Patent Grant
11963579
The present disclosure relates generally to sole structures for articles of footwear, and more particularly, to sole structures incorporating a fluid-filled bladder.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Articles of footwear conventionally include an upper and a sole structure. The upper may be formed from any suitable material(s) to receive, secure, and support a foot on the sole structure. The upper may cooperate with laces, straps, or other fasteners to adjust the fit of the upper around the foot. A bottom portion of the upper, proximate to a bottom surface of the foot, attaches to the sole structure.
Sole structures generally include a layered arrangement extending between a ground surface and the upper. One layer of the sole structure includes an outsole that provides abrasion-resistance and traction with the ground surface. The outsole may be formed from rubber or other materials that impart durability and wear-resistance, as well as enhance traction with the ground surface. Another layer of the sole structure includes a midsole disposed between the outsole and the upper. The midsole provides cushioning for the foot and may be partially formed from a polymer foam material that compresses resiliently under an applied load to cushion the foot by attenuating ground-reaction forces. The midsole may additionally or alternatively incorporate a fluid-filled bladder to increase durability of the sole structure, as well as to provide cushioning to the foot by compressing resiliently under an applied load to attenuate ground-reaction forces. Sole structures may also include a comfort-enhancing insole or a sockliner located within a void proximate to the bottom portion of the upper and a strobel attached to the upper and disposed between the midsole and the insole or sockliner.
Midsoles employing fluid-filled bladders typically include a bladder formed from two barrier layers of polymer material that are sealed or bonded together. The fluid-filled bladders are pressurized with a fluid such as air, and may incorporate tensile members within the bladder to retain the shape of the bladder when compressed resiliently under applied loads, such as during athletic movements. Generally, bladders are designed with an emphasis on balancing support for the foot and cushioning characteristics that relate to responsiveness as the bladder resiliently compresses under an applied load
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.
With reference to the figures, a sole structure for an article of footwear is provided. The sole structure includes a forefoot region disposed adjacent an anterior end, a heel region disposed adjacent a posterior end, a mid-foot region disposed intermediate the forefoot region and the heel region. A fluid-filled bladder of the sole structure has a first segment extending along a medial side in the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side in the heel region, and a web area disposed between the first segment and the second segment. The first segment, the second segment, and the web area define a pocket. An outer sole member has an upper portion extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region and received on a first side of the web area. A rib extends downwardly from the first end of the upper portion and defines a cavity in a forefoot region of the sole structure. The rib cooperates with the pocket of the fluid-filled bladder to define a recess that extends continuously from the forefoot region to the heel region.
Implementations of the disclosure may include one of more of the following optional features. In some examples, the sole structure includes an inner sole member extending from a first end disposed within the cavity to a second end received on a second side of the web area opposite the outer sole member. Here, the outer sole member may be formed of a first foamed polymeric material and the inner sole member may be formed of a second polymeric material having a greater density than the first foamed polymeric material. Each of fluid-filled bladder, the outer sole member, and the inner sole member may define a portion of a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure.
In some implementations, the rib may be formed along an outer periphery of the sole structure in the forefoot region and the mid-foot region. The rib may have first width in the mid-foot region and a second width in the forefoot region.
In some examples, the first segment may terminate at a first distal end in the mid-foot region and the second segment terminates at a second distal end in the mid-foot region, and wherein the rib extends continuously from a first terminal end opposing the first distal end in the mid-foot region to a second terminal end opposing the second distal end in the mid-foot region.
In some implementations, the rib may include a first segment extending along the lateral side within the mid-foot region and a second segment extending along the lateral side within the forefoot region, the second segment having a greater width than the first segment.
