Patent Application
20180325213
The present invention relates to the field of footwear. More specifically, some aspects of the present invention pertain to cleat structures, sole structures including such cleat structures, and articles of footwear (e.g., athletic footwear) that include such sole structures. Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of making footwear sole structures with these cleats.
Cleated footwear provides enhanced traction for athletes in various activities, such as baseball, football, soccer, golf, etc. The cleats on such footwear may have different sizes, shapes, orientations, and arrangements on a footwear sole structure, e.g., for use in different activities and/or under different field conditions.
Recent years have witnessed significant changes in artificial turfs and artificial grasses used in athletic fields for various sports. Aspects of the present invention relate to cleated footwear structures, e.g., for football shoes and/or other footwear structures, optionally for use on artificial grass and/or natural grass fields.
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 cleat structures, e.g., cleats for football shoes or other cleated footwear, e.g., for use on natural and/or artificial grass fields. Such cleat structures may include: (a) a cleat base; (b) a cleat free end; (c) a first side edge extending between the cleat base and the cleat free end, wherein the first side edge may have a first concave exterior surface over at least 50% of its height dimension (and in some examples, over at least 75% or even over at least 90% of its height dimension) between the cleat base and the cleat free end; and (d) at least second and third side edges extending between the cleat base and the cleat free end, wherein the second and third side edges may be flat or concave over at least 50% of their height dimensions (and in some examples, over at least 75% or even over at least 90% of their height dimensions) between the cleat base and the cleat free end. In some cleat structures, at least the central 50% (and in some examples, at least the central 75% or even at least the central 90%) of the first side edge of the cleat (with respect to a height dimension of the cleat) will have the concave exterior surface.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to footwear sole structures (e.g., outsole components) and/or articles of footwear that include one or more cleat structures, e.g., of the types described above. Such sole structures may include:
Still additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of making such cleats and/or outsole structures, optionally as unitary, one-piece constructions, using selective laser sintering or other three-dimensional printing and/or rapid manufacturing additive fabrication techniques. Some example cleats and cleated sole structures and/or footwear structures in accordance with aspects of this invention relate to structures specifically designed to promote increased or enhanced sprint or high speed running performance, particularly for use on artificial and/or natural grass surfaces.
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 attached 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, aspects of this invention relate to cleat structures, sole structures including cleat structures, and articles of footwear (e.g., athletic footwear) that include such sole structures. Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of making such cleats, sole structures, and/or articles of footwear.
Some aspects of this invention relate to cleat constructions that can be incorporated into articles of footwear, such as athletic footwear (and in some specific examples, football or soccer shoes). In some more specific examples, the cleats may be fixed or permanently incorporated into the sole structure of the article of footwear, including integrally formed with a plate or outsole component of the sole structure as a unitary, one-piece construction.
As a more specific example, cleats in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may include: (a) a cleat base; (b) a cleat free end; (c) a first side edge extending between the cleat base and the cleat free end, wherein the first side edge may have a first concave exterior surface over at least 50% of its height dimension (and in some examples, over at least 75% or even over at least 90% of its height dimension) between the cleat base and the cleat free end; (d) a second side edge extending between the cleat base and the cleat free end, wherein the second side edge may be flat or concave over at least 50% of its height dimension (and in some examples, over at least 75% or even over at least 90% of its height dimension) between the cleat base and the cleat free end; and (e) a third side edge extending between the cleat base and the cleat free end, wherein the third side edge may be flat or concave over at least 50% of its height dimension (and in some examples, over at least 75% or even over at least 90% of its height dimension) between the cleat base and the cleat free end. If desired, at least the central 50% (and in some examples, at least the central 75% or even at least the central 90%) of the first side edge of the cleat (with respect to a height dimension of that cleat) will have the concave exterior surface.
In some example cleat structures in accordance with this invention, at least 90% (and in some examples, at least 95%) of a perimeter length around the cleat at a first cleat height location between the cleat base and the cleat free end will be made up of the first, second, and third side edges (and the remainder of that perimeter length (if any) may be made up of corner or junction regions between adjacent side edges, e.g., with rounded corners, flattened corner edges, etc.). This first cleat height location (at which the perimeter length may be measured) may be located between 0.1 H and 0.9 H, wherein H is the overall or maximum cleat height dimension in a direction from the cleat base to the cleat free end.
As yet some additional examples, at least 90% (or even at least 95%) of a perimeter length around the cleat free end and/or around the cleat base may be made up of the first, second, and third side edges. The remainder of this perimeter length (if any) may be made up of corner or junction regions between adjacent side edges, e.g., with rounded corners, flattened corner edges, etc.
Some cleat constructions in accordance with examples of this invention will include one or more openings extending through the cleat, e.g., from the second side edge to the third side edge. The opening(s), when present, may take on any desired size, shape, orientation, and/or relative arrangement, provided that adequate material remains present to maintain the structural integrity and/or to support the intended use of the cleat.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to sole structures (e.g., outsoles, outsole plates, etc.) and/or articles of footwear that include one or more cleats of the various types described above. In such sole structures and/or articles of footwear, at least some of the cleat structures of the types described above will be provided in the forefoot area of the sole structure. Optionally, at least some of the cleat structure(s) will be oriented with respect to the overall sole structure and/or the article of footwear such that at least some of the cleats will have the concave exterior surface of the first side edge facing rearward, e.g., toward a rear heel area of the sole structure/article of footwear.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to sole structures for articles of footwear. Sole structures in accordance with some examples of this invention may include an outsole component having: (a) a first lateral perimeter cleat located along a lateral side of a forefoot area or a midfoot area of the outsole component, wherein the first lateral perimeter cleat includes a concave rear edge that faces a rear heel direction of the sole structure, (b) a second lateral perimeter cleat located along the lateral side of the outsole component and forward of the first lateral perimeter cleat, wherein the second lateral perimeter cleat includes a concave rear edge that faces the rear heel direction of the sole structure, (c) a first medial perimeter cleat located along a medial side of a forefoot area or a midfoot area of the outsole component, wherein the first medial perimeter cleat includes a concave rear edge that faces the rear heel direction of the sole structure, and (d) a second medial perimeter cleat located along the medial side of the outsole component and forward of the first medial perimeter cleat, wherein the second medial perimeter cleat includes a concave rear edge that faces the rear heel direction of the sole structure. Additional cleats may be provided, if desired, e.g., along either side perimeters, in an intermediate area between the side perimeter cleats, at a rear heel area, etc. At least some of these cleats, particularly in the midfoot and/or forefoot areas of the sole structure, may have the various cleat features and structures described above (e.g., the concave rear edge).
Sole structures in accordance with other examples of this invention may have an outsole component that includes a base plate having a rear heel support portion, an arch support portion, and a forefoot support portion, wherein the base plate includes a V-shaped support structure having a lateral support member and a medial support member extending forward from a base support area located in a heel or rear midfoot area of the outsole component. At least some portions of this base plate may have a matrix structure, e.g., at one or more of a lateral side of the lateral support member, a medial side of the medial support member, a rear heel area (e.g., behind and/or as part of the base support area), between the lateral support member and the medial support member (e.g., at least in a forefoot area of the outsole component), etc. The matrix structure may be formed as spaced apart recesses that extend only partially through the outsole component; spaced apart openings that extend completely through the outsole component; small, separated raised areas; etc. The recesses, openings, and/or raised areas may be generally triangular shaped in some example structures according to this invention.
Sole structures in accordance with yet other examples of this invention may include an outsole component having a base plate at least in a forefoot area of the outsole component, wherein the base plate has a matrix structure including: (a) a first plurality of rib elements extending in a first direction (e.g., a front-to-back direction), (b) a second plurality of rib elements extending in a second direction (e.g., a rear medial-to-forward lateral direction), and (c) a third plurality of rib elements extending in a third direction (e.g., a forward medial-to-rear lateral direction) of the outsole component. This example outsole component further may include one or more three sided cleats extending from the base plate, wherein at least one of the three sided cleats includes: (a) a cleat base, (b) a cleat free end, (c) a first side edge extending between the cleat base and the cleat free end, (d) a second side edge extending between the cleat base and the cleat free end, and (e) a third side edge extending between the cleat base and the cleat free end, wherein one of the second plurality of rib elements aligns with (and optionally forms a continuous, unitary, one-piece structure with) a junction region between the first side edge and the second side edge, wherein one of the third plurality of rib elements aligns with (and optionally forms a continuous, unitary, one-piece structure with) a junction region between the first side edge and the third side edge, and wherein one of the first plurality of rib elements aligns with (and optionally forms a continuous, unitary, one-piece structure with) a junction region between the second side edge and the third side edge. The cleat(s) additionally may have any of the various structures or features described above. For example, at least some of the cleats may be shaped and/or oriented such that at least one side edge has a rearward heel facing, exterior concave wall, e.g., as described above.
