IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,707,583
Granted Patent B2
US 8,707,583 · App. 13/685,382 · Granted Apr 29, 2014

Air cushioning outsole window

Inventors: Paul E. Caron (Hillsboro, OR); Craig K. Sills (Tigard, OR)
Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,707,583
App. No.
13/685,382
Granted
Apr 29, 2014
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 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 aperture at least partially aligned with the first aperture. A window is disposed between the midsole and the outsole and extends over the first aperture and the second 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 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 aperture at least partially aligned with said first aperture;

a window disposed between said midsole and said outsole and extending over said first aperture and said second 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 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 aperture extending between said heel portion and said arch portion.

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

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

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

7. 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 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 aperture at least partially aligned with said first aperture;

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

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

8. The article of footwear according to claim 7 , wherein said window extends completely over said first aperture.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 7 , wherein said outsole includes a heel portion, an arch portion, and a forefoot portion, said first aperture extending between said heel portion and said arch portion.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 7 , wherein said outsole includes a heel portion, an arch portion, and a forefoot portion, said first aperture extending from said heel portion to said forefoot portion.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 7 , wherein said window is recessed from said ground-contacting surface of said outsole.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 7 , wherein said first aperture includes first and second opposing sides connected by first and second opposing arcuate sides.

13. 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 aperture extending through said outsole and between said ground-contacting surface and said inner surface;

a window extending over said first 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.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 13 , wherein said window extends completely over said first aperture.

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

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

17. The article of footwear according to claim 13 , further comprising a midsole disposed between said insole and said outsole.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 13 , wherein said window is formed from a polymeric material.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 13 , 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 13 , wherein said bladder is an air bladder.

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

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

23. 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.

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

25. The article of footwear according to claim 7 , wherein said window is spaced apart from said bladder.

26. The article of footwear according to claim 7 , wherein said window is formed from a polymeric material.

27. The article of footwear according to claim 7 , wherein said window is formed from at least one of a transparent polymeric material and a translucent polymeric material.

28. The article of footwear according to claim 7 , wherein said bladder is an air bladder.

29. The article of footwear according to claim 13 , wherein said first aperture includes first and second opposing sides connected by first and second arcuate sides.

Continuity (2)
Continuation 12705797 · Feb 15, 2010
Related Publication 20130318825A1 · Dec 5, 2013