Footwear Structure and Method of Forming the Same

Abstract

A footwear structure includes an upper having a bottom, wherein at least a portion of the bottom extends from a first side of the upper to a second side of the upper, a welt, the welt being separate from the upper and being coupled directly to at least a portion of the upper by a first stitching through the welt at a first location on the welt, and an outsole, the outsole being separate from the upper and being coupled to the welt by an adhesive or a second stitching through the welt at a second location on the welt. A method of forming a footwear structure, whereby a welt is directly coupled to at least a portion of an upper by a first stitching through the welt at a first location on the welt. The welt is directly coupled to at least a portion of an outsole by an adhesive or a second stitching through the welt as a second location on the welt.

1 . A footwear structure comprising:
 an upper having a bottom, said upper and bottom at least partially defining an interior cavity sized and shaped for receiving a foot, at least a portion of said bottom extending from a first side of said upper to a second side of said upper, said upper having an inner surface constructed and arranged to engage said foot when said foot is received in said interior cavity and an outer surface at least partially defining an exterior of the footwear;   a welt, said welt being separate from said upper and being coupled directly to at least a portion of said upper via a first stitching through said welt at a first location on said welt, said welt extending along at least a portion of a periphery of said upper; and   an outsole, said outsole being separate from said upper and being coupled to at least a portion of said welt.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear of  claim 1  wherein said first location on said welt defines a groove constructed and arranged to receive said first stitching. 
     
     
         3 . The footwear of  claim 1  wherein said outsole is coupled to said welt via a second stitching through said welt at a second location on said welt. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear of  claim 3  wherein said second location on said welt defines a groove constructed and arranged to receive said second stitching. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear of  claim 1  wherein said outsole is coupled to said welt via an adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . A footwear structure comprising:
 an upper having a bottom, said upper and bottom at least partially defining an interior cavity sized and shaped for receiving a foot, at least a portion of said bottom extending from a first side of said upper to a second side of said upper, said upper having an inner surface constructed and arranged to engage said foot when said foot is received in said interior cavity and an outer surface at least partially defining an exterior of the footwear;   a welt, said welt being separate from said upper and being coupled directly to at least a portion of said upper via a first stitching through said welt at a first location on said welt, said welt extending along at least a portion of a periphery of said upper;   an outsole, said outsole being separate from said upper and being coupled to at least a portion of said welt; and   a midsole having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface being coupled to at least a portion of said upper and said bottom surface being coupled to at least a portion of said outsole.   
     
     
         7 . The footwear of  claim 6  wherein said top surface of said midsole is coupled to at least a portion of said upper via a stitching. 
     
     
         8 . The footwear of  claim 6  wherein said top surface of said midsole is coupled to at least a portion of said upper via an adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear of  claim 6  wherein said top surface of said midsole is coupled directly to at least a portion of said welt via a stitching through said welt. 
     
     
         10 . The footwear of  claim 9  wherein said stitching defines said first stitching through said welt. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear of  claim 6  wherein said top surface of said midsole is coupled directly to at least a portion of said welt via an adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear of  claim 6  wherein said bottom surface is coupled to at least a portion of said outsole via a stitching. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear of  claim 6  wherein said bottom surface is coupled to at least a portion of said outsole via an adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . A method of forming a footwear structure, the method comprising:
 providing an upper having a bottom, at least a portion of said bottom extending from a first side of said upper to a second side of said upper, said upper and bottom at least partially defining a cavity for receiving a foot;   coupling a welt directly to at least a portion of said upper by a first stitching through said welt at a first location on said welt, said welt being separate from said upper and extending along at least a portion of a periphery of said upper;   providing an outsole, said outsole being separate from the upper; and   coupling said welt to at least a portion of said outsole.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said outsole is coupled to said welt via a second stitching through said welt at a second location on said welt. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said outsole is coupled to said welt via an adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 providing a midsole having a top surface and a bottom surface; 
 coupling said top surface of said midsole to at least a portion of said upper; and 
 coupling said bottom surface of said midsole to at least a portion of said outsole. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising coupling said top surface of said midsole directly to at least a portion of said welt. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said top surface of said midsole is coupled directly to a least a portion of said welt via a stitching through said welt. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said top surface of said midsole is coupled directly to at least a portion of said welt via an adhesive.