Abstract:
A footwear lower is presented which provides cushion support and lateral stability in a lightweight construction. The lower may include a primary midsole, cushion elements, a rear lower midsole, a directional cradle, and an outsole. The cushions may be located in the between the directional cradle and the rear lower midsole. Various embodiments of cushions are presented and may be consistent with specific types of shoes such as running trainers, trail shoes, general fitness footwear, or basketball shoes. The lower may be consistent with approaches to remediate a wearer&#39;s pronation or supination.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to footwear having an upper and a lower, more specifically to a cushion structure integrated as part of the lower. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The modern shoe is a combination of various components which all have a critical function in the performance of the shoe. Each component must work closely as a system for the support, comfort, and protection of the user&#39;s foot. There are specialized shoes designed for athletes in very different activities from: road running, hiking, general fitness, and basketball. Each of these shoes are designed to provide a special blend of performance related to traction, support, comfort, and protection. Shoes are also designed for the physical characteristics of the wearer such as the user&#39;s weight, shoe size and gait (i.e. over pronation, supination, flat-footed). Specifically, the weight, cushioning, lateral stability characteristics of a shoe can be a strong determinant of performance because they may directly impact an athlete&#39;s speed, endurance, and sure-footing. 
         [0005]    There has been many attempts to create cushion devices in the shoe to improve shock absorption yet these efforts have produced insufficient lateral stability or unnecessarily heavy shoes that are inadequate for serious athletes and active people. 
         [0006]    Although foregoing efforts have met with varying degrees of success, there remains an unresolved need for a lower for athletic footwear with improved shock absorption, lateral stability, and low weight. The problem is that previous shoe technology does not provide the level of shock and shear force absorption required by the wearer for demanding applications without an unacceptable thicker sole, greater weight, or loss of lateral stability. There are additional issues to consider such as changes to the bending and twisting characteristics of the shoe as shock absorbing materials are used that might compromise measures to control pronation or other undesirable walking or running characteristics of the wearer. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    One aspect of the present invention is to address and resolve the above limitations with conventional footwear wherein the integration of shock absorption elements unsatisfactorily compromises lateral stability, increases the weight, or increases the thickness of the midsole. 
         [0008]    In a first aspect, the present invention may include a lower shoe adapted to be attached to an upper. The lower may include a primary midsole, a directional cradle, a set of three cushion elements, a rear lower midsole, and a rear outsole. The primary midsole may be sized to be the full length of the wearer&#39;s foot. The cradle may be attached to the primary midsole in a location corresponding to a wearer&#39;s heel. The set of cushion elements may be configured to be attached at separate mounting surfaces located on the bottom of the directional cradle. The bottom sides of the cushion elements may be attached to three separate mounting surfaces on the rear lower midsole. The outsole having one or more pieces, may be adapted to be attached to bottoms of the rear lower midsole, directional cradle and primary midsole. The components may be attached together using a cement glue or a general epoxy adhesive. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the lower may include a full-length primary midsole, a directional cradle, a first cushion, a second cushion, a rear lower midsole, and a one-piece outsole. The directional cradle may be attached to the rear bottom of the primary midsole. The first and second cushions may be attached to the bottom of the cradle. The first cushion may be larger than the second cushion. The first cushion may be attached to a bottom mounting surface on the cradle corresponding to both the inner and rear sections of the shoe. The second cushion may be attached to a bottom mounting surface on the cradle corresponding to the outer section of the shoe. The top of the rear lower midsole may have a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface where the first and second cushions may be attached respectively. The outsole may be attached only to the rear lower midsole and the primary midsole. The components may be attached together using a cement glue or a general epoxy adhesive. 
         [0010]    In yet a third aspect, the lower may include a full-length primary midsole, a directional cradle, a first cushion, a second cushion, a third cushion, an outer rear lower midsole, an inner rear lower midsole, and an outsole. The directional cradle may be attached to the primary midsole. The first cushion may be attached to the bottom side of the cradle and near the inner lateral side of the shoe. The second and third cushions may be attached to the bottom side of the cradle and near the outer lateral side of the shoe. The inner rear lower midsole may be attached to the bottom of the first cushion. The outer rear lower midsole may be attached to the bottoms of the second and third cushions. The outsole may be attached to the primary midsole, the cradle, the inner rear lower midsole, and the outer rear lower midsole. The components may be attached using a cement glue or a general epoxy adhesive. 
         [0011]    In the next aspect, the lower may include a full-length primary midsole, a directional cradle, a single cushion, a rear lower midsole, and a two-piece outsole. The directional cradle may be attached to the rear bottom of the primary midsole. The cushion may be attached to the bottom of the cradle and the primary midsole. The top of the rear lower midsole may have a mounting surface where the cushion may be attached. The pieces of the outsole may be attached to the rear lower midsole, the cradle, and the primary midsole. The components may be attached together using a cement glue or a general epoxy adhesive. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect, there may be a multi-piece outsole or a multi-piece primary midsole included as part of the lower. 
         [0013]    As should be apparent, the invention can provide a number of advantageous features and benefits. It is to be understood that, in practicing the invention, an embodiment can be constructed to include one or more features or benefits of embodiments disclosed herein, but not others. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the preferred embodiments discussed herein are provided as examples and are not to be construed as limiting, particularly since embodiments can be formed to practice the invention that do not include each of the features of the disclosed examples. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The invention will be better understood from reading the description which follows and from examining the accompanying figures. These are provided solely as non-limiting examples of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an upper and a lower of a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a toe box, a vamp, and a counter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top inner view of the lower of a shoe according to the first embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top inner view of shoe directions relative to a left foot disposed within a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of a primary midsole according to an embodiment of the present invention with the foot and a set of associated foot bones superimposed on the primary midsole; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded lower of a shoe according to a top inner view of a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom inner view of the primary midsole according to the first embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates a top inner view of a directional cradle and a cushion interface of a shoe according to the first embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom inner view of the directional cradle and the cushion interface according to the first embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates a top inner view of a rear lower midsole according to the first embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  illustrates a bottom inner view of the rear lower midsole according to the first embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12A  illustrates a top view of a rear lower midsole according to the first embodiment showing sectionals and the perimeter of the primary midsole superimposed on the rear lower midsole; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12B  illustrates a first sectional view of the rear lower midsole according to the first embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12C  illustrates a second sectional view of the rear lower midsole according to the first embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12D  illustrates a third sectional view of the rear lower midsole according to the first embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  illustrates a top inner view of an outsole according to the first embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  illustrates a bottom outer view of the outsole according to the first embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  illustrates a top outer view of a lower according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  illustrates a bottom view of the lower according to the second embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  illustrates an outer lateral view of the lower according to the second embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  illustrates an exploded top outer view of the lower according to the second embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  illustrates a top outer view of a directional cradle and a primary midsole interface according to the second embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIG. 20  illustrates a bottom outer view of the directional cradle and the primary midsole interface according to the second embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 21  illustrates a top outer view of the directional cradle and a cushion interface according to the second embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 22  illustrates a bottom outer view of the directional cradle and the cushion interface according to the second embodiment; 
           [0040]      FIG. 23A  illustrates a top inner view of a rear lower midsole and the cushion interface according to the second embodiment; 
           [0041]      FIG. 23B  illustrates a top view of a rear lower midsole according to the first embodiment showing sectionals and the perimeter of the primary midsole superimposed on the rear lower midsole; 
           [0042]      FIG. 23C  illustrates a first sectional view of the rear lower midsole according to the first embodiment; 
           [0043]      FIG. 23D  illustrates a second sectional view of the rear lower midsole according to the first embodiment; 
           [0044]      FIG. 23E  illustrates a third sectional view of the rear lower midsole according to the first embodiment; 
           [0045]      FIG. 24  illustrates a bottom outer view of the rear lower midsole and the cushion interface according to the second embodiment; 
           [0046]      FIG. 25  illustrates a top outer view of an outsole according to the second embodiment; 
           [0047]      FIG. 26  illustrates a bottom view of the outsole according to the second embodiment; 
           [0048]      FIG. 27  illustrates a bottom view of a primary midsole according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 28  illustrates a bottom view of the primary midsole and a directional cradle attached according to the third embodiment; 
