Article of footwear with a dynamically responsive element for kicking a ball

Inactive Publication Date: 2015-02-05
LAI WILLIAM
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]In still further preferred embodiments, a ball contacting element may form one or more portions of

Problems solved by technology

Whereas high tensile metal or plastic of the core layer of U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,282 B1 are such as to help provide increased power to the ball, they may have the adverse effect of reducing a wearer's control of the ball as well as increasing discomfort to the wearer due to the stiffness of the material.
Previous designs cannot simultaneously or dynamically provide both features of optimal ball control and optimal power kicking because the required impact forces are specific to the extreme ranges of compressibility and stiffness.
In providing a more compressible material, the material is less able to provide power in kicking Conversely, in providing a stiffer material, the material is less able to provide control and spin as well as comfort to the wearer.
The problem for soccer shoe designers has been the use of a combination of materials that provide a cushioning system for increased ball control together with a harder and

Method used

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  • Article of footwear with a dynamically responsive element for kicking a ball
  • Article of footwear with a dynamically responsive element for kicking a ball
  • Article of footwear with a dynamically responsive element for kicking a ball

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0033]The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0034]Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It wi...

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PUM

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Abstract

An article of footwear with a dynamically responsive element for kicking a ball is disclosed. In preferred embodiments, an article of footwear comprises a sole element, an upper element, and a ball contacting element. The ball contacting element comprises a first layer configured to contact a ball and a second layer, with the first layer contiguously coupled with a portion of the second layer. The first layer and second layer may be configured to form a ball contacting element on a portion of the upper element. The first layer may comprise a Non-Newtonian material and the second layer may comprise a Newtonian layer, or the first layer may comprise a Newtonian material and the second layer may comprise a Non-Newtonian layer. In further preferred embodiments, a ball contacting element may comprise a third layer, which may be contiguously coupled with a portion of the second layer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This patent specification relates to the field of articles of ball sport footwear. More specifically, this patent specification relates to an article of footwear with a dynamically responsive element for kicking a ball.BACKGROUND[0002]There are many athletic ball sports activities that involve kicking a ball. Examples of such sports include soccer, rugby, football, Australian-rules football and kickball. Articles of footwear such as soccer shoes are often used by the wearer for such athletic sports activities.[0003]In kicking a ball, it is beneficial to have a comfortable soccer shoe that enables the wearer to manipulate a ball through a range of motions from one extreme of providing optimal control and spin to another extreme of providing optimal power to the ball as it is kicked.[0004]Features in soccer shoes to optimize providing control and spin by increasing contact between the ball and the shoe have previously been proposed. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,5...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A43B5/02
CPCA43B5/025A43B23/0235A43B23/028
InventorLAI, WILLIAM
OwnerLAI WILLIAM