JP2016512134A - Footwear article with forefoot plate - Google Patents

Abstract

The footwear article (10) includes an upper (12) and a sole assembly (14) secured to the upper (12). The sole assembly (14) has an upper (34) plate and a lower (36) plate at a forefoot portion of the sole assembly (14), and a plurality of lower plate arms bend downward from the upper plate (34). Yes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, is a continuation of U.S. Patent No. 8,151,485, issued Apr. 10, 2012, filed on March 7, 2012 US Patent Application No. 13 / 834,159 filed on March 15, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of US Patent Application No. 13 / 413,800, claims priority.

The present invention relates generally to footwear articles, and more particularly to footwear articles with forefoot plates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional exercise footwear articles include two basic elements: an upper and a sole structure. The upper provides a foot covering that comfortably receives and securely secures the foot relative to the sole structure. Furthermore, the upper may have a shape that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing sweat. The sole structure is fixed to the lower part of the upper and is generally placed between the foot and the ground. In addition to dampening floor reaction forces, the sole structure can provide, for example, static friction, control foot movement (eg, resist pronation), and provide stability. Thus, the upper and sole structures work cooperatively to provide a comfortable structure suitable for a wide range of activities such as walking and running.

  The sole structure generally incorporates a number of layers conventionally referred to as insole, midsole, and outsole. The insole is a thin, compressible member that is placed in the upper and adjacent to the sole (ie, lower) surface to amplify footwear comfort. The midsole conventionally fixed to the upper along the longitudinal direction of the upper forms an intermediate layer of the sole structure and is responsible for damping the floor reaction force. The outsole is usually made from a durable, wear resistant material that forms a grounding element for footwear and includes a texture to improve friction.

  Conventional midsoles are primarily formed from a resilient polymeric foam material such as polyurethane or ethyl vinyl acetate that extends the entire length of the footwear. The properties of the polymer foam material in the midsole basically depend on factors including the dimensions and shape of the midsole and the specific properties of the material selected for the selected polymer foam, including the density of the polymer foam material. By varying these factors throughout the midsole, the stiffness ratio and floor reaction force attenuation can be altered to meet the specific requirements of the activity for which the footwear is intended to be used. . In addition to the polymer foam material, a conventional midsole may include, for example, one or more fluid filled bladders and moderators.

  It would be desirable to provide an article of footwear that reduces or overcomes some or all of the difficulties inherent in conventional existing devices. Certain objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art, i.e., those having knowledge or experience in the art, in light of the following detailed description of the invention and certain aspects thereof.

Overview The principles of the present invention can be used to favor the provision of footwear articles with forefoot plates. With respect to the first aspect, an article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has an upper plate and a lower plate in the forefoot portion of the sole assembly, and has a plurality of lower plate arms that bend downward from the upper plate.

  In another aspect, an article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly includes an upper plate, a plurality of lower plate arms that bend downward from the outside of the front foot portion of the upper plate, and a plurality of lower plate arms that are bent downward and outward from the inside of the front foot portion of the upper plate. Includes lower plate.

  In a further aspect, an article of footwear includes an upper and a midsole secured to the lower surface of the upper, with the lower surface of the midsole secured to the upper surface of the upper plate. The sole assembly includes a lower plate that is fixed to the lower surface of the midsole and that is a unitary structure with the upper plate and the upper plate. The lower plate has a plurality of outer lower plate arms that bend downward from the outside of the front foot portion of the upper plate, and a plurality of inner lower plate arms that bend downward from the inside of the front foot portion of the upper plate. Each of the plurality of outsole portions is fixed to the lower surface of the corresponding lower plate arm.

  By providing footwear with a forefoot plate, substantial advantages are achieved. In particular, in some embodiments, it provides a spring-like movement in the lower plate arm of the footwear that is pre-bent in a bent state, thereby helping the user to turn and bend sharply while using the footwear, This improves the driving force of the user. The lower plate arm is bent to help relieve the stresses encountered while using footwear.

  These and additional features and advantages disclosed herein will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain aspects.

It is an elevation view of a footwear article with a forefoot part plate. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the footwear article of FIG. 1 shown without an outsole. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the footwear article of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the footwear article of FIG. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of another alternative embodiment of the footwear article of FIG. 1 shown without an outsole. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the footwear article of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the footwear article of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of yet a further alternative embodiment of the footwear article of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a plate assembly embodiment of the footwear article of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the plate of the footwear article of FIG.