The features of the various sole structures described above may be used in any desired combinations or subcombinations without departing from the invention. Sole structures in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may include other features as well, including one or more additional cleats of the types described above and/or different types of cleats (including removable or fixed cleats of any desired size, shape, or structure). As one additional potential feature that may be included in any of the sole structures described above, the outsole component further may include a rear heel support extending upward from the base plate at a rear heel area of the outsole component. This rear heel support may constitute a fin type structure, e.g., having a generally trapezoidal or triangular shape. As some more specific examples, this rear heel support may include a top edge or point, a first side edge extending downward from the top edge or point to a medial, bottom, rear heel area of the outsole component, and a second side edge extending downward from the top edge or point to a lateral, bottom, rear heel area of the outsole component. These side edges may constitute substantially linear or smoothly curved segments that are at least 1.5 inches long, and in some examples, at least 2 inches long or even at least 2.5 inches long. The rear heel support may be formed as a continuous, single piece structure with respect to the outsole base plate (which also may be a continuous, single piece structure with respect to one or more of the cleats).
Still additional aspects of this invention relate to articles of footwear that include an upper engaged with a sole structure having any of the various features, properties, combinations of features, and/or combinations of properties described above.
Still additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of forming cleats, sole structures, and/or articles of footwear according to any of the various examples described above. If desired, the cleats and/or outsole components described above may be made by molding processes, such as injection molding or the like. The cleats and outsole components may be made separately and then engaged with one another (e.g., by mechanical connectors, by cements or adhesives, etc.) or they may be integrally formed as a unitary, one piece construction (e.g., by a molding step).
As additional examples, if desired, the cleats and/or at least some portions of the sole structures (e.g., outsole components, optionally including a rear heel support or other heel counter type structure) may be fixed or permanently formed together as a unitary, one-piece construction, e.g., by selective laser sintering, stereolithography, or other three-dimensional printing or rapid manufacturing additive fabrication techniques. These types of additive fabrication techniques allow the cleats, outsole base plates, matrix structures, support members, heel counters, and/or rear heel supports to be built as unitary structures. Sole structures of the types described above (including those made by the methods described above) may be incorporated into an article of footwear, e.g., engaged with one or more upper components), in any desired manner, including in manners that are conventionally known and used in the footwear art (e.g., by fixing the upper to the sole structure using cements or adhesives, mechanical connectors, and/or the like).
Given the general description of features, aspects, structures, processes, 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 football 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 footwear styles, including, but not limited to: soccer shoes, baseball shoes, softball shoes, etc.
The upper 102 may have any desired construction and/or may be made from any desired material(s) without departing from this invention. In this illustrated example shoe 100, the upper 102 is designed to be extremely lightweight and aerodynamic, to promote speed. For some athletes, the foot may move as fast as about 50 mph when sprinting, and thus structures as part of a shoe 100 can produce significant drag at those speeds. Therefore, in some specific examples of shoe structures 100 in accordance with this invention, the upper 102 may be made from a knit fabric material that is covered or coated (or “skinned”) with a thin microlayer of material, such as a thermoplastic polyurethane skin material or other skin materials. Examples of knitted footwear uppers are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,347,011 (which is entirely incorporated herein by reference), and examples of “skin” materials are described, for example, in U.S. Patent Appln. Publ. No. 2011/0088285 (which publication is entirely incorporated by reference). In some shoe structures 100, the outer surface of the upper 102 (e.g., the exposed skin material) may be smooth and seamless to further reduce or minimize drag. As another option, if desired, the exterior surface of the upper 102 (e.g., the exterior “skin”) may be dimpled to further promote the aerodynamic properties of the upper 102.
