Articles of footwear with adjustable dimensions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11903441-B2
Application number	US-202117142876-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 6, 2021
Priority date	Jan 7, 2020
Publication date	Feb 20, 2024
Grant date	Feb 20, 2024

Abstract

This disclosure is directed to articles of footwear with adjustable dimensions. More specifically, the articles of footwear disclosed herein include sole structures with adjustable dimensions. In some instances, an article of footwear includes one or more removable insert members configured for adjusting the dimensions of a foot-receiving cavity of the article of footwear. Additionally or alternatively, a sole structure can include one or more flexible portions that can move between compressed and expanded states to accommodate feet of various dimensions. To accommodate the adjustable dimensions of the sole structures, an upper of the article of footwear can be stretchable.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An article of footwear comprising:
an upper;
a sole structure coupled to the upper and forming a foot-receiving cavity therebetween, wherein the sole structure comprises:
a main body positioned underneath the upper for supporting a wearer's foot; and
a plurality of flexible extension members extending from sides of the main body, and

one or more securing elements separate from the upper,
wherein the plurality of flexible extension members includes a medial extension member, a lateral extension member, and a toe extension member, wherein the medial extension member is disposed adjacent a medial section of the upper, wherein the lateral extension member is disposed adjacent a lateral section of the upper, wherein the toe extension member is disposed adjacent a toe section of the upper, wherein the plurality of flexible extension members are foldable between a compressed state and an expanded state, wherein in the expanded state, the plurality of flexible extension members comprise one or more lower portions that are flush with an inferior-most surface of the main body to form a ground contacting surface, wherein in the compressed state, the medial extension member and the lateral extension member extend at least partially over the upper, and wherein the one or more securing elements are adjustably coupled to the plurality of flexible extension members and configured to pull the medial extension member upward toward the compressed state.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the one or more securing elements comprise one or more of laces, straps, bands, and cords.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of extension members comprises one or more openings configured for receiving the one or more securing elements.

4. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the medial extension member is movable relative to the lateral extension member.

5. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the sole structure includes an outsole, and wherein the plurality of flexible extension members and the outsole comprise the same material as one another.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein at least one securing element of the one or more securing elements is adjustably coupled to each of the medial extension member and the lateral extension member.

7. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the upper extends continuously between a medial side of the sole structure and a lateral side of the sole structure and from a midfoot portion of the footwear to a forefront portion of the footwear.

8. An article of footwear comprising:
an upper;
a sole structure coupled to the upper and comprising:
a main body positioned underneath the upper; and
a plurality of extension members extending from sides of the main body, and

one or more securing elements separate from the upper and adjustably coupled to the plurality of extension members,
wherein the main body comprises an outsole positioned underneath the upper for supporting a wearer's foot and for contacting a ground surface,
wherein the plurality of extension members is coupled to and extends from the main body and are foldable between a compressed state and an expanded state,
wherein in the expanded state, the plurality of extension members comprises one or more lower portions that are flush with an inferior-most surface of the main body to form a ground contacting surface,
wherein in the compressed state, each extension member of the plurality of extension members extends at least partially over the upper and the one or more lower portions of the plurality of extension members are pulled upward around the upper,
wherein the plurality of extension members includes a medial extension member, a lateral extension member, and a toe extension member,
wherein the medial extension member is disposed adjacent a medial section of the upper,
wherein the lateral extension member is disposed adjacent a lateral section of the upper, and
wherein the toe extension member is disposed adjacent a toe section of the upper.

9. The article of footwear of claim 8 , wherein the one or more securing elements comprise one or more of laces, straps, bands, and cords.

10. The article of footwear of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of extension members comprises one or more openings configured for receiving the one or more securing elements.

11. The article of footwear of claim 8 , wherein moving the medial extension member and the lateral extension member from the compressed state to the expanded state increases a width of the article of footwear, and wherein moving the toe extension member from the compressed state to the expanded state increases a length of the article of footwear.

12. The article of footwear of claim 11 , wherein the outsole extends from the main body to the medial extension member, the lateral extension member, and the toe extension member.

13. The article of footwear of claim 12 , wherein the medial extension member, the lateral extension member, and the toe extension member comprise a fabric, and wherein the outsole is coupled to the fabric.

14. The article of footwear of claim 8 , wherein at least one securing element of the one or more securing elements is adjustably coupled to each of the medial extension member and the lateral extension member.

15. The article of footwear of claim 8 , wherein the upper comprises a contiguous layer that substantially covers a dorsal portion of the wearer's foot and that extends around a heel of the wearer's foot when the article of footwear is worn by the wearer.

16. An article of footwear comprising:
an upper formed from a stretchable fabric;
a sole structure coupled to the upper and comprising:
a main body; and
a plurality of flexible extension members extending from sides of the main body, and

one or more laces adjustably coupled to the plurality of flexible extension members,
wherein the main body comprises an outsole positioned underneath the upper for supporting a wearer's foot and for contacting a ground surface,
wherein the plurality of flexible extension members is coupled to and extends from the main body and is foldable between a folded state and an unfolded state,
wherein in the folded state, a ground contacting surface of the sole structure comprises a first size,
wherein in the unfolded state, the ground contacting surface of the sole structure comprises a second size, which is larger than the first size,
wherein the plurality of flexible extension members includes a medial extension member and a lateral extension member,
wherein the medial extension member is disposed adjacent a medial section of the upper,
wherein the lateral extension member is disposed adjacent a lateral section of the upper,
wherein the one or more laces extend directly between the medial extension member and the lateral extension member, and
wherein the upper comprises a contiguous layer that substantially covers a dorsal portion of the wearer's foot and that extends around a heel of the wearer's foot when the article of footwear is worn by the wearer.

17. The article of footwear of claim 16 , wherein tightening the one or more laces moves the plurality of flexible extension members from the unfolded state to the folded state, and wherein loosening the one or more laces moves the plurality of flexible extension members from the folded state to the unfolded state.

18. The article of footwear of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of flexible extension members comprises one or more openings configured for re

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Davis Ami M
• Gearhardt Daniel J
• Haines Michelle
• Kim George S
• Maddox Ryan J
• Orand Austin J
• Ramsay Richard S
• Sowers Sarah E
• Williams Ii Peter P
• Boyd Patrick D

Classifications

• A43B13/141 Primary

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

• A43B3/246

  characterised by the sole · CPC title

• A43B3/26 Primary

  adjustable as to length or size · CPC title

• A43B5/0488

  with an upper made of flexible material, e.g. leather (A43B5/0401, A43B5/002 take precedence) · CPC title

• A43B3/06

  Shoes with flaps; Footwear with divided uppers · CPC title