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US 11,122,861 B2Granted
Heel counter
AssigneeUnder Armour, Inc.
InventorChristian Tresser
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A heel counter for an article of footwear is disclosed. The heel counter includes an outer frame member and an inner elastic member. The heel counter may also include wing portions that extend up to a lacing region of the article of footwear. The wing portions may have eyelets that can be engaged by a lace. As the lace is tightened, the outer frame member is pulled forward to lock down the foot while the inner elastic member stretches and conforms to the heel to provide increased support.
Claims20
A heel counter for an article of footwear, the heel counter comprising:
- a rearward portion, a first wing portion extending from a first side of the rearward portion, and a second wing portion extending from a second side of the rearward portion;
- the heel counter further comprising:
- an outer frame member;
- an inner elastic member;
- wherein the outer frame member includes a rearward portion with a cut-out, and wherein the inner elastic member is exposed through the cut-out;
- wherein the first wing portion includes an eyelet that extends through both the inner elastic member and the outer frame member;
- and
- wherein the inner elastic member is made of a stretchable fabric and wherein the outer frame member is made of a non-stretchable material.
5 more elements
An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper;
- a sole structure attached to the upper;
- a heel counter disposed on an exterior of the upper in a heel region, the heel counter further comprising an outer frame member and an inner elastic member;
- wherein the outer frame member includes a rearward portion with a cut-out, and wherein the inner elastic member is exposed through the cut-out;
- wherein the heel counter includes an uppermost edge disposed beneath an opening of the upper configured to receive a foot and a lowermost edge disposed above the sole structure;
- wherein the inner elastic member is substantially more elastic than the outer frame member;
- wherein the upper includes a lacing region;
- wherein the heel counter includes a rearward portion, a first wing portion extending from a first side of the rearward portion, and a second wing portion extending from a second side of the rearward portion, wherein the first wing portion includes a first eyelet and wherein the second wing portion includes a second eyelet;
- wherein the first wing portion extends from the heel region to the lacing region;
- and
- wherein the second wing portion extends from the heel region to the lacing region.
8 more elements
An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper and a lace extending through openings in a lacing region of the upper;
- a sole structure attached to the upper;
- a heel counter disposed on an exterior of the upper in a heel region located between an opening of the upper configured to receive a foot and the sole structure, the heel counter further comprising a rearward portion for receiving a heel, a first wing portion extending from a first side of the rearward portion, and a second wing portion extending from a second side of the rearward portion;
- the heel counter including an outer frame member and an inner elastic member;
- the first wing portion including a first eyelet that extends through the inner elastic member and the outer frame member;
- the second wing portion including a second eyelet that extends through the inner elastic member and the outer frame member;
- wherein the first wing portion extends to the lacing region and wherein the lace extends through the first eyelet;
- and
- wherein the second wing portion extends to the lacing region and wherein the lace extends through the second eyelet.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.