U.S. patent application number 10/736803 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-16 for shoe with support element.
Invention is credited to Baier, John L., Swartz, Eric S..
Application Number | 20050126042 10/736803 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34653950 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050126042 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baier, John L. ; et
al. |
June 16, 2005 |
Shoe with support element
Abstract
A shoe comprising a midsole, an outsole, an upper, a closure
system and a sole stiffening member. The midsole has a midsole
bottom surface and a midsole top surface. The outsole has an
outsole forefoot portion and an outsole heel portion. The upper
extends up from the midsole. The closure system is adapted for
movement between a tensioned condition and a loosened condition.
The sole stiffening member has a connecting portion, a medial wing
portion and a lateral wing portion. The medial and lateral wing
portions are positioned such that at least a portion of a straight
line segment extending from the medial distal tip portion to the
lateral distal tip portion is spaced over at least a portion of the
midsole top surface.
Inventors: |
Baier, John L.; (Hampton
Falls, NH) ; Swartz, Eric S.; (Merrimac, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David R. Deal
Thompson Coburn LLP
One US Bank Plaza
St. Louis
MO
63101-9928
US
|
Family ID: |
34653950 |
Appl. No.: |
10/736803 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.1 ;
36/58.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/18 20130101; A43C
11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/050.1 ;
036/058.5 |
International
Class: |
A43C 011/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A shoe comprising: a midsole having a midsole bottom surface, a
midsole top surface, and midsole medial and lateral side surfaces
extending up from the midsole bottom surface; an outsole having an
outsole forefoot portion and an outsole heel portion, the outsole
forefoot portion being adjacent the midsole bottom surface, the
outsole heel portion being adjacent the midsole bottom surface; an
upper having an upper heel portion, an upper medial portion and an
upper lateral portion, the upper heel portion being laterally
between the upper medial portion and the upper lateral portion, the
upper extending up from the midsole; a closure system having a
medial closure portion operatively connected to the upper medial
portion and a lateral closure portion operatively connected to the
upper lateral portion, the closure system being adapted for
movement between a tensioned condition and a loosened condition,
the tensioned condition being a condition in which the closure
system maintains the medial closure portion a tightened distance
from the lateral closure portion, the loosened condition being a
condition in which the closure system maintains the medial closure
portion a loosened distance from the lateral closure portion, the
loosened distance being greater than the tightened distance; a sole
stiffening member having a connecting portion, a forefoot
engageable portion extending generally forward from the connecting
portion, a heel engageable portion extending generally rearward
from the connecting portion, a medial wing portion extending
generally medially from the connecting portion, and a lateral wing
portion extending generally laterally from the connecting portion,
the forefoot engageable portion secured to the outsole forefoot
portion, the heel engageable portion secured to the outsole heel
portion, the medial wing portion having a medial distal tip
portion, the lateral wing portion having a lateral distal tip
portion, the medial and lateral wing portions being positioned such
that at least a portion of a straight line segment extending from
the medial distal tip portion to the lateral distal tip portion is
spaced over at least a portion of the midsole top surface, the
portion of the midsole top surface being between the portion of the
line segment and a portion of the midsole bottom surface, the sole
stiffening member being adapted to provide increased support in a
shank area of the shoe.
2. A shoe as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a securing
system having a heel securing portion located adjacent the upper
heel portion, a medial instep securing portion extending generally
forward from the heel securing portion and being operatively
connected to the medial closure portion, a lateral instep securing
portion extending generally forward from the heel securing portion
and being operatively connected to the lateral closure portion, a
medial attaching portion extending generally downward from the heel
securing portion and the medial instep securing portion, and a
lateral attaching portion extending generally downward from the
heel securing portion and the lateral instep securing portion, the
medial attaching portion being operatively connected to the medial
wing portion of the sole stiffening member, the lateral attaching
portion being operatively connected to the lateral wing portion of
the sole stiffening member, the securing system being adapted to
interact with the closure system such that placing the closure
system in the tensioned condition creates securing forces directed
toward a wearer's foot from the securing system and the sole
stiffening member.
