A43B13/14

Sole structure with transversely movable coupler for selectable bending stiffness
11607008 · 2023-03-21 · ·

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a first plate and a second plate both extending longitudinally in a flexion region of the sole structure. The second plate is disposed above the first plate in the flexion region. The second plate has a fixed portion fixed to the first plate, and has a free portion. A coupler is operatively connected to one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate. The coupler is selectably movable transversely relative to the first plate and the second plate between a first position and a second position. The coupler is spaced apart from the other one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate in the first position, and operatively engages the other one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate in the second position.

Insole and outsole two-piece shoe
11607007 · 2023-03-21 · ·

An article of footwear includes an injection molded outsole of a first material having a durometer reading of at least 28 to at most 38 on the Asker C scale, an injection molded insole of a second material having a durometer reading of at least 28 to at most 38 on the Asker C scale, and an upper, at least a section of a peripheral edge of the upper being sandwiched between the insole and the outsole.

Structurally-colored articles and methods for making and using structurally-colored articles
11609359 · 2023-03-21 · ·

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide articles of manufacture and components of articles that incorporate an optical element that imparts a structural color to the component or the article. The component comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material, and can include or be made to have a textured surface.

Structurally-colored articles and methods for making and using structurally-colored articles
11609359 · 2023-03-21 · ·

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide articles of manufacture and components of articles that incorporate an optical element that imparts a structural color to the component or the article. The component comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material, and can include or be made to have a textured surface.

Sole structure for article of footwear

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, a third segment extending from one of the first segment and the second segment and terminating at a distal end intermediate the first segment and the second segment, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer is attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.

Article of footwear

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a cushioning element having a top surface, a bottom surface formed on an opposite side of the cushioning element from the top surface, a ramp surface spaced apart from the bottom surface in a heel region of the cushioning element, a heel pocket extending through the cushioning element from the top surface to the ramp surface, and a plurality of pillars extending from the ramp surface and surrounding the pocket. The sole structure additionally includes a plurality of cushioning particles disposed within the pocket, an outsole attached to the cushioning element and enclosing a first end of the pocket, and an upper barrier layer attached to the top surface of the cushioning element and covering a second end of the pocket.

Shoe for limb length discrepancy correction
11607006 · 2023-03-21 ·

A shoe includes a shoe upper that holds a wearer's foot when worn. A shoe sole is connected to the shoe upper and has a collapsible section including a body that at least partially defines a pocket in the collapsible section. An insert is installed in the pocket. The insert has a vertical thickness that expands the collapsible section and increases the vertical thickness of the shoe sole compared to when no insert is installed in the pocket. The shoe may be used for limb length correction.

Fluid-Filled Chamber with Stitched Tensile Member
20230081288 · 2023-03-16 · ·

A chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid may include a tensile member extending between a first chamber barrier layer and a second chamber barrier layer and including a plurality of tethers extending between the first tensile member layer and the second tensile member layer. The chamber may include stitching through the tensile member in a stitched region. When the chamber is pressurized with the pressurized fluid, a substantial majority of the first tensile member layer is separated from the second tensile member layer by a distance that corresponds to a length of the plurality of tethers. In addition, the first tensile member layer is held in contact with the second tensile member layer by the stitching in the stitched region, thereby forming an area of the chamber having a reduced thickness relative to adjacent portions of the chamber.

Pressure mapped midsoles, articles of footwear including the same, and methods of making the same

Midsoles, and articles of footwear having such midsoles, with a distal surface profile based, in whole or in part, on a pressure map of pressures exerted on the bottom of a human foot when in contact with the ground are provided. The pressure map may be a measurement of the pressures exerted on the bottom of a human foot during, for example, standing, walking, or running (e.g., a natural gait). The distal surface profile of a midsole and an article of footwear may be defined, at least in part, by a plurality of cushioning projections extending from the midsole and having predetermined height profiles based on a pressure map. Methods of making midsoles and articles of footwear including a distal surface profile based, in whole or in part, on a pressure map are also provided.

Pressure mapped midsoles, articles of footwear including the same, and methods of making the same

Midsoles, and articles of footwear having such midsoles, with a distal surface profile based, in whole or in part, on a pressure map of pressures exerted on the bottom of a human foot when in contact with the ground are provided. The pressure map may be a measurement of the pressures exerted on the bottom of a human foot during, for example, standing, walking, or running (e.g., a natural gait). The distal surface profile of a midsole and an article of footwear may be defined, at least in part, by a plurality of cushioning projections extending from the midsole and having predetermined height profiles based on a pressure map. Methods of making midsoles and articles of footwear including a distal surface profile based, in whole or in part, on a pressure map are also provided.