Nike, Inc.

Nike, Inc. and Nike International Ltd.

John R Robinson

Robert Michael Lyden

Allen W Van Noy

Daniel R Potter

Ross A McLaughlin

Kaia Michele Histand

Lawrence J Gutkowski

Daniel J Richard

Edward C Frederick

Larry J Gutkowski

An adjustment system for a shoe which permits independent adjustment of the width, footform and cushioning either between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe, or at different points along the longitudinal direction of the shoe. The present invention provides for the adjustment of the dimensions of a shoe in a plurality of discrete locations as between a nominal central point in the forefoot area of the sole and the medial and/or lateral aspects thereof. Adjustment would entail adjusting the width or girth in an associated area and the overall shape of the outline of the sole of a shoe. This is accomplished by providing a material variance in the midsole and various hardware configurations for adjusting the width of the midsole.

Article of footwear having adjustable width, footform and cushioning

An improved athletic shoe for resisting ankle inversion is disclosed. The shoe includes an inversion resisting device which prevents inversion of the ankle while permitting a full range of motion in the other planes or directions of motion, i.e., eversion, plantar flexion, and dorsi flexion. The inversion resisting device includes a leg engaging strap, a strapping mechanism, a fastening device and an inversion resistance adjusting mechanism. The leg engaging strap surrounds the leg at an adjustable position above the ankle joint. The leg engaging strap is connected to the shoe by the strapping mechanism which is disposed only on the lateral side of the shoe upper. The strapping mechanism is connected to the shoe by a fastening device which permits a full range of movement in all directions other than inversion in an area centered about the axis of motion of the ankle. The amount of inversion resistance is adjustable by the inversion resistance adjusting mechanism which adjustably sets the length of the strapping mechanism.

Athletic shoe with inversion resisting device

The present invention is directed to an asymmetric shoe which provides greater support, proper flexion and a more accurate fit than conventional shoes. The shoe of the present invention structures one or more of the following portions of the shoe upper and sole asymmetrically between the medial and lateral sides. First, a lateral stability strap is positioned immediately posterior of the fifth metatarsal-phalanges joint while a medial stability strap is positioned posterior of the first metatarsal-phalanges joint. Second, a lateral flex notch is aligned with the fifth metatarsal-phalanges joint and a medial flex notch is aligned with the first metatarsal-phalangess joint to allow the shoe to flex along the foot's natural flex line. Third, a medial quarter notch is positioned anterior of a lateral quarter notch to accommodate the difference between the medial and lateral malleolar lengths. The asymmetry of malleolar heights is also accommodated by having a quarter height difference; the medial quarter height being as much as 2.5 cm. higher than the lateral quarter height. Fourth, the anterior edge of a midsole wedge section is aligned immediately posterior of the metatarsal-phalanges joints. Fifth, in a combination lasted shoe the anterior edge of a board is aligned immediately posterior of the metatarsal-phalanges joint.

Asymmetric shoe

An improved sole for use with footwear is disclosed. The sole includes at least one layer of material which is adapted to be attached to an upper of the footwear. A distal flex groove is formed in the sole and is coextensive with a medial metatarsal-phalanges line which extends between the first and second metatarsal-phalanges joints. A proximal flex groove is also formed in the sole and extends substantially parallel to a lateral metatarsal-phalanges line which extends along the second through fifth metatarsal-phalanges joints. The proximal and distal grooves join on another at the medial edge of the sole adjacent the first metatarsal-phalanges joint.

Sole with V-oriented flex grooves

Growing community of inventors

Beaverton, OR, United States of America

John R Robinson