US 12,453,393 B2
Golf shoe with spring plate
Keith M. Duffy, Whitman, MA (US); Robert S. Bento, Raynham, MA (US); and Jean-Marie Bidal, Marlborough, MA (US)
Assigned to Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US)
Filed by Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US)
Filed on Sep. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/476,707.
Application 18/476,707 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/970,817, filed on Oct. 21, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/490,070, filed on Mar. 14, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0130466 A1, Apr. 25, 2024
Prior Publication US 2024/0225183 A9, Jul. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. A43B 13/18 (2006.01); A43B 5/00 (2022.01); A43B 13/02 (2022.01); A43B 13/12 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 13/186 (2013.01) [A43B 5/001 (2013.01); A43B 13/026 (2013.01); A43B 13/122 (2013.01); A43B 13/125 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A golf shoe, comprising:
an upper; and
a sole assembly connected to the upper, the sole assembly comprising:
a midsole;
an outsole; and
an elastic member integrated with at least one of the midsole or outsole, wherein the elastic member comprises a superior portion, an inferior portion, and at least one curved portion extending between the superior portion and the inferior portion, wherein the superior portion of the elastic member comprises:
(i) a first member and a second member extending towards a posterior end of the sole assembly, wherein the first and second members are spaced apart with a gap therebetween to facilitate a movement of the first and second members relative to each other or a movement of the first or second member relative to another portion of the elastic member, and
(ii) a third member and a fourth member extending towards an anterior end of the sole assembly, wherein the third member and the fourth member converge at or near the anterior end of the sole assembly, and
wherein the inferior portion of the elastic member comprises (i) a first set of arms extending across a forefoot region of the sole assembly and (ii) a second set of arms extending from a rearfoot region of the sole assembly and across a midfoot region of the sole assembly to the forefoot region of the sole assembly,
wherein the second set of arms is configured to extend upwards towards a central portion of the superior portion of the elastic member to form a U-shaped or V-shaped profile that enhances an elastic response of the midfoot region of the sole assembly.