US 7,555,851 B2
Article of footwear having a fluid-filled chamber with flexion zones
K. Pieter Hazenberg, Portland, Oreg. (US); John F. Swigart, Portland, Oreg. (US); and Tobie D. Hatfield, Lake Oswego, Oreg. (US)
Assigned to Nike, Inc., Beaverton, Oreg. (US)
Filed on Jan. 24, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/338,601.
Prior Publication US 2007/0169379 A1, Jul. 26, 2007
Int. Cl. A43B 13/18 (2006.01); A43B 13/20 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 36—102  [36/29] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure comprising:
a midsole element defining a first midsole portion and a second midsole portion separated by a midsole flexion zone, the midsole flexion zone extending in a longitudinal direction and from a forefoot region of the footwear to a heel region of the footwear, the first midsole portion being rotatable with respect to the second midsole portion at the midsole flexion zone, the midsole flexion zone being an indentation in the midsole that extends through at least one-half of a distance between a lower surface and an upper surface of the midsole element; and
a fluid-filled chamber having a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion isolated from fluid communication with each other by a chamber flexion zone, the chamber flexion zone being a bond between opposite sides of the chamber and extending in the longitudinal direction and from the forefoot region of the footwear to the heel region of the footwear, the first chamber portion being rotatable with respect to the second chamber portion at the chamber flexion zone,
wherein the first chamber portion is coupled to the first midsole portion, the second chamber portion is coupled to the second midsole portion, and the chamber flexion zone is aligned with the midsole flexion zone.