Shock Absorbing Cushion Sole for Fishing Footwear

Abstract

A multi-layer shock absorbing cushion sole for footwear includes four layers of material, assembled in such a way that air pockets are created within the sole to provide a shock-absorbing, cushioning effect for a wearer's feet. The top layer of the sole is a hard rubber layer, preferably made from a thermoplastic rubber. The second layer is preferably positioned directly beneath the top layer, and includes shaped surfaces forming ridges and grooves on a top and bottom portion thereof to create open air pockets within the sole. The third layer, positioned below the cushion layer, is also preferably formed from a thermoplastic rubber. The bottom layer is preferably formed from natural rubber, and preferably includes a tread design on the bottom surface thereof. A multi-layer shock absorbing cushion insert for pre-existing footwear is also provided in another embodiment.

1 . A multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion sole comprising:
 a top layer;   a cushion layer attached to an underside of said top layer;   a third layer attached to an underside of said cushion layer; and   a bottom layer positioned on an underside of said third layer, said bottom layer including a tread pattern on an underside thereof;   wherein said cushion layer includes a plurality of air pockets therein; and   wherein at least one of said air pockets is formed by a layer of material having a first thickness, while other air pockets are formed by a layer of material having a second thickness that is less than said first thickness.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion sole set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said air pocket having said first thickness is positioned in a medial portion of said cushion layer to provide additional support for an arch of a wearer's foot. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion sole set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said top layer is formed from a thermoplastic rubber material. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion sole set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said cushion layer is formed from a synthetic rubber material. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion sole set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said synthetic rubber material is ethylene-vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion sole set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said third layer is formed from a thermoplastic rubber material. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion sole set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said bottom layer is formed from natural rubber. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion sole set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said air pockets are open on either side of said multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion sole, so that air may freely flow into and out of said air pockets from surrounding atmosphere. 
     
     
         9 . A multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion sole comprising:
 a top layer;
 a cushion layer attached to an underside of said top layer; 
 a third layer attached to an underside of said cushion layer; and 
 a bottom layer positioned on an underside of said third layer, said bottom layer including a tread pattern on an underside thereof; 
 wherein said cushion layer includes a plurality of air pockets disposed therein, and 
 wherein at least one of said air pockets is formed by first material, while other air pockets are formed by a second material that is different from said first material. 
   
     
     
         10 . The multi-layer shock absorbing cushion sole set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said first material comprises nylon. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion sole set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said top layer is formed from a thermoplastic rubber material. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion insert set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said third layer is formed from a thermoplastic rubber material. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-layer shock-absorbing cushion insert set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said top layer is formed from a thermoplastic rubber material.