Article of Footwear with Decoupled Upper

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016015126-A1
Application number	US-201514819732-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 6, 2015
Priority date	Feb 4, 2011
Publication date	Jan 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An article of footwear including a connecting member is disclosed. The connecting member provides partial decoupling between the upper and the sole structure. The connecting member can include an upper layer and a lower layer that are attached at a central attachment portion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
a longitudinal direction extending along a major axis the article of footwear and a lateral direction extending along a minor axis of the article of footwear; an upper and a sole structure; a connecting member including an upper layer and a lower layer, the upper layer being attached to the lower layer at a central attachment portion that extends longitudinally along the connecting member; the upper layer being attached to the upper and the lower layer being attached to the sole structure; the connecting member including a decoupled portion extending laterally from the central attachment portion and including a first free portion of the upper layer and a second free portion of the lower layer, the first free portion being configured to move substantially independently of the second free portion; and wherein the decoupled portion has a lateral width that is substantially greater than a lateral width of the central attachment portion.

2 . The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is configured to compress.

3 . The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is configured to provide shock absorption for the article of footwear.

4 . The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the upper layer and the lower layer comprise a single layer of material that is folded to form the upper layer and the lower layer.

5 . The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the upper is directly coupled to the sole structure at the central attachment portion.

6 . The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the decoupled portion allows a lower periphery of the upper is to move substantially independently of an upper periphery of the sole structure.

7 . The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting member extends through a midfoot portion of the article.

8 . The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting member extends into a forefoot portion of the article.

9 . The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting member extends into a heel portion of the article.

10 . The article of footwear according to claim 9 , wherein a majority of the connecting member is disposed in the heel portion.

11 . The article of footwear according to claim 8 , wherein a majority of the connecting member is disposed in the forefoot portion.

12 . The article of footwear according to claim 7 , wherein a majority of the connecting member is disposed in the midfoot portion.

13 . The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the upper layer and the lower layer are attached at a lateral portion of the connecting member.

14 . The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the upper layer and the lower layer are attached at a medial portion of the connecting member.

15 . An article of footwear, comprising:
a longitudinal direction extending along a major axis the article of footwear and a lateral direction extending along a minor axis of the article of footwear; an upper and a sole structure; a connecting member including an upper layer and a lower layer, the upper layer being attached to the lower layer at a central attachment portion that extends longitudinally along the connecting member; the upper layer being attached to the upper and the lower layer being attached to the sole structure; the connecting member including a decoupled portion extending laterally from the central attachment portion and including a first free portion of the upper layer and a second free portion of the lower layer; a strap including a first end portion attached to the first free portion and a second end portion disposed adjacent to a lacing region of the upper; and wherein the strap can be used to adjust the width of the upper.

16 . The article of footwear according to claim 15 , wherein the strap is an arch strap.

17 . The article of footwear according to claim 15 , wherein the strap extends over a midfoot portion of the upper.

18 . The article of footwear according to claim 15 , wherein the position of the first free portion of the upper layer is adjusted using the strap.

19 . The article of footwear according to claim 15 , wherein the second end portion includes lacing holes for receiving a lace.

20 . The article of footwear according to claim 15 , wherein the strap is attached to the upper.

21 . The article of footwear according to claim 15 , wherein the first end portion of the strap is disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer.

22 . The article of footwear according to claim 15 , wherein the strap is disposed on a medial side of the article.

23 . The article of footwear according to claim 15 , wherein the strap is disposed on a lateral side of the article.

24 . The article of footwear according to claim 15 , wherein a first strap is disposed on a medial side of the article and wherein a second strap is disposed on a lateral side of the article.

25 . The article of footwear according to claim 15 , wherein the strap is a separate component from the upper layer.

26 . The article of footwear according to claim 15 , wherein the strap is integrally formed with the upper layer.

27 . The article of footwear according to claim 15 , wherein the strap is associated with a covering portion.

28 . An article of footwear, comprising:
a longitudinal direction extending along a major axis the article of footwear and a lateral direction extending along a minor axis of the article of footwear; an upper and a sole structure; a connecting member including an upper layer and a lower layer, the upper layer being attached to the lower layer at a central attachment portion that extends longitudinally along the connecting member; the upper layer being attached to the upper and the lower layer being attached to the sole structure; the connecting member including a decoupled portion extending laterally from the central attachment portion and including a first free portion of the upper layer and a second free portion of the lower layer; an opening disposed between the first free portion and the second free portion; a covering portion having an end portion disposed adjacent to an upper periphery of the sole structure; and wherein the covering portion is configured to cover the opening between the first free portion and the second free portion.

29 . The article of footwear according to claim 28 , wherein the end portion is attached to the lower layer.

30 . The article of footwear according to claim 28 , wherein the end portion is attached between the lower layer and the sole structure.

31 . The article of footwear according to claim 28 , wherein the length of the covering portion is approximately similar to the length of the connecting member in the longitudinal direction.

32 . The article of footwear according to claim 28 , wherein the end portion is continuously formed with the lower layer.

33 . The article of footwear according to claim 28 , wherein the covering portion is configured to cover a strap associated with the upper.

34 . The article of footwear according to claim 28 , wherein the coverin

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Farris Bryan N
• Henrichot Olivier
• Pisciotta Jeffrey C

Classifications

• A43B13/141 Primary

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

• A43B23/026

  Laminated layers · CPC title

• A43B3/26

  adjustable as to length or size · CPC title

• A43B13/28 Primary

  characterised by their attachment, also attachment of combined soles and heels · CPC title

• A43B13/42

  Filling materials located between the insole and outer sole; Stiffening materials · CPC title