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Article of footwear with flexible reinforcing plate

  • US 10,182,611 B2
  • Filed: 09/07/2016
  • Issued: 01/22/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:

  • a reinforcing plate defining a first flex groove and a second flex groove;

    a first filling portion extending through the first flex groove; and

    a second filling portion extending through the second flex groove;

    wherein each of the first filling portion and the second filling portion has an elasticity greater than an elasticity of the reinforcing plate;

    wherein the first flex groove extends from a first flex groove first end at a central portion of the reinforcing plate, in an approximately lateral direction toward a first flex groove second end at a medial side of the reinforcing plate;

    wherein the second flex groove extends from a second flex groove first end at the central portion of the reinforcing plate, in an approximately lateral direction toward a second flex groove second end at the medial side of the reinforcing plate;

    wherein the second flex groove is disposed farther from a forward edge of the sole structure than the first flex groove;

    wherein the first flex groove and the second flex groove form a flange portion of the reinforcing plate;

    wherein the flange portion has a first end portion connected to the central portion of the reinforcing plate and a second end portion extending to an outer peripheral portion of the reinforcing plate;

    wherein the first flex groove first end is separated from the second flex groove first end at the central portion to define the first end portion of the flange portion and a bending region disposed adjacent to the central portion of the reinforcing plate;

    wherein the flange portion is aligned with a cleat member;

    wherein the flange portion corresponds to a ball region of a foot; and

    wherein the flange portion bends at the bending region and moves independently from a remaining portion of the reinforcing plate.

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