Article of footwear with a sole structure having fluid-filled support elements

• US 7,810,256 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2009
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Goodwin, David A., Crowley, Gerald Edwin
• Primary Examiner(s): BAYS, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US12/425,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20090193688A1
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 36/28, 36/29, 36/35.B, 36/37, 36/35.R
• US Class Current: 36/29
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/181 Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/206 provided with tubes or pipes or tubular shaped cushioning members
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0052 X-shaped or cross-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 35/148 Moulds or apparatus therefor

Abstract

An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert.

Claims

1. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure comprising:

an attachment member positioned adjacent the upper and extending downward from the sole structure; and

a fluid-filled chamber secured to the attachment member and extending downward from the attachment member,

each of the attachment member and the chamber being formed from materials with similar optical properties,

wherein the sole structure includes at least one additional attachment member and at least one additional chamber, wherein the chamber and the at least one additional chamber are connected to each other by a base and wherein a conduit extends through the base to place the chamber and the at least one additional chamber in fluid communication.

2. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein each of the attachment member and the chamber are formed from clear materials.

3. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein each of the attachment member and the chamber are formed from at least partially clear materials.

4. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment member and the chamber are located in a heel region of the footwear, and the sole structure includes three additional attachment members and three additional chambers.

5. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment member and the chamber are located in a forefoot region of the footwear.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein a number of attachment members is equal to a number of chambers.

7. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure comprising:

a plate that extends along at least a portion of a lower surface of the upper;

four attachment members extending downward from the plate, the attachment members defining four lower surfaces; and

four fluid-filled chambers secured to the lower surfaces of the attachment members and extending downward from the attachment members, wherein the chambers are connected to each other by a base and wherein a conduit extends through the base to place the chambers in fluid communication;

wherein the attachment members and the chambers are located in a heel region of the footwear and each of the attachment members and the chambers are formed from materials that are at least partially clear.

8. The article of footwear of claim 7, wherein each of the attachment members and the chambers are formed from materials that are clear.

9. The article of footwear of claim 7, wherein the attachment members and the plate are formed of different materials.