U.S. patent application number 11/277085 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for article of footwear with a lightweight foam midsole.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nike Inc.. Invention is credited to Ciro Fusco, David Patrick Jones.
Application Number | 20070220778 11/277085 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38531834 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070220778 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fusco; Ciro ; et
al. |
September 27, 2007 |
ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR WITH A LIGHTWEIGHT FOAM MIDSOLE
Abstract
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper
element and a sole structure secured to the upper element. The sole
structure further comprises a midsole element that defines a
plurality of indentations extending through a polymer foam material
from a first surface to a second surface. The plurality of
indentations comprising at least a first set of indentations and
second set of indentations. The first set of indentations extending
downwards from an upper surface; whereas, a plurality of second
indentations extending upwards from a lower surface. The first set
of indentations being offset from the second set of
indentations.
Inventors: |
Fusco; Ciro; (Portland,
OR) ; Jones; David Patrick; (Beaverton, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Nike Inc.
One Bowerman Drive
Beaverton
OR
|
Family ID: |
38531834 |
Appl. No.: |
11/277085 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/30R ;
36/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/125 20130101;
A43B 7/1415 20130101; A43B 13/12 20130101; A43B 13/186
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/030.00R ;
036/028 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/18 20060101
A43B013/18; A43B 13/12 20060101 A43B013/12 |
Claims
1. An article of footwear comprising: an upper; a solid moderation
plate attached the upper, the solid moderation plate having a top
surface and a bottom surface; and a sole structure comprising: a
midsole having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the
midsole element extending substantially through a longitudinal
length of the sole structure and from a lateral side to a medial
side of the sole structure, the midsole element defining a
plurality of indentations extending through the polymer foam
material and from the first surface to the second surface; and an
outsole attached to the opposite second surface.
2. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the
indentations have a hexagonal shape.
3. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein a shape of
the indentations is selected from a group consisting of triangular,
square, pentagonal, and round.
4. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the
indentations form a tessellation.
5. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the
indentations are tapered.
6. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein dimensions
of the indentations vary throughout the midsole element.
7. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the
indentations have a substantially vertical orientation.
8. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the
plurality of indentations comprises conical indentations.
9. An article of footwear having an upper, a moderation plate, and
a sole structure, the sole structure comprising: an outsole; and a
midsole, the midsole in contact with the moderation plate and the
upper, the midsole having a plurality of first indentations that
extend downwards from an upper surface and a plurality of second
indentations that extend upwards from a lower surface, the
plurality of first indentations being offset from the plurality of
second indentations.
10. The article of footwear recited in claim 9, wherein the
moderation plate comprises a solid moderation plate.
11. The article of footwear recited in claim 9, wherein the
indentations have a hexagonal shape.
12. The article of footwear recited in claim 9, wherein a shape of
the indentations is selected from a group consisting of triangular,
square, pentagonal, and round.
13. The article of footwear recited in claim 9, wherein the
indentations form a tessellated configuration.
14. The article of footwear recited in claim 9, wherein the
indentations are tapered.
15. The article of footwear recited in claim 9, wherein dimensions
of the indentations vary throughout the midsole element.
16. The article of footwear recited in claim 9, wherein the
indentations have a substantially vertical orientation.
17. An article of footwear comprising: an upper; a solid moderation
plate attached to the upper, the moderation plate having a top
surface and a bottom surface; and a sole portion attached to the
bottom surface of the moderation plate, the sole portion
comprising: an outsole; and a midsole, the midsole having a
plurality of first indentations that extend downwards from an upper
surface and a plurality of second indentations that extend upwards
from a lower surface, the plurality of first indentations being
offset from the plurality of second indentations.
18. The article of footwear recited in claim 17, wherein the
indentations are oriented to be substantially vertical.
19. The article of footwear recited in claim 17, wherein a shape of
the indentations is selected from a group consisting of triangular,
square, and hexagonal.
20. The article of footwear recited in claim 17, wherein the
indentations are tapered.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to footwear. The invention
concerns, more particularly, an article of footwear with a
plurality of indentations extending in a substantially vertical
direction through a midsole.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A conventional article of athletic footwear includes two
primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper and the
sole structure operate cooperatively to provide a comfortable
structure that is suited for a variety of activities such as
walking and running. The upper provides a covering for the foot
that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the
sole structure. In addition, the upper may have a configuration
that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling
the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure is secured
to a lower surface of the upper and is generally positioned between
the foot and the ground. In addition to attenuating ground reaction
forces, the sole structure may provide traction and control foot
motions.