           [0050]      FIG. 29  illustrates a bottom view of the primary midsole, the directional cradle, and a set of three cushions attached according to the third embodiment; 
           [0051]      FIG. 30  illustrates a bottom view of the primary midsole, the directional cradle, the set of three cushions, an outer rear lower midsole, and an inner rear lower midsole attached according to the third embodiment; 
           [0052]      FIG. 31  illustrates a bottom view of the primary midsole, the directional cradle, the set of three cushions, the outer rear lower midsole, the inner rear lower midsole, and an outsole attached according to the third embodiment; 
           [0053]      FIG. 32  illustrates an inner lateral view of the third embodiment; 
           [0054]      FIG. 33  illustrates a back view of the third embodiment; 
           [0055]      FIG. 34A  illustrates a top view of the inner rear lower midsole and the outer rear lower midsole arranged in relative positions as if attached according to the third embodiment, as well as and the perimeter of the primary midsole superimposed on the inner rear lower midsole and the outer rear lower midsole; 
           [0056]      FIG. 34B  illustrates a first sectional view of the rear lower midsole according to the third embodiment; 
           [0057]      FIG. 34C  illustrates a second sectional view of the rear lower midsole according to the third embodiment; 
           [0058]      FIG. 34D  illustrates a third sectional view of the rear lower midsole according to the third embodiment; 
           [0059]      FIG. 35A  illustrates an exploded top inner view of the lower according to the fourth embodiment; 
           [0060]      FIG. 35B  illustrates an exploded bottom inner view of the lower according to the second embodiment; 
           [0061]      FIG. 36A  illustrates a top view of a rear lower midsole according to the fourth embodiment showing sectionals and the perimeter of the primary midsole superimposed on the rear lower midsole; 
           [0062]      FIG. 36B  illustrates a first sectional view of the rear lower midsole according to the fourth embodiment; 
           [0063]      FIG. 36C  illustrates a second sectional view of the rear lower midsole according to the fourth embodiment; and 
           [0064]      FIG. 36D  illustrates a third sectional view of the rear lower midsole according to the fourth embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0065]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference characters will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0066]      FIG. 1  illustrates a left athletic shoe  1  resting on the ground  2  consistent with the present invention. A three dimensional axis shows X and Y directions as horizontal directions with respect to the ground and Z as a vertical direction. The shoe  1  has a top  3  and bottom  4 . The shoe  1  includes both an upper  5  and a lower  6 .  FIG. 2  illustrates various embodiments of the upper including a toe box  7 , a vamp  8 , and a counter  9 . The toe box  7  demarcates the area overlying the wearer&#39;s toes. The toe box may be made deeper to provide more room for the wearer&#39;s toes to move. The vamp  8  may be the shoe component covering the arch of the shoe and serves as the bridge between the toe box  7  and an opening  19  of the shoe where the wearer&#39;s foot  18  may be inserted or withdrawn from the shoe. A snug vamp  8  may be preferable to prevent the wearer&#39;s heel from slipping during use. The counter  9  may be the back part of the upper  5  which wraps around the heel of the wearer&#39;s foot  18 . Other embodiments of an upper may have no counter or toe box. 
         [0067]    The upper  5  includes an opening  19  through which a wearer&#39;s foot  18  may be inserted into a shoe. The opening  19  may be loosened or tightened upon a portion of the wearer&#39;s foot using a variety of closures including laces, buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, and other means. An upper consistent with this disclosure may also be an assembly that merely serves the purpose of attaching the lower to the sole of the foot for a desired time period. The upper  5  may be made of various materials to optimize shoe performance in certain conditions such as leather, canvas, or synthetic materials such as plastic, artificial suede, synthetic leather, nylon weave, nylon mesh, or the like. The components of the upper  5  may be attached using stitching, or an adhesive, such as a cement glue. 
         [0068]    The lower  6  may include a footbed, a midsole, and an outsole. In one embodiment the footbed may include a full length insole made of a structural member, such as cardboard, to provide stability in a construction that is known as “board lasting.” The softer the insole, the less torsional stability (lengthwise twist) will be exhibited by the shoe. The firmer the insole (cardboard) the more structure and stability will be exhibited by the shoe. Pronators, supinators or people whose feet collapse excessively may typically select shoes with a cardboard last to provide extra stability. 
         [0069]    Another embodiment, called “slip lasting” replaces the structural member with a cloth structure to maximize flexibility for the shoe to twist. A further embodiment provides may be a “combination last” where the front of the shoe may be slip lasted and the back may be board lasted. Another embodiment may be a construction without the cloth structure as part of the footbed and the upper may be attached to the midsole by sewing or adhesive. The footbed may be the structural foundation of the shoe wherein the upper may be attached to the footbed with the wearer&#39;s foot between a portion of the upper and the insole. A removable sock liner may be used to provide an interface between the wearer&#39;s foot and the top of the footbed structure. 
         [0070]    The outsole may be attached to the footbed via the midsole. The outsole provides the contact surface between the shoe and the ground. The outsole may contain carbon rubber (BRS 1000), solid rubber (blend of synthetic and natural rubber), durable rubber compound (blend of synthetic rubber with other additives), blown rubber (synthetic rubber compound with tiny air pockets), gum rubber (natural and synthetic rubber blend with a natural tan color), and the like. Carbon rubber may be harder and more durability than blown rubber; however, the later may provide additional cushioning and “road feel.” An assortment of other materials and pigments may also be used to produce different textures and colors on the outsole. 
