Insert for footwear midsole

Abstract

An insert for a footwear midsole has a center portion which extends centrally across the midsole, a medial portion which extends upwardly from the center portion at the inner side of the midsole and a lateral portion which extends upwardly from the center portion at the outer side of the midsole. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is made from a cork rubber material and portions of the medial and lateral portions extend above the outsole and overly the upper of the footwear where they are exposed.

1 . An insert for footwear having a midsole, an outsole and an upper, said insert comprising: 
 (a) a center portion which extends across the midsole;    (b) a medial portion which extends upwardly from the center portion at the inner side of the midsole; and    (c) a lateral portion which extends upwardly from the center portion at the outer side of the midsole.    
     
     
         2 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein said medial portion is located generally forwardly of said lateral portion.  
     
     
         3 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein at least portions of said medial and lateral portions extend above the outsole and over exposed portions of the upper.  
     
     
         4 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein said insert is a unitary molded element.  
     
     
         5 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein said insert is embedded in said midsole.  
     
     
         6 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein said insert is stiffer than said midsole.  
     
     
         7 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein said insert is made from a combination of ethylene vinyl acetate and cork.  
     
     
         8 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein said center portion is located immediately in front of a heel portion of said midsole.  
     
     
         9 . The insert of  claim 8  wherein said lateral portion extends partially over said heel portion.  
     
     
         10 . The insert of  claim 5  wherein said insert is located in a cavity formed in a top surface of said midsole.  
     
     
         11 . The insert of  claim 3  wherein the portions of said lateral and medial portions which are exposed have arcuate upper edges.