Sole with V-oriented flex grooves
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsEdward C. Frederick, John R. Robinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved sole for use with footwear is disclosed. The sole includes at least one layer of material which is adapted to be attached to an upper of the footwear. A distal flex groove is formed in the sole and is coextensive with a medial metatarsal-phalanges line which extends between the first and second metatarsal-phalanges joints. A proximal flex groove is also formed in the sole and extends substantially parallel to a lateral metatarsal-phalanges line which extends along the second through fifth metatarsal-phalanges joints. The proximal and distal grooves join on another at the medial edge of the sole adjacent the first metatarsal-phalanges joint.
Claims23
A sole for footwear comprising at least one layer of material adapted to be attached to an upper of the footwear, said sole having a forepart portion and a rearpart portion, said at least one layer of material having a first flexibility and a second greater flexibility for aiding the natural foot rolling motion from the lateral side at heelstrike to the medial side at forefoot stance by creating said second flexibility in the sole along lines directed toward the first metatarsal-phalanges joint, first flex means for creating the second flexibility of the material along a first line extending substantially parallel to a medial metatarsal-phalanges line which extends between the first and second metatarsal-phalanges joints and second flex means for creating the second flexibility of the material along a second line extending substantially parallel to a lateral metatarsal-phalanges line which extends along the second through fifth metatarsal-phalanges joints, said first and second lines joining one another at an area adjacent the medial side of the sole wherein said first and second flex means create said second greater flexibility while the remaining forepart portion of the sole retains said first flexibility.
Footwear comprising an upper and a sole attached to said upper, said sole having a forepart portion and a rearpart portion, said sole including at least one layer of material having a first flexibility and a second greater flexibility for aiding the natural foot rolling motion from the lateral side at heelstrike to the medial side at forefoot stance by creating said second flexibility in the sole along lines directed toward the first metartarsal-phalanges joint, a first weakened area formed in said material and extending along a first line substantially parallel to a line between the first and second metatarsal-phalanges joints to create the second flexibility of said sole along said first line, a second weakened area formed in said material along a second line substantially parallel to a line through the second through fifth metatarsal-phalanges joints to create the second flexibility of said sole along said second line, and said first and second lines joining one another at an area adjacent the medial side of said sole wherein said first and second weakened areas create said second greater flexibility while the remaining forepart portion of the sole retains said first flexibility.
A sole for athletic shoes comprising at least one layer of material adapted to be attached to an upper of the athletic shoe, said sole having a forepart portion and a rearpart portion, said at least one layer of material having a first flexibility and a second greater flexibility for aiding the natural foot rolling motion from the lateral side at heelstrike to the medial side at forefoot stance by creating said second flexibility in the sole along lines directed toward the first metatarsal-phalanges joint, a first groove formed in said at least one layer of material and extending substantially along a first line which passes through the first and second metatarsal-phalanges joints, a second groove formed in said at least one layer of material and extend substantially along a second line which is parallel to a line through the second to fifth metatarsal-phalanges joints, said first and second lines joining one another adjacent the area of the first metatarsal-phalanges joint, said first and second grooves creating the second flexibility of said sole along said first and second lines and concentrating the flexibility in said area of the first metatarsal-phalanges joint whereby the natural rolling motion of the foot during footstrike is accommodated and said first and second grooves create said second greater flexibility while the remaining forepart portion of the sole retains said first flexibility.
A sole for footwear comprising at least one layer of material adapted to be attached to an upper of the footwear, said sole having a forepart portion and a rearpart portion, said at least one layer of material having a first flexibility and a second greater flexibility for aiding the natural foot rolling motion from the lateral side at heelstrike to the medial side at forefoot stance by creating said second flexibility in the sole along lines directed toward the first metatarsal-phalanges joint, first flex means for creating the second flexibility of the material along a first line extending substantially parallel to a medial metatarsal-phalanges line which extends between the first and second metatarsal-phalanges joints, second flex means for creating the second flexibility of the material along a second line extending substantially parallel to a lateral metatarsal-phalanges line which extends along the second through fifth metatarsal-phalanges joints, third flex means for creating the second flexibility of the material along at least one additional line extending transversely of said sole, said first, second and at least one additional line joining one another at an area adjacent the medial side of the sole wherein said first, second and third flex means create said second greater flexibility while the remaining forepart portion of the sole retains said first flexibility.
A sole for athletic shoes comprising at least one layer of material adapted to be attached to an upper of the athletic shoe, said sole having a forepart portion and a rearpart portion, said at least one layer of material having a first flexibility and a second greater flexibility for aiding the natural foot rolling motion from the lateral side at heelstrike to the medial side at forefoot stance by creating said second flexibility in the sole along lines directed toward the first metatarsal-phalanges joint, a first groove formed in said at least one layer of material and extending substantially along a first line which passes through the first and second metatarsal-phalanges joints, a second groove formed in said at least one layer of material and extending substantially along a second line which is parallel to a line through the second to fifth metatarsal-phalanges joints, at least one additional groove formed in said at least one layer of material and extending along additional lines transversely across said sole, said first, second and each of said additional lines joining one another adjacent the area of the first metatarsal-phalanges joint, said first, second and additional grooves creating the second flexibility of said sole along said first, second and additional lines and concentrating the flexibility in said area of the first metatarsal-phalanges joint whereby the natural rolling motion of the foot during footstrike is accomodated and said first, second and additional grooves create said second greater flexibility while the remaining forepart portion of the sole retains said first flexibility.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.