Patent Application
20150089836
Aspects of the present invention relate to uppers and/or sole structures for articles of footwear and articles of footwear including such uppers and/or sole structures. Some examples of the invention relate to sole structures having improved impact-attenuation and/or energy-absorption as well as improved flexibility and freedom of motion. Other aspects of this invention relate to uppers having characteristics well suited for allowing foot flexibility and/or for providing some “gripping” action. Some articles of footwear according to this invention are well suited for use as skateboard shoes.
To keep a wearer safe and comfortable, footwear is called upon to perform a variety of functions. For example, the sole structure of footwear should provide adequate support and impact force attenuation properties to prevent injury and reduce fatigue, while at the same time provide adequate flexibility so that the sole structure articulates, flexes, stretches, or otherwise moves to allow an individual to more fully utilize the natural motion of the foot.
High-action sports, such as the sport of skateboarding, impose special demands upon players and their footwear. For example, during any given run, skateboarders perform a wide variety of movements or tricks (e.g., carving, pops, flips, ollies, grinding, twists, jumps, etc.). During all of these movements, pressure shifts from one part of the foot to another, while traction between the skateboarder and the skateboard must be maintained. Further, for the street skateboarder, traction between the skateboarder's shoe and the ground propels the skateboarder.
Additionally, skateboarding requires the skateboarder to apply pressure to portions of the skateboard using his or her feet in order to control and move the board. For certain tricks or moves, skateboarders selectively apply pressure to the board through their shoes at different locations on the bottom and/or edges of the shoes. For example, for some skateboarding tricks, pressure is applied by the sole of the foot along the lateral forefoot region, approximately at the outer toe line location. For other tricks, pressure is applied by the sole of the foot along the lateral region of the foot somewhat forward of the outer toe line location. For even other tricks, pressure may be applied under the toes, the ball of the foot, or even the heel.
For other tricks or moves, skateboarders may selectively apply pressure to the board through their shoes at different locations on the uppers and/or side edges of the shoes. For example, for some skateboarding tricks, such as a kick flip, pressure may be applied by the top of the toes of the foot, approximately across the top of the toe line location. For other tricks, such as an ollie, pressure may be applied by the top of the lateral forefoot portion of the foot.
As the interaction between the skateboarder and the skateboard is particularly important when performing such tricks, skateboarders have traditionally preferred shoes having relatively thin and flexible soles that allow the skateboarder to “feel” the board. Yet, at the same time, skateboard tricks have become “bigger,” involving higher jumps and more air time, and importantly greater and greater impact loads and movement speeds. These bigger skateboard tricks may result in uncomfortably high, even damaging, impact loads being felt by the skateboarder. Given the large variety of tricks, different movements and landing positions, different portions of the foot may experience significant impact loads while other portions may not.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide footwear that allows the wearer to better feel and grip the ground, board, or other foot-contacting surfaces, to achieve better dynamic control of the wearer's movements, while at the same time providing impact-attenuating features that protect the wearer from impacts due to these dynamic movements.
Aspects of this invention relate to uppers and/or sole structures for articles of footwear. Such uppers and sole structures may provide a combination of improved impact-attenuation and/or energy-absorption as well as improved flexibility and freedom of motion (optionally including improved dorsi-flexion and/or plantar-flexion). Aspects of this invention also relate to uppers having characteristics well suited for allowing foot flexibility and for providing “gripping” action. Some articles of footwear according to this invention are well suited as skateboard shoes.
More specific aspects of this invention relate to sole structures for articles of footwear that include: (a) a first sole portion including a first exposed bottom surface area; (b) a second sole portion including a second exposed bottom surface area; and (c) an elongated double curved channel (e.g., an S-shaped channel) located between (and separating) the first exposed bottom surface area and the second exposed bottom surface area. The elongated double curved channel may extend from a medial-side end at a forefoot region of the sole structure to a lateral-side end at or near a midfoot region of the sole structure. A forward portion of this elongated double curved channel may have a concave portion facing a medial edge of the sole structure and a rearward portion of this elongated double curved channel may have a concave portion facing a lateral edge of the sole structure. The double curved channel may be a deep channel, e.g., having a depth of at least 3 mm over at least 50% of its length (measured as described in more detail below).
Another aspect of this invention relates to sole structures for articles of footwear that include: (a) a first sole portion including a first exposed bottom surface area located at least in an arch support region of the sole structure; (b) a second sole portion including a second exposed bottom surface area located at least in a medial heel support region of the sole structure; and (c) an elongated heel channel located between (and separating) the first exposed bottom surface area from the second exposed bottom surface area. The elongated heel channel may extend from a heel edge to the medial edge (e.g., in the heel region) of the sole structure, and this heel channel may be a deep channel (e.g., having a depth of at least 3 mm over at least 50% of its length (measured as described in more detail below)). Sole structures according to aspects of this invention may include additional features, structures, and/or properties, including those described in more detail below.
Sole structures according to additional aspects of this invention may include: (a) a first sole portion including a first exposed bottom surface area located at least in a forefoot support region of the sole structure; (b) a second sole portion including a second exposed bottom surface area located at least in an arch support region of the sole structure; and (c) a transverse flexion channel (e.g., extending across the sole from the medial side-to-lateral side direction) located between (and separating) the first exposed bottom surface area of the first sole portion from the second exposed bottom surface area of the second sole portion. This transverse flexion channel (which may be double curved or S-shaped) includes a medial-side end at a forefoot region of the sole structure and a lateral-side end at or near a midfoot region of the sole structure. In this structure, the first sole portion may include: (a) a longitudinal flexion channel extending from a first end located proximate the lateral-side end of the transverse flexion channel and a second end located proximate a forward toe support region of the sole structure, (b) a first flexion channel extending from a lateral edge of the sole structure to a medial edge of the sole structure, (c) a second flexion channel extending from the lateral edge of the sole structure to the medial edge of the sole structure, and (d) a third flexion channel extending from the lateral edge of the sole structure to the transverse flexion channel. At least one (and preferably all) of the transverse flexion channel, the longitudinal flexion channel, the first flexion channel, and the second flexion channel (and optionally the third flexion channel) may be deep channels (e.g., having a depth of at least 3 mm over at least 50% of its respective length (measured as described in more detail below)).
Still additional aspects of this invention relate to uppers for articles of footwear. Such uppers may include, for example: (a) a mesh layer; and (b) one or more textile members joined to the mesh layer. A textile member may be formed as a multi-layered construction, if desired, and may include: (1) a first textile layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface includes a first hot melt adhesive layer, and (2) a second textile layer including a first surface and second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface of the second textile layer includes a second hot melt adhesive layer. The first hot melt adhesive layer may be arranged to face and contact the second hot melt adhesive layer to thereby join the first textile layer with the second textile layer (e.g., when heat and/or pressure is applied). The first and second textile layers need not be co-extensive, and the hot melt adhesive layers may cover all or some portions of the interfacing surfaces. If desired, the textile member(s) may be joined to the mesh layer at less than an entire interfacing surface area of the mesh layer and the textile member(s) so that some overlapping portions of the mesh layer can move (or “float”) relative to the textile member layer. The textile member(s) may be made, for example, from suedes and/or other materials, including substrate materials with TPU films, prints, and/or coatings.
