Article of footwear with retractable protrusion

• US 20060016101A1
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Ungari, Joseph L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,254,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/61
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/14 with outwardly-movable spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/168 with resilient means, e.g. shock absorbing means

Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. At least one recess is formed in the sole assembly, and a retractable protrusion is positioned in each recess. The protrusion is configured to be contained substantially within an exterior surface of the sole assembly in a retracted position and to extend substantially beyond the exterior surface in an extended position. The footwear includes at least one reservoir containing a fluid, with each reservoir having a first chamber and a second chamber. The first and second chambers are in fluid communication with one another, the first chamber is positioned inwardly of the second chamber, and the second chamber is positioned proximate a retractable protrusion.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising, in combination:

an upper;

a sole assembly secured to the upper;

at least one recess formed in the sole assembly;

at least one retractable protrusion, each protrusion positioned in a recess and configured to be contained substantially within the sole assembly in a retracted position and to extend substantially beyond an exterior surface of the sole assembly in an extended position; and

at least one reservoir containing a fluid, each reservoir having a first chamber and a second chamber, the first and second chambers being in fluid communication with one another, the first chamber positioned inwardly of the second chamber and the second chamber positioned proximate a retractable protrusion.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole assembly comprises an outsole and a midsole secured to the outsole.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein each first chamber is positioned at a metatarsal head portion of the sole assembly and each second chamber is positioned to be beneath a toe of a user.

4. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole assembly includes five recesses with each recess positioned to be beneath a toe of a user, a protrusion being positioned in each of the five recesses.

5. The article of footwear of claim 4, wherein each protrusion is a cleat.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising at least one seal, each seal connected at an outer edge thereof to a corresponding recess and at an inner edge thereof to a corresponding retractable protrusion.

7. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein each seal is formed of a thermoplastic material.

8. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein an outermost surface of each retractable protrusion is substantially flush with an exterior surface of the sole assembly in the retracted position.

9. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein each reservoir is formed of a polymer.

10. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein each reservoir is formed of a thermoplastic material.

11. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein each reservoir contains air.

12. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein one protrusion is a support member extending along a lateral edge of the sole assembly.

13. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein one protrusion is a support member extending along a lateral edge of a forefoot portion of the sole assembly.

14. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein one protrusion is a support member extending along a lateral edge of a midfoot portion of the sole assembly.

15. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein one protrusion is a support member extending along a lateral edge of a heel portion of the sole assembly.

16. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein one protrusion is a support member extending along a medial edge of the sole assembly.

17. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein one protrusion is a support member extending along a medial edge of a forefoot portion of the sole assembly.

18. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein one protrusion is a support member extending along a medial edge of a midfoot portion of the sole assembly.

19. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein one protrusion is a support member extending along a medial edge of a heel portion of the sole assembly.

20. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein one recess and one corresponding protrusion are formed proximate a rear edge of a heel portion of the sole assembly.

21. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein the one protrusion is a cleat.

22. An article of footwear comprising, in combination:

a sole assembly comprising a midsole and an outsole;

an upper secured to the sole assembly;

a plurality of recesses formed in the sole assembly, each recess extending through the outsole and partially into the midsole;

a plurality of retractable protrusions, each protrusion positioned in a corresponding recess and configured to be contained substantially within an exterior surface of the outsole in a retracted position and to extend substantially beyond the exterior surface of the outsole in an extended position; and

a plurality of reservoirs positioned in the midsole, each reservoir containing a fluid and having a first chamber and a second chamber, each first chamber being in fluid communication with a corresponding second chamber and being positioned in the midsole, each second chamber being positioned proximate a corresponding retractable protrusion.

23. An article of footwear comprising, in combination:

an upper;

a sole assembly secured to the upper;

at least one recess formed in the sole assembly;

at least one retractable protrusion, each protrusion positioned in a recess and configured to be contained substantially within the sole assembly in a retracted position and to extend substantially beyond an exterior surface of the sole assembly in an extended position; and

at least one reservoir containing a fluid, each reservoir positioned proximate a retractable protrusion.

24. An article of footwear comprising, in combination:

an upper;

a sole assembly secured to the upper;

at least one recess formed in the sole assembly;

at least one retractable protrusion, each protrusion positioned in a recess and configured to be contained substantially within the sole assembly in a retracted position and to extend substantially beyond an exterior surface of the sole assembly in an extended position; and

a plurality of reservoirs, each reservoir containing a fluid and having a first chamber and a second chamber, the first and second chambers being in fluid communication with one another, the first chamber positioned inwardly of the second chamber and the second chamber positioned proximate a retractable protrusion, a plurality of the first chambers positioned at a metatarsal head portion of the sole assembly, a plurality of the second chambers positioned to be beneath a toe of a user, a volume of the first chamber being larger than a volume of the second chamber.