ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR WITH A CUSTOMIZABLE UPPER

• US 20100180469A1
• Filed: 01/22/2009
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Baucom, Jim, Grove, James A., Gerber, Clifford B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,950,087 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/100
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0235 Different layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0245 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/22 Supports for the shank or arch of the uppers
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0031 provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0047 parts having a male and corresponding female profile to fit together, e.g. form-fit
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/242 characterised by the upper
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/02 Football boots or shoes, i.e. for soccer, football or rugby
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/1493 Strap fastenings having hook and loop-type fastening elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/1275 for the ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/1283 for the foot

Abstract

An article of footwear with an insert system is disclosed. The insert system can include an insert that may be introduced to a side portion of the upper. The insert is configured to adjust properties of a side portion of an upper.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper including a side portion, the side portion further including an outer portion and an inner portion;

the side portion including at least one aperture;

an insert configured to be inserted into the upper and associated with the inner portion of the side portion;

the insert including at least one raised portion; and

wherein at least one raised portion can be inserted through at least one aperture and exposed on the outer portion.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein at least one raised portion and the outer portion present a substantially continuous outer surface.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the insert is disposed between an inner lining of the upper and an outer lining of the upper.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein a first portion of the insert includes a fastener that is configured to associate with a fastener receiving portion disposed on the inner portion of the side portion.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the insert is a lateral insert and wherein the side portion is a lateral side portion and wherein the upper further includes a medial side portion that is configured to receive a medial insert.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 5, wherein the lateral insert and the medial insert have substantially different shapes.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the insert is a low-profile insert.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the insert includes an ankle portion.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein at least one aperture is covered by a mesh portion.

10. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper including a side portion, the side portion further including an outer portion and an inner portion;

the side portion including a plurality of apertures;

an insert configured to be inserted into the upper and associated with the inner portion of the side portion;

the insert including a plurality of raised portions that are configured to engage the plurality of apertures; and

wherein the raised portions and the outer portion of the upper form a substantially continuous outer surface when the insert is disposed inside the upper.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the article of footwear is further associated with a bootie and wherein the insert is disposed between the bootie and outer lining of the upper.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the insert includes a first locating feature that is configured to engage a second locating feature of the upper to facilitate alignment of the insert.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the article is further associated with a set of inserts and wherein each insert of the set of inserts has a different thickness that can be used to modify the interior width of the upper.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the insert is associated with an ankle strap that is configured to fasten the upper.

15. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper including at least one side portion, at least one side portion further including an outer portion and an inner portion;

at least one side portion including at least one aperture;

at least one insert configured to be inserted into the upper and associated with the inner portion of at least one side portion, at least one insert including an ankle portion that extends from a throat of the upper when the insert is inserted into the upper;

an ankle strap fixedly connected to a portion of at least one insert; and

wherein the ankle strap is configured to engage at least one strap receiving portion disposed near an opening of the upper and wherein the ankle strap is configured to tighten the upper at an ankle portion of the article.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the upper includes a first side portion configured to receive a first insert and wherein the upper includes a second side portion configured to receive a second insert.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein the ankle strap includes a connecting portion configured to attach the first insert to the second insert.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein at least one strap receiving portion is a D-ring.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the upper includes at least two strap receiving portions.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein at least one insert is fixedly held in place when the ankle strap is fastened.