| Article of footwear with a lightweight foam midsole -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Article of footwear with a lightweight foam midsoleUSPTO Application #: 20070220778Title: Article of footwear with a lightweight foam midsole Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper element and a sole structure secured to the upper element. The sole structure further comprises a midsole element that defines a plurality of indentations extending through a polymer foam material from a first surface to a second surface. The plurality of indentations comprising at least a first set of indentations and second set of indentations. The first set of indentations extending downwards from an upper surface; whereas, a plurality of second indentations extending upwards from a lower surface. The first set of indentations being offset from the second set of indentations. (end of abstract) Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. - Chicago, IL, US Inventors: Ciro Fusco, David Patrick Jones USPTO Applicaton #: 20070220778 - Class: 03603000R (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070220778. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to footwear. The invention concerns, more particularly, an article of footwear with a plurality of indentations extending in a substantially vertical direction through a midsole. BACKGROUND [0002] A conventional article of athletic footwear includes two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper and the sole structure operate cooperatively to provide a comfortable structure that is suited for a variety of activities such as walking and running. The upper provides a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure is secured to a lower surface of the upper and is generally positioned between the foot and the ground. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces, the sole structure may provide traction and control foot motions. [0003] Current sole structure designs, however, provide a large portion of the overall weight of the athletic footwear. Heavier athletic footwear directly impacts comfort of the wearer and decrease performance during a multitude of activities such as running and walking. Current sole structure designs have focused on using lighter weight materials in the design of the sole structure to reduce the overall weight of the athletic footwear. [0004] The sole structure of athletic footwear generally exhibits a layered configuration that includes a comfort-enhancing insole, a resilient midsole formed from a polymer foam material, and a ground-contacting outsole that provides both abrasion-resistance and traction. The midsole is the primary sole structure element that attenuates ground reaction forces and controls foot motions. Suitable polymer foam materials for the midsole include ethylvinylacetate or polyurethane that compress resiliently under an applied load to attenuate ground reaction forces. Conventional polymer foam materials are resiliently compressible, in part, due to the inclusion of a plurality of open or closed cells that define an inner volume substantially displaced by gas. The polymer foam materials of the midsole may also absorb energy when compressed during ambulatory activities. [0005] The midsole may be formed from a unitary element of polymer foam that extends throughout the length and width of the footwear. With the exception of a thickness differential between the heel and forefoot areas of the footwear, such a midsole exhibits substantially uniform properties in each area of the sole structure. [0006] Therefore, there is a need in the art for athletic footwear that overcomes the disadvantages of prior athletic footwear by providing a wearer with a lightweight sole structure in order to reduce the overall weight of the athletic footwear. SUMMARY [0007] The invention relates to an article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole element. The midsole element extends through a portion of a longitudinal length of the sole structure and from a lateral side to a medial side of the sole structure. The midsole element is formed from a polymer foam material and has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The midsole element defines a plurality of indentations extending through the polymer foam material and from the first surface to the second surface. The midsole element having a plurality of first indentations that extend downwards from an upper surface and a plurality of second indentations that extend upwards from a lower surface, the indentations being offset from one another. [0008] The indentation may extend in a substantially vertical direction and exhibit various shapes and configuration such as a hexagonal, triangular, square, pentagonal, or round, for example. The indentations may also form a tessellation or have a tapered structure. In an aspect of the invention, the dimensions of the indentations may vary throughout the midsole element. [0009] The advantages and features of novelty characterizing the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and features of novelty, however, reference may be made to the following descriptive matter and accompanying drawings that describe and illustrate various embodiments and concepts related to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a lateral side elevational view of an article of footwear having a midsole in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a medial side elevational view of an article of footwear having a midsole in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a midsole in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [0014] FIG. 4 illustrates another top view of a midsole in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the midsole shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the midsole shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [0017] FIG. 7 illustrates an outsole in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the midsole of the invention as defined by section line AA in FIG. 4 in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [0019] FIG. 9 is another cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the midsole of the invention as defined by section line BB in FIG. 4 in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom view of an article of footwear with various indentations of different sizes and shapes in accordance with an aspect of the invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Article of footwear with a lightweight foam midsole Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Article of footwear with a lightweight foam midsole patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Article of footwear with a lightweight foam midsole or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Comfortable and portable footwear Next Patent Application: Support liners and arrangements including the same Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Article of footwear with a lightweight foam midsole patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.65854 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf |
||