Finally, still additional aspects of this invention relate to articles of footwear that include one or both of uppers of the various types described above and/or sole structures of the various types described above (and as are each described in more detail below).
The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of specific aspects of the invention. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments may have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity of illustration.
The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose articles of footwear having sole structures and/or uppers with features in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Concepts related to the sole features and/or the upper features are disclosed with reference to an article of athletic footwear having a configuration suitable for the activity of skateboarding. However, the disclosed sole structures and/or upper structures are not solely limited to footwear designed for skateboarding, and these structures may be incorporated into a wide range of athletic footwear styles, including shoes that are suitable for rock climbing, bouldering, hiking, running, baseball, basketball, cross-training, football, rugby, tennis, volleyball, and walking, for example. In addition, sole structures and/or upper structures according to various embodiments as disclosed herein may be incorporated into footwear that is generally considered to be non-athletic, including a variety of dress shoes, casual shoes, sandals, slippers, and boots. An individual skilled in the relevant art will appreciate, given the benefit of this specification, that the concepts disclosed herein with regard to the sole structures and/or upper structures apply to a wide variety of footwear styles, in addition to the specific styles discussed in the following material and depicted in the accompanying figures.
Sports generally involve consistent pounding of the foot and/or periodic high impact loads on the foot. For example, skateboarding is a sport that is known to involve high impact loading under the foot, especially when unsuccessfully or awkwardly landing tricks and/or inadvertently coming off the board on hard, unforgiving surfaces. Over the past several years, skateboarding tricks have gotten much bigger, resulting in even higher impact loads, especially in the medial and the heel regions of the foot. This is true whether the foot remains on the board during landing or, alternatively, if the landing is off the board.
On the other hand, skateboarders and many other athletes desire sole structures and accompanying upper structures that are lightweight, low profile, and provide a good “feel” that allows for control of the skateboard, ball, etc. A sole structure and accompanying upper structure for an article of footwear capable of handling the high “big trick” impact loads, without sacrificing the intimate feel for the board desired by skateboarders, is sought. It may be advantageous to have a sole structure and accompanying upper structure that responds somewhat stiffly when a user is walking or performing relatively low impact ambulatory activities, thereby maintaining a feel for the ground surface (or board), and that also responds more compliantly when the user is performing higher impact maneuvers, thereby lessening excessively high impact forces that otherwise may be experienced by the user.
Even further, skateboarders and many other athletes desire sole structures that are highly flexible. Certain sports, particularly skateboarding, require the athlete to use not only the sole of the footwear to provide contact and control of an object (i.e., the board), but also the sides and the uppers of the shoe are used for contact and control. Thus, both dorsi-flexibility and plantar-flexibility of the sole and the overall footwear may be important. Dorsiflexion is movement that decreases the angle between the upper surface of the foot and the leg, so that the toes are brought closer to the shin. Put more simply: for purposes of this disclosure, “dorsiflexion” applies to the upward movement of the forefoot and/or the toes relative to the ankle joint. Movement of the forefoot and/or toes in the opposite direction (i.e., downward and away from the ankle joint) is called “plantarflexion.”
In addition, the ability to “grip” the board, whether with the sole, the sides, or the upper of the article of footwear, is another important feature desired by skateboarders. Softer materials tend to provide higher coefficients of friction and, thus, generally provide better traction and “grip” than harder materials. However, softer materials also tend to wear out more quickly. Thus, another feature sought by skateboarders is a durable sole and/or a durable upper. Because of the abrasive nature of the top surface of a skateboard (e.g., typically equivalent to about 80 grit sandpaper) and the concrete or asphalt surfaces on which a skateboard is used, footwear durability can be a very important consideration when selecting a skateboard shoe.
Finally, fit is important to all athletes, so that the shoe hugs the user's foot, moves with the user's foot, comfortably supports the user's foot and does not rub or slip relative to the user's foot. Lightweight and breathability also are important features for such shoes. For skateboarding or other activities where the foot lands under high impact loads, the upper and/or sole structure may need to provide room for the foot to splay outward at the time of impact.
Various aspects of this disclosure relate to articles of footwear having sole structures and/or accompanying upper structures capable of addressing these various and sometimes seemingly conflicting design constraints.
As used herein, the modifiers “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “upward,” “downward,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “longitudinal,” “transverse,” “front,” “back” etc., unless otherwise defined or made clear from the disclosure, are relative terms meant to place the various structures or orientations of the structures of the article of footwear in the context of an article of footwear worn by a user standing on a flat, horizontal surface. Also, the term “S-shaped,” as used herein, refers to a double curve shape with curves generally facing opposite directions, (e.g., the concave side of one curve facing generally upward and the concave side of the adjoining curve facing generally downward, the concave side of one curve generally facing right and the concave side of the adjoining curve generally facing left, etc.). Such double curve shapes may appear similar in structure to a capital “S” (with generally two adjoined, oppositely curved regions). A curve is “S-shaped” regardless of whether the structure is oriented like an “S” or like a mirror image of an “S”. Also, the individual curves of a double curve structure can have any depths, slopes, and/or sharpness (including curves of different depths, slopes, and/or sharpnesses) and still be considered an “S-shaped curve.”
The terms “deep channel,” “deep groove,” and “primary groove” are used interchangeably and synonymously in this specification, and the terms “secondary channel” and “secondary groove” are used interchangeably and synonymously in this specification. In general, primary grooves may be deeper and/or wider than any secondary grooves provided in the same sole structure (if any secondary grooves are provided). Because of their relatively deep and/or wide structure, deep channels or primary grooves may be used in areas of a sole structure to facilitate plantar-flexion as well as dorsi-flexion at that area. Because of their relatively shallow and/or narrow structure, secondary channels or secondary grooves may be used in areas of the sole structure primarily to facilitate dorsi-flexion at that area (plantar-flexion may be limited across a secondary groove because the nearby adjacent material across the groove prevents substantial relative motion of the sole structure in a manner to close the groove). While other options are possible, in some footwear sole structures, deep grooves may be directly molded into the sole structure (e.g., molded into a polymer foam material) and secondary grooves may be cut into the sole structure (e.g., cut via a laser or a hot knife cutting process).
Also, various dimensions and measurements are described in this specification. Unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, these dimensions are provided and/or these measurements are made with the article of footwear or other object (or any portion thereof) in an unstressed or unloaded condition (e.g., not supporting the weight of a wearer, sitting on a horizontal surface).
The human foot is a highly developed, biomechanically complex structure that serves to bear the weight of the body as well as forces many times the weight of the human body during walking, running, jumping, etc. The primary twenty-six bones of the human foot can be grouped into three parts: the seven tarsal bones; the five metatarsal bones; and the fourteen phalanges. Additionally, sesamoid bones are located at the distal ends of the metatarsal bones. The phalanges, metatarsals, and sesamoids may further be numbered from one to five, with the first phalange, metatarsal, and/or sesamoids being associated with the medial-side (i.e., the big toe, etc.) and the fifth phalange, metatarsal, and/or sesamoids being associated with the lateral-side (i.e., the little toe, etc.).