This example upper 102 further includes a conventional shoe lace 106 engaged with a series of lace engaging structures provided along opposite sides of the instep area of the upper 102. Any type of lace engaging structures may be used without departing from this invention, including, for example, grommets or simple openings through the upper material at the instep area, as are conventionally known and used in this art. In this specifically illustrated footwear structure 100, however, the lace 106 engages loop elements 108 (e.g., formed of fabric) that extend inside the upper 102 or between layers of the upper 102 (e.g., as shown by loop elements 108 extending into openings 110 formed along the upper 102 to allow access between upper layers). The exposed edges of openings 110 may be reinforced to prevent tearing or fraying. In some examples of this aspect of the invention, the lace loop elements 108 may extend to and/or engage strap components that at least partially wrap around the foot and help conform the upper 102 to the shape of the wearer's foot. For example, the lace loop elements 108 (or one or more straps or other structure engaged with them) may extend to an area between the upper 102 and the sole structure 104 (and optionally all the way around the plantar surface of the foot) so that when the lace 106 is tightened, this wraps and tightens the loop elements 108 (and any attached structures) around the sides and/or bottom of the wearer's foot. Examples of such adjustable and/or dynamic fit and foot securing structures are shown, for example, in U.S. Patent Appln. Publ. Nos. 2012/0011744 and 2012/0198720, which publications are entirely incorporated herein by reference.
The sole structure 104 of
As noted above, this example outsole component 104a includes a base plate that spans the longitudinal length of the shoe 100 and includes the support areas 104H, 104M, and 104F. The top surface of the base plate forms a relatively smooth, contoured surface for supporting the plantar surface of a wearer's foot (optionally through a strobel element 102S, insole, midsole, sockliner, bootie, or other element provided to directly contact the wearer's foot). This example base plate generally provides a V-shaped support structure having a lateral support member 112L and a medial support member 112M extending forward from a base support area 112B located in a heel or rear midfoot area of the outsole component 104a. The lateral support member 112L and the medial support member 112M constitute solid (and potentially somewhat thickened) ribs or areas of outsole material (e.g., a nylon or other material, such as nylon 11) that meet at (or immediately forward of) the base support area 112B. As shown in
As further shown in
In the outsole component 104a of
As mentioned above, the bottom surface of this example outsole component 104a has a matrix structure. The matrix structure can take on any desired form without departing from this invention. In this illustrated example outsole component 104a, the matrix cells 116 are formed as openings and/or recesses in the areas between three adjacent sets of rib elements, namely, rib elements 116A that extend in a front-to-rear direction of the outsole component 104a, rib elements 116B that extend in a rear medial-to-front lateral direction of the outsole component 104a, and rib elements 116C that extend in a forward medial-to-rear lateral direction of the outsole component 104a. The matrix cells 116 may extend partially or completely through a thickness of the outsole component 104a. While other arrangements are possible, in this specifically illustrated example, the matrix cells 116 at the lateral side of the lateral support member 112L constitute recesses that extend partially through a thickness of the outsole component 104a, the matrix cells 116 at the medial side of the medial support member 112M constitute recesses that extend partially through the thickness of the outsole component 104a, and the matrix cells 116 in the intermediate forefoot support plate portion 112I constitute openings that extend completely through the outsole component 104a. The matrix cells 116 in the base support area 112B and to a lateral side of heel support member 118 constitute recesses that extend partially through the outsole component 104a. This matrix structure (with recesses and/or openings) helps reduce the overall weight of the outsole component 104a and provide the ability to affect and/or control the flexibility and/or strength of the outsole component 104a (including front-to-back or side-to-side flexibility). The local sizes (e.g., width, height, etc.), relative orientations, and spacings of rib elements (e.g., 116A, 116B, 116C) also may allow one to affect and/or control outsole flexibility and/or strength.
Because of the specific number, shapes, and relative orientations of the rib elements 116A, 116B, and 116C in this example outsole component 104a, the matrix cells 116 are generally triangular shaped. Other matrix cell shapes are possible, however, without departing from this invention, such as round, oval, elliptical, square, rectangular, hexagonal, irregular shapes, etc. Other matrix cell sizes also may be used without departing from the invention (and may allow control over the strength, flexibility, and/or stiffness of the outsole component 104a). A single outsole component 104a may include matrix cells 116 of different shapes and/or sizes, if desired.
The outsole component 104a of
Because this example shoe 100 is specifically targeted for maximizing sprinting speed, however, the heel support of this example constitutes an extreme rear heel support 122, e.g., in the form of a rear heel fin having a generally trapezoidal or triangular shape. More specifically, as best shown in
Because less side heel support is needed in a shoe primarily used for forward sprinting, in this illustrated example sole structure 104 relatively low side heel supports 122H are provided at the medial and lateral sides of the heel that cup and position the lower portions of the wearer's heel. In some examples, with the sole structure 104 sitting on a contact surface (see
The cleat arrangement of
Additional potential features of sole structures and/or cleat structures in accordance with at least some aspects of this invention will be described below in conjunction with
The junction regions 250A, 250B, and/or 250C may be sharp corners, rounded corners, short flat (or concave) walls, or the like. In some examples, the junction regions 250A, 250B, and/or 250C will be wider at the cleat base area 240 and narrow or taper (optionally to a sharp corner) moving toward the cleat free end 242. At least some of the individual cleats may be constructed such that at least 90% (and in some examples, at least 95%) of a perimeter length around the cleat at a first cleat height location between the cleat base 240 and the cleat free end 242 is made up of the length of the first side edge 244 plus the length of the second side edge 246A plus the length of the third side edge 246B. The remainder of the perimeter length around the cleat at this first cleat height location may constitute length associated with the junction regions 250A, 250B, and 250C such that the cleat essentially has a three sided structure. The “first cleat height location” at which the cleat perimeter length is measured can be located somewhere along the height dimension H of the cleat somewhat above the cleat base 240 and somewhat below the cleat free end 242. As some more specific examples, the “first cleat height location” may be located between 0.1 H and 0.9 H, wherein H is the cleat height in a direction from the cleat base 240 to the cleat free end 242. As additional potential features, if desired, at least 90% (or even at least 95%) of a perimeter length around the cleat free end 242 and/or around the cleat base 240 may be made up of the length of the first side edge 244 plus the length of the second side edge 246A plus the length of the third side edge 246B at that location (e.g., with the remainder of the perimeter length around the cleat at these ends constituting length associated with the junction regions 250A, 250B, and 250C).
If desired, at least some portions of either or both of the second side edge 246A and the third side edge 246B may have a flat or even concave exterior surface over at least 50% of its height dimension (and in some examples, the flat or concave exterior surface of these edges 246A and/or 246B will extend at least 75% or even at least 90% of that edge's height dimension). The concave edges may make the cleats somewhat sharper and/or enable them to more readily penetrate the ground. The relatively small sized free end 242 (and relatively sharp corners at the junction regions 250A-250C, when present) can help provide good surface penetration, e.g., on natural or artificial grass surfaces.
The concave exterior surface 244A of cleat edge 244 described above may provide additional functions, as well. As shown in
By orienting all or substantially all of the forefoot cleats in this same general manner (e.g., the lateral perimeter or side cleats, the intermediate cleats, and/or the medial perimeter or side cleats), solid traction and a strong base is provided throughout the forefoot contact phase of a sprinting step cycle (e.g., as the forefoot contacts the grounds (e.g., at the lateral midfoot or forefoot area) and the force of the step rolls forward and from the lateral side to the medial side of the shoe, as described above). The sets 130A1-130A4 of forefoot cleats (optionally substantially aligned in the rear lateral-to-forward medial direction as described above in conjunction with
While they may have the same constructions, shape, and/or orientation, in these illustrated example outsole structures 104a/204a, the heel cleats 132L and 132M have a different structure and construction from the forefoot cleats.
One difference between the outsole component 104a of
Sole structures, including outsole components 104a and/or 204a may be made of any desired materials and/or in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including from conventional materials and/or in conventional manners as are known and used in the art. For example, if desired, the outsole components 104a and/or 204a may be molded (e.g., injection molding) from thermoplastic polyurethanes, nylons, rubbers, and/or other materials (including conventional outsole materials). As a more specific example, the cleat base area (including any desired heel support, such as a heel counter or the rear heel fin 122 and/or the matrix structure shown in the figures) may be injection molded, and cleats of the types described above (or other desired types) may be removably or permanently engaged with the cleat base area, e.g., in a conventional manner (e.g., by cements or adhesives, by mechanical connectors, etc.). As another option, if desired, the cleats may be molded as a unitary, one-piece construction with the cleat base area (e.g., by injection molding). If the manufacturer desires to have some cleats with openings defined through them (e.g., openings 264 and/or 270), the openings can be provided (e.g., drilled, cut, lasered, etc.) in the cleat structures after the molding step is completed. Optionally, if desired, the matrix structure (or some portions thereof, such as the recesses and/or openings 116) also may be formed in a post-molding step.
As another alternative, however, the outsole components 104a and/or 204a may be created (e.g., in the form illustrated) by a rapid manufacturing additive fabrication process, e.g., using selective laser sintering (SLS), stereolithography, and/or 3D printing techniques. Such fabrication techniques allow the outsole components 104a and/or 204a to be “built-up” in a layer-by-layer manner from a computer file that includes three dimensional data regarding the desired three-dimensional structure of the outsole components 104a and/or 204a. Such fabrication techniques allow production of cleat structures with undercuts (such as openings 264 and/or 270), cantilevers, overhanging areas, and the like (e.g., structures difficult to mold because of the undercuts). As some more specific examples, if desired, the cleats may be formed so that the free end 242 has a somewhat larger area than the areas of at least some cross sections located above the free end 242 (e.g., so that the top of at least one edge 244, 246A, and/or 246B and/or at least one junction area 250A, 250B, and/or 250C curves outward as it gets closer to the free end 242). Additive fabrication techniques of this type also allow the entire outsole components 104a and/or 204a to be produced as unitary, single piece structures, if desired, including the base plate with the cleats, although at least some separately attached cleat elements may be provided on outsole components produced by rapid manufacturing additive fabrication techniques, if desired. Outsole structures 104a, 204a of the types described herein may be formed using nylon SLS materials (e.g., nylon 11) commercially available from 3D Systems, Inc., e.g., under the “DURAFORM®” brand name.
While it also may be possible with molding techniques, the use of rapid manufacturing additive fabrication techniques also allows a manufacturer to create some interesting structural features for an outsole component 104a, 204a, if desired. For example, as illustrated in
In fact, if desired, an individual rib element 116A, 116B, and/or 116C of the matrix base structure may morph into and form a portion of more than one individual cleat element. For example, as shown in
Outsole components 104a, 204a (e.g., outsole plates) of the types described above (e.g., made from nylon 11 by an SLS process) can provide a sufficiently stiff and supportive forefoot area that can still flex and provide “spring-back” effect as the plate returns to its original shape during the non-contact time of a sprint step cycle (e.g., toe spring after toe off).
Also, outsole components 104a and 204a of the types described above made by an SLS or other rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may be further treated after the fabrication process. For example, at least some portions of the fabricated part may be wrapped, coated, impregnated, or exposed to an infiltrate or other material to alter a property of the part. This may be used, for example, to change the color of the part (or portions thereof), to add logos or graphics, to control hardness or flexibility, to control its water resistance or other absorbency properties, etc.
Articles of footwear and/or sole structures according to examples of this invention may have a wide variety of sizes, dimensions, shapes, etc. The following features may be provided in shoe/sole structures designed to improve and/or maximize sprinting speed on artificial or natural grass surfaces. For example, the matrix ribs 116A-116C may have a width dimension of less than 5 mm. At least some of the lateral and medial edge or perimeter cleats may have height dimension H up to about 20 mm (e.g., from 5 to 20 mm), with the cleats generally being a bit larger as one moves toward the rear of the shoe. The footbed thickness (e.g., the thickness within a recess of the matrix structure, not through a rib element) may be less than 2 mm, and in some examples, less than 1.5 mm or less than 1 mm. When placed on a horizontal surface S (e.g., as shown in
Also, while generally triangular shaped cleats are described in detail above, other cleat constructions are possible, including, for example, cleats having generally square, rectangular, parallelogram, and/or trapezoidal cross sectional shapes. Such cleats still may have one edge with a concave top-to-bottom exterior surface oriented to face the rear heel direction. Not all cleats on a single shoe and/or in a single forefoot area of a shoe need have the same overall sizes, shapes, and/or constructions.
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. 15/211,268, titled “Cleated Footwear” and filed Jul. 15, 2016, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/159,078, titled “Cleated Footwear” and filed Jan. 20, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,414,642 B2), which application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/755,215, titled “Cleated Footwear” and filed Jan. 22, 2013. Each of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/211,268, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/159,078, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/755,215, in its entirety, is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61755215 | Jan 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15211268 | Jul 2016 | US |
| Child | 16036313 | US | |
| Parent | 14159078 | Jan 2014 | US |
| Child | 15211268 | US |
