US 12,465,113 B2
Systems and methods for cushioned footwear
John Stollenwerk, Jr., Elm Grove, WI (US); and Javier Solis, Franklin, WI (US)
Assigned to Solwerk, Elm Grove, WI (US)
Appl. No. 17/620,302
Filed by Solwerk, Elm Grove, WI (US)
PCT Filed May 17, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/032702
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 17, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/245327, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 24, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0008594 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. A43B 7/14 (2022.01); A43B 7/148 (2022.01); A43B 13/12 (2006.01); A43B 13/18 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 13/12 (2013.01) [A43B 7/148 (2013.01); A43B 13/125 (2013.01); A43B 13/18 (2013.01); A43B 13/188 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A shoe comprising:
an outsole;
a midsole operatively connected to the outsole;
an insole operatively connected to the midsole forming a footbed, the midsole and insole each having at least one aperture therein; and
a cushion having at least one pillar extending generally upwardly from the outsole through the at least one aperture in the midsole and the at least one aperture in the insole, wherein the cushion further includes a radial flange extending radially outward from the at least one pillar and sandwiched between the outsole and the midsole, and wherein the radial flange extends radially outward from the at least one pillar to be flush with the outsole and the midsole such that an outer diameter of the radial flange is visible from an exterior of the shoe,
wherein the cushion includes a plurality of pillars distributed about the footbed, wherein each pillar extends upwardly from the outsole through a respective aperture in the midsole and a respective aperture in the insole, wherein the plurality of pillars are scattered throughout the footbed, wherein a plurality of pillars arranged along a midline of the footbed have a larger diameter than a plurality of pillars arranged outward of the midline.