Layered Sole Structure For An Article Of Footwear
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsShane S. Kohatsu, Christopher S. Cook, Matthew R. Pauk, Oliver McLachlan
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Abstract
A sole structure can include provisions for improving the cushioning characteristics and stability of an article of footwear. The sole structure may include multiple layers with specialized structural properties designed to integrate regions of stiffness with cushioning layers. In some cases, the sole structure can include at least two independent stability layers that differ in stiffness.
Claims24
A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and heel portion;
- a first cushioning layer, a second cushioning layer, and a stability layer;
- the stability layer being disposed between the first cushioning layer and the second cushioning layer;
- the first cushioning layer extending continuously through the forefoot portion, midfoot portion, and heel portion, and the second cushioning layer extending continuously through the forefoot portion, midfoot portion, and heel portion;
- the stability layer being asymmetric and extending throughout each of the forefoot portion, midfoot portion, and heel portion;
- and
- wherein the stiffness of the first cushioning layer is less than the stiffness of the stability layer.
A sole system for an article of footwear, the sole system comprising:
- a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and heel portion;
- a sole structure with at least three layers, including a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer;
- wherein the sole structure is disposed between an upper and a ground-contacting outsole of the article of footwear;
- the second layer being an asymmetric layer disposed between the first layer and the third layer;
- the first layer having a first stiffness, the second layer having a second stiffness, the third layer having a third stiffness;
- wherein the first stiffness is less than the second stiffness, and wherein the third stiffness is less than the second stiffness;
- and
- wherein the sole structure is configured to disperse pressure throughout the sole structure.
A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
- a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and heel portion;
- a first cushioning layer, a second cushioning layer, and a stability layer;
- wherein the sole structure is disposed between an upper and a ground-contacting outsole of the article of footwear;
- the stability layer being an asymmetric layer disposed between the first cushioning layer and the second cushioning layer;
- the first cushioning layer having a first stiffness, the second cushioning layer having a second stiffness, the stability layer having a third stiffness;
- wherein the first stiffness is less than the second stiffness, and wherein the third stiffness is less than the second stiffness;
- wherein the first cushioning layer has a distal side facing toward the stability layer, wherein the second cushioning layer has a proximal side facing toward the stability layer;
- and
- the distal side of the first cushioning layer including at least one exposed region, and the proximal side of the first cushioning layer including at least one exposed region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.