Method and Apparatus for Dynamically Altering a Height of a Sole Assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017196301-A1
Application number	US-201715400216-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 6, 2017
Priority date	Jan 8, 2016
Publication date	Jul 13, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method and apparatus for dynamically altering a height of a sole assembly of an article of footwear uses an actuator having a retraction assembly and a traction assembly. A wedge is moved to different positions within a groove formed in the sole assembly. A user evaluates the performance of the footwear with the wedge at different positions while performing an activity. The user evaluations help determine an optimal height of the sole assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An actuator for an article of footwear comprising:
a wedge; a retractor connected to the wedge and configured to pull the wedge rearwardly within a groove formed in a sole assembly of an article of footwear; and a spring assembly connected to the wedge and configured to provide tension in a forward direction on the wedge positioned in the groove.

2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retractor includes a first cable, a first end of the first cable being secured to an actuator configured to pull the first cable rearwardly.

3 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the retractor includes a frame and a cable guide supported on the frame, the first cable extending through the cable guide.

4 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein a second end of the first cable is secured to the wedge.

5 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spring assembly is configured to retain the wedge at different positions within the groove.

6 . The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the spring assembly includes a second cable having a first end secured to the wedge.

7 . The assembly of claim 6 , wherein a second end of the second cable is secured to the spring assembly.

8 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sole assembly includes a recess extending forwardly from a rear end of the sole assembly.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the wedge includes a projection configured to be slidably received in the recess.

10 . The assembly of claim 9 , wherein each of the wedge and the recess is T-shaped.

11 . The assembly of claim 8 , wherein a liner is seated in the recess, and the wedge includes a projection configured to be slidably received in the liner.

12 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the liner is formed of a polymer.

13 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the liner is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene.

14 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the liner is formed of a ceramic material.

15 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the wedge is sloped upwardly from a front portion to a rear portion thereof.

16 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the wedge has a linear slope.

17 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the wedge includes a plurality of steps spaced from one another, a height of each step being larger than a height of the step in front of it and smaller then a height of the step behind it.

18 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the wedge is sloped with a wave-shaped profile including alternating crests and troughs.

19 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein a height of the wedge varies in more than one direction.

20 . A method of dynamically altering a height of a sole assembly of an article of footwear comprising
positioning a wedge at a first distance from a front of a groove formed in a rear surface of a sole assembly of an article of footwear with a retractor so as to create a first heel height for the sole assembly; evaluating performance of the article of footwear in use with the wedge positioned at the first distance; positioning the wedge with the retractor so that it is positioned at a second distance from the front of the groove so as to create a second heel height for the sole assembly; evaluating performance of the article of footwear in use with the wedge positioned at the second distance; and comparing performance of the article of footwear in use with the wedge positioned at each of the first and second distances.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Leedy Gregory R
• Lu Nam
• Luo Geng
• Strickling Sam
• Wiley Alex

Classifications

• A43B13/148

  Wedged end portions · CPC title

• A43B7/16 Primary

  with elevated heel parts inside · CPC title

• A43B13/187

  Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials · CPC title

• A43B13/188

  Differential cushioning regions · CPC title

• A43B7/144

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