Decoupled foot stabilizer system

• US 9,210,966 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2013
• Issued: 12/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Bell, Thomas G., Farris, Bryan N., Henrichot, Olivier
• Primary Examiner(s): BAYS, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US14/032,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20140075782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 36/88, 36/89, 36/90, 36/91, 36/92, 36/93, 36/10, 36/55
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0072 made at least partially of transparent or translucent materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 19/00 Shoe-shaped inserts; Inserts covering the instep
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/02 Uppers; Boot legs
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0235 Different layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0245 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/025 assembled by stitching
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/027 with a part of the upper particularly flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/047 the gusset being elastic
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/07 Linings therefor lining laminated with upper A43B23/026
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/14 with foot-supporting parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1495 with arch-supports of the bracelet type
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 9/02 Footwear stitched or nailed through
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/04 with rings or loops
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 5/00 Eyelets machines for setting eyelets A43D100/00

Abstract

An article of footwear includes a decoupled foot stabilizer system. The foot stabilizer system is decoupled from a midfoot region of the article of footwear. The foot stabilizer system includes a plurality of strap members. The foot stabilizer system may optionally include a bootie. The plurality of strap members extend underneath a portion of a foot of a wearer. The plurality of strap members are configured to receive a lace at one end. A lace running through the ends of the strap members pulls on the strap members when the lace is tightened and causes the foot stabilizer system to conform to the wearer'"'"'s foot.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper;

a sole structure;

a base portion attached to the sole structure;

a foot stabilizer system disposed within an interior of the upper, the foot stabilizer system including a bootie and a plurality of strap members, the foot stabilizer system being attached to the base portion at an attachment area that extends longitudinally along the base portion;

wherein the foot stabilizer system is further attached to the base portion at a heel region and a forefoot region; and

wherein the foot stabilizer system is decoupled from an outer perimeter of the base portion along a lateral side and a medial side of a midfoot region.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the midfoot region of the foot stabilizer system that is decoupled from the outer perimeter of the base portion along the lateral side and the medial side consists essentially of being attached to the base portion at the attachment area only.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the foot stabilizer system is attached to the base portion at a first portion of the forefoot region and a second portion of the heel region.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of strap members further comprise:

at least one forefoot member; and

at least one arch member;

wherein the at least one arch member is disposed on the foot stabilizer system at a portion of the midfoot region that is decoupled from the outer perimeter of the base portion.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of strap members further comprises at least one heel member disposed on the foot stabilizer system at the heel region.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of strap members includes at least one pair of strap members disposed along the lateral side and the medial side of the midfoot region.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the base portion further comprises a strobel.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the base portion further comprises a portion of the upper.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the attachment area includes at least one of a central attachment portion, a horseshoe attachment portion, and an hourglass attachment portion.

10. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper;

a sole structure;

a base portion attached to the sole structure;

a foot stabilizer system disposed within an interior of the upper, the foot stabilizer system including a bootie and a plurality of strap members, the foot stabilizer system being attached to the base portion at an attachment area that extends longitudinally along the base portion;

wherein the foot stabilizer system is further attached to the base portion on a lateral side of a heel region and a lateral side of a forefoot region; and

wherein the foot stabilizer system is decoupled from an outer perimeter of the base portion along a medial side of the forefoot region and a medial side of the heel region.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the foot stabilizer system is further decoupled from the outer perimeter of the base portion along a lateral side and a medial side of a midfoot region.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of strap members further comprise:

at least one forefoot member; and

at least one arch member;

wherein the at least one arch member is disposed on the foot stabilizer system at a midfoot region that is decoupled from the outer perimeter of the base portion along at least one of a lateral side and a medial side.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of strap members further comprises at least one heel member disposed on the foot stabilizer system at the heel region.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of strap members includes at least one pair of heel members forming a heel counter.

15. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the foot stabilizer system is attached to the base portion at the attachment area at a first portion of the forefoot region and a second portion of the heel region.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the foot stabilizer system is attached to the base portion with stitching.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the base portion further comprises a strobel.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the base portion further comprises a portion of the upper.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the attachment area includes at least one of a central attachment portion, a horseshoe attachment portion, and an hourglass attachment portion.

20. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper having a plurality of slits;

a sole structure;

a base portion attached to the sole structure;

a foot stabilizer system including a bootie and a plurality of strap members, the foot stabilizer system being disposed in an interior of the upper;

wherein the plurality of strap members extend out from the interior of the upper through the plurality of slits; and

wherein at least one of the plurality of strap members is decoupled from an outer perimeter of the base portion along a portion of a midfoot region to allow movement of the at least one of the plurality of strap members to conform the bootie to an arch of a wearer.

21. The article of footwear according to claim 20, wherein at least one of the plurality of strap members disposed on the foot stabilizer system at the midfoot region is decoupled from the outer perimeter of the base portion on at least one of a lateral side and a medial side.

22. An article of footwear according to claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of strap members further comprises:

a lacing hole disposed on an end of the strap member extending through a corresponding one of the plurality of slits; and

wherein the foot stabilizer system is tightened around a foot of a wearer using a lace disposed through one or more lacing holes.

23. The article of footwear according to claim 22, wherein the at least one of the plurality of strap members disposed on the foot stabilizer system at the midfoot region moves from a first position to a second position using the lace.

24. The article of footwear according to claim 23, wherein the second position is essentially associated with the arch of the wearer.

25. The article of footwear according to claim 20, wherein the plurality of strap members further comprises at least one heel member disposed on the foot stabilizer system at the heel region.

26. The article of footwear according to claim 20, wherein the base portion further comprises at least one of a portion of the upper and a strobel.