Patent Grant
10932527
The present invention relates to the field of footwear. More specifically, aspects of the present invention pertain to cleat structures, footwear sole structures including such cleat structures, and articles of footwear (e.g., athletic footwear) that include such cleat and sole structures. Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of making footwear sole structures and/or articles of footwear including these cleat structures.
Cleated footwear provides enhanced traction for athletes in various activities, such as baseball, softball, football, soccer, golf, etc. The cleats provided on such footwear may have different sizes, shapes, orientations, and arrangements on the footwear sole structure, e.g., for use in different activities and/or under different field conditions.
Cleated footwear, particularly for golf, traditionally has included a relatively stiff board or base running the entire length and width of the sole structure, e.g., to support mounting of cleats and removable cleat receptacles and to stably support the golfer during all phases of swinging actions. Such footwear, however, can be quite uncomfortable, particularly when walking several miles during a round of golf. In recent years, however, there has been increased interest and desire toward more natural motion and/or more “minimalist” constructions for footwear, including cleated footwear (even for golf footwear). Accordingly, further options and advances in natural motion cleated footwear structures would be a welcome advance in the art.
This Summary is provided to introduce some general concepts relating to this invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention.
Some aspects of this invention relate to flexible cleats and sole structures for articles of cleated footwear that have improved flexibility and/or improved natural motion capabilities. Flexible cleats for footwear (e.g., with improved natural motion sole structures) may include a cleat structure that generally has the appearance of a cleat that has been separated into two or more individual component parts by one or more flex grooves that extend into the sole structure (e.g., a cleat cut into parts by one or more flex grooves). Such cleat structures provide additional flexibility at areas of the cleats so as to avoid a “stiff” feeling in certain areas and/or during certain activities and to provide or support more natural motion.
Sole structures according to at least some examples of this invention include a sole member having an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface for supporting the wearer's foot. This sole member includes: a first flex groove that extends at least partially through the sole member from the exterior surface in a direction toward the interior surface, and a second flex groove that extends at least partially through the sole member from the exterior surface in a direction toward the interior surface, wherein the first and second flex grooves meet to form a junction. At least one flexible cleat extends in a direction away from the interior and exterior surfaces of the sole member and includes at least: (a) a first cleat component that includes a first side extending along the first and second flex grooves (e.g., having a curved side wall or a sharp corner at the junction area) and a first nadir portion located along the first side adjacent the junction; and (b) a second cleat component that includes a second side extending along the first and second flex grooves (e.g., having a curved side wall or a sharp corner at the junction area) and a second nadir portion located along the second side adjacent the junction. These cleat components may be generally L-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, or T-shaped (with sharp corners or rounded corners) and/or elongated fin-shaped.
Sole structures in accordance with other examples of this invention may include three (or more) flex grooves that meet at a junction area. Flexible cleats, e.g., made of three (or more) cleat components, e.g., of the various types described above, may be arranged around the junction area and between such flex grooves. The cleat components may be L-shaped, T-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, elongated fin-shaped, etc.
Sole structures in accordance with still other examples of this invention will include flexible cleats, e.g., made of fin-shaped, T-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped and/or L-shaped cleat components of the types described above, arranged on opposite sides of a flex groove.
The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description of the invention, will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears. The accompanying figures include:
In the following description of various examples of structures, components, and methods according to the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures, environments, and methods according to this invention and/or in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures, environments, and methods may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made to the specifically described structures and methods without departing from the scope of the present invention.
As noted above, some aspects of this invention relate to sole structures for articles of cleated footwear that have improved flexibility (e.g., improved natural motion capabilities) and to the cleat structures included in these flexible sole structures. Such sole structures may include: (a) a sole member having an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface, wherein the sole member includes:
If desired, flexible cleats in accordance with this aspect of the invention may include additional cleat components, e.g., extending along the first and/or second flex grooves, and optionally including sides and/or nadir portions, e.g., of the types described above. The cleat components may be generally L-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, or T-shaped (with sharp corners or rounded corners) and/or elongated fin-shaped. Multiple flexible cleats of the types described above may be provided on a single sole member and/or sole structure, if desired (e.g., arranged around at least some of the same or different flex grooves provided in the sole member and/or sole structure).
The sole member described above may constitute a polymeric foam material (e.g., polyurethane foam, ethylvinylacetate foam, etc.), a rubber material, a thermoplastic polyurethane material (a “TPU”), rigid plastic materials, leather, and/or other conventional footwear midsole and/or outsole materials. The junction (and thus at least portions of the flexible cleat) may be located in a forefoot area of the sole structure (e.g., in an area supporting the first metatarsal head, the fourth and/or fifth metatarsal head(s), the big toe area, the area(s) corresponding to the fourth and/or fifth toe(s), etc.). Additionally or alternatively, if desired, junctions and/or flexible cleats of the types described above may be provided in other areas of the sole structure, such as at or near the heel area (at the lateral or medial side of a longitudinal centerline), etc.
Sole structures in accordance with some examples of this invention further may include one or more outsole components, optionally engaged with the sole member having the flexible cleat structure. If desired, the outsole component(s) may include cleat elements as well, such as fixed cleats, removable cleats, secondary traction elements, etc. The outsole component(s) in some examples of this invention may be located rearward of the flexible cleat(s) and optionally in the forefoot area beneath the first metatarsal head and/or beneath the fourth and/or fifth metatarsal head(s). The outsole component(s), which may be made from any of the materials described above for the sole member, may provide additional wear resistance and/or additional support or base structure for more durable, aggressive, and/or replaceable cleats.
The flex grooves may be sized, shaped, positioned, and/or oriented so as to provide a flexible sole structure, optionally a flexible sole structure with enhanced natural motion capabilities. In at least some examples of this invention, in an unstressed condition (i.e., without a wearer's foot or other object applying a force thereto), at least some of the flex grooves will have one or more of the following characteristics: (a) a depth of at least 3 mm (in a direction from the exterior surface toward the interior surface), and in some examples at least 5 mm, at locations adjacent the junction or intersection, (b) a width of less than 5 mm, and in some examples less than 3 mm, at locations adjacent the junction or intersection and/or between adjacent cleat components, (c) a depth that extends through at least 40% of the sole member thickness over at least 40% of the flex groove's length (optionally at the junction area), and (d) a depth that extends through at least 40% of the sole member thickness at areas between adjacent cleat components along the flex groove(s) and/or at the junction area. As some additional examples, the depth(s) may extend through at least 50%, at least 60%, or even at least 75% of the sole member thickness in at least some of the areas described above, e.g., over at least 50%, at least 60%, or even at least 75% of the flex groove's length and/or at locations adjacent one or more cleat components and/or the junction area. As still other examples, the flex groove depth in at least some areas (e.g., adjacent one or more cleat components, between two cleat components, at the junction area, in the forefoot area, along the side edges of the sole structure, etc.) may be at least 7.5 mm, at least 10 mm, or even at least 12.5 mm (e.g., over at least 40% of the flex groove's length). As yet other example features, the flex groove width in at least some areas (e.g., adjacent one or more cleat components, between two cleat components, in the forefoot area, etc.) may be less than 3 mm or even less than 2 mm (e.g., over at least 40% of the flex groove's length).
Sole structures in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may include three (or more) flex grooves that meet at a junction area. Flexible cleats, e.g., made of three (or more) cleat components, e.g., of the various types described above, may be arranged around the junction area of these three or more flex grooves.