The foot itself may be divided into three parts: the heel, the midfoot, and the forefoot. The heel is composed of two of the seven tarsal bones, i.e., the talus and the calcaneus. The midfoot contains the rest of the tarsal bones. The forefoot contains the metatarsals (and the sesamoids) and the phalanges.
Referring to
Referring to
Still referring to
Sole
According to some embodiments, sole structure 200 may be formed from one or more components and/or may incorporate multiple layers, for example, an outsole structure and a midsole structure, etc. Generally speaking, the outsole structure forms the lowermost, ground-engaging portion (or other contact surface-engaging portion) of the sole structure 200, thereby providing traction and a feel for the engaged surface. The outsole structure also may provide stability and localized support for the foot. Even further, the outsole structure may provide impact-attenuation capabilities. Aspects of certain outsole structures will be discussed in detail below.
An insole (or sockliner) also may be provided in an article of footwear 10. An insole (not shown), is generally a thin, compressible member located within the void for receiving the foot and proximate to a lower (plantar) surface of the foot. The insole, which is configured to enhance footwear comfort, may be formed of foam or other soft, conforming material. For example, the insole may be formed of a 5 mm thick layer of polyurethane foam, e.g., injection Phylon. Other materials, such as ethylene vinyl acetate or other foamed polyurethane and/or rubber materials may be used to form an insole. Typically, the insole or sockliner is not glued or otherwise attached to the other components of the sole structure 200 and/or the upper 100, although it may be attached, if desired.
In addition to outsole structures, certain sole structures also may include midsole structures. In certain conventional sole structures, midsoles form a middle layer of the sole structure 200 and are positioned between the outsole structure and the upper and/or insole. The midsole may be secured to the upper structure 100 along the lower length of the upper. Midsoles typically are designed to have impact-attenuation capabilities, thereby attenuating ground (or other contact surface) reaction forces and lessening stresses experienced by the user's foot and leg. Further, midsoles may provide stability and/or additional localized support or motion control for the foot or portions of the foot. According to certain aspects of this invention, however, a midsole need not be provided. This may be particularly appropriate when the sole structure 200 is designed to have a low profile and/or to be very lightweight.
Optionally, the footwear structure 10 may further include a strobel. The strobel, when present, typically connects lower edges of the upper and closes off the bottom of the foot-receiving void in the shoe 10. Typically, a strobel is a sole-shaped element sewn or otherwise attached to the upper 100 that may include thin flexible materials, thicker and/or stiffer materials, compressible materials or a combination thereof to improve stability, flexibility and/or comfort. For example, a strobel may include a cloth material, such as a woven or non-woven cloth supplied by Texon International, or a thin sheet of EVA foam for a more cushioned feel. For some applications, the strobel may be thicker in the heel region than in the forefoot region. For other applications, the strobel may be provided only in the forefoot region, only the midfoot region, only the heel region, or select portions or combinations of these regions. A strobel may replace an insole member or sock liner, if desired. Typically, an insole or sock liner will be provided, if at all, within an interior chamber defined by the upper and strobel.
Referring now to
Thus, as shown in
In the particular embodiment of
Platform 210 may include a foot bed 212 and a sidewall 214. The upper surface of foot bed 212 may be contoured to accommodate the sole geometry of a typical user's foot. Further, foot bed 212 may be specifically designed for attenuating impact loads, and as such, foot bed 212 may include a foamed material or other impact-attenuating elements (e.g., ethylvinylacetate foam, polyurethane foam, foamed rubbers, etc.). Even further, the entire foot bed 212 (and indeed the entire platform 210) may be formed as a single, unitarily-molded component. As shown in these figures, a sidewall 214 may extend along the perimeter edges of the foot bed 212, e.g., at least in the midfoot and/or heel regions 12, 13 of the sole structure 200. The upwardly projecting sidewall 214 may assist with positioning and supporting the user's foot and also with stiffening the platform 210. The sidewall 214 may be unitarily molded with foot bed 212 of the same material as foot bed 212. In other alternative embodiments, platform 210 need not include unitarily-molded sidewalls 214 and/or the sidewalls 214 may extend around less or more of the perimeter of the foot bed 212. Thus, according to one embodiment (not shown), unitarily-molded sidewalls may extend around just the heel region. According to another embodiment (not shown), unitarily-molded sidewalls 214 may extend around the entire foot bed 212.
The tread layer 220 may be formed as a relatively constant thickness layer, and it may include materials and/or structures for enhancing traction and/or durability. As shown in
For purposes of this disclosure, a “tread layer” refers to the relatively thin portion of the sole structure 200 that contacts the ground. Although a tread layer may have grooves or other tread features, these tread features generally will not have a depth greater than 20% of the thickness of the sole structure 200 (e.g., the thickness associated with the thickness of the platform 210 plus the tread layer 220) at the location of the tread feature. In some structures in accordance with this invention, tread features such as grooves further may be characterized as not extending completely across the sole structure 200, i.e., as not extending from one portion of the perimeter edge 208 to another portion of the perimeter edge 208 of the sole structure 200. According to other aspects, a tread feature additionally may be characterized as not extending through the perimeter walls or sidewalls of the sole structure 200. In some example structures according to this invention, however, tread layers 220 may include one or more tread features (such as herringbone type grooves) that extend continuously from one side of the sole structure 200 to the other.
The forefoot sidewall component 230 may be formed as one or more separate components that is/are subsequently joined to platform 210. Referring now to the embodiment of
According to one embodiment, both platform 210 and forefoot sidewall component 230 may be molded separately and then, subsequently, adhesively bonded (or optionally, finish vulcanized) to one other.
Referring back to the embodiment of
Each of these sole portions or zones 240 are demarcated or separated from the other zones at the bottom of the sole structure 200 by one or more deep channels 250. For purposes of this disclosure, a “deep channel” (or “primary groove”) refers to a groove or channel having a depth greater than or equal to 50% of the thickness of the sole member over at least 50% of its length (the “50% depth” feature may be provided continuously or discontinuously along the groove's length). Thus, should a groove or channel have a depth greater than 50% of the depth of the thickness of the sole member 200 over at least half of its length, it would be considered a deep channel 250.
Advantageously, according to certain embodiments, the groove depth-to-sole member thickness ratio (the H2/T2 ratio) of at least some deep grooves 250 may be at least 0.6, at least 0.7, and even more preferably at least 0.8 over at least 50% of the groove's length. At a ratio of 0.8, a deep channel 250 provided in a platform 210 having a thickness of 8 mm at a given cross-section location would have a depth of at least 6.4 mm at that same cross-section location.
According to some aspects, a deep channel 250 further may be characterized as extending completely across the sole structure 200 from one portion of the perimeter edge 208 to another portion of the perimeter edge of the sole structure 200. By way of non-limiting examples, a deep channel 250 may extend from a perimeter edge portion on a lateral side 17 to a perimeter edge portion on a medial side 18; from a perimeter edge portion on a heel side 15 to a perimeter edge portion on a medial side 18; from a perimeter edge portion on a toe side 14 to a perimeter edge portion on a lateral side 18; or even from a perimeter edge portion on a medial side 18 to another perimeter edge portion on a medial side 18; etc. According to other aspects, a deep channel 250 additionally may be characterized as extending through the perimeter walls 208 or the sidewalls 206 of the sole structure 200.
For the purposes of this disclosure, when sole portions or zones 240 are described as being “separated” by a deep channel 250, the lower surfaces 204 of the adjacent zones 240 are completely disconnected from one another. In other words, the lower surfaces 204 of adjacent zones 240 which are “separated” by a deep channel 250 are not attached or joined to each other. For example, a deep channel 250 may extend continuously across the lower surface 204 of the sole structure 200 from one point on the perimeter edge 208 of the sole structure 200 to another point on the perimeter edge 208 of the sole structure 200, thereby completely separating the adjacent zones 240 from one another at their bottom surfaces. Notably, however, adjacent sole portions 240 may be connected as a unitary construction, e.g., at the top, foot-supporting surface 212 of the platform 210.
Additionally, for purposes of this disclosure, when zones 240 are described as being “demarcated” by a deep channel 250, the lower surfaces 204 of the adjacent zones 240 are almost entirely but not completely disconnected from one another. In other words, some minor portions of the adjacent lower surfaces 204 of the adjacent zones 240 remain joined. For example, a ligament or other relatively thin connecting element may extend across the deep channel 250, or the deep channel 250 may not extend end-to-end completely across the corresponding dimension of the zone 240 to a perimeter edge 208. For example, the zone may extend completely from the lateral edge 17 to the medial edge 18 of the sole structure 200, but the demarcating deep channel 250 may stop short of one or both of the edges, such that the demarcating deep channel 250 does not extend completely across the sole structure 200.
Nonetheless, if zones 240 are “demarcated” by a deep channel 250, the length of the demarcating deep channel 250 is at least five times the summed length of any connecting portions. Thus, for example, according to this five-to-one embodiment, a 50 mm long demarcating deep channel 250 may be bracketed on each end by 5 mm long connecting portions that separate the deep channel 250 ends from the sole member sidewalls (i.e., the total or summed length of the connection portions being 10 mm). Advantageously, the length of the demarcating deep channel 250 may be at least seven times the length of the summed length of any connecting portions, and more preferably, at least nine times the length of the summed length of any connecting portions. Thus, for example, according to the nine-to-one embodiment, a 45 mm long demarcating deep channel 250 may extend from a first point on the perimeter edge to within 5 mm of a second point on a perimeter edge.
In the embodiment of
According to some aspects, a deep channel 250 further may be characterized by an absolute depth value. Generally, the deeper a channel extends into the thickness of the platform 210 or sole structure 200, the greater the degree of flexibility exhibited by the sole structure 200. According to one embodiment, when a deep channel 250 is characterized by an absolute depth value (e.g., H2 in
According to other aspects, a deep channel 250 optionally may be further characterized by a channel depth-to-channel width ratio. The “width” of a channel is the distance W (see
According to certain aspects, a deep channel 250 has a width that may be substantially constant along its elongated length. According to some embodiments, a deep channel 250 may have a width W of at least 0.5 mm. Such a relatively small width may result in the opposed edges of the deep channel 250 contacting one another during plantarflexion of the user's foot, thereby limiting the flexibility in the plantarflexion direction. While this may be desirable in certain circumstances and/or in some shoe designs, in other circumstances it may be preferred to not limit plantarflexion flexibility. Thus, for certain embodiments, a deep channel 250 may have a width of at least 1 mm or even of at least 1.5 mm over at least 25% of its length (and in some examples, over at least 50% or even over at least 75% of its length). A width of between 1.8 mm and 2.8 mm may provide an optimal plantarflexion gap, while at the same time not being overly soft or unstable when dorsiflexion occurs. A channel width of between 2 mm and 2.5 mm over at least 25% of its length (or even over at least 50% or at least 75% of its length) may be particular advantageous. In any event, for some sole structures, limiting the width of a deep channel 250 to less than 5 mm, less than 4 mm, or even less than 3 mm, may be preferred. Optionally, the width of the deep channel 250 may vary along its elongated length.
A deep channel 250 also may have a width that is substantially constant along the depth direction, i.e., the slot of the deep channel 250 may have substantially parallel channel sidewalls such that a cross-sectional shape of the slot is generally rectangular, as shown in
As illustrated in
Deep channel 250e extends in a generally longitudinal direction in the forefoot region 11 of sole structure 200. Further, deep channel 250e is located in the lateral side of the forefoot region 11 and is spaced from and generally follows the curvature of the lateral edge 17. In the particular embodiment of
Each of the zones 240 is this example embodiment is separated from its adjacent zones 240 by one or more deep channels 250. For example, forefoot toe zone 240a is completely separated from zones 240b and 240c by deep channel 250a. As another example, zone 240b is completely separated from zones 240a, 240c and 240d by deep channels 250a, 250b and 250e. As even another example, zone 240e is completely separated from adjacent zones 240c, 240d, 240f and 240g by deep channels 250b, 250c, 250e and 250f. As a further example, zone 240g is completely separated from adjacent zones by the S-shaped deep channel 250c and the obliquely-angled deep channel 250d. In other embodiments, one or more of the deep channels 250 may demarcate the adjacent zones from one another. Further, in other embodiments, additional, fewer, and/or different zones 240, which are demarcated or separated by deep channels 250, may be provided.
Still referring to
Zones 240b and 240c also are located in the forefoot region 11, more specifically in a phalange region 11a, and even more specifically in the proximal phalange region. Deep channel 250b is positioned to facilitate flexing of a user's proximal phalanges relative to the user's metatarsals. As such, deep channel 250b extends transversely across the sole structure 200 generally in the region associated with the joint between the proximal phalanges and the metatarsals.
Zones 240d and 240e also are located in the forefoot region 11, more specifically in a lateral portion of the metatarsal region 11b, and even more specifically, extending over a lateral portion of the sesamoidal region 11c. Zone 240f is located in the forefoot region 11 (and optionally somewhat into the midfoot region, if desired), more specifically in a lateral portion of the metatarsal region 11b that extends between the sesamoidal region 11c and the midfoot region 12.
Thus, zones 240a-240f may cover or extend to support a majority of the forefoot region 11, but they need not extend completely over the entire forefoot region 11. As shown in the embodiment of
Zone 240g is located in the forefoot region 11, in the midfoot region 12, and in the heel region 13 and extends continuously from the S-shaped deep channel 250c to the obliquely-angled deep channel 250d and to the back edge 15 of the sole structure. Further, zone 240g extends continuously from the lateral edge 17 to the medial edge 18, especially in the midfoot region 12. More specifically, zone 240g extends over or encompasses the medial side region of the metatarsal region 11b. In this particular embodiment, zone 240g also extends over the medial side region of the sesamoidal region 11c. Zone 240g also extends over the entire midfoot region 12. Further, zone 240g extends over the lateral side of the heel region 13.
