IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,011,059
Granted Patent B2
US 12,011,059 · App. 17/326,962 · Granted Jun 18, 2024

Sole structure for article of footwear

Inventors: Nate Durflinger (Beaverton, OR); Lai Wa C. Ho (Beaverton, OR); Emily Simmons (Beaverton, OR)
Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
A43B13/127A43B13/186A43B13/20A43B13/37A43B21/32
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,011,059
App. No.
17/326,962
Granted
Jun 18, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper extending from a first end in a forefoot region to a second end in a heel region. The article of footwear also includes a sole structure attached to the upper and including a posterior end extending beyond the second end of the upper. The sole structure includes a bladder having a portion disposed between the second end of the upper and the posterior end of the sole structure.

Claims (22)

1. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper extending from a first end in a forefoot region to a second end in a heel region;

a sole structure attached to the upper and including a posterior end projecting beyond the second end of the upper to form a gap between the posterior end of the sole structure and the upper, the sole structure including a bladder having a portion disposed between the second end of the upper and the posterior end of the sole structure;

a buttress including a base attached to the posterior end of the sole structure, a heel clip attached to the second end of the upper, and a neck portion connecting the base and the heel clip and spanning the gap between the posterior end of the sole structure and the upper; and

a heel counter attached to the second end of the upper and disposed between the second end of the upper and the buttress.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the buttress is attached to the second end of the upper at the heel counter.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the heel clip is formed of a first material and the heel counter is formed of a second material having a lower hardness than the first material.

4. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the sole structure includes a footbed and a bolster extending from the footbed at the posterior end.

5. The article of footwear of claim 4 , wherein a portion of the bladder is located within the bolster of the sole structure.

6. The article of footwear of claim 5 , wherein the sole structure includes a cushioning element including a first material and a cradle including a second material, the bladder being received between the cushioning element and the cradle.

7. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the sole structure includes a tensioning device disposed therein, the tensioning device receiving a tensioning member and operable to move the tensioning member between an extended state and a retracted state to move the upper between a loosened state and a tightened state.

8. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper extending from a first end in a forefoot region to a second end in a heel region;

a sole structure attached to the upper and including a posterior end projecting beyond the second end of the upper to form a gap between the posterior end of the sole structure and the upper, the sole structure including a bladder having a first portion disposed between the first end of the upper and the second end of the upper and a second portion extending beyond the second end of the upper;

a buttress including a base attached to the posterior end of the sole structure, a heel clip attached to the second end of the upper, and a neck portion connecting the base and the heel clip and spanning the gap between the posterior end of the sole structure and the upper; and

a heel counter attached to the second end of the upper and disposed between the second end of the upper and the buttress.

9. The article of footwear of claim 8 , wherein the buttress is attached to the second end of the upper at the heel counter.

10. The article of footwear of claim 8 , wherein the heel clip is formed of a first material and the heel counter is formed of a second material having a lower hardness than the first material.

11. The article of footwear of claim 8 , wherein the sole structure includes a footbed and a bolster extending from the footbed at the posterior end.

12. The article of footwear of claim 11 , wherein a portion of the bladder is located within the bolster of the sole structure.

13. The article of footwear of claim 12 , wherein the sole structure includes a cushioning element including a first material and a cradle including a second material, the bladder being received between the cushioning element and the cradle.

14. The article of footwear of claim 8 , wherein the sole structure includes a tensioning device disposed therein, the tensioning device receiving a tensioning member and operable to move the tensioning member between an extended state and a retracted state to move the upper between a loosened state and a tightened state.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2021
From: DURFLINGER, NATE; HO, LAI WA C.; SIMMONS, EMILY
To: NIKE, INC.
Reel/Frame 058347/0619 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63029118 · May 22, 2020
Related Publication 20210361027A1 · Nov 25, 2021