Nike patents shoe sole with internal plates for cushioning
Nike has been granted a patent for a shoe sole design that combines two different cushioning materials. The structure uses internal upper and lower plates to hold the materials together within a specific pocket in the sole.
In the filing’s own words
A sole structure includes a first cushioning element having a first top side and a bottom side formed on an opposite side from the first top side and defining a receptacle. The sole structure further includes a second cushioning element attached to the first cushioning element and having a second top side flush with the first top side of the first cushioning element. An upper plate is disposed within the receptacle and including a first end attached to the first cushioning element and a second end attached to the second cushioning element. A lower plate spaced is apart from the upper plate and includes a third end attached to the first cushioning element and a fourth end attached to the second cushioning element. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the receptacle of the first cushioning element and attached to each of the upper plate and the lower plate.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a first cushioning element including a first top side and a bottom side formed on an opposite side from the first top side, a first end and a second end opposing the first end and defining a receptacle, and an arcuate projection extending along a lateral edge of the first cushioning element; a second cushioning element attached to the first cushioning element, including a second top side flush with the first top side of the first cushioning element, and including an upper socket, the second end of the first cushioning element being received in the upper socket; and at least one plate extending along the receptacle and including one end attached to the first cushioning element and another end attached to the upper socket of the second cushioning element, a top side of the at least one plate being flush with the first top side of the first cushioning element.
Facts
- Company
- Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
- Official title
- Article of footwear
- Patent number
- US12765633B2
- Application number
- 19051962
- Filed
- Feb 12, 2025
- Granted
- Oct 20, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 18
Classified under
A43B 13/12 Human necessitiesA43B 13/16 Human necessitiesA43B 13/186 Human necessitiesA43B 13/37 Human necessitiesA43B 13/41 Human necessitiesMore from Nike in Clothing & sport
- Nike patents clothing that stiffens instantly to protect against impacts Sep 15, 2026
- Nike patents underwear with electric straps that adjust tightness Sep 17, 2026
- Nike patents fabric that tightens when it gets wet Oct 15, 2026
- Nike patents shoe that pumps fluid to heel for cushioning Sep 8, 2026
- Nike patents top with built-in pocket for breast pumps Oct 1, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.