Zone 240h is located in the heel region 13 and extends over a majority of the medial side of the heel region 13. Zone 240h is completely separated from adjacent zone 240g by the obliquely-angled deep channel 250d that extends from a perimeter portion along the heel edge 15 to a perimeter portion along the medial edge 18. Deep channel 250d is positioned to facilitate the decoupling of the medial side of the heel region from the lateral side of the heel region and from the midfoot region 12. Deep channel 250d extends generally longitudinally in a distal direction from the center of the back edge 15 of the sole structure 200 to a point under the user's talus and then obliquely (in a medial and distal direction) toward the navicular. According to certain embodiments, the medial-side end of deep channel 250d may be located approximately in the joint region of the navicular with the first cuneiform. As such, the medial-side end of deep channel 250d may lie in the midfoot region 12. According to other embodiments, the medial-side end of deep channel 250d may be located approximately in the joint region of the navicular with the talus. As such, the medial-side end of deep channel 250d may lie proximate the boundary between the heel region 13 and the midfoot region 12. The oblique angle defined by deep channel 250d may range from 100° to 170°, and in some examples, from 120° to 160°. Deep channel 250d may contribute to the stability of the sole member (e.g., slows down movement).
According to other aspects, any given zone 240 further may include additional secondary channels or grooves 222 and/or sipes. Thus, for example, referring to
Secondary channels 222 may extend only partially through the platform 210 and/or the tread layer 220. A “secondary channel” (or “secondary groove”) may refer to a groove or channel that does not have depth and/or width features associated with deep grooves, as described above. As some more specific examples, a “secondary channel” or “secondary groove” may refer to a groove or channel having a maximum depth of more than 20% and less than 50% of the thickness of the sole member 200 over at least 50% of its length (groove depth and sole member thickness being measured as described above with respect to the deep grooves or channels 250). In other words, in some structures, a secondary channel 222 may not extend as deeply into the platform 210 as does a deep channel 250 over at least 50% of its length and will have an H3/T3 ratio of greater than 0.2 and less than 0.5 over at least 50% of its length (see
A secondary channel 222 may extend partially or completely across the sole structure 200 from one portion of the perimeter edge 208 to another portion of the perimeter edge 208. Thus, according to some aspects, a secondary channel 222 optionally may be characterized as extending completely across the sole structure 200 from one portion of the perimeter edge 208 to another portion of the perimeter edge 208. According to other aspects, a secondary channel 222 may be characterized as extending through the perimeter walls or sidewalls of the sole structure 200. While secondary channels 222 may extend into two or more zones 240, e.g., across at least one deep groove 250 as shown in
The various zones 240 of the sole structure 200 may be provided with a structural configuration designed to accommodate predetermined pressure loading, e.g., impact loads experienced during specific skateboarding tricks or movements. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/556,872, filed Jul. 24, 2012 to Cortez, et al., and titled “Sole Structure for an Article of Footwear” discloses certain such structural configurations and is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference. Thus, for example, the sole structure 200 may include at least one zone 240 having a multi-regime pressure load versus displacement response system as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/556,872. As a specific example, one or more zones 240 of the sole structure 200 may have a zigzag or undulating tread configuration (e.g., having a generally herringbone shaped appearance) that is designed to “buckle” under a predetermined loading while continuing to absorb appreciable amounts of impact energy. As such, the sole structure 200 may limit the peak loads experience by the user. In operation, as the tread configuration of sole structure 200 is initially compressed, energy is absorbed by the structure's impact-attenuation system. As the tread configuration is compressed even more, additional energy is absorbed by the system. For high-impact loading, it would be desirable to have a significant amount of energy absorbed by the system without the user's foot experiencing high impact loads. The referenced impact-attenuation system provides a mechanism to absorb energy while at the same time minimizing or ameliorating the loads experienced by a user during the impact. Additionally, the multi-regime impact-attenuation system may absorb significant amounts of energy, for example, as compared to conventional foamed midsoles with conventional outsoles, while minimizing or reducing the loads experienced by the user during an impact event. A multi-regime (pre-buckled/buckled/post-buckle) tread configuration may be provided as part of the platform 210 and/or as part of the tread layer 220.
Alternatively or additionally, other more conventional tread configurations may be provided within the zones 240. These additional conventional tread configurations, when present, may be unitarily formed with the platform 210, or these additional conventional tread configurations may be made from different and/or separate pieces of material, e.g., a separately formed tread layer 220 that is then cemented or otherwise engaged with the lower surface of the platform 210. Further, the tread configuration or other ground-contacting configuration need not be the same within multiple zones 240 of a single sole member 200. Any given zone 240 may accommodate multiple ground-contacting tread configurations, tread layers, materials, etc. At least some zones 240 may have a tread layer 220 or other traction element formed as a herringbone, zig-zag, or undulating type tread configuration.
According to certain aspects, the forefoot region 11 and specifically the region of the forefoot encompassed by zones 240a-240f may be configured to enhance flexibility or dexterity. This flexibility or dexterity may be developed via the deep channels 250, the configuration of the ground-contacting surface, including secondary channels 222 (if any), the material of the platform 210, the material of the separate tread layer 220 (if any), etc. The deep channels and/or other features of these zones may be designed to enhance plantarflexion (e.g., relatively wide, deep channels, as described above).
In contrast, according to certain aspects, other regions of the sole structure 200 may be configured to be stiffer and/or to enhance energy transfer (e.g., to react to significant impact loads and/or to develop significant restoring forces). Thus, for example, in accordance with certain embodiments and referring to
Optionally, the various regions of the sole structure 200 may be grouped together to form a continuous zone with one or more of the adjacent regions. Thus, for example, as shown in
Similarly, in accordance with certain embodiments, specific regions or groupings of regions may be devoid of secondary channels 222. Thus, as shown in
According to other aspects, certain zones 240 may be configured to be thin and relatively light weight to enhance the “feel.” Thus, according to certain embodiments, each of the various sole portions or zones 240 may be tailored to provide different properties (impact-attenuation, flexibility, support, elasticity, traction, weight, “feel,” etc.). In this way, the sole structure 200 may be tailored to the expected conditions of use.
In the particular embodiment of
Further, the elongated S-shaped deep channel 250c may lie completely within the forefoot region 11 of the sole structure 200. On the medial side of the sole structure 200, the elongated S-shaped deep channel 250c may have a concave curvature at its distal end that faces the medial edge 18 of the sole structure 200. On the lateral side of the sole structure 200, the elongated S-shaped deep channel 250c may have a concave curvature at its proximal end that faces the lateral edge 17 of the sole structure 200. In this particular embodiment, the elongated S-shaped deep channel 250c transitions in the region of the third metatarsal (see also
According to certain embodiments, on the medial side of the sole structure 200, the elongated S-shaped channel 250c generally may extend beneath the joint region between the first proximal phalange region and a first metatarsal region. For purposes of this disclosure, a “joint region” includes a region associated with the immediate contact area of the bones being joined and further includes the enlarged regions of the bones being joined. Thus, for example, the joint regions of the proximal phalanges to the metatarsals include the sesamoidal regions of the metatarsals. On the lateral side of the sole structure 200, the elongated S-shaped channel 250c may extend beneath the region associated with the proximal half of the fourth and fifth metatarsals. Further, the elongated S-shaped channel 250c may extend beneath the third metatarsal in the region associated with the middle third of the third metatarsal.
