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US 8,893,406 B2Granted
Footwear component for an article of footwear
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsPerry W. Auger, Neil Crumbleholme, Deliang Gu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A footwear component and a method of making the footwear component are disclosed. The footwear component includes a first portion and a second portion that are joined at a transition zone. The first portion and the second portion have different flexibility characteristics. The footwear component can bend at the transition zone to accommodate the natural bending of a foot. The footwear component can also include a cushioning member that provides support and cushioning for the heel.
Claims20
A footwear component for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a longitudinal direction extending along a length of the footwear component;
- a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being disposed rearwardly of the first portion in the longitudinal direction;
- the footwear component comprising a first material and a second material that is different from the first material;
- the first portion being constructed of the first material and being substantially monolithic;
- the second portion comprising an upper layer, an intermediate layer and a lower layer, the intermediate layer being disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer, the intermediate layer being distal to the upper layer and the lower layer being distal to the intermediate layer;
- the intermediate layer being constructed of the second material and the upper layer and the lower layer being constructed of the first material;
- wherein the first material is a non-woven fabric;
- the second portion including a cushioning member that is disposed within a heel portion of the footwear component;
- and
- wherein the cushioning member is made of a third material that is substantially different from the first material and the second material.
7 more elements
A footwear component for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a longitudinal direction extending along a length of the footwear component;
- a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being disposed rearwardly of the first portion in the longitudinal direction;
- the footwear component comprising a first material and a second material that is different from the first material;
- the first portion being constructed of the first material and being substantially monolithic;
- the second portion comprising an upper layer, an intermediate layer and a lower layer, the intermediate layer being disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer, the intermediate layer being distal to the upper layer and the lower layer being distal to the intermediate layer;
- the intermediate layer being constructed of the second material and the upper layer and the lower layer being constructed of the first material;
- a cushioning member associated with a heel portion of the second portion;
- the intermediate layer including a recessed portion;
- and
- wherein the cushioning member includes a raised portion that engages the recessed portion.
7 more elements
A footwear component for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a longitudinal direction extending along a length of the footwear component;
- a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being disposed rearwardly of the first portion in the longitudinal direction;
- the footwear component comprising a first material and a second material that is different from the first material;
- the first portion being constructed of the first material and being substantially monolithic;
- the second portion comprising an upper layer, an intermediate layer and a lower layer, the intermediate layer being disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer, the intermediate layer being distal to the upper layer and the lower layer being distal to the intermediate layer;
- the upper layer comprising an upper surface and an opening through the upper layer;
- the intermediate layer being constructed of the second material and the upper layer and the lower layer being constructed of the first material;
- a cushioning member associated with a heel portion of the second portion;
- the cushioning member comprising a contoured upper surface exposed on the upper surface of the upper layer through the opening;
- the intermediate layer including a recessed portion;
- and
- wherein the cushioning member includes a raised portion that engages the recessed portion.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.