Footwear sole structure incorporating a cushioning component
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cushioning component for an article of footwear, the cushioning component comprising:
- a chamber having a first surface and an opposite second surface peripherally joined to form a volume for receiving a fluid, the first surface and the second surface being devoid of internal connections that secure interior portions of the first surface to interior portions of the second surface, the first surface and the second surface defining a plurality of lobes extending outward from a central area of the chamber, the lobes being in fluid communication with the central area, and the lobes defining spaces positioned between the lobes located adjacent to each other; and
inserts positioned within the spaces, the inserts being formed of a resilient material.
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Abstract
A cushioning component for an article of footwear is disclosed that includes a fluid-filled chamber and a covering element extending over a portion of the chamber. The chamber is devoid of internal connections, and the fluid within the chamber may be at a pressure that is substantially equal to an ambient pressure. The chamber defines a plurality of lobes, and the cushioning element includes a plurality of inserts that extend between the lobes. The inserts are elongate structures that decrease the compressibility of peripheral portions of the cushioning component.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A cushioning component for an article of footwear, the cushioning component comprising:
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a chamber having a first surface and an opposite second surface peripherally joined to form a volume for receiving a fluid, the first surface and the second surface being devoid of internal connections that secure interior portions of the first surface to interior portions of the second surface, the first surface and the second surface defining a plurality of lobes extending outward from a central area of the chamber, the lobes being in fluid communication with the central area, and the lobes defining spaces positioned between the lobes located adjacent to each other; and
inserts positioned within the spaces, the inserts being formed of a resilient material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A cushioning component for an article of footwear, the cushioning component comprising:
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a chamber enclosing a fluid having a pressure approximately equal to an ambient pressure of air surrounding the cushioning component, the chamber having a first surface and an opposite second surface peripherally joined to form a volume for receiving the fluid, the first surface and the second surface being devoid of internal connections that secure interior portions of the first surface to interior portions of the second surface, the first surface and the second surface defining a plurality of lobes extending outward from a central area of the chamber, the lobes being in fluid communication with the central area, and the lobes defining spaces positioned between the lobes located adjacent to each other; and
a covering element having a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of inserts extending between the first layer and the second layer, the first layer extending over at least a portion of the first surface, the second layer extending over at least a portion of the second surface, and the inserts being positioned within the spaces. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A cushioning component for an article of footwear, the cushioning component comprising:
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a chamber having a first surface and an opposite second surface peripherally joined to form a volume for receiving a fluid, the first surface and the second surface being devoid of internal connections that secure interior portions of the first surface to interior portions of the second surface, the first surface and the second surface defining a plurality of lobes extending outward from a central area of the chamber, the lobes being in fluid communication with the central area, and the lobes defining spaces positioned between the lobes located adjacent to each other; and
a covering element having a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of inserts extending between the first layer and the second layer, the first layer extending over the first surface, the second layer extending over the second surface, and the inserts being positioned within the spaces, each insert having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being located adjacent the first surface and the second portion being located adjacent the second surface, and the first portion being joined with the second portion to secure the covering element to the chamber, the inserts having a configuration that is less compressible than the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An article of footwear comprising:
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an upper for receiving a foot of a wearer; and
a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure including;
a midsole formed of a polymer foam material, and a cushioning component at least partially encapsulated by the foam material of the midsole, the cushioning component having a chamber and a plurality of inserts, the chamber enclosing a fluid having a pressure approximately equal to an ambient pressure of air surrounding the cushioning component, and the chamber having a first surface and an opposite second surface peripherally joined to form a volume for receiving the fluid, the first surface and the second surface being devoid of internal connections that secure interior portions of the first surface to interior portions of the second surface, the first surface and the second surface defining a plurality of lobes extending outward from a central area of the chamber, the lobes being in fluid communication with the central area, and the lobes defining spaces positioned between the lobes located adjacent to each other, the inserts being positioned within the spaces, and the inserts being less compressible than the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure comprising:
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a midsole formed of a polymer foam material, a cushioning component at least partially encapsulated by the foam material of the midsole, the cushioning component having;
a chamber enclosing a fluid having a pressure approximately equal to an ambient pressure of air surrounding the cushioning component, and the chamber having a first surface and an opposite second surface peripherally joined to form a volume for receiving the fluid, the first surface and the second surface being devoid of internal connections that secure interior portions of the first surface to interior portions of the second surface, the first surface and the second surface defining a plurality of lobes extending outward from a central area of the chamber, the lobes being in fluid communication with the central area, and the lobes defining spaces positioned between the lobes located adjacent to each other a covering element having a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of inserts extending between the first layer and the second layer, the first layer extending over the first surface, the second layer extending over the second surface, and the inserts being positioned within the spaces, the inserts each having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being located adjacent the first surface and the second portion being located adjacent the second surface, and the first portion being joined with the second portion to secure the covering element to the chamber, the inserts having a configuration that is less compressible than the chamber. an outsole secured to the midsole. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification