EP3267824B1 - Footwear soles with auxetic structures - Google Patents

Footwear soles with auxetic structures Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3267824B1
EP3267824B1 EP15820999.9A EP15820999A EP3267824B1 EP 3267824 B1 EP3267824 B1 EP 3267824B1 EP 15820999 A EP15820999 A EP 15820999A EP 3267824 B1 EP3267824 B1 EP 3267824B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
interior
aperture
members
connecting portion
sole structure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP15820999.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3267824A2 (en
Inventor
Tory M. Cross
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nike Innovate CV USA
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Nike Innovate CV USA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US14/643,145 external-priority patent/US9554624B2/en
Application filed by Nike Innovate CV USA filed Critical Nike Innovate CV USA
Publication of EP3267824A2 publication Critical patent/EP3267824A2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3267824B1 publication Critical patent/EP3267824B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
    • A43B13/181—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
    • A43B13/187—Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to sole structures and articles of footwear including these sole structures that may be used for athletic or recreational activities such as running, jogging, training, hiking, walking, volleyball, handball, tennis, lacrosse, basketball and other similar activities.
  • Articles of footwear can generally be described as having two primary elements, an upper for enclosing the wearer's foot, and a sole structure attached to the upper.
  • the upper generally extends over the toe and instep areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot and around the back of the heel.
  • the upper generally includes an ankle opening to allow a wearer to insert the wearer's foot into the article of footwear.
  • the upper may incorporate a fastening system, such as a lacing system, a hook-and-loop system, or other system for fastening the upper over a wearer's foot.
  • the upper may also include a tongue that extends under the fastening system to enhance adjustability of the upper and increase the comfort of the footwear.
  • the sole structure is attached to a lower portion of the upper and is positioned between the upper and the ground.
  • the sole structure may include an insole, a midsole, and an outsole.
  • the insole is in close contact with the wearer's foot or sock, and provides a comfortable feel to the sole of the wearer's foot.
  • the midsole generally attenuates impact or other stresses due to ground forces as the wearer is walking, running, jumping, or engaging in other activities.
  • the midsole may be formed of a polymer foam material, such as a polyurethane (PU), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or ethylvinylacetate (EVA), that attenuates ground impact forces.
  • PU polyurethane
  • TPU thermoplastic polyurethane
  • EVA ethylvinylacetate
  • the midsole may incorporate sealed and fluid-filled bladders that further attenuate and distribute ground impact forces.
  • the outsole may be made of a durable and wear resistant material, and it may carry a tread pattern to provide traction against the ground or playing surface. For some activities, the outsole may also use cleats, spikes or other protrusions to engage the ground or playing surface and thus provide additional traction.
  • Document EP2702884 discloses the use of auxetic structures in articles of apparel.
  • directional adjectives such as top, bottom, medial, lateral, forward, rear, and so on.
  • Such directional adjectives refer to the orientation of the article of footwear as typically worn by a wearer when standing on the ground, unless otherwise noted.
  • the term "longitudinal” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims may refer to a direction extending a length of the footwear. In some cases, the longitudinal direction may extend from a forefoot region to a heel region of the article of footwear.
  • lateral as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims may refer to a direction extending along a width of the article of footwear.
  • the lateral direction may extend between a lateral side and a medial side of the article of footwear.
  • proximal may refer to a portion of an article of footwear that is closer to portions of a foot, for example, when the article of footwear is worn.
  • distal may refer to a portion of an article of footwear that is further from a portion of a foot when the article of footwear is worn.
  • top refers to the portion of an object substantially furthest from the ground in a vertical direction
  • bottom refers to the portion of an object substantially closest to the ground in a vertical direction
  • the foregoing directional terms when used in reference to an article of footwear, shall refer to the article of footwear when sitting in an upright position, with the sole facing groundward, that is, as it would be positioned when worn by a wearer standing on a substantially level surface.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a side perspective view of an article of footwear (article) 10 that may be used in a number of athletic or recreational activities such as running, walking, training, tennis, volleyball, tennis and racquetball.
  • upper 100 of article of footwear 10 may be generally described as having a toe region 102, a forefoot region 104, a midfoot region 106 and a heel region 108.
  • article 10 includes sole structure 110 that may generally be described as having a toe region 112, a forefoot region 114, a midfoot region 116 and a heel region 118.
  • sole structure 110 may further be characterized as having a top sole surface 130, a bottom sole surface 132 opposite the top sole surface 130, and side sole surface 134 disposed between the top sole surface 130 and the bottom sole surface 132.
  • Upper 100 of article 10 shown in FIG. 1 may be fabricated from any conventional or nonconventional materials, such as leather, woven or nonwoven textiles or synthetic leather.
  • Upper 100 has an ankle opening 120 in upper 100 to allow a wearer to insert his or her foot into the interior cavity 122 of upper 100. The wearer may then use lace 124 to close upper 100 over tongue 126 to fasten article 10 over his or her foot.
  • Upper 100 also has sole structure 110 that is attached to upper 100 by any conventional method, such as stitching, stapling, gluing, fusing or welding or other known method for attaching a sole structure to an upper.
  • sole structure also referred to simply as “sole”, herein shall refer to any combination that provides support for a wearer's foot and bears the surface that is in direct contact with the ground or playing surface, such as a single sole; a combination of an outsole and an inner sole; a combination of an outsole, a midsole and an inner sole, and a combination of an outer covering, an outsole, a midsole and an inner sole.
  • Sole structure 110 as shown in FIG. 1 and as described further in detail below, has an auxetic structure.
  • Articles of footwear having sole structures made from an auxetic structure are described in Cross, titled “Auxetic Structures and Footwear with Soles Having Auxetic Structures” (now U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 14/030,022 , and on filed September 18, 2013), referred to hereafter as the '022 application.
  • auxetic materials have a negative Poisson's ratio, such that when they are under tension in a first direction, their dimensions increase both in the first direction and in a second direction orthogonal or perpendicular to the first direction. This property of an auxetic material is illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 9 .
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of an example of a portion of sole structure 110 having an auxetic structure not under tension.
  • the portion of auxetic material 200 includes a group of members, also referred to simply as sole members or members 210 for purposes of convenience.
  • members 210 are joined at their vertices by connecting portions 230.
  • members 210 may have group length 370 and group width 372 (i.e., the group of members 210 collectively have group length 370 and group width 372).
  • sole structure 110 is comprised of many other members arranged in similar patterns.
  • members 210 of sole structure 110 may generally be tiled in a regular pattern comprised of smaller sets of members that have a configuration substantially similar to members 210.
  • members 210 may further be delineated into sub-groups.
  • members 210 may be characterized as having a first group and a second group.
  • members 210 are characterized as having first longitudinal group 212 and second longitudinal group 214. That is, members of first longitudinal group 212 may share a common longitudinal position along first direction 280 of sole structure 110 and members of second longitudinal group 214 may share a common longitudinal position along first direction 280 of sole structure 110. It should be understood that division of members into longitudinal groups is used for purposes of clarity and other divisions of members are also possible.
  • members 210 may be characterized as having a first lateral group and a second lateral group oriented, where members of each group share a common lateral position along second direction 282 of sole structure 110.
  • first direction 280 may be orthogonal to second direction 282.
  • first longitudinal group 212 may comprise of first exterior member 260, first interior member 262, second interior member 264, and second exterior member 266.
  • second longitudinal group 214 may comprise third exterior member 268, third interior member 270, fourth interior member 272, and fourth exterior member 274.
  • connecting portions 230 may be associated with individual members from first longitudinal group 212, second longitudinal group 214, or both longitudinal groups to join the individual members at a common vertex.
  • first connecting portion 232 may join first exterior member 260 and first interior member 262.
  • second connecting portion 234 may join first interior member 262 with second interior member 264.
  • third connecting portion 236 may join second interior member 264 with second exterior member 266.
  • fourth connecting portion 238 may join third exterior member 268 with third interior member 270.
  • fifth connecting portion 240 may join third interior member 270 with fourth interior member 272.
  • sixth connecting portion 242 may join fourth interior member 272 with fourth exterior member 274.
  • some connecting portions 230 may join individual members belonging to first longitudinal group 212 with second longitudinal group 214.
  • seventh connecting portion 244 may join first exterior member 260 with third exterior member 268.
  • eighth connecting portion 246 may join first interior member 262 with third interior member 270.
  • ninth connecting portion 248 may join second interior member 264 with fourth interior member 272.
  • tenth connecting portion 250 may join second exterior member 266 with fourth exterior member 274.
  • the connections, between members of first longitudinal group 212, between members of second longitudinal group 214, and between members of first longitudinal group 212 with second longitudinal group 214 may define a group of interior apertures 220, also referred to simply as interior apertures 220.
  • interior apertures 220 may comprise of first interior aperture 222 oriented longitudinally along first direction 280, second interior aperture 224 also oriented longitudinally along first direction 280, and third interior aperture 226 oriented laterally along second direction 282.
  • first exterior member 260, first interior member 262, third exterior member 268 and third interior member 270 may define and circumscribe first interior aperture 222.
  • second interior member 264, second exterior member 266, fourth interior member 272, and fourth exterior member 274 may define and circumscribe second interior aperture 224.
