Patent · US Expired

Article of footwear comprising a unitary support structure and method of manufacture

US7950676B2 · kind B2 · utility

39Cited by
427References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 10, 2004
Grant dateMay 31, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 26, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29L2031/50
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An article of footwear comprising a pliable upper component and a molded unitary support structure formed of a plurality of wall stuctures and methods of manufacturing are disclosed. Some embodiments include a sole and first and second side wall structures extending therefrom and partitioned from one another. The sole and the first and second side wall structures may be in part or entirely constructed of multiple layers of fibers having different orientations from one another and disposed in a hardened resin matrix. The pliable upper component comprises outer and inner panels that overlap the inner and outer surfaces of one or more of the side wall structures and are conjoined thereto.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.