Article of footwear with thermoformed siped sole structure
US11129437B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2019 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29K2075/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure that is thermoformed to the upper. The upper has a ground facing surface, and opposing medial and lateral sidewalls disposed on opposite sides of the ground facing surface. The sole structure has an inner surface adhered to the upper and an outer surface that is opposite the inner surface. The sole structure includes a thermoplastic base layer that defines the inner surface of the sole structure. The sole structure further includes a thermoplastic outer layer integrally formed with the base layer. The outer layer has a plurality of protuberances, each protuberance has an outer face that defines a portion of the outer sole surface, and the outer layer further includes a plurality of splayed sipes extending across a portion of the sole structure. Each splayed sipe generally extends between at least two adjacent protuberances.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.