The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 15, 2016
Filed:
Sep. 06, 2012
Simidele A. Adeagbo, Beaverton, OR (US);
Chad C. Grover, Beaverton, OR (US);
Kevin W. Hoffer, Portland, OR (US);
Matthew J. Holmes, Portland, OR (US);
Tamimu A. Shyllon, Portland, OR (US);
Simidele A. Adeagbo, Beaverton, OR (US);
Chad C. Grover, Beaverton, OR (US);
Kevin W. Hoffer, Portland, OR (US);
Matthew J. Holmes, Portland, OR (US);
Tamimu A. Shyllon, Portland, OR (US);
NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US);
Abstract
Sole structures for articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include: (a) a lightweight foam midsole component for supporting the foot; and (b) a plurality of heavier and/or denser cage components covering selected areas of the midsole component. Spaces are provided between the cage components. These spaces may be sized, shaped, and oriented to define and/or correspond to flexion lines of the foot and/or to produce a more natural flex motion to the sole. The soles additionally may include one or more outsole components, e.g., on bottom surface(s) of the cage component(s) and/or the foam midsole. These sole structures may be engaged with an upper to form a shoe. The uppers may include one or more lace receiving openings supported by elongated wire or textile components. Methods of making footwear including such uppers and/or sole structures also are described.