Cushioning structure for article of footwear

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12569033-B2
Application number	US-202418407966-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 9, 2024
Priority date	Jan 11, 2023
Publication date	Mar 10, 2026
Grant date	Mar 10, 2026

Abstract

A sole structure includes a first support extending along a first axis transverse to a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure and having a first outer sheath including a first sheath material and a first core including a first core material. The sole structure further includes a second support extending along a second axis transverse to the ground-engaging surface of the sole structure and having a second outer sheath including a second sheath material and a second core including a second core material.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
a first support comprising:
a base;
a platform spaced apart from the base;
a first strut comprising a first polymeric material, extending along a first axis passing through a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure, and including a first end attached to the base and a second end spaced from the first end with respect to the first axis and attached to the platform;
a second strut comprising a second polymeric material, extending along a second axis convergent with the first axis and passing through the ground-engaging surface of the sole structure, and including a first end attached to the base and a second end spaced from the first end of the second strut with respect to the second axis and attached to the platform, the second strut being spaced apart from the first strut with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure; and
a first void defined by and extending between the first strut and the second strut;
a second void at least partially surrounding an exterior of the first support; and a cushion contained within the first void and spaced apart from the second void,
wherein the first strut and the second strut each comprises a core and a sheath surrounding the core, the sheath having a greater density than the core.

2 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the cushion comprises foam.

3 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
a first support comprising:
a base;
a platform spaced apart from the base;
a first strut comprising a first polymeric material, extending along a first axis passing through a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure, and including a first end attached to the base and a second end spaced from the first end with respect to the first axis and attached to the platform; and
a second strut comprising a second polymeric material, extending along a second axis passing through the ground-engaging surface of the sole structure, and including a first end attached to the base and a second end spaced from the first end of the second strut with respect to the second axis and attached to the platform, the first strut and the second strut cooperating to define a first void between the first strut and the second strut and being spaced apart from each other with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure;
a second void at least partially surrounding an exterior of the first support; and a cushion substantially filling the first void and spaced apart from the second void,
wherein the first strut and the second strut each comprises a core and a sheath surrounding the core.

4 . The sole structure of claim 3 , wherein the first axis and the second axis diverge in a direction toward the ground-engaging surface.

5 . The sole structure of claim 3 , wherein the cushion tapers in a direction away from the ground-engaging surface.

6 . The sole structure of claim 3 , wherein the cushion comprises foam.

7 . The structure of claim 3 , wherein the sheath includes a greater density than the core.

8 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
a first support comprising:
a base;
a platform spaced apart from the base;
a first strut comprising a first polymeric material, extending along a first axis passing through a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure, and including a first end attached to the base and a second end spaced from the first end with respect to the first axis and attached to the platform;
a second strut comprising a second polymeric material, extending along a second axis passing through the ground-engaging surface of the sole structure, and including a first end attached to the base and a second end spaced from the first end of the second strut with respect to the second axis and attached to the platform, the first strut and the second strut being spaced from each other with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure; and
a first void defined between the first strut, the second strut, the base, and the platform,
wherein the first strut and the second strut each comprises a core and a sheath surrounding the core;
a second void at least partially surrounding an exterior of the first support; and a cushion disposed external from the first void and including an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, the lower surface being coupled to the platform.

9 . The sole structure of claim 8 , wherein the cushion comprises foam.

10 . The structure of claim 8 , wherein the sheath includes a greater density than the core.

11 . The sole structure of claim 8 , wherein the first axis and the second axis diverge in a direction toward the ground-engaging surface.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Baghdadi Hossein A
• Connell Jeremy L
• CONSTANTINOU Jay
• Fakhouri Sami M
• Muth Joseph Thomas
• Tutmark Bradley C

Classifications

• A43B13/023

  Soles with several layers of the same material · CPC title

• A43B13/181

  Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole · 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

• A43B13/188

  Differential cushioning regions · CPC title

• A43B13/04

  Plastics, rubber or vulcanised fibre · CPC title