Ground-engaging structures for articles of footwear

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11864622-B2
Application number	US-202217893897-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 23, 2022
Priority date	May 22, 2015
Publication date	Jan 9, 2024
Grant date	Jan 9, 2024

Abstract

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a matrix structure extending at least partially across the open space at least at the forefoot support area to define an open cellular construction with plural open cells in the open space at least at the forefoot support area. A plurality of these open cells of the open cellular construction have openings with curved perimeters and no distinct corners. Additional aspects of this invention relate to ground-engaging components that are very lightweight yet very stiff, particularly in the forefoot support area. Two or more sizes of the ground-engaging components may be provided with substantially constant forefoot stiffness (optionally substantially constant over a size run).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A ground-engaging component for an article of footwear, comprising:
an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an upper-facing surface and a ground-facing surface opposite the upper-facing surface, and wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an interior area at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component; and
a matrix structure extending from the outer perimeter boundary rim and at least partially across the interior area at least at the forefoot support area to define an open cellular construction with plural open cells across the interior area at least at the forefoot support area,
wherein the matrix structure further defines:
a first cleat support area between a lateral side of the outer perimeter boundary rim and a medial side of the outer perimeter boundary rim, or
a first cleat support area at the ground-facing surface of the outer perimeter boundary rim,

wherein a primary traction element engages with the matrix structure at the first cleat support area;
wherein the matrix structure further defines a plurality of secondary traction elements dispersed around the first cleat support area,
wherein the primary traction element comprises a track spike engaged with the matrix structure at the first cleat support area;
wherein the ground-engaging component includes at least one of the following sets of properties:

Property Set
Size Range (inches)

Weight (grams)

A
  9 to 9.25
Less than 60 grams

B
9.25 to 9.5 
Less than 62 grams

C
 9.5 to 9.75
Less than 64 grams

D
 9.75 to 10.125
Less than 68 grams

E
10.125 to 10.438
Less than 71 grams

F
10.438 to 10.75 
Less than 75 grams

G
 10.75 to 11.125
Less than 78 grams

H
11.125 to 11.41 
Less than 82 grams

I
11.41 to 11.72
Less than 88 grams

J
11.72 to 12.03
Less than 94 grams

Size/Weight Ratio

(inches/grams)

K
  9 to 9.25
At least 0.145

L
9.25 to 9.5 
At least 0.145

M
 9.5 to 9.75
At least 0.145

N
 9.75 to 10.125
At least 0.14 

O
10.125 to 10.438
At least 0.14 

P
10.438 to 10.75 
At least 0.135

Q
 10.75 to 11.125
At least 0.135

R
11.125 to 11.41 
At least 0.13 

S
11.41 to 11.72
At least 0.125

T
11.72 to 12.03
At least 0.12 

wherein the “size range” corresponds to a longitudinal length of the ground-engaging component, wherein the “weight” corresponds to a weight of the outer perimeter boundary rim and the matrix structure of the ground-engaging component alone, excluding the primary and secondary traction elements, and wherein the “size/weight ratio” corresponds to a ratio of the longitudinal length of the ground-engaging component (in inches) to the weight (in grams).

2. The ground-engaging component according to claim 1 , wherein the ground-engaging component extends to support an entire plantar surface of a wearer's foot.

3. The ground-engaging component according to claim 1 , wherein the first cleat support area is between a lateral side of the outer perimeter boundary rim and a medial side of the outer perimeter boundary rim.

4. The ground-engaging component according to claim 1 , wherein the first cleat support area is at the ground-facing surface of the outer perimeter boundary rim.

5. The ground-engaging component according to claim 1 , wherein the matrix structure further defines a plurality of cleat support areas located at one or more of the following: (a) at or near the ground-facing surface of the outer perimeter boundary rim, (b) at least partially within the interior area, or (c) completely within the interior area.

6. The ground-engaging component according to claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of track spikes engaged with the plurality of cleat support areas such that each cleat support area supports a single track spike.

7. A set of ground-engaging components for articles of footwear of varying footwear sizes, comprising:
(a) a first ground-engaging component of a first standard size including: (i) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the first ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim of the first ground-engaging component defines an upper-facing surface and a ground-facing surface opposite the upper-facing surface, and wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim of the first ground-engaging component defines an interior area at least at a forefoot support area of the first ground-engaging component, and (ii) a matrix structure extending from the outer perimeter boundary rim and at least partially across the interior area of the first ground-engaging component at least at the forefoot support area of the first ground-engaging component to define an open cellular construction with plural open cells across the interior area at least at the forefoot support area of the first ground-engaging component; and
(b) a second ground-engaging component of a second standard size including: (i) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the second ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim of the secon

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Amos Michael S
• Follet Lysandre
• Foxen Thomas
• Hurd John
• Kohatsu Shane S
• Lindner Troy C
• Rasca Jonathan
• Vinet Andrea

Classifications

• A43B13/122 Primary

  characterised by the outsole or external layer · CPC title

• A43B1/0009 Primary

  made at least partially of alveolar or honeycomb material · CPC title

• A43B5/02

  Football boots {or shoes, i.e. for soccer, football or rugby} · CPC title

• A43B5/06

  Running shoes; Track shoes · 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