Patent Application
20140259747
Conventional articles of athletic footwear often include an upper and a sole structure. The upper provides a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. The sole structure is typically secured to a lower surface of the upper and positioned between the foot and the ground (or other contact surface) during wear of a shoe incorporating that upper and sole structure. The sole structure may include a midsole and an outsole. The midsole may help control foot motion and attenuate impact forces. For example, various midsoles may include elements formed from a foam material and/or include a fluid-filled bladder to help cushion a wearer foot. Although such elements provide many advantages, they may lack other qualities that may be desirable. For example, many conventional impact attenuation members lack “springiness,” i.e., they lack a feel of bounce or recoil that can be beneficial in some activities. There remains a need for sole structures that include impact attenuation elements while also having other desirable properties.
This Summary provides an introduction to some general concepts relating to this invention in a simplified form, which concepts and others are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention.
In at least some embodiments, a sole structure may include at least one plate. The at least one plate may include a first portion located in a forefoot region of the sole structure and a second portion located in a rearfoot region of the sole structure. At least one compressible midsole component is coupled to the at least one plate. The at least one midsole may be coupled to a top of the at least one plate, to a bottom of the at least one plate, or to both. A linkage rod couples the first and second portions. The linkage rod is configured to bias the first and second portions away from one another during bending of the sole structure that moves the tops of the first and second portions toward one another.
Additional embodiments are described herein.
The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, 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 at least some embodiments, a sole structure may include one or more propulsion linkage rods. Articles of footwear (e.g., shoes) incorporating such sole structures may be configured for wear during athletic activities such as walking, tennis, soccer, football, basketball, running, cross-training, golf, etc. Additional embodiments may include sole structures for footwear intended for other athletic or non-athletic activities, as well as footwear incorporating such sole structures.
For reference purposes, sole structure 102 may be divided into three general regions as shown in
Sole structure 102 includes a forefoot outsole component 110a; a rearfoot outsole component 110b; a rearfoot fluid-filled bladder 120; a forefoot fluid-filled bladder 130; a forefoot midsole component 140a; a rearfoot midsole component 140b; a first plate 150 and a second plate 152. A forefoot portion 102a of sole structure 102 includes outsole component 110a, forefoot bladder 130 and a part of first plate 150. A rearfoot portion 102b of sole structure 102 includes rearfoot outsole component 110b, rearfoot bladder 120 and rearfoot midsole component 140b. Forefoot portion 102a and rearfoot portion 102b are connected by linkage rods 180a (medial) and 180b (lateral) and by an extension 172 of first plate 150.
As shown in
Bottom surfaces of midsole components 140a and 140b are bonded or otherwise attached to interior surfaces 110a-2 and 110b-2, respectively. Midsole components 140a and 140b may be formed from one or more types of polymer foam material (e.g., polyurethane foams, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foams, phylon, phylite, etc.). Forefoot midsole component 140a includes a region 140a-1 that defines a pocket for receiving and holding bladder 130. Similarly, rearfoot midsole component 140b includes a rearfoot region that defines a pocket for receiving and holding bladder 120. Bladder 130 may be adhesively bonded to forefoot midsole component 140a and/or to the underside of first plate 150. Bladder 120 may be adhesively bonded to rearfoot midsole component 140b and/or to the underside of second plate 152. Bladder 120 may also rest on top of (and may be bonded to) the rearmost portion of extension 172 of first plate 150. Bladders 120 and 130 may be made in any desired manner and/or from any desired materials, including in manners and/or using materials conventionally utilized to form fluid-filled bladders for footwear sole structures.
First plate 150 includes a front portion that extends from forefoot region 101 and into midfoot region 103. First plate 150 further includes an extension 172 that extends through midfoot region 103 and into rearfoot region 107. As shown in
First plate 150 includes a lateral side plantar support element 151c, a central plantar support element 151b and a medial side plantar support element 151a. Elements 151c and 151b are separated by a first gap. Elements 151b and 151a are separated by a second gap. Lateral side plantar support element 151c supports an outside of a foot during a hard turn or cutting action. Central plantar support element 151b supports the third metatarsal region of a wearer foot. Medial side plantar support element 151a supports the hallux or big toe area of a wearer foot. The gaps between the support elements 151a-151c partially decouples and separates each of a first metatarsal support region, a third metatarsal region, and a fifth metatarsal region of first plate 150. Plantar support elements 151a-151c promote lateral-to-medial flex and help permit a more natural motion (e.g., to allow the sides of a wearer foot to more easily flex with respect to one another as the wearer's weight transfers from the outside to the inside during a step cycle). The lateral side of first plate 150 includes an upward extension 150U in the fifth metatarsal area (little toe area). Upward extension 150U resists lateral movement of the foot with respect to the sole structure 102 during a hard turn or cutting action. The top surface of the front portion of first plate 150, and the top surfaces of other components in forefoot portion 102a, may be curved, arched, and/or otherwise contoured so as to comfortably support a wearer's foot.
The bottom surface of first plate 150 may be bonded to the top surface of forefoot bladder 130 and to parts of region 140a-1 of forefoot midsole component 140a. The rearmost end of extension 172 may be bonded to the top surface of rearfoot outsole component 110b and/or to the bottom surface of rearfoot bladder 120. When sole structure 102 is incorporated into a shoe, the top surface of the front portion of first plate 150 may be bonded to a Strobel or other lasting element of an upper of that shoe.
Second plate 152 is located over, and rests on, rearfoot bladder 120 and portions of rearfoot midsole component 140b. The underside of second plate 152 is attached to rear ends of linkage rods 180a and 180b. In some embodiments, the rear ends of linkage rods 180a and 180b may be attached to the top surface of second plate 152. In some such embodiments, an additional midsole component may be placed between the top surface of second plate 152 and an upper of a shoe incorporating sole structure 102.
The top surface of second plate 152 is concave, with an outer edge of second plate 152 forming a heel cup 152C. Heel sup 152C resists lateral, medial and/or rearward movement of a wearer foot when making hard cuts and turns. The bottom surface of second plate 152 is bonded to bladder 120 and to portions of rearfoot midsole component 140b.
In the embodiment of sole structure 102, each of first plate 150 and second plate 152 is a single, integral structure. That may be molded or otherwise formed from one or more polymers (e.g., TPU), from a composite (e.g., carbon and/or glass fibers bound in an polymer matrix), or from other materials. The material of plates 150 and 152 may be substantially incompressible. For example, and as compared to midsole components 140a and/or 140b, plates 150 and 152 do not compress in response to finger pressure or in response to forces normally imposed by a shoe wearer.
The presence of separate first and second plates 150 and 152 enhances flexibility of sole structure 102 and partially decouples forefoot and rearfoot regions of sole structure 102 about a longitudinal (rearfoot to forefoot) twist axis. This decoupling can improve the overall comfort and feel of the shoe as the wearer takes a step (and weight shifts from the heel to the forefoot) and provide a more natural motion and feel.
Linkage rods 180a and 180b extend into forefoot region 101. The forward end of medial side linkage rod 180a extends under and is attached to the medial side first plate 150. The forward end of lateral side linkage rod 180b extends under and is attached to the lateral side of the first plate 150. In some embodiments, linkage rods 180a and 180b are part of the same U-shaped piece, with the base of that “U” attached to the bottom or top of second plate 152. In the embodiment of sole structure 102, linkage rods 180a and 180b have oval-shaped cross-sections. Linkage rods in other embodiments may have other cross-sections (e.g., rectangular, square, circular, etc.).
In at least some embodiments, linkage rods 180a and 180b are formed from a carbon fiber composite (e.g., carbon bound in an epoxy resin) so as to be flexible and provide a noticeable amount of recoil during walking or running In particular, linkage rods 180a and 180b help provide rebound energy and a propulsive feel to sole structure 102. Rods 180a and 180b store energy as they are bent during dorsiflexion of the wearer foot. In dorsiflexion, which can occur when the shoe wearer's body moves over the foot while walking or running, sole structure 102 bends so as to generally move a forefoot region portion of the top of first plate 150 toward the top of second plate 152. As a result, rods 180a and 180b bias first plate 150 and second plate 152 back to their unbent state. As the wearer foot plantar flexes (e.g., as the wearer pushes off with that foot), the stored energy is released and returned to the wearer foot. Including linkage rods may thus help ameliorate the lack of “springiness” or “bounce” that can sometimes be associated with fluid filled bladders and other impact absorbing elements of a sole structure.
