# US 11,896,080 B2 · Sole structure for article of footwear > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,080 B2 - Document ID: US11896080B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/393,271 - Filed: 2021-08-03 - Published: 2022-02-17 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-08-12 - Assignees: NIKE, Inc. - Applicants: NIKE, Inc. - Inventors: Nate Durflinger; Christopher J. Lyke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896080B2 ## CPC - 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 13/14: characterised by the constructive form - A43B 13/184: {the structure protruding from the outsole} - A43B 13/185: {Elasticated plates sandwiched between two interlocking components, e.g. thrustors} - A43B 13/189: {filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water} - A43B 13/20: Pneumatic soles {filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas (inflatable linings for skiboots A43B5/0407)} - A43B 13/206: {provided with tubes or pipes or tubular shaped cushioning members} - A43B 21/32: Resilient supports for the heel of the foot - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR ## Abstract A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a cushioning element including a first material and a cradle including a second material. The cradle is attached to the cushioning element and includes a first plate disposed against the cushioning element and a second plate spaced apart from the cushioning element, the second plate including an aperture. The sole structure additionally includes a bladder disposed within the cradle and including a first portion contacting the first plate and a second portion extending through the aperture of the second plate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a cushioning element including a first material; a cradle including a second material, attached to the cushioning element, and including (i) a first plate disposed against the cushioning element and (ii) an aperture disposed opposite the first plate; an outsole including an inner surface facing the cushioning element; and a bladder disposed within the cradle and including a first portion contacting the first plate, a second portion extending through the aperture and in contact with the inner surface of the outsole, and a series of elongate conduits, each conduit extending in parallel with an adjacent conduit and transverse to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the outsole includes a ground-engaging surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The sole structure of claim 2, wherein the ground-engaging surface is formed on an opposite side of the outsole than the inner surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the outsole includes a socket at the inner surface that receives the bladder. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first plate partially defines a receptacle extending continuously through the cradle from a first side to a second side. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sole structure of claim 5, wherein the cradle includes an arcuate first end support at a first end of the cradle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The sole structure of claim 6, wherein the first end support is spaced apart from the bladder. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The sole structure of claim 6, wherein the cradle includes an arcuate second end support at a second end of the cradle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The sole structure of claim 8, wherein the first end support and the second end support are spaced apart from the bladder. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The sole structure of claim 8, wherein the first end support is a different size than the second end support. ### Claim 11 A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a cushioning element; a cradle received by the cushioning element and defining a receptacle extending continuously through the cradle from a first side of the sole structure to a second side of the sole structure; and a bladder including a first portion disposed within the receptacle, a second portion extending through the cradle, and a series of elongate conduits, each conduit extending in parallel with an adjacent conduit and transverse to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sole structure of claim 11, further comprising an outsole disposed on an opposite side of the cradle from the cushioning element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The sole structure of claim 12, wherein the second portion of the bladder contacts the outsole through the cradle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The sole structure of claim 11, wherein the cradle includes a first plate surrounding the second portion of the bladder. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The sole structure of claim 14, wherein the cradle includes a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, the first portion of the bladder contacting the second plate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The sole structure of claim 15, wherein the cradle includes an arcuate first end support connecting the first plate and the second plate at a first end of the cradle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The sole structure of claim 16, wherein the first end support is spaced apart from the bladder. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The sole structure of claim 16, wherein the cradle includes an arcuate second end support connecting the first plate and the second plate at a second end of the cradle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The sole structure of claim 18, wherein the first end support and the second end support are spaced apart from the bladder. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The sole structure of claim 18, wherein the first end support is a different size than the second end support.