  The above drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are to be understood as providing examples of the invention that illustrate the principles involved. Some features of the footwear article with the forefoot plate shown in the drawings have been expanded or distorted relative to others for ease of explanation and understanding. In the drawings, the same reference numbers are used for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. The footwear article with a forefoot plate disclosed herein will be determined in part in shape and component, depending on the intended application and the environment in which it is used.

Detailed Description of Certain Preferred Embodiments The following discussion and the accompanying drawings disclose various aspects of the sole structure of a footwear article. The concept related to the sole structure is disclosed with respect to footwear having a shape suitable for athletic activities, for example, a sport called basketball. However, the sole structure can be applied to a wide range of athletic footwear styles including, for example, tennis shoes, football shoes, cross training shoes, walking shoes, soccer shoes, and hiking boots. The sole structure can also be applied to footwear styles generally considered non-motile, including dress shoes, loafers, sandals, and work boots. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that the concepts disclosed herein fit a wide range of footwear styles in addition to the specific styles discussed in the following materials and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. I will.

  1 and 2, the footwear article 10 is illustrated as including an upper 12 and a sole assembly 14. For reference, the footwear 10 can be divided into three general parts, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2: a forefoot part 16, a midfoot part 18, and a heel part 20. The footwear 10 also includes an outer side 22 and an inner side 24. The forefoot portion 16 generally includes the portion of the footwear 10 that corresponds to the toes and joints that connect the metatarsals to the phalanges. The midfoot portion 18 generally includes the portion of the footwear 10 that corresponds to the arch, and the heel portion 20 corresponds to the rear end of the foot including the ribs. The outer side 22 and the inner side 24 extend over each part of 16 to 20 and correspond to both sides of the footwear 10. Portions 16-20 and sides 22-24 are not intended to define the exact area of footwear 10. Rather, portions 16-20 and sides 22-24 are intended to represent the general area of footwear 10 to assist in the discussion below. In addition to footwear 10, portions 16-20 and sides 22-24 can also be applied to upper 12, sole assembly 14, and their individual elements.

  The drawings only illustrate footwear articles intended for use on the wearer's right foot. One skilled in the art will recognize that the left footwear article is a mirror image of the right one and is intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

  Unless otherwise stated or apparent from the following context, terms in this specification such as backwards, forwards, inwards, downwards, upwards, etc. refer to the direction with respect to the footwear 10 itself. Mention. Footwear 10 is shown in FIG. 1 to be positioned substantially horizontally as it is placed on a horizontal surface when worn by the wearer. However, it should be understood that the footwear 10 need not be limited to such orientation. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the rearward direction is the direction toward the flange portion 20, that is, the right direction in FIG. Of course, forward is toward the forefoot portion 16, i.e., to the left in FIG. 1, and downward is toward the bottom of the page as shown in FIG. Inward is the direction to the center of the footwear 10, and outward is the direction to the outer peripheral edge of the footwear 10.

  The upper 12 forms an internal cavity that comfortably receives the foot and fixes the position of the foot relative to the sole assembly 14. The shape of the upper 12 is suitable for use during athletic activities including running, as shown. Thus, the upper 12 may have a lightweight and breathable structure that includes multiple layers of adhesively bonded and stitched leather, fabric, polymer, and foam elements. For example, the upper 12 may have a skin that includes a leather element to resist abrasion and a textile element to provide breathability. The interior of the upper 12 may have foam elements to amplify the comfort of the footwear 10, and the interior surface may include a hygroscopic fabric for removing excess moisture from the area directly surrounding the foot.

  The sole assembly 14 may be secured to the upper 12 by an adhesive or any other suitable securing means. The sole assembly 14 normally placed between the wearer's foot and the ground provides damping of the floor reaction force (i.e., provides cushioning), provides static friction, and foot movement such as pronation. Can be controlled. In conventional footwear articles, the sole assembly 14 includes an insole (not shown), a midsole 26, and an outsole 28 positioned within the upper 12. The midsole 26 is bonded to the upper 12 and functions as the main impact damping and energy absorbing component of the footwear 10. Outsole 28 is adhered to the lower surface of midsole 26 by an adhesive or other suitable means. Suitable materials for the outsole 28 include traditional rubber materials. Other materials suitable for the outsole 28 will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art due to the advantages of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the sole assembly 14 does not include an outsole layer that is separate from the midsole 26; rather, the outsole may include a bottom surface of the midsole 26 that provides an external static friction layer for the sole assembly 14. .

