Footwear outsole

Abstract

A footwear outsole is provided. The footwear outsole includes a chassis, a plurality of openings formed within the chassis, the plurality of openings includes at least a first opening and a second opening, and a plurality of inserts configured to be removably received within the plurality of openings. The plurality of inserts includes at least a first insert and a second insert, where the first insert is configured to be received within the first opening, and the second insert is configured to be received within the second opening. The first insert has a first coefficient of friction to provide a first surface property in a first outsole location, and the second insert has a second coefficient of friction to provide a second surface property in a second outsole location, where the second coefficient of friction is different than the first coefficient of friction. The first and second inserts each include a mechanical faster to removably secure the first and second inserts respectively in the first and second openings.

Description

[0001] FOOTWEAR OUTSOLE

[0002] Related Application

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 566,541, filed on March 18, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0004] Field of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure relates to a footwear outsole which can be customized with outsole materials having different coefficients of friction.

[0006] Background

[0007] A variety of types of athletic shoes exist, and many are specific to a particular sport. For example, some bowling shoes have hook and loop fasteners (i.e., VELCRO® Brand) on the outsole and a user can attach pads to the shoe outsole for preferred friction. Pads can be periodically replaced.

[0008] Summary

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a footwear outsole is provided.

[0010] The footwear outsole includes a chassis, a plurality of openings formed within the chassis, the plurality of openings includes at least a first opening and a second opening, and a plurality of inserts configured to be removably received within the plurality of openings. The plurality of inserts includes at least a first insert and a second insert, where the first insert is configured to be received within the first opening, and the second insert is configured to be received within the second opening. The first insert has a first coefficient of friction to provide a first surface property in a first outsole location, and the second insert has a second coefficient of friction to provide a second surface property in a second outsole location, where the second coefficient of friction is different than the first coefficient of friction. The first and second inserts each include a mechanical faster to removably secure the first and second inserts respectively in the first and second openings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] Figure 1 is an exploded assembly view of a footwear outsole according to one embodiment which may be defined as a slide foot configuration;

[0012] Figure 2 is an exploded assembly view of a footwear outsole according to another embodiment which may be defined as a push / traction foot configuration;

[0013] Figure 3 is an exploded assembly view of a footwear outsole according to yet another embodiment which may be defined as a slide foot configuration; and

[0014] Figure 4 is an exploded assembly view of a footwear outsole according to another embodiment which may be defined as a push / traction foot configuration.

[0015] Detailed Description

[0016] The present disclosure is directed to footwear outsole designs. In one embodiment, these concepts may be employed in footwear designed specifically for bowling. As mentioned above, conventional bowling shoes may include pads which attach to the outsole of a bowling shoe with VELCRO®. The pads may be made of different materials. Some of the pads allow the user’s foot to slide against a bowling alley floor and may be known as “slide pads,” and conversely some of these pads may provide more traction to a user’s foot and may be known as “traction pads.”

[0017] The Applicant recognized that there were problems associated with these conventional bowling shoes. In particular, while the pads can be replaced and customized based upon a user’ s preference, the VELCRO® often wears out and get dirty, causing the user to need to replace the shoes.

[0018] Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a footwear outsole that provides an innovative design to customize a footwear outsole with desired outsole surface properties. As set forth in more detail below, in one embodiment, the footwear outsole is configured for a bowling shoe. However, it should also be appreciated that in another embodiment, the footwear outsole may be configured for a variety of other activities and / or sports. Applicant recognized that it may be desirable to design a shoe / footwear specific to bowling and provide different levels of traction / slide. Depending on the bowler / user’s preferences and / or whether the bowler is right-handed or left-handed, bowling shoes may have one foot configured for traction (i.e., more friction) and the other configured for slide (i.e., less friction). However, it should be appreciated that some bowlers prefer to have less friction on both shoes.

