Article of footwear, elements thereof, and related methods of manufacturing

• Main Authors: Brian Keating, David Bond
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.12.2019
• Subjects: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; FOOTWEAR; HUMAN NECESSITIES; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR

An article of footwear 10 comprising a midsole 30, an outsole 32 and a shank 34 on top of the outsole, the outsole comprising first and second portions, the first portion 22 located at the forefoot of the article, and the second portion 20 extending from the first portion to the arch region of the article; the second portion being configured to contact the midsole at the arch portion in a compressed state, and configured to leave a gap 54 in an uncompressed state; the heel portion is configured to contact the ground without the second portion extending between the heel portion and the ground surface; the shank comprising a base (58, fig. 2) and a ramp (62, fig. 2), the base being movable relative to the ramp as the article changes from a compressed to an uncompressed state; at least part of the base is coupled to the second portion of the outsole and at least part of the ramp is coupled to the midsole so that in the uncompressed state the base portion coupled to the outsole is below the gap, and the ramp portion coupled to the midsole is above the gap. The ramp may be substantially parallel to the base in a compressed state.