For purposes of this disclosure and referring also to
According to certain aspects, the lateral-side end 251c of the elongated S-shaped channel 250c may be located in a middle third of the sole length. In accordance with some embodiments, the lateral-side end 251c of the elongated S-shaped channel 250c may be located in a third quintile (40-60) of the sole length L. In accordance with other embodiments, the lateral-side end 251c of the elongated S-shaped channel 250c may be located in a third sextile of the sole length L. In accordance with even other embodiments, the lateral-side end 251c of the elongated S-shaped channel 250c may be located in a region generally associated with a user's cuboid-to-fifth-metatarsal joint region.
According to certain aspects, the medial-side end 253c of the S-shaped deep channel 250c may be located in an upper third of the sole length L. According to some embodiments, the medial-side end 253c of the S-shaped deep channel 250c may be located in a fourth quintile of the sole length. According to other embodiments, the medial-side end 253c of the S-shaped deep channel 250c may be located in a fifth sextile of the sole length L. In accordance with even other embodiments, the medial-side end 253c of the elongated S-shaped channel 250c may be located in a region generally associated with a user's phalange-to-first-metatarsal joint region.
According to some aspects, and still referring to
As described above, the embodiment of
Other embodiments are shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In all of
The deep channel(s) 250 and/or the secondary channel(s) 222 (if any) may be provided in the sole structure 200 in any desired manner. As one non-limiting example, the deep channel(s) 250 and/or secondary channel(s) 222 may be directly formed in the platform 210 during its manufacture (e.g., molded into the bottom surface of platform 210). As another example, the channel(s) 250 and/or 222 may be formed by cutting them into the bottom surface of the platform 210 (e.g., hot knife cutting, laser cutting, etc.). The tread layer(s) 220 may be glued or otherwise fixed into shallower recesses 210r formed in the bottom of the platform 210 adjacent the channel(s) 250 and/or 222 (e.g., see
The various components of sole structure 200 (e.g., platform 210, tread layer(s) 220, perimeter member(s) 230, etc.) may be formed of conventional footwear sole materials, such as natural or synthetic rubber, polymeric foams, thermoplastic polyurethanes, etc., including combinations thereof. The material may be solid, foamed, filled, etc., or a combination thereof. One particular rubber may be a solid rubber having a Shore A hardness of 65-85. Another particular composite rubber mixture may include approximately 75% natural rubber and 25% synthetic rubber. The synthetic rubber could include a styrene-butadiene rubber. By way of non-limiting examples, other suitable polymeric materials for the sole structure 200, including the platform 210 and/or tread layer elements 220, include plastics, such as PEBAX® (a poly-ether-block co-polyamide polymer available from Atofina Corporation of Puteaux, France), silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylvinylacetate, and styrene ethylbutylene styrene, etc. Optionally, the materials of the various components of the sole structure 200 also may include fillers or other components to tailor its wear, durability, abrasion-resistance, compressibility, stiffness and/or strength properties. These auxiliary material components may include reinforcing fibers, such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, graphite fibers, aramid fibers, basalt fibers, etc.
While any desired materials may be used for the platform 210, including those mentioned above (such as rubbers, ethylvinylacetate foams, and/or polyurethane foams), in at least some examples, the material of the platform 210 may be somewhat softer than some conventional outsole materials (e.g., 50-55 Shore A rubber or other polymeric material may be used), to additionally help provide the desired stiffness and/or impact force attenuation characteristics. Optionally, if desired, a harder material (e.g., 60-65 Shore A rubber or other polymeric material) may be used in the heel region and/or in certain medial regions. The platform 210 may be made, at least in part, of materials used in the sole structures of existing NIKE footwear products sole under the FREE® brand.
Further, multiple different materials may be used to form the various components of the sole structure 200. For example, a first material may be used for the forefoot region 11 and a second material may be used in the heel region 13 of the platform 210. Alternatively, a first material may be used to form a ground-contacting tread layer 220 and a second material may be used to form the forefoot sidewall component 230 and/or the platform 210. The sole structure 200 may be unitarily molded, co-molded, laminated, adhesively assembled, etc. As one non-limiting example, the ground-contacting tread layer 220 (or a portion of the ground-contacting bottom layer) could be formed separately from the platform 210 and subsequently integrated therewith.
The separate ground-contacting tread layer 220 may be formed of a single material. Optionally, the tread layer 220 may be formed of a plurality of sub-layers. For example, a relatively pliable layer may be paired with a more durable, abrasion resistant layer. By way of non-limiting examples, the abrasion resistant layer may be co-molded, laminated, adhesively attached or applied as a coating. Additionally, material forming an abrasion resistant layer may be applied to exposed portions of the platform 210. Such material may include texturing and/or texturing elements.
Further, with respect to another aspect of this invention, at least certain components of the sole structure 200 may be provided with a grip enhancing material to further enhance traction and slip resistance. The grip enhancing material may provide improved gripping properties as the foot moves and/or rolls along the skateboard and may allow a larger area of the footwear to maintain contact with the skateboard. Thus, for example, at least some areas of the forefoot sidewall component 230 may be provided as a relatively soft rubber or rubber-like component or a relatively soft thermoplastic material, such as a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). In one particular embodiment, a softer durometer rubber may form an outer layer of the sidewall component 230 (e.g., a rubber having a hardness of 60 to 75 Shore A, possibly of 60 to 70 Shore A, and possibly of 64 to 70 Shore A), with a harder durometer rubber forming an inner layer (e.g., a rubber having a hardness of 70 to 90 Shore A, and possibly of 75 to 88 Shore A). Optionally, the enhanced gripping material may be co-molded, adhesively bonded, coated or otherwise provided on the sidewall component 230 and/or on other portions of platform 210.
Thus, from the above disclosure it can be seen that the enhanced impact-attenuation system due to the sole structure 200 as disclosed herein provides improved flexibility, both dorsi-flexion and planar-flexion, and better impact protection, while not sacrificing “feel” and/or “grip” on the board or other object. As some more specific examples, the illustrated sole structure 200 may provide excellent flexibility, dexterity, and/or natural motion in the forefoot toe and forefoot lateral side areas (where there are multiple deep channels and secondary channels) while providing energy transfer zones and impact force attenuation in the midfoot and heel areas.