[0019] As set forth in more detail below, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a footwear outsole that includes a plurality of inserts removably received within a plurality of openings in the outsole. The first insert may have a first coefficient of friction and the second insert may have a second coefficient of friction. As discussed in more detail below, mechanical fasteners may be used to secure the inserts within the openings. Applicant recognized that a customizable bowling shoe that has a mechanical attachment / fastener may be longer lasting than the conventional approaches. As set forth in more detail below, the present disclosure outlines different types of mechanical fasteners. One option discussed in the present disclosure is a tongue / groove design as shown in Figures 1 and 2, where the inserts slide linearly into a groove located on the outsole chassis. Another option discussed in the present disclosure is inserts that twist or rotate into receptacles located on the outsole chassis as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0020] Turning now to Figure 1, a first embodiment of a footwear outsole 100 will now be more fully described. It should be appreciated that in the figures, the footwear outsole 100 is shown upside down. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the footwear outsole 100 may be coupled to a variety of different footwear midsoles and / or footwear uppers to form a complete shoe. As shown in Figure 1, a chassis 10 extends from a forefoot region 12 to a heel region 14, and there may be a plurality of openings 20, 22, 24, 26 formed within the chassis 10, the plurality of openings including at least a first opening 20 and a second opening 22. A plurality of inserts 40, 42, 44, 46 are configured to be removably received within the plurality of openings 20, 22, 24, 26. The plurality of inserts include at least a first insert 40 and a second insert 42, As shown in the exploded view shown in Figure 1, the first insert 40 is configured to be received within the first opening 20, and the second insert 42 is configured to be received within the second opening 22. The first insert 40 has a first coefficient of friction to provide a first desired surface property in a first outsole location, and the second insert 42 has a second coefficient of friction to provide a second desired surface property in a second outsole location. In one embodiment, the second coefficient of friction is different than the first coefficient of friction so that the surface property in a first outsole location is different than the surface property in a second outsole location.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, in one embodiment, the first and second inserts 40, 42 each include a mechanical faster to removably secure the first and second inserts 40, 42 respectively in the first and second openings 20, 22. As set forth in more detail below, the type of mechanical fastener may vary according to different embodiments of the present disclosure In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the mechanical fastener on each of the first and second inserts includes a tongue 50, and each of the first and second openings 20, 22 in the chassis 10 includes a mating mechanical fastener. The tongue 50 is slidably received within the mating mechanical fastener in the chassis 10. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the mating mechanical fastener on each of the first and second openings 20, 22 is a groove configured to receive the tongue 50. As shown in Figure 1, the second opening 22 groove extends across the width of the chassis 10, from a medial side of the footwear outsole through to a lateral side of the footwear outsole.

[0022] It should be noted that in Figure 1, the tongue on the first insert 40 is not visible, but it should be recognized that the tongue on the first insert 40 may be shaped to the slidably received within a groove formed within the first opening 20 located in the heel region of the chassis 10. Furthermore, the first insert 40 may include a tongue that is slidably received within quick-slide grooves 28 which may be located on each side of the first opening 20 in the heel region of the chassis 10. In this embodiment, the first opening 20 and the grooves 28 extend across the heel region of the footwear outsole 100 in a direction from the end of the heel up towards an arch portion of the outsole 100.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, in one embodiment, the plurality of inserts 40, 42, 44, 46 may have a two-layer construction. As shown, the first insert 40 may include a first layer 40a which includes the mechanical fastener to removably secure the first insert 40 to the first opening 20, and a second layer 40b secured to the first layer 40a, where the second layer 40b is made of a slide or traction material, including but not limited to a microfiber material, rubber, split suede leather, nubuck leather, and / or non-woven fiber board. Similarly, the second insert 42 may include a first layer 42a which includes the mechanical fastener to removably secure the second insert 42 to the second opening 22, and a second layer 42b secured to the first layer 42a, where the second layer 42b is made of a slide or traction material, including but not limited to a microfiber material, rubber, split suede leather, nubuck leather, and / or non-woven fiber board. In this embodiment, the first opening 20 and first insert 40 are located in the heel region of the chassis 10, and the second opening 22 and second insert 44 are located in the forefoot region of the chassis 10. In this two-layer construction, the two insert layers may be adhered or otherwise fixed together to form the insert. Furthermore, as set forth in more detail below, the specific material used for the second layers 40b, 42b defines the coefficient of friction for each insert 40, 42.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first layer 40a, 42a of the inserts include the slider components which are configured to slide into the chassis 10. In one embodiment, the tongue / ridge 50 located on the list layer 40a, 42a may have a slightly angled / canted shape along its width and may begin narrower and end slightly wider for ease of entry into groove / opening 20, 22.

[0025] In one embodiment, the tongue 50 may lock / unlock into position at the press and release of a button 70 on the chassis 10. For example, the footwear outsole 100 may include a locking mechanism to selectively lock the position of the inserts 40, 42, 44, 46 respectively in the first, second, third, and / or fourth openings 20, 22, 24, 26. As shown in Figure 1, in one embodiment, a push button 70 is configured to unlock a locking mechanism to selectively unlock the position of the inserts 40, 42, 44, 46 in the openings 20, 22, 24, 26 so that a user can selectively remove the first and / or second inserts from the openings. As shown, a push button 70 may be associated with each insert / opening to independently unlock each insert.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, in one embodiment, the chassis 10 includes a third opening 24 which is located in a forefoot region of the chassis, and a third insert 44 is configured to be removably received within the third opening 24, where the third insert 44 has a third coefficient of friction to provide a third desired surface property in a third outsole location. The chassis 10 may also include a fourth opening 26 also located in the forefoot region, and a fourth insert 46 is configured to be removably received within the fourth opening 26, where the fourth insert 46 has a fourth coefficient of friction to provide a fourth desired surface property in a fourth outsole location. In one embodiment, the third and fourth openings 24, 26 extend across the width of the forefoot region of the chassis 10, from a medial side of the footwear outsole through to a lateral side of the footwear outsole.

[0027] In one embodiment, the first insert 40 includes a sliding or traction pad. The footwear outsole 100 in Figure 1 may be designed to be worn on a bowler’s foot where it is desirable to slide (i.e., less friction, also known as “slide foot configuration”). In one particular embodiment, the first insert 40, which is configured to be removably coupled to the heel region of the chassis 10, includes a non-marking variable grip heel brake, which may for example, be made of rubber. In one embodiment, the second insert 22, which is configured to be removably coupled to the forefoot region of the chassis 10, and in particular, the toe region, includes a sliding material which provides desirable slide properties, such as, for example, a microfiber material. Similarly, the third and fourth inserts 44, 46 may also be made of either a traction or sliding pad depending upon the desired surface properties. In one embodiment, the most forward facing insert 42 near the toe region of the outsole has the lowest coefficient of friction (i.e., provides the greatest amount of sliding characteristics), and each insert 44, 46 in the forefoot region tapers back to a higher coefficient of friction.

[0028] In one embodiment, the first insert 40 has a coefficient of friction that enables a user wearing the footwear outsole 100 to push off the first outsole location in the heel region, and the second insert 42 has a coefficient of friction that enables a user wearing the footwear outsole to slide off the second outsole location in the forefoot region.

[0029] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in one embodiment, the coefficient of friction of the insert may be the static coefficient of friction. In another embodiment, the coefficient of friction of the insert may be the kinetic or sliding coefficient of friction. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the kinetic / sliding coefficient of friction may be used with relative motion between objects. Static frictional coefficients are generally used for objects without relative motion. It should be recognized that the static coefficients may be somewhat higher than the kinetic or sliding coefficients, as more force may be required to start a motion.

