Article of footwear with channels in sole structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9907361-B2
Application number	US-201414445621-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 29, 2014
Priority date	Jul 29, 2014
Publication date	Mar 6, 2018
Grant date	Mar 6, 2018

Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure. A set of tensioning members extend over the upper and into channels formed in the sole structure. The tensioning members travel through the channels and exit a rear opening of the sole structure where they may be tensioned using a manual or automatic tensioning device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper and a sole structure; the sole structure including a distal surface and a proximal surface, wherein the proximal surface is disposed closer to the upper than the distal surface; the sole structure further including a central longitudinal channel that extends forwardly from a rearmost edge of the sole structure; the sole structure including at least one branching side channel that extends from the central longitudinal channel to a side edge of the sole structure, the at least one branching side channel being formed in the proximal surface such that it is located within the sole structure; at least one tensioning member including a first portion, a second portion and a third portion; the first portion of the at least one tensioning member being disposed within the central longitudinal channel; the second portion of the at least one tensioning member being disposed within the at least one branching side channel; the third portion of the at least one tensioning member extending along a portion of the upper; wherein the at least one tensioning member can be pulled through the central longitudinal channel and the at least one branching side channel to apply tension to the upper; and wherein the central longitudinal channel and the at least one branching side channel are open on the proximal surface of the sole structure; wherein the central longitudinal channel extends substantially along a longitudinal direction of the article of footwear, the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear being defined as an axis of the article of footwear that extends from a front area of the article of footwear associated with a wearer's toes to a rear area of the article of footwear associated with a wearer's heel; and the at least one branching side channel extends at least partially along a lateral direction of the article of footwear, the lateral direction of the article of footwear being defined as an axis of the article of footwear that extends from a lateral side of the article of footwear to a medial side of the article of footwear.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the sole structure includes two or more branching side channels, and wherein every branching side channel of the sole structure extends to the side edge.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 2 , wherein the side edge is a lateral side edge.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the sole structure includes two branching side channels.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 4 , wherein the sole structure includes three or more branching side channels.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 4 , wherein a first branching side channel forms a first angle with the central longitudinal channel and wherein a second branching side channel forms a second angle with the central longitudinal channel and wherein the first angle is substantially greater than 0 degrees and substantially less than 180 degrees and wherein the second angle is substantially greater than 0 degrees and substantially less than 180 degrees.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 6 , wherein the first angle and the second angle are approximately equal.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 6 , wherein the first angle and the second angle are different.

9. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper and a sole structure; the sole structure including a distal surface and a proximal surface, wherein the proximal surface is disposed closer to the upper than the distal surface; the sole structure further including a central longitudinal channel that extends forwardly from a rearmost edge of the sole structure; the sole structure including at least one branching side channel that extends from the central longitudinal channel to a side edge of the sole structure; at least one tensioning member including a first portion, a second portion and a third portion; the first portion being disposed within the central longitudinal channel; the second portion being disposed within the at least one branching side channel; the third portion extending along a portion of the upper; wherein the at least one tensioning member can be pulled through the central longitudinal channel and the at least one branching side channel to apply tension to the upper; the central longitudinal channel having a first width, the first width being defined as a distance across the central longitudinal channel in a direction perpendicular to a direction that the at least one tensioning member moves when it is pulled through the central longitudinal channel to apply tension to the upper; the at least one branching side channel having a second width, the second width being defined as a distance across the at least one branching side channel in a direction perpendicular to a direction that the at least one tensioning member moves when it is pulled through the at least one branching side to apply tension to the upper; and wherein the first width is approximately equal to the second width; wherein the central longitudinal channel extends substantially along a longitudinal direction of the article of footwear, the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear being defined as an axis of the article of footwear that extends from a front area of the article of footwear associated with a wearer's toes to a rear area of the article of footwear associated with a wearer's heel; and the at least one branching side channel extends at least partially along a lateral direction of the article of footwear, the lateral direction of the article of footwear being defined as an axis of the article of footwear that extends from a lateral side of the article of footwear to a medial side of the article of footwear.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 9 , wherein a ratio of the first width to the second width is between 0.5 and 1.5.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 9 , wherein a ratio of the first width to the second width is between 0.8 and 1.2.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 9 , wherein a ratio of the first width to the second width is between 0.9 and 1.1.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 9 , wherein the central longitudinal channel and the at least one branching side channel have similar depths, where the depths are measured from the proximal surface of the sole structure.

14. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper and a sole structure; the sole structure further including a central longitudinal channel that extends forwardly from a rearmost edge of the sole structure; the sole structure including at least one branching side channel that extends from the central longitudinal channel to a side edge of the sole structure, the at least one branching side channel being formed in a proximal surface of the sole structure such that it is located within the sole structure; at least one tensioning member extending through the central longitudinal channel and the at least one branching side channel, wherein a portion of the at least one tensioning member is disposed on the upper; wherein the at least one tensioning member can be pulled through the central longitudinal channel and the at least one branching side channel to apply tension to the upper; the central longitudinal channel having a first width, the at least one tensioning member having a second width and the article or footwear having a third width associated with the minimum width of the article of footwear; and wherein a first ratio of the third width to the second width is greater than a second ratio of the third width to the first width; and wherein the fir

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Rushbrook Thomas J

Classifications

• A43C11/002 Primary

  Fastenings using stretchable material attached to cuts in the uppers · CPC title

• A43C1/06

  tightened by draw-strings · CPC title

• A43B11/00

  Footwear with arrangements to facilitate putting-on or removing, e.g. with straps · CPC title

• A43C11/165

  characterised by a spool, reel or pulley for winding up cables, laces or straps by rotation · CPC title

• A43C11/00

  Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes (dress fastenings in general A44B) · CPC title