 1384(1996).
Second,
interpreted
the determination
claims is also amenable
literal infiingement
of whether
to summary
or (2) infringement
the accused "representative"
judgment.
structures
construction
- as a matter of law - and is amenable
Labs _,__._c. 157 F.3&
A patent claim may be infringed hi two ways:
under the doctrine of equivalents.
the relevant
of the accused representative
shoe models, "literal
to sunumry
1325, 1332-33 (Fed. Cir. 1998).
shoe models infringe the properly
judgrnent."
Likewise,
A 2012
Because
(1)
there is no dispute about
infringement
collapses
into claim
Desper Products, Inc. v. Osound
the Court may grant summary
judgment
dismissing
estoppel
W'm_,
a claim of infringement
the doctrine of equivalents
applies or the theory of equivalence
Corp,
infringement
would entirely vitiate a particular
v. Catrett,
for summary
477 U.S.
by a preponderance
317,
judgment
as here, prosecution
claim element.
history
Bai v. L & L
under Fed. IL Civ. P. 56 are well established.
322 (1986).
of the evidence,
Because
infringement
of the '300 patent to prevail
952 F.2d 1384, 1389 (Fed. Cir. 1992).
the absence
on the present
To defeat
motion.
this motion,
showing that there is a genuine issue of material
shoes infringe the '300 patent.
!.
Akeva
bears
Carroll Touch, Inc. v. Electro
1673, 1578 (Fed. Cir. 1993), adidas must only establish
evidence
where,
Inc., 160 F.3d 1350, 1353-54 (Fed. Cir. 1998). 4
The general standards
Celotex
under
Akeva
supporting
a finding of
Inc. V- PhQnometrics,
must come forward
fact as to whether
of proving
Mech. Sys., Inc., 15 F.3d
of evidence
Intellicall,
the burden
Se..._e
the accused
Inc.,
with specific
"representative"
Id. This Akeva cannot do.
The Accused "Representative"
Shoes
Lack The Claimed Secured Rear Sole
For literal infringement,
the accused process or apparatus.
every limitation
recited in the claims of the patent-in-suit
Cole v. Kimberly-Clark
to meet a single limitation is sufficient
must be found in
Corp., 102 F.3d 524, 532 (Fed. Cir. 1996). Failure
to negate literal infringement
of a claim.
Laitram Corp. v. Rexnord,
939 F.2d 1533, 1535 (Fed. Cir. 1991).
Each asserted
beneath
the upper.
claim of the '300 patent requires,
Properly
that can be selectively
construed,
among other things, that the rear sole be "secured"
this claim limitation requires
locked into position.
However,
it is undisputed
that the claimed shoe have a rear sole
that none of the accused representative
4 The Federal Circuit has frequently upheld the grant of summary judgment of non-infringement.
S_, e,_., Desper Products, Inc. v. Qsound Labs, Inc., 157 F.3d 1325 (Fed. Cir. 1998); Bai v. L & L
Wings, Inc., 160 F.3d 1350 (Fed. Cir. 1998); Laitram Corp. v. Morehouse Industries, Inc., 143 F.3d 1456
(Fed. Cir. 1998); Spectrum International
Inc. v. Sterilite .Corp., 49 USPQ2d 1065 fled. Cir. 1998);
Wolverine
World Wide, Inc. v. Nike, Inc., 38 F.3d 1192 (Fed. Cir. 1994); Gentex Corp. v. Donnelly
69 F.3d 527 (Fed. Cir. 1995); Hoganas AB v. Dresser Indus., Inc., 9 F.3d 948 (Fed. Cir. 1993).
A 2013
•
.
shoes has such a detachable
shoe.
shoes, the purported
Permanently
because
.
(Exh. C, at ¶ 5). Rather, as illustrated
in the each of the accused representative
Accordingly,
.
sample accused shoe below,
rear sole is permanently
attached
to the upper.
attached
there is no genuine issue of material
models lack a claimed element, the representative
inthe
fact that the accused representative
shoes do not literally
infi-inge any asserted
shoe
claims of the
'300 patent as a matter of law.
Nor can the shoes infringe
position
under the doctrine
seeking
Akeva's
secured
rear sole, Akeva did not identify
doctrine of equivalents
as to whether
of equivalents.
any of the accused
any such equivalents.
is not available where its application
Bai. 160 F.3d at 1353-54. To find that a permanently-attached
A 2014
shoes
In response
feature
to adidas'
an equivalent
interrogatory
to the missing
(Exh. E, at 5). Akeva cannot because
would entirely vitiate a particular
the
claim element.
rear sole is equivalent to a detachable
rear sole
. ..
would effectively
eliminate
this limitation
held that such a finding of equivalence
Davis
_
against
from each of the '300 patent's claims.
is improper
2.
of equivalence
1054 (1997)
to eliminate
shoes embody
or replaced.
be a special
vigilance
any such elements.").
component;
and
The purported flexable plates in the accused
neither of these features.
that each purported
plate is an integral part of the_acensed shoe that cannot be
(See Exh. C, at ¶ 6).
Second, in each Of the purported
the periphery,
Co., Ine, v. I'lilton
the claimed flexa'ble plate mu_ (1) be a separate and removable
First, it is undisputed
removed
should
has
Plate
(2) having an interior portion that is elevated_above its periphery.
representative
("There
completely
The Accused "Representative"
Shoes Lack The Claimed Flexible
Properly construed,
The Supm-,ae
as a matter of law. Wamer-Jenkinson
Co,, 520 U.S. 17, 40, 117 S.Ct. 1040,
allowing the concept
.
not elevated
plates, it is undisputed
above it as required
U'aatthe interior portion
by each of the claims.
_
is positioned
be/ow
F_,xh. C, at ¶ 7). Therefore,
the
accused shoes lack the claimed flexible plate and do not literally infringe the asserted '300 patent claims as a
matter of law.
is also no infringement
the secured
equivalents
rear
sole, Akeva
Properly
no__!tbe allowed
Wimess
Report
alleged
co_
to move
as to these limitations.
equivalents
during
to do so would be to eliminate
discovery.
the claims limitations
First, as with
Moreover,
altogether,
520 U.S. at 39, 117 S.Ct at 1054.
The Accused "Representative"
Shoes Lack The Claimed Restraint
in the claims of the '300 patent, the periphery
in relation to the center of the plate.
that the peripheries
plate.
any
as a matter of law. Warner-lenkinson,
3.
purported
to identify
cannot be applied here because
which is improper
undisputed
failed
under the doc.ta-ine of equivalents
Indeed, Akeva
of the purported
has submitted
of Karl B. Fields dated
flexible
plates
_
of the cla_med flexa'ble plate must
adidas'
do move
Marlonan
in relation
Brief,
to the center
an expert report that reaches this very conclusion.
Sept. 7, 2004,
A 2015
at ¶ 10, attached
as Exh.
at 17).
_
It is
of the
Expert
F; see also Exh.
D).
Accordingly,
this missing '_raint"
do not literally
infringement
limitation is yet another reason that the accused
infringe the asserted
under the doc_ine
of equivalents.
so because a finding of equivalents
Moreover,
the docla'ine
trader the doctrine
of equivalents.
who
responds
surrendered
of prosecution
estoppel
claims that, unlike the cancelled
of prosecution
by narrowing
Meschan
claims, included
thus surrendered
plate is not restrained,
of equivalents
B.
"representative"
adidas'
Akeva
does not dispute
shoe models discussed
these shoe models.
shoes, then theasserted
they are anticipated
from pursuing
his claim
cannot
and cannot do
infringement
a patent
"applicant
later assert
that the
B__ 160 F.3d at 356. Here,
the pending
the "restraint"
any claim to shoes
in which
in
claims in favor of
claim limitation.
_..
the periphery
Exh. G;
of the
here.
Invalidity
the characteristics
of the relevant
above, Akeva argues that the asserted
If, however,
independent
by the Turntec
I.
novelty
equivalents
history estoppel,
barred
there is also no
Under Akeva's Likely Claim Construction,
The AssertedIndependent
Claims Of The '300 Patent Are Invalid
Although
to cover
Akeva
limitation."
is therefore
shoes
element from the claims.
and Akeva cancelled
ExI'L I-I; Erda. 13. Akeva and Meschan
and the doctrine
precludes
of the amended
limitations,
no purported
vitiate the "restraint"
prior art rejection
is an equivalent
As with the previous
has identified
Under the doctrine
light of prior art raised by the Patent Office,
narrower
Akeva
would improperly
to an examiner's
subject matter
'300 patent claims.
'_-epresentative"
the claims
of the '300 patent
of the purported
invention
F.3d 1376, 1383 (Fed. Cir. 2001).
claim must be present
of the accused
claims should be construed
are broadly
claims are invalid under 35 U.S.C.
construed
§§102(a)
to cover
and (b) because
A.R.T. prior art reference.
The Issue Of Invalidity
For
Anticipation
Is Amenable To Summary
on the ground
structures
of anticipation
under
as it is claimed
in the patent.
35 U.S.C.
For a claim to be anticipated
in a single prior art reference.
Id____.
A 2016
Judgment
§§
Karsten
102(a)
and (b) requires
Mfg. v. Cleveland
lack of
Golf Co., 242
by the prior art, all of the elements
of that
C
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IN Ti_
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FOR THE IVIHDDI_.DI_I_.
DISTRIC'F
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
AKEVA L.L.C., a North Carolina Limited
Liability Company,
Civil No. 1:03CV01207
P]aiu_ff,
V,
ADIDAS AMERICA, INC., a Delaware
Corporation,
D_fcnd_nt
ADIDAS'S
AKEVA L.LC.'S RESPONSE TO
MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
A 2025
tion. Accordingly, if the Court grants the Motion to Strike, the Turner advertisement and Turner
Affidavit, and Adidas's reliance thereon, will be moot.
Anticipation requires that a single reference put a person of ordinary skill in the art in
possession
of each and every clement of the claimed invention. See Verve, L.LC. v. Crane Cams,
Inc., 311 F.3d I 116, 1120 (Fed. Cir. 2002). An invalidity argument based on anticipation
re-
quires that the accused infringer must prove invalidity of each asserted claim. Apple Computer,
In_ v Articulate
Systems, Inc., 234 F.3d 14, 24 ('Fed. Cir. 2000).
Thus, even if Adidas's
argument
were correct regarding the five claims, it would have no effect on the validity of the seventy-four
other claims in the '300 Patent infringed by Adidas. Further, invalidity
must be proven by clear
and convincing evidence, which is a heavy burden that the Turner ad cannot meet because it has
such sparse detail. See Motorola, Inc. v. Interdigital
Technology
(Fed. Cir. 1997) ("The district court's holding misapprehends
prior art reference
Corp., 121 F.3d 1461, 1473
the rigors of anticipation.
For a
to anticipate a claim, the reference must disclose each and every element of the
claim with sufficient clarity to prove its existence in the prior art.").
An inspection
dependent
of the advertisement
patent claims.
reveals that it omits critical elements of Plaintiff's in-
Nothing in the Turner advertisement
teaches a flexible plate with a sur-
face that is concave in its unflexed state. Similarly, nothing in the Turner advertisement
teaches
relative restraint as the cause of the deflection
assertion
that the plate deflects.
With respect to Claim 192, nothing in the Turner advertisement teaches a
supporting structure with a downward
2.
Anticipation
Inc. v. Laboratory
of the plate, even if one accepts Adidas's
wall securing the heel.
In any Case, Questions of Fact Regarding the Turner Advertisement Prevent Summary Judgment for Adtdas.
is a question of fact, not a question of law. SeeMetabolite
Corp. of America Holdings,
cert. filed, 73 USLW 3298 (U.S. Nov. 3, 2004).
Laboratories,
370 F.3d 1354, 1359 (Fed. Cir. 2004),petition
In this case, Adidas's
A 2042
anticipation
for
argument is
o
not amenable to summary judgment because, among other things, serious questions of fact exist
In particular, the parties disagree on the content of the 1990 Turner AdvertisemeaL
See Rapoport
v. Dement, 254 F.3d 1053, 1060 (Fed. Cir. 2001) ("What a referenee teaches is a question of
fact. '_)
It is telling that, as noted in Akeva's Motion to Str_,
Adidas's only technical expect did
not (1) mention the Turner advertisement in his only expert report submitted in this matter conceming validity, nor (2) submit an analysis with Adidas's motion. Thus, the Turner advertisemeat should beseen
for what it truly is: a failed last minute, last gasp attempt to make an antici-
pation argumeaL
On its face, there are a number questions of fact concerning
For example,
the Turner advertisement.
the advertisement does not teach the flexible plate of Claims 93, i 17, 118, or 121,
all of which require some form of curved surface, and several claims requiring a concave surface
L.,
I
(Claims 93 and 121).
Further, the ad does not necessarily
such that the plate is visible from outside the shoe.
matter in the void in the advertisement.
teach a void beneath the wearer's heel
It is not clear whether there is any material or
See Skaja Tr. at 238 at Exh. 6; Skaja Dccl., ¶ 13, at Exh.
1. R is also not clear what causes any relative deflection
in the shoe.
At best, the Turner adver-
tisement is cumulative of other prior art considered by the Examiner that displayed a void beneath
the wearer's heel that could be vis_le
from outside the shoe, see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,878,300
(Bogaty), at Exh. 7. These genuine disputes concerning material facts such as the topography
the trampoline
and the content of the midsole chamber prevent resolution on _
The affidavit of Mr. Turner submitted
questions of fact. Adidas apparendy
of
judgment.
by Adidas as an exhibit cannot resolve any of these
hopes to invalidate the five cla/ms of the '300 patent by us-.
ing the advertisement as a printed publication under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a) and Co). The test therefore is what the reference itself teaches, not the concept on which the reference is based. Even if
Mr. Tumer's 2004 statements,
such as those concerning the concavity of the trampoline, are ao-
A 2043
cepted as true, they cannot be used to supplement the insufficient disclosure of the 1990 ad. By
separate moron filed c,oncun'¢ntly
with this Opposition, and for a number of reasons, Adidas is
moving to strike Mr. Turner's affidavit and to preclude Adidas from relying on the Tin-net ad.
H.
ADIDAS INFRINGES
REVERSE.
THE CLAIMS
Adidas's argument of noninfringement
clahn coition.
AS A MA'ITER
OF LAW, NOT THE
of the '300 patent is based solely on an improper
Adidas cannot and does not argue that its products do not infiing¢ the plain
meaning of the claims; instead, Adidas simply imports limitations from the specification
contradiction of well-established
in direct
Federal Circuit preoedenL When the claims are given their or-
dinary meaning, it becomes evident that the motion for summary judgment of non infringement is
without merit.
There is a heavy presumption that claim terms take on the full range of their ordinary
meaning.
See Texas Digital As/s, Inc. v. Telegenix, lnc, 308 F.3d ! 193, 1202 (Fed. Cir. 2002);
Honeywelllnt'l,
lncv.
1nt'l Trade Comm'n, 341 F.3d 1332, 1338 (Fed. Cir. 2003). This
presumption is overcome only if"the patentee, acting as his or her own lexicographer, has clearly
set forth an explicit definition of the term different from its ordinary meaning," or "if the inventor
has disavowed or disclaimcd scope of coverage,
by using words or expressions of manifest
exclusion or restriction, representing a clear disavowal of claim scope." Texas Digital 5_ys.,308
F.3d at 1204. The Federal Circuit has consistently
limitations from the specification.
held that it is improper to simply imply claim
See Llebel-Flarsheim
Co. v. Medrad, Inc., 358 F.3d 898, 904
(Fed. Cir. 2004), cert. denied 125 S.CL 316 (2004); Constant v. Advanced Micro-Devices,
Inc.
848 F.2d 1560, 1571 (Fed. Cir. 1988).
As discussed in substantially greater detail in Plaintiffs
concurrently filed Response to
Adidas's Claim Construction Brief, each and every one of Adidas's arguments violates this cardinal rule of claim construction
in order to evade the plain meaning of Plaintiff's claim terms.
A 2044
Where Plaintiff cla/ms a rear sole "secured"
beneath an upper, Adidas argues that the term "se-
cured," should be construed to mean "selectively
looked into position"
tached" (Adidas Mere. IL at 10). Yet the specification
term "secured,"
and not "permanently
at-
never redefines or disavows the scope of
and even discusses an embodiment of the invention in wh/ch the rear sole is per-
manently attached to the uppo" (Exh. 2, at Col. 10:14-16).
Similarly, Adidas argues that the
claimed flexa'ble plate must be (1) be separate and removable and (2) have an interior potion elevatod above its periphery, even though the specification
embodiments
in no way limited the invention to these
(Adidas Mere. R, at 12). Finally, where Plaintiffclaims
the plate being restrained from movement
the peripheral
portions of
relative to an interior portion, Adidas argues that this
language should be construed to nman that the periphery and interior remain fixed and stiff, a
reading contrary to the plain meaning which would render the invention inopea'able (Adidas Mere.
