Nike, Inc.

Under Armour, Inc.

Nike, Imc.

Thomas C Foxen

Frederick J Dojan

Troy C Lindner

Jeffrey C Spanks

John Hurd

Tinker L Hatfield

Mark J Smith

Lysandre Follet

Thomas Berend

Shane S Kohatsu

Michael S Amos

Andrea M Vinet

Eric Steven Schindler

John F Swigart

Adam Thuss

James C Meschter

Albert Shum

David J Roulo

Scott C Holt

Eric P Avar

Yves Albert Behar

Karen S Dimoff

Craig E Santos

Thomas G Bell

E Scott Morris

Geng Luo

Jonathan Johnsongriffin

David McManus

James Webster

Craig A Nomi

Jonathan Rasca

Tom Luedecke

Edward Nathaniel Thomas

David J Dirsa

Jeffrey L Johnson

Paul James Francis

Aaron A C Cooper

Kevin W Hoffer

Jeffrey C Pisciotta

Joshua P Heard

Peter J Belfanti

Anthony Hope

Mark Cartier

Mike Jones

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an upper-facing surface and an opposite ground-facing surface. The outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component. A matrix structure extends from the outer perimeter boundary rim (e.g., the ground-facing surface and/or the upper-facing surface) and across the open space at least at the forefoot support area to define an open cellular construction with plural open cells across the open space at least at the forefoot support area. The matrix structure defines one or more sets of adjacent open cells, the set(s) including at least three open cells that are substantially aligned in the forefoot support area along a line extending in a forward medial-to-rear lateral direction.

Ground-engaging structures for articles of footwear

A last for forming an upper of an article of footwear includes a first portion including a lateral side and a medial side that opposes the lateral side, and a second portion connected with and extending upward and transversely outward in an angled manner away from the first portion such that a terminal end of the second portion is distanced from the first portion. An exterior surface of the last can include a plurality of three dimensional structural surface components disposed over at least 50% of the exterior surface of the last.

Last for an article of footwear

An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole, an outsole secured to the midsole, and one or more plates positioned within the midsole. Each of the plates has a downwardly-facing concave side and an upwardly-facing concave side. The downwardly-concave side may be positioned on a medial side (or a lateral side) of the footwear, and the upwardly-concave side may be positioned on the lateral side (or the medial side) of the footwear. The undulating medio-lateral configuration of each plate may increase the overall support provided to a wearer's foot during a side-to-side or 'banking' movement.

Article of footwear with banking midsole with embedded resilient plate

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a matrix structure extending at least partially across the open space at least at the forefoot support area to define an open cellular construction with plural open cells in the open space at least at the forefoot support area. A plurality of these open cells of the open cellular construction have openings with curved perimeters and no distinct corners. Additional aspects of this invention relate to ground-engaging components that are very lightweight yet very stiff, particularly in the forefoot support area. Two or more sizes of the ground-engaging components may be provided with substantially constant forefoot stiffness (optionally substantially constant over a size run).

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim is shaped such that the outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component tapers or curves inward moving from a forefoot support area to an arch support area, and wherein a narrowest dimension from a lateral side edge to a medial side edge of the outer perimeter boundary rim is located in a heel support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a support structure extending into or at least partially across the open space. The ground-engaging component may have a narrower width dimension in a central heel or rear heel support area than in the arch support area.

A last for forming an upper of an article of footwear includes an exterior surface, where the exterior surface includes a plurality of three dimensional structural surface components disposed over at least 50% of the exterior surface of the last.

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an upper-facing surface and a ground-facing surface opposite the upper-facing surface, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a matrix structure extending from the outer perimeter boundary rim (e.g., the ground-facing surface and/or the upper-facing surface) and across the open space at least at the forefoot support area to define an open cellular construction with plural open cells across the open space at least at the forefoot support area, wherein a plurality (e.g., at least a majority) of the open cells have curved perimeters with no distinct corners.

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an upper-facing surface and a ground-facing surface opposite the upper-facing surface, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component, and wherein a rearmost extent of the outer perimeter boundary rim is located within one of: an arch support area or a forward heel support area of the ground-engaging component (and/or at these areas of an overall sole structure); and (b) a support structure extending from the outer perimeter boundary rim and into or at least partially across the open space.

An article of footwear that offers different levels of cushioning and support depending on the direction of force applied to the midsole. An outer edge of the midsole includes an inwardly-extending elongate groove with a V-shaped cross-sectional configuration. An elongate insert having a V-shaped cross-sectional configuration is secured to the elongate groove. The insert forms a spring that dynamically alters the character of the support provided by the footwear to a foot of a wearer during 'banking' or side-to-side movement.

Article of footwear with dynamic edge cavity midsole

A sole structure with an integrated cleat member includes a plate member with a protruding portion that forms a first portion of the cleat member. A second portion of the cleat member is attached to the first portion and may be made of a less rigid material than the first portion. A supporting structure can be disposed inside the protruding portion. A method of forming the sole structure can include reshaping a portion of a plate member to form a protruding portion, molding a cleat tip portion onto the protruding portion and molding a supporting structure into a concave inner portion of the protruding portion.

Sole structure with integrated cleat member and methods of making

Apparel is disclosed that can be worn to assist an interactive game in tracking the movement of the wearer. The apparel may include one or more tracking marks formed of designs, patterns, or reflective materials that can be easily tracked by an interactive game. By providing tracking marks on apparel, rather than using a special-purpose device that must be separately worn, a player may enjoy a more natural feel when playing the interactive game. A user can wear the apparel for everyday purposes, and then simply begin playing the game wearing the apparel without having to put on any additional equipment. The apparel may use reflective materials, and the interactive game can employ a camera and a light source configuration where the camera is located within the observation angle of a player employing retroreflective materials reflecting light from the light source.

Sigils for use with apparel

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim is shaped such that the outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component tapers or curves inward moving from a forefoot support area to an arch support area, and wherein a narrowest dimension from a lateral side edge to a medial side edge of the outer perimeter boundary rim (across the open space) is located in a heel support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a support structure extending into or at least partially across the open space. The ground-engaging component may have a narrower width dimension in a central heel or rear heel support area than in the arch support area.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Thomas C Foxen