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US 9,955,748 B2Granted
Footwear with separable upper and sole structure
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsJames A. Grove, Eric P. Avar, Bruce J. Kilgore, Michael R. Friton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes upper and a sole structure. The upper defines an interior void that is configured to receive the sole structure and a foot. A lower surface of the upper defines a plurality of apertures, and the sole structure includes a plurality of projections that extend through the apertures to form a ground-engaging surface. The projections are connected to a foot-supporting member that remains within the upper. A locking system is incorporated into the upper and sole structure to secure the sole structure to the upper.
Claims20
An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper having an ankle opening and a connection element located opposite the ankle opening, the connection element forming a bottom portion of the upper and defining:
- (a) a first aperture extending through the connection element at a lateral forefoot area of the connection element, and
- (b) a second aperture extending through the connection element at a medial forefoot area of the connection element,
- wherein the first aperture is separated from the second aperture by a portion of the connection element;
- and
- a sole structure releasably secured to and separable from the upper and insertable through the ankle opening of the upper, the sole structure having:
- (a) a foot-supporting element positioned adjacent an upper surface of the connection element, wherein the foot-supporting element extends from a heel portion to a forefoot portion of the article of footwear,
- (b) a first projection extending from a lateral forefoot area of the foot-supporting element and extending through the first aperture, wherein the first projection is formed from a polymer foam material, wherein a first indentation is formed partially around the first projection, and wherein an edge of the first aperture extends into the first indentation when the sole structure is releasably secured to the upper, and
- (c) a second projection extending from a medial forefoot area of the foot-supporting element and extending through the second aperture, wherein the second projection is formed from a polymer foam material, wherein a second indentation is formed partially around the second projection, and wherein an edge of the second aperture extends into the second indentation when the sole structure is releasably secured to the upper.
6 more elements
An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper having an ankle opening and a connection element located opposite the ankle opening, the connection element forming a bottom portion of the upper and defining:
- (a) a first aperture extending through the connection element at a lateral midfoot area of the connection element, and
- (b) a second aperture extending through the connection element at a medial midfoot area of the connection element,
- wherein the first aperture is separated from the second aperture by a portion of the connection element;
- and
- a sole structure releasably secured to and separable from the upper and insertable through the ankle opening of the upper, the sole structure having:
- (a) a foot-supporting element positioned adjacent an upper surface of the connection element, wherein the foot-supporting element extends from a heel portion to a forefoot portion of the article of footwear,
- (b) a first projection extending from a lateral midfoot area of the foot-supporting element and extending through the first aperture, wherein the first projection is formed from a polymer foam material, wherein a first indentation is formed partially around the first projection, and wherein an edge of the first aperture extends into the first indentation when the sole structure is releasably secured to the upper, and
- (c) a second projection extending from a medial midfoot area of the foot-supporting element and extending through the second aperture, wherein the second projection is formed from a polymer foam material, wherein a second indentation is formed partially around the second projection, and wherein an edge of the second aperture extends into the second indentation when the sole structure is releasably secured to the upper.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.