US 12,070,096 B2
Article of footwear with midsole having varying hardness
Jean-Marie Bidal, Bridgewater, MA (US); and Robert S. Bento, Raynham, MA (US)
Assigned to Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US)
Filed by Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US)
Filed on Jun. 28, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/360,145.
Prior Publication US 2022/0408879 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. A43B 13/14 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 13/14 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An article of footwear comprising:
an upper;
a heel region;
an external heel counter positioned around the heel region;
a forefoot region;
a midfoot region;
a medial side extending from the forefoot region to the heel region;
a lateral side extending from the forefoot region to the heel region and opposite to and generally parallel to the medial side;
a dual durometer midsole comprising (i) a soft durometer portion positioned from the heel region to the forefoot region and (ii) a firm durometer portion positioned in the heel region under the external heel counter;
an outsole, wherein a portion of the outsole forms an A-shaped support frame extending over the external heel counter, wherein a top portion of the A-shaped support frame is positioned within a recess in the firm durometer portion of the midsole, the A-shaped support frame comprising a set of lateral or medial legs, wherein the set of lateral or medial legs is configured to extend from the firm durometer portion of the midsole and mate with a corresponding lateral and medial recess in the soft durometer portion of the midsole, wherein the set of lateral or medial legs includes a first leg extending to the heel region and a second leg extending to the midfoot region, wherein the first leg and second leg are disposed at an angle to form an opening in the A-shaped support frame, wherein the opening is positioned below the external heel counter; and
a stability insert positioned at the midfoot region at a lateral side, a medial side, or both the lateral and medial sides.