Footwear

Abstract

A footwear including a foot bed having an upper surface and a lower surface, the footbed having a length and a width, the footbed having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the footbed defining plural openings therethrough; an outer sole extending downward relative to the footbed, the outer sole supporting at least a portion of the footbed; the outer sole having a ground contacting surface opposite the footbed, wherein the outer sole defines a channel, the channel extending from the ground contacting surface to the footbed, wherein at least one of the plural opening communicates with the channel; and an upper attached to at least one of the footbed and the outer sole, the upper defining a foot receiving opening over the footbed.

1 . A footwear comprising:
 a foot bed having an upper surface and a lower surface, the footbed having a length, a width, and a perimeter; the footbed having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis;   wherein the footbed defines at least one opening therethrough;   an outer sole extending downward relative to the footbed, the outer sole supporting at least a portion of the footbed;   the outer sole having a ground contacting surface opposite the footbed;   wherein the outer sole defines a channel, the channel extending from the ground contacting surface to the footbed, and wherein the at least one opening communicates with the channel; and   an upper attached to at least one of the footbed and the outer sole, the upper defining a foot receiving opening over the footbed.   
     
     
         2 . A footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening has an area of 1 mm 2  to about 5 cm 2 . 
     
     
         3 . A footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening has a mesh of at least 1 and no greater than 10. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening has a major dimension greater than 0.5 cm. 
     
     
         5 . A footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the footbed includes a screen formed from longitudinal and members defining the at least one opening therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . A footwear of  claim 5 , wherein the longitudinal and lateral members are woven together. 
     
     
         7 . A footwear of  claim 5 , wherein the longitudinal and lateral members are formed from a polymer. 
     
     
         8 . A footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening includes a first opening and a second opening, where the first opening and second opening have a different configuration relative to each other. 
     
     
         9 . A footwear of  claim 1 , the outer sole is located below the perimeter of the footbed and wherein the channel is located inward of the perimeter. 
     
     
         10 . A footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the outer sole includes a frame having a truss-like member including a first leg and a second leg extending upward from a base to support an upper surface of the outer sole. 
     
     
         11 . The foot wear of  claim 10 , wherein the first leg extends at an angle relative to the base, and wherein the angle increases relative to the base from a forefoot portion of the frame to a heel portion of the frame. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the outer sole includes a sidewall extending upward to form a concave upper surface above supported on the frame, wherein the height of the sidewall at a heel portion of the frame is greater than the height of the sidewall at a forefoot portion of the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the outer sole includes a tread attached to the base of the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the ground contacting surface has a tread. 
     
     
         15 . A footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the upper includes at least one strap attached to at least one of the footbed and the outer sole. 
     
     
         16 . A footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the upper includes a y-shaped strap including an end extending downward to contact the footbed at a toe portion therof, and a first strap portion and a second strap portion extending laterally outward relative to the end and attaching to at least one of the footbed and the outer sole rearward of the end near the perimeter of the footbed. 
     
     
         17 . A footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the footwear further comprises a toe pad covering a portion of the footbed adjacent to the end. 
     
     
         18 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the outer sole includes a cushioning layer and a traction layer. 
     
     
         19 . A footwear comprising: a footbed defining plural openings, wherein at least one of the plural openings has a major dimension greater than 0.5 cm; an outer sole in supporting relation to the footbed, the outer sole defining a channel that communicates with the opening; and an upper attached to at least one of the footbed and the outer sole, the upper defining a foot receiving opening. 
     
     
         20 . A footwear comprising: a footbed including a layer of polymer material defining plural openings, wherein at least one of the plural openings has a major dimension greater than 0.5 cm; the footbed defining a perimeter; an outer sole including an upper surface and a ground contacting surface, wherein the ground contacting surface is spaced from the upper surface and located beneath the footbed; the outer sole being in supporting relation to the perimeter of the footbed; the outer sole defining a channel inward of the perimeter and beneath the footbed; wherein the channel open upward to communicate with the plural openings and outward adjacent to the ground contacting surface of the outer sole; and an upper attached to at least one of the footbed and the outer sole, the upper defining a foot receiving opening.