Climate configurable sole and shoe

• US 7,716,852 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2008
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Adidas International Marketing BV (Adidas AG)
• Original Assignee: Adidas International Marketing BV (Adidas AG)
• Inventors: Berger, Christoph, Manz, Gerd Rainer
• Primary Examiner(s): Mohandesi; Jila M
• Application Number:
  US12/341,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20090107013A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 36/3.A, 36/3.B, 36/3.R, 36/29, 361/41, 361/47, 36/25.R, 361/03, 36/98, 361/07, 36/28, 36/36.A, 36/34.A, 36/55, 361/45, 361/66, 361/81
• US Class Current: 36/3.00B
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/12 Soles with several layers of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/16 Pieced soles with several layers of different material A43B13/12
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/186 Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot resilient heel not included in the sole A43B21/26; resilient supports for the heel of the foot A43B21/32
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/08 with air-holes, with or without closures

Abstract

Disclosed are articles of footwear and soles therefor, in particular sports shoe soles that include openings for ventilation and vapor exchange. The soles include an insole layer with a plurality of first openings, a support layer with a plurality of second openings that partially overlap the plurality of first openings, and an outsole layer with at least one third opening that at least partially overlaps the plurality of second openings to provide fluidic communications through the sole from an interior of the shoe to an exterior of the shoe. A substantial portion of the plurality of first openings in the insole are interconnected to provide a path for diffusion. The shoes and soles can include a cushioning layer, a tread layer, a breathable membrane, and additional support elements. In addition, the shoes can be used with climate control socks to further enhance the climate control properties of the shoes.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper at least partially defining an interior void for receiving a foot;

an insole layer comprising a top layer located substantially within the void, the insole layer defining a plurality of first openings;

a support layer located below the insole layer and defining a plurality of second openings that partially overlap the plurality of first openings; and

a third layer located below the support layer and at least partially defining at least one third opening extending entirely therethrough, and wherein the third opening at least partially overlaps a portion of the plurality of second openings, wherein the portion comprises at least two openings, such that there exists constant, substantially open fluidic communication between the interior void and the at least one third opening.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the third layer comprises a forefoot section and a rearfoot section, wherein the forefoot section and the rearfoot section at least partially define the at least one third opening.

3. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the support layer extends between the forefoot section and the rearfoot section, thereby providing support to a foot.

4. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein the support layer comprises at least one of a lateral flange and a medial flange, wherein at least one of the plurality of second openings extends at least partially through at least one of the lateral flange and the medial flange of the support layer.

5. The article of footwear of claim 3, further comprising a support element disposed between the support layer and the third layer.

6. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the support element extends at least partially across the separation between the forefoot section and the rearfoot section.

7. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein the third opening is located proximate at least one of a lateral side and a medial side of the third layer.

8. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the support element at least partially defines at least one fourth opening therethrough, and wherein the at least one fourth opening at least partially overlaps at least two of the plurality of second openings.

9. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support layer comprises a substantially compression resistant semi-rigid chassis.

10. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support layer and the third layer comprise a sole of the article of footwear.

11. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the support layer controls deformation properties of the sole.

12. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the support layer extends along at least one of a heel region and a ball region of the sole.

13. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the plurality of second openings are disposed in at least one of a toe region, an arch region, and an upwardly extending portion of the sole.

14. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the plurality of second openings form a grill pattern.