         [0071]      FIG. 3  shows a lower  80  consistent with the first embodiment of the present invention. The lower  80  may be better understood by  FIG. 4  which illustrates shoe directions relative to the wearer&#39;s left foot  18 : front  16 , inner lateral (inner)  14 , outer lateral (outer)  15 , and back (rear)  17 . The lower  80  may comprise a primary midsole  20 , a directional cradle  40 , a rear cushion  50 , a front inner cushion  51 , a front outer cushion  52 , a rear lower midsole  60 , a rear outsole  70 , an outer lateral outsole  72 , an inner lateral outsole  71 , and a forefoot outsole  74 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the lower  80  in an exploded view. 
         [0072]      FIG. 7  illustrates a periphery edge  21  as part of the primary midsole  20  that may be adapted to be curved up around the bottom of the heel  510  of the foot  18 . The primary midsole may also have built-in arch support. The primary midsole may include a top surface  516  and a bottom surface  517 . The primary midsole  20  may be a full-length midsole where the top surface  516  may be configured to directly support the entire bottom (plantar) surface of the foot  18 . The top surface  516  may also include various surface locations configured to support foot bones when the foot  18  is inserted within the shoe  1 .  FIG. 5  shows the foot bones superimposed on a primary midsole  20  consistent with the present invention where a first location  511  on the top surface  516  may be configured to support the calcaneous bone of the foot, a second location  514  may be configured to support the namcular bone, a third location  515  may be configured to support the cuboid. The primary midsole may be also configured to support other foot bones. 
         [0073]    The primary midsole  20  may include one or more directional channels in the top surface  516  to encourage the shoe to flex in an advantageous direction. The directional channels may be parallel, substantially parallel, or of the same or varying depths. 
         [0074]    Further, the top surface  516  of the primary midsole  20  may be gradually sloped upward when traveling from the front  16  to the back  17  to enable more shoe structure to be integrated beneath a wearer&#39;s heel  510 . This additional structure may offer different moduli of elasticity, energy absorption, deformation, and wear characteristics than the primary midsole  20 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 7  shows the bottom surface  517  of the primary midsole  20 . The bottom surface  517  may be a generally convex surface and may include various locations to help interface with other components of the shoe  1  such as: a sunken surface  23 , a raised area  24 , a raised surface  25 , an interface surface  26 , a raised area  27 , raised surfaces  28 , and a set of raised edges  29 . The primary midsole  20  may be made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane, compounds having EVA and rubber, polyether urethane, polyester urethane, ethylenevinylacetate/-polyethylene copolymer, polyester elastomer, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene, polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene (SBR), carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR), and the like. 
         [0076]    A directional cradle  40  consistent with this embodiment is shown in  FIG. 8 . The directional cradle may contribute rigidity not provided by the primary midsole  20  and may also encourage shoe flexure in one or more directions to discourage over pronation and over supination, or may provide other advantageous characteristics. The cradle  40  may be made of polyurethane material, tevax, thermoplastic urethane, or the like. The modulus of elasticity of the cradle may be greater than that of the primary midsole  20 . The cradle  40  may have a plurality of openings  41  to interface with a set of corresponding raised areas  28  on the bottom surface of the primary midsole  20 . A top surface  47  of the cradle  40  may be generally concave and may be attached to an interface surface  26  of the primary midsole  20  via a cement glue, an epoxy-based adhesive, or the like. In other embodiments the cradle  40  may be optional. 
         [0077]    The cradle  40  also may have surfaces  43  to interface with the bottom of the primary midsole  20 . The rear  17  portion of the cradle  40  may be contoured to support a wearer&#39;s heel  510 . The front portion  16  of the cradle  40  may be angularly shaped and contoured to support the arch of a foot  18  and may interface with the midsole and outsole. The cradle  40  and primary midsole  20  may be attached together via cement glue, epoxy-based adhesive, or the like. The cradle  40  also includes a set of edges  42  configured to interface with the primary midsole  20  at a set of edges  29  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The cradle  40  may be attached to the primary midsole  20  via cement glue, epoxy-based adhesive, or the like. 
         [0078]      FIG. 8  shows a set of cushions  50 ,  51 , and  52  in this embodiment. The cushions  50 ,  51 , and  52  may be made of the same material or different materials. Other embodiments may include only one or two of these cushions. The cushions may have opposing sides that are parallel or substantially parallel. These cushions may be manufactured using an injection molding process or in sheets to be cut or stamped to the desired final shapes. The shape may be designed to easily contact an interface surface on another footwear component and/or to allow optimal expansion to meet the cushioning objectives of the footwear. The shape of the cushions may be curvilinear. These cushions may be attached to other components using adhesive and/or attached via an interference fit. In the case when the top surface of the cushions  50 ,  51 ,  52  are attached to either the cradle  40  or the primary midsole  20 , the top surfaces  53 ,  54 ,  55  of the cushions may be disposed to have a concave surface to conform with the bottom surface of the primary midsole or the cradle. 
