System for modifying properties of an article of footwear

• US 6,920,707 B1
• Filed: 05/14/2002
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Greene, Pamela S., Cook, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Kavanaugh, Ted
• Application Number:
  US10/146,480
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 36/97, 36/28, 36/30.R, 361/08, 36/31
• US Class Current: 36/97
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/14 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/16 Pieced soles with several layers of different material A43B13/12
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/26 adjustable as to length or size
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/28 Adapting the inner sole or the side of the upper of the shoe to the sole of the foot

Abstract

A system for modifying properties of an article of footwear is disclosed, wherein the article of footwear includes a removable foot-supporting member that includes a frame portion that defines an aperture, one of a plurality of insert portions that are received by the aperture, and a restraining member attached to an upper surface of the frame portion. By removing the insert portion, which has a specific physical characteristic, and replacing it with an alternate insert portion, which has a different physical characteristic, properties of the article of footwear are modified. The restraining member is attached to the upper surface of the frame portion, but not to the upper surface of the insert portion. The restraining member prevents upward movement of the insert portions and stretches to accommodate insert portions having various dimensions.

Claims

1. A system for modifying at least one variable property of an article of footwear, said system comprising a foot-supporting member and an insert portion, said foot-supporting member being removable from a void within said footwear, and said foot-supporting member having a frame portion that defines an aperture for removably-receiving said insert portion, a property of said footwear being modified by inserting said insert portion into said aperture, and said foot-supporting member including a restraining member that is attached to at least a portion of a surface of said frame portion and unattached to a surface of said insert portion, said restraining member extending across said aperture to restrain movement of said insert portion when said insert portion is received by said aperture.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said foot-supporting member includes a first said insert portion and a second said insert portion, said property of said footwear being modified by interchanging said first said insert portion with said second said insert portion.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein one of an upper and a sole restrain downward movement of said insert portion.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said property is a dimension of said footwear.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said dimension is one of a width and a length of said footwear.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said restraining member expands and contracts to accommodate increases and decreases in dimensions of said foot-supporting member.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said surface of said frame portion is an upper surface of said frame portion, and said surface of said insert portion is an upper surface of said insert portion.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said foot-supporting member has a first width when said insert portion is not received by said aperture, and said foot-supporting member has a second width when said insert portion is received by said aperture, said first width being less than said second width.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said foot-supporting member has a first length when said insert portion is not received by said aperture, and said foot-supporting member has a second length when said insert portion is received by said aperture, said first length being less than said second length.

10. A system for modifying at least one variable property of an article of footwear, said system comprising a foot-supporting member and a plurality of insert portions, said foot-supporting member being removable from a void within said footwear, and said foot-supporting member having a frame portion that defines an aperture for removably-receiving one of said insert portions, said insert portions including a first insert portion and a second insert portion with a shape that corresponds to a shape of said aperture, said first insert portion having a first physical characteristic and said second insert portion having a second physical characteristic, and said first insert portion and said second insert portion being interchangeable within said aperture, differences in said physical characteristics modifying said at least one variable property, and said foot-supporting member including a restraining member that is attached to at least a portion of a surface of said frame portion and unattached to surfaces of said insert portions, said restraining member extending across said aperture to restrain movement of said one of said plurality of said insert portions that is received by said aperture.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said surface of said frame portion is an upper surface of said frame portion, and said surfaces of said insert portions are upper surfaces of said insert portions.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein one of an upper and a sole restrain downward movement of said one of said plurality of said insert portions that is received by said aperture.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one variable property is a dimension of said footwear.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said first physical characteristic and said second physical characteristic are dimensions of said insert portions, said dimensions of said insert portions being different to modify said at least one dimension of said footwear.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said dimension is one of a width and a length of said footwear.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein said first physical characteristic is a compliance of said first insert portion, and said second physical characteristic is a compliance of said second insert portion, said compliance of said first insert portion and said compliance of said second insert portion being different.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein said restraining member expands and contracts to accommodate increases and decreases in dimensions of said foot-supporting member.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein said aperture extends from an upper surface of said frame portion to a lower surface of said frame portion.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein upper surfaces of said insert portions are configured to align with said upper surface of said frame portion, and lower surfaces of said insert portions are configured to align with said lower surface of said frame portion.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein said first insert portion and said second insert portion are elliptically-shaped, said first insert portion having a greater eccentricity than said second insert portion.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein interchanging said first insert portion with said second insert portion alters a dimension of said footwear.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein said foot-supporting member has a first width when said first insert portion is received by said aperture and said foot-supporting member has a second width when said second insert portion is received by said aperture, said first width being less than said second width.

