Footwear having sensory feedback outsole
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorDylan S. Van Atta
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An article of footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to an upper defining an internal cavity configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The sole structure may include an exposed outer member configured to contact the ground, the exposed outer member including a first aperture, and a sensory feedback member disposed at least partially within the first aperture in the outer member, the sensory feedback member including a first end and a second end. The first end of the sensory feedback member may include a projection extending through the first aperture and configured to contact the ground. In addition, the second end of the sensory feedback member may include a plurality of flexible bristles extending through a portion of the sole structure and exposed to the internal cavity.
Claims16
A sole structure of an article of footwear, comprising:
- an exposed outer member configured to contact the ground, the exposed outer member including a first plurality of apertures that extend from a first side of the exposed outer member to a second side of the exposed outer member;
- a plurality of sensory feedback members interconnected by a lattice of connecting members, respective ones of the plurality of sensory feedback members being disposed at least partially within respective ones of the first plurality of apertures and including a first end and a second end;
- and
- a midsole including a second plurality of apertures that extend from a first side of the midsole to a second side of the midsole,
- wherein the first end of respective sensory feedback members includes a projection extending through respective apertures of the first plurality of apertures and configured to contact the ground, and the second end of respective sensory feedback members extends through respective apertures of the second plurality of apertures, and
- wherein each of the plurality of sensory feedback members are coupled by connecting members of the lattice of connecting members to at least two other adjacent sensory feedback members.
An article of footwear including a sole structure fixedly attached to an upper defining an internal cavity configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the sole structure comprising:
- an outer member configured to contact the ground including a first plurality of apertures that extend from a first side of the outer member to a second side of the outer member;
- a midsole disposed between the outer member and the upper, the midsole comprising a second plurality of apertures that extend from a first side of the midsole to a second side of the midsole;
- a plurality of sensory feedback members, each including a first end and a second end;
- and
- a lattice of connecting members extending between respective ones of the plurality of sensory feedback members,
- wherein each of the plurality of sensory feedback members are linked by the connecting members of the lattice of connecting members to at least two other adjacent sensory feedback members of the plurality of sensory feedback members, and
- wherein the plurality of sensory feedback members extend through respective ones of the first plurality of apertures and second plurality of apertures.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.