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  Cushioning system for footwearUSPTO Application #: 20070113425Title: Cushioning system for footwear Abstract: A midsole for footwear includes at least one solid or hollow cushioning tube positioned therein for improving the cushioning of the midsole. Preferably, the midsole includes a plurality of cushioning tubes fabricated of an elastomeric material. The tubes may vary in diameter and/or wall thickness relative to one another for varying the cushioning and stability characteristics of the system. Each tube may also vary in diameter and/or wall thickness along its length. (end of abstract) Agent: Patent Department Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP - New York, NY, US Inventors: Gary Wakley, James Lin, Thomas Gray, Steve Davis USPTO Applicaton #: 20070113425 - Class: 036028000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Soles, Cushion The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070113425. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a cushioning means for the midsole of an athletic shoe, and more particularly, where the design of the device can be altered in such a way as to provide different amounts of cushioning in different locations along the midsole of the shoe. [0003] This invention relates to an improved footwear cushioning system. In particular, it is made from tubular shaped inserts located within the midsole of the shoe, for example, in the forefoot and/or heel areas. These tubular inserts provide a variance in the cushioning and stability of the midsole, and can be altered in such a way to provide specific cushioning, or if desired, more stability in specific locations. [0004] Stability of an athletic shoe is very important in preventing the rolling over of the foot, called pronation or supination. The cushioning means should not jeopardize the stability of the shoe. With the present design, stability is not sacrificed and cushioning is enhanced. [0005] In addition, there are distinctively different cushioning and stability needs in different areas of the midsole of the shoe. The present invention is designed to provide the preferred amount of cushioning and stability to the midsole of a shoe in the forefoot and heel areas. [0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0007] Footwear cushioning is one of the most important features of an athletic shoe where constant striking of the foot to the ground can cause discomfort and injury. There have been numerous designs to improve cushioning, most of which have focused on the materials below the foot known (in descending order) as the sock liner, insole, midsole, and outsole. The first part directly below the foot is the sock liner, which can be made from a softer, more shock absorbent material like a resilient foam or elastomeric material. Below this is the insole, which is a more firm platform to which the upper, consisting of fabric, leather, etc., is stitched. Directly below this is the midsole, which is typically the thickest portion and commonly uses a resilient foam material and therefore offers the most alternatives to cushioning technology. Finally, below the midsole is the outsole, which is the portion which contacts the ground and needs to be harder with a tread pattern to offer traction and durability. [0008] An alternative midsole design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,898,870 to Kita, who describes a corrugated sheet inside the midsole which can vary in stiffness to provide varying cushioning and stability means. This design is limited in that it cannot vary the cushioning to particular areas, and is less effective in the forefoot area where the midsole is of a minimal thickness. [0009] Another alternative cushioning means is described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,898,870 to Rohde, who achieves cushioning by using columnar support elements, each with an aperture to control the compliance or cushioning of each support element, with the option of using plugs inserted into the apertures to further control the compliance of the support elements. This design is limited by the requirement of using these columnar support elements, which limit the direction of the cushioning and stability means to basically a vertical up and down action. [0010] Still another alternative design for improving the cushioning of an athletic shoe is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,509 to Wu, who describes a shoe sock liner design which incorporates a resilient material with a plurality of cavities to provide shock absorption means. This design is again limited by the thickness of the sock liner, which traditionally is much thinner than the midsole of a shoe. [0011] The shoe cushioning system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of improved cushioning while maintaining stability as well as improved appearance. [0012] Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for an improved athletic shoe cushioning systems. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] In view of the foregoing commonality inherent in the known types of cushioning for footwear of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved footwear cushioning system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved footwear cushioning system which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. [0014] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. [0015] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. [0016] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [0017] The present invention provides a new and improved cushioning for footwear which has all of the advantages of the prior art of known designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages. [0018] The present invention provides a new and improved cushioning for footwear which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. [0019] The present invention provides a new and improved cushioning for footwear which is of durable and reliable construction. [0020] The present invention provides a new and improved cushioning for footwear which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such footwear economically available to the buying public. [0021] The present invention provides a footwear cushioning system that can provide specific stability means to various locations of the heel and forefoot areas. [0022] The present invention provides an improved footwear cushioning system that can be adapted to athletic shoes for court sports as well as to running and walking shoes. Continue reading... Full patent description for Cushioning system for footwear Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Cushioning system for footwear patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Cushioning system for footwear or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Overshoes with raised inner surface portions and slip resistant sole portions for use on primary footwear Next Patent Application: Skateboard shoe Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Cushioning system for footwear patent info. 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