SOLE STRUCTURE FOR ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S. C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/703,496, filed on Oct. 4, 2024. The disclosure of this prior application is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an article of footwear, and more particularly, to a cushion for an article of footwear

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

Articles of footwear conventionally include an upper and a sole structure. The upper may be formed from any suitable material(s) to receive, secure, and support a foot on the sole structure. The upper may cooperate with laces, straps, or other fasteners to adjust the fit of the upper around the foot. A bottom portion of the upper, proximate to a bottom surface of the foot, attaches to the sole structure.

Sole structures generally include a layered arrangement extending between a ground surface and the upper. For example, a sole structure may include a midsole and an outsole. The midsole is generally disposed between the outsole and the upper and provides cushioning for the foot. The midsole may include a pressurized fluid-filled chamber that compresses resiliently under an applied load to cushion the foot by attenuating ground-reaction forces. The outsole provides abrasion-resistance and traction with the ground surface and may be formed from rubber or other materials that impart durability and wear-resistance, as well as enhance traction with the ground surface.

While known sole structures adequately provide cushioning and support during wear, such sole structures generally provide a uniform level of cushioning and support over wide areas of the sole structure. Accordingly, conventional sole structures are not able to be tuned such that specific regions of the sole structure provide targeted cushioning and responsiveness.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a medial perspective view of an article of footwear incorporating a sole structure in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a lateral perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top exploded view of the sole structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom exploded view of the sole structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of FIG. 1 taken along Line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a medial perspective view of an article of footwear incorporating a sole structure in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a lateral perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top exploded view of the sole structure of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a bottom exploded view of the sole structure of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of FIG. 6 taken along Line 10-10 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a side view of an article of footwear incorporating a sole structure in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a side view of an article of footwear incorporating a sole structure in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13 is a side view of an article of footwear incorporating a sole structure in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

In one configuration, a sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a midsole having a first surface opposing the upper and a second surface formed on an opposite side of the midsole than the first surface and defining a ground-engaging surface, the midsole including an aperture (i) formed through and defined by a material of the midsole, (ii) extending from a medial side of the midsole to a lateral side of the midsole, and (iii) tapering in height in a direction extending from a heel region of the sole structure to a forefoot region of the sole structure.

The sole structure may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the midsole may include an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being attached to the lower portion at a junction. The upper portion may define the first surface and the lower portion may define the second surface. Additionally or alternatively, the upper portion may define a first portion of the aperture and the lower portion may define a second portion of the aperture. The first portion may include a different shape than the second portion.

In another configuration, the material of the midsole may comprise foam. A plate may be disposed within the midsole. The plate may extend into the aperture. Additionally or alternatively, the aperture may be disposed in a midfoot region of the sole structure.

An article of footwear may incorporate the sole structure.

In another configuration, a sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a midsole having an upper portion defining a first surface opposing the upper and a lower portion defining a second surface formed on an opposite side of the midsole than the first surface and defining a ground-engaging surface, the midsole including an aperture (i) formed through and defined by a material of the midsole, (ii) extending from a medial side of the midsole to a lateral side of the midsole, and (iii) defined by opposing surfaces of the upper portion and the lower portion.

The sole structure may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the upper portion may be attached to the lower portion at a junction, the upper portion being spaced apart from the lower portion at the junction to define the aperture. The upper portion may include a third surface formed on an opposite side of the upper portion than the first surface and the lower portion may include a fourth surface formed on an opposite side of the lower portion than the second surface, the third surface being attached to the fourth surface at a junction. The third surface may be spaced apart from the fourth surface at the junction to define the aperture. Additionally or alternatively, the third surface may include a first length measured in a first direction extending from a heel region of the sole structure to a forefoot region of the sole structure and the fourth surface may include a second length measured in the first direction and being greater than the first length.

In one configuration, the material of the midsole may comprise foam. A plