U.S. patent application number 12/695584 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-28 for shoe midsole.
This patent application is currently assigned to Skechers U.S.A., Inc. II. Invention is credited to Frank Chuang, Larry Clark, Savva Teteriatnikov.
Application Number | 20110179679 12/695584 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44307851 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110179679 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clark; Larry ; et
al. |
July 28, 2011 |
SHOE MIDSOLE
Abstract
A midsole of a shoe with multiple layers in which at least one
of the layers is wrapped in film in order to protect it from the
elements, provide stability and also to provide some visual
features.
Inventors: |
Clark; Larry; (Manhattan
Beach, CA) ; Teteriatnikov; Savva; (Venice, CA)
; Chuang; Frank; (Cerritos, CA) |
Assignee: |
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. II
Manhattan Beach
CA
|
Family ID: |
44307851 |
Appl. No.: |
12/695584 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/30R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/125 20130101;
A43B 13/04 20130101; A43B 1/0072 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/30.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/12 20060101
A43B013/12 |
Claims
1. A shoe midsole comprising: A plurality of layers each having a
surface substantially opposite the surface on an adjacent layer;
wherein at least one layer in the plurality of layers is wrapped by
a film.
2. The shoe of claim 1 in which said film is transparent.
3. The shoe of claim 1 in which the film is selected from the group
consisting of polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, rubber and thermal
plastic rubber or combination thereof.
4. The shoe of claim 1 in which the film is comprised of at least
one member of the group consisting of polyurethane, polyvinyl
chloride, rubber and thermal plastic rubber.
5. A shoe midsole comprising: a plurality of layers; said plurality
of layers comprising an upper layer and a lower layer; wherein said
upper layer and said lower layer each having a density wherein the
density of the upper layer is denser than the density of the lower
layer; and a film wrapped around said lower layer.
6. The shoe of claim 4 in which said film is transparent.
7. The shoe of claim 4 in which the film is selected from the group
consisting of polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, rubber and thermal
plastic rubber or combination thereof.
8. The shoe of claim 4 in which the film is comprised of at least
one member of the group consisting of polyurethane, polyvinyl
chloride, rubber and thermal plastic rubber.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the structure of a midsole
for a shoe. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
midsole that has a soft layer wrapped in a protective, stabilizing
and/or decorative film.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Shoes are comprised of an upper, midsole and outsole. Shoes
are designed for many purposes--from protection on the job, to
performance during athletic activity on the track or court, to
special occasions and everyday lifestyle. In order to achieve these
purposes, shoes are made with different types of uppers, midsoles
and outsoles that enable them to properly suit the activity.
Midsoles are an integral part of the shoe and provide stability and
cushioning to the user of the shoe.
[0005] A shoe midsole may be designed with various considerations.
Some of those considerations present limitations and disadvantages.
In some applications, the midsole must have a soft element in order
to facilitate a particular is walking motion. However, due do the
soft element, stability is compromised. Furthermore, due to the
material that the soft element is made out of, the soft part of the
midsole can take on elements, such as water, that may cause
chemical reactions and lead to the breakdown of the midsole.
[0006] In general, most footwear functions to keep the foot
properly and comfortably positioned, stabilized, and minimizes a
tendency toward a medial and/or lateral rolling motion. Prior art
midsoles which have a soft lower layer are unstable and therefore
usually require stabilization material such as a shank piece or a
relatively hard upper midsole layer. Prior art shoes have attempted
to protect the entire midsole, but not in a dual durometer, two
layer configuration.
[0007] Modern midsoles can be comprised of multiple layers. In
particular, some midsoles have layers having different durometers
of hardness. A soft durometer layer for cushioning and a firmer
durometer layer for stability. Materials used are generally
comprised of elastomeric materials that would include polyurethane,
polyester elastomer, fluoroelastomer, chlorinated polyethylene,
polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene,
polyethylene/ethylene vinyl to acetate copolymer, neoprene,
butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, butadiene styrene rubber, ethylene
propylene polymer, natural rubber, silicone rubber, polyethylene,
synthetic rubber, sulfide rubber, nitrile rubber, halogenated butyl
rubber, polyethylene glycol, and combinations thereof. Soft lower
layers in general are not used exclusively as they are not stable
and could cause discomfort, pain or injury if is not used in
conjunction with a stabilization device, such as a shank piece or
relatively hard upper midsole layer to support the lateral to
medial motion of the foot. The stabilization device is made from a
more dense material such as rubber, plastic, thermoplastic, which
acts to control pronation and guide the wearer into the proper gait
cycle.
