122 results about "Heel region" patented technology

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The sole structure includes a cushioning element defining a footbed of the sole structure and including a void extending through a midfoot region of the sole structure. The sole structure further includes a plate embedded within the cushioning element and including a first side and an opposite second side, the first side defining a concave first section disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure, a convex second section disposed in a midfoot region of the sole structure, and a concave third section disposed in a heel region of the sole structure. The sole structure further includes a cushion disposed between the first side of the plate and the cushioning element.

Aspects herein are directed to, among other things, a knitted component for an article of footwear and a method of manufacturing a knitted component having a first knit zone in a heel region having a lower knit density than a second knit zone in the midfoot and / or forefoot regions. The first and second knit zones may be integrally knit and adjacent one another along a seamless boundary. In some examples, the boundary between the first and second knit zones is more rearward on the medial side of the upper than on the lateral side. The knitted component may also extend underfoot and combine with a thermoplastic film layer to form a composite structure to which a sole structure is secured.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first plate, a second plate and a third plate. The first plate has a first anterior end disposed adjacent a toe end of the sole structure and a first posterior end disposed within a heel region of the sole structure. The second plate has a second anterior end disposed adjacent the toe end and a second posterior end disposed in a midfoot region of the sole structure. The third plate has a third anterior end disposed adjacent the toe end and a third posterior end disposed in the midfoot region. A first cushion is arranged between the first plate and the second plate, and wherein the second plate and the third plate are coplanar in the forefoot region.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an inner frame including a first frame member disposed in a forefoot region and a second frame member formed independently from the first frame member and disposed in a heel region. The sole structure further includes an outer shell attached to and encapsulating each of the first frame member and the second frame member.

A footwear construction is provided with a sole assembly having underfoot cushion elements disposed through a support frame to yield enhanced stability for the sole assembly. The cushion elements and the corresponding apertures through the frame can be in a forefoot region and / or a heel region and can occupy a majority of those regions. The frame can be constructed from one material and the midsole from another material softer or having a lower durometer. The midsole can include a peripheral groove into which an outer frame wall of the frame can be interlocked to further stabilize the cushion elements which are interior to the frame. The midsole can include an exterior midsole wall, and that wall and the frame wall can include corresponding teeth and recesses that further interlock the frame and midsole to augment structural support and stability, without substantially reducing the underfoot cushion provided by the midsole.

An article of footwear comprising an upper defining a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear, and a sole structure coupled with the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole and an outsole coupled with a bottom surface of the midsole. A void structure is provided within the sole structure, which includes a plurality of voids defining channels that extend through an entire width of the sole structure. The void structure includes a plurality of first voids in the shape of a vertical lemniscate and a plurality of second voids in the shape of a horizontal lemniscate.

A device configured to surround a portion of a foot receiving cavity (1839) in the heel region (13) of a footwear article includes a control strip having a central segment, a first side arm extending from the central segment, and a second side arm spaced apart from and extending from the central segment. The control strip may include a series of slats. A base supports the control strip and is connected to the first and second side arms. The control strip is biased to a stress-free position where the central segment is a first distance (D1, D2) from the base, and elastically bends to a loaded position (10A, 910A, D2) under applied force, where the central segment is a second distance (D1, D2) from the base smaller than the first distance (D1, D2). The device stores potential energy that causes the control strip to return to the unloaded position when the applied load is removed.

A sole structure for an article of footwear (10) having an upper (100), the sole structure including a heel region (16), a forefoot region (12), and a midfoot region (14) disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure further includes a bladder (202) including a first barrier layer (204) and a second barrier layer (206) cooperating to define a first cavity (214) circumscribing an outer perimeter of the heel region and a second cavity (212) extending from the midfoot region through the forefoot region and including a plurality of segments (218a-218c) extending from a medial side (20) of the sole structure to a lateral side (18) of the sole structure. Each of the segments of the second cavity includes a medial reservoir (224a-224c) proximate the medial side fluidly coupled to a lateral reservoir (220a-220c) proximate the lateral side via a first conduit.

