Waterproof Fabric in a Running Shoe

Abstract

A running shoe includes a sole, an upper connected to the sole, a foot cavity defined at least in part with the upper, insulation incorporated into the upper adjacent to the foot cavity, and a waterproof fabric distally located with respect to the insulation and forming a protective exterior of the upper.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A running shoe, comprising:
 a sole;   an upper connected to the sole;   a foot cavity defined at least in part by the upper;   a polyester liner formed in the upper adjacent to the foot cavity;   insulation incorporated into the upper adjacent to the polyester liner; and   a waterproof fabric distally located with respect to the insulation and forming a protective exterior of the upper.   
     
     
         2 . The running shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tongue connected to the upper;   the tongue defining the foot cavity in part with the upper; and   the waterproof fabric being incorporated in the tongue.   
     
     
         3 . The running shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the waterproof fabric is incorporated on an exterior surface of the tongue. 
     
     
         4 . The running shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the waterproof fabric incorporated into the tongue is adjacent to the foot cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The running shoe of  claim 2 , further comprising a tongue gusset;
 the tongue gusset defining the foot cavity in part with the upper and the tongue;   the tongue gusset including:
 a first side connected to the tongue; 
 a second side connected to the upper; 
 an inside surface adjacent to the foot cavity; and 
 the waterproof fabric forming the inside surface. 
   
     
     
         6 . The running shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof fabric is connected to the sole. 
     
     
         7 . The running shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof fabric has a waterproof rating of at least 8,000 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The running shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof fabric has a waterproof rating between 9,000 mm to 15,000 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The running shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof fabric includes an air permeable membrane. 
     
     
         10 . The running shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof fabric includes a polyurethane membrane. 
     
     
         11 . The running shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof fabric transports moisture across its thickness through a diffusive mass transfer mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The running shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the waterproof fabric further transports moisture across its thickness through a convective mass transport mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . A running shoe, comprising:
 a sole;   an upper connected to the sole;   a foot cavity defined at least in part by the upper;   a polyester liner formed in the upper adjacent to the foot cavity;   insulation incorporated into the upper adjacent to the polyester liner;   a waterproof fabric distally located with respect to the insulation and forming a protective exterior of the upper;   wherein the waterproof fabric transports moisture across its thickness through both a diffusive mass transfer mechanism and a convective mass transport mechanism; and   wherein the waterproof fabric has a waterproof rating between 8,000 mm to 15,000 mm.   
     
     
         14 . The running shoe of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a tongue connected to the upper including the waterproof fabric being incorporated into the tongue;   wherein the tongue defines the foot cavity in part with the upper.   
     
     
         15 . The running shoe of  claim 14 , wherein the waterproof fabric is disposed on an outer surface of the tongue. 
     
     
         16 . The running shoe of  claim 14 , wherein the waterproof fabric incorporated into the tongue is adjacent to the foot cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The running shoe of  claim 14 , further comprising a tongue gusset;
 wherein the tongue gusset defines the foot cavity in part with the upper and the tongue;   wherein the tongue gusset includes:
 a first side connected to the tongue; 
 a second side connected to the upper; and 
 an inside surface adjacent to the foot cavity, wherein the waterproof fabric forms the inside surface. 
   
     
     
         18 . The running shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the waterproof fabric is connected to the sole. 
     
     
         19 . The running shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the waterproof fabric includes an air permeable membrane. 
     
     
         20 . A running shoe, comprising:
 a sole;   an upper connected to the sole;   a foot cavity defined at least in part by the upper;   a polyester liner formed in the upper adjacent to the foot cavity;   insulation incorporated into the upper adjacent to the polyester liner;   a waterproof fabric distally located with respect to the insulation and forming a protective exterior of the upper. the waterproof fabric being connected to the sole;   a tongue connected to the upper, wherein the tongue defines the foot cavity in part with the upper, and wherein the waterproof fabric forms an outer surface of the tongue;   a tongue gusset further defining the foot cavity in part with the upper and the tongue;   wherein the tongue gusset includes a first side connected to the tongue, a second side connected to the upper, an inside surface adjacent to the foot cavity, and the waterproof fabric forming the inside surface;   wherein the waterproof fabric has a waterproof rating between 8,000 mm to 15,000 mm and includes an air permeable membrane that transports moisture across its thickness through both a diffusive mass transfer mechanism and a convective mass transport mechanism.