Footwear structure and method of forming the same

• US 20040226192A1
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenton D. Geer
• Original Assignee: Kenton D. Geer
• Inventors: Geer, Kenton D., Troy, Gary J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,059,067 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/102
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0081 made at least partially of hook-and-loop type material hook and loop-type straps for fastening purpose A43C11/1493
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/14 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/187 Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/36 Easily-exchangeable soles protecting-soles A43C13/12
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/42 Filling materials located between the insole and outer sole; Stiffening materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/08 ventilated
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/26 adjustable as to length or size
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/06 ventilated

Abstract

A footwear structure including an outsole, an upper and a midsole. The outsole may include at least one stretch zone for allowing expansion and contraction of the outsole, e.g. corresponding to expansion and contraction of a user'"'"'s foot during wear. The upper may include stretch zones for allowing expansion of the upper, and the midsole may include varying regions of rigidity.

Claims

1-36. -36. (Cancelled).

37. A footwear structure comprising:

an outsole having a top surface;

an upper extending from said outsole to at least partially define a cavity for receiving a foot, said upper comprising at least one upper stretch zone and at least first and second upper anchor zones, said upper stretch zone being disposed between said first and second upper anchor zones for allowing expansion of said upper; and

a midsole disposed within said cavity and readily removable from said cavity, said midsole having a bottom surface disposed above said top surface of said outsole;

said top surface of said outsole having an arched shank interlock portion which mates with a corresponding arched shank interlock portion in said bottom surface of said midsole,

said midsole comprising a first region extending across the entire width of said midsole and having a first level of cushioning and a second region extending across the entire width of said midsole and having a second level of cushioning, said first level of cushioning being different from said second level of cushioning.

38. A footwear structure according to claim 37, said outsole further comprising at least one stretch zone allowing expansion of said outsole in at least one direction.

39. A footwear structure according to claim 38, wherein said stretch zone in said outsole comprises a molded stretch portion extending between first and second margins, said first margin being secured to a first anchor zone in said outsole and said second margin being secured to a second anchor zone in said outsole.

40. A footwear structure according to claim 38, wherein at least a portion of said stretch zone in said outsole is disposed in a forefoot region of said outsole allowing expansion of said forefoot region of said outsole.

41. A footwear structure according to claim 38 said structure further comprising at least first and second anchor zones, said stretch zone being disposed between said first and second anchor zones.

42. A footwear structure according to claim 38, wherein said stretch zone allows said expansion and contraction of said outsole corresponding to expansion and contraction of a user'"'"'s foot during wear.

43. A footwear structure according to claim 37, wherein said arched shank interlock portion of said outsole comprises a continuous arc.

44. A footwear structure according to claim 37, wherein said upper stretch zone allows said expansion of said upper during wear by a user.

45. A footwear structure according to claim 37, wherein a bottom portion of said upper is disposed between said midsole and said outsole.

46. A footwear structure according to claim 45, wherein said bottom portion extends across an entire width and length of said midsole, and wherein said bottom portion has a shank interlock portion interlocking with said shank interlock portion in said outsole.

47. A footwear structure according to claim 37, wherein said first region comprises a heel region of said midsole and said second region comprises a forefoot region of said midsole.

48. A footwear structure according to claim 37, wherein said midsole includes a plurality of layers.

49. A footwear structure according to claim 48, wherein the firmness of said layers decreases from a top layer of said midsole to a bottom layer of said midsole.

50. A footwear structure according to claim 37, wherein said structure further comprises a shank component disposed between said midsole and said outsole.

51. A footwear structure according to claim 50, wherein said shank component has a top surface which corresponds and mates with said shank interlock portion in said bottom surface of said midsole and a bottom surface which corresponds and mates with said shank interlock portion in said outsole, and wherein said shank component is disposed between said bottom surface of said midsole and said top surface of said outsole.

52. A footwear structure according to claim 50, wherein said shank is disposed against a bottom surface of said upper.