Flex sole with mesh insert enhancement

Abstract

A shoe has an upper, an insole and an outsole. A mesh is integrated to the bottom of the outsole to form an integrated mesh/outsole. The mesh and the outsole may be molded in a single injection molding step or the mesh may be molded to the outsole. The mesh is typically made of fabric, polymer and/or metal and preferably nylon.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for making a shoe, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an upper, a mesh, and an outsole, wherein the outsole comprises a bottom;    integrating the mesh to the bottom of the outsole forming an integrated mesh/outsole, wherein the mesh functions as a integral part of the outsole.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outsole is made of thermal plastic rubber (TPR).  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of assembling the upper, the mesh, and the outsole.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh further comprises a weave.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of assembling the upper with the integrated mesh/outsole.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of bonding the upper to the mesh/outsole combination in a single injection molding step following the integrating step.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of bonding the mesh and the outsole in a single injection molding step.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the mesh is located at about the bottom of an outsole mold prior to the injection molding step.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh is selected from the group consisting of fabric, polymers, metal or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh is nylon.  
     
     
         11 . A shoe, comprising: 
 an upper;    an outsole comprising a bottom; and    a mesh being integral to the bottom of the outsole and functioning as an integral part of the outsole.    
     
     
         12 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the outsole is made of thermal plastic rubber (TPR).  
     
     
         13 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the upper, the mesh and the outsole are bonded in a single injection molding step.  
     
     
         14 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the mesh is selected from the group consisting of fabric, polymer, metal or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the mesh is nylon.  
     
     
         16 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the mesh further comprises a weave.