阅读说明：本技术 鞋类跟部弹簧装置 (Heel spring device for shoes ) 是由 蒂凡妮·A·比尔斯 约翰·T·丁莫夫 韦德·弗拉纳根 奥斯丁·奥兰多 乔治·A·赞索斯 于 2017-10-25 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请涉及鞋类跟部弹簧装置。一种被构造成在鞋类物品的鞋跟部区包围足部接纳腔的一部分的装置,该控制条具有中央节段、从中央节段延伸的第一侧臂以及与第一侧臂间隔开并从中央节段延伸的第二侧臂。控制条可以包括一系列板条。基座支撑控制条并连接到第一侧臂和第二侧臂。控制条被偏置到无应力位置,此时中央节段距基座第一距离,并且在所施加的力的作用下弹性弯曲到加载位置,此时中央节段距基座比第一距离小的第二距离。该装置存储势能,在所施加的负载被移除时,该势能使控制条返回到未加载位置。(The present application relates to footwear heel spring devices. A device configured to enclose a portion of a foot-receiving chamber in a heel region of an article of footwear, the control strip having a central section, a first side arm extending from the central section, and a second side arm spaced apart from the first side arm and extending from the central section. The control bar may comprise a series of slats. The base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position wherein the central segment is a first distance from the base and resiliently flexes under an applied force to a loaded position wherein the central segment is a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position when the applied load is removed.)

1. A device configured to enclose a portion of a foot-receiving chamber in a heel region of an article of footwear, the device comprising:

a control strip having a central section, a first side arm extending from the central section, and a second side arm spaced apart from the first side arm and extending from the central section;

a continuous base supporting the control bar and connected to both the first side arm and the second side arm;

wherein the central section of the control bar has a ramp surface that slopes toward an inner perimeter of the central section between the first and second side arms; and is

Wherein the control bar is biased to an unstressed position when the central section is a first distance from the base, the control bar elastically deforms to a loaded position under an applied force when the central section is a second distance from the base that is less than the first distance, and the device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unstressed position when the applied force is removed.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the base is connected to the first side arm at a first joint and the base is connected to the second side arm at a second joint.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

the control bar has an arcuate shape from the first joint to the second joint;

the base has an arcuate shape from the first joint to the second joint; and is

The control bar and the base are configured as a fully elliptical leaf spring.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

the base has a central section, a first base arm, and a second base arm all disposed in a common plane;

the first base arm is spaced apart from the second base arm and both extend from the central section of the base;

the first base arm and the first side arm are connected at the first joint;

the second base arm and the second side arm are connected at the second joint;

the first side arm and the second side arm extend at a first acute angle relative to the common plane of the base when the control bar is in the unstressed position;

the first and second side arms extend at a second acute angle relative to the common plane of the base when the control bar is in the loaded position; and is

The second acute angle is less than the first acute angle.

5. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the first and second side arms each twist outwardly along their respective longitudinal axes from the base to the central section of the control strip.

6. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the first and second side arms are asymmetric about a longitudinal axis extending through the base between the first and second side arms.

7. The device of any one of claims 1-4, in combination with a footwear upper defining at least a portion of an ankle opening, wherein the base is located below the control strip, wherein the first lateral arm is located on a medial side of the footwear upper, the second lateral arm is located on a lateral side of the footwear upper, and the central section of the control strip is located rearward of the ankle opening.

8. The device of any one of claims 1-4, in combination with a footwear upper defining at least a portion of the foot-receiving chamber;

wherein the central segment has a thinned portion; and is

Wherein the footwear upper is secured to the central section at the thinned portion.

9. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at a rear of the junction between the control bar and the base there is no stiff heel stabilizer between the control bar and the base.

10. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device is a single, unitary, one-piece component.

Technical Field

The present teachings generally include a heel spring device for an article of footwear.

Background

Traditionally, placing footwear on the foot typically requires the use of one or two hands to stretch the ankle opening of the footwear upper and retain the rear portion during foot insertion, particularly in the case of a relatively soft upper and/or a heel counter (heel counter) in which the upper is not secured to the rearwardly facing flexible fabric of the ankle opening.