Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SHOE HAVING TRANSPARENT WINDOW FOR
VIEWING CUSHION ELEMENTS
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to athletic or
other activewear shoes, and more particularly relates to
shoes having custom midsoles with a transverse
reinforcement segment and a removable insert which coacts
with said segment to provide improved stability and
support.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Athletic or other activewear shoes of a
conventional construction generally have three or four
separate parts. First, such shoes are provided with an
outsole that is made of a durable material and that
extends across the lower surface of the shoe. A midsole
is joined to the outsole to provide a cushioning layer to
the wearer's foot. Usually, an upper formed of leather,
synthetics or other materials is joined to the midsole.
In many conventional structures, an insole is further
provided for disposal between the midsole and the wearer's
foot for additional cushioning.
The midsoles of these conventional constructions
have two undesirable characteristics. First, they have
the property of deforming over a large area of surface
when a downward force is impressed on them. Second, the
midsoles are affixed to the shoes and therefore customers
can make no choice in the midsole's cushionability without
selecting another shoe. Thus, conventional midsoles do not
offer anything in the way of independent suspension or
deformation of various areas thereof, and further are
suited to only a particular weight class or cushionability
preference of wearers.
The need for a midsole having a plurality of
cushioning elements, each demonstrating an individual
suspension and deforming independently from the remaining
elements has generally been met by the custom midsole as
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,733,483, March 29, 1988, to
Lin. However, it has been found that a flat outsole and
midsole as disclosed therein have a tendency to create a
springboard effect which causes the heel to bounce and
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vibrate. Unless the midsole fits perfectly into the
cavity created within the shoe, there is also a tendency
for the midsole to slip therein. Thus, a need has arisen
for a midsole that has a plurality of cushioning elements
with individual suspension that does not slip or vibrate.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there
is provided a shoe, comprising: a sole portion for the shoe,
wherein said sole portion comprises a midsole affixed to an
upper surface of an outsole; walls defining a window through
said sole portion; a reinforcement segment transversely
disposed over said outsole and within said midsole; a
removable midsole insert overlying said sole portion in order
to provide cushioning support to the foot of the wearer, said
removable midsole insert having first and second groups of
curved cushioning elements depending downwardly therefrom on
opposite sides of said reinforcement segment and providing
distinctive visual design aspects, such that said
reinforcement segment inhibits movement of said cushioning
elements within the shoe; and transparent plastic material
filling said window such that said plastic material seals to
make an integral shoe, said transparent plastic material
allowing the ability to see through said sole portion to
externally observe at least a portion of said cushioning
elements having said distinctive visual design aspects
overlying said sole portion.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention
there is provided an improved shoe wherein internal cushioning
elements may be viewed externally of the shoe, comprising: an
upper having a bottom margin; an outsole having a lower
surface and an upper surface opposed to said lower surface,
said outsole made of a relatively durable and resilient
material; a midsole having a body, an underside of said body,
an upper surface, a toe portion, a heel portion integral with
the toe portion, and being formed completely of an integral
material substantially more yieldable and cushionable than
said outsole, and with only non-rigid support therein in order
to provide consistent, uniform and nonvariable cushioning to
the foot of the wearer, a lower surface of said midsole
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disposed substantially adjacent said upper surface of said
outsole, said bottom margin of said upper joined to at least
one of said outsole and said midsole; and insole cushioning
member disposed in said upper to be at least substantially
adjacent to said upper surface of said midsole; at least one
orifice formed through said outsole for the visual inspection
of a respective portion of said midsole, a transparent window
sealingly disposed across said orifice and formed of a
yieldable elastomeric material; and a plurality of
independently cushionable, distinctive visual design elements
forming at least a major portion of said lower surface of said
midsole and positioned in static and nonvariable lateral
relationship with respect to each other, upper ends of said
design elements joined to fixed, nonvariable spaced locations
on the underside of said body of said midsole, lower ends of
said elements being free from each other, and bearing against
portions of said outsole to provide cushioning to the foot of
the wearer, a predetermined and unchanging portion of said
elements visible through the entire area of said transparent
window at all times such that said distinctive design elements
of said midsole may be inspected externally of the shoe, while
providing continuous cushioning support to the foot of the
wearer in the entire area of said transparent window.
