Article of footwear with heel traction elements

• US 7,941,945 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2007
• Issued: 05/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Gerber, Clifford B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patterson; Marie
• Application Number:
  US11/873,828
• Publication Number:
  US 20090100718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• Field of Search: 036/59.R, 036/59.C, 036/67.R, 036/134, 036126-129, 036/114
• US Class Current: 36/59.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/04 Plastics, rubber or vulcanised fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/145 Convex portions, e.g. with a bump or projection, e.g. 'Masai' type shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/223 Profiled soles
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/02 Football boots or shoes, i.e. for soccer, football or rugby
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/04 attached to the heel
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/162 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/164 having a circular cross section

Abstract

An article of footwear with heel traction elements is disclosed. The heel traction elements enhance traction and stability when backpedaling or moving laterally. The heel traction elements may be disposed on a heel wrap. The heel traction elements may be disposed so they are in line with each other.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole including a forefoot portion and a heel portion;

the heel portion further comprising a heel wrap;

a first rear heel traction element disposed on the heel wrap and a second rear heel traction element disposed on the heel wrap;

each of the rear heel traction elements including a first rounded portion oriented towards the forefoot portion and each of the rear heel traction elements including a second rounded portion oriented away from the forefoot portion;

the first rounded portion forming a first angle of inclination with the heel wrap that is greater than a second angle of inclination formed between the second rounded portion and the heel wrap; and

wherein the first rear heel traction element is disposed rearwards of the second rear heel traction element.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first rounded portion has a first average curvature that is less than an average curvature of the second rounded portion.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first angle of inclination is between 60 and 90 degrees.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the second angle of inclination is between 0 and 30 degrees.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the second rear heel traction element is disposed rearwards of a rear heel cleat.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first rear heel traction element is disposed against the second rear heel traction element.

7. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole including a forefoot portion and a heel portion;

the heel portion further comprising a heel wrap;

a first rear heel traction element disposed on an upper portion of the heel wrap and a second rear heel traction element disposed on a lower portion of the heel wrap, the second rear heel traction element being adjacent to the first rear heel traction element;

wherein the first rear heel traction element has a first height that is smaller than a second height of the second rear heel traction element; and

wherein the average lateral width of the first rear heel traction element is less than the average lateral width of the second rear heel traction element.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the first rear heel traction element is disposed above a heel cleat disposed on a flat base portion of the sole.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the first rear heel traction element and the second rear heel traction element have a generally triangular shape.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the first rear heel traction element is disposed behind the second rear heel traction element.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the first rear heel traction element and the second rear heel traction element present a contact surface configured to contact a ground surface.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the first rear heel traction element has a first side disposed closest to the forefoot portion and a second side disposed furthest from the forefoot portion.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 12, wherein the lateral width of the first side is greater than the lateral width of the second side.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the second rear heel traction element has a first side disposed closest to the forefoot portion and a second side disposed furthest from the forefoot portion.

15. The article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein the lateral width of the first side is greater than the lateral width of the second side.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 7,

wherein a cleat receiving member is disposed on the heel portion.

17. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole including a forefoot portion and a heel portion having a heel width;

the heel portion further comprising a heel wrap;

a first rear heel traction element including a forward facing first rounded portion oriented towards the forefoot portion and a second rear heel traction element including-a rearward facing second rounded portion oriented away from the forefoot portion;

wherein the rearward facing second rounded portion having a first width presents a contact surface that is configured to contact a ground surface;

wherein the forward facing first rounded portion having a second width is configured to penetrate the ground surface;

wherein the heel width is greater than the first width and second width.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 17, wherein the contact surface is rounded.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 17, wherein a cleat receiving member is disposed on the heel portion.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 17, wherein a height of the first rear heel traction element is less than a height of the second rear heel traction element.

21. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole including a forefoot portion and a heel portion;

the heel portion further comprising a heel wrap;

a first rear heel traction element disposed on an upper portion of the heel wrap and a second rear heel traction element disposed on a lower portion of the heel wrap, the second rear heel traction element being adjacent to the first rear heel traction element;

wherein the first rear heel traction element has a first height that is smaller than a second height of the second rear heel traction element;

wherein the first rear heel traction element has a first side disposed closest to the forefoot portion and a second side disposed furthest from the forefoot portion; and

wherein the lateral width of the first side is greater than the lateral width of the second side.

22. The article of footwear according to claim 21, wherein a cleat receiving member is disposed on the heel portion.

23. The article of footwear according to claim 22, wherein the cleat receiving member is disposed closer to the forefoot portion than the first rear heel traction element and the second rear heel traction element.

24. The article of footwear according to claim 23, wherein a cleat member is disposed on the cleat receiving member.

25. The article of footwear according to claim 21, wherein a cleat receiving member is disposed on the forefoot portion.

26. An article of footwear, comprising:

a sole including a forefoot portion and a heel portion;

the heel portion further comprising a heel wrap;

a first rear heel traction element disposed on an upper portion of the heel wrap and a second rear heel traction element disposed on a lower portion of the heel wrap, the second rear heel traction element being adjacent to the first rear heel traction element;

wherein the first rear heel traction element has a first height that is smaller than a second height of the second rear heel traction element;

wherein the second rear heel traction element has a first side disposed closest to the forefoot portion and a second side disposed furthest from the forefoot portion; and

wherein the lateral width of the first side is greater than the lateral width of the second side.

27. The article of footwear according to claim 26, wherein a cleat receiving member is disposed on the heel portion.

28. The article of footwear according to claim 27, wherein the cleat receiving member is disposed closer to the forefoot portion than the first rear heel traction element and the second rear heel traction element.

29. The article of footwear according to claim 28, wherein a cleat member is disposed on the cleat receiving member.

30. The article of footwear according to claim 26, wherein a cleat receiving member is disposed on the forefoot portion.