[0030] Furthermore, both footwear and the walking surfaces offer frictional resistance. The coefficient of friction (COF) may be a number that represents the relationship of these two surfaces — the force applied between the two surfaces vertically (pressing force) and laterally (frictional force). One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a higher COF means more friction and therefore more traction, and conversely, a lower COF means less traction and a slippery surface. On a wet, waxed and / or oily surface, the coefficient of friction can be as low as 0.1 p with shoes that do not have slip-resistant soles. In contrast, rubber-soled shoes on a brushed concrete surface can generate a coefficient of friction over I .O u. As a point of reference, for general walking, a coefficient of friction of 0.4p to 0.5 u may be considered a good traction offering.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, in one embodiment the chassis 10 is coupled to a midsole 80. In one embodiment, the chassis is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and the midsole is made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The chassis 10 may be defined as a frame or support structure, and the chassis may include lateral stability bars 16 which wrap around portions of the midsole 80. In another embodiment, the chassis 10 is made of nylon. In this illustrative embodiment, both the chassis 10 and the midsole 80 extend from a forefoot region 12 to a heel region 14. However, it should be appreciated that in another embodiment, the chassis 10 and / or the midsole 80 may only extend within certain portions of the footwear outsole 100 as the disclosure is not so limited. Furthermore, a fixed toe guard 60 may be provided in the toe region of the outsole. Additionally, the outsole 100 may include one or more fixed outsole components, such as, but not limited to a fixed toe portion 62, which may be made of microfiber. In one embodiment, the chassis 10 and midsole 80 are molded together, and the rubber toe guard 60 and microfiber toe portion 62 are both non-removable.

[0032] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of conventional footwear materials may be used to form the sole, outsole, and / or midsole, including but not limited to various polymer materials including but not limited to thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) which combines the properties of rubber and plastic, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, rubber, polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and thermoplastic rubber (TPR)

[0033] Turning now to Figure 2, another embodiment of a footwear outsole 200 will now be more fully described. Many of the components shown in Figure 2 are similar and / or substantially identical to the components shown in Figure 1, and thus these components have been given like reference numbers. Notably, as mentioned above, the Applicant recognized that it may be desirable for a user to customize their footwear outsole based upon their desired surface outsole surface properties. As mentioned above, Figure 1 illustrates a footwear outsole 100 designed to be worn on a bowler’s foot where it is desirable to slide (i.e., less friction, also known as “slide foot configuration”). In contrast, Figure 2 illustrates a footwear outsole 200 designed to be worn on a bowler’s foot where it is desirable to have more traction (i.e., more friction, also known as a “push foot configuration”). Thus, comparing Figure 2 to Figure 1, the primary difference is that the plurality of inserts 40, 42, 44, 46 are made of different materials to provide different coefficients of friction in comparison to the footwear outsole 100 shown in Figure 1. For example, the first insert 40 shown in Figure 2 may be made of a non-marking rubber V-tooth heel gripping material. It should be appreciated that in addition to the rubber material that forms layer 40b, that the V- grip contour further increases the coefficient of friction in comparison to an insert made of the same rubber material with a smooth surface contour. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the inserts 42, 44, 46 in the forefoot region shown in Figure 2, may be made of varying materials which may provide more friction / traction in comparison to the inserts 42, 44, 46 shown in the forefoot region of the footwear outsole 100 shown in Figure 1. As mentioned above, the inserts 40, 42, 44, 46 may be made of a material including but not limited to, a microfiber material, rubber, split suede leather, nubuck leather, and / or non-woven fiber board. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the footwear outsole 200 shown in Figure 2 may provide more traction to enable a user to push off that foot while bowling. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, in one embodiment, the outsole 200 may include one or more fixed outsole components, such as, but not limited to a fixed toe portion 62, which in this embodiment, may be made of rubber.