An article of footwear includes an upper attached to a sole structure, a forefoot region, a midfoot region, a heel region, a longitudinal axis, a plate, and a gap. The longitudinal axis intersects a toe end and a heel end. The plate includes a top plate and a bottom plate joined at a hinge. The top plate has a first anterior end disposed adjacent a toe end and a first posterior end disposed within the heel region. The bottom plate has a second anterior end disposed adjacent the toe end and a second posterior end disposed in the midfoot region. The gap is defined between the top plate and the bottom plate and extends from the hinge toward the first posterior end. The top plate includes a convex portion in each of the heel region and the forefoot region.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The sole structure includes a cushioning element including an upper cushioning member and a lower cushioning member, and a plate disposed between the upper cushioning member and the lower cushioning member. The lower cushioning member includes a forefoot portion disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure, a heel portion disposed in a heel region of the sole structure, and a midfoot portion disposed in a midfoot region of the sole structure and connecting the forefoot portion and the heel portion. The plate includes a first side opposing the upper and a second side disposed on an opposite side of the plate than the first side, the second side being exposed at the midfoot portion between the forefoot portion and the heel portion.

This invention relates to the design and fabrication method of a flexible sensor array for plantar pressure monitoring. The flexible sensor array includes a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit. The first sensing unit is applied to the 1st metatarsal region, the 2nd-5th metatarsal regions, the medial heel region, and the lateral heel region. The second sensing unit is applied to the 1st metatarsal region, the 2nd metatarsal region, the 3rd metatarsal region, the 4th metatarsal region, the 5th metatarsal region, and the midfoot region. By optimizing the size, number, and distribution of the sensing units, complete representation of plantar pressure information is achieved, effectively solving the problem of low resolution and insufficient representation of plantar pressure information in existing sensors. A swelling process is used to enhance the interface of the quasi-homogeneous materials of the sensor, improving the interface stability and reliability of the sensor. The fabrication method of the plantar pressure monitoring sensor array of this invention has the advantages of low cost, easy mass production, and easy large-area expansion.

(Main claim) Insole for shoes, characterized in that the insole has a holding device which is designed as a loop formed in one piece with the insole, into which a heel strap which can be guided around the foot in the heel area and which can be detachably fastened is inserted.

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure further comprises a fluid-filled chamber comprising a first barrier layer, the first barrier layer cooperates with the second barrier layer to define a first section extending between the inner side of the sole structure and the outer side of the sole structure in the forefoot area. A second section extending between the medial side of the sole structure and the lateral side of the sole structure within the forefoot region, and a web region disposed between and connecting the first and second sections, the first barrier layer being attached to the second barrier layer within the web region.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole having a first surface, a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the midsole than the first surface and opposing a ground surface during use, and a sidewall extending between and connecting the first surface and the second surface, the sidewall including (i) a first portion extending along one of a medial side of the sole structure and a lateral side of the sole structure and including a first concave portion in a forefoot region and a convex portion in a heel region and (ii) a second portion extending along the other of the medial side of the sole structure and the lateral side of the sole structure and including a second concave portion extending from the forefoot region to the heel region.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a plate having a top surface facing the upper and a bottom surface formed on an opposite side than the top surface, the plate extending from a first end in a forefoot region to a second end in a heel region. A first cushioning element is attached to the bottom surface of the plate in the forefoot region and a second cushioning element is attached to the bottom surface of the plate in the heel region, the second cushioning element being separated from the first cushioning element by a first gap formed in a mid-foot region. One or more fluid-filled bladders are each at least partially surrounded by the first cushioning element in the forefoot region and have a top surface attached to the bottom surface of the plate.

The invention discloses a self-adaptive ankle joint mechanism and foot structure for a mobile exoskeleton, which is used for assisting a wearer to realize autonomous movement and comprises a rear insole, a rear cover, a front insole, a front cover, a steel rope buckle, a rotating column, a motor, a rotor connecting piece, a rotor foot connecting piece, a motor mounting plate, a tibia shield, a sliding rod, a telescopic buckle, a spring buckle and a spring, the rear insole, the rear cover, the front insole and the front cover form a bottom plate structure for supporting a foot, the bottom plate structure adopts a double-section split structure and is divided into a front sole area and a heel area, and the front sole area and the heel area are connected through a detachable and deformable soft rubber material. Through one active degree of freedom and a plurality of additional passive degrees of freedom, the movement flexibility of the human body is remarkably improved, and then the walking stability and the adaptability to the uneven ground are enhanced.

