Article of footwear with adaptive fit
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsElizabeth Langvin, Tetsuya T. Minami
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sole includes an outer sole assembly including a plurality of outer sole members spaced apart from each other by a plurality of gaps. In addition, the sole includes a middle sole assembly defining a plurality of grooves, and an intermediate layer comprising an elastomer. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer sole assembly and the middle sole assembly. The intermediate layer connects the middle sole assembly to the outer sole assembly. The intermediate layer is more elastic than each of the plurality of outer sole members. The intermediate layer is more elastic than the middle sole assembly. At least one of the gaps is vertically aligned with one of the grooves.
Claims20
A sole, comprising:
- an outer sole assembly including a plurality of outer sole members spaced apart from each other by a plurality of gaps;
- a middle sole assembly defining a plurality of grooves;
- and
- an intermediate layer comprising an elastomer, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between the outer sole assembly and the middle sole assembly, and the intermediate layer connects the middle sole assembly to the outer sole assembly;
- wherein the intermediate layer is more elastic than each of the plurality of outer sole members;
- wherein the intermediate layer is more elastic than the middle sole assembly;
- and
- wherein the intermediate layer includes a continuous medial side and a plurality of fingers extending from the continuous medial side toward a lateral side of the sole.
A sole, comprising:
- an outer sole assembly including a plurality of outer sole members spaced apart from each other by a plurality of gaps;
- a middle sole assembly defining a plurality of grooves;
- and
- an intermediate layer comprising an elastomer, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between the outer sole assembly and the middle sole assembly, and the intermediate layer connects the middle sole assembly to the outer sole assembly;
- wherein the intermediate layer is more elastic than each of the plurality of outer sole members;
- wherein the intermediate layer is more elastic than the middle sole assembly;
- and
- wherein the plurality of grooves do not extend through an entirety of a thickness of the middle sole assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.