IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,642,330
Granted Patent B2
US 12,642,330 · App. 18/745,014 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Article of footwear

Inventors: Can Eldem (Portland, OR); Lai Wa C. Ho (Beaverton, OR); Emily Simmons (Beaverton, OR)
Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
A43B13/20A43B13/127
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,642,330
App. No.
18/745,014
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An aspect of the disclosure provides a structure for an article of footwear. The sole structure includes a cushioning element having a first material. The sole structure further includes a cradle including a second material, attached to the cushioning element, and including a plate disposed against the cushioning element and a pair of supports extending from opposite ends of the plate. The sole structure also includes a bladder disposed within the cradle between the supports. An upper barrier layer of the bladder contacts the plate.

Claims (26)

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

a cushioning element including a first material and a first rib;

a cradle including a second material, attached to the cushioning element, and including a plate disposed against the cushioning element and a pair of supports including a first support extending downwardly from an anterior end of the plate and a second support extending from a posterior end of the plate, the plate including a first opening receiving the first rib;

a bladder disposed within the cradle between the pair of supports and including an upper barrier layer contacting the plate, the bladder including a first conduit, a second conduit, and a third conduit each extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure and a web area extending between the first conduit and the second conduit, the first rib contacting the web area between the first conduit and the second conduit; and

an outsole disposed on an opposite side of the bladder from the cushioning element, the outsole including a second rib opposing the first rib and spaced apart from the bladder to define a void between the second rib and the bladder.

2 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the outsole is disposed adjacent to the plate on an opposite side of the cradle from the cushioning element.

3 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein a lower barrier layer of the bladder contacts the outsole.

4 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of supports contacts the outsole.

5 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the plate and the pair of supports partially define a receptacle extending continuously through the cradle from a first side to a second side.

6 . The sole structure of claim 5 , wherein each of the pair of supports includes a concave surface facing the bladder.

7 . The sole structure of claim 6 , wherein the concave surface of each of the pair of supports is spaced apart from the bladder.

8 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first rib extends through the plate at the first opening.

9 . An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of claim 1 .

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

a cushioning element including a first material and a first rib;

a cradle including a second material, attached to the cushioning element, and including a plate disposed against the cushioning element;

a bladder disposed within the cradle and including an upper barrier layer contacting the plate and a lower barrier layer disposed on an opposite side of the bladder than the upper barrier layer; and

an outsole including a ground-engaging surface and a second rib disposed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface and extending in a direction away from the ground-engaging surface, the second rib opposing the first rib and spaced apart from the lower barrier layer of the bladder to define a void between a distal end of the second rib and the lower barrier layer.

11 . The sole structure of claim 10 , wherein the first rib extends through the plate and contacts the bladder.

12 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the bladder includes a first conduit, a second conduit, and a web area extending between the first conduit and the second conduit, the first rib contacting the web area between the first conduit and the second conduit.

13 . The sole structure of claim 12 , wherein the second rib opposes and is spaced apart from the web area between the first conduit and the second conduit.

14 . The sole structure of claim 12 , wherein the first conduit and the second conduit are in contact with the outsole on the opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface.

15 . The sole structure of claim 14 , wherein the outsole includes a first recess receiving the first conduit and a second recess receiving the second conduit, the second rib extending between the first recess and the second recess.

16 . The sole structure of claim 10 , wherein the lower barrier layer of the bladder is in contact with the outsole on the opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface.

17 . The sole structure of claim 10 , wherein the first rib and the second rib are elongate.

18 . An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of claim 10 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2024
From: SIMMONS, EMILY; HO, LAI WA C.; ELDEM, CAM
To: NIKE, INC.
Reel/Frame 068899/0987 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17673722 · Feb 16, 2022
Provisional Application 63161401 · Mar 15, 2021
Related Publication 20240335003A1 · Oct 10, 2024
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