[0003] Current sole structure designs, however, provide a large
portion of the overall weight of the athletic footwear. Heavier
athletic footwear directly impacts comfort of the wearer and
decrease performance during a multitude of activities such as
running and walking. Current sole structure designs have focused on
using lighter weight materials in the design of the sole structure
to reduce the overall weight of the athletic footwear.
[0004] The sole structure of athletic footwear generally exhibits a
layered configuration that includes a comfort-enhancing insole, a
resilient midsole formed from a polymer foam material, and a
ground-contacting outsole that provides both abrasion-resistance
and traction. The midsole is the primary sole structure element
that attenuates ground reaction forces and controls foot motions.
Suitable polymer foam materials for the midsole include
ethylvinylacetate or polyurethane that compress resiliently under
an applied load to attenuate ground reaction forces. Conventional
polymer foam materials are resiliently compressible, in part, due
to the inclusion of a plurality of open or closed cells that define
an inner volume substantially displaced by gas. The polymer foam
materials of the midsole may also absorb energy when compressed
during ambulatory activities.
[0005] The midsole may be formed from a unitary element of polymer
foam that extends throughout the length and width of the footwear.
With the exception of a thickness differential between the heel and
forefoot areas of the footwear, such a midsole exhibits
substantially uniform properties in each area of the sole
structure.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need in the art for athletic footwear
that overcomes the disadvantages of prior athletic footwear by
providing a wearer with a lightweight sole structure in order to
reduce the overall weight of the athletic footwear.
SUMMARY
[0007] The invention relates to an article of footwear having an
upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure
includes a midsole element. The midsole element extends through a
portion of a longitudinal length of the sole structure and from a
lateral side to a medial side of the sole structure. The midsole
element is formed from a polymer foam material and has a first
surface and an opposite second surface. The midsole element defines
a plurality of indentations extending through the polymer foam
material and from the first surface to the second surface. The
midsole element having a plurality of first indentations that
extend downwards from an upper surface and a plurality of second
indentations that extend upwards from a lower surface, the
indentations being offset from one another.
[0008] The indentation may extend in a substantially vertical
direction and exhibit various shapes and configuration such as a
hexagonal, triangular, square, pentagonal, or round, for example.
The indentations may also form a tessellation or have a tapered
structure. In an aspect of the invention, the dimensions of the
indentations may vary throughout the midsole element.
[0009] The advantages and features of novelty characterizing the
present invention are pointed out with particularity in the
appended claims. To gain an improved understanding of the
advantages and features of novelty, however, reference may be made
to the following descriptive matter and accompanying drawings that
describe and illustrate various embodiments and concepts related to
the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed
description, will be better understood when read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a lateral side elevational view of an
article of footwear having a midsole in accordance with an aspect
of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a medial side elevational view of an
article of footwear having a midsole in accordance with an aspect
of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a midsole in accordance
with an aspect of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates another top view of a midsole in
accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the midsole shown in
FIG. 3 in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the midsole shown in
FIG. 4 in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates an outsole in accordance with an aspect
of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
midsole of the invention as defined by section line AA in FIG. 4 in
accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 is another cross-sectional view of an embodiment of
the midsole of the invention as defined by section line BB in FIG.
4 in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom view of an article of footwear
with various indentations of different sizes and shapes in
accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0021] FIGS. 11-17 are top plan views of portions of alternate
midsole configurations in accordance with in accordance with an
aspect of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 18 is top plan view of a midsole configuration
illustrating hexagonal indentations having a greater variance in
dimensions throughout the length of midsole in accordance with an
aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose
an article of footwear having a midsole element in accordance with
the present invention. Concepts related to midsole element are
disclosed with reference to footwear having a configuration that is
suitable for various athletic activities, including running, for
example. The invention is not solely limited to articles of
footwear designed for running, however, and may be applied to a
wide range of athletic footwear styles that include basketball
shoes, training shoes, walking shoes, hiking shoes and boots,
tennis shoes, volleyball shoes, soccer shoes, and football shoes.
In addition to athletic footwear, concepts related to the invention
may be applied to footwear that is generally considered to be
non-athletic (e.g., dress shoes, sandals, and work boots) or
footwear serving a medical or rehabilitative purpose. Accordingly,
one skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the concepts
disclosed herein apply to a wide variety of footwear styles, in
addition to the specific footwear style discussed in the following
material and depicted in the accompanying figures.
[0024] An article of footwear 100, as depicted in FIG. 1, includes
an upper 120 and a sole structure 130 that are suitable for a
variety of athletic activities, including running, for example.
Upper 120 may have a generally conventional configuration
incorporating a plurality of material elements (e.g., textiles,
foam, and leather) that are stitched or adhesively bonded together
to form an interior void for securely and comfortably receiving a
foot. The material elements may be selected and located with
respect to upper 120 in order to selectively impart properties of
durability, air-permeability, wear-resistance, flexibility, and
comfort, for example. Moreover, upper 120 may comprise a plurality
of air slots (not shown) throughout upper 120 to increase air flow
through upper 120 and decrease weight of upper 120. In addition,
upper 120 may include a lace that is utilized in a conventional
manner to modify the dimensions of the interior void, thereby
securing the foot within the interior void and facilitating entry
and removal of the foot from the interior void. The lace may extend
through apertures in upper 120, and a tongue portion of upper 120
may extend between the interior void and the lace. Accordingly,
upper 120 may exhibit a substantially conventional configuration
within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the upper
120 may incorporate a sock liner (not depicted) that is positioned
within the interior void in upper 120 and located to correspond
with a plantar (i.e., lower) surface of the foot, thereby enhancing
the comfort of footwear 100.
[0025] For aid in describing various aspects of the invention,
footwear 100 may be divided into three general regions: a forefoot
region 111, a midfoot region 112, and a heel region 113, as
illustrated in FIG. 1. Forefoot region 111 generally includes
portions of footwear 100 corresponding with the toes and the joints
connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. Midfoot region 112
generally includes portions of footwear 100 corresponding with the
arch area of the foot, and heel region 113 corresponds with rear
portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. Footwear 100
also includes a lateral side 114 and a medial side 214 (FIG. 2).
Regions 111-113 and sides 114 and 214 are not intended to demarcate
precise areas of footwear 100. Rather, regions 111-113 and sides
114 and 215 are intended to represent general areas of footwear 100
to aid in the following discussion.
[0026] A moderation plate 135 may be positioned between the sole
structure 130 and the upper 120. Moderation plate 135 may comprise
an upper portion 137 and a lower portion 138. Moderation plate 135
may be comprised of a full nylon plate to provide additional
support to the wearer of footwear 100. Those skilled in the art
will realize that moderation plate 135 may be composed of other
materials such as numerous polymers.
[0027] Sole structure 130 may include various elements such as a
midsole 141 and an outsole 143. Midsole 141 may include an upper
midsole surface 151 and a lower midsole surface 152. The upper
midsole surface 151 may be secured to a lower portion 138 of
moderation plate 135 and attenuate ground reaction forces as sole
structure 130 and the moderation plate 135 are compressed between
the foot and the ground.
[0028] Outsole 143 may be secured to a lower midsole surface 152.
Outsole 143 may be formed from a durable and abrasion-resistant
material, such as rubber, that may be textured to define various
protrusions for providing traction. Although outsole 143 is
depicted as a unitary element extending through each of regions
111-113, in other aspects of the invention outsole 143 may be two
or more separate elements.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a medial side elevational view 214 of
footwear 100. As described above with respect to FIG. 1, footwear
100 includes an upper 120 and a sole structure 130 that are
suitable for a variety of athletic activities, including running,
for example. For aid in describing various aspects of the
invention, footwear 100 may be divided into three general regions:
a forefoot region 111, a midfoot region 112, and a heel region 113,
as illustrated in both FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the forefoot region 111 may include at
least one crown 231 to provide additional resistant to abrasion. As
those skilled in the art will realize, a wearer of footwear 100 may
during certain athletic activities place additional force on the
medial forefoot portion of footwear 100. The inclusion of at least
one crown 231 on the medial forefoot of footwear 100 may decrease
wear on that portion of footwear 100.
[0031] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, moderation plate 135 may
be positioned between the sole structure 130 and the upper 120. In
various aspects of the invention, the entire moderation plate 135
may not be completely visible to an observer as midsole 141 may
partially obscure moderation plate 135. In other aspects of the
invention, moderation plate 135 may be composed of various separate
sections which may not be unitary in construction.