  • first interior member 262, second interior member 264, third interior member 270, and fourth interior member 272 may define and circumscribe third interior aperture 226.
  • first interior aperture 222 and second interior aperture 224 may have the same size and shape.
  • third interior aperture 226 may have a different size but similar shape as first interior aperture 222 and second interior aperture 224.
  • first interior aperture 222, second interior aperture 224, and third interior aperture 226 may have the same sizes and shapes.
  • first interior aperture 222, second interior aperture 224, and third interior aperture 226 may have different sizes and shapes.
  • third interior aperture 226 has a larger size than first interior aperture 222 and second interior aperture 224, as shown in Figure 2 .
  • the connections between members of first longitudinal group 212, the connections between members of second longitudinal group 214, and the connections between members of first longitudinal group 212 with second longitudinal group 214 may further define a group of peripheral apertures 290, also referred to simply as peripheral apertures 290.
  • Peripheral apertures 290 may be disposed between members at a common connecting portion.
  • peripheral apertures 290 may be characterized by an angle, for example, when peripheral apertures 290 are formed by two edges connected at a single vertex (connecting portions).
  • peripheral apertures 290 may take on other shapes based on different geometries. It is understood that peripheral apertures 290 are not meant to define a location along a periphery of sole structure 110 but is merely meant to convey a descriptive term relative to their location to members 210 and interior apertures 220.
  • first interior member 262, second interior member 264, and second connecting portion 234 may define first peripheral aperture 292.
  • third interior member 270, fourth interior member 272, and fifth connecting portion 240 may define second peripheral aperture 294.
  • first exterior member 260, third exterior member 268, and seventh connecting portion 244 may define third peripheral aperture 296.
  • second exterior member 266, fourth exterior member 274, and tenth connecting portion 250 may define fourth peripheral aperture 298.
  • peripheral apertures 290 may all have uniform sizes and shapes. In some other embodiments, peripheral apertures 290 may have different sizes and different shapes.
  • members 210 may have a substantially quadrilateral shape.
  • the shape may be in the form of a trapezoid.
  • the shapes of members 210 are rectangles having substantially parallel opposite edges.
  • the shapes may be squares having substantially parallel opposite edges that are also substantially equal in length.
  • the shapes of members 210 could have any other polygonal or non-polygonal geometry (e.g., geometries comprised of contoured edges).
  • the embodiments comprise sole members 210 (e.g. first interior member 262) that may be connected to other sole members 210 at their vertices. That is, the sides or edges of each sole member may be free, or separated from nearby sole members 210. More specifically, each edge of a sole member may be bounded by a portion of an aperture (interior or peripheral).
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an isolated view of a portion of sole structure 110 of FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 3 illustrates members 210 isolated from other members 210 comprising sole structure 110.
  • members 210 may include a plurality of edges and interior angles.
  • first exterior member 260 may be comprised of first member edge 252, second member edge 253, third member edge 254, and fourth member edge 255.
  • first exterior member 260 may also include first member angle 256, second member angle 257, third member angle 258, and fourth member angle 259.
  • Some embodiments may have edges associated with a dimension such as a length or width.
  • second member edge 253 and fourth member edge 255 may be associated with a member length 150, along a longitudinal or first direction 280.
  • first member edge 252 and third member edge 254 may be associated with a member width 152, along a lateral or second direction 282.
  • the member length and the member width may be equal.
  • the member length may be greater than the member width.
  • member width 152 is greater than member length 150.
  • first exterior member 260 may include interior angles.
  • first exterior member 260 may include first member angle 256, second member angle 257, third member angle 258, and fourth member angle 259.
  • the member angles may be different from each other. In some other embodiments, all the member angles may be equal. In some other embodiments, the angles may be substantially 90 degrees. In still some other embodiments, only the opposite angles (i.e. non-consecutive) may be equal.
  • first member angle 256, second member angle 257, third member angle 258, and fourth member angle 259 are substantially the same because of the rectangular shape of first exterior member 260.
  • members 210 may have opposite edges that are parallel.
  • first member edge 252 and third member edge 254 may be substantially parallel.
  • first member edge 252 and third member edge 254 may be substantially equal in length.
  • second member edge 253 and fourth member edge 255 may be substantially parallel.
  • second member edge 253 and fourth member edge 255 may be substantially equal in length.
  • second member edge 253 may not be equal in length to first member edge 252.
  • first member edge 252 and third member edge 254 may not be substantially parallel.
  • first member edge 252 and third member edge 254 may not be substantially equal in length.
  • a member may have edges that are substantially straight. In some other embodiments, the member has edges which may be non-linear, contoured, rounded, or wavy. In an exemplary embodiment, first member edge 252, second member edge 253, third member edge 254, and fourth member edge 255 are substantially straight to form a rectangular polygon.
