Boots – shoes – and leggings – Soles – Cushion
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-25
2001-03-27
Patterson, M. D. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Soles
Cushion
C036S027000, C036S037000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205681
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an athletic shoe midsole design and construction. More particularly, the invention relates to a midsole assembly comprising a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in the midsole.
The sole of an athletic shoe used in various sports is generally comprised of a midsole and an outsole. The midsole is typically formed of soft elastic material in order to ensure adequate cushioning properties. The outsole is fitted under the midsole and directly contacts with the ground.
Running stability as well as adequate cushioning properties are required in athletic shoes. Consequently, there is a need to prevent shoes from being deformed excessively in the lateral or transverse direction when contacting the ground.
As shown in Japanese Utility Model Examined Publication No. 61-6804, the assignee of the present invention proposes a midsole assembly having a corrugated sheet therein, which can prevent such an excessive lateral deformation of shoes and particularly shoe soles.
The midsole assembly shown in the above publication incorporates a corrugated sheet in the heel portion of a midsole, thereby producing a resistant force that prevents the heel portion of a midsole from being deformed laterally or transversely when a shoe contacts with the ground. Thus, transverse deformation of the heel portion of a shoe is prevented and running stability can be ensured.
Generally, by inserting a corrugated sheet, the heel portion of a midsole tends to be less deformed in the transverse direction and running stability can be improved. However, when the corrugated sheet is formed especially of high elastic material the heel portion of a midsole tends to be less deformed in the vertical direction as well. Thus, by using a corrugated sheet, a portion of the sale of where adequate cushioning properties are required on landing may show undesirably diminished cushioning properties.
The object of the present invention is to provide a midsole assembly for an athletic shoe that can ensure not only running stability but also cushioning properties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a midsole assembly for an athletic shoe.
In one embodiment, a midsole assembly comprises a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in at least a heel portion of the midsole. A hole is provided at a portion of the midsole contacting the corrugated sheet.
In a second embodiment, the hole is formed on the concave surface side of the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet.
In a third embodiment, the hole is formed on the convex surface side of the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet.
In a fourth embodiment, the hole is formed on the inclined surface between the convex and concave surfaces of the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet.
The hole may extend in the shoe width direction, as described in a fifth embodiment, or it may extend radially, as described in a sixth embodiment.
The hole may be a through hole, as described in a seventh embodiment, or it may be a blind hole with a bottom, as described in an eight embodiment.
The hole may be formed only on the inner or medial side surface of the midsole, as described in a ninth embodiment. In an alternative, the hole may be formed only on the outer or lateral side surface of the midsole, as described in a tenth embodiment, or it may be formed only in the heel central portion of the midsole, without extending to the midsole said surfaces as described in an eleventh embodiment.
According to the present invention, since a corrugated sheet is disposed in at least a heel portion of the midsole, transverse or lateral deformation of the heel portion of the midsole can be prevented, and thus, the stability of a shoe on landing can be ensured.
Moreover, in this case, because there is provided a hole at the portion of a midsole contacting with a corrugated sheet, deformation of the corrugated sheet against a vertical compressive force is made easier at this area provided with a hole. Thereby, cushioning properties on landing can be secured. Furthermore, by forming a hole in the midsole, the whole midsole can be made lightweight.
Additionally, “a hole” in this case includes both a through blind hole and a hole with a bottom, as is clear from the descriptions of the other embodiments, and besides, it also includes a so-called air reservoir that has no opening end on the circumferential surface of a midsole. The sectional shape of a hole can be any kinds of shape and may be a narrow slit formed between the midsole and the corrugated sheet. The hole is especially formed as a linearly extending groove in the midsole adjoining the corrugated sheet, whereby the groove extends linearly along the linearly extending wave corrugations and opens directly onto the corrugated sheet.
The hole may be formed on the concave surface side or the convex surface side of the wave configuration of a corrugated sheet. In alternative, the hole may be formed on the inclined surface between the adjacent concave and convex surface sides of the wave configuration of a corrugated sheet.
The hole may extend radially or in the transverse shoe width direction. In the case of a radial center extension of a hole, the radiant point may be placed inside or outside the heel portion of a midsole, or on the edge portions of an outer circumference, and the radiant angle may be set at any angle.
Moreover, when the hole is a through hole, the cushioning properties of the whole midsole can be improved and the whole midsole can be made further lightweight.
REFERENCES:
patent: 623549 (1899-04-01), Jaque
patent: 1659339 (1928-02-01), Vetterling
patent: 2364134 (1944-12-01), Dow et al.
patent: 2677906 (1954-05-01), Reed
patent: 3170178 (1965-02-01), Scholl
patent: 4071963 (1978-02-01), Fukuoka
patent: 4364186 (1982-12-01), Fukuoka
patent: 4561195 (1985-12-01), Onoda et al.
patent: 4798010 (1989-01-01), Sugiyama
patent: 4815221 (1989-03-01), Diaz
patent: 4864737 (1989-09-01), Marrello
patent: 4878300 (1989-11-01), Bogaty
patent: 4999931 (1991-03-01), Vermeulen
patent: 5224280 (1993-07-01), Preman et al.
patent: 5255451 (1993-10-01), Tong et al.
patent: 5528842 (1996-06-01), Ricci et al.
patent: 5720118 (1998-02-01), Mayer et al.
patent: 5746012 (1998-05-01), Caletti et al.
patent: 5974695 (1999-11-01), Slepian et al.
patent: 0857434 (1998-08-01), None
patent: 0878142 (1998-11-01), None
patent: 2032760 (1980-05-01), None
patent: 61-6804 (1986-03-01), None
patent: WO90/06699 (1990-06-01), None
Fasse W. F.
Fasse W. G.
Mizuno Corporation
Patterson M. D.
LandOfFree
Athletic shoe midsole design and construction does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Athletic shoe midsole design and construction, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Athletic shoe midsole design and construction will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2465034