  Upper 12 incorporates a plurality of material elements (eg, woven, foam, leather, and synthetic leather) that are stitched together or adhesively bonded together to form an internal cavity to securely and comfortably receive the foot. , Illustrated as having a substantially conventional shape. The material elements can be selected and positioned relative to the upper 12 to selectively impart, for example, durability, air permeability, wear resistance, flexibility, and comfort characteristics. The material elements form a structure that defines an internal void for receiving the foot. An ankle opening 30 in the heel portion 20 provides an entrance to the internal cavity. In addition, the upper 12 may include a race 32 used in a conventional manner to modify the size of the internal cavity, thereby securing the foot within the internal cavity and inserting into and out of the internal cavity. To facilitate the removal of the legs. The race 32 may extend through a hole in the upper 12, and the tongue of the upper 12 may extend between the internal gap and the race 32. Given that the various aspects of the present application are primarily related to the sole assembly 14, the upper 12 is generally of the shape discussed above, or indeed any other conventional or unconventional upper. It can represent a shape. Accordingly, the structure of the upper 12 can vary significantly within the scope of the present invention.

  The sole assembly 14 includes an upper plate 34 that is secured to the lower surface of the midsole 26. The lower plate 36 includes a plurality of lower plate arms 38 that bend downward from the upper plate 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower plate arm 38 bends downward and outward from the upper plate 34 such that it is substantially concave with respect to the upper plate 34.

  Each lower plate arm 38 is spaced from an adjacent lower plate arm 38 by a groove 40 formed in the lower plate 36. In FIG. 2, the lower plate 36 is shown with an outsole 28 not shown for purposes of clarity.

  In one aspect, the lower plate 36 includes a first outer lower plate arm 38A disposed on the front portion of the forefoot portion 16 of the sole assembly 14. A second outer lower plate arm 38B is disposed in the central portion of the forefoot portion 16 of the assembly 14. A third outer lower plate arm 38 C is disposed at the rear end portion of the forefoot portion 16 of the sole assembly 14.

  Similarly, the lower plate 36 includes a first inner lower plate arm 38D disposed at the front portion of the forefoot portion 16 of the sole assembly 14. The second inner lower plate arm 38 </ b> E is disposed at the center portion of the forefoot portion 16 of the sole assembly 14. The third inner lower plate arm 38 </ b> F is disposed at the rear end portion of the front foot portion 16 of the sole assembly 14.

  In one embodiment, the lower plate 36 and the upper plate 34 are unitary, i.e., a one-piece structure. The upper plate 34 and the lower plate member 36 are made of glass-filled nylon, carbon-filled material, polyamide such as aramid manufactured by DuPont, and polyparaphenylene terephthalamide such as Kevlar (registered trademark) manufactured by DuPont. Ether block copolyamide (sold as Pebax® by ATOFINA Chemicals, Philadelphia, PA), other materials of polyether block copolyamide (glass-filled nylon, carbon-filled material, polyamide, or polyparaphenylene terephthalamide) Etc.), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or any number of other materials. Such a material is advantageously cut resistant and provides good dimensional stability to the sole assembly 14.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the outsole 28 may be formed by a number of outsole portions 28 </ b> A each fixed to the lower surface of the corresponding lower plate arm 36 </ b> A-F.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the heel portion 20 of the sole assembly 14 includes a pivot element 33 that includes an upper support 35 coupled to a lower support 37 by a joint 39. The joint 39 allows the upper support 35 to pivot relative to the lower support 37. It should be understood that the heel portion 20 may have a more conventional shape in other embodiments.

  An alternative footwear 10 embodiment in which a first outer insert 42 is provided between the upper plate 34 and the first, second, and third inner lower plate arms 38D, E, F is shown in FIG. . Similarly, a second inner insert 44 is provided between the upper plate 34 and the first, second and third outer lower plate arms 38A, B, C. Outer insert 42 and inner insert 44 may be formed of, for example, an air bladder, elastomer, or foam material, and serve to provide additional support and cushioning to sole assembly 14.