         [0079]    The top surface  53  of the rear cushion  50  interfaces respectively with a shallow depression  44  on the cradle  40  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The top surface  54  of the front inner cushion  51  interfaces respectively with a shallow depression  45  on the cradle  40 . The top surface  55  of the front outer cushion  52  interfaces respectively with a shallow depression  46  on the cradle  40 . All the cushions  50 ,  51 , and  52  may be attached to the cradle  40  via cement glue, epoxy-based adhesive, or the like. The cushions  50 ,  51 , and  52  may be made of polymer gel, polyurethane gel, silicone rubber, thermoplastic rubber, or polyurethane foam, or the like. 
         [0080]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate a rear lower midsole  60  having a set of top surfaces  61 ,  62 , and  63 . The rear lower midsole  60  may have a horseshoe shape and a bottom surface  56  of this component may be substantially flat. The bottom surface  56  of the rear cushion  50  may be attached to the rear lower midsole  60  at top surface  61 . The top surface  61  may be angled according to a geometric line  550  that is tilted down from horizontal at an angle  66  preferably between 16 to 22 degrees in a geometric vertical plane  530  that may be orthogonal to the perimeter of the primary midsole  20  and intersects a calcaneous bone support location  511  as shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B . The bottom surface  57  of the front inner cushion  51  may be attached to the rear lower midsole  60  at the top surface  62 . The top surface  62  may be angled according to a geometric line  551  that is tilted down from horizontal at an angle  67  preferably between 14 to 20 degrees in a geometric vertical plane  531  that may be orthogonal to the perimeter of the primary midsole  20  and intersects a namcular bone support location  514  as shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12C . The bottom surface  58  of the front outer cushion  52  may be attached to the rear lower midsole  60  at top surface  63 . The top surface  63  may be angled according to a geometric line  552  that is tilted down from horizontal at an angle  68  preferably between 18 to 25 degrees in a geometric vertical plane  532  that may be orthogonal to a the perimeter of the primary midsole  20  and intersects the cuboid bone support location  515  as shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12D . The rear lower midsole  60  may be attached to the cushions  50 ,  51 , and  52  via cement glue, epoxy-based adhesive, or the like. The set of cushions  50 ,  51 , and  52  are not directly in contact with each other while attached to the cradle  40  and the rear lower midsole  60 . 
         [0081]    The rear lower midsole  60  may be made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane, compounds having EVA and rubber, polyether urethane, polyester urethane, ethylenevinylacetate/-polyethylene copolymer, polyester elastomer, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene, polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene (SBR), carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR), and the like. The rear lower midsole  60  may have a different density than the primary midsole  20 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 13  illustrates a set of outsole components including: a rear outsole  70 , an inner lateral outsole  71 , an outer lateral outsole  72 , a medial outsole  73 , and a forefoot outsole  74 . The top surface  75  of the rear outsole  70  may be attached to the bottom surface  65  of the rear lower midsole  60 , to the cradle  40  at a set of bottom surfaces  48 , and to the primary midsole  20  at the bottom surface  23 . The inner lateral outsole  71  and the outer lateral outsole  72  may be attached to the primary midsole  20  at surface  23 . The medial outsole  73  may be attached to the primary midsole  20  at surface  23 . Finally, the forefoot outsole  74  may be attached to both the primary midsole  20  at surface  23 . The set of outsole components  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 , and  74  may be attached to the other components via cement glue, epoxy-based adhesive, or the like. The outsole components  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 , and  74  may be made of the same material or a combination of carbon rubber, blown rubber, or the like.  FIG. 14  illustrates the outsole bottom surfaces  90 ,  91 ,  92 ,  93 , and  94  that may be configured to contact the ground  2 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 14  shows a strike point area  95  on the bottom surface  90 . The strike point area  95  may be the location where the rear outsole  70  first comes into contact with the ground  2  when a wearer of the shoe is about to plant the foot  18  on the ground during the start of a new stride while running. The cushion  50  may be disposed between the first support position  511  and the strike point area  95 . The cushion  51  may be disposed between the second support position  514  and a second location on the rear outsole  70  nearest the second support position  514 . The cushion  52  may be disposed between the third support position  515  and a third location on the rear outsole  70  nearest the third support position  515 . 
         [0084]    A second embodiment of a lower  100  may be shown by  FIGS. 15 -17  for use by the wearer&#39;s left foot  18 . This embodiment may be useful for trail shoes for hikers and features a stiffer construction than the first embodiment.  FIG. 18  illustrates the second embodiment which may include a primary midsole  120 , directional cradle  130 , rear inner cushion  140 , front outer cushion  150 , rear lower midsole  160 , and outsole  170 . 
         [0085]    As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the primary midsole  120  in this embodiment has a raised border  122  to partially enclose a wearer&#39;s heel  510  as part of the top surface  127 . The primary midsole  120  may be made from EVA, polyurethane, compounds having EVA and rubber, and the like. 
         [0086]      FIG. 20  illustrates the bottom surface  128  of the primary midsole  120 . The bottom surface  128  includes an interface trench  125  for an interface with the outsole  170  and raised protrusions  126  to interface with the openings  132  on the directional cradle  130 . The cradle  130  also includes a top surface  134  and a bottom surface  135 . The cradle  130  may be made of polyurethane material, thermoplastic urethane, or the like. The cradle  130  may be attached to the primary midsole  120  so that the raised protrusions  126  fit into the openings  132  and the attachment may be established via cement glue, epoxy-based adhesive, or the like. 
         [0087]    The bottom surface  135  of the cradle  130  also includes a mounting surface  136  and a mounting surface  137 . A top surface  141  of rear inner cushion  140  may be shown by  FIG. 21 . This surface  141  may be attached to the mounting surface  136  on the cradle  130 . The mounting surface  136  may be shown in  FIG. 22 . The top surface  151  of front outer cushion  150  may be attached to the mounting surface  137  on the cradle  130 . The cushions  140  and  150  may be made of polymer gel, polyurethane gel, silicone rubber, thermoplastic rubber, polyurethane foam, or the like. 
         [0088]      FIG. 23A  illustrates the rear lower midsole  160  having top surface  161  and top surface  162 . The top surface  161  near the back  17  may be angled according to a geometric line  560  that is tilted down from horizontal at an angle  165  preferably between 15 to 21 degrees in a geometric vertical plane  533  that may be orthogonal to the perimeter of the primary midsole  120  and intersects the calcaneous bone support location  511  as shown in  FIGS. 23B and 23C . The top surface  161  near the inner lateral  14  may be angled according to a geometric line  561  that is tilted down from horizontal at an angle  166  preferably between 20 to 26 degrees in a geometric vertical plane  534  that may be orthogonal to the perimeter of the primary midsole  120  and intersects the namcular bone support location  514  as shown in  FIGS. 23B and 23D . The bottom surface  142  of the rear inner cushion  140  may be attached to the top surface  161  and the bottom surface  152  of the front outer cushion  150  may be attached to the top surface  162 . The top surface  162  may be angled according to a geometric line  562  that tilted down from horizontal at an angle  167  preferably between 15 to 21 degrees in a geometric vertical plane  535  that may be orthogonal to the perimeter of the primary midsole  120  and intersects the cuboid bone support location  515  as shown in  FIGS. 23B and 23E . The rear inner cushion  140  and the front outer cushion  150  may be attached to the cradle  130  and rear lower midsole  160  via cement glue, epoxy-based adhesive, or the like. The set of cushions  140  and  150  may not be directly in contact with each other while attached to the cradle  130  and the rear lower midsole  160 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 24  shows the bottom surface  163  of the rear lower midsole  160 . The outsole  170  may be attached to the bottom surface  163 . The outsole  170  may also be attached via a flat surface  172  to the bottom surface  128  of the primary midsole  120 . An interface trench  125  on the bottom of the primary midsole  120  may be adapted to interface with an elongated protrusion  173  on the top of the outsole  170 . A set of non-pigmented sole knobs  176  and a set of pigmented sole knobs  177  of the outsole  170  may be configured to interface with a set of contoured sides  129  on the primary midsole  120 . The outsole  120  may be attached to the rear lower midsole  160  and primary midsole  120  via cement glue, epoxy-based adhesive, or the like. 
         [0090]      FIG. 16  shows a centerline  101  for the lower  100  of the second embodiment. A bottom surface portion  102  of the primary midsole  120  protrudes through the cradle  130  on the centerline  101 . The bottom surface portion  102  is disposed under the heel  501  when the foot  18  has been inserted within the shoe  1 . The bottom surface  102  of the primary midsole  120  may be free of attachments to the cushions  140 ,  150 , rear lower midsole  160 , and the outsole  170 . The surface  102  of the primary midsole  120  faces the ground  2 , but may not contact the ground  2  when the outsole surface  177  may be in contact with the ground. The heel  501  may experience more lateral stability and other benefits by having the bottom surface  102  unsupported from below  4  as described in this manner. 
