Removable rounded midsole structures and chambers with computer processor-controlled variable pressure

• US 20050268487A1
• Filed: 07/26/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frampton E. Ellis III
• Original Assignee: Frampton E. Ellis III
• Inventors: Ellis, Frampton E. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,334,350 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/25.R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/125 characterised by the midsole or middle layer
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/14 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/141 with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/186 Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot resilient heel not included in the sole A43B21/26; resilient supports for the heel of the foot A43B21/32
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/187 Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/188 Differential cushioning regions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/189 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/20 Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas inflatable linings for skiboots A43B5/0407
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/203 provided with a pump or valve
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/36 Easily-exchangeable soles protecting-soles A43C13/12
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/24 Collapsible or convertible
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/246 characterised by the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/00 Footwear for sporting purposes non-skid devices, e.g. ice-spurs or studs for football shoes, A43C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/142 situated under the medial arch, i.e. under the navicular or cuneiform bones
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/143 situated under the lateral arch, i.e. the cuboid bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/144 situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1464 with adjustable pads to allow custom fit
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/148 Recesses or holes filled with supports or pads

Abstract

This invention relates generally to footwear such as a shoe, including an athletic shoe, with a shoe sole, including at least one removable midsole section formed by a midsole portion, wherein the removable midsole section is non-orthotic. The removable midsole section is inserted within the shoe upper, the sides of which hold it in position. The shoe sole includes a concavely rounded side or underneath portion, which may be formed in part by the removable midsole section. The removable midsole section may extend the length of the shoe sole or may form only a part of the shoe sole and can incorporate cushioning or structural compartments or components. The removable midsole section provides the capability to permit replacement of midsole material which has degraded or has worn out in order to maintain optimal characteristics of the shoe sole. The shoe sole can, in another embodiment, include at least one compartment containing a fluid, a flow regulator, a pressure sensor to monitor the compartment pressure, and a control system such as a computer processor capable of automatically adjusting the pressure in the compartment(s) in response to the impact of the shoe sole with the ground surface.

Claims

1. A shoe including:

a shoe upper and a shoe sole including a least a bottom sole;

at least a portion of said shoe sole being formed by a non-orthotic removable midsole section;

at least a portion of the sides of said shoe upper being attached directly to the bottom sole, such that the shoe upper envelopes, on the outside, at least the non-orthotic removable midsole section of said shoe sole; and

at least a part of an inner and an outer surface of the shoe sole being concavely rounded relative to an intended wearer'"'"'s foot location inside the shoe, as viewed in a frontal plane when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition.

2. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 wherein said non-orthotic removable midsole section is insertable into said shoe upper through an opening in the shoe upper provided for entry and exit of an intended wearer'"'"'s foot into and out of said shoe.

5. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shoe sole further includes at least one compartment containing a fluid a flow regulator, a pressure sensor to monitor the compartment pressure, and a control system in communication with said compartment and said flow regulator;

and wherein said control system is capable of automatically adjusting the pressure in said compartment based on sensing of a predetermined pressure in said compartment resulting from impact of the shoe sole with the ground surface.

6. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 5 wherein said control system is a computer processor in electrical communication with said flow regulator and said sensor and wherein said computer processor receives and stores pressure data from said sensor and computes said predetermined pressure.

7. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 6, wherein said non-orthotic removable midsole section is capable of being permanently affixed in said shoe sole.

8. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 5 wherein said shoe sole includes at least two compartments and a duct communicating between said at least two compartments.

9. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 6 wherein said shoe sole includes at least two compartments and a duct communicating between said at least two compartments.

10. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 7 wherein said shoe sole includes at least two compartments and a duct communicating between said at least two compartments.

3. A shoe sole for a shoe or other footwear, such as an athletic shoe or street shoe, including:

at least a bottom sole, a midsole, an inner surface and an outer surface;

at least a part of said outer surface being concavely rounded relative to an intended wearer'"'"'s foot location inside the shoe, as viewed in a frontal plane when the shoe sole is in an upright, unloaded condition; and

wherein said midsole includes a non-orthotic midsole section which is removable from said shoe sole and which forms at least a portion of said concavely rounded part of said outer surface.

4. A shoe sole as claimed in claim 3 wherein said removable non-orthotic midsole section is releasably secured to at least one of said shoe sole or a shoe of which said shoe sole forms a part, by a releasable securing structure selected from the group consisting of mechanical fasteners, a snap fit adhesives, interlocking surfaces, and combinations thereof.