Flexible outsole

Abstract

An outsole is provided comprising a frame portion composed of a first material to provide stability to the outsole, and one or more insert portions molded to the frame portion. The insert portions are composed of a second material to provide a cushioning effect. The surfaces of the insert portions may include one or more hollow, molded cushioning modules formed in a semispherical shape. In one embodiment, the outsole includes a ball-strike insert portion and a heel-strike insert portion. The ball-strike insert portion may also include a plurality of parallel, molded ribs oriented perpendicular to the toe-to-heel direction of the outsole. In one embodiment, the frame portion is composed of a relatively firm thermal plastic resin (TPR), and the insert portions are composed of a softer TPR. In another aspect of the invention, a shoe is provided, comprising an upper, an insole board, and an outsole having attributes described above.

1 . An outsole for a shoe, comprising: 
 a frame portion covering at least a substantial part of a peripheral area of the outsole, the frame portion composed of a first material; and    at least one insert portion molded to the frame portion, the at least one insert portion composed of a second material;    wherein a surface of the at least one insert portion comprises a plurality cushioning modules.    
     
     
         2 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the frame portion provides stability to the outsole.  
     
     
         3 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the first material is a thermal plastic resin (TPR).  
     
     
         4 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cushioning portion provides a cushioning effect.  
     
     
         5 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the second material is a thermal plastic resin (TPR).  
     
     
         6 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the first material has a durometer that is greater than a durometer of the second material.  
     
     
         7 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the first material has a durometer between 40 and 45.  
     
     
         8 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the second material has a durometer between 33 and 35.  
     
     
         9 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insert portion comprises at least one rib oriented perpendicular to a toe-to-heel direction of the outsole.  
     
     
         10 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insert portion includes a ball-strike insert portion and a heel-strike insert portion.  
     
     
         11 . The outsole of  claim 10 , wherein the ball-strike insert portion comprises at least one rib oriented perpendicular to a toe-to-heel direction of the outsole.  
     
     
         12 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cushioning modules is a hollow, molded pod.  
     
     
         13 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cushioning modules has a diamond shape.  
     
     
         14 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cushioning modules has an oval shape.  
     
     
         15 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cushioning modules has a flattened pyramid shape.  
     
     
         16 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the frame portion has a rounded peripheral edge.  
     
     
         17 . A shoe, comprising: 
 an upper; and    an outsole attached to the upper, the outsole comprising: 
 a frame portion covering at least a substantial part of a peripheral area of the outsole, the frame portion composed of a first material; and  
 at least one insert portion molded to the frame portion, the at least one insert portion composed of a second material;  
 wherein a surface of the at least one insert portion comprises one or more cushioning modules.  
   
     
     
         18 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the first material provides stability to the outsole.  
     
     
         19 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the first material is a thermal plastic resin (TPR).  
     
     
         20 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the second material provides a cushioning effect.  
     
     
         21 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the second material is a thermal plastic resin (TPR).  
     
     
         22 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the first material has a durometer that is greater than a durometer of the second material.  
     
     
         23 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the first material has a durometer between 40 and 45.  
     
     
         24 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the second material has a durometer between 33 and 35.  
     
     
         25 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one insert portion comprises at least one rib oriented perpendicular to a toe-to-heel direction of the outsole.  
     
     
         26 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one insert portion includes a ball-strike insert portion and a heel-strike insert portion.  
     
     
         27 . The shoe of  claim 26 , wherein the ball-strike insert portion comprises at least one rib oriented perpendicular to a toe-to-heel direction of the outsole.  
     
     
         28 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of cushioning modules is a hollow, molded pod.  
     
     
         29 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of cushioning modules has a diamond shape.  
     
     
         30 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of cushioning modules has an oval shape.  
     
     
         31 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of cushioning modules has a flattened pyramid shape.  
     
     
         32 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the frame portion has a rounded peripheral edge.