With respect to primary groove 350b, rather than terminating within the zones 240d and 240e in the manner shown in
As further shown in
Also, in this illustrated example sole structure 400, primary groove 250f is replaced with a shorter primary groove 450b that extends from the lateral sidewall 208 to the primary groove 250e. In this manner, the midfoot zone 440b extends from primary groove 450b at the lateral side of primary groove 250e, around the rearward end of primary groove 250e, and around the medial side of primary groove 250e to primary groove 350b. Optionally, if desired, in this and/or any other sole structures described herein, the longitudinal forefoot primary groove 250e, when present, could extend to (and optionally through) the forward toe sidewall 208 of the sole structure and/or to (and optionally opening into) the double curved primary groove 250c. This example sole structure 400 also could have any of the various structures, features, and/or options described above in conjunction with
The sole structure 500 of
Forward of the double curved primary groove 250c, the sole structure 500 is divided into a plurality of generally triangular or diamond shaped zones that are defined by and/or separated from one another by primary and/or secondary grooves. While other groove arrangements are possible without departing from this invention, in this illustrated example, a first primary groove 550a extends continuously as a plurality of generally linear segments from Point A1, forward and lateral to Point A2, and then laterally sidewalls to the lateral sidewall at Point A3. As shown in
A plurality of diagonal secondary grooves 560 extend diagonally (with each secondary groove 560 formed as one or more generally linear segments) across this example sole structure 500 (e.g., in a generally, rear medial-to-front lateral direction or in a generally rear lateral-to-front medial direction), and a plurality of transverse secondary grooves 562 extend in a side-to-side direction across this example sole structure 500 (with each secondary groove 562 formed as one or more generally linear segments). The secondary grooves 560 and 562 may intersect one another and may extend to (and optionally through) the sidewalls 208 of the sole member 500. While other angles and groove arrangements are possible, the diagonal secondary grooves 560 of this example intersect one another at approximately 60° angles, and the diagonal secondary grooves 560 intersect with the transverse secondary grooves 562 at approximately 60° angles. Also, while they may extend to and open into the primary grooves 550a-550c in their paths, in this illustrated example, the secondary grooves 560 and 562 terminate short of any primary groove 550a-550c in their path.
Accordingly, in this illustrated example sole structure 500: (a) two primary grooves forward of the double curved primary groove 250c extend through the lateral sidewall 208 of the sole structure 500 in the forefoot area (at Points A3 and A6), (b) one primary groove forward of the double curved primary groove 250c extends through the medial sidewall 208 of the sole structure 500 (at Point A4), and (c) one primary groove intersects or opens into the double curved primary groove 250c (at Point A1). The primary groove that extends through the medial sidewall 208 of the sole structure 500 opens through the sidewall at a location in the front-to-rear direction of the sole structure 500 between the locations where the two primary grooves extend through the lateral sidewall 208 of the sole structure 500.
While grooves 550a-550c are described above as primary grooves, if desired, one or more (or all) portions or individual segments of these grooves 550a-550c may be replaced by a secondary groove structure. Also, while grooves 560 and 562 are described above as secondary grooves, if desired, one or more (or all) portions or individual segments of these grooves 560 and/or 562 may be replaced by a primary groove structure.
While
Upper
Sole structures (e.g., like sole structure 200) in accordance with this invention may be incorporated into footwear having any desired types of uppers 100 without departing from this invention, including conventional uppers as are known and used in the art (including conventional uppers for athletic footwear). As some more specific examples, uppers 100 in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may include uppers having foot securing and engaging structures (e.g., “dynamic” and/or “adaptive fit” structures) of the types described in U.S. Patent Appln. Publication No. 2013/0104423, which publication is entirely incorporated herein by reference. As some additional examples, if desired, uppers and articles of footwear in accordance with this invention may include foot securing and engaging structures of the type used in FLYWIRE® Brand footwear available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, Oreg. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, uppers and articles of footwear in accordance with this invention may include knit materials and/or fused layers of upper materials, e.g., uppers of the types included in NIKE “FLYKNIT™” Brand footwear products and/or NIKE's “FUSE” line of footwear products. As additional examples, uppers of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,347,011 and/or 8,429,835 may be used with sole member 200 without departing from this invention (each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,347,011 and 8,429,835 is entirely incorporated herein by reference).
Referring to
A first upper layer 110 may extend over a majority (or even all) of the upper 100. This layer 110 may be the interior-most layer, i.e., it may be positioned closest to the user's foot. According to some aspects, first layer 110 may be a flexible, mesh layer that has good breathability, flexibility, and shaping properties (e.g., a spacer mesh). By way of non-limiting example, first layer 110 may be formed of Vase Mesh (available from You Young Co., Ltd., Korean). Other examples of suitable mesh materials are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,429,835.
A second upper layer 120 may extend, for example, over portions of the forefoot region 11 of upper 100. This second layer 120 may include a first suede layer 122 bonded to a second suede layer 124. The first suede layer 122 may be provided with a hot melt adhesive layer 123a on one side (see
The first suede layer 122 and the second suede layer 124 need not be co-extensive. For example, as shown in
By way of non-limiting example, first suede layer 122 may be formed of 0.5 mm Tirrenina suede (available from Kuraray Co., Ltd., of Japan) having one surface coated with a hot melt adhesive. The second suede layer 124 may be formed of a natural suede (e.g., Truly Suede) and/or a synthetic suede, optionally having one surface coated with a hot melt adhesive. Other materials also may be used without departing from this invention, such as substrate materials (e.g., fabrics, textiles, etc.) with TPU films, prints, and/or coatings.
Additionally, as shown in
The second upper layer 120 may be engaged with the first upper layer 110 in any desired manner without departing from this invention. For example, some areas of the first upper layer 110 may be provided with a hot melt adhesive that will bond to the second upper layer 120, optionally at selected areas of the upper 100 (e.g., around the perimeter edges of the second upper layer 120). As another example, if desired, these upper layers 110 and 120 may be engaged together by sewing, stitching, or other physical connection techniques. As yet another example, some engagement between the upper layers 110 and 120 may occur as a result of engagement of the upper 100 with the sole member 200 and/or with a strobel member (e.g., sidewall component 230 may help hold upper layers 110 and 120 together). In some examples of this invention, the first upper layer 110 will not be connected to the second upper layer 120 throughout the entire area of their adjacent surfaces. In this manner, the mesh layer 110 may “float” or move to some degree with respect to the second upper layer 120.
Additional upper layers or features may be provided, if desired. For example, as shown in
The upper 100 may include other features as well, such as an interior bootie member that completely or partially fills the foot-receiving void or chamber of the shoe. At the very least, the upper 100 may include a soft material (e.g., textile, foam, etc.) at the ankle area, e.g., around the top edge and into the interior of the foot-receiving opening, to provide a comfortable feel on the wearer's foot.
Also, those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, will understand that the upper structures described above (and in conjunction with
As evident from the foregoing, aspects of this invention relate to sole structures for articles of footwear that include: (a) a first sole portion including a first exposed bottom surface area (e.g., for supporting a wearer's toes or phalanges); (b) a second sole portion including a second exposed bottom surface area; and (c) an elongated double curved channel (e.g., an S-shaped channel) located between (and separating) the first and second exposed bottom surface areas. The elongated double curved channel may extend from a medial-side end at a forefoot region of the sole structure to a lateral-side end at or near a midfoot region of the sole structure. A forward portion of this elongated double curved channel has a concave portion facing a medial edge of the sole structure and a rearward portion of this elongated double curved channel has a concave portion facing a lateral edge of the sole structure. See, for example,
Another aspect of this invention relates to sole structures for articles of footwear that include: (a) a first sole portion including a first exposed bottom surface area located at least in an arch support region of the sole structure; (b) a second sole portion including a second exposed bottom surface area located at least in a medial heel support region of the sole structure; and (c) an elongated heel channel located between (and separating) the first and second exposed bottom surface areas. The elongated heel channel may extend from a heel edge to the medial edge of the sole structure, and this heel channel may be a deep channel (e.g., having a depth of at least 3 mm over at least 50% of its length (measured as described above)). As shown in
Sole structures according to additional aspects of this invention may include: (a) a first sole portion including a first exposed bottom surface area located at least in a forefoot support region of the sole structure; (b) a second sole portion including a second exposed bottom surface area located at least in an arch support region of the sole structure; and (c) a transverse flexion channel located between (and separating) the first and second exposed bottom surface areas. This transverse flexion channel (which may be linear, curved, double curved, or S-shaped) includes a medial-side end at a forefoot region of the sole structure and a lateral-side end at or near a midfoot region of the sole structure. In this structure, the first sole portion may include: (a) a longitudinal flexion channel extending from a first end located proximate the lateral-side end of the transverse flexion channel and a second end located proximate a forward toe support region of the sole structure, (b) a first flexion channel extending from a lateral edge of the sole structure to a medial edge of the sole structure, (c) a second flexion channel extending from the lateral edge of the sole structure to the medial edge of the sole structure, and/or (d) a third flexion channel extending from the lateral edge of the sole structure to the transverse flexion channel. At least one (and preferably all) of the transverse flexion channel, the longitudinal flexion channel, the first flexion channel, and the second flexion channel (and optionally the third flexion channel) may be deep channels (e.g., having a depth of at least 3 mm over at least 50% of its respective length (measured as described above in conjunction with
Any one or more of the deep channels described above may have, along at least 50% of its length, a depth that is at least 80% of a thickness of the sole structure at the location where the depth is measured (e.g., as described above in conjunction with
In order to promote more natural motion and flexion and to potentially support enhanced plantarflexion, at least some of the deep grooves described above may have relatively wide width characteristics. As some more specific examples, one or more of the deep grooves described above (such as one or more of the deep grooves extending side-to-side and/or the double curved deep groove) may have a width of approximately 2 to 2.5 mm along at least 50% of its respective length and/or a width of approximately 1 mm to approximately 3.5 mm over at least 75% of its length. Wide widths for deep grooves can help promote more plantar-flexion than is commonly available in conventional sole structures.
Some aspects of this invention may be defined, at least in part, with respect to structures of a human foot that would be supported by sole structures in accordance with this invention. For example, for the double curved channel or transverse flexion channel described above, a medial-side end of the channel may be located proximate to a phalange-to-first metatarsal joint support region of the sole structure and a lateral-side end of the channel may be located proximate to a cuboid-to-metatarsal joint support region of the sole structure. As another potential feature, on a medial side of the sole structure, these channels may extend beneath a region for supporting a joint between the first proximal phalange and the first metatarsal, and on a lateral side of the sole structure, these channels may extend beneath a region for supporting proximal halves of the fourth and fifth metatarsals. These channels also may extend beneath a region for supporting a middle region of a third metatarsal. When it is a double curved channel, the elongated double curved channel may transition from having its concave portion facing the medial edge of the sole structure to having its concave portion facing the lateral edge of the sole structure at an area of the sole structure beneath a region for supporting a third metatarsal.
If desired, in some structures according to this invention, two deep channels may merge or come together to form a single deep channel. As a more specific example, as shown in
Sole structures in accordance with examples of this invention may include substantial flexibility and deep flex groove structures in forefoot and lateral front portions of the sole structure with less flexibility in the midfoot and/or heel areas. The forefoot and lateral front flexibility provides excellent flexibility and dexterity at the front and/or lateral forefoot areas of the shoe (e.g., to aid in providing more natural motion, enhancing plantarflexion and dorsiflexion, and performing skateboarding tricks) with great support in the midfoot and/or heel areas (e.g., energy absorption, to absorb impact forces when landing on the ground). In some sole structures, there will be no deep channels located to a heel-side of the elongated double curved channel or transverse channel in a forefoot portion of the sole structure. At the very least, the area of the sole structure rearward of the double curved channel or the transverse flexion channel may be devoid of deep channels that extend from the lateral edge to the medial edge of the sole structure. Advantageously, the midfoot area of the sole structure may be devoid of deep channels.
In addition to deep grooves, secondary flexion grooves may be provided in various portions of the sole structure, particularly in the forefoot area. The secondary flexion grooves, as described above, may not be as deep or pronounced as deep grooves, but they can help improve flexibility of the overall sole structure while maintaining a somewhat more stable, supportive construction. If desired, secondary flexion grooves may be located between adjacent deep grooves, particularly the deep grooves extending in directions across the forefoot area from the medial side to the lateral side of the sole structure. The secondary flexion grooves may terminate within the sole portion in which it is contained, and optionally may intersect the longitudinal forefoot flexion groove (if any).
The description above mentions that one or more of the deep grooves may extend between (and optionally separate) bottom surface areas of the various sole portions. Nonetheless, two or more (and optionally all) of these sole portions may be formed as a unitary, one-piece construction, e.g., like the platform 210 described above (in which various sole portions or zones are interconnected at their top sides by a unitary plantar support surface).
Still additional aspects of this invention relate to uppers for articles of footwear. Such uppers may include, for example: (a) a mesh layer and (b) one or more textile members joined to the mesh layer. A textile member may include: (1) a first textile layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface includes a first hot melt adhesive layer, and (2) a second textile layer including a first surface and second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface of the second textile layer includes a second hot melt adhesive layer. The first hot melt adhesive layer may be arranged to face and contact the second hot melt adhesive layer to thereby join the first textile layer with the second textile layer (e.g., when heat and/or pressure is applied). The first and second textile layers need not be co-extensive. If desired, the textile member(s) may be joined to the mesh layer at less than an entire interfacing surface area of the mesh layer and the textile member(s) so that some overlapping portions of the mesh layer can move (e.g., “float”) relative to the textile member layer.
The mesh layer may be provided at all or substantially all areas of the shoe upper (e.g., to provide a flexible base and excellent breathability). One or more textile members may be provided at areas where different upper properties or characteristics are desired (e.g., improved durability, improved abrasion resistance, improved “tackiness” or grip, etc.). As some more specific examples, one or more textile members may be provided to extend around a toe area of the upper and/or around the forefoot medial and/or lateral sides of the upper. Additionally or alternatively, one or more other textile members may be provided at a lateral heel area and/or a medial heel area of the upper.
As noted above, the various layers of a textile member need not be co-extensive with one another. As best seen from
While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described structures, systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth above. Given the benefit of this disclosure, it becomes apparent that variations and/or combinations of these features may be combined. Further, a wide variety of materials, having various properties, i.e., flexibility, hardness, durability, etc., may be used without departing from the invention. Finally, all examples, whether preceded by “for example,” “such as,” “including,” or other itemizing terms, or followed by “etc.,” are meant to be non-limiting examples, unless otherwise stated or obvious from the context of the specification.
