WO2014190232A1 - Shoe sole - Google Patents

Abstract

A shoe sole construction is provided, the sole being made up of a plurality of components. A midsole portion of the sole extends in a length and width direction, with a ridge protruding therefrom and also extending in the length direction. The ridge provides separation and/or attachment surfaces for two or more outsole members. The outsole members may have a variety of different characteristics to suit the needs of specific users.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/826,572 filed May 23, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a shoe with a sole having regions with differing material properties.

BACKGROUND

Athletic footwear ideally provides protection from injury while enhancing performance. Generally, athletic footwear comprises an upper portion and a sole portion. The upper portion at minimum secures the footwear to the user's foot and attaches to the sole. The sole traditionally comprises a midsole and an outsole. The outsole contacts the ground and commonly has wear-resistant and slip-resistant properties. The midsole cushions the foot against forces imparted by the ground while walking or exercising. In the case of running, the midsole is particularly important for absorbing ground impact forces transferred to the foot, leg and body, and because it may influence the runner's gait. For a general description of human gait and running gait in particular, see "Biomechanics and Analysis of Running Gait," Duagn et al, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 16 (2005), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Traditional running shoes are designed with midsoles focused on mitigating ground forces translated to the runner via the foot, or on influencing the runner's gait. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,327 to Halberstadt discloses an athletic shoe incorporating a cushioning and gait-adapting device which provides resilient cushioning while adapting to the gait of the user during running and other athletic activities. The shoe comprises an upper and a sole with the sole having a heel with medial and lateral ground-engaging elements. A cushioning and energy return and gait-adapting device is provided and comprises a support structure and one or more spring devices. Each spring device has a generally U-shaped pivot or swivel section and lateral and medial resiliently flexible pods. The pivot section has a mid-portion which is supported by the pivot cradle of the support structure. Resilient flexing of the lateral pod responsive to weight-bearing forces causes reaction forces to be applied across to the medial pod which is then caused to flex so that the medial pod is brought into an orientation for contact with the ground. Halberstadt is incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Also, U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,892 to Meschan discloses a shoe including a plate capable of being deflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe, an arch bridge integral with the plate, and at least one inflated cushion spaced apart from the plate during the entire walking gait cycle of the wearer, during the entire running gait cycle of the wearer, when the shoe is in an unloaded state and at all other times. Meschan is incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Some running shoe designs focus on particular types of running gaits, for example U.S. Patent No. 8,166,672 to Murphy ("Murphy") focuses on midfoot strikers. Murphy discloses a shoe sole for a running shoe conducive to a midfoot striking gait including a cushioning element positioned between the upper surface and the ground-contacting surface, at least a portion of which is positioned on a lateral side of the sole and contained within a region between 15% and 90% of the length of the shoe sole as measured from a rearfoot end of the sole. One or more high abrasion-resistant ground-contacting crash pads are positioned below the cushioning element, and include a lateral side portion contained within a region extending a distance of 20% the length of the shoe sole, as measured from a rearfoot end of the shoe sole. The shoe sole, preferably devoid of at least vertical arch sculpting, also includes a longitudinal flex groove positioned just medial of the crash pads. Murphy is incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Furthermore, some recent efforts have been made to design running shoes with enhanced resilient features, such as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0138652 to Lucas ("Lucas"). Lucas discloses a shoe which includes a sole plate having in a forefoot area and a plurality of leaf spring elements, wherein the sole plate and the plurality of leaf spring elements are manufactured as a single piece. Each of the plurality of leaf spring elements has one free end not connected with the sole plate. Lucas is incorporated by reference for all purposes. Similar designs to Lucas include U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0178303 to Hurd ("Hurd") and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0034615 to Nishikawa ("Nishikawa"), both of which are incorporated by reference for all purposes.

