Golf shoe with support structure

Abstract

A golf shoe comprising an upper and a sole assembly connected to the upper, a footbed disposed within the upper, wherein the footbed is configured to support a subject's foot when the subject is wearing the golf shoe; an insole component provided below the footbed; and a support structure fixed to the insole component, wherein the support structure comprises a free floating insert configured to move or slide along or through the sole assembly as the subject executes a golf-related action or movement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf shoe, comprising:
 an upper and a sole assembly connected to the upper, the sole assembly comprising a midsole and an outsole;   a footbed disposed within the upper, wherein the footbed is configured to support a subject's foot when the subject is wearing the golf shoe;   an insole component provided below the footbed; and   a support structure fixed to the insole component, wherein the support structure comprises a free floating insert configured to move or slide along or through the sole assembly as the subject executes a golf-related action or movement.   
     
     
         2 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein a select portion of the support structure is fixed to the insole component. 
     
     
         3 . The golf shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the select portion of the support structure is offset from a rear end portion of the insole component. 
     
     
         4 . The golf shoe of  claim 2 , wherein a remaining portion of the support structure is detached from the insole component. 
     
     
         5 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the insole component comprises a protrusion configured to engage the support structure to facilitate a mechanical coupling between the insole component and the support structure. 
     
     
         6 . The golf shoe of  claim 5 , wherein the support structure comprises a recess, a window, or an aperture configured to receive the protrusion. 
     
     
         7 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a snap fastening mechanism configured to couple the support structure to the insole component. 
     
     
         8 . The golf shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the snap fastening mechanism is integrated with the insole component. 
     
     
         9 . The golf shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the snap fastening mechanism is a separate component from the insole component. 
     
     
         10 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a rivet configured to couple the support structure to the insole component. 
     
     
         11 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is positioned between the midsole and the insole component. 
     
     
         12 . The golf shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the midsole comprises a channel configured to receive or accommodate the support structure. 
     
     
         13 . The golf shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the channel is recessed into an upper surface of the midsole. 
     
     
         14 . The golf shoe of  claim 11 , further comprising a clear TPU film provided underneath the support structure. 
     
     
         15 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is positioned between the footbed and the insole component. 
     
     
         16 . The golf shoe of  claim 15 , wherein the insole component or the footbed comprises a channel configured to receive or accommodate the support structure. 
     
     
         17 . The golf shoe of  claim 16 , wherein the channel is recessed into an upper surface of the insole component. 
     
     
         18 . The golf shoe of  claim 16 , wherein the channel is recessed into a bottom or lower surface of the footbed. 
     
     
         19 . The golf shoe of  claim 15 , further comprising an additional layer of material provided between the support structure and the footbed to promote a sliding movement of the support structure relative to the footbed. 
     
     
         20 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises one or more slits configured to enhance a flexibility of the support structure.