  A top plate 34 is disposed in the front portion of the forefoot portion 16 of the sole assembly 14 and is spaced slightly behind the front portion 34A and the center portion of the forefoot portion 16 of the sole assembly 14. And a third rear end portion 34C disposed at a rear end portion of the forefoot portion 16 of the sole assembly 14 with a distance slightly rearward from the central portion 34B. An embodiment of the footwear 10 is shown in FIG. The outer lower plate arms 38A, 38B, and 38C extend from the front portion 34A, the central portion 34B, and the rear end portion 34C of the upper plate 34, respectively. Inner lower plate arms 38D, 38E, and 38F extend from a front portion 34A, a central portion 34B, and a rear end portion 34C of the upper plate 34, respectively. In such an embodiment where the upper plate 34 is formed from three separate and distinct parts with a lower plate arm, the forefoot portion 16 of the footwear 10 is more easily bent and bent, thereby allowing the footwear to Amplifies 10 comfort and flexibility.

  In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper plate 34 and the lower plate arms 38A-E are a unitary structure. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper and lower plate arms 38A-E may be separate elements that are secured together by an adhesive or other suitable securing means.

  Another embodiment is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the upper plate 34 includes a plurality of upper plate arms 46 and the lower plate 36 includes a plurality of lower plate arms 48. In this embodiment, the lower plate arm 48 bends outward and downward from the upper plate 34 such that the lower plate arm 48 is substantially convex with respect to the upper plate 34. The upper plate arm 46 and the lower plate arm 48 are staggered or offset relative to each other so that no upper plate arm 46 is placed on the lower plate arm 48 and vice versa.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the midsole 26 includes a first portion 26 A disposed above the upper plate 34 and a second portion 26 B disposed below the lower plate arm 48. In this embodiment, it can be seen that the second portion 26B has been cut between adjacent lower plate arms 48. Further, in this aspect, the upper plate arm 46 and the lower plate arm 48 extend substantially the entire length of the sole assembly 14. It should be understood that the upper plate arm 46 and the lower plate arm 48 can be disposed at any location along the sole assembly 14.

  It should be understood that the upper and lower plate arms can be modified to optimize performance and comfort. Arm material, thickness, flexure, length, and any other geometric aspect can be altered to alter its performance. For example, in one aspect, as shown in FIG. 7, the first rib 50 extends along the upper surface of each lower plate arm 48, and the second rib 52 is the lower portion of each upper plate arm 46. It extends along the surface. In some embodiments, the first rib 50 may be provided for one, but not all, of the one or more lower plate arms 48, and the second rib 52 may be provided for one, but not all, the one or more upper plates. It should be understood that a plate arm 46 may be provided.

  It should be understood that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 can be constructed such that the upper plate 34 is common to both the upper plate arm 46 and the lower plate arm 48, as shown in FIG. . In such an embodiment, the upper plate 34 can alternatively be referred to simply as a plate, and the upper plate arm 46 and the lower plate arm 48 can alternatively be referred to as upper and lower arms, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the upper and lower arms 46, 48 are staggered upward and downward from the plate in a butterfly fashion.

  An alternative embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 7 with one exception is shown in FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the lower portion 26B of the midsole 26B is not cut away from the adjacent lower plate arm 48, but rather is a midsole continuous along the length of the sole assembly 14.

  The spring-like action of the arm of the sole assembly 14 pre-bent in the bent state helps the user to turn and bend sharply during use of the footwear 10, thereby increasing the user's propulsive force. Improve. The curvature of the arm helps relieve the stresses encountered while using the footwear 10. The arms of the sole assembly 14 provide an independent suspension for running on uneven surfaces and provide more stable foot comfort as independent elements apply to uneven terrain.

  Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 10 in which the upper plate 34 may simply be referred to as the plate 34 and alternatively the upper plate arm 46 and the lower plate arm 48 may be referred to as the upper arm 46 and the lower arm 48, respectively. Plate 34 includes a spine 54 to which each of an upper arm 46 and a lower arm 48 are coupled. The upper arm 46 extends outward and upward from the spine 54, and the lower arm 48 extends outward and downward from the spine 54. Like the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the upper and lower arms 46 and 48 are staggered along the outer side 22 and the inner side 24 of the plate 34.

