Sole assembly for article of footwear with interlocking members
US8914998B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 13, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA43B13/187
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An article of footwear includes a sole assembly with a rib that is resiliently flexible, and the rib has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The transverse axis extends at an acute angle relative to the ground surface, and the rib includes a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, and a middle portion disposed between the first and second longitudinal ends. A height of the first and/or second longitudinal end is greater than that of the middle portion. The rib is operable to axially support a first force applied substantially along the acute angle relative to the ground surface, and the rib transverse axis remains substantially straight in response to the first force. The rib resiliently bends about the rib longitudinal axis in response to a second force applied substantially normal to the ground surface to make the rib transverse axis non-linear.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.