Boots – shoes – and leggings – Soles – Laminated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-10
2001-11-13
Patterson, M. D. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Soles
Laminated
C036S028000, C036S03500R, C036S031000, C036S037000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314664
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an athletic shoe midsole design and construction. More particularly, the invention relates to a midsole assembly where there are provided a midsole formed of soft elastic material and a corrugated sheet disposed in the midsole.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The sole of an athletic shoe used in various sports is generally comprised of a midsole and an outsole fitted under the midsole, directly contacting with the ground. The midsole is typically formed of soft elastic material in order to ensure adequate cushioning properties.
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 with 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, which 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.
However, it depends on the kind of athletics or athletes whether an athlete lands on the ground more frequently from the medial portion or the lateral portion of the heel at the onset of landing. For example, since tennis or basketball players move more often in the transverse direction and the medial portions of their heels tend to first contact the ground, the heels lean outwardly and so-called supination often occurs. On the other hand, since runners or joggers tend to land on the ground from the lateral portions of their heels and the load moves toward the toes, the heels lean inwardly and so-called pronation often occurs.
These pronation and supination movements are normal movements when an athlete's foot comes in contact with the ground. But over-pronation or over-supination may cause injuries to the ankle, knee and hip of an athlete.
In the conventional midsole design, there is provided a corrugated sheet having a constant wave configuration in both the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction of the heel portion. Therefore, the prior art midsole has a constant compressive hardness throughout the midsole and as a result, it cannot control effectively pronation and supination of the foot of an athlete although controlling them is required according to the kind of athletics.
Generally, by inserting a corrugated sheet, the heel portion of a midsole tends to be less deformed in the transverse direction. When the corrugated sheet is formed of high elastic material, the heel portion of a midsole tends to be less deformed in the vertical direction as well. Therefore, when the corrugated sheet has a constant wave configuration, the heel portion of a midsole where adequate cushioning is required may show less cushioning properties when contacting with the ground.
On the other hand, good cushioning properties are indispensable requirements of athletic shoes, but too high cushioning properties may absorb the athletic power such as the running or jumping power of an athlete.
The object of the present invention is to provide a midsole assembly for an athletic shoe that can prevent the over-pronation and over-supination on landing by preventing the shoe from being deformed in the transverse direction according to the kind of athletics, and not only ensures adequate cushioning properties but also prevents an athletic power from being lessened.
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. The amplitude of the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet is larger at the medial and lateral portions of the heel portion and smaller at the heel central portion and transitions smoothly and progressively therebetween.
In a second 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. The phase of the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet is offset by one-half pitch between the medial and lateral portions of the heel portion.
A third embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the first or second embodiment, wherein hardness of the corrugated sheet is greater than that of the midsole.
A fourth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the first or second embodiment, wherein the corrugated sheet is comprised of fiber-reinforced plastics.
A fifth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the first or second embodiment, wherein a plurality of ribs are provided on the surface of the corrugated sheet.
In a sixth 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. The corrugated sheet extends from the heel portion to the forefoot portion of the midsole. The wave-formed portion of the corrugated sheet is located at the heel portion and the forefoot portion.
A seventh embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the sixth embodiment, wherein the wave-formed portion at the forefoot portion is disposed at the lateral and central portions of the forefoot portion.
An eighth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the seventh embodiment, wherein the amplitude of the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet at the forefoot portion is smaller at the central portion and larger at the lateral portion.
A ninth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the seventh embodiment, wherein the wavelength of the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet at the forefoot portion is smaller at the central portion and larger at the lateral portion.
A tenth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the sixth embodiment, wherein hardness of the corrugated sheet is greater than that of the midsole.
An eleventh embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the sixth embodiment, wherein the corrugated sheet is comprised of fiber-reinforced plastics.
A twelfth embodiment provides a midsole assembly according to the sixth embodiment, wherein a plurality of concave or convex portions are provided on the surface of the plantar arch portion. The plantar arch portion connects the heel portion with the forefoot portion of the corrugated sheet.
In the first embodiment, a corrugated sheet is disposed in at least a heel portion of the midsole, and the amplitude of the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet is larger at the medial and lateral portions of the heel portion, and smaller at the heel central portion, and transitions smoothly and progressively therebetween.
Thus, flexibility of the midsole is maintained at the heel central portion and the greater compressive hardness of the midsole is ensured at the heel medial and lateral portions. As a result, cushioning properties on landing can be secured at the heel central portion, and transverse deformation after landing can be prevented at the heel medial and lateral portions, thereby improving the running stability.
In the second embodiment, a corrugated sheet is disposed in at least a heel portion of the midsole and the phase of the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet is offset by one-half pitch between the heel medial and lateral portions. That is, regarding the wave configuration, the crest at the medial portion is positioned against the trough at the lateral portion in the transverse, or shoe width direction, and similarly, the trough at the medial portion is positioned against the crest at the lateral portion in the transverse direction.
Thus, the ridge line of the wave configuration a
Kaneko Yasunori
Kimura Takaya
Kita Kenjiro
Fasse W. F.
Fasse W. G.
Mizuno Corporation
Patterson M. D.
Stashick Anthony
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