Cushioning and shock absorbing midsole

Abstract

A midsole adapted for attachment to a shoe having multiple layers of varying materials each having a different hardness level. More particularly, the present midsole includes a top, middle and bottom layer wherein all three layers of material have a different hardness range and wherein at least one of the layers is made from thermoplastic rubber (TPR). In one embodiment, the thermoplastic rubber (TPR) layer lies between the top and bottom layers and in another embodiment, the thermoplastic rubber (TPR) layer is the bottom layer. The thermoplastic rubber (TPR) layer may also have a length shorter than the other two layers forming the midsole.

1 . A midsole of a shoe comprising:
 a top layer;   a middle layer extending at least partially across the length of said top layer and attachable to said top layer; and   a bottom layer attachable to said middle layer along at least a portion of its length;   said top layer having a hardness greater than said middle and bottom layers, and said middle layer having a hardness greater than said bottom layer.   
     
     
         2 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein said middle layer extends across the heel portion of said top and bottom layers. 
     
     
         3 . The midsole of  claim 2  wherein the heel portion of said bottom layer is attached to said middle layer and the remaining portion of said bottom layer is attached to said top layer. 
     
     
         4 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein said top layer includes male connecting portions and said middle layer includes corresponding female connecting portions, said male connecting portions engaging said female connecting portions when said middle layer is attached to said top layer. 
     
     
         5 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein said top layer is made of a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         6 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein said middle layer is made of a thermoplastic rubber material. 
     
     
         7 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein said bottom layer is made of a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         8 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein said top layer has a hardness in the range of 60-90° Asker C hardness. 
     
     
         9 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein said middle layer has a hardness in the range of 20-65° Asker C hardness. 
     
     
         10 . The midsole of  claim 1  wherein said bottom layer has a hardness in the range of 20-50° Asker C hardness. 
     
     
         11 . The midsole of  claim 1  further including an outsole attachable to the bottom layer of said midsole. 
     
     
         12 . A midsole of a shoe comprising:
 a top layer made of a material having a hardness in the range of 60-90° Asker C hardness;   a middle layer extending at least partially across the length of said top layer and attachable to said top layer, said middle layer being made of a material having a hardness in the range of 40-60° Asker C hardness; and   a bottom layer attachable to said middle layer along at least a portion of its length, said bottom layer being made of a material having a hardness in the range of 20-40° Asker C hardness.   
     
     
         13 . The midsole of  claim 12  wherein said top layer is made of a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         14 . The midsole of  claim 12  wherein said middle layer is made of a thermoplastic rubber material. 
     
     
         15 . The midsole of  claim 12  wherein said bottom layer is made of a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         16 . The midsole of  claim 12  wherein said middle layer extends substantially across the length of said top layer. 
     
     
         17 . A midsole of a shoe comprising:
 a top layer;   a middle layer attachable to said top layer; and   a bottom layer extending at least partially across the length of said middle layer and attachable to said middle layer;   said top layer having a hardness greater than said middle and bottom layers, and said bottom layer have a hardness greater than said middle layer.   
     
     
         18 . The midsole of  claim 17  wherein said bottom layer extends across the heel portion of said middle layer. 
     
     
         19 . The midsole of  claim 18  wherein said bottom layer is attached to the heel portion of said middle layer. 
     
     
         20 . The midsole of  claim 17  wherein said middle layer includes female connecting portions and said bottom layer includes corresponding male connecting portions, said male connecting portions engaging said female connecting portions when said bottom layer is attached to said middle layer. 
     
     
         21 . The midsole of  claim 17  wherein said top layer is made of a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         22 . The midsole of  claim 17  wherein said middle layer is made of a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         23 . The midsole of  claim 17  wherein said bottom layer is made of a thermoplastic rubber material. 
     
     
         24 . The midsole of  claim 17  wherein said top layer has a hardness in the range of 60-90° Asker C hardness. 
     
     
         25 . The midsole of  claim 17  wherein said middle layer has a hardness in the range of 20-50° Asker C hardness. 
     
     
         26 . The midsole of  claim 17  wherein said bottom layer has a hardness in the range of 20-65° Asker C hardness. 
     
     
         27 . The midsole of  claim 17  further including an outsole attachable to the bottom layer and to a portion of the middle layer of said midsole. 
     
     
         28 . A midsole of a shoe comprising:
 a top layer made of a material having a hardness in the range of 60-90° Asker C hardness;   a middle layer attachable to said top layer and being made of a material having a hardness in the range of 20-40° Asker C hardness; and   a bottom layer attachable to said middle layer along at least a portion of its length, said bottom layer being made of a material having a hardness in the range of 40-60° Asker C hardness.   
     
     
         29 . The midsole of  claim 28  wherein said top layer is made of a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         30 . The midsole of  claim 28  wherein said middle layer is made of a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         31 . The midsole of  claim 28  wherein said bottom layer is made of a thermoplastic rubber material. 
     
     
         32 . The midsole of  claim 28  wherein said bottom layer extends substantially across the heel area of said middle layer. 
     
     
         33 . The midsole of  claim 28  wherein said middle layer includes connecting portions which are cooperatively engageable with corresponding connecting portions associated with said bottom layer when said bottom layer is attached to said middle layer. 
     
     
         34 . The midsole of  claim 33  wherein said bottom layer includes a pair of flanges which are cooperatively receivable within a corresponding pair of cut-offs associated with said middle layer.