U.S. patent application number 14/031552 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-27 for tread pattern for article of footwear.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nike, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Nike, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mary Binzer.
Application Number | 20140082968 14/031552 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50337460 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140082968 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Binzer; Mary |
March 27, 2014 |
Tread Pattern For Article of Footwear
Abstract
An article of footwear may include a sole having a lower
surface. A forefoot region may include a first forefoot section and
a second forefoot section separated by a first flex groove. The
first flex groove may be formed by an upwardly extending elongate
recess in the lower surface of the sole. In addition, the first
forefoot section may include a first set of ground engaging members
extending substantially downward, the first set of ground engaging
members forming a substantially arcuate first arrangement. Also,
the second forefoot section may include a second set of ground
engaging members extending substantially downward, the second set
of ground engaging members forming a substantially arcuate second
arrangement. The first arrangement may be curved in a different
direction than the second arrangement. Each ground engaging member
of the first set of ground engaging members may have a length
extending along an arc.
Inventors: |
Binzer; Mary; (Beaverton,
OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nike, Inc. |
Beaverton |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Nike, Inc.
Beaverton
OR
|
Family ID: |
50337460 |
Appl. No.: |
14/031552 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61704444 |
Sep 21, 2012 |
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61704440 |
Sep 21, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/141 20130101;
A43B 13/125 20130101; A43B 13/22 20130101; A43C 15/165 20130101;
A43B 13/223 20130101; A43B 13/04 20130101; A43B 13/181 20130101;
A43C 15/161 20130101; A43B 13/122 20130101; A43B 13/14 20130101;
A43B 13/026 20130101; A43B 13/187 20130101; A43B 13/26
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/103 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/22 20060101
A43B013/22 |
Claims
1. An article of footwear, comprising: a sole having a lower
surface exposed to the ground; a forefoot region of the article of
footwear having a first forefoot section and a second forefoot
section separated by a first flex groove; the first flex groove
formed by an upwardly extending elongate recess in the lower
surface of the sole; the first forefoot section including a first
set of ground engaging members extending substantially downward
from the lower surface of the sole, the first set of ground
engaging members forming a substantially arcuate first arrangement;
and the second forefoot section including a second set of ground
engaging members extending substantially downward from the lower
surface of the sole, the second set of ground engaging members
forming a substantially arcuate second arrangement; wherein the
first arrangement is curved in a different direction than the
second arrangement; and wherein each ground engaging member of the
first set of ground engaging members has a length extending along
an arc.
2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the ground engaging
members in the first set of ground engaging members has a width
shorter than the length and substantially constant along the
length.
3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein each of the ground
engaging members in the first set of ground engaging members has a
substantially constant height.
4. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the substantially
arcuate first arrangement of the first set of ground engaging
members has a first concavity and the substantially arcuate second
arrangement of the second set of ground engaging members has a
second concavity oriented in an opposite direction and facing away
from the first concavity.
5. The article of footwear of claim 4, wherein the first concavity
is oriented in a first generally lateral direction and the second
concavity is oriented in a second generally medial direction.
6. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the first forefoot
section is disposed in a forward-most region of the sole, and the
second forefoot section is disposed rearward of the first forefoot
section.
7. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the second set of
ground engaging members includes two or more rows of ground
engaging members having substantially the same shape.
8. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the ground engaging
members of the first set of ground engaging members have a
substantially different shape than the ground engaging members of
the second set of ground engaging members.
9. The article of footwear of claim 1, further including a third
forefoot section including a third set of ground engaging members
extending substantially downward from the lower surface of the
sole, the third set of ground engaging members forming a
substantially arcuate third arrangement that shares an
approximately similar center as the substantially arcuate second
arrangement of the second set of ground engaging members.
10. An article of footwear including a ground engaging sole,
comprising: a lower surface exposed to the ground and divided, in a
forefoot region of the article of footwear, into a first forefoot
section and a second forefoot section by a first flex groove formed
by an upwardly extending elongate recess in the lower surface of
the sole; the first forefoot section including a first set of
ground engaging members extending substantially downward from the
lower surface of the sole, the first set of ground engaging members
forming a substantially arcuate first arrangement; and the second
forefoot section including a second set of ground engaging members
extending substantially downward from the lower surface of the
sole, the second set of ground engaging members forming a
substantially arcuate second arrangement curved in a different
direction than the arcuate arrangement of the first set of ground
engaging members; wherein the first set of ground engaging members
includes two or more rows of ground engaging members having
substantially the same shape and the second set of ground engaging
members includes two or more rows of ground engaging members having
substantially the same shape; and wherein the first set of ground
engaging members each have a first shape and the second set of
ground engaging members each have a second shape substantially
different from the first shape.
11. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the substantially
arcuate first arrangement of the first set of ground engaging
members has a first concavity and the substantially arcuate second
arrangement of the second set of ground engaging members has a
second concavity oriented in an opposite direction and facing away
from the first concavity.
12. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the first
concavity is oriented in a first generally lateral direction and
the second concavity is oriented in a second generally medial
direction.
13. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the first forefoot
section is disposed in a forward-most region of the sole, and the
second forefoot section is disposed rearward of the first forefoot
section.
14. The article of footwear of claim 10, further including a third
forefoot section including a third set of ground engaging members
extending substantially downward from the lower surface of the
sole, the third set of ground engaging members forming a
substantially arcuate third arrangement that shares an
approximately similar center as the substantially arcuate second
arrangement of the second set of ground engaging members.
15. An article of footwear including a sole, comprising: a lower
surface exposed to the ground; the lower surface including a first
forefoot section separated from a second forefoot section by a
first flex groove formed by an upwardly extending elongate recess
in the lower surface of the sole; the lower surface further
including a third forefoot section separated from the second
forefoot section by a second flex groove formed by an upwardly
extending elongate recess in the lower surface of the sole; the
first forefoot section including a first set of ground engaging
members extending substantially downward from the lower surface of
the sole, the first set of ground engaging members forming a
substantially arcuate first arrangement having a first concavity
oriented in a first lateral direction; and the second forefoot
section including a second set of ground engaging members extending
substantially downward from the lower surface of the sole, the
second set of ground engaging members forming a substantially
arcuate second arrangement having a first concavity oriented in a
second lateral direction substantially opposite the first lateral
direction and away from the first set of ground engaging members;
the third forefoot section including a third set of ground engaging
members extending substantially downward from the lower surface of
the sole, the third set of ground engaging members forming a
substantially arcuate third arrangement that shares an
approximately similar center as the substantially arcuate second
arrangement of the second set of ground engaging members.
16. The article of footwear of claim 15, wherein the first
concavity is oriented in a first generally lateral direction and
the second concavity is oriented in a second generally medial
direction.
17. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein the first forefoot
section is disposed in a forward-most region of the sole, and the
second forefoot section is disposed rearward of the first forefoot
section.
18. The article of footwear of claim 15, wherein at least one of
the first set of ground engaging members, the second set of ground
engaging members, and the third set of ground engaging members
includes two or more rows of ground engaging members having
substantially the same shape.
19. The article of footwear of claim 18, wherein the two or more
rows are radially spaced in a substantially concentric
configuration.
20. The article of footwear of claim 15, wherein the first forefoot
section is separated from the first forefoot section by a first
flex groove formed by an elongate recess extending upward into the
sole, and wherein the second forefoot section is separated from the
third forefoot section by a second flex groove formed by an
elongate recess extending upward into the sole.
21. An article of footwear including a ground engaging sole,
comprising: a lower surface exposed to the ground; a first set of
ground engaging members extending substantially downward from the
lower surface of the sole in a heel region of the article of
footwear, the first set of ground engaging members forming a
substantially arcuate first arrangement curved about a center
point; and a second set of ground engaging members in the heel
region of the article of footwear and extending substantially
downward from the lower surface of the sole, the second set of
ground engaging members being radially spaced from the first set of
ground engaging members; the second set of ground engaging members
being concentric with the first set of ground engaging members,
forming a substantially arcuate second arrangement curved about
approximately the same center point as the first set of ground
engaging members.
22. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein at least one of
the first set of ground engaging members and the second set of
ground engaging members includes two or more rows of ground
engaging members having substantially the same shape.
23. The article of footwear of claim 22, wherein the two or more
rows are radially spaced in a substantially concentric
configuration.
24. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein the center point
of the substantially arcuate first arrangement and the
substantially arcuate second arrangement is located beyond a
peripheral edge of the sole.
25. The article of footwear of claim 24, wherein the center point
of the substantially arcuate first arrangement and the
substantially arcuate second arrangement is located rearward of a
rear-most edge of the sole, in substantial alignment with a
longitudinal central axis of the sole.
26. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein the ground
engaging members of the first set of ground engaging members have a
substantially different shape than the ground engaging members of
the second set of ground engaging members.
27. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein the ground
engaging members of the second set of ground engaging members are
located proximate a rear-most edge of the sole, and wherein the
ground engaging members of the second set of ground engaging
members each have an elongate shape, including a length extending
along an arc of the substantially arcuate second arrangement.
28. The article of claim 27, wherein the ground engaging members in
the second set of ground engaging members has a width shorter than
the length and substantially constant along the length, and a
height that is substantially constant along the length.
29. An article of footwear including a ground engaging sole,
comprising: a lower surface exposed to the ground; a first set of
ground engaging members extending substantially downward from the
lower surface of the sole in a heel region of the article of
footwear, the first set of ground engaging members forming a
substantially arcuate arrangement with a concavity in a rearward
direction; and a second set of ground engaging members in the heel
region of the article of footwear, extending substantially downward
from the lower surface of the sole, and forming a substantially
arcuate arrangement with a concavity in a rearward direction; the
second set of ground engaging members being longitudinally
displaced rearward of, and discontinuous with, the first set of
ground engaging members; wherein the first set of ground engaging
members includes two or more rows of ground engaging members having
substantially the same shape and the second set of ground engaging
members includes two or more rows of ground engaging members having
substantially the same shape; and wherein each ground engaging
member in the second set of ground engaging members has a length
extending along an arc, a width that is shorter than the length and
substantially constant along the length, and a height that is
substantially constant along the length.
30. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein the ground
engaging members of the first set of ground engaging members have a
substantially different shape than the ground engaging members of
the second set of ground engaging members.
31. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein the ground
engaging members of the second set of ground engaging members are
located proximate a rear-most edge of the sole.
32. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein the substantially
arcuate first arrangement and the substantially arcuate second
arrangement share a center point that is located beyond a
peripheral edge of the sole.
33. The article of footwear of claim 32, wherein the center point
is located rearward of a rear-most edge of the sole, in substantial
alignment with a longitudinal central axis of the sole.
34. An article of footwear including a ground engaging sole,
comprising: a lower surface exposed to the ground; a first set of
ground engaging members extending substantially downward from the
lower surface of the sole in a heel region of the article of
footwear, the first set of ground engaging members forming a
substantially arcuate first arrangement with a concavity in a
rearward direction; and a second set of ground engaging members in
the heel region of the article of footwear, extending substantially
downward from the lower surface of the sole, and forming a
substantially arcuate second arrangement with a concavity in a
rearward direction; the second set of ground engaging members being
longitudinally displaced rearward of, and discontinuous with, the
first set of ground engaging members; wherein the second set of
ground engaging members are disposed proximate the rearward most
edge of the lower surface of the sole; and wherein each ground
engaging member in the second set of ground engaging members has a
length extending along an arc.
35. The article of footwear of claim 34, wherein the substantially
arcuate first arrangement and the substantially arcuate second
arrangement share a center point that is located beyond a
peripheral edge of the sole.
36. The article of footwear of claim 35, wherein the center point
is located rearward of a rear-most edge of the sole, in substantial
alignment with a longitudinal central axis of the sole.
37. The article of footwear of claim 34, wherein the ground
engaging members of the first set of ground engaging members have a
substantially different shape than the ground engaging members of
the second set of ground engaging members.
38. The article of footwear of claim 34, wherein the ground
engaging members of the second set of ground engaging members each
have a width that is shorter than the length and substantially
constant along the length, and a height that is substantially
constant along the length.
39. The article of footwear of claim 34, wherein at least one of
the first set of ground engaging members and the second set of
ground engaging members includes two or more rows of ground
engaging members having substantially the same shape.
40. The article of footwear of claim 39, wherein the two or more
rows are radially spaced in a substantially concentric
configuration.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/704,440,
entitled "Reinforcing Member for Article of Footwear," and filed on
Sep. 21, 2012, which application is incorporated in its entirety by
reference. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/704,444,
entitled "Tread Pattern for Article of Footwear," and filed on Sep.
21, 2012, which application is incorporated in its entirety by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a tread pattern
for an article of footwear. It is advantageous, when participating
in various activities, to have footwear that provides traction and
stability on the surface upon which the activities take place.
Accordingly, sole structures for articles of footwear have been
developed with traction systems that include ground engaging
members to provide traction on a variety of surfaces. Examples
include cleated shoes developed for outdoor sports, such as soccer,
football, and baseball.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an
article of footwear, including a sole having a lower surface
exposed to the ground. The article of footwear may include a
forefoot region having a first forefoot section and a second
forefoot section separated by a first flex groove. The first flex
groove may be formed by an upwardly extending elongate recess in
the lower surface of the sole. In addition, the first forefoot
section may include a first set of ground engaging members
extending substantially downward from the lower surface of the
sole, the first set of ground engaging members forming a
substantially arcuate first arrangement. Also, the second forefoot
section may include a second set of ground engaging members
extending substantially downward from the lower surface of the
sole, the second set of ground engaging members forming a
substantially arcuate second arrangement. The first arrangement may
be curved in a different direction than the second arrangement. In
addition, each ground engaging member of the first set of ground
engaging members may have a length extending along an arc.
