NIKE has patented a unique sole structure for footwear, featuring a fluid-filled bladder in the heel region with specific segments for support and comfort. The design includes an outer sole member with a rib defining a cavity. GlobalData’s report on NIKE gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
Smarter leaders trust GlobalData
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 March 2024 was 77%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Fluid-filled bladder sole structure for footwear
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11963579B2) discloses a unique sole structure for an article of footwear. The sole structure includes a forefoot region, a heel region, and a mid-foot region, with a fluid-filled bladder located in the heel region. This bladder features an arcuate segment near the posterior end of the sole, along with segments on the medial and lateral sides, creating a pocket. An inner sole member within the pocket has a bulge near the arcuate segment and a thinner segment towards the forefoot region. Additionally, an outer sole member with a rib in the forefoot region cooperates with the bladder to define a cavity and recess extending from the forefoot to the heel region.
Furthermore, the patent details various configurations and features of the sole structure, including the cooperation between the fluid-filled bladder, outer sole member, and inner sole member to create a continuous sidewall around the inner sole. The rib on the outer sole member varies in width across different regions of the sole, and the bladder tapers in thickness towards the distal ends. The patent also mentions the inclusion of traction elements on the sole structure, such as protuberances and serrations, for improved grip. Overall, the patent highlights a novel design for a sole structure in footwear, emphasizing comfort, support, and traction for the wearer.
To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on NIKE, buy the report here.
Data Insights
From
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.
GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
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.
