GOLF SHOE WITH SUPPORT STRUCTURE
A golf shoe comprising an upper and a sole assembly connected to the upper, a footbed disposed within the upper, wherein the footbed is configured to support a subject's foot when the subject is wearing the golf shoe; an insole component provided below the footbed; and a support structure fixed to the insole component, wherein the support structure comprises a free floating insert configured to move or slide along or through the sole assembly as the subject executes a golf-related action or movement.
1 . A golf shoe, comprising:
an upper and a sole assembly connected to the upper, the sole assembly comprising a midsole and an outsole;
a footbed disposed within the upper, wherein the footbed is configured to support a subject's foot when the subject is wearing the golf shoe;
an insole component provided below the footbed; and
a support structure fixed to the insole component, wherein the support structure comprises a free floating insert configured to move or slide along or through the sole assembly as the subject executes a golf-related action or movement.
2 . The golf shoe of claim 1 , wherein a select portion of the support structure is fixed to the insole component.
3 . The golf shoe of claim 2 , wherein the select portion of the support structure is offset from a rear end portion of the insole component.
4 . The golf shoe of claim 2 , wherein a remaining portion of the support structure is detached from the insole component.
5 . The golf shoe of claim 1 , wherein the insole component comprises a protrusion configured to engage the support structure to facilitate a mechanical coupling between the insole component and the support structure.
6 . The golf shoe of claim 5 , wherein the support structure comprises a recess, a window, or an aperture configured to receive the protrusion.
7 . The golf shoe of claim 1 , further comprising a snap fastening mechanism configured to couple the support structure to the insole component.
8 . The golf shoe of claim 7 , wherein the snap fastening mechanism is integrated with the insole component.
9 . The golf shoe of claim 7 , wherein the snap fastening mechanism is a separate component from the insole component.
10 . The golf shoe of claim 1 , further comprising a rivet configured to couple the support structure to the insole component.
11 . The golf shoe of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is positioned between the midsole and the insole component.
12 . The golf shoe of claim 11 , wherein the midsole comprises a channel configured to receive or accommodate the support structure.
13 . The golf shoe of claim 12 , wherein the channel is recessed into an upper surface of the midsole.
14 . The golf shoe of claim 11 , further comprising a clear TPU film provided underneath the support structure.
15 . The golf shoe of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is positioned between the footbed and the insole component.
16 . The golf shoe of claim 15 , wherein the insole component or the footbed comprises a channel configured to receive or accommodate the support structure.
17 . The golf shoe of claim 16 , wherein the channel is recessed into an upper surface of the insole component.
18 . The golf shoe of claim 16 , wherein the channel is recessed into a bottom or lower surface of the footbed.
19 . The golf shoe of claim 15 , further comprising an additional layer of material provided between the support structure and the footbed to promote a sliding movement of the support structure relative to the footbed.
20 . The golf shoe of claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises one or more slits configured to enhance a flexibility of the support structure.