US5042174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Novel shoe sole construction
Assignee: K Swiss Inc
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Filing: 1989-12-01
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Granted: 1991-08-27
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Expires: 2009-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A unitary multilayer sole construction for an athletic shoe in which a stiffening board member is provided between the outsole and the mid-sole of the shoe. The stiffening board member is placed in the rear foot portion of the shoe and immediately adjacent the inner surface of the outsole.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven B. Nichols
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:08
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B13/00; A43B13/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A multilayer shoe sole construction which comprises, in combination: as a first layer a resilient outsole lying generally in a single plane, and forming an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface having a rear foot portion, extending from behind the ball of the foot of a wearer and ending at the heel of the wearer, and a frontal foot portion; as a second layer, immediately adjacent to and overlying substantially the entire said rear foot portion of said inner surface of said outsole but not overlying any of said front foot portion, a single, thin, sheet of substantially inflexible, board-like, stiffener material lying parallel to said entire signal planar outsole; as a third layer, a relatively thick, resiliently flexible cushioning mid-sole member directly overlying both said second layer of material and said frontal foot portion of said first layer; and as a fourth layer, immediately overlying said midsole member, a resiliently flexible inner sole.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A multilayer shoe sole construction which comprises, in combination: as a first layer a resilient outsole lying generally in a single plane, and forming an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface having a rear foot portion, extending from behind the ball of the foot of a wearer and ending at the heel of the wearer, and a frontal foot portion; as a second layer, immediately adjacent to and overlying substantially the entire said rear foot portion of said inner surface of said outsole but not overlying any of said front foot portion, a single, thin, sheet of substantially inflexible, board-like, stiffener material lying parallel to said entire signal planar outsole; as a third layer, a relatively thick, resiliently flexible cushioning mid-sole member directly overlying both said second layer of material and said frontal foot portion of said first layer; and as a fourth layer, immediately overlying said midsole member, a resiliently flexible inner sole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a multilayer shoe construction having a relatively hard outer sole consisting of a rear foot portion, extending from behind the ball of the foot of a wearer and ending at the heel of the wearer, and a front foot portion, both said rear foot portion and said front foot portion of said outsole lying generally in a single plane, a resiliently flexible mid-sole and a relatively soft, resiliently flexible inner sole, the improvement which comprises: the addition of a single thin, relatively rigid, non-resilient, sheet of board-like stiffener material held between the outer sole and the mid-sole and overlying substantially the entire rear foot portion of said outer sole but not overlying any of said front foot portion, said sheet of board-like stiffener material lying parallel to both said rear foot portion and said front portion of said entire single planar outsole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a multilayer shoe construction having a relatively hard outer sole consisting of a rear foot portion, extending from behind the ball of the foot of a wearer and ending at the heel of the wearer, and a front foot portion, both said rear foot portion and said front foot portion of said outsole lying generally in a single plane, a resiliently flexible mid-sole and a relatively soft, resiliently flexible inner sole, the improvement which comprises: the addition of a single thin, relatively rigid, non-resilient, sheet of board-like stiffener material held between the outer sole and the mid-sole and overlying substantially the entire rear foot portion of said outer sole but not overlying any of said front foot portion, said sheet of board-like stiffener material lying parallel to both said rear foot portion and said front portion of said entire single planar outsole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multilayer shoe sole construction of claim 1 wherein the first, second and third layers are integrated into one unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multilayer shoe of claim 1 wherein the first layer is made of material selected from rubber of plastic materials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multilayer shoe sole construction of claim 1 wherein the third layer provides a cushioning effect to the wearer of the shoe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The multilayer shoe sole construction of claim 1 wherein the first, second and third layers are integrated into a single unit, and said fourth layer is separable from said integrated first, second and third layers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The multilayer shoe sole construction of claim 1 wherein a fifth flexible fabric layer is interposed between said third and fourth layers, said flexible fabric layer being affixed to a shoe upper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The multilayer shoe sole construction of claim 2 wherein said mid-sole provides a cushioning effect to the wearer of the shoe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The multilayer shoe sole construction of claim 2 wherein said outsole, said rigid, non-resilient sheet of board-like material, and said mid-sole are integrated into a single unit, and said inner sole is separable from said single unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The multilayer shoe sole construction of claim 2 wherein a fifth flexible fabric layer is interposed between said mid-sole and said inner sole, said flexible fabric layer being affixed to a shoe upper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-26 | 1995-02-25 | 1995-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-26 | 1999-02-25 | 1999-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-26 | 2003-02-25 | 2003-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |