U.S. patent application number 15/837041 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-14 for support system for footwear.
The applicant listed for this patent is BILL BEACH, JASON CLIFTON. Invention is credited to BILL BEACH, JASON CLIFTON.
Application Number | 20180160771 15/837041 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62488248 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180160771 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CLIFTON; JASON ; et
al. |
June 14, 2018 |
SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR FOOTWEAR
Abstract
An article of footwear includes a sole member, an insole, and a
forefoot cushioning member. In some aspects, the sole member
defines a forepart recess and a backpart aperture, and the insole
is secured to a top side of the sole member. The insole defines a
forepart aperture aligned with the forepart recess of the sole
member, and a length of the forepart aperture is less than a length
of the forepart recess. The forefoot cushioning member is secured
within the forepart recess of the sole member and between the
insole and the sole member.
Inventors: |
CLIFTON; JASON; (NASHVILLE,
TN) ; BEACH; BILL; (NASHVILLE, TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CLIFTON; JASON
BEACH; BILL |
NASHVILLE
NASHVILLE |
TN
TN |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62488248 |
Appl. No.: |
15/837041 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62432993 |
Dec 12, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/12 20130101;
A43B 13/188 20130101; A43B 13/14 20130101; A43B 13/141 20130101;
A43B 13/122 20130101; A43B 13/18 20130101; A43B 7/144 20130101;
A43C 11/1493 20130101; A43B 21/32 20130101; A43B 13/04 20130101;
A43B 13/186 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/18 20060101
A43B013/18; A43B 13/04 20060101 A43B013/04; A43B 13/12 20060101
A43B013/12; A43B 13/14 20060101 A43B013/14 |
Claims
1. An article of footwear comprising: an upper defining an upper
cavity; a sole member connected to the upper and defining a
forepart recess and a backpart aperture; an insole secured to a top
side of the sole member and comprising a body defining a forepart
aperture aligned with the forepart recess of the sole member; and a
forefoot cushioning member secured within the forepart recess of
the sole member and between the insole and the sole member, wherein
a hardness of the forefoot cushioning member is less than a
hardness of the sole member.
2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole member
comprises an outsole and a heel, wherein the outsole comprises a
body defining the forepart recess, and wherein the backpart
aperture of the sole member comprises a backpart aperture of the
outsole aligned with a heel cavity defined by a body of the
heel.
3. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the body of the heel
further comprises a heel slot extending from the heel cavity to a
bottom surface of the heel, wherein the article of footwear further
comprises a heel cushioning member comprising a heel projection,
and wherein the heel cushioning member is removably positioned
within the heel cavity such that the heel projection is removably
positioned within the heel slot.
4. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a heel
cushioning member removably positioned within the the backpart
aperture of the sole member.
5. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole member
comprises a hardness of from about 60A to about 75A, and wherein
the forefoot cushioning member comprises a hardness of from about
50A to about 65A.
6. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a footbed
removably positioned within the upper cavity, wherein the footbed
comprises a body with a front projection and a back projection, and
wherein a hardness of the footbed is less than a hardness of the
forefoot cushioning member.
7. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein the sole member has
a hardness of from about 60A to about 75A, wherein the forefoot
cushioning member has a hardness of from about 50A to about 65A,
and wherein the footbed has a hardness of from about 40A to about
55A.
8. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein a length of the
forepart aperture of the insole is less than a length of the
forepart recess of the sole member such that the insole overlaps a
portion of the forepart recess and a portion of the forefoot
cushioning member.
9. A method of assembling an article of footwear comprising:
positioning a forefoot cushioning member in a forepart recess of a
sole member; and securing an insole to the sole member such that a
backpart aperture of the insole provides access to a backpart
aperture of the sole member, a forepart aperture of the insole is
aligned with the forepart recess, and the insole at least partially
overlaps the forefoot cushioning member in the forepart recess,
wherein a hardness of the forefoot cushioning member is less than a
hardness of the sole member.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising positioning and
retaining a heel cushioning member within the backpart aperture of
the insole and the backpart aperture of the sole member.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein positioning and retaining the
heel cushioning member further comprises positioning and retaining
a heel extension of the heel cushioning member within a heel slot
of the backpart aperture.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising removably
positioning a footbed relative to the sole member and the insole
within a cavity defined by an upper of the article of footwear.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein securing the footbed comprises:
removably positioning a back projection of the footbed within the
backpart aperture of the insole and the backpart aperture of the
sole member; and removably positioning a front projection of the
footbed within the forepart aperture.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein removably positioning the back
projection comprises abutting the back projection with a heel
cushioning member, and wherein removably positioning the front
projection comprises abutting the front projection with the
forefoot cushioning member.
15. An article of footwear comprising: a sole member defining a
forepart recess and a backpart aperture; an insole secured to a top
side of the sole member and defining a forepart aperture aligned
with the forepart recess of the sole member, wherein a length of
the forepart aperture is less than a length of the forepart recess;
and a forefoot cushioning member secured within the forepart recess
of the sole member and between the insole and the sole member.
16. The article of footwear of claim 15, further comprising a heel
cushioning member removably positioned within the backpart
aperture, wherein the backpart aperture further comprises a heel
slot extending from the backpart aperture and having a length less
than a length than the backpart aperture, and wherein the heel
cushioning member further comprises a heel extension removably
positioned within the heel slot.
17. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein the heel slot
extends to a bottom surface of the sole member, and wherein the
article of footwear further comprises a spacer positioned within
the heel slot between the bottom surface of the sole member and the
heel extension.
18. The article of footwear of claim 15, further comprising a
footbed comprising a body with a front projection and a back
projection, and wherein a hardness of the footbed is less than a
hardness of the forefoot cushioning member and less than a hardness
of the sole member.
19. The article of footwear of claim 18, wherein the sole member
has a hardness of from about 60A to about 75A, wherein the forefoot
cushioning member has a hardness of from about 50A to about 65A,
and wherein the footbed has a hardness of from about 40A to about
55A.
20. The article of footwear of claim 18, wherein the front
projection is removably positioned within the forepart aperture and
abutting the forefoot cushioning member, and wherein the back
projection is removably positioned within the backpart aperture and
abutting a heel cushioning member within the backpart aperture.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/432,993, filed Dec. 12, 2016 and entitled
SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR FOOTWEAR, the content of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This application relates to footwear, and more particularly
to support systems for footwear.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Footwear comes in many forms and may be worn by a person
depending on their preference or requirements in a certain
situation. While footwear serves the basic purpose of covering or
protecting the wearer's foot, it may be desirable incorporate
stylish features into such footwear. Traditionally, to achieve such
stylish features, it has been necessary to construct the shoes of
rigid durable materials to provide a high degree of support with
minimal amount of material, which may be uncomfortable to wear.
Therefore, there is a need for footwear that provides comfort and
support to the wearer while providing the enhanced features.
SUMMARY
[0004] The terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention" and
"the present invention" used in this patent are intended to refer
broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent
claims below. Statements containing these terms should be
understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to
limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments
of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims
below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of
various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the
concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description
section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or
essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the
claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by
reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of
this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.
[0005] According to certain examples, an article of footwear
includes an upper, a sole member, an insole, and a forefoot
cushioning member. In some examples, the upper defines an upper
cavity and the sole member is connected to the upper and defining a
forepart recess and a backpart aperture. In some aspects, the
insole is secured to a top side of the sole member and includes a
body defining a forepart aperture aligned with the forepart recess
of the sole member. In various cases, the forefoot cushioning
member is secured within the forepart recess of the sole member and
between the insole and the sole member, where a hardness of the
forefoot cushioning member is less than a hardness of the sole
member.
[0006] In some examples, the sole member includes an outsole and a
heel, where the outsole includes a body defining the forepart
recess, and where the backpart aperture of the sole member includes
a backpart aperture of the outsole aligned with a heel cavity
defined by a body of the heel. In various cases, the body of the
heel further includes a heel slot extending from the heel cavity to
a bottom surface of the heel, the article of footwear further
includes a heel cushioning member comprising a heel projection, and
the heel cushioning member is removably positioned within the heel
cavity such that the heel projection is removably positioned within
the heel slot. In certain cases, a heel cushioning member is
removably positioned within the backpart aperture of the sole
member. In various aspects, the sole member includes a hardness of
from about 60A to about 75A, and the forefoot cushioning member
includes a hardness of from about 50A to about 65A.
[0007] In various cases, a footbed is removably positioned within
the upper cavity and includes a body with a front projection and a
back projection, and a hardness of the footbed is less than a
hardness of the forefoot cushioning member. According to various
aspects, the sole member has a hardness of from about 60A to about
75A, the forefoot cushioning member has a hardness of from about
50A to about 65A, and the footbed has a hardness of from about 40A
to about 55A. In some cases, a length of the forepart aperture of
the insole is less than a length of the forepart recess of the sole
member such that the insole overlaps a portion of the forepart
recess and a portion of the forefoot cushioning member.
