U.S. patent application number 12/794410 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for footwear with shaped sole surface.
This patent application is currently assigned to Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kenton D. Geer, Brian J. Hall.
Application Number | 20100307032 12/794410 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43299694 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100307032 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geer; Kenton D. ; et
al. |
December 9, 2010 |
FOOTWEAR WITH SHAPED SOLE SURFACE
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a footwear having a contoured
mid sole, which avoids the need for a separate insole member
located within the upper of the footwear. In one embodiment the
upper of the footwear includes bottom surface interfaces between
the user's foot and mid sole. The present disclosure also provides
related methods of manufacturing.
Inventors: |
Geer; Kenton D.; (Red Wing,
MN) ; Hall; Brian J.; (Hudson, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc.
Red Wing
MN
|
Family ID: |
43299694 |
Appl. No.: |
12/794410 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61184648 |
Jun 5, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/25R ; 12/146B;
12/146C; 12/147R; 36/47 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43D 3/02 20130101; A43B
9/00 20130101; A43B 13/125 20130101; A43B 7/141 20130101; A43B
1/0072 20130101; A43B 23/22 20130101; A43B 7/144 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/25.R ;
12/146.B; 12/146.C; 12/147.R; 36/47 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/14 20060101
A43B013/14; A43D 8/00 20060101 A43D008/00; A43D 33/00 20060101
A43D033/00; A43B 23/00 20060101 A43B023/00 |
Claims
1. A footwear with a fitted sole comprising: a sole including a
bottom surface configured to engage the ground surface and an upper
surface having contours thereon that are configured to reflect the
contours on the bottom of a person's foot; an upper configured to
wrap around a person's foot, the upper including a foot bed portion
that is positioned against the upper surface of the sole such that
the foot bed portion follows the contours of the upper surface of
the sole.
2. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the foot bed portion is
constructed of a resilient material.
3. The footwear of claim 2, wherein the foot bed portion is
constructed of a urethane material.
4. The footwear of claim 3, wherein the foot bed portion is
constructed of a memory foam material.
5. The footwear of claim 2, wherein the foot bed portion has a
thickness of between 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch.
6. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole includes a radiused
periphery in the heel portion.
7. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the radiused periphery has a
radius of curvature greater than three-eighths of an inch.
8. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the radiused periphery has a
radius of curvature greater than seven-sixteenths of an inch.
9. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the radiused periphery has a
radius of curvature greater than seven-sixteenths of an inch in the
heel area and less than seven-sixteenths in the forefoot.
10. The footwear of claim 1, wherein a support member is positioned
between the top surface of the sole and the bottom surface of the
sole.
11. The footwear of claim 10, wherein the support member includes a
forefoot plate portion configured for point load distribution.
12. The footwear of claim 11, wherein the forefoot portion includes
opposed torsion arms that connect in the mid foot portion of the
sole and extend towards the rear of the sole.
13. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the foot bed is adhered to the
upper surface of the sole.
14. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the sole in
the heel area along the center of the sole is curved at the
periphery with a radius of curvature that is greater than
seven-sixteenths of an inch.
15. A footwear with a fitted sole comprising: a sole including a
bottom surface configured to engage the ground surface and a
contoured upper surface; an upper configured to wrap around a
person's foot, the upper including a foot bed portion that is
positioned against the upper surface of the sole such that the foot
bed portion follows the contours of the upper surface of the sole;
wherein the upper is configured to not receive a removable
insole.
16. The footwear of claim 15, wherein the footwear does not include
a removable insole positioned above the foot bed within the
upper.
17. A method of manufacturing a footwear comprising: providing a
sole with a contoured upper surface; providing an upper with a
resilient foot bed portion; connecting the resilient foot bed
portion to the contoured upper surface such that the foot bed
portion is contoured to fit a person's foot.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein footwear is constructed without
inserting an insole into the upper.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the heel portion of the surface
of the sole is concaved.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the periphery of the heel
portion of the upper surface of the sole has a radius of curvature
greater than seven-sixteenths of an inch.
21. The method of claim 17, comprising the step of providing a last
into the upper, wherein the last includes a contoured bottom
surface.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application
Ser. No. 61/184,648 filed on Jun. 5, 2009 entitled Footwear with
Shaped Sole Surface, which is incorporated by reference in its
entirety herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure provides footwear having a contoured
foot facing surface and methods of making the same.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The upper surface of a mid sole in traditional footwear is
typically not specifically contoured to fit a human foot. Instead,
a contoured foot bed is typically used to provide the desired fit
characteristics. A cross-section of a prior art footwear is shown
in FIG. 11. The footwear 10 includes an upper 12 connected above a
sole 14. The sole includes a tread portion 16, a mid sole 18, and
an insole 20. The upper surface 22 of the mid sole 18 of the
depicted prior art configuration is not specifically contoured to
fit a person's foot. The upper surface 22 of the mid sole 18 is
connected to the bottom surface 24 of the upper 12 (e.g., a board
or a slip lasted insole) of the footwear 10. The insole 20, which
is contoured to fit against a person's foot is provided in the
upper 12 of the footwear 10. The mid sole 18 interfaces between the
bottom of the person's foot and the footwear 10 for fit. Improved
shoe configurations are desirable.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure provides a footwear having a
contoured upper sole surface, which avoids the need for a separate
insole member located within the upper of the footwear. In one
embodiment the upper of the footwear includes bottom surface
interfaces between the user's foot and mid sole. The present
disclosure also provides related methods of manufacturing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe and last according to
the principles of the present disclosure;
[0006] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along lines
3-3;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the last shown in FIG.
2;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a side view of the last shown in FIG. 2;
[0010] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the last along line
6A-6A of FIGS. 4 and 5;
[0011] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the last along line
6B-6B of FIGS. 4 and 5;
[0012] FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the last along line
6C-6C of FIG. 4;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the upper shown in FIG.
2;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper
of FIG. 7;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the support member shown
in FIG. 2 attached to the sole;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the support member
shown in FIG. 2; and
[0017] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art shoe with a
foot bed insert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of footwear according to
the present disclosure is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the
footwear 30 is configured for running on rough, uneven terrain. The
footwear 30 includes an upper 32 that is connected above a sole 34.
It should be appreciated that the footwear 30, also referred to
herein generically and interchangeably as a shoe, could
alternatively be of a different type (e.g., dress shoe, basketball
shoe, tennis shoe, golf shoe, work boot, hiking boot, hunting boot,
running shoe, casual shoe, etc.). Referring to FIG. 1, the footwear
30 is shown with a last 36 positioned within the upper 32. The last
36 is used in the manufacturing process of the footwear and will be
described in greater detail below.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, the arrangement of the components of
the footwear 30 is shown in an exploded view. The sole 34 of the
depicted embodiment includes an upper surface 38 and a bottom
surface 40. In the depicted embodiment, the upper surface 38 is
contoured to fit a person's foot. The upper surface 38 is
configured to be connected with a bottom portion 50 of the upper 32
of the footwear 30. In the depicted embodiment, the bottom portion
50 of the upper is constructed of a resilient material and is
adhered (e.g., cemented) directly to the upper surface 38 of the
sole 34. The upper surface 38 and bottom portion 50 are configured
to provide some of the functionality of a contoured insole 20,
which is also commonly referred to as a foot bed, sock liner, shoe
inserts, or inner sole. In other words, the upper surface and
bottom portion 50 work with the upper surface 38 of the sole 34 to
provide the desired fit features, thereby avoiding the need for a
contoured insole 20.
[0020] Referring generally to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sole 34 of the
depicted embodiment includes mid sole portion 42, a support member
44, a tread member 46, a shock absorbing insert 48, and a heel
force distribution member 49. In the depicted embodiment, the upper
surface 38 of the mid sole portion 42 defines the upper surface 38
of the sole, and the bottom surface of the tread member 46 defines
the bottom surface 40 of the sole 34. The support member 44 is
positioned between the tread member 46 and the upper surface 38 of
the sole. The support member 44 of the depicted embodiment is
configured to provide torsional support as well as force
distribution in reaction to point loading in the forefoot area of
the footwear 30. In the depicted embodiment, the shock absorbing
insert 48 is a gel insert located within the heel area of the sole
34. In the depicted embodiment, the shock absorbing insert 48 is
viewable via the bottom of the shoe through a transparent window 70
located in the tread member 46.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 4-6C, the last 36 of the depicted
embodiment is shown in greater detail. The last 36 is a form around
which the upper 32 of the footwear 30 is constructed. In the
depicted embodiment, the last 36 defines the shape of the upper 32.
For example, the last 36 defines the geometry of the shoe with
respect to the particular heel height, toe shape, and toe spring.
In the depicted embodiment the last 36 also has a contoured bottom
surface that is configured so that the upper 32 can be formed
having bottom surface features that reflect the contours of a foot.
In the depicted embodiment, the bottom surface 50 of the upper 32
has contours that reflect the contours on the top surface 38 of
sole 34. This construction of the upper 32 using the last 36 with
bottom surface contours results in an upper 32 that fits the user
without the need for a contoured insole 20. In the depicted
embodiment, the inner volume of the upper 32, which is defined by
the shape of the last 36, is not sized and configured to receive a
contoured insole. However, it should be appreciated that depending
on the user's particular foot shape and foot volume, a shoe insert
could also be used with the footwear.
