FOOTWEAR WITH PONTOON SOLE STRUCTURE
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure having an outer periphery and one or more pontoons flexibly and resiliently joined to the sole structure. The pontoons are configured to spread laterally when the footwear is loaded to thereby increase the surface area of the sole structure and elastically retract back to an original position when the footwear is unloaded. The increased surface area of the sole reduces sinking of the footwear in soft, loose or saturated ground. Optionally, the sole structure includes paddle blades.
Latest DECKERS OUTDOOR CORPORATION Patents:
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/778,779, filed Mar. 13, 2013.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure relates to an article of footwear, and in particular to footwear having a sole structure with pontoons. The footwear of the invention has particular applicability in soft ground, mud, sand and amphibious environments in the outdoor recreation and military fields.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREFootwear having conventional soles made of resiliently compressible materials is well known in the art. Footwear in general and sole structures in particular has been designed for performance in particular intended environments, i.e., the floor/ground/terrain and other conditions wherein the footwear will be used. Sole structures designed for outdoor activities, such as running, walking, biking and the like, must be durable and provide sufficient support to handle impact forces generated by a wearer during the physical activities. Physical activities performed in soft or loose ground conditions such as mud, sand or snow present particular design challenges. Conventional footwear can sink into soft ground, lose traction, and fail to provide proper adequate support and stability in these conditions.
As a result, there is a need for improved footwear that provides enhanced stability, traction and performance in soft and/or loose ground conditions and in amphibious environments.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREThe above-identified need is met by the present footwear incorporating a sole structure having pontoon members. Specifically, one or more pontoons are provided on an outer periphery of the sole. The pontoons are configured and adapted to pivot or otherwise flex outwardly when the footwear is loaded, and elastically retract back to their original position when the footwear is unloaded. More specifically, when the footwear is loaded by running or landing, one or more of the pontoons flex outwardly to provide an increased surface area with the underlying surface, thereby generating greater stability and support. As a result, the increased surface area of the outsole spreads load over a greater area and helps to reduce sinking of the footwear in soft ground. The footwear outsole of the invention is also suitable on hard ground surfaces such a pavement and irregular surfaces such as rocks, roots and the like. The present pontoon sole structure has enhanced resiliency and adaptability to conform to a variety of ground surfaces, namely, soft and hard, wet and dry, smooth and irregular.
Another embodiment of the footwear of the invention includes paddle blades. The blades are particularly advantageous in beach and other amphibious environments. The paddle blades provide increased surface area and dig into the ground, thereby providing enhanced traction, propulsion and control in sand, mud, snow and other loose or saturated materials. Embodiments of the invention include both pontoons and paddle blade traction members.
These and other examples of the present invention are discussed below in the following detailed description of the present invention.
The present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear configured to be worn by a user on soft, loose or saturated terrain and/or in amphibious environments. The footwear provides increased surface area to reduce sinking in sand, mud, snow and other loose and/or saturated materials and to provide enhanced traction. Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described below by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Tread members 50 may include different configurations to provide traction on a variety of surfaces. More specifically, the tread members can include ribs, grooves, lugs, paddles, fins and the like in patterns designed for particular surfaces and environments. For example, in a trail running embodiment, the tread members 50 may comprise knobby lugs, like a motocross tire. In a snow/winter embodiment, the tread members 50 may include a rugged pattern of ribs and grooves to improve footing and traction in snow and ice. In amphibious environments, paddle blades may be provided as explained in greater detail below. The tread members 50 may include a forefoot tread member 78 and a heel tread member 80, which may have similar or different configurations.
In the embodiment of
The sole structure 30 further includes shallow grooves 100 spaced between and parallel to the edges of the paddle blades, and deep grooves 110 that extend deeper into the sole 30 than the shallow grooves 100. The grooves 100, 110 form channels for escape of excessive water, snow, mud, and the like from the underlying surface. The shape and layout of the shallow and deep grooves 100, 110 can vary depending on the intended terrain and other environmental conditions.