[0008] Furthermore, the elastomeric materials used for midsoles
include foams that are susceptible to damage from the elements that
can cause chemical reactions and lead to breakdown of the midsole.
In particular, outside elements such as extreme heat or cold,
hydrolysis, ozone oxidation, UV radiation, and acid rain can cause
a chemical breakdown of the elastomeric materials used for
midsoles, thus reducing the efficiency and lifespan of the
midsole.
[0009] Also, there is difficulty printing intricate patterns on
elastomeric materials used for midsoles and it is costly to change
the color of the elastomeric material to represent a different
color for each shoe style.
[0010] The present invention seeks to provide a soft midsole which
is s wrapped in film to protect it from the elements and to
increase stability. The film may also add a decorative component to
the midsole by having colors and/or prints on it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to have a midsole
with a layer that is relatively soft that is wrapped in an
impermeable film such as thermoplastic polyurethane, polyvinyl
chloride, or polyolefin.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a midsole
that is comprised of a distinct upper layer and a distinct lower
layer. The layers may be made of elastomeric materials that would
include polyurethane, polyester elastomer, fluoroelastomer,
chlorinated polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated
polyethylene, polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer,
neoprene, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, butadiene styrene rubber,
ethylene propylene polymer, natural rubber, silicone rubber,
polyethylene, synthetic rubber, sulfide rubber, nitrite rubber,
halogenated butyl rubber, polyethylene glycol, and combinations
thereof.
[0013] The lower layer, which may or may not be made of the same
material as the upper layer, has a density that is less than the
density of the upper layer and is sufficiently low in density and
high in compressibility so as to allow the lower layer to compress
and deform a higher, or greater, amount under a given weight than
the upper layer would compress and deform under that same
weight.
[0014] Due to the low density of the lower layer, the layer is
particularly susceptible to damage from the elements. Outside
elements, if allowed to contact the lower layer or seep in between
the layers may cause chemical reactions and lead to the breakdown
of the midsole. In particular, outside elements such as extreme
heat or cold, hydrolysis, ozone oxidation, UV radiation, and acid
rain can cause a chemical breakdown of the elastomeric materials
used for midsoles, thus reducing the efficiency and lifespan of the
midsole.
[0015] In order to prevent such damage, the soft lower layer of the
midsole is wrapped in film in order to provide protection to that
layer from the elements. The film could also provide a new pattern,
design or color.
[0016] Furthermore, when a soft midsole layer is used in a shoe,
the user of the shoe may experience excess instability such that
the user loses his balance and falls down. The wrapping of the soft
midsole layer with a film counteracts this effect. The film
confines the soft midsole layer and prevents excess deformation of
that layer, thereby enhancing stability.
[0017] The wrapping of the soft layer of the midsole in a film is
typically done during the molding process. The film is positioned
into the mold having a surface complementary to the desired
predetermined surface shape of the midsole. The film may be applied
in a vacuum mold. The vacuum mold forms the shape of the film so
that it is in the desired shape of the midsole layer. The
elastomeric material that makes up the midsole layer is poured
inside the mold and inside the film that is formed to the desired
shape of the midsole layer.
[0018] The film used in the vacuum mold forming process is formed
either to the side or upwards of the midsole layer. Any excess film
is then either trimmed or folded over onto the top surface of the
midsole layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] By way of example only, selected embodiments and aspects of
the present invention are described below. Each such description
refers to a particular figure ("FIG.") which shows the described
matter. All such figures are shown in drawings that accompany this
specification. Each such figure includes one or more reference
numbers that identify one or more part(s) or element(s) of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the midsole.
