Composite sole structure
First Claim
1. A sole structure, comprising:
- a bottom plate member having a top surface, a bottom surface, a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, wherein the forefoot region of the bottom plate member has a first protruding portion located above a cleat member, the first protruding portion being formed by a depression in the top surface and a corresponding protrusion formed in the bottom surface; and
an intermediate plate member overlying the bottom plate member, the intermediate plate member being more rigid than the bottom plate member and having a top surface, a bottom surface, a forefoot region, a midfoot region, a heel region, and a second protruding portion extending from the bottom surface of the intermediate plate member, the second protruding portion having an apex; and
wherein the second protruding portion in the bottom surface of the intermediate layer nests within the first protruding portion in the top surface of the bottom plate member such that the apex of the second protruding portion rests against a surface of the depression of the first protruding portion.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments relating to a lightweight sole structure are disclosed. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a lobed member having a protruding portion associated with a cleat member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a chambered member located in an indention in an intermediate member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a cleat member having an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer. In some embodiments, a method of making a sole structure may include injecting a chambered member in between an upper member and an intermediate member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a plurality of zones having varying degrees of flexibility. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include cleat members having penetrating portions for penetrating into the ground surface.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A sole structure, comprising:
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a bottom plate member having a top surface, a bottom surface, a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, wherein the forefoot region of the bottom plate member has a first protruding portion located above a cleat member, the first protruding portion being formed by a depression in the top surface and a corresponding protrusion formed in the bottom surface; and an intermediate plate member overlying the bottom plate member, the intermediate plate member being more rigid than the bottom plate member and having a top surface, a bottom surface, a forefoot region, a midfoot region, a heel region, and a second protruding portion extending from the bottom surface of the intermediate plate member, the second protruding portion having an apex; and wherein the second protruding portion in the bottom surface of the intermediate layer nests within the first protruding portion in the top surface of the bottom plate member such that the apex of the second protruding portion rests against a surface of the depression of the first protruding portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A sole structure, comprising:
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a bottom plate member having a bottom surface; and a cleat member extending from the bottom plate member, the cleat member having an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer, wherein the intermediate layer is sandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer and is made of carbon and the outer layer of the cleat member has a depression within which the intermediate layer nests. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An article of footwear, comprising:
a sole structure having a forefoot region, a midfoot region and a heel region, wherein the sole structure includes a plurality of layers comprising; a first zone of flexibility located in the forefoot region, wherein a first layer and a second layer are disposed in the first zone of flexibility; a second zone of flexibility located in the forefoot region, wherein the first layer, the second layer, and a third layer are disposed in the second zone of flexibility, wherein the second zone of flexibility is more rigid than the first zone of flexibility, and wherein the first zone of flexibility is located closer to a forward edge of the sole structure than the second zone of flexibility is located; and a third zone of flexibility located in the midfoot region, wherein the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, and a fourth layer are disposed in the third zone of flexibility and the third zone of flexibility is more rigid than the first zone of flexibility and more rigid than the second zone of flexibility. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A sole structure, comprising:
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a bottom plate member having a forefoot region, midfoot region, heel region, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the bottom plate member forming a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure; a cleat member extending from the bottom plate member, the cleat member including a penetrating portion that is configured to penetrate into a ground surface and the cleat member having a depression opposite the penetrating portion; and an intermediate plate member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the intermediate plate member being more rigid than the bottom plate member and being configured to provide structural support for the sole structure; wherein the bottom surface of the intermediate plate member overlies the top surface of the bottom plate member, wherein a portion of the intermediate plate member extends into the depression of the cleat member. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. A sole structure comprising:
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an upper plate member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the upper plate member having a first concave indentation in the top surface and a corresponding convex indentation extending from the bottom surface of the upper plate member; an intermediate plate member having a top surface, the intermediate plate member having a second concave indentation in the top surface of the intermediate plate member, wherein the second concave indentation in the top surface of the intermediate plate member is configured to receive the convex indentation extending from the bottom surface of the upper plate member; and a chambered member comprising a plurality of geometrically-shaped columns forming chambers, the chambered member being inserted within the first concave indentation in the top surface of the upper plate member. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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Specification