Counter And Heel Supports Patents (Class 36/69)
  • Patent number: 11647807
    Abstract: Climbing shoe comprising: a shoe-upper shaped to accommodate and substantially cover the entire foot of the user; a polymeric-material sole fixed to the bottom of the shoe-upper so as to cover the front part of the bottom of said shoe-upper; and a sagittal tensioning band made of elastomeric material, which connects the toe of the shoe-upper directly to the rear part of the shoe-upper, in the area above the Calcaneus of the user's foot, passing underneath the sole; the sagittal tensioning band being substantially Y-shaped, so as to extend longitudinally along the tarsus-phalangeal portion of the bottom of the shoe-upper while remaining underneath the sole, and then forking into two branches that extend obliquely along the two lateral sides of the shoe-upper, up to reach the rear part of the shoe-upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: CALZATURIFICIO S.C.A.R.P.A. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Heinrich Mariacher
  • Patent number: 11399590
    Abstract: A spine for an article of footwear includes a base extending from a first end to a second end. The spine also includes a sidewall extending transversely from the base from the first end to the second end. The sidewall has a plurality of sidewall supports including a forefoot sidewall support at the first end, a heel sidewall support at the second end, and a mid-foot sidewall support disposed between the first end and the second end and defining a maximum height of the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel T. Maselino, George A. Xanthos
  • Patent number: 11344077
    Abstract: A footwear article includes a collar elevator that returns an ankle collar from a lowered state that is conducive to donning up to a raised state that secures the wearer's foot during wear. The collar elevator includes a lever arm. The lever arm may be deformable and biased towards the raised state. The lever arm may be articulated with a biasing force urging the lever arm to the raised state. The lever arm may have a variety of cross sections as well. The lever arm extends from a base, which may a sole portion of the footwear article. The lever arm and the base may be monolithic, permanently joined, removably joined, or otherwise connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Austin J. Orand, Wade Flanagan, Aaron B. Weast, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Patent number: 11219272
    Abstract: An insole for ergonomic shoes according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, including: a plurality of first polygonal grooves that are formed to be arranged in polygonal shapes on a lower surface of the insole; a first wall portion forming a rim of the first polygonal groove; and a second polygonal groove that is disposed in a pressure distribution portion, which is a part of an inner and lower surface of the insole, and is formed of a rim including a second wall portion having a height lower than a height of the first wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: FROMYITH INC.
    Inventor: Tae Hyung Lee
  • Patent number: 11191320
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a heel system. The heel system may include a heel cage secured to a heel portion of the upper, and a heel counter. The heel counter may extend along the rear of the heel portion to an upper extent above the upper bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Happen
  • Patent number: 11172727
    Abstract: An article of footwear comprises a sole structure, and an upper including a front section and a rear section. The front section is fixed to a forefoot region of the sole structure and partially defines a foot-receiving cavity. The rear section is operatively secured to the sole structure at least partially rearward of the front section, and includes medial and lateral wings. A medial set of magnets includes at least one front medial magnet secured to a medial side of the front section and at least one rear medial magnet secured to the medial wing. A lateral set of magnets includes at least one front lateral magnet secured to a lateral side of the front section and at least one rear lateral magnet secured to the lateral wing. The rear section is movable relative to the front section between an access position and a use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Jared M. Kilmer, Kevin J. Rucier
  • Patent number: 10905192
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: FAST IP, LLC
    Inventor: Craig Cheney
  • Publication number: 20140305005
    Abstract: A heel counter is roughly a U-shaped cup. The bottom of the cup is a support part with the effect of uniformly distributing pressure on the heel. The cup rim embraces the surrounding of the heel to provide protection and stability. The cup rim has several hollow parts to reduce the overall hardness, to enhance comfort by providing suitable elasticity, and to circulate air. The bottom surface of the support part of the cup is provided with arc-shaped supporting elastic plate to alleviate pressure on the heel by absorbing shocks. A midfoot and phalanx support part is formed from the cup bottom toward the midfoot. A lateral longitudinal arc support part is formed from the outer side of the cup bottom toward the midfoot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Torng-Haur YEH
  • Patent number: 8844164
    Abstract: A protective overshoe has a collapsible upper portion attached to a stretchable lower portion with a collapsible sole. The collapsible sole may be coated directly on the lower portion of a fabric overshoe body. The coating may be applied by dipping the lower portion of the fabric overshoe body into a bath of liquid rubber. Separate toe and heel outsole portions may be provided on the rubber coated lower portion of the fabric overshoe body. The lower portion may further comprise a reinforcing heel insert which is adapted to clip on the heel of the wearer's shoe while providing the required form holding properties to maintain an unobstructed heel opening when the lower portion of the overshoe is longitudinally stretched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: 9225-6619 Quebec Inc.
    Inventor: Zain Turner
  • Patent number: 8745901
    Abstract: An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a tongue opening and a heel opening. The tongue opening extends through a tongue of the upper, and the tongue opening is located in a rearward area of the tongue. The heel opening extends into a heel region of the upper. In donning an article of footwear a first finger may extend through an opening in a tongue of the article of footwear. A second finger is located through an opening in a heel region of the article of footwear. The fingers are separated to expand a size of an ankle aperture of the article of footwear, and foot is inserted into the article of footwear through the ankle aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Erin Elizabeth Toraya
  • Patent number: 8677656
    Abstract: A heel counter 4 includes: a support section 43 extending in a forward direction from a back side 1b of an upper 1; a rib 40 extending in the forward direction generally in parallel to the support section 43 at a position above the support section 43 from the back side 1b of the upper 1 along a medial side 11 and extending in the forward direction generally in parallel to the support section 43 at a position above the support section 43 from the back side 1b of the upper 1 along a lateral side 12; and first and second bridge means 41a, 41b and 42 connecting the support section 43 and the rib 40 to each other allowing the support section 43 to support the rib 40, wherein: a foremost one 46b of a plurality of connection portions 46b, 46c and 46e by which the rib 40 and the bridge means 41a, 41b and 42 are connected to each other is provided on the medial side of the upper 1; and the foremost connection portion 46b is located forward of a rear end of a talus bone B8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Asics Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nishiwaki, Kenta Moriyasu, Seigo Nakaya, Kiyomitsu Kurosaki
  • Patent number: 8656612
    Abstract: A heel cup formed from a flexible material is located under the heel region of an upper portion of an article of footwear. Lateral and medial counters extend upward from the heel cup on the lateral and medial sides, with the medial counter having a height less than that of the lateral counter, and with a rear edge of the heel cup being lower than the lateral and medial counters. A rear strap extends upward around the lateral counter and around the Achilles tendon of the wearer, and is secured to a location on the upper that is forward of the wearer's ankle. During cutting movements in which the article is worn on the outside foot, tilting of the wearer foot and ankle toward the medial side pulls the strap and causes the lateral counter to conform to and support the wearer heel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Matthew A. Nurse
  • Patent number: 8555529
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe having a sole element. The sole element includes a sole area extending below a wearer's foot and a heel cup three-dimensionally encompassing a heel of the wearer's foot. The heel cup alone forms at least a portion of a sidewall of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: adidas International Marketing B.V.