Sole structures in accordance with some examples of this invention will include flexible cleats, e.g., made of fin-shaped, T-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, and/or L-shaped cleat components of the types described above, arranged on opposite sides of one or more flex grooves.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to sole structures for articles of footwear that include: (a) a sole member having a ground contacting (e.g., exterior) surface formed as an array of sole pods, including a first sole pod, a second sole pod, a third sole pod, and a fourth sole pod, wherein the first through fourth sole pods are arranged around a junction of intersecting flex grooves; (b) a first cleat component extending from the first sole pod that includes a first side extending along at least one of the intersecting flex grooves and a first nadir portion along the first side adjacent the junction; (c) a second cleat component extending from the second sole pod that includes a second side extending along at least one of the intersecting flex grooves and a second nadir portion along the second side adjacent the junction; (d) a third cleat component extending from the third sole pod that includes a third side extending along at least one of the intersecting flex grooves and a third nadir portion along the third side adjacent the junction; and (e) a fourth cleat component extending from the fourth sole pod that includes a fourth side extending along at least one of the intersecting flex grooves and a fourth nadir portion along the fourth side adjacent the junction. Such arrays of sole pods may further include: (f) a fifth sole pod, a sixth sole pod, a seventh sole pod, and an eighth sole pod, wherein the fifth through eighth sole pods are arranged around a second junction of intersecting flex grooves; (g) a fifth cleat component extending from the fifth sole pod that includes a fifth side extending along at least one of the intersecting flex grooves forming the second junction and a fifth nadir portion along the fifth side adjacent the second junction; (h) a sixth cleat component extending from the sixth sole pod that includes a sixth side extending along at least one of the intersecting flex grooves forming the second junction and a sixth nadir portion along the sixth side adjacent the second junction; (i) a seventh cleat component extending from the seventh sole pod that includes a seventh side extending along at least one of the intersecting flex grooves forming the second junction and a seventh nadir portion along the seventh side adjacent the second junction; and (j) an eighth cleat component extending from the eighth sole pod that includes an eighth side extending along at least one of the intersecting flex grooves forming the second junction and an eighth nadir portion along the eighth side adjacent the second junction. Alternatively, if desired, a junction may include fewer than four cleat components around it (e.g., from 1-3 cleat components). The array of sole pods may be provided at least in a forefoot area of the sole member (e.g., in an area supporting the metatarsal heads and/or toes of a wearer).
The array of sole pods may include at least four sole pods oriented in a lateral side to medial side direction of the sole member and at least three sole pods oriented in a heel to toe direction of the sole member, e.g., at least in the forefoot area of the sole member. More generally, if desired, the array of sole pods may include from 2-10 sole pods oriented in a lateral side to medial side direction of the sole member and from 2-6 sole pods oriented in a heel to toe direction of the sole member, e.g., at least in the forefoot area of the sole member. Also, while they may all be made as separate elements, if desired, at least some of the sole pods, including all of the sole pods of the array, may be formed as a unitary, one piece structure (e.g., connected along the interior surface of the sole member such that the flex groove(s) are formed as a cut, channel, or sipe extending partially through a thickness of the sole member).
Additional aspects of this invention relate to articles of footwear that include sole structures of the various types described above and/or to methods of making such sole structures and/or articles of footwear. As some more specific example features, the flex groove(s) may be formed in the sole structure by: (a) molding techniques (e.g., injection molding), (b) cutting using a knife or blade (e.g., hot knife cutting or siping), (c) cutting using a laser, and/or (d) direct formation (e.g., using rapid manufacturing techniques such as laser sintering). The cleat components may be integrally formed with the sole member (e.g., by molding or rapid manufacturing techniques) or may be separate elements engaged with the sole member (e.g., using cements or adhesives, mechanical connectors, in-molding techniques, cement or adhesive free connections, etc.).
Given the general description of features, aspects, structures, and arrangements according to certain embodiments of the invention provided above, a more detailed description of specific example structures and methods in accordance with this invention follows.
