# US 8,769,843 B2 · Article of footwear with two part midsole assembly

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- Number: US 8,769,843 B2
- Document ID: US8769843B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/493,589
- Filed: 2012-06-11
- Published: 2012-10-18
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2009-01-26
- Assignees: NIKE, Inc.
- Applicants: Christopher S. Cook; Bryan N. Farris; Ernest E. Kim
- Inventors: Christopher S. Cook; Bryan N. Farris; Ernest E. Kim
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8769843B2

## CPC

- A43B 13/188: {Differential cushioning regions}
- A43B 7/24: Insertions or other supports preventing the foot canting to one side {, preventing supination or pronation}
- A43B 13/141: {with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion}
- A43B 13/148: {Wedged end portions}
- A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR

## Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has a shell having a first hardness and a recess. A lateral side of the recess has a first depth and a medial side of the recess has a second depth that is different than the first depth. A first aperture extends through a forefoot portion of the shell, with the first aperture defining a first tongue fixed on a medial side thereof with a remainder of the first tongue free to flex with respect to the shell. An insert has a second hardness and is seated in the recess. A lateral side of the insert has a first height and a medial side of the insert has a second height that is different than the first height, with the second hardness being different than the first hardness.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An article of footwear comprising:
an upper; and
a sole assembly secured to the upper and comprising:
a shell having a first hardness and a recess formed in an upper surface thereof, a lateral side of the recess having a first depth and a medial side of the recess having a second depth that is different than the first depth;
a first aperture extending through a lower surface of the shell and spaced from a lateral side of the shell, the first aperture extending between the recess and an exterior of the shell and defining a first tongue fixed on a medial side thereof, with a remainder of the tongue fee to flex with respect to the shell;
a second aperture extending through a midfoot portion of the shell, the second aperture defining a second tongue fixed on a lateral side thereof with a remainder of the second tongue free to flex with respect to the shell, the second aperture and second tongue being spaced from the first aperture and first tongue; and
an insert having a second hardness and seated in the recess, a lateral side of the insert having a first height and a medial side of the insert having a second height that is different than the first height, the second hardness being different than the first hardness.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the second depth is less than the first depth.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the second height is less than the first height.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the second hardness is less than the first hardness.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the first aperture comprises:
a base portion having a first end and a second end;
a first arm extending from the first end of the base portion, and a second arm extending from the second end of the base portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the first and second arms are angled away from one another.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the first hardness is between approximately 50 and approximately 70 Asker C.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the insert is secured within the recess with an adhesive.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The article of footwear of claim 8, wherein the adhesive is positioned solely between a sidewall of the recess and an outer periphery of the insert, a lower surface of the insert being free to move with respect to a lower surface of the recess.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the second tongue is positioned to be beneath a cuboid bone of a user's foot.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the second aperture comprises:
a base portion having a first end and a second end;
a first arm extending from the first end of the base portion, and a second arm extending from the second end of the base portion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the first and second arms are angled away from one another.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the shell is formed of EVA.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the insert is formed of EVA.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the shell and recess extend along only a portion of a length of the sole assembly.