[0004] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an
article of footwear including a ground engaging sole. The ground
engaging sole may include a lower surface exposed to the ground and
divided, in a forefoot region of the article of footwear, into a
first forefoot section and a second forefoot section by a first
flex groove formed by an upwardly extending elongate recess in the
lower surface of the sole. The first forefoot section may include a
first set of ground engaging members extending substantially
downward from the lower surface of the sole, the first set of
ground engaging members forming a substantially arcuate first
arrangement. The second forefoot section may include a second set
of ground engaging members extending substantially downward from
the lower surface of the sole, the second set of ground engaging
members forming a substantially arcuate second arrangement curved
in a different direction than the arcuate arrangement of the first
set of ground engaging members. The first set of ground engaging
members may include two or more rows of ground engaging members
having substantially the same shape and the second set of ground
engaging members includes two or more rows of ground engaging
members having substantially the same shape. In addition, the first
set of ground engaging members may each have a first shape and the
second set of ground engaging members may each have a second shape
substantially different from the first shape.
[0005] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an
article of footwear including a sole. The sole may include a lower
surface exposed to the ground. The lower surface may include a
first forefoot section separated from a second forefoot section by
a first flex groove formed by an upwardly extending elongate recess
in the lower surface of the sole. In addition, the lower surface
may include a third forefoot section separated from the second
forefoot section by a second flex groove formed by an upwardly
extending elongate recess in the lower surface of the sole. Also,
the first forefoot section may include a first set of ground
engaging members extending substantially downward from the lower
surface of the sole, the first set of ground engaging members
forming a substantially arcuate first arrangement having a first
concavity oriented in a first lateral direction. Further, the
second forefoot section may include a second set of ground engaging
members extending substantially downward from the lower surface of
the sole, the second set of ground engaging members forming a
substantially arcuate second arrangement having a first concavity
oriented in a second lateral direction substantially opposite the
first lateral direction and away from the first set of ground
engaging members. The third forefoot section may include a third
set of ground engaging members extending substantially downward
from the lower surface of the sole, the third set of ground
engaging members forming a substantially arcuate third arrangement
that shares an approximately similar center as the substantially
arcuate second arrangement of the second set of ground engaging
members.
[0006] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an
article of footwear including a ground engaging sole. The sole may
include a lower surface exposed to the ground. In addition, the
sole may include a first set of ground engaging members extending
substantially downward from the lower surface of the sole in a heel
region of the article of footwear, the first set of ground engaging
members forming a substantially arcuate first arrangement curved
about a center point. The sole may further include a second set of
ground engaging members in the heel region of the article of
footwear and extending substantially downward from the lower
surface of the sole, the second set of ground engaging members
being radially spaced from the first set of ground engaging
members. The second set of ground engaging members may be
concentric with the first set of ground engaging members, forming a
substantially arcuate second arrangement curved about approximately
the same center point as the first set of ground engaging
members.
[0007] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an
article of footwear including a ground engaging sole. The sole may
include a lower surface exposed to the ground. The sole may also
include a first set of ground engaging members extending
substantially downward from the lower surface of the sole in a heel
region of the article of footwear, the first set of ground engaging
members forming a substantially arcuate arrangement with a
concavity in a rearward direction. In addition, the sole may
include a second set of ground engaging members in the heel region
of the article of footwear, extending substantially downward from
the lower surface of the sole, and forming a substantially arcuate
arrangement with a concavity in a rearward direction. The second
set of ground engaging members may be longitudinally displaced
rearward of, and discontinuous with, the first set of ground
engaging members. In addition, the first set of ground engaging
members may include two or more rows of ground engaging members
having substantially the same shape and the second set of ground
engaging members includes two or more rows of ground engaging
members having substantially the same shape. Further, each ground
engaging member in the second set of ground engaging members may
have a length extending along an arc, a width that is shorter than
the length and substantially constant along the length, and a
height that is substantially constant along the length.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The invention can be better understood with reference to the
following drawings and description. The components in the figures
are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the
figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the different views.
