Shoe construction

Abstract

A shoe is provided in which an external wrapper covers an outer surface of a midsole along at least a portion of a perimeter of the shoe. An upper assembly forms an external upper surface of the shoe. A wrapper locator abuts an inner surface of the external wrapper and includes an upper edge region extending above a top edge of the external wrapper. A lower edge region of the upper material overlaps the upper edge region of the wrapper locator. A lower edge of the upper material abuts an upper edge of the external wrapper. In this manner, the shoe construction is provided having a midsole wrapper that does not result in large ridges or bulky wrinkles.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A shoe comprising: 
 an outsole;    a midsole overlying the outsole;    an external wrapper covering an outer surface of the midsole along at least a portion of a perimeter of the shoe, a lower region of the external wrapper sandwiched between the midsole and the outsole;    an upper assembly including an upper material forming an external upper surface of the shoe; and    a wrapper locator comprising: 
 a lower region abutting an inner surface of the external wrapper, and  
 an upper edge region extending above a top edge of the external wrapper,  
 a lower edge region of the upper material overlapping the upper edge region of an outside surface of the wrapper locator, and  
 an upper edge of the external wrapper abutting a lower edge of the upper material.  
   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the wrapper locator comprises a flexible sheet material.  
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the wrapper locator comprises canvas.  
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the wrapper locator has a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm.  
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the wrapper locator is thinner than the upper material.  
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the upper material has a thickness ranging from 2.0 to 2.2 mm.  
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the wrapper locator is adhesively affixed to the inner surface of the external wrapper.  
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the lower edge region of the upper material is affixed with stitching to the upper edge region of the wrapper locator.  
     
     
         9 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the lower edge region of the upper material is adhesively affixed to the upper edge region of the outside surface of the wrapper locator.  
     
     
         10 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein a contacting surface of the lower edge region of the upper material is skived.  
     
     
         11 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the external wrapper and the wrapper locator are provided along a heel portion of the shoe.  
     
     
         12 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the external wrapper and the wrapper locator are provided along a toe portion of the shoe.  
     
     
         13 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the external wrapper the wrapper locator are provided along a toe portion and a heel portion of the shoe.  
     
     
         14 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the external wrapper and the wrapper locator are provided completely around the perimeter of the shoe.  
     
     
         15 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the wrapper locator wraps around an outer surface of the midsole.  
     
     
         16 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the external wrapper has a thickness ranging from 2.0 to 3.0 mm.  
     
     
         17 . The shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a lining affixed to an inner surface of the upper material and an inner surface of the wrapper locator.  
     
     
         18 . The shoe of  claim 17 , further comprising a Strobel board overlying the midsole, the lining affixed to the Strobel board.