# US 2014/0189965 A1 · Article of Footwear with Slots and Method of Making > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0189965 A1 - Document ID: US20140189965A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/155,390 - Filed: 2014-01-15 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2010-08-20 - Assignees: NIKE, Inc. - Applicants: Nike, Inc. - Inventors: Mark C. Miner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140189965A1 ## CPC - A43B 13/141: {with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion} - A43B 13/122: {characterised by the outsole or external layer} - A43B 13/14: characterised by the constructive form - A43B 13/181: {Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole} - A43B 13/184: {the structure protruding from the outsole} - A43B 13/22: Soles made slip-preventing or wear-resisting, e.g. by impregnation or spreading a wear-resisting layer - A43D 8/02: Cutting-out (cutting in general B26D, B26F; of leather articles in general C14B5/00) - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR - A43D: MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OR REPAIRING FOOTWEAR ## Abstract A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-18. (canceled) ### Claim 19 A method of making a sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising the steps of: removing material from a side portion of the sole structure to form a first slot and thereby forming a first connecting portion in the sole structure, the first connecting portion extending to an upper periphery of the sole structure; removing material from a lower portion of the sole structure to form a second slot and thereby forming a second connecting portion in the sole structure, the second connecting portion extending to a lower periphery of the sole structure; and wherein the first connecting portion is connected to the second connecting portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the sole structure comprises a foam material. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein a laser is used to remove material from the side portion and from the lower portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein a first laser is used to remove material from the side portion and wherein a second laser is used to remove material from the lower portion and wherein the first laser and the second laser are used substantially simultaneously. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the side portion is associated with a lateral side of the sole structure and wherein the method includes a step of removing material from a medial side of the sole structure to form a third slot. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method according to claim 23, wherein the first slot, the second slot and the third slot are approximately aligned in a longitudinal direction that extends between a forefoot portion of the sole structure and a heel portion of the sole structure. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein a hot knife process is used to remove material from at least one portion of the sole structure. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein a laser is used to remove material from at least one portion of the sole structure and wherein a hot knife process is used to remove material from at least one portion of the sole structure. ### Claim 27 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein at least some slots on the sole structure are formed by a molding process. ### Claim 28 A method of making a sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising: forming a first slot in a side portion of the sole structure by applying a first laser to the first side portion, thereby forming a first connecting portion in the sole structure; forming a second slot in a lower portion of the sole structure by applying a second laser to the second side portion, thereby forming a second connecting portion in the sole structure; wherein the first connecting portion extends to an upper periphery of the sole structure and wherein the second connecting portion extends to a lower periphery of the sole structure; and wherein the first connecting portion is connected to the second connecting portion. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method of making according to claim 28, wherein the first laser and the second laser are used simultaneously in order to form the first slot and the second slot simultaneously. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The method of making according to claim 28, wherein the method further includes forming a third slot in an opposing side portion of the sole structure by applying a third laser to the opposing side portion, thereby forming a third connecting portion and a fourth connecting portion, and wherein the opposing side portion is opposite the side portion on the sole structure. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method of making according to claim 30, wherein the third connecting portion extends to the lower periphery and wherein the fourth connecting portion extends to the upper periphery. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The method of making according to claim 30, wherein the first laser, the second laser and the third laser are applied to the sole structure approximately simultaneously. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The method of making according to claim 30, wherein a portion of the sole structure associated with the first slot, the second slot and the third slot comprises an X-shaped portion after the first slot, the second slot and the third slot have been formed. ### Claim 34 A method of making a sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising: removing material from a side portion of the sole structure to form a first slot and thereby forming a first connecting portion in the sole structure, the first connecting portion extending to an upper periphery of the sole structure; removing material from a lower portion of the sole structure to form a second slot and thereby forming a second connecting portion in the sole structure, the second connecting portion extending to a lower periphery of the sole structure; removing material from the side portion of the sole structure to form a longitudinal slot, the longitudinal slot extending from a forefoot portion of the sole structure to a heel portion of the sole structure; wherein the first connecting portion is connected to the second connecting portion; wherein the first slot extends in an approximately vertical direction along the side portion; and wherein the first slot is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal slot. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The method according to claim 34, wherein the method further comprises forming a first plurality of slots by removing material from the side portion, wherein the first plurality of slots is approximately parallel with the first slot. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The method according to claim 35, wherein the method further comprises forming a second plurality of slots by removing material from the lower portion, wherein the second plurality of slots is approximately parallel with the second slot. ### Claim 37 (depends on 34) The method according to claim 34, wherein material is removed from the side portion using a laser. ### Claim 38 (depends on 34) The method according to claim 34, wherein material is removed from the lower portion using a laser.