Shoe sole having improved flexibility and method for making the same

• US 7,124,519 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2004
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Issler, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATTERSON, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US10/757,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20050150134A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 36/31, 361/02, 361/03, 36/59.R, 36/59.C
• US Class Current: 36/31
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/141 with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/16 Pieced soles with several layers of different material A43B13/12

Abstract

The invention relates to a sole and method for making the sole having a first material and a second material. The first material includes a plurality of extensions and the second material includes a plurality of sections, where each section is spaced apart from an adjacent section by at least one extension being placed between each section and each adjacent section.

Claims

1. A sole, comprising:

a first material having a main support extending in a generally longitudinal direction and a plurality of extensions extending laterally from said main body;

a second material having a plurality of sections;

each section being spaced apart from an adjacent section by at least one extension being placed between said each section and said adjacent section;

the sole further comprises a top surface and a bottom surface;

said first material extends from said top surface to said bottom surface, said first material extends from a bottom surface to a location between said top and bottom surfaces, and said first material extends from a top surface to a location between said top and bottom surfaces in various localized areas of the sole;

said each section being encompassed by said first material; and

wherein said first material has a modulus of elasticity higher than said second material.

2. The sole according to claim 1, wherein said first material has a hardness lower than second material.

3. The sole according to claim 1, wherein said each section is discretely separated from said adjacent section.

4. A method for providing a sole, comprising the steps of:

molding a first material to provide a main support and a plurality of extensions;

extending the main support in a generally longitudinal direction;

extending the plurality of extensions laterally from the main support;

molding a second material to provide a plurality of sections;

spacing each section apart from an adjacent section by at least one extension;

providing a top surface and a bottom surface of the sole;

extending the first material from the top surface to a location between the top and bottom surfaces of the sole;

extending the first material from the bottom surface to a location between the top and bottom surfaces of the sole; and

extending the first material from the top surface to the bottom surface of the sole.