Footwear having auxetic structures with controlled properties

• US 9,474,326 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2014
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Langvin, Elizabeth
• Primary Examiner(s): Mohandesi, Jila M
• Application Number:
  US14/329,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20160007681A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 361/03, 36/31, 36/30.R
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/026 Composites, e.g. carbon fibre or aramid fibre; the sole, one or more sole layers or sole part being made of a composite
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/04 Plastics, rubber or vulcanised fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/122 characterised by the outsole or external layer
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/14 characterised by the constructive form
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/187 Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/188 Differential cushioning regions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/223 Profiled soles
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/32 by adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/42 Filling materials located between the insole and outer sole; Stiffening materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/00 Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/00 Footwear for sporting purposes non-skid devices, e.g. ice-spurs or studs for football shoes, A43C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/16 Studs or cleats for football or like boots

Abstract

An article of footwear includes a sole incorporating an auxetic structure. The article of footwear further includes a strobel that may be placed along the auxetic structure of the sole. The strobel may restrict the motion of the auxetic structure in particular locations. The strobel may be used to provide rigidity and support in the area of the strobel.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper;

a sole, the sole including a first direction and a second direction, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction, the sole being configured to expand in both the first direction and the second direction when tensioned in the first direction, the sole having a first stretch resistance in the first direction;

the sole including a plurality of apertures that extend from an upper surface of the sole to a lower surface of the sole;

the plurality of apertures including a first aperture associated with a first group of portions;

the first group of portions including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being joined to the second portion at a hinge portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion can rotate with respect to each other about the hinge portion;

wherein the first portion and the second portion rotate away from one another when a tensioning force is applied at the hinge portion in a first direction, the first direction being oriented away from the first aperture;

a strobel, the strobel attached to the upper surface of the sole, the strobel having a second stretch resistance in the first direction, the second stretch resistance being greater than the first stretch resistance; and

wherein a portion of the strobel remains unattached to the sole.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the strobel covers substantially all of the sole.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein the sole has a third stretch resistance in the second direction and wherein the strobel has a fourth stretch resistance in the second direction, the fourth stretch resistance being greater than the third stretch resistance.

4. The article of claim 3, wherein a midfoot region of the sole is covered by the strobel.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the strobel extends around a perimeter portion of the sole.

6. The article of claim 5, wherein the strobel includes a first area that is stretch-resistant in the first direction, and a second area that is stretch-resistant in the first direction and the second direction.

7. The article of claim 6, wherein the strobel includes an outer portion and a central opening, the central opening being bound by the outer portion, the portions of the sole corresponding to the central opening being exposed.

8. The article of claim 1, wherein the strobel includes at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having the second stretch resistance in the first direction, the second portion having the second stretch resistance in the first direction and the second portion having a fourth stretch resistance in the second direction, the fourth stretch resistance in the second portion in the second direction being greater than a stretch resistance in the first portion in the second direction.

9. The article of claim 8, wherein the first portion is spaced apart from the second portion.

10. The article of claim 1, wherein the strobel is constructed of knit material, non-woven material, woven material, or a combination thereof.

11. A sole structure comprising:

a sole including an upper surface and a lower surface, the sole having an auxetic structure;

the auxetic structure including;

a plurality of apertures that extend through the sole from the upper surface to the lower surface, the plurality of apertures being surrounded by a plurality of portions, wherein each aperture in the plurality of apertures has a plurality of sides defined by a group of portions surrounding the aperture;

the plurality of apertures including a first aperture associated with a first group of portions;

the first group of portions including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being joined to the second portion at a hinge portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion can rotate with respect to each other about the hinge portion;

wherein the first portion and the second portion rotate away from one another when a tensioning force is applied at the hinge portion in a first direction, the first direction being oriented away from the first aperture;

a strobel, the strobel attached to at least a portion of the upper surface of the sole, the strobel extending over at least one of the plurality of apertures, wherein the strobel is configured to limit the amount of rotation between the first portion and the second portion;

wherein a portion of the upper surface of the sole remains uncovered.

12. The sole structure of claim 11, wherein the strobel includes a first area that is stretch-resistant in the first direction, and a second area that is stretch-resistant in the first direction and the second direction.

13. The sole structure of claim 11, wherein the strobel includes an outer portion and a central opening, the central opening being bound by the outer portion, the portions of the sole corresponding to the central opening being exposed.

14. The sole structure of claim 11, wherein a perimeter portion of the strobel extends around a perimeter portion of the sole such that the plurality of apertures of the sole are exposed between the perimeter portion of the strobel.

15. The sole structure of claim 14, wherein a middle portion of the strobel is disposed between the perimeter portion of the strobel such that the middle portion of the strobel extends from a lateral side of the sole to a medial side of a sole, and such that the plurality of apertures located in a heel region of the sole structure are exposed.

16. The sole structure of claim 15, wherein the perimeter portion of the strobel has a first stretch resistance in the first direction and the second direction and the middle portion of the strobel has the first stretch resistance in the first direction and a second stretch resistance in the second direction, wherein the first stretch resistance is different than the second stretch resistance.

17. The sole structure of claim 11, wherein a portion of the strobel remains unattached to the sole.

18. The sole structure of claim 11, wherein the strobel covers a portion of a second aperture of the plurality of apertures such that a first portion of the second aperture is uncovered and a second portion of the second aperture is covered by the strobel.

19. The sole structure of claim 14, wherein the sole remains uncovered between the perimeter portion of the sole.

20. The sole structure of claim 11, wherein the auxetic structure comprises a first area, a second area, and a third area, the first area extending along a perimeter portion of the sole, the first area, the second area and the third area each encompassing at least a portion of the auxetic structure independent from each other;

the strobel comprising a first section and a second section, the first section configured to resist stretch in a first direction, the second section configured to resist stretch in the first direction and a second direction wherein the second direction is different than the first direction, the first section positioned on the first area, the second section position on the second area.