Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
  • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
  • A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
  • A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
  • A43B7/1445—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the midfoot, i.e. the second, third or fourth metatarsal
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/37—Sole and heel units
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B1/00—Footwear characterised by the material
  • A43B1/0018—Footwear characterised by the material made at least partially of flexible, bellow-like shaped material
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/02—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the material
  • A43B13/12—Soles with several layers of different materials
  • A43B13/122—Soles with several layers of different materials characterised by the outsole or external layer
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
  • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
  • A43B13/181—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
  • A43B13/184—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole the structure protruding from the outsole
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
  • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
  • A43B13/189—Resilient soles filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
  • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
  • A43B13/20—Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
  • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
  • A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
  • A43B7/1475—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the type of support
  • A43B7/148—Recesses or holes filled with supports or pads

Definitions

• Articles of footwear conventionally include an upper and a sole structure.
• the upper may be formed from any suitable material(s) to receive, secure, and support a foot on the sole structure.
• the upper may cooperate with laces, straps, or other fasteners to adjust the fit of the upper around the foot.
• the traction elements 318 may be disposed in the forefoot region 12 and the heel region 16.
• the traction elements 318 may extend from the heel region 16 toward the mid-foot region 14 and from the forefoot region 12 to the mid-foot region 14. Portions of the traction elements 318 may partially extend into the mid-foot region 14. In some embodiments, the mid-foot region 14 may be substantially free of traction elements 318.
• forefoot cushioning element 703 may be similar to forefoot cushioning element 103.
• forefoot cushioning element 703 may extend outwardly from its center toward an anterior segment 710, a posterior segment 712, a lateral segment 714, and a medial segment 716.
• a portion 717 of the path extending between the ends of segments may be concave when viewed from a radially exterior position.
• Each of the portions of the path may be convex when viewed from a center of forefoot cushioning element 703, although other configurations are contemplated.
• the exterior path may bound the forefoot cushioning element 103 and may follow an inwardly curved path between the ends of segments of the forefoot cushioning element.
• moderator plate 105 may have a similar cross or plus-sign shape as forefoot cushioning element 703, and extend outwardly from its center toward the anterior end 18, posterior end 20, the medial side 22, and the lateral side 24.
• Moderator plate 105 may have a top surface 726 and a bottom surface 728. The portions extending outwardly from the center of the moderator plate 105 may define an outer boundary of moderator plate 105.
• Moderator plate 105 may have disposed on its bottom surface a plurality of traction elements 724. Further, element 105 may be flexible so as to impart a desired support characteristic to the article of footwear 10.
• the combination of the gasket 106 and the moderator plate 105 may form a portion of a ground-engaging surface.
• the outsole plate 704 may form another portion of the ground-engaging surface.
• the outsole plate 704, along with the moderator plate 105, and the gasket 106 resting within the opening 708, may form the entirety of the ground-engaging surface of the article of footwear.
• Chassis board 1402 may extend continuously from the ball portion 12B of the forefoot region 12 through the toe portion 12T of the forefoot region 12 to the anterior end 18, and may span a width of the sole structure 101 from the medial side 22 to the lateral side 24. In other words, the chassis board 1402 may be disposed solely within the forefoot region 12.
• the chassis board 1402 may further comprise a top (upper) surface facing the bottom of the upper 100, and a bottom (lower) surface formed on an opposite side of the chassis board 1402 from the top surface, facing in the direction of a ground surface. A distance from the top surface to the bottom surface may define a thickness of the chassis board 1402.
• the top surface of the chassis board 1402 may be positioned against the strobel of the upper 100 (shown in FIG. 1 ) from the anterior end 18 to the end of the ball portion 12B closest to the midfoot region 14. In some examples, the entire top surface of the chassis board 1402 may be attached (e.g., directly attached) to the strobel of the upper 100, such that the upper surface of the chassis board 1402 may define a profile of the footbed in the forefoot region 12. It is contemplated that, in other examples, chassis board 1402 may be attached (e.g. directly attached) to a sockliner 1401 of the upper 100.
