Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080201982 | Article Of Footwear Having A Fluid-Filled Bladder With A Reinforcing Structure - A sole component and a method of manufacturing the sole component are disclosed. In general, the sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing structure extending around the bladder. The reinforcing structure is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure extends along the side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process. | 08-28-2008 |
20080201983 | Article Of Footwear Having A Fluid-Filled Bladder With A Reinforcing Structure - A sole component and a method of manufacturing the sole component are disclosed. In general, the sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing structure extending around the bladder. The reinforcing structure is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure extends along the side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process. | 08-28-2008 |
20080201984 | Article Of Footwear Having A Fluid-Filled Bladder With A Reinforcing Structure - A sole component and a method of manufacturing the sole component are disclosed. In general, the sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing structure extending around the bladder. The reinforcing structure is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure extends along the side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process. | 08-28-2008 |
20080201985 | Article Of Footwear Having A Fluid-Filled Bladder With A Reinforcing Structure - A sole component and a method of manufacturing the sole component are disclosed. In general, the sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing structure extending around the bladder. The reinforcing structure is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure extends along the side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process. | 08-28-2008 |
20080216353 | Article of Footwear for Use with a Left Foot and a Right Foot - An article of footwear intended for use with a left foot and a right foot is disclosed. The article of footwear includes an interior space configured to fit a left for and a right foot. Additionally, the article of footwear may be associated with an insert that deforms during use. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222917 | Article Of Footwear Having A Fluid-Filled Bladder With A Reinforcing Structure - A sole component and a method of manufacturing the sole component are disclosed. In general, the sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing structure extending around the bladder. The reinforcing structure is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure extends along the side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process. | 09-18-2008 |
20080289214 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR CONSTRUCTION WITH BINDING PORTIONS - At least one invention pertains to an article of footwear having a foot-receiving portion and a sole portion attached via at least one binding element. In one aspect, an article of footwear includes a foot-receiving portion configured to extend over a portion of a foot of a wearer, and the foot-receiving portion being configured to extend to medial and lateral side of the foot, and the foot-receiving portion including a binding element. A sole portion having a top surface for contacting the foot and a lower surface for a least a portion provided ground engagement. A plurality of apertures extending through the top surface and lower surface, the apertures are configured to receive the binding element therein to attach the foot-receiving portion to the sole portion. | 11-27-2008 |
20090265868 | Impact Attenuating Devices and Products Containing such Devices - An impact attenuating device includes both concave and convex side walls, e.g., in an interleaved arrangement, optionally at least partially surrounded by a restraining element that may help return the impact attenuating device back to its original orientation after attenuating an impact. Such impact attenuating devices may be included in pieces of footwear and/or other foot-receiving devices. Additionally, such impact attenuating devices or portions thereof may be freely selected and/or interchanged in a piece of footwear or other foot-receiving device, e.g., based on one or more characteristics of an intended user and/or an intended use, so as to allow users to obtain footwear (or other devices) customized and targeted for use under a predetermined set of conditions. | 10-29-2009 |
20100058562 | Belt and/or Buckle Assembly - Buckle type attachment elements, such as for belts, watch bands, or the like, and/or for securing or fastening elements (e.g., for footwear, handbags, briefcases, containers, or other objects) may be produced in a manner that generates minimal waste materials, without the use of metal or mechanical hardware type connectors, from completely recyclable materials, without the need for molding, without the use of plastics, and/or without the use of adhesives or cements. Such buckle elements may include a buckle portion and a tongue portion formed from the same material. In some structures, the tongue portion may be made from a part cut out to form the buckle portion. In other structures, the tongue portion may be formed by cutting slits into a base substrate that also makes up the buckle portion. Final products and methods of making such products also are described. | 03-11-2010 |
20100107346 | Method of Making an Article Comprising Links - A method of making an article comprising links is disclosed. The method includes a step of generating a link pattern according to a pre-selected portion of the article. The link pattern comprises a plurality of link indicia that correspond to plurality of links. After associating each link from the plurality of links with a link indicia from the plurality of link indicia, a plurality of threads may be threaded through the plurality of links to form a link matrix. The link matrix may be associated with the pre-selected portion of an article to make an article comprising links. | 05-06-2010 |
20100107443 | Linked Articles - Linked articles and a method for customizing the linked articles are disclosed. The linked articles comprise a first link matrix and a second link matrix comprising a first portion of the article and a second portion of the article, respectively. The first link matrix consists essentially of links of a first material and the second link matrix consists essentially of links of a second material. | 05-06-2010 |
20100107444 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR WITH SUPPORT COLUMNS HAVING FLUID-FILLED BLADDERS - An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has a top plate and a bottom plate positioned below the top plate. A plurality of support columns extends between the top plate and the bottom plate, with each support column formed of a plurality of fluid-filled bladders. Each bladder has a first surface, an opposed second surface, and a tensile member joined to the first and second surfaces. | 05-06-2010 |
20100107445 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR WITH SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES - An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly includes a top plate, a bottom plate positioned below the top plate, and a plurality of support assemblies extending between the upper plate and the midsole. Each support assembly includes a fluid-filled bladder and a retaining member surrounding the fluid-filled bladder. | 05-06-2010 |
20100140854 | Impact-Attenuation Systems for Articles of Footwear and Other Foot-Receiving Devices - Impact-attenuation members, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving devices, include: (a) a first body member having a base region and three (or more) leg portions extending from the base region. A second body member, with similar leg portions, may be arranged facing the first member such that the free ends of the various leg portions lie adjacent one another. A retaining member may extend between and/or at least partially around the body members to at least partially hold them in place with respect to one another. Such impact-attenuation systems may be arranged in the heel (or other portions) of an article of footwear. | 06-10-2010 |
20100192407 | Impact-Attenuation Members and Products Containing Such Members - Impact-attenuation members include body portions, optionally with an arched structure, that define a base orientation and an open space; and a spring member extending across the open space and engaging the body portion(s). When a force is applied to the body portion(s) in at least some orientations and/or directions of incident force, e.g., so as to change the impact-attenuation member out of its base orientation, the spring member may exert a force that urges the impact-attenuation member back toward the base orientation. Various example structures for the impact-attenuation member are described. Such impact-attenuation members may be used in articles of footwear or other foot-receiving device products. | 08-05-2010 |
20100263227 | Impact-Attenuation Members With Lateral and Shear Force Stability and Products Containing Such Members - Impact-attenuation members include: (a) an impact-attenuating member and (b) a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member. Another example impact-attenuation member includes a shear resistant member having a continuous wall that bulges outward on opposing sides when in an uncompressed base orientation. The shear resistant members may be structured and arranged to allow bending or compression against impact forces in one direction (e.g., when landing a step or a jump), but remain highly stable against shear or lateral forces in another direction (e.g., in a side-to-side direction). Such impact-attenuation members may be used in footwear products, including in athletic footwear. | 10-21-2010 |
20100307023 | Impact-Attenuation Systems For Articles Of Footwear And Other Foot-Receiving Devices - Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. | 12-09-2010 |
20110005099 | Impact-Attenuation Systems For Articles Of Footwear And Other Foot-Receiving Devices - Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. | 01-13-2011 |
20110005100 | Impact Attenuating and Spring Elements and Products Containing Such Elements - Impact attenuating/spring systems may include first and second body portions and at least one spring member at least partially included between the body portions. The spring member(s) may substantially enclose and/or be pivotally engaged with the body portion(s). The components of the impact attenuating and spring element may be arranged such that when a force is applied to the body portion(s), the spring member(s) will exert a counter force to urge the impact attenuating and spring element back toward its original orientation. The spring members may include one or more polymeric element that stretches under a tensile force. The impact attenuating and spring elements may be included in a piece of footwear or other device in a manner such that a user or a retailer (or others) can select an appropriate spring member (or portion thereof), e.g., depending on characteristics of the user or the intended use. | 01-13-2011 |
20110078921 | Article Of Footwear Having An Upper With Knitted Elements - An article of footwear may incorporate various elements that are at least partially formed through a knitting process, such as a circular knitting process or a flat knitting process. Examples of the elements include tongue elements, collar elements, and collar-throat elements. In some configurations, the elements include compressible areas and flange areas. The compressible areas may include foam cores or floating yarns that impart compressibility, and the flange areas may be utilized to join the components to the article of footwear. | 04-07-2011 |
20110099840 | Article of Footwear with Straps - An article of footwear with straps is disclosed. The article includes provisions for releasably securing the straps to a sole structure of the article. End portions of the straps are provided with separable portions that can be individually inserted through apertures in the sole structure. In addition, a thong portion includes separable portions that can be individually inserted through an aperture in the sole structure. | 05-05-2011 |
20120119426 | Impact-Attenuation Systems for Articles of Footwear and Other Foot-Receiving Devices - Impact-attenuation members, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving devices, include: (a) a first body member having a base region and three (or more) leg portions extending from the base region. A second body member, with similar leg portions, may be arranged facing the first member such that the free ends of the various leg portions lie adjacent one another. A retaining member may extend between and/or at least partially around the body members to at least partially hold them in place with respect to one another. Such impact-attenuation systems may be arranged in the heel (or other portions) of an article of footwear. | 05-17-2012 |
20120124863 | Article of Footwear with Tongue Having Holes - An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion include holes. The top portion and medial portion are substantially solid portions without holes. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system. | 05-24-2012 |
20120124864 | Article of Footwear With Tongue of Varying Thickness - An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The medial portion and the top portion have similar thicknesses, which are greater than the thicknesses of the lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion. The central portion is the thinnest portion of the tongue. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system. | 05-24-2012 |
20120167415 | Impact-Attenuation Members and Products Containing Such Members - Impact-attenuation members include body portions, optionally with an arched structure, that define a base orientation and an open space; and a spring member extending across the open space and engaging the body portion(s). When a force is applied to the body portion(s) in at least some orientations and/or directions of incident force, e.g., so as to change the impact-attenuation member out of its base orientation, the spring member may exert a force that urges the impact-attenuation member back toward the base orientation. Various example structures for the impact-attenuation member are described. Such impact-attenuation members may be used in articles of footwear or other foot-receiving device products. | 07-05-2012 |
20120174438 | BELT AND/OR BUCKLE ASSEMBLY - Buckle type attachment elements, such as for belts, watch bands, or the like, and/or for securing or fastening elements (e.g., for footwear, handbags, briefcases, containers, or other objects) may be produced in a manner that generates minimal waste materials, without the use of metal or mechanical hardware type connectors, from completely recyclable materials, without the need for molding, without the use of plastics, and/or without the use of adhesives or cements. Such buckle elements may include a buckle portion and a tongue portion formed from the same material. In some structures, the tongue portion may be made from a part cut out to form the buckle portion. In other structures, the tongue portion may be formed by cutting slits into a base substrate that also makes up the buckle portion. Final products and methods of making such products also are described. | 07-12-2012 |
20120222195 | Method of Customizing a Linked Article - Linked articles and a method for customizing the linked articles are disclosed. The linked articles comprise a first link matrix and a second link matrix comprising a first portion of the article and a second portion of the article, respectively. The first link matrix consists essentially of links of a first material and the second link matrix consists essentially of links of a second material. | 09-06-2012 |
20120227283 | Linked Articles - Linked articles and a method for customizing the linked articles are disclosed. The linked articles comprise a first link matrix and a second link matrix comprising a first portion of the article and a second portion of the article, respectively. The first link matrix consists essentially of links of a first material and the second link matrix consists essentially of links of a second material. | 09-13-2012 |
20130097888 | IMPACT-ATTENUATION MEMBERS WITH LATERAL AND SHEAR FORCE STABILITY AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SUCH MEMBERS - Impact-attenuation members include: (a) an impact-attenuating member and (b) a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member. Another example impact-attenuation member includes a shear resistant member having a continuous wall that bulges outward on opposing sides when in an uncompressed base orientation. The shear resistant members may be structured and arranged to allow bending or compression against impact forces in one direction (e.g., when landing a step or a jump), but remain highly stable against shear or lateral forces in another direction (e.g., in a side-to-side direction). Such impact-attenuation members may be used in footwear products, including in athletic footwear. | 04-25-2013 |
20130097889 | IMPACT-ATTENUATION MEMBERS WITH LATERAL AND SHEAR FORCE STABILITY AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SUCH MEMBERS - Impact-attenuation members include: (a) an impact-attenuating member and (b) a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member. Another example impact-attenuation member includes a shear resistant member having a continuous wall that bulges outward on opposing sides when in an uncompressed base orientation. The shear resistant members may be structured and arranged to allow bending or compression against impact forces in one direction (e.g., when landing a step or a jump), but remain highly stable against shear or lateral forces in another direction (e.g., in a side-to-side direction). Such impact-attenuation members may be used in footwear products, including in athletic footwear. | 04-25-2013 |
20130097890 | IMPACT-ATTENUATION MEMBERS WITH LATERAL AND SHEAR FORCE STABILITY AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SUCH MEMBERS - Impact-attenuation members include: (a) an impact-attenuating member and (b) a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member. Another example impact-attenuation member includes a shear resistant member having a continuous wall that bulges outward on opposing sides when in an uncompressed base orientation. The shear resistant members may be structured and arranged to allow bending or compression against impact forces in one direction (e.g., when landing a step or a jump), but remain highly stable against shear or lateral forces in another direction (e.g., in a side-to-side direction). Such impact-attenuation members may be used in footwear products, including in athletic footwear. | 04-25-2013 |
