Boot and shoe making – Processes – Moccasins
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-27
2001-07-10
Kavanaugh, Ted (Department: 3728)
Boot and shoe making
Processes
Moccasins
C012S1420MC, C036S012000, C036S014000, C036S028000, C036S031000, C036S050500, C036S055000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256824
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to shoes, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an athletic shoe and to a method of shoe construction comprising an upper, an insole, a midsole, and an outsole, wherein the midsole of the shoe is enveloped by the upper, insole, and outsole of the shoe to provide improved fit, support, cushioning, and stability characteristics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The shoe industry is continually faced with customer demands for new and improved shoe designs. These new and improved shoe designs, especially those designed for athletics and other active wear, must be capable of securely supporting and cushioning the foot to prevent injury to the foot and leg, while at the same time providing a responsive footwear with a stable, lightweight, and streamline design. One feature of the shoe designed that has been restrained by conventional shoe manufacturing techniques is the design and integration of the midsole with the other parts of the shoe, such as the upper, insole, and outsole.
A conventional shoe comprises an upper, a midsole, an insole, and an outsole, wherein the midsole of the shoe is exposed. Prior art methods of shoe construction employ an “inside out” method which results in a portion of the midsole of the shoe being exposed. This inside out method results in a standardized look and styling employed by conventional athletic shoe brands that affect the support, responsiveness, and the streamlined look of the shoe.
The prior art method of shoe construction employing the “inside out” method resulting in the midsole of the shoe being exposed also creates problems for designers in developing a streamline and lightweight design. The design and streamline features of the shoe are interrupted by the midsole and accordingly, the upper and the outsole must be designed around the exposed midsole. This exposed midsole design also adds further variations in the shoe's interior dimensions that may affect fit, weight, and response of the footwear. In addition, the life of the shoe and the cushioning effect of the midsole is decreased with this exposed midsole design.
A shoe constructed using the prior art method has a midsole wherein the inside surface of the sidewall of the midsole was coupled to the upper and the outsole and the midsole is exposed. In accordance with this design, the laces pull the material of the shoe from the sides of the upper and top of the midsole. This results in the shoe being secured around the foot by means of a tightened upper with the midsole being loosely attached to the foot. This results in a fit that is not the best possible fit of the shoe about the foot, and also does not provide the best results with respect to the stability, support, and cushioning of the foot by the midsole.
Although the art of shoe construction is well developed, there remain some problems inherent in this technology, particularly with providing an athletic shoe and method of shoe construction that provides an improved and more secure fit of the shoe to a foot, and enhances stability, support, and cushioning of the foot by the midsole of the shoe. Therefore, the need exists for a shoe and method of shoe construction that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a shoe and an improved method of shoe construction. The shoe comprises an upper, an insole, a midsole, and an outsole, that are coupled together to form a housing for receiving a foot, and wherein the midsole is enveloped by the bottom ends of the upper, the insole, and the outsole to provide a more secure and stable fit of the shoe to the foot. The method of shoe construction comprises coupling an upper, an insole, a midsole, and an outsole together wherein the midsole of the shoe is enveloped by the combination of the upper, insole, and outsole. This method of shoe construction results in a shoe having an improved fit because the midsole is pulled from the top and bottom to provide improved fit, support, stability, and cushioning characteristics.
According to one aspect of the invention, the shoe comprises an upper, an insole coupled to the upper, a midsole coupled to the upper and the insole, and an outsole coupled to the combination of the insole, the midsole and the upper. The midsole of the shoe is enveloped by the combination of the upper, insole, and outsole, and the shoe is pulled from the bottom by a closure system to securely fit the shoe to a foot.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the shoe further comprises an upper having an inner bottom end, an outer bottom end, a top end having a wraparound design forming a foot opening, an inner and an outer side wall disposed between and connecting the bottom ends and the top ends, and a closure system for coupling the shoe to a foot. An insole is coupled to the upper proximate to the inner bottom end of the upper. A midsole has a topside, a bottom side, and a peripheral edge. The inner bottom end of the upper is coupled to the topside of the midsole proximate to the peripheral edge, and the outer bottom end of the upper is coupled to the bottom side of the midsole proximate to the peripheral edge of the midsole. An outsole has a base and upwardly extending sidewalls at a peripheral edge of the base. The sidewalls have a wraparound construction about the base thereby forming a cavity. The cavity of the outsole is coupled about the combination of the upper, the insole, and the midsole. The upper, the insole, the midsole, and the outsole define a housing for receiving a foot, wherein the midsole is enveloped by the combination of the upper, the insole, and the outsole and the midsole is pulled from the bottom to fit the shoe to a foot.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the insole is coupled to the inner side panel of the upper. The side panels of the upper are then wrapped about at least a portion of the peripheral of the bottom side and the topside of the midsole. The insole is disposed over the topside of the midsole, to substantially cover the topside of the midsole. The outsole is then disposed about the bottom side of the midsole and a portion of the overlap of the outer bottom end of the upper and the midsole.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the inner bottom end of the inner side panel of the upper is coupled to the topside of the midsole and the outer bottom end of the outer side panel of the upper is coupled to the bottom side of the midsole.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the bottom ends of the upper are disposed around the topside and the bottom side of the midsole and the closure system pulls the material of the shoe from the bottom of the shoe.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the midsole further comprises upwardly extending outer peripheral support side rims having a wrap around construction. The inner bottom end of the upper is disposed around the inside of the side rims and the outer bottom end of the upper is disposed around the outside of the side rims.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the upwardly extending outer peripheral support side rims are tapered, wherein the side rims are wider at the base of the side rims than at the top.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the bottom side and the topside of the midsole have recesses formed proximate to and around the peripheral edge of the midsole and extending inwards some distance toward a middle of the midsole to accommodate the bottom ends of the upper.
In a further embodiment within the scope of the present invention, an exemplary method of shoe construction is disclosed. This method of shoe construction comprising the steps of providing an upper having an inner bottom end, an outer bottom end, a top end, and a closure system proximate the top end of the upper. Providing an insole having a substantially flat body. The body having a bottom surface, a top surface, and an outer peripheral ed
Austin Thomas
Le Tuan
Yeh Chin Chu
Basketball Marketing Company, Inc.
Kavanaugh Ted
Woodcock Washburn Kurtz Mackiewicz & Norris LLP
LandOfFree
Method of making a lottery shoe does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of making a lottery shoe, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of making a lottery shoe will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2474698