Sole structure 202 could alternatively be incorporated into a shoe having a different type of upper. Indeed, sole structure 202 and sole structures according to other embodiments described herein could be incorporated into footwear having any type of upper.
Sole structure 202 is similar to sole structure 102. For example, sole structure 202 includes a first plate 250, a forefoot outsole component 210a, a forefoot midsole component 240a, a forefoot bladder (not visible in
The top surfaces of first plate 350 and second plate 352 may be curved, arched, and/or otherwise contoured so as to comfortably support a wearer's foot. One or more edges of plate 352 may form a heel cup. One or more edges of plate 350 may form a lateral or medial side support.
Structure 300 may be incorporated into a sole structure, in at least some embodiments, by attaching forefoot bladder, midsole and outsole components to the bottom of first plate 350 and by attaching rearfoot bladder, midsole and outsole components to the bottom of second plate 352. Alternatively, a midsole component and/or a bladder may be attached to the top of first plate 350 and/or to the top of second plate 352. A sole structure incorporating structure 300 may then be attached to an upper.
The top surfaces of first plate 450 and second plate 452 may be curved, arched, and/or otherwise contoured so as to comfortably support a wearer's foot. One or more edges of plate 452 may form a heel cup. One or more edges of plate 450 may form a lateral or medial side support. Structure 400 may be incorporated into a sole structure, in at least some embodiments, by attaching forefoot bladder, midsole and outsole components to the bottom of first plate 450 and by attaching rearfoot bladder, midsole and outsole components to the bottom of second plate 452. Alternatively, a midsole component and/or a bladder may be attached to the top of first plate 450 and/or to the top of second plate 452. A sole structure incorporating structure 400 may then be attached to an upper.
First plate 550 includes a concentric portion 550a, a radially extending portion 550b and an outer rim portion 550c. A reinforcement rim 550d is integral to rod 580 and attached to the bottom of rim portion 550c. Second plate 552 includes a concentric portion 552a, a radially extending portion 552b and an outer rim portion 552c. A reinforcement rim 552d is also integral to rod 580 and is attached to the bottom of rim portion 552c. Linkage rod 580 extends from forefoot concentric portion 550a to rearfoot concentric portion 552a.
The top surfaces of first plate 550 and second plate 552 may be curved, arched, and/or otherwise contoured so as to comfortably support a wearer's foot. One or more edges of plate 552 may form a heel cup. One or more edges of plate 550 may form a lateral or medial side support. Structure 500 may be incorporated into a sole structure, in at least some embodiments, by attaching forefoot bladder, midsole and outsole components to the bottom of first plate 550 and by attaching rearfoot bladder, midsole and outsole components to the bottom of second plate 552. Alternatively, a midsole component and/or a bladder may be attached to the top of first plate 550 and/or to the top of second plate 552. A sole structure incorporating structure 500 may then be attached to an upper.
Forward ends of linkage rods 680a-680e are respectively attached to the bottoms of plantar support elements 651a-651e of first plate 650. The forward ends of rods 680a-680e and plantar supports 651a-651 respectively correspond to first through fifth metatarsal regions of a wearer of a shoe that includes structure 600. The rear ends of linkage rods 680a-680e are attached to the bottom of third plate 653.
The top surfaces of first plate 650 and second plate 652 may be curved, arched, and/or otherwise contoured so as to comfortably support a wearer's foot. One or more edges of plate 652 may form a heel cup. One or more edges of plate 650 may form a lateral or medial side support.
