Noise reducing footwear

Abstract

The present invention is drawn generally to footwear, and more specifically, to footwear having reduced noise and impact characteristics. According to the invention noise generated by the impact of the footfall when in contact with hard floors is reduced by an outer sole with certain hardness and a sound reducing insole which comprising a material of high indentation forced deflection (IFD) weight having a minimum thickness of ¼ to a maximum ¾ inch, and an optimal thickness of about ½ inch. Also, the footwear comprises an upper portion attached to the outer sole to provide comfort and foot protection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Footwear for reducing noise of as footfall, comprising:
 (a) an having an outer sole and walls extending essentially perpendicularly therefrom, defining an inner surface, said outer sole having a predetermined hardness;   (b) an upper portion attached to said outer sole;   (c) a sound reducing insole disposed within said outer sole, the sound reducing insole comprising a material having high indentation forced deflection (IFD) weight;   (d) said sound reducing insole having a thickness in a range between ¼ to ¾ inch.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , said outer sole further comprises a shore ‘A’ rubber outsole. 
     
     
         3 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , said outsole including vent throughholes well distributed all around its outside surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , said outer sole having protrusions disposed on the outside surface thereof, said protrusions being separated from each other by a gap of predetermined dimension. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , said upper portion being of flexible material attached to said outsole. 
     
     
         6 . The footwear according to  claim 5 , said upper portion comprising a lower end opening attached to an upper edge of said outer sole. 
     
     
         7 . The footwear according to clam  5 , said upper portion comprising a lower end enclosing a sock cavity and being attached to said inner surface of said outer sole. 
     
     
         8 . The footwear according to  claim 7 , said insole being disposed within said upper portion. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , said material being of high density foam exceeding 6 lbs. 
     
     
         10 . The footwear according to  claim 9 , said material being at a minimum density of 6 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , said material being with a minimum IFD weight of 68 lbs. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear according to  claim 1 , said material having a thickness of approximately ½ inch.