Article of footwear with support element

• US 9,015,962 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2010
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Reebok International Limited (Authentic Brands Group, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Reebok International Limited (Authentic Brands Group, LLC)
• Inventors: Hobson, Daniel, Daley, Scott, Bischoff, Bob, Boudreau, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): BAYS, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US12/748,246
• Publication Number:
  US 20110232130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,859 Days
• Field of Search: 361/02, 361/03, 36/59.R, 36/35.B, 36/27, 36/28, 36/29, 36/31, 36/25.R, 36/35.R, 36/59.C, 361/07, 361/08, 36/30.A, 36/30.R
• US Class Current: 36/25.R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/141 with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/181 Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
• 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

Abstract

An article of footwear with an undulating sole provides a different and unique ride and/or feel to the article of footwear, while also providing a unique aesthetic appeal and adequate cushioning and support. The midsole has an undulating shape substantially similar to a sine wave with a series alternating peaks and troughs, and may include one or more support elements disposed on the midsole to provide desired stiffness or cushioning properties to the midsole.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising:

an undulating foam sole, comprising;

a top side,

a bottom side opposite the top side,

a plurality of spaced apart peaks extending along the top side from a heel end of the top side to a toe end of the top side, each peak extending across a portion of a width of the sole, wherein at least one pair of adjacent peaks define a first gap substantially devoid of material between adjacent peaks, and

a plurality of spaced apart troughs extending along the bottom side from a heel end of the bottom side to a toe end of the bottom side, each trough extending across a portion of the width of the sole, wherein at least one pair of adjacent troughs define a second gap substantially devoid of material between adjacent troughs; and

a support element disposed in at least one of the first gap or the second gap and coupled to said sole for providing support thereto.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support element is disposed in the first gap.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support element is disposed in the second gap.

4. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of gaps defined by adjacent peaks; and

a plurality of gaps defined by adjacent troughs.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 4, further comprising a plurality of support elements, each disposed in a gap defined by adjacent peaks of the top side of the sole.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of support elements comprises two support elements.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of support elements comprises three support elements.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of support elements comprises four support elements.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of support elements comprises five support elements.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 5, wherein a support element is disposed in each of the plurality of gaps in the top side of the sole.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of support elements are connected.

12. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support element is disposed on a medial side of the sole.

13. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support element is disposed on a lateral side of the sole.

14. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support element extends across only a portion of the width of the sole.

15. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support element extends across the entire width of the sole.

16. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support element is substantially u-shaped.

17. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support element fits snugly in the first gap or the second gap.

18. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support element is attached to the sole with adhesive.

19. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support element is removable from the sole.

20. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising:

an upper; and

a plate connected to the upper,

wherein at least a portion of the top side of the sole is connected to the plate.

21. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein the support element is integral with the plate.

22. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein a portion of at least one peak is directly connected to the plate.

23. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein the support element is disposed between the sole and the plate.

24. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the support element is contoured to fit along an interior surface of the first gap or the second gap.

25. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising an upper, wherein at least a portion of the top side of the sole is connected to the upper.