Structure 600 may be incorporated into a sole structure, in at least some embodiments, in a manner similar to that of the embodiment of
The top surface of plate 751 may be curved, arched, and/or otherwise contoured so as to comfortably support a wearer's foot. One or more edges of rear portion 752 may form a heel cup. One or more edges of front portion 750 and/or connecting portion 753 may form a side support. Structure 700 may be incorporated into a sole structure, in at least some embodiments, by attaching a midsole to the top of plate 751. One or more bladders (e.g., in the forefoot and/or midfoot region) may be included in that midsole. Additionally or alternatively, one or more midsole components and bladders may be attached to the bottom of structure 700. One or more outsole members may be attached to the additional/alternative midsole(s) or to the bottom of structure 700. A sole structure incorporating structure 700 may then be attached to an upper.
Linkage rods 980a (medial) and 980b (lateral) connect plates 950-953. The rear ends of rods 980a and 980b are joined to the bottom of plate 953. Rods 980a and 980b are joined to the bottom of plate 952 by a reinforcement 978, to the bottom of plate 951 by a reinforcement 977 and to the bottom of plate 950 by a reinforcement 976. Any or all of reinforcements 976-978 may be integral to rods 980a and/or 980b. Alternatively, one or more of reinforcements 976-978 may be separately formed from a material similar to that used for rods 980a and 980b (e.g., a carbon fiber composite).
The top surfaces of plates 950-953 may be curved, arched, and/or otherwise contoured so as to comfortably support a wearer's foot. One or more edges of plate 953 may form a heel cup. One or more edges of plates 950-952 may form a lateral or medial side support. Structure 900 may be incorporated into a sole structure, in at least some embodiments, by attaching a one or more midsole components to the tops of plates 950-953. Some or all of the midsole components may contain bladders. In some embodiments, a separate midsole component similar to segment 840 is attached to the top of each of plates 950-951. Each of those midsole components may include a bladder. Alternatively, only some of those midsole components may include a bladder (e.g., a rearfoot midsole component attached to plate 953 and a forefoot midsole components attached to plate 951). In some embodiments, a rearfoot midsole component may be attached to plate 953 and a single mid/forefoot midsole component attached to plates 950-952, with bladders contained in one or more of those midsole components.
Additionally or alternatively, one or more midsole components (with or without bladders) may be attached to the bottom of structure 900. One or more outsole members may be attached to the additional/alternative midsole(s) or to directly to the bottom of structure 900. A sole structure incorporating structure 900 may then be attached to an upper.
Top surfaces of plates 1050 and 1052 may be curved, arched, and/or otherwise contoured so as to comfortably support a wearer's foot. One or more edges of plate 1052 may form a heel cup. One or more edges of plate 1050 may form a lateral or medial side support. Structure 1000 may be incorporated into a sole structure, in at least some embodiments, by attaching separate midsole components to the tops of plates 1050 and 1052. Some or all of those midsole components may contain bladders. Additionally or alternatively, one or more midsole components (with or without bladders) may be attached to the bottom of structure 1000. One or more outsole members may be attached to the additional/alternative midsole(s) or to directly to the bottom of structure 1000. A sole structure incorporating structure 1000 may then be attached to an upper.
Top surfaces of plates 1150 and 1152 may be curved, arched, and/or otherwise contoured so as to comfortably support a wearer's foot. One or more edges of plate 1152 may form a heel cup. One or more edges of plate 1150 may form a lateral or medial side support. Structure 1100 may be incorporated into a sole structure, in at least some embodiments, by attaching separate midsole components to the tops of plates 1150 and 1152. Some or all of those midsole components may contain bladders. Additionally or alternatively, one or more midsole components (with or without bladders) may be attached to the bottom of structure 1100. One or more outsole members may be attached to the additional/alternative midsole(s) or to directly to the bottom of structure 1100. A sole structure incorporating structure 1100 may then be attached to an upper.
In some embodiments, linkage rods may be attached to the top of a plate.
A Y-shaped linkage rod unit 1380 includes a medial section 1380a, a lateral section 1380b and a mid/rearfoot section 1380c. The rear end of rod section 1380c is joined to the bottom of plate 1355. Rod 1380 is joined to the bottoms of plates 1350-1354 by reinforcements 1376a-1376e. Any of reinforcements 1376a-1376e may be integral to rod 1380. Alternatively, one or more of reinforcements 1376a-1376e may be separately formed from a material similar to that used for rod 1380 (e.g., a carbon fiber composite). Structure 1300 may be incorporated into a sole structure by attaching midsole elements (with or without bladders) to the tops and/or bottoms of plates 1250-1354.
