US 6,973,746 B2
Soccer shoe having independently supported lateral and medial sidesGeneral
US 6,973,746 B2
Soccer shoe having independently supported lateral and medial sides
Tech Center:
3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing and Medical Devices/Processes
Examiner:
Ted Kavanaugh
Art Unit:
3728 Manufacturing Devices and Processes, Machine Tools and Hand Tools
Agent:
Inventors:
Perry W. Auger; Peter A. Hudson; Erez Morag; TIMM FLINTOFF
Assignee:
Priority:
07/25/03
Filed:
07/25/03
Granted:
12/13/05
Expiration:
11/11/23
Abstract
A soccer shoe includes an upper and a cleat assembly coupled to the upper. The cleat assembly further includes a medial support bar located on the medial side and a lateral support bar located on the lateral side. A portion of the cleat assembly located near a midfoot section of the medial support bar is stiffer than a portion of the cleat assembly located near a midfoot section of the lateral support bar. The medial support bar extends approximately from a region corresponding to the rear of the calcaneous of a properly fitted wearer to approximately the head of the first metatarsal of the wearer. The lateral support bar extends approximately from a region corresponding to the rear of the calcaneous of the wearer to approximately the head of the fifth metatarsal of the wearer. The cleat assembly is bonded to a cushioning midsole formed from heated and compressed ethylene vinyl acetate foam. The upper lacks a full-length lasting board and is bonded directly to the cushioning midsole. A lining covers a padded collar and extends inside a foot-receiving region of the shoe, with a portion of the foot-receiving region around a wearer's heel being substantially free of discontinuities.
Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)
A43A43B1/0072A43B