NIKE has been granted a patent for an adjustable heel support member with a fastening member that allows for resizing. The invention includes a heel cup with a fastener receiving portion and a guard for capturing and retaining a fastener, providing improved comfort and fit in footwear. GlobalData’s report on NIKE gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
According to GlobalData’s company profile on NIKE, AI-assisted fitness tracking was a key innovation area identified from patents. NIKE's grant share as of February 2024 was 78%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Adjustable heel support member for footwear with fastening member
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11918075B2) discloses a heel closure apparatus for an article of footwear. The apparatus includes a heel cup with a side lobe and a central lobe, a fastener receiving portion at the distal end of the side lobe, and a guard near the fastener receiving portion. The fastener receiving portion is designed to capture and retain a fastener, while the guard features a first ramp portion and a cross-bar. Additionally, the apparatus includes mirror image medial and lateral fastener receiving portions, each with a guide channel for the fastener, and a central fastener receiving portion with a central gap for the fastener.
Furthermore, the patent describes an article of footwear incorporating the heel closure apparatus. The footwear includes an upper, a sole structure, and a heel cup with a base portion sandwiched between the upper and sole structure. The heel cup features a side lobe, a central lobe, and fastener receiving portions at the distal ends of the side and lateral lobes. The design allows for the capture and retention of a fastener, with mirror image medial and lateral fastener receiving portions and a central fastener receiving portion with guide channels. The unique U-shape geometry of the base portion sets this article of footwear apart, with the heel cup being a distinct and separate component from both the upper and sole structure.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
