Sole structure for article of footwear

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023137398-A1
Application number	US-202218049864-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 26, 2022
Priority date	Oct 28, 2021
Publication date	May 4, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an upper cushioning element including a first material having a first durometer, a lower cushioning element including a second material having a second durometer and defining a plurality of first engagement elements, and a plate disposed between the upper cushioning element and the lower cushioning element, the plate including a plurality of second engagement elements cooperating with the first engagement elements to position the plate with respect to the lower cushioning element.

First claim

1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
an upper cushioning element including a first material having a first durometer; a lower cushioning element including a second material having a second durometer and defining a plurality of first engagement elements; and a plate disposed between the upper cushioning element and the lower cushioning element, the plate including a plurality of second engagement elements cooperating with the first engagement elements to position the plate with respect to the lower cushioning element.

2 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first durometer is less than the second durometer.

3 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the second engagement elements are integrally formed with the plate.

4 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the plate is disposed within a socket formed in a first surface of the lower cushioning element.

5 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the plate is exposed along a periphery of the sole structure between adjacent ones of the first engagement elements.

6 . The sole structure of claim 1 , further comprising an outsole that defines a ground engaging element formed of a third material, the ground engaging element being disposed adjacent to the lower cushioning element.

7 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the plate is formed of an elastomeric material.

8 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first material is a first foamed elastomer and the second material is a second foamed elastomer.

9 . The sole structure of claim 1 , further comprising an insole positioned above the upper cushioning element.

10 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the lower cushioning element defines a thickness between a top surface and a bottom surface, the thickness of the lower cushioning element being non-uniform.

11 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
a first cushioning element defining a first peripheral side surface; a second cushioning element attached to the first cushioning element and defining a second peripheral side surface aligned with the first peripheral side surface; and a plate disposed between the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element and including a first portion that extends from the first peripheral side surface and the second peripheral side surface.

12 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the second cushioning element includes a plurality of openings formed through a thickness of the second cushioning element.

13 . The sole structure of claim 12 , wherein a bottom surface of the plate is exposed through each of the openings.

14 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the plate extends from the first peripheral side surface and the second peripheral side surface at a mid-foot region of the sole structure.

15 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the plate extends from the first peripheral side surface and the second peripheral side surface at one of a medial side of the sole structure and a lateral side of the sole structure.

16 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element includes a recess that receives the plate.

17 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element includes at least one engagement element operable to receive an engagement element of the plate to position the plate relative to the at least one of the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element.

18 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the plate includes a second portion that extends from the first peripheral side surface and the second peripheral side surface, the second portion being spaced apart and separated from the first portion by an expanse of at least one of the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element.

19 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the first cushioning element includes a first material having a first durometer and the second cushioning element includes a second material having a second durometer different than the first durometer.

20 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the second cushioning element includes a heel counter at least partially surrounding the plate.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Caldwell Cailee M
• Chen Yuchung K
• Scott Gregory
• Thompson Dolores S
• Troufanov Nikita A
• Webber Jeremy W
• Worobets Jay T

Classifications

• A43B13/188 Primary

  Differential cushioning regions · CPC title

• A43B13/125

  characterised by the midsole or middle layer · CPC title

• A43B13/122

  characterised by the outsole or external layer · CPC title

• A43B13/127

  the midsole being multilayer · CPC title

• A43B13/16

  Pieced soles (with several layers of different material A43B13/12) · CPC title