         [0091]    In a third embodiment, a lower  200  includes a primary midsole  210 , a directional cradle  230 , an inner cushion  240 , an outer rear cushion  250 , an outer front cushion  260 , an inner rear lower midsole  270 , an outer rear lower midsole  280 , a first outsole  290 , and a second outsole  291 .  FIG. 27  shows a primary midsole  210  having a rear surface  211 , a front raised surface  212 , and a sunken medial surface  213 .  FIG. 28  shows a directional cradle  230  attached to the rear surface  211  illustrated in  FIG. 27 .  FIG. 29  shows the inner cushion  240 , the outer rear cushion  250 , and the outer front cushion  260  attached to the cradle  230  illustrated in  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 30  shows the inner rear lower midsole  270  attached to the inner cushion  240  as illustrated in  FIG. 29 .  FIG. 30  also shows the outer rear lower midsole  280  attached to both the outer rear cushion  250  and outer front cushion  260  as illustrated in  FIG. 29 .  FIG. 31  shows the outsole  290  attached to the inner rear lower midsole  270 .  FIG. 31  also shows the second outsole  291  attached to the outer rear lower midsole  280 , the cradle  230 , and the primary midsole  210 .  FIG. 32  shows this third embodiment from an inner lateral view and  FIG. 33  shows it from the back. 
         [0092]    As illustrated in  FIG. 34A , the outer rear midsole  280  includes a top surface  281  and the inner rear midsole  270  includes a top surface  271 . The outer rear midsole  280  may be made of materials having different firmness and cushioning characteristics than the inner rear midsole  270 . The top surface  281  near the back  17  may be angled according to a geometric line  570  that is tilted down from horizontal at an angle  573  preferably between 34 to 40 degrees in a geometric vertical plane  536  that may be orthogonal to the perimeter of the primary midsole  210  and intersects the calcaneous bone support location  511  as shown in  FIGS. 34A and 34B . The top surface  271  near the inner lateral  14  may be angled according to a geometric line  571  that is tilted down from horizontal at an angle  574  preferably between 25 to 31 degrees in a geometric vertical plane  537  that is orthogonal to the perimeter of the primary midsole  210  and intersects the nancular bone support location  514  as shown in  FIGS. 34A and 34C . The top surface  281  near the outer lateral side  15  may be angled according to a geometric line  572  that is tilted down from horizontal at an angle  575  preferably between 20 to 26 degrees in a geometric vertical plane  538  that is orthogonal to perimeter of the primary midsole  210  and intersects the cuboid bone support location  515  as shown in  FIGS. 34A and 34D . 
         [0093]    A fourth embodiment of a lower  100  may be shown by  FIGS. 35A-35B  for use by the wearer&#39;s left foot  18 . This embodiment may be advantageous for basketball activity and features a construction optimized for lateral stability, traction, and tactile “court-feel” compared to the first embodiment.  FIG. 35A  illustrates the fourth embodiment which may include a primary midsole  420 , directional cradle  430 , rear cushion  440 , rear lower midsole  450 , rear outsole  460 , and front outsole  465 . 
         [0094]    As illustrated in  FIG. 35A , the primary midsole  420  in this embodiment has a raised border  422  to partially enclose a wearer&#39;s heel  510  as part of the top surface  423 . The midsole also may have a pronounced raised heel edge  421  to further support the wearer&#39;s heel  510 . The primary midsole  420  may be made from EVA, polyurethane, compounds having EVA and rubber, and the like. 
         [0095]      FIG. 35B  illustrates the bottom surface  424  of the primary midsole  420 . The bottom surface  424  includes a sunken surface  425  to interface with a top surface  431  of the directional cradle  430  and a first raised surface  426  to interface with the top surface  441  of the cushion  440 . The bottom surface  424  also includes a second raised surface  427  to interface with a top surface  451  of the rear lower midsole  450 . 
         [0096]    The cradle  430  includes the top surface  431  and a bottom surface  432 . The top surface  431  includes a plurality of raised grooves  433  that are aligned substantially parallel to the wearer&#39;s foot  18  consistent with the front  16  to the back  17  directions of the shoe  1 . The grooves  433  may contact the bottom surface  425  of the primary midsole  420 , however may be designed to not contact the cushion  440 . The grooves  433  may assist in the lateral stability of the shoe  1 . The cradle  430  may be made of polyurethane material, tevax, thermoplastic urethane, or the like. The cradle  430  may be attached to the primary midsole  420  via cement glue, epoxy-based adhesive, or the like. 
