IP Library Granted Patent US 7,579,055
Granted Patent B2
US 7,579,055 · App. 10/615,681 · Granted Aug 25, 2009

Sole construction for an athletic shoe

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,579,055
App. No.
10/615,681
Granted
Aug 25, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

An article of footwear including an upper and a sole, which has an outsole for directly contacting a ground surface, and at least one element compression molded with the outsole. The at least one element is formed from a first material including at least 45% ethylene vinyl acetate, approximately 30% polyene elastomer, and approximately 20% synthetic rubber. A second material of the outsole is compatible for compression molding with the at least one element, and is less hard and less dense than the at least one element.

Claims (23)

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper and a sole, wherein the sole has an outsole for directly contacting a ground surface; and

at least one element compression molded with the outsole, wherein the at least one element is formed from a first material comprising at least 45% ethylene vinyl acetate, approximately 30% polyene elastomer, and approximately 20% synthetic rubber, and wherein the at least one element is not damaged during a bending test performed at 23° C. W. Prick or at −10° C. Prick; and

wherein the outsole includes a second material that is compatible for compression molding with the at least one element and is less hard and less dense than the at least one element.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the second material of the outsole includes ethylene vinyl acetate with blowing agents.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the second material of the outsole is selected from a group consisting of rubber, thermoplastic urethane, and ethylene vinyl acetate with blowing agents.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the outsole comprises two materials selected from a group consisting of rubber, thermoplastic urethane, and ethylene vinyl acetate with blowing agents.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one element is outwardly visible on the sole.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one element comprises a plurality of elements and at least one of the plurality of elements is outwardly visible on the sole.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one element includes a foil layer that is outwardly visible on the sole.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one element includes an electroplated member that is outwardly visible on the sole.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one element provides torsional reinforcement for the sole.

10. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper and a sole, wherein the sole has an outsole for directly contacting a ground surface;

at least one element compression molded with the outsole, wherein the at least one element is formed from a first material comprising at least 45% ethylene vinyl acetate, approximately 30% polyene elastomer, and approximately 20% synthetic rubber, and wherein the at least one element is not damaged during a bending test performed at 23° C. W. Prick or at −10° C. Prick; and

at least one cleat receptacle compression molded with the at least one element;

wherein the outsole includes a second material that is compatible for compression molding with at least one element and that is less hard and less dense than the at least one element, and wherein the at least one cleat receptacle is accessible for attachment of a non-metal cleat.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 10 , wherein the material of the outsole is selected from a group consisting of rubber, thermoplastic urethane, and ethylene vinyl acetate with blowing agents.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 10 , wherein the outsole comprises two materials selected from a group consisting of rubber, thermoplastic urethane, and ethylene vinyl acetate with blowing agents.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one element comprises a plurality of elements and each element of the plurality of elements includes a cleat receptacle.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one element comprises a plurality of elements and at least one element of the plurality of elements includes at least one cleat receptacle.

15. The article of footwear according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one element includes a foil layer that is visible on the sole.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one element includes an electroplated member that is visible on the sole.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2021
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057085/0314 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2021
From: ADIDAS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057453/0167 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2021
From: KPS CAPITAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT, LLC
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057085/0262 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2018
From: LAI, JUNG CHUNG; NAGEL, MICHAEL MARTIN; KUHTZ, GERALD; GROTT, MARCO AURELIO; TORONJO, ALAN
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 047022/0134 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044206/0712 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: ADIDAS NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044206/0765 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: KPS CAPITAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044207/0745 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 29, 2017
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: ADIDAS AG
Reel/Frame 043743/0919 →