Cushion Patents (Class 36/28)
-
Patent number: 11910869Abstract: An article of footwear can include a midsole with a lower surface having a first recessed portion and an outsole coupled to the lower surface of the midsole, with the outsole having an upper surface with a second recessed portion. A first bladder element and a second bladder element can be provided in a stacked arrangement between the midsole and outsole, with an upper portion of the first bladder element that contacts the lower surface of the midsole and extends at least partially into the first recessed portion and a lower portion of the second bladder element that contacts the upper surface of the outsole and extends at least partially into the second recessed portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Fiona Lesecq
-
Patent number: 11903442Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foam element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The foam element includes a recess (i) formed in one of the top surface or the bottom surface, (ii) extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a mid-foot region of the sole structure, (iii) having a first edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed proximate to a peripheral region of the sole structure, and (iv) a second edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed at an interior region of the sole structure. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the recess and includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with the one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam element.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Nick S Frank, Dolores S. Thompson
-
Patent number: 11896079Abstract: A footwear sole obtained by molding a single polymeric material, the footwear sole includes a lower surface to contact the ground, and an upper surface to support an insole and, on the upper surface, at least one elastically deformable cushioning element. The cushioning element includes an elongated element cantileverly protruding from the upper surface, and a plurality of tabs extending from the upper surface that are arranged around the elongated element, thereby defining a dome. In an undeformed configuration of the cushioning element the tabs are upright, and there is a gap between the tabs and the elongated element, and in a deformed configuration of the cushioning element the tabs are each bent towards the elongated element and in abutment against it. The switching from the undeformed to the deformed causes the area of the bearing surface provided to the insole by each cushioning element to gradually increase.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: GEOX S.p.A.Inventors: Mario Moretti Polegato, Livio Poloni
-
Patent number: 11877620Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a chassis and a cushioning arrangement. The chassis includes a recess formed between a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface. The cushioning arrangement includes a first cushioning element protruding from the first surface and including a first plurality of lobes and a second cushioning element protruding from the second surface and including a second plurality of lobes contacting the first plurality of lobes. At least one of the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element may include a fluid-filled bladder. A first side of each cushioning element includes a substantially planar base and a second side of each cushioning element includes the lobes formed on an opposite side from the base. The base of each cushioning element is attached to a respective one of the surfaces of the recess.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Zachary M. Elder, Jordyn Klumpp, Eric Y. Lee, Fiona L Lesecq, Damian R. Manspeaker, Roger Paul Murphy, Sebastian Tesche
-
Patent number: 11864631Abstract: A force dissipating device in a footwear appliance includes an actuator responsive to a displacement force from a shoe sole surface, and an elastic field of resilient, compressible material. The elastic field is elongated in a direction aligned with the displacement force, and an inclined surface is attached to the actuator and disposed against the elastic field. The actuator is adapted for movement parallel to the elastic field, while the inclined surface is oriented to compress the elastic field in a direction defined by the inclined surface. The inclined surface is oriented at an angle to compress the elastic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to vertical actuator displacement, thus providing a constant region of opposed, compressive force that is generally constant, rather than increasing with displacement distance.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2019Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic InstituteInventors: Christopher A. Brown, James J. Muller, Julia A. Dunn, Alexander R. Alvarez, Kyle R. Mudge, Rachael Naoum
-
Patent number: 11849803Abstract: An adaptive fluid system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The adaptive fluid system includes a fluid chamber that provides cushioning and shock absorption for a foot. The adaptive fluid system includes an adjustable pressure regulating valve that may be used to control the pressure of the fluid chamber. The adaptive fluid system includes a valve that prevents fluid from escaping from a fluid chamber during use.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds
-
