265 results about "Heel region" patented technology

A sole structure for an article of footwear defines a footbed and includes a bladder extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a heel region of the sole structure and a chassis including a lower chassis having a first outsole segment attached to the bladder in the forefoot region and a lower cushioning element attached to the bladder in the heel region.

An inner sole for a sports shoe includes a top surface arranged to face a foot of a wearer of a shoe when the inner sole is arranged in the shoe. The top surface of the inner sole includes at least two textured areas. The textured areas each include a plurality of protuberances, recesses, or holes. The top surface further includes at least one untextured area not having protuberances, recesses or holes. A first textured area is located in a toe region of the inner sole, and a second textured area is located in a heel region of the inner sole.

An article of footwear has a forefoot region, a heel region, a midfoot region, a lateral side, and a medial side and includes an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure includes a frame coupled to the upper and defines a plurality of apertures along the lateral side and the medial side. The frame has a frame exterior surface and a frame interior surface, opposite the frame exterior surface, that defines a frame internal cavity, a lace received within the plurality of apertures and extends along the frame exterior surface to the frame interior surface in each of the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region, and a plurality of midsole members disposed within the frame internal cavity. When the lace is in a tightened configuration, the frame is pulled toward the upper to secure the frame to the sole structure.

A split grip sock device is disclosed that reduces slippage during lateral movements commonly performed during sports like basketball, tennis, soccer, and football. The device solves these problems by adding grip to the bottom of the sock and having a separate compartment for the big toe which allows for improved pivoting and change of direction. Further, the device also provides cushioning over the metatarsals to alleviate shoelace pressure and over the heel area to prevent blisters. Specifically, the split grip sock device comprises a thicker weave over the top of the foot and heel, with heat-pressed rubber pieces on the bottom of the sole.

The present disclosure relates to a support plate configured to be arranged in a sole structure of a shoe. The support plate may comprise a first portion associated with a forefoot area of the sole structure and a second portion associated with a heel area of the sole structure. The support plate may be thinner in at least a part of the first portion as compared to the second portion.

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.

A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

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.

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 shoe has an outer sock layer structure and an inner sock layer structure. An ankle cuff is formed at the interconnection between the outer sock layer structure and the inner sock layer structure and completely surrounds the shoe opening. The inner sock layer structure has a pocket in the heel region and a heel cup or heel counter insert in the heel region is partially located between the first interior surface and the second interior surface and an upper portion of the heel cup or heel counter insert is situated within the pocket. The ankle cuff contacts a rearward facing surface of the pocket. The heel counter insert may also be attached to multilayer insole which are then collectively inserted into the upper.

An article of footwear includes an upper coupled with a sole structure that defines a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The sole structure includes an upper midsole cushioning member, a lower midsole cushioning member, an outsole coupled to a bottom surface of the lower midsole cushioning member, and a plate positioned between the upper midsole cushioning member and the lower midsole cushioning member. The plate includes a toe segment that extends through the forefoot region, the toe segment defining a first concave curved portion that extends downward from a distal end to a first inflection point disposed within the midfoot region. The plate further includes a middle segment defining a second concave curved portion that extends upward from the first inflection point and toward the heel region before transitioning to a convex curved portion at a second inflection point in the midfoot or heel region.

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.

An article of footwear defines a lateral side, a medial side, a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The article of footwear includes an upper, a first cushioning member directly coupled to the upper in the heel region, a second cushioning member directly coupled to the upper in the forefoot region, and a plate. The plate is configured as a unitary plate that extends continuously from the forefoot region to the heel region. The plate is directly coupled to each of the upper, the first cushioning member, and the second cushioning member. The plate extends through a gap that is defined between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member.

A sole plate for a sole structure of an article of footwear, the sole plate including a forefoot region including a toe end at the distal end of the forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region including a heel end at the distal end of the heel region. The sole plate further including 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 the lateral side of the forefoot region, and the first plurality of peaks and the first plurality of valleys are disposed between the widest section of the sole plate and the toe end of the sole plate.

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.

