IP Library Granted Patent US 7,941,940
Granted Patent B2
US 7,941,940 · App. 12/968,256 · Granted May 17, 2011

Shoe

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,941,940
App. No.
12/968,256
Filed
Dec 14, 2010
Granted
May 17, 2011
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3728
USPC
36/25R
Abstract

A shoe having a toe region, a middle region, a heel region, and a multi-layer, multi-density midsole wherein an upper layer of the midsole has a bottom surface that has a longitudinal convexity and a longitudinal concavity, the longitudinal convexity typically occupying a substantial portion of the toe region or a substantial portion of the toe region and middle region, and the longitudinal concavity typically occupying a substantial portion of the heel region, the longitudinal convexity and the longitudinal concavity collectively contributing to simulating the effect, and imparting the fitness benefits, of walking on a sandy beach or on a giving or uneven surface regardless of the actual hardness of the surface.

Claims (4)

1. A shoe having an upper, a midsole, and an outsole, wherein said midsole comprises:

a toe region, a middle region, a heel region, an upper layer, and a lower layer, wherein said upper layer has a bottom surface and said lower layer has a top surface, said lower layer being located substantially between the outsole and the upper layer, the bottom surface of said upper layer substantially facing the top surface of said lower layer, said bottom surface of said upper layer having a longitudinal convexity and a longitudinal concavity wherein the longitudinal convexity occupies a substantial portion of the toe region, said upper layer and said lower layer each having a durometer hardness wherein the durometer hardness of the upper layer is greater than the durometer hardness of the lower layer, and said bottom surface of said upper layer having a transverse concavity.

2. A shoe having an upper, a midsole, and an outsole, wherein said midsole comprises:

a toe region, a middle region, a heel region, an upper layer, and a lower layer, wherein said upper layer has a bottom surface and said lower layer has a top surface, said lower layer being located substantially between the outsole and the upper layer, the bottom surface of said upper layer substantially facing the top surface of said lower layer, said bottom surface of said upper layer having a longitudinal convexity and a longitudinal concavity wherein the longitudinal convexity occupies a substantial portion of the toe region, said upper layer and said lower layer each having a durometer hardness wherein the durometer hardness of the upper layer is greater than the durometer hardness of the lower layer, and said bottom surface of said upper layer having a transverse convexity.