II, at 12). These arguments are a tacit admission
judgment of infringement
that if the claims mean what they say, summary
should be granted in Plaintiff's favor as a matter of law.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff rcspocffully requests that the Court deny Adidas's
motions for summary judgrnent that claims of the '300 patent are invalid for failure to satisfy the
written description,
are anticipated,
or are not infringed.
Dated: January3, 2005
Scott A. Sclmaf
North Carolina Bar Number 28792
TUGGLE, DUGGINS & MBSCHAN, P.A.
228 West Market SWeet
Greensboro, North Carolina 27401
(336) 378-1431 - Telephone
(336) 274-6590 - Facsimile
North Carolina Bar Number 23835
_N
& BIRD, LIP
Bank of America Plaza
101 South Tryon Street, Suite 4000
Charlotte, North Carolina 28280
(704) 444-1000 - Telephone
(704) 444-1111 -Facsimile
A 2045
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ORAW_IO
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Notice of Allowability
- The MA//.JNG DATE o/_r_
AJ]CI_T¢_ being _wWde.
PRO_N
| loeooT,e_
I MESCHAN,
_VlO r.
I Ma_.P_._oa
I _r2e
©onb_aJcaCkm _
on tJN, cover a_Mmfwf¢h _ __
ON THE ME_ITS IS (OR REMAINS) CLOSED b_INs epl_
NOTIC_ OF ALLOWAIBClTY IS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT _
Tids ep_n
of the Office or upoll pef_
bythe IlpS_car/L Sin37 C.FR 1.313 andMPEP 130e.
z.p(_veto
am.n_r_
3.1_
4. r']
Th_ dm,,d_ngs.li]Fdon 04 December _01 we accepted by the Exan_e¢
Acknov,4edgme_ bmade o/o d_rnfor f_e_ pdod_ undo35 U.S.C_ § l_9(m)-{d)or (f).
8)D
A_
b)_Jscn_"
c)r'lNone
o_the:
c_d,s
2. ['-I C_.t_
copim_ of the _
o__
_sd2rt_L
i_dsy docun_ds Mve b_.m te_L
doctu'nenb he_wbeen received In/q>pllcal_n No..
3, _} Col:_l of tM celWSed coldes of the pdc_y dooJmerCs hav_ been received in this _
Intem_onal
"Ceded
5. (_
_l_es
App_
ha_
TH_
not rec.k_
a_
is made of a cla_ fo_ domestic lXlOdlyund_ 35 U.S.C _ '_20 snd/ot 121.
ll_
CORRECTED
(a) r-I
FROM
TH_
"MAI1JNG
DATE"
of I_
_¢al_
1o IP_
a rejdy
c_Myl_
"n_STHR_E..MONTH
_
_
_hang_ requl_
kldlxl'_
_
each
9. []
=t_
Indk_
_
_
m _E
_
_._
Th_
wwwb_
bythe proposed drl_ng
req_ed
u
t_
by _e NotL_ of C_a_er_n'=
Padre 0rr,_n0 Review (PTO-_Ie)
eetache4
to Paper No. _
cl_reqdred
(c) I--I InClL,_b_ cha_
Ids_l_b_
r_r_
PERIOD t_No'r EXTENDABLF-
DRAWINGS must be submitted.
Induo_
1) {_ her(do or 2) I-I
(b)[-I
_
m_
7. _"l A 8UBSTrR.r_
OATH OR DECLARATtON must be _ubmlu_L Note the aStacbedEX.NMIH(_S AM_
INFORMAL PATENT APPUCATION (PTO-152) which 9k.e_ r,mson{$) why the os_ or decksra_on Is de_ldm¢
8. []
_
_
bek)w. FaJlUTetol_mdyc_mp_yw_rmp./lLnA_ofthls_
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Bureau (PCT Ru_m17.2(a))-
Ac_gn_m(
b m_Je of e dak'n fa¢ domestic pdodly ueCk_ 35 U.8.C. § 11_e) _ a _
{a) r") The b'am_on ofO_e f_e_n lamg_.mgei, ov4siomd'applca_n Ms be=n retched.
6.1--1 Ackno,,d_oment
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Thb_v_k_nls
1. I-I C_i_
_
If n_ Included
Is subJed to v,_hd_ihvalfrom tsmJeM I_e b_lagve
1. []
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by the attac_d
ll_pgcaUm_
_heuld
be _ed
mm_t_r
Isee
e_ m _e1_m
Ex_s
c_'ad_l_ed
.._
31 C FR 1JI4(l_}
pa_
W_h
_
whichhasb_e_optovedbyth4Exambl_.
I Contmemtor _ the O1_
Mlould
a tr_
be
Mtl_l_
_
on
the
a_Med
dxav4ags
_
_ _
_ the O_
_ _
t_
_
_
_
_
_
_)
_
DEPO_I'I" OF and/or INFOR_T)ON
abou_ the deposit o_ BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL must be submWed. Note tJ_
F_xan_-_ds commeM regar_ng REQUIREMENT FOR THE 0__.POSff OF BIOLOG;_
MATERIAL
A_ac._,me_s)
_
_
of _e_,_e_c_n CUed (/_'o-a_)
3r"J Notic_ M'Dral_emon's P'atenl Dra,,vtt_ Revtew (PTO-04_}
Ird_'maUon Dtsdoswe SLsternan_ (PTO-1440), Papm NO. 19/'2.
"_ Ex_I:
CommeN Regarding Requl,emen_ _ Depor,_
of B_o_
Ua_eda_
2[] No_e of I_forn_ P'a_m__on
(PTO-162)
4_ IrierAew _
(PTO-413), Pep_ I_._.
s_ _s
s_smem_ Re,,ons_
M f_. Pa.tte_
Primary Ex,,mJnm
I
tJJL Pill
md T
_
(Rw. o4.m)
C_=
Pc1 d Ptpe No. 21_.
A 4268
App"licaSoNControl Numbe_. 10/007,535
Art Unit 3728
1.
Page 2
The following is an examiner's statement of reasons for allowance:
The claims all include the language "peripheral porgons of the plate being
restrained from movement relative to an interior portion of the plate in e direction
substantially perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe so that the interior portion of the
plate is b.apabla of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions In a direction
substantially.perpendicular to the major axis of the shoe" or similar language. This
language has been interlpretad as the restrained direction being the direction
perpendicular to the major axis, I.e. the major axis is that axis whi_ runs from the toe of
k,
the shoe to the heel of the shoe and the direction perpendicl.dar to such is the direction
medial to lateral direction and allows the Interior portion of the plate to deflect relative to
the peripheral portions In the perpendicular/vertical directions, I.e. a direction
perpendicular to the major axis. Such language overcomes the prior art to Tong
(5185943)
because the plate in Tong does not have "peripheral edges restrair_d from
mevement in the direction perpendlcul_" to the IntedorpodJon of the plata in a direction .
substantially perpendicular to a major axis of the shoe so that the interior portion of the
pkite is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in e direction
substantially perpendicular to the majo_ axis of the shoe" as claimed because the
ednges are clearly shown in figure 8 as moving ina direction perpendicular to the
intedor portion of the plate at arrows 104 and described on page 8 lines 30-35. The
movement of the edges of Tong prevents the function of Intedor plate deflecting relative
to the peripheral edges as claimed.
This language overcomes the Japanese refarenca
5-18965 because there is no disclosure or guidance in the Japanese reference as to
A 4269
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Application/Control Number:. 10/007,535
Art Urdt: 3728
Page 3
how the peripheral portlons of the plate are supported in reference to the.inter_ podJon
of the plate. Also, thore Is no gc,ddance as to how the interior of the plate reacts In
reference to the pedphery of the plate` It appears that the sole material is "sponge or
any othe" cushioining substance" (page 1 of translation, line 29) and the pCateis stated
as being made of a "forming substance, so that the compressive deforrr_on
of that
heel site can be dea'eased to control the compressive dr_j" (page 1 of translation lines
41--42) and the sheet "cordrols the twisting arxJflexing of the shoe bottom to suppress
the exacessive d_ormation" (page 2 of translation lines 16-17). The examiner
concludes that the sheet must be of a more rigid material tl_t the sole materiel to.
provide the conlToldesired in the Japanese reference, therefore it appears that the
entire plate would move as a single element, I.e. the Interior would not move d/fferently
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than the peripheral edges, i.e. the plate is a supporting element, not a flexlL_edeflective
member. FurtJ-mm_re, the Japanese reference does not show a plate with a "concave"
or.'convex" upper surface. The Japanese reference does show a wave shape for the
plate, which.would appea_"to transmit and allow the plate to expand hodzo,ntany/ina
_on
along the major ax_sof the shoe, instead of vertically, Le`'t0 a direction
substantially perpandlcular to a major axis of the shoe" as claimed.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later
than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably
accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be cJeady labeled "Comments on
Statement of Reasons for _lov_ance."
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A 4270
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Page 4
AppScatlon/Control Number:. 10/007,535
Art Unit: 3728
2.
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An examiner's amendment to the record appears below. Should the.changes
earl/or edd_or_s be urtaooaptat_e to appUCant, an mnendment may be filed as provided
by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure consideration of such an amendmer_, it MUST be
submittal no later than the payment of the issue fee.
Authorization for this examiners
amendment was given in a telephone interview
with Thomas Martin on 3/5/03"
/_-
The application has been amended as follows: Claims 460-495 have been
canceled.
(.
"4.'.'
3.
Any inquiry concerning Ibis communication or earlier communications from the
examiner should be directed to Marie Patterson whose telephone number is 703-3080069. The examiner can normally be reached on M-Th 6:30-4:00.
ff attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are _uccessf_,
the examiner's
supervisor, Mlcksy Yu czn be reached on 703-308-. The fax phone numbers for the
organization where this application or proceed_ is assigned are 703305-3580 for
regular communications and 703-305-3580 for After F'malcommunicati_s.
Any inquiry of a general nature or relating to the status of this application or
proceeding shoutd be directed to the receptionist whose telephone number _s703-308-
11,_.
._,_
Made Patterson
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3728
MDP
March 6, 2003
A 4271
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(LABEL
AREA1
A 4339
(FACE)
.,:_"
•f
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CL_.
What
is
claimed
is:
comprising:A
_.
shoe
a_
having
a
the
!
_ar
sole
rear_61e
a
heelupper
region;
support,
support
having
a
_rst
having
a
se_on_ove;
attached
to
fncluding
qroove,
and
a
a
.the
first
second,
heel
region
downwardly
downwardly
of
the
upper,
extending
wall
extending.wall
areef
_t-Ta_l_ .°°redtothor°--so_e
sup_
a--;o_ --.r a_tached
totherear.o_eand
inoluding
et
/
least
one
the
rear
the
rear
e
sole
r_
sole
_ngaging
_o_he
locking
sole
relative
"'_>_
rear
=_r
and
a_
e_pport;
engaging
the
to
1,
sole
grooves
support
prevent
solesupport
of_m
second
to
secure
and
rear
member
the\rear
shoe
first
sole
_u_ting
to
The
the
during
wh_
the
and
rotation
of
one
of
the
rear
use.
first
and
secon_
walis
0
are
spaced__
ea_/othe
I
alo_periphery
of
•0,.r__o,,!0_,._--.--..
tooccup_
,e '''_I'"
"i
•
3.
The
Wh 7
g_.o_,ao_j
horizontal
groove_
_f
i
•
sole
_°,_,, --r .,.d
_in
outer
_ri__ec_
r te ain
the
-
surfaces
of
the
first
w_t,nthe
locking
i
-L72.=°_
rear
re--.ole-- --° attaoh°d
tothe
_laim_2,
to
the
29
-
A 4414
member
_gement
with
i
;!"
!
I
•
.
.
.
.
The
|
includ_
an
an
shoe
claim
for
receiving
mounting
with
5.
The
a'notc
engaging
the
of
L
6.
The
the
--t."
:_
-4
i
.
flexible
mounting
locking
member
member
profrusion
_hcludes
to'_age
the
member.
1,
wherein
the
mounting
member
the
shoe
I,
between
supported
the
external
ng
•
the
and
locking
Cla3_m
and
wherein
"
the
the
_hoe
includes
I,
'protrusion,
external
openi!
i
of
member
includes
_rther
_
t_
comprising
the
plate
ajotrusion
a
upper
edges
and
for
flexible
plate
the
sole,
supported
rear
b_
the
"
o
mounting
memb_£
deflects
relative
&
if'
7.
shaped
so
_tion
the
flexible
plate
e_ges.
The
to
of
the
flexible
ised
del
plate
between
the
is
perlpheral
edges.
0. :
The
8.
(.
. !
m
O
includes
_,
upper
includes
of
the
_f
wbe
the
mounting
the
_ember
edges
claim
6,
wherein
claim
6,
wherein
_ihe
of
_e flexible
plate.
p_ate
has
a
surface.
The
a
6,
;upportlng
The
i0.
2
! cla/m
slots
9.
convex
sh,
shoe
central
flexible
of
opening
plate
to
sized
the
to
heel
the
r_
expose
region
a
of
sole
support
s_tantial
the
portion
u_r.
L.
11.
removable
.........
"
]2_u_:he
The
from
shoe
the
shoe
of
claim
6,
wherein
the
flexible
shoe.
of
claim
_e
_
6,
wherein
the
is
_
flexible
_.
plate
_
in_es
30-
::ii
A4415
L
6
"
"
----":
T"
l
:I
t
/
•
The
plate
_ng
the
a
rear-
R
claim
axis
6,
of
the
support.
T_
S
shoe
and
of
a_dsole
wherein
the
shoe
is
length
of
greater
the
flexible
than
the
wldth"
sole
has
an
of
.
claim
I,
more
wherein
the
resillent
rear
than
the
ours01e.
_
M
of
major
_le
14.
outsole
shoe
15.
least
The
two
the
ring-shaped
•.
• wherein
and
to
surround
16.
!
"._.ncludes
a
re
anothe
The
ne
shoe/of
"a centra._
top
mount_n_
s Lrface
of
th,
:Isd.m
15,
o
the
midsole
comprises
mender/is
of
one
_rein
the
uppermOSt
substantially
the
rear
at
mids_le
sole
mldsole
layers
support
layer
is
sized
C3
to
fit
the
within
cushion
the
heel
region
of
upper.
17.
as
to
th_
The
claim
measured
axis
_.L
width,
as
(_
of
rear
the
_"
the
measu
18.
an
the
rear
shoe,
that
licular
axis
sole
is
to
has
a
length,
qreater
the
than
major
a
axis,
sole
The
sh
of
claim
1,
wherein
rear
sole
comprises
a
k
substantially
at
end
one
walls
U-shaped
by
being
a
bent
member
having
portion,
deflectable
free
relative
top
ends
to
each
_
of
bottom
walls
t_top
k
and
joined
bottom
.other._
A
rear
19.
The
sole
bottom
U-shaped
20.
"_'
_.z"'"r_m_ plurality
F.._ _,,_ _
.,._.
=_'_' "_"
shoe
of
wall
claim
18,
includes
wherein
an
the
outsole
bottom_urface
\
more
of
resill_nt
k
the
than
the
member.
The
shoe
of
outsole
of
claim
segments
19,
wherein
engaging
......
the
outsole
apertures
include
k
in
the
.
- 31 -
A 4416
a
bott_mk
\
! iI
ii
i
'+I
'.q+
"T"
•
_I
compriS_s
the
The
shoe
'at
least
ed
member
material
shoe
attached
one
18,
Wherein.
_dsOle
top
of
ia_e_"
wall,
'the
than
t_e
cl
the
mldsole
_ole
to
a
further
top
s_cface
com_ed
layer
_-shaped
the
rear
attached
21,whereln
to
surrounds
.i
_..!
l
claim "
res111ent
22.
I
of
of
of
a
member.
the
mounting
U-shaped
member
member
top
is
wall
and
the
23.
The
shoe
dlsposed
between
the
portion.
bent
24.
The
[aim
18,
and
st£ffeningmamber
bo
rear
shoe
sole
wal_s
and
comprising
a
adjacent
cu_hionlng
t
wafer
_'
"t
supported
cushion
the
of
wafer
claim
includes
surface
['. -...
of
flexible
plate
to
of, t!
hee_
25.
' I
the
_as_
the
ible
24
one
a
knob
bottom
engaging
an
surface
of
the
opening
on
a
top
plate_
.
26.
L J"
upper
The
nnd
27.
--
A
claim
24,
the
wafer
includes
concave
surfaces.
shoe
attached
28.
an
lower
The
pivotally
._j'
of
of
claim
toone
l,
of
wherein
the
rear
ocklngmember
and
sole
is
the
upper.
shoec_pri_ing:
upper;
a
rear
sole
support
a
nonc_reular
rea_
attached
to
the
upper;
and
r'_
sole
rotatably
engageable
with
rear
;!
sole
Ul
....
'
]••i
A 4417
-r--
._.
The
•shoe
securin_the
axis
rear
of
_e
length,
as
greater
than
!