Referring to the figures and following discussion, various articles of footwear, footwear components, and/or features thereof in accordance with the present invention are described. The footwear depicted and discussed are golf shoes, but the concepts disclosed with respect to various aspects of this invention may be applied to a wide range of cleated or other athletic and non-athletic footwear styles, including, but not limited to: soccer shoes, baseball shoes, softball shoes, football shoes, etc.
If desired, rather than being formed of two separate pieces that are engaged together (e.g., by cements, adhesives, mechanical connectors, etc.), sole member 102 and midsole component 104 may be made as a unitary, single piece structure, e.g., by molding (optionally using dual density foam injection molding techniques), rapid manufacturing additive fabrication processes, etc. Sole member 102 and/or midsole component 104 (when present) may provide the primary impact force attenuation features of the overall footwear and/or sole structure 100.
The illustrated sole structure 100 is a cleated sole structure, e.g., for use in golf or other activities (e.g., athletic activities, such as baseball, softball, football, soccer, etc.). The rear heel area of this example sole structure 100 includes traction enhancing component 106. This traction enhancing component 106 may be made from a harder material than sole member 102, and it may constitute an outsole component that is engaged within a recess or opening 106a formed in the heel area of the sole member 102 (e.g., engaged via cements or adhesives, mechanical connectors, etc.). In this illustrated example, the rear heel traction enhancing component 106 includes a plurality of raised, directional traction elements 106b (extending away from base surface 106c). At least some of the directional traction elements 106b of this example include a convex wall facing the rear of the sole structure 100 and an opposite concave wall facing the front of the sole structure 100 (e.g., to form a generally parabolic or otherwise curve shaped traction element structure 106b). The concave forward facing wall of these directional traction elements 106b provides an enlarged surface or pocket for engaging the ground as the wearer walks on downhill terrain (when more weight is generally placed on the heel area of the sole structure 100 as the wearer leans rearward). The base surface 106c of this example traction enhancing component 106 is generally triangular shaped. Other styles, shapes, sizes, numbers, and/or arrangements of traction enhancing element structures 106b may be used in the heel area, including different types of directional traction elements, without departing from this invention.
The forward toe area of this example sole structure 100 includes traction enhancing component 108. This traction enhancing component 108 also may be made from a harder material than sole member 102, and it may constitute an outsole component or a toe cap type element that is incorporated into the overall sole structure 100 of the article of footwear (e.g., engaged with sole member 102, midsole component 104, and/or an upper 700 of the footwear article via cements or adhesives, mechanical connectors, etc.; fit into an opening or recess in sole member 102 and/or midsole component 104; etc.). As shown, the base surface 108c of this traction component 108 may extend around the side surfaces of the toe area, e.g., to provide improved wear resistance around the toe area. In this illustrated example, the forward toe traction enhancing component 108 includes a plurality of raised, directional traction elements 108b (extending away from base surface 108c). At least some of the directional traction elements 108b of this example include a convex wall facing the front of the sole structure 100 and an opposite concave wall facing the rear of the sole structure 100 (e.g., to form a generally parabolic or otherwise curve shaped traction element structure 108b). The concave rear facing wall of these directional traction elements 108b provides an enlarged surface or pocket for engaging the ground as the wearer walks on uphill terrain (when more weight is generally placed on the toe area of the sole structure 100 as the wearer leans forward). Other styles, shapes, sizes, numbers, and/or arrangements of traction enhancing element structures 108b may be used in the toe area, including different types of directional traction elements, without departing from this invention.
