Noiseless shoe

Abstract

A shoe for walking quietly on a variety of surfaces including an upper and an outsole attached to the upper. The outsole includes a pile material extending from the bottom thereof. The shoe may include a cushioning midsole interspersed between the upper and outsole.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A shoe comprising: 
 an upper having a bottom surface; and,    a sole mounted on the bottom surface of the upper, the outsole including a bottom surface having a fibrous pile extending therefrom.    
     
     
         2 . A shoe according to  claim 1  wherein the sole further comprising a midsole mounted to the bottom surface of the upper and an outsole mounted to the midsole.  
     
     
         3 . A shoe according to  claim 2  wherein the midsole is formed of a resilient material.  
     
     
         4 . A shoe according to  claim 3  wherein the midsole is formed of a cushioning material.  
     
     
         5 . A shoe according to  claim 4  wherein the midsole is formed of a foam material.  
     
     
         6 . A shoe according to  claim 1  wherein the fibrous pile is formed of a polymeric material.  
     
     
         7 . A shoe according to  claim 1  wherein the fibrous pile is selected from the group consisting of cut pile, looped pile, twisted pile, and straight pile.  
     
     
         8 . A shoe according to  claim 1  wherein the fibrous pile is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, and wool.  
     
     
         9 . A shoe according to  claim 1  wherein the shoe comprises an overshoe.  
     
     
         10 . A shoe according to  claim 1  wherein the shoe is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of leather, synthetic polymeric material, cotton, and rubber.  
     
     
         11 . A shoe comprising: 
 an upper;    a foam midsole adhered to the upper; and,    an outsole adhered to the midsole, the outsole including a fibrous pile extending from the bottom surface thereof.