Patent ID: 6233847
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
An article of footwear having an insole assembly, said insole assembly comprising:A substantially soft, resiliently compressible cushioning blank member having an upper surface for engaging a plantar surface of a foot and a bottom surface for engaging a sole of said article of footwear; anda U-shaped, substantially rigid, resiliently flexible cap member having a rearfoot portion which extends around a heel end of said blank member and medial and lateral side portions which extend forwardly from said rearfoot portion on opposite sides of a central opening in said cap member, said cap member having a relatively thin, substantially uniform thickness and comprising:a support wall which extends generally upwardly in engagement with an outer edge of said cushioning blank member; andfirst and second support flanges which extend inwardly along said medial and lateral side portions of said cap member in engagement with said bottom surface of said blank member so as to provide relatively greater rigidity and support beneath selected medial and lateral areas of a wearer's foot;said first and second flanges being separated by said central opening in said cap member, so that a central portion of said bottom surface of said blank member is unsupported by said rigid cap member so as to provide relatively greater cushioning beneath a selected central area of a wearer's foot.