  • Some embodiments may include provisions that allow members 210 to rotate in one or more directions with respect to each other when a force is applied to members 210.
  • connecting portions 230 may enable members of first longitudinal group 212 and second longitudinal group 214 to rotate (or pivot) about a common connecting portion along a plane of sole structure 110 by functioning as a hinge.
  • the rotation of members may provide sole structure 110 with auxetic properties.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a sequence of configurations for members 210 under a force along second direction 282.
  • the geometry and arrangement of members 210 may provide auxetic properties to sole structure 110 when a force is applied.
  • members 210 are shown to be under no tension, or in other words a resting state.
  • members 210 may collectively have an initial or first length 370 and an initial or first width 372.
  • peripheral apertures 290 may have an initial angle during this resting state.
  • the connecting portions 230 joining members 210 that enclose or circumscribe interior apertures 220 may be separated from one another by certain distances.
  • second connecting portion 234 and fifth connecting portion 240 may be separated by first separation distance 360.
  • eighth connecting portion 246 and ninth connecting portion 248 may be separated by second separation distance 362.
  • members 210 are shown to be under tension 390 causing interior apertures 220 to expand due to the auxetic structure. This is in turn causes the distances between connecting portions 230 to either increase or decrease depending on the geometry and orientation of members 210.
  • connecting portions 230 functioning as a hinges, enable members 210 to rotate in either a first rotational direction 310 or an opposite second rotational direction 312, thus causing the length and width of members 210 to increase.
  • first connecting portion 232 may enable first exterior member 260 to rotate in a first rotational direction 310 towards first interior member 262.
  • first rotational direction 310 may be associated with a clockwise direction.
  • first connecting portion 232 may enable first interior member 262 to rotate towards first exterior member 260 in a second rotational direction 312.
  • second rotational direction 312 may be associated with a counter-clockwise direction, or a direction opposite of first rotational direction 310.
  • the remaining members 210 may also rotate about adjoining connecting portions 230. It is to be understood that while one member rotates away in either first rotational direction 310 or second rotational direction 312, the other member sharing the common connecting portion will rotate in the opposite rotational direction.
  • a final or fourth configuration 350 members 210 have rotated and interior apertures 220 have expanded as a result of tension 390 along second direction 282. Due to the geometric configurations of members 210, and their interconnection via connecting portions 230, tension 390 has transformed members 210 from their initial resting stage of first configuration 320. In some embodiments, tension 390 has resulted in members 210 having a different length 374 and width 376. In addition, the rotation of members 210 along first rotational direction 310 or second rotational direction 312 have increased the size and shape of interior apertures 220.
  • tension 390 has changed the distance between connecting portions 230.
  • second connecting portion 234 and fifth connecting portion 240, in the fourth configuration 350 are now separated by third separation distance 364.
  • third separation distance 364 of fourth configuration 350 may be greater than first separation distance 360 of first configuration 320.
  • eighth connecting portion 246 and ninth connecting portion 248, in the fourth configuration 350 are now separated by fourth separation distance 366.
  • fourth separation distance 366 may be less than second separation distance 362 of first configuration 320.
  • interior apertures 220 are also transformed into a different shape and size from their initial shape and size during the resting state.
  • interior apertures 220 may take on a rhombic shape as members 210 are rotated due to tension 390. In some embodiments, this rotation may expand a cross-sectional area (area) associated with interior apertures 220.
  • first area 223 of first interior aperture 222 increases as seen for example in FIG. 4 .
  • tension 390 applied across members 210 along second direction 282 increases second area 225 of second interior aperture 224.
  • tension 390 applied across members 210 along second direction 282 increases third area 227 of third interior aperture 226. It is understood that due to the auxetic structure, in some other embodiments, tension applied across members 210 along first direction 280 may also result in the expansion of areas associated with interior apertures 220. It is further understood that tension 390 applied in any direction in a plane formed by the first direction 280 and the second direction 282 may increase the areas of interior apertures. In one embodiment, tension applied in a third direction in the plane formed by the first direction 280 and the second direction 282 increases first area 223, second area 225, and third area 227.
  • third interior aperture 226, enclosed by first interior member 262, second interior member 264, third interior member 270, and fourth interior member 272 may include a first aperture edge 410, second aperture edge 412, third aperture edge 414, and fourth aperture edge 416.
  • first aperture edge 410 and opposite third aperture edge 414 may be parallel.
  • first aperture edge 410 and third aperture edge 414 may be equal in length.
  • second aperture edge 412 and opposite fourth aperture edge 416 may be parallel.
  • second aperture edge 412 and fourth aperture edge 416 may be equal in length.
  • an aperture edge and its corresponding opposite aperture edge may not be parallel.
  • an aperture edge and its opposite aperture edge may not be equal in length.
  • third interior aperture 226 may include opposite angles which are substantially equal to each other.
  • third interior aperture 226 may include a first aperture angle 418, second aperture angle 420, third aperture angle 422, and fourth aperture angle 424.
  • first aperture angle 418 and opposite third aperture angle 422 may be equal.
  • second aperture angle 420 and opposite fourth aperture angle 424 may be equal.
  • first aperture angle 418 and third aperture angle 422 may not be equal.
  • third interior aperture 226 may include several diagonals joining the vertices of the opposite aperture angles.
  • third interior aperture 226 may include first aperture diagonal 426 and second aperture diagonal 428.
  • First aperture diagonal 426 may connect and bisect first aperture angle 418 and third aperture angle 422.
  • Second aperture diagonal 428 may connect and bisect second aperture angle 420 and fourth aperture angle 424.
  • first aperture diagonal 426 is perpendicular with second aperture diagonal 428.
  • first aperture diagonal 426 is not perpendicular with second aperture diagonal 428.
  • first aperture diagonal 426 is longer than second aperture diagonal 428.
  • second aperture diagonal 428 may be longer than first aperture diagonal 426.
  • tension 390 may also transform peripheral apertures 290 from their initial size and shape during the resting stage to a different size and shape as members 210 are rotated. As shown in FIG. 5 , first peripheral aperture 292 may increase as tension 390 is applied along second direction 282. Thus, first peripheral aperture 292 may be wider or have an angle 293 in fourth configuration 350, that is greater than the initial angle in first configuration 320.
  • Some embodiments may include provisions which provide members 210 with a prismatic geometry.
  • the members may be right prisms.
  • members 210 have a rectangular prism geometry bounded by a group of facets or surfaces.
  • second interior member 264 and fourth interior member 272 may have rectangular prismatic geometries. In some embodiments, second interior member 264 and fourth interior member 272 may be joined at common vertices associated with ninth connecting portion 248. In some embodiments, second interior member 264 and fourth interior member 272 may be disposed between second interior aperture 224 (partially shown) and third interior aperture 226.
  • fourth interior member 272 may have top surface 450 that forms part of the top surface of sole structure 110. In some embodiments, fourth interior member 272 may have a corresponding bottom surface 451, opposite top surface 450 that forms part of the bottom surface of sole structure 110, and is oriented towards a ground surface. In some embodiments, fourth interior member 272 may have first side surface 452 oriented facing towards third interior aperture 226. In some embodiments, fourth interior member 272 may have second side surface 453 oriented towards second interior aperture 224. In some embodiments, first side surface 452 may be disposed opposite of third side surface 454. In some embodiments, third side surface 454 may be disposed distally away from third interior aperture 226.
  • second side surface 453 may be disposed opposite fourth side surface 455.
  • fourth side surface 455 may be oriented towards second peripheral aperture 294. It is to be understood, that first side surface 452, second side surface 453, third side surface 454, and fourth side surface 455 are disposed and extend between top surface 450 and corresponding bottom surface 451.
  • members 210 may be associated with a thickness.
  • thickness 460 may be characterized as the distance between a top surface and a bottom surface of a member. In some embodiments, thickness 460 may be less than or equal to a member's length. In some other embodiments, thickness 460 may be less than or equal to a member's width. In some other embodiments, thickness 460 may be less than first aperture diagonal 426 of third interior aperture 226. In some other embodiments, thickness 460 may be greater than first separation distance 360 between second connecting portion 234 and fifth connecting portion 240 when members 210 are not in tension. According to the invention, thickness 460 is greater than one-half the size of the smaller sized member edge. For example, thickness 460 may be greater than one-half the size of second member edge 253. In still some other embodiments, thickness 460 may range from 0.10 mm to 50.0 mm. In one embodiment, thickness may be at least 5.0 mm.
  • thickness 460 may be uniform as members 210 have a uniform distance between their top surface and the bottom surface. In some other embodiments, thickness 460 may be variable, as some members 210 have greater distances between the top surface and the bottom surface relative to other members 210. The variable thickness may allow for differing degrees of flexibility for sole structure 110. In an exemplary embodiment, members 210 (and sole structure 110) have a uniform thickness 460 as the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface of members 210 are substantially the same for the group of members 210, as illustrated in FIG. 6 .
  • interior apertures 220 arranged on an outsole or the bottom surface of sole structure 110 match the interior apertures 220 of top surface of sole structure 110.
  • interior apertures 220 expand (i.e. open) on both the top sole surface 130 and the bottom sole surface 132 and extend through thickness 460 as members 210 are rotated.
