Footwear including sole assembly
First Claim
1. An article of footwear defining a forefoot region, a hindfoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the forefoot region and the hindfoot region, the article of footwear comprising:
- an upper including a foot cavity;
a sole assembly oriented below the upper, the sole assembly comprising;
a non-stochastic support structure including a plurality of cells arranged in an ordered, repeating manner, wherein the plurality of cells are defined by a plurality of nodes that are interconnected by a plurality of hollow, non-linear struts that are partially filled with microparticles; and
a stochastic support structure including cells with random variations in location, shape, and size, wherein the stochastic support structure is manufactured separately from the non-stochastic support structure, and wherein the non-stochastic support structure defines a cavity operable to receive and support the stochastic support structure above the non-stochastic support structure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly includes a unitary, open-celled structure. Specifically, the sole assembly includes a lattice structure having an interconnected network of struts and nodes that cooperate to define voids. The struts and nodes are configured to generate predetermined support and flexure properties within the network. The lattice may be configured as a conformal lattice, being contoured to receive accessories or complementary support structures. The sole assembly may further include an insert formed of compression material (e.g., foam). In operation, the lattice and foam insert cooperate to provide stability and cushioning to the article of footwear.
172 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An article of footwear defining a forefoot region, a hindfoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the forefoot region and the hindfoot region, the article of footwear comprising:
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an upper including a foot cavity; a sole assembly oriented below the upper, the sole assembly comprising; a non-stochastic support structure including a plurality of cells arranged in an ordered, repeating manner, wherein the plurality of cells are defined by a plurality of nodes that are interconnected by a plurality of hollow, non-linear struts that are partially filled with microparticles; and a stochastic support structure including cells with random variations in location, shape, and size, wherein the stochastic support structure is manufactured separately from the non-stochastic support structure, and wherein the non-stochastic support structure defines a cavity operable to receive and support the stochastic support structure above the non-stochastic support structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An article of footwear that defines a forefoot region, a hindfoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the forefoot region and the hindfoot region, the article of footwear including a sole assembly comprising:
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a lattice structure that is formed from a plurality of cells, extends across a width of the hindfoot region and the midfoot region of the article of footwear, and includes a flange that extends inwards, from an edge of the lattice structure, over a portion of a top surface of the lattice structure; a heel support that mates with the flange and includes a frame configured to receive a heel of a wearer, wherein the frame includes; a medial arm that extends along and mates with a medial side of the top surface of the lattice structure; a lateral arm that extends along and mates with a lateral side of the top surface of the lattice structure; and a header extending across the lattice structure, from the medial arm to the lateral arm, wherein the lattice structure terminates at the midfoot region of the article of footwear, a bottom surface of the lattice structure extends beyond the top surface of the lattice structure, and the header engages a top of the bottom surface of the lattice structure at the midfoot region. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification