IP Library Granted Patent US 12,268,281
Granted Patent B2
US 12,268,281 · App. 18/122,516 · Granted Apr 8, 2025

Footwear having micro adjustability

Inventors: Michael Pratt (Alpine, UT); Craig Cheney (Lindon, UT); Aislynn Edwards (Schenectady, NY)
Assignee: FAST IP, LLC
A43B3/26A43B13/14A43B13/141A43B13/16A43B13/183
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,268,281
App. No.
18/122,516
Granted
Apr 8, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an article of footwear with a sole structure having at least one adjustability pod configured to adjust at least one of a length and a width of the sole structure.

Claims (30)

1. An article of footwear comprising:

a sole structure coupled to an upper,

wherein the sole structure comprises an adjustability pod configured to adjust at least one of a length and a width of the sole structure,

wherein the sole structure comprises an open configuration and a closed configuration,

wherein a dimension of the sole structure is greater in the open configuration than it is in the closed configuration,

wherein the adjustability pod comprises an expandable wing configured to resiliently deform between the open configuration and the closed configuration,

wherein the adjustability pod comprises a threaded member extending along an axis that is angled relative to the dimension, and

wherein rotation of the threaded member adjusts the dimension of the sole structure.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the sole structure comprises a plurality of adjustability pods collectively forming an adjustability pod skeleton.

3. The article of footwear of claim 2 , wherein a perimeter of the adjustability pod skeleton is discontinuous between the plurality of adjustability pods to permit relative movement between the plurality of adjustability pods.

4. The article of footwear of claim 2 , wherein the adjustability pod skeleton is embedded all or partially within the sole structure.

5. The article of footwear of claim 2 , wherein the sole structure is structurally or compositionally configured to permit relative movement between the plurality of adjustability pods.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the threaded member is configured to be resiliently deformable along its length.

7. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein an end of the threaded member is accessible through a sidewall of the sole structure.

8. The article of footwear of claim 7 , further comprising a shoelace having an aglet key configured to engage with and rotate the end of the threaded member.

9. An article of footwear comprising:

a sole structure coupled to an upper,

wherein the sole structure comprises an adjustability pod configured to adjust both of a length and a width of the sole structure,

wherein the sole structure comprises an open configuration and a closed configuration,

wherein a dimension of the sole structure is greater in the open configuration than it is in the closed configuration,

wherein the adjustability pod comprises a first threaded member extending through the adjustability pod and a further comprises second threaded member extending through the adjustability pod,

wherein rotation of the first threaded member adjusts the length of the sole structure and wherein rotation of the second threaded member adjusts the width of the sole structure, and

wherein the adjustability pod is embedded all or partially within the sole structure.

10. The article of footwear of claim 9 , wherein the sole structure comprises a plurality of adjustability pods collectively forming an adjustability pod skeleton.

11. The article of footwear of claim 10 , wherein a perimeter of the adjustability pod skeleton is discontinuous between the plurality of adjustability pods to permit relative movement between the plurality of adjustability pods.

12. The article of footwear of claim 10 , wherein the sole structure is structurally or compositionally configured to permit relative movement between the plurality of adjustability pods.

13. The article of footwear of claim 9 , wherein the first threaded member is configured to be resiliently deformable along its length.

14. The article of footwear of claim 9 , wherein an end of the first threaded member for adjustment of the length of the sole structure is accessible through a lateral sidewall or a medial sidewall of the sole structure.

15. The article of footwear of claim 14 , further comprising a shoelace having an aglet key configured to engage with and rotate the end of the first threaded member.

16. The article of footwear of claim 14 , wherein an end of the second threaded member for adjustment of the width of the sole structure is accessible through the lateral sidewall or the medial sidewall of the sole structure adjacent to the end of the first threaded member.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2025
From: KIZIK DESIGN, LLC; FAST IP, LLC; HANDSFREE LABS LICENSING, LLC; HANDSFREE LABS, INC.
To: SIENA LENDING GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 071580/0540 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 29, 2024
From: PRATT, MICHAEL; CHENEY, CRAIG; EDWARDS, AISLYNN
To: FAST IP, LLC
Reel/Frame 069060/0825 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17827942 · May 30, 2022
Continuation PCTUS2021012537 · Jan 7, 2021
Provisional Application 62957815 · Jan 7, 2020
Related Publication 20230218039A1 · Jul 13, 2023
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