Article of Footwear with Deforming Insert

Abstract

A substantially permanently deforming insert including a soft foam layer configured to substantially permanently deform and conform to a wearer's foot. This deformation preferably takes place quickly, eliminating the typical break in period. The insert can also include a roughened region configured to engage an outer member, eliminating the need for an adhesive between the outer member and the insert.

1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an outsole and an insert;   an outer member being configured to contact the ground;   an insert including an outer layer configured to contact the outer member, and an inner layer configured to contact the wearer's foot; and   wherein the inner layer is substantially permanently deformable.   
   
   
       2 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer member includes an outsole. 
   
   
       3 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer member includes a midsole and an outsole. 
   
   
       4 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer member includes an intermediate layer, a midsole and an outsole. 
   
   
       5 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer substantially permanently deforms after being worn for the first time. 
   
   
       6 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer substantially permanently deforms after being worn for about one to three hours. 
   
   
       7 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an outer member and an insert;   the outer member being configured to contact the ground;   an insert including an outer layer configured to contact the outer member, and an inner layer; and   wherein the inner layer is made of any material capable of taking a quick compression set.   
   
   
       8 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the outer member includes an outsole. 
   
   
       9 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the outer member includes a midsole and an outsole. 
   
   
       10 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the outer member includes an intermediate layer, a midsole and an outsole. 
   
   
       11 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the inner layer is made of polyethylene foam having a specific gravity of about 0.05. 
   
   
       12 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the inner layer is made of a soft polyethylene foam, being a blend of ethyl vinyl acetate and rubber. 
   
   
       13 . The article of footwear according to  claim 10 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises ethyl vinyl acetate. 
   
   
       14 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the outer layer comprises a polyethylene foam. 
   
   
       15 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an outer member and an insert;   the outer member being configured to contact the ground;   an insert including an outer layer configured to contact the outsole, and an inner layer configured to contact the outer layer;   wherein the outer layer includes at least one surface feature disposed on the outer layer; and   wherein the surface feature increases friction between the outer member and the outer layer.   
   
   
       16 . The article of footwear according to  claim 15 , wherein the outer member includes an outsole. 
   
   
       17 . The article of footwear according to  claim 15 , wherein the outer member includes a midsole and an outsole. 
   
   
       18 . The article of footwear according to  claim 15 , wherein the outer member includes an intermediate layer, a midsole and an outsole. 
   
   
       19 . The article of footwear according to  claim 15 , wherein the surface feature comprises diamond-shaped extensions. 
   
   
       20 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an outsole and an insert;   the outsole being configured to contact the ground;   an insert including an outer layer configured to contact the outsole, and an inner layer configured to contact the outsole;   wherein the outer layer includes a first region having a first coefficient of friction and a second region having a second coefficient of friction; and   wherein the second coefficient of friction is greater than the first coefficient of friction.   
   
   
       21 . The article of footwear according to  claim 20 , wherein the outer member includes an outsole. 
   
   
       22 . The article of footwear according to  claim 20 , wherein the outer member includes a midsole and an outsole. 
   
   
       23 . The article of footwear according to  claim 20 , wherein the outer member includes an intermediate layer, a midsole and an outsole. 
   
   
       24 . The article of footwear according to  claim 20 , wherein the second region replaces an adhesive. 
   
   
       25 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an outsole and an insert;   the outsole being configured to contact the ground;   an insert including an outer layer configured to contact the outsole, and an inner layer configured to contact the outsole;   wherein the outer layer includes a first region having a first roughness and a second region having a second roughness; and   wherein the second roughness is greater than the first roughness.   
   
   
       26 . The article of footwear according to  claim 25 , wherein the outer member includes an outsole. 
   
   
       27 . The article of footwear according to  claim 25 , wherein the outer member includes a midsole and an outsole. 
   
   
       28 . The article of footwear according to  claim 25 , wherein the outer member includes an intermediate layer, a midsole and an outsole. 
   
   
       29 . The article of footwear according to  claim 25 , wherein the second region replaces an adhesive.