  • such apertures extending through sole structure 110 may be referred to as "through-hole" apertures.
  • peripheral apertures 290 expand on both the top sole surface 130 and the bottom sole surface 132 as members 210 are rotated. When members 210 are not rotated (i.e. not in tension), interior apertures 220, and peripheral apertures 290 on the top sole surface 130 and the bottom sole surface 132 are not fully open, as shown for example in FIG. 3 .
  • FIGS. 7 through 9 illustrate another embodiment of a group of members (members) 500 that have a square geometry.
  • members 500 may be viewed as a portion of sole structure 110 for an article of footwear 10.
  • members 500 are divided into a first group and a second group. In some embodiments, members 500 may be connected to other members by connecting portions 540. In some embodiments, members 500 with a square geometry may have edges of substantially equal length. Further, in some embodiments, members 500 may enclose a group of interior apertures 560, also referred to as simply interior apertures 560. Each of these features will be further explained in detail below.
  • members 500 are characterized as having first longitudinal group 512 and second longitudinal group 514.
  • First longitudinal group 512 may include first exterior member 520 connected to first interior member 522 by first connecting portion 541.
  • First interior member 522 may be connected to second interior member 523 by second connecting portion 542.
  • Second interior member 523 may be connected to second exterior member 524 by third connecting portion 543.
  • second longitudinal group 514 may comprise of several members 500 connected to each other by a connecting portion.
  • second longitudinal group 514 may include third exterior member 526 connected to third interior member 528 by fourth connecting portion 544.
  • Third interior member 528 may be connected to fourth interior member 529 by fifth connecting portion 545.
  • Fourth interior member 529 may be connected to fourth exterior member 530 by sixth connecting portion 546.
  • members of first longitudinal group 512 may be connected with members of second longitudinal group 514 with connecting portions 540.
  • first exterior member 520 is connected to third exterior member 526 by seventh connecting portion 547.
  • First interior member 522 may be connected to third interior member 528 by eighth connecting portion 548.
  • Second interior member 523 may be connected to fourth interior member 529 by ninth connecting portion 549.
  • Second exterior member 524 may be connected to fourth exterior member 530 by tenth connecting portion 550.
  • first longitudinal group 512 may define a group of interior apertures (interior apertures) 560.
  • first exterior member 520, first interior member 522, third exterior member 526, third interior member 528, along with first connecting portion 541, fourth connecting portion 544, seventh connecting portion 547, and eighth connecting portion 548 may define and circumscribe first interior aperture 562.
  • first interior aperture 562 may be oriented along first direction 565.
  • second interior aperture 563 may be defined by second interior member 523, second exterior member 524, fourth interior member 529, and fourth exterior member 530, along with third connecting portion 543, sixth connecting portion 546, ninth connecting portion 549, and tenth connecting portion 550.
  • second interior aperture 563 may be oriented in the same direction as first interior aperture 562.
  • third interior aperture 564 may be defined by first interior member 522, second interior member 523, third interior member 528 and fourth interior member 529 along with second connecting portion 542, fifth connecting portion 545, eighth connecting portion 548, and ninth connecting portion 549.
  • third interior aperture 564 may be oriented along a second direction 566.
  • second direction 566 may be orthogonal to first direction 565.
  • first peripheral aperture 572 may be disposed between first interior member 522 and second interior member 523.
  • Second peripheral aperture 574 may be disposed between third interior member 528 and fourth interior member 529.
  • Third peripheral aperture 576 may be disposed between first exterior member 520 and third exterior member 526.
  • Fourth peripheral aperture 578 may be exposed between second exterior member 524 and fourth exterior member 530.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of members 500 that have been rotated with interior apertures 560 and peripheral apertures 570 expanded.
  • members 500 may include a plurality of edges.
  • third exterior member 526 may include first member edge 600, second member edge 602, third member edge 604, and fourth member edge 606.
  • a member may have edges with different geometries. In some embodiments, a member may have edges which are substantially straight. In some other embodiments, a member has edges which may be non-linear, contoured, rounded, or wavy. In an exemplary embodiment, first member edge 600, second member edge 602, third member edge 604, and fourth member edge 606 are substantially straight forming a polygon with a square geometry.
  • a member may have edges which are substantially equal in length. In some embodiments, a member may have non-consecutive edges that are parallel with each other. In an exemplary embodiment, first member edge 600, second member edge 602, third member edge 604, and fourth member edge 606 are substantially equal in length. Further, first member edge 600 and third member edge 604, second member edge 602 and fourth member edge 606 are substantially parallel thus providing a substantially square shape.
  • the shape of a member may include interior angles.
