197 results about "Heel region" patented technology

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

An article of footwear includes a textile component. The textile component of the upper includes a textile element and a tensile element. The tensile element defines a first segment disposed on a first side of the upper. The first segment of the tensile element is configured to attach the securement device to the textile element on the first side of the upper. The tensile element further includes a second segment that is disposed proximate the lower portion of the upper on the second side. The second segment is fixed relative to the lower portion of the upper on the second side. The tensile element further includes an intermediate segment that extends continuously from the first segment, across the heel region, to the second segment.

(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, a disc, and a lace. An upper is attached to a sole structure that includes a midsole extending within a heel region of the footwear. The disc defines a first axis. A disk is located in the midsole within the heel region and has a first surface with a lace retainer and a second surface with a plurality of teeth, the first surface being perpendicular to the second surface. The lace includes a first end and a second end. The first tension is configured to be applied on the lace. And at least one of the first end and the second end of the shoelace is fixed on the shoelace fixer. A first tension is applied on the lace as the disk rotates about the first axis in a first direction. A fastener system for an article of footwear is also disclosed.

An insole for footwear includes a cushion layer extending from a toe region to a heel region and a spring plate secured below the top surface of the cushion layer. The spring plate extends along at least a portion of the length of the insole and includes one or more slots to provide differential flex in selected regions. Embodiments include a toe-region slot and side slots. In some examples, a heel region of the spring plate is truncated, includes a recess, or includes a split forming a forked heel with medial and lateral arms. In some examples, the insole further includes a cupping support member overlapping a rearward portion of the spring plate and defining an opening configured to receive a supplemental pad. The various versions are tailored to differing types of athletic footwear.

A sole for a running shoe including an elastic midsole with a base surface, which delimits the midsole opposite the vertical direction of the midsole, and a surface, which delimits the midsole in the vertical direction. The midsole is divided into a heel region, a central foot region, and a front foot region, and includes multiple channels which run in the transversal direction of the midsole and are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the midsole. Each of the channels has an elongated contour in the cross-section along a cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction of the midsole and perpendicularly to the transverse direction of the midsole, and each channel has a main longitudinal axis in the cross-section along the cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction and perpendicularly to the transversal direction. The acute angle formed between the main longitudinal axis and the base surface of at least one channel arranged in the heel region is greater than the acute angle formed between the base surface and the main longitudinal axis of at least one channel arranged in the central foot region and / or in the front foot 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.