• the sockliner 1401 may include resilient materials to provide a desired form of support and stability when coupled with the chassis board 1402.
• Chassis board 1402 may be formed of an injection molded material. While shown as a separate component, chassis board 1402 may be integrally formed in the upper 100. It is contemplated that the chassis board 1402 may be used in lieu of chassis 102. In alternative embodiments, the chassis board 1402 may be used in conjunction with chassis 102 to provide a desired form of cushioning, support, and stability.
• Moderator plate 1405 may be substantially similar to moderator plate 106 as depicted and described with respect to FIGS. 7 , 9 , 10 , and 13 . Moderator plate 1405 may have a substantially cross or plus-sign shape corresponding to forefoot cushioning element 1403.
• Gasket 1406 may be substantially similar to gasket 106 as depicted and described with respect to FIGS. 7 , 11 , and 13 . Gasket 1406 may have a corresponding geometry to that of moderator plate 1405 and forefoot cushioning element 1403.
• External plate 1404 may be substantially similar to outsole plate 104 as depicted and described with respect to FIGS. 7 , 12 , and 13 . External plate 1404 may provide a desired level of stiffness, structure, and flexibility.
• the moderator plate 1405, the forefoot cushioning element 1403, and the gasket 1406 may be attached in a similar manner as depicted and described in FIGS. 7-13 .
• an alternative embodiment of the sole structure 101 may include the chassis board 1502, a forefoot cushioning element 1503, and an external plate 1504.
• Chassis board 1502 may be substantially similar to chassis board 1402 as depicted and described with respect to FIG. 14 .
• Forefoot cushioning element 1503 may be substantially similar to forefoot cushioning element 703 as depicted and described with respect to FIGS. 7-13 .
• the forefoot cushioning element 1503 may have a shape that is larger or smaller than the forefoot cushioning element 703.
• respective segments of the forefoot cushioning element 1503 may be narrower than any one or more of the segments 710, 712, 714, and 716.
• respective segments of the forefoot cushioning element 1503 may be wider than any one or more of segments 710, 712, 714, and 716.
• a receptacle 1506 may be disposed within the external plate 1504 and may be substantially similar to receptacle 308 as depicted and described with respect to FIG. 2 .
• Receptacle 1506 may have a corresponding geometry to that of forefoot cushioning element 1503.
• External plate 1504 may be substantially similar to outsole plate 1404 as depicted and described with respect to FIG. 14 . External plate 1504 may provide a desired level of stiffness, structure, and flexibility.
• the chassis board 1502, the forefoot cushioning element 1503, and the external plate 1504 may be attached in a similar manner as depicted and described in FIGS. 1-6 .
• FIG. 16 A cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the sole structure 101 is shown in FIG. 16 .
• the cross-sectional view may be taken perpendicular to a plane extending from the anterior end 18 to the posterior end 20.
• the forefoot cushioning element 1503 is disposed within the receptacle 1506 of the outsole plate 1504.
• the chassis board 1502 is disposed on a side of the forefoot cushioning element 1503 opposite the receptacle 1506.
• FIG. 17 shows a bottom view of the outsole plate 1504 and the receptacle 1506 including a set of major cleats 1518 and minor cleats 1522a and 1522b.
• the major cleats 1518 and minor cleats 1522a and 1522 are disposed on a ground-facing surface 1520 of the receptacle 1506.
• the major cleats 1518 include a substantially crescent shape.
• Major cleats 1518 may be any other shape, such as ovular, circular, rectangular, or the like.
• the minor cleats 1522a and 1522b include a substantially triangular shape.
• Minor cleats 1522a and 1522b may be any other shape such as ovular, circular, rectangular, or the like.
• the minor cleats 1522a and 1522b are disposed at opposing ends of the ground-facing surface 1520.
• the major cleats 1518 are disposed between the opposing minor cleats 1522a and 1522b.
• One or more of the major cleats 1518 may be disposed near the minor cleat 1522a and another one of the one or more major cleats 1518 may be disposed near the minor cleat 1522b.
• Opposing ones of the major cleats 1518 may include opposing inner surfaces.
• one major cleat 1518 may have a concave inner surface while an opposing major cleat 1518 may have a convex inner surface.
• one major cleat 1518 may have a concave inner surface while an opposing major cleat 1518 may have a concave inner surface. In another example, one major cleat 1518 may have a convex inner surface while an opposing major cleat 1518 may have a convex inner surface.
• suitable isocyanates for producing the polyurethane copolymer chains include diisocyanates, such as aromatic diisocyanates, aliphatic diisocyanates, and combinations thereof.
• suitable aromatic diisocyanates include toluene diisocyanate (TDI), TDI adducts with trimethyloylpropane (TMP), methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), xylene diisocyanate (XDI), tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate (TMXDI), hydrogenated xylene diisocyanate (HXDI), naphthalene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI), 1,5-tetrahydronaphthalene diisocyanate, para-phenylene diisocyanate (PPDI), 3,3' - dimethyldipheny1-4, 4' -diisocyanate (DDDI), 4,4 '-dibenzyl diisocyanate (DB
• the polyurethane polymer chains are produced from diisocynates including HMDI, TDI, MDI, H12 aliphatics, and combinations thereof.
