Boots – shoes – and leggings – Soles – Cushion
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-28
2001-01-23
Patterson, M D (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Soles
Cushion
C036S044000, C036S03500R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176025
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to shoes, and more particularly to sports shoes intended for use while playing golf.
Golf shoes are typically comprised of a shoe upper which is attached to some or all of an inner sole, and an outsole. The inner sole typically includes a multi-layer footbed having an upper layer which is contacted by the golfer's foot and a cushioning layer composed of a compressible material. The cushioning layer is compressed at the pressure points imposed by the foot and generally absorbs some of the shock which is generated during the golf swing and walking. The thickness of the inner sole is limited by the requirement to maintain at least a minimal internal volume for the golf shoe. Therefore, the thickness of the cushioning layer and the relief provided by the cushioning layer is also limited.
Recreational golfers are generally free to use motorized golf carts, thereby limiting walking related stress. However, PGA rules generally prohibit the use of such golf carts during professional golfing events. The use of motorized golf carts may also be prohibited during other golfing events such as club tournaments. The stress imposed by walking the golf course can lead to fatigue which detrimentally effects the golfer's swing. Although the cushioning layers of conventional golf shoes reduce the stress to some extent, the limited nature of the relief can result in fatigue which adversely affects performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is a cushioning system for golf shoe which includes a footbed having a sole region, an arch region, and a heel region. The footbed includes an upper layer which is engaged by the foot of a golfer and a lower layer. The lower layer is composed of a compressible material and includes at least one receptacle. At least a part of a cushioning element is disposed within the receptacle. The cushioning element is composed of a material which is more compressible than the material of the lower layer of the footbed.
Preferably, the lower layer of the footbed has a recess in the heel region, a plurality of receptacles in the sole region, and a receptacle in the arch region. A lasting board has a heel region defining a receptacle disposed oppositely the recess of the footbed. The cushioning elements include a plurality of first cushioning elements and a single second cushioning element. One of the first cushioning elements is disposed in each of the receptacles of the sole and arch regions of the footbed. The second cushioning element has an upper part disposed in the recess of the heel region of the footbed and a lower part disposed in the receptacle of the heel region of the lasting board. In a first embodiment, each of the first cushioning elements comprises a flattened, balloon-shaped cover defining a cavity and a liquid disposed within the cavity. In a second embodiment, the lower layer of the footbed and the first cushioning elements are each composed of EVA, where the EVA of the footbed is harder than the EVA of the first cushioning elements.
The second cushioning element includes flexible upper and lower shell halves joined along an outwardly extending seam. The shell halves define a cavity which is filled with an air-gel mixture. The recess of the heel region of the footbed includes an indexing member and the upper shell half includes a complementary indexing member receiver for positioning the second cushioning element. Preferably, the indexing member includes an inner ring and a plurality of spokes which extend downwardly from the lower surface of the recess and the indexing member receiver includes an inner groove and a plurality of outwardly extending grooves having a shape which is complementary to the inner ring and spokes, respectively. The inner ring and inner groove may each have an oblong shape.
In one embodiment, the lower surface of the upper shell half is joined to the upper surface of the lower shell half within the inner groove, forming an inner cushioning pad and a separate outer cushioning ring. cushioning pad is filled with an air-gel mixture which is softer than the air-gel mixture which fills the cushioning ring. In another embodiment, the upper and lower shell halves are not joined within the inner groove. Consequently, the air-gel mixture may move between the cushioning pad and the cushioning ring.
It is an object of the invention to provide a golf shoe which has a new and improved cushioning system.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a golf shoe which has a cushioning system that provides improved cushioning in the areas of the footbed that are subject to the greatest pressure.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and specification.
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Patterson Chad
Singer Joel A.
Patterson M D
Spalding Sports Worldwide Inc.
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