However, the conventional designs do not appreciably if at all influence the loading dynamics of a runner's heel center of pressure and a ball-of-foot center of pressure, or combinations thereof, during the phases of engagement with the ground. That is, for example, during initial ground contact through to loading, transition and toe off phases. Conventional running shoes generally use a static offset midsole. That is, the midsole thickness at a given point generally remains constant or static, albeit with some compression due to pressures and forces between the runner's foot and the ground.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe sole construction that comprises a plurality of components or sections. The components or sections may comprise different material properties to suit the needs and idiosyncrasies of different users including, for example, flat feet, supination, and pronation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sole construction that allows for a manufacturer to form shoes of various different support and performance characteristics, but that still have the same general layout or structural design.

In one embodiment, a shoe sole is provided, the sole comprising a midsole adapted for interconnection with a shoe upper, the midsole having a toe portion and a heel portion, and a predetermined length extending therebetween. The midsole comprises a ridge extending along the predetermined length and extending downwardly in a direction substantially perpendicular to said predetermined length. A first outsole and second outsole is provided, both outsoles being connected to the midsole. The outsoles are separated by the ridge along substantially the entire length of the sole and the first outsole comprises a material property that is distinct from at least one of the second outsole and the midsole, the material property being at least one of hardness, density, weight, and elasticity.

In another embodiment, a shoe sole is provided, the sole comprising a midsole adapted for interconnection with a shoe upper, the midsole having a toe portion and a heel portion with a predetermined length extending therebetween, and a width extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined length. The midsole comprises a first portion extending in a width direction and a ridge extending along the predetermined length and protruding downwardly. A medial outsole and a lateral outsole are interconnected to the midsole. The medial outsole and the lateral outsole are separated by the ridge along substantially the entire predetermined length, and the lateral outsole comprises a material property that is distinct from at least one of the second outsole and the midsole, the material property being at least one of hardness, density, weight, and elasticity.

In various embodiments, a ridge provided on the midsole portion of the shoe comprises a downwardly (i.e. away from a user's foot and/or toward a ground surface) projecting feature. The ridge generally comprises a feature that is narrower than both a lateral outsole and a medial outsole, and the ridge is bounded by the outsoles. In various embodiments, the ridge may comprise a curvilinear feature and may comprise various contours, undulations, indentations, etc. as may be required or desired by design aesthetics, traction considerations, and structural support considerations.

In various embodiments, the ridge comprises lateral and medial sidewalls. In certain embodiments, a lateral outsole is interconnected to the lateral sidewall and the medial outsole is interconnected to the medial sidewall. In alternative embodiments, only one of the medial outsole and the lateral outsole are interconnected to the sidewalls of the ridge. In further embodiments, neither of the medial outsole and lateral outsole are connected to a sidewall of the ridge, and the outsoles are interconnected to the midsole at a bottom portion of the midsole.

Furthermore, the concepts disclosed with respect to footwear and footwear midsoles may be applied to footwear styles that are specifically designed for a variety of other athletic activities, including basketball, baseball, football, soccer, walking, and hiking, for example, and may also be applied to various non-athletic footwear styles. Accordingly, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the concepts disclosed herein may be applied to a wide range of footwear styles and are not limited to the specific embodiments discussed below and depicted in the figures.

The concepts also may be applied to footwear styles that are generally considered to be non-athletic, including dress shoes, loafers, sandals, and work boots. The concepts disclosed herein apply, therefore, to a wide variety of footwear styles. Also, aspects of this invention may be used in conjunction with other portions of a footwear structure, such as the outsole and insole.

As used herein, the term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms "comprising", "including", and "having" can be used interchangeably.

As used herein, "at least one", "one or more", and "and/or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. As used herein, the term, "innersole" refers to a removable portion of the sole of an article of footwear, which is inserted into the article of footwear from the opening in the upper and which is designed to provide support to the wearer's foot, depending upon the wearer's anatomy and the intended use of the article of footwear.

As used herein, the term, "midsole" refers to that portion of the sole of an article of footwear sandwiched between the innersole and the outsole, to which is attached the outsole.

As used herein, the term, "outsole" refers to that portion of the sole of an article of footwear that is furthest from the upper.

As used herein, the term, "upper" refers to any portion of the shoe above the sole.