In some examples, the fluid-filled bladder may further include a third segment fluidly coupling the first segment to the second segment and extending along an arcuate path around the posterior end, and a thickness of the fluid-filled bladder tapers continuously and at a constant rate from the posterior end to a first distal end. Here, the sole structure further includes a heel counter extending along each of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment and formed of the same material as the fluid-filled bladder.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a sole structure for an article of footwear is provided. The sole structure includes a fluid-filled bladder disposed in a heel region of the sole structure. The fluid-filled bladder tapers from a first thickness at a posterior end of the sole structure to a second thickness at a mid-foot region of the sole structure. An outer sole member includes an upper portion extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end received by the fluid-filled bladder. A rib extends downwardly from the first end of the upper portion and defines a cavity in a forefoot region of the sole structure. The sole structure further includes an inner sole member having a first end received in the cavity of the outer sole member and a second end received by the fluid-filled bladder in the heel region.
Implementations of the disclosure may include one of more of the following optional features. In some examples, the sole structure includes a heel counter extending from the fluid-filled bladder and overlaying the upper portion of the outer sole member.
In some implementations, the fluid-filled bladder, the outer sole member, and the inner sole member each define a portion of a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure. Optionally, each of the fluid-filled bladder, the outer sole member, and the inner sole member includes one or more traction elements disposed on the ground-engaging surface. A first plurality of the traction elements may each include a protuberance extending therefrom, and a second plurality of the traction elements includes a plurality of serrations formed therein. In some examples, the one or more traction elements includes a first plurality of quadrilateral-shaped traction elements along the first segment of the fluid-filled bladder, a first D-shaped traction element disposed at a distal end of the first segment of the fluid-filled bladder, a second plurality of quadrilateral-shaped traction elements along a medial side of the rib, a second D-shaped traction element disposed at a terminal end of the rib and opposing the first D-shaped traction element, and at least one of an anterior traction element and a posterior traction element extending from the medial side to the lateral side.
In some implementations, the outer sole member includes a plurality of channels formed in a lower surface of the rib along a direction from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure.
In some examples, the first end of the inner sole member includes a traction element extending from the forefoot region through the mid-foot region and having a plurality of serrations formed therein. In some implementations, the second end of the inner sole member includes a bulge disposed within the fluid-filled bladder and having a convex shape.
In some implementations, the outer sole member may include a sidewall configured to extend onto an upper of the article of footwear.
Referring to
The upper 100 includes interior surfaces that define an interior void 102 configured to receive and secure a foot for support on sole structure 200. The upper 100 may be formed from one or more materials that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to form the interior void 102. Suitable materials of the upper may include, but are not limited to, mesh, textiles, foam, leather, and synthetic leather. The materials may be selected and located to impart properties of durability, air-permeability, wear-resistance, flexibility, and comfort.
With reference to
In some examples, one or more fasteners 110 extend along the upper 100 to adjust a fit of the interior void 102 around the foot and to accommodate entry and removal of the foot therefrom. The upper 100 may include apertures 112 such as eyelets and/or other engagement features such as fabric or mesh loops that receive the fasteners 110. The fasteners 110 may include laces, straps, cords, hook-and-loop, or any other suitable type of fastener. The upper 100 may include a tongue portion 116 that extends between the interior void 102 and the fasteners.
With reference to
With reference to
Although the seam 214 is illustrated as forming a relatively pronounced flange protruding outwardly from the fluid-filled chamber 210, the seam 214 may be a flat seam such that the upper barrier layer 212a and the lower barrier layer 214a are substantially continuous with each other. Moreover, the first barrier layer 212a and the second barrier layer 212b are joined together between the lateral side 24 of the sole structure 200 and the medial side 22 of the sole structure 200 to define a substantially continuous web area 216, as shown in
In some implementations, the first and second barrier layers 212a, 212b are formed by respective mold portions each defining various surfaces for forming depressions and pinched surfaces corresponding to locations where the seam 214 and/or the web area 216 are formed when the second barrier layer 212b and the first barrier layer 212a are joined and bonded together. In some implementations, adhesive bonding joins the first barrier layer 212a and the second barrier layer 212b to form the seam 214 and the web area 216. In other implementations, the first barrier layer 212a and the second barrier layer 212b are joined to form the seam 214 and the web area 216 by thermal bonding. In some examples, one or both of the barrier layers 212a, 212b are heated to a temperature that facilitates shaping and melding. In some examples, the layers 212a, 212b are heated prior to being located between their respective molds. In other examples, the mold may be heated to raise the temperature of the layers 212a, 212b. In some implementations, a molding process used to form the chamber 210 incorporates vacuum ports within mold portions to remove air such that the first and second layers 212a, 212b are drawn into contact with respective mold portions. In other implementations, fluids such as air may be injected into areas between the upper and lower layers 212a, 212b such that pressure increases cause the layers 212a, 212b to engage with surfaces of their respective mold portions.
Referring to
In the illustrated example, the chamber 210 includes a series of connected segments 218 disposed within the heel region 16 of the sole structure 200. Additionally or alternatively, the chamber 210 may be located within the forefoot or mid-foot regions 12, 14 of the sole structure. A medial segment 218a extends along the medial side 22 of the sole structure 200 in the heel region and terminates at a first distal end 219a within the mid-foot region 14. Likewise, a lateral segment 218b extends along the lateral side 24 of the sole structure 200 in the heel region 16 and terminates at a second distal end 219b within the mid-foot region 14.
A posterior segment 218c extends around the posterior end 20 of the heel region 16 and fluidly couples to the medial segment 218a and the lateral segment 218b. In the illustrated example, the posterior segment 218c protrudes beyond the posterior end 20 of the upper 100, such that the upper 100 is offset towards the anterior end 18 from the rear-most portion of the posterior segment 218c. As shown, the posterior segment 218c extends along a substantially arcuate path to connect a posterior end of the medial segment 218a to a posterior end of the lateral segment 218b. Furthermore, the posterior segment 218c is continuously formed with each of the medial segment 218a and the lateral segment 218b. Accordingly, the chamber 210 may generally define a horse-shoe shape, wherein the posterior segment 218c couples to the medial segment 218a and the lateral segment 218b at respective ones of the medial side 22 and the lateral side 24.
As shown in
One or both of the first longitudinal axis AS1 and the second longitudinal axis AS2 may converge with longitudinal axis AF of the footwear. Alternatively, the first longitudinal axis AS1 and the second longitudinal axis AS2 may converge with each other along a direction from the third segment 218c to the distal ends 219a, 219b. In some examples, the medial segment 218a and the lateral segment 218b may have different lengths. For instance, the lateral segment 218b may extend farther along the lateral side 24 and into the mid-foot region 14 than the medial segment 218a extends along the medial side 22 into the mid-foot region 14.
As shown in
At least two of the segments 218a-218c may define different diameters DB of the chamber 210. For example, one or more segments 218a-218c may have a greater diameter DB than one or more of the other segments 218a-218c. Additionally, the diameters DB of the segments may taper from one end to another. As shown in
As shown in
Each of the segments 218a-218c may be filled with a pressurized fluid (i.e., gas, liquid) to provide cushioning and stability for the foot during use of the footwear 10. In some implementations, compressibility of a first portion of the plurality of segments 218a-218c under an applied load provides a responsive-type cushioning, while a second portion of the segments 218a-218c may be configured to provide a soft-type cushioning under an applied load. Accordingly, the segments 218a-218c of the chamber 210 may cooperate to provide gradient cushioning to the article of footwear 10 that changes as the applied load changes (i.e., the greater the load, the more the segments 218a-218c are compressed and, thus, the more responsive the footwear 10 performs).
In some implementations, the segments 218a-218c are in fluid communication with one another to form a unitary pressure system for the chamber 210. The unitary pressure system directs fluid through the segments 218a-218c when under an applied load as the segments 218a-218c compress or expand to provide cushioning, stability, and support by attenuating ground-reaction forces especially during forward running movements of the footwear 10. Optionally, one or more of the segments 218a-218c may be fluidly isolated from the other segments 218a-218c so that at least one of the segments 218a-218c can be pressurized differently.
In other implementations, one or more cushioning materials, such as polymer foam and/or particulate matter, are enclosed by one or more of the segments 218a-218c in place of, or in addition to, the pressurized fluid to provide cushioning for the foot. In these implementations, the cushioning materials may provide one or more of the segments 218a-218c with cushioning properties different from the segments 218a-218c filled with the pressurized fluid. For example, the cushioning materials may be more or less responsive or provide greater impact absorption than the pressurized fluid.
