# US 2009/0260259 A1 · Footwear with support plate assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260259 A1 - Document ID: US20090260259A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/104,003 - Filed: 2008-04-16 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-16 - Assignees: NIKE, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas Berend - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260259A1 ## CPC - A43B 7/24: Insertions or other supports preventing the foot canting to one side {, preventing supination or pronation} - A43B 7/142: situated under the medial arch, i.e. under the navicular or cuneiform bones - A43B 7/1425: situated under the ball of the foot, i.e. the joint between the first metatarsal and first phalange - A43B 7/143: situated under the lateral arch, i.e. the cuboid bone - A43B 7/1435: situated under the joint between the fifth phalange and the fifth metatarsal bone - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR ## Abstract An article of footwear includes an upper and a midsole secured to the upper. A support plate assembly includes a support member extending along a portion of the upper. A plate extends inwardly from the support member, the plate being positioned between the outsole and the midsole. A groove is formed in an exterior surface of the support member, and is positioned outwardly of the plate and extends longitudinally along the exterior surface of the support member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An article of footwear comprising, in combination: an upper; a midsole secured to the upper; and a support plate assembly comprising: a support member extending along a portion of the upper; a plate extending inwardly from the support member, the plate being positioned between the outsole and the midsole; and a groove formed in an exterior surface of the support member, positioned outwardly of the plate and extending longitudinally along the exterior surface of the support member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support plate assembly is positioned on a medial side of the upper. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support plate assembly is positioned on a lateral side of the upper. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support plate assembly is positioned on a medial side of the upper, and further comprising a second support plate assembly positioned on a lateral side of the upper. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support plate assembly extends from a forefoot portion of the upper to a heel portion of the upper. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support plate assembly is positioned along a forefoot portion of the upper. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support plate assembly includes a pair of arms that extend upwardly from a base portion and are spaced from one another with a gap formed therebetween. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a lower plate extending inwardly from a lower edge of the lower support member, the lower plate being positioned beneath the midsole. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The article of footwear of claim 8, further comprising an outsole secured to the midsole, the lower plate being positioned between the midsole and the outsole. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein an inner portion of the midsole has a first density and an outer portion of the midsole has a second density, the first density being lower than the second density. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the midsole includes a fluid-filled bladder positioned inwardly of a peripheral portion of the midsole. ### Claim 12 An article of footwear comprising, in combination: an upper; a midsole secured to the upper; an outsole secured to the midsole; and a support plate assembly comprising: a support member extending along a portion of the upper and the midsole; a plate extending inwardly from the support member, the plate being positioned between the outsole and the midsole; a lower plate extending inwardly from support member, the lower plate being positioned between the midsole and the outsole; and a groove formed in an exterior surface of the support member, positioned outwardly of the plate and extending longitudinally along the exterior surface of the support member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the support plate assembly is positioned on a medial side of the upper. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the support plate assembly is positioned on a lateral side of the upper. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the support plate assembly is positioned on a medial side of the upper, and further comprising a second support plate assembly positioned on a lateral side of the upper. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein an inner portion of the midsole has a first density and an outer portion of the midsole has a second density, the first density being lower than the second density. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the midsole includes a fluid-filled bladder positioned inwardly of a peripheral portion of the midsole.