US 12,239,183 B2
Article of footwear
Kevin W. Hoffer, Portland, OR (US); Cassidy R. Levy, West Linn, OR (US); and Brian Linkfield, Beaverton, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Mar. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/179,090.
Application 18/179,090 is a continuation of application No. 16/933,085, filed on Jul. 20, 2020, granted, now 11,607,009.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/923,655, filed on Oct. 21, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/878,688, filed on Jul. 25, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0200490 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. A43B 13/18 (2006.01); A43B 1/00 (2006.01); A43B 7/144 (2022.01); A43B 7/1485 (2022.01); A43B 13/12 (2006.01); A43B 13/14 (2006.01); A43B 13/42 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 13/186 (2013.01) [A43B 1/0072 (2013.01); A43B 7/144 (2013.01); A43B 7/1485 (2013.01); A43B 13/125 (2013.01); A43B 13/146 (2013.01); A43B 13/188 (2013.01); A43B 13/42 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
a cushioning element having a top surface and a bottom surface formed on an opposite side of the cushioning element from the top surface, the cushioning element including at least one rib that defines at least a portion of a ground-engaging surface;
an outsole attached to the cushioning element, forming a first portion of a sidewall of the sole structure, and including a first surface opposing the cushioning element and a second surface formed on an opposite side of the outsole than the first surface and further defining the ground-engaging surface, the first surface including a first portion spaced apart from the bottom surface of the cushioning element to define a heel pocket;
a plurality of cushioning particles disposed within the heel pocket and being visible through the first portion of the sidewall, the plurality of cushioning particles being isolated within the heel pocket by the at least one rib; and
a plurality of pillars extending from the bottom surface of the cushioning element in a direction toward the ground-engaging surface, the plurality of pillars being arranged along an arcuate path in a heel region of the sole structure.