[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the lower layer and film.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the lower layer and
film.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the lower layer and
film.
[0024] FIG. 4A is a cross section view of the midsole.
[0025] FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the midsole.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The invention will now be described with reference to the
preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1. This embodiment shows a
midsole 101, the upper layer of the midsole 100, the lower layer of
the midsole 102 and the film 104. As used herein, "above" and
"below" refer to relative locations of identified elements when a
shoe and thus the midsole is in its normal, upright position as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.
[0027] The midsole 101, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises an upper
layer 100 and a lower layer 102. The upper layer 100 may comprise a
plurality of sub-layers. The upper layer 100 has a top surface 113
substantially opposite a bottom surface 115. The upper layer 100
has a peripheral wall 103. The lower layer 102 has a top surface
117 substantially opposite a bottom surface 121. The lower layer
102 has a peripheral wall 105. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, when the
midsole is in its normal, upright position, the lower layer 102 is
below the upper layer 100.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment, the upper layer 100 has a first
density and the lower layer 102 has a second density that is less
dense than the first density. The upper layer 100 has a first
compressibility and the lower layer 102 has a second
compressibility that is greater than the first compressibility. The
compressibility of the lower layer 102 is relatively high. The
upper layer 100 is typically made of elastomeric materials that
would include polyurethane, polyester elastomer, fluoroelastomer,
chlorinated polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated
polyethylene, polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer,
neoprene, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, butadiene styrene rubber,
ethylene propylene polymer, natural rubber, silicone rubber,
polyethylene, synthetic rubber, sulfide rubber, nitrile rubber,
halogenated butyl rubber, polyethylene glycol, and combinations
thereof. However, the upper layer 100 can be made from any other
material without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The lower layer 102 is made of a compressible and deformable yet
resilient material which may or may not be the same material of
which the upper layer 100 is made. The upper layer 100 has a bottom
surface 115 that may be connected to the top surface 117 of the
lower layer 102 by either friction and/or an adhesive, molding
and/or other similar means. However, the upper layer 100 and lower
layer 102 can be connected by other means, not connected at all, or
connected only in part, without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
[0029] In the preferred embodiment, the bottom surface 121 and the
peripheral wall 105 of the lower layer 102 are wrapped by film 104.
The film 104 may also overlap the peripheral wall 105 and extend to
the top surface 117 of the lower layer 102. The film may be wrapped
by hand, through a molding process, a vacuum molding process or
overlay. However, the film may be wrapped by other means without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The film 104 may
be made out of polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, rubber, thermal
plastic rubber or thermoplastic polyurethane. However, the film 100
can be made from any other material without departing from the
scope of the present invention. The bottom surface 121 and
peripheral wall 105 are wrapped by film 104, prior to the lower
layer 102 being connected to the upper layer 100.
[0030] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the lower layer 102 and the
film 104. As shown, the film 104 is normally flat or in rolls. The
film 104 can either be translucent, transparent, colored or
patterned. The film 104 is applied to the bottom surface 121 and
peripheral wall 1.05 of the lower layer 102 as described above.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a cross section view of the film 104 combined
with the lower layer 102, during the production process. As shown,
the film 104 overlaps to the side of the lower layer 102 up the
peripheral wall 104 and can be trimmed or folded over to the top
surface 117 of the lower layer 102.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the film 104 combined with
the lower layer 102, during an alternative production process. As
shown, the film overlaps upwards of the peripheral wall of the
lower layer 102 and can be trimmed or folded over to the top
surface 117.
[0033] FIG. 4A is a cross section view of the film 104 combined
with the lower layer 102. During the production process, as shown,
the film is folded upwards on the top surface 117 of the lower
layer 102.
[0034] FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the
complete midsole 101. FIG. 5 shows the upper layer 100 placed on
top of the lower layer 102 and film 104 combined together to form
the complete midsole 101. The midsole 101 is below a shoe upper
(shown in phantom) in a complete shoe. The midsole 101 is above a
shoe outsole (shown in phantom) in a complete shoe.
* * * * *