Insert for article of footwear and method for producing the insert
AssigneeNew Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.
InventorsEdith Weiss, Patrick Choe, Sean Murphy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An insert for footwear which has improved durability and pliability and satisfies a thumb test of pliability when exposed along the sides of the footwear. The insert comprises a compressible core at least partially surrounded by a flexible casing. The flexible casing has an open window of a size which is sufficient for insertion of the compressible core into the flexible casing but leaving sufficient material to hold the compressible core. The peripheral portion of the flexible casing is spaced from at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the compressible core, while not interfering with the foot applying pressure to the compressible core. A method for making the insert is also provided.
Claims63
An insert for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a compressible core allowing pressure to be applied thereon by a foot, said compressible core having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral surface;
- and
- a flexible casing for surrounding at least a portion of said compressible core, said flexible casing having a top portion, a bottom portion and a peripheral portion, said flexible casing having an open window, said open window having a size which is sufficient for insertion of said compressible core into said flexible casing but leaving sufficient material to hold said compressible core, said peripheral portion of said flexible casing being spaced from at least a portion of said peripheral surface of said compressible core, while not interfering with said foot applying pressure to said compressible core.
An article of footwear, comprising
- a sole, said sole having a portion formed to receive an insert;
- and
- an insert mounted in said portion formed to receive an insert, said insert comprising:
- a compressible core allowing pressure to be applied thereon by a foot, said compressible core having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral surface;
- and
- a flexible casing for surrounding at least a portion of said compressible core, said flexible casing having a top portion, a bottom portion and a peripheral portion, said flexible casing having an open window, said open window having a size which is sufficient for insertion of said compressible core into said flexible casing but leaving sufficient material to hold said compressible core, said peripheral portion of said flexible casing being spaced from at least a portion of said peripheral surface of said compressible core, while not interfering with said foot applying pressure to said compressible core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.