# US 12,178,293 B2 · Cleat 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 12,178,293 B2 - Document ID: US12178293B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/936,154 - Filed: 2022-09-28 - Published: 2023-04-06 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2021-10-01 - Assignees: NIKE, Inc. - Applicants: NIKE, Inc. - Inventors: Matthew Chua; Oliver McLachlan; Christian Alexander Steinbeck; Kristin Yetman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178293B2 ## CPC - A43C 15/161: {characterised by the attachment to the sole} - A43B 13/122: {characterised by the outsole or external layer} - A43B 13/223: {Profiled soles} - A43B 13/26: projecting beyond the sole surface - A43C 15/162: {characterised by the shape} - A43C: FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR ## Abstract A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a baseplate defining a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure and at least two ground-engaging members extending from the ground-contacting surface. The at least two ground-engaging members including a first portion and a second portion, the first portions of the ground-engaging members being connected to one another by a bridge formed separately from the baseplate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a baseplate defining a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure; and at least two ground-engaging members extending from the ground-contacting surface and including a first portion, a second portion, a first side, and a second side, the first portions of the ground-engaging members being connected to one another by a bridge formed separately from the baseplate, each of the second portions of the ground-engaging members having an aperture that receives a respective one of the first portions of the ground-engaging members, the first portion exposed at the first side of the ground-engaging member at the aperture and enclosed by the second portion at the second side of the ground-engaging member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first portions of the at least two ground-engaging members are integrally formed with the bridge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first portions of the at least two ground-engaging members are formed from a different material than a material forming the baseplate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the second portions of the at least two ground-engaging members are formed from the same material as a material forming the baseplate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the second portions of the at least two ground-engaging members are integrally formed with the baseplate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first portions of the at least two ground-engaging members include a first leg extending substantially perpendicular to the ground-contacting surface and a second leg extending from the first leg. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The sole structure of claim 6, wherein the second leg extends substantially perpendicular to the first leg. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The sole structure of claim 6, wherein the second leg extends substantially parallel to the ground-contacting surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The sole structure of claim 6, wherein the second leg defines a distal end of the at least two ground-engaging members, the distal end extending beyond an end of the second portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of claim 1. ### Claim 11 A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a baseplate defining a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure; and at least two ground-engaging members extending from the ground-contacting surface and including a first portion, a second portion, a first side, and a second side, the first portions of the at least two ground-engaging members being connected to one another by a bridge with the ground-contacting surface extending (i) between and separating the first portions of the at least two ground-engaging members and (ii) substantially parallel to the bridge, each of the second portions of the ground-engaging members having an aperture that receives a respective one of the first portions of the ground-engaging members, the first portion exposed at the first side of the ground-engaging member at the aperture and enclosed by the second portion at the second side of the ground-engaging member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sole structure of claim 11, wherein the first portions of the at least two ground-engaging members are integrally formed with the bridge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The sole structure of claim 11, wherein the first portions of the at least two ground-engaging members are formed from a different material than a material forming the baseplate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The sole structure of claim 11, wherein the second portions of the at least two ground-engaging members are formed from the same material as a material forming the baseplate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The sole structure of claim 11, wherein the second portions of the at least two ground-engaging members are integrally formed with the baseplate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The sole structure of claim 11, wherein the first portions of the at least two ground-engaging members include a first leg extending substantially perpendicular to the ground-contacting surface and a second leg extending from the first leg. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The sole structure of claim 16, wherein the second leg extends substantially perpendicular to the first leg. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The sole structure of claim 16, wherein the second leg extends substantially parallel to the ground-contacting surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The sole structure of claim 16, wherein the second leg defines a distal end of the at least two ground-engaging members, the distal end extending beyond an end of the second portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of claim 11.