In the embodiment of
The sole structure further includes pontoons 60. Pontoons 60 can be separate from the outsole, or integral with the outsole. The pontoons can also be formed with the midsole. Optionally, an outsole can be secured to the pontoons or a portion thereof. One or more pontoons 60 are located on the outer periphery of the sole structure. The pontoons may be continuous around the periphery, or may be segmented as shown in
At rest condition the lower or outer portions of the sole structure extend outwardly beyond the upper to enlarge the surface area of the footwear as shown if
The sole structure 30 can be comprised of a single material as shown, multiple co-molded materials, layers of different materials that are bonded or laminated together, or combinations thereof. Further, the sole structure can include hollow portions as described below in reference to the embodiment of
Optionally, multiple drainage ports 120 can be disposed in the periphery of the sole structure 30 for escape of water, sand, mud, and the like from the interior of the footwear. Generally, each port can be of any geometric shape, e.g., circular, oval or rectangular. However, in the cases of trail footwear and snow/winter footwear applications, such ports can be omitted.
The footwear 10 of the
As shown in
The pontoon structure can be substantially continuous around the periphery of the sole structure 30. Preferably, however, the pontoon members 62 are separated by the deep grooves 110. Thereby the pontoon members can articulate independently based on ground conditions and applied loads. Also, the deep grooves 110 provide for the escape of excessive water, snow, mud, and the like on the underlying surface.
The outsole 40 includes one or more pontoons 62 separated by the deep grooves 110. Each pontoon 62 can carry a plurality of lugs 160 as shown in
While preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been herein illustrated and described, it is to be appreciated that certain changes, rearrangements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper; and
- a sole structure having an outer periphery attached to the upper, wherein the sole structure comprises one or more pontoons on the outer periphery and joined to the sole structure by one or more flexible and resilient members configured so that the pontoons flex outwardly when the article of footwear is loaded and elastically retract back to an original position when the article of footwear is unloaded.
2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the one or more flexible and resilient members comprises at least one hinge member connecting the pontoons to a central portion of the sole structure.
3. The article of footwear as in claim 2, wherein the hinge member is co-molded integrally with the pontoons and the central portion of the sole structure.
4. The article of footwear as in claim 2, wherein the hinge member is a reduced thickness portion of the sole structure, and the pontoons are separated from the central portion by a deep groove at the hinge member.
5. The article of footwear as in claim 1, wherein the sole structure includes pontoons on opposed sides of the sole and the flexible and resilient members comprise straps bridging from and between the pontoons on opposed sides.
6. The article of footwear as in claim 1, where the pontoons are hollow, tube-like members.
7. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole structure comprises a plurality of segmented pontoons that individually pivot outwardly and retract back to an original position providing an independent suspension.
8. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the pontoons are arranged substantially continuously around the periphery of the sole structure.
9. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the sole structure comprises a pattern of protuberances for providing traction.
10. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the sole structure includes one or more paddle blades that project from the outer surface of the sole, wrapping around the periphery of the sole structure.
11. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the blades have “V” or fish-bone shaped configuration.
12. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the outer surface of the sole includes one or more fins that generally intersect perpendicularly with the blades.
13. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of drainage ports in the upper.
14. An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper; and
- a sole structure having an outer periphery attached to the upper, wherein the sole structure comprises a central portion and a plurality of segmented pontoons on the outer periphery, the pontoons being joined to the sole structure by one or more flexible and resilient hinge members connecting the pontoons to the central portion of the sole structure, and wherein the hinge members are configured so that the pontoons independently pivot outwardly when the article of footwear is loaded and elastically retract back to an original position when the article of footwear is unloaded.
15. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the central portion of the sole structure, pontoons and hinge member are integrally co-molded.
16. The article of footwear as in claim 14 wherein the pontoon members and central potion are separated by deep grooves.
17. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the outsole has heel and forefoot portions and the heel portion is thicker.
18. An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper;
- a sole structure having an outer periphery attached to the upper;
- wherein the sole structure comprises a central portion and a plurality of segmented pontoons on the outer periphery, the pontoons being joined to the sole structure by one or more flexible and resilient hinge members connecting the pontoons to the central portion of the sole structure, and wherein the one or more hinge members are configured so that the pontoons independently pivot outwardly when the article of footwear is loaded and elastically retract back to an original position when the article of footwear is unloaded;
- wherein the sole structure including the central portion, pontoons and hinge members are integrally co-molded; and
- wherein the sole structure further comprises an outsole having a plurality of lugs.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 13, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Applicant: DECKERS OUTDOOR CORPORATION (Goleta, CA)
Inventors: Stuart Jenkins (Goleta, CA), Kyle R. Pulli (LaJolla, CA)
Application Number: 14/209,303
International Classification: A43B 13/18 (20060101);