Hinged cushion with tension members and method of making same
阅读说明:本技术 带有拉伸部件的铰接缓冲垫及制造缓冲垫的方法 (Hinged cushion with tension members and method of making same ) 是由 艾瑞克·欧阳 佩奇·J·贝利 杰里米·L·康奈尔 德里克·洪 杰森·R·米克 于 2018-05-17 设计创作,主要内容包括:缓冲垫包括气囊,气囊包围内部腔体并将气体保持在内部腔体中。拉伸部件设置在内部腔体中,并且包括拉伸层和连接拉伸层的多个系绳。拉伸层连接到气囊的内表面,使得系绳跨过内部腔体。气囊具有向内突出的纽带,该纽带将气囊的内表面连接到拉伸部件,向内突出到内部腔体中,并且部分地穿过多个系绳,使得气囊在向内突出的纽带处变窄,并且内部腔体中的气体通过向内突出的纽带流体连通。本发明还公开了一种制造缓冲垫的方法。(The cushion includes an airbag that surrounds an interior cavity and retains gas in the interior cavity. The tensile member is disposed in the internal cavity and includes a tensile layer and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layer. The tensile layer is attached to an inner surface of the airbag such that the tether spans the interior cavity. The airbag has inwardly projecting ligaments that connect an inner surface of the airbag to the tensile member, project inwardly into the internal cavity, and partially through the plurality of tethers such that the airbag narrows at the inwardly projecting ligaments and gas in the internal cavity is in fluid communication through the inwardly projecting ligaments. A method of making the cushion is also disclosed.)
1. A cushioning pad, comprising:
an airbag surrounding an internal cavity and retaining a gas therein;
a tensile member disposed within the interior cavity comprising a tensile layer and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layer, the tensile layer connected to an interior surface of the airbag such that the tethers span across the interior cavity;
the airbag has inwardly projecting ligaments that connect an inner surface of the airbag to the tensile member, project inwardly into the interior cavity, and partially pass through the plurality of tethers such that the airbag narrows at the inwardly projecting ligaments and gas in the interior cavity is in fluid communication through the inwardly projecting ligaments.
2. The cushioning pad of claim 1, wherein a portion of the internal cavities on a first side of the inwardly projecting ligaments are in fluid communication with a portion of the internal cavities on a second side of the inwardly projecting ligaments, the second side being opposite the first side.
3. The cushioning pad of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the inflation pressure of the gas in the interior chamber is sufficient to tension the plurality of tethers, and the inwardly projecting ligaments define a groove on the outer surface of the airbag, dividing the cushioning pad into a first pad portion located on one side of the groove and a second pad portion located on the other side of the groove, the first pad portion being hinged relative to the second pad portion along the groove.
4. The cushioning pad of any one of claims 2-3,
the tensile layer comprises a first tensile layer and a second tensile layer spaced apart from the first tensile layer by a first distance at locations proximate to the inwardly projecting ligaments;
the inwardly projecting ligaments are spaced a second distance from the second tensile layer; and
the second distance is between 50% and 80% of the first distance.
5. The cushioning pad of any one of claims 1-4,
the plurality of tethers comprises tethers aligned with the inwardly projecting ligaments and tethers displaced from the inwardly projecting ligaments; and
the tethers aligned with the inwardly projecting ligaments are shorter and/or thicker than tethers displaced from the inwardly projecting ligaments.
6. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the airbag includes first and second polymeric sheets bonded to each other at a peripheral flange and enclosing the interior cavity;
wherein the stretch layer comprises the first stretch layer attached to a first polymer sheet and the second stretch layer attached to a second polymer sheet; and
wherein the inwardly projecting ligaments are spaced apart from the second polymeric sheet.
7. The cushion of claim 6, wherein the second polymeric sheet is inwardly indented toward the inwardly projecting ligaments when the internal cavity is inflated.
8. The cushioning pad of any of claims 6-7, wherein the inwardly projecting ligament is a first inwardly projecting ligament, and further comprising:
second inwardly projecting ligaments that connect the first polymeric sheet to the first tensile layer and that project inwardly from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet and partially through the tensile member; and
wherein the second inwardly projecting ligaments intersect the first inwardly projecting ligaments and are spaced apart from the second polymeric sheet such that the internal cavity narrows at the second inwardly projecting ligaments and the gas in the internal cavity is in fluid communication through the second inwardly projecting ligaments.
9. The cushioning pad of any of claims 1-8, wherein the cushioning pad is a sole component of an article of footwear and the inwardly projecting ligaments form a bending axis for the sole component.
10. The cushion of claim 9, wherein the inwardly projecting ligament is one of a plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments on a proximal side of the airbag, the plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments being arranged in a symmetrical pattern about an axis of symmetry of the airbag, the plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments comprising:
a first set of ligaments and a second set of ligaments spaced apart from each other and having parallel segments; said first and second sets of ligaments forming hinge axes when said cushioning pad is bent along an axis set at a first angle counter-clockwise from an axis of symmetry; and
a third set of ligaments and a fourth set of ligaments spaced apart from each other and having parallel segments; said third and fourth sets of ligaments forming articulation axes when said cushioning pad is bent along an axis set clockwise from an axis of symmetry by said first angle.
11. The cushioning pad of claim 10, wherein the plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments comprise:
a first central ligament extending through the axis of symmetry, a pair of symmetrical forward ligaments extending from a first end and a second end of the first central ligament, and a pair of symmetrical rearward ligaments extending from the first end and the second end of the first central ligament;
a second central ligament extending through the axis of symmetry and spaced apart from the first central ligament, a pair of symmetrical forward ligaments extending from first and second ends of the second central ligament, and a pair of symmetrical rearward ligaments extending from the first and second ends of the second central ligament;
wherein the bumper pad articulates at first and second bending axes when bent along an axis rotated clockwise from the symmetry axis by the first angle and articulates at third and fourth bending axes when bent along an axis rotated counterclockwise from the symmetry axis by the first angle; wherein the first and second flex axes extend along the first central ligament, the second central ligament, a forward ligament extending from the first ends of the first and second central ligaments, and a rearward ligament extending from the second ends of the first and second central ligaments; wherein the third and fourth bending axes extend along the first central ligament, the second central ligament, the forward ligaments extending from the second ends of the first and second central ligaments, and the rearward ligaments extending from the first ends of the first and second central ligaments.
12. A method of manufacturing a cushioning pad, the method comprising:
conforming the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet to the features of the mold, the conforming pressing the first polymeric sheet against the second polymeric sheet at the projections of the features of the mold;
wherein a tensile member is disposed between the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet, the tensile member comprising a first tensile layer located adjacent to the first polymer sheet, a second tensile layer located adjacent to the second polymer sheet, and a plurality of tethers connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer; wherein the protrusion is directly external to the plurality of tethers; and
wherein the accommodating creates inwardly projecting ligaments at the protrusions that join the first polymeric sheet and the first stretch layer and partially traverse the plurality of tethers, the inwardly projecting ligaments projecting toward the second polymeric sheet but being spaced apart from the second stretch layer and the second polymeric sheet.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
thermally bonding the first stretch layer to the first polymeric sheet and the second stretch layer to the second polymeric sheet opposite the first stretch layer;
wherein the thermal bond comprises at least one of:
heating the first and second polymeric sheets prior to conforming the first and second polymeric sheets to the mold part;
radio frequency welding; or
Heating the mold.
