Boots – shoes – and leggings – Soles – Laminated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-19
2001-04-24
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Soles
Laminated
C036S028000, C036S031000, C036S103000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219940
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, which is comprised of 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, which is fitted under the midsole and directly contacts with the ground. The midsole is typically formed of soft elastic material in order to ensure adequate cushioning properties.
Generally, running stability as well as adequate cushioning properties are required in athletic shoes. 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 applicant of the present invention proposes a midsole assembly having a corrugated sheet therein, which can prevent such an excessive lateral deformation of shoes.
The midsole assembly shown in the above publication incorporates a corrugated sheet in a heel portion of a midsole and it can produce resistant force preventing the heel portion of a midsole from being deformed laterally or transversely when a shoe contacts with the ground. Thus, the transverse deformation of the heel portion of a shoe is prevented.
In such a way, by inserting a corrugated sheet into a midsole, the heel portion of a midsole tends to be less deformed in the transverse direction. When the corrugated sheet is formed especially of higher elastic material, that is, material having a higher modulus of elasticity, the heel portion of a midsole tends to be less deformed in the vertical direction as well. Therefore, by inserting a corrugated sheet, the heel portion of a midsole, where adequate cushioning properties are required, may undesirably show less cushioning properties in contacting the ground.
On the other hand, when a relatively lower elasticity material, that is, material having a lower modulus of elasticity, is used as a corrugated sheet, cushioning properties can be achieved to some degree at the time of contacting with the ground. In athletics such as tennis or basketball, however, where players move more often in the transverse direction, the transverse deformation of the heel portion of the shoes cannot be adequately restrained and running stability cannot be fully secured.
The object of the present invention is to provide a midsole assembly for an athletic shoe which can secure cushioning properties as well as the running stability.
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 the heel portion of a midsole. A higher elastic member having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than that of the corrugated sheet is placed along the outer circumference of the heel portion of the corrugated sheet. The term “higher elastic member” is uniformly used herein to refer to a member that has a modulus of elasticity that is higher relative to the modulus of elasticity of the corrugated sheet.
In a second embodiment, a midsole assembly comprises a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in the heel portion of a midsole. A lower elastic portion having a modulus of elasticity that is lower than that of the corrugated sheet is placed in the heel central portion of the corrugated sheet. The terms “lower elastic portion” and “lower elastic member” are uniformly used herein to refer to a cushioning member or portion of the corrugated sheet that has a modulus of elasticity that is lower relative to the modulus of elasticity of the remainder of the corrugated sheet itself.
In a third embodiment, a midsole assembly comprises a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in the heel portion of a midsole. A higher elastic member is provided along the outer circumference of the heel portion of the corrugated sheet and a lower elastic portion is placed in the heel central portion of the corrugated sheet.
A fourth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the first or third embodiment, wherein the higher elastic member comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic sheet.
A fifth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the first or third embodiment, wherein the higher elastic member comprises a metal plate.
A sixth embodiment a midsole assembly according to the first or third embodiment, wherein the higher elastic member is bonded to the corrugated sheet.
A seventh embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the first or third embodiment, wherein the higher elastic member is injection molded together with the corrugated sheet.
An eighth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the second or third embodiment, wherein the lower elastic portion is comprised of a plurality of holes formed in the corrugated sheet.
A ninth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the second or third embodiment, wherein the lower elastic portion is comprised of a meshed sheet, which is injection molded together with the corrugated sheet.
A tenth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the second or third embodiment, wherein the lower elastic portion is comprised of titanium.
An eleventh embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the second or third embodiment, wherein the lower elastic portion is comprised of superelastic material.
A twelfth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the tenth embodiment, wherein the titanium is insert molded together with the corrugated sheet.
A thirteenth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the twelfth embodiment, wherein the titanium is meshed, or comprised of a plurality of fibers or plates of titanium.
A fourteenth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the eleventh embodiment, wherein the superelastic material is insert molded together with the corrugated sheet.
A fifteenth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the fourteenth embodiment, wherein the superelastic material is meshed, or comprised of a plurality of fibers or plates of superelastic material.
In a sixteenth embodiment, a midsole assembly comprises a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in the heel portion of a midsole. The front end of the corrugated sheet extends from the plantar arch portion to the forefoot portion of the midsole. A higher elastic member is placed from the outer circumference of the heel portion to the plantar arch portion of the corrugated sheet.
In a seventeenth embodiment, a midsole assembly comprises a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in the heel portion of a midsole. The front end of the corrugated sheet extends from the plantar arch portion to the forefoot portion of the midsole and a lower elastic portion is provided in the heel central portion of the corrugated sheet.
In an eighteenth embodiment, a midsole assembly comprises a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in the heel portion of a midsole. The front end of the corrugated sheet extends from the plantar arch portion to the forefoot portion of the midsole. A higher elastic member is placed from the outer circumference of the heel portion to the plantar arch portion of the corrugated sheet and a lower elastic portion is provided in the heel central portion of the corrugated sheet.
A nineteenth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the sixteenth or eighteenth embodiment, wherein the higher elastic member comprises a fiber reinforced plastic sheet.
A twentieth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the sixteenth or eighteenth embodiment, wherein the higher elastic member comprises a metal plate.
A twenty-first embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the sixteenth or eighteenth embodiment, wherein the higher ela
Fasse W. F.
Fasse W. G.
Mizuno Corporation
Moh'andesi Jila M.
Sewell Paul T.
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