Footwear and its method of construction

• US 6,574,886 B1
• Filed: 03/31/1999
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: HH Brown Shoe Company Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Issler, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick, Anthony D.
• Application Number:
  US09/282,672
• Time in Patent Office: 1,532 Days
• Field of Search: 36/12, 36/91, 36/92, 361/03, 36/14, 36/15, 36/19.R, 36/25.R, 36/28, 36/30.R, 36/22.R, 36/31, 36/35.R, 36/36.A, 36/37, 36/44, 36/465, 36/17.R, 36/17.PW, 36/115, 121/42.RS, 121/42.T, 121/42.C, 121/42.D, 121/46.D, 121/46.BC, 121/46.BP
• US Class Current: 36/12
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/108 characterised by the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/14 Moccasins, opanken, or like shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 9/02 Footwear stitched or nailed through
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 9/10 Footwear with out-turned uppers
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 5/00 Hand appliances or hand tools for making or repairing shoes, other than those covered by groups A43D15/00, A43D19/00, A43D95/00, A43D100/00, A43D117/00

Abstract

Footwear and a method for its construction including the following features is provided. An upper which defines a volume for receiving a wearer'"'"'s foot. A midsole which has an inner surface, an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, and an upstanding sidewall around its periphery. Stitching, which attaches the upper to the midsole along a peripheral portion of the upper and the sidewall of the midsole. An outsole, which has a walking surface and an attachment surface opposite to the walking surface. The outer surface of the midsole adhered to the opposed surface of the outsole.

Claims

1. A method for construction of footwear comprising the steps of:

providing an upper defining a volume for receiving a wearer'"'"'s foot, the upper having an open bottom;

providing a midsole having an upper surface enclosing the open bottom of the upper, an outer surface opposite to the upper surface, and an upstanding sidewall integrally molded with and around a periphery of the midsole;

attaching the upper to the midsole in a single stitching operation by stitching a thread along a peripheral portion of the upper and the sidewall of the midsole; and

attaching an outsole having a walking surface and an attachment surface opposite to the midsole, the outer surface of the midsole positioned adjacent to the opposed attachment surface of the outsole.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

forming a channel in the upstanding sidewall of the midsole, the channel extending from a peripheral edge of the midsole in a direction parallel to a plane of the inner surface of the midsole, the channel sized to receive the thread.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

providing a cavity formed in at least a forward portion of the inner surface of the midsole; and

positioning resilient material within the cavity formed in the inner surface of the midsole.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing at least one cavity in the outer surface of the midsole; and

positioning cushiony material within the cavity formed in the outer surface of the midsole.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the cushiony material includes high density polyurethane.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing at least one cut-out through the midsole;

positioning and maintaining cushiony material within the cut-out of the midsole.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the cushiony material comprises woven material stitched to the midsole.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the woven material is elastic.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the cushiony material includes high density polyurethane.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the midsole is molded to have a roughened outer surface.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the outsole is a single unitary member.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the outsole includes a front member and a separate heel member, the front member being attached to a front end of the outer surface of the midsole, the heel member being spaced from the front member and attached to a heel end of the outer surface of the midsole.

12. Footwear comprising:

an upper defining a volume for receiving a wearer'"'"'s foot and having an open bottom;

a midsole, having an upper surface enclosing the open bottom of the upper, an outer surface opposite to the upper surface, and an upstanding sidewall integrally molded with and around a periphery of the midsole;

a single stitching seam, attaching the upper to the midsole along a peripheral portion of the upper and the sidewall of the midsole; and

an outsole, having a walking surface and an attachment surface opposite to the walking surface, the outer surface of the midsole attached to the attachment surface of the outsole.

13. The footwear of claim 12 further including:

a channel in the upstanding sidewall of the midsole extending from a peripheral edge of the midsole in a direction parallel to a plane of the inner surface of the midsole, the channel sized to receive a thread.

14. The footwear of claim 12 further including:

resilient material, secured within a cavity formed in the inner surface of the midsole.

15. The footwear of claim 12 further including:

cushiony material, secured within a cavity formed in the outer surface of the midsole.

16. The footwear of claim 15 wherein the cushiony material includes high density polyurethane.

17. The footwear of claim 15 wherein the cavity formed in the outer surface of the midsole is a cut-out extending through the midsole.

18. The footwear of claim 17 wherein the cushiony material secured within the cut-out comprises woven material stitched to the midsole.

19. The footwear of claim 18 where in the woven material is elastic.

20. The footwear of claim 12 wherein the outsole is a single unitary member.

22. The footwear of claim 12 wherein the outsole includes a front member and a separate heel member, the front member being attached to a front end of the outer surface of the midsole, the heel member being spaced apart from the front member and attached to a heel end of the outer surface of the midsole.