3. A shoe as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a securing
system having a heel securing portion located adjacent the upper
heel portion, a medial instep securing portion extending generally
forward from the heel securing portion and being operatively
connected to the medial closure portion, a lateral instep securing
portion extending generally forward from the heel securing portion
and being operatively connected to the lateral closure portion, a
medial attaching portion extending generally downward from the heel
securing portion and the medial instep securing portion, and a
lateral attaching portion extending generally downward from the
heel securing portion and the lateral instep securing portion, the
medial attaching portion being operatively connected to the medial
wing portion of the sole stiffening member, the lateral attaching
portion being operatively connected to the lateral wing portion of
the sole stiffening member, the securing system being adapted to
interact with the closure system such that placing the closure
system in the tensioned condition moves a portion of the outsole
and a portion of the upper heel portion toward a wearer's foot.
4. A shoe as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a securing
system having a heel securing portion located adjacent the upper
heel portion, a medial instep securing portion extending generally
forward from the heel securing portion and being operatively
connected to the medial closure portion, a lateral instep securing
portion extending generally forward from the heel securing portion
and being operatively connected to the lateral closure portion, a
medial attaching portion extending generally downward from the heel
securing portion and the medial instep securing portion, and a
lateral attaching portion extending generally downward from the
heel securing portion and the lateral instep securing portion, the
medial attaching portion being operatively connected to the medial
wing portion of the sole stiffening member, the lateral attaching
portion being operatively connected to the lateral wing portion of
the sole stiffening member, the securing system being adapted to
interact with the closure system such that placing the closure
system in the tensioned condition compresses a portion of the shoe
between a wearer's foot and the sole stiffening member and the
securing system.
5. A shoe as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a securing
system having a heel securing portion located adjacent the upper
heel portion, a medial instep securing portion extending generally
forward from the heel securing portion and being operatively
connected to the medial closure portion, a lateral instep securing
portion extending generally forward from the heel securing portion
and being operatively connected to the lateral closure portion, a
medial attaching portion extending generally downward from the heel
securing portion and the medial instep securing portion, and a
lateral attaching portion extending generally downward from the
heel securing portion and the lateral instep securing portion, the
medial attaching portion being operatively connected to the medial
wing portion of the sole stiffening member, the lateral attaching
portion being operatively connected to the lateral wing portion of
the sole stiffening member, the securing system being adapted to
interact with the closure system such that placing the closure
system in the tensioned condition places the sole stiffening member
and the securing system in tension.
6. A shoe as set forth in claim 1 wherein the securing system and
the sole stiffening member are a single unitary piece.
7. A shoe as set forth in claim 1 wherein the forefoot engageable
portion of the sole stiffening member is between the midsole bottom
surface and the outsole forefoot portion, and the heel engageable
portion of the sole stiffening member is between the midsole bottom
surface and the outsole heel portion.
8. A shoe as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sole stiffening
member has a sole stiffening member hardness and the securing
system has a securing system hardness, the sole stiffening member
hardness being greater than the securing system hardness.
9. A shoe as set forth in claim 1 wherein the forefoot engageable
portion of the sole stiffening member includes a medial tab and a
lateral tab, the medial tab extending from the connecting portion
toward the midsole medial side surface, the lateral tab extending
from the connecting portion toward the midsole lateral side
surface.
10. A shoe as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sole stiffening
member provides increased support in the shank are of the shoe in a
vertical direction.
11. A shoe as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sole stiffening
member is adapted to translate forces from a heel region of the
shoe to a forefoot region of the shoe as the heel region of the
shoe strikes the ground.
12. A shoe as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sole stiffening
member is adapted to interact with the midsole such that a portion
of the midsole bottom surface adjacent the sole stiffening member
is compressed as the shoe bends during use.
13. A shoe comprising: a midsole having a midsole bottom surface, a
midsole top surface, and midsole medial and lateral side surfaces
extending up from the midsole bottom surface; an outsole having an
outsole forefoot portion and an outsole heel portion, the outsole
forefoot portion being adjacent the midsole bottom surface, the
outsole heel portion being adjacent the midsole bottom surface; an
upper extending up from the midsole; a sole stiffening member
having a connecting portion, a forefoot engageable portion
extending generally forward from the connecting portion, a heel
engageable portion extending generally rearward from the connecting
portion, a medial wing portion extending generally medially from
the connecting portion, and a lateral wing portion extending
generally laterally from the connecting portion, the forefoot
engageable portion secured to the midsole bottom surface, the heel
engageable portion secured to the midsole bottom surface, the
medial wing portion having a medial distal tip portion, the lateral
wing portion having a lateral distal tip portion, the medial and
lateral wing portions being positioned such that at least a portion
of a straight line segment extending from the medial distal tip
portion to the lateral distal tip portion is spaced over at least a
portion of the midsole top surface, the portion of the midsole top
surface being between the portion of the line segment and a portion
of the midsole bottom surface, the sole stiffening member being
adapted to provide increased support in a shank area of the
shoe.
14. A shoe as set forth in claim 13 wherein the forefoot engageable
portion of the sole stiffening member is between the midsole bottom
surface and the outsole forefoot portion, and the heel engageable
portion of the sole stiffening member is between the midsole bottom
surface and the outsole heel portion.
15. A shoe as set forth in claim 13 wherein the forefoot engageable
portion of the sole stiffening member includes a medial tab and a
lateral tab, the medial tab extending from the connecting portion
toward the midsole medial side surface, the lateral tab extending
from the connecting portion toward the midsole lateral side
surface.
16. A shoe as set forth in claim 13 wherein the sole stiffening
member has a sole stiffening member hardness and the upper has an
upper hardness, the sole stiffening member hardness being greater
than the upper hardness.
17. A shoe as set forth in claim 13 wherein the sole stiffening
member provides increased support in the shank area of the shoe in
a vertical direction.
18. A shoe as set forth in claim 13 wherein the sole stiffening
member is adapted to interact with the midsole such that a portion
of the midsole bottom surface adjacent the sole stiffening member
is compressed as the shoe bends during use.
19. A shoe comprising: a midsole having a midsole bottom surface, a
midsole top surface, and midsole medial and lateral side surfaces
extending up from the midsole bottom surface; an outsole having an
outsole forefoot portion and an outsole heel portion, the outsole
forefoot portion being adjacent the midsole bottom surface, the
outsole heel portion being adjacent the midsole bottom surface; an
upper extending up from the midsole; a sole stiffening member
having a connecting portion, a forefoot engageable portion
extending generally forward from the connecting portion, a heel
engageable portion extending generally rearward from the connecting
portion, a medial wing portion extending generally medially from
the connecting portion, and a lateral wing portion extending
generally laterally from the connecting portion, the forefoot
engageable portion secured to the outsole forefoot portion, the
heel engageable portion secured to the outsole heel portion, the
medial wing portion having a medial distal tip portion, the lateral
wing portion having a lateral distal tip portion, the medial and
lateral wing portions being positioned such that at least a portion
of a straight line segment extending from the medial distal tip
portion to the lateral distal tip portion is spaced over at least a
portion of the midsole top surface, the portion of the midsole top
surface being between the portion of the line segment and a portion
of the midsole bottom surface, the sole stiffening member being
adapted to is adapted to interact with the midsole such that a
portion of the midsole bottom surface adjacent the sole stiffening
member is compressed as the shoe bends during use.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] In general, a shoe of the present invention comprises a
midsole, an outsole, an upper, a closure system and a sole
stiffening member. The midsole has a midsole bottom surface, a
midsole top surface, and midsole medial and lateral side surfaces
extending up from the midsole bottom surface. The outsole has an
outsole forefoot portion and an outsole heel portion. The outsole
forefoot portion is adjacent the midsole bottom surface and the
outsole heel portion is adjacent the midsole bottom surface. The
upper extends up from the midsole and has an upper heel portion, an
upper medial portion and an upper lateral portion. The upper heel
portion is laterally between the upper medial portion and the upper
lateral portion. The closure system has a medial closure portion
operatively connected to the upper medial portion and a lateral
closure portion operatively connected to the upper lateral portion.
The closure system is adapted for movement between a tensioned
condition and a loosened condition. The tensioned condition is a
condition in which the closure system maintains the medial closure
portion a tightened distance from the lateral closure portion. The
loosened condition is a condition in which the closure system
maintains the medial closure portion a loosened distance from the
lateral closure portion. The loosened distance is greater than the
tightened distance. The sole stiffening member has a connecting
portion, a forefoot engageable portion, a heel engageable portion,
a medial wing portion having a medial wing distal tip portion, and
a lateral wing portion having a lateral wing distal tip portion.
The forefoot engageable portion extends generally forward from the
connecting portion. The heel engageable portion extends generally
rearward from the connecting portion. The medial wing portion
extends generally medially from the connecting portion. The lateral
wing portion extends generally laterally from the connecting
portion. The forefoot engageable portion is secured to the midsole
bottom surface and the heel engageable portion is secured to the
midsole bottom surface. The medial and lateral wing portions are
positioned such that at least a portion of a straight line segment
extending from the medial distal tip portion to the lateral distal
tip portion is spaced over at least a portion of the midsole top
surface. The portion of the midsole top surface is between the
portion of the line segment and a portion of the midsole bottom
surface. The sole stiffening member is adapted to provide increased
support in a shank area of the shoe.
[0002] Another aspect of the invention is a shoe comprising a
midsole, an outsole, an upper and a sole stiffening member. The
midsole has a midsole bottom surface, a midsole top surface, and
midsole medial and lateral side surfaces extending up from the
midsole bottom surface. The outsole has an outsole forefoot portion
and an outsole heel portion. The outsole forefoot portion is
adjacent the midsole bottom surface and the outsole heel portion is
adjacent the midsole bottom surface. The upper extends up from the
midsole and has an upper heel portion, an upper medial portion and
an upper lateral portion. The upper heel portion is laterally
between the upper medial portion and the upper lateral portion. The
sole stiffening member has a connecting portion, a forefoot
engageable portion, a heel engageable portion, a medial wing
portion having a medial wing distal tip portion, and a lateral wing
portion having a lateral wing distal tip portion. The forefoot
engageable portion extends generally forward from the connecting
portion. The heel engageable portion extends generally rearward
from the connecting portion. The medial wing portion extends
generally medially from the connecting portion. The lateral wing
portion extends generally laterally from the connecting portion.
The forefoot engageable portion is secured to the outsole forefoot
portion and the heel engageable portion is secured to the outsole
heel portion. The medial and lateral wing portions are positioned
such that at least a portion of a straight line segment extending
from the medial distal tip portion to the lateral distal tip
portion is spaced over at least a portion of the midsole top
surface. The portion of the midsole top surface is between the
portion of the line segment and a portion of the midsole bottom
surface. The sole stiffening member is adapted to provide increased
support in a shank area of the shoe.
[0003] In another aspect of the invention, a shoe comprises a
midsole, an outsole, an upper and a sole stiffening member. The
midsole has a midsole bottom surface, a midsole top surface, and
midsole medial and lateral side surfaces extending up from the
midsole bottom surface. The outsole has an outsole forefoot portion
and an outsole heel portion. The outsole forefoot portion is
adjacent the midsole bottom surface and the outsole heel portion is
adjacent the midsole bottom surface. The upper extends up from the
midsole and has an upper heel portion, an upper medial portion and
an upper lateral portion. The upper heel portion is laterally
between the upper medial portion and the upper lateral portion. The
sole stiffening member has a connecting portion, a forefoot
engageable portion, a heel engageable portion, a medial wing
portion having a medial wing distal tip portion, and a lateral wing
portion having a lateral wing distal tip portion. The forefoot
engageable portion extends generally forward from the connecting
portion. The heel engageable portion extends generally rearward
from the connecting portion. The medial wing portion extends
generally medially from the connecting portion. The lateral wing
portion extends generally laterally from the connecting portion.
