Footwear including sole assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10039343-B2
Application number	US-201615149661-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 9, 2016
Priority date	May 8, 2015
Publication date	Aug 7, 2018
Grant date	Aug 7, 2018

Abstract

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An article of footwear defining a forefoot region, a hindfoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the forefoot region and the hindfoot region, the article of footwear comprising:
an upper;
a sole assembly oriented below the upper, the sole assembly comprising a support structure including:
a lattice structure including a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality of non-linear struts, the lattice structure defining a first side and a second side opposite the first side,
a first plate formed integrally with the lattice structure and disposed on the first side of the of the lattice structure, the first plate forming a flange along a perimeter of the sole assembly on the first side, and
a second plate formed integrally with the lattice structure and disposed on the second side of the lattice structure,
wherein the plurality of nodes and the plurality of non-linear struts define a plurality of generally circular voids within the lattice structure;

a compression element coupled to the first side of the lattice structure; and
an outsole coupled to the second side of the lattice structure.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nodes is arranged in array.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the compression element is coupled to the first plate.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the compression element is a foam member extending from the hindfoot region to the forefoot region of the article of footwear.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the lattice structure is located within the hindfoot region and the midfoot region of the article of footwear.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 5 , wherein the lattice structure terminates within the midfoot region.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 6 , wherein the outsole is coupled to the second side of the lattice structure and the compression element.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein:
nodes of the plurality of nodes are angularly spaced from each other; and
one or more struts of the plurality of non-linear struts extend between adjacent nodes such that a strut from one cell intersects a void of another cell.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the lattice structure further includes a strut extending through a circular void of the generally circular voids.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the first side of the lattice structure is contoured to receive the compression element.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the lattice structure includes a first plurality of rows and a second plurality of rows spanning the structure.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 11 , wherein the first plurality of rows is oriented at an angle relative to the second plurality of rows.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 12 , wherein the first plurality of rows is generally orthogonal to the second plurality of rows.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 13 , wherein each row of said first and second plurality of rows is oriented at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the lattice structure.

15. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the plurality of generally circular voids is generally consistent throughout the lattice structure.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein struts of the plurality of non-linear struts are generally arcuate, curving outward and inward relative to a perimeter of the lattice structure.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein:
voids of the plurality of generally circular voids are full voids; and
the lattice structure further comprises a truncated, semicircular void.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the lattice structure further comprises a hollow strut defining an internal cavity.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 18 further comprising microparticles housed within the internal cavity of the hollow strut.

Assignees

• Under Armour Inc

Inventors

• Guyan Alan

Classifications

• B33Y80/00

  Products made by additive manufacturing · CPC title

• A43B13/181 Primary

  Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole · CPC title

• A43B13/12

  Soles with several layers of different materials · CPC title

• A43B13/186

  Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot (resilient heel not included in the sole A43B21/26; resilient supports for the heel of the foot A43B21/32) · CPC title

• A43B13/141

  with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion · CPC title