Aspects herein are directed to, among other things, footwear articles that include a knitted upper and features that facilitate easier donning of the footwear article. A yarn type used to knit a heel region comprises a greater number of elastically resilient yarn ends compared to a yarn type used to knit a forefoot and midfoot region. The upper further includes a collar elevator. The yarns selected to knit the upper work in combination with the collar elevator to provide a hands-free donning experience in which the collar elevator and the heel region are configured to store potential energy as the collar elevator and the heel region move from an elevated position to a depressed position in response to an applied force. The collar elevator and the heel region are configured to return to the elevated position by way of the stored potential energy.

The present disclosure is directed to articles of footwear having a sole structure comprising a pair of curvilinear sipes extending from the forefoot region to a midfoot region or heel region. The curvilinear sipes may have a profile that is a consistent distance from the edge of the outsole. The curvilinear sipes may be carved into the ground-facing surface of an outsole and extending into the midsole. A carved sipe may comprise a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a cavity defined by the sidewalls and a plane defined by the ground-facing surface. Systems and methods for forming sipes in accordance with the present disclosure by using a reciprocating blade with a non-heated and plain (non-serrated) cutting edge are also discussed.

A sole for an article of footwear includes an upper sole. The upper sole forms a sidewall of the sole. The sole includes a pod assembly coupled to the upper sole and disposed below the upper sole. The pod assembly includes a strip of pods fluidly connected in series. The strip of pods includes at least one pod disposed in each of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the sole. The strip of pods extends from the heel region of the sole to the forefoot region of the sole in a linear arrangement. The strip of pods is disposed along a central longitudinal axis of the sole.

To provide an article of footwear having an upper with improved comfort and a better fit, along with a sole having improved cushioning systems or structural properties, such as a sole plate that adds stiffness or spring-like properties.SOLUTION: A sole plate for a sole structure of an article of footwear includes a forefoot region including a toe end at a distal end, a midfoot region, and a heel region including a heel end at a distal end of the heel region. The sole plate further includes a medial side, a lateral side, a widest section, and a narrowest section. The sole plate defines an outer edge, and the outer edge includes a first plurality of peaks and a first plurality of valleys. The first plurality of peaks and the first plurality of valleys are located on a lateral side of the forefoot region, and the first plurality of peaks and the first plurality of valleys are disposed between a widest section of the sole plate and a toe end of the sole plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending from the medial side in the forefoot region to a lateral side in the heel region and along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer being attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole coupled to the upper. The sole includes an outsole to engage the ground, a midsole disposed above the outsole to support a foot of a wearer, and a heel support member disposed between the midsole and the outsole in a heel region of the sole. The sole includes a plurality of heel air chambers bounded by the midsole and the heel support member in the heel region of the sole. The heel air chambers are fluidly connected by a heel channel. The sole includes a plurality of sole air chambers bounded by a bottom surface of the midsole and an upper surface of the outsole. The sole air chambers are arranged from the heel region of the sole to a forefoot region. The sole includes a plurality of channels fluidly connecting the plurality of sole air chambers.

An article of footwear having a twist fastener has an upper and a fastener. The upper is attached to a sole structure. The fastener includes a handle disposed within a first cavity formed at a heel end of the sole structure. The handle is operably coupled to a cable that extends along the sole structure from a heel region of the footwear to a midfoot region. When the handle is rotated, the article of footwear is tightened or loosened at the midfoot region.

The invention relates to a sole structure with midsole protrusions and arcuate profiles for forward momentum. A footwear sole structure includes a midsole having a ground facing surface with a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The midsole defines downwardly extending protrusions at the ground facing surface that are distributed over the midsole region and the heel region, each downwardly extending protrusion having a convex outer surface. The height of the midsole is maximum at the midsole region. The sole structure may also include an outsole covering at least a portion of the ground facing surface of the midsole, and a height of the sole structure may be maximum at the midsole region.

