US 12,245,657 B2
Sole comprising individually deflectable reinforcing members, shoe with such a sole, and method for the manufacture of such items
Robbie Paterson, Nuremberg (DE); Harry Miles, Nuremberg (DE); Daniel Ruiz, Erlangen (DE); Fabian Schweizer, Nuremberg (DE); Sam Forester, Nuremberg (DE); Falk Bruns, Nuremberg (DE); Peter Valdivia, Nuremberg (DE); Jochen Bartl, Langensendelbach (DE); Tobias Biegel, Großhabersdorf (DE); Valentin Perrin, Nuremberg (DE); Jürgen Weidl, Aurachtal (DE); Matthias Schmitt, Nuremberg (DE); Heiko Schlarb, Neustadt an der Aisch (DE); Alejandro Alcaniz, Nuremberg (DE); and Ronny Herman Gerard Groeneveld, Vreden (DE)
Assigned to adidas AG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed by adidas AG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed on Sep. 18, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/469,085.
Application 18/469,085 is a continuation of application No. 17/179,785, filed on Feb. 19, 2021, granted, now 11,779,077.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 202 237.2 (DE), filed on Feb. 21, 2020; and application No. 21151933 (EP), filed on Jan. 15, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0008595 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. A43B 13/14 (2006.01); A43B 5/06 (2022.01); A43B 7/14 (2022.01); A43B 7/1445 (2022.01); B29D 35/00 (2010.01); B29D 35/12 (2010.01)
CPC A43B 13/14 (2013.01) [A43B 5/06 (2013.01); A43B 7/14 (2013.01); A43B 7/1445 (2013.01); B29D 35/0009 (2013.01); B29D 35/122 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sole for a shoe, the sole comprising:
a plurality of reinforcing members comprising at least three reinforcing members, wherein:
each one of the plurality of reinforcing member comprises a portion extending in a front half of the sole,
a first one of the reinforcing member extends rearwardly and forms a first section of the reinforcing members behind a midfoot area of the sole,
a second one of the reinforcing members extends rearwardly and forms a second section of the reinforcing members behind the midfoot area of the sole, and
the first section and the second section merge into each other in a heel area to form a loop shape and are configured to be disposed below and support a heel of a wearer,
wherein the plurality of reinforcing members converge in a connection region, and wherein a rearward end of the connection region is disposed forward of the loop shape.