Base layer for footwear and method of manufacturing same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11930889-B2
Application number	US-202017076381-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 21, 2020
Priority date	Aug 10, 2017
Publication date	Mar 19, 2024
Grant date	Mar 19, 2024

Abstract

A strobel for an article of footwear includes a base layer and an upper layer formed of a polymer material covering a portion of the top surface of the base layer, leaving a portion of the top surface of the base layer exposed about an entire periphery of the base layer. The upper layer is directly bonded to the base layer without any fastening members. A method of forming the strobel is also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A strobel for an article of footwear comprising:
a base layer having a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a heel portion; and
an upper layer formed of a polymer material covering a portion of a top surface of the base layer;
wherein the upper layer is directly bonded to the base layer in each of the forefoot portion, the midfoot portion, and the heel portion without any fastening members;
wherein another portion of the top surface of the base layer remains exposed about an entire periphery of the base layer; and
wherein the base layer has a central aperture extending therethrough, wherein the polymer material extends through the central aperture.

2. The strobel of claim 1 , wherein the base layer is a single piece.

3. The strobel of claim 1 , wherein the base layer comprises a first piece forming a medial side of the base layer and a second piece forming a lateral side of the base layer.

4. The strobel of claim 3 , wherein the first piece and the second piece are secured to one another by stitching.

5. The strobel of claim 1 , wherein the polymer material is polyurethane.

6. The strobel of claim 1 , wherein the polymer material comprises silicone, foamed rubber, or blown rubber.

7. The strobel of claim 1 , wherein the base layer is formed of a non-woven polymer.

8. The strobel of claim 7 , wherein the non-woven polymer is polyester.

9. The strobel of claim 1 , wherein the base layer comprises nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane, or cotton.

10. The strobel of claim 1 , wherein outer edges of the upper layer are radiused and lack a sharp corner.

11. A strobel for an article of footwear comprising:
a base layer having a top surface, a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a heel portion; and
an upper layer, formed of a polymer material, having a bottom surface and an outer boundary;
wherein portions of the bottom surface adjacent the outer boundary are directly bonded to regions of the top surface in the forefoot portion, the midfoot portion, and the heel portion;
wherein regions of the top surface extend outside of the outer boundary; and
wherein the base layer has a central aperture extending therethrough, wherein the polymer material extends through the central aperture.

12. The strobel of claim 11 , wherein the upper layer is directly bonded to the base layer without adhesive.

13. The strobel of claim 11 , wherein the upper layer and the base layer lack stitching securing the upper layer to the base layer.

14. The strobel of claim 11 , wherein the upper layer and the base layer lack separate fastening members securing the upper layer to the base layer.

15. The strobel of claim 11 , wherein the base layer comprises a first piece forming a medial side of the base layer and a second piece forming a lateral side of the base layer.

16. The strobel of claim 11 , wherein the base layer is formed from a material comprising polyester, nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane, or cotton.

17. The strobel of claim 11 , wherein the polymer material comprises polyurethane, silicone, foamed rubber, or blown rubber.

18. The strobel of claim 11 , wherein outer edges of the upper layer are radiused and lack a sharp corner.

19. A strobel for an article of footwear comprising:
a base layer having a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a heel portion; and
an upper layer formed of a polymer material covering a portion of a top surface of the base layer;
wherein the upper layer is directly bonded to the base layer in each of the forefoot portion, the midfoot portion, and the heel portion without any fastening members; and
wherein another portion of the top surface of the base layer remains exposed about an entire periphery of the base layer;
wherein the base layer is in the form of a ring having a central aperture extending therethrough;
wherein the ring comprises a first piece forming a medial side of the base layer and a second piece forming a lateral side of the base layer; and
wherein the first piece and the second piece are secured to one another by stitching.

Assignees

• Converse Inc

Inventors

• Li Zhiqiang
• Martin Daniel Joshua

Classifications

• A43B9/02 Primary

  Footwear stitched or nailed through · CPC title

• A43B1/02

  made of fibres or fabrics made therefrom · CPC title

• A43B13/04

  Plastics, rubber or vulcanised fibre · CPC title

• A43B13/12

  Soles with several layers of different materials · CPC title

• A43B13/38

  Built-in insoles joined to uppers during the manufacturing process, e.g. structural insoles; Insoles glued to shoes during the manufacturing process · CPC title