US 12,102,170 B2
Article of footwear with midsole having variable stiffness
John F. Swigart, Portland, OR (US); and Robert S. Bento, Raynham, MA (US)
Assigned to Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US)
Filed by Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US)
Filed on Feb. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/681,112.
Prior Publication US 2023/0270204 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
Int. Cl. A43B 13/12 (2006.01); A43B 13/18 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 13/125 (2013.01) [A43B 13/187 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An article of footwear comprising:
an upper;
an outsole; and
a two-piece midsole having a variable stiffness configured to reduce peak plantar pressures, wherein variable stiffness is provided by a firm foam material vertically aligned with a perimeter of the article of footwear and a soft foam material vertically aligned with a central heel region and a toe box region of the article of footwear and a combined height of the firm foam material and the soft foam material varies across the midsole,
wherein the firm foam material is a first percentage of a total height of the midsole, and wherein the soft foam material is a second percentage of the total height of the midsole, wherein the first percentage and the second percentage vary across the midsole to provide the midsole with a midfoot region having a different hardness than a forefoot region or a heel region of the midsole,
wherein the forefoot region and the heel region of the midsole are firmer than the midfoot region of the midsole.