  • third exterior member 526 may further comprise of first member angle 608, second member angle 610, third member angle 612, and fourth member angle 614.
  • first member angle 608, second member angle 610, third member angle 612, and fourth member angle 614 may be substantially equal.
  • first member angle 608, second member angle 610, third member angle 612, and fourth member angle 614 may have different angle measurements relative to each other.
  • first member angle 608, second member angle 610, third member angle 612, and fourth member angle 614 are all substantially 90 degrees.
  • connecting portions 540 between the members of first longitudinal group 512, between members of second longitudinal group 514, and between the members of first longitudinal group 512 and second longitudinal group 514 allow members 500 to rotate in one or more directions with respect to each other when a tension is applied.
  • connecting portions 540 allow members 500 to rotate about a common connecting portion along a plane of sole structure 110 by functioning as a hinge.
  • members 500 may rotate in a clockwise or first rotational direction 630 when tension 800 is applied in second direction 566 as shown in FIG. 8 .
  • members 500 may rotate in a counter-clockwise or second rotational direction 632 also illustrated in FIG. 8 .
  • the rotation of members 500 about a common connecting portion in first rotational direction 630 and second rotational direction 632 provides a sole structure with auxetic properties.
  • interior apertures 560 are also transformed into a different shape and size from their initial shape and size during their resting state.
  • interior apertures 560 may take on a rhombic shape as members 500 are rotated. In some embodiments, this rotation may expand interior apertures 560 and a cross-sectional area associated with interior apertures 560.
  • tension 800 is applied across members 500 along second direction 566 first area 582 of first interior aperture 562 increases as seen for example in FIG. 8 .
  • tension 800 applied across members 500 along second direction 566 increases second area 584 of second interior aperture 563.
  • tension 800 applied across members 500 along second direction 566 increases third area 586 of third interior aperture 564. It is understood that due to the auxetic structure, in some other embodiments, tension applied across members 500 along first direction 565 may also result in the expansion of areas associated with interior apertures 560.
  • Some embodiments may have provisions that allow members 500 of first longitudinal group 512 and second longitudinal group 514 to have a prismatic geometry.
  • members 510 have a cubic geometry, bounded by a group of facets or surfaces.
  • FIG. 9 shows an enlarged partial schematic view of some members 500 fully expanded.
  • first interior member 522 and third interior member 528 may be joined at vertices associated with eighth connecting portion 548. Further, first interior member 522 and third interior member 528 may be disposed between first interior aperture 562 (partially shown) and third interior aperture 564.
  • first interior member 522 may have a top facet or surface 730 that forms part of the top surface of sole structure 110. In some embodiments, first interior member 522 may have a corresponding bottom surface 732 opposite top surface 730 that forms part of the bottom surface of sole structure 110, and is oriented towards a ground surface.
  • first interior member 522 may have a first side surface 734 disposed facing towards third interior aperture 564. In some embodiments, first interior member 522 may have a second side surface 736 disposed facing towards first interior aperture 562. In some embodiments, first side surface 734 may be disposed opposite third side surface 738. In some embodiments, second side surface 736 may be disposed opposite fourth side surface 740. In some embodiments, fourth side surface 740 may be disposed facing towards first peripheral aperture 572. It is to be understood, that first side surface 734, second side surface 736, third side surface 738, and fourth side surface 740 are disposed and extend between top surface 730 and corresponding bottom surface 732.
  • members 500 may be associated with a thickness 760.
  • Thickness 760 may be characterized as the distance between a top surface and a bottom surface of a member. In some embodiments, thickness 760 may be less than or equal to a member's length. In some other embodiments, thickness 760 may be less than or equal to a member's width. In some other embodiments, thickness 760 may be greater than a members' length. In still some other embodiments, thickness 760 may be greater than a member's width. In an exemplary embodiment, thickness 760 of members 500 is less than the member's width and the member's length, as shown in FIG. 9 .
  • thickness 760 may be uniform as members 500 have uniform distance between the top surface and the bottom surface. In some other embodiments, thickness 760 may be variable, as some members 500 have greater distances between the top surface and the bottom surface relative to other members 500. The variable thickness may allow for differing degrees of flexibility for sole structure 110. In an exemplary embodiment, members 500 (and sole structure 110) have a uniform thickness 760 as the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface are substantially the same for the group of members 500, as illustrated in FIG. 9 .
  • interior apertures 560 arranged on an outsole or bottom sole surface 132 of sole structure 110 match the interior apertures 560 of top sole surface 130 of sole structure 110.
  • interior apertures 560 expand (i.e. open) on both top sole surface 130 and bottom sole surface 132 as members 500 are rotated (i.e. sole structure 110 is in a tensioned state).
