Patent Grant
9451805
Aspects of this invention relate generally to an article of footwear with an improved sole assembly and, in particular, to an article of footwear with a sole assembly having a support assembly with at least one primary member and at least one secondary member engaged with the primary member.
Conventional articles of athletic footwear generally include two primary elements, an upper and a sole assembly or sole structure. The upper is secured to the sole structure and forms a void on the interior of the footwear for comfortably and securely receiving a foot. The sole structure is secured to a lower portion of the upper and is positioned between the foot and the ground. The sole structure generally incorporates multiple layers that are conventionally referred to as an insole, a midsole, and an outsole. The insole, or sockliner, is a thin, compressible member located within the void and proximate a lower surface of the foot to enhance footwear comfort.
The outsole forms a ground-engaging portion (or other contact surface-engaging portion) of the sole structure, and is formed from a durable and wear-resistant material that includes texturing to improve traction.
To keep a wearer safe and comfortable, footwear is called upon to perform a variety of functions. For example, the sole structure of footwear should provide adequate support and impact force attenuation properties to prevent injury and reduce fatigue, while at the same time provide adequate flexibility so that the sole structure articulates, flexes, stretches, or otherwise moves to allow an individual to fully utilize the natural motion of the foot.
The midsole, which is conventionally secured to the upper along the length of the upper, forms a middle layer of the sole structure and is primarily responsible for attenuating ground (or other contact surface) reaction forces to lessen stresses upon the foot and leg, may also beneficially utilizing such ground reaction forces for more efficient toe-off, and control potentially harmful foot motions, such as over pronation. Conventional midsoles may include a foam material to attenuate impact forces and absorb energy when the footwear contacts the ground during athletic activities. Other midsoles may utilize fluid-filled bladders (e.g., filled with air or other gasses) to attenuate impact forces and absorb energy.
Although foam materials in the midsole succeed in attenuating impact forces for the foot, foam materials that are relatively soft may also impart instability that increases in proportion to midsole thickness. For example, the use of very soft materials in the midsole of running shoes, while providing protection against vertical impact forces, can encourage instability of the ankle, thereby contributing to the tendency for over-pronation. This instability has been cited as a contributor to “runner's knee” and other athletic injuries. For this reason, footwear design often involves a balance or tradeoff between impact force attenuation and stability.
Stabilization is also a factor in sports like basketball, volleyball, football, and soccer. In addition to running, an athlete may be required to perform a variety of motions including transverse movement; quickly executed direction changes, stops, and starts; movement in a backward direction; and jumping. While making such movements, footwear instability may lead to excessive inversion or eversion of the ankle joint, potentially causing an ankle sprain.
High-action sports, such as soccer, basketball, football, rugby, ultimate, etc., impose special demands upon players and their footwear. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide footwear that achieves better dynamic control of the wearer's movements, while at the same time providing impact-attenuating features that protect the wearer from excessive impact loads.
It would be desirable to provide an article of footwear with a sole assembly that reduces or overcomes some or all of the difficulties inherent in prior known devices. Particular advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain embodiments.
The principles of the invention may be used to provide an article of footwear with an improved support assembly. In accordance with a first aspect, an article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole, a support assembly beneath the midsole, and an outsole. The support assembly includes a primary member including a front portion, a central portion, a rear portion, a first aperture, and a second aperture. A secondary member includes a front portion, a central portion, and a rear portion, and extends through the first aperture and the second aperture such that the front portion of the secondary member is positioned above the front portion of the primary member, the central portion of the primary member is positioned above the central portion of the secondary member, and the rear portion of the primary member is positioned above the rear portion of the secondary member.
In accordance with another aspect, an article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole positioned beneath the upper, and a support assembly positioned beneath the midsole. The support assembly has a primary member including a front portion, a central portion, a forward connecting member extending diagonally upwardly from a rear end of the front portion of the primary member to a forward end of the central portion of the primary member, a first aperture formed in the forward connecting member, a rear portion, a rear connecting member extending diagonally upwardly from a forward end of the rear portion of the primary member to a rear end of the central portion of the primary member, and a second aperture formed in rear connecting member. A secondary member includes a front portion, a central portion, a forward connecting member extending diagonally upwardly from a forward end of the central portion of the secondary member through the first aperture to a rear end of the front portion of the secondary member, a rear portion, a rear connecting member extending diagonally upwardly from a rear end of the central portion of the secondary member through the second aperture to a forward end of the rear portion of the secondary member, such that the front portion of the secondary member is positioned above and spaced from the front portion of the primary member, the central portion of the primary member is positioned above and spaced from the central portion of the secondary member, and the rear portion of the primary member is positioned above and spaced from the rear portion of the secondary member. An outsole is formed of a plurality of pieces, with one of the pieces being positioned beneath each of the front portion of the primary member, the central portion of the secondary member, and the rear portion of the primary member.
In accordance with a further aspect, an article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole positioned beneath the upper, and a support assembly positioned beneath the midsole. The support assembly has a primary member including a front portion having a upwardly curving front end, a central portion, a forward connecting member extending diagonally upwardly from a rear end of the front portion of the primary member to a forward end of the central portion of the primary member, a first aperture formed in the forward connecting member, a rear portion having an upwardly curving rear end, a rear connecting member extending diagonally upwardly from a forward end of the rear portion of the primary member to a rear end of the central portion of the primary member, and a second aperture formed in the rear connecting member. A secondary member includes a front portion having a downwardly curving forward end connected to the forward end of the front portion of the primary member, a central portion, a forward connecting member extending diagonally upwardly from a forward end of the central portion of the secondary member through the first aperture to a rear end of the front portion of the secondary member, a rear portion having a downwardly curving rear end connected to the rear end of the rear portion of the primary member, a rear connecting member extending diagonally upwardly from a rear end of the central portion of the secondary member through the second aperture to a forward end of the rear portion of the secondary member, such that the front portion of the secondary member is positioned above and spaced from the front portion of the primary member, the central portion of the primary member is positioned above and spaced from the central portion of the secondary member, and the rear portion of the primary member is positioned above and spaced from the rear portion of the secondary member. An outsole is formed of a plurality of pieces, with one of the pieces being positioned beneath each of the front portion of the primary member, the central portion of the secondary member, and the rear portion of the primary member.
In accordance with yet a further aspect, an article of footwear includes an upper and a midsole positioned beneath the upper. A support assembly positioned beneath the midsole includes a primary member having at least one aperture extending therethrough and at least one opening, each opening exposing a corresponding one of the apertures to an exterior of the primary member. A secondary member is engaged with the primary member such that a portion of the secondary member extends through each aperture and a portion of one of the primary member and the secondary member is positioned above the other of the primary member and the secondary member. An outsole is positioned beneath the support assembly.
By providing an article of footwear having a support assembly including a primary member and a secondary member according to certain embodiments, improved attenuation of impact forces can be achieved for the footwear. These and additional features and advantages disclosed here will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain embodiments.
The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale, should be understood to provide a representation of particular embodiments of the invention, and are merely conceptual in nature and illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the footwear with a support assembly 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. Footwear with a support assembly as disclosed herein would have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used.
An article of footwear 10 is depicted in
Upper 12 defines a void or chamber for receiving a foot. For purposes of reference, upper 12 includes a lateral side 22, an opposite medial side 24, and a vamp or instep area 26. Lateral side 22 is positioned to extend along a lateral side of the foot (i.e., the outside) and generally passes through each of regions 16-20. Similarly, medial side 24 is positioned to extend along an opposite medial side of the foot (i.e., the inside) and generally passes through each of regions 16-20. Upper 12 may also include a closure mechanism, such as lace 28. Upper 12 also includes an ankle opening 30 that provides the foot with access to the void within upper 12.
Upper 12 may also include an insole (or sockliner, not shown), which is generally a thin, compressible member located within the void for receiving the foot and proximate to a lower surface of the foot. Typically, the insole, which is configured to enhance footwear comfort, may be formed of foam, and optionally a foam component covered by a moisture wicking fabric or textile material. Further, the insole or sockliner may be glued or otherwise attached to the other components of footwear 10, although it need not be attached, if desired.
Sole assembly 14 includes a midsole 32 positioned below upper 12. Midsole 32 may be formed of a resilient, polymer foam material, such as polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate (“EVA”). Other suitable materials for midsole 32 will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure. In certain embodiments, it is to be appreciated that midsole 32 may incorporate sealed chambers, fluid-filled bladders.
