Patent ID: 6205683
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
A shoe for a wearer having a foot with a bottom contour, the shoe having a heel area, an arch area and a forepart area and comprising:a combination insole board;an upper having a lasting margin at the heel area and a feather edge at the forepart area, the upper being lasted to the combination insole board;an outsole attached to the upper; anda midsole having a top face, wherein the midsole is positioned between the combination insole board and the outsole;wherein the combination insole board comprises:a semi-rigid shock diffusion plate positioned exclusively in the heel and arch areas of the shoe contoured to approximately match the bottom contour of the wearer's foot to permit the diffusion of the force placed on the shoe during heel strike by the wearer;wherein the semi-rigid shock diffusion plate has a top surface, a bottom surface, a central portion and a substantially U-shaped periphery, wherein the bottom surface is positioned on the top face of the midsole;wherein the upper extends along an outer portion of the periphery of the shock diffusion plate and the bottom surface of the shock diffusion plate is attached to the lasting margin;wherein the central portion of the shock diffusion plate is integrally formed with and extends contiguously within the periphery such that no opening is formed within the periphery;wherein the bottom surface of the semi-rigid shock diffusion plate is substantially flat, the top surface at the periphery is curved upward, away from the central portion such that the top surface forms a cavity to cradle the wearer's foot;a flexible material fixedly attached to the semi-rigid shock diffusion plate and positioned in the forepart area of the shoe on at least a portion of the midsole.