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US 10,743,613 B2Granted
Sole structure with piston and adaptive cushioning system
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsBryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Aaron B. Weast
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sole structure for an article of footwear has a sole plate with a foot-facing surface. A piston is disposed on the sole plate at the foot-facing surface. The sole structure includes a cushioning system disposed on the sole plate. The cushioning system has a variable cushioning characteristic, such as hardness or viscosity. The piston deforms the cushioning system and the variable cushioning characteristic varies in response to dorsiflexion of the sole plate.
Claims12
A sole structure for an article of footwear comprising:
- a sole plate having a foot-facing surface;
- a piston disposed on the sole plate at the foot-facing surface;
- and
- a cushioning system disposed on the sole plate and having a variable cushioning characteristic;
- wherein the piston contacts the cushioning system to deform the cushioning system when the sole plate is dorsiflexed and the variable cushioning characteristic varies in response to dorsiflexion of the sole plate.
2 more elements
A sole structure for an article of footwear comprising:
- a sole plate having a foot-facing surface;
- a piston disposed on the sole plate at the foot-facing surface;
- and
- a cushioning system disposed on the sole plate and having a variable cushioning characteristic;
- a rack secured to the cushioning system;
- wherein the piston engages with and incrementally ratchets along the rack in response to repeated dorsiflexion of the sole plate;
- wherein the piston contacts the cushioning system to deform the cushioning system when the sole plate is dorsiflexed and the variable cushioning characteristic varies in response to dorsiflexion of the sole plate;
- and
- wherein the cushioning system is moved transversely relative to the piston via the piston ratcheting along the rack.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.