US 11,986,052 B2
Sole structures with midfoot gaps and forefoot bladders in reinforcing cages for articles of footwear
Kort W. Neumann, IV, Portland, OR (US); and Bryan K. Youngs, Beaverton, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Jun. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/835,386.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/208,961, filed on Jun. 9, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0395057 A1, Dec. 15, 2022
Int. Cl. A43B 13/20 (2006.01); A43B 13/04 (2006.01); A43B 13/12 (2006.01); A43B 13/18 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 13/20 (2013.01) [A43B 13/04 (2013.01); A43B 13/125 (2013.01); A43B 13/188 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
16. A method of manufacturing a sole structure for an article of footwear, the article of footwear having an upper with a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a hindfoot region, the method comprising: forming an outsole with an outsole upper surface and an outsole lower surface opposite the outsole upper surface, the outsole lower surface defining a ground-engaging surface of the footwear; forming a midsole including: a first midsole segment including a first cushion configured to attach to the hindfoot region of the upper, the first cushion including a first cushion ledge projecting from the hindfoot region into the midfoot region, and a second midsole segment including a second cushion and a fluid-filled bladder each configured to attach to the forefoot region of the upper such that the second midsole segment is spaced from the first midsole segment by a midfoot gap, the second cushion including a second cushion ledge projecting from the forefoot region into the midfoot region; attaching the first cushion of the first midsole segment to the outsole upper surface; attaching the second cushion and the fluid-filled bladder to the outsole upper surface such that the fluid-filled bladder is spaced from the second cushion by a first forefoot gap and such that the second cushion ledge is located underneath and spaced from the first cushion ledge by the midfoot gap; forming a cage configured to at least partially surround the second midsole segment, the cage including a cage plate and a plurality of cage wings projecting from opposing medial and lateral sides of the cage plate, the cage plate configured to attach to the upper; attaching the cage plate to the fluid-filled bladder; and inserting the cage wings between the second cushion and the outsole.