Sole structure for an article of footwear having grooves and a flex control insert with ribs
US10660400B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 14, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 26, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA43B13/223
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A sole structure includes a sole plate having a foot-facing surface with a forefoot portion, and a ground-facing surface opposite from the foot-facing surface. The sole plate includes a plurality of grooves extending transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the sole plate, in the forefoot region of the foot-facing surface. A flex control insert includes an upper surface, and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The flex control insert includes a plurality of ribs protruding from the lower surface of the flex control insert, which extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the sole plate. Each one of ribs is disposed within a different respective one of the grooves. The ribs are strong in compression, and maintain their volume to resist compression by the grooves as the sole plate flexes in a longitudinal direction to increase the bending stiffness of the sole plate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.