20130104421 | IMPACT-ATTENUATION MEMBERS WITH LATERAL AND SHEAR FORCE STABILITY AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SUCH MEMBERS | 05-02-2013 |
20130118033 | IMPACT ATTENUATING AND SPRING ELEMENTS AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SUCH ELEMENTS - Impact attenuating/spring systems may include first and second body portions and at least one spring member at least partially included between the body portions. The spring member(s) may substantially enclose and/or be pivotally engaged with the body portion(s). The components of the impact attenuating and spring element may be arranged such that when a force is applied to the body portion(s), the spring member(s) will exert a counter force to urge the impact attenuating and spring element back toward its original orientation. The spring members may include one or more polymeric element that stretches under a tensile force. The impact attenuating and spring elements may be included in a piece of footwear or other device in a manner such that a user or a retailer (or others) can select an appropriate spring member (or portion thereof), e.g., depending on characteristics of the user or the intended use. | 05-16-2013 |
20130118034 | IMPACT ATTENUATING AND SPRING ELEMENTS AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SUCH ELEMENTS - Impact attenuating/spring systems may include first and second body portions and at least one spring member at least partially included between the body portions. The spring member(s) may substantially enclose and/or be pivotally engaged with the body portion(s). The components of the impact attenuating and spring element may be arranged such that when a force is applied to the body portion(s), the spring member(s) will exert a counter force to urge the impact attenuating and spring element back toward its original orientation. The spring members may include one or more polymeric element that stretches under a tensile force. The impact attenuating and spring elements may be included in a piece of footwear or other device in a manner such that a user or a retailer (or others) can select an appropriate spring member (or portion thereof), e.g., depending on characteristics of the user or the intended use. | 05-16-2013 |
20130305563 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR WITH STRAPS - An article of footwear with straps is disclosed. The article includes provisions for releasably securing the straps to a sole structure of the article. End portions of the straps are provided with separable portions that can be individually inserted through apertures in the sole structure. In addition, a thong portion includes separable portions that can be individually inserted through an aperture in the sole structure. | 11-21-2013 |
20130326915 | IMPACT-ATTENUATION SYSTEMS FOR ARTICLES OF FOOTWEAR AND OTHER FOOT-RECEIVING DEVICES - Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. | 12-12-2013 |
20130326916 | IMPACT-ATTENUATION SYSTEMS FOR ARTICLES OF FOOTWEAR AND OTHER FOOT-RECEIVING DEVICES - Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. | 12-12-2013 |
20130326917 | IMPACT-ATTENUATION SYSTEMS FOR ARTICLES OF FOOTWEAR AND OTHER FOOT-RECEIVING DEVICES - Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. | 12-12-2013 |
20140082965 | Article Of Footwear Having An Upper With Knitted Elements - An article of footwear may incorporate various elements that are at least partially formed through a knitting process, such as a circular knitting process or a flat knitting process. Examples of the elements include tongue elements, collar elements, and collar-throat elements. In some configurations, the elements include compressible areas and flange areas. The compressible areas may include foam cores or floating yarns that impart compressibility, and the flange areas may be utilized to join the components to the article of footwear. | 03-27-2014 |
20140123408 | Method of Making an Article Comprising Links - A method of making an article comprising links is disclosed. The method includes a step of generating a link pattern according to a pre-selected portion of the article. The link pattern comprises a plurality of link indicia that correspond to plurality of links. After associating each link from the plurality of links with a link indicia from the plurality of link indicia, a plurality of threads may be threaded through the plurality of links to form a link matrix. The link matrix may be associated with the pre-selected portion of an article to make an article comprising links. | 05-08-2014 |
20140130372 | FOOTWEAR ARTICLE HAVING CORD STRUCTURE - A footwear article is provided herein. The footwear article may include a sole coupled to a cord structure. The cord structure may include interconnected bights in a vamp cord and a rand cord forming a loop line extending along at least a portion of the footwear article. | 05-15-2014 |
20140157628 | Linked Articles - Linked articles and a method for customizing the linked articles are disclosed. The linked articles comprise a first link matrix and a second link matrix comprising a first portion of the article and a second portion of the article, respectively. The first link matrix consists essentially of links of a first material and the second link matrix consists essentially of links of a second material. | 06-12-2014 |
20140202043 | Article of Footwear with Tongue Having Holes - An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion include holes. The top portion and medial portion are substantially solid portions without holes. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system. | 07-24-2014 |
20140230166 | Article of Footwear With Tongue of Varying Thickness - An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The medial portion and the top portion have similar thicknesses, which are greater than the thicknesses of the lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion. The central portion is the thinnest portion of the tongue. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system. | 08-21-2014 |