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1 3~4 1 28
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OE THE DRAWINGS
Various aspects of the invention and their
advantages will be more completely understood by reference
to the followlng Detailed Description in con}unction ~ith
the appended drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a shoe
construction according to the invention as fitted with a
custom midsole therefor, with parts broken away to show
interior structure;
FIGURE 2 is a top isometric view of a preferred
embodiment of a transverse segment of the invention;
FIGURE 3 is a bottom isometric view of a
preferred embodiment of a custom midsole insert of the
invention;
FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal section taken
substantially along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 5 is a partial longitudinal section of an
alternate embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal section of an
additional alternate embodiment of the present invention;
and
FIGURE 7 is a partial longitudinal section of a
.still further alternate embodiment of the present
invention.
1 33 4 1 28
DETAILED 3ESCRIPTION
Referring first to FIGUR~ 1, an isometric view
of a preferred embodiment of a shoe construction according
to the invention is shown. A custom midsole insert is
indicated generally at 10. Insert 10 is shown as fitted
into an active wear shoe indicated generally at 12. While
the illustrated shoe 12 is one designed for walking, the
invention can also be employed in other types of athletic
shoes, such as running, aerobics, or court shoes. The
invention also has application in any circumstance where
varying midsole cushionability is desired.
Shoe 12 is comprised of an outsole 14 that forms
the wearing surface of the shoe. Outsole 14 is preferably
constructed of a relatively durable, resilient material
such as natural rubber. Outsole 14 has an exterior
s~rface that is provided with a suitable tread surface 16.
Outsole 14 further has an interior or upper surface 18
which may be smooth and leatureless throughout, or may
have a central area 20 that is reticulated or webbed in
order to save weight. A peripheral area (not shown) of
upper surface 18 presents a smooth surface for gluing or
other means of attachment.
A peripheral midsole member 22 is formed to be
glued or otherwise attached to the peripheral area of
outsole upper surface 18. Peripheral member 22 is more
cushionable and yieldable than outsole 14, and can be
conveniently molded of polyurethane foam or ethylene vinyl
acetate copolymer (EVA). Peripheral member 22 is, in the
illustrated embodiment, endless and extends completely
around the periphery of outsole 14. Peripheral member 22
has an interior sidewall 24 and an upper surface 26.
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While in the illustrated embodiment, peripheral
member 22 is endless, this need not necessarily be the
case. Member 22 can, for example, take the form of two
longitudinal strips, one for each side of the shoe, or
could take the form of several sections spaced around the
periphery of the shoe. The form taken by peripheral
member 22 should in any event perform its dual function of
retaining insert 10 and provide structural support for the
peripheral area of the shoe.
Preferably, a footbed reinforcing layer 28 is
affixed as by gluing to outsole upper surface 18. Layer
28 is preferably much thinner than the height of
peripheral member 22 so as to allow room for insert 10.
Reinforcing layer 28 is sized to substantially coincide
with the exposed portion of outsole upper surface 18.
Layer 28 is fabricated of a relatively resilient
firm and less flexible material in relation to the EVA
forming peripheral member 22. For example, layer 28 can
be constructed of a leatherized paper or cardboard. The
purpose of layer 28 is to replace torsional strength lost
by the creation of peripheral midsole member 22. Thus, a
midsole/outsole configuration having satisfactory
torsional strength is formed for proper lateral support of
the wearer's foot while at the same time providing for a
central insert 10 having selectable cushionability.
Of particular importance to the present
invention is a transverse reinforcing segment 30. Segment
30 is preferably integral with peripheral member 22 and
formed from the same cushionable material (EVA). Segment
30 is preferably provided with a layer 28 on an upper
surface thereof. Segment 30 is particularly useful for
1 334 1 2~
providing stability to the insert 10 and support to a wearer
of the shoe 12. Without the segment 30, it has been found
that vibrations, heel bounce and slippage of the insert 10
have occurred. The peripheral member 22 and the segment 30
form a front receptacle 32 and a heel receptacle 34 (covered
in FIGURE 1 by insert 10) that are dimensioned to receive
insert 10.
Shoe 12 further comprises an upper 36 that can be
fashioned of leather, cloth, synthetic materials or a
combination of these, and is attached to upper surface 26 of
peripheral member 22 by a method later described.
Insert 10 comprises an upper base member 38 and a
plurality of supporting elements 40 that are preferably formed
integrally with base member 38 to depend therefrom. As shown,
elements 40 occupy receptacles 32 and 34 when insert 10 is
installed into shoe 12. Elements 40 are dimensioned such that
their depth matches the depth of sidewall 24 minus the
thickness of layer 28, and are formed so as to occupy
substantially all of receptacles 32 and 34 from one sidewall
24 to the other. Elements 40 are positioned in static and
nonvariable lateral relationship with respect to each other.