14. The method of any of claims 12-13, further comprising:
bonding the first polymeric sheet to the second polymeric sheet at a peripheral ligament such that the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet form an airbag that at least partially encloses an internal cavity containing the tensile member, the plurality of tethers span the internal cavity from the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer, the inwardly projecting ligaments project inward, and the internal cavity narrows at the inwardly projecting ligaments.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
inflating and sealing the internal cavity; wherein said inflating tensions said plurality of tethers and forms grooves on an outer surface of said first polymeric sheet at said inwardly projecting ligaments where said cushion is hinged.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the cushion is a sole component of the article of footwear and the grooves define the bending axes of the sole component.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the cushion is a first cushion, the inwardly projecting ligament is one of a plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments on a proximal side of the cushion, the plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments are arranged in a symmetrical pattern about an axis of symmetry of the airbag, and the method further comprises:
securing the first cushion to a first sole structure configured for a right foot, an axis of symmetry of the first cushion being rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by a first angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the first sole structure; and
securing a second cushion of the same configuration to a second sole structure configured for a left foot, an axis of symmetry of the second cushion being rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by the first angle opposite the first cushion relative to a longitudinal axis of the second sole structure.
18. The method of any one of claims 12-17,
the mold component comprises a first mold portion and a second mold portion, at least one of the first mold portion and the second mold portion being translatable relative to the other of the first mold portion and the second mold portion between an open position and a closed position; and
bonding the first and second polymeric sheets at the peripheral ligaments includes compressing the first and second polymeric sheets between the first and second mold portions in a closed position.
19. The method of any of claims 12-18, further comprising:
prior to said adapting, a mould insert is fixed to a first mould part of a mould, and wherein the mould part having said protrusion is said mould insert.
20. The method of any one of claims 12-19, wherein the first and second polymeric sheets are conformed to the mold part by vacuum and/or compression.
Technical Field
The present teachings generally include cushions having hinged tension members and methods of making cushions having inwardly projecting ligaments.
Background
Cushioning pads (e.g., sole components of an article of footwear) are generally configured to provide cushioning, motion control, and/or resiliency. Some cushions utilize a sealed internal cavity filled with gas that resiliently resists compressive loads. The tensile member may be disposed in the internal cavity and may limit outward expansion of the cushion pad.
Drawings
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a cushion according to the present teachings;
FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view of the cushion of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the cushion of FIG. 1 taken at line 3-3 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the cushion of FIG. 1 taken at line 4-4 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the cushion of FIG. 1 taken at line 5-5 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a schematic inboard side view of the cushion of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a medial side schematic view of an article of footwear including a sole structure that includes the cushion of FIG. 1, the cushion being shown in phantom;
FIG. 8 is an exploded schematic view of the components of the cushion prior to fabrication of the cushion of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a somewhat schematic bottom view of a first mold insert used in the method of manufacturing the cushion of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is an exploded cross-sectional view of components of the cushion of FIG. 1 and a schematic view of a mold for making the cushion;
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the components of the cushion of FIG. 1 in a mold with the mold of FIG. 10 in a closed position;
FIG. 12 is a perspective schematic view of a mold portion for making an alternative cushion in accordance with an alternative aspect of the present teachings;
FIG. 13 is a perspective schematic view of a mold section with a first mold insert secured to the mold section of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a perspective schematic view of a second mold insert for use with the mold section of FIG. 12;
FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of a cushioning pad according to the present teachings;
FIG. 16 is a bottom schematic view of the cushion of FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the cushion of FIG. 15 taken at line 17-17 in FIG. 15;
FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of a pair of sole structures;
FIG. 19 is a flow chart of a method of making a cushioning pad.
Detailed Description
A cushion includes an airbag that surrounds an interior cavity and that retains a gas in the interior cavity. The cushion also includes a tensile member disposed within the internal cavity. The tensile member includes a tensile layer and a plurality of tethers connecting the tensile layer. The tensile layer is attached to an inner surface of the airbag such that the tether spans the interior cavity. The airbag has inwardly projecting ligaments that connect an inner surface of the airbag to the tensile member, project inwardly into the internal cavity, and partially through the plurality of tethers such that the airbag narrows at the inwardly projecting ligaments and gas in the internal cavity is in fluid communication through the inwardly projecting ligaments. In other words, the inwardly projecting ligaments are located directly outside of some of the tethers. The inwardly projecting ligaments are spaced apart from the second polymeric sheet such that the internal cavity narrows at the inwardly projecting ligaments and gas in the internal cavity is able to fluidly communicate across the inwardly projecting ligaments.
In one or more embodiments, a portion of the internal cavity on a first side of the inwardly projecting ligaments is in fluid communication with a portion of the internal cavity on a second side of the inwardly projecting ligaments, the second side being opposite the first side. Thus, when the cushion is included in the sole structure, for example during a step or heel of the article of footwear, the gas in the internal cavity may be displaced over the inwardly projecting ligaments.
In one or more embodiments, the inflation pressure of the gas in the interior chamber is sufficient to tension the plurality of tethers, and the inwardly projecting ligaments define a groove on the exterior surface of the airbag, dividing the cushion into a first cushion portion on one side of the groove and a second cushion portion on the other side of the groove. The groove can be used as a telescopic groove for connecting the cushion pad. Thus, the adaptability and responsiveness of the tether to return the internal cavity to its original shape under dynamic compressive loading is combined with the flexibility of the hinged cushion, the hinge being aligned with the tether passing through the inwardly projecting ligament.
In one or more embodiments, the tensile layer includes a first tensile layer spaced a first distance from a second tensile layer at a location adjacent to the inwardly projecting ligaments and the inwardly projecting ligaments are spaced a second distance from the second tensile layer. The second distance may be between 50% and 80% of the first distance. By this scaling down of the internal cavity an optimal hinge range can be provided, contributing to the flexibility of the cushion.
Because the inwardly projecting ligaments at least partially traverse the plurality of tethers, in one or more embodiments, the plurality of tethers includes tethers aligned with the inwardly projecting ligaments and tethers displaced from the inwardly projecting ligaments. The tethers aligned with the inwardly projecting ligaments are shorter and/or thicker than tethers displaced from the inwardly projecting ligaments. The tethers are initially all of the same length and width prior to the cushion being manufactured and the inwardly projecting ligaments formed. The deformation of the tether that occurs at the inwardly projecting ligaments during manufacture contributes to the hinging and flexibility of the cushion.
In one or more embodiments, the bladder includes a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet bonded to each other at a peripheral flange and enclosing an interior cavity. The stretch layer includes a first stretch layer attached to the first polymer sheet and a second stretch layer attached to the second polymer sheet. The inwardly projecting ligaments are spaced apart from the second polymeric sheet. When the interior space expands due to the tensioning of the tether, the second polymeric sheet may be recessed inwardly toward the inwardly projecting ligaments over the grooves. Due to the groove, the first pad section is hinged relative to the second pad section along the groove. Thus, the outer surface of the first polymeric sheet on a first side of the inwardly projecting ligaments may be non-planar with the outer surface of the first polymeric sheet on a second side of the inwardly projecting ligaments, the second side being opposite the first side.
In one or more embodiments, the inwardly projecting ligaments are first inwardly projecting ligaments and the cushion further comprises second inwardly projecting ligaments that connect the first polymeric sheet to the first tensile layer and that project inwardly from the first polymeric sheet towards said second polymeric sheet and partially through the tensile member. The second inwardly projecting ligaments intersect the first inwardly projecting ligaments and are spaced apart from the second polymeric sheet such that the internal cavity narrows at the second inwardly projecting ligaments and the gas in the internal cavity is in fluid communication through the second inwardly projecting ligaments.
The first surface ligaments can bond an interior surface of the first polymer sheet to the first tensile layer, and the second surface ligaments can bond an interior surface of the second polymer sheet to the second tensile layer opposite the first tensile layer. The inwardly projecting ligaments inwardly project further than the first surface ligaments from the first polymeric sheet to the second polymeric sheet.
In one or more embodiments, the cushion is a sole component of the article of footwear, and the inwardly projecting ligaments form bending axes of the sole component. Thus, the cushioning component may be articulated at the inwardly projecting ligaments and the bending axis may be aligned with a desired bending area of the foot (e.g., such as the metatarsal-phalangeal joint).
