Sole plate for an article of footwear
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sole plate for an article of footwear, comprising:
- a forward portion, an intermediate portion, and a rearward portion, defining a central longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the forward portion to the rearward portion bisecting the intermediate portion, the central longitudinal axis being approximately aligned with a midline of the sole plate, and the central longitudinal axis dividing the sole plate into two opposing sides along a lateral axis, wherein the intermediate portion aligns under an arch area upon assembly into the article of footwear;
a compartment integrally molded into the intermediate portion of the sole plate, wherein the compartment comprises an integral cavity surrounded by a perimeter forming the remainder of the intermediate portion including lateral flanges extending upward at a diagonal angle along either side of the compartment;
wherein the integral cavity comprises four sidewalls and at least two tabs extending from the perimeter towards a center of the integral cavity, the at least two tabs positioned along a lateral sidewall, and wherein the at least two tabs are positioned along the lateral sidewall in a position to enable retention of a component positioned within the integral cavity and at least partially under the at least two tabs.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An article of footwear can include provisions for facilitating the installation of various components. A sole plate can include one or more specialized compartments designed to receive a component. The sole plate can be configured to provide greater stability to a sole structure. In some cases, the sole plate can be used to receive a component that can be used to perform different functions in a motorized tensioning system. Tabs within the sole plate can assist with retaining components within the sole plate and provide additional surface area for mounting the sole plate to other components of the article of footwear.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A sole plate for an article of footwear, comprising:
-
a forward portion, an intermediate portion, and a rearward portion, defining a central longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the forward portion to the rearward portion bisecting the intermediate portion, the central longitudinal axis being approximately aligned with a midline of the sole plate, and the central longitudinal axis dividing the sole plate into two opposing sides along a lateral axis, wherein the intermediate portion aligns under an arch area upon assembly into the article of footwear; a compartment integrally molded into the intermediate portion of the sole plate, wherein the compartment comprises an integral cavity surrounded by a perimeter forming the remainder of the intermediate portion including lateral flanges extending upward at a diagonal angle along either side of the compartment; wherein the integral cavity comprises four sidewalls and at least two tabs extending from the perimeter towards a center of the integral cavity, the at least two tabs positioned along a lateral sidewall, and wherein the at least two tabs are positioned along the lateral sidewall in a position to enable retention of a component positioned within the integral cavity and at least partially under the at least two tabs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An article of footwear, comprising:
-
sole structure; a sole plate, seated in the sole structure, comprising; a forward portion, an intermediate portion, and a rearward portion, defining a central longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the forward portion to the rearward portion bisecting the intermediate portion, the central longitudinal axis being approximately aligned with a midline of the sole plate, and the central longitudinal axis dividing the sole plate into two opposing sides along a lateral axis; a compartment disposed within the intermediate portion, wherein the compartment comprises an integral cavity surrounded by a perimeter forming the remainder of the intermediate portion including lateral flanges extending upward at a diagonal angle along lateral sides of the compartment; wherein the integral cavity comprises four sidewalls and at least two tabs extending from the perimeter towards a center of the integral cavity, the at least two tabs positioned along the same one of the four sidewalls and aligned with one of the central longitudinal axis and the lateral axis, wherein the at least two tabs each include an inferior surface positioned above a base portion of the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification