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US 9,392,843 B2Granted
Article of footwear having an undulating sole
AssigneeReebok International Ltd.
InventorsErica Callahan, Matthew Montross, Henry Hardigan, Ricardo Vestuti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An article of footwear with an undulating sole provides a different and unique ride and/or feel to the article of footwear, while also providing a unique aesthetic appeal and adequate cushioning and support. The midsole has an undulating shape substantially similar to a sine wave with a series of alternating peaks and troughs.
Claims14
An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper;
- an undulating foam midsole attached to the upper, the undulating foam midsole comprising:
- a plurality of spaced apart peaks extending from a medial side of the midsole to a lateral side of the midsole, wherein at least one pair of directly adjacent peaks of the plurality of peaks define a gap void of material between the at least one pair of directly adjacent peaks, and wherein the plurality of spaced apart peaks have a concave upper surface continuously extending from the medial side to the lateral side of the midsole;
- and
- a plurality of spaced apart troughs, wherein a bottom-most surface of at least one trough of the plurality of troughs is adapted to contact the ground and wherein at least one pair of directly adjacent troughs of the plurality of troughs define a gap void of material between a first wall and a second wall of the directly adjacent troughs, wherein a distance of the gap between the first wall and the second wall is narrower at a bottom of the gap than at a middle of the gap;
- and
- an outsole piece attached to one or more troughs of the midsole.
4 more elements
An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper;
- an undulating foam midsole attached to the upper, the undulating foam midsole comprising:
- a medial side;
- a lateral side;
- a plurality of spaced apart peaks extending along a width of the midsole between the medial and lateral sides, wherein the plurality of spaced apart peaks have a concave upper surface continuously extending from the medial side to the lateral side of the midsole;
- and
- a plurality of spaced apart troughs extending along the width of the midsole between the medial and lateral sides, wherein a bottom-most surface of at least one trough of the plurality of troughs is adapted to contact the ground;
- and
- an outsole piece attached to one or more troughs of the plurality of troughs of the midsole,
- wherein at least one pair of directly adjacent peaks of the plurality of peaks define a gap void of material between the directly adjacent peaks, the gap between directly adjacent peaks extending along the width of the midsole with one end of the gap at the medial side and another end of the gap at the lateral side, and
- wherein at least one pair of directly adjacent troughs of the plurality of troughs define a gap void of material between a first wall and a second wall of the directly adjacent troughs, wherein a distance of the gap between the first wall and the second wall is narrower at a bottom of the gap than at a middle of the gap, the gap between the directly adjacent troughs extending along the width of the midsole with one end of the gap at the medial side and another end of the gap at the lateral side.
8 more elements
An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper;
- an undulating foam midsole attached to the upper, the undulating foam midsole comprising:
- a medial side;
- a lateral side;
- a plurality of spaced apart peaks extending along a width of the midsole between the medial and lateral sides;
- and
- a plurality of spaced apart troughs extending along the width of the midsole between the medial and lateral sides, wherein a bottom-most surface of at least one trough of the plurality of troughs is adapted to contact the ground, wherein a distance between directly adjacent troughs is narrowest between portions of the directly adjacent troughs configured to contact the ground;
- a plate attached to the plurality of spaced apart peaks;
- and
- an outsole piece attached to one or more troughs of the plurality of troughs of the midsole,
- wherein the plurality of spaced apart peaks have a greater height at the medial and lateral sides of the midsole than in an area between the medial and lateral sides, and wherein the plurality of spaced apart peaks have a concave upper surface continuously extending from the medial side to the lateral side of the midsole.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.