Article of footwear with a tactile feedback system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper, the upper including at least a first layer;
a sole structure joined to the upper;
the upper at least partially forming an interior cavity of the article of footwear;
the upper comprising a forefoot portion, a heel portion, a medial side, and a lateral side;
a cushioning system comprising at least one cushioning element;
the at least one cushioning element being disposed adjacent to the upper along the medial side of the upper and extending partway across the sole structure from the medial side to the lateral side;
the at least one cushioning element comprising an adjustable thickness in response to the application of a force;
wherein the at least one cushioning element includes a dynamically responsive material that exhibits dilatant behavior in response to an application of the force; and
wherein the at least one cushioning element protrudes from the sole structure into the interior cavity above a surface of the sole structure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a cushioning element. The cushioning element can be disposed in the upper and/or the sole structure. The cushioning element is configured to provide tactile feedback to a user during pronation events. The cushioning element can be a dynamically responsive material or shape that exhibits dilatant behavior in response to the application of a force.
27 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An article of footwear comprising:
-
an upper, the upper including at least a first layer; a sole structure joined to the upper; the upper at least partially forming an interior cavity of the article of footwear; the upper comprising a forefoot portion, a heel portion, a medial side, and a lateral side; a cushioning system comprising at least one cushioning element; the at least one cushioning element being disposed adjacent to the upper along the medial side of the upper and extending partway across the sole structure from the medial side to the lateral side; the at least one cushioning element comprising an adjustable thickness in response to the application of a force; wherein the at least one cushioning element includes a dynamically responsive material that exhibits dilatant behavior in response to an application of the force; and wherein the at least one cushioning element protrudes from the sole structure into the interior cavity above a surface of the sole structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. An article of footwear comprising:
-
an upper and a sole structure joined to the upper, the upper forming an interior cavity of the article of footwear; a pronation feedback system comprising an array of cushioning elements spaced apart from one another, including a first cushioning element located adjacent to the upper along a medial side of the upper, and the array of cushioning elements extending partway across the sole structure from the medial side to a lateral side of the upper; the first cushioning element comprising a substantially pyramidal geometry having an apex that protrudes into the interior cavity from an inner surface of the medial side of the upper; at least a portion of the pronation feedback system comprising an adjustable thickness due to the inclusion of the first cushioning element; and wherein the first cushioning element includes a dynamically responsive material that exhibits dilatant behavior in response to an application of a force. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An article of footwear comprising:
-
an upper and a sole structure joined to the upper, the upper forming an interior cavity of the article of footwear; a cushioning system comprising a first cushioning element and a second cushioning element spaced apart from the first cushioning element; the first cushioning element disposed adjacent to the upper and extending from the upper into the interior cavity formed by the upper, the second cushioning element disposed on the sole structure and protruding from the sole structure into the interior cavity above a surface of the sole structure; the first cushioning element comprising a first region of adjustable thickness, and the second cushioning element comprising a second region of adjustable thickness; and the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element each include a dynamically responsive material that exhibits dilatant behavior in response to an application of force. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification