초록 ▼

A footwear construction and method for manufacturing the same. The sole include a rigid flexplate suspended within the midsole. The flexplate extends along substantially the entire length and width of the sole. The sole also preferably includes a rear stabilizer molded in place about the heel region

A footwear construction and method for manufacturing the same. The sole include a rigid flexplate suspended within the midsole. The flexplate extends along substantially the entire length and width of the sole. The sole also preferably includes a rear stabilizer molded in place about the heel region of the midsole. Further, the footwear may include a dual-density collar disposed about the ankle region of the upper. The collar includes a relatively soft inner layer that permits the collar to be stitched to the upper and a relatively rigid outer layer that provides the desired level of stability. The sole is preferably manufactured using the general steps of (a) providing a mold with a plurality of flexplate locating pins, (b) positioning a flexplate within the mold, (c) injecting the midsole material into the mold about the flexplate, and (d) attaching an outsole to the midsole. The rear stabilizer is preferably molded prior to and retained within the mold during the midsole molding step. The collar is preferably molded in sequential shots, with the inner and outer materials being molded from the same family of materials to enhance bonding. The molded collar is stitched to the upper and cement to the sole.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for manufacturing a sole system for footwear, comprising:providing a mold having first and second mold parts, the first and second mold parts each including flexplate locating pins; placing a flexplate within at least one of the first and second mold parts, the flexplate being substantia

1. A method for manufacturing a sole system for footwear, comprising:providing a mold having first and second mold parts, the first and second mold parts each including flexplate locating pins; placing a flexplate within at least one of the first and second mold parts, the flexplate being substantially rigid; closing said first and second mold parts to cooperatively define a first cavity about the flexplate, the flexplate locating pins of the first and second mold parts extending into the first cavity to suspend the flexplate within the first cavity; injecting material into the first cavity to form a sole part, the sole part substantially surrounding and entrapping the flexplate, the material being selected such that the cured material is substantially softer than the flexplate; providing the mold with a third mold part; closing the third mold part onto the first mold part prior to said step of closing said first and second mold parts, the first and third mold parts defining a rear stabilizer cavity in a shape of a rear stabilizer; injecting a material into the rear stabilizer cavity to form the rear stabilizer, the rear stabilizer material being selected such that the cured material is substantially stiffer than the sole part, thereby providing the sole part with increased support in a heel region of the sole part; opening the first and third mold parts and retaining the rear stabilizer on the first mold part whereby the sole part is integrally molded to the rear stabilizer when the material is injected into the first cavity to form the sole part; and removing the formed sole and rear stabilizer from the mold.