    Inventors: Bruno Jean Antonelli, Wolfgang Scholz, Jürgen Weidl, Josh Robert Gordon, Jan Hill, Gerd Rainer Manz
  • Patent number: 8492470
    Abstract: Disclosed are golf balls comprising cores or intermediate layers prepared from thermoplastic compositions having coefficients of restitution equal to or greater than 0.83 and PGA compressions greater than 100. Also disclosed is a composition comprising or prepared from (a) at least one aliphatic, mono-functional organic acid having from 16 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein the organic acid is unsaturated and linear; (b) an ethylene acid copolymer consisting essentially of copolymerized comonomers of ethylene and from 18 to 24 weight % of copolymerized comonomers of at least one C3 to C8 ?,? ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, based on the total weight of the ethylene acid copolymer, having a melt index from about 200 to about 600 g/10 minutes; wherein the combined acid moieties of (a) and (b) are nominally neutralized to a level from about 120% to about 200%; and optionally (c) filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: James R. De Garavilla
  • Patent number: 8475932
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising, or produced from, an organic acid-modified ionomer and silica filler having oil absorption greater than 100 g oil/100 g silica. Also disclosed are articles produced from the composition such as golf balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Peter A. Morken
  • Patent number: 8468721
    Abstract: A shoe structure specifically designed to more securely fit a wider range of feet widths and proportions by providing an integrated resilient heel device in the rearfoot region of the upper. The heel device extends upward and rearward toward the back of the foot to avoid the bulbous end of the calcaneus but also to engage the area just above the heel bone. The heel device has opposing portions that are biased toward one another and provide a secure but comfortable engagement of the shoe onto the wearer's heel. The heel device is smaller than the size of the shoe into which it is incorporated to enhance the biasing effect of the opposing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Susan Sokolowski
  • Patent number: 8399549
    Abstract: Described are golf balls comprising cores or intermediate layers prepared from thermoplastic compositions having coefficients of restitution equal to or greater than 0.83 and PGA compression greater than 100. Also described is a composition comprising or prepared from (a) at least one aliphatic, mono-functional organic acid having from 16 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein the organic acid is unsaturated and linear; (b) an ethylene acid copolymer consisting essentially of copolymerized comonomers of ethylene and from 18 to 24 weight % of copolymerized comonomers of at least one C3 to C8 ?,? ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, based on the total weight of the ethylene acid copolymer, having a melt index from about 200 to about 600 g/10 minutes; wherein the combined acid moieties of (a) and (b) are nominally neutralized to a level from about 120% to about 200%; and optionally (c) filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: James R. De Garavilla
  • Patent number: 8327560
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a midsole secured to the upper. A support plate assembly includes a support member extending along a portion of the upper. A plate extends inwardly from the support member, the plate being positioned between the outsole and the midsole. A groove is formed in an exterior surface of the support member, and is positioned outwardly of the plate and extends longitudinally along the exterior surface of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Berend
  • Publication number: 20120304491
    Abstract: The heel counter structure includes a sole plate provided at least at the heel region of the shoe and having a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is upraised along the heel region of the shoe so as to enclose the lower portion of the heel portion of the foot of the wearer. The heel structure also includes a pair of heel counter portions provided on the medial and lateral sides of the heel region of the shoe so as to sandwich the heel portion of the foot sideways. The heel counter portions are coupled to the peripheral portion of the sole plate at the lower ends of the heel counter portions so that the heel counter portions can tilt inwardly and outwardly independently of the sole plate. The heel counter portions are separated from the peripheral portion of the sole plate except the lower ends of the heel counter portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: MIZUNO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takaya KIMURA, Tatsuya DAZAI, Takao ODA
  • Patent number: 8302329
    Abstract: A heel cup formed from a flexible material is located under the heel region of an upper portion of an article of footwear. Lateral and medial counters extend upward from the heel cup on the lateral and medial sides, with the medial counter having a height less than that of the lateral counter, and with a rear edge of the heel cup being lower than the lateral and medial counters. A rear strap extends upward around the lateral counter and around the Achilles tendon of the wearer, and is secured to a location on the upper that is forward of the wearer's ankle. During cutting movements in which the article is worn on the outside foot, tilting of the wearer foot and ankle toward the medial side pulls the strap and causes the lateral counter to conform to and support the wearer heel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Matthew A. Nurse
  • Patent number: 8296969