Peripheral member 22 and removable insert 10 are apportioned
such that most of the weight of the wearer will be borne by
insert 10. Insert 10 has a transverse slot 42, formed by
eliminating elements 40, corresponding to the transverse
reinforcing segment 30.
Base member 38 has an upper surface 44 onto which a
flocking material 46, which is preferably formed of a
polyester/nylon material but can be formed of any suitable
fabric, is joined as by gluing. As finished out by flocking
material 46, insert 10 would not require any insole or liner
on top of it to be suitable for wearing.
As shown, base member 38 has a central member 48,
and a lip member 50 that extends beyond central area 48.
f ~i,
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lo 1 3341 28
Cushioning elements 40 depend from central member 48. Lip
member 50 is formed to be coextensive with top surface 26 of
peripheral member 22. A uniform cushionable upper surface 44
is therefore presented to the wearer's foot throughout the
interior of the shoe.
Referring now to FIGURE 2, a top isometric view of
the outsole 14, the peripheral member 22 and the transverse
segment 30 is shown. The segment 30 is joined to opposite
sidewalls 24 of peripheral member 22 transverse to a
longitudinal axis of the outsole 14 as indicated by line 52.
In a preferred embodiment, segment 30 comprises a first
generally vertical transverse surface 54 and a second
generally vertical transverse surface 56 spaced apart from
first surface 54. A generally horizontal transverse surface
58 connects first surface 54 to second surface 56. The area
thus formed by surfaces 54-58 forms a solid block of
cushionable material for supporting a wearer of shoe 12.
Positioned proximate the segment 30 is a generally
transparent window 60 which is molded into a void or aperture
62 formed by walls in the outsole 14. The window 60 may be
formed from a clear plastic elastomeric material such as is
available from E.I. du Pont de Nemours. For example, the
window may be formed from polyurethane, or from polyvinyl
chloride, or from a combination of polyurethane and polyvinyl
chloride. Moreover, the window may be formed by a hollow see-
through container including polyurethane at least partially
filled with a fluid. It is preferable to recess the window 60
into outsole 14, for example, 2 millimeters, to prevent
scuffing or abrasion to the window 60 which would obscure the
view therethrough. The window 60 provides for observation or
inspection of the elements 40 of insert 10 from exterior the
shoe 12, a predetermined and unchanging portion of elements 40
visible through the entire area of window 60 at all times.
11 133412~
It is to be understGod that segment 30 and
window 60 may be located in different positions and
different orientations. For example window 60 may be
parallel or oblicue to axis 52 rather than transverse
thereto. A window 60 may also be positioned along the
peripheral member 22 as will be subsequently described in
more detail. Additionally, a plurality of transverse
segments 30 and a plurality of observation windows 60 may
be provided.
Referring now to FIGURE 3, a bottom isometric
view ~of insert 10 is shown. In the illustrated
embodiment, insert 10 is integrally formed with an insole
portion-64. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3, upper
surface 44 comprises the upper surface of insole portion
64, and the flocking material 46 (FIGURE 1) is joined to
this surface.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 and
3, elements 40 each take the form of a pillar with a
rounded free end. Elements 40 are formed in central area
48 in a closest packing arrangement in order to provide
cushionable support throughout central area 48. Elements
40 are formed independently of each other, and are only
-joined to base 38. In this manner, elements 40 provide in
effect a multiple-point independent suspension. This is
because elements 40 will be compressed and will yield
independently of each cther. This is an advantage over
midsoles or insoles of solid construction, which have a
tendency to yield and compress continuously and uniformly
over large area5. The discrete elements 40 on the other
hand give an independent, discontinuous support to
1 334 1 2~
different portions of the foot that is not obtainable by a
midsole or insole of uniform construction.
Elements 40 are graduated in size in order to
conform to the depth of sidewall 24 (FIGURE 1). In a
front area 66 of area 48, a plurality of relatively small
elements 68 are formed. Elements 68 will conform to the
relatively thin depth of peripheral member 22 in the front
region. In heel region 70, a relatively small number of
large heel cushioning elements 72 are formed. The larger
size of elements 72 adapts them to the larger depth of
peripheral member 22 in heel region 70. Further, since
there is a larger cushioning depth of material, the larger
size of elements 72 prevents undue bending or nonradial
deformation, as might otherwise occur if a plurality of
long, thin elements were used.
