Footwear having sensory feedback outsole
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorDylan S. Van Atta
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An article of footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to an upper defining an internal cavity configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The sole structure may include an exposed outer member configured to contact the ground, the exposed outer member including a first aperture, and a sensory feedback member disposed at least partially within the first aperture in the outer member, the sensory feedback member including a first end and a second end. The first end of the sensory feedback member may include a projection extending through the first aperture and configured to contact the ground. In addition, the second end of the sensory feedback member may include a plurality of flexible bristles extending through a portion of the sole structure and exposed to the internal cavity.
Claims24
An article of footwear including a sole structure fixedly attached to an upper defining an internal cavity configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the sole structure comprising:
- an exposed outer member configured to contact the ground, the exposed outer member including a first aperture and a second aperture;
- a midsole between the outer member and the upper, the midsole including a third aperture and a fourth aperture;
- a plurality of sensory feedback members, including a first sensory feedback member disposed at least partially within the first aperture in the outer member and a second sensory feedback member disposed at least partially within the second aperture in the outer member, the plurality of sensory feedback members each including a first end, a second end, and a flange portion;
- and
- a lattice of elongate connecting members, the plurality of sensory feedback members being linked with the lattice of elongate connecting members and the flange portion of each sensory feedback member forming a portion of the lattice;
- wherein the first end of each of the first and second sensory feedback members includes a projection extending through respective first and second apertures and configured to contact the ground;
- wherein the second end of the sensory feedback members includes a plurality of flexible bristles extending through the sole structure and exposed to the internal cavity;
- and
- wherein the bristles of the first sensory feedback member extend through the third aperture and the bristles of the second sensory feedback member extend through the fourth aperture.
An article of footwear including a sole structure fixedly attached to an upper defining an internal cavity configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the sole structure comprising:
- a sensory feedback member including a first end and a second end;
- wherein the first end of the sensory feedback member is configured to contact the ground;
- wherein the second end of the sensory feedback member includes a plurality of flexible bristles extending through a portion of the sole structure and exposed to the internal cavity;
- wherein the sensory feedback member is configured such that the first end deflects in a first substantially horizontal direction under lateral loading of the projection and the bristles at the second end deflect in a second substantially horizontal direction opposite the first substantially horizontal direction;
- wherein the sensory feedback member includes a flange portion secured to the sole structure;
- wherein the sensory feedback member is a first sensory feedback member and the sole structure includes a plurality of sensory feedback members having configurations substantially similar to, and including, the first sensory feedback member;
- wherein the plurality of sensory feedback members are linked with a lattice of elongate connecting members;
- and
- wherein the flange portion of each sensory feedback member forms a portion of the lattice.
An article of footwear including a sole structure fixedly attached to an upper defining an internal cavity configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the sole structure comprising:
- a plurality of sensory feedback members including a first end and a second end;
- the first end of the sensory feedback members being configured to contact the ground and deflect multi-axially in substantially horizontal directions;
- the second end of the sensory feedback members extending through a portion of the sole structure and being exposed to the internal cavity;
- and
- the second end of the sensory feedback members being configured to deflect multi-axially in substantially horizontal directions;
- wherein the second end of the sensory feedback members being configured to deflect in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first end of the respective sensory feedback member is deflected;
- and
- wherein the plurality of sensory feedback members are linked with a lattice of elongate connecting members;
- wherein each of the plurality of sensory feedback members includes a flange portion secured to the sole structure;
- and
- wherein the flange portion of each sensory feedback member forms a portion of the lattice.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.