US20070017123A1 - Insert for footwear midsole - Google Patents
Insert for footwear midsole Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070017123A1 US20070017123A1 US11/190,102 US19010205A US2007017123A1 US 20070017123 A1 US20070017123 A1 US 20070017123A1 US 19010205 A US19010205 A US 19010205A US 2007017123 A1 US2007017123 A1 US 2007017123A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- insert
- midsole
- medial
- lateral
- portions
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
- A43B13/02—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the material
- A43B13/12—Soles with several layers of different materials
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
- A43B13/02—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the material
- A43B13/12—Soles with several layers of different materials
- A43B13/125—Soles with several layers of different materials characterised by the midsole or middle layer
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/1495—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with arch-supports of the bracelet type
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/24—Insertions or other supports preventing the foot canting to one side , preventing supination or pronation
Definitions
- the subject invention provides a midsole insert having medial and lateral portions which extend upwardly from a center portion which provides both longitudinal and tortional stability in the midsole it is placed into.
- FIG. 1 is a first side elevation view of a shoe having an insert of the subject invention placed in it.
- FIG. 2 is the opposite side elevation view of the shoe of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a plan view, partially broken away to show hidden detail of a footwear midsole with the insert of the subject invention in it.
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 - 4 in FIG. 1 .
- a shoe 10 has a midsole 12 , an outsole 14 and an upper 16 which are all joined together in the conventional fashion.
- An inner sole 18 is inserted inside of the shoe above the midsole, FIG. 4 .
- the midsole 12 is made from a material that is flexible and provides good cushioning for the foot.
- a typical material used for this purpose is molded ethylene vinyl acetate (“EVA”).
- EVA molded ethylene vinyl acetate
- a cavity 20 is formed in the upper surface 22 and the opposed side surfaces of the insole. Referring to FIG. 3 , the back end 24 of the cavity 20 is shown in the embodiment illustrated as extending from the inside edge of the midsole laterally across the midsole proximate the front of the heel 26 and then extending rearwardly to near the back of the heel at the outside edge of the midsole.
- the front end 28 of the cavity 20 is shown as extending transversely across the midsole from near the ball of the foot at the inside of the midsole to approximately the middle of the arch at the outside of the midsole.
- the exact location and extent of the cavity 20 can vary depending on the application.
- the insert 30 Located in the cavity 20 is an insert 30 .
- the insert 30 has a center portion 32 which fills the portion of the cavity located in the upper surface 22 of the midsole. Thus, the insert causes no significant discontinuity in the upper surface of the midsole.
- Located at the inside edge of the center portion 32 is a medial portion 34 .
- the medial portion extends upwardly from the center portion and fills the portion of the cavity 20 located in the inside edge of the midsole.
- Located at the outside edge of the center portion 32 is a lateral portion 36 .
- the lateral portion extends upwardly from the center portion and fills the portion of the cavity 20 located in the outside edge of the midsole.
- the medial and lateral portions of the insert extend above the outsole and overlay the outside surface of the upper 16 .
- the outsole 14 extends downwardly at the medial and lateral portions of the insert exposing even more of them. For aesthetic reasons the upper edges of the medial and lateral portions of the insert and the downwardly extending portions of the outsole are curved.
- the insert is made from a material which is stiffer than the midsole material.
- the insole is made from a combination of EVA and cork rubber. This combination gives a cork appearance to the material which results in the exposed portions of the medial and lateral portions also being a design element.
- the insert 30 provides additional stiffness to the midsole 22 at the location where additional stiffness is required, essentially under the ball of the foot. As a result, the rest of the midsole can be more flexible and have greater cushioning than otherwise would be possible. However, unlike metal inserts, the use of an EVA/cork insert still allows some flexibility along the entire extent of the midsole. Moreover, due to the fact that the front edge of the insert extends diagonally across the midsole, the midsole flexes approximately at the base of the toes, rather than at the arch. In addition, by not having a metal insert, footwear utilizing the subject midsole do not trigger airport metal detectors.
- the insert By having the insert extend upwardly along both sides of the midsole, it also provides tortional stability. This prevents the foot from rolling side-to-side while walking which causes discomfort and can cause ankle injury. In addition, it tends to reduce over pronation or supination of the wearer's feet.
- the inserts provide an aesthetically pleasing design feature.