[0034] Applicant recognized that it may be desirable to offer a customizable slide and push foot experience to the experienced bowler. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the footwear outsole 100 includes a chassis 10 that has molded channels / openings to insert pre-fitted slide inserts / pads at varying coefficients of friction to create a customizable slide depending on a bowler’s desire for varying speeds during their slide, including the ability to stop their slide, if necessary. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in one embodiment, the chassis 10 contains three forefoot channels / openings 22, 24, 26, each having a rectangular shape in sequential configuration that can be fitted with slide or traction material top inserts 42, 44, 46 for pushing or sliding, respectively. The chassis 10 may also contain a heel part with at least one channel / opening 20 that can be fitted with a slide or traction insert 40. Turning now to Figures 3 and 4, additional embodiments of a footwear outsole 300, 400 will now be described. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a chassis 310 extends from a forefoot region 12 to a heel region 14, and there may be a plurality of openings 320 formed within the chassis 310. As shown, the plurality of openings includes at least a first opening 320 in the heel region 14 and a second opening 320 in the forefoot region 12. A plurality of inserts 340, 342 are configured to be removably received within the plurality of openings 320. The plurality of inserts includes at least a first insert 340 and a second insert 342. As shown in the exploded view shown in Figure 3, the first insert 340 is configured to be received within the first opening 320 in the heel region, and a second insert 342 is configured to be received within another opening 320 in the forefoot region 12. As set forth in more detail below, in this particular embodiment, there are seven inserts 342 configured to be removably received within the forefoot region 12 (i.e., three inserts 342 on the medial side of the outsole, three inserts on the lateral side of the outsole, and one insert 342 in the center of the outsole.

[0035] As set forth above, a first insert 340 has a first coefficient of friction to provide a first desired surface property in a first outsole location, and the second insert 342 has a second coefficient of friction to provide a second desired surface property in a second outsole location In one embodiment, the second coefficient of friction is different than the first coefficient of friction so that the surface property in a first outsole location is different than the surface property in a second outsole location.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, in one embodiment, the first and second inserts 340, 342 each include a mechanical faster to removably secure the first and second inserts 340, 342 within the openings 320. Unlike Figures 1-2 which include a tongue / groove configuration, the embodiments shown in Figures 3-4 include substantially disc-shaped inserts 342 that include at least one flange 344, and wherein the openings 320 in the chassis 310 include a mating mechanical fastener, and where the disc-shaped inserts 342 are configured to be rotatably received within the matching mechanical fastener. In one illustrative embodiment, the openings 320 in the chassis 310 are substantially circular and wherein the mating mechanical fastener on each of the first and second openings includes a receptacle 322 with at least one engagement surface 324 configured to couple with the at least one flange 344 on a discshaped insert 342. As shown, insert 340 includes a flat hexagonal shaped base 340a with at least one flange 344. The flange 344 is configured to mate with the at least one engagement surface 324 in the receptacle 322 located in the heel region. It should be appreciated that even though the insert layer 340a is substantially larger than the disc inserts 342, the mechanical fasteners may be substantially the same Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the heel region 14 of the chassis 310 may also include twist locking grooves 328 which are configured to engage with a mating mechanism on the hexagonal shaped base 340a.

[0037] In some respects, the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4 are similar to the embodiments disclosed in Figures 1 and 2 except that instead of having the removable inserts slide linearly into openings within the chassis, the removably insert may twist or rotate into mating receptacles 320. In one embodiment, the inserts 340, 342 may be made of a two-layer construction as discussed above. In particular, the inserts 340 may include a first layer 340a which includes the mechanical fastener to removably secure the first insert 340 to the openings 320, and a second layer 340b secured to the first layer 340a, where the second layer 340b is made of a microfiber or rubber material. Similarly, the second insert 342 may include a first layer 342a which includes the mechanical fastener to removably secure the second insert 342 to a second opening 320, and a second layer 342b secured to the first layer 342a where the second layer 340b is made of a microfiber or rubber material. In this embodiment, the first insert 340 is located in the heel region of the chassis 310, and the second insert 342 is located in the forefoot region of the chassis 310. In this two-layer construction, the two layers may be adhered or otherwise fixed together to form the insert. Furthermore, as set forth above, the specific material used for the second layers 340b, 342b defines the coefficient of friction for each insert 40, 42.

