Patent ID: 7627961
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
1. A sole assembly comprising: a midsole made of resilient cushion material and having an upper support surface configured to support a plantar region of a human foot, a lower surface and a sidewall connecting the upper and lower surfaces; an outsole provided on the lower surface and configured to provide traction with a ground surface; at least one sidewall hole provided in the sidewall, wherein the at least one sidewall hole is provided at a predetermined position in the sidewall in order to accommodate a characteristic of the foot; a bottom hole extending through the outsole through the sole assembly to said upper surface, said bottom hole being in fluid communication with the at least one sidewall hole and an area external to the outsole; a heel cushion disposed on a heel region of the midsole on a side of the midsole opposite the outsole and having a softness greater than a softness of the midsole and extending no farther forward than the at least one sidewall hole; and a semi-rigid heel cradle coupled to the upper support surface and configured to cradle and support a heel region of the foot from beneath the foot and to support a plurality of sides of the foot when the foot is rested in a heel area of the sole assembly, wherein the heel cradle extends from the heel portion to a midfoot portion of the sole assembly, and overlaps said at least one sidewall hole, wherein the cradle has a stiffness different than a stiffness of the midsole and extends from a rear of the midsole to a point no more than half-way to a front of the midsole, and wherein the heel cushion is sandwiched between the heel cradle and the midsole.