Abstract
An insert for a footwear midsole has a center portion which extends centrally across the midsole, a medial portion which extends upwardly from the center portion at the inner side of the midsole and a lateral portion which extends upwardly from the center portion at the outer side of the midsole. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is made from a cork rubber material and portions of the medial and lateral portions extend above the outsole and overly the upper of the footwear where they are exposed.
Description
- It is well known to selectively stiffen the sole of footwear by placing a stiffer insert in a portion of the midsole. Doing this provides stability, allows the midsole to bend at the desired location and allows the remainder of the midsole to be made more flexible and cushioning than it otherwise could be. A common material used for such an insert is metal. However, prior art inserts do little to provide tortional stability since tortional movement of the foot is generally above the top of the midsole. In addition, if the insert is metal the portion of the midsole containing the insert is substantially not flexible at all. Finally, if the insert is metal, it activates airport metal dectors if the user forgets to remove the footwear before passing through them.
- The subject invention provides a midsole insert having medial and lateral portions which extend upwardly from a center portion which provides both longitudinal and tortional stability in the midsole it is placed into.
- The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a first side elevation view of a shoe having an insert of the subject invention placed in it. -
FIG. 2 is the opposite side elevation view of the shoe ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a plan view, partially broken away to show hidden detail of a footwear midsole with the insert of the subject invention in it. -
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 inFIG. 1 . - Referring now to the drawings, a
shoe 10 has amidsole 12, anoutsole 14 and an upper 16 which are all joined together in the conventional fashion. Aninner sole 18 is inserted inside of the shoe above the midsole,FIG. 4 . Themidsole 12 is made from a material that is flexible and provides good cushioning for the foot. A typical material used for this purpose is molded ethylene vinyl acetate (“EVA”). Acavity 20 is formed in theupper surface 22 and the opposed side surfaces of the insole. Referring toFIG. 3 , theback end 24 of thecavity 20 is shown in the embodiment illustrated as extending from the inside edge of the midsole laterally across the midsole proximate the front of theheel 26 and then extending rearwardly to near the back of the heel at the outside edge of the midsole. Thefront end 28 of thecavity 20 is shown as extending transversely across the midsole from near the ball of the foot at the inside of the midsole to approximately the middle of the arch at the outside of the midsole. However, the exact location and extent of thecavity 20 can vary depending on the application. - Located in the
cavity 20 is aninsert 30. Theinsert 30 has acenter portion 32 which fills the portion of the cavity located in theupper surface 22 of the midsole. Thus, the insert causes no significant discontinuity in the upper surface of the midsole. Located at the inside edge of thecenter portion 32 is amedial portion 34. The medial portion extends upwardly from the center portion and fills the portion of thecavity 20 located in the inside edge of the midsole. Located at the outside edge of thecenter portion 32 is alateral portion 36. The lateral portion extends upwardly from the center portion and fills the portion of thecavity 20 located in the outside edge of the midsole. The medial and lateral portions of the insert extend above the outsole and overlay the outside surface of the upper 16. In addition, theoutsole 14 extends downwardly at the medial and lateral portions of the insert exposing even more of them. For aesthetic reasons the upper edges of the medial and lateral portions of the insert and the downwardly extending portions of the outsole are curved. The insert is made from a material which is stiffer than the midsole material. In a preferred embodiment, the insole is made from a combination of EVA and cork rubber. This combination gives a cork appearance to the material which results in the exposed portions of the medial and lateral portions also being a design element. - The
insert 30 provides additional stiffness to themidsole 22 at the location where additional stiffness is required, essentially under the ball of the foot. As a result, the rest of the midsole can be more flexible and have greater cushioning than otherwise would be possible. However, unlike metal inserts, the use of an EVA/cork insert still allows some flexibility along the entire extent of the midsole. Moreover, due to the fact that the front edge of the insert extends diagonally across the midsole, the midsole flexes approximately at the base of the toes, rather than at the arch. In addition, by not having a metal insert, footwear utilizing the subject midsole do not trigger airport metal detectors. - By having the insert extend upwardly along both sides of the midsole, it also provides tortional stability. This prevents the foot from rolling side-to-side while walking which causes discomfort and can cause ankle injury. In addition, it tends to reduce over pronation or supination of the wearer's feet.
- Finally, by making the insert from a cork material and extending the medial and
lateral portions outer sole 14 onto the upper 16 where they are exposed, the inserts provide an aesthetically pleasing design feature. - The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.
Claims (11)
1. An insert for footwear having a midsole, an outsole and an upper, said insert comprising:
(a) a center portion which extends across the midsole;
(b) a medial portion which extends upwardly from the center portion at the inner side of the midsole; and
(c) a lateral portion which extends upwardly from the center portion at the outer side of the midsole.
2. The insert of claim 1 wherein said medial portion is located generally forwardly of said lateral portion.
3. The insert of claim 1 wherein at least portions of said medial and lateral portions extend above the outsole and over exposed portions of the upper.
4. The insert of claim 1 wherein said insert is a unitary molded element.
5. The insert of claim 1 wherein said insert is embedded in said midsole.
6. The insert of claim 1 wherein said insert is stiffer than said midsole.
7. The insert of claim 1 wherein said insert is made from a combination of ethylene vinyl acetate and cork.
8. The insert of claim 1 wherein said center portion is located immediately in front of a heel portion of said midsole.
9. The insert of claim 8 wherein said lateral portion extends partially over said heel portion.
10. The insert of claim 5 wherein said insert is located in a cavity formed in a top surface of said midsole.
11. The insert of claim 3 wherein the portions of said lateral and medial portions which are exposed have arcuate upper edges.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/190,102 US20070017123A1 (en) | 2005-07-25 | 2005-07-25 | Insert for footwear midsole |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/190,102 US20070017123A1 (en) | 2005-07-25 | 2005-07-25 | Insert for footwear midsole |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070017123A1 true US20070017123A1 (en) | 2007-01-25 |
Family
ID=37677750
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/190,102 Abandoned US20070017123A1 (en) | 2005-07-25 | 2005-07-25 | Insert for footwear midsole |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20070017123A1 (en) |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070190032A1 (en) * | 2006-02-13 | 2007-08-16 | Oncolytics Biotech Inc. | Use of Local Immune Suppression to Enhance Oncolytic Viral Therapy |
US20080178493A1 (en) * | 2007-01-31 | 2008-07-31 | Scofield Robert K | Adjustable arch insole |
US20100018074A1 (en) * | 2008-07-25 | 2010-01-28 | Wolmi Greene | Insole |
WO2010042381A2 (en) * | 2008-10-06 | 2010-04-15 | Nike International Ltd. | Article of footwear incorporating an impact absorber and having an upper decoupled from its sole in a midfoot region |
US20100122164A1 (en) * | 1999-12-03 | 2010-05-13 | Tegic Communications, Inc. | Contextual prediction of user words and user actions |
US20100139121A1 (en) * | 2008-12-09 | 2010-06-10 | Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc. | Molded insole for welted footwear |
US20110041360A1 (en) * | 2007-01-31 | 2011-02-24 | Dashamerica, Inc. D/B/A Pearl Izumi Usa, Inc. | Adjustable Sole Support System |
US20120233877A1 (en) * | 2011-03-18 | 2012-09-20 | Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc. | High-stability multi-density midsole |
USD783960S1 (en) * | 2016-03-11 | 2017-04-18 | Nike, Inc. | Shoe midsole |
USD793681S1 (en) * | 2015-08-11 | 2017-08-08 | Claudio Lombardi | Sole for footwear |
USD794290S1 (en) * | 2016-05-17 | 2017-08-15 | Nike, Inc. | Shoe sole |
USD796802S1 (en) * | 2016-06-13 | 2017-09-12 | Converse Inc. | Shoe sole |
USD817610S1 (en) * | 2016-11-16 | 2018-05-15 | Nike, Inc. | Shoe midsole |
CN111655064A (en) * | 2017-12-13 | 2020-09-11 | 北面服饰公司 | Sports shoe with shell interposed between upper and comfort sole |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6711834B1 (en) * | 2000-06-12 | 2004-03-30 | Mizuno Corporation | Sole structure of athletic shoe |
US20060137228A1 (en) * | 2003-10-17 | 2006-06-29 | Seiji Kubo | Sole with reinforcement structure |
US7162815B2 (en) * | 2004-03-31 | 2007-01-16 | Mizuno Corporation | Midsole structure for an athletic shoe |
-
2005
- 2005-07-25 US US11/190,102 patent/US20070017123A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6711834B1 (en) * | 2000-06-12 | 2004-03-30 | Mizuno Corporation | Sole structure of athletic shoe |
US20060137228A1 (en) * | 2003-10-17 | 2006-06-29 | Seiji Kubo | Sole with reinforcement structure |
US7162815B2 (en) * | 2004-03-31 | 2007-01-16 | Mizuno Corporation | Midsole structure for an athletic shoe |
Cited By (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100122164A1 (en) * | 1999-12-03 | 2010-05-13 | Tegic Communications, Inc. | Contextual prediction of user words and user actions |
US20070190032A1 (en) * | 2006-02-13 | 2007-08-16 | Oncolytics Biotech Inc. | Use of Local Immune Suppression to Enhance Oncolytic Viral Therapy |
US7770309B2 (en) | 2007-01-31 | 2010-08-10 | Dashamerica, Inc. | Adjustable arch insole |
US20080178493A1 (en) * | 2007-01-31 | 2008-07-31 | Scofield Robert K | Adjustable arch insole |
US8667716B2 (en) | 2007-01-31 | 2014-03-11 | Tony L Torrance | Adjustable sole support system |
US20110041360A1 (en) * | 2007-01-31 | 2011-02-24 | Dashamerica, Inc. D/B/A Pearl Izumi Usa, Inc. | Adjustable Sole Support System |
US20100018074A1 (en) * | 2008-07-25 | 2010-01-28 | Wolmi Greene | Insole |
WO2010042381A3 (en) * | 2008-10-06 | 2010-08-05 | Nike International Ltd. | Article of footwear incorporating an impact absorber and having an upper decoupled from its sole in a midfoot region |
US9781972B2 (en) | 2008-10-06 | 2017-10-10 | Nike, Inc. | Article of footwear incorporating an impact absorber and having an upper decoupled from its sole in a midfoot region |
US10966485B2 (en) | 2008-10-06 | 2021-04-06 | Nike, Inc. | Article of footwear incorporating an impact absorber and having an upper decoupled from its sole in a midfoot region |
US9072337B2 (en) | 2008-10-06 | 2015-07-07 | Nike, Inc. | Article of footwear incorporating an impact absorber and having an upper decoupled from its sole in a midfoot region |
CN103720127A (en) * | 2008-10-06 | 2014-04-16 | 耐克国际有限公司 | Article of footwear |
WO2010042381A2 (en) * | 2008-10-06 | 2010-04-15 | Nike International Ltd. | Article of footwear incorporating an impact absorber and having an upper decoupled from its sole in a midfoot region |
US8621765B2 (en) | 2008-12-09 | 2014-01-07 | Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc. | Molded insole for welted footwear |
US20100139121A1 (en) * | 2008-12-09 | 2010-06-10 | Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc. | Molded insole for welted footwear |
CN103429110A (en) * | 2011-03-18 | 2013-12-04 | 哥伦比亚运动休闲北美公司 | High-stability multi-density midsole |
CN106263222A (en) * | 2011-03-18 | 2017-01-04 | 哥伦比亚运动休闲北美公司 | High stability midsole |
US20120233877A1 (en) * | 2011-03-18 | 2012-09-20 | Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc. | High-stability multi-density midsole |
USD793681S1 (en) * | 2015-08-11 | 2017-08-08 | Claudio Lombardi | Sole for footwear |
USD783960S1 (en) * | 2016-03-11 | 2017-04-18 | Nike, Inc. | Shoe midsole |
USD794290S1 (en) * | 2016-05-17 | 2017-08-15 | Nike, Inc. | Shoe sole |
USD796802S1 (en) * | 2016-06-13 | 2017-09-12 | Converse Inc. | Shoe sole |
USD817610S1 (en) * | 2016-11-16 | 2018-05-15 | Nike, Inc. | Shoe midsole |
CN111655064A (en) * | 2017-12-13 | 2020-09-11 | 北面服饰公司 | Sports shoe with shell interposed between upper and comfort sole |
US11528959B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2022-12-20 | The North Face Apparel Corp. | Athletic shoe with a shell inserted between the upper and a comfort sole |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ROGUE OUTDOOR BRANDS, LLC, OREGON Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SCOFIELD, ROBERT;EARLE, JOHN;DAHLSTEN, JANELLE;REEL/FRAME:016817/0762 Effective date: 20050721 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |