Shoe sole with a loose fill comfort support system

Abstract

A shoe is provided with an outsole which contacts the ground, an insole upon which a foot rests, and a midsole located between the outsole and the insole, wherein the midsole absorbs impact by providing a loose fill material throughout the midsole of the shoe to cushion any force exerted upon the shoe, wherein the midsole is divided into at least two compartments and each of the compartments is filled with the loose fill material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to the comfort and support in the sole of a shoe. In particular, the present invention relates to a shoe with a sole that is filled with a loose fill material such as crumb rubber for shock absorption, cushionability, energy return, added comfort and stability. [0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0004] Dress, casual and athletic shoes generally include an upper leather portion and an inner lining that cover the top of the foot, a counter placed between the upper leather portion and the lining to provide rigidity at the heel, an insole upon which the foot rests, an outsole which contacts the ground surface and possibly a filler portion that is positioned between the insole and outsole. The midsole of a shoe is a piece of material such as rubber or leather that is often stitched or glued to the inside fabric lining, upper leather portion, and the counter to hold the constru...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe including an outsole which contacts the ground, an insole upon which a foot rests, and a midsole located between the outsole and the insole, wherein the midsole absorbs impact by providing a loose fill material throughout the midsole of the shoe to cushion any force exerted upon the shoe.

[0012] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a shoe including an outsole which contacts the ground, an insole upon which a foot rests, and a midsole located between the outsole and the insole, wherein the midsole absorbs impact by providing a loose fill material throughout the midsole of the shoe to cushion any force exerted upon the shoe, wherein the loose fill material is bound together with an adhesive.

[0013] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe including an outsole which contacts the ground, an insole upon which a foot rests, and a midsole located between the outsole and the insole, wherein the midsole absorbs impact by providing a loose fill material throughout the midsole of the shoe to cushion any force exerted upon the shoe, wherein the midsole is divided into at least two compartments and each of the compartments is filled with the loose fill material.

Problems solved by technology

The manufacture of shoes using conventional construction methods is a complicated and expensive process.

Early basketball shoes had some rubber cushioning inside them, but nothing advanced and innovative as the modern midsole found in every type of shoe from walking shoes to basketball shoes.

These innovations range from improved foam midsoles to very complicated air and fluid systems.

While these increasingly complicated midsoles may improve performance, the cost to manufacture these shoes has increased exponentially.

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