US2024324725A1PendingUtilityA1

Sole structure for article of footwear

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Assignee: NIKE INCPriority: Mar 30, 2023Filed: Mar 28, 2024Published: Oct 3, 2024
Est. expiryMar 30, 2043(~16.7 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Jennifer L. BishopViviane LabelleMyounghwa LafondMichael J. LombardiDavid NgeneNadia M. PanianJeffrey C. SpanksAndrew Zubko
A43B 13/20A43B 23/0285A43B 13/146
54
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper having a bladder that defines an interior void. The bladder is movable from an expanded state to a constricted state when fluid is removed from the interior void. A sole structure includes at least one flex groove. The at least one flex groove is movable from a relaxed state to an expanded state in response to movement of the bladder from the expanded state to the constricted state.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an upper including a bladder defining an interior void, the bladder movable from an expanded state to a constricted state when fluid is removed from the interior void; and   a sole structure including at least one flex groove, the at least one flex groove movable from a relaxed state to an expanded state in response to movement of the bladder from the expanded state to the constricted state.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flex groove is formed in a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one flex groove extends along a longitudinal axis in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one flex groove extends along a longitudinal axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flex groove is formed in a sidewall of the sole structure. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one flex groove extends along a longitudinal axis in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one flex groove extends around a perimeter of the sole structure from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure around at least one of a posterior end of the sole structure and an anterior end of the sole structure. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising a resilient member disposed within the interior void. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the resilient member biases the bladder into the expanded state. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 9 , wherein the resilient member is formed from foam. 
     
     
         11 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an upper including a bladder defining an interior void, the bladder movable from an expanded state to a constricted state when fluid is removed from the interior void; and   a sole structure movable from a relaxed state to an expanded state in response to movement of the bladder from the expanded state to the constricted state.   
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein the sole structure includes at least one flex groove formed in a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure, the at least one flex groove increasing in size in response to movement of the sole structure from the relaxed state to the expanded state. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one flex groove extends along a longitudinal axis in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one flex groove extends along a longitudinal axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein the sole structure includes at least one flex groove formed in a sidewall of the sole structure, the at least one flex groove increasing in size in response to movement of the sole structure from the relaxed state to the expanded state. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one flex groove extends along a longitudinal axis in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one flex groove extends around a perimeter of the sole structure from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure around at least one of a posterior end of the sole structure and an anterior end of the sole structure. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , further comprising a resilient member disposed within the interior void. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the resilient member biases the bladder into the expanded state. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 19 , wherein the resilient member is formed from foam.

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