[0022] The bottom facing surface of the last 36 is contoured in
both the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction. FIG. 6A
shows a widthwise cross-section of the last 36 along line 6A-6A of
FIGS. 4 and 5. The cross-section shown in FIG. 6A is located at the
most raised point on the bottom of the last 36 between the toe end
52 and heel end 54 of the last 36 when the last is viewed from the
side as it sits on a horizontal surface (see FIG. 5). The bottom
surface of the last at both sides has radiuses R1, R2, which in the
depicted embodiment are greater than one-third of an inch. In the
depicted embodiment R1 and R2 are both greater than three-eighths
of an inch. In the depicted embodiment R1 and R2 are both greater
than seven-sixteenths of an inch. In particular, R1 is about a half
of an inch and R2 is about four-fifths of an inch.
[0023] FIG. 6B shows a widthwise cross-section of the last along
line 6B-6B of FIGS. 4 and 5. The cross-section shown in FIG. 6B is
located at the widest portion of the last in the heel area of the
last 36. The bottom surface of the last at both sides has radiuses
R3, R4 which in the depicted embodiment are greater than one-third
of an inch. In the depicted embodiment R3 and R4 are both greater
than three-eighths of an inch. In the depicted embodiment R3 and R4
are both greater than seven-sixteenths of an inch. In the depicted
embodiment R3 and R4 are both greater than two-thirds of an inch.
In particular, R3 is about two-thirds of an inch and R4 is about
four-fifths of an inch.
[0024] FIG. 6C shows a lengthwise cross-section of the last 36 in
the heel area along a line 6C-6C of FIG. 4. In the depicted
embodiment the heel end has a radius R5 that is greater than
three-eighths of an inch. In the depicted embodiment R5 is greater
than seven-sixteenths of an inch. In the depicted embodiment R5 is
greater than a half of an inch. In the depicted embodiment R5 is
greater than five-eighths of an inch. In particular, R5 is about
eight-ninths of an inch.
[0025] In the depicted embodiment the upper surface 38 of the sole
has the same contours as the bottom portion 50 of the upper 32,
which are described above. In the depicted embodiment the periphery
of the heel area of the upper surface 38 is more curved than the
periphery of the forefoot area of the upper surface of the sole 34.
It should be appreciated that the above shown and described
radiuses of curvature (R1-R5) of the depicted embodiment are
representative of the continuous curves in the periphery of the
heel area of the upper surface of the sole 34.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 7-8, the upper 32 of the depicted
embodiment is shown in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment,
the upper 32 is configured to wrap around a person's foot. The
upper 32 includes a bottom portion 50 (foot bed portion) that is
stitched 58 to a top portion 56. In the depicted embodiment, the
bottom portion 50 is constructed of a resilient material. It should
be appreciated that the resilient material on the bottom portion 50
facilitates fit as it accounts for variations from one person's
foot to the next. In the depicted embodiment the resilient material
is a urethane commonly referred to as memory foam. In the depicted
embodiment the resilient material has a thickness T1 of between
one-eighth to three-eighths of an inch. In the depicted embodiment,
a layer of fabric 72 is provided on the bottom surface of the
bottom portion 50. The fabric prevents the bottom portion 50 from
tearing and facilitates the secure stitched connection between the
bottom portion and the rest of the upper 32. A layer of fabric 74
is positioned on the top surface of the bottom portion 50. The
fabric 74 wicks moisture from the user's foot and also improves the
durability of the bottom portion 50. It should be appreciated that
the principles of the present disclosure are compatible with many
other alternative upper constructions.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 9-10, the support member 44 of the
depicted embodiment is shown in greater detail. In the depicted
embodiment, the support member is positioned between the upper
surface 38 of the mid sole 42 and the tread member 46. The support
member includes a forefoot plate portion 60 positioned between
torsion arms 62, 64 that come together in a central body portion 66
extending towards the heel end of the footwear. In the depicted
embodiment, the forefoot plate 60 is configured for point load
distribution. It distributes force across a larger area of the
forefoot than would otherwise result if the person stepped on a
small protruding object (e.g., stepping on a marble). The plate
includes cut outs that improve flexibility in the longitudinal
direction. The torsion arms 62, 64 provide rigidity to prevent
undesirable twisting of the footwear. In the depicted embodiment
the arms 62, 64 come together in the body potion 66. The body
portion includes a window 68 that is aligned with a transparent
window 70 in the tread member 46. In the depicted embodiment the
shock absorbing insert 48 is viewable through the bottom of the
footwear via windows 68 and 70.
[0028] The above specification, examples and data provide a
complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition
of the invention. It should be appreciated that alternative
embodiments may include more or less sole components as well as
different sole components. For example, in an alternative
embodiment the footwear may not include a separate mid sole portion
and tread member, a shock absorbing insert, or a heel force
distribution member. The sole could be instead constructed of a
single material with a continuous upper contoured surface that is
directly attached to the bottom surface of the upper and a bottom
surface that is configured to engage the ground surface. As
discussed above, the present disclosure is not limited to trail
running shoes such as the one disclosed above. The above described
alternative sole configuration may, for example, be the sole in a
casual shoe. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the
invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
* * * * *