  • such apertures may be referred to as "through-hole" apertures.
  • peripheral apertures 570 expand on both top sole surface 130 and bottom sole surface 132 of sole structure 110 as members 500 are rotated. When members 500 are not rotated (i.e. not in tension), interior apertures 560, and peripheral apertures 570 on top sole surface 130 and bottom sole surface 132 of sole structure 110 are not fully open, as shown for example in FIG. 7 .
  • an article of footwear with a sole structure having the components illustrated and described in FIGS 1 through 9 may improve cushioning effects as the sole structure contacts a ground surface.
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate how the members and apertures may change under applied compressive forces, generally applied in the vertical direction.
  • article 900 has sole structure 910 with members 912 similar to the size and shape of the components described in FIGS. 2 through 6 .
  • the enlarged view of FIG. 10 shows several members and apertures in isolation from the other members and apertures.
  • first interior member 914, second interior member 916, third interior member 918, and fourth interior member 920 can be seen with no compressive forces applied.
  • interior aperture 922, first peripheral aperture 924 and second peripheral aperture 926 may be initially open.
  • members 912 may be in a rotated configuration as explained previously.
  • members 912 may have a first thickness 928.
  • first thickness 928 may be uniform throughout sole structure 910. In some other embodiments, as explained previously, first thickness 928 may vary.
  • compressive forces 932 are applied in a vertical direction.
  • compressive forces 932 will compress members 912 so that the thickness of members 912 is decreased to second thickness 934, which is substantially less than first thickness 928.
  • members 912 may partially expand in the horizontal directions due to mass conservation (i.e., as the material dimensions are reduced in the vertical direction the material dimensions are increased in the horizontal directions). This may further cause one or more apertures to decrease in size.
  • interior aperture 922 may shrink in size (e.g., in cross-sectional area).
  • first peripheral aperture 924 and second peripheral aperture 926 may also may shrink in size.
  • each individual sole member expands horizontally under compressive forces, the surface area of each sole member in contact with a ground surface may increase.
  • a length 970 of fourth interior member 920 in the un-compressed state of FIG. 10 may be increased to a length 972 in the compressed state of FIG. 11 . This may allow for increased traction with a ground surface as an article contacts the ground and compresses slightly.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
EP15820999.9A 2015-03-10 2015-12-18 Footwear soles with auxetic structures Active EP3267824B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/643,145 US9554624B2 (en) 2013-09-18 2015-03-10 Footwear soles with auxetic material
PCT/US2015/066895 WO2016144407A2 (en) 2015-03-10 2015-12-18 Footwear soles with auxetic structures

Publications (2)

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EP3267824A2 EP3267824A2 (en) 2018-01-17
EP3267824B1 true EP3267824B1 (en) 2021-05-26

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EP (1) EP3267824B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN107427106B (zh)
TW (2) TWI678166B (zh)
WO (1) WO2016144407A2 (zh)

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DK3790423T3 (da) 2018-05-08 2021-11-15 Puma SE Sål til en sko, navnlig en sportssko
WO2019214815A1 (de) 2018-05-08 2019-11-14 Puma SE Verfahren zur herstellung einer sohle eines schuhs, insbesondere eines sportschuhs

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EP2702884A1 (en) * 2012-08-31 2014-03-05 Under Armour, Inc. Articles of apparel including auxetic materials
WO2014151045A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-25 President And Fellows Of Harvard College Low porosity auxetic sheet
WO2016032626A1 (en) * 2014-08-27 2016-03-03 Nike Innovate C.V. Auxetic sole with upper cabling

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US7555687B2 (en) * 2005-07-20 2009-06-30 Texas Instruments Incorporated Sequential scan technique for testing integrated circuits with reduced power, time and/or cost
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US20110059291A1 (en) * 2009-09-07 2011-03-10 Boyce Christopher M Structured materials with tailored isotropic and anisotropic poisson's ratios including negative and zero poisson's ratios
EP2702884A1 (en) * 2012-08-31 2014-03-05 Under Armour, Inc. Articles of apparel including auxetic materials
WO2014151045A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-25 President And Fellows Of Harvard College Low porosity auxetic sheet
WO2016032626A1 (en) * 2014-08-27 2016-03-03 Nike Innovate C.V. Auxetic sole with upper cabling

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CN107427106B (zh) 2020-06-16
TW201632100A (zh) 2016-09-16
TWI669078B (zh) 2019-08-21
CN107427106A (zh) 2017-12-01
WO2016144407A2 (en) 2016-09-15
TWI678166B (zh) 2019-12-01
EP3267824A2 (en) 2018-01-17
TW201828848A (zh) 2018-08-16

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