An article of footwear comprising: a footwear upper defining at least a portion of a foot-receiving cavity and defining an ankle opening at the foot-receiving cavity; a sole structure attached to and underlying the footwear upper; a device configured to surround a portion of the foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of the article of footwear, the device having an inner side and an outer side, the inner side being closer to the foot-receiving cavity than the outer side, and the device comprising: an upper portion at least partially rearward of the ankle opening; and a lower portion adjacent the sole structure and disposed below the upper portion and at least partially rearward of the foot-receiving cavity;wherein, at a cross-section extending along a longitudinal centerline of the article of footwear, the upper portion has a convex curvature on the inner side and a concave curvature on the outer side, and the lower portion has a concave curvature on the inner side and a convex curvature on the outer side; wherein a surface of the upper portion on the inner side is at least partially upwardly directed and serves as a ramp for entry of the foot into the foot-receiving cavity; and wherein, at the cross-section, a lower extent of the upper portion of the device is thinner than at the ramp and thinner than at an upper region of the lower portion.

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 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.

A golf club head having a laser-generated features to create contrast on the club face of the golf club head. The club face includes a central region, a toe region, and a heel region. The central region includes a first plurality of laser-generated features that provide a height-intersection coverage of the central region, a width-intersection coverage of the central region, and a surface-area coverage of the central region. The toe region includes a second plurality of laser-generated features that provide a height-intersection coverage of the toe region, a width-intersection coverage of the toe region, and a surface-area coverage of the toe region. The heel region includes a third plurality of laser-generated features that provide a height-intersection coverage of the heel region, a width-intersection coverage of the heel region, and a surface-area coverage of the heel region.

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.

An article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity with a heel region, and a device extending around the rear of the heel region. The device is configured to extend around the rear of the heel region, the device has an inner side and an outer side, the inner side closer to the foot-receiving cavity than the outer side, and the device includes: an upper portion at least partially rearward of the ankle opening; and a base adjacent to the sole structure and disposed below the upper portion and at least partially rearward of the foot-receiving cavity; wherein, at a cross-section extending along a longitudinal midline of the article of footwear, the upper portion has a convex curvature at the inner side and a concave curvature at the outer side and the base has a concave curvature at the inner side and a convex curvature at the outer side; wherein a surface of the upper portion at the inner side faces at least partially upward, serving as a ramp for foot entry into the foot-receiving cavity; and wherein, at the cross-section, a lower extent of the upper portion of the device is thinner than at the ramp and thinner than at an upper region of the base.

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 segmented sole for an article of footwear comprises a forefoot region, a heel region, and a segmentation zone disposed between the forefoot and heel region. The segmentation zone includes a plurality of segments separated from each other and from the forefoot and heel by a plurality of sipes, cuts, or gaps. The segmented sole produces bending along a segmentation axis disposed along an arch of a wearer of an article of footwear including the sole, allowing for arch support and natural foot movement.

An article of footwear may include a strobel that has a shank comprised of an elastomeric material. The shank may comprise an exterior surface of the strobel. The strobel may include a polymeric bladder with the shank and the polymeric bladder each be disposed in and partially defining at least one different one of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear may include adhering a shank included in a strobel to a foam midsole component. The shank may comprise an elastomeric material and may at least partially define an exterior surface of the strobel.

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.

Multi-layered socks with elastomeric padding in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sock for reducing foot movement is provided, the sock including: a toe region connected to a mid-foot region, connected to a heel region, further connected to an ankle region, the ankle region including an opening; a sole positioned from the toe region through the mid-foot region to the heel region, the sole comprising an inner layer, a middle layer, and an outer layer; the middle layer being attached to the inner layer and encapsulated between the inner layer and the outer layer; the middle layer of the sole varies in thickness; a thickness of the middle layer of the sole is greater in the heel region and the toe region; and the sock forms a hollow tubular shape that is closed at the toe region and open at the ankle region.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder and a cushioning member. The bladder includes a first fluid-filled segment including a first and second terminal ends disposed on opposite ends of the first fluid-filled segment along a first longitudinal axis of the first fluid-filled segment. The first longitudinal axis extends in a first direction from a heel region of the article of footwear to a forefoot region of the article of footwear. A second fluid-filled segment is spaced apart from the first fluid-filled segment in a second direction transverse to the first direction and includes a third and fourth terminal ends disposed on opposite ends of the second fluid-filled segment along a second longitudinal axis of the second fluid-filled segment. A third fluid-filled segment extends in the second direction between the first fluid-filled segment and the second fluid-filled segment. The bladder is received in the cushioning member.

An insert for use during orthopedic surgery configured for positioning in or on a boot configured to stabilize a foot of the patient during orthopedic surgery. The insert is sterile and includes a heel region, a toe region and an arch support positioned between the toe and heel region, the arch support configured to support an arch of the foot of the patient during stabilization of the foot during orthopedic surgery thereby preventing collapse of the arch during securement of the foot in the boot.

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.