US 11,717,052 B2
Article of footwear with a midsole assembly having a perimeter bladder element, a method of manufacturing and a mold assembly for same
Margarita L. Cortez, Portland, OR (US); Zachary M. Elder, Portland, OR (US); Lee D. Peyton, Tigard, OR (US); and Hector R. Quinonez, Beaverton, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Sep. 16, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/22,591.
Application 16/053,368 is a division of application No. 14/832,347, filed on Aug. 21, 2015, granted, now 10,070,690, issued on Sep. 11, 2018.
Application 17/022,591 is a continuation of application No. 16/053,368, filed on Aug. 2, 2018, granted, now 10,806,215.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/073,260, filed on Oct. 31, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2020/0405009 A1, Dec. 31, 2020
Int. Cl. A43B 3/00 (2022.01); A43B 13/12 (2006.01); A43B 13/20 (2006.01); B29D 35/12 (2010.01)
CPC A43B 13/20 (2013.01) [A43B 3/0063 (2013.01); A43B 13/12 (2013.01); A43B 13/127 (2013.01); A43B 13/206 (2013.01); B29D 35/122 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An article of footwear comprising:
a midsole assembly including a fluid-filled bladder element; and
a rim extending along a peripheral region of the fluid-filled bladder element without extending transversely across the fluid-filled bladder element from a medial side of the fluid-filled bladder element to a lateral side of the fluid-filled bladder element;
wherein the fluid-filled bladder element has a convex upper surface at an upper extent of the fluid-filled bladder element; wherein the rim has a concave lower surface that is secured to the convex upper surface of the fluid-filled bladder element;
wherein the fluid-filled bladder element has a base portion, a peak, an outward-facing surface extending from the base portion to the peak, and an inward-facing surface extending from the base portion to the peak and meeting the outward-facing surface at the peak; and
wherein the fluid-filled bladder element tapers from the base portion to the peak such that the outward-facing surface slopes inwardly from the base portion to the peak in the absence of at least a threshold loading force.