Tendon Assembly For an Article of Footwear

• US 20120198727A1
• Filed: 02/04/2011
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Long, Bradley S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,875,418 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/25.R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0235 Different layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0265 having different properties in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/00 Shoe lacing fastenings garment fastening devices A41F
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/16 Fastenings secured by wire, bolts, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 5/00 Eyelets machines for setting eyelets A43D100/00

Abstract

A tendon assembly for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tendon assembly includes a tendon positioned between a base layer and a cover layer in a non-bonded manner such that the tendon may move freely within the layers. The tendon assembly may be rigidly secured to a shoe upper. One end of the tendon may be rigidly secured at or near the sole of the footwear. A second portion of the tendon may be integrated with a fastening system of the footwear such that the tendon may pull the footwear upper snugly against a wearer'"'"'s foot to provide added support.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper, the upper connected to a fastening region, wherein the upper includes an opening, and wherein at least a portion of the opening is adjustable by a fastening system;

a sole attached to the upper; and

a tendon assembly secured to the upper between the sole and the fastening region, the tendon assembly having a longitudinal direction directed along the length of the tendon assembly and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the tendon assembly comprises;

a base layer;

a separate top layer connected to the base layer; and

a tendon positioned between the base layer and the top layer such that the tendon moves freely between the base layer and the top layer in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction; and

wherein the tendon is configured to move with the fastening system.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the sole and upper are joined at a lasting margin and the tendon assembly is secured at the lasting margin.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein the tendon extends into the fastening region.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 3, wherein the tendon forms a loop for engaging a fastening system in the fastening region.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 4 wherein the fastening system comprises laces.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the fastening system comprises hook and eye closures.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein both ends of the tendon are secured at the lasting margin and the midpoint of the tendon forms a loop for engaging a fastening system in the fastening region.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the tendon assembly is positioned on a medial side of the upper.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the tendon assembly is positioned on a lateral side of the upper.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising multiple tendon assemblies on the upper.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the top layer further comprises a channel for placement of the tendon.

12. A tendon assembly configured for placement on an article of footwear comprising:

a base layer;

a separate upper layer configured to attach to the base layer, wherein the base layer and the upper layer define a space that runs the length of the tendon assembly; and

a tendon positioned in the space, wherein the tendon is configured to move freely within the space in both a longitudinal direction directed along the length of the tendon assembly and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and wherein the tendon may be integrated with a fastening system on the article of footwear.

13. The tendon assembly of claim 12, wherein the base layer comprises the footwear upper.

14. The tendon assembly of claim 12, wherein the upper layer is configured to partially expose the tendon.

15. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper, wherein the upper includes a fastening region with a fastening system;

a sole attached to the upper; and

a tendon assembly attached to the upper and running from an area proximate the sole to an area proximate the fastening region, the tendon assembly having a longitudinal direction directed along the length of the tendon assembly and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the tendon assembly comprises;

a base layer;

a separate top layer attached to the base layer; and

a tendon positioned between the base layer and the top layer such that the tendon moves freely between the base layer and the top layer in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, and wherein the tendon further extends into the fastening region.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the sole and upper are joined at a lasting margin and the tendon assembly is rigidly secured at the lasting margin.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the tendon forms a loop for engaging a fastening system in the fastening region.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 17 wherein the fastening system comprises laces.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 17, wherein the fastening system comprises hook and eye closures.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein both ends of the tendon are secured at the lasting margin and the midpoint of the tendon forms a loop for engaging a fastening system in the fastening region.