Resilient midsoles for footwear

Abstract

A midsole for footwear, and footwear that incorporates the midsole, where the midsole includes a resilient core disposed between an upper housing and a lower housing, and including and a sidewall assembly extending from the perimeter of the upper housing to the perimeter of the lower housing, the sidewall assembly being configured to accommodate a compression of the midsole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A midsole for footwear, the midsole comprising:
 an upper housing;   a lower housing;   a sidewall assembly that extends from a perimeter of the upper housing to a perimeter of the lower housing, wherein the sidewall assembly is configured to accommodate a compression of the midsole; and   a resilient core disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing and within the sidewall assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The midsole of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient core is attached to at least one of the upper housing and lower housing. 
     
     
         3 . The midsole of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient core includes one or more of a resilient foam, a resilient gel, and a molded spring. 
     
     
         4 . The midsole of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient core includes one or more voids to enhance the compressibility of the core and/or to enhance the restoration ability of the core. 
     
     
         5 . The midsole of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient core is substantially homogeneous throughout the midsole. 
     
     
         6 . The midsole of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient core includes a plurality of zones, each zone having distinct compressibility characteristics. 
     
     
         7 . The midsole of  claim 6 , wherein each zone includes a resilient foam. 
     
     
         8 . The midsole of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall assembly includes an upper sidewall connected to the upper housing and a lower sidewall connected to the lower housing, wherein the upper and lower sidewalls are configured to telescope upon compression of the midsole. 
     
     
         9 . The midsole of  claim 8 , wherein the lower sidewall is configured to telescope within the upper sidewall. 
     
     
         10 . The midsole of  claim 8 , wherein the upper sidewall and lower sidewall form a unitary structure that incorporates one or more pleats that accommodate the telescoping movement of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         11 . The midsole of  claim 8 , wherein the upper sidewall and lower sidewall are distinct structures. 
     
     
         12 . Footwear, comprising:
 a footwear upper;   a footwear outsole; and   a midsole disposed between the upper and the outsole, the midsole comprising:
 an upper housing; 
 a lower housing; 
 a sidewall assembly that extends from a perimeter of the upper housing to a perimeter of the lower housing, wherein the sidewall assembly is configured to accommodate a compression of the midsole; and 
 a resilient core disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing and within the sidewall assembly. 
   
     
     
         13 . The footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the footwear is a work boot. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the resilient core includes one or more of a resilient foam, a resilient gel, and a molded spring. 
     
     
         15 . The footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the resilient core includes a resilient foam. 
     
     
         16 . The footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the resilient core includes one or more voids configured to enhance the compressibility of the core. 
     
     
         17 . The footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the sidewall assembly includes an upper sidewall connected to the upper housing and a lower sidewall connected to the lower housing, wherein the upper and lower sidewalls are configured to telescope upon compression of the midsole.