Shoe suspension system

• US 5,435,078 A
• Filed: 07/15/1994
• Issued: 07/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nine West Development Corporation (Premier Brands Group Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: The United States Shoe Corporation (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Inventors: Pyle, Clifford L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meyers, Steven N.
• Application Number:
  US08/275,366
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 36/28, 36/30 R, 36/25 R, 36/30 A, 36/32 R, 36/44, 36/181, 36/178, 36/31
• US Class Current: 36/30.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/12 Soles with several layers of different materials

Abstract

A suspension system for shoe soles includes an insole mounted on the upper surface of an outsole and containing shock absorbing inserts in forepart and heel areas thereof. The forepart insole insert comprises a shock foam and the heel insole insert comprises polyurethane. Above the forepart area of the insole is provided a midsole containing a polyurethane shock absorbing insert which abuts against the foam insert in the insole to increase the cushioning effect on the forepart area of the foot. A two-layer socklining completes the suspension system. It includes a lower layer of shock absorbing foam and an upper cover of coagulated urethane. The socklining completely covers the footbed. The suspension system provides greater comfort, shock absorption, and cushioning to the wearer and is particularly suitable for women'"'"'s dress and casual shoes.

Claims

1. A suspension system for providing cushioned support for the foot of the wearer on an outsole of a shoe, comprising

(a) an insole adapted for mounting on an upper surface of the shoe outsole, said insole being formed from a non-woven cellulose fiber material and having forepart, arch, and heel areas extending over corresponding areas of the outsole, said forepart and heel areas containing openings;

(b) first and second shock-absorbing inserts arranged within said insole forepart and heel area openings, respectively;

(c) a midsole mounted on a forepart area of said insole, said midsole being formed of a non-woven cellulose fiber material and containing an opening;

(d) a third shock-absorbing insert arranged within said midsole opening;

(e) a socklining mounted on said midsole and said insole and extending over the forepart, arch and heel areas thereof, said socklining including a flexible cover layer and a lower layer of shock-absorbing foam; and

(f) said first insert and said socklining foam layer being formed from a closed cell vinyl nitrile foam material which resists permanent compression and said second and third inserts being formed from polyurethane material.

2. A suspension system as defined in claim 1, wherein said socklining cover layer is formed of urethane.

3. A suspension system as defined in claim 2, and further comprising a contoured rigid heel tuck mounted between the outsole and said insole and extending over heel and arch areas of the outsole.

4. A suspension system as defined in claim 3, wherein said heel tuck includes a contoured steel rod connected with a lower surface thereof to provide arch support and stability in the heel area of the shoe.