A transverse slot 42 is formed into insert 10 by
eliminating elements 40 corresponding to the transverse
reinforcing segment 30. The transverse slot 42 divides
insert 10 into front area 66 and heel region 70 that fit
into receptacles 32 and 34 respectively. The division
into front area 66 and heel region 70 greatly reduces or
eliminates slippage of the insert 10 within the
receptacles 32 and 34. The combination of transverse
reinforcing segment 30 and transverse slot 42 reduces any
bounce or heel vibration caused by a springboard effect of
the elements 40.
Referring now to FIGURE 4, a longitudinal
section taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 is
shown. FIGURE 4 particularly illustrates the graduated
size of elements 40 from front area 66 to heel region 70.
Some of the elements 40 are not shown in section because
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section line 4-4 did not pass through them, or are shown
only partially in section because line 4-4 did not pass
through them along their major diameter. Insole portion
64 is shown to have a concave surface 74 in heel region 70
for the support of the heel of the wearer's foot.
Upper 36 has a bottom lip member 76 for mating
with upper surface 26 of peripheral member 22. Lip member
76 is attached as by gluing to upper surface 26. Then, an
element 78 is placed on top of lip member 76. Element 78
is elongate and extends around the periphery of shoe 12,
corresponding to upper surface 26. Element 78 can
conveniently be formed of the leatherized paper material
preferably forming reinforcing layer 28, or from another
relatively strong material. Stitching (not shown) is used
to join element 78, lip member 76 and peripheral member
22, and optionally outsole 14, together.
In operation, shoes 12 and inserts 10 are
distributed to retailers as separate items. Each insert
has a specific durometer reading that measures its
relative yieldability or resiliency. The cushionability
of inserts 10 can also be varied by changing the shape
and/or spacing of elements 40. A plurality of different
inserts 10 having a range of durometer readings are
provided for each shoe size, such that any pair or
numerous pairs of inserts 10 can be inserted into a
respective pair of shoes 12. A particular pair of inserts
10 are selected for a particular customer according to the
customer's weight and cushioning preference. Thus, a
lightweight person will in general require an insert 10
that is more cushionable and less resilient than a heavier
person. Further, the customer may have a particular
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preference concerning how "soft" or "hard" the shoe feels,
and may select a pair of inserts 10 that match his or her
preferences in this respect. Finally, there may be medical
reasons for selecting a right insert lO that has a
different resiliency and cushionabiiity than a left insert
lO, and the invention will permit this selection.
Referring now to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, alternate
embodiments of a transparent window constructed according
to the invention is illustrated. Referring first to
FIGURE 5, a window 82 is illustrated in cross-section.
Window 82 comprises a generally transparent material and
is positioned in a void or aperture 84 and 86 formed by
walls through outsole 14. The window 82 is recessed into
the outsole 14 approximately 2 millimeters to help reduce
scuffing or abrasion to the transparent material. The
voids 84 and 86 are preferably cut through the outsole 14
to remove any obstacles to a clear view of the interior of
the shoe. The transparent material comprising window 82
is then formed to match the voids 84 and 86 and have
overlaps 88, 90 and 92 to allow for securing to outsole
14. Window 82 is secured by any appropriate method such
as gluing to reestablish the integrity of outsole 14.
Referring to FIGURES 6 and 7, side window
alternatives are shown in elevational view. In EIGURE 6,
an irregularly shaped window 96 is formed through a void
or aperture 98 defined by walls in peripheral member 22.
In FIGURE 7, an oval shaped window 100 is formed through a
void 102 in peripheral member 22. Windows 96 and 100 may
have overlap areas similar to 88 and 92 (FIGURE 5) to
allow for glue attachment or may be configured to clip
into place.
1 334 ~ 28
`
In summary, a novel midsole with a custom insert
has been provided in order to vary the resiliency and
cushionability of the midsole according to the wearer's
needs. A transverse segment is positioned between the
heel and the front portion of the shoe to add stability
and support to the wearer. The transverse segment helps
reduce heel bounce and slippage found to exist with a shoe
insert. Finally, windows are provided in either the
outsole or the peripheral member to allow interior
observation from exterior the shoe.
While preferred embodiments of the invention and
their advantages have been described above, the invention
is not limited thereto but only by the spirit and scope of
~he claims which follow.
.
