Sole structure with integrated cleat member and methods of making
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorThomas C. Foxen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sole structure with an integrated cleat member includes a plate member with a protruding portion that forms a first portion of the cleat member. A second portion of the cleat member is attached to the first portion and may be made of a less rigid material than the first portion. A supporting structure can be disposed inside the protruding portion. A method of forming the sole structure can include reshaping a portion of a plate member to form a protruding portion, molding a cleat tip portion onto the protruding portion and molding a supporting structure into a concave inner portion of the protruding portion.
Claims19
A method of making a sole structure for an article of footwear, the method comprising:
- shaping a portion of a plate to form a protruding portion for a cleat member, the protruding portion protruding from a lower surface of the plate and having a convex outer portion and a concave inner portion, wherein the protruding portion includes a tip portion spaced from the lower surface of the plate, and a sidewall extending between the tip portion and the lower surface of the plate;
- forming a hole in the protruding portion, the hole providing fluid communication between the convex outer portion and the concave inner portion;
- and
- molding a cleat tip portion onto the outer portion and molding a supporting structure within the inner portion;
- wherein the cleat tip portion is formed with and connected to the supporting structure through the hole;
- and
- wherein the cleat tip portion at least partially covers the convex outer portion on the lower surface of the plate, and includes a connecting portion wrapping around the sidewall of the protruding portion.
A method of making a sole structure, the method comprising:
- forming a plate to include a protruding portion for a cleat member, the protruding portion having a convex outer portion and a concave inner portion, wherein the protruding portion includes a tip portion spaced from a lower surface of the plate, and a sidewall extending between the tip portion and the lower surface of the plate;
- filling the concave inner portion with a molding material to form a supporting structure, wherein the supporting structure is a lattice structure of intersecting walls with voids between the intersecting walls;
- and
- forming a cleat tip portion on the convex outer portion of the protruding portion, wherein the cleat tip portion at least partially covers the convex outer portion on the lower surface of the plate, and includes a connecting portion wrapping around the sidewall of the protruding portion;
- wherein filling the concave inner portion with the molding material includes placing spacer portions into the concave inner portion and molding around the spacer portions to form the lattice structure.
A method of making a sole structure, the method comprising:
- forming a plate to include a protruding portion for a cleat member, the protruding portion having a convex outer portion and a concave inner portion, wherein the protruding portion includes a tip portion spaced from a lower surface of the plate, and a sidewall extending between the tip portion and the lower surface of the plate;
- filling the concave inner portion with a molding material to form a supporting structure, wherein the supporting structure is a lattice structure of intersecting walls with voids between the intersecting walls;
- and
- forming a cleat tip portion on the convex outer portion of the protruding portion, wherein the cleat tip portion at least partially covers the convex outer portion on the lower surface of the plate, and includes a connecting portion wrapping around the sidewall of the protruding portion;
- wherein the cleat tip portion and the supporting structure are formed simultaneously with each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.