[0008] According to various examples, a method of assembling an
article of footwear includes: positioning a forefoot cushioning
member in a forepart recess of a sole member; and securing an
insole to the sole member such that a backpart aperture of the
insole provides access to a backpart aperture of the sole member, a
forepart aperture of the insole is aligned with the forepart
recess, and the insole at least partially overlaps the forefoot
cushioning member in the forepart recess, where a hardness of the
forefoot cushioning member is less than a hardness of the sole
member.
[0009] In some aspects, the method includes positioning and
retaining a heel cushioning member within the backpart aperture of
the insole and the backpart aperture of the sole member. In various
examples, positioning and retaining the heel cushioning member
further includes positioning and retaining a heel extension of the
heel cushioning member within a heel slot of the backpart aperture.
In some examples, the method includes removably positioning a
footbed relative to the outsole and the insole within a cavity
defined by an upper of the article of footwear. According to
various cases, securing the footbed includes: removably positioning
a back projection of the footbed within the backpart aperture of
the insole and the backpart aperture of the sole member; and
removably positioning a front projection of the footbed within the
forepart aperture. In certain examples, removably positioning the
back projection includes abutting the back projection with a heel
cushioning member, and removably positioning the front projection
includes abutting the front projection with the forefoot cushioning
member.
[0010] According to certain examples, an article of footwear
includes: a sole member defining a forepart recess and a backpart
aperture; an insole secured to a top side of the sole member and
defining a forepart aperture aligned with the forepart recess of
the sole member, where a length of the forepart aperture is less
than a length of the forepart recess; and a forefoot cushioning
member secured within the forepart recess of the sole member and
between the insole and the sole member.
[0011] In certain cases, a heel cushioning member is removably
positioned within the backpart aperture, the backpart aperture
further includes a heel slot extending from the backpart aperture
and having a length less than a length than the backpart aperture,
and the heel cushioning member further includes a heel extension
removably positioned within the heel slot. In various examples, the
heel slot extends to a bottom surface of the sole member, and the
article of footwear further comprises a spacer positioned within
the heel slot between the bottom surface of the sole member and the
heel extension. In some examples, a footbed includes a body with a
front projection and a back projection, and a hardness of the
footbed is less than a hardness of the forefoot cushioning member
and less than a hardness of the sole member. According to some
cases, the sole member has a hardness of from about 60A to about
75A, the forefoot cushioning member has a hardness of from about
50A to about 65A, and the footbed has a hardness of from about 40A
to about 55A. In some aspects, the front projection is removably
positioned within the forepart aperture and abutting the forefoot
cushioning member, and the back projection is removably positioned
within the backpart aperture and abutting a heel cushioning member
within the backpart aperture.
[0012] Various implementations described in the present disclosure
can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages,
which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of
the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is
intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages
be included within the present disclosure and protected by the
accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The features and components of the following figures are
illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present
disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the
figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the
sake of consistency and clarity.
[0014] FIG. 1 is an elevated lateral side view of an article of
footwear according to aspects of the current disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the article of footwear of
FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the article of footwear of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention
is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements,
but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope
of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other
ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in
conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This
description should not be interpreted as implying any particular
order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements
except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of
elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as
"up," "down," "top," "left," "right," "front," and "back," among
others are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and
described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and
directions are referencing.
[0018] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an example of an article of footwear
10. As used herein, "footwear" refers generally to any type of wear
suitable for use on a foot including, but not limited to, a shoe, a
boot, a sandal, an overshoe, or various other types of footwear 10.
In the present example, the article of footwear 10 is a shoe. The
article of footwear 10 includes an upper 100, a sole member 200,
and a footbed member 800 (see FIG. 2).
[0019] The upper 100 defines a cavity 102 in which a wearer may
insert his or her foot. The upper 100 may include adjusters 104
that are configured to adjust the fit of the upper around the
wearer's foot. In various examples, the adjusters 104 may be
various types of adjusters 104 including, but not limited to,
laces, strings, hook and loop fasteners, belts, clips, clasps,
pins, or various other suitable adjusters 104 for adjusting the fit
of the upper 100 on the wearer's foot.
[0020] The upper 100 may be constructed from various materials
including, but not limited to, leather, canvas, rubber, plastics,
textiles, or various other desired materials or combinations of
materials. In one non-limiting example, the upper 100 is
constructed from waterproof leather. Various suitable manufacturing
techniques may be used to form the upper 100 having a desired
shape.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sole member 200 generally
includes a heel 300 and an outsole 400, and defines at least in
part an outermost bottom-facing surface of the footwear 10. In
various examples, an insole 500 may also be provided. It will be
appreciated that in various other examples, the sole member 200 may
include layers or components in addition to than the heel 300, the
outsole 400, and the insole 500.
[0022] In some examples, the heel 300 and the outsole 400 are
integrally formed as a unitary component; however, in other
examples, the heel 300 may be formed as a separate component that
is secured to the outsole 400. In the present example, the heel 300
is a separate component that is secured to the outsole 400 through
fasteners 202. The fasteners 202 may be various suitable fasteners
including, but not limited to, pins, nails, screws, adhesives,
various bonding agents, or various other suitable fasteners. In
some examples, the fasteners 202 may also be used to secure the
insole 500 relative to the outsole 400 and/or the heel 300.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the heel 300 includes a body 302
with a bottom side 304 having a bottom surface 306. In some cases,
the bottom side 304 or a portion of the bottom side 304 includes
treading, although it need not. In some examples, the bottom side
306 includes a first component 308 and a second component 310
constructed from a material different than the first component 308.
For example and without limitation, in some examples, the first
component 308 may include rubber and the second component 310 may
include leather. Various other materials may be used for the first
component 308 and the second component 310 that are suitable for
forming the outermost bottom-facing surface of the footwear 10
including, but not limited to polyurethane, thermoplastic rubbers,
latex rubbers, dual density polyurethane, natural rubbers,
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc. In other examples, the bottom side
306 may include a single component (such as all rubber, all
leather, all plastic, etc.) or may include more than two
components.
[0024] In some examples, the body 302 of the heel 300 is
constructed from various suitable materials for providing support
to the footwear 10. For example and without limitation, in some
examples, the body 302 includes fiberboard, rubber, plastic, or
various other suitable materials or combinations of materials. In
the present example, the body 302 includes medium density
fiberboard. In other examples, the material used to form the body
302 may be the same as the material used to form the first
component 308 and/or the second component 310. For example and
without limitation, in some examples, the body 302 and the first
component may both be constructed from rubber.
[0025] The body 302 defines a heel cavity 312 that is dimensioned
to accommodate a heel cushioning member 600, which is described in
detail below. The heel cavity 312 includes a heel end surface 314
and a heel sidewall surface 316. In some examples, the body 302
optionally defines a heel slot 318 extending from the heel end
surface 314 to the bottom surface 306 of the heel 300. The heel
slot 318 is dimensioned to accommodate a heel projection 602 of the
heel cushioning member 600, as described in detail below. As
illustrated in FIG. 2., in certain cases, a length of the heel slot
318 is less than the length of the heel cavity 312. In certain
examples, a width of the heel cavity 312 (e.g., a direction
transverse to the direction from a toe end 410 to a heel end 414 of
the footwear 10) is less than a width of the body 302. In various
examples, the heel cavity 312 is accessible from within the cavity
102 of the footwear 10 when the footbed member 800 is removed.
[0026] The outsole 400 includes a body 402 having a top side 404, a
bottom side 406, a forepart 408 including the toe end 410, and a
backpart 412 including the heel end 414. In various examples, the
outsole 400 is constructed from various materials that are lighter
in weight and more year-resistant than leather, as well as flexible
or resilient or elastic. For example, the outsole 400 may be
constructed from various materials including, but not limited to,
polyurethane, thermoplastic rubbers, latex rubbers, dual density
polyurethane, natural rubbers, PVC, or various other materials or
combinations or compounds of materials. In various examples, the
outsole 400 is constructed from a material having a durometer
greater than that of the heel cushioning member 600, the forefoot
cushioning member 604, and the footbed member 800. For example, in
various examples, the outsole 400 has a durometer of from about 40A
to about 90A, such as from about 50A to about 80A, such as from
about 60A, to about 70A. In some examples, the outsole 400 may have
a durometer of about 60A to about 75A.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 2, in various examples, the bottom
side 406 may include a secondary component 416 constructed from a
material different than the body 402. For example and without
limitation, in some examples, the body 402 may include rubber and
the secondary component 416 may include leather. Various other
materials may be used for the body 402 and the secondary component
416 that are suitable for forming the outermost bottom-facing
surface of the footwear 10. In the present example, the secondary
component 416 includes leather secured within a recess defined by
the bottom side 406 of the body 402. In other examples, the bottom
side 406 may include a single component (such as all rubber, all
leather, all plastic, etc.) or may include more than two
components. In some cases, the bottom side 406 or a portion of the
bottom side 406 includes treading, although it need not.
[0028] In various examples, the top side 404 of the body 402
defines a forepart recess 418 that is dimensioned to accommodate a
forefoot cushioning member 604, which is described in detail below.