I
L
of
mhasured
\
axis
of
proper
claim
a_width,
28,
a
as
major
the
orientation
the
along
rear
the
an
wherein
80"
a
major
that
a
is
perpendicular
to
i_
by
aboul
axis
pivoting
perpendicular
the
to
rear
a
major
the
rear
shoe.
the
90
Th_
a
to
has
the
real
more
both
sole
.hoe,
axis
rear
support"
•33.
in
of
The
no
for
relative
the
axis
detaohably
sole
means
sole.
than
32.
comprisihg
wherein
measured
secured
less
further
The
detachably
sole
28,
a
along
axis,
31.
"I'"
. sole.ln
sho_
major
clalm"
shoe.
30.._e
the
of
and
is
pivoting
= ,
claim
cl_
by
sole
the
2
counte
_se
rear
sole
direction
to
is
rotatable
detachably
(_
se_Ee
the
to
re_
34.
the
re@r
support.
A
[
an
a
a
upper
rear
the
rear
and
a
and
second
sole
sole
walls
including
extending
having
noncircular-rear
amounting
region;
attached
support
downwardly
a
heel
member
to
a
second
an
attached
_egion
of
-extending
wall,
arc-shaped
sole;
_el
at
one
of
the
upper,
first
wall
the
surface;
and
to
the
rear
sole
at
and
)ed
:i
i
first
A 4418
_ntLng
member
en_ging
\
aJrc-_haped
detachably
the•ar=-shaped
surface
surface
_n
the
35
e
second
shoe
wall_
l
and
37.
The
circle
one
of
member•
the
by
support
sole
•mounting
first
least
each
s,
wherein
of
the
with•
and.
the
the
second
first
a
claim
the
36,
the
rear
The
one
arc-sha_ed
ells
greater
38."
4=
rear
and
h_ve
first
-,
at
the
I, wherein
:lalm
diameter
C_
of
least
of
36.
L_
at
th e
to
_
walls
the
secared
sole
walls
has
common
has
a
support.
arc-shaped
surface
comprises
a width
of
cLTcle.
common-circle
the
of
surfaces
of
an
the
arc
rear
of
of
a
sole
support.
the
39.
The
wall
surf
of
ls
claim
less
the
34,
than
arc
of
at
least
one
of-
180".
..
".-._
Q
40.
"surfaces
face
:h
arc-shaped
rim
of
The
_ce
for
engaging
41.
an
A
claim
other
of
the
35,
and
the
the
arc-shaped
and
the
ncludes
at
include
mounting
member
wall
at-least
least
one
grooves.
shoe
comprising:
sole
support_attached
upper;
a
rea_
a
noncircular
......
.to
the
upper;
and
J
rear
one
sole
...
positioaahle
rear.
sole
.........
.secured
relative
to
A 4419
to
the
the
rear
sole
rear
sole
support
su
the
a
f.,
t
.
C,
_.
shoe
_e
engageable_ith
43.
•
of _a_41,
_he
The_o
.re_
sol
ra_..
wherein
the
rear
support.
1,
sole
is
'
whereln
the
rear
sole
rotatably
.
iS
:'_
.. :
an
,
rear
upper;
a
rear
sole
sl
_rt
a
rear
sole
d,
tehably
sole
.comprislng
a
att_
ched
t_y-_he
_ured
upper;
to_e
.substantially
u-shaped
and
support,
the
member_Dpper
'I
.!
O
¢
f
L
O
/
7
F._L_ lot
C_ U
ItTr
"i'."
-
35
-
A 4420
. . IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
.
FOR PATENTS
Washington,D.C. 20231
N
_c
=
_1Untl:
I
....
. Altomey's .DocketNumber:.O5659.0002-02000 I
Pa=,_
"
J
• == II
, -
. o
=- NI
• 3728
._
Examiner: J. _ugh
SIR: T_s is a requestfor filing a
_
a Dzv_nalApp,c_tio_
_
37c,FR-§1._o) or_-_
--
p_or
applica_on Serial No. 09/149,142 filed Seplember 8, "1¢J98of Dav_. F. MESCHAN for
ATHLETIC SHOE HAVING A DETACHABLE REAR SOLE.
!
Enclosed is a complete coW of the priorapplication k'mk_ng the oath or
Oeclamti_ and drawls,
if arfy,
as orig_
iliad. !hereby _
U'_at-the
attad'v_ papers are a true copy of prior appfcaflon Serial No.
as originally filed on September B, 1998.
Endosed is a substitu_'_:tficaJ_s_ler
Cancel Ctd'.'ns
37 C.F.R..
2-44
A Preliminary Amendmerd is enclosed.
The fi]mg fee is calculated on the basis of the claims existing in the prior
appl!cation as amended at 3 and 4 above.
o ;
For
Total
; Number Filed
:
cla_ps
:
- 2o-20=
Independent :
C_aims
;
:Numb_
:
:
o
.!
1-3=
;
Extra :
:
Rate
: x_ 180o= :
-
O
:
:
Basic Fee _;760.00
_P
:
- ,_._78,o0=-;
Multiple Dependent Clain_s) ('if az:_licable'l
., +_;260_00=: ,
Total
= :
' Reduction by.Y; for
..:
.'.
filinqby small eqtiht
TOTAL FILING FEE
-=: --
. • -.
380_00
380.00
-. -
_
A 4496
,_
I
L.
I
_:!
|
I
=
.
i.
I
:;f
Page 2 of 4
A c_eck in the amo_t
(,'_
of$38_._to
coverthe'f__gfee
is erml0sed.
•
The CommiSsioner
isherebyauthorized
tochargeany feeswhichmay be
i'equired
inck_mg
fees due under 37 C.F.I_
due under 37 C.F,R.
!t
§ 1.16 and any other fees
§ 1..17, or credit any ove_peymerd
pendency/cPlhis applicatio
n Io Deposl/_.A_
Amend
:"-'_s
'.t
the_peofficat_on
"
".
No..0C>'0916.
8, 1991_'_'_o_
• (08F342,251, filed Octol_r
by reference--,,
.
•
New f_mal
•"
drawings
No..O9/149,142,
Pab_'d No. 5,806,210
12, 1995) a_l o_ which _
:"
,
the
before the first line, the sentence:
Is a m continuation_?,_Lon _,.._l_j_.q_erial
fil.ed September
.i _
by _
dudng
.
. ,_.
incoq0orated
herein
-!
are P_.ndose_
:'..
The pr_application is assignedofreoord to: AkevaLING. {Reel7705:
• Frame O_3)
...
..
Pdodty of application
C
o is enclosed
'"
Serial .No.
, filed on__
in
(cou_t_y)is claimedu'_der35 U.S.C. § 119. A cedif'_l copy
or
o is oh file hi the prior application.
.i;
A verified
statement cl_m_
o Is enclosed
!
The power of attorney
following: FINNEGAN,
DUNNER,
i
LL.P.,
I
entitystatus
• a is on file in the prior application.
in the prior appflcatloR is to at least, one of the
HENDERSON,
FARABOW,
GARRET[
&
Douglas
B. Henderson,
Reg. No. 20,:291; Ford F.
Farabow, Jr., Reg. No. 20,630; Arthur S. Gan:ett, Reg. NO. 20,338;,
Donald R_ Du_ner, Reg. No. 19,073, Brian. G. Brunsvold, Reg.
No. 22,593; "lipton D. Jennings, iV, Reg. No. 20,645; Je_y D. Voight,
Reg. No. 23,020;,
. "t"
or
_
Laurence
R_ Heifer,
Reg. No. 20,827;
Kenneth
F
Payne, Reg. No. 23,098; Herbert H, Mintz, Reg. No. 26,691; C. Larry
O'Ro_._.e, Reg. No. 26,014; Albert J. Sentorelli, Reg. No. 22,610;
L., )
M_chael C: Elm_, Reg; No. 25,857; Richan;l. H, Smith, Reg. No. 20,609;,
Step_n
L Peterson, Reg. No. 26,325; John M. Romary, Reg.
No.26,33!; BruceC. Zott_, Reg. No..27,6B0;Dennis P. O'Reilley, R_J.
.,J"
A 4497
Pege
I
3 of 4
No. 27.932;
No. 25,387;
Allen I_.Sokal,
Reg. No. 26,695; Robed. D. Ba]efsky, Reg.
RIchaKI L Sb'o_; Reg. No. 28,478; David W. Hill, Reg.
No. 28,220;,
No. 28;165;
Thomas
_
L Inting, Reg- No. 28,619; Charles E Llpsey, Reg_
W. W'mland, Reg. No. 27,605; Basil J. Lewd,
Reg.
No. 28,818; Martin L Fuchs, Reg_ No. 28,,5_;, E. Robed Yochas, Reg.
No. 30:120;, Barry W. Graham, Reg. No. 29,924; Susan Habennan
Grfffe.n, Reg. No. 30,907; Richard B. Racine, Reg. No. 30,445; Thomas
.Jenkins, Reg. No. 30,857; Robed F Converse, Jh, Reg. No. 27,432;
FL
Clair X, Mqllen, Jr., Reg. No. 20,348; Christopher P. Foley, Reg.
No. 31,354; John C.. Paul, Reg. No. 30,413; David M. Kelly, Reg.
No.:30,953;
KermethJ;Meyers,
Reg. No. 25,146; C_rol P. W_mmz_ Rag.
•(
No. 32,220;, Walte¢ Y. Boyd, Jr., Reg. No. 31,738;, Steven M. Anzalone,
Reg. No. 32;095; Jean B. Fordis, Reg. No. 32,984; Reger D. Taylor, Reg.
28,992; Barbara C. _,
Reg. No. 32,120;, james K. Hammond, Reg.
No. 31,964; Richard V. Burgu_an, Reg. No. 31,744; J. Michael Jakes,
Reg. No. 32,824; Dirk 0. Thomas, Reo_ No. 32,600; Thomas W. B'anks,
Reg. No. 32,719;, Cl'u_'topher P. Isaac, Reg. NO- 32,616; B_an C. Diner,
Reg. No. 32,409;, M. Paul Barker, Reg.No32,013; Andrew
_g
"" _1"
,S_rtu, Reg. No. 33,457; David S. Fom'_,
Reg. No. 33,694; Vincent P.
Kovarlck, Reg. No. 32,667; J_mms W. Edmpndson,
Reg, No. 33,871;
_=,,& ..
Michael
FL McGurk,
Reg. No. 32;045;
3oa_nn M. Neth,
36,363;
Gerson S. Panitch, Reg. No. 33,751;
Ched
No. 33,216;
Chades E: Van Horn, Reg. No. 40,266;
O
I-=
O3
Reg. No.
M. Taylor, Reg.
I-mda A. WadleG
Reg. No. 33,218;
Jeffrey A. Berkowitz, Reg. No. 36,743; Michael
Kelly, Reg. No. 33, 921; a_l Jarnes B. Monroe, Reg. No. 33,971.
R.
_g
14. n
The power appears
15, Q
Since tim power does not appear
in the original decla_rafion of the prior application.-
power in bhe prior application
16.._
t7:-e ""
'2
..
Recognize
D.C. 20005-3315.
as asso_a t_-attomey-"
8
I]ZI_I_E_
_
L L P.
llret¢%
--Kurt-A; _,ut_ef,
Req. No. 43,764
".,4
(name,
la_Q.|
a copy of
Please address all correspondence
to FINNEGAN,
HENDERSON,
FARABOW,
GARRETT and DUNNER,
LIP.,
1300 1Sb'eet, N.W.,
Washington,
•
in the original decimation,
is enclosed.
_8.
m
address
Information
_ w.
& Reg. No.)
Disclosure
S!ateme. nt;, PTO Form 1449
4¢Ie.,_ooo
._.
'
A 4498
,
"...I
+ ;y
Page 4 o#'4
. ..
+
PETITION FOR EX_TENSfO
N. ifany exlerzsionoftime is necessaryfor the fgtngof this
appltcation_
includingany extensionin the parentapplication,serialno. 09/149,142,
filed September
8, 1998, for Ihe pte1_e
of maintaining
copefldency
between
the
pam'tt application and this application,
and such extension has i_t ottmm4m been
'requested, such an ext_
is hereby requested, and Itm Commissioner is auth_
t6 ctm_je necessary fees for such anizxtension to otx Deposit Account No. 06_916.
.:)
-'}
],I
dupfi_te
copy ol_this paper is enclosed
for use in ctu_ng
the deposit
acco_.L
FINNEGAN,
HENDERSON,
FARABOW,
GARRETT & DUNNER.
LLP.
C3
4:
Date: .October 18, 1999
Reg. No. 43,764
J
01
4:
;+
• .-
c_
P.
...'fj
00
_O
..!
i
.£'
F_,
"
S Dm,_
i_.i_
_oi.
.
_1/
t]0,3_t,
L,z;,
e.
l i_+4c_°
,... ,ii.
+0 ii -4ooo
A 4499
.
...'.
. .
..
A
•
pATENT
AUomw Ooc_H No. 104_0004-¢ZOm
Customer No. 228_
Express Maa I.abd No. ET7473683_VS
IN THE
"_
Application
UNITED,STATES
PATEN_,. AND TRADEMARK
OFFICE
of:.
David F. Meschan
._, ":...
SerialNo.:
09/419,641
Filed: October
Group Art Unit:
18. 1999
Examiner:.
3728
J. Kavanaugh
- For:. ATHLETIC
SHOE WITH.
IMPROVED
HEEL STRUCTURE
RECEIVED
'.Assistant, Commissioner for Patents
Washington,
D.C. 20231
MAY 0 "/7OO3
_
L
CEHI'ER_0
Sir:.
Prior to the further examination
of the above application,
i_ease
amend
this.
app_ce.onas follows:
I,j
IN THE CLAIMS:
"
Please car¢_
add the followiz_
--45.
datm
I w_',out.prejudice
or dlsda_ne_" of Its subjec_ matter
and
new claims:
A shoe comprising:.
an upper, and
a rear sole secured
a member
_,'._
edge., proximate
edge proximate
wall ha,_inga
of the upper, the rear sole comprising:
having a top wag with a lower surface,
least one peripheral
r_ peripheral
(3..
below aportion
a. med, l_ _r_,_ :._.f...the.shoe-and.at
a lateral side of the shoe,
mid4ongitudinal
axis therebetweeri,
._.J',_'.'.5;._,2
,".J_,_:_: ... _ .:. • !'. _.
li/_-'._..-'-.,_
".._c.:.:-,_..
A 4706
T
" r
-'rY-'-1
.................
the top wall having
the peripheral
thetop
at
least one
edges of the
wan having
an
.
t
•
,"-!
i
.'._
|
opening beneath
the weareds
heel. the mid-longitudinal
ads of the peripheral
.
.
. _..
edgesof the topwall bctudinga pointthat is vedicaflyalignedwiththe
'.
_"
• •
ap_
.:
.
_
-r
..:
. .
- .
cente_-ofthe apeni.ngin the topwagand the approximatecenterof
• ..
the weareds
heel, the member
•.
having a bottom wag with an upper surface,
..
_
. ..
.
.
the bottom wall each having a forward
• ,,
-.¢
,
.
,
by a gap therebetween,
t
•.
,:..:.:
topand
.
•
and _ed
. ',
_
:.
.,._
,
region and a rearward-region,
the fon.va_
walls being integral,
-
...
the rearward
.
,..
.,'
,.,
,,
="least
distance
from each
-
other such that during the wearers
,
regions of the
, •
waits being spaced a predetermined
,
..
at a closed end by a (:ulved
beingo, ntedtoward
abackof
.
of the top and bottom
•
. ..
the top wa_ and
,,
waft. the top. bo'dom,
!.
the
other,
.
of the top and bottom walls being connected
I.
i
,,_.
,
planar with each
.
par'aBel with the ground, and separated
_t,"
.
bottom wag having at least two portions approximately
"_. "L.J
-L
.
.
gait cycle when the shoe Is in contact with.
,
the ground the predatennined
distance
between
the at least _ porlJon of the top
and bottom wags is reduced;.
.
4-
.
..
at least one element
'..
positioned
between
at least a portion
.
of the top vrag
,
:,
and at leasta por_nof the bottomw'_a.
II, the at leastone elementhavingat least
one interiorsldewag;
•
-
I
•
a void locatedbeneath
,
the opening
L
.
in the top wall defined
.
at least in part
.
bythe at least one inlmior sidewallof the at leastone element,at least a port,on
•
f.
. .
,.
'
of the void being vertically aligned
the topwall;
.
.
.
with the approximate
.
.
center
._..
of the opening in
-
at least one opening on at least one of the medial and lateral
shoe,the openingbeing in communication
withthe void;and
A 4707
skies of the
!
i
I
r
.i
.. ....
.
.
..,.:
a bottom surface that is at least in part ground..engag]ng..
The shoe of claim 45. wherein
46."
a cross-sec_onal
pr_e
" ' i:, .
oi_the top and.Ix_m
=
wags that are connected
at the dosed
end by the curved wailis
in a
ger_
't
recumbent
.::..
U-sl'u_l_.
-
47.
.
The sl_oe of claim 45. wherein
at least
a portion
""
..
.