Patent number: 11805842Abstract: Presented are footwear sole structures with split midsole designs having peripheral walls for lateral stability, footwear fabricated with such sole structures, and methods for making/using such footwear and/or sole structures. A sole structure for an article of footwear includes mating first and second midsole sections each having a respective midsole sidewall that extends between and adjoins respective upper and lower midsole surfaces. The first midsole section's lower surface has a first waveform geometry, such as an anteroposterior-undulating curviform wave, and the second midsole section's upper surface has a complementary, mirrored waveform geometry that seats therein and intermeshes with the first waveform geometry. The second midsole section includes one or more peripheral walls that extend upward from the second sidewall; inboard surfaces of the peripheral wall(s) abut outboard surfaces the first sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Ross Klein, Kort W. Neumann, IV, Bryan K. Youngs
-
Patent number: 11744322Abstract: The invention relates to a sole (1) of a shoe, particularly of an athletic shoe, wherein the sole (1) has an extension in a longitudinal direction (L) and an extension in a vertical direction (V) perpendicular thereto, wherein a number of recesses (2) is introduced into the sole (1), wherein the recesses (2) extend in a transverse direction (Q) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and perpendicular to the vertical direction (V) and permeate the sole (1) at least in part.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2018Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignees: PUMA SE, MASSACHUETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Matthias Hartmann, Reinhold Sussmann, Federico Casalegno, Hunmin Koh, Yihyun Lim, Yasaman Tahouni, Will Walker
-
Patent number: 11744324Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an article of footwear having a sole structure effective to increase traction on a support surface. The article of footwear includes a sole structure comprising a first sole structure and a second sole structure. The article of footwear includes a forefoot region, midfoot region, and hindfoot region. The first sole structure is disposed in the forefoot and hindfoot regions. The second sole structure is disposed in the midfoot region. An extension of the second sole structure that extends through the forefoot region is substantially covered by the first sole structure. A plurality of lugs extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the first sole structure. At least one lug extends downwardly from the extension of the second sole structure through the first sole structure. The first sole structure and the second sole structure have different durometers.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.Inventors: Michael Glancy, Matthew Cougle, Kris deGrano, Ryan Olkowski
-
Patent number: 11737509Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a plate having a top surface facing the upper and a bottom surface formed on an opposite side than the top surface, the plate extending from a first end in a forefoot region to a second end in a heel region. A first cushioning element is attached to the bottom surface of the plate in the forefoot region and a second cushioning element is attached to the bottom surface of the plate in the heel region, the second cushioning element being separated from the first cushioning element by a first gap formed in a mid-foot region. One or more fluid-filled bladders are each at least partially surrounded by the first cushioning element in the forefoot region and have a top surface attached to the bottom surface of the plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Windra Fahmi, Erin Gleason, Jin Hong, Liao Kuang-Nan, Jaroslav J. Lupinek, Chloe Scott, Stuart D. Pollock
-
Patent number: 11696618Abstract: An article of footwear is provided having an elevated plate structure incorporated in the sole structure and optionally including a fluid-filled chamber. The elevated plate structure can include an upper plate and a plurality of legs extending downward toward the outsole. End portions of the legs can engage an upper region of the outsole. The elevated plate structure can form a cage region that can optionally include a fluid-filled chamber substantially disposed therein. The elevated plate structure can further include a lower plate disposed at an upper region of the outsole, which can form a lower portion of the cage region. Portions of the legs can be integrated with impact-attenuating members in the heel region in various configurations and can provide features for the impact-attenuating members, such as support, impact-attenuation and adjustable impact-attenuation features.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: DeVonne DeVoe, Lee D. Peyton
-
Patent number: 11678720Abstract: A shock absorption shoe, having a sole and at least one shock absorption module each having an outer shell, an inner core, an air cushion cylinder and a bottom cover, and each being connected to an air tube. The inner core is sleeved into a cavity of the outer shell from the top. A position limiting structure is provided between the inner core and the cavity. The air cushion cylinder is sleeved within the cavity. The bottom cover covers the bottom of the cavity. The shoe has a bottom layer, a middle layer and a top layer; the middle layer contains at least one mounting hole for mounting the at least one shock absorption module. The air tube is in an air tube groove on the middle layer, and one end of which is connected to the air cushion cylinder while another end is connected with a nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Inventor: Lahui Tang
-
Patent number: 11672304Abstract: Provided is a shoe sole, wherein ventilation grooves recessed in the thickness direction of the shoe sole are formed in the upper surface part, the shoe sole has a forefoot portion that has an air intake port formed in at least one of a medial side wall and a lateral side wall in the side wall part to be in communication with the ventilation grooves and draw air from outside into the ventilation grooves, the shoe sole has a midfoot portion that has an air outlet port formed in at least one of the medial side wall and the lateral side wall to be in communication with the air intake port through the ventilation grooves and discharge air in the ventilation groove to the outside, and at least a part of the ventilation grooves constitutes an air intake groove extending obliquely rearward from the air intake port.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: ASICS CORPORATIONInventors: Masanori Sakamoto, Kenta Moriyasu, Ayu Bessho, Takayuki Ueda, Kenta Nakaya, Masaki Nakahara
-
Patent number: 11666117Abstract: A bladder for an article of footwear includes a first chamber having a first segment extending along a first side of the bladder and a second segment formed on an opposite side of the bladder from the first segment. The bladder further includes a second chamber at least partially surrounded by the first chamber and disposed between the first segment and the second segment. A manifold is in direct fluid communication with each of the first segment of the first chamber, the second segment of the first chamber, and the second chamber. A web area connects each of the first chamber, the second chamber, and the manifold. The bladder may include a first series of ports formed in the first segment of the first chamber and a second series of ports formed in the second segment of the first chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Kristina Gerig
-
Patent number: 11659890Abstract: An article of footwear having a sole structure including a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid is described, along with a method of making the article. The chamber may include a tensile member extending between a first chamber barrier layer and a second chamber barrier layer. The tensile member may include a first tensile member layer bonded to the first chamber barrier layer, a second tensile member layer bonded to the second chamber barrier layer, and a plurality of tethers connecting the first tensile member layer to the second tensile member layer. The second tensile member layer may include a first section and a second section separate from the first section. In addition, a portion of the second chamber barrier layer may extend toward the first tensile member layer between the first section and the second section, the portion being joined to the first tensile member layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John Hurd, Levi J. Patton
-
Patent number: 11639041Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention are a process for producing an anti-gravity balance massage type buffer convection airbag and an airbag cushion. The production process comprises the steps of preparing materials, laminating, preparing an upper cushion body, preparing a lower cushion body, laminating the upper cushion body and the lower cushion body, and shaping to obtain a finished product. The production process and the airbag cushion can produce anti-gravity and buffer convection effects while increasing the force area, and have the effects of balance and massage.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Dongguan Jiashuan Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Peilin Cai
-
Patent number: 11633010Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an outsole defining a ground-contacting surface, a midsole disposed between the outsole and the upper, and a plate attached to the midsole and defining a recess extending in a direction away from the outsole and toward the upper, the recess including a first retainer. The sole structure further includes a first cushion having a first portion received within the recess, the first portion engaging the first retainer to maintain a desired position of the first cushion relative to the plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Bowman, Lee Gibson, Joël Ryp Greenspan, Dylan Petrenka
-
Patent number: 11607002Abstract: A rapid-entry shoe having an upper, a sole portion, and at least one pocket coupled to a rear portion of the upper and encapsulating a compressed medium that biases a topline of the shoe toward an uncollapsed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: FAST IP, LLCInventor: Craig Cheney
-
Patent number: 11607010Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, a third segment extending from one of the first segment and the second segment and terminating at a distal end intermediate the first segment and the second segment, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer is attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Wesley K. Chan, Zachary M. Elder, Elizabeth Langvin, Lee D. Peyton
-
Patent number: 11553755Abstract: A sole structure for a shoe that can secure cushioning properties and obtain a ground surface information is disclosed. The sole structure includes a first midsole having a plurality of first protrusions on a foot-sole-contact side, an outsole having a plurality of second protrusions on a ground surface side, and a second midsole disposed at a part of a region between the first midsole and the outsole and having a lower compressive rigidity than the first midsole. At least a part of the plurality of first protrusions of the first midsole is located at a position corresponding vertically to at least a part of the plurality of second protrusions of the outsole.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: MIZUNO CORPORATIONInventors: Kentaro Yahata, Hiroshi Inohara, Shogo Matsui, Shin Hirai
-
Patent number: 11547177Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole connected to the upper, and an outsole connected to the midsole. The midsole includes a platform extending along a perimeter portion of the midsole and a lattice structure integrally formed with the platform, the lattice structure including a network of laths.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.Inventors: Alan Guyan, Kevin Fallon, Jason Berns
-
Patent number: 11523657Abstract: Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). The fluid flow control system includes: (a) a manifold body defining an internal chamber; (b) at least a first port in fluid communication with the internal chamber; (c) at least a first valve (including a first valve activator) controlling fluid flow through the first port; and (d) a movable cam at least partially within the internal chamber. Valve activator surface(s) on the cam interact with the valve activator(s) to selectively open and close valve(s) based on cam positioning.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Devin Bailly, Levi J. Patton, Adam Vollmer
-
Patent number: 11517075Abstract: A shoe sole member formed by a foam includes cells having a certain size and being excellent in transparency in order to provide a shoe sole member being lightweight and excellent cushioning properties while having transparency.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: ASICS CORPORATIONInventors: Tatsuro Tanabe, Junichiro Tateishi
-
Patent number: 11470908Abstract: The present disclosure is related to three-dimensionally printed articles for use in footwear and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a closed-cell foam. The closed-cell foam may have a gradient in and/or may be a single integrated material. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a sensor. The use of such arrangements can, according to certain embodiments, allow for the production of improved articles of footwear and/or customized articles of footwear.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Kornit Digital Technologies Ltd.Inventor: Travis Alexander Busbee
-
Patent number: 11457693Abstract: An article of footwear includes a midsole, an upper disposed above the midsole, and an outsole disposed below the midsole. The midsole includes a lattice structure having an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side is a user-facing side and the lower side is a ground-facing side. A first platform is integrally formed into the upper side of the lattice structure. A second platform is integrally formed into the lower side of the lattice structure. The lattice structure extends from the first platform to the second platform.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.Inventor: Alan Guyan
-
Patent number: 11445784Abstract: A force absorbing device for a footwear appliance includes a shoe upper and a shoe sole having a planar sole surface, such that forces between the shoe upper and planar sole surface in ground contact are absorbed by force mitigation structures disposed in the shoe sole. A footwear article includes a split-sole system that redefines a shoe sole as coplanar surfaces having a force mitigating interface for receiving sudden forces and effectively mitigating these forces by storing kinetic energy and releasing it over time. An elastic field in the force mitigation structure is defined by a resilient material adapted to deform in response to the received force. Frictional engagement between the upper and lower sole may also be augmented by surface characteristics such as dimples, voids and lubricants, in addition to interference engagement with an elastic field.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic InstituteInventors: Christopher A. Brown, James J. Muller, Winton Parker, Allysa Grant, Tristin J. Carlton, Nicholas Workman, Michael Doyle, Jessica Shelsky, Jessica K. Y. Cheu, Lorenzo Dube, Pedro D. Oporto, Olivia G. Steen, Andrew R. Vickery
-
Patent number: 11432613Abstract: The present invention relates to a load cell module configured to be insertedly disposed in shoes and a weight management service system using the same. The load cell module comprises: a main case (10) including a load cell accommodating space (11) projected upwardly at one side thereof and a circuit and battery accommodating space (12), which are formed therein; a load cell (20) accommodated in the load cell accommodating space (11); a main PCB (30) including a tilt sensor (31) and a transmission and reception unit (32), the main PCB being accommodated in the circuit and battery accommodating space 12; and a battery (40) accommodated in the circuit and battery accommodating space 12, whereby the load cell module is detachably mounted to a heel part (H) of a midsole (M) of a shoe.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Inventor: Si Hyun Choi
-
Patent number: 11425962Abstract: An article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a cushioning component defining an enclosed, fluid-filled chamber. The cushioning component has a top wall, a bottom wall, a medial side wall at a medial side of the article of footwear, and a lateral side wall at a lateral side of the article of footwear. The cushioning component includes a unitary outsole having a bottom portion, a medial side portion, and a lateral side portion. The bottom portion is bonded to the bottom wall, the medial side portion is bonded to the medial side wall, and the lateral side portion is bonded to the lateral side wall. A method of manufacturing includes disposing the first and second polymer sheets and the outsole in a mold assembly and thermally bonding the outsole to the second polymer sheet, and the first and second polymer sheets to one another to form a chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Brandon H. Workman
-
Patent number: 11382390Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The article of footwear also includes a cable lock disposed within the sole structure adjacent to a bottom surface of the sole structure. The article of footwear includes a first cable having a first section extending from the cable lock to a first anchor point on the upper and a second section extending from the cable lock to a second anchor point on the upper. The article of footwear further includes a second cable having a first section extending from the cable lock to a grip and a second section extending from the cable lock to the grip, whereby the cable lock is operable to retract the first section and the second section of the first cable when the first section and the second section of the second cable are extended.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: George Chiou, Ross Klein, Tate E. Kuerbis, Max Liu, Austin J. Orand, Nuryani K. Sulistyo, Harry Y. Sun
-
Patent number: 11369164Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly includes a unitary, open-celled structure. Specifically, the sole assembly includes a lattice structure having an interconnected network of struts and nodes that cooperate to define voids. The struts and nodes are configured to generate predetermined support and flexure properties within the network. The lattice may be configured as a conformal lattice, being contoured to receive accessories or complementary support structures. The sole assembly may further include an insert formed of compression material (e.g., foam). In operation, the lattice and foam insert cooperate to provide stability and cushioning to the article of footwear.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.Inventor: Alan Guyan
-
Patent number: 11350877Abstract: A smart shoe, smart shoe system, and a method of a smart shoe are disclosed. A smart shoe system may be used for monitoring patient activity. The smart shoe system may include a shoe having a plurality of pneumatic pressure sensors. The pressure sensors may be configured to detect pressure at a plurality of points in the sole of the shoe. The smart shoe may also include a microprocessor coupled to the pressure sensors and a GPS integrated circuit. The GPS integrated circuit may be used for correlating position of the smart shoe system to activity data generated by the plurality of pressure sensors. Additionally, the smart shoe system may include a flash memory storage for storing data generated by the microprocessor and pressure sensors.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State UniversityInventors: Wenlong Zhang, Julie Vuong, Zhi Qiao, Prudhvi Chinimilli
-
Patent number: 11344081Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes an outsole, a plate disposed between the outsole and the upper, and a first cushioning layer. The plate includes an anterior-most point disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure, a posterior-most point disposed closer to a heel region of the sole structure than the anterior-most point, and a concave portion extending between the anterior-most point and the posterior-most point. The concave portion includes a constant radius of curvature from the anterior-most point to a metatarsophalangeal (MTP) point of the sole structure. The MTP point opposes the MTP joint of a foot during use. The first cushioning layer is disposed between the concave portion and the upper.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2021Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Risha Dupre, Emily Farina, Lysandre Follet, Stefan E. Guest, Helene Hutchinson, Geng Luo, Rachel M. Savage, Krissy Yetman
-
Patent number: 11344080Abstract: An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper including a footbed and a sole attached to the upper, where the sole includes a midsole and an outsole. The midsole includes a heel portion, a lateral side and a medial side, and a first member and a second member attached to the first member. The first member of the midsole has a sidewall that extends about a periphery of the midsole. The second member of the midsole has a sidewall that extends along the medial side around the heel portion and along the lateral side of the first member. A first portion of the outsole is attached to the first member and a second portion of the outsole is attached to the second member.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Deckers Outdoor CorporationInventors: Christopher Hillyer, Zack Paris, Kyle Pulli
-
Patent number: 11330863Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole and a midsole. The outsole has upper and lower surfaces. The midsole has a midsole lower surface that contacts the upper surface of the outsole. The midsole has at least one cavity located in a heel or a forefoot portion, which cavity opens to a midsole upper surface. A cushion is located in the cavity. The cushion includes resilient balls located in a resilient matrix material. The balls have a first durometer and the matrix material has a second durometer that is different than the first durometer. The midsole has a lower cavity in the lower surface of the midsole, which lower cavity is aligned with an opening in the outsole. Balls are located in the lower cavity. A retainer keeps the balls in the lower cavity and provides a visual indication of the balls in the lower cavity.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: TWISTED X, INC.Inventors: Prasad Reddy, Tuan Le
-
Patent number: 11317675Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole attached to the upper, and an outsole. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the midsole than the footbed. The outsole has a ground-engaging surface, an inner surface disposed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface, and a wall extending from the ground-engaging surface and surrounding the outsole. The article of footwear also includes a casing containing particulate matter and having a length that is greater than a length of the outsole. The casing includes a first fold at a predetermined location along its length. The casing is received within a cavity bounded by the wall of the outsole and between the bottom surface and the inner surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Scott C. Holt, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Matthew C. Palmer
-
