Nike patents shoe sole with flexible struts for better cushioning
Nike has filed a patent for a new shoe sole design that uses a frame made of alternating support structures. These structures contain small struts that bend when you step on them, helping to absorb impact.
In the filing’s own words
A sole structure includes a support frame including (i) a first plurality of alternating support structures defining a first upper support structure and a first lower support structure adjacent to the first upper support structure and (ii) a second plurality of alternating support structures defining a second upper support structure disposed adjacent to the first lower support structure and a second lower support structure disposed adjacent to each of the first upper support structure and the second upper support structure, each of the support structures including one or more struts configured to flex when a compressive force is applied to the support frame.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a support frame including (i) a first plurality of alternating support structures defining a first upper support structure and a first lower support structure adjacent to the first upper support structure and (ii) a second plurality of alternating support structures defining a second upper support structure disposed adjacent to the first lower support structure and a second lower support structure disposed adjacent to each of the first upper support structure and the second upper support structure, each of the support structures including one or more struts configured to flex when a compressive force is applied to the support frame.
Facts
- Company
- Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
- Official title
- SOLE STRUCTURE FOR ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
- Publication number
- US20260283305A1
- Application number
- 19567967
- Filed
- Mar 16, 2026
- Published
- Sep 24, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
A43B 13/141 Human necessitiesA43B 3/0036 Human necessitiesA43B 13/185 Human necessitiesMore from Nike in Clothing & sport
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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.