Article of Footwear for Increasing Stability and Lateral Performance

• US 20090293308A1
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Lupo, Bo, Stockbridge, Kurt J., Bruce, Robert M., Cooper, Aaron A.C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,061,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/88
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/143 provided with wedged, concave or convex end portions, e.g. for improving roll-off of the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/14 with foot-supporting parts

Abstract

An article of footwear with multiple cross sectional profile shapes disposed on an outer peripheral edge of a sole is disclosed. The multiple cross sectional profile shapes on the outer peripheral edge of the sole can help increase the lateral performance and lateral stability of a wearer of the article of footwear.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole including an outer peripheral edge;

a forefoot portion of the outer peripheral edge having a first cross sectional profile shape;

an arch portion of the outer peripheral edge having a second cross sectional profile shape;

a heel portion of the outer peripheral edge having a third cross sectional profile shape; and

wherein the first cross sectional profile shape, the second cross sectional profile shape and the third cross sectional profile shape are different from one another.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the forefoot portion has a substantially convex cross sectional profile shape.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the arch portion has a substantially flat cross sectional profile shape.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the heel portion includes a lower portion and an upper portion.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein the lower portion has a substantially convex cross sectional profile shape and wherein the upper portion has a substantially concave cross sectional profile shape.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein the heel portion includes a feathered edge that separates the lower portion from the upper portion.

7. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole including an outer peripheral edge;

a lower surface of the sole configured to contact a ground surface;

the outer peripheral edge comprising a first portion that is substantially curved; and

wherein the outer peripheral edge further comprises a second portion that is generally perpendicular with the lower surface.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the first portion is a forefoot portion having a substantially convex cross sectional profile shape.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the second portion is an arch portion having a substantially flat cross sectional profile shape.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the first portion is a heel portion having a cross sectional profile shape with a feathered edge.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the substantially convex cross sectional profile shape of the forefoot portion provides lateral agility to the article of footwear.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the substantially flat cross sectional profile shape of the arch portion provides lateral stability to the article of footwear.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the outer peripheral edge includes an intermediate portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion and wherein the intermediate portion has a cross sectional profile shape between a convex shape and a substantially flat shape.

14. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole including an outer peripheral edge;

a first portion of the outer peripheral edge having a first cross sectional profile shape that is configured to provide traction when an article is titled onto the outer peripheral edge; and

a second portion of the outer peripheral edge having a second cross sectional profile shape that is configured for lateral stability.

15. The article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein the first cross sectional profile shape is a substantially convex shape.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein the second cross sectional profile shape is a substantially flat shape that is oriented in a generally vertical direction between an upper surface of the sole and a lower surface of the sole.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein the sole includes a heel rise in the range between 2 to 8 millimeters.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 17, wherein the heel rise is approximately 4 millimeters.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the first portion is disposed on a forefoot portion of the outer peripheral edge.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein the second portion is disposed on an arch portion of the outer peripheral edge.