The backpart 412 of the body 402 defines an outsole aperture 420
that is dimensioned to at least partially accommodate the heel
cushioning member 600, which is described in detail below. In
various aspects, the outsole aperture 420 extends from the top side
404 to the bottom side 406. When the heel 300 and the outsole 400
are assembled as illustrated in FIG. 2 the outsole aperture 420
provides access to the heel cavity 312 of the heel 300. In certain
examples, a width of the outsole aperture 420 is less than a width
of the body 402. In sonic examples, the width of the outsole
aperture 420 is approximately the same as the width of the heel
cavity 312, although it need not be. In certain examples, a length
of the outsole aperture 420 is approximately the same as a length
of the heel cavity 312, although it need not be. In various
aspects, a width of the forepart recess 418 is less than the width
of the body 402. In various examples, the outsole aperture 420 and
forepart recess 418 are accessible from within the cavity 102 of
the footwear 10 when the footbed member 800 is removed.
[0029] The heel cushioning member 600 is configured to be
positioned and retained within the heel cavity 312 and the outsole
aperture 420. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the heel cushioning member
600 optionally includes the heel projection 602, which is
configured to be positioned within the heel slot 318. In certain
cases, the heel projection 602 may further aid in positioning and
retaining the heel cushioning member 600 relative to the heel 300
and outsole 400. Is some embodiments, a translucent, transparent,
or semi-transparent spacer 700 is positioned and retained within
the heel slot 318 between the heel projection 602 and the bottom
surface 306 of the heel 300. The spacer 700 may be constructed from
various materials including, but not limited to, glass, gels,
plastics, and other materials. In various aspects, the spacer 700
provides protection to the heel cushioning member 600 such that the
heel cushioning member 600 is not directly exposed to a surface
that the footwear 10 is on (e.g., on a surface such as dirt,
gravel, pavement, etc.). The forefoot cushioning member 604 is
configured to be positioned and retained within the forepart recess
418. The shapes of the heel cushioning member 600, heel projection
602, forefoot cushioning member 600, and spacer 700 should not be
considered limiting on the current disclosure.
[0030] In various examples, the heel cushioning member 600 and the
forefoot cushioning member 604 are constructed from materials that
are lightweight and configured to provide both support and
cushioning to the wearer's foot. For example, the heel cushioning
member 600 and the forefoot cushioning member 604 may be
constructed from materials including, but not limited to, ethyl
vinyl acetate (EVA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),
polyurethane, thermoplastic rubbers, latex rubbers, dual density
polyurethane, natural rubbers, or various other similar materials
or combinations of materials. In various examples, the material
used to construct the heel cushioning member 600 and the forefoot
cushioning member 604 have a durometer that is less than a
durometer of the outsole 400. For example, in various examples, the
heel cushioning member 600 and the forefoot cushioning member 604
have a durometer of from about 0A to about 80A, such as from about
10A to about 60A, such as from about 30A, to about 50A. In some
examples, the heel cushioning member 600 and the forefoot
cushioning member 604 may have a durometer of about 50A to about
65A. The heel cushioning member 600 and the forefoot cushioning
member 604 may be formed through various manufacturing techniques
such as molding, compression, one shot, casting, forming, and
various other suitable techniques. In various examples, the heel
cushioning member 600 and the forefoot cushioning member 604 may be
retained relative to the outsole 400 and heel 300 with or without
the use of fasteners. When fasteners are used, the fasteners may
include various materials including, but not limited to, various
glues, adhesives, bonding agents or compositions, mechanical
fasteners, or various other suitable fastening mechanisms.
[0031] The insole 500 includes a body 502 having a top side 504, a
bottom side 506, a forepart 508 including a toe end 510, and a
backpart 512 including a heel end 514. When assembled, in some
embodiments, the insole 500 may extend from proximate the toe end
410 of the outsole 400 to proximate the heel end 414 of the outsole
400. The insole 500 may be constructed from various materials
suitable for supporting the wearer's foot, including, but not
limited to, various composites, rubbers, plastics, natural
materials, or various other suitable materials or combinations of
materials. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the forepart 508 defines a
forepart aperture 516 and the backpart 512 defines a backpart
aperture 518. In various examples a length of the forepart aperture
516 (e.g., in the direction from the toe end 510 to the heel end
514) is less than a length of the forefoot cushioning member 604
such that when assembled, the insole 500 partially overlaps the
forefoot cushioning member 604. The forepart aperture 516 is sized
and dimensioned to receive and position a front projection 802 of
the footbed member 800, which is described in detail below. The
backpart aperture 518 is configured to provide access to the
outsole aperture 420 and the heel cavity 312. In various examples,
the backpart aperture 518 is sized and dimensioned to receive and
position a back projection 804 of the footbed member 800, as
described in detail below. In certain examples, the size of the
backpart aperture 518 is approximately the same as the outsole
aperture 420 and/or the heel cavity 312, although it need not
be.
[0032] The footbed member 800 includes a body 806 having a top side
808, a bottom side 810, a forepart 812 including a toe end 814, and
a backpart 816 including a heel end 818. In some cases, the footbed
member 800 is configured to accommodate a plurality of foot widths,
although it need not. In various examples, the footbed member 800
is constructed from a material that is lightweight configured to
provide flexibility and cushioning to the wearer's foot. For
example, the footbed member 800 may be constructed from materials
including, but not limited to, ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA),
acrylonittile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyurethane, thermoplastic
rubbers, latex rubbers, dual density polyurethane, natural rubbers,
or various other similar materials or combinations of materials. In
various examples, the footbed member 800 is constructed from a
material where expansion of the material during molding or forming
may be controlled to accurately and consistently form footbed
members 800 having consistent shapes that may be mated with the
other components of the footwear 10, including, but not limited to
polyurethane or other materials with similar properties. In various
examples, the footbed member 800 has a durometer of from about 0A
to about 60A, such as from about 10A to about 50A, such as from
about 30A, to about 50A. In some examples, the footbed member 800
may have a durometer of about 40A to about 55A. In various
examples, the footbed member 800 may have a durometer that is less
than that of the heel cushioning member 600, the forefoot
cushioning member 604. The footbed member 800 may be formed through
various manufacturing techniques such as molding, compression, one
shot, casting, forming, and various other suitable techniques
[0033] In various examples, the top side 808 of the footbed member
800 may optionally include a covering layer 820. The covering layer
616 may be constructed from various materials suitable for engaging
with the wearer's foot, including but not limited to various
textiles, leather, sheepskin, and other suitable materials as
desired.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the footbed member 800 includes
the front projection 802 and the back projection 804 extending from
the bottom side 810 of the body 806. In some cases, a thickness of
the back projection 804 is greater than a thickness of the front
projection 802, although it need not be. The size, number, shape,
or location of the front projection 802 and the back projection 804
should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. The
back projection 804 is configured to be inserted and retained
within the backpart aperture 518 and the front projection 802 is
configured to be inserted and retained within the forepart aperture
516. This engagement may secure the footbed member 800 in place
relative to the insole 500 as well as the outsole 400. In certain
examples, the back projection 804 abuts the heel cushioning member
600 and the front projection abuts the forefoot cushioning member
604 when the footbed 800 is assembled with the footwear 10 (e.g.,
positioned within the cavity 102).
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a method of assembling the
footwear 10 includes securing the heel 300 to the outsole 400 such
that the outsole aperture 420 provides access to the heel cavity
312. The method also includes securing the insole 500 to the
outsole 400 such that the backpart aperture 518 provides access to
the outsole aperture 420 and the heel cavity 312. In various
examples, securing the insole 500 to the outsole 400 includes
securing a forefoot cushioning member 604 within a forepart recess
418 of the outsole 400 between the insole 500 and the outsole
400.
[0036] The method may include positioning the heel cushioning
member 600 within the outsole aperture 420 and the heel cavity 312.
In some examples, positioning the heel cushioning member 600
includes positioning a heel projection 602 within a heel slot 318.
The method also includes securing the footbed member 800 relative
to the outsole 400 and insole 500 by retaining the back projection
804 of the footbed member 800 within the backpart aperture 518 and
retaining the front projection 802 within the forepart aperture
516. In some examples, securing the footbed member 800 includes
inserting the footbed member 800 into the cavity 102 defined by the
upper 100.
[0037] A collection of exemplary embodiments, including at least
some explicitly enumerated as "ECs" (Example Combinations),
providing additional description of a variety of embodiment types
in accordance with the concepts described herein are provided
below. These examples are not meant to be mutually exclusive,
exhaustive, or restrictive; and the invention is not limited to
these example embodiments but rather encompasses all possible
modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims
and their equivalents.
[0038] EC 1. An article of footwear comprising: an upper defining
an upper cavity; an outsole comprising a body defining a forepart
recess and a backpart aperture; a heel comprising a body defining a
heel cavity and secured to a bottom side of the outsole, wherein
the heel cavity is aligned with the backpart aperture of the
outsole; an insole secured to a top side of the outsole and
comprising a body defining a forepart aperture and a backpart
aperture, wherein the backpart aperture of the insole is aligned
with the backpart aperture of the of the aperture and the heel
cavity of the heel; and a forefoot cushioning member secured within
the forepart recess of the outsole and between the insole and the
body of the outsole, wherein a hardness of the forefoot cushioning
member is less than a hardness of the body of the outsole.
[0039] EC 2. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, further comprising a heel
cushioning member positioned within the heel cavity and the
backpart aperture of the outsole.
[0040] EC 3. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein the body of the outsole
comprises a hardness of from about 60A to about 75A, and wherein
the forefoot cushioning member comprises a hardness of from about
50A to about 65A.
[0041] EC 4. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, further comprising a footbed
positionable within the upper cavity, wherein the footbed comprises
a body with a front projection and a back projection, and wherein a
hardness of the footbed is less than a hardness of the forefoot
cushioning member.
[0042] EC 5. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein the body of the outsole
has a hardness of from about 60A to about 75A, wherein the forefoot
cushioning member has a hardness of from about 50A to about 65A,
and wherein the footbed has a hardness of from about 40A to about
55A.
[0043] EC 6. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein the forefoot cushioning
member comprises ethyl vinyl acetate and wherein the footbed
comprises polyurethane.
[0044] EC 7. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein the back projection is
retained within the backpart aperture of the insole, and wherein
the front projection is retained within the forepart aperture of
the insole,
[0045] EC 8. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein a bottom side of the heel
comprises a first component and a second component forming the
bottom surface of the heel, wherein the first component is
constructed from a material different than the material used to
construct the second component.
[0046] EC 9. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein the first component
comprises rubber, and wherein the second component comprises
rubber.
[0047] EC 10. A method of assembling an article of footwear
comprising: securing a heel to an outsole such that an outsole
aperture defined by the outsole provides access to a heel cavity
defined by the heel; and securing an insole to the outsole such
that a backpart aperture of the insole provides access to the
outsole aperture and the heel cavity, wherein securing the insole
comprises securing a forefoot cushioning member within a forepart
recess of the outsole between the insole and the outsole, wherein a
hardness of the forefoot cushioning member is less than a hardness
of the body of the outsole.
[0048] EC 11. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, further comprising positioning and retaining
a heel cushioning member within the outsole aperture and the heel
cavity.
[0049] EC 12. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, further comprising securing the footbed
relative to the outsole and the insole within a cavity defined by
an upper of the article of footwear.
[0050] EC 13. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, wherein securing the footbed comprises:
retaining a back projection of the footbed within the backpart
aperture; and retaining a front projection of the footbed within
the forepart aperture.
[0051] EC 14. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example; combinations, wherein securing the footbed comprises
inserting the footbed into the cavity defined by the upper.
[0052] EC 15. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, wherein a hardness of the footbed is less
than a hardness of the forefoot cushioning member.
[0053] EC 16. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, wherein the body of the outsole has a
hardness of from about 60A to about 75A, wherein the forefoot
cushioning member has a hardness of from about 50A to about 65A,
and wherein the footbed has a hardness of from about 40A to about
55A.
[0054] EC 17. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, wherein the outsole comprises rubber, wherein
the forefoot cushioning member comprises ethyl vinyl acetate, and
wherein the footbed comprises polyurethane.
[0055] EC 18. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, wherein the body of the outsole comprises a
hardness of from about 60A to about 75A, and wherein the forefoot
cushioning member comprises a hardness of from about 50A to about
65A.
[0056] EC 19. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, wherein the outsole comprises rubber, and
wherein the forefoot cushioning member comprises ethyl vinyl
acetate.
[0057] EC 20. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, wherein a bottom side of the heel comprises a
first component and a second component forming the bottom surface
of the heel, wherein the first component is constructed from a
material different than the material used to construct the second
component.
[0058] EC 21. An article of footwear comprising: an upper defining
an upper cavity; a sole member connected to the upper and defining
a forepart recess and a backpart aperture; an insole secured to a
top side of the sole member and comprising a body defining a
forepart aperture aligned with the forepart recess of the sole
member; and a forefoot cushioning member secured within the
forepart recess of the sole member and between the insole and the
sole member, wherein a hardness of the forefoot cushioning member
is less than a hardness of the sole member.
[0059] EC 22. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein the sole member comprises
an outsole and a heel, wherein the outsole comprises a body
defining the forepart recess, and wherein the backpart aperture of
the sole member comprises a backpart aperture of the outsole
aligned with a heel cavity defined by a body of the heel.
[0060] EC 23. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein the body of the heel
further comprises a heel slot extending from the heel cavity to a
bottom surface of the heel, wherein the article of footwear further
comprises a heel cushioning member comprising; a heel projection,
and wherein the heel cushioning member is removably positioned
within the heel cavity such that the heel projection is removably
positioned within the heel slot.
[0061] EC 24. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, further comprising a heel
cushioning member removably positioned within the backpart aperture
of the sole member.
[0062] EC 25. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein the sole member comprises
a hardness of from about 60A to about 75A, and wherein the forefoot
cushioning member comprises a hardness of from about 50A to about
65A.
[0063] EC 26. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, further comprising a footbed
removably positioned within the upper cavity, wherein the footbed
comprises a body with a front projection and a back projection, and
wherein a hardness of the footbed is less than a hardness of the
forefoot cushioning member.
[0064] EC 27. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein the sole member has a
hardness of from about 60A to about 75A, wherein the forefoot
cushioning member has a hardness of from about 50A to about 65A,
and wherein the footbed has a hardness of from about 40A to about
55A.
[0065] EC 28. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein a length of the forepart
aperture of the insole is less than a length of the forepart recess
of the sole member such that the insole overlaps a portion of the
forepart recess and a portion of the forefoot cushioning
member.
[0066] EC 29. A method of assembling an article of footwear
comprising: positioning a forefoot cushioning member in a forepart
recess of a sole member; and securing an insole to the sole member
such that a backpart aperture of the insole provides access to a
backpart aperture of the sole member, a forepart aperture of the
insole is aligned with the forepart recess, and the insole at least
partially overlaps the forefoot cushioning member in the forepart
recess, wherein a hardness of the forefoot cushioning member is
less than a hardness of the sole member.
[0067] EC 30. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, further comprising positioning and retaining
a heel cushioning member within the backpart aperture of the insole
and the backpart aperture of the sole member.
[0068] EC 31. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, wherein positioning and retaining the heel
cushioning member further comprises positioning and retaining a
heel extension of the heel cushioning member within a heel slot of
the backpart aperture.
[0069] EC 32. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, further comprising removably positioning a
footbed relative to the outsole and the insole within a cavity
defined by an upper of the article of footwear.
[0070] EC 33. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, wherein securing the footbed comprises:
removably positioning a back projection of the footbed within the
backpart aperture of the insole and the backpart aperture of the
sole member; and removably positioning a front projection of the
footbed within the forepart aperture.
[0071] EC 34. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent
example combinations, wherein removably positioning the back
projection comprises abutting the back projection with a heel
cushioning member, and wherein removably positioning the front
projection comprises abutting the front projection with the
forefoot cushioning member.
[0072] EC 35. An article of footwear comprising: a sole member
defining a forepart recess and a backpart aperture; an insole
secured to a top side of the sole member and defining a forepart
aperture aligned with the forepart recess of the sole member,
wherein a length of the forepart aperture is less than a length of
the forepart recess; and a forefoot cushioning member secured
within the forepart recess of the sole member and between the
insole and the sole member.
[0073] EC 36. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, further comprising a heel
cushioning member removably positioned within the backpart
aperture, wherein the backpart aperture further comprises a heel
slot extending from the backpart aperture and having a length less
than a length than the backpart aperture, and wherein the heel
cushioning member further comprises a heel extension removably
positioned within the heel slot.
[0074] EC 37. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein the heel slot extends to a
bottom surface of the sole member, and wherein the article of
footwear further comprises a spacer positioned within the heel slot
between the bottom surface of the sole member and the heel
extension.
[0075] EC 38. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, further comprising a footbed
comprising a body with a front projection and a back projection,
and wherein a hardness of the footbed is less than a hardness of
the forefoot cushioning member and less than a hardness of the sole
member.
[0076] EC 39. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein the sole member has a
hardness of from about 60A to about 75A, wherein the forefoot
cushioning member has a hardness of from about 50A to about 65A,
and wherein the footbed has a hardness of from about 40A to about
55A.
[0077] EC 40. The article of footwear of any of the preceding or
subsequent example combinations, wherein the front projection is
removably positioned within the forepart aperture and abutting the
forefoot cushioning member, and wherein the back projection is
removably positioned within the backpart aperture and abutting a
heel cushioning member within the backpart aperture.
[0078] The above-described aspects are merely possible examples of
implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the
principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and
modifications can be made to the above-described example(s) without
departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the
present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are
intended to be included herein within the scope of the present
disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or
combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by
the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are
employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are
used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the
purposes of limiting the described invention, nor the claims which
follow.
* * * * *