    Abstract: A triple density heel cup is disclosed which comprises a generally heel-shaped substrate having a length extending from a heel portion of an integral wall to a front border, which front border in use is adapted to underlie a portion of the arch area of a human foot. The heel-shaped substrate comprises a structural gel layer having a foot receiving surface and a shoe side surface. A generally flat portion of the foot receiving surface will lie adjacent the bottom of a wearer's foot in use and the integral wall which is adapted to lie adjacent the back of wearer's heel and portion of the side of a wearer's heel in use, said integral wall having an apex of maximum height, said wall tapering down in height from said apex toward said front border; The shoe side surface defines a channel formed in said structural gel adapted to receive a reinforcing component which is secured to said structural gel in said channel and is made of a denser material than said structural gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Spenco Medical Corporation
    Inventors: David Bradley Granger, Jacob Martinez, Duane M. Sulak
  • Patent number: 8215036
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole assembly; an upper attached to the sole assembly; a heel counter on the upper, the heel counter having an upper edge and including a first connector portion that extends along the upper edge; and a heel insert removably attached to the heel counter along its upper edge, the heel insert having a corresponding second connector portion that mates with the first connector portion of the heel counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Perry W. Auger, Sergio Cavaliere, Paul Hooper
  • Patent number: 8122614
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with a shoe upper part and an outsole joined to the latter, and also with a heel shell, which at least partially encloses the heel of the wearer of the shoe. To allow the shoe to be adapted to individual needs in a simple and low-cost way, the invention provides that the heel shell is interchangeably arranged in the shoe upper part, wherein it has in a surface region at least one projection or a recess, which interacts with a recess or a projection in the shoe upper part to fix the heel shell in the shoe upper part with a form fit, wherein the heel shell is joined to an insert sole and wherein the heel shell and the insert sole are formed as one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Puma SE
    Inventor: Reinhold Sussmann
  • Patent number: 8109015
    Abstract: A sports shoe, particularly for cycling, comprising a sole and a vamp in which is identified a heel area having a rear part from which extend respective walls juxtaposed and spaced for bilaterally encircling the heel of the user; in the heel area it comprises a pair of presser arms extending like a pincer, each behind the corresponding vamp wall at an upper part thereof, distal with respect to the sole, and located normally above the heel of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sidi Sport S.r.l.
    Inventor: Dino Signori
  • Publication number: 20110308109
    Abstract: A shoe structure specifically designed to more securely fit a wider range of feet widths and proportions by providing an integrated resilient heel device in the rearfoot region of the upper. The heel device extends upward and rearward toward the back of the foot to avoid the bulbous end of the calcaneus but also to engage the area just above the heel bone. The heel device has opposing portions that are biased toward one another and provide a secure but comfortable engagement of the shoe onto the wearer's heel. The heel device is smaller than the size of the shoe into which it is incorporated to enhance the biasing effect of the opposing portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Susan Sokolowski
  • Patent number: 8020317
    Abstract: A shoe structure specifically designed to more securely fit a wider range of feet widths and proportions by providing an integrated resilient heel device in the rearfoot region of the upper. The heel device extends upward and rearward toward the back of the foot to avoid the bulbous end of the calcaneus but also to engage the area just above the heel bone. The heel device has opposing portions that are biased toward one another and provide a secure but comfortable engagement of the shoe onto the wearer's heel. The heel device is smaller than the size of the shoe into which it is incorporated to enhance the biasing effect of the opposing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Susan Sokolowski
  • Publication number: 20110185592
    Abstract: A heel counter 4 includes: a support section 43 extending in a forward direction from a back side 1b of an upper 1; a rib 40 extending in the forward direction generally in parallel to the support section 43 at a position above the support section 43 from the back side 1b of the upper 1 along a medial side 11 and extending in the forward direction generally in parallel to the support section 43 at a position above the support section 43 from the back side 1b of the upper 1 along a lateral side 12; and first and second bridge means 41a, 41b and 42 connecting the support section 43 and the rib 40 to each other allowing the support section 43 to support the rib 40, wherein: a foremost one 46b of a plurality of connection portions 46b, 46c and 46e by which the rib 40 and the bridge means 41a, 41b and 42 are connected to each other is provided on the medial side of the upper 1; and the foremost connection portion 46b is located forward of a rear end of a talus bone B8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: ASICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nishiwaki, Kenta Moriyasu, Seigo Nakaya, Kiyomitsu Kurosaki
  • Patent number: 7975404
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and composition for stiffening materials for use in the manufacturing of footwear using a combination of stiffeners and adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Stanbee Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Goldberg
  • Patent number: 7954259
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe having a sole element. The sole element includes a sole area extending below a wearer's foot and a heel cup three-dimensionally encompassing a heel of the wearer's foot. The heel cup alone forms at least a portion of a sidewall of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: adidas International Marketing B.V.
    Inventors: Bruno Jean Antonelli, Wolfgang Scholz, Jürgen Weidl, Josh Robert Gordon, Jan Hill, Gerd Rainer Manz
  • Patent number: 7954257
    Abstract: A footwear construction including a sole component and shock pods that absorb impact forces caused by activity. The sole component can be a midsole defining at least one shock pod hole that reduces in dimension from a midsole lower surface toward a midsole upper surface. A shock pod can be joined with the midsole, and extend from the lower surface toward the upper surface. The midsole can be constructed from a harder material than the material from which the shock pod is constructed. A outsole can be joined with the midsole so that a lower portion of the shock pod, for example a traction lug, extends through the outsole to form a ground contacting surface. The shock pod and the shock pod hole can be of corresponding frustoconical shapes. A method is provided including joining a shock pod with a midsole, and joining an outsole with the midsole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary J. Banik
  • Publication number: 20110119959
    Abstract: The external stabilizing structure is a structural element for use in work boots and similar types of footwear. The external stabilizing structure comprises a molded footbed of firm yet flexible material that provides external support under both the heel and arch of the wearer's foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Keith Bodner
  • Publication number: 20110113650
    Abstract: A heel cup formed from a flexible material is located under the heel region of an upper portion of an article of footwear. Lateral and medial counters extend upward from the heel cup on the lateral and medial sides, with the medial counter having a height less than that of the lateral counter, and with a rear edge of the heel cup being lower than the lateral and medial counters. A rear strap extends upward around the lateral counter and around the Achilles tendon of the wearer, and is secured to a location on the upper that is forward of the wearer's ankle. During cutting movements in which the article is worn on the outside foot, tilting of the wearer foot and ankle toward the medial side pulls the strap and causes the lateral counter to conform to and support the wearer heel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Matthew A. Nurse
  • Publication number: 20110078922
    Abstract: An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper having a medial side and a lateral side simultaneously formed from a single sheet of material in a thermoforming mold. The medial side and lateral side are joined to each other such that a joint between the medial side and the lateral side extends continuously from a heel portion of the upper to a toe portion of the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergio Cavaliere, Matteo Tessaro
  • Patent number: 7913427
    Abstract: An article of footwear for riding is disclosed. The article includes a second portion of an upper having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than a first coefficient of friction associated with a first portion of an upper. The article further includes a detachable spur member configured to attach to a heel counter of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: D'Wayne Edwards, Sean M. McDowell, Julia Roether
  • Publication number: 20110010966
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a shoe including an outsole, an upper, and a lining member integrated into the shoe. The sling includes a receptacle portion and a fastener assembly portion. The receptacle portion, which generally lines the interior of the shoe, is secured along the collar of the upper such that the sock is movably suspended within the foot cavity. The fastener assembly is includes a central web and fasteners that wrap around the ankle of a wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: STRADA SHOE LIMITADA
    Inventor: Carlos Henrique KRAY
  • Publication number: 20100319218
    Abstract: An article of footwear comprising: a sole assembly; an upper attached to the sole assembly; a heel counter on the upper, the heel counter having an upper edge and including a first connector portion that extends along the upper edge; and a heel insert removably attached to the heel counter along its upper edge, the heel insert having a corresponding second connector portion that mates with the first connector portion of the heel counter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Perry W. Auger, Sergio Cavaliere, Paul Hooper
  • Patent number: 7832122
    Abstract: A heel cup can be inserted into a shoe in order to define a posterior upward projection and lateral wings which surround the posterior and lateral faces of the calcaneum and which, through lateral notches, define a preferential deformation zone at, and in the direction of, the subtalar cone of the tibiotarsal joint. Moreover, a sufficiently-rigid connecting zone connects the posterior upward projection and the lateral wings, thus providing the shoe with good stability while enabling inversion and eversion foot movements. In this way, comfort is increased considerably, while the risk of articular injuries is reduced since the subtalar articulation is contained correctly upon reaching the limit thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Rhenter