With continued reference to
In some implementations, an overmold portion 220 extends over a portion of the chamber 210 to provide increased durability and resiliency for the segments 218a-218c when under applied loads. Accordingly, the overmold portion 220 is formed of a different material than the chamber 210, and includes at least one of a different thickness, a different hardness, and a different abrasion resistance than the second barrier layer 212b. In some examples, the overmold portion 220 may be formed integrally with the second barrier layer 212b of the chamber 210 using an overmolding process. In other examples the overmold portion 220 may be formed separately from the second barrier layer 212b of the chamber 210 and may be adhesively bonded to the second barrier layer 212b.
The overmold portion 220 may extend over each of the segments 218a-218b of the chamber 210 by attaching to the second barrier layer 212b to provide increased durability and resiliency for the chamber 210 where the separation distance between the second barrier layer 212b and the first barrier layer 212a is greater, or to provide increased thickness in specific areas of the chamber 210. Accordingly, the overmold portion 220 may include a plurality of segments 222a-222c corresponding to the segments 218a-218c of the chamber 210. Thus, the overmold portion 220 may be limited to only attaching to areas of the second barrier layer 212b that partially define the segments 218a-218c and, therefore, the overmold portion 220 may be absent from the seam 214 and web area 216. More specifically, the segments 222a-222b of the overmold portion 220 may cooperate with the segments 218a-218c of the chamber 210 to define an opening 224 to the lower pocket 217b configured to receive a portion of the inner sole member 260 therein, as discussed below.
In some examples, the overmold portion 220 includes an opposing pair of surfaces 226 defining a thickness TO of the overmold portion. The surfaces 226 include a concave inner surface 226a bonded to the second barrier layer 212b and a convex outer surface 226b defining a portion of the ground-engaging surface 202 of the sole structure 200. Accordingly, the overmold portion 220 defines a substantially arcuate or crescent-shaped cross section. As shown in
With continued reference to
The outer sole member 230 includes an upper portion 232 having a sidewall 234, and a rib 236 that cooperates with the upper portion 232 to define a cavity 238 for receiving the inner sole member 260, as discussed below. The outer sole member 230 may be formed from an energy absorbing material such as, for example, polymer foam. Forming the outer sole member 230 from an energy-absorbing material such as polymer foam allows the outer sole member 230 to attenuate ground-reaction forces caused by movement of the article of footwear 10 over ground during use.
With reference to
The upper surface 240, the intermediate surface 242, and the peripheral side surface 246 cooperate to form the upper portion 232 of the outer sole member 230. The upper portion 232 extends from a first end adjacent the anterior end 18 to a second end adjacent the posterior end 20. As shown in
As shown, the upper surface 240 may have a contoured shape. Particularly, the upper surface 240 may be convex, such that an outer periphery of the upper surface 240 may extend upwardly and converge with the peripheral side surface 242 to form the sidewall 234 extending along the outer periphery of the sole structure 200. The sidewall 234 may extend at least partially onto an outer surface of the upper 100 such that the outer sole member 230 conceals a junction between the upper 100 and the strobel 104.
With reference to
With continued reference to
With reference to
The rib 236 includes a plurality of segments 252 extending along the medial side 22 and the lateral side 24 and converging at the anterior end 18 of the sole structure 200. The segments 252 of the rib 236 include a first segment 252a extending from the first distal end 238a along the medial side 22 within the mid-foot region 14, a second segment 252b connected to the first segment 252a and extending along the medial side 22 between the mid-foot region 14 and the anterior end 18, a third segment 236c connected to the second segment 252b and extending along the lateral side 24 from the anterior end 18 to the mid-foot region 14, and a fourth segment 252d connected to the third segment 252c and extending along the lateral side 24 to the second terminal end 250b within the mid-foot region 14.
As discussed above, the width WR of the rib 236 may be variable along the perimeter of the sole structure 200. For example, one or more of the segments 252a-252d may have a different width WR than one or more of the other segments 252a-252d. In the illustrated example, the first segment 252a, the second segment 252b, and the fourth segment 252d each have substantially similar widths WR1, WR2, WR4 while the third segment 252c has a greater width WR3. Accordingly, the rib 236 may include transitions 254 joining opposing ends of segments 252 of different thicknesses. For instance, in the illustrated example the rib 236 includes a first transition 254a disposed between the third segment 252c and the fourth segment 252d along the lateral side 22 of the sole structure 200 and within the ball portion 12B of the forefoot region 12. The rib 236 further includes a second transition 254b between the second segment 252b and the fourth segment 252d along the anterior end 18.
With continued reference to
The outer sole member 230 may further include one or more channels 256 formed in the lower surface 242, which extend from the peripheral side surface 246 to the inner side surface 248, along a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AF of the footwear 10. In the illustrated example, each of the channels 256 is substantially semi-cylindrical in shape. The channels 256 may include a first channel 256a disposed on the medial side 22, between the first segment 252a and the second segment 252b. Particularly, the first channel 256a may be formed between the forefoot region 12 and the mid-foot region 14. A second channel 256b may be formed in an intermediate portion of the third segment 252c, within the mid-foot region, and a third channel 256c may be formed in an intermediate portion of the fourth segment 252d. Particularly, the third channel 256c may be formed at an end of the first transition 254a adjacent the fourth segment 252d, and intermediate the toe portion 12T and the ball portion 12B of the forefoot region 12.
With reference to
The first end 262 of the inner sole member 260 is disposed within the cavity 238 of the outer sole member 230, and has an outer profile that compliments the profile of the inner side surface 248 of the outer sole member. Accordingly, the outer profile of the first end 262 may include a depression 266 formed in the forefoot region 12 along the lateral side 24, which is configured to cooperate with the relatively wide fourth segment 252d of the rib 236.
The first end 262 may form a portion of the ground-engaging surface 202 of the sole structure 200, and includes one of the traction elements 204, 204g extending from the forefoot region 12 to the mid-foot region 14, as described in greater detail below. The second end 264 of the inner sole member 260 is received within the lower pocket 217b of the chamber 210, on the second side of the web area 216. The second end 264 is surrounded by the medial segments 218a, 222a, the lateral segments 218b, 222b, and the posterior segments 218c, 222c of the bladder 208. Accordingly, the web area 216 may be disposed between the upper portion 232 of the outer sole member 230 and the second end 264 of the inner sole member 260.
The second end 264 may include substantially convex-shaped bulge 268 forming a portion of the ground-engaging surface 202. As shown in
As discussed above, the overmold portion 220 of the bladder 208, the outer sole member 230, and the inner sole member 260 cooperate to define the ground-engaging surface 202 of the sole structure 200, which includes a plurality of traction elements 204 extending therefrom. The traction elements 204 are configured to engage with a ground surface to provide responsiveness and stability to the sole structure 200 during use.
The outer surface 226b of the overmold portion 220 may include a plurality of the traction elements 204 formed thereon. For example, each of the medial segment 222a and the lateral segment 222b may include a plurality of quadrilateral-shaped traction elements 204a disposed between the posterior segment 222c and respective distal ends 223a, 223b of the overmold portion 220. The medial segment 222a and the lateral segment 222b may each further include a distal traction element 204b associated with the respective distal ends 223a, 223b. The distal traction elements 204b are generally D-shaped and have an arcuate side facing towards a center of the mid-foot region 14 and a straight side facing away from the mid-foot region 14.
Similarly, the lower surface 242 of the outer sole member 230 includes a plurality of quadrilateral-shaped traction elements 204c formed along each of the medial side 22 and the lateral side 24, intermediate the respective terminal ends 250a, 250b and the anterior end 18. The lower surface 242 further includes a pair of D-shaped traction elements 204d disposed at each of the terminal ends 250a, 250b of the rib 236, and opposing the distal traction elements 204b of the bladder 208. Accordingly, an arcuate side of the traction elements 204d opposes the arcuate side of the D-shaped traction elements 204b formed on the overmold portion 220, and a straight side faces towards the anterior end 18.
The ground-engaging surface 202 of the sole structure 200 further includes an anterior traction element 204e formed on the outer sole member 230, and a posterior traction element 204f formed on the overmold portion 220 of the bladder 208. As shown in
As discussed above, the first end 262 of the inner sole member 260 may include an inner traction element 204g extending from a first end in an intermediate portion of the forefoot region 12 to a second end in an intermediate portion of the mid-foot region 14. As shown, the inner traction element 204 has an outer profile corresponding to and offset from the profile of the inner side surface 248. The second end of the inner traction element 204g is substantially aligned with the terminal ends 250a, 250b of the rib 236 in a direction from the medial side 22 to the lateral side 24.
Each of the tractions elements 204a-204g may include a ground-engagement feature 206 formed therein, which is configured to interface with the ground surface to improve traction between the ground-engaging surface 202 and the ground surface. As shown, the traction elements 204a-204d formed along the medial side 22 and the lateral side 24 may include a single, centrally-located protuberance 206a extending therefrom, which is configured to provide a desired degree of engagement with the ground surface. In some examples, the protuberance 206a is a single hemispherical protuberance. Additionally or alternatively, the traction elements 204a-204d may include a plurality of protuberances having polygonal or cylindrical shapes, for example,
The ground-engagement features 206 may further includes one or more serrations 206b formed in the traction elements 204. For example, each of the anterior traction element 204e and the posterior traction element 204f may include elongate serrations 206b extending from the medial side 22 towards the lateral side 24. Similarly, the interior traction element 204g may include a plurality of parallel serrations 206b evenly spaced along an entire length of the inner traction element 204g, each extending from the medial side 22 towards the lateral side 24. The serrations 206b of the interior traction element 204g may extend continuously through an entire width of the interior traction element 204g, while the serrations 206b formed in the anterior and posterior traction elements 204e, 204f may be formed within an outer periphery of the traction elements 204e, 204f.
The sole structure 200 further includes a heel counter 270 formed of the same transparent TPU material as the first barrier layer 212a and extending over the outer sole member 230. As shown, the heel counter 270 extends from the first distal end 219a of the chamber 210, around the posterior end 20, and to the second distal end 219b of the chamber 210.
With reference to
During use, the bladder 208, the outer sole member 230, and the inner sole member 260 may cooperate to enhance the functionality and cushioning characteristics that a conventional midsole provides, while simultaneously providing increased stability and support for the foot by dampening oscillations of the foot that occur in response to a ground-reaction force during use of the footwear 10. For instance, an applied load to the sole structure 200 during forward movements, such as walking or running movements, may cause some of the segments 218a-218c to compress to provide cushioning for the foot by attenuating the ground-reaction force, while other segments 218a-218c may retain their shape to impart stability and support characteristics that dampen foot oscillations relative to the footwear 10 responsive to the initial impact of the ground-reaction force.
The following Clauses provide an exemplary configuration for an article of footwear described above.
Clause 1: A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising a forefoot region disposed adjacent an anterior end, a heel region disposed adjacent a posterior end, a mid-foot region disposed intermediate the forefoot region and the heel region, a fluid-filled bladder having a first segment extending along a medial side in the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side in the heel region, and a web area disposed between the first segment and the second segment, the first segment, the second segment, and the web area defining a pocket, and an outer sole member having an upper portion extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region and received on a first side of the web area and a rib extending downwardly from the upper portion within the forefoot region and defining a cavity in a forefoot region of the sole structure, the cavity cooperating with the pocket of the fluid-filled bladder to define a recess that extends continuously from the forefoot region to the heel region.
Clause 2: The sole structure of Clause 1, further comprising an inner sole member extending from a first end disposed within the cavity to a second end received on a second side of the web area opposite the outer sole member.
Clause 3: The sole structure of Clause 2, wherein the outer sole member is formed of a first foamed polymeric material and the inner sole member is formed of a second polymeric material having a greater density than the first foamed polymeric material.
Clause 4: The sole structure of Clause 2, wherein each of fluid-filled bladder, the outer sole member, and the inner sole member defines a portion of a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure.
Clause 5: The sole structure of Clause 1, wherein the rib is formed along an outer periphery of the sole structure in the forefoot region and the mid-foot region.
Clause 6: The sole structure of Clause 1, wherein the rib has a first width in the mid-foot region and a second width in the forefoot region.
Clause 7: The sole structure of Clause 1, wherein the first segment terminates at a first distal end in the mid-foot region and the second segment terminates at a second distal end in the mid-foot region, and wherein the rib extends continuously from a first terminal end opposing the first distal end in the mid-foot region to a second terminal end opposing the second distal end in the mid-foot region.
Clause 8: The sole structure of Clause 1, wherein the rib includes a first segment extending along the lateral side within the mid-foot region and a second segment extending along the lateral side within the forefoot region, the second segment having a greater width than the first segment.
Clause 9: The sole structure of Clause 1, wherein the fluid-filled bladder further includes a third segment fluidly coupling the first segment to the second segment and extending along an arcuate path around the posterior end, and a thickness of the fluid-filled bladder tapers continuously and at a constant rate from the posterior end to a first distal end.
Clause 10: The sole structure of Clause 9, further comprising a heel counter extending along each of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment and formed of the same material as the fluid-filled bladder.
Clause 11: A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising a fluid-filled bladder disposed in a heel region of the sole structure and tapering from a first thickness at a posterior end of the sole structure to a second thickness at a mid-foot region of the sole structure, an outer sole member including an upper portion extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end received by the fluid-filled bladder, and a rib extending downwardly from the first end of the upper portion and defining a cavity in a forefoot region of the sole structure, and an inner sole member having a first end received in the cavity of the outer sole member and a second end received by the fluid-filled bladder in the heel region.
Clause 12: The sole structure of Clause 11, further comprising a heel counter extending from the fluid-filled bladder and overlaying the upper portion of the outer sole member.
Clause 13: The sole structure of Clause 11, wherein the fluid-filled bladder, the outer sole member, and the inner sole member each define a portion of a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure.
Clause 14: The sole structure of Clause 13, wherein each of the fluid-filled bladder, the outer sole member, and the inner sole member includes one or more traction elements disposed on the ground-engaging surface.
Clause 15: The sole structure of Clause 14, wherein a first plurality of the traction elements includes protuberances extending therefrom and a second plurality of the traction elements includes a plurality of serrations formed therein.
Clause 16: The sole structure of Clause 14, wherein the one or more traction elements includes a first plurality of quadrilateral-shaped traction elements along the first segment of the fluid-filled bladder, a first D-shaped traction element disposed at a distal end of the first segment of the fluid-filled bladder, a second plurality of quadrilateral-shaped traction elements along a medial side of the rib, a second D-shaped traction element disposed at a terminal end of the rib and opposing the first D-shaped traction element, and at least one of an anterior traction element and a posterior traction element extending from the medial side to the lateral side.
Clause 17: The sole structure of Clause 11, wherein the outer sole member includes a plurality of channels formed in a lower surface of the rib along a direction from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure.
Clause 18: The sole structure of Clause 11, wherein the first end of the inner sole member includes a traction element extending from the forefoot region through the mid-foot region and having a plurality of serrations formed therein.
Clause 19: The sole structure of Clause 11, wherein the second end of the inner sole member includes a bulge disposed within the fluid-filled bladder and having a convex shape.
Clause 20: The sole structure of Clause 11, wherein the outer sole member includes a sidewall configured to extend onto an upper of the article of footwear.
The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/200,550, filed Nov. 26, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/885,676, filed on Jan. 31, 2018, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210337927 A1 | Nov 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16200550 | Nov 2018 | US |
| Child | 17378397 | US | |
| Parent | 15885676 | Jan 2018 | US |
| Child | 16200550 | US |