Patent number: 11311076Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure secured to an underside of the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole; a ground contacting outsole surface; and a cushioning system disposed between the midsole and the ground contacting outsole surface. The cushioning system includes a plate comprising an upper plate and a lower plate provided in a spaced relationship. The upper plate and lower plate are integrally connected at a posterior portion of the sole structure. A midfoot fluid-filled chamber is provided between the upper plate and the lower plate within the midfoot region, and a forefoot fluid-filled chamber is provided between the upper plate and the lower plate within the forefoot region.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Nikita Troufanov, Rosa Kim
-
Patent number: 11297898Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a chamber that encloses a pressurized fluid. The chamber includes subchambers laterally extending in a medial to lateral direction of the bladder. A bottom surface of the chamber may include at least one bond that laterally extends across the bottom surface of the chamber from one side edge to another side edge of the chamber in the medial to lateral direction. The bond may cooperate with an indentation in the bottom surface that separates one subchamber from an adjacent subchamber. A diameter of the subchambers may decrease in a direction from a heel region of the bladder to a forefoot region of the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Dolan, Travis K. Ernst, Scott C. Holt, Lisa M. Hovey, Eric S. Schindler, Tamimu A. Shyllon
-
Patent number: 11297895Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate with a foot-facing surface with a recess disposed in the foot-facing surface. An insert plate is disposed in the recess. A length of the insert plate between anterior and posterior ends of the insert plate is less than a length of the recess. The insert plate flexes free of compressive loading by the sole plate when a forefoot portion of the sole assembly is dorsiflexed in a first portion of a flexion range, and operatively engages with the sole plate when the forefoot portion is dorsiflexed in a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range. The sole assembly is dorsiflexed, for example, when the forefoot portion is flexed in accordance with toes bending toward the top of the foot.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Dennis D. Bunnell, Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
-
Patent number: 11291268Abstract: A shoe, in particular a running shoe, may include an upper and a sole unit. The upper is attached to the sole unit such that in a midfoot region there is a gap between a lower side of the upper and a top side of the sole unit. The gap may extend from a lateral side of the shoe to a medial side of the shoe.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: adidas AGInventors: Angus Wardlaw, Zachary Clinton Coonrod, James Tarrier, Heiko Schlarb, Paul Leonard Michael Smith, Warren Freeman
-
Patent number: 11291273Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a shoe (1), in particular a sports shoe. In order to be able to produce the shoe economically and in the process to achieve a particularly good wearing comfort, the invention provides the steps of: a) Producing a shoe upper (2), wherein the shoe upper (2) has an upper region (3) that covers the upper region of the wearer's foot and a lower region (4) that encloses the sole of the wearer's foot; b) Producing a sole part (5), wherein the sole part (5) has a bottom region (6) and a lateral wall region (7), wherein the bottom region (6) and the wall region (7) delimit an upwardly open receiving space (8) for bulk material (9); c) Filling the receiving space (8) with a bulk material (9), wherein the bulk material consists at least in part, preferably entirely, of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE); d) Fastening the shoe upper (2) to the sole part (5) such that the lower region (4) of the shoe upper (2) comes to rest on the bulk material (9).Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2017Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: PUMA SEInventors: Matthias Hartmann, Romain Girard
-
Patent number: 11284666Abstract: A footwear cover that includes a sole portion that includes an inner layer and an outer layer that cooperate to define at least a first interior space therebetween, at least a first bladder member disposed in the first interior space, and an upper connected to the sole portion. The first bladder member defines a bladder interior that includes a non-Newtonian fluid disposed therein. The upper includes at least a first securement strap for securing the footwear cover in a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: TATE TECHNOLOGY, LLCInventors: Jenny T. Morgan, Gerard E. Morgan, III, Cody N. Gifford
-
Patent number: 11253025Abstract: A system and a method of asymmetric shock absorption and torsion cushioning for footwear. The asymmetric shock absorption system providing an upper plate attached to the upper section of the footwear and a lower plate attached to the lower section of the footwear. The upper plate may be in direct contact with or spaced apart from the lower plate. A flexible perimeter band extends around the entire perimeter of the sole of the footwear and permanently connects the upper section to the lower section of the footwear. The flexible perimeter band may have a low-profile and extend around only the perimeter of the upper and lower plates. The flexible perimeter band may wrap around one or more plate to provide for limited horizontal movement, e.g., lateral, longitudinal, or both lateral and longitudinal, between the upper section of the footwear and the lower section of the footwear.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Inventor: Lee James Martin
-