The cushion may include a plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments arranged in a symmetrical pattern, which facilitates the use of the same configuration cushion in both right and left foot articles of footwear, and in both cases with ligaments (and thus flexible grooves) at the proximal side of the bladder. For example, the inwardly projecting ligament may be one of a plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments that project from a proximal side of the balloon, the plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments being arranged in a symmetric pattern about an axis of symmetry of the balloon. The plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments may include a first set of ligaments and a second set of ligaments that are spaced apart from each other and have parallel segments. The first and second sets of ligaments form hinge axes when the cushion is bent along an axis disposed at a first angle counter-clockwise from the axis of symmetry. The plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments may further include a third set of ligaments and a fourth set of ligaments spaced apart from each other and having parallel segments. The third and fourth sets of ligaments form articulation axes when the cushion is bent along an axis disposed at a first angle clockwise from the axis of symmetry.
In one or more embodiments, the plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments can comprise: a first central ligament extending through the axis of symmetry, a pair of symmetrical forward ligaments extending from the first and second ends of the first central ligament, and a pair of symmetrical rearward ligaments extending from the first and second ends of the first central ligament. The plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments may further comprise: a second central ligament extending through the axis of symmetry and spaced apart from the first central ligament, a pair of symmetrical forward ligaments extending from the first and second ends of the second central ligament, and a pair of symmetrical rearward ligaments extending from the first and second ends of the second central ligament.
The bumper pad may be hinged at first and second bending axes when the bumper pad is bent along an axis disposed at a first angle counterclockwise from the axis of symmetry, and may be hinged at third and fourth bending axes when the bumper pad is bent along an axis disposed at a first angle clockwise from the axis of symmetry. The first and second flex axes extend along first and second central ligaments, respectively, with forward ligaments extending from first ends of the first and second central ligaments and rearward ligaments extending from second ends of the first and second central ligaments. The third and fourth flex axes extend along the first and second central ligaments, respectively, the forward ligaments extend from the second ends of the first and second central ligaments, and the rearward ligaments extend from the first ends of the first and second central ligaments.
A method of making a cushion includes conforming a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet to a component of a mold. For example, the first and second polymeric sheets may be conformed to the components of the mold by vacuum and/or compression. The first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet are conformed in such a way as to press the first polymeric sheet against the second polymeric sheet at one or more protrusions of one component of the mold. The tensile member is disposed between the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet. The tensile member includes a first tensile layer located adjacent to the first polymeric sheet, a second tensile layer located adjacent to the second polymeric sheet, and a plurality of tethers connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer. The protrusion may be directly external to the plurality of tethers. The first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet are conformed according to the method to create inwardly projecting ligaments at the protrusions that join the first polymeric sheet and the first tensile layer and partially traverse the plurality of tethers. The inwardly projecting ligaments project toward the second polymeric sheet, but are spaced apart from the second stretch layer and the second polymeric sheet.
In one or more embodiments, the method includes thermally bonding a first stretch layer to a first polymeric sheet and thermally bonding a second stretch layer to a second polymeric sheet opposite the first stretch layer. The thermal bonding may include at least one of: heating the first and second polymeric sheets, radio frequency welding, or heating the mold prior to disposing the first and second polymeric sheets in the mold cavity.
In one or more embodiments, the method can further include bonding the first polymeric sheet to the second polymeric sheet at the peripheral ligament such that the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet form a balloon at least partially enclosing an internal cavity containing the tensile member. A plurality of tethers span the internal cavity from the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer, the inwardly projecting ligaments project inwardly, and the internal cavity narrows at the inwardly projecting ligaments.
In one or more embodiments, the method may further comprise inflating and sealing the internal cavity. Inflating the interior chamber tensions the plurality of tethers and forms a groove at an inwardly projecting ligament on the outer surface of the first polymeric sheet where the cushion is hinged. In one or more embodiments, the cushion is a sole component of the article of footwear and the grooves define bending axes of the sole component.