         [0097]    The bottom surface  432  of the cradle  430  also includes a mounting surface  434 . A top surface  441  of the cushion  440  may be shown by  FIG. 35A . This top surface  441  may be attached to the mounting surface  434  on the cradle  430 . The mounting surface  434  may be shown in  FIG. 35B . In this embodiment, the cushion  440  may have a top surface  441  and a bottom surface  442 . The two surfaces  441 ,  442  may not be substantially parallel and thereby allow for variable thicknesses. The cushion  440  may be constructed using an injection-molding technique or other method. The cushion  440  may be made of polymer gel, polyurethane gel, silicone rubber, thermoplastic rubber, polyurethane foam, or the like. 
         [0098]      FIG. 35A  illustrates the rear lower midsole  450  having a top surface  451  and a bottom surface  452 . The top surface  451  near the back  17  may be angled according to a geometric line  470  that is tilted down from horizontal at an angle  160  preferably between 14 to 20 degrees in a geometric vertical plane  480  that is orthogonal to the perimeter of the primary midsole  420  and intersects the calcaneous bone support location  511  as shown in  FIGS. 36A and 36B . The top surface  451  near the inner lateral  14  may be angled according to a geometric line  471  that is tilted down from horizontal at an angle  476  preferably between 10 to 17 degrees in a geometric vertical plane  481  that is orthogonal to the perimeter of the primary midsole  420  and intersects the namcular bone support location  514  as shown in  FIGS. 36A and 36C . The bottom surface  452  of the cushion  450  may also be attached to a portion of the top surface  451  near the outer lateral  15 . This portion of top surface  451  may be angled according to a geometric line  472  that tilted down from horizontal at an angle  477  preferably between 3 to 10 degrees in a geometric vertical plane  482  that is orthogonal to the perimeter of the primary midsole  420  and intersects the cuboid bone support location  515  as shown in  FIGS. 36A and 36D . The cushion  440  may be attached to the cradle  430 , the primary midsole  420 , and rear lower midsole  450  via cement glue, epoxy-based adhesive, or the like. 
         [0099]    The cushion  440  may be attached to the primary midsole  420  at the second raised surface  427 . The cushion  440  may have a horseshoe shape. The attachment is assisted by structures on the cradle  430  and the cushion  440 . One or more alignment slots  443  on the cushion  440  may be aligned relative to the cradle  430  via one of more alignment tabs  435 . The one or more alignment tabs  435  may be integrated as part of the cradle  430  as protrusions. 
         [0100]      FIG. 35B  shows the bottom surface  452  of the rear lower midsole  450  and this may be attached to the rear outsole  460 . The rear outsole  120  may also be attached to the rear lower midsole  160 , the cradle  430 , and primary midsole  420  via cement glue, epoxy-based adhesive, or the like. This embodiment was described with a two-piece outsole, but a single piece outsole, or an outsole with more than two components is also possible. 
         [0101]    A bottom surface portion  428  of the primary midsole  420  may protrude through the cradle  430 . The bottom surface portion  428  is disposed under the heel  501  when the foot  18  has been inserted within the shoe  1 . The bottom surface portion  428  of the primary midsole  420  may be unattached to the cradle  430 , the cushion  440  and the rear outsole  460 . The surface portion  428  of the primary midsole  420  faces the ground  2 , but may not contact the ground  2  when the bottom rear outsole surface  462  may be in contact with the ground. Lateral stability may be improved by having the bottom surface  102  unsupported from below  4  as described in this manner. 
         [0102]    All embodiments of the lower are intended to be used by the wearer in a similar way. The wearer inserts the foot  18  into the upper  5 . The wearer fastens the upper  5 , as needed, to the foot  18  so that there is a comfortable fit and the foot  18  is disposed between the upper  5  and the lower  6 . The wearer may engage in whatever activity desired so that the outsole  70  may have a set of impacts with the ground  2 . The set of impacts cause a set of forces to be applied to the outsole  70  that are partially dampened by the rear lower midsole  60  and further dampened by the rear cushion  50 , the front inner cushion  51 , and the front outer cushion  52 . The dampened set of forces may provide a safer and less tiring experience to the wearer than without damping. Further, during the activity the wearer may run side-to-side with quick cuts and the side-to-side forces subsequently created and applied to the outsole  70  may be dampened by the cushions  50 ,  51 ,  52  attached to the top surfaces  61 ,  62 ,  63  that are tilted down at an established set of angles to absorb these forces and provide lateral stability. The softness of material used for the cushions allow a much thinner lower to be created and with less weight than if the entire lower were to be manufactured using traditional approaches. When the activity has been completed the wearer merely unfastens the upper  5  as needed and removes the foot  18  from the opening  19 . 
         [0103]    Further, it should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments of the invention are not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above. While this invention has been described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations and/or improvements, whether known or that are, or may be, presently unforeseen, may become apparent. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. The various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments of this invention are intended to embrace all now known or later-developed alternatives, modifications, variations and/or improvements.