[0009] FIG. 1 shows an elevation side view of an exemplary article
of footwear;
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of an exemplary sole for an
article of footwear;
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a forefoot region of the
sole shown in FIG. 2; and
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a heel region of the sole
shown in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose a
sole structure for an article of footwear. Concepts associated with
the footwear disclosed herein may be applied to a variety of
athletic footwear types, including cricket shoes, golf shoes,
soccer shoes, baseball shoes, football shoes, and hiking shoes and
boots, for example. Accordingly, the concepts disclosed herein
apply to a wide variety of footwear types.
[0014] For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives are
employed throughout this detailed description corresponding to the
illustrated embodiments. The term "longitudinal," as used
throughout this detailed description and in the claims, refers to a
direction extending a length of a sole structure, i.e., extending
from a forefoot portion to a heel portion of the sole. The term
"forward" is used to refer to the general direction in which the
toes of a foot point, and the term "rearward" is used to refer to
the opposite direction, i.e., the direction in which the heel of
the foot is facing.
[0015] The term "lateral direction," as used throughout this
detailed description and in the claims, refers to a side-to-side
direction extending a width of a sole. In other words, the lateral
direction may extend between a medial side and a lateral side of an
article of footwear, with the lateral side of the article of
footwear being the surface that faces away from the other foot, and
the medial side being the surface that faces toward the other
foot.
[0016] The term "lateral axis," as used throughout this detailed
description and in the claims, refers to an axis oriented in a
lateral direction.
[0017] The term "horizontal," as used throughout this detailed
description and in the claims, refers to any direction
substantially parallel with the ground, including the longitudinal
direction, the lateral direction, and all directions in between.
Similarly, the term "side," as used in this specification and in
the claims, refers to any portion of a component facing generally
in a lateral, medial, forward, and/or rearward direction, as
opposed to an upward or downward direction.
[0018] The term "vertical," as used throughout this detailed
description and in the claims, refers to a direction generally
perpendicular to both the lateral and longitudinal directions. For
example, in cases where a sole is planted flat on a ground surface,
the vertical direction may extend from the ground surface upward.
It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may
be applied to individual components of a sole. The term "upward"
refers to the vertical direction heading away from a ground
surface, while the term "downward" refers to the vertical direction
heading towards the ground surface. Similarly, the terms "top,"
"upper," and other similar terms refer to the portion of an object
substantially furthest from the ground in a vertical direction, and
the terms "bottom," "lower," and other similar terms refer to the
portion of an object substantially closest to the ground in a
vertical direction.
[0019] For purposes of this disclosure, the foregoing directional
terms, when used in reference to an article of footwear, shall
refer to the article of footwear when sitting in an upright
position, with the sole facing groundward, that is, as it would be
positioned when worn by a wearer standing on a substantially level
surface.
[0020] In addition, for purposes of this disclosure, the term
"fixedly attached" shall refer to two components joined in a manner
such that the components may not be readily separated (for example,
without destroying one or both of the components). Exemplary
modalities of fixed attachment may include joining with permanent
adhesive, rivets, stitches, nails, staples, welding or other
thermal bonding, and/or other joining techniques. In addition, two
components may be "fixedly attached" by virtue of being integrally
formed, for example, in a molding process.
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of an article of footwear 10,
which may include a sole 105 and an upper 14. For reference
purposes, footwear 10 may be divided into three general regions: a
forefoot region 16, a midfoot region 18, and a heel region 20.
Forefoot region 16 generally includes portions of footwear 10
corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the
metatarsals with the phalanges. Midfoot region 18 generally
includes portions of footwear 10 corresponding with an arch area of
the foot. Heel region 20 generally corresponds with rear portions
of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. Regions 16, 18, and 20
are not intended to demarcate precise areas of footwear 10. Rather,
regions 16, 18, and 20 are intended to represent general relative
areas of footwear 10 to aid in the following discussion.
[0022] Since sole 105 and upper 14 both span substantially the
entire length of footwear 10, the terms forefoot region 16, midfoot
region 18, and heel region 20 apply not only to footwear 10 in
general, but also to sole structure 12 and upper 14, as well as the
individual elements of sole structure 12 and upper 14.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, sole 105 may have a lower surface 110
exposed to the ground. Lower surface 110 may include various ground
engaging members (cleats) extending generally downward from lower
surface 110. These ground engaging members may be disposed in
arcuate arrangements to provide directionally specific traction.
Exemplary such arcuate arrangements are discussed in greater detail
below.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of sole 105. As shown in FIG. 2,
forefoot region 16 may be subdivided into a first forefoot section
125, a second forefoot section 130, and a third forefoot section
135. In some embodiments, first forefoot section 125, second
forefoot section 130, and third forefoot section 135 may be
separated by flex grooves. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, sole
105 may include a first flex groove 150, formed as an elongate
recess in lower surface 110. First flex groove 150 may separate
first forefoot section 125 from second forefoot section 130. In
some embodiments, first flex groove 150 may form a thinner portion
(in a vertical direction) of an outsole portion of sole 105 than
other portions of the outsole (such as first forefoot section 125
and second forefoot section 130), in order to provide increased
flexibility of sole 105 in this area.
[0025] In some embodiments, first flex groove 150 may extend in a
lateral direction. For example, sole 105 may have a medial side 160
and a lateral side 165. As shown in FIG. 2, first flex groove 150
may extend substantially from a medial edge 170 of lower surface
110 of sole 105 to a lateral edge 175 of outer surface 110.
Further, in some embodiments, first flex groove 150 may extend
completely from medial edge 170 to lateral edge 175, as shown in
FIG. 2. A second flex groove 155 may separate second forefoot
section 130 from third forefoot section 135 and may be similarly
configured to first flex groove 150.
[0026] First forefoot section 125 may be disposed in a forward-most
region of sole 105, and may include a first set of ground engaging
members 180 extending substantially downward from lower surface 110
of sole 105. In some embodiments first set of ground engaging
members 180 may form a substantially arcuate first arrangement. For
example, a first ground engaging member 185, a second ground
engaging member 190, and a third ground engaging member 195 may be
arranged in alignment with a first arc 200, as shown in FIG. 2.
That is, each ground engaging member of first set of ground
engaging members 180 may have a length extending along first arc
200.
[0027] First arc 200 may have a first concavity oriented in a
generally lateral direction 205. In some embodiments, the concavity
of first arc 200 (generally lateral direction 205) may be oriented
slightly rearward, as shown in FIG. 2. This configuration may
provide traction when a wearer is applying torque to the ground,
for example, during a cricket swing, baseball swing, golf swing, or
throwing of a baseball or football. During such movements, an
athlete may turn their body, and thus, apply torque to the ground
about the ball of the foot. Accordingly, providing arcuate ground
engaging members oriented with a concavity in a generally lateral
direction may prevent slippage in the lateral direction of the
forward-most portion of the athlete's rear foot while performing
such athletic movements. In addition, since many of these elongate
ground engaging members in the forward-most portion of the sole are
at least somewhat longitudinally aligned, this arrangement may
prevent or reduce undesired catching of the ground engaging members
of the forward-most portion of the sole on the ground during
running or other movements.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, second forefoot section 130 may be
disposed rearward of first forefoot section 125, and may include a
second set of ground engaging members 210 extending substantially
downward from lower surface 110 of sole 105. Second set of ground
engaging members 210 may form a substantially arcuate second
arrangement. For example, second set of ground engaging members 210
may be arranged along a second arc 215, as shown in FIG. 2. In some
embodiments, second arc 215 may be substantially circular, and
thus, may have a first radius 220 from a first center point
225.
[0029] In some embodiments, the substantially arcuate first
arrangement is curved in a different direction than the second
arrangement. As shown in FIG. 2, the substantially arcuate first
arrangement of first set of ground engaging members 180 (indicated
by first arc 200) has a first concavity and the substantially
arcuate second arrangement of second set of ground engaging members
210 has a second concavity oriented in an opposite direction and
facing away from the first concavity. For example, as shown in FIG.
2, the first concavity may be oriented in generally lateral
direction 205 and the second concavity may be oriented in a
generally medial direction extending from second arc 215 toward
center point 225.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, third forefoot section 130 may be
disposed rearward of second forefoot section 130, and may include a
third set of ground engaging members 230 extending substantially
downward from lower surface 110 of sole 105. Third set of ground
engaging members 230 may form a substantially arcuate third
arrangement. For example, third set of ground engaging members 210
may be arranged along a third arc 235, as shown in FIG. 2. In some
embodiments, third arc 235 may be substantially circular, and thus,
may have a second radius 240. In some embodiments, the
substantially arcuate third arrangement of third set of ground
engaging members 230 may share an approximately similar center as
the substantially arcuate second arrangement of second set of
ground engaging members 210. Thus, third arc 235 may be located at
second radius 240 from first center point 225.
[0031] The use of stud-like ground engaging members about a center
point in the second and third sections of the forefoot may provide
traction in more of a variety of athletic movements. The stud-like
ground engaging members may provide traction in all directions, and
the arcuate arrangement about a center point in the ball of the
foot may facilitate the application of torque and general traction
when the athlete is on the ball of their foot.
