Article Of Footwear With A Cavity Viewing System

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016242501-A1
Application number	US-201615143891-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 2, 2016
Priority date	Jun 23, 2011
Publication date	Aug 25, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include an outsole and a midsole. The midsole includes a cavity with a protruding portion. A U-shaped or L-shaped transparent member is configured to cover the cavity so that the protruding portion remains visible from within the cavity.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of making an article of footwear, comprising:
forming a sole structure by forming a cavity on a lower portion, the cavity being open on the lower portion, a lateral portion and a medial portion of the sole structure; attaching a bent transparent member to the sole structure, the bent transparent member comprising a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion and wherein the first end portion is bent with respect to the intermediate portion and wherein the second end portion is bent with respect to the intermediate portion; covering a lateral opening of the cavity disposed on the lateral portion with the first end portion; covering a medial opening of the cavity disposed on the medial portion with the second end portion; and covering a lower opening of the cavity disposed on the lower portion with the intermediate portion; whereby the cavity can be viewed through the bent transparent member.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of forming the sole structure includes a step of forming a protruding portion on a surface of the cavity.

3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the protruding portion can be viewed through the transparent member.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of attaching the bent transparent member to the sole structure includes a step of associating a first peripheral portion of the cavity with a second peripheral portion of the bent transparent member and wherein the first peripheral portion includes a lowered peripheral ledge configured to receive the second peripheral portion.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of covering the lower opening is followed by a step of applying an outsole to the lower portion.

6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the step of covering the lower opening further comprises aligning an aperture in the outsole with the intermediate portion such that the intermediate portion is visible through the aperture.

7 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the step of forming the protruding portion further comprises forming the protruding portion on an upper surface of the cavity.

8 . A method of making an article of footwear, comprising:
forming a first opening on a first side portion of a sole structure and forming a lower opening on a lower portion of the sole structure, thereby forming a cavity along the lower portion of the sole structure; attaching a first transparent member to the sole structure, the first transparent member being approximately L-shaped; covering a first opening of the cavity disposed on the first side portion with the first transparent member; covering a first portion of a lower opening of the cavity disposed on the lower portion with the first transparent member; and whereby the cavity can be viewed through the first transparent member.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , further comprising forming a second opening on a second side portion of the sole structure.

10 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising:
attaching a second transparent member to the sole structure, the second transparent member being approximately L-shaped; covering the second opening of the cavity disposed on the second side portion with the second transparent member; covering a second portion of the lower opening of the cavity disposed on the lower portion with the second transparent member; and whereby the cavity can be viewed through the second transparent member.

11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the first transparent member and the second transparent member are joined together.

12 . The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:
attaching a midsole to an outsole, the midsole defining an upper surface of the cavity; and forming a protruding portion along the upper surface of the cavity.

13 . The method according to claim 12 , further comprising:
attaching the outsole to a portion of the first transparent member.

14 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the first side portion is a medial portion.

15 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the first side portion is a lateral portion.

16 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the first side portion is a medial portion and the second side portion is a lateral portion.

17 . An article of footwear, comprising:
a sole structure including a lower portion, a lateral portion and a medial portion; the sole structure including a cavity, the cavity having an upper surface; the cavity further comprising a medial opening disposed on the medial portion, a lateral opening disposed on the lateral portion and a lower opening disposed on the lower portion; and a transparent member, the transparent member being substantially U-shaped; the transparent member being configured to cover the lateral opening, the medial opening and the lower opening;
the sole structure including a protruding portion that extends from the upper surface into the cavity;
wherein an end of the protruding portion contacts the transparent member;
wherein the sole structure includes an outsole that is associated with the lower portion and wherein the outsole includes an aperture that is disposed on the transparent member.

18 . The article of footwear of claim 17 , wherein the cavity includes an upper surface, a first sidewall surface, and a second sidewall surface.

19 . The article of footwear of claim 18 , wherein the cavity includes a first peripheral portion associated with the edges of the upper surface, the first sidewall surface, and the second sidewall surface, and wherein a lowered peripheral ledge extends around the cavity proximate the first peripheral portion.

20 . The article of footwear of claim 19 , wherein the lowered peripheral ledge is configured to receive the transparent member such that the transparent member is substantially flush with the lower portion, the lateral portion, and the medial portion.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Sills Craig K

Classifications

• A43B13/146

  Concave end portions, e.g. with a cavity or cut-out portion · CPC title

• A43B13/143

  provided with wedged, concave or convex end portions, e.g. for improving roll-off of the foot · CPC title

• A43B13/04

  Plastics, rubber or vulcanised fibre · CPC title

• A43B13/125 Primary

  characterised by the midsole or middle layer · CPC title

• A43B13/181

  Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole · CPC title