Patent number: 11247425Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a polymeric bladder element enclosing a fluid-filled interior cavity, a first outsole component secured to a bottom surface and to a side surface of the polymeric bladder element, and a second outsole component. The first outsole component includes a first base, and a wall integral with the first base. The second outsole component includes a second base secured to the first base, and a wall integral with the second base and secured to the outer surface of the wall of the first outsole component. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear includes thermoforming the bladder element and the first outsole component, and securing the second outsole component to the first outsole component.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Frederick J. Dojan, Zachary M. Elder, Eric L. Fliss, Samuel Heinzman, Troy C. Lindner, Benjamin J. Monfils, Melanie N. Moteberg, Lee D. Peyton, Eric S. Schindler
-
Patent number: 11219270Abstract: A dual-layered midsole for footwear includes an internal midsole layer and an external midsole layer, which are coupled to and separated by a Strobel board. The internal midsole layer may compress and expand with the movement of a wearer of an article of footwear including the dual-layered midsole, while the external midsole may provide stability and cushion for the wearer. Materials selected for the internal and external midsole layers may provide tuned viscoelastic properties to different areas of the midsole as a function of midsole layer thickness at each sole area.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: LULULEMON ATHLETICA CANADA INC.Inventors: Mark Arthur Oleson, Michael Andrew Notrica, Christopher Ka-Yin Lam, Michael Steszyn, Peter Andrew Hudson
-
Patent number: 11215257Abstract: A shock absorbing system for impact energy dissipation employs removable unitary cells of compressible members in communication with a reservoir and containing a first working fluid. Resilient structural members may be placed intermediate the compressible members to deform responsive to compression to provide both energy dissipation and resilient recovery of the compression cylinders to their uncompressed state.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2018Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Inventor: Kevin McDonnell
-
Patent number: 11166523Abstract: Foot support systems for articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices include a compressor or other gas source used to control gas pressure provided in one or more pressure adjustable fluid-filled bladders used to support a wearer's foot. Additional features relate to fluid flow control systems and methods that include a plurality of valves to control an inflation configuration for supplying gas to the one or more adjustable fluid filled bladders or a deflation configuration for releasing gas from the one or more adjustable fluid filled bladders.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Levi J. Patton
-
Patent number: 11166524Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder system with a first bladder enclosing a first sealed chamber retaining fluid, and a second bladder overlying and bonded to the first bladder and enclosing a second sealed chamber isolated from the first sealed chamber and retaining fluid. The first bladder establishes a ground-facing surface and the second bladder establishes a foot-facing surface of the bladder system. The first bladder includes first domed pods extending at the ground-facing surface and at an upper surface of the first bladder, the first sealed chamber filling the first domed pods. The second bladder includes second domed pods and annular ring pods, the second domed pods and the annular ring pods extending at the lower surface of the second bladder and at the foot-facing surface, the second sealed chamber filling the second domed pods and the annular ring pods.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Case, Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Lee D. Peyton
-
Patent number: 11147342Abstract: Foot support systems include a fluid flow regulator and/or valve that: (a) can operate as a stop valve to stop transfer of fluid between a first fluid container and a second fluid container, (b) can open in a controlled manner to allow transfer of fluid from the second fluid container to the first fluid container, (c) can open to equalize pressure in the first and second fluid containers, and (d) can act as a check valve to enable flow of fluid from the first fluid container to the second fluid container when/if gas pressure in the first container exceeds that in the second container by a predetermined amount. Additional features relate to fluid flow control systems and methods, systems and methods for changing and controlling the crack pressure of a valve (e.g., a check valve), and/or systems and methods for matching foot support pressure features in two different sole structures.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Timothy P. Hopkins
-
Patent number: 11096447Abstract: An article of footwear has a midsole assembly that includes a fluid-filled bladder element having a substantially arc-shaped heel portion and having a lateral arm portion and a medial arm portion spaced from the lateral arm portion. Each of the arm portions extend from the heel portion. The bladder element is configured to be positioned with the heel portion in the heel region of midsole assembly, and the arm portions extending from the heel region to a forefoot region along a peripheral region. A method of manufacturing and a mold assembly for such an article of footwear are provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Margarita L. Cortez, Zachary M. Elder, Lee D. Peyton, Hector R. Quinonez
-
Patent number: 11093989Abstract: A method of manufacturing articles of footwear that includes steps of providing articles to a customer, receiving evaluations of one or more structural characteristics of the articles and making new customized articles for the customer based on the evaluations of one or more structural characteristics. The method can be conducted as a cycle that is repeated each time the customer buys a new pair of footwear.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe