Adidas

The present disclosure relates to an upper (101) for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, the upper (101) comprising a ball contact area (140) comprising: a. one or more functional elements (160); b. one or more guiding elements (151); c. wherein one or more of the one or more guiding elements (151) are arranged with respect to one or more of the one or more functional elements (160) such that at least one path (155) is formed configured to at least partially guide a ball upon contact with the ball.

The present invention relates to a method (100) for manufacturing an apparel or footwear (240), preferably of a sports shoe (260), comprising the steps of: (a.) providing (110) a liquified polymer (230); (b.) arranging (120) the liquified polymer onto a support layer (250) via a stencil with one or more cutouts, wherein the liquified polymer is applied through one or more cutouts of the stencil; thereby printing the liquified polymer on the support layer in a pattern; (c.) optionally removing (130) the stencil, and (d.) curing (140) the printed liquified polymer onto the support layer (250), thereby obtaining (150) the apparel or footwear (240) or at least a part thereof. Other aspects of the present invention relate to an apparel or footwear and an outsole manufactured according to the method and a sports shoe comprising an apparel or footwear or an outsole.

Sole plates for an article of footwear, the sole plates comprising a single piece, integrally formed metal plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plate thickness measured from the top surface to the bottom surface. The sole plates can comprise a protrusion formed in the metal plate and a corresponding bump on the bottom surface of the metal plate. The protrusion can comprise a cavity surface defined by the top surface of the metal plate, a protruding surface defined by the bottom surface of the metal plate, and a wall thickness measured from the cavity surface to the protruding surface. The plate thickness and the wall thickness can be greater than or equal to 0.01 mm and less than or equal to 0.5 mm. The metal plate can be formed by a method comprising stamping, deep drawing, incremental sheet forming, or a combination thereof.

A cleat for an article of footwear is provided that inhibits clogging by debris. The cleat includes a base having a first side configured to face toward a ground surface and a second side opposite the first side. The first side has a domed surface with a convex curvature. The cleat further includes a plurality of arms extending radially from the first side of the base. Each of the arms has a first end coupled to the base and a second end extending away from the base. At least one arm has a first side configured to face toward the ground surface that includes a first surface extending from the first end to the second end. The first surface has no protrusions or ridges having a dimension greater than 0.5 mm.

An aspect of the present invention relates to cushioning element (100) adapted to be arranged at a sole plate of a shoe, preferably a football shoe. The cushioning element comprises a grid structure (110), wherein the grid structure (110) is arranged in a spiral pattern. Further aspects relate to a sole plate adapted to be arranged at a shoe and a shoe comprising the sole plate and the cushioning element.

This invention relates to a method of fabricating a sports article comprising a knitting process. the knitting process comprises the steps: a.) providing a knitting machine, yarn for knitting, and at least one insert element; b.) knitting a fabric such that the fabric comprises at least one open void between at least two layers of the fabric; c.) inserting at least one insert element into the at least one open void while the fabric remains in the knitting machine; and d.) further knitting the fabric such that the at least one void is closed at least partially around the insert element(s) by connecting the at least two layers. The invention further relates to a sports article.

The present invention relates to a shoe upper, in particular for a sports shoe, comprising a layered structure having a first layer, a second layer, and an intermediate foam layer between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the intermediate foam layer comprises a polyamide, PA, foam material. The present invention also relates to a sports shoe comprising such a shoe upper.

The present invention relates to a sole element (100) adapted to be arranged in a shoe, preferably a sports shoe. The sole element (100) is a strobel board (120) and/or an insole. The sole element (100) comprises means for stiffening (110) at least a portion (105a) of the sole element (100), wherein the at least a portion (105a) of the sole element (100) is located at least in a region adapted to receive a forefoot. The sole element (100) is adapted to be arranged in the shoe when wearing the shoe.

Improved soles for shoes, in particular sports shoes, are described. In one aspect of the invention, a sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, is provided that comprises a midsole comprising randomly arranged particles of an expanded material. The sole further comprises an element which comprises a higher deformation stiffness in at least one direction than the expanded material. The material of the midsole surrounds the element at least partially.

A bootie for an upper of an article of footwear, in particular for a sports shoe, comprises a set of basic pattern pieces made of a layered structure comprising at least one membrane and at least one extension piece made of thinner and more elastic material than the material of the basic pattern pieces and at least partially creating a top line of the bootie at an ankle region of the user when in use. The at least one extension piece is connected to the set of basic pattern pieces along at least one first connection line. The bootie further comprises a lining piece being stitched to the at least one extension piece along a top part of the lining piece and covers the at least one extension piece and the set of basic pattern pieces on the inside of the bootie when in use. The lining piece covers the at least one first connection line. The at least one extension piece thereby creates a link between basic pattern pieces and lining piece.