[0032] Midsole 141 may be formed from a polymer foam material, such
as polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate, that extends along at least a
portion of the longitudinal length of footwear 100 (i.e., through
regions 111-113) and also from at least a portion of lateral side
114 to medial side 214. In certain aspects of the invention,
midsole 141 may be formed from two or more discrete material
elements (i.e., a forefoot element and a heel element), or midsole
141 may be formed from a dual-density foam (i.e., lateral side 114
may be formed from a softer foam than medial side 214). In another
aspect of the invention, dual-density foam in the form of foam
inserts may be located in various portions of midsole 141. For
example, midsole 141 may be comprised of foam inserts 180 which are
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The dual-density foam may provide a
wearer with improved force attenuation properties.
[0033] In an aspect of the invention, various midsoles are depicted
in FIGS. 3-7. FIGS. 3 and 5 depict a midsole 350 which includes an
upper midsole surface 351 (FIG. 3) and an opposite lower midsole
surface 552 (FIG. 5). A plurality of indentations 380 extend
between the upper midsole surface 351 and the opposite lower
midsole surface 552. The plurality of indentations 380 may extend
through midsole 350 in a substantially vertical direction. In
addition, midsole 350 may taper downward between heel region 113
and forefoot region 111. Moreover, in one aspect of the invention,
the number of indentations 380 in the forefoot region 111 may be
greater than a number of indentations 380 in a midfoot region 112
or a heel region 113 of midsole 350. In an alternative embodiment,
the number of indentations in the heel region 113 may be greater
than the number of indentations 380 in the midfoot region 112 or
the forefoot region 111.
[0034] Midsole 350 may be manufactured through a molding process,
wherein a polymer material is injected into a mold having the shape
of midsole 350. The various indentations 380 may be formed by
projections that extend between upper and lower portions of the
mold. The configuration of indentations 380 may vary significantly
within the scope of the present invention. For example,
indentations 380 may exhibit constant dimensions between upper
midsole surface 351 and lower midsole surface 552. In another
aspect of the invention, indentations 380 may exhibit tapered
dimensions between upper midsole surface 351 and lower midsole
surface 552.
[0035] For instance, FIGS. 4 and 6 illustrate an aspect of the
invention in which a first set of indentations 680 are rectangular
in shape. In FIGS. 4 and 6, a midsole 450 is shown which includes
an upper midsole surface 451 (FIG. 4) and an opposite lower midsole
surface 652 (FIG. 6). The plurality of indentations 480 extend
between the upper midsole surface 451 and the opposite lower
midsole surface 652. In addition, a second set of indentations 680
offset from the first set of indentations 480 may extend between
the lower midsole surface 652 and the opposite upper midsole
surface 451. The plurality of indentations 680 may extend through
midsole 450 in a substantially vertical direction. In addition, the
plurality of indentations 680 may also have a tapered
configuration. The tapered configuration of indentations 680 may be
opposite of the tapered configuration of indentations 480. For
example, FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an aspect of the invention,
wherein, indentations 680 have a tapered configuration. In
particular, FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section AA taken from FIG. 4
of midsole 450 in the forefoot region of the footwear; whereas,
FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section BB taken from FIG. 4 of midsole
450 in the heel region. As may be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the
dimensions of indentations 680 adjacent to upper midsole surface
451 are less than the dimensions of indentations 680 adjacent to
lower midsole surface 652. That is indentations 680 may taper
inward between lower midsole surface 652 and upper midsole surface
451. As shown in FIG. 4, the tapered indentations 482 may appear as
circular penetrations as they taper in dimension from lower midsole
surface 652 to upper midsole surface 451 (FIGS. 8 & 9).
[0036] In an aspect of the invention, tapered indentations such as
indentations 480 may not be visible on a lower midsole surface,
such as lower midsole surface 652, as an outsole may mask
penetration of midsole 450. The outsole may be secured to the lower
midsole surface. Outsole 143 may be formed from a durable and
abrasion-resistant material, such as rubber, that may be textured
to define various protrusions for providing traction. For example,
an outsole 702 as shown in FIG. 7 may hide penetration of a
plurality of indentations through a midsole from an upper midsole
surface to a lower midsole surface. The covered indentations may be
offset by a plurality of indentations 780 extending from a lower
midsole surface to an upper midsole surface.
[0037] FIG. 10 illustrates another aspect of the invention in which
indentations may vary in size depending of the specific location of
the indentations. In FIG. 10, a sole view of an article of footwear
1000 is illustrated in which the number of indentations 1180 in the
forefoot region 1110 is greater than the number of indentations
1182 in a midfoot region 1120 or a number of indentations 1184 in a
heel region 1130 of footwear 1000. Further as illustrated in FIG.
7, the indentations (1180, 1182, and 1184) found on footwear 1000
may vary in shape and dimension across the various regions or
within each of the regions. For example in forefoot region 1110, a
first indentation 1130 may be wider than a second indentation 1131.
Similarly, indentation 1130 of forefoot region 1110 may vary in
shape and dimension from midfoot indentation 1132 or heel
indentation 1134. The various sized indentations may be used to
vary the weight of the footwear 1000 in specific regions in order
to enhance overall performance of footwear 1000.
[0038] As those skilled in the art will realize, the shapes and
sizes of indentations may also vary significantly within the scope
of the present invention to include numerous other shapes as
depicted in FIGS. 11-18. For example, a midsole 40 may exhibit
triangular or square shape indentations 43, as depicted in FIGS. 11
and 12. An advantage of triangular and square shapes relates to the
manner in which the various indentations 43 may be arranged. More
particularly, indentations 43 having hexagonal, triangular, or
square shapes may be arranged to effectively form a tessellation.
As utilized herein, the term "tessellation" is defined as a
covering of an area, without significant gaps or overlaps, by
congruent plane figures of one type or a plurality of types.
Accordingly, indentations 43 having hexagonal, triangular, or
square shapes, as viewed in either an upper surface or lower
surface, may be arranged such that edges of the various
indentations 43 are adjacent to edges of other indentations 43 and
few significant gaps are formed between the indentations 43.
[0039] Indentations 43 also comprise a variety of other
configurations and combinations. Referring to FIG. 13 indentations
having a mixture of hexagonal, triangular, and square
configurations are arranged to form a tessellation. Indentations 43
having a chevron configuration or an irregular configuration may
also be arranged to form a tessellation, as depicted in FIGS. 14
and 15. Accordingly, indentations 43 may form a tessellation when
exhibiting non-regular geometrical or non-geometrical
configurations. In other embodiments, indentations 43 may exhibit
pentagonal or round configurations, as depicted in FIGS. 16 and 17.
Accordingly, indentations 43 may exhibit a variety of
configurations within the scope of the present invention.
[0040] Each of indentations 43 may exhibit similar dimensions or
may also be configured to have a variety of dimensions. Referring
to FIG. 18, midsole 40 defines a variety of indentations 43 with
hexagonal configurations. Indentations 43 exhibit a greater
variance in dimensions throughout the length of midsole 40. In heel
region 113, one of indentations 180 is significantly larger than
other indentations such as indentation 185. The larger indentation
180 is positioned to correspond in location with a calcaneus bone
of a foot. That is, the larger indentation 180 will be generally
positioned under the calcaneus bone of a foot. This configuration
may be utilized, for example, to impart greater compliance to heel
region 113 of midsole 40 and particularly the area under the
calcaneus.
[0041] In addition, different shapes and dimensions of indentations
may be used in the various different regions of the article of
footwear to impart various advantages to and article of footwear.
For example, using different patterns and sizes of indentations may
decrease the compressibility of specific areas of a sole structure
or impart additional stability or otherwise control foot motions,
such as the degree of pronation. For example, it is well know in
the art that the typical motion of the foot during running proceeds
as follows: Initially, the heel strikes the ground, followed by the
ball of the foot. As the heel leaves the ground, the foot rolls
forward so that the toes make contact, and finally the entire foot
leaves the ground to begin another cycle. During the time that the
foot is in contact with the ground and rolling forward, it also
rolls from the outside or lateral side to the inside or medial
side, a process called pronation. While the foot is air-borne and
preparing for another cycle, the opposite process, called
supination, occurs. In order to impart a suitable degree of ground
reaction force attenuation upon contact of the heel with the
ground, various positioned and sized indentations may be placed in
heel region of the article of footwear. Also, to increase stability
and the control of foot motions, the relative location and size of
the indentations may be utilized throughout the forefoot and
midfoot regions of the article of footwear.
[0042] The present invention is disclosed above and in the
accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments.
The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an
example of the various features and concepts related to the
invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in
the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and
modifications may be made to the embodiments described above
without departing from the scope of the present invention, as
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *