New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.

Other

Kenneth W Graham

Edward J Norton

Shuhei Kurata

Dennis D Everson

James A Smith

Robert C Shelsky

Craig F Fram

An interposer comprising an array of top contacts on the top surface configured to interface with an integrated circuit package, a corresponding array of bottom contacts on the bottom surface configured to interface with a component beneath the interposer, through connections between corresponding top and bottom contacts and a plurality of signal probe points on the edge surface. The interposer may include an electrical pathway connecting a first through connection to a first signal probe point. The electrical pathway may contact the first through connection at a first intersection. A resistor may be disposed along the electrical pathway, between the first intersection and the first signal probe point. The electrical pathway from the first intersection to the resistor may be an unconditioned signal pathway. The electrical pathway from the resistor to the first signal contact may be a conditioned signal pathway. The unconditioned signal pathway may have a length of not greater than 0.20 inch.

Interposer with signal-conditioned edge probe points

A test assembly that may provide access to signals of a circuit that includes an integrated circuit. The test assembly may include structural members that limit movement of components relative to each other.

In-circuit test assembly

The process of molding a component of a sole unit for an athletic shoe comprising the steps of supporting a core of a first plastic material in a cavity of a mold, the core defining an integral part of the component and extending within a heel region toward a forefoot region, supporting at least one rigid plug member within the cavity juxtaposed and in partially surrounding relation to the core, injecting a second plastic material into the cavity to fill the cavity, to form a shell around the core, at least partially curing the injected plastic material, removing the plug member, and injecting a third plastic material which upon curing forms a second resilient plastic material having a hardness (Shore A) greater than that of the material of the core into the cavity to fill the area heretofore occupied by the plug member, the plug member being shaped such that the third plastic material forms a set of posts.

Process of molding a component of a sole unit for footwear

The invention is in a sole unit for footwear including a midsole/wedge component (16, 30, 40, 60) of plastic material. The midsole/wedge component includes a core (26, 36, 46, 62) which may be characterized as a V-channel within a central longitudinal portion extending away from the back of the heel along substantially the longitudinal axis of the component. A pair of posts (22 and 24, 32 and 34, 42 and 44, 64 and 66) describing a lateral and medial post extend along the component at least to the region of the heel seat of the wedge. The density of the medial post (Shore A) may be equal to or greater than the density of the lateral post, and both posts have a density (Shore A) greater than that of the core to minimize excessive rear foot motion and instability. The invention also envisions several process for forming the midsole/wedge component.

Construction of sole unit for footwear

The manufacture of a sole unit for footwear, such as an athletic shoe including an integral midsole/wedge or a separable wedge for use with a midsole. The integral midsole/wedge unit and the separable wedge comprise a shell and a core at least partially encapsulated within the shell. In the manufacture the core is supported in a mold by a plurality of pins extending from an upper and lower mold half toward a parting line; or the core is supported on one or the other of an outsole or insole of the sole unit and closed in the mold. The material of the shell is poured or injected into the mold.

Sole construction for footwear

A sole unit for footwear such as an athletic shoe includes an integral midsole/wedge or a wedge for use with a midsole. The integral midsole/wedge unit and the wedge for use with a midsole both are formed by a shell and an encapsulated core. The shell and core comprise plastic materials which have individual strengths and weaknesses in a shoe construction, yet provide, as a composite improved results in a shock dispersion and memory system. In a second aspect, the integral midsole/wedge is a single density or a two-density unit precompressed from a low density material.

A control device for footwear, such as an athletic shoe, including a body having a base with relatively flat upper and lower surfaces and a wall extending upwardly around a heel portion to extend along both a medial and lateral portion to an end. The body is formed of plastic to be yieldable, but relatively sturdy for support of the foot in a neutral plane and control roll of the foot during a running cycle.

Growing community of inventors

Wakefield, MA, United States of America

Kenneth W Graham