..
the reducedpredetermined
ol the top and bottom
walls
distance
re_uPus from the
at least
"
oneoflhe
between
the
a I:_r_n
of
:
top and bottom walls deflecting
i
6
toward the other in a substantially
vertical dkectJon.
48.
The shoe of c_im
45, wherein
the reduced predetewnined
distance
between
at least a pozlJon of the top and bottom wails results from the atleast
.the top wail deflecting
49.
toward the ground in a substantially
_l'he shoe of claim 45, wherein the top _
proximate
.50.
the
marof
ved.lcei d'a_,ction.
edge
the shoe.
The shoe of claim 49, wherein
proximate
the
a portion of
has at least one peripheral
the at least
one peripheral
edge of the top wag
one of the medial side of the shoe, the la{eral side of the shoe, and
the rear of the shoe is Visible from outside the shbe.
51.
The Shoe of claim 45, wherein
proximate
52.
the bottom wag has at least one peripheral
least one peripheral
•
]
edge
one Of the medial side of the shoe and the lateral side of the shoe.
The shoe of dajm 51, wherein theat
is at least In pad visible from ou_ide
.
edge of the bottom wag
:
.
.
.
the shoe.
The shoe of claim 45. wherein one of the at least two portions of the bottom
_
•
has at least one penpheral
.._rm_er
of the at least
edge
two i_ms
proximate
of _e
wall
the medial side of the shoe a_l
bottom
" t,'.: + ."
A 4708
_r.._g tins
at least
one
_ftr_hera
I
J
+
I
.,i
01
i
I] l
edge proximate the lateral side of the shoe, the peripheral edges being
,....._
...
•
,
•
. •
. •
•
_
._-
, :
.
";
•aplxo_drnatelyparagel with each other.
54. T_ _, ora_ _. _-_.
•
.:..
• .
.._
.
.
_
-
the bottom wall pr0xlmatethe
.
the_,_p_'_ _0_;_ofth__,t_
:
. . _'_.,
twopo,-_ of
. ...:
,
medbl side and late_ side of the shoe are at
least in part vis_'biefrom outside the shoe.
,.
55.
,
.
,
.
•
The shoe of delta53, wherekl each of the at least two portions of the bottom
,_
":
. .
.
wall has an _nterior edge, the intedor _lge_ of the at least two portions of the "
bottom wall being substanUailyplanar with each other and substan.t_d_y
paraOel
I
..
. .
'..
..
56.
•
...
....
The shoe of daim 45. wherein the curved Wa_ has at least one pedl_erai beige
- ._ ...._..
.l
_;
pm.ximate one of the medial side of the shoe and the lateral side of the shoe.
57. _-_ shoeof_el,n_, _er_ the_ _ast0.e _
, ,
:.J
..
,."
-
,..
, :
:
.
.."
edgeof_ cu,ve_',wan
-.
is at least in part visible from outside the shoe.
58.
The
shoe
of claim
•
45.
..
..
an opening a_
.
5g..
.
._
•
.
.
wherein
the
,
curved
.
.
w_g
.
I_as a mi_longltudinal
. .
,
., .
axLs, w_
•
the midJongJtudinal axis of the curved wall.
.
._
,
.
.
lJ_e shoe of rialto45, _'_e.reln the cuwed wag is appro_mately perpend_culm"to
't
-.'..the major longitudinal axis of the shoe.
i
._.l i
60.
|
wearers heel and al_
..
•
at least a portion of thetop wag of Ihe member, the
cushion and th_ top wall.each being made of a material, the material of b_"
/
. I
D
The shoe of daim 45. further comprising a cushion positioned beneath the
i'
_:
• cushion being more resilient than the material of the top wall.
61.
"t:;
_._'..
The shoe of claim'60, wherei" the cushion has an upper surface con'ferndng in
'¢
.
,
.
shape to the bottom suriace ofihe wearer's heeL
A 4709
,.:=
L
.
62.
",'..
•
.
....'.
The shoe of _
•
_
. .
:..."
61, wherein the cushion
appro>drnate center of the v_arer's
.-.,
• 63.
,.
-
.
•
...
The shoe of claim 62, wherein
•
_.
,
.,
is Iocat_l
•
• .'_
.-
....
.
'
...
at least in part beneath
..._._. .-.
the
heel.
,
.
,
,
. -
,
.
",
the cushion is located
,:,'
_
beneath
,-.
and adjacent
.
at
, ,
least a podJon of the upper.
/"
64.
The shoe of claim 45. wherein
through
the opening
in the top wa_ is vts_e
at least in part
the at least one opening _on at least one of the medial and lateral sides
_.
-.
,..
,
,
of the shoe.
651
The shoe of claim 45. wherein
the lower surface
of the top wall Is at least
in part
.....
visible from outside the shoe through
medial and lateral sides of_e
• ,
66.
the at least one opening
on one of the
shoe.
_
-,
The shoe of claim 45, wherein
,
,
-.
,
the Upper sudace
•
part visibJe from ouLside the shoe through
,-
,
,,
,
,
.
of the bottom wall is at least In
. .
.
,
,'
the at least one opening
.
on at least
one of the medial and lateral sides of the shoe.
67.
The shoe of ciairn 45. wherein
the inierior sidewall
of the at least one element
-..
68.
at least in part vt,u'ble from oufside
the shoe throclgh
one of the medi_
of the shoe.
The _hoe
and latera/sides
of claim 45, wherein
one e_'nent
the shoe.
.
The shoe of claim 45, wherein
.
one. element
.."
•
..
an entire portion of the top wall over the at least
.
./
the at least one opening in
the at least one interior sidewall of the at least
is at least in part visible from outside
•
69.
.
. .
.
is solid.
i
• 70_.,
Theshoe
of claim 45, wherein'the
• _-*_
/._; ground-eno._ging
- ,_-_.
is
_ ,
bottom surface
portion that is vertically
of the rear sole has a non-
aligned with at least a portion of the
-
'_,.o)0ening in the top wall.
°
A 4710
!
J:
..:
i,
I,
"i"
I
71.
The shoe of claim 70, wherein
surface
the non-ground-engaging
of the rear sole is k_atad
at least in part between _e
. porllons of the bottom wall.
72.
The shoe.of
datm
bottom surface
adjacent
. 73.
'
"
of the rear sole comprlses
at least two
::
7o. v_h'erein _e. z_6n-groundLer_agtng
poddon non-planar
portion of the bottom
a _l_tantfally
portioh of the
planar portion and
with the planar podJon.
The shoe of claim 70, Wherein the non-ground-engaging
portion of the
"
bottom surface of the rea_ soie comprises a tent-_haped
portion extending
"'i
toward the top _'-_I.
74.
The shoe of _aim
!I
podJon extending
loward
the top
wall has at least one sidewall
at an angle to the at least In part ground-engagirlg
portion of the bottom
the at least one Interior sidewatJ of the at least one
element
bottom
adjacent
"75.
73, wherein the tent*shaped
surface,
being at an angle to the at'ieast
surface,
the at least one Sidewall of the _ent-shaped.
the at least one Interior
The" shoe of claim 74, wherein
shaped
in part grourKt*engaglng
porlJon that is adjacent
portlen of the
p6rtion being
sidewall of {he at least one elemenL
the angle of the at least o.n.e sidewali 0f the tentthe at least one intedo_ Sidewall of Ihe at least
$
one element
is approximately
the same as the angle of t_e at least one interior
sidewall of the at least one element
.._-;
_.
;
j"
i.
the teat-shaped
:/
_-
;_6..:
.
portion.
Tl?e sh0.e _ofdaiF_ 4_;, wherein
....
that is adjacent the at least one sidewall of
the at least In part ground-engaging
.,
/,.
r:.,
bottom surface is formed
of outsole
material.-
!
_r
A 4711
portion of the
,,
"
,
',
,
_,
,-:
,
..
.
, . .
• .
, . ,
,.,
REMARK_
By this Amendment, datm 1 has b_en cancelled and new da_l_ 45-76 _have
/"
been addecl I_ .fullhe[ define Applicants invention.
l
Entry and consideration of this Amendmentprlor to the further examlnatlonof the
above-ldenUfled
app_ati_n
is respectfully
requested.
If there _'e any fees due in connection with the filing of this Amendment, please
• charge
the fee
to our Deposit
Accouni
50-1068.
Respectful.ly submitted,
\
MAR
.
•
.
riN & FERRARO.
LLP.
,.
Dated: Aplg 29, 2003
_
H. M'ah_-
Registration
14500 Avton Pmkway, SuVte300
Chant_, Virginia 20151-1101
Telephone:. (703) 679-9300
Facsimile." (703) 670-9303
J
/
i
&.
A 4712
No.
34,383
"
14:_1
Frm-.Ill,rrlII4FL_.UI2.LP
_'
_3lTllg]|]
_
T-OO5 . p.O2Ull_l
"
F.-Fv_II
PATENT
," "_J
Al_orney
Doc,V._N,', 104.0(X)4-0_0_
•
..... • .....
_v
C,,lUStomar No. _
/
.
:...... .... "--"-'-'-"".'.--...:- -'-"
" ---
I
.....
.)
Da_l F. M_=chan
)
,
)
Serial No- 09/419,641
)
Group Art _n]1:3728
Flied: October 18, 1999
))
E_arn_er:
;
J. Kavanaugh
)
t
;
Port ATHLETIC 8HOE WITHIMPROVF_D HEEL STRUCTURE
)
)
!
Asststam Commissioner for Patents
Washington, D.C. 20231
Sin.
.!
AMENDMENT
Pdor to the fq,rth_" examination of the above applk:alion, please amend thFs
ap_cation
J
J
as fol]ows_
-!
IN THE CLAIMS:
/-_"
4_
-
.
.
.
,
Please cancel claim 1 wflhout prejudice or disclaimer of its subject rrmt_r and
add the _
new dalms:
• L
A shoe comprising:
an upper, and
a rear sole secured, below a _
!
of the upper, th_ rear sole comprising:
[
i
" a_
having a top wM] With a lewer surfaca, the top w-all havtng at
_. least one pa1"lphemledge prmdmartea medial side of the shoe and at least one
e_
proxy,
a lateral side of the shoe, the peripheral edges of the
B
"_t_.j_e.
flphera!':
_•w=u)
..
I_
== mld-4or_31tudtrml
=xlq
tlh_,ol_v,=,=.h,
--..
A 4736
t_o
top w,=al havCng
an
•
•
!
!
a
• ."
: ,"
"
i
..
D_-'Z)-20_t
]4:34
T93Gi'Sg30,1
.1.-00S
L.i
,._/
...J
Of
edge.__ the ¢opwanIndu_ o.a...
.l_
•
-
....
.
.
.
-
mat _ vmd_ad_oU_.,_
..,
.
_,
.,
..
•
_e
.
•
,...
apprmdmato _ord_' of the Qpe_O in th_ top wall and the approx_
,-:i':
..,
_!.
the _om_s
"....
)
heel, the rnen_
• botJomwan _
g _
_
a boU_m _mll _
af .
two _
an up_[x_"
surface t
appro)dmah_lyplanar with oach o_, er,
p_r-_,oo_
wi_ _ho0,,_r, d, 8rid .s._mamt.o,d
_a g_.pu_reb_,-,,
regh_ns
of the
top
and
wall, _e _op. _
I_m
w'ad_ beb_
and cu_
:.
iI
.top and
,_-,,,_
:..I
conned_d
•
,wmlls be_
.
.
.
:.
.
,r_. ce_d a pred_terml_d
_
.dl_
._ _
from
_ _ ,_,_,,",,,_
walls is reduced.
•
•
.
.
._
.
.
. :
,."
at least one _...p_:_dtiono_.Be_
I
by a _Jrved
distance between.. the at least a portion
of
the.top
.
.
.
•"_" "1
and bo_
end
a back of the sJme. al:least a parUon
=.__,.,r_0_ ,,,_,,_ e.,,_
_
the ground the predete_
8t a do.seal
.
being orierded k_a_
bottom
u-,otop w,_ _,_
wars being Integral. the rearward regions of the
.
top a_l bo_om _
of the
-
_
'
,,.
m_d m least a portion of ttm _
one Interim"side,weD;
at I_s_ a.pordenof the top.w'a_
Wall,me at leastone elemem having at leemt
.
• l
-- ":,-]
a void _tod
•
.
.
beqzeath
.
the
operdr_
.
.
_ t_e
top wag
defirmd
at legist bl pint
•
.
by the at least one interior sldewal] of the nt least one elen'_nt., at least a pOd_
of the voidbeing verlJcally_
/
me top_wall;
rl
r.
•
.shoo,
.
:._
.........
-
-
the
open_g
berg
in _tJon.wit,h
the
rob:t;, and
%
i
.
:
approximatecemerof the ppemingin
edleast one openln9• ...oq at ,least
one •of'the medial
end
lateral
sides of the
.
.
.
.
.
",c.
.1.
......
va_ _
-
,
-2-
¢
I
,._
i
.
:
....;
.
-
A 4737
•
"%
t
_
.,
r_ ,,.. of_
4,_.,_,_,, _
_
_ ,_._
".....
.mcumbentu-srmpo.
4_'.
_
" '
shoe. 0Ectalm 4_[wl"_m
the redO_l
vertical d_c_orL
"'
"
prec_termlned d_nce
•at-k,=,_d
;..rots'on of._. top aria bOitorn_
..;.
_
_
betw_n
Ihe
from t_, _i=_,t .; IX),tJon.of
"
"•
I
•
The s]_
of claim _,vA_rein
the reduced predetem'z_
at l_astaporch ofth,;top-rid tx)tWn_
,,.--_ =_,,__._
!
-)
,
4_.
•
.,
_
.
d]sfi_ca t_tw_en
msuU_froma_eati_asta po_
-
.•
.
of
v.t_ _.:'
o_._r._,...u_=_
_
-.
.
•
..
_
._"' Tim..
pt_d_
the rear of the shoe.
'1
.
L.
. '
o_._._..¢.m,n Ui¢.t,..
.one_t_
on._=i_,¢_i._ ofre.in...
medblsldeef theshon,t_hel_al
"
side"ofthe sl_e, and
6Vf..
,.( therearofth,_shoeis
vls_af_m_
.
out=lde'U_e
Shoe.
The ,r_e
;...!
°_
The shoe 0f cleb_ 46, wherein the top Wall has at least one poilpheral edge=
_te
r'l
. " . ,
t ,_,
-
of claim aJi, wherein the bottom wag has at least one peripheral edge
proximate on_ of thez_3]
side of the shoe and the I_eml eide of _e shoe.
•_-._-" The shoe of clalm'M, w'riere]n the at least one pedph_al edge of ;the bottom wall
r'
• Is at least ln part vlslhZefr0m outslde the shoe.
'."
L
.
_. has at least one pedphara] edge pro:xlmalethe medial s_de ofthe shoe and
_'-;
,_
_.-_.nofher of the "atleast two portions of the bottom wag has at ieast one peripheral
•
->
-3-
A 4738
.:\
1
, I
f
•
:j
05-ZI"*_005
14:34
Frarl_T|_Lp
Tg3iTIHl,ll$
T-O0_
P.071/133
r-_4
.
[..,_
.J
edge p_:lhe
ICJ_al side g the._rtoe, the pedph_ral.edg_i.being.
appraximate_/parglclwith
"_ .
each a_r...
the boff_m wall pn_Ima_
the medial side and lateral side of the shoe am
least In part visible from out_le the shoe.
!1
dI
The
shoe.of
claim
5_._?ner_n
wall haman II_rior
i.
...
each
of the
...
at tea_'t-twp
pod}on_
of U'_
eclge, the interior edges ofthe at Ioast two porff_
bottom
.
olive
I._ _m_h_g_."
I
•
:_pro_
one of the m_l
s.!deof th_ sho_ ._,and
t_., la_es'a]side of _
l
is at least i_ p_rt _e
T_. _
.... "
kom outside the,shoe.
of_m 4_._=_
_
"
.. .....
.
wall
.
th, =_,= ,,_=!
_ = .m_14=_.
_= =_. _t,
an .o_ntno along the|n_d4o .r_tudlnal md_of _e cunpd _..
to
/(d
-- the major ionoitud'ma[ax_ of the shoe.
....
/
.......
The shoe ofdalm 4_, furth,er compr_
.
a cusl_
poeRlonedbeneath the
weareds heeland above atleast
a portionoflh_top wag
ofthemember,
the
•
.
..
.
I
.
)
.?
cushion and the top wel! each being made of a material, the rnatedeJ of the
i
'"
6[
_ushSon_mom
r;s_,nt%/than U_ methyl _ the topwan.
.
The shoe of delta C:_,_PJ'eln the cushion has an upper surface confom_lng in
rdmp_ _ _
bottom surface of the wP_.Bmr's
heel.
o
_".
:'.'.
--4-
.
t
%%."•.
A 4739
I
tO_/K'11tl
"" t-_i
.P.IRI/I_
F-P.4
I
,._)
;+,r
aplxox_atBcentar
"
of the weareC8
heeL
Ttms_eofdah_6_/_em.lnl_scdr,
_.
