IP Library Granted Patent US 8,474,155
Granted Patent B2
US 8,474,155 · App. 12/272,551 · Granted Jul 2, 2013

Article of footwear with outsole web and midsole protrusions

Inventors: Steven C. McDonald (Heber, UT); Bradley S. Long (Portland, OR)
Assignee: Nike, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,474,155
App. No.
12/272,551
Granted
Jul 2, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole. The upper is configured to receive a foot, and the outsole is secured to the upper. The outsole defines a plurality of apertures extending entirely through the outsole. In addition, the outsole has a ground-engaging surface positioned at a first elevation. The midsole is positionable such that a lower surface of the midsole extends into the apertures of the outsole and is exposed by the apertures.

Claims (26)

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper configured to receive at least a portion of a foot of a wearer;

an outsole having a plurality of outsole strips forming a web configuration and defining a plurality of apertures, at least a portion of the outsole strips having a cross section including a bulbous end region; and

a midsole having a plurality of protrusions configured to extend through the plurality of apertures formed in the outsole and a plurality of recesses, wherein the plurality of recesses are configured to receive bulbous end regions of the outsole strips of the outsole.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the midsole is not separable from the article of footwear.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the outsole includes a rim section that extends around a periphery of the footwear.

4. The article of footwear of claim 3 , further including a plurality of rim side apertures formed in the rim section through which a plurality of midsole side protrusions extend.

5. The article of footwear of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of rim side apertures are formed in a heel region of the article of footwear.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1 , further including a plurality of ground engaging protrusions formed on the outsole.

7. The article of footwear of claim 6 , wherein the ground engaging members are tapered.

8. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the midsole is a unitary member extending substantially the entire length of the article.

9. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper configured to receive at least a portion of a foot of a wearer;

an outsole having a plurality of outsole strips forming a web configuration and the outsole strips intersecting other outsole strips to define a plurality of apertures in the outsole, wherein at least a portion of the outsole strips have a cross section having a bulbous end region;

a plurality of ground engaging protrusions arranged on the outsole; and

a midsole having a plurality of midsole protrusions configured to extend through the plurality of apertures formed in the outsole and a plurality of recesses configured to receive the bulbous end regions of the outsole strips of the outsole.

10. The article of footwear of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of ground engaging protrusions are arranged at the intersection of outsole strips.

11. The article of footwear of claim 9 , wherein the midsole is not separable from the article of footwear.

12. The article of footwear of claim 9 , wherein the outsole is permanently secured to the article of footwear.

13. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper configured to receive at least a portion of a foot of a wearer;

an outsole permanently secured to the upper and having a plurality of outsole strips forming a web configuration and defining a plurality of apertures in the outsole, the outsole forming at least a portion of a ground engaging surface;

a plurality of ground engaging protrusions arranged on the outsole; and

a midsole having a plurality of midsole protrusions configured to extend through the plurality of apertures formed in the outsole and a plurality of recesses configured to receive bulbous end regions of the outsole strips of the outsole, wherein at least one midsole protrusion is formed in a side region of the midsole and includes a first protrusion portion extending laterally from the side region and a second protrusion portion extending downward.

14. The article of footwear of claim 13 , wherein the midsole is not separable from the article of footwear.

15. The article of footwear of claim 13 , wherein the ground engaging members are tapered.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: MCDONALD, STEVEN C.; LONG, BRADLEY S.
To: NIKE, INC.
Reel/Frame 022200/0942 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 10862056 · Jun 4, 2004
Continuation In Part 12130354 · May 30, 2008
Related Publication 20090126230A1 · May 21, 2009