IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,648,616
Granted Patent B2
US 12,648,616 · App. 18/049,014 · Granted Jun 9, 2026

Sole structure for article of footwear

Inventors: Leo S. Chang (Portland, OR); Jeremy L. Connell (Hillsboro, OR); Karen S. Dimoff (Portland, OR); Thea Moshofsky (Beaverton, OR); Rachel M. Savage (Beaverton, OR)
Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
A43B13/187A43B7/148A43B7/1485
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,648,616
App. No.
18/049,014
Granted
Jun 9, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first cushioning member extending continuously from an anterior end of the sole structure to a posterior end of the sole structure. The first cushioning member includes an upper side, a bottom side formed on an opposite side from the upper side, and a recess formed in the upper side. A first bladder is disposed within the recess adjacent to a lateral side of the sole structure and a second bladder is disposed within the recess adjacent to a medial side of the sole structure.

Claims (29)

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

a first compressible midsole layer formed as a monolithic structure and extending continuously from an anterior end of the sole structure to a posterior end of the sole structure, the first compressible midsole layer including an upper side, a bottom side formed on an opposite side from the upper side, and a recess formed in the upper side, the upper side including a first socket and a second socket each extending toward the bottom side;

a first bladder disposed within the recess adjacent to a lateral side of the sole structure and within the first socket; and

a second bladder disposed within the recess adjacent to a medial side of the sole structure and within the second socket.

2 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the recess extends across an entire width of the first compressible midsole layer from the medial side to the lateral side.

3 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the recess is disposed in a forefoot region of the first compressible midsole layer.

4 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the recess extends from a first end surface adjacent to a toe portion of the sole structure to a second end surface disposed in one of a forefoot region or a mid-foot region of the sole structure.

5 . The sole structure of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first end surface or the second end surface is spaced apart from each of the first bladder and the second bladder.

6 . The sole structure of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first end surface and the second end surface is oriented at an oblique angle relative to a central axis of the first bladder, the central axis extending through a thickness of the first bladder measured between a top side and a bottom side of the first bladder.

7 . The sole structure of claim 6 , wherein the first end surface is oriented at a first oblique angle relative to the central axis of the first bladder and the second end surface is oriented at a second oblique angle relative to the central axis.

8 . The sole structure of claim 1 , further comprising a second compressible midsole layer extending from the anterior end to the posterior end and having a top side and a lower side formed on an opposite side of the second compressible midsole layer than the top side, the lower side facing the upper side of the first compressible midsole layer.

9 . The sole structure of claim 8 , further comprising a plate disposed adjacent to the lower side and including a first plate portion attached to the first compressible midsole layer in a toe portion, a second plate portion extending across the recess and attached to each of the first bladder and the second bladder, and a third plate portion attached to the first compressible midsole layer in a mid-foot region of the sole structure.

10 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first bladder and the second bladder each include a tensile member.

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

a compressible midsole layer formed as a monolithic structure and extending continuously from an anterior end of the sole structure to a posterior end of the sole structure the compressible midsole layer including:

a top side including a first wall facing the posterior end, a second wall spaced from the first wall and facing the anterior end, and a support wall extending continuously between the first wall and the second wall, the support wall including a pair of sockets,

a bottom side formed on an opposite side from the top side, and

a receptacle disposed between the first wall, the second wall, and the support wall;

a first bladder disposed in a first socket of the pair of sockets and within the receptacle adjacent to a lateral side of the sole structure; and

a second bladder disposed in a second socket of the pair of sockets and within the receptacle adjacent to a medial side of the sole structure.

12 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the receptacle extends across an entire width of the compressible midsole layer from the medial side to the lateral side.

13 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the receptacle is disposed in a forefoot region of the compressible midsole layer.

14 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the receptacle extends from a first end surface adjacent to a toe portion of the sole structure to a second end surface disposed in one of a forefoot region or a mid-foot region of the sole structure.

15 . The sole structure of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first end surface or the second end surface is spaced apart from each of the first bladder and the second bladder.

16 . The sole structure of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first end surface and the second end surface is oriented at an oblique angle relative to a central axis of the first bladder, the central axis extending through a thickness of the first bladder measured between a top side and a bottom side of the first bladder.

17 . The sole structure of claim 16 , wherein the first end surface is oriented at a first oblique angle relative to the central axis of the first bladder and the second end surface is oriented at a second oblique angle relative to the central axis.

18 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the compressible midsole layer includes a first cushion including a recess and a second cushion covering the recess to define the receptacle.

19 . The sole structure of claim 11 , further comprising a plate including a first plate portion attached to the compressible midsole layer in a toe portion, a second plate portion extending across the receptacle and attached to each of the first bladder and the second bladder, and a third plate portion attached to the compressible midsole layer in a mid-foot region of the sole structure.

20 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the first bladder and the second bladder each include a tensile member.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 23, 2022
From: CHANG, LEO S.; CONNELL, JEREMY L.; DIMOFF, KAREN S.; MOSHOFSKY, THEA; SAVAGE, RACHEL M.
To: NIKE, INC.
Reel/Frame 061865/0659 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 63329558 · Apr 11, 2022
Provisional Application 63271597 · Oct 25, 2021
Related Publication 20230127595A1 · Apr 27, 2023
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