[0032] In some embodiments, sole 105 may have a particular
arrangement of ground engaging members in heel region 20. For
example, in some embodiments, sole 105 may include a fourth set of
ground engaging members 140 extending substantially downward from
lower surface 110. Fourth set of ground engaging members 140 may
form a substantially arcuate fourth arrangement, which may be
curved along a fourth arc 245 about a second center point 250.
Fourth arc 245 may have a third radius 255 from second center point
250, as shown in FIG. 2. As also shown in FIG. 2, in some
embodiments, the substantially arcuate fourth arrangement may have
a concavity in a rearward direction (from fourth arc 245 toward
second center point 250). The rearward concavity may provide
traction during both acceleration and deceleration.
[0033] Sole 105 may also include a fifth set of ground engaging
members 145 in heel region 20 of the article of footwear, extending
substantially downward from lower surface 110. Fifth set of ground
engaging members 145 may form a substantially arcuate fifth
arrangement, which may be curved along a fifth arc 260 about second
center point 250. Fifth arc 260 may have a fourth radius 265 from
second center point 250, as shown in FIG. 2. As also shown in FIG.
2, in some embodiments, the substantially arcuate fifth arrangement
may have a concavity in a rearward direction (from fifth arc 260
toward second center point 250).
[0034] Fifth set of ground engaging members 145 may be radially
spaced from fourth set of ground engaging members 140, and thus,
may be closer to second center point 250 than fourth set of ground
engaging members 140. For example, fifth set of ground engaging
members 145 being longitudinally displaced rearward of the fourth
set of ground engaging members 140. That is, fourth radius 265 may
be shorter than third radius 255. In addition, fifth set of ground
engaging members 145 may be discontinuous with fourth set of ground
engaging members 140. As used in the present disclosure, the term
"discontinuous" shall refer to ground engaging members arranged in
a first pattern in a first area and a second pattern in a second
area, where spacing between the first area and the second area
provides a discontinuity between the first pattern and the second
pattern. For example, the first pattern may include a plurality of
ground engaging members arranged with a regular spacing. The second
area may be located a distance from the first area that is greater
than the regular spacing between ground engaging members of the
first pattern.
[0035] In some embodiments, fourth set of ground engaging members
140 and/or fifth set of ground engaging members 145 may include two
or more rows of ground engaging members that are radially spaced
from one another, in a substantially concentric configuration. In
addition, in some embodiments, fifth set of ground engaging members
145 may be concentric with fourth set of ground engaging members
140.
[0036] In some embodiments, the center point about which the fourth
set of ground engaging members 140 and fifth set of ground engaging
members 145 are arced may be located off sole 105. That is, in some
embodiments, second center point 250 of the substantially arcuate
fourth arrangement and the substantially arcuate fifth arrangement
may be located beyond a peripheral edge 270 of sole 105. For
example, as shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, second center
point 250 may be located rearward of a rear-most edge 275 of sole
105. Further, in some embodiments, second center point 250 may be
located in substantial alignment with a longitudinal central axis
280 of sole 105.
[0037] Providing the elongate ground engaging members at the
rearward-most portion of the sole may provide traction during
deceleration. In addition, by making these rear-most ground
engaging members with a concavity that is oriented rearward, more
ground engaging members may be provided at the peripheral edge of
the sole in this region, due to the forward facing concavity of the
arc formed by the peripheral edge of the heel. That is, instead of
having one long ground engaging member along the peripheral edge,
the three ground engaging members terminate in six end portions
proximate the peripheral edge. Thus, deceleration may be provided
that is similar to concave forward designs, however, additional
traction is also provided at the periphery in a wider range of
athletic movements.
[0038] In some embodiments, sole 105 may also include a plurality
of receptacles 285, which may be configured to receive threaded
portions of removable ground engaging members (not shown). Further
details of receptacles 285 and other features of sole 105 are
disclosed in Binzer, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
______, published on ______(Now U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______, filed on even date herewith [attorney docket no. 51-2878]),
and entitled "Reinforcing Member for Article of Footwear," the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0039] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of forefoot region 16 of
sole 105. As shown in FIG. 3, the ground engaging members of first
set of ground engaging members 180 may have a substantially
different shape than the ground engaging members of second set of
ground engaging members 210. For example, the ground engaging
members of second set of ground engaging members 210 may have a
stud-like, rectangular shape, the ground engaging members of first
set of ground engaging members 180 may have a substantially
elongate shape. In some embodiments, the ground engaging members in
first set of ground engaging members 180 may be curved along first
arc 200. The elongate shape of the ground engaging members in first
forefoot section 125 (including first set of ground engaging
members 180) is illustrated in FIG. 3 using a peripheral ground
engaging member 290. First set of ground engaging members 180 may
each have an elongate configuration similar to peripheral ground
engaging member 290. As shown in FIG. 3, peripheral ground engaging
member 290 may have a width 295 that is shorter than a length 300.
Width 295 may be substantially constant along length 300. In
addition, peripheral ground engaging member 290 may have a height
305, which may be constant along length 300.
[0040] In some embodiments, at least one of first set of ground
engaging members 180, second set of ground engaging members 210,
and third set of ground engaging members 230 may include two or
more rows of ground engaging members having substantially the same
shape. That is, within a set of ground engaging members, the ground
engaging members in each row of ground engaging members may have
the same shape as the ground engaging members in adjacent rows. For
example, as shown in FIG. 3, first ground engaging member 185,
second ground engaging member 190, and third ground engaging member
may all have an elongate shape. Similarly, the ground engaging
members of second set of ground engaging members 210 may be
substantially square or rectangular in each row of the set. It will
also be noted that, in some embodiments, the shapes of these ground
engaging members may be substantially different from set to set as
with first set of ground engaging members 180 and second set of
ground engaging members 210. As further illustrated in FIG. 3, the
two or more rows of second set of ground engaging members may be
radially spaced in a substantially concentric configuration.
[0041] It will also be noted that, in some embodiments, ground
engaging members may differ slightly but still have substantially
the same general shape. For example, elongate ground engaging
members, such as provided in first forefoot section 125 may have
various lengths. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, the ground engaging
members of second forefoot section 130 may have varying dimensions,
yet all have a substantially rectangular or trapezoidal shape. In
addition, in some embodiments, elongate ground engaging members may
be continuous, like second ground engaging member 190 and third
ground engaging member 195. In some embodiments, elongate ground
engaging members may be interrupted by other features of sole 105,
such as first ground engaging member 185, which is separated into
two portions. In some embodiments, spacing between ground engaging
members in the same set may vary. For example, rows that are more
radially outward may or may not include larger spacing between
ground engaging members than rows that are positioned more radially
inward.
[0042] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of heel region 20 of sole
105. In some embodiments, fourth set of ground engaging members 140
and/or second set of ground engaging members 145 may include two or
more rows of ground engaging members having substantially the same
shape. In some embodiments, these rows may be radially spaced in a
substantially concentric configuration, as shown in FIG. 4. For
example, fourth set of ground engaging members 140 may include a
first row 310 and a second row 315. First row 310 may include an
arrangement of substantially rectangular ground engaging members
312. As shown in FIG. 4, second row 315 may also include a similar
pattern of substantially rectangular ground engaging members. In
addition, first row 310 may also include an arrangement of
substantially circular ground engaging members 313. As shown in
FIG. 4, second row 315 may also include a similar pattern of
substantially circular ground engaging members. In some
embodiments, fourth set of ground engaging members 140 may consist
of the arrangement of substantially rectangular ground engaging
members 312 and/or the substantially circular ground engaging
members 313.
[0043] In addition, fifth set of ground engaging members 145 may
include a fourth row 320, a fifth row 325, and a sixth row 330. As
shown in FIG. 4, fourth row 320, fifth row 325, and sixth row 330
may each include an elongate ground engaging member. It will be
noted that, in some embodiments, the ground engaging members in
fifth set of ground engaging members 145 may have a substantially
different shape than the ground engaging members of the fourth set
of ground engaging members 140. Also, fifth set of ground engaging
members 145 may be radially spaced from fourth set of ground
engaging members 140, as indicated by a gap 335, which is
significantly larger than the spacing between ground engaging
members in either fourth set 140 or fifth set 145.
[0044] It will also be noted that the elongate ground engaging
members of fifth set of ground engaging members 145 may have a
substantially similar shape to the ground engaging members in first
forefoot section 125, including first set of ground engaging
members 180. For example, the elongate members of fifth set 145 may
have a substantially constant width and height.
[0045] While various embodiments of the invention have been
described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than
limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible
that are within the scope of the invention. Although many possible
combinations of features are shown in the accompanying figures and
discussed in this detailed description, many other combinations of
the disclosed features are possible. Therefore, it will be
understood that any of the features shown and/or discussed in the
present disclosure may be implemented together in any suitable
combination and that features of one embodiment may be implemented
in other disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not
to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their
equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made
within the scope of the attached claims.
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