Shoe with padded sole

Abstract

Provided is a shoe that has a multi-layered sole with embedded padding. More specifically, at least one of the layers includes a sheet of base material having a hole through its central region, such that the hole is surrounded by the base material, and a cushioning pad attached to the base material so as to fill the hole. In one representative embodiment, the cushioning pad is approximately the same size and shape as the hole, and the perimeter of the pad is stitched to the perimeter of the hole. As a result of such construction, padding is provided in a manner that tends to resist damage over time.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A shoe according to claim  1 , comprising:
 a sole comprised of a plurality of layers and having a front portion and a rear portion; and   a heel attached to the rear portion of the sole,   wherein at least one of the plurality of layers comprises a sheet of base material having a hole through its central region, such that the hole is surrounded by the base material,   wherein a cushioning pad is attached to the base material so as to fill the hole, and   wherein the cushioning pad is securely attached around its entire perimeter to corresponding points around a perimeter of the hole.   
     
     
         14 . A shoe, comprising:
 a sole comprised of a plurality of layers,   wherein at least one of the plurality of layers comprises a sheet of base material having a hole through its central region, such that the hole is surrounded by the base material, and   wherein a cushioning pad is directly stitched to the base material so as to fill the hole.   
     
     
         15 . A shoe according to  claim 14 , wherein the cushioning pad has a size and shape that at least approximately match a size and shape of the hole. 
     
     
         16 . A shoe according to  claim 14 , wherein the cushioning pad and the hole are disposed at a metatarsal region of the sole. 
     
     
         17 . A shoe according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of layers is a middle layer of the sole. 
     
     
         18 . A shoe according to  claim 14 , wherein a front portion of the sole is less than ½ inch thick. 
     
     
         19 . A shoe according to  claim 14 , wherein the cushioning pad is stitched around its entire perimeter to corresponding points around a perimeter of the hole. 
     
     
         20 . A shoe according to  claim 19 , wherein a portion of the base material to which the cushioning pad is stitched is coated with at least one of a fabric or fibrous coating material. 
     
     
         21 . A shoe according to  claim 14 , wherein the cushioning pad is just slightly smaller in length and width than hole so as to match and just fit within the hole. 
     
     
         22 . A shoe according to  claim 14 , wherein a front portion of the sole is less than ¼ inch thick. 
     
     
         23 . A shoe according to  claim 13 , wherein the cushioning pad has a size and shape that at least approximately match a size and shape of the hole. 
     
     
         24 . A shoe according to  claim 13 , wherein the cushioning pad and the hole are disposed at a metatarsal region of the sole. 
     
     
         25 . A shoe according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of layers is a middle layer of the sole. 
     
     
         26 . A shoe according to  claim 13 , wherein a front portion of the sole is less than ½ inch thick. 
     
     
         27 . A shoe according to  claim 13 , wherein the cushioning pad is stitched around its entire perimeter to the corresponding points around the perimeter of the hole. 
     
     
         28 . A shoe according to  claim 13 , wherein a portion of the base material to which the cushioning pad is stitched is coated with at least one of a fabric or fibrous coating material. 
     
     
         29 . A shoe according to  claim 13 , wherein the cushioning pad is just slightly smaller in length and width than hole so as to match and just fit within the hole. 
     
     
         30 . A shoe according to  claim 13 , wherein a front portion of the sole is less than ¼ inch thick.