  • Publication number: 20100269371
    Abstract: An orthotic insert for a high-heeled shoe may have an asymmetrical heel cup including a depressed central region configured for a heel of a wearer. Features including an elevated medial-side surface along a medial side upper surface declining toward the central region, and a generally longitudinal lateral-side elevation along an upper lateral edge of the heel cup may be configured to provide a predetermined supported calcaneal angle for a wearer, wherein the angle is offset from vertical. An anterior retention structure configured as a rounded hump extending across an anterior region of the heel cup, generally transverse to the elevated medial-side surface, with a middle portion of the rounded hump curved laterally away from a center of the heel cup may be included to prevent anterior calcaneal movement relative to the heel cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Geoffrey Alan Gray
  • Publication number: 20100251573
    Abstract: A shoe having a guard device disposed at or near the second end of the shoe to prevent injury to the back of the wearer's foot from an impact force against the second end of the shoe. Preferably, the guard device has a body member that extends substantially from the bottom of the shoe to the top of the shoe at the second end thereof to protect against an impact anywhere between the sole and the top of the shoe. The body member of the guard device can be made out of metal, hard plastic or rigid composites and be rod-like, a rectangular plate or curved to conform to the shape of the heel. The guard device can be embedded inside the shoe body or be affixed to the outer surface of the shoe body. The shoe can be configured as a conventional shoe, safety shoe or boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Suzeanne L. Marsh
  • Patent number: 7793438
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a shank area located between a forefoot portion and a rear foot portion of the sole, an upper including an inner counter and an outer counter, and a pivot mechanism attaching the outer counter to the sole so as to permit the outer counter to pivot relative to the inner counter at a pivot point located at the shank area of the sole. The outer counter pivots between an open position away from the inner counter and a closed position in supporting engagement with the inner counter. The pivot mechanism may be a mechanical, composite, or living hinge. The article of footwear may further include a locking mechanism for selectively securing the outer counter in the closed position in supporting engagement with the inner counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Busse, William Marvin
  • Publication number: 20100186255
    Abstract: A stability and comfort system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The stability and comfort system includes a bootie and a sock liner. The sock liner may include a heel counter that is contoured to fit a heel. The sole of the article may include an outrigger portion. The outrigger portion can be separated from a central portion of the sole to allow the outrigger portion to move substantially independently of the central portion of the sole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Tom Luedecke, Matthew A. Nurse, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 7757412
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole and an upper, the upper including a seat adapted to nest the user's heel, the seat including a first stiffener, and an arrangement for varying the size or volume of the seat provided by the first stiffener, between an expanded position, for which the volume of the seat is relatively large, and a retracted position, for which the volume of the seat is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventor: Yves Farys
  • Publication number: 20100018081
    Abstract: A heel accessory for a footwear article is adapted to engage a foot support, such that the wearer's legs can be stretched and the back of the wearer's heels can be comfortably rested on the foot support of a motorcycle. The heel accessory includes a base portion connected to the footwear article and a block portion extending from the base portion. The block portion includes an interface that is shaped to correspond to the foot support, such that the wearer's legs can be stretched and rested while riding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Loveder
  • Publication number: 20090113757
