Nike, Inc.

Mark J Smith

Tinker L Hatfield

Thomas C Foxen

Jeffrey C Spanks

Thomas Berend

Tom Luedecke

Adam R Welliver

Tiffany A Beers

Andrew A Owings

Allen W Van Noy

Kim Kovel

Klaas Pieter Hazenberg

Joshua P Heard

Taryn M Hensley

Peter Kallen

Footwear includes structural features that may provide one or more of the following features or functions: (a) help 'lock' the wearer to the ground under torsional forces induced in the leg/foot (e.g., by a golf swing or other activities); (b) help provide stable support, e.g., at the medial heel and/or lateral forefoot areas; (c) help support and prevent undesired distortion of the footwear upper, e.g., when torsional forces are applied; and/or (d) help provide a very stable and secure feel and fit by securing across the instep portion of the foot, e.g., in a forward lateral-to-rear medial direction (e.g., between medial heel and lateral forefoot sidewall supports).

Foot motion control and/or stability systems for articles of footwear and other foot-receiving devices

An article of footwear includes an upper assembly with an upper and an upper covering member. The upper covering member includes a lighting panel layer capable of illuminating the upper covering member. A majority of the upper covering member may be configured to illuminate.

Article with illuminating surface

The present invention is directed to an outsole for footwear that reduces grip and enables controlled slippage on a surface during wear. The outsole includes a plurality of low profile tread projections, each tread projection having at least one long, thin, and flexible extension member. An increased width of the extension member where it adjoins the tread projection acts as a pivot point at which the extension member may flex and bend degrees. During wear, the flexible extension members bend over or collapse, becoming sandwiched between the tread projections and a surface. The bent extension members reduce the contact area between the tread projections and a surface, thereby reducing grip and enabling slippage.

Outsole with grip reduction extension members

A footbed having a cork foot-contacting surface for use in footwear is provided. The foot-contacting surface includes portions that are altered in thickness in order to form a network of channels that cross the foot-contacting surface of the footbed. The channels facilitate dryness, reduced foot slippage within the footwear, and provide a comfortable fit.

Footbed with cork foot-contacting surface

Shoe upper with surface ornamentation

Articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices include an upper/foot-covering member having medial and lateral strap tensioning components located on opposite sides of the ankle area. A securing system is provided that includes: (i) a first strap portion extending across the instep area, engaging the lateral strap tensioning component, and extending in front of the foot-insertion opening to the medial ankle side (where it may be secured), and (ii) a second strap portion extending across the instep area, engaging the medial strap tensioning component, and extending in front of the foot-insertion opening and to the lateral ankle side (where it may be secured). The first and second strap portions cross one another at two separated crossing locations.

Strap securing systems for articles of footwear and other foot-receiving devices

Shoe upper

A method of manufacturing an article of footwear may include assembling at least a portion of an upper of the article of footwear, the upper having a lower perimeter edge. A lasting element is secured to the upper adjacent to the lower perimeter edge. The lasting element includes a barrier and a tensile member located within the barrier, the tensile member being secured to opposite sides of the barrier. In addition, a sole structure of the article of footwear is joined to at least one of the upper and the lasting element.

Method of lasting an article of footwear with a fluid-filled chamber

Shoe outsole

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Mark J Smith