Interchangeable midsole system for footwear

Abstract

This invention discloses an interchangeable midsole for use in the manufacture of shoes. The embodiments of the invention allow for greater rigidity, durability, and comfort for shoes to be used in every day life and in extreme sports as well as impact and abrasion protection for the wearer's feet, no matter what the wearer is doing. One or more embodiments of the invention are adapted to provide skateboard riders with increased durability and comfort in their riding shoes. Furthermore, because the novel midsole design is interchangeable among various shoe soles and uppers, the manufacturer is able to adapt various shoe designs and configurations around the common midsole.

1 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes, comprising:
 a cushioning pad for insertion into shoes,   one or more raised portions extending above the sole of the shoe, said one or more raised portions comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such that said one or more raised portions provide impact and abrasion protection to the wearer's foot.   
     
     
         2 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more raised portions are comprised of a plastic sheet. 
     
     
         3 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more raised portions are exposed to the exterior of the shoe through cut-outs in the sole or upper of the shoe. 
     
     
         4 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 3 , wherein said one or more raised portions feature an abrasion resistant coating. 
     
     
         5 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 4 , wherein said one or more raised portions feature a grip coating. 
     
     
         6 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein said cushioning pad features a heel pad, said heel pad being comprised of a generally compressible material. 
     
     
         7 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 6 , wherein said heel pad is a pneumatic heel pad. 
     
     
         8 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 6 , wherein said heel pad is comprised of foam. 
     
     
         9 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 6 , wherein said heel paid is hydraulic or otherwise fluid filled. 
     
     
         10 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein said cushioning pad features a heel pad and a front pad, said heel and front pads being comprised of a generally compressible material. 
     
     
         11 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 6 , wherein said heel and front pads feature a pneumatic system for absorbing shocks. 
     
     
         12 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 6 , wherein said heel and front pads feature a foam system for absorbing shocks. 
     
     
         13 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 6 , wherein said heel and front pads feature a hydraulic or other fluid filled system for absorbing shocks. 
     
     
         14 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more raised portions extend across the area of the foot covering one or more toes. 
     
     
         15 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more raised portions extend across the area of the foot covering one or more toes and the outside upper foot. 
     
     
         16 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more raised portions extend across the area of the foot covering one or more toes, the outside upper foot, and portions of the heel of the foot. 
     
     
         17 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 1 , wherein said raised portions extend across the outer midfoot of the wearer. 
     
     
         18 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 17 , wherein said one or more raised portions are comprised of flat sheets. 
     
     
         19 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes according to  claim 17 , wherein said one or more raised portions are comprised of two or more vertically extending sections. 
     
     
         20 . An interchangeable midsole for shoes, comprising:
 a cushioning pad for insertion to shoes,   said cushioning pad featuring two or more grooves of less thickness than the thickness of said cushioning pad, said two or more grooves allowing the easier articulation and flexing of said midsole.   
     
     
         21 . A shoe, comprising:
 a sole,   an upper, and   a midsole, said midsole featuring one or more raised portions extending above the sole of the shoe, said one or more raised portions comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such that said raised portion provides impact and abrasion protection to the wearer's foot.   
     
     
         22 . A shoe according to  claim 21 , wherein said sole is generally formed as a cupsole and said sole and/or upper feature one or more cut-outs, and said one or more raised portions of the midsole extend through said one or more cut-outs in said sole and/or upper such that said one or more raised portions are exposed to the exterior of the shoe. 
     
     
         23 . A shoe system featuring interchangeable midsoles, comprising:
 a shoe sole and shoe upper, said shoe sole and shoe upper being configured to be compatible with multiple midsoles,   at least one of the said interchangeable midsoles featuring a raised portion extending above the sole of the shoe, said raised portion comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such that said raised portion provides impact and abrasion protection to the wearer's foot.   
     
     
         24 . A shoe system featuring interchangeable midsoles according to  claim 23 , wherein said shoe sole is generally formed as a cupsole and said sole and/or the upper of said shoe feature one or more cut-outs, and one of the said one or more raised portions of the midsole extend through said one or more cut-outs in said sole and/or upper such that said one or more raised portions are exposed to the exterior of the shoe.