IP Library Granted Patent US 11,896,080
Granted Patent B2
US 11,896,080 · App. 17/393,271 · Granted Feb 13, 2024

Sole structure for article of footwear

Inventors: Nate Durflinger (Beaverton, OR); Christopher J. Lyke (Portland, OR)
Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
A43B13/186A43B13/14A43B13/185A43B13/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,896,080
App. No.
17/393,271
Granted
Feb 13, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a cushioning element including a first material and a cradle including a second material. The cradle is attached to the cushioning element and includes a first plate disposed against the cushioning element and a second plate spaced apart from the cushioning element, the second plate including an aperture. The sole structure additionally includes a bladder disposed within the cradle and including a first portion contacting the first plate and a second portion extending through the aperture of the second plate.

Claims (27)

1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:

a cushioning element including a first material;

a cradle including a second material, attached to the cushioning element, and including (i) a first plate disposed against the cushioning element and (ii) an aperture disposed opposite the first plate;

an outsole including an inner surface facing the cushioning element; and

a bladder disposed within the cradle and including a first portion contacting the first plate, a second portion extending through the aperture and in contact with the inner surface of the outsole, and a series of elongate conduits, each conduit extending in parallel with an adjacent conduit and transverse to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure.

2. The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the outsole includes a ground-engaging surface.

3. The sole structure of claim 2 , wherein the ground-engaging surface is formed on an opposite side of the outsole than the inner surface.

4. The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the outsole includes a socket at the inner surface that receives the bladder.

5. The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first plate partially defines a receptacle extending continuously through the cradle from a first side to a second side.

6. The sole structure of claim 5 , wherein the cradle includes an arcuate first end support at a first end of the cradle.

7. The sole structure of claim 6 , wherein the first end support is spaced apart from the bladder.

8. The sole structure of claim 6 , wherein the cradle includes an arcuate second end support at a second end of the cradle.

9. The sole structure of claim 8 , wherein the first end support and the second end support are spaced apart from the bladder.

10. The sole structure of claim 8 , wherein the first end support is a different size than the second end support.

11. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:

a cushioning element;

a cradle received by the cushioning element and defining a receptacle extending continuously through the cradle from a first side of the sole structure to a second side of the sole structure; and

a bladder including a first portion disposed within the receptacle, a second portion extending through the cradle, and a series of elongate conduits, each conduit extending in parallel with an adjacent conduit and transverse to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure.

12. The sole structure of claim 11 , further comprising an outsole disposed on an opposite side of the cradle from the cushioning element.

13. The sole structure of claim 12 , wherein the second portion of the bladder contacts the outsole through the cradle.

14. The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the cradle includes a first plate surrounding the second portion of the bladder.

15. The sole structure of claim 14 , wherein the cradle includes a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, the first portion of the bladder contacting the second plate.

16. The sole structure of claim 15 , wherein the cradle includes an arcuate first end support connecting the first plate and the second plate at a first end of the cradle.

17. The sole structure of claim 16 , wherein the first end support is spaced apart from the bladder.

18. The sole structure of claim 16 , wherein the cradle includes an arcuate second end support connecting the first plate and the second plate at a second end of the cradle.

19. The sole structure of claim 18 , wherein the first end support and the second end support are spaced apart from the bladder.

20. The sole structure of claim 18 , wherein the first end support is a different size than the second end support.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2021
From: DURFLINGER, NATE; LYKE, CHRISTOPHER J.
To: NIKE, INC.
Reel/Frame 057991/0389 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63064534 · Aug 12, 2020
Related Publication 20220047040A1 · Feb 17, 2022