Article of Footwear Accommodating Different Foot Sizes

• US 20110035963A1
• Filed: 08/14/2009
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilken, Doug D., Baker, Brian D., Rhulen, Blake
• Granted Patent: US 8,935,861 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/114
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0018 made at least partially of flexible, bellow-like shaped material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/10 made of rubber
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/141 with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/226 the profile being made in the foot facing surface
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/40 with cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/027 with a part of the upper particularly flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/26 adjustable as to length or size
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/02 Football boots or shoes, i.e. for soccer, football or rugby
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/025 characterised by an element which improves the contact between the ball and the footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/06 ventilated
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/141 having an anatomical or curved form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1425 situated under the ball of the foot, i.e. the joint between the first metatarsal and first phalange
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/16 Studs or cleats for football or like boots

Abstract

An article of footwear comfortably accommodating different foot sizes is disclosed. The article comprises an upper, sole and integrally formed cleat members made of a monolithic material. In addition, the article can include an integrally formed internal cushioning system. The article further includes grooves and/or perforations that assist the footwear in stretching to accommodate different foot sizes.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper and a sole;

the sole comprising a plurality of cleat members that are integrally formed on an outer portion of the sole;

the upper being made of a first material;

the sole being made of a second material;

the plurality of cleat members being made of a third material; and

wherein the first material is substantially similar to the second material and wherein the second material is substantially similar to the third material.

2. The article according to claim 1, wherein the article of footwear includes a groove and wherein the groove is configured to assist in stretching the article of footwear between two different footwear sizes.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein the article of footwear has a first configuration associated with a first length and a second configuration associated with a second length.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the article of footwear includes a plurality of cushioning members integrally formed with an inner portion of the sole.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of cushioning members are made of a fourth material and wherein the fourth material is substantially similar to the second material.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first material, the second material and the third material comprise a substantially monolithic material.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleat members have heights that are 4 mm or greater.

8. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper and a sole;

the sole comprising an inner portion and an outer portion;

the outer portion including a plurality of cleat members that are integrally formed with the sole;

the inner portion including a plurality of cushioning members that are integrally formed with the sole; and

wherein the plurality of cleat members and the plurality of cushioning members are made of a substantially similar material.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of cushioning members and the sole are made of a substantially similar material.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of cleat members and the sole are made of a substantially similar material.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of cushioning members and the upper are made of a substantially similar material.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of cleat members and the upper are made of a substantially similar material.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the inner portion of the sole includes a raised portion that has a shape that corresponds to a contour of a toe.

14. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper and a sole;

the article of footwear having a first configuration associated with a first length and a second configuration associated with a second length, the second length being greater than the first length;

a groove disposed on the article of footwear; and

wherein the groove is configured to assist the article of footwear in stretching between the first configuration and the second configuration.

15. The article according to claim 14, wherein the first configuration is associated with a first footwear size and wherein the second configuration is associated with a second footwear size that is a half size larger than the first footwear size.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein the article of footwear is configured to accommodate four distinct footwear half sizes.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein the upper and the sole comprise a substantially monolithic material.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein the groove is disposed around the upper and the sole.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein the article of footwear includes two or more grooves.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein the article of footwear includes at least one perforation.