The forefoot engageable portion is secured to the outsole forefoot
portion and the heel engageable portion is secured to the outsole
heel portion. The medial and lateral wing portions are positioned
such that at least a portion of a straight line segment extending
from the medial distal tip portion to the lateral distal tip
portion is spaced over at least a portion of the midsole top
surface. The portion of the midsole top surface is between the
portion of the line segment and a portion of the midsole bottom
surface. The sole stiffening member is adapted to interact with the
midsole such that a portion of the midsole bottom surface adjacent
the sole stiffening member is compressed as the shoe bends during
use.
[0004] Other features and advantages will be in part apparent and
in part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a shoe of the present
invention, the shoe having a securing system and a sole stiffening
member;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the shoe of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a fragmented, cross-sectional view taken along the
plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the shoe of FIG. 1 in a first
condition;
[0009] FIG. 5 is top plan view of the shoe of FIG. 1 in a second
condition;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the shoe of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the securing system and the
sole stiffening member of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sole stiffening member
of FIG. 7;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a fragmented, cross-sectional view taken along
line the plane of line 9-9 of FIG. 2; and
[0014] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another securing system and
sole stiffening member of the present invention.
[0015] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
FIGS. 1 and 2, a shoe of the present invention is indicated in its
entirety by the reference numeral 20. The shoe comprises a midsole
generally indicated at 22, an outsole generally indicated at 24, an
upper generally indicated at 26, a sole stiffening member 28, a
securing system 30, and a closure system generally indicated at
32.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 3 the midsole includes a midsole top
surface 36, a midsole bottom surface 38, a midsole medial side
surface 40, and a midsole lateral side surface 42. The midsole
medial and lateral side surfaces extend up from the midsole bottom
surface. For purposes of clarity, no additional shoe structure
(i.e. sock liner) has been presented in the drawings. Of course,
the shoe set forth in the drawings may include such additional shoe
structure.
[0018] The outsole shown in FIG. 2 includes an outsole forefoot
portion 44 and an outsole heel portion 46. The outsole forefoot
portion is adjacent to and operatively connected to a portion of
the midsole bottom surface. The outsole heel portion is adjacent to
and operatively connected to another portion of the midsole bottom
surface.
[0019] The upper (FIGS. 4-6) extends up from and is operatively
connected to the midsole. The upper includes an upper medial
portion generally indicated at 48, an upper lateral portion
generally indicated at 50, and an upper heel portion generally
indicated at 52. The upper heel portion is laterally between the
upper lateral and medial portions. The upper can also include a
tongue. The upper and midsole are shaped and adapted to receive a
wearer's foot.
[0020] In FIGS. 4 and 5, the closure system generally indicated at
32 interacts with the upper to allow the wearer to insert a foot
into the shoe and to subsequently tighten the shoe about the
wearer's foot to reduce the relative movement of the shoe to the
wearer's foot. The closure system has a medial closure portion
generally indicated at 54 and a lateral closure portion generally
indicated at 56. The medial closure portion is operatively
connected to the upper medial portion and the lateral closure
portion is operatively connected to the upper lateral portion. In
the embodiment shown, the closure system includes a shoelace 58
laced through a plurality of eyelets on the upper medial portion 48
to comprise the medial closure portion 54 and the shoelace is laced
through a plurality of eyelets on the upper lateral portion 50 to
comprise the lateral closure portion 56. The closure system is
adapted for movement between a tensioned condition and a loosened
condition. The tensioned condition is a condition in which the
closure system maintains the medial closure portion 54 a tightened
distance d.sub.T (as shown in FIG. 4) from the lateral closure
portion 56. The loosened condition is a condition in which the
closure system maintains the medial closure portion 54 a loosened
distance d.sub.L (as shown in FIG. 5) from the lateral closure
portion 56. The loosened and tightened distances are variable
depending upon the dimensions of the wearer's foot, but in all
cases the loosened distance is greater than the tightened distance.
Although the closure system is shown to be a shoelace and
corresponding eyelets, it should be understood that any type of
closure system could be used.
[0021] The sole stiffening member indicated generally in FIG. 7 and
indicated in its entirety in FIG. 8 by reference numeral 28, has a
connecting portion indicated generally at 60, a forefoot engageable
portion indicated generally at 62, a heel engageable portion
indicated generally at 64, a lateral wing portion 66 extending
laterally from the connecting portion, and a medial wing portion 68
extending medially from the connecting portion. The forefoot
engageable portion 62 is downwardly offset and extends generally
forward from the connecting portion 60. The forefoot engageable
portion 62 includes a medial tab 70 extending medially and a
lateral tab 72 extending laterally. The forefoot engageable portion
62 is secured between a portion of the outsole forefoot portion 44
and a portion of the midsole bottom surface 38.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 9, the heel engageable portion 64 is
secured to the midsole bottom surface 38. The heel engageable
portion 64 is downwardly offset and extends generally rearward from
the connecting portion 60. The heel engageable portion 64 is
sandwiched between a portion of the outsole heel portion 46 and a
portion of the midsole bottom surface 38. The forefoot engageable
portion 62 is sandwiched between a portion of the outsole forefoot
portion 44 and a portion of the midsole bottom surface 38.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 3, the medial wing portion 68 has a medial
distal tip portion 74 and the lateral wing portion 66 has a lateral
distal tip portion 76. The medial and lateral wing portions are
positioned such that a phantom line X can be formed through the
medial and lateral distal tip portions 74 and 76. Phantom line X
includes a straight line segment X.sub.s between the medial and
lateral distal tip portions 74 and 76. At least a portion of
straight line segment X.sub.s is spaced over a least a portion of
the midsole top surface 36. The portion of the midsole top surface
is between the portion of the line segment X.sub.s and a portion of
the midsole bottom surface 38. The sole stiffening member is made
of a resilient material having a relative hardness greater than the
upper. In the embodiment shown, the sole stiffening member is made
of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
[0024] The securing system 30 shown in FIG. 7 is adapted to assist
the closure system in reducing the amount of relative movement
between the shoe and a wearer's foot. The securing system has a
heel securing portion generally indicated at 80, a medial instep
securing portion 82, a lateral instep securing portion 84, a medial
attaching portion 86, and a lateral attaching portion 88. The heel
securing portion 80 is adjacent the upper heel portion 52. The
medial instep securing portion 82 extends generally forward from
the heel securing portion 80 and is operatively connected to the
medial closure portion 54 of the closure system. The lateral instep
securing portion 84 extends generally forward from the heel
securing portion 80 and is operatively connected to the lateral
closure portion 56 of the closure system. The medial instep
securing portion 82 includes a medial instep opening 90. The medial
instep opening may be aligned with one of the plurality of eyelets
on the medial closure portion 54 of the closure system. Similarly,
the lateral instep securing portion 84 includes a lateral instep
opening 92. The lateral instep opening may be aligned with one of
the plurality of eyelets on the lateral closure portion 54 of the
closure system. The medial attaching portion 86 extends generally
downward from the heel securing portion 80 and the medial instep
securing portion 82. The lateral attaching portion 88 extends
generally downward from the heel securing portion 80 and the
lateral instep securing portion 84. The medial attaching portion 86
is operatively connected to the medial wing portion 68 of the sole
stiffening member 28. The lateral attaching portion 88 is
operatively connected to the lateral wing portion 66 of the sole
stiffening member 28. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the
securing system is a thermoplastic polyurethane. It could also be
leather, synthetic leather, reinforced mesh, or any other suitable
material. The securing system could also be integrally formed with
the sole stiffening member. An alternative configuration of the
sole stiffening member 128 and securing system 130 is shown in FIG.
10. The sole stiffening member and securing system are a single
unitary piece of a monolithic construction.
[0025] In use, the shoe is preferably placed on a wearer's foot by
moving the closure system to a loosened condition. In a loosened
condition, the medial and lateral closure portions 54 and 56 are
moved apart from each other a sufficient distance to allow the
wearer's foot to slide into the shoe. The shoe is then secured by
placing the closure system in a tensioned condition from this
loosened condition by moving the upper medial portion 48 towards
the upper lateral portion 50. As the upper medial portion 48 moves
towards the upper lateral portion 50, the shoe firmly holds the
wearer's foot, particularly in a region of the foot adjacent the
medial and lateral closure portions 48 and 50. The closure system
32 is maintained in this tensioned condition. In the embodiment
shown, the shoelace of the closure portion is tied in a knot to
maintain the closure system in a tensioned condition.
[0026] The sole stiffening member 28 is adapted to provide both
static and dynamic support in a shank area of the shoe. The shank
area of the shoe is the area of the shoe between where the heel and
the ball of the foot contact the shoe. The sole stiffening member
provides static support as a person stands on the shoe compressing
a portion of the shoe under the foot. The compression of the shoe
compacts a portion of the midsole and moves the connecting portion
relatively downward. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 9, the downward
movement of the connecting portion is translated in a generally
forward direction to the forefoot engageable portion and in a
generally rearward direction to the heel engageable portion. The
resilient nature of the midsole, outsole, and sole stiffening
member causes the compressed portion of the midsole to expand and
the sole stiffening member to move relatively upward when the shoe
is unloaded (i.e. when the person removes his weight from the
shoe).
[0027] The sole stiffening member provides dynamic support as a
person walks or runs. The sole stiffening member remains generally
rigid when loaded in a longitudinal direction. By linking a heel
region and a forefoot region of the shoe, the sole stiffening
member can translate forces from one to the other as a result of
this longitudinal rigidity. As the heel strikes the ground and the
person transfers weight on to that foot, the sole stiffening member
transitions some of the resulting forces into the forefoot portion
of the shoe. This force transition improves the gait cycle.
[0028] In addition to the support described above the sole
stiffening member 28 provides increased durability to the shoe. The
action of walking or running causes the shoe to bend as the heel is
lifted from the ground while the ball of the foot remains in
contact with the ground. In a shoe without a sole stiffening member
this cyclical bending stretches a portion of the midsole bottom
surface. The repeated stretching of the midsole diminishes the
resiliency of the midsole until the shoe is no longer comfortable
to wear. As described above the sole stiffening member is made of a
thermoplastic polyurethane material. This material will bend and is
difficult to stretch. As a result the sole stiffening member bends
rather than stretches during use. The bending of the sole
stiffening member causes a portion of the midsole to be compressed
in the region of the bending and reduces the amount of stretching
in the region of the bending (as compared to bending the shoe
without the sole stiffening member). This reduction of the midsole
stretching increases the period of time it takes to reduce the
resiliency of the midsole and thus increases the durability of the
shoe.
[0029] In addition to the support and durability functions
described above, the sole stiffening member 28 is adapted to
operatively connect to the securing system 32. The integration into
the securing system allows an additional means for preventing
relative movement between the shoe and the wearer's foot. In the
embodiment shown, the medial instep securing portion 82 has an
opening 90 that aligns with an eyelet of the medial closure portion
54 of the closure system and the lateral instep securing portion 84
has an opening 92 that aligns with an eyelet of the lateral closure
portion 56 of the closure portion. The shoelace is threaded through
the medial and lateral instep securing openings 90 and 92. When the
closure system is placed in the tensioned condition the medial and
lateral instep securing portions 82 and 84 are drawn toward each
other placing the securing system 30 and the sole stiffening member
in tension. In this state, the securing system 30 and the sole
stiffening member 28 squeeze the shoe such that a portion of the
midsole and a portion of the upper heel portion are moved towards a
wearer's foot. This compresses a portion of the shoe between the
wearer's foot and the sole stiffening member 28 and the securing
system 30. Securing forces are generated by the sole stiffening
member 28 and the securing system 30. The securing forces are
directed towards the wearer's foot.
[0030] As various changes could be made in the above constructions
and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the breadth and
scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the
above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only
in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their
equivalents.
* * * * *