Patent Application
20080072462
The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale and should be understood to provide a representation of the invention, illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the article of footwear for long jumping depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Articles of footwear for long jumping as disclosed herein would have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used.
The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose an article of footwear 10 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Footwear 10 is depicted in the figures and discussed below as having a configuration that is suitable for long jumping. The concepts disclosed with respect to footwear 10 may, however, be applied to footwear styles that are specifically designed for other athletic activities. Accordingly, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the concepts disclosed herein may be applied to other footwear styles and are not limited to the specific embodiments discussed below and depicted in the figures.
Footwear 10 is depicted in
Regions 16-20 and sides 22-24 are not intended to demarcate precise areas of footwear 10. Rather, regions 16-20 and sides 22-24 are intended to represent general areas of footwear 10 that provide a frame of reference during the following discussion. Although regions 16-20 and sides 22-24 apply generally to footwear 10, references to regions 16-20 and sides 22-24 may also apply specifically to upper 12, sole assembly 14, or an individual component or portion within either of upper 12 or sole assembly 14, or any other component of footwear 10.
Unless otherwise stated, or otherwise clear from the context below, directional terms used herein, such as rearwardly, forwardly, inwardly, downwardly, upwardly, etc., refer to directions relative to footwear 10 itself. Footwear 10 is shown in
Upper 12 is formed from various material elements that are stitched or adhesively-bonded together to form an interior void that comfortably receives a foot and secures the position of the foot relative to sole assembly 14. A variety of materials are suitable for upper 12, including the materials that are conventionally utilized in footwear uppers. Accordingly, upper 12 may be formed from combinations of leather, synthetic leather, natural or synthetic textiles, polymer sheets, polymer foams, mesh textiles, felts, non-woven polymers, or rubber materials, for example. The interior of upper 12 may have foam elements for enhancing the comfort of footwear 10, and the interior surface may include a moisture-wicking textile for removing excess moisture from the area immediately surrounding the foot.
Sole assembly 14, which is generally disposed between the foot of the wearer and the ground, provides attenuation of ground reaction forces (i.e., imparting cushioning), traction, and may control foot motions, such as pronation. As with conventional articles of footwear, sole assembly 14 includes an insole (not shown) located within upper 12, a midsole 26, and an outsole 28. Midsole 26 is attached to upper 22 and functions as the primary shock-attenuating and energy-absorbing component of footwear 10. Suitable materials for midsole 26 are any of the conventional polymer foams that are utilized in footwear midsoles, including ethylvinylacetate (EVA) and polyurethane (PU) foam.
Outsole 28 is secured to a lower surface of midsole 26 to provide wear-resistance. In addition, outsole 28 may be textured to enhance the traction (e.g., friction) properties between footwear 10 and the ground. Suitable materials for outsole 28 include any of the conventional rubber materials that are utilized in footwear outsoles, such as carbon black rubber compound. Other suitable materials for outsole 28 will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
Sole assembly 14 includes a support assembly 30 having a plate 32 positioned beneath midsole 26. Plate 32 may be secured to midsole 26 with adhesive or any other suitable fastening means. Plate 32 is formed of a relatively stiff, yet flexible material. Plate 32 may be formed, for example, of nylon resins or glass-filled nylon, such as Zytel®, sold by Dupont. Other suitable materials for plate 32 will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
In certain embodiments, plate 32 extends across substantially the entire lower surface of midsole 26. In other embodiments, plate 32 may not cover the entire lower surface of midsole 26. In the embodiment illustrated in
A plurality of tubular members is provided beneath plate 32 and extend transversely across sole assembly 14. In the illustrated embodiment, a first tubular member 34 is positioned in a front of forefoot portion 16 of sole assembly 14. A second tubular member 36 is positioned slightly rearwardly or behind first tubular member 34, with a first transverse gap 35 provided therebetween. A third tubular member 38 is positioned slightly rearwardly or behind second tubular member 36, with a second transverse gap 37 provided therebetween.
First transverse gap 35 and second transverse gap 37 provide for bending or articulation of sole assembly 14 in forefoot portion 16, thereby improving the flexibility of footwear 10.
In certain embodiments, as illustrated here, tubular members 34, 36, 38 are of unitary, that is, one-piece, construction with plate 32. In other embodiments, tubular members 34, 36, 38 may be separate elements secured to plate 32 with adhesive or other suitable fastening means.
In certain embodiments, tubular members 34, 36, 38 are substantially elliptical in cross-section, as illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the height of each tubular member 34, 36, 38, that is, its vertical dimension along its minor axis, is different than that of the other tubular members, with the heights decreasing from the front of forefoot portion 16 toward heel portion 20 of sole assembly 14. Suitable sizes for tubular members 34, 36, 38 will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
As illustrated here, where three tubular members 34, 36, 38 are shown, first tubular member 34 has a first greatest height, second tubular member 36 has a second height that is less than the first height of first tubular member 34, and third tubular member 38 has a third height that is less than the second height of second tubular member 36. Thus, as can be seen most clearly in
Although the illustrated embodiment shows three tubular elements extending transversely across sole assembly 14, it is to be appreciated that any number of tubular elements can be provided in sole assembly 14.
As illustrated here, each of tubular elements 34, 36, 38 are positioned in forefoot portion 16 of sole assembly 14 in order to facilitate launch. It is to be appreciated that portions of one or more tubular elements may be positioned in other portions of sole assembly 14, such as midfoot portion 18, for example.
As illustrated here most clearly in
As can be seen in
Thus, second tubular element 36 is split by first longitudinal gap 40 and second longitudinal gap 42 into a first portion 44, a second portion 46, and a third portion 48. First portion 44 is located in medial portion 22 of sole assembly 14, second portion 46 is located in a central portion of sole assembly 14, and third portion 48 is located in lateral portion 24 of sole assembly 14. Thus, first longitudinal gap 40 is positioned between first portion 44 and second portion 46, and second longitudinal gap 42 is positioned between second portion 46 and third portion 48.
Similarly, third tubular element 38 is split by first longitudinal gap 40 and second longitudinal gap 42 into a first portion 50, a second portion 52, and a third portion 54. First portion 50 is located in medial portion 22 of sole assembly 14, second portion 52 is located in a central portion of sole assembly 14, and third portion 54 is located in lateral portion 24 of sole assembly 14. Thus, first longitudinal gap 40 is positioned between first portion 50 and second portion 52, and second longitudinal gap 42 is positioned between second portion 52 and third portion 54.
It is to be appreciated that some or all of the tubular elements of sole assembly 14 can be split by the longitudinal gaps in other embodiments.
By providing first and second longitudinal gaps 40, 42 and diving second and third tubular members 36, 38 into three portions, sole assembly 14 is allowed to splay at launch, helping to naturally dissipate the excessive forces experienced at launch.
A heel pad 56 is positioned in heel portion 20 of sole assembly 14 beneath midsole 26. An upper surface of heel pad 56 is secured to midsole 26 by adhesive or other suitable fastening means. A recess 58 is formed in an upper surface of heel pad 56 and receives a heel portion of plate 32. In the illustrated embodiment, heel pad 56 is substantially C-shaped so as to define a recess 60, with its open end facing the front of sole assembly 14. By forming recess 60 in heel pad 56, the weight of heel pad 56 can be reduced, while still providing sufficient support and structure in heel portion 20.
A first rib 62 extends rearwardly along the lower surface of plate 32 from a rear edge of first portion 50 of third tubular member 38 into midfoot portion 18 of plate 32. A second rib 66 extends rearwardly along the lower surface of plate 32 from a rear edge of second portion 52 of third tubular member 38 into midfoot portion 18 of plate 32. A third rib 68 extends rearwardly along the lower surface of plate 32 from a rear edge of third portion 54 of third tubular member 38 into midfoot portion 18 of plate 32. Ribs 62, 64, and 66 serve to increase the rigidity of plate 32 in its midfoot portion 18. It is to be appreciated that the lengths of ribs 62, 64, and 66 can vary, and they may, in certain embodiments, extend into heel portion 20.
A first groove or slot 68 is formed in medial portion 22 of plate 32 and extends from midfoot portion 18 into heel portion 20 of plate 32. A second groove or slot 70 is formed in lateral portion 24 of plate 32 and extends from midfoot portion 18 into heel portion 20 of plate 32. Slots 68, 70 serve to reduce the weight of plate 32, and can provide aesthetic appeal.
A plurality of gripping elements 72 are provided on the lower surface of plate 32. Each gripping element 72 includes a plurality of downwardly projecting spikes 74. In the illustrated embodiment, each gripping element 72 has four spikes 74. In the illustrated embodiment, a gripping element 72 is provided in a central portion of first tubular member 34. A gripping element 72 is provided in a central portion of each of first and third portions 44, 48 of second tubular member 36. Similarly, a gripping element 72 is provided in a central portion of each of first and third portions 50, 54 of third tubular member 38. Spikes 74 may be formed of metal or any other material suitable for providing increased traction for the long jumper. Gripping elements 72 and/or spikes 74 may be removable or permanently secured to sole assembly 14.
In certain embodiments, outsole 28 is formed of a plurality of outsole elements 28 secured to a lower surface of plate 32 and tubular elements 34, 36, and 38. In the illustrated embodiment, an outsole element 28 is provided on each of first tubular element 34, second portion 46 of second tubular element 36, second portion 52 of third tubular element 38, and heel pad 56. Outsole elements 28 may have any desired shape. For example, the outsole elements 28 on second portion 46 and second portion 52 are substantially C-shaped, opening toward forefoot portion 16 and heel portion 20, respectively. Outsole elements 28 may have a textured surface in any desired pattern to reduce slipping and increase traction for the user.
Outsole elements 28 may be formed of rubber or other material suitable for providing increased traction. In certain embodiments, outsole elements 28 are formed of poly-butadiene rubber with a small percentage of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber. In certain embodiments, the rubber tray include 0.5 parts of a green silane. The rubber may include a granule-based silica as a filler. Since such a mixture is not a carbon black based formula, it can be colored.
Another embodiment is shown in
First, second and third inserts 76, 78, 80 provide additional cushioning and support in forefoot portion 16 of sole assembly 14. First, second and third inserts 76, 78, 80 may be formed of EVA or PU, for example.
In certain embodiments, as seen in
First, second, and third inserts 76, 78, 80 may be secured to corresponding first, second and third tubular members 34, 36, 38 by adhesive. In certain embodiments, inserts 76, 78, 80 may be directly injected onto tubular members 34, 36, 38 such that a bond is created between the inserts and the tubular members.
In light of the foregoing disclosure of the invention and description of various embodiments, those skilled in this area of technology will readily understand that various modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. All such modifications and adaptations are intended to be covered by the following claims.