23. The system of claim 10, wherein said aperture is located within an arch area of said foot-supporting member.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said arch area has a first height when said first insert portion is located within said aperture, and said arch area has a second height when said second insert portion is located within said arch area, said first height being less than said second height.

25. The system of claim 10, wherein said aperture is located in a mid-portion of said foot-supporting member.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said footwear has a first length when said first insert portion is located within said aperture, and said footwear has a second length when said second insert portion is located within said aperture, said first length being less than said second length.

27. The system of claim 10, wherein said aperture is located within a heel area of said foot-supporting member.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said heel area has a first compliance when said first insert portion is located within said aperture, and said heel area has a second compliance when said second insert portion is located within said aperture, said first compliance being less than said second compliance.

29. An article of footwear that is modifiable to have one of a first width and a second width, said footwear including an upper, a sole that is attached to said upper, and a foot-supporting member that is removable from said footwear, said foot-supporting member comprising:

a frame portion that underlies a substantial portion of a foot that is received by said footwear, said frame portion defining an aperture that extends from an upper surface of said frame portion to a lower surface of said frame portion;

a first insert portion and a second insert portion that have different widths, said aperture being configured to receive one of said first insert portion and said second insert portion, said footwear having said first width when said first insert portion is removably-received by said aperture, and said footwear having said second width when said second insert portion is received by said aperture; and

a restraining member that is attached to at least a portion of one of said upper surface and said lower surface of said frame portion and unattached to said insert portions, said restraining member extending across said aperture to restrain one of said first and second said insert portions that is received by said aperture.

30. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein said restraining member expands and contracts to accommodate increases and decreases in dimensions of said foot-supporting member.

31. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein said upper surfaces of said insert portions are configured to align with said upper surface of said frame portion, and lower surfaces of said insert portions are configured to align with said lower surface of said frame portion.

32. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein said first insert portion and said second insert portion are elliptically-shaped, said first insert portion having a greater eccentricity than said second insert portion.

33. The article of footwear of claim 32, wherein said first insert portion has a lesser width than said second insert portion.

34. The article of footwear of claim 32, wherein said first insert portion has a greater length than said second insert portion.

35. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein said aperture generally extends along a center of a fore portion of said foot-supporting member.

36. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein said frame portion includes a depression and said first and second insert portions each include a ridge that circumscribes said insert portions, one of said ridges being received by said depression when one of said insert portions is joined with said frame portion.

37. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein said frame portion includes a ridge and said first and second insert portions each include a depression that circumscribes said insert portions, one of said depressions receiving said ridge when one of said insert portions is joined with said frame portion.

38. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein said frame portion includes a protrusion and said first and second insert portions each include an indentation, said protrusion being received by one of said indentations when one of said insert portions is joined with said frame portion.

39. An article of footwear that is modifiable to have one of a first width and a second width, said footwear including an upper, a sole that is attached to said upper, and a foot-supporting member that is removable from said footwear, said foot-supporting member comprising:

a frame portion that underlies a substantial portion of a foot that is received by said footwear, said frame portion defining an aperture that extends from an upper surface of said frame portion to a lower surface of said frame portion;

a first insert portion and a second insert portion that are elliptically-shaped, said first insert portion having a greater eccentricity than said second insert portion, said aperture being configured to receive one of said first insert portion and said second insert portion, said footwear having said first width when said first insert portion is removably-received by said aperture, and said footwear having said second width when said second insert portion is received by said aperture; and

a restraining member that is attached to at least a portion of one of said upper surface or said lower surface of said frame portion and unattached to said insert portions, said restraining member extending across said aperture to restrain one of said first and second said insert portions that is received by said aperture, said restraining member expanding and contracting to accommodate increases and decreases in dimensions of said foot-supporting member.

40. The article of footwear of claim 39, wherein interchanging said first insert portion with said second insert portion alters a dimension of said foot supporting member.

41. The article of footwear of claim 39, wherein said upper surfaces of said insert portions are configured to align with said upper surface of said frame portion, and lower surfaces of said insert portions are configured to align with said lower surface of said frame portion.

42. The article of footwear of claim 39 wherein said aperture generally extends along a center of a fore portion of said foot-supporting member.

43. The article of footwear of claim 39 wherein said aperture extends from an arch area of said foot-supporting member to a metatarsal area of said foot-supporting member.

44. The article of footwear of claim 39 wherein said frame portion includes a depression and said first and second insert potions each include a ridge that circumscribes said insert portions, one of said ridges being received by said depression when one of said insert portions is joined with said frame portion.

45. The article of footwear of claim 39 wherein said frame portion includes a ridge and said first and second insert portions each include a depression that circumscribes said insert portions, one of said depressions receiving said ridge when one of said insert portions is joined with said frame portion.

46. The article of footwear of claim 39 wherein said frame portion includes a protrusion and said first and second insert portions each include an indentation, said protrusion being received by one of said indentations when one of said insert portions is joined with said frame portion.

47. An article of footwear having variable fit characteristics, said footwear including an upper, a sole, and a removable foot-supporting member, said foot-supporting member comprising:

a frame portion that defines an aperture extending through said frame portion, said aperture extending from an upper surface of said frame portion to a lower surface of said frame portion;

a first insert portion, said first insert portion being removably-received by said aperture and interchangeable with a second insert portion, said first and second insert portions having different dimensions, and said footwear having a first set of dimensions when said first insert portion is received by said aperture and said footwear having a second set of dimensions when said second insert portion is received by said aperture, said first set of dimensions being accommodating a smaller foot than said second set of dimensions; and

a restraining member formed of a continuous material, said restraining member being attached to at least a portion of an upper surface of said frame portion and unattached to upper surfaces of said insert portions, said restraining member extending over said aperture, and said restraining member expanding and contracting to accommodate increases and decreases in dimensions of said aperture.

48. The article of footwear of claim 47, wherein said sets of dimensions are widths of said footwear.

49. The article of footwear of claim 48, wherein said first insert portion has a lesser width than said second insert portion.

50. The article of footwear of claim 48, wherein said first insert portion and said second insert portion are elliptically-shaped, said first insert portion having a greater eccentricity than said second insert portion.

51. The article of footwear of claim 47, wherein said sets of dimensions are a length of said footwear.

52. The article of footwear of claim 51, wherein said first insert portion has a lesser thickness than said second insert portion.

53. The article of footwear of claim 52, wherein said foot-supporting member has a first length when said first insert portion is located within said aperture, and said foot-supporting member has a second length when said second insert portion is located within said aperture, said first length being less than said second length.

54. The article of footwear of claim 53, wherein said foot-supporting member has a third length when neither said first insert portion nor said second insert portion are located within said aperture, said third length being less than said first length and said second length.

55. The article of footwear of claim 47, wherein said sets of dimensions are an arch configuration of said footwear.

56. The article of footwear of claim 55, wherein said aperture is located within an arch area of said foot-supporting member.

57. The article of footwear of claim 55, wherein said arch area has a first height when said first insert portion is located within said aperture, and said arch area has a second height when said second insert portion is located within said arch area, said first height being less than said second height.

58. The article of footwear of claim 47, wherein said frame portion includes a depression and said first and second insert portions each include a ridge that circumscribes said insert portions, one of said ridges being received by said depression when one of said insert portions is joined with said frame portion.

59. The article of footwear of claim 47, wherein said frame portion includes a ridge and said first and second insert portions each include a depression that circumscribes said insert portions, one of said depressions receiving said ridge when one of said insert portions is joined with said frame portion.

60. The article of footwear of claim 47, wherein said frame portion includes a protrusion and said first and second insert portions each include an indentation, said protrusion being received by one of said indentations when one of said insert portions is joined with said frame portion.

61. A system for modifying at least one variable property of an article of footwear, said system comprising a foot-supporting member and an insert, said foot supporting member being removable from said footwear, and said foot-supporting member having a frame portion that defines an aperture for removably-receiving said insert portion, a property of said footwear being modified by inserting said insert portion into said aperture, and said foot-supporting member including a restraining member that is attached to at least a portion of an upper surface of said frame portion and unattached to an upper surface of said insert portion, said restraining member extending across said aperture to restrain movement of said insert portion when said insert portion is received by said aperture.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein said foot-supporting member includes a first said insert portion and a second said insert portion, said property of said footwear being modified by interchanging said first said insert portion with said second said insert portion.

63. The system of claim 61, wherein one of an upper and a sole restrain downward movement of said insert portion.

64. The system of claim 61, wherein said property is a dimension of said footwear.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein said dimension is one of a width and a length of said footwear.

66. The system of claim 61, wherein said restraining member expands and contracts to accommodate increases and decreases in dimensions of said foot-supporting member.

67. The system of claim 61, wherein said foot-supporting member has a first width when said insert portion is not received by said aperture, and said foot-supporting member has a second width when said insert portion is received by said aperture, said first width being less than said second width.

68. The system of claim 61, wherein said foot-supporting member has a first length when said insert portion is not received by said aperture, and said foot-supporting member has a second length when said insert portion is received by said aperture, said first length being less than said second length.

69. A system for modifying at least one variable property of an article of footwear, said system comprising a foot-supporting member and a plurality of insert portions, said foot supporting member being removable from said footwear, and said foot-supporting member having a frame portion that defines an aperture for removably-receiving one of said insert portions, said insert portions including a first insert portion and a second insert portion, said first insert portion having a first physical characteristic and said second insert portion having a second physical characteristic, and said first insert portion and said second insert portion being interchangeable within said aperture, differences in said physical characteristics modifying said at least one variable property, and said foot-supporting member including a restraining member that is attached to at least a portion of an upper surface of said frame portion and unattached to upper surfaces of said insert portions, said restraining member extending across said aperture to restrain movement of said one of said plurality of said insert portions that is received by said aperture.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein one of an upper and a sole restrain downward movement of said one of said plurality of said insert portions that is received by said aperture.

71. The system of claim 69, wherein said at least one variable property is a dimension of said footwear.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein said first physical characteristic and said second physical characteristic are dimensions of said insert portions, said dimensions of said insert portions being different to modify said at least one dimension of said footwear.

73. The system of claim 71, wherein said dimension is one of a width and a length of said footwear.

74. The system of claim 69, wherein said first physical characteristic is a compliance of said first insert portion, and said second physical characteristic is a compliance of said second insert portion, said compliance of said first insert portion and said compliance of said second insert portion being different.

75. The system of claim 69, wherein said restraining member expands and contacts to accommodate increases and decreases in dimensions of said foot-supporting member.

76. The system of claim 69, wherein said aperture extends from an upper surface of said frame portion to a lower surface of said frame portion.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein upper surfaces of said insert portions are configured to align with said upper surface of said frame portion, and lower surfaces of said insert portions are configured to align with said lower surface of said frame portion.

78. The system of claim 69, wherein said first insert portion and said second insert portion are elliptically-shaped, said first insert portion having a greater eccentricity than said second insert portion.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein interchanging said first insert portion with said second insert portion alters a dimension of said footwear.

80. The system of claim 78, wherein said foot-supporting member has a first width when said first insert portion is received by said aperture and said foot-supporting member has a second width when said second insert portion is received by said aperture, said first width being less than said second width.

81. The system of claim 69, wherein said aperture is located within an arch area of said foot-supporting member.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein said arch area has a first height when said first insert portion is located within said aperture, and said arch area has a second height when said second insert portion is located within said arch area, said first height being less than said second height.

83. The system of claim 69, wherein said aperture is located in a mid-portion of said foot-supporting member.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein said footwear has a first length when said first insert portion is located within said aperture, and said footwear has a second length when said second insert portion is located within said aperture, said first length being less than said second length.

85. The system of claim 69, wherein said aperture is located within a heel area of said foot-supporting member.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein said heel area has a first compliance when said first insert portion is located within said aperture, and said heel area has a second compliance when said second insert portion is located within said aperture, said first compliance being less than said second compliance.