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US 2015/0089841 A1Published application
Uppers and sole structures for articles of footwear
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsPatricia L. Smaldone, Dylan S. VanAtta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Sole structures and uppers for articles of footwear are described that includes features to enhance footwear flexibility, dexterity, natural motion feel, and/or tackiness. Such articles of footwear may provide enhanced properties and feel for use in skateboarding and other activities.
Claims35
A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a first sole portion including a first exposed bottom surface area;
- a second sole portion including a second exposed bottom surface area;
- and
- an elongated double curved channel located between the first exposed bottom surface area and the second exposed bottom surface area, wherein the elongated double curved channel extends from a medial-side end at a forefoot region of the sole structure to a lateral-side end at or near a midfoot region of the sole structure, wherein a forward portion of the elongated double curved channel has a concave portion facing a medial edge of the sole structure and a rearward portion of the elongated double curved channel has a concave portion facing a lateral edge of the sole structure, and wherein the elongated double curved channel has a depth of at least 3 mm over at least 50% of its length.
1 more element
A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a first sole portion including a first exposed bottom surface area located at least in an arch support region of the sole structure;
- a second sole portion including a second exposed bottom surface area located at least in a medial heel support region of the sole structure;
- and
- an elongated heel channel located between and separating the first exposed bottom surface area from the second exposed bottom surface area, wherein the elongated heel channel extends from a heel edge to the medial edge of the sole structure, and wherein the elongated heel channel has a depth of at least 3 mm over at least 50% of its length.
1 more element
A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a first sole portion including a first exposed bottom surface area located at least in a forefoot support region of the sole structure;
- a second sole portion including a second exposed bottom surface area located at least in an arch support region of the sole structure;
- and
- a transverse flexion channel located between and separating the first exposed bottom surface area of the first sole portion from the second exposed bottom surface area of the second sole portion, wherein the transverse flexion channel includes a medial-side end at a forefoot region of the sole structure and a lateral-side end at or near a midfoot region of the sole structure,
- wherein the first sole portion includes:
- (a) a longitudinal flexion channel extending from a first end located proximate the lateral-side end of the transverse flexion channel and a second end located proximate a forward toe support region of the sole structure, (b) a first flexion channel extending from a lateral edge of the sole structure to a medial edge of the sole structure, (c) a second flexion channel extending from the lateral edge of the sole structure to the medial edge of the sole structure, and (d) a third flexion channel extending from the lateral edge of the sole structure to the transverse flexion channel, and wherein each of the transverse flexion channel, the longitudinal flexion channel, the first flexion channel, and the second flexion channel has a depth of at least 3 mm over at least 50% of its respective length.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.