Midsole Element For An Article Of Footwear
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsSusan L. Sokolowski, Susanne Amalie Wolf-Hochdoerffer, Lorrie Vogel
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Abstract
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void.
Claims14
A method of manufacturing a midsole element for an article of footwear, comprising:
- providing a midsole element formed from a polymer foam material, the midsole element being a single piece midsole element;
- and
- forming a plurality of substantially horizontal bores in the midsole element, the substantially horizontal bores having a substantially circular cross section and being open along an upper portion of the substantially horizontal bores, the substantially horizontal bores extending from an exterior surface of the midsole element inward, toward a central region of the midsole element.
An article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure having a midsole element formed of unitary construction from a polymer foam material, the midsole element defining:
- a void extending substantially vertically through a central area of the polymer foam material, the void extending between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface;
- and
- two bores extending substantially horizontally through a lateral side of the polymer foam material, the two bores extending between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void;
- and
- three bores extending substantially horizontally through a medial side of the polymer foam material, the three bores extending between the exterior surface and the void.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.