Nike, Inc.

Courtney M Wright

Tetsuya T Minami

Sergio Cavaliere

Ryan R Larson

Neil Crumbleholme

John Cross

Roberto De Marchi

Jessica Anne Junkins

Laura C Marshala

Keith T Kuntz

Articles of footwear in accordance with some aspects of this technology include a foot support component and/or heel counter structure that includes openings, voids, and/or grooves around the heel area. These openings, voids, or grooves may make the heel counter structure more conformable, lightweight, and/or flexible. The openings, voids, or grooves may allow the heel or heel counter structure to conform better to the heel/foot of a user, providing and an 'adaptive' response, adapting differently to different heels. The openings, voids, or grooves may be customized within the heel counter component based on the shape of the foot and/or heel of the user. Additionally or alternatively, these openings, voids, or grooves may make the heel construction better to conform to the wearer's heel and better to contain and move with the wearer's heel, e.g., during use and to improve flexion, comfort, and fit.

Sole structures and articles of footwear having conformable heel counter structures

Articles of footwear include one or more expandable lugs (e.g., inflatable lugs) to hold at least some footwear component parts together. The expandable lug(s) may be included as part of an impact force-attenuating component (e.g., a fluid-filled bladder) for the article of footwear. The expandable lug(s) extend into receptacle(s) provided in a foot support component in an unexpanded (e.g., deflated or low-pressure) condition. Once within the receptacle(s), the expandable lug(s) are changed to an expanded (e.g., inflated or high-pressure) condition. The expanded lug(s) engage bearing surfaces provided inside the receptacle(s) to prevent the lugs from pulling out of the receptacles. The use of such expandable lugs for securing footwear component parts together may enable easy assembly of footwear components without use of adhesives and/or separate hardware components, which can enhance the recyclability, sustainability, and environmental friendliness of articles of footwear and their production methods.

Sole structures and/or articles of footwear having expandable lugs for engaging footwear components together

Articles of footwear in accordance with some aspects of this technology include a simple construction that includes three main parts, with each made from a single material and fit together in a releasable manner. The invention enhances the recyclability and sustainable nature of the article of footwear and shoe. At least some more specific aspects of this technology relate to footwear structure that may include three main parts: (a) an outer cage, which may include a single piece having features of: (i) a footwear upper and (ii) a sole structure having one or more cleat outer shells; (b) an inner upper component; and (c) a chassis and heel counter component with a bottom surface thereof that includes one or more cleat inserts and supports that fit inside the one or more cleat outer shells.

Sole structures and articles of footwear having separate outsole and midsole components

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Portland, OR, United States of America

Courtney M Wright