Boots – shoes – and leggings – Boots and shoes – Resilient or flexible shoe
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-26
2002-07-02
Kavanaugh, Ted (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Boots and shoes
Resilient or flexible shoe
C036S03000A, C036S05900D
Reexamination Certificate
active
06412196
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to footwear construction and more particularly relates to a contoured platform for use in the construction of an article of footwear, to articles of footwear and sole assemblies constructed therefrom, and to a method for manufacturing the contoured platform.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Humans have worn various types of footwear since prehistoric times in order to protect their feet from the elements and rough or sharp surfaces while walking, running, or relaxing around the home. Many improvements have been made in the construction and design of articles of footwear since that time.
Several problems still challenge those involved in the design and construction of footwear. One problem that has perpetually challenged those associated with the design and construction of footwear is how to design an article of footwear that provides increased stability to the foot of the wearer while retaining flexibility so that the article of footwear does not impede the natural movement of the foot while walking or running. Although stability and flexibility are important features in most articles of footwear, these features are particularly important in articles of footwear designed for long distance running, sprinting, long distance walking, walking over uneven surfaces, and use in athletic events.
Generally, articles of footwear designed to provide increased stability to the foot of a wearer have a decreased amount of flexibility as the rigidity of the article of footwear generally decreases the flexibility of the footwear.
Another challenge facing those involved in the design and construction of footwear is how to prevent sharp objects from penetrating from the bottom exterior of the footwear to the foot of the wearer while retaining a lightweight and flexible article of footwear. Generally, improvements in puncture resistance and stability lead to shoes or boots that have increased weights such that they may be uncomfortable or unsuitable for their intended purpose.
Thus, a need exists for a contoured platform that imparts increased stability while maintaining or increasing flexibility in articles of footwear constructed from the platform. A need also remains for an article of footwear constructed from a contoured platform and for a method of constructing a contoured platform that provides stability while retaining or increasing flexibility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It would be highly advantageous to be able to produce a contoured platform that imparts stability while retaining or increasing flexibility in articles of footwear produced therefrom. It would also be highly advantageous to have a method for producing an article of footwear that includes such a contoured platform. The invention thus provides a contoured platform, articles of footwear and sole assemblies that include the contoured platform, and a method for producing a contoured platform and articles of footwear and sole assemblies constructed therefrom.
One embodiment of the contoured platform for use in the construction of an article of footwear according to the present invention includes a contoured inner and outer surface, such that the inner and outer surface defines at least one integral portion, the integral portion including a curved arch portion and/or a raised portion, such that the contoured inner and outer surfaces extend beyond the arch of the footwear, in one embodiment extending forward of the arch of the footwear, in another embodiment extending behind the arch of the footwear, and in another embodiment, extending in both directions beyond the arch of the footwear. In one embodiment, the contoured platform includes one or more integral raised portions and/or a curved arch portion together with at least one integral peripheral flange that includes an exterior and interior flange surface. In one embodiment, at least one of the integral raised portions is in the shape of a groove or cavity. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the contoured platform is configured to have at least one outsole component attached to it and at least a portion of the outer surface of the platform is formed to serve as a portion of an exterior bottom surface of the article of footwear. In another embodiment, the contoured platform is entirely encased within the article of footwear, typically within the midsole portion of the article of footwear. The contoured platform has a rigidity sufficient to provide a framework for use in constructing the article of footwear, and the exterior flange surface of the lateral peripheral flange, if present, may be shaped to serve as an exterior portion of a side of the article of footwear.
In one embodiment, the contoured platform includes a flexible metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion while other embodiments of contoured platforms include an arch portion and a metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion and the contoured platform extends from at least the arch portion to at least the metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion. In another platform, the platform also includes a heel portion and the contoured platform extends from at least the heel portion to the metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion. In another platform, the platform includes an end-of-toe portion and the contoured platform extends from at least the arch portion to the end-of-toe portion while in still other preferred platforms the platform extends from the heel portion to the end-of-toe portion.
In some platform embodiments, the outer surface of the contoured platform defines a groove in the metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion of the platform while in still more preferred platforms, the groove is adapted to serve as a portion of the exterior bottom surface of the article of footwear and provides flexibility to the metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion of the contoured platform. In still further preferred platforms, the arch portion of the contoured platform is configured to serve as a portion of the exterior bottom surface of the article of footwear.
Some contoured platforms are made of a synthetic polymeric material while other preferred platforms are made of injection-molded or compression-molded plastic. In various platforms, the contoured platform has a non-uniform thickness while in other platforms the contoured inner and outer surfaces define a plurality of orifices that extend through the contoured platform. In still other platforms, at least a portion of the contoured platform includes a composite textile material.
Various platforms of the present invention have an outer surface adapted to have at least two separate outsole components attached thereto whereas other preferred platforms have an outer surface adapted to have at least three separate outsole components attached thereto.
In still other contoured platforms, the outer surface of the platform includes at least one flexural zone that provides flexibility to the platform while in still other preferred platforms, the inner surface defines at least one depression adapted to hold a cushioning substance on a projection of a midsole.
A contoured platform that provides improved stability while retaining flexibility in an article of footwear constructed from the contoured platform includes: a contoured inner surface; a contoured outer surface; a flexible metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion; a phalangeal portion; and an arch portion. The contoured platform extends from at least the arch portion to at least the metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion. At least a portion of the outer surface of the contoured platform in the metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion is configured to have at least one outsole component attached thereto. At least a portion of the outer surface of the contoured platform in the metatarsal phalangeal juncture portion is formed to serve as an exterior bottom surface of the article of footwear, and the contoured platform has a rigidity sufficient to provide a framework for use in constructing the article of footwear.
Another embodiment of the contoured platform that provides stability while retaining flex
Gross Alexander L.
Kavanaugh Ted
LandOfFree
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