The sole structure 100 of this example further includes traction enhancing components 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d that include cleat elements 112a, 112b, 112c, and 112d, respectively. The cleat elements 112a, 112b, 112c, and 112d of this example may be permanently fixed with respect to their respective base members 114a, 114b, 114c, and 114d (e.g., by molding, in-molding, rapid manufacturing additive fabrication techniques, or the like) or they may be removably engaged with respect to their respective base members 114a, 114b, 114c, and 114d (e.g., by conventional releasable cleat engagement structures, such as threaded connectors, turnbuckle type connectors, etc.). The structure for engaging the removable cleat elements 112a, 112b, 112c, and 112d may be provided as part of the base members 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d, as part of the sole member 102, and/or as part of another component of the sole structure 100 and/or the article of footwear. In this illustrated example, the traction enhancing components 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d constitute outsole components that are engaged in recesses or openings formed in the sole member 102 (e.g., by cements, adhesives, mechanical connectors, etc.). The cleat elements 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d are removable cleats having threaded posts or turnbuckle connectors that engage with threaded holes or corresponding turnbuckle connectors included with the base members 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d. The sole member 102 includes appropriate recesses or openings to accommodate the releasable connector structures for the removable cleats 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d. Base members 114a, 114b, 114c, and/or 114d may constitute plate like units (e.g., harder than the sole member 102 material) that are engaged within recesses or openings formed in the sole member 102 (e.g., fixed to the sole member 102 using adhesives, cements, mechanical connectors, etc.).
While other numbers and/or arrangements of cleat elements are possible, this example sole structure 100 includes just four removable cleat members 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d. The center of rearmost cleat element 112a is located on the medial (inside) of the rear heel area of the sole structure 100. A second heel cleat element 112b has its center located forward of the center of rearmost heel cleat element 112a, and the center of this second heel cleat element 112b is located on the lateral side (outside) of the sole structure 100. In this illustrated example, heel cleat elements 112a and 112b (as well as their associated base members 114a and 114b) are located on opposite sides of a generally longitudinally extending flex groove 120a.
Two removable cleats 112c and 112d also are provided in the forefoot area (e.g., beneath the metatarsal head areas of a wearer's foot). The center of cleat element 112c is located on the lateral (outside) of the forefoot area of the sole structure 100, and the center of cleat element 112d optionally is located slightly forward of the center of cleat element 112c. The center of cleat element 112d is located on the medial side (inside) of the sole structure 100. Cleat element 112c may be positioned to support the metatarsal head of the fourth and/or fifth (smaller) toes, and cleat element 112d may be positioned to support the metatarsal head of the first (big) toe. In this illustrated example, forefoot cleat elements 112c and 112d (as well as their associated base members 114c and 114d) are located on opposite sides of a generally longitudinally extending flex groove 120a, which may be separate from or continuous with the longitudinal flex groove 120a described above with respect to the rear heel cleat elements 112a and 112b (if any).
In this illustrated example, the base member 114d of the medial forefoot traction enhancing component 110d wraps upward and around at least a portion of a medial side edge of the sole structure 100 (e.g., at area 102a of sole member 102, as shown in
This example sole structure 100 also includes enhanced flexibility and/or natural motion capabilities, and various traction element features and flexibility/natural motion enhancing features of this example sole structure 100 will be described in more detail below. Some enhanced flexibility is provided by forming much of the sole structure 100 from a flexible material and/or a flexible construction. For example, the sole member 102 may be made, at least in part, from a polymeric foam material that supports all or substantially all of a plantar surface of wearer's foot. As another potential feature shown in
If desired, another transverse flex groove (120n) may be provided along the rear edge of traction element 108 at the forward toe area of the sole member 102.
The pattern of intersecting flex grooves in this illustrated example forms an array of sole portions or sole pods located between the adjacent flex grooves (and/or other features of the sole structures), e.g., as best shown in
The flex grooves may be straight, curved, and/or angled without departing from this invention. In some examples, the flex grooves may be arranged and located at appropriate positions so as to promote natural flexion for a wearer's foot during use (e.g., as the user's weight shifts when landing a step or jump, as the user's weight shifts during the course of a golf swing (or other athletic activity, such as when swinging at a baseball or other object, when throwing a ball or other object, when making a turning or cutting maneuver, etc.). As yet another potential feature, if desired, the flex grooves on one shoe (e.g., location, sizes, shapes, orientations, etc.) may be different from the flex grooves on the other shoe of a pair (e.g., different for right or left handed athletes, to better support weight shift on the two feet during various athletic activities, etc.).