In one or more embodiments, the inwardly projecting ligament is one of a plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments on the proximal side of the cushion, the plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments being arranged in a symmetrical pattern about an axis of symmetry of the airbag. The method further includes securing a cushion (referred to as a first cushion) to a first sole structure configured for a right foot, wherein an axis of symmetry of the first cushion is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by a first angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the first sole structure, and securing a second cushion of the same configuration to a second sole structure configured for a left foot, wherein an axis of symmetry of the second cushion is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by the first angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the second sole structure opposite the first cushion. The first and second sole structures are mirror images of each other. In this arrangement, one set of bending axes would be properly aligned with the joints of the right foot, while the other set of bending axes would be properly aligned with the joints of the left foot. Accordingly, the symmetrical pattern of the plurality of inwardly projecting ligaments is specifically designed to allow the same cushioning component to be used in both sole structures having a right foot configuration and sole structures having a left foot configuration.
In one or more embodiments, the mold part includes a first mold portion and a second mold portion, at least one of the first mold portion and the second mold portion being translatable relative to the other of the first mold portion and the second mold portion between an open position and a closed position. Bonding the first and second polymeric sheets at the peripheral ligaments includes compressing the first and second polymeric sheets between the first and second mold portions in the closed position.
In one or more embodiments of the method, prior to conforming the first and second polymeric sheets to the components of the mold, the method can include securing a mold insert to the first mold portion of the mold. The mold part having the protrusion may be a mold insert. This allows the ligament pattern of the cushion pad manufactured according to the method to be easily changed by changing the mold insert to one having a different protrusion pattern. For example, in one or more embodiments, the mold insert is a first mold insert, the cushion is a first cushion, and the method further comprises manufacturing a second cushion by removing the first mold insert from the first mold portion, and securing a second mold insert having a second protrusion to the first mold portion, wherein the second protrusion is different in shape or size from the first protrusion. The subsequent first polymer sheet and the subsequent second polymer sheet are then respectively conformed to the second mold insert and the other mold assembly with subsequent tensile members between the subsequent first polymer sheet and the subsequent second polymer sheet. This conforming of the subsequent first polymer sheet and the subsequent second polymer sheet presses the subsequent first polymer sheet against the subsequent second polymer sheet at the second protrusions, wherein the second protrusions are directly exterior to the subsequent tensile member. Thereby creating a second inwardly projecting ligament at the second protrusion and partially traversing the subsequent tension member. Due to the second mold insert, the mold provides a different ligament pattern to the second cushion than the first cushion.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Reference is made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like components throughout the several views. FIG. 1 illustrates a
The
As best shown in fig. 3,
First
At a given inflation pressure of the
Before joining the first and
In accordance with the
Each
The
As shown in fig. 3, each inwardly projecting
Referring to fig. 3, the plurality of
As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the modified
The tension of the modified
The physical deformation of the
The
Referring to fig. 3 and 4, each inwardly projecting
Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the portion 22A of the
In FIG. 3, the
Fig. 10 shows the components of the
Fig. 15 and 16 show an alternative embodiment of a
In contrast to the
The plurality of inwardly projecting
The
As shown in FIG. 15, the
The
The
A
Next, in
Then, in
Next, in
After or while first and
The thermal bonding of
After
After
In
The
The
It should be understood that although in fig. 10-11 the mold component having the
Fig. 14 shows a
To facilitate and clarify the description of the various embodiments, various terms are defined herein. The following definitions apply throughout the specification (including claims) unless otherwise indicated. Additionally, all references cited are incorporated herein in their entirety.
"articles of footwear," "articles of footwear," and "footwear" may be considered machines and articles of manufacture. Assembled ready-to-wear articles of footwear (e.g., shoes, sandals, boots, etc.) and discrete components of the articles of footwear (e.g., midsoles, outsoles, uppers, etc.) prior to final assembly into a wearable article of footwear are referred to herein in singular or plural form as "articles of footwear" or "footwear".