Sole structure 1402 incorporates a plate and rod structure 1400 similar to structure 1300. Structure 1400 differs from structure 1300 by having five plates 1450-1454 instead of six plates 1350-1355. Structure 1400 further differs from structure 1300 by having a medial linkage rod 1480a and a separate lateral linkage rod (not shown) instead of a single Y-shaped linkage rod. The linkage rods of sole structure 1402 are attached to the bottoms of plates 1450-1454 by reinforcements such as reinforcement 1477 (
In the embodiment of sole structure 1402, midsole element 1440a is attached to the bottom of plate 1450, midsole element 1440b is attached to the bottom of plate 1451, midsole element 1440c is attached to the bottom of plate 1452, midsole element 1440d is attached to the bottom of plate 1453 and midsole element 1440e is attached to the bottom of plate 1454. Each of midsole elements 1440a-1440e may have a separate outsole component attached to its bottom surface. Some or all of midsole elements 1440a through 1440e may include a bladder element.
Top surfaces plates of 1450-1455 may be curved, arched, and/or otherwise contoured so as to comfortably support a wearer's foot. One or more edges of plates 1450-1455 may form a heel cup or other lateral or medial side support. For example, and as seen in
In each of the embodiments described above, one or more linkage rods provides propulsive recoil in a manner similar to that described in connection with sole structure 102 of
Additional embodiments include numerous variations on the location, number, shape, and orientation of linkage rods. In some embodiments, three, four or more linkage rods may be included in a sole structure. In some embodiments, and in additional to longitudinally oriented linkage rods as shown in various drawings, a sole structure may also or alternatively include transversely oriented linkage rods extending from the medial to lateral side. In some embodiments, linkage rods may be wholly or partially embedded in a midsole that extends the entire length of a sole structure. A midsole with embedded linkage rods may further include bladders located above or below the linkage rods. In some embodiments, a bladder may be located under one or more linkage rods in a forefoot and/or in a rearfoot region. In some embodiments, bladders may be located both above and under one or more linkage rods in a forefoot and/or in a rearfoot region.
Although various above-described embodiments include fluid filled bladders, some embodiments may lack a fluid filled bladder.
Any of numerous materials and/or material combinations can be used to form plates according to various embodiments. Such materials include, without limitation, plastics (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyurethane (PU), polyamides such as NYLON, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), etc.), combinations of plastics, composites (e.g., glass, carbon and/or other fibers bound in epoxy, polyester or other type of polymer matrix), metals, metal/plastic combinations, etc. In at least some embodiments, plates are generally noncompressible.
Any of numerous materials and/or material combinations can similarly be used to form linkage rods and/or rod-connecting reinforcements according to various embodiments. Examples include, without limitation, the aforementioned plastics, composites, metals, etc. In some embodiments, one or more plates, reinforcements and/or linkage rods may be formed from the same material. Alternatively, different materials may be used for various components. In some embodiments, one or more plates, reinforcements and/or linkage rods may be integrally formed by molding as a single unit. Alternatively, components may be formed separately and glued, welded or otherwise bonded to one another.
As used herein, including the claims, “coupled” encompasses both direct and indirect attachment. For example, two coupled components could be directly attached to one another. As another example, two coupled components may be indirectly attached by attachment to one or more intermediate components.
The foregoing description of embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit embodiments of the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various embodiments. The embodiments discussed herein were chosen and described in order to explain the principles and the nature of various embodiments and their practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Any and all combinations, subcombinations and permutations of features from above-described embodiments are the within the scope of the invention. With regard to claims directed to an apparatus, an article of manufacture or some other physical component or combination of components, a reference in the claim to a potential or intended wearer or a user of a component does not require actual wearing or using of the component or the presence of the wearer or user as part of the claimed component or component combination.