As used herein, the terms "shoe" and "footwear" refer to an article to be worn by a user's foot.

As used herein, "gait" is the pattern of movement of the limbs during locomotion over a solid surface.

As used herein, "foot strike" is how the foot strikes the ground, which may be via the heel, midfoot or forefoot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention provided herein serve to explain the principles of these inventions.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a shoe sole of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2a is a bottom plan view of a shoe sole of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2b is a side elevation view of a shoe sole of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2c is a side elevation view of a shoe sole of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2d is a side elevation view of a shoe sole of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional elevation view of a shoe sole of one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional elevation view of a shoe sole of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional elevation view of a shoe sole of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional elevation view of a shoe sole of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5a is a bottom plan view of a shoe sole of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5b is a front elevation view of a shoe sole of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5c is a rear elevation view of a shoe sole of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional elevation view of a shoe sole of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional elevation view of a shoe sole of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6c is a cross-sectional elevation view of a shoe sole of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6d is a cross-sectional elevation view of a shoe sole of an embodiment of the present invention.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a shoe sole 2 of one embodiment of the present invention that comprises a midsole 4, a lateral outsole 8, and a medial outsole 10. The midsole 4 includes a ridge 6 extending from a front or toe portion 14 to a rear or heel portion 16 thereof. The ridge 6 defines lateral 18 and medial 20 recesses or cavities for receipt of the lateral 8 and medial 10 outsoles. The lateral 8 and medial 10 outsoles may also include cavities or recesses at high wear areas that receive inserts 12. In certain embodiments, the inserts 12 comprise inserts at least one of carbon, rubber, plastic, and metal material(s) or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the lateral outsole 8 and medial outsole 10 are fixed by gluing or stitching to a bottom surface of the midsole 4 and to respective lateral 18 and medial 20 ridge surfaces. In the embodiment shown, the material properties of the lateral 8 and medial 10 outsole portions are different. For example, to assist runners or walkers who supinate, the lateral outsole 8 is contemplated as comprising a stiffer material than that of the medial outsole 10. Conversely, embodiments to address pronation are also contemplated wherein the medial outsole 10 is made of a material stiffer than that of the lateral outsole 8.

Although FIG. 1 shows a two-piece outsole construction, one of skill in the art will appreciate that a shoe outsole of the contemplated invention may be further divided to provide a tuned shoe having varied outsole stiffness. More specifically, the sole 2 may include a front medial portion, a front lateral portion, a rear medial portion, and a rear lateral portion each with different material properties. Any number of mid medial and lateral portions may also be provided. In one embodiment of the present invention the material properties, i.e., material stiffness (or degree of stiffness with respect to the other outsole portions), may be identified and distinguished by texture or color wherein one can easily identify the nature of the shoe upon visual or tactile inspection. The contemplated shoe may also have more than one longitudinal ridge that span from the front portion 14 to the rear portion 16 of the midsole or one or more transverse ridges that span the width of the midsole to define recesses for the receipt of outsole portions.

FIGS. 2a-2d show a shoe sole 2 of one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2a, the sole 2 comprises a forward or toe area 14 and a rearward or heel area 16. A length of the sole 2 extends between the toe area 14 and the heel area 16. A width is provided, the width comprising a dimension that is substantially perpendicular to the length. Although the sole 2 of FIGS. 2a-2d depict a right shoe sole, it will be expressly recognized that left and right shoes of embodiments of the present invention comprise substantially the same features and construction, wherein the two are simply mirrored about a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the length of the sole. As shown, the sole 2 comprises a lateral outsole 8 and medial outsole 10. A midsole 4 (see FIG. 2d) is provided with a downwardly extending ridge 6. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 2a, the outsoles 8, 10 and ridge may comprise undulating or waving features along the length of the sole 2. It will be recognized, however, that no limitation is expressed or implied herein with respect to such undulations, and that various surface features including bottom surface features may be provided in the interest of aesthetics, traction, support, etc. FIG. 2b provides a side elevation view of the sole 2 wherein the lateral outsole 8 is visible. As shown, the sole 2 including the lateral outsole 8 comprises an upturned area proximal the toe area 14. FIG. 2c provides a side elevation view of the sole 2 wherein the medial outsole 10 is visible. FIG. 2d provides a side elevation view of the midsole portion 4 of the sole 2. As shown in FIGS. 2a-2d, the sole 2 including the midsole 4 and outsole portions 8, 10 comprise various recesses 30 and similar features. Such recesses, which may include voids, slots, channels, holes, and the like are provided to increase traction of the sole and allow for and increase flexure and flexibility of the sole at discrete locations. In various embodiments, the lateral outsole 8 and the medial outsole 10 comprise a different number, pattern, and/or arrangement of recesses such that the recesses 30 of one of the lateral outsole 8 and medial outsole 10 provide a stiffer sole portion than the other outsole.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional elevation view taken at C-C of FIG. 2, and shows the ridge 6 having a bevel 22 that receives a corresponding bevel 24 associated with the medial outsole 10. In alternative embodiments, it is contemplated that the lateral outsole 8 comprises a bevel for communicating with a bevel of the ridge 6, either in addition to or in lieu of the bevel 24 shown in FIG. 3a. FIG. 3a also shows a void space 26 provided between the lateral outsole portion 8 and the ridge 6. The bevel 22 provides additional surface area which helps secure the outsole portion 10 to the midsole ridge 6. In certain embodiments, the lateral 8 and medial 10 outsole portions are glued to the lower surface of the midsole and to respective medial and lateral ridge surfaces. In various embodiments, the bevel 22 of the midsole 4 and the corresponding bevel of the medial outsole 10 comprises an angle of between approximately 10 and 60 degrees. In certain embodiments, such the bevels comprise an angle of between approximately 35 and 55 degrees. In an alternative embodiment, the ridge 6 of the midsole 4 extends downwardly from the midsole in a substantially perpendicular manner, and the union or connection between the ridge 6 and the outsoles comprises a substantially vertical (at least with respect to FIG. 3a) interface. It is further contemplated by alternative embodiments that the union between the ridge 6 and the outsoles 8, 10 comprises an irregular feature. For example, in some embodiments it is contemplated that an irregular union such as a zig-zap or wave-type shape is provided on the ridge and at least one outsole 8, 10 to further increase the surface area and bonding area between the at least two features.

FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 and taken about line D-D'. As shown in FIGS. 2-3b, the cross-section of the sole 2 does not remain constant along the length (i.e. from the toe portion 14 to the heel portion 16) of the sole 2. Accordingly various features and their proportions will vary along the length of the sole. For example, respective widths of the lateral outsole 8, medial outsole 10, midsole 4 and ridge 6 vary over the length of the sole 2. Additionally, the width and/or positioning of the void space 26 vary over the length in the depicted embodiment.

In various embodiments, the sole 2 comprises at least three components including the lateral outsole 8, the medial outsole 10, and the midsole 4 comprising a ridge 6. In preferred embodiments, the three components are joined or connected at least two connection points, including a union 28 between the medial outsole 8 and the medial outsole 10. The union 28 may comprise a shelf or substantially horizontal portion wherein the lateral outsole 8 and the midsole 8 are joined by an adhesive. Additionally, a medial outsole 10 and midsole 4 are joined or adhered together at the union of the bevel 22 of the midsole 4 and the bevel 24 of the lateral outsole 26. Various adhesives suitable for forming and joining shoe soles, as will be recognized by one of skill in the art, may be provided. Various mechanical fasteners elements may also be provided to secure portions of the sole(s).