More or fewer flex grooves from those specifically described above may be provided in a sole structure 100 without departing from this invention. Additionally, some of the illustrated flex grooves may be changed into shorter, longer, and/or multiple (separated) segments. Also, while the illustrated example shows flex grooves only in the sole member 102, if desired, flex grooves may be provided in traction element components 106, 108, 110a, 110b, 110c, and/or 110d and/or to separate these traction element components into multiple parts without departing from this invention. In the illustrated example of
This illustrated example sole structure 100 includes further features to enhance its flexibility. As shown in
While they may be provided in more, fewer, and/or other locations in an overall sole structure 100 (including in the heel area), in this illustrated example, two flexible cleats 130a and 130b (and their respective junctions areas 132a, 132b, as will be described in more detail below) are provided in the forefoot area of the sole member 102, with one flexible cleat 130a (and/or its junction area 132a) located at the lateral side of the sole member 102 (and the lateral side of longitudinal flex groove 120a and/or below the outside toe(s)) and the other flexible cleat 130b (and/or its junction area 132b) located at the medial side of the sole member 102 (and the medial side of longitudinal flex groove 120a and/or beneath the inside toe(s)). Providing the flexible cleats 130a and 130b in these areas further improves flexibility of the overall sole structure 100, e.g., particularly during toe off phases of a step or jump and/or during the downswing portions of a golf swing or other athletic activities (e.g., when the athlete is engaging the ground and/or pushing off with his or her toes), during the ball contact or later phases of a golf swing cycle, etc.
The flexible cleats 130a and/or 130b may be integrally formed with and extend from an exposed exterior surface 102s of the sole member 102 (e.g., the flexible cleats 130a, 130b may be formed during a molding process for forming the sole member 102 and/or in a rapid manufacturing additive fabrication process). Because the illustrated flexible cleats 130a and 130b of this example have similar structures (albeit potentially with somewhat different sizes and/or shapes), the structure of flexible cleat 130a will be described in more detail below. Those skilled in the art will understand that flexible cleat 130b may have similar structures, features and/or properties.
As described above, the sole member 102 includes: (a) a first flex groove (e.g., longitudinal flex groove 120b) that extends at least partially through a thickness of the sole member 102 from its exterior surface 102s in a direction toward its interior surface and (b) a second flex groove (e.g., transverse flex groove 120l) that extends at least partially through the sole member 102 from its exterior surface 102s in a direction toward its interior surface. These first and second flex grooves 120b and 120l meet to form a junction (e.g., intersection 132a). When formed as an intersection 132a, the flex grooves 120b and 120l may meet at any desired angle without departing from this invention. In some more specific examples, the flex grooves 120b, 1201 may meet at angles ranging from 20° to 160°, and in some examples, between angles ranging from 30° to 150° and even between 45° and 135°. The flex grooves 120b, 1201 also may be straight or curved.
The flexible cleat 130a is formed around intersection 132a. Flexible cleat 130a extends in a direction away from the interior and exterior surfaces of the sole member 102, and in this illustrated example, the flexible cleat 130a includes: (a) a first cleat component 134a that includes a first side or wall 136a extending along the flex grooves 120b and 120l and a first nadir portion 138a located along the first side 136a adjacent the intersection 132a; (b) a second cleat component 134b that includes a second side or wall 136b extending along the flex grooves 120b, 1201 and a second nadir portion 138b located along the second side 136b adjacent the intersection 132a; (c) a third cleat component 134c that includes a third side or wall 136c extending along the flex grooves 120b, 1201 and a third nadir portion 138c located along the third side 136c adjacent the intersection 132a; and (d) a fourth cleat component 134d that includes a fourth side or wall 136d extending along the flex grooves 120b, 1201 and a fourth nadir portion 138d located along the fourth side 136d adjacent the intersection 132a. Flexible cleat 130b of this illustrated example includes a similar four part flexible cleat component structure 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d arranged along longitudinal flex groove 120c and transverse flex groove 120m and at the junction 132b between these flex grooves 120c, 120m (e.g., with one cleat component provided within each quadrant or sector defined around the junction 132b).
