Midsole for a shoe, in particular a running shoe

Abstract

A midsole for a shoe, in particular a running shoe, is described which midsole is asymmetric in a midfoot area, has an upper heel portion embracing the calcaneus of a wearer and has an upwardly extending toe end. In the midfoot area a vertical medial support structure originates from the midsole and supportively embraces the arch. Correspondingly, a vertical lateral support structure supports the lateral side of the foot in the midfoot area. The medial support structure covers a larger area than the lateral support structure, and is connected to the vertically extending upper heel portion of the midsole. The toe end of the midsole is extended upwardly, and provides in combination with the vertically extending upper heel portion and said vertically extending medial and lateral arch support structures a midsole which firmly embraces the foot. The result is a shoe, in particular a running shoe, which reduces the risk of injury during running.

1 . Midsole for a shoe, in particular for a running shoe, which midsole provides asymmetrical vertical structural support on the medial side and on the lateral side of the foot and where the midsole has a medial arch support structure extending upwardly to support the medial upper arch and a lateral support structure extending upwardly to support the lateral side of the midfoot characterized in that the medial arch support structure is covering an area larger than the lateral support structure, that the medial arch support structure is connected to an upper heel portion of said midsole which portion essentially covers the tuberosity of the calcaneus of a wearer, and that a toe end of the midsole is extended upwardly. 
     
     
         2 . Midsole according to  claim 1 , wherein the medial arch support structure is extended vertically to at least the navicular bone of the foot. 
     
     
         3 . Midsole according to  claim 2 , wherein the medial support structure comprises openings devoid of midsole material. 
     
     
         4 . Midsole according to  claim 2 , wherein the lateral support structure has an opening for receiving the proximal lateral bone protrusion of the fifth metatarsal phalange. 
     
     
         5 . Midsole according to  claim 2 , wherein the medial and lateral support structures are inclined inwardly and extending towards the lacing area. 
     
     
         6 . Midsole according to  claim 2 , wherein the medial arch support structure and the lateral support structure are connected to the upper heel portion via a vertically extending medial heel portion and a vertically extending lateral heel portion. 
     
     
         7 . Midsole according to  claim 6 , wherein the vertically extending upper heel portion and the medial arch support structure extend longitudinally approximately to the proximal end of the metatarsal phalanges. 
     
     
         8 . Midsole according to  claim 1 , wherein the medial and the lateral support structures have a mesh-like architecture with supporting arms creating reinforcing cross sections. 
     
     
         9 . Midsole according to  claim 1 , wherein the maximum thickness of the midsole in a lower heel portion is between eight and twelve millimetres.