Adjustable midsole for footwear

Abstract

Improved adjustable midsole for footwear, with the midsole comprising an airtight, evacuable capsule containing granules and air, whereby the midsole is moldable to the shape of the wearer's foot for improved support and comfort, with the midsole retaining said shape through evacuation of air from the capsule. The improved midsole further comprises sipes such as slits or channels integrated into the midsole to improve flexibility.

1 . An improved adjustable midsole for use with footwear, said midsole comprising
 a capsule, said capsule being fashioned of a sturdy, flexible material, said capsule suitably adapted to allow a gas to be introduced therein and evacuated therefrom, said capsule comprised of at least two sub-capsules, each said sub-capsule having one or more communications with at least one other sub-capsule;   one or more sipes integrated with the capsule, each said sipe interposed between a pair of sub-capsules, such that the capsule may be flexed along each said sipe;   a plurality of granules, said granules being located within the sub-capsules of the capsule;   a means for introducing gas into the capsule;   a means for evacuating gas from the capsule; and   a means for sealing and unsealing the capsule to either prevent or allow either the introduction of gas into the capsule or the evacuation of gas from the capsule;   wherein said midsole is divided into a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a heel portion, with the forefoot portion being located at a forward end of the midsole and the heel portion located at an end of the midsole opposite the forefoot portion and the midfoot portion located between the forefoot portion and the heel portion, and   each of the communications between the sub-capsules is sized smaller than the smallest granule such that gas may pass through said communication but granules may not.   
     
     
         2 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the one or more sipes is substantially linear. 
     
     
         3 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the one or more sipes is substantially curved. 
     
     
         4 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the one or more sipes is located proximate to a junction of the forefoot portion and the midfoot portion of the midsole. 
     
     
         5 . The midsole of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the one or more sipes located proximate to the junction of the forefoot portion and the midfoot portion of the midsole is substantially linear. 
     
     
         6 . The midsole of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the one or more sipes located proximate to the junction of the forefoot portion and the midfoot portion of the midsole is substantially curved. 
     
     
         7 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein the granules are deformable. 
     
     
         8 . The midsole of  claim 1  further comprising an adhesive, whereby said adhesive is admixed with the plurality of granules. 
     
     
         9 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein the means for introducing gas into the capsule comprises a pump. 
     
     
         10 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein the means for evacuating gas from the capsule comprises a pump. 
     
     
         11 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein
 the means for introducing gas into the capsule comprises a pump and   the means for evacuating gas from the capsule comprises said pump;   whereby said pump is suitably adapted to both force gas into the capsule and to draw gas out of the capsule.   
     
     
         12 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein the means for sealing and unsealing the capsule to either prevent or allow either the introduction of gas into the capsule or the evacuation of gas from the capsule comprises a sealable valve, said sealable valve being integrated with the capsule. 
     
     
         13 . The midsole of  claim 12  wherein the capsule has an outer surface and the sealable valve is positioned flush with the outer surface of the capsule. 
     
     
         14 . The midsole of  claim 12  wherein the means for introducing gas into the capsule comprises the sealable valve. 
     
     
         15 . The midsole of  claim 12  wherein the means for introducing gas into the capsule comprises a pump and the sealable valve;
 whereby a portion of the pump is suitably adapted to be removably inserted into the sealable valve and the pump is further suitably adapted to force gas through the sealable valve into the capsule.   
     
     
         16 . The midsole of  claim 12  wherein the means for evacuating gas from the capsule comprises a pump and the sealable valve;
 whereby a portion of the pump is suitably adapted to be removably inserted into the sealable valve and the pump is further suitably adapted to draw gas through the sealable valve out of the capsule.   
     
     
         17 . The midsole of  claim 12  wherein
 the means for introducing gas into the capsule comprises a pump and the sealable valve;   the means for evacuating gas from the capsule comprises said pump and the sealable valve;   whereby a portion of said pump is suitably adapted to be removably inserted into the sealable valve and said pump is further suitably adapted to both force gas into the capsule and to draw gas out of the capsule.   
     
     
         18 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein
 the means for introducing gas into the capsule comprises a pump;   the means for evacuating gas from the capsule comprises said pump; and   the means for sealing and unsealing the capsule to either prevent or allow either the introduction of gas into the capsule or the evacuation of gas from the capsule comprises said pump;   whereby said pump is integrated with the capsule, is suitably adapted to both force gas into the capsule and to draw gas out of the capsule, and is further suitably adapted to either prevent or allow either the introduction of gas into the capsule or the evacuation of gas from the capsule.   
     
     
         19 . The midsole of  claim 1  whereby the midsole is suitably adapted to be easily inserted into and removed from an article of footwear without the use of tools. 
     
     
         20 . The midsole of  claim 1  whereby the midsole is integrated with an article of footwear.