Shoe and Method of Manufacture

Abstract

A shoe, and method of manufacture, comprised of (i) a shoe upper having an arrangement of holes in the bottom surface, (ii) an outer sole having an arrangement of holes corresponding to the arrangement of holes in the bottom surface of the shoe upper, and (iii) an inner sole disposed within the shoe upper, the inner sole having a plurality of pegs that extend from its bottom surface that are arranged in alignment with the arrangement of holes in the shoe upper and outer sole when the inner sole is disposed within the shoe upper, each peg extending downwardly through its associated hole in the shoe upper and the outer sole, so that, in the preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of each peg is exposed to, and forms part of, bottom surface of the shoe.

Description

IMPROVED SHOE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE[0001]The present invention relates to a new and improved shoe and a novel method of manufacture that is more efficient, less costly and safer than the prior art.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Shoe manufacturers strive to produce products that are comfortable, lightweight, sturdy, durable, shock absorbent and breathable, yet inexpensive. Incorporating all of these characteristics in a single shoe, however, has been difficult to achieve without employing manufacturing techniques that are expensive, labor intensive and time-consuming, and which sometimes employ hazardous manufacturing materials and methods, such as the use of glues or sealants, which may produce toxic fumes and which require time-consuming cooling during manufacture.[0003]Simpler manufacturing techniques, such as those employed in the manufacture of “flip-flops” (an example of which is disclosed in publication number US 2009 / 0044423 to Amsterdam) result in reduced manufacturing...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]It is therefore an object of the present invention to produce a relatively high-quality shoe and a novel method of manufacture that is more efficient, less costly and safer than the prior art.

[0009]The resulting manufacture is a shoe that is comfortable, lightweight, sturdy, durable, shock absorbent and breathable, and which is produced using a manufacturing technique that is efficient, inexpensive, and does not require the use of toxic glues or sealants, resulting in production that is safer, more consistent, and which does not require a cooldown process. The resulting flexible inner sole / foot bed is shock absorbent, lightweight and comfortable and may be made of many different kinds of materials. The shoe produced in accordance with the present invention can employ an upper of any conventional style and have an appropriate pull strength to accommodate multiple activities and durability.

Problems solved by technology

Incorporating all of these characteristics in a single shoe, however, has been difficult to achieve without employing manufacturing techniques that are expensive, labor intensive and time-consuming, and which sometimes employ hazardous manufacturing materials and methods, such as the use of glues or sealants, which may produce toxic fumes and which require time-consuming cooling during manufacture.

Simpler manufacturing techniques, such as those employed in the manufacture of “flip-flops” (an example of which is disclosed in publication number US 2009 / 0044423 to Amsterdam) result in reduced manufacturing costs but do not produce a “shoe,” as opposed to a simple beach sandal or the like, which has limited durability and practical use.

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