Nike, Inc.

Acushnet Company

Nike International Ltd.

Nike Innovate C.v.

John F Swigart

Jean-Marie Bidal

Eric Steven Schindler

Amy E Gishifu

Frederick J Dojan

Thomas C Foxen

Ty A Ransom

Nicola Jane Reynolds

Robert S Bento

Lee D Peyton

James Molyneux

Elizabeth Langvin

Paul O Teeter

Keith M Duffy

Mario Angelbert Lafortune

Britani N Blackstone

Joel L Passke

Daren S Weddle

K Peter Hazenberg

Bruce J Kilgore

Tobie D Hatfield

Shaun Jeffrey Hensley

K Pieter Hazenberg

Fred Dojan

William Alan Brunais

Thomas Foxen

Jacob E Vollmar

Peter K Hazenberg

Nicola J Reynolds

Pieter K Hazenberg

Peter Hazenberg

A golf shoe with an upper and a sole assembly connected to the upper. The sole assembly includes a midsole and an outsole. The outsole includes one or more traction elements for engaging with a plurality of different ground surfaces. In some embodiments, the traction elements comprise a first feature for mechanically interlocking with a deformable ground surface and a second feature for frictionally engaging with the deformable ground surface.

Golf shoe with traction elements

Golf shoes having improved constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The upper may be made of a soft, breathable leather material. The midsole includes an upper region formed from a first material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); and a lower region formed from a second material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the materials have different hardness levels. A fiber-reinforced composite plate such as, for example, a carbon fiber plate is disposed in the midsole. The outsole contains different traction members arranged in a precise geometric structure that helps provide improved stability and traction.

Golf shoe having composite plate in midsole for providing flex and stability

Golf shoes having improved constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The upper may be made of a soft, breathable leather material. The midsole includes an upper region formed from a first material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); and a lower region formed from a second material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the materials have different hardness levels. A fiber-reinforced composite plate such as, for example, a carbon fiber plate is disposed in the midsole. The composite plate has a molded three-dimensional shape to provide additional stiffness to the golf shoe, particularly in the rear foot region of the shoe. The outsole contains different traction members arranged in a precise geometric structure that helps provide improved stability and traction.

A golf shoe with a midfoot support system including a lateral strap extending from underfoot and over the midfoot region and a medial strap extending from underfoot inside the upper over the midfoot region. The medial strap extends outwardly from the upper material and is slidably engaged through the free end of the lateral strap. The free end of the medial strap may be engaged with an adjustable closure system to cinch the lateral and medial straps tightly around the midfoot. In some examples, the lateral strap includes a rigid support structure. The midfoot support system allows the foot to be stabilized within the shoe reducing movement of the foot within the shoe. This additional stability and prevention of movement as helpful during the golf swing and shot taking.

Footwear midfoot support system

An article of footwear with a flexible upper, a sole assembly, and a flap coupled to the article of footwear proximate the bite line. The article of footwear includes a closure system that is configured to engage with the flap to secure the flap to the lateral side of the upper.

Article of footwear with closure system

Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes a first set of arc pathways extending along the outsole in one direction. A second set of arc pathways extend along the outsole in a second direction. When the first and second arc pathways are superposed over each other, four-sided tile pieces are formed, and these tiles contain protruding traction members. In one embodiment, the tiles comprise a first protruding traction member, an opposing second protruding traction member, and a non-protruding segment disposed between the first and second traction members. Different traction zones containing different traction members are provided on the outsole. These zones provide improved multi-surface traction. In one embodiment of the outsole, there is no channeling and no trenching of the golf course turf. There is less damage to the golf course for a given amount of traction.

Golf shoe having outsole with multi-surface traction zones

A golf shoe with a sole assembly having a sidewall reinforcement structure is provided. The reinforcement structure may be formed from a carbon composite or other reinforcing material. The reinforcement structure is molded into the sole assembly for reinforcing softer midsole sidewalls, and for providing increased stability and maintaining forefoot flexibility. The structure is generally U-shaped with a medial and lateral wing and a bridge connecting the wings. The medial wing may be angled rearward to support the rearfoot, and the lateral wing may be angled forward to support the midfoot. Thus, the reinforcement structure may hold and support the medial and lateral sides of the golfer's foot as they shift their weight while making a golf shot. At the same time, the shoe has good flexibility so the golfer is able to walk and play the course and engage in other golf activities comfortably.

Golf shoe sole with localized sidewalls reinforcement structure

A golf shoe with a sole assembly having a regionally time-dependent midsole is provided. The midsole may include a lateral region constructed of a first material and a medial region constructed of a second material, where elastic properties of the lateral region and viscoelastic properties the medial region provide a neutral support platform when a relatively brief compression load is placed on the midsole (e.g., when a wearer is taking a step while walking), and further provide an everted supported platform when the compression load is placed on the midsole for a longer period of time (e.g., when the wearer is swinging a golf club).

Regionally time-dependent midsole

Golf shoe outsole

Golf shoes having improved constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The upper may be made of a soft, breathable leather material. The midsole includes an upper region formed from a first material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); and a lower region formed from a second material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the materials have different hardness levels. A fiber-reinforced composite plate may be disposed in the midsole. The outsole contains different traction members arranged in a precise geometric structure that helps provide improved stability and traction.

Golf shoe having midsole and outsole for providing flex and stability

An article of footwear with a midsole having a variable stiffness configured to provide pressure gradients to reduce plantar pressure. In some embodiments, the two-piece midsole may include a first foam material vertically aligned with a perimeter of the article of footwear and a second foam material vertically aligned with the heel region and a toe box of the forefoot region. The combined height of the firm foam material and the soft foam material varies across the midsole.

Article of footwear with midsole having variable stiffness

Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes a first set of arc pathways extending along the outsole in one direction. A second set of arc pathways extend along the outsole in a second direction. When the first and second arc pathways are superposed over each other, four-sided tile pieces are formed, and these tiles contain protruding traction members. In one embodiment, the tiles comprise a first protruding traction member, an opposing second protruding traction member, and a non-protruding segment disposed between the first and second traction members. Different traction zones containing different traction members are provided on the outsole. These zones provide improved multi-surface traction. In one embodiment of the outsole, there is no channeling and no trenching of the golf course turf. There is less damage to the golf course for a given amount of traction. In one embodiment, the tile pieces, first and second protruding traction members, and non-protruding segment comprise the same material and form a unitary piece. Preferably, the unitary piece is made of a rubber material. In another embodiment, a heel step region without traction members may be provided on the outsole. Additionally, spike receptacles and spikes may be provided on the outsole in addition to the traction members. The outsole may have zones with targeted hardnesses.

Golf shoes having multi-surface traction outsoles

Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes a first set of arc pathways extending along the outsole in one direction. A second set of arc pathways extend along the outsole in a second direction. When the first and second arc pathways are superposed over each other, four-sided tile pieces are formed, and these tiles contain protruding traction members. In one embodiment, the tiles comprise a first protruding traction member, an opposing second protruding traction member, and a non-protruding segment disposed between the first and second traction members. Different traction zones containing different traction members are provided on the outsole. These zones provide improved multi-surface traction. In one embodiment of the outsole, there is no channeling and no trenching of the golf course turf. There is less damage to the golf course for a given amount of traction. In another embodiment, a heel step region without traction members may be provided on the outsole. Additionally, spike receptacles may be provided on the outsole in addition to the traction members.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

John F Swigart