The sides or walls 136a, 136b, 136c, and 136d of the flexible cleat components 134a-134d may constitute interior walls or edges that extend downward from the base surface 102s and face the flex grooves 120b, 120c, 1201, and/or 120m. While these walls or sides 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d may be straight or curved and may extend downward from the base surface 102s at any desired angle or direction, in some examples, they will extend downward such that the base surface 102s and the interior surface of the walls or sides 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d (adjacent the flex grooves) form an angle of 90° to 135° (and in some examples, an angle from 90° to 125° or even from 90° to 110°). The interior walls or sides 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d that face the flex grooves may form a smoothly curved surface or a more abrupt (substantially vertical) corner (or multiple corners) at locations at or near the intersections 132a, 132b (with smoothly curved walls extending along the flex grooves being shown in the illustrated example of
As some additional examples, the depth (H, H1, H2) may extend through at least 50%, at least 60%, or even at least 75% of the sole member 102 thickness (T, T1, T2) in at least some areas, e.g., over at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, or even at least 75% of the flex groove's length L.
As illustrated in
The flexible cleats may have any desired sizes or dimensions without departing from this invention. For forefoot type flexible cleats 130a, 130b of the type described above, the cleat component 134a-134d height at its nadir point 138a-138d or largest dimension (from and in a direction away from the sole base surface 102s, HCleat) may be at least 2 mm (e.g., in the range of 2 mm to 12 mm), and in some examples, at least 3 mm high, or even at least 4 mm high. In some sole structures in accordance with this invention, the ratio of cleat component height at its nadir point or largest downward dimension (from and in a direction away from the sole base surface 102s), HCleat, to groove depth (from the sole base surface 102s and in a direction into the sole member 102, HGroove) at the junction area or in at least a portion of an area of the groove immediately adjacent the cleat component will be as follows: HCleat:HGroove≤1.5, and in some examples, HCleat:HGroove≤1.25 and even HCleat:HGroove≤1.
The example flexible cleats 130a, 130b shown in
As another more specific example,
In this illustrated example flexible cleat 400, a first cleat component 402a is arranged between grooves 420a and 420b, a second cleat component 402b is arranged between grooves 420b and 420c, and a third cleat component 420c is arranged between grooves 420a and 420c. Each cleat component 402a-402c includes a vertical or substantially vertical side wall 406a-406c facing the grooves 420a-420c and the intersection 422 thereof. Additionally, each cleat component 402a-402c includes a bottom edge 410a-410c designed to contact (and potentially penetrate) the ground, and this edge 410a-410c may taper from nadir portions 408a-408c to free ends 412a and 412b. The exposed surfaces 414a-414c opposite side wall surfaces 406a-406c may taper or curve outward somewhat so that the cleat components 402a-402c get somewhat thicker moving in a direction from the ground contacting surface edge 410a-410c to the sole base 102s.
Flexible cleats in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may be arranged around or along a single flex groove (which may be straight or curved).
While each cleat component 502a and 502b is shown as having a substantially 90° orientation between its two side walls, other angles are possible for these side walls without departing from this invention. For example, if desired, the two side walls of an individual cleat component 502a and 502b may extend at an angle in the range from 20° to 160°, and in some examples from 35° to 145°, if desired, without departing from this invention. Also, while cleat components 502a and 502b are shown in these figures as having substantially similar shapes and structures, they may have different shapes and/or structures, including different wall angular orientations, if desired, without departing from this invention.