• the thermoplastic TPU may include polyester-based TPU, polyether-based TPU, polycaprolactone[1] based TPU, polycarbonate-based TPU, polysiloxane-based TPU, or combinations thereof.
• the polymeric layer may be formed of one or more of the following: EVOH copolymers, poly(vinyl chloride), polyvinylidene polymers and copolymers (e.g., polyvinylidene chloride), polyamides (e.g., amorphous polyamides), amide-based copolymers, acrylonitrile polymers (e.g., acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymers), polyethylene terephthalate, polyether imides, polyacrylic imides, and other polymeric materials known to have relatively low gas transmission rates. Blends of these materials, as well as with the TPU copolymers described herein and optionally including combinations of polyimides and crystalline polymers, are also suitable.
• Example resilient polymeric materials for the elements 102 and 103 may include those based on foaming or molding one or more polymers, such as one or more elastomers (e.g., thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)).
• the one or more polymers may include aliphatic polymers, aromatic polymers, or mixtures of both; and may include homopolymers, copolymers (including terpolymers), or mixtures of both.
• the one or more polymers may include olefinic homopolymers, olefinic copolymers, or blends thereof.
• olefinic polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, and combinations thereof.
• the one or more polymers may include one or more ethylene copolymers, such as, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, EVOH copolymers, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-unsaturated mono-fatty acid copolymers, and combinations thereof.
• EVA ethylene-vinyl acetate
• the one or more polymers may include one or more styrenic block copolymers, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene block copolymers, styrene acrylonitrile block copolymers, styrene ethylene butylene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene butadiene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene propylene styrene block copolymers, styrene butadiene styrene block copolymers, and combinations thereof.
• styrenic block copolymers such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene block copolymers, styrene acrylonitrile block copolymers, styrene ethylene butylene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene butadiene styrene block
• the foamed polymeric material may be a cross-linked foamed material.
• a peroxide-based crosslinking agent such as dicumyl peroxide may be used.
• the foamed polymeric material may include one or more fillers such as pigments, modified or natural clays, modified or unmodified synthetic clays, talc glass fiber, powdered glass, modified or natural silica, calcium carbonate, mica, paper, wood chips, and the like.
• the resilient polymeric material when the resilient polymeric material is a foamed material, the material may be foamed during a molding process, such as an injection molding process.
• a thermoplastic polymeric material may be melted in the barrel of an injection molding system and combined with a physical or chemical blowing agent and optionally a crosslinking agent, and then injected into a mold under conditions which activate the blowing agent, forming a molded foam.
• the foamed material when the resilient polymeric material is a foamed material, the foamed material may be a compression molded foam. Compression molding may be used to alter the physical properties (e.g., density, stiffness and/or durometer) of a foam, or to alter the physical appearance of the foam (e.g., to fuse two or more pieces of foam, to shape the foam, etc.), or both.
• Compression molding may be used to alter the physical properties (e.g., density, stiffness and/or durometer) of a foam, or to alter the physical appearance of the foam (e.g., to fuse two or more pieces of foam, to shape the foam, etc.), or both.
• the compression molding process desirably starts by forming one or more foam preforms, such as by injection molding and foaming a polymeric material, by forming foamed particles or beads, by cutting foamed sheet stock, and the like.
• the compression molded foam may then be made by placing the one or more preforms formed of foamed polymeric material(s) in a compression mold, and applying sufficient pressure to the one or more preforms to compress the one or more preforms in a closed mold.
• Clause 11 The sole structure of clause 10, further including a moderator plate disposed in the opening and in contact with the cushioning element.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Related Parent Applications (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=85724713

Family Applications (3)

Family Applications Before (1)

Family Applications After (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (2)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (17)

• 2023
  • 2023-03-03 WO PCT/US2023/063718 patent/WO2023168433A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2023-03-03 CN CN202380015230.2A patent/CN118401139A/zh active Pending
  • 2023-03-03 EP EP23712751.9A patent/EP4486162A1/fr active Pending
  • 2023-03-03 EP EP25177292.7A patent/EP4627959A1/fr active Pending
  • 2023-03-03 EP EP25171896.1A patent/EP4602971A1/fr active Pending
  • 2023-03-03 US US18/178,342 patent/US20230276904A1/en active Pending
  • 2023-06-14 US US18/334,499 patent/US20230320461A1/en active Pending

Patent Citations (7)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events