Multilayered sole

• US 20060277799A1
• Filed: 06/06/2005
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lebo, Jonathan K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,464,490 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/102
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/026 Composites, e.g. carbon fibre or aramid fibre; the sole, one or more sole layers or sole part being made of a composite
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/12 Soles with several layers of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/141 with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion

Abstract

The invention relates to a multilayered sole having an insole extending from a toe area to a heel area and having a rigid member and a flexible member for enhancing flexibility. The multilayered sole also includes a midsole extending from the toe area to the heel area and having a cushioning material and a structural material for enhancing comfort. The insole and midsole are then combined with an outsole.

Claims

1. A multilayered sole, comprising:

an insole extending from a toe area to a heel area and having a rigid member and a flexible member for enhancing flexibility;

a midsole extending from the toe area to the heel area and having a cushioning material and a structural material for enhancing comfort; and

an outsole.

2. The multilayered sole according to claim 1, wherein said cushioning material extends a length of said midsole.

3. The multilayered sole according to claim 1, wherein said cushioning material extends a width of said midsole.

4. The multilayered sole according to claim 1, wherein said rigid member is alternately placed with said flexible member.

5. The multilayered sole according to claim 1, wherein said cushioning material is alternately placed with said structural material.

6. The multilayered sole according to claim 1, wherein said cushioning material is a gel and said structural material is leather.

7. A multilayered sole, comprising:

an insole having a plurality of members extending from a toe area to a heel area for enhancing flexibility;

said plurality of members includes a rigid member alternately placed with a flexible member;

a midsole having a plurality of materials extending from the toe area to the heel area for enhancing comfort;

said plurality of materials include a cushion material alternately placed with a structural material; and

an outsole.

8. The multilayered sole according to claim 7, wherein said insole gradually transitions from said rigid member to said flexible member.

9. The multilayered sole according to claim 8, wherein a thickness of said rigid member is inversely proportional to a thickness of said flexible member in an area of gradual transition from said rigid member to said flexible member.

10. The multilayered sole according to claim 7, wherein said midsole gradually transitions from said cushion material to said structural material.

11. The multilayered sole according to claim 10, wherein a thickness of said cushion material is inversely proportional to a thickness of said structural material in an area of gradual transition from said cushion material to said structural material.

12. A multilayered sole, comprising:

an insole extending from a toe area to a heel area, said insole having a rigid member and a flexible member for enhancing flexibility;

a midsole extending from the toe area to the heel area, said midsole having a cushioning material and a structural material for enhancing comfort;

an outsole having a recess;

said recess extending laterally across said outsole;

said recess slopes downwardly toward a rear of said outsole;

said flexible member of said insole and said cushion material of said midsole placed proximate to said recess; and

wherein said flexible member and said cushion material flex in cooperation with said recess for enhancing flexibility of the multilayer outsole.

13. The multilayered sole according to claim 12, further comprising a notch in a top surface of said outsole for enhancing flexibility.

14. The multilayered sole according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of recesses.

15. The multilayered sole according to claim 12, wherein said recess is between a top surface and a bottom surface of said outsole.

16. The multilayered sole according to claim 12, wherein said recess extends from a top surface of said outsole toward a bottom surface of said outsole.

17. The multilayered sole according to claim 12, wherein said recess extends from a top surface of said outsole to a bottom surface of said outsole.