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Footwear with expanded thermoplastic beads in the footbed

a technology of thermoplastic beads and footbeds, applied in the field of footwear, can solve the problem of unnecessary detailed description of prior ar

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-07-14
DESIGNS BY SKAFFLES
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0002] At least one portion of the footwear (e.g., the footbed) is filled with small beads that can shift about during

Problems solved by technology

Due to the well known nature of these items, a detailed description of the prior art is unnecessary.

Method used

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  • Footwear with expanded thermoplastic beads in the footbed
  • Footwear with expanded thermoplastic beads in the footbed
  • Footwear with expanded thermoplastic beads in the footbed

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Experimental program
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second embodiment

[0028]FIG. 6B depicts the sole, taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 5. In the FIG. 6B embodiment, the sole 12 includes an outsole 14, a lower sole 36 that is affixed to the outsole, and an upper sole 62. The volume between the lower sole 36 and the upper sole 32 is filled with ETBs 10, resulting in an ETB-filled footbed. The FIG. 6B embodiment is therefore similar to the FIG. 6A embodiment, except that the ETBs are not confined in a separate inner bag. As a result, the description of the FIG. 6A embodiment applies in large part to the FIG. 6B embodiment. However, the absence of the inner bag with buttonholes makes it more difficult to attach the straps directly to the lower sole assembly, so variations in which the straps are connected to the upper sole 62 are preferred for this embodiment.

third embodiment

[0029]FIG. 6C depicts the sole, taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 5. The FIG. 6C embodiment is similar to the FIG. 6B embodiment, except that the lower sole 36 serves as the outsole (in addition to performing its other functions). In this embodiment, the lower sole 36, taken alone, corresponds to the lower sole assembly 30 discussed above in connection with FIG. 3. Because only a single material is used, different trade offs between comfort and toughness may be required, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts. In addition, appropriate changes to the way the upper sole 62 is connected to the lower sole assembly 30 may be required, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts.

fourth embodiment

[0030]FIG. 6D depicts the sole, taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 5. The FIG. 6D embodiment is similar to the FIG. 6C embodiment, except that the lower sole comprises two separate pieces of material: the sidewalls 32 and the outsole 14. In this embodiment, the sidewalls 32 and the outsole 14, taken together, correspond to the lower sole assembly 30 discussed above in connection with FIG. 3. Note that although it is not depicted in FIGS. 6C and 6D, an inner bag may be added to those embodiments to retain the ETBs, similar to the bag 40 (shown in FIGS. 4A-4C) described above in connection with the FIG. 6A embodiment.

[0031] Optionally, the straps may be stuffed with the same material that is used to fill the footbed (see reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 6A-6D), such as the preferred expanded polystyrene beads. FIG. 7 depicts a cross section of this type of strap, taken along section line 7-7 of FIG. 5. In the illustrated embodiment, a double-walled construction is used, and both walls 72, 74 ...

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PUM

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Abstract

Footwear (e.g., shoes, sandals, boots, etc.) is constructed with small beads stuffed into the footbed, so that can the beads can shift about due to pressure on the footbed by the user's foot during normal use. Preferably, the beads are made of expanded polystyrene, and have an average diameter between about two thirds and about one mm. The resulting footwear is very comfortable. In some sandal embodiments, the straps are also stuffed with the same type of beads

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] The present invention relates to footwear such as shoes, sandals, and insoles. Due to the well known nature of these items, a detailed description of the prior art is unnecessary. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0002] At least one portion of the footwear (e.g., the footbed) is filled with small beads that can shift about during normal use. In some preferred embodiments, the beads are made of expanded thermoplastic such as expanded polystyrene.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0003]FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the invention, in the form of a thong sandal. [0004]FIG. 2 is a side view of the sandal of FIG. 1. [0005]FIG. 3 is a top view of a lower sole assembly for use in the sandal of FIG. 1. [0006]FIG. 4A is a top view of a bag containing expanded thermoplastic beads (ETBs) for use in the sandal of FIG. 1. [0007]FIG. 4B is a section view of the bag of FIG. 4A, taken along section line B-B in FIG. 4A. [0008]FIG. 4C is a section view of the bag of FIG. 4A taken ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A43B3/10
CPCA43B7/146A43B3/105
Inventor IANNACONE, GAIL
Owner DESIGNS BY SKAFFLES
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