While the cleat components 602a and 602b are shown as having substantially the same size, shape, and structure, they may have different sizes, shapes, and/or structures from those shown without departing from this invention, such as different lengths from end 612a to 612b, different heights (from base 102s to ground contacting edges 610a, 610b), different sizes, shapes, angles, curvatures, etc. of leg components 614a, 614b, different angles or orientations of leg components 614a and 614b (the legs extending away from groove 620) with respect to groove 620, etc. Also, while cleat components 602a and 602b are shown in these figures as having substantially similar shapes and structures as one another, they may have different structures from one another, if desired, without departing from this invention.
As shown in these views, several of the flex grooves 120a-120n may have a curved and/or angular orientation. For example, longitudinal flex groove 120a of this example has a generally curved configuration moving from the front to the back (with the concave side of the curve facing the medial side of the sole structure 750 and the convex side of the curve facing the lateral side of the sole structure 750). The forefoot longitudinal flex grooves 120b and 120c are angled and/or curved in the forward medial to rear lateral direction. At the forefoot area, flex grooves 120a-120c may extend substantially parallel to one another.
Flex grooves 120e-120n of this illustrated example also extend at an angled and/or in a curved manner. As shown in
The flexibility of the sole member 102 and/or the flex groove construction and orientation (including the flex grooves 120e-120n extending in the forward medial-to-rearward lateral direction) helps the sole structure 750 maintain better and closer ground contact, particularly during plantar-flexion motion, e.g., during phases of a golf swing, a step cycle, and/or other activities. For example, more surface area of the sole structure 750 remains in contact with the ground during a swing and/or step cycle, particularly during plantar-flexion phases of these cycles.
The example sole structure 750 of
Additional side projecting traction enhancing elements 116 also are provided around the medial forefoot and toe area of the sole member 750 (with additional side projecting traction enhancing elements located further forward toward to the front of the sole member 750 as compared to the example structure 100 shown in
In the example structures described above, cleat elements 112a-112d are releasably engaged with the sole member 102, and the flexible cleat elements 130a and 130b are integrally formed with the sole member 102 (e.g., via molding or rapid manufacturing processes). Other arrangements and constructions are possible for either or both of these cleat types without departing from this invention.
Once the individual parts are produced, the cleat component 134a may be engaged with the sole member 102 as shown in
Optionally, if necessary or desired, the cleat component(s) 134a-134d may be engaged with the top surface 102i of the sole member 102 using a cement or adhesive (although omitting any cements or adhesives for this purpose, if practicable, can help provide a “greener,” more environmentally friendly, and sustainable construction). Then, as shown in the cross sectional view of
While the example sole structure 750 of
As another option or example, if desired, the cleat elements and/or components need not extend through openings defined through the sole member 102. For example, if desired, cleat elements and/or components may be simply engaged with the exposed bottom surface 102s of the sole member 102, e.g., using cements or adhesives, mechanical connectors, or the like. One advantage of using the multipart part construction for the sole member 102 and the cleat elements and/or components (e.g., cleat elements 112a-112d, cleat elements 130a-130b, individual cleat components 134a-134d, etc.) as described above and shown in
When a flexible cleated sole structure includes more than one flexible cleat, the flexible cleats on that individual sole structure may have the same or different sizes, shapes, and/or other structural features without departing from this invention, including, for examples, combinations of any two or more of the flexible cleat structures shown in
The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments and structural options. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the structures, options, and/or alternatives for the cleat structures, sole structures, footwear structures, and/or methods described herein, including the features of the various different embodiments of the invention, may be used in any desired combinations, subcombinations, and the like, without departing from the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art also will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/971,395 filed Aug. 20, 2013 and entitled “Cleated Footwear with Flexible Cleats, in the names of Tobie D. Hatfield, Thomas G. Bell, and Carl L. Madore. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/971,395 is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
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| Parent | 13971395 | Aug 2013 | US |
| Child | 15616003 | US |
