Patent DE672195C successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4759136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Athletic shoe with dynamic cradle
Assignee: Reebok International Ltd
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Filing: 1987-02-06
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Granted: 1988-07-26
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Expires: 2007-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight athletic shoe includes a midsole of compressible material having portions of differing hardness which limit overpronation and effectively absorb shock while conforming to the shape of the foot. The midsole includes a central portion of relatively soft material, a lower peripheral portion of intermediate hardness extending around the central portion in the heel region and forward along each side to the toe region, and a raised upper peripheral portion of relatively hard material located above the lower peripheral portion and extending forward to the ball region of the midsole. The central portion conforms to the contour of the foot so that the force is uniformly distributed, while the peripheral portions cradle the sides of the foot so as to limit overpronation and oversupination.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas Stewart
- 👤 Juan A. Diaz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 00:36
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B7/00; A43B7/14; A43B7/1405; A43B7/1415; A43B7/142; A43B13/00; A43B13/14; A43B13/141; A43B13/18; A43B13/187; A43B17/00; A43B17/16; A43B7/144; A43B7/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
Footwear, comprising: an upper and a sole, said sole including an outsole and a midsole of compressible material and having a heel region and a toe region, said midsole including a central portion of relatively soft material, a lower peripheral portion of intermediate hardness extending around the central portion in the heel region and forward along each side of the central portion to the toe region, and an upper peripheral portion of relatively hard material located above said lower peripheral portion and extending from the heel region forward along each side of said central portion, whereby the central portion absorbs shock by conforming to the contour of the foot so that the force is uniformly distributed, while the peripheral portions cradle the sides of the foot so as to limit overpronation and oversupination.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
Footwear, comprising: an upper and a sole, said sole including an outsole and a midsole of compressible material and having a heel region and a toe region, said midsole including a central portion of relatively soft material, a lower peripheral portion of intermediate hardness extending around the central portion in the heel region and forward along each side of the central portion to the toe region, and an upper peripheral portion of relatively hard material located above said lower peripheral portion and extending from the heel region forward along each side of said central portion, whereby the central portion absorbs shock by conforming to the contour of the foot so that the force is uniformly distributed, while the peripheral portions cradle the sides of the foot so as to limit overpronation and oversupination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Footwear as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper peripheral portion is raised above the surface of said central portion, thereby defining a foot-retaining lip on said midsole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Footwear as defined in claim 2 wherein said foot-retaining lip is tapered in thickness toward the toe region of said midsole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
Footwear as defined in claim 1 wherein said central portion has a hardness in the region between 35 and 75 Asker C durometer, said lower peripheral portion has a hardness in the range between 40 and 80 Asker C durometer and said upper peripheral portion has a hardness in the range between 45 and 85 Asker C durometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
Footwear as defined in claim 1 wherein said central portion has a hardness in the range between 50 and 60 Asker C durometer, said lower peripheral portion has a hardness in the range between 55 and 65 Asker C durometer and said upper peripheral portion has a hardness in the range between 60 and 70 Asker C durometer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
Footwear as defined in claim 1 wherein said central portion has a hardness of about 55 Asker C durometer, said lower peripheral portion has a hardness of about 60 Asker C durometer and said upper peripheral portion has a hardness of about 65 Asker C durometer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Footwear as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower peripheral portion includes a medial side and a lateral side and wherein the medial side has a greater overall hardness than the lateral side.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Footwear as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower peripheral portion has a width in the range between 2 mm and 25 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Footwear as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower peripheral portion has a width in the range between 8 mm and 12 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
Footwear as defined in claim 1 wherein said midsole comprises ethyl vinyl acetate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
Footwear as defined in claim 1 wherein the intersection between the lower peripheral portion and the upper peripheral portion is angled downwardly and outwardly away from the central portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
Footwear as defined in claim 1 wherein said midsole comprises polyurethane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
Footwear as defined in claim 1 wherein said midsole comprises rubber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
An athletic shoe sole comprising: an outsole and a midsole of compressible material and having a heel region and a toe region, said midsole including a central portion of relatively soft material, a lower peripheral portion of intermediate hardness extending around the central portion in the heel region and forward along each side of the central portion to the toe region, and an upper peripheral portion of relatively hard material located above said lower peripheral portion and extending from the heel region forward along each side of said central portion, whereby the central portion absorbs shock by conforming to the contour of the foot so that the force is uniformly distributed, while the peripheral portions cradle the sides of the foot so as to limit overpronation and oversupination.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
An athletic shoe sole comprising: an outsole and a midsole of compressible material and having a heel region and a toe region, said midsole including a central portion of relatively soft material, a lower peripheral portion of intermediate hardness extending around the central portion in the heel region and forward along each side of the central portion to the toe region, and an upper peripheral portion of relatively hard material located above said lower peripheral portion and extending from the heel region forward along each side of said central portion, whereby the central portion absorbs shock by conforming to the contour of the foot so that the force is uniformly distributed, while the peripheral portions cradle the sides of the foot so as to limit overpronation and oversupination.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
An athletic shoe as defined in claim 14 wherein said central portion has a hardness in the range between 35 and 75 Asker C durometer, said lower peripheral portion has a hardness in the range between 40 and 80 Asker C durometer and said upper peripheral portion has a hardness in the range between 45 and 85 Asker C durometer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
An athletic shoe as defined in claim 14 wherein said central portion has a hardness in the range between 50 and 60 Asker C durometer, said lower peripheral portion has a hardness in the range between 55 and 65 Asker C durometer and said upper peripheral portion has a hardness in the range between 60 and 70 Asker C durometer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-07-26 | 1992-01-25 | 1992-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-26 | 1996-01-25 | 1996-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-26 | 2000-01-25 | 2000-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |