초록 ▼

A shoe that conforms to foot contours and provides cushioning is comprised of a shoe sole and a shoe upper attached to the shoe sole. The shoe upper is comprised of an outer layer, an inner layer and a conforming layer therebetween, wherein a first portion of the conforming layer is comprised of env

A shoe that conforms to foot contours and provides cushioning is comprised of a shoe sole and a shoe upper attached to the shoe sole. The shoe upper is comprised of an outer layer, an inner layer and a conforming layer therebetween, wherein a first portion of the conforming layer is comprised of environmentally-responsive gel. The environmentally-responsive gel is a temperature-responsive gel that will react to the heat emanating from a foot inserted into the shoe to express a liquid.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A foot conforming member for a shoe that conforms to at least one contour of a foot when the shoe is worn by an individual, wherein said foot conforming member is disposed in said shoe in a location adjacent to the contour of the foot and includes a temperature-responsive gel compo

[ We claim:] [1.] A foot conforming member for a shoe that conforms to at least one contour of a foot when the shoe is worn by an individual, wherein said foot conforming member is disposed in said shoe in a location adjacent to the contour of the foot and includes a temperature-responsive gel composition which:a. is in a liquid state at a first temperature when the foot conforming member is not adjacent to the individual's foot, so that when the conforming member initially contacts the foot the liquid flows to conform to the contour of the foot, andb. is in a gel state at a second temperature that remains substantially conformed to the contour of the individual's foot,wherein the gel composition changes between one state and the other due to heat from the individual's foot when inserted into the shoe.