US 6,412,196 B1 · Contoured platform and footwear made therefrom

Abstract

A contoured platform to be used in an article of footwear includes a contoured inner and outer surface, the inner and outer surface defining at least one integral portion, the integral portion including a curved arch portion and/or a raised portion, such that the contoured inner and outer surfaces extend beyond the arch of the footwear, either extending forward of the arch of the footwear, extending behind the arch of the footwear, or extending in both directions beyond the arch of the footwear. The outer surface of the contoured platform may be configured to have at least one outsole component attached to it, and at least a portion of an exterior bottom surface of the contoured platform may be formed to serve as a portion of an exterior bottom surface of the article of footwear. Articles of footwear and sole assemblies are constructed using the contoured platforms according to the present invention.

Claims47

Dependent claims

A contoured platform for use in the construction of an article of footwear, comprising:

(a) a contoured inner surface;
(b) a contoured outer surface:
(c) a metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion;
(d) a phalangeal portion;
and
(e) an arch portion,
wherein the contoured platform is formed of a flexible, non-compressible plastic material extending from at least the arch portion to at least the phalangeal portion, and the contoured outer surface of the contoured platform comprises at least one raised portion that defines a groove extending laterally across the metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion of the contoured platform providing flexibility to the metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion, and further wherein the arch portion of the contoured outer surface and the groove extending laterally across the metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion of the contoured platform are configured to serve as portions of an exterior bottom surface of a sole assembly and an article of footwear.

4 more elements

An article of footwear, comprising:

(a) an exterior bottom surface;
(b) an exterior side surface;
(c) an upper main body;
and
(d) a sole assembly attached to the upper main body, the sole assembly comprising:
(i) an outsole having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface of the outsole forms at least a portion of the exterior bottom surface of the article of footwear;
and
(ii) a contoured platform formed of a flexible, non-compressible plastic material, the contoured platform comprising:
a contoured inner surface;
a contoured outer surface;
a metatarsal-phalangeal juncture portion;
a phalangeal portion;
an arch portion;
and at least one peripheral flange, the peripheral flange comprising an interior flange surface and an exterior flange surface,
wherein at least a portion of the contoured outer surface of the contoured platform is attached to the interior surface of the outsole, further wherein the contoured platform extends from at least the arch portion to at least the phalangeal portion, and further wherein the arch portion comprises at least a portion of the exterior bottom surface of the article of footwear, and still further wherein the exterior flange surface of the peripheral flange of the contoured platform comprises at least a portion of the exterior side surface of the article of footwear.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Contoured platform and footwear made therefrom

Life of this patent

Contoured platform and footwear made therefrom

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims47