IP Library Granted Patent US 9,775,405
Granted Patent B2
US 9,775,405 · App. 14/722,740 · Granted Oct 3, 2017

Article of footwear comprising a sole member with regional patterns

Inventors: Shane S. Kohatsu (Portland, OR); Christopher S. Cook (Portland, OR); Bret Schoolmeester (Banks, OR)
Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
A43B13/186A43B3/0094A43B13/181A43D1/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,775,405
App. No.
14/722,740
Granted
Oct 3, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a cushioning sole system that provides customized cushioning characteristics to different regions of a sole member. A user's foot morphology and/or preferences may be used to design the sole member. The sole member can include a set of apertures that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member.

Claims (15)

1. A cushioning sole system for footwear, comprising:

a first sole member, the first sole member including an outer surface, the outer surface comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a sidewall;

the first sole member having an interior portion, wherein the interior portion is disposed between the upper surface, the lower surface, and the sidewall;

a first set of apertures extending through the interior portion of the first sole member, wherein each aperture of the first set of apertures are through-hole apertures, the first set of apertures including a first group of apertures in a first heel region and a second group of apertures in a first midfoot region, each aperture of the first group of apertures having a diameter that is larger than a diameter of apertures of the second group of apertures;

a second sole member, wherein the first sole member and the second sole member are configured for use in a complementary pair of footwear;

the second sole member including an outer surface, the outer surface comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a sidewall;

the second sole member having an interior portion, wherein the interior portion is disposed between the upper surface, the lower surface, and the sidewall;

a second set of apertures extending through the interior portion of the second sole member, wherein each aperture of the second set of apertures are through-hole apertures;

wherein the first set of apertures is arranged in a first pattern along the first sole member, and wherein the second set of apertures is arranged in a second pattern along the second sole member; and

wherein the arrangement of the first pattern is asymmetric with respect to the arrangement of the second pattern.

2. The cushioning sole system of claim 1 , wherein the second sole member includes a second set of apertures, and wherein the second set of apertures extend between the upper surface and the lower surface.

3. The cushioning sole system of claim 2 , wherein the first sole member includes a greater number of apertures than the second sole member.

4. The cushioning sole system of claim 1 , wherein the first set of apertures are arranged such that they are adapted to correspond to a plantar pressure measurement of a user's first foot.

5. The cushioning sole system of claim 1 , wherein the first set of apertures include a first aperture and a second aperture, and wherein a size of the first aperture is less than a size of the second aperture.

6. The cushioning sole system of claim 5 , wherein the first aperture includes a round cross-sectional shape.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2015
From: KOHATSU, SHANE S.; COOK, CHRISTOPHER S.; SCHOOLMEESTER, BRET
To: NIKE, INC.
Reel/Frame 036439/0985 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160345664A1 · Dec 1, 2016