IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,316,560
Granted Patent B2
US 8,316,560 · App. 12/705,797 · Granted Nov 27, 2012

Air cushioning outsole window

Assignee: Nike, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,316,560
App. No.
12/705,797
Granted
Nov 27, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided and includes an insole and an outsole. The outsole includes a ground-contacting surface and an inner surface formed on an opposite side of the outsole from the ground-contacting surface. The outsole further includes a first elongated aperture extending through the outsole and between the ground-contacting surface and the inner surface. A midsole is disposed between the insole and the outsole and includes a second elongated aperture at least partially aligned with the first elongated aperture. A window is disposed between the midsole and the outsole and extends over the first elongated aperture and the second elongated aperture. A bladder is disposed between the insole and the midsole and is visible through the window.

Claims (47)

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

an insole;

an outsole including a ground-contacting surface and an inner surface formed on an opposite side of said outsole from said ground-contacting surface, said outsole including a first elongated aperture extending through said outsole and between said ground-contacting surface and said inner surface;

a midsole disposed between said insole and said outsole and including a second elongated aperture at least partially aligned with said first elongated aperture;

a window disposed between said midsole and said outsole and extending over said first elongated aperture and said second elongated aperture; and

a bladder disposed between said insole and said midsole, said bladder being visible through said window.

2. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said window extends completely over said first elongated aperture.

3. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said outsole includes a heel portion, an arch portion, and a forefoot portion, said first elongated aperture extending between said heel portion and said arch portion.

4. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said outsole includes a heel portion, an arch portion, and a forefoot portion, said first elongated aperture extending from said heel portion to said forefoot portion.

5. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said window is spaced apart from said bladder.

6. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said window is recessed from said ground-contacting surface of said outsole.

7. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said first elongated aperture includes first and second elongated opposing sides connected by first and second opposing arcuate sides.

8. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said window is formed from a polymeric material.

9. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said window is formed from at least one of a transparent polymeric material and a translucent polymeric material.

10. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said bladder is an air bladder.

11. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper structure; and

a sole structure, said sole structure comprising:

an insole;

an outsole including a ground-contacting surface and an inner surface formed on an opposite side of said outsole from said ground-contacting surface, said outsole including a first elongated aperture extending through said outsole and between said ground-contacting surface and said inner surface;

a midsole disposed between said insole and said outsole and including a second elongated aperture at least partially aligned with said first elongated aperture;

a window disposed between said midsole and said outsole and extending over said first elongated aperture and said second elongated aperture; and

a bladder disposed between said insole and said midsole, said bladder being visible through said window.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 11 , wherein said window extends completely over said first elongated aperture.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 11 , wherein said outsole includes a heel portion, an arch portion, and a forefoot portion, said first elongated aperture extending between said heel portion and said arch portion.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 11 , wherein said outsole includes a heel portion, an arch portion, and a forefoot portion, said first elongated aperture extending from said heel portion to said forefoot portion.

15. The article of footwear according to claim 11 , wherein said window is spaced apart from said bladder.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 11 , wherein said window is recessed from said ground-contacting surface of said outsole.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 11 , wherein said first elongated aperture includes first and second elongated opposing sides connected by first and second opposing arcuate sides.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 11 , wherein said window is formed from a polymeric material.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 11 , wherein said window is formed from at least one of a transparent polymeric material and a translucent polymeric material.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 11 , wherein said bladder is an air bladder.

21. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper structure; and

a sole structure, said sole structure comprising:

an insole;

an outsole including a ground-contacting surface and an inner surface formed on an opposite side of said outsole from said ground-contacting surface, said outsole including a first elongated aperture extending through said outsole and between said ground-contacting surface and said inner surface;

a window extending over said first elongated aperture and recessed from said ground-contacting surface; and

a bladder disposed between said insole and said outsole, spaced apart and separated from said window, and being visible through said window.

22. The article of footwear according to claim 21 , wherein said window extends completely over said first elongated aperture.

23. The article of footwear according to claim 21 , wherein said outsole includes a heel portion, an arch portion, and a forefoot portion, said first elongated aperture extending between said heel portion and said arch portion.

24. The article of footwear according to claim 21 , wherein said outsole includes a heel portion, an arch portion, and a forefoot portion, said first elongated aperture extending from said heel portion to said forefoot portion.

25. The article of footwear according to claim 21 , further comprising a midsole disposed between said insole and said outsole.

26. The article of footwear according to claim 21 , wherein said first elongated aperture includes first and second elongated opposing sides connected by first and second opposing arcuate sides.

27. The article of footwear according to claim 21 , wherein said window is formed from a polymeric material.

28. The article of footwear according to claim 21 , wherein said window is formed from at least one of a transparent polymeric material and a translucent polymeric material.

29. The article of footwear according to claim 21 , wherein said bladder is an air bladder.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2010
From: CARON, PAUL E.; SILLS, CRAIG K.
To: NIKE, INC.
Reel/Frame 024379/0488 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110197470A1 · Aug 18, 2011