A sports shoe including cushioning for the foot of the wearer in which the cushioning is formed by a sheath of weldable plastics film material, the space within the sheath, which may be filled with a foam, being externally closed by at least one weld applied at the edge of the sheath.
An athletic shoe, such as for track or basketball, is described having an upper formed of at least two upper sections made of different material joined together and to a sole member. Preferably the upper includes an upper section of synthetic material which does not overlap the other upper section to which it is joined, except at the junction along their joined edges. One of the upper sections is a toe section made of leather and joined to a heel upper section made of a synthetic woven fabric, such as nylon, to give the comfort and close fit of leather, along with the strength, reduced weight and weather resistance of synthetic fabric. However, it is also possible to make the two upper sections of other materials, including vinyl. In addition, a cover strip including a layer of synthetic foam material and a backing layer of fabric, such as nylon, is provided over the inner surface of the junction formed by the overlapping edges of two upper sections where they are joined together to provide greater comfort and additional reinforcing support for the arch of the shoe.
A sole unit for footwear such as an athletic shoe includes an integral midsole/wedge or a wedge for use with a midsole. The integral midsole/wedge unit and the wedge for use with a midsole both are formed by a shell and an encapsulated core. The shell and core comprise plastic materials which have individual strengths and weaknesses in a shoe construction, yet provide, as a composite improved results in a shock dispersion and memory system. In a second aspect, the integral midsole/wedge is a single density or a two-density unit precompressed from a low density material.
4654983 - Sole construction for footwear - Owned by New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. (Boston, MA) [*] Notice:The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to November 12, 2002 has been disclaimed.
The manufacture of a sole unit for footwear, such as an athletic shoe including an integral midsole/wedge or a separable wedge for use with a midsole. The integral midsole/wedge unit and the separable wedge comprise a shell and a core at least partially encapsulated within the shell. In the manufacture the core is supported in a mold by a plurality of pins extending from an upper and lower mold half toward a parting line; or the core is supported on one or the other of an outsole or insole of the sole unit and closed in the mold. The material of the shell is poured or injected into the mold.
