US 12,302,980 B2
Footwear sole and related method of use
Ian M. Cobb, Rockford, MI (US)
Assigned to Wolverine Outdoors, Inc., Rockford, MI (US)
Filed by Wolverine Outdoors, Inc., Rockford, MI (US)
Filed on Feb. 28, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/590,372.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/540,402, filed on Sep. 26, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/469,995, filed on May 31, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0398060 A1, Dec. 5, 2024
Int. Cl. A43B 13/02 (2022.01); A43B 13/14 (2006.01); A43B 13/37 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 13/02 (2013.01) [A43B 13/145 (2013.01); A43B 13/146 (2013.01); A43B 13/37 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sole assembly comprising:
an upper midsole extending along a longitudinal axis and including a first upper pillar on a lateral side of the longitudinal axis, a second upper pillar disposed forward of the first upper pillar on the lateral side and separated from the first upper pillar by an upper lateral void that extends toward the longitudinal axis, a third upper pillar disposed on a medial side of the longitudinal axis, and a fourth upper pillar disposed forward of the third upper pillar on the medial side and separated from the third upper pillar by an upper medial void that extends toward the longitudinal axis;
a lower midsole including a top surface that faces toward the first upper pillar, the second upper pillar, the third upper pillar and the fourth upper pillar, and an opposing bottom surface, and including a first lower pillar on the lateral side, a second lower pillar disposed forward of the first lower pillar on the lateral side and separated from the first lower pillar by a lower lateral void that extends toward the longitudinal axis, the lower lateral void vertically aligned with the upper lateral void, a third lower pillar disposed on a medial side, and a fourth lower pillar disposed forward of the third lower pillar on the medial side and separated from the third lower pillar by a lower medial void that extends toward the longitudinal axis, the lower medial void vertically aligned with the upper medial void; and
a plate sandwiched between the upper midsole and the lower midsole, the plate including a lateral plate edge and a medial plate edge, the plate including a plate upper surface and a plate lower surface, the plate extending between the first upper pillar and the second upper pillar, and separating the upper lateral void from the lower lateral void, the plate upper surface facing upward toward the upper lateral void, the plate lower surface facing downward toward the lower lateral void,
wherein the upper lateral void and the lower lateral void extend to a lateral side of the sole assembly and are exposed and visible from a lateral side view of the sole assembly,
wherein a portion of the lateral plate edge between the upper lateral void and the lower lateral void is exposed and visible from the lateral side view of the sole assembly.