[0038] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the different slide coefficients and materials for the pads / inserts 340, 342 shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be varied as discussed above with respect to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in one embodiment, the disc configuration is optimized at seven to provide balance of configuration points with flexibility of shoe (non-configuration points). However, in other embodiments, the number of discs and layout of the discs in the forefoot region 12 may vary, and may for example include two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten discs. In the same spirit of a customizable slide design shown in Figures 1 and 2, the podded disc design shown in Figures 3 and 4 provides a different solution with the same intent. For example, by incorporating varying slide materials with different coefficients of friction in a configurable multi-pod array symmetrically between the right and left foot, Applicant allows the user to configure their slide or push foot configuration accordingly. In one embodiment a key is provided to enable the user to insert and / or remove the slide disc inserts 340, 342 into the chassis 310. In one embodiment, the chassis openings 320 include mating female twist components, with male mating twist components provided on the disc insert layers 340a, 342a, with a layer 340b, 342b including the desirable coefficient of friction configured into either the slide or push foot, depending on a bowler’s preference. In another embodiment, no key is necessary, and the user may screw / unscrew the inserts 340, 342 from the chassis 310 as desired.

[0040] Figure 3 illustrates a footwear outsole 300 designed to be worn on a bowler’s foot where it is desirable to slide (i.e., less friction, also known as “slide foot configuration”). In contrast, Figure 4 illustrates a footwear outsole 400 designed to be worn on a bowler’s foot where it is desirable to have more traction (i.e., more friction, also known as a push foot configuration”). Thus, comparing Figure 4 to Figure 3, the primary difference is that the plurality of inserts 340, 342 are made of different materials to provide different coefficients of friction in comparison to the footwear outsole 300 shown in Figure 3. For example, the first insert 340 shown in Figure 4 may be made of a non-marking rubber V-tooth heel gripping material. In some respects, the insert materials shown in Figure 4, are similar to the insert materials shown in Figure 2.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the chassis 310 is coupled to a midsole 380. In one embodiment, the chassis is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and the midsole is made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The midsole 380 may include one or more recesses 382 configured to align with the openings 320 in the chassis 310 to receive receptacles 322. The chassis 310 may include lateral stability bars 16 which wrap around portions of the midsole 380. Furthermore, a fixed toe guard 60 may be provided in the toe region of the outsole. Additionally, the outsoles 300, 400 may include one or more fixed outsole components, such as, but not limited to a fixed forefoot portion 362, which may be made of microfiber or rubber material. In one embodiment, the chassis 310 and midsole 380 are molded together, and the rubber toe guard 60 and forefoot portion 362 are both nonremovable

[0042] In one embodiment, the footwear outsole 100, 200, 300, 400 may be used in a shoe that includes a kit complete with multiple slide / push component pads / inserts 40, 42, 44, 46. This allows customization by the end user to apply the discs / pads / inserts with the varying degrees of slide, where the user prefers it. In one embodiment, the kit includes five separate slide coefficients for each component position insert 42, 44, 46 in the forefoot on each shoe. In one embodiment, the kit includes five separate slide coefficients for both heel brakes / inserts 40 for both shoes. In one embodiment, the varying inserts have coefficients of friction that range from 0.1 p to 1.0 p. In one embodiment, the plurality of inserts in the kit has the following coefficient of frictions: 0.1 p, 0.2p, 0.3p, 0.4p, 0.5p, 0.6p, 0.7p, 0.8p, 0.9p, l.Op.

[0043] In one embodiment, a kit is provided which includes a pair of footwear outsoles as described above, including a right footwear and a left footwear, in combination with at least four inserts configured to be removably received within the plurality of openings, the at least four inserts having a plurality of coefficients of frictions such that a user can select the first and second inserts based upon the desired surface properties, wherein the coefficient of friction for the inserts in the right footwear are different than the coefficient of friction for the inserts in the left footwear.

[0044] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the functions and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto; the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present invention.

[0045] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0046] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0047] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified, unless clearly indicated to the contrary.

[0048] All references, patents and patent applications and publications that are cited or referred to in this application are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

[0049] What is claimed is:

Claims

Claims1. A footwear outsole comprising: a chassis; a plurality of openings formed within the chassis, the plurality of openings including at least a first opening and a second opening; a plurality of inserts configured to be removably received within the plurality of openings, the plurality of inserts including at least a first insert and a second insert, wherein the first insert is configured to be received within the first opening, and the second insert is configured to be received within the second opening; wherein the first insert has a first coefficient of friction to provide a first surface property in a first outsole location, and the second insert has a second coefficient of friction to provide a second surface property in a second outsole location, wherein the second coefficient of friction is different than the first coefficient of friction; and wherein the first and second inserts each include a mechanical faster to removably secure the first and second inserts respectively in the first and second openings.