--
. I_.apor_nofU'_upl_'.
-
.
'
• .
htonlslo_tedbeneathandadJa_nt_
"
'
"
.....
"n. st,o+o_d.tm_.tw_,minU=re.mine_ thB_op+a,_s V_sml.
at tm,=_ _a
thn_lgh
j(
tile at _
I
4_;wh_In
ofme'store.
_
of _
vLg_e from
or_i opening on a+ least one of b"le medist andlatsra]
o_tside
the _e
" lower 8urfaca _ th_ topwag is _te_st in part
m.
tt_ough
B
p._visible 'from o._d" _h_
_e
at least one opening
U'_uOh
one of the n'mdlal and lateral sides 0f_e
on One ol"the
at least in _
visible fro_ out_le
theshoe
ii
lea_t one-openZ_gon at feast
shoe.
.......
,
.
Ttm.stmeof c_m ,y_. whem_ me im_o_ sid.mva,of U'matleast o_
'"
_'ldee+
_ement Is
z_
•
through the at least one opening In
I
The ,s_oeof clam 4_, whmelnthe at leaslone h_edorsidewallof the at +east
one elerne_
s_.
bat
_
The _hoe of clainl• _,
In p_rt Vlslble from outside
1....
wt_h_n
+t
the shoe.
an entire portion of tile top wad over the at least
L
D.+I. : one elmnenti_ sdid.,
y
_
•
7:6. _ Th,, ;moo of.claim ,_. whereto tin, boom _rfa_
ruth. m.r .,o_+ tam a non-
,c,
r. ground-e_ag'mg porch that is vert_lly-allgnecl w_ at le'ast a po_on of the
+..%
,.
+=
--'3--
A 4740
-
::
i
i4
•
"05-Z|-Z_3
I(:N
T_J_g30t
F r os-hlAJZTt_LP
J
The
of claim -70. wherein
shoe
mjrface
-_J
the non-gmu_
c_ the mar sote is located
at lem_t In I_rt between
•
:_ po_s
7J-
potion
, .
,,
.
of the bottom
9m at least
t_
•
cethe._omw_...
-.
ThBshoeordakn70. wheretn
thenon-ground-enga_g
porUon
of the
_.
:.
•
i
botch
_
•
•
s-urfac_ of the rear sole comprises
..
.
.
:..
- .
-
•
..
a tent-shaped
_
•
e0dend'mg
• ...,
toward
..
..
.
the top walL
The shoe of claim.73,
where4n the _ent_.
potion
exten_,
g toward _
top
well has at least one sidewan at an angle to the at least in pint ground-engag_
podJon o/the
_rnent
bottom
surface,
b_i'ng "t an ang_.to
the at k_.ast I_ part gro_nd-engag_g
bottom surface, the at least one sidewag of the t_l-shapec_
C:!:!-
ad_ace_d the at least one _
The shoe of c_aim 74. wherein
,-
the at least one interior sldewan of the at least.ooe
portion of h*_s
pOrtion be[_j
s_devrail of the at least one eleri_
the angle of the at least one sidewall of the t_11t-
.'t
: s_aped
F',
portion that is adjacent
one element
is approxJrnately
the at feast one Intedo¢ sidewall of the at leemt
the same as the angle of the at least one ]rltedol-
w£"
sidewall of theat
I
;
least one e4ement that is adjacent
the at least one sidewall of
3_- _t_-a_,_..
.z
7_.. " The _me
t'"
'i
,_
r
I_ttom
of ¢dalm 45, whereJn the at least In part gn:_Jnd-.engagillg
surface
Is formed
portion of the
of outsole material.-
.°
•
..
3
":
-.-
•
•
"'i
.,
"\!
r-,
Fro_Ii4JU_]Ui/I_CLP
TO35Tlg391
T.-O05
"P.03_
F-T'34
n
By thLsAmendment, claim 1 h_ been cancelled arid new clall_ 45-78 have
-'...
been added to furthe¢ define App_ards |nvenfiorL
•
.
....
.
.
Entw a_l constderaffon of this Amendment pdor to the furth.ata_inaEon
above4denUf_dapp,cation isre_ped/ultyrequested,
of the
"
Respectfullysubrnr_ted,
MARTIN &_o,
LIP
t
No. 34,383
145o0 A,_bn I=_dcm_, Suite 3O0
ChantHiy,Vi_lnla 20151-1101 '
. !
Telepl-cm_ ("/'o3)679-93oo
Faa;img¢ CrOS]670-_OS.
a
i
-..,
•
A 4742
-t
C'
ii
Notice of Aflowabillty
-- The MAClN(;
DATE
of #_
_CHAN, DAV1D
F.
r.ommunfca(ton
appean
on _
Art Unit
covw
r.he_
w_
O_e _
."
_
._Jdat_ betmethane, PROSeCUtes_ _ te_rrs k_(ORR_b-3 CLOSeO_ e_ eppkam_ Wno_
,t_.e_
hm_ l_ri_ev,_ mal_o'),
e NoOce
,v._ev,_ce tPTOC.aS)
_xoew.eppeq_.&mex_¢T_ v_ be_
b_ _
'.!
of Ihe (_e
or upon peel_
by _e
ap_icanL
See 37 (_-R.13t
1._
"n_ cmwnm_cae_
Is_
to_
3. _
"l_
f999
4.[_
/_v_<_nt
_
M_d on fS Octobcr
Is made of ed_lrn
3 ;rod IdPEP
,_'_
1308.
meek_av2_.20o3.
am acc_pt_J
for fore_n
by the Exam_.
prlodty
under 35 U.S.C.
§ 119{e),-(O)
or tT).
a)I-IA,
b)_.So_"
c)l-INom ot_
1.I-) _ed
co_,so/me_
documents
herebe,mrec,,_e¢
Z I"1Ce,B_ cop,_,o*U,sW',o_documemhe_ t_e, _
_nApp_a,_ No..
"
& O Cop,
k_ _ e_eced_,ed
_le_ ofg_epdo_y_
havebeen_
'__ na_o_lstag_app_ca_ fromthe
.,.} .
Bureau
_.
o_419_41
F_xamln_
{PCT
• Certmed
cx_esnotrece_¢
i
r" FI/_mo.,dedgmesd
k made
(a)I-I _o.
6.1-1
o_"e dalm
o__,e _
Admo_n_t
b made
o_ = d_m
Rule
17.,?.{a)).
.
f_r _
_
i_iorily u_d_
_,_o_
kx domes_
i_dty
35 U.S.C.
m_=_,
w,d_
§ 119(e)
h_ _
35 U.S.C.
(to a _
_
rea_.
••
,_ _20 andror _ 21.
,,
,
,,"
.
•
..
Am_camhm 3"HR.EE
MON1HSFROM
"rH_"MACtNG
DA'T,_of_ _
t__e a _
_
v,_ IbemC_e'eme_t_
below. Falum_em_yoo_dy.dam_._
,Al_lDOto,fl_rro_t'_apfacaeo_ THtS'ngt_daON'rHPERIOOkSNOTEXrEt'CtAB_
7.1-'1
"_'J
"
I
A _
_RMAL
OATH
OR DE_.ARATK_I
n_.J_ be _Jed.
ON (pT_,(52)
whlch _g_es m_m_s)
pATENT/_puc.A31
Hc_e _e
at_ch_d
why ihe o_
_S
_. _
AMENDMENT
_s d_[de_¢
o_ NOTIC_
OF
..
8. E] CO_J_ECTEO
0WWV_*3S
.._ besubn_e_
_)_ h_rmor _)E) toP_p_ No._
(b}l'-I bdud_ d_n_r_,_,_bymepmpo=_d,-a,_
co_r_e_
(c)I-} Imdud_ilcha_ nmu1_lI_I_ mlaohedExa,_n_s _
•
_
wh_has beenapWovedbyg_e
Exan_,_.
I Comme_orIn_ 01_+ acO0__ _
_ __.
|
Ill_l
Ih_lL
9- [--J DEPO.-_T
atladl_d
Exarnk_ds
- "
0F
"
•
a_KJ/o( I]_-ORMATIONa_t
comntenl
r_
REQUIREMENT
_'_
depo._
"
of BIO{.OGICAI.
FOR THE
DEPOSIT
MA_
OF BIOLOGICAL
"
_
_
_.
N_
_
MA'I'E_IAL
I
-,y.
40 .l_m_v ,S+.mmm_
IPTO-4_3),
PtP_ I_..,__..
_) Exa_s
PTO¢..-.17 (Rev.
t
_temer_ o_Ressomfor_nce
Pe._ _ _
A 4749
No._
"!
Appllcatten/Conkol Nurnbe_.09/419,641
Page 2
Art Unit" 3728
•
EXAM_N_ S
..
!
. ..
-.
1.
.
• ....,....
F DME r
_:.
"
...
..,
. .
An examiner's amendment to the record.appears below. Should the changes
and/or add_ons be unacceptable to apprmant, an amendment n_y be filed as provided
_-..
(.
by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be
submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee.
Authon_.atJonfor this examiner's amendment was given in a telephone int_view
with Mr. Marlin on August 26. 2003.
i
i
,%
• ,
In claim 45, line 16, the "wall," has been changed to "wall;'_
,
2.
.
,
" ThefoBowingisanexaminer'sstatementofreasoesforallbv_nce:The.allowed"
claims reed on the embodiments shown in figures 24 and 25 of applicant's Invention.
Sand Do '277 is the closest prior art. The footwear of Sand Do doesn't teach, among
other things, "at least one opening on at least one of the medial lateratsldes of the
shoe, the opening being In communication with the void'..Sand
Do teaches several
embodiments but an of them are I'_Ntng openings on the side of the shoe but are dosed
withthe void_and therefore are not in COmmunlcatk>nwith the void.
Any comments _onsldered necessarj by applicant.must be submitted no later
i
than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferab4y
accompany the issue fee. StJchsubmissions should be dearly iabek_d "C_-nments on
t
StatL_ent ot Reasons for Allowance."
"¢.
Conclusion
- _:.
.,J
'.,
t
_..
A 4750
"1 - r
-
1T-
I
...........
y-.-
L_
I
'-"
J
°:
..t
I
"1 .l
!
;I
Appr_Jon/Contml
1
Art Unit
-
Page 3
Number:. 091419.641
•
....
.
• -
...
3728
-"'}
3.
,.T_ephone Inquiries regarding the status of app4icattonsor other_genera!
questions,
(-
by pemons
entitled to the kfformatJon, "should
be directed to the group
.
clerical personnel and not to the examiners. In as much as the.official recon:ls and
apprK:aUons are located in the dedc_
personnel
M.P.E.P.
sec_on of the exandnmg
groups,
can read_y provide status infon-natJon without contacting
203.08.
The Group de_rical receptionist
number is (703)
the clerical
the examiners',
308-1148.
In onJerto avoid potential delays, Technology Center 3700 is encouraging
FA_ng
of responses
to Ol_ce Actions directJy into the Center et _'03,1 872-9302
After Finals to f703_ 872-9303(FORMAL
FAXES
are not working use any of the following
(703) 305-3590.
Applicants
numbers
ONLY).
(703) 305-3579
who authorize charges
and
If the previous Fax numbers
or (703) 305-3580
or
to a PTO deposit account may also
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should be directed
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questions
Tech Center 3700 Customer Service at (703) 306-5648, emaii
Custonle rServica3700_usDt o.qov.
!
;!:
Any inquiry concerning
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the MERITS
should bet directed to Ted Kavanaugh
examiner
.!
./
• _ _,
can normally be reached
of this examination
whose telephone
If attempts to reach the examiner
by telephone
1
_.'.
are un_l,
sqper_.sor_M_key Yu can be reached at (703) 308-2672.
r.
•_
t:;.
!.
! :
number
-_;:. -
."4e=e_r'l= &puarca=en
, Asdgnment
B_h
F_ _=_=, _==0_
from the examiner
is (703) 308-1244.
The
on 6AM - 4PM.
i
L
to
_
3a_g22
_
a_,_z_
A 4751
the examiner's
V
f
t
_LJ
¢..
_n/Control
Number:. 09/419,641
':_ "
" Pag'e4
,Art UnYC 3728
H
•t::_d_ryF_xar_er
Art Unit 3728
TK
]
_J
August29. 20O3
•-.-
. ..
...°
.i
!
I"
:i
..;-..
_L
A 4752
FINNEGAN,
HENDERSON,
FARABOW,
1300
WASHINGTON,
NT RECORDED,
OFFICE
GARRETT&
DUNNER
I ST, N.W.
D.C. 20005
,REEL
• FRAME.
ACTIONS
AMENDMENTS
Jol.sl,_d 4,'M.f .
¢3
!0.
C'O
=8
..........
_l_h_,
o
O.
•
• .. h,,:,.b_
•..: ._ _.
A 5358
?
...,..
17-21,
32,
33,
76,
and
77
have
been
No
allowed.
other
claims
are
pending.
STATUS
O_
AMENDMENTS:
Appellant's
1994,
the
was
entered
Advisory
SUMMARY
or
claimed
support,
side
OC
to
the
that
for
athletic
The
surface,
laminated
rear
is
the
the
user.
rear
sole
worn
rear
than
to
the
sole
heel
entirely
to
dated
November
as
16,
indicated
in
sole.
shoe
upper
a
a
sole
to
shoes
having
and
The
in
rear
from
at
support.
significant
is
sole
as
well
as
least
upper
one
5,
secured
or
aO005
i.aO,.408-4OOO
A 5463
heel
a
the
can
support
typically
defines
page
has
a
5,
lines
ground-engaging
is
for
lines
the
more
cushioning
the
16-19).
and/or
rotatably
user
can
ground-engaging
rotate
a
support
and
that
to
result,
of
w.
heel
manner,
surface
a
sole,
and
The
midsole
portion
degree
sole
the
page
As
forward
(Specification,
elastomeric
detachably
a
gluing.
sole.
includes
a
detachably
invention
rear
conventional
or
(Specification,
when
claimed
upper,
grounding-engaging
is
a
comfort,
forward
a
downward
an
The
shoe
stitching,
the
having
user.
rear
receiving
shoe
sole.
cushioning
the
extends
10-15).
of
a
rear
includes
molding,
wall
mounted
SHI_OTON,
to
injection
The
N.
mounted
shoe
and
attached
heel
I STm_r,
a
to
resilient
300
to
directed
service
recess
plc f__
relates
life
a
Or
invention
longer
by
uAw
1994.
provide
are
appeal,
an
5,
that
heel
of
December
configurations
The
filing
Final,
dated
rotatably
particularly
NECAN, HEN DERSO_
A ft_BOw. CARR£TT
DU_NER
the
After
INVENTION:
claimed
secured
Amendment
upon
Action
OF
The
Second
the
rear
change
the
surface
sole
to
_.._
move
the
worn
heel
strike
line
15).
.:_i._
portion
of
position.
the
ground-engaging
(Specification,
surface
page
5,
away
line
27
to
from
the
page
6,
I
Regardless
rotatably
must
mounted
somehow
of
As
heel
includes
at
support
by
shown
in
sole
For
may
be
with
side
the
recess.
the
outer
claimed
LAW
O.rl¢
: I_.'_;ECAN,
8
'
the
rear
in
of
a
the
line
29
allows
a
part
rear
the
or
all
of
the
and
to
retain
band
44
and
to
portion
a
8,
rotate,
the
rear
be
to
C._R
DL'_NE
wall
sole
wall
and
[
$TRl[£'r.
"-406
becomes
worn.
In
addition,
the
manner
N.W.
to
the
As
of
rear
support.
side
wall
notched
for
-dlO00
A 5464
heel
further
the
heel
38
section
mating
rear
sole
placed
in
around
further
7).
heel
support
invert,
or
ground-engaging
of
the
receiving
of
the
replace
surface
R ETT
R
the
recess.
line
the
the
may
wall
the
46
so
of
the
for
section
page
be
the
support
39
side
sole
the
of
of
heel
within
to
user
a
recess
42
must
indention.
least
notched
doing
secured
the
support
sole
the
indention
slits
securing
rear
7,
of
a
heel
one
the
section
the
page
when
1-5,
includes
other
the
compression
addition,
invention
sole
Figs.
notched
retain
in
of
the
with
for
either
detachably
at
fitted
sole
structure
being
or
properties
surface
least
embodiments,
this
cushioning
and
sole
and
embodiments,
protrusion
of
wall
the
secured
mechanism
midsole,
peripheral
at
detachably
the
the
of
is
HE_ZDEi_ON
F._.%BOW,
a300
K_
the
rear
(Specification,
The
the
surface
and
soft
protrusion
shown
In
very
the
rear
plurality
the
support,
includes
the
as
a
the
compress
one
of
sole
heel
each
compression
example,
and
or
engaging
each
includes
42,
in
surface
protrusion,
a
rear
compromising
shown
least
the
the
to
support
peripheral
the
to
without
sole.
the
whether
attach
accomplished
rear
of
attachment
does
not
adversely
affect
resilient
midsole.
distinct
the
design
cushioning
Thus,
goals
properties
the
that
claimed
have
provided
invention
not
been
by
the
achieves
achieved
by
two
conventional
shoes.
