Sole structure with side stiffener for article of footwear
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper that includes a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction, the knitted component including an external surface; and
a sole structure that is coupled to the upper, the sole structure including;
an intermediate member with a first surface, the first surface being attached to the external surface of the knitted component,a first stiffener located in at least one of a midfoot region and a forefoot region, the first stiffener having a first portion that is attached to the intermediate member, the first portion having a vertical height, and a second portion that extends a horizontal length from the first portion such that the first stiffener has a generally L-shaped cross-section,wherein the vertical height of the first portion extends from a junction with the second portion to a first terminal end and wherein the second portion extends from the junction with the first portion and terminates at a second terminal end, and wherein the first terminal end is separated from the junction by a greater distance than the second terminal end is separated from the junction;
wherein the intermediate member is disposed between the first stiffener and the external surface of the knitted component; and
a base member including an upper surface, wherein the upper surface of the base member includes a base recess and wherein the base recess is recessed into the upper surface of the base member and is configured to receive the second portion of the first stiffener therein.
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Abstract
An article of footwear includes an upper having a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction. The knitted component also includes an external surface. Moreover, the footwear includes a sole structure that is coupled to the upper. The sole structure includes an intermediate member with a first surface. The first surface is attached to the external surface of the knitted component. The sole structure also includes at least one stiffener that is attached to the intermediate member. The intermediate member is disposed between the stiffener and the external surface of the knitted component.
148 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An article of footwear comprising:
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an upper that includes a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction, the knitted component including an external surface; and a sole structure that is coupled to the upper, the sole structure including; an intermediate member with a first surface, the first surface being attached to the external surface of the knitted component, a first stiffener located in at least one of a midfoot region and a forefoot region, the first stiffener having a first portion that is attached to the intermediate member, the first portion having a vertical height, and a second portion that extends a horizontal length from the first portion such that the first stiffener has a generally L-shaped cross-section, wherein the vertical height of the first portion extends from a junction with the second portion to a first terminal end and wherein the second portion extends from the junction with the first portion and terminates at a second terminal end, and wherein the first terminal end is separated from the junction by a greater distance than the second terminal end is separated from the junction; wherein the intermediate member is disposed between the first stiffener and the external surface of the knitted component; and a base member including an upper surface, wherein the upper surface of the base member includes a base recess and wherein the base recess is recessed into the upper surface of the base member and is configured to receive the second portion of the first stiffener therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An article of footwear comprising:
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an upper with a first wall and a second wall, the first wall and the second wall being separated at a distance from each other to at least partially define a void that is configured to receive a foot; and a sole structure having a heel portion, a midfoot portion, and a forefoot portion extending along a longitudinal axis, the sole structure coupled to the upper and including; at least one stiffener with a generally vertically oriented first portion and a generally horizontally oriented second portion, wherein the at least one stiffener is located longitudinally forward of the heel portion, wherein the first portion extends from a junction with the second portion to a first terminal end and wherein the second portion extends from the junction with the first portion and terminates at a second terminal end, and wherein the second terminal end is located between a lateral side and a medial side of the sole structure; an intermediate member with a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being attached to the upper, the second surface facing away from the first surface, the second surface including an intermediate recess, the intermediate recess being configured to receive the correspondingly-shaped first portion of the at least one stiffener, the first portion of the at least one stiffener being attached to the intermediate member, and a base member that extends between the first wall and the second wall of the upper, the base member including an upper surface facing the upper and a ground engaging surface, and wherein the upper surface of the base member includes a base recess, wherein the base recess is recessed into the upper surface of the base member and is configured to receive the second portion of the at least one stiffener. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20)
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15. An article of footwear comprising:
- an upper; and
a sole structure that is coupled to the upper, the sole structure including;
an intermediate member with a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being attached to the upper, the second surface facing away from the upper, a first stiffener located on only one of a lateral side and a medial side of the article of footwear, the first stiffener including a first inner surface and a first outer surface, the first inner surface being attached to the second surface of the intermediate member, the first outer surface facing away from the intermediate member, and a second stiffener located on the other of only one of a lateral side and a medial side of the article of footwear, the second stiffener including a second inner surface and a second outer surface, the second inner surface being attached to the second surface of the intermediate member, the second outer surface facing away from the intermediate member, the first stiffener and the second stiffener being separate distinct structures that are spaced apart and detached from each other, the intermediate member including an exposed portion that is exposed between the first stiffener and the second stiffener, and a third stiffener being a separate distinct structure that is spaced apart and detached from the first and second stiffeners, the third stiffener including a generally vertically oriented first portion and a generally horizontally oriented second portion, wherein the first portion of the third stiffener extends from a junction with the second portion to a first terminal end and wherein the second portion extends from the junction with the first portion and terminates at a second terminal end, and wherein the second terminal end terminates before a midline extending between a forefoot and a heel of the article of footwear, and wherein the intermediate member comprises an intermediate recess that is correspondingly shaped to the first portion of the third stiffener and wherein the intermediate recess is configured to receive the first portion of the third stiffener therein and, a base member including an upper surface facing the upper, wherein the upper surface of the base member includes a base recess and wherein the base recess is recessed into the upper surface of the base member and is configured to receive the second portion of the third stiffener therein. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
- an upper; and
Specification