IP Library Granted Patent US 12,471,663
Granted Patent B2
US 12,471,663 · App. 17/565,125 · Granted Nov 18, 2025

Cored midsole with diagonal geometry

Inventors: Hayden Swanson (Portland, OR); Berin B (Portland, OR); Blayne Hettinga (Portland, OR); Tom Elvidge (Portland, OR); Griff Wilson (Portland, OR); Josh Gordon (Portland, OR)
Assignee: adidas AG
A43B13/125A43B13/14A43B13/181A43B13/186A43B13/187A43B13/223
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,471,663
App. No.
17/565,125
Granted
Nov 18, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sole for an article of footwear includes a cored midsole defining a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter surface extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The cored midsole defines apertures extending diagonally from the top surface of the cored midsole to the bottom surface of the cored midsole.

Claims (32)

1 . A sole for an article of footwear, the sole comprising:

a cored midsole defining a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter surface extending from the top surface to the bottom surface,

wherein the cored midsole defines apertures extending diagonally from the top surface of the cored midsole to the bottom surface of the cored midsole,

wherein a groove is disposed in the bottom surface of the cored midsole,

wherein the groove extends from the perimeter surface of the cored midsole and terminates at one of the apertures,

wherein the groove is configured to allow air trapped within the apertures to escape, and

wherein a width of the groove is between 5 mm and 40 mm.

2 . The sole of claim 1 , wherein the apertures extend at an angle between 55 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the cored midsole.

3 . The sole of claim 1 , further comprising a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a rearfoot region, wherein the apertures are disposed in the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the rearfoot region, and wherein an average size of the apertures in the forefoot region is different than an average size of the apertures in the rearfoot region.

4 . The sole of claim 1 , wherein a height of the cored midsole increases from a forefoot region to a midfoot region and decreases from the midfoot region to a rearfoot region.

5 . The sole of claim 1 , further comprising a non-stretch fabric disposed at the bottom surface of the cored midsole.

6 . The sole of claim 1 , wherein the perimeter surface comprises protrusions extending diagonally from the top surface of the cored midsole to the bottom surface of the cored midsole.

7 . The sole of claim 6 , wherein the protrusions are disposed in a rearfoot region and a midfoot region of the sole, and wherein there are no protrusions in a forefoot region of the sole.

8 . The sole of claim 6 , wherein a first protrusion of the protrusions maintains a consistent wall thickness between the perimeter surface and a first aperture of the apertures.

9 . The sole of claim 1 , wherein the width of grooves is between 5 mm and 10 mm.

10 . An article of footwear comprising:

an upper; and

a cored midsole coupled to the upper and comprising a plurality of walls defining diagonal apertures extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the cored midsole,

wherein a surface area of the walls at the bottom surface of the cored midsole is less than a combined area of the apertures at the bottom surface of the cored midsole, and

wherein the plurality of walls comprise a perimeter wall that forms a perimeter surface extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and

wherein the perimeter wall comprises protrusions extending diagonally away from the top surface and towards the bottom surface, and wherein a first protrusion of the protrusions forms a portion of a first aperture of the apertures such that an area of the first aperture at the bottom surface is greater than an area of the first aperture at the top surface, and

wherein the protrusions are rounded to form a smooth undulating surface of the perimeter surface.

11 . The article of footwear of claim 10 , wherein the apertures extend diagonally towards a rearfoot region as the apertures extend from the top surface to the bottom surface of the cored midsole.

12 . The article of footwear of claim 10 , wherein the apertures are disposed in an alternating pattern such that a center of a first aperture of the apertures is not aligned in a transverse direction with a center of a second aperture of the apertures directly adjacent to the first aperture.

13 . The article of footwear of claim 10 , further comprising an outsole coupled to the bottom surface of the cored midsole.

14 . The article of footwear of claim 13 , wherein the outsole comprises multiple pieces.

15 . The article of footwear of claim 13 , wherein the outsole does not cover the apertures.

16 . The article of footwear of claim 10 , wherein an average size of the apertures disposed in a forefoot region of the cored midsole is different than an average size of the apertures disposed in a rearfoot region of the cored midsole.

17 . The article of footwear of claim 10 , further comprising a reinforcing member coupled to the bottom surface of the cored midsole and disposed in a forefoot region of the cored midsole.

18 . The article of footwear of claim 17 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises a non-stretch fabric.

19 . The article of footwear of claim 10 , wherein the cored midsole comprises a groove disposed in the perimeter wall at the bottom surface of the cored midsole, wherein the groove extends from the perimeter surface of the cored midsole to one of the apertures.

20 . The article of footwear of claim 10 , wherein the protrusions are disposed in a rearfoot region and a midfoot region of the cored midsole, and wherein there are no protrusions on a lateral side and a medial side of a forefoot region of the cored midsole.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 8, 2023
From: SWANSON, HAYDEN; B, BERIN; HETTINGA, BLAYNE; ELVIDGE, TOM; WILSON, GRIFF; GORDON, JOSH
To: ADIDAS AG
Reel/Frame 062623/0859 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230200484A1 · Jun 29, 2023
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