ISSUES:
1.
35
Whether
U.S.C.
2.
S
3.
35
as
claims
U.S.C.
Whether
being
59,
102(b)
Whether
• under
as
claims
103
claim
64
OF
For
and
addition,
70,
being
was
properly
by
and
72
were
in
properly
over
rejected
Redman
rejected
of
rejected
Redman
under
view
under
Redman.
unpatentable
properly
over
of
claims
claims
patentable
61,
as
were
35
Frank
in
view
U.S.C.
or
S
of
103
Niedwcrok.
CLAIMS:
purposes
together
63
anticipated
55-58,
S
and
being
unpatentable
•GROUPING
62,
this
59
and
56-58,
over
the
appeal,
63
61,
cited
clalms
stand
62,
55
or
64,
fall
and
and
70
stand
together.
72
are
each
59,
62,
AND
or
fall
In
separately
references.
ARGUMENT:
I.
REDMAN
To
the
every
599,
L. AW
O_'_lC
F.,_ R.._,BOw,
£1
C,,_,R
I 8TROt'T,
tASMINOTON,
i - ,1_O_1-40e
OC
TO
constitute
cited
a
reference
feature
602-03,
not
satisfy
the
rejection
of
170
the
ANTICIPATE
proper
must
the
rejection
under
disclose,
claimed
USPQ
CLaiMS
213,
requirements
either
invention.
216-17
In
section
re
N.
of
claims
59,
62,
and
w,
ZOOO5
-4000
A 5465
63
is
63.
U.S.C.
expressly
(C.C.P.A.
under
35
S
or
102(b),
inherently,
Sau_de_s,
1971).
102(b),
R ETT
G DU_ER
1300
FAILS
improper.
444
Redm__n
and,
F.2d
does
therefore,
-w
...
II.
CLAIMS
REJECTED
..-.
55-58,
UNDER
UNPATENTABLE
A.
constitute
on
a
to
combine
that
fails
shoe
sole,
that
support.
The
Or_C_
1300
I,Ik_MaNo'rON,
OC
the
the
a
a
reasonable
work.
In
in
combination
claims
ground-engaging
layer
secured
or
tread
wear,
sole
and
rotatably
structure
prolongs
F.2d
Israel
would
70
more
includes
to
a
alleviates
the
effectively
a
resilient
mounted
feature
thus
and
of
work.
and
a
947
an
art
not
and
based
suggestion
Vaec_,
Red,
55
a
103
expectation
re
the
would
_
been
of
skilled
independent
U.S.C.
have
combination
person
detachably
35
must
with
would
such
under
there
The
a
in
rear
to
modify
the
a
rear
inferred
in
has
pointed
Israel
as
sole.
to
of
skilled
of
art
would
a
there
the
Redman
is
not
as
life
heel
outer
of
cushions
the
the
heel
incorrect,
attach
ZO00_
* "20Z',406,4000
A 5468
express
found
the
or
a
rear
the
it
sole
Examiner
of
because
such
in
modifying
obvious
teachings
however,
detachable
suggestion
combining
have
on
a
attached,
invention,
based
_m. W.
no
for
claimed
would
teaching
permanently
is
reasons
artisan
sole
Redman
teaching
any
obtain
suggestion
the
to
Although
references
references
that
skilled
ISRAEL.
detachability/rotatability
rear
argued
This
! BI"R_IL"I"o
is
and
laminated
LAW
OF
rejection
1991).
that
Examiner
sole
these
IMPROPERLY
BEING
user.
The
of
V_EW
coupled
because
or
while
rear
72 WERE
103
AS
references,
recited
abrasion
the
IN
proper
Cir.
having
midsole,
shoe,
REDMA_
combination
expect
The
+_;N EC._._;, HENDERSON
F.._R._,BOW. C,._RR ETT
8 D_;_E R
such
test
reasonably
sole
S
references
(Fed.
this
rear
of
the
493
any
a
combination
success
of
OVE R
70,
AND
U.S.C-
A person
skilled
in the
art
would
not
combine
the
teachings
of Redma_
and
_srael
to
achieve
the
invention
recited
in cla_s
_5 and
70.
To
488,
61,
35
has
to
Israel.
one
as
taught
by
.r
Israel
to
a
taught
by
Redman.
The
that
still
attaching
While
the
may
rubber
cushioning
type
disclosed
in
it
center
screw
through
the
user.
(see
Hockerson
a
art
disclosed
by
combination
cushioning,
but
Given
the
section
B.
In
for
this
103
only
tread
also
support
never
may
the
to
and
rejection
is
the
the
no___tt
to
and
is
patentability
of
into
a
the
In
force
the
heel
a
of
person
the
Redman
structure
the
heel
6).
may
incorporating
injure
declaration
non-obviousness.
use
Therefore,
a
improper
of
I
6).
providing
motivation
of
sole
and
by
and
any
shoe
taught
provide
24
made
rear
during
I
shoe
wall
declaration,
the
in
passes
sole
laminated
of
sole
the
affect
midsole
actually
obvious
of
a
rear
that
rear
a
wear
disclosed
body
contemplate
into
wear
The
Hockerson
evidence
of
a
for
tread
degrade
_gdman
the
provide
the
sole
Hockerson
heel
fails
of
in
declaration,
would
problem
detrimentally
by
the
not
rear
secure
resilient
Israel
not
compensating
would
(See
the
the
engages
to
Israel.
the
sole
and
does
would
shown
provided
of
the
18
mechanisms
Instead,
Redman
by
sufficient
properties
in
the
cushioning.
material,
by
solves
screw
attaching
_
heel
disk
compression
skilled
rear
since
such
for
necessary
heel
of
combine
should
the
the
be
user.
references,
reversed.
persuasive
the
claimed
invention,
ORW1¢¢$
FARley, C,._P.P_ETT
8
and
center
be
disclosed
fact,
LAW
the
and
and
provided
annular
shoe
structure
_
addresses
properties
through
tough
of
mechanism
Israel.
the
the
providing
cushioning
of
with
combination
structure
while
heel
appellant
submitted
a
Declaration
Under
37
C.F.R.
§
1.132
by
dated
October
D U.'%.'_ E R
_v m300
| s'rnl_E-r,
_._)tlNGTON,
0C
N.W.
1000_
Stanley
G.
Hockerson
with
the
Amendment
"408-4000
A 5469
After
Final
.._.
5,
..-
1994.
Mr.
consultant
to
a
experience
in
the
development
Hockerson,
major
and
declaration,
shoe
1
in
industry.
His
person
skilled
Redman
and
of
in
declarant,
and
has
is
over
18
experience
inventions
of
his
years
in
own.
a
of
product
(Sockerson
2).
his
several
would
manner
the
patents
experience
_edman
art
a
of
extensive
of
the
_
unbiased
including
and
analysis
in
an
manufacturer
reviewed
light
is
industry,
and
Hockerson
Examiner
shoe
marketing
41
Mr.
who
in
supports
never
which
the
the
by
the
result
the
footwear
conclusion
combine
would
cited
that
teachings
in
the
a
of
claimed
invention.
The
not
Examiner
find
it
October
persuasive,
26,
"personal
considered
1994
expert,
Mr.
marketing
experience
and
_.aw
oFrlc[I
:1._ _ECA_.
the
Hockerson,
of
in
the
teaching,
Israel
footwear
the
be
on
Evid.
in
should
other
Redman
has
than
602
result
industry.
be
G._.R
to
Examiner's
references.
R ET T
m
DUNNE_
': 13OO
I ST_I_IL"T',
Wat*._MI_4GT_N.
OC
N.
Mr.
W.
ZOO05
io_OZ.aoe-ao00
A 5470
R.
Civ.
own
in
than
18
years
of
"opinions"
in
this
express
opinion,
at
development
Hockerson's
any
56(e).
arrived
the
a
or
P.
with
relevant
identify
with
statements
were
more
particularly
failed
the
of
did
dated
knowledge
Fed.
familiar
H E_DE.RSO_I
• F.._R._I_W,
personal
intimately
a
deal
that
declaration
as
Action
to
fact
and
but
Examiner's
the
footwear
Examiner
and
R.
Advisory
The
the
made
declaration,
appears
ignores
"opinions"
"observations"
because
or
the
an
opinions."
must
Se___ee
Fed.
Furthermore,
and
and
generally
in
declaration
however,
observations.
an
the
observations
declaration
Hockerson's
asserting
that
characterization,
Mr.
for
case
suggestion
combining
by
In
weight
event,
and
when
re
any
the
745
from
the
56
at
secured
least
reasons
claims
noted
define
sole
to
a
the
cushioning
heel
x:':,; ECA
a
shoe,
that
person
must
soft,
elastomeric
the
invention
recited
N,
HEN
It
just
art."
I_nn
would
has
not
claim
rear
cited
in
the
a
a
to
do
and
for
these
securing
are
70.
patentable
Furthermore,
the
rear
the
further
then
57,
would
for
of
the
61
how
rear
to
midsole
firmly
determine
and
attempt
resilient
mechanism
and
56,
is
55
affecting
art
having
properties
claims
is
with
patentable
claims
detachably
and
sole
that
thus
and
59.
sole,
rear
references.
sole
find
are
to
59
claim
a
midsole
adversely
skilled
rear
having
and
for
Redman
gripping
to
do
sole.
achieves
to
so
a
a
without
The
these
objectives,
so.
DE R.SO_
As
C._RRETT
DL,'>;NE
• _.'rR[Er.
_H
I. OC
i-_
to
the
shoe
of
respect
from
without
cushioning
fails
1984}.
resilient
manner
midsole
degrading
a
with
respect
the
secure
the
Examiner
fair
"not
reviewing
the
support,
noted
one
given
or_lc[i
F._ L"_OW.
130o
that
Redman
heel
of
detachably
whereas
the
support
from
be
evidence,
Cir.
that
more
depends
properties
Assuming
a
with
after
(Fed.
recite
particular
distinguishable
,-Aw
61
the
and
61 are
further
the
combination
and
reasons
claim
doubt
1475
each
to
the
addition,
the
57
of
must
evidence.
57,
over
layer
detachably
in
all
however,
this
and
declaration
of
1468,
record,
ground-engaging
In
F.2d
Claims
56,
patentable
and
Israel.
Claims
part
remains
considered
C.
for
as
[Examiner]
properly
Bockerson
considered
Piasecki,
appear
the
.:_.,,
recited
in
claim
56,
the
rear
sole
is
compression
fitted
P.
N.
w.
into
a
recess
defined
by
a
wall
extending
ZOOOS
.06-4000
A 5471
downwardly
from
the
a
...
upper.
Claim
that
are
lacking
57
recited
in
with
Thus,
the
apply
to
claim
Each
of
the
rear
sole.
as
If
the
pointed
and
the
heel
the
6).
without
contrast,
both
55
to
both
in
claims
the
Redman
is
56
and
sole
portions
walls,
retain
heel
patentable
61.
In
but
of
57
for
from
the
more
Hockerson
cushioning
no
the
structure
Examiner
rear
sole
portions
a
resilient
rear
midsole,
Declaration,
Israel
56,
center
shoe,
particularly
(See
fails
to
suggest
57,
and
61.
and
61,
respectively,
patentable
claims
same
addition,
of
a
claims
of
a
the
The
with
72 are
also
references
depend
is
beveled
and
to
user.
top
sole,
Redma_
in
the
sole
of
the
recess.
these
support.
of
there
rear
layer
heel
the
the
at
the
recited
72
in
use
affects
injure
rear
properties
the
the
eliminated,
rear
side
on
adversely
combination
and
and
may
the
cushioning
relies
sole
and
beveled
the
the
the
rear
sole
the
secures
Redma_
the
rear
in
of
58
and
fit
are
protrusion/indention.
respect
discussed,
invention
are
the
degrading
Claims
58 and
over
the
cited
thus
discussed,
compression
effectively
ground-engaging
recess
claimed
limitations
previously
a
with
features
retain
a
Thus,
as
of
noted
themselves,
Claims
claims
55
reasons
58
noted
and
72
with
recite
respect
to
a
o J_'l C r.s
:IM_IEC_,A.'nl,H F-.'_
D ER30:',t
• F.-',R_-_
BO_', C.',RR ETT
8 D t'_,'_ ER
i
engagement
support
having
D.
1300
recites
screw
to
by
sole
i
61
the
to
has
cannot,
WAS_
Claim
In
of
sufficient
claims
and,
previously
properties
L._w
59
penetrating
which,
and
claim
these
support
the
in
the
protrusion/indentlon
61.
heel
¶
the
distinctions
the
in
includes
Redman.
combination
screw
....,
5TR£LrT.
N.
I _-. ,_1._..'a 08"
0C
N.
ground-engaging
surface
having
a
plurality
W.
20005
_ 000
A 5472
of
bevels.
Thus,
these
claims
are
further
to
with
respect
III.
THE
EXAMINER
IMPROPERLY
UNDER
35 U.S.C.
S 103
OVER
R_DMAN
Claim
64
protrusion
of
the
rear
heel
sole
As
the
by
disk
against
would
reattached,
and
references
to
the
shoe
in
Redman
were
the
structure
the
the
of
the
the
annular
disk
ground-engaging
components,
recess
of
by
the
the
shoe,
of
of
rear
support
In
to
would
have
fact,
the
of
recess
the
screw
purpose
because
rotated,
and
by
the
then
Redma_.
Both
of
soles
rear
sole.
Frank
not
the
the
rotation
would
would
of
intended
Redman.
according
rotation
head
taught
the
that
to
This
prevent
to
teaching
use.
relative
use
and
the
prevent
components
Red man
the
rotation
flanged
the
remainder
in
to
the
from
heel
in
suggested
lacks
rotate
nothing
Redman
nowhere
during
to
modified
sole
Niedworok.
intended
add
the
prevent
recess.
disk
that
these
that
Thus,
or
are
if
N_edworok,
change.
a
bottom
layer
clearly
not
suggest
section
103
rejection
with
the
r.Js
_ _ EC._.":. H E._DER.'-OX
F._RABOW. C,.,,RR ETT
invention
. 0300
clalm
OC
from
ground-engaging
screws
the
upon
rear
to
shaped
pressure
the
the
Redman
to
k
by
two
| STRt&"r,
Niedwor_
teach
or
intended
to
recites
support
detached
attached
Rather,
"4HJNGTON,
be
and
is
are
disk
contrary
Fra__
OV_r_C
to
,oted
_IEDWOROK.
shaped
heel
shaping
have
59
Frank
the
is
the
OR
Examiner,
rotational
mitigates
previously
CLAIM
64
UNPATENTABLE
feature
indention
Red man
reasons
retaining
Such
to
removing
_%ANK
further
the
and
the
REJECTED
BEING
claim
with
by
relative
applying
without
are
_edman
admitted
disk
OF
for
use.
of
AS
from
support
sole
annular
VIEW
indention
during
for
62.
depends
protrusion
rear
claim
IN
and
combination
L.AW
patentable
N,
W,
64
recited
should
in
be
claim
64.
Thus,
reversed.
_OOO5
I'Z0]-408-4000
A 5473
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of
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Apr.1, 1.99"1
s_t
4 of s
5,615,4_7
f_
A 5526
.
.
.
U.S. Patent
Apr. 1,
1997
'.
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5,615,497
Sheet 5 of 5
p
¢M
A 5527
:...
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ATHLETIC SHOE wrm
.....
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_t_r'l_
t_'[_F"_
_ t=7_tc_
IMPROVED SOLE
2
f= most-q_=,
e_chny
=hlettc shoes, for severd m
Plm, tlsh_ edhems_
betweea.the eole end the _oe Is diffu:ultto eddeve, parFWLD OF THB INVI_qTION
flculady around the pedphe_ e( the sole. Seared, sei_ce•rhc pa=a_ invcntton nda_ ge_crally m m etldcttcshoe 5 mc_t of the e_tre sole is mmecessa_ based upou tyl_al
with an iaxpmvedsok ml. morn p=ttculady, zo an mhi_c
we_ paUe=s ta athlcdc ebocs. _1,
n:plac_ sn enthc
shoe wi_ sn extendalde and more w=smilc llfc due to the
sole
l_c__u;d bemorne_e
_ mpl_
_cl_ the
worn dana_
a factor wt_ h _
tf a mpleceabmtyor'the u_r to replaceor ad_ i_om of the outer
roleof tic dJo¢
M_e,fntl-leosth role f_ eve_ ram's and women's shoe dze
I0
h to be produced. Emny, tt weuid apt_ that the bed
s=eo_ _n pe_ca_
h= _
mfue= noah _
BACKGROUND OF THE INVIgCFION
n:qukemm= from the rcst of the shoe role, and it dctedonttcs at a much fasterxate.
Athl_ shoes m bemnd_ mole _ve
each year.
Tw-of-e_
moaeh of the letdlns m_m
=n
U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,434 0_chek_tfi) di_Imes a tote f_
now tea for mo:e tha_ o_e iamdn_ del)_n a pa/r. The t5 re,In8 m_ t_ em_
_ed=t_e eead _
Howlikelihood is tl_ shoes wlU continue to become ewn mine
eve_ the dedga of the n_daceal_ dem of MIchel_i h
cq_st_
in tbo ycm eheed u teclmolomrand paf=xnanco
Imt_u/_ In mm_ n:_pe_ Fer exan_e, the c_em of
a=Stn_ to Imping.
M_zloul epeme as _he matemat_ demen_ wlth _he
lVmmmudy,tmlXOV=n=u ia some fe.mnn Imvcaccom_
_
p_ _d t_ob_ et _ dem _
e_an_
Inntedtimcost inc_sses. We_rspots on tI_zslme upperlmve 2o towa_ the Ix_um of the u_"x fooC Tlds create* an'
been rdnfm'cedwith le=_r. StitchlaS is beua"=sd seldom
•Intolebte_
_az_ the re=aterectum a_ ferazd
u='avcls. _
and moldt_ techniques me imtxoved.
wkldn a "zelaflvdy thick body 14" of the role, whlcl_ adds
mcmdngtb= Ihc talcs m'elcss pmue to scpm-mcdud_ inc.
PmJdlngaround tbc snklc conar and on thc toaguc Im
both theoaten_ m_dnddsdc hs on_ to house the n:a:pm_
_pmved com.roxt.Nmxmd msdman-nmdefal_cs m-cmmc "_ spscc fo_ thcknob of the deatg e¢ the In'mm_c_ of the cleat
knob makcs tt mine lt_
Ibat tke uscr will fed thc ckat
knoln oa the boston ef his fcet pankulm_ after_
mie._e de_t_=_a _ _
the _._
de_a t. _y
amx_ us_ _bo.
tnadequ_ _ _ ha_ oC
my =blcttc ,Ix_ wbem detm:hal_ cleass a_ mine prone to
dldalg_ Tlschad e_m.t'equ_s • meuger md mexc durable
_._
ts uead wem_ Pot example_ the Uead o_ a 8e_d pair of
munk_ dines mmuflcmml in !_3 do_ not appear to be
any morcdund_ thanthe tn_d ea a good pak mmsfacmred
in 1983, o_ for that mal_ 1973. A mc_ tmcly has a choicc
or ra=_ serfaccs, a_d _lt
and otha _tnstvc surfaccs
take a_'emmdous roll on the oufenmleef su_ing shoes. The
problemts _
by the fac_th_ the mos_pronounced
uead we_ oa mmdag stmes InpsmmlaC occm pdndt_ly 4o
Intwo pl_ces:the outerpe_phe:y of the hed, m_dtheba.l]of
the root. Hed we_ h by farthe m_e _ute p_b_n. Tnh
b undeneu_de h_s_ch a_ _ impactfo_ o_ the heel
of a jogs, for exmp_ ha_Ix_ e_m=cd at abo_ tlxce
to four din= the we_gh_ of the jogSe_ TI_ aJog_
_
v_z
_0 peu_ weutd acate a f_c of _0 peend_of
sSoct en one heel W'dhea_ Ised tmpact_ the groand
appmxtmate_ 800 times per nn'le.,it is not di_cult to
undcnU_ why the heel of a mnn_ d_oe Is the ekst put of
the_oe towe_ ouL,i-he
fa_that
this
iswheresupFort
is 50
tcchnologlcal _tvencements in bed end addmlc cushlenlng
and cousmsc_n le_gcly can be uc_ed by two moeths of
heel wea_
Trcad wear on otba" t_0es of atld_
S_4_RY
OF Ti_
INVENTION
The pm=m invcm_ ts dtn:cted to en impmved a_e_c
shoe comprhtng en upl_ a forwani role msachai to thc
upt_ a lzel SUplm_also a_ached to the uppe_ and a rear
sole at_rJ_l to the bed _
The n_ role has a Smund
enSa_InS,_e.
eriee_ m_e ,_dewa_. e_l * top,=f_.
The rear _
h mmnted en the 5eel seppo_ m _ to be
dm_u&iy s_m_l th_:_=.
'l_ m= talc _m also bc
m_r axis of the shee so that the sc_ u_
axls_ thethoe.
A n_
embodinzat, the'f_w_l
is, In efcct
forse_urlng
therearrolefneach
rob of tl_ e_ledc shoe lm a
to the rose tay_.'t_e eet_mle o_tams a pnmm_
r_[ltmt po_ _y
fommi _to
th_ bz_ L_.
I_
o_
A plurality0f n:_lle_t _le_t Isdetachably se_wed
to the po_, each of tl_ dem mntdai_ a cavity ,wh/ch b
shoes is eho a Ss
his shoes _e odxc_r
cxamples of athk_ ihocs which cxlMbk
mea_ so thin the ckat b detachably_red
m t_ pint
fot'nzdoathetree laye¢ Addidonalaspec_of the invenfloe
r_d Ucsdw_r Inlsolatcd=c_ _ tn _vc
a¢ m_-efol_ deu=db_t_ow.
pattc._
Tlnc appcm ne product oa the bodzen _ will epl_e- 6O
ctably eahance the usable life of anathleticshoe's emcr_e
whea _m_
to the usual abraslve force_ Nor _o there
appetr to be eny athlctic slmct _y
tn thc ums:kctplacc
w_ replaceable sdcsor replaccablc treadelemcn_
'
Dcdgus =re Imown that speciP/the nq_cemem or t_e
endrc oeta'mic of s shoe. Exemples tncl_ tho_c _o_d
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4.745,6934,377,042 and 4,267,650. Tbeu:
Accordlng_l m_ object
of tl_p_sem iaveadon isto
ps_dc en ethlettc shoe w_ mplecc_e or aCj=table
bottom sole
eectlomtoiml_oveandl_lonstheuseful llfc
ofthc shoe. I
An0thef object of the ps_senttnventlee is to provide an
ath/ed¢ shoe _h_.,by tread]irec=mbe extended by seJec_vcly mldacin8 ucad clemcats wltbout the na:d to .'cplscc
the e_c soleof a dine.
A 5528
- ..:.
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5,615,497
..
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4
•arm u= a s==0 smm_ mgag_s e=_a_ L_ v_kh
n/mu _ tech_
thatMlow th_we.ar__ d_ _
to
scptace
tlzwom sore
elemca_wiO_oux
havlng
m take
tSe
shoetoa ,lUdlsmm ornqnlrshapforservk_
A further object of the inveudon Is to provi_ the us_ s
with the ed_/lltyto change xe_ u_es and/or cluds based on
weal _ on deshed pcrfmnm_ _
or m2tlci-
Ine/'en_y Is aho • rubber compound.) Howc_c_, _ rear
sere cauldbe ce_d=d ore slngle tmmogemm maedat, or
two maledals (e.g, EVA eavelaped by hard_),
of any
num_ o_ la_m or c_mblnmlom of _
inck_
a
exanxl_dlsch_ed
inU-_.Pat.
No. _05_0.
'l'ue n=r u_e 28 is detschab]e from _e heel m_
2&
Tlds M]mu t_ met th_ ahllny m d_s_s =_u-m_ em_
S_I another obJ_ of the invemion Is to provide an
Lmpmvedadiletic shoethat win allow nmanfacou'=sto so ._
e_ex" tl_ aol_ h wa_ to a dg_Ln_mt d_Sms, _ m_
urn" deem a diffemg mI_ fro"desh'ed pe_fannm_ _u'utu_ =_dng uu_m_og_md cu_o_g u_d_qu=.
pmedtemdn_ olayengsud_c_
• _
-
.
These e_l other aspec_ of the ixese_ I_veadcmwill
T_ rem-s_s _ e_'nalsobs mm_y mountedon fl_ heel
beom_ app=em to timbreskilled in tl,,- m-tafu= a n_ltag of
mppm_26. "r'ms_em. _
can _ mu_d to a ptnn_y of
th8following
d=_p,lou of ms t_.fm_d embod_e_s
tS j_)e_
(MtbonSbo_]y4 jx)_[flommrcix)ma_e_ ehe]FrG"
wl_n _mld=cd whh mc dhra_
I emlx6nnea_wl_ a me,msprovided
toa]ow m,"_
to
u=m-e the re_ _e at each dmtn:dpmttion. Afa= a pu/od
DESOIIF_ON OF _
DRAWINGS
of me_the paiphe_ of the gmend eagas_ _ace 30 win
I h.aa explodedImme_c viewofan Iml_uved exhiba a wear FaU=n at the palnt In whlch the bed llm
mtdmie dine sole with • n_tableheplaceable heel and 2o c_tam the ground, whea the m_ t* riming, f_ exa=_e.
.ve_eab_ c_u_
I_entve wear eccem ,_ e_, inl_. de_ad_
the l_n_HG. 2 Is a plan v/ew of an Improved athledc shoe role.
mince of the rear rote. Whea the m_ detemdn_ tha_the
we= h stgntac_ emu_ the =set _-,4,*. the rear role 28
1_0. 3 Lsa sid_ _
vicmof,zmimprovedmbl_c
shoesolc.
f_omtheheel suplx_ 2fi, and romu_ the n_*rsole so thatthe
2_
were pmtloa will no looger be in the Iocatloa of the me_'s
FIO. 4 Is n x'e_uelevadoaview of mi improvedalblelic
fret heel m_
Rotm/oa can o_mr in emaxis alisncd w'ah
shoesole.
the ma_ axia of the xhee, so th_ the bed h tn ee_ct
F[O. $ is an _
vicw of a sccuflng
bandand
_ped,"
c_ camc_r abo_ em e_L_normal to t_ major
clsmplngme,msforcme_
ofan improvedaxh- axis or tbc sbo_ c_ anyo0_l/nad_ of the above. The use_
letlc
shoesole.
3o the_ _.ensases andsec_es the n_ role to tmnew imstt/oa
FIG.6 isamm ekvaflon
vlcwofanod_r_
of
so that the n_r role will nm become dis]udged dudng use.
a m_m.s fortkn_hably securing the re_ role to anImproved
The nnmber of _
into wh/ch the n_r sole am be
atldedc shoe.
rou_ h nm limixed;however, the embom,,,,_ wTa,'_-,4in
FIG. 7 Is a plan view of the embodim_ shown tn FIG,
FIG. I pennit_ en beth axes a totalof only 4 such pmitlom
due to e,,_ e_cal
dmpo of _ ma_ u_
FtOS. 8Aand 81] show an exploded view aad tu
Ro_tin8 the t'e_ sole aboet an axis normal Io the shoe's
assembledview, nespe_lvely, of one embodimentof a
umjoraxls m a _
o_ f=r e_e.,
of ]SO de_'ees
rephu:eable
de_.
. FIO_ 9 0_'uugb11 dep_ scve_l edditionalcmhodi_m" _1_ a_m-nero'd= hx_p l_m
of th_ alm_ "r_ ins=p
po_on is an _ of _ hnpomm_ _ u'acac=tug._
me_s of _xlaceah_ dems for au improvedathleticshoe
cusU_n_ md s_uck absoe,_ p=poses., Ushnp=mm _o
_o_...ho_cve_ thatira.em_ltnm_
m_ thauthat depict!
F'IGS. 12A and1,_] depJctan addidonal_
of
InHG. I, the re_ role need not be mined a full 180 degrees
a xeplaced_ _ sole.
to ach_v_ethe beef= ef extended use, As long as the wern
I_'tion of the rein-role is mtat_ beyond the area of lhe
DI_CRIPTION OF THE
_-_
bed sm'ke, _
use of tke re_ sole Is pou_EMBODIMENTS
The me_ _n mminne lX_lodica_ to ret_ I_e rein"s_e so
TI_drawin_m forth_puxposo
_ _
al_f_n_l
that _ tmwet-nperdoa of therear role is located iu the m_t
cmlxxlhnc_ofm,__on
andm_ not/ntended
toEmh _o of d_e _,g heel _
The shape of the _m" sole 28 can he drcular, polygoml,
FIG.1 Ism_ exploded
immet_cviewofm,athletlc
gaoe
eUiptl_ "sandd_a_" elongated "sand-dollar"c_ ee_er_
a rotatable m_clreplaceabZere_ sole and a
wise. _,
the n_r role Is shaped m thatthe n_r edse
phuMity of replaceable cleats. The shoe, des/grimedgex_of d_e ground engaging suzface 30 has a .sabsta_ially
ally
ss20.hasa ahocuppc_22.a forwa_talc24,a bed
idemical profile at each minted position. To anow for a
support 26 aad a rc_u"so_©2& The forward role and I_:c]
plundlty of t,otal_ble pmttiem, the shape of the gn_ad
support aze aUad_ to the shoe upp_ in a convem/ma] • cnsas_ mufac_30 prc.fue_ shoutd _ symazakal about
manner,typically by k0ectton mokHnf, sdlchtng or gluing.
= least one axh. "rhc gmuad cnpg/n8 sm:fitcc30 _n bc
The heel suppog 26 has a dde wall 33 dmt extends down.
planaror nou-plmmr._,
the re_ and forwardedges
wahl beyond the upper 22 and de,Snes a recess 40.
m ofthegn_und_
s_-face
c_nmnlng_oe modelswin
I_ taperedm-herded, u shown tn FIO. 1. to soften hee.l
Thc rc_ s_c 28 tn Its lncfcacd cmbodimc_ wia bc made
sususdudnguse..
fn_nthn_dl_c_nt_
aridder
compoundforaEr_
gxuundeugag/ng
sm_ac__; _ _.
_
_
A 9und_y of_mp_.sslonslits
39 which run gcnerally
amchaspolyun_d_snc
re'ethylene
vlnyl
acem_ (EVA)fu_the
v_,.Ically m.,ound,'_ pexlphe_ of the Mdew'n.U
38 may _
rn/dso_
32 or'the
heel;
anda harder
pla_tcmaxedalfo_a (6 /nctuded m_dare shown in FIG.L The sLi_may _eate a void
notchedsecE,
on 4_ thatcncompa=u_lhehodzootal
nddcompletely thr_xShthe aidewall 38, or they may me_y be
sec_on of the tom-sole In FIG. I. 0n FIG.I. therear sole 2_
a _
anut of the Mde wan, ao that the side wall
A 5529
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5,615,497
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_xkknc_mIn t_ m'eaofthe sllx h Jcu lhsn the 81de wall
ml¢_
e.hew_
A tim:ruralm_l L32ms7 bc JootM in th_ c_r of the
n:_ 40 of t_ heel supp_ u shown tn FlU. L The md
_1_l_mu dmmghemep_m_ 134or Ibe zearm_ 28. aml
LI _
_
8_
co_ 1i_ The np_-mze_T4 b
re_
or c_
so1batd_ collaz_ whenscm_red
deesnot e_m_dI_-_0_!(be_ ip_
_
m_r_ 30.
Wbm eom_hm
o_tbo_ m_ 28 of_
I isde_L-ed,_
m
tbe_ soleo_ of _m d_
md 132.'_mle_" the _
_
_k_ d_c_mr _m_ I_ck on d_odm_
eaxl. md
mmm_ _ bandmd ¢olk_ The rc_ _ of FIG.1 is sized
to _3ow _aflm about two _
of,_ _z_e. In ad_io_ to
b_
rou_
_
a fh_ e:ds, _Ich h _m_l to th_
nudoraxls_ tim,bo_then_ m2eo/FIO.I Is_,
mc_S d_ ._.. _o_ _ be _a_d _o_ a _cond axis _
iz a_i_d _zh d_ m_jor rods of d_ d_ h o_d_ m be
inm_fl_, tb_ z_r sol_ must have a _t Snmd _
mf_z 30 kza_d op_
_ m_d _
m_stn_
m
c_n_l_ s_z
m_r_, l_
o_ murky ro_zZ me
worn q_t ab_t an axis m_ml to ,_ d_'s mz_ axi_ d_
u_ dmc_
d_ r_r sole sml in_m _. mt d_ctim _
_z_t_
m_e
30 mmm_ t_- _ive
pod_
of the
m:_
_'¢_i ms.ins
sm_a_z ]_0. md vl_-v_
Of
ccmze, d_ u_ cc_dd route d_ n_r sole ab_t bc_hax_ at
d_ m_ time. If d_shed, whcu d_ _ _
ts _
•
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.
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_-._'_._.:C;,
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,
.
.
Jngtl_ two seetions wba't_ Ibete_r z_te is bo_ _
nndtotamb_ Tho bsnd 44, ns 8tmwuin PIO.1, h noOhow_
In lqO. 4, _though k a_l be indudal ns m olMou.
_O. S s_owk_mcxpm:_ ,view ar t_c eccm:_ I_ma 44.