Midsole 32 may be directly secured to upper 12 with an adhesive, for example. Suitable adhesives are well known in the art and need not be discussed in greater detail here. Midsole 32 may be secured to upper 12 with any other suitable fastening means, and such other suitable means of midsole 32 to upper 12 will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
Midsole 32 may extend beneath the length and width of upper 12. In the illustrated embodiment, midsole 32 includes a first midsole portion 32A extending from heel portion 20 forwardly beneath midfoot portion 18, and a second midsole portion 32B extending beneath forefoot portion 16.
In certain embodiments, first midsole portion 32A includes a base portion 33 and a peripheral wall 35 extending upwardly from a periphery of base portion 33. In certain embodiments, an interior surface of the peripheral wall is concave in order to receive and mate with the exterior surface of upper 12, and an exterior surface of the peripheral wall is convex.
A support assembly 34 is positioned below midsole 32. Support assembly 34 serves to provide shock-attenuation and energy-absorption for footwear 10. In the embodiment illustrated here, support assembly 34 extends from heel portion 20 to midfoot portion 18, and is positioned beneath first midsole portion 32A. It is to be appreciated that support assembly 34 can extend beneath the entirety of midsole 32 and upper 12 or any portions thereof.
An outsole 36 is positioned below support assembly 34 as well as below midsole 32B in forefoot portion 16. Outsole 36 may be secured to support assembly 34 and midsole 32 with an adhesive, for example. Suitable adhesives are well known in the art and need not be discussed in greater detail here. Other suitable means of fastening outsole 36 to support assembly 34 and midsole 32 will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
Suitable materials for outsole 36 include any of the conventional rubber materials that are utilized in footwear outsoles, such as carbon black rubber compound. Other suitable materials for outsole 36 will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
In certain embodiments, outsole 36 may be formed of a layer of material secured to and extending over the bottom surface of each of support assembly 34 and midsole 32. In other embodiments, outsole 36 may be formed of a plurality of individual elements or pieces secured to the bottom surface of support assembly 34 and midsole 32.
As seen in
A secondary member 54 includes a front portion 56, a central portion 58, and a rear portion 60. Front portion 56 and rear portion 60 are raised with respect to central portion 58. A forward connecting member 62 of secondary member 54 extends diagonally upwardly from a forward end of central portion 58 to a rear end of front portion 56 and through first aperture 48 of primary member 38. A rear connecting member 64 of secondary member 54 extends diagonally upwardly from a rear end of central portion 58 to a forward end of rear portion 60 and through second aperture 52. It is to be appreciated that forward connecting member 62 and rear connecting member 64 have a width that is narrower than the remainder of support assembly 34 in order that they may fit through first aperture 48 and second aperture 52, respectively. It is also to be appreciated that central portion 58 of secondary member 54 may be narrower than the remainder of support assembly, and may have a width equivalent to a width of forward connecting member 62 and rear connecting member 64 of secondary member. Support assembly 34 is configured to extend beneath and across substantially the entire width of first midsole portion 32A.
A forward end 66 of front portion 40 of primary member 38 curves upwardly and connects with a downwardly curving forward end 68 of front portion 56 of secondary member 54. Similarly a rear end 70 of rear portion 44 of primary member 38 curves upwardly and connects with a downwardly curving rear end 72 of rear portion 60 of secondary member 54. In this illustrated embodiment, primary member 38 and secondary member 54 are thus connected to form a continuous ribbon defining support assembly 34. The ribbon of support assembly 34 forms a pair of
It is to be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, support assembly 34 may not be formed of non-continuous members. That is, primary member 38 and secondary member 54 need not necessarily be non-continuous members. For example, a lateral heel portion of primary member 38 and/or secondary member 54 could be decoupled from the remainder of primary member 38 and/or secondary member 54, to create a crash pad. Further, in certain embodiments, different materials could be used to form different parts of primary member 38 and/or secondary member 54.
Different regions of support assembly 34 could be tuned or designed to have different performance characteristics. By varying the materials used to form different parts of support assembly 34, or decoupling one or more areas of support assembly 34 from other areas, the performance characteristics of support assembly 34 can be optimized. The performance characteristics of support assembly 34 and its component parts can also be tuned by varying other aspects of its geometry, such as the thickness or height of components of support assembly 34.
Primary member 38 and secondary member 54 are configured such that front portion 56 of secondary member 54 is positioned above and spaced from front portion 40 of primary member 38 by a gap A. In certain embodiments, gap A may have a height between approximately 1.0 mm and approximately 10.0 mm. In other embodiments, gap A may have height between approximately 1.0 mm and approximately 1.5 mm, while in other embodiments, gap A may have height between approximately 5.0 mm and approximately 10.0 mm.
Similarly, central portion 42 of primary member 38 is positioned above and spaced from central portion 58 of secondary member 54 by a gap B. In certain embodiments, gap B may have a height between approximately 1.0 mm and approximately 10.0 mm. In other embodiments, gap B may have height between approximately 1.0 mm and approximately 1.5 mm, while in other embodiments, gap B may have height between approximately 5.0 mm and approximately 10.0 mm.
Further, rear portion 60 of secondary member 54 is positioned above and spaced from rear portion 44 of primary member 38 by a gap C. In certain embodiments, gap C may have a height between approximately 1.0 mm and approximately 10.0 mm. In other embodiments, gap C may have height between approximately 1.0 mm and approximately 1.5 mm, while in other embodiments, gap C may have height between approximately 5.0 mm and approximately 10.0 mm.
It is to be appreciated that in certain embodiments, one or more of gaps A, B, and/or C, may be filled, or partially-filled, with material. For example, foam or other elastomer material, or a fluid-filled bladder, may be positioned within any of gaps A, B, and/or C. In certain embodiments, such materials may be positioned within only a bottom portion of any of gaps A, B, and/or C, to prevent support assembly 34 from bottoming out under compressive loading.
The configuration of support assembly 34 serves to allow it to act as a spring member, providing improved attenuation of impact forces for footwear 10. This is illustrated in
It is to be appreciated that as the compressive load from the user moves from heel portion 20 forward through midfoot portion 18 and then on to forefoot portion 16 as the user runs or walks, the high compressive load will also move forward. Thus, gap C will increase and gaps B and A will consequently successively decrease as the load moves forward.
In the illustrated embodiment, outsole 36 is formed of a plurality of pieces, with a piece of outsole 36 being positioned beneath and secured to a bottom surface of each of front portion 40 and rear portion 44 of primary member 38, and central portion 58 of secondary member 54.
In certain embodiments, support assembly 34 is formed of a polyether-block co-polyamide polymer, such as PEBAX®, available from Atofina Corporation of Puteaux, France. In other embodiments, support assembly 34 is formed of rubber. Other suitable materials for support assembly 34 will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
Another embodiment of support assembly 34 is seen in
A first opening 74 is formed in a sidewall of primary member 38 and connects first aperture 48 with an exterior of primary member 38. In the illustrated embodiment, first opening 74 is formed in forward connecting member 46. Similarly, a second opening 76 is formed in a sidewall of primary member 38 and connects second aperture 52 with an exterior of primary member 38. In the illustrated embodiment, second opening 76 is formed in rear connecting member 50. As can be seen in
When the secondary member is slid into engagement with the primary member, a portion of the secondary member is nested within each aperture of the primary member, as can be best seen in
As seen in
In certain embodiments, after primary member 38 is slid into engagement with secondary member 54, a first insert 80 may be positioned within first aperture 74, and may be secured within first aperture with any suitable fastening means, such as an adhesive, for example. Similarly, after primary member 38 is slid into engagement with secondary member 54, a second insert 82 may be positioned within second aperture 76, and may be secured within first aperture with any suitable fastening means, such as an adhesive, for example.
It is also to be appreciated that in certain embodiments, a support assembly can include more than one primary member and more than one secondary member. Further, it is to be appreciated that any number of secondary members could be nested with a single primary member, or that a single secondary member could be nested with a plurality of primary members.
For example, as shown in
Another example of a support assembly 99 is shown in
Portions of a first secondary member 120 are received and nested within each of first aperture 102 and second aperture 108 of first primary member 100. Portions of a second secondary member 122 are received and nested within each of first aperture 112 and second aperture 118 of second primary member 110. To assemble support assembly 99, first secondary member 120 is moved into engagement with first primary member 100, such that respective portions of first secondary member 120 slide through first opening 104 and second opening 106 of first primary member 100 until those respective portions are positioned within and nested in first aperture 102 and second aperture 108, respectively. Similarly, second secondary member 122 is moved into engagement with second primary member 110, such that respective portions of secondary member 122 slide through first opening 114 and second opening 116 of second primary member 110 until those respective portions are positioned within and nested in first aperture 112 and second aperture 118, respectively. It is to be appreciated that after engagement of secondary members 120, 122 with primary members 100, 110, that inserts may be positioned and secured within first openings 104, 114 and second openings 106, 116.
A further embodiment of a support assembly 124 is shown in
Portions of a first secondary member 144 are received and nested within each of first aperture 128 and second aperture 134 of primary member 126. Portions of a second secondary member 146 are received and nested within each of third aperture 138 and fourth aperture 142 of primary member 126. To assemble support assembly 124, first secondary member 144 is moved into engagement with primary member 126, such that respective portions of first secondary member 144 slide through first opening 130 and second opening 132 of primary member 126 until those respective portions are positioned within and nested in first aperture 128 and second aperture 134, respectively. Similarly, second secondary member 146 is moved into engagement with primary member 126, such that respective portions of second secondary member 146 slide through third opening 130 and fourth opening 140 of primary member 126 until those respective portions are positioned within and nested in third aperture 138 and fourth aperture 142, respectively. It is to be appreciated that after engagement of secondary members 144, 146 with primary member 126, that inserts may be positioned and secured within first opening 130, second opening 132, third opening 130, and fourth opening 140.
It can be seen throughout
It is to be appreciated that any number of portions of either a primary member or a secondary member can be positioned above a portion of the other of the primary member and the secondary member. Naturally, it is to be appreciated that portions of the primary and secondary members will be positioned below corresponding portions of the secondary and primary members, respectively.
Another embodiment of support assembly 124 is seen in
Another embodiment of a support assembly 152 is seen in
In the embodiment illustrated here, a central plate 158 is positioned between upper plate 148 and lower plate 150, and primary members 154 and secondary members 156 are positioned both between central plate 158 and upper plate 148 and between central plate 158 and lower plate 150. In the illustrated embodiment, a first set 157 of primary members 154 and secondary members 156 are positioned between upper plate 148 and central plate 158, and a second set 159 of primary members 154 and secondary members 156 are positioned between lower plate 150 and central plate 158. In the embodiment illustrated here, first set 157 of primary members 154 and secondary members 156 above central plate 158 is a mirror image of second set 159 positioned below central plate 158. It is to be appreciated that the primary members and secondary members of both sets can have any desired configuration.
In the illustrated embodiment, primary members 154 and secondary members 156 have wave-like profiles. Thus, for example, the primary members 154 above central plate 158 include crests 160 and troughs 162. The secondary members 156 above central plate 158 also have crests 164 and troughs 166. Similarly, the primary members 154 below central plate 158 include crests 168 and troughs 170. The secondary members 156 below central plate 158 also have crests 172 and troughs 174.
It is to be appreciated that the frequency of the wave-like profiles of the primary and secondary members 154, 156, that is, the distance D between crests and between troughs, can be varied throughout support assembly 152. Similarly, the amplitude of the wave-like profiles of the primary and secondary members 154, 156, that is, the height H of the crests and depth of the troughs, can be varied throughout support assembly 152. Further, the frequency and amplitude of any primary member 154 need not be the same as any other primary member 154. One or more primary members 154 may have the same configuration as any other single primary member 154 or any plurality of primary members 154.
Similarly, the frequency and amplitude of any secondary member 156 need not be the same as any other secondary member 156. One or more secondary members 156 may have the same configuration as any other single secondary member 156 or any plurality of secondary members 156. As illustrated here, the primary members 154 and secondary members 156 are symmetrical, but it is to be appreciated that one or more primary members 154 and secondary members 156 of support assembly 152 can be asymmetrical.
Further, it is to be appreciated that the asymmetry of the components of support assembly 152 can be brought about by varying any number of characteristics of primary members 154 and secondary members 156. For example, any one or more of the frequency and amplitude of the wave-like profiles of primary members 154 and secondary members 156, as well as any one or more of the width and thickness of the individual primary members 154 and secondary members 156 can be varied. Further, the thickness of primary members 154 and secondary members 156 can be varied from lateral side 22 to medial side 24. It is to be appreciated that any characteristic of primary members 154 and secondary members 156 can be varied to provide the asymmetry of support assembly 152.
Further, any one, or more than one, of the openings of the primary members 156 may be filled with an insert after the secondary members 156 are nested within the primary members 156 in the manner described above. Thus, it is to be appreciated that the primary and secondary members of a support assembly and take many different configurations.
Thus, while there have been shown, described, and pointed out fundamental novel features of various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or steps which perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
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