2. The footwear outsole of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical fastener on each of the first and second inserts includes a tongue, and wherein each of the first and second openings in the chassis includes a mating mechanical fastener, wherein the tongue is configured to be slidably received within the mating mechanical fastener.

3. The footwear outsole of claim 2, wherein the mating mechanical fastener on each of the first and second openings is a groove configured to receive the tongue.

4. The footwear outsole of claim 3, wherein at least one of the grooves extends from a medial side of the footwear outsole through to a lateral side of the footwear outsole.

5. The footwear outsole of claim 1, wherein the first insert comprises: a first layer which includes the mechanical fastener to removably secure the first insert to the first opening; anda second layer secured to the first layer, wherein the second layer is made of a slide or traction material.

6. The footwear outsole of claim 1, wherein the chassis extends from a forefoot region to a heel region, and wherein the first opening and first insert are located in the heel region of the chassis, and the second opening and second insert are located in the forefoot region of the chassis.

7. The footwear outsole of claim 6, wherein the plurality of openings further includes a third opening located in a forefoot region of the chassis, and wherein the plurality of inserts includes a third insert configured to be removably received within the third opening, wherein the third insert has a third coefficient of friction to provide a third surface property in a third outsole location.

8. The footwear outsole of claim 7, wherein the plurality of openings further includes a fourth opening located in the forefoot region of the chassis, and wherein the plurality of inserts includes a fourth insert configured to be removably received within the fourth opening, wherein the fourth insert has a fourth coefficient of friction to provide a fourth surface property in a fourth outsole location.

9. The footwear outsole of claim 1, wherein the first insert includes a slide or traction pad, such as a microfiber material, rubber, split suede leather, nubuck leather, and / or a nonwoven fiber board.

10. The footwear outsole of claim 1 , wherein the chassis is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

11. The footwear outsole of claim 1, wherein the first insert has a coefficient of friction that enables a user wearing the footwear outsole to push along the first outsole location, and wherein the second insert has a coefficient of friction that enables a user wearing the footwear outsole to slide along the second outsole location.

12. The footwear outsole of claim 1, wherein the first and second inserts are substantially disc-shaped inserts that include at least one flange, and wherein each of the first and second openings in the chassis includes a mating mechanical fastener, and wherein the disc-shaped inserts are configured to be rotatably received within the matching mechanical fastener.

13. The footwear outsole of claim 12, wherein the first and second openings in the chassis are substantially circular and wherein the mating mechanical fastener on each of the first and second openings includes a receptacle with at least one engagement surface configured to couple with the at least one flange on a disc-shaped insert.

14. The footwear outsole of claim 1, wherein the chassis extends from a forefoot region to a heel region, and wherein the first opening and first insert are located in the heel region of the chassis, and the second opening and second insert are located in the forefoot region of the chassis.

15. The footwear outsole of claim 14, wherein there are a plurality of disc-shaped inserts configured to be rotatably received within a plurality of receptacles in the forefoot region of the chassis.

16. The footwear outsole of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to selectively lock the position of the first and second inserts respectively in the first and second opening.

17. The footwear outsole of claim 14, further comprising a push button configured to unlock the locking mechanism to selectively unlock the position of the first and second inserts in the first and second openings so that a user can remove the first and second inserts from the openings.

18. A kit comprising a pair of footwear outsoles recited in claim 1, including a right footwear and a left footwear, in combination with at least four inserts configured to beremovably received within the plurality of openings, the at least four inserts having a plurality of coefficients of frictions such that a user can select the first and second inserts based upon the desired surface properties, wherein the coefficient of friction for the inserts in the right footwear are different than the coefficient of friction for the inserts in the left footwear.

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