The damplng _y
h Mmi_ m the commMmml I_
and _p
_em reed oa mo_ dd boo_ m_d_-'m_ cqulpmm_ T'oe_
idvo_ fn_n a m._ pm/dou, wlm_ d_ dasp
ts cuSaged, w a secood 8gl locklug _
wMch forces
me two ¢_ndsof tl_ nmmnbly _
b-'In_* e-...hunpuS
mmmd21u _ well-.kno_m In *he IndmmT,_,., radlmm"
bose _
e_...could be reed md mmm:hi_,_ d_ _
of m_, In_ndcu.
in motlm- embomme_mown lu FIO.6, *s,. _
meres Is _.Mcved by a me_ m_e 2_ havi_ a plml_
_
mpretainsmuface_ of then_ rot©2_.'1_ pnmudm_8_
m_ s/zed io mine whh a plm'M_ of Im'exted'q.;'-shwed
slms 90 bcsxed In a xe_em41 of a bee/suppe_ 27. The slo1_
m.edzed m xece/ve lheimmmlom inch _hat the n_m"role h
msU:d m m_ bee/mppo_ by Imm/_ me n_r *Me md
pmm_om up wm_ _ _
mppm.tn_eu. m_anm,m_
th_ ram*,o_ ubout _ nxis nomml m lho major a._dscd'fl_e
sboc io lock tbc pmtnndoasf_atoa Imdzoamlscgmaxt _ thc
Invatcd "L"-_
slots. To ftn'd_rlock I_ n_r solc imo
place m_dM._ to 'tlz:nInmCm_
s_tst_mu_' thc rc_
s_ 29 wimln fl_ rectus 41 wlzn the um'IdW0ts_mfl_cIzcl.
set s_e_s 94 _
_s_s_
_a FI_ 6 _
bc emp_oy_L
_e
pm-fleulm_, inch _ s_ews would penem_e the wsn
The_de wall38 _co_e_u_
a _ i_
_ion 42
of d_e heel support_ between I/_ invexted"L"shaped Mms
ram.,,-,,*-,_ _nm-Mly hodz_nmlly along _ u_m¢ _
so as ,hown in FIG. 6 m_!evsnse ihe _uren_ed 8pemm_ _ in
e_y of 0_ _du wan 3_. A *ecm'h_ l_md 44 m., m-oumlme
slde wMl _8 _ l_ heel rapportand wl_Mndu_6nu_uoCdxed
sectlou. Bolh gnmud ¢ugaglng _
o_ t_ rear ,ole _
loc_m_dwitldn the ze_eu 41, _ fs s/zed Io mine wilh a
mo Mzcdw m wtflxlntaxi mine with tl_
40 of timbed
n_lie_t cen_
ni_tm-e 1.12 locnt_ a_ a lop lux_nceof
suppo_ 26 wlz:u _sscmblaf. Ttsc _
ndd-scction of
fl_en_r so]_ 29. The d_pl_dOn o_ lhe centring po_ hss a
t_ rc_ solc 28 Im a sccond nmclzd sccdou 46 nlong fts
per_my, mxl b m_ed m _x wlth_ md mare w/_ m,, flr_
m_ menm-_ wm b_c_adu,b_yK_x_d w_mpu_d u_
no_hed see/ion 42. Afhurtl_ n_ sole b ph_ed up wlx.Mnthe
md mau_ w1_hthe h_' .mplm_
rec_ of the heel mppo,'t, the secud_ band 44 _ wifl_n
.*0
'I'h_nm_m for locklx_ _ secudng lhe n_m"
role m lhe heel
t_ _ ne_b 42 m_d._
_bt_t_s. _mn_y bo_ me
tc_ sMc 28 tn lgaCc dut_g usc. TI_ comps.csston,fits 3g
also ,_,- mean mm_be cadly a¢complld_edm m,_usm"will
allow tbc sidc wMl 38 of tl_ had mppo_ 26 m bc c_ax.n_ be n_luln:d td z_m_ tl_ slme to lhv manufac/m_r _ a
_
whcum_ sccud_ tnnd44 Is ttgtm:n_ anud_ a
slme n:p_ sz_e In m_r *oreplm_ _ n_movethe rest sule,
snug mxl sccum fit.
The _
to _m_,_ d_e n_ _e_t_se_,_s _n:nd puxLocxtcd ,0attmlmm_or smfm_ ot fl_ fir_ a_tclzd sccStan
pose_ TI_ tu_ c_n r0U_ and/o_ Im_rt *harmr ,ole _o
42 h a plma_ o(MilPmxu_dlmples43.A phirsllty
of
_
a w_Isectl_'to
a Iresadflcal mea of fl_ si2e, m_l
m m" _
oftbcm_c_d uotcbed
s_lon 46ofthexe_s
role
ZS.TheMigume_ dlmplm43 8xedzedtom wlm_ 8ml
_ _ so_es i_t t_mse of adve_ we_ pam_m.
mm_
with the nipples 41 when
d_e two _
m'e so _
s_ed,
m _p _Igume two,e_,
m _p l_ovlde
m'ucmxMsmbl]_y ge_mUy, _ sped_ically m p_vem ,,
r,,i._l
c_' the n_m-role In a hodzomM phu_ wlehla d_e
r_.¢_ 40 wl_m U'_eu._r plvo_ on the lu_ _ the sho_ l
I_,. inve.nflemlu a sl_. mmketed m a _-_slne_
ma_
md mot_ tYPe,
_ n_3.m_ xurmm_, _m u nmm_ A
buke0a_ pl_ycr _'n:_Ixe
fro'wind sole 24. The dens m'__
below.
•
_G. 2 _ * I/m _tew of m _
'
In gn_tlm"de.tall
"
l
'
_o_,mblm_ wi_e qu_k. _
a l_rd_r m_d_mm_xes_ sole
dm_me_ Is e_nmd.
of m Improved_0 cuahlonedhecL S/m:_dy, ajo.ggm'pl_nnmmmddeon
mldedc _
20 muideldcu the;smu_l ensnS/ng nuface M
of tlm _cur sole :28nod the n_lliem elf.am 36.
lq_. 3 depicts a gdc vlow of an Improvedadde_Icshoe
,oletlummety_ ma__uld be mmab_mnmo_ m ah'_dy
x'e_mcmIndoor_modcdmw.k.
20, whereme bevc_d edges 4_ o_ me gmun_a_.ag_
Wh/]e d_eM_ovedi_usdon is dkected tows_Is a rearrole
surface, as per a nmnlng slme dmdcl, agMn are deplcxed. _s th_ _
or sepm_e, _ Ixs e_y,
'* Is ,peci_mdly
FIG. 4 ts a rein"_
of lhe bed suppert26 and _e
mmemplmed that the same be_e_s of dds Invem/oncan be
actdev_ if only a po_loo M d_ x_ solo Is n_xable _
•.
,
A 5530
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...... .
5,615,497
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I_ti_l_-__
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FIG. 9 d_l m ca_odLmcmWherebym,._ an-[a_ 170 ....
eninltnl si_
nleilns_li ill le_ _ lulfie _ II _e_,
of a d_ll T/II madlcd Io a dag78 whldl h dllld.ovcr
"
sote, Im _l_s
d_e l_
c_inl use, roils or l,
a bore57 wllbln
IbeclelThe exled_dzeordlameler
of
md_ ring h the ume u the dze or _
orthe dee m
nlal wllmi_ a pmdml of ill rear Iole, e.g., lhe ci_er _.
which it is ellad_ed, lnef_y
with m adhesiv_ 'I_ ring
pt'egez'a_yil me_ of the eznz, re.lent matedal a.zthe ptm
Inll _
mmcs _#or i_ _
(_ (ml ba_ la_ _) io _
i_i il_ poa "s_
llo a
I:IGL7 Is a i_n view of lhe lil_ilc dine of Pi_ _
i_c_ I_ wli= llllii_L Ti _*,,_-- i_il= bulbms ald of
idlho_ ill loll role 29, but dlow_ dl llcell 4L
ill po_ (_ h in=_ llln dl Im_ d_n_i
i_ the dos 78.
il_Im_
to FI(L & m ail_
di_ itRx= ii_ a f_wa-d so lkl_
ui_ the _d_v= I_..ofll
mni_
Ibe
_
14, a fonmd llilsde S0, a blll hl_ 51L md an
inner _,,n'_'
of the rh_ 78 czn cxpmxl to allow _hc
o_ez_Ic Ed _ dlplci_L TI_ _,lld
mld_i _ h
mad_l m _he_=i_ In mw_nlio_ llldoL e,l., h0_lon
lheIx_e5"#c_les a ipreai_
Imllde
v_
IbanIbevolmi_
_'weadn_hole_0,md II omc_olc51 h _
ioibc
dilated by ti=belao_el poaloo_, for101 dlsem_baselai_r_, blsbldhr_veeiloud llhlmlImowu to
llonpmposcl ii _o_
(F_uued.Tl_imlon alm
d_me siilkdInIbem.
_
Ibecleliobc dclaci_lysecured_
Ibeposl
The baseh,#er
II shouldbe fallanedfinna ili_but
d=io8 me.
Fi_.I0showsemembodli_ _aelelhepol framedml
hlld llllllll Ili i _ll"d_!_ e_"
I1 _
"Ill Ilil lliyll 1 l_m la_ 53,Im m oHang -,,a80.Tldse_bodlmmt
liei
beleelldl flllldnildlo_
S0md dieoulllokIiof
_adng
i_ with ea t_/_
e_dng _ b ebk_g
lhe longed mkho_ R b mvh_oed that the baselay_
md _:d m n_'_
_hc el_ng cnd 80. 'I'nedear 81 has a
da_tdar be_ 8_ of a dtamete_ec least the dze ef _hegt'u_e_
e_muted thlckae_ of theo',ma'ae_54, fm'wa_ of tben_w/d_h of the cblon8 end 20. The mrface of the dn 8 178
role,
Msowlll
bcV_"io½",exdusl_ofde_ or_
_ohdn_ I_ dc=_ 81 fn Ibis _
haz_or r_sed
moe=d_ The base layerneed not be soltd _oeSheet; rathe_
ft u_l lu_e bole, _ _
or ev_ a w_ave _
_uzt so ioeg _. thue h base lay_ whenn_erthen_is a matiag
embodtme_ the dear t, "=_r"
ove_"the pint. md thin
post64(asthowa In FIG. 8A) trodaboveead_rod]lentdear
tmaedtme-qum'ter
tugn.T]_ two raha:dni:pl_=84 m e_ch
36.
_ ot emoteoegugt aid ta "_ckin_ the poetiatoph_ by
H0_. $ tbl'oegh11 deptct d_'erel embodlnga_ ot 30
•"mi_i_#,- h mls cmbodi==_ a= Ipmid comace_i
=ethedt of amchh_ the re_tlh_ clea_
59 elo llle
cleal
o_I barea dlsilnclivu
madmr o_
Tlae cleats 36 l_.[embly _e ma& of m eppml=.tate sulface
se_ so_cwi_e Inlls
oei__
ioeJlow
thewem_
.t_oc_
mate=htof g_tt_ lu_lam thin the fc_m c_l_.m by vl_ud/ntpm_
_at the de_ h indeed
wahl n_lu2e _. The mamdM h likely to be rel_e_ bet
w Ino_ I a glance tlul
coukl be other mo_lab_ refUte=t, p_nnedc ma_daL The x_ •"locked." TI_ will allow II _
an deais.m "l_
if ane_kt_
_ learnsire a_
deaa a_e n:mova_ and n_placea_ m that the esm- can
in Ihe rune di_
on ltle mie_
rq_:e _e w_a dears w/_hnew deau witheet n_Cm_the
I_,
ll del_ nmtbe: e_
of Ihe lestl_
shoe to th_ _
or sb_ sq_dr stm_.Also. _ u_
e_,_ A fl_aded m T'__me'_ to the top _zface 172 of
may cla= to us_ c_ts wlth dlffi:zc_ in-opatlcs _
_d ligued
upou mc dc_cd _
_
_-,;'t_ to tbc _ •ti_ede_t T&"rl= q_m_e ol ihe _ tstl_
o,,= _e ope_ln8 to a here 74. The po_ 76, n_ded ohm _he
vcamm_ Sm_vldcdwlm t_ sqm_ccab_ n_u"so_camcc_
b_ lay_ i'#, Is lhli_led In lhh elllbodinli_, _
for
"r_cs_0c _ me n:dX,k_=ckax 3d ml eac wind cemaing
the ch=/to be u_-wed en fro-a eec_= _t. An embod_mc_
mrf_e _i is notItmt*,ed,emdmaybec_'cular,poi.rgom_or
of the outcm31eine_ve
nm_xh "/9h shown cm_dtn8
othem'ise.As sho_mtn the embod_mc_t
of ia,.G.8A, the
de,t _
a cav/ty S6. a Smend cem_l_
_e
58. a o Ihc_
e_,at 60 and ea enla_d ha_ _a 62. A matin8 poa 64
In _ll of _e ebo_e embo_me_
the op_ana w/dlh ,_"
comatm a btdboe3 md poaien 66 md a neck 68. The cavity
dlamete_of the _
sppeen m be in e]e _t" m _" renge.
$6 h _ed to mate with the be]bornend lm_/oa (_6.'I_ pest
In tcrmsof dear hclghtO_Indlog oot_ u)k farO, ¼ to½"
64 h h_tesr_, fm_! on d= ba_ lair S3 end la_tm_
5o
througha mm:q_ding l_'etn_oe of the o_enm_e $4. The
72 rlmgcsfroml#i="to Viii.
bulbo,,_ e_d p_ion f_ hm a lm_ diametcrthanthe tl_t
60 dlam_cc m_l tlz _
60 expands m Mlowtl_ passagc
ala_ of lhe moullds and llle 8round coni_
mlifilce of
oflhe10ulbous
endixnilon
oflhepollendthell
conlractl
_
the deal 'rho_ _dlled lathc e_tcm dlscemthesevarloes
Ibebi_s endpo_ml _ienlezl
lheca_ 5_ Alsoshowu
cmbodlmca_f:om a dose _u_iny of the_efigure.
ai'c
Ibepmle_vc matm_ _i of Ill=
_
whlchlu:In PIGS. ]2.A and I_,
a_o_cr e=bedime_t of an
nmd and Ix_e_ _ dc_, ixovldi_ i_i
_=d v_Ic_
Improved athledc d_oe sole h _vn. Thh flgnre dep_ a
rearsole 91 d=i lls a Iri_vcri_ edle I_ md a pcdpbe_
The volume of the enlarged imide erea b_ it larSe=,than
edge I{i_ A ImiSuc li0 and ll-oow 112 m_'_*,,i_ _
the volun_ _
by the belbo_ end pot,/on 6_ of the 60 dlc _
cd_ I00 oflhe n_ _le 98 Io _now lhe n=r
po_ 64. Th_ eHows for Ihe load preued esalnU the _at
sole te _mleagagcihchod i_xm 106. Ti Ixq_ 110iu
wh_md_c sho_ coamc_ wlth the gn_undto be Sl.U_ mm-_
the emb_x_c_
thnwn In PIG. L?.A ex:ends the eatlre
cvcnly OVa"thc top surfa_ 70 of th_ ch_t _gB.as opposed to
dLsumceof the mmsvente edge 100. To asu_nbte, the uun"
hmdag ll_ maio_ oftl_ load coa_ma_
_ ll_ lop ofll_
llldes
lheteas
Icle
911
InI_
m IbenlIjor
nxll
ofibe
po_ 61,
6S shoe.(Alummtvely. the tcngee 110 may be de_8_cd to
FIO. 81t _¢lim _ cleat mbo_a_
og I_G. llA la d_
"mep"imoliOoo_ 112bytn_r_ _hcn_sol_ f_n thc
aucalb_
I_ltoa.
•
le_ ollheshoelind
di:ec_bla Ib_ilroove
Ill.)
TI_ ui_
A 5531
A 5532
5,615,497
U
:
.i " " " /2
, |
a _carlnlt ba_d _zed to _, _xmmd_lu_wall _ c_es_
• e vv_la_
_e _nr sole_aret_n_e _ea_soleIn
t_ere_eu.
a fe_n_rd sole a_d
_o d_ upp_
a heel sappact a_t_hed _o _he upp_ and hay/rig_ lea_
c_e wa_l ex_e_
_w_'dly
from _he wall tl_ _t
le_ p_la_
deles a n_e_
A 5533
::, _ -:-
"
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:
'
CERTIFICATE
I certify
Joint Appendix
OF SERVICE
that on June 1, 2006, the original
and 11 copies
were filed with the Court by hand delivery
of the foregoing
to:
Clerk
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
717 Madison Place, NW
Washington,
DC
Circuit
20439
In addition, I certify that on June 1, 2006, I served the foregoing
delivering 2 copies to Federal Express for next day delivery to:
James H. Kelly, Jr., Esq.
Steven Gardner, Esq.
J. Jason Link, Esq.
KILPATRICK
STOCKTON
1001 West Fourth Street
Winston-Salem,
Tel:
NC
by
LLP
27101
(336) 607-7300
Douglas J. Kline, Esq.
Richard B. Myrus, Esq.
Keith A. Zullow, Esq.
William A. Meunier, Esq.
GOODWIN
PROCTER
LLP
Exchange Place
53 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Tel:
(617) 570-1000
June 1, 2006
Attorney
L.L.C.
for Plaintiff-Appellant
Akeva