  The spine 54 has a longitudinal axis L that is bent when viewed from above. In some embodiments, the anteroposterior axis L of the spine 54 has a compound curve shape. That is, it bends in many directions.

  In one aspect, at least one upper arm 46 ′ on the outer side 22 of the plate 34 faces outwardly from a corresponding lower arm 48 ′ on the inner side 24 of the plate 34. In one aspect, at least one upper arm 46 ″ on the inner side 24 of the plate 34 faces outwardly from a corresponding lower arm 48 ″ on the outer side 22 of the plate 34.

  In light of the foregoing disclosure and various aspects of the invention, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Will. All such modifications and adaptations are intended to be encompassed by the appended claims.

[Invention 1001]
upper;
An outsole placed under the upper; and
A spine disposed between the upper and the outsole and having a longitudinal axis bent when viewed from above, a plurality of upper arms extending outwardly and upwardly from the spine, and outwardly from the spine And a plurality of lower arms extending downwardly
A footwear article containing a combination of
[Invention 1002]
The footwear article of the present invention 1001 in which the longitudinal axis of the spine has a compound curved shape when viewed from above.
[Invention 1003]
The footwear article of the present invention 1001, wherein at least one upper arm on the outside of the plate is laterally opposed to a corresponding lower arm on the inside of the plate.
[Invention 1004]
The footwear article of the present invention 1001, wherein at least one upper arm inside the plate is laterally opposed to a corresponding lower arm outside the plate.
[Invention 1005]
The footwear article of the present invention 1001, wherein the plate extends over substantially the entire length of the footwear article.
[Invention 1006]
The footwear article of the present invention 1001, wherein the upper and lower arms alternate with each other along the outside and inside of the plate.
[Invention 1007]
The footwear article of the present invention 1001, wherein the plate is made of glass-filled nylon.
[Invention 1008]
upper;
An outsole placed under the upper; and
A spine disposed between the upper and the outsole and having a compound curve shape when viewed from above, a plurality of upper arms extending outwardly and upwardly from the spine, and outwardly from the spine And a plurality of lower arms extending downwardly
In combination,
An article of footwear in which upper and lower arms are alternately arranged along the outside and inside of the plate.
[Invention 1009]
The footwear article of the present invention 1008, wherein at least one upper arm outside the plate is laterally opposed to a corresponding lower arm inside the plate.
[Invention 1010]
The footwear article of the present invention 1008, wherein at least one upper arm inside the plate is laterally opposed to a corresponding lower arm outside the plate.
[Invention 1011]
The footwear article of the present invention 1008, wherein the plate extends substantially the entire length of the footwear article.
[Invention 1012]
The footwear article of the present invention 1008, wherein the plate is made of glass-filled nylon.
These and additional features and advantages disclosed herein will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain aspects.

Claims (12)

upper;
An outsole disposed below the upper; and a spine disposed between the upper and the outsole and having a longitudinal axis bent when viewed from above, and extending outward and upward from the spine An article of footwear comprising a combination of plates including a plurality of upper arms and a plurality of lower arms extending outwardly and downwardly from the spine.   The footwear article according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of the spine has a compound curve shape when viewed from above.   The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one upper arm outside the plate is laterally opposed to a corresponding lower arm inside the plate.   The footwear article of claim 1, wherein at least one upper arm inside the plate is laterally opposed to a corresponding lower arm outside the plate.   The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the plate extends substantially the entire length of the footwear article.   The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower arms alternate with each other along the outside and inside of the plate.   The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the plate is formed from glass-filled nylon. upper;
An outsole disposed below the upper; and a spine disposed between the upper and the outsole and having a anteroposterior axis having a compound curved shape when viewed from above, and extending outward and upward from the spine A combination of plates, including a plurality of upper arms and a plurality of lower arms extending outwardly and downwardly from the spine;
An article of footwear in which upper and lower arms are alternately arranged along the outside and inside of the plate.   10. An article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein at least one upper arm outside the plate is laterally opposed to a corresponding lower arm inside the plate.   10. An article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein at least one upper arm inside the plate is laterally opposed to a corresponding lower arm outside the plate.   The footwear article of claim 9, wherein the plate extends substantially the entire length of the footwear article.   The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the plate is formed from glass-filled nylon.

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