The terms "a", "an", "individual", "the", "at least one" and "one or more" are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one item is present. There may be a plurality of such items, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless otherwise indicated explicitly or otherwise in view of the context (including the appended claims), in all instances, all numerical values (e.g., amounts or conditions) of parameters of the present invention are to be understood as modified by the term "about", whether or not "about" actually appears before the numerical value. "about" means that the numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; close). If the imprecision provided by "about" is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then "about" as used herein denotes variations that may result at least from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. As used in the specification and the appended claims, a value is considered "approximately" equal to a specified value if, unless otherwise specified, the value is neither greater than nor less than five percent of the specified value. Additionally, disclosure of ranges should be understood to specifically disclose all values within the range and further divided ranges.
The terms "comprises," "comprising," and "having," are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. The order of the steps, processes, and operations may be altered, where possible, and other or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term "or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term "any" should be understood to include any possible combination of referenced items, including "any one" of a referenced item. The term "any" should be understood to include any possible combination of the claims recited in the appended claims, including "any one" of the recited claims.
For the sake of adaptability and convenience, directional adjectives corresponding to the indicated embodiments may be employed throughout the detailed description. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as "above … …," "below … …," "above," "below," "top," "bottom," etc., may be used to describe graphically related features and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
The term "longitudinal" refers to a direction extending the length of a component. For example, a longitudinal direction of the article of footwear extends between a forefoot region and a heel region of the article of footwear. The terms "forward" or "front" are used to refer to a general direction from the heel region to the forefoot region, and the terms "rearward" or "rear" are used to refer to the opposite direction, i.e., from the forefoot region to the heel region. In some cases, a component may be identified with a longitudinal axis and a front-to-back longitudinal direction along the axis. The longitudinal direction or longitudinal axis may also be referred to as the anterior-posterior direction or anterior-posterior axis.
The term "transverse" refers to a direction extending the width of the component. For example, the lateral direction of the article of footwear extends between the lateral side and the medial side of the article of footwear. The transverse or lateral axis may also be referred to as a lateral or side axis or a medial-lateral or medial-lateral axis.
The term "perpendicular" refers to a direction that is substantially perpendicular to both the transverse and longitudinal directions. For example, where the sole structure rests flat on the ground, the vertical direction may extend upward from the ground. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to various components of the sole structure. The terms "upward" or "upwardly" refer to a vertical direction toward the top of the component, which may include the instep, fastening area, and/or the upper. The terms "downward" or "downwardly" refer to a vertical direction, opposite to the upward direction, that is directed toward the bottom of the component, and may generally be directed toward the bottom of the sole structure of the article of footwear.
The "interior" of an article of footwear, such as a shoe, refers to the portion of the space occupied by the wearer's foot when the article of footwear is worn. The "medial" side of a component refers to the side or surface of the component that faces (or will face) the article of footwear in the assembled article of footwear. The "lateral side" or "exterior" of a component refers to the side or surface of the component that faces away from (or will face away from) the article of footwear in the assembled article of footwear. In some cases, other components may be located between the medial side of the component and the space on the medial side of the assembled article of footwear. Similarly, other components may be located between the lateral side of the component and the space on the lateral side of the assembled article of footwear. Further, the terms "inwardly" and "inwardly" refer to a direction toward the interior of a footwear component or article, such as a shoe, and the terms "outwardly" and "outwardly" refer to a direction toward the exterior of a footwear component or article, such as a shoe. Additionally, the term "proximal" refers to a direction closer to the center of the footwear component or closer to the foot toward the foot when the user inserts the foot into the article of footwear. Likewise, the term "distal" refers to a direction away from the center of the footwear component or away from the foot when the user inserts the foot into the article of footwear. Thus, the terms proximal and distal may be understood as opposing terms describing relative spatial positions.
While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be combined with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other embodiment unless specifically limited. Therefore, the embodiments are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.
While several modes for carrying out many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and exemplary of the scope of the entire alternative embodiments that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize as being structurally and/or functionally equivalent or otherwise evident based on the content included therein, and not limited to those explicitly depicted and/or described.
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