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US 10,588,382 B2Granted
Article of footwear with channels in sole structure
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorThomas J. Rushbrook
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims16
An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper;
- a sole structure including a distal surface and a proximal surface, wherein the proximal surface is disposed closer to the upper than the distal surface;
- a central cavity formed in the sole structure and having an anterior-posterior axis;
- a first branching side channel formed in the proximal surface such that it is located within the sole structure, and extending from the central cavity to a medial side edge of the sole structure;
- a first tensioning member extending from the central cavity, through the first branching side channel, and along a portion of a medial side of the upper;
- a second branching side channel formed in the proximal surface such that it is located within the sole structure, and extending from the central cavity to a lateral side edge of the sole structure;
- a second tensioning member extending from the central cavity, through the second branching side channel, and along a portion of a lateral side of the upper;
- a rear opening formed in a heel portion of the sole structure and in fluid communication with the central cavity;
- a third tensioning member extending from the central cavity, through the rear opening, and along a rear side of the upper;
- a plurality of medial branching side channels extending from the central cavity toward the medial side edge of the sole structure;
- a plurality of medial tensioning members, each medial tensioning member extending from the central cavity, through one of the medial branching side channels, and along a portion of the medial side of the upper;
- a plurality of lateral branching side channels extending from the central cavity toward the lateral side edge of the sole structure;
- and
- a plurality of lateral tensioning members, each lateral tensioning member extending from the central cavity, through one of the lateral branching side channels, and along a portion of the lateral side of the upper.
11 more elements
An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper;
- a sole structure including a distal surface and a proximal surface, wherein the proximal surface is disposed closer to the upper than the distal surface;
- a central cavity formed in the sole structure and having an anterior-posterior axis;
- a first branching side channel formed in the proximal surface such that it is located within the sole structure, and extending from the central cavity to a medial side edge of the sole structure;
- a first tensioning member extending from the central cavity, through the first branching side channel, and along a portion of a medial side of the upper;
- a second branching side channel formed in the proximal surface such that it is located within the sole structure, and extending from the central cavity to a lateral side edge of the sole structure;
- a second tensioning member extending from the central cavity, through the second branching side channel, and along a portion of a lateral side of the upper;
- a rear opening formed in a heel portion of the sole structure and in fluid communication with the central cavity;
- a third tensioning member extending from the central cavity, through the rear opening, and along a rear side of the upper;
- a first additional branching side channel extending from the central cavity toward the medial side edge of the sole structure;
- a fourth tensioning member extending from the central cavity, through the first additional branching side channel, and along a portion of the medial side of the upper;
- a second additional branching side channel extending from the central cavity toward the lateral side edge of the sole structure;
- and
- a fifth tensioning member extending from the central cavity, through the second additional branching side channel, and along a portion of the lateral side of the upper.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.