Multi-density sole elements, and systems and methods for manufacturing same
AssigneeNew Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.
InventorJonathan Grondin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to sole elements for articles of footwear, and systems and methods for manufacturing same. One embodiment of the invention includes a method of manufacturing a sole element for an article of footwear including the steps of forming a sole element preform, inserting the sole element preform into a press mold cavity, and press-forming the sole element preform within the press mold cavity to form a unitary finished sole element comprising a first region having a first density and hardness and a second region having a second density and hardness different from the first density and hardness.
Claims20
A method of manufacturing a sole element for an article of footwear, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a sole element preform;
- inserting the sole element preform into a press mold cavity;
- and
- press-forming the sole element preform within the press mold cavity to form a unitary finished sole element comprising:
- a first perimeter region comprising a first maximum density;
- a second perimeter region comprising a second maximum density;
- a third perimeter region comprising a third maximum density;
- and
- a central region comprising a fourth maximum density extending between at least a portion of the first perimeter region, second perimeter region, and third perimeter region,
- wherein each of the first perimeter region, second perimeter region, third perimeter region, and central region comprises a unitary construction, and
- wherein there are smoothly transitioning density profiles between each of the first perimeter region, the second perimeter region, and the third perimeter region.
A sole element for an article of footwear comprising:
- a first perimeter region comprising a first maximum density;
- a second perimeter region comprising a second maximum density;
- a third perimeter region comprising a third maximum density;
- and
- a central region comprising a fourth maximum density and extending between at least a portion of the first perimeter region, second perimeter region, and third perimeter region, and
- wherein each of the first perimeter region, second perimeter region, third perimeter region, and central region comprises a unitary construction, and
- wherein there are smoothly transitioning density profiles between each of the first perimeter region. the second perimeter region, and the third perimeter region.
A sole element for an article of footwear comprising:
- a first sole component comprising a first material, the first sole component comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the first sole component forming at least a first portion of an upper surface of the sole element;
- and
- a second sole component comprising a second material, the second sole component comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, at least a portion of the upper surface of the second sole component forming at least a second portion of the upper surface of the sole element, and at least a first portion of the upper surface of the second sole component adapted to mate to at least a portion of the lower surface of the first sole component,
- wherein the second sole component comprises a first region comprising a first maximum density, and a second region comprising a second maximum density different from the first maximum density, and
- wherein a density distribution of at least one of the first region and the second region comprises a variable density distribution that varies in at least one direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.