# US 10,765,170 B2 · Article of footwear with adaptive fit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,170 B2 - Document ID: US10765170B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/189,208 - Filed: 2018-11-13 - Published: 2019-03-14 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-01 - Assignees: NIKE, Inc. - Applicants: NIKE, Inc. - Inventors: Elizabeth Langvin; Tetsuya T. Minami - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765170B2 ## CPC - A43B 13/141: {with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion} - A43B 3/24: Collapsible or convertible - A43B 3/26: adjustable as to length or size - A43B 9/02: Footwear stitched or nailed through - A43B 9/12: Stuck or cemented footwear - A43B 13/04: Plastics, rubber or vulcanised fibre - A43B 13/12: Soles with several layers of different materials - A43B 13/122: {characterised by the outsole or external layer} - A43B 13/125: {characterised by the midsole or middle layer} - A43B 13/145: {Convex portions, e.g. with a bump or projection, e.g. 'Masai' type shoes} - A43B 13/146: {Concave end portions, e.g. with a cavity or cut-out portion} - A43B 13/186: {Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot (resilient heel not included in the sole A43B21/26; resilient supports for the heel of the foot A43B21/32)} - A43B 13/188: {Differential cushioning regions} - A43B 13/22: Soles made slip-preventing or wear-resisting, e.g. by impregnation or spreading a wear-resisting layer - A43B 13/223: {Profiled soles} - A43B 23/0215: {Plastics or artificial leather} - A43B 23/028: {Resilient uppers, e.g. shock absorbing} - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR ## Abstract A sole includes an outer sole assembly including a plurality of outer sole members spaced apart from each other by a plurality of gaps. In addition, the sole includes a middle sole assembly defining a plurality of grooves, and an intermediate layer comprising an elastomer. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer sole assembly and the middle sole assembly. The intermediate layer connects the middle sole assembly to the outer sole assembly. The intermediate layer is more elastic than each of the plurality of outer sole members. The intermediate layer is more elastic than the middle sole assembly. At least one of the gaps is vertically aligned with one of the grooves. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sole, comprising: an outer sole assembly including a plurality of outer sole members spaced apart from each other by a plurality of gaps; a middle sole assembly defining a plurality of grooves; and an intermediate layer comprising an elastomer, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between the outer sole assembly and the middle sole assembly, and the intermediate layer connects the middle sole assembly to the outer sole assembly; wherein the intermediate layer is more elastic than each of the plurality of outer sole members; wherein the intermediate layer is more elastic than the middle sole assembly; and wherein the plurality of gaps includes a forward central gap that separates the sole between a lateral portion and a medial portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sole according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer extends across at least one groove to separate the at least one groove from a vertically aligned gap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sole according to claim 1, wherein the outer sole assembly further includes at least one connecting member that locally couples two adjacent outer sole members. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sole according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is a TPU membrane, and one of the plurality of gaps is vertically aligned with a respective one of the plurality of grooves. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sole according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer has a different material composition than either the middle sole assembly or the outer sole assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sole according to claim 1, wherein the sole is expandable along at least one of the plurality of gaps upon application of a downward force to the sole. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sole according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is a unitary, one-piece structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sole according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of grooves do not extend through an entirety of a thickness of the middle sole assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The sole according to claim 8, wherein at least some of the plurality of gaps extend through an entirety of a thickness of the outer sole assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sole according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer includes a continuous medial side and a plurality of fingers extending from the continuous medial side toward a lateral side of sole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The sole according to claim 1, wherein the outer sole assembly includes a base sole portion and a peripheral sole portion extending from the base sole portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sole according to claim 11, wherein the peripheral sole portion is configured to wrap up around a lower peripheral edge of an upper. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The sole according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of outer sole members includes a forwardly disposed outer sole member, and the outer sole assembly includes a first tread pad and a second tread pad each coupled to the forwardly disposed outer sole member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The sole according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of gaps includes a peripheral gap partially disposed between the first tread pad and the second tread pad. ### Claim 15 An article of footwear, comprising: an upper including a bottom portion and a lower region coupled to the bottom portion; a sole comprising a middle sole assembly and an outer sole assembly; the outer sole assembly including a peripheral sole portion that wraps up around and attaches to the lower region of the upper; the outer sole assembly including a lateral outer sole member, a medial outer sole member, and a forwardly disposed outer sole member; the outer sole assembly includes a first tread pad and a second tread pad each coupled to the forwardly disposed outer sole member; the middle sole assembly including a lateral middle sole member and a medial middle sole member, wherein the lateral middle sole member and the medial middle sole member are spaced apart by a groove; an intermediate layer connecting the middle sole assembly and the outer sole assembly; wherein the bottom portion of the upper is located inwardly of the middle sole assembly; wherein the intermediate layer is more elastic than the outer sole assembly; wherein the intermediate layer is more elastic than the middle sole assembly; and wherein the lateral outer sole member and the medial outer sole member are spaced apart by a gap. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the gap is vertically aligned with the groove. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the intermediate layer comprises an elastic material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The article of footwear according to claim 17, wherein the elastic material is thermoplastic polyurethane. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the gap extends from a forward edge of the sole to a heel region of the sole, the groove extends from the forward edge to the heel region. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The article of footwear according to claim 15, and the intermediate layer is a one-piece structure.