Patent ID: 6122844
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
A padded dress shoe comprising:a sole including a generally rigid heel portion defining an open top, the sole having an upper mounted thereon for forming an interior space in which a foot may be inserted;a flexible, thin planar shoe pad situated on the sole within the shoe, thereby affording a closed compartment within the heel portion of the sole with a flexible top face;an open generally D-shaped intermediate sole having an inner periphery defining a generally D-shaped central space, the intermediate sole being interposed between the heel portion and the shoe pad;the intermediate sole having upper and lower faces, the lower face of the intermediate sole facing downwards towards the heel portion and the upper face of the intermediate sole facing upwards towards the shoe pad;the intermediate sole comprising an generally U-shaped rear portion and an arcuate front portion, the rear portion having a pair of ends, the front portion extending between the ends of the rear portion, the front portion having an outwardly facing concavity facing towards a toe end of interior space;the intermediate sole being positioned around an outer periphery of the compartment of the heel portion such that the open top heel portion is exposed through the central space of the intermediate sole;the intermediate sole having a plurality of generally circular holes arranged in a row extending around the inner periphery of the intermediate sole, the holes being spaced apart at generally equal intervals in the row of holes, the holes of the intermediate sole being adapted for extending fasteners therethrough to secure the intermediate sole to the heel portion;the intermediate sole having an elongate tongue forwardly extending from the front portion of the intermediate sole, the tongue of the intermediate sole being positioned beneath the shoe pad and being adapted for helping hold the intermediate sole in position between the heel portion and the shoe pad; anda closed, impermeable cushioned bladder situated within the compartment of the heel portion.