Patent ID: 6598320
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
Footwear comprising:(a) a midsole formed of a shock absorbing material, said midsole having a heel region, a medial side, a lateral side and top and bottom surfaces; (b) a first shock absorbing plate having a top and a bottom surface, the top surface of said first shock absorbing plate being disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the midsole at the heel region and extending from the medial to the lateral side of the midsole, said first shock absorbing plate having an elongated, resilient deflectable segment disposed intermediate said medial and lateral sides thereof; (c) a second shock absorbing plate having a top and a bottom surface extending from the medial to the lateral side of the midsole and having a second elongated, resilient deflectable segment intermediate said medial and lateral sides thereof, said second deflectable segment being disposed adjacent the bottom surface of said first shock absorbing plate in alignment with the first deflectable segment of said first shock absorbing plate; (d) a compressible, medial stabilizing pod being disposed between said first and second shock absorbing plates along the medial side of the midsole in contact with the bottom surface of said first shock absorbing plate and said top surface of said second shock absorbing plate; and (e) a compressible, lateral stabilizing pod being disposed between the first and second shock absorbing plates on the lateral side of the midsole and in contact with the bottom surface of said first shock absorbing plate and the top surface of said second shock absorbing plate.