    Abstract: A footwear construction including a sole component and shock pods that absorb impact forces caused by activity. The sole component can be a midsole defining at least one shock pod hole that reduces in dimension from a midsole lower surface toward a midsole upper surface. A shock pod can be joined with the midsole, and extend from the lower surface toward the upper surface. The midsole can be constructed from a harder material than the material from which the shock pod is constructed. A outsole can be joined with the midsole so that a lower portion of the shock pod, for example a traction lug, extends through the outsole to form a ground contacting surface. The shock pod and the shock pod hole can be of corresponding frustoconical shapes. A method is provided including joining a shock pod with a midsole, and joining an outsole with the midsole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Gary J. Banik
  • Publication number: 20090100706
    Abstract: An elevated heel sole exercising device for securely receiving the heel portion of a user's shoe, comprising a sole member, an upper member, a means for providing grip to the user's shoe, a means for providing traction to the device during use and a means for securing the user's shoes in place. The upper member comprises a heel-bed, heel counter and a band having elastic and a non elastic portions and extending from the heel counter such that it wraps around the ankle of the user. The sole member has sufficient length and thickness such that the forefoot portion of the user's shoe is elevated off the ground when the user's shoe is received. The bottom section of the sole member is broader than the top section to provide better balance to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Vashone Kyndell Pierre
  • Publication number: 20090094862
    Abstract: The present invention relates to heel stabilizing technology that can be used on many kinds of footwear. This heel stabilizing technology can be incorporated during manufacture of the footwear. This heel stabilizing technology can also be manufactured as a separate component, and then added to many kinds of footwear. The heel stabilizer of the present invention increases the stability of the wearer when walking by minimizing the side-to-side teetering a person experiences when wearing flat heels to any height heel shoe, sneakers, boot, overshoe, galoshes or any combination thereof. Implementation of the heel stabilizing technology results in the heel of the footwear being set to a raised position and then flexed downward at heel strike. The resulting vertical stretch at the heel helps lessen side-to-side teetering of the wearer and thereby increases stability. The disclosed heel stabilizer includes at least one anchoring means, at least one heel lift means, a stretch segment, and a sole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Betsy M. Krauss
  • Publication number: 20090083997
    Abstract: An article of footwear for riding is disclosed. The article includes a second portion of an upper having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than a first coefficient of friction associated with a first portion of an upper. The article further includes a detachable spur member configured to attach to a heel counter of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Nike, Inc
    Inventors: D'Wayne Edwards, Sean M. McDowell, Julia Roether
  • Patent number: 7504448
    Abstract: Disclosed are molded articles such as covers, mantles and cores for golf balls, one-piece thermoplastic golf balls, and heel counters and toe puffs for footwear, prepared from compositions comprising thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic carboxylic acid-based ionomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes and thermoset polyurethanes modified with micropulp produced from organic fibers. The compositions are tougher, stronger, and more scuff and abrasion resistant than typical ionomer compositions. Also disclosed are methods for making golf balls comprising said compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: John Chu Chen
  • Publication number: 20080276497
    Abstract: A method of improving the adhesion of primers and adhesives to the surface of a polymeric material is provided. In this method, the adhesion is improved by modifying the polymeric material with a filler. Preferably, the filler comprises hollow microspheres or nanoparticles. Silica is a preferred filler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Richard T. Chou, Kye Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20080263896
    Abstract: A shoe (1), having a toe section (2), and a heel section (3). The heel section (3), either totally or partly detachable from the toe section (2). Once at least partly detached, the shoe may be easily slipped onto the foot of a wearer, without the wearer having to bend or apply pressure to their foot to install or remove the shoe. In the embodiments in which the shoe is partly detached, the heel section (3) may be rotated relative to the toe section (2), either sideways or downwards. The detachable fastening means (4) may incorporate zippers, Velcro™ or other fastening means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Stanley Chris STYLIS
    Inventors: John Fotis Karandonis, Kaye Eve Karandonis