Footwear With Interchangeable Bootie System

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016353830-A1
Application number	US-201615180502-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 13, 2016
Priority date	Aug 4, 2011
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An interchangeable bootie system includes an article of footwear and a plurality of interchangeable booties. Each bootie includes a support system configured to provide targeted support to different regions of the foot. This allows a user to select a bootie that provides the desired type of support for an athletic activity. An interchangeable bootie system with midsole portions having different types of cushioning systems is also disclosed. This allows a user to select a bootie with the desired type of support and the desired type of cushioning for an athletic activity. An interchangeable bootie and midsole insert system is also disclosed. Each midsole insert fits inside a bootie and includes a cushioning system configured to provide targeted cushioning to different regions of the foot. This allows a user to select a desired type of cushioning for an athletic activity.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A kit of parts, comprising:
an article of footwear; a first bootie including a first integrated midsole portion, wherein the first bootie is configured to be inserted into the article of footwear; a second bootie including a second integrated midsole portion, wherein the second bootie is configured to be inserted into the article of footwear; wherein the first integrated midsole portion is configured to provide targeted cushioning to a first portion of the article of footwear and the second integrated midsole is configured to provide targeted cushioning to a second portion of the article of footwear; and wherein the first portion is different than the second portion.

2 . The kit of parts according to claim 1 , wherein the first integrated midsole portion includes a first cushioning system, wherein the second integrated midsole portion includes a second cushioning system, and wherein the first cushioning system and the second cushioning system are configured to provide different levels of cushioning.

3 . The kit of parts according to claim 2 , wherein the first cushioning system comprises a cushioning element disposed at a portion of the first integrated midsole portion that is configured to provide targeted cushioning to the first portion of the article of footwear.

4 . The kit of parts according to claim 3 , wherein the second cushioning system comprises at least two cushioning elements disposed at a first portion of the second integrated midsole portion and a second portion of the second integrated midsole portion.

5 . The kit of parts according to claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first portion of the second integrated midsole portion and the second portion of the second integrated midsole portion is configured to provide targeted cushioning to the second portion of the article of footwear.

6 . The kit of parts according to claim 4 , wherein the first portion of the second integrated midsole portion is a heel portion and wherein the second portion of the second integrated midsole portion is a forefoot portion.

7 . The kit of parts according to claim 1 , wherein the first bootie includes a first support system configured to provide support to a third portion of the article of footwear and wherein the second bootie includes a second support system configured to provide support to a fourth portion of the article of footwear; and
wherein the third portion is different than the fourth portion.

8 . The kit of parts according to claim 6 , wherein the third portion is one of an ankle portion and a midfoot portion.

9 . The kit of parts according to claim 6 , wherein fourth portion is one of a forefoot portion and a midfoot portion.

10 . An interchangeable bootie system, comprising:
an article of footwear; a group of booties; each bootie of the group of booties including an integrated midsole portion; wherein each of the booties is configured to be received in the article of footwear; and wherein the integrated midsole portion of each bootie of the group of booties provides cushioning for a different region of a foot so that the booties may be interchanged with one another to accommodate different athletic activities.

11 . The interchangeable bootie system according to claim 10 , wherein the group of booties includes at least a first bootie and a second bootie.

12 . The interchangeable bootie system according to claim 11 , wherein the first bootie provides support to an ankle and wherein the second bootie provides support to a midfoot.

13 . The interchangeable bootie system according to claim 11 , wherein the group of booties further includes a third bootie and wherein the third bootie provides support to a forefoot.

14 . The interchangeable bootie system according to claim 11 , wherein the first bootie provides support to a midfoot and wherein the second bootie provides support to a forefoot.

15 . The interchangeable bootie system according to claim 11 , wherein the first bootie provides support to a forefoot and wherein the second bootie provides support to an ankle.

16 . The interchangeable bootie system according to claim 11 , wherein the integrated midsole portion of the first bootie includes at least one cushioning element that provides cushioning to at least a midfoot portion and a heel portion of a foot.

17 . The interchangeable bootie system according to claim 16 , wherein the integrated midsole portion of the second bootie includes a first cushioning element that provides cushioning to a heel portion of a foot and a second cushioning element that provides cushioning to a forefoot portion of a foot.

18 . A kit of parts, comprising:
an article of footwear having an upper and an interior surface; a first bootie including a first integrated midsole portion, wherein the first integrated midsole portion includes a first cushioning element covering a first area of the first integrated midsole portion; wherein the first bootie is configured to be inserted into the article of footwear such that the first midsole contacts the interior surface of the article of footwear; a second bootie including a second integrated midsole portion, wherein the second integrated midsole portion includes a second cushioning element covering a second area of the second integrated midsole portion that is bigger than the first area of the first integrated midsole portion; wherein the second bootie is configured to be inserted into the article of footwear such that the second midsole contacts the interior surface of the article of footwear.

19 . The interchangeable bootie system according to claim 18 , wherein the first cushioning element is disposed in at least one of a midfoot region and a heel region of the article of footwear.

20 . The interchangeable bootie system according to claim 18 , wherein the second cushioning element is disposed in the heel region of the article of footwear and the second integrated insole includes a third cushioning element that is disposed in the forefoot region of the article of footwear.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Hatfield Tinker L
• Heard Joshua P
• Bruce Robert M
• Luedecke Tom

Classifications

• A43B7/1475

  characterised by the type of support · CPC title

• A43B7/20

  Ankle-joint supports or holders · 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

• A43B7/144

  situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone · CPC title

• A43B3/242

  characterised by the upper · CPC title