FIGS. 4a-4c are a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of a sole 2 according to the present invention. For reference, FIGS. 4a-4c are taken about lines B-B', C-C and D-D' of FIG. 2 respectively, but it will be recognized that the sole 2 of FIGS. 4a- 4c comprise an alternative embodiment to the sole of FIG. 2. As shown the sole 2 of FIGS. 4a-4b comprises a midsole portion 4 with a ridge 6 and wherein the ridge 6 comprises a substantially vertical member extending perpendicular to the midsole portion 4 in at least certain regions of the sole 2. The midsole portion 4 is formed or secured to the lateral outsole 8 and medial outsole 10, which may comprise outsole portions of difference stiffness, hardness, density, and/or elasticity. As shown in FIG. 4c, the ridge 6 comprises lateral gaps or channels 32 that generally extend along a length of the sole, and the midsole 4 is adhered or secured to the outsoles 8, 10 along upper shelf portions 34. As shown, the midsole 4 extends in at least a width direction, comprises one or more surface areas that are secured to an outsole along the width direction, and comprises a ridge that extends downwardly in a height direction (vertically in FIGS. 4a-4c) and resides between at least a portion of the lateral outsole 8 and at least a portion of the medial outsole 10.

FIG. 5a is a bottom plan view of a sole 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5b and 5c are corresponding front and rear views of the embodiment of FIG. 5a, respectively. As shown, a sole 2 comprises a ridge 6 extending downwardly from a midsole 4, and a lateral outsole 8 and medial outsole 10.

FIGS. 6a-6d are cross-sectional elevation views of the embodiment of FIG. 5a taken about different points along a length of the sole 2. FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional elevation view of a sole 2 taken at line B-B' of FIG. 5a. As shown, the sole 2 comprises a midsole portion 4 interconnected to a lateral outsole 8 and a medial outsole portion 10. The midsole 4 comprises a ridge 6 extending therefrom. As shown in FIGS. 6a-6d, and as opposed to alternative embodiments of the present invention, the ridge 6 is not adhered or connected directly to either the lateral outsole 8 or medial outsole 10. The midsole 4 comprises lateral portions 34 which extend over portions of the outsoles 8, 10 and provide a contact and adhering surface between the components. The ridge 6 of the midsole 4 is separated from the outsole portions by channels 32. Channels 32 generally extend along a length of the sole 2 from the toe portion 14 to the heel portion 16, but may vary in contour, width, etc. along the length.

As discussed, portions of the sole 2 may comprise different material properties to accommodate different user's needs and anatomical idiosyncrasies. For example and in certain embodiments, at least one of the lateral outsole 8, the medial outsole 10, and the midsole 4 comprises at least one of a stiffness, hardness, elasticity, density, and a thickness that is different from the other components.

In still other embodiments of the present invention, the various sole structures set forth herein are employed in an overall shoe construction to provide a shoe with unique adjustment and fit componentry that directly addresses a wearer's desire for greater comfort, injury prevention and ease of use. In one embodiment, the shoe contains a liner positioned between at least a portion of the upper and tongue and the interior cavity of the shoe. The liner is a non-irritating material that is substantially non-abrasive to a user's foot positioned within the interior cavity of the shoe and lacks stitching where the user's foot contacts the liner. Padding material(s) are positioned between the upper and/or tongue and the liner and adhered to the one or both of the liner and the upper and/or tongue by stitching, glue, heat welding or the like. In one embodiment, the sole of the shoe contains a light-weight material having substantial rigidity, such as a plurality of carbon fibers configured in a unidirectional alignment or laminate that may also contain one or more of a polymeric material, a polymeric mixture, a polymeric alloy or combinations of these polymeric materials. The sole may also contain venting voids in the sole. The sole venting voids may extend through the sole to the interior cavity and provide for fluid and air flow into and out of the interior cavity of the shoe. The shoe may further include a closure system composed of a plurality of straps and a plurality of loops. The straps have a fixed end attached to the lateral side of the upper and the loops may be integrally attached to the medial side of the upper and may include an arch strap, a mid-foot strap, and/or a toe box strap and corresponding loops for each of these straps to interact with to tighten each strap. In these embodiments, the arch, mid-foot and toe box straps intersect a toe-to-heel line at a strap angle. The arch strap and the mid-foot strap are separated by a distance that is sufficiently large enough to substantially relieve pressure generated by the closure system on the medial branch of the deep fibular nerve, flexor digitorum longus tendon and/or flexor digitorum bevis muscle of a user's foot positioned in the shoe and the distance separating the arch and mid-foot straps may be greater than about 0.3 inch, with the distance from between these straps preferably being from about 0.7 to about 1.1 inch. Preferably, the shoe further comprises an offset throat and tongue such that the throat and tongue angle away from the medial side of the shoe and away from the heel to toe center line of the shoe towards the lateral side of the upper. This configuration, when secured by a closure system about a user's foot, reduces pressure to the nerves and tendons in the upper portion of the user's foot thereby reducing injuries and discomfort to a user's foot when wearing the shoe, particularly for prolonged periods of time.

Still other embodiments include an insole, which may be removable, and is configured to accept inserts or angled inserts into slots in the metatarsal, arch and/or heel portions of the insole, permitting the user to vary the thickness and angle of the inserts by using a plurality of inserts in the insole slots.

To reduce the need to provide extensive disclosure in this application, but to provide adequate written description and enablement requirements of the various devices and methods encompassed by the numerous embodiments of the present invention, various patents and patent applications are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference, with applicant preserving the ability to seek priority therefrom: these include: US Patent No. 8,667,716 to Torrance et. al, 7,770,309; 2011-0041360; 29/482,667;

PCT/US2010/038945; 2013-0269216; and 14/187,793.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe sole comprising:

a midsole adapted for interconnection with a shoe upper;

the midsole having a toe portion and a heel portion, and a predetermined length extending therebetween;

the midsole comprising a ridge extending along the predetermined length and extending downwardly in a direction substantially perpendicular to said predetermined length;

a first outsole interconnected to the midsole;

a second outsole interconnected to the midsole;

the first outsole and the second outsole being separated by said ridge along substantially the entire predetermined length; and

wherein the first outsole comprises a material property that is distinct from at least one of the second outsole and the midsole, the material property being at least one of hardness, density, weight, and elasticity.

2. The shoe sole of claim 1, wherein the ridge is angled with respect to a bottom surface of the midsole.

3. The shoe sole of claim 2, wherein an angled surface of the ridge comprises a connection interface with one of the first and second outsoles.

4. The shoe sole of claim 1, further comprising an insert, the insert comprising at least one of a carbon, rubber, plastic, and a metal material.

5. The shoe sole of claim 1, wherein the ridge extends along the

predetermined length and proximal to a lateral midpoint of the midsole.

6. The shoe sole of claim 1, wherein the first outsole comprises a medial outsole.

7. The shoe sole of claim 1, wherein the first outsole and the second outsole are adhered to the midsole.

8. The shoe sole of claim 1, wherein the ridge comprises a curvilinear structure.

9. A shoe sole comprising:

a midsole adapted for interconnection with a shoe upper, the midsole having a toe portion and a heel portion with a predetermined length extending therebetween, and a width extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined length; the midsole comprising a first portion extending in a width direction and a ridge extending along the predetermined length and protruding downwardly;

a medial outsole interconnected to the midsole;

a lateral outsole interconnected to the midsole;

the medial outsole and the lateral outsole being separated by the ridge along substantially the entire predetermined length; and

wherein the lateral outsole comprises a material property that is distinct from at least one of the second outsole and the midsole, the material property being at least one of hardness, density, weight, and elasticity.

10. The shoe sole of claim 9, wherein at least one of the medial outsole and the lateral outsole is provided in contact with the ridge.

11. The shoe sole of claim 9, wherein at least one of the medial outsole and the lateral outsole is interconnected to the first portion of the midsole.

12. The shoe sole of claim 9, wherein the ridge comprises a beveled edge and at least one of the lateral outsole and the medial outsole is interconnected to the beveled edge.

13. The shoe sole of claim 9, further comprising channels extending along the predetermined length and wherein the channels provide a gap between the ridge and the lateral outsole and the medial outsole.

14. The shoe sole of claim 9, wherein the lateral outsole is stiffer than the medial outsole.

15. The shoe sole of claim 9, further comprising an insert, the insert comprising at least one of a carbon, rubber, plastic, and a metal material.