A traction element arrangement for a sole structure of an article of footwear is described. Traction elements include cut step features. Cut step features provide a traction element with a stepped height. Cut step features on medial rotational traction elements that have a plurality of stud elements arranged in a circular grouping include arc-shaped or straight cuts. Cut step features on traction elements disposed in a heel region are aligned laterally across the sole structure. Traction elements also include raised platform members. Cut step features can be combined with raised platform members.

The invention discloses a modular shoe system based on a telescopic base shoe and a replaceable sock. The modular shoe system comprises the telescopic base shoe, the sock and a connecting assembly. The telescopic base shoe comprises a sole and a supporting vamp; the sole is provided with a plurality of grooves for guiding deformation; a plurality of stress release grooves are formed in the area, corresponding to the instep, of the supporting vamp, a plurality of stress release holes are formed in the areas, corresponding to the two sides of the foot, of the supporting vamp, each stress release hole is provided with a bent hole channel, and the two ends of each hole channel are consistent with the grooves and the stress release grooves in direction respectively; the sock cover comprises a flexible sleeve with a foot wrapping function; the connecting assembly is arranged in the instep area, the sole area or the heel area and used for connecting the telescopic base shoe and the sock.

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a bladder including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first chamber bounding a periphery of the heel region, and a second chamber extending from the mid-foot region through the forefoot region and including a plurality of segments extending from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure. Each of the segments of the second chamber includes a medial reservoir adjacent to the medial side and a lateral reservoir adjacent to the lateral side, the medial reservoir fluidly coupled to the lateral reservoir via a first conduit.

A sole (100), for shoes, comprising: - an elastic base (30), having at least one first seat (31), for accommodating a midsole (10), - the midsole (10), comprising a first body (11), contoured to contain the sole of a foot (F) of a user, the first body (11) having an upper surface (12) which has a footbed-like shape and is surrounded by an outer perimetric edge (1), and a lower surface (13), opposite the previous one, the first body (11) having a plurality of regions (16, 21, 27) adapted to correspond to regions and / or bones of the foot (F), the regions (16, 21, 27) of the first body (11) comprising, in order, at least: - a heel region (16), - a tarsal region (21) comprising, in turn, a cuboid sub-region (25) and a third cuneiform sub-region (26), the cuboid sub-region (25) and the third cuneiform sub-region (26) being adjacent to a metatarsal region (27), - the metatarsal region (27) comprising in turn a first metatarsal sub-region (19'), a second metatarsal and third metatarsal sub-region (19''), a fourth metatarsal sub-region (17'') and a fifth metatarsal sub-region (17'); the lower surface (13) of the midsole (10) has: - a first portion (14) comprising a plurality of protrusions (15), the first portion (14) extending at least in a part of the heel region (16) and of the fifth metatarsal sub-region (17'), - a second portion (18) made of solid / continuous material, the second portion (18) extending at least in the first metatarsal sub-region (19').

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure connected to the upper, the sole structure including a first damping element for cushioning a forefoot region of the sole structure, a second damping element for cushioning a heel region of the sole structure, the first damping element and the second damping element being spaced apart by a first gap between the forefoot region and the heel region, a plate structure extending between the forefoot region and the heel region of the sole structure such that the plate structure spans the first gap between the first damping element and the second damping element, wherein the plate structure includes an upper plate and a lower plate connected to each other in the forefoot region and the heel region, wherein the upper plate and the lower plate are spaced apart from each other in a midfoot region by a second gap, wherein the lower plate is connected to the first damping element and the second damping element, and wherein the upper plate is connected to the upper such that the upper is spaced apart from the lower plate in the midfoot region of the sole structure by the second gap.

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first segment extending between a medial side of the sole structure and a lateral side of the sole structure within the forefoot region, a second segment extending between the medial side of the sole structure and the lateral side of the sole structure within the forefoot region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment, the first barrier layer being attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.