334 results about "Heel region" patented technology

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.

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 article of footwear includes a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure connected with the upper. The sole structure includes a plate, a midsole defining a midsole height that extends from a bottom side to a top side of the midsole, and an outsole. The midsole height is taken at a maximum thickness of the midsole between the bottom side and the top side of the midsole. The midsole defines a plurality of spike apertures that extend from the bottom side of the midsole to the top side of the midsole, and a plurality of spikes are coupled to the plate within the spike apertures of the midsole. The midsole is configured to deform more than 10% of the height, expressed as a percentage.

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 iron-type golf club includes an iron-type golf club head formed of metal by an additive manufacturing process. The iron-type golf club head includes a front side, a rear side, a bottom side, a top side, a toe side, and a heel side, and a body that defines a medial region between a toe region and a heel region. The iron-type golf club head also includes a first plane that extends orthogonal to a ground plane and separates the toe region from the medial region, and a second plane that extends orthogonal to the ground plane and separates the heel region from the medial region. A front face extends along the front side from the toe region, through the medial region, and into the heel region, and the front face and the body are formed of sintered metal by the additive manufacturing process.

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.

Sole structures and footwear include: (a) an outsole component having a ground-contacting surface and an opposite upper-facing surface, the outsole component extending from a heel region to a forefoot region of the sole structure / footwear; (b) a foam layer including a bottom foam surface located at least in the midfoot and regions; and (c) a stiffening structure located between the bottom foam surface and the upper-facing surface at least in the midfoot and forefoot regions. The stiffening structure may include one or more of: a base member (e.g., a rigid plate member that retains its shape under force of gravity or a more flexible and / or pliable base member (e.g., made from fabric)); and / or cement material. The base member and / or cement material may be provided in a shape forming a lateral arm and a medial arm that are separated from one another in the forefoot region by a recess.

An athletic shoe sole comprising an upper midsole, an upper shank, a lower midsole, a lower shank and an outsole is presented. The athletic shoe sole further comprises a heel region, an arch region, and a forefoot region. The athletic shoe sole includes one or more void spaces formed between the upper and lower shanks. The upper and lower shanks acting as springs for the purpose of reducing impact loading and providing energy return during the gait cycle.

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 sole for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, such as a running shoe, the sole comprising a midsole and a reinforcing frame, wherein at least a first part of the reinforcing frame substantially surrounds an outer boundary of the midsole in one or more of: a lateral side region, a medial side region, a heel region, and a toe region of the midsole thereby defining an open space such that a part of the midsole is received in the open space.

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.

An article of footwear includes a strap system having a medial strap, a lateral strap, and a heel strap. The medial strap extends from a proximal end to a distal end selectively attachable to the upper at the lateral side. The lateral strap extends from a proximal end to a distal end selectively attachable to the upper at the medial side. The heel strap has a proximal portion fixed at the heel region and a distal portion selectively attachable to the upper by a heel strap fastener. The strap fastener is operable to attach one of the distal end of the medial strap and the distal end of the lateral strap to the heel strap.

Each of midsoles of a plurality of types of soles that constitute a sole series includes an upper midsole and a corresponding one of lower midsoles. Each of the plurality of types of soles is configured such that, in a non-wearing state, while the sole contacts ground at an intersection, a heel region does not contact the ground. While the upper midsoles of the plurality of types of soles are formed to have the same shape, the lower midsoles of the plurality of types of soles are formed to have different shapes such that an angle between a straight line and the ground is a forwardly descending angle that differs between the soles.

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.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a cushioning element having a top surface, a bottom surface formed on an opposite side of the cushioning element from the top surface, a ramp surface spaced apart from the bottom surface in a heel region of the cushioning element, a heel pocket extending through the cushioning element from the top surface to the ramp surface, and a plurality of pillars extending from the ramp surface and surrounding the pocket. The sole structure additionally includes a plurality of cushioning particles disposed within the pocket, an outsole attached to the cushioning element and enclosing a first end of the pocket, and an upper barrier layer attached to the top surface of the cushioning element and covering a second end of the pocket.

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.