Boots – shoes – and leggings – Soles – Cushion
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-15
2001-09-18
Patterson, M. D. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Soles
Cushion
C036S03000A, C036S037000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289608
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a midsole assembly for an athletic shoe and, more particularly, to the improvement of a midsole construction, which is comprised of a midsole and a corrugated sheet inserted into the midsole.
The sole of an athletic shoe for use 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. There is a need to prevent shoes from being deflected or deformed excessively in the lateral or transverse direction when athletes strike or impact onto the ground with the shoes.
As shown in Japanese Utility Model publication No. 61-6804, the applicant of the present invention proposes a midsole assembly having a corrugated sheet therein.
Such a midsole construction including a corrugated sheet at the heel portion of a midsole produces resistant force, which prevents the heel portion of a midsole from being deformed laterally or transversely when an athlete strikes or impacts onto the ground. Thereby, the excessive transverse or lateral deformation of the heel portion of a shoe is prevented and running stability is secured.
On the other hand, in athletics such as tennis or basketball where rapid lateral movement is included, there has been a strong request that lateral deflection of shoes during games be more securely prevented and running stability be further improved.
An object of the present invention is to provide a midsole assembly for an athletic shoe that can more securely prevent lateral deflection or deformation after athletes strike or impact onto the ground with the shoes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a midsole assembly for an athletic shoe that cannot only prevent lateral deflection securely but also improve cushioning properties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a midsole assembly for an athletic shoe for use in various sports, such as running, track, basketball, football, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, biking, and the like.
In one embodiment, a midsole assembly is comprised of upper and lower midsoles formed of soft elastic material, and a corrugated sheet disposed at least at the heel portion between the upper and lower midsoles. The corrugated sheet has an upwardly and/or downwardly extending wall placed at medial and lateral sides of the heel portion.
In another embodiment, the upwardly extending wall is formed at a convex face side and/or a concave face side of corrugation of the corrugated sheet.
In yet another embodiment, the downwardly extending wall is formed at a convex face side and/or a concave face side of corrugation of the corrugated sheet.
A further embodiment provides a midsole assembly where an aperture is formed at the contact area between the upper or lower midsole and the corrugated sheet.
In a still further embodiment, the aperture is formed at a convex or concave face of corrugation of the corrugated sheet.
In an additional embodiment, the aperture is a through hole penetrating through the upper or lower midsole.
In a preferred embodiment, because the corrugated sheet is interposed between the upper and lower midsoles at least at the heel portion, lateral deflection or deformation of the heel portion of the midsoles can be prevented. Moreover, in this case, when the corrugated sheet has upwardly extending walls at its medial and lateral sides, the medial and lateral sides of the upper midsole are sandwiched between the oppositely disposed walls. When the corrugated sheet has downwardly extending walls at its medial and lateral sides, the medial and lateral sides of the lower midsole are sandwiched between the oppositely disposed walls.
Thus, when the heel portion of the upper and lower midsoles is going to deflect in the lateral direction after an athlete's striking the ground, the upwardly and/or downwardly extending walls prevent the heel portion of the upper and lower midsoles from being deformed in the lateral direction, which further improves the running stability.
In a further embodiment, because the upper or lower midsole has an aperture at the contact region with the corrugated sheet, the corrugated sheet is easy to be deformed relative to the vertical load at a region where an aperture is formed. Thereby, cushioning properties are advanced. In addition, when an aperture is a through hole, cushioning properties can be improved across the whole width of the midsole.
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patent: 5185943 (1993-02-01), Tong et al.
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patent: 5528842 (1996-06-01), Ricci et al.
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patent: 0857434 (1998-08-01), None
patent: 0878142 (1998-11-01), None
patent: 0966895 (1999-12-01), None
patent: 0963711 (1999-12-01), None
patent: 61-6804 (1986-03-01), None
Kimura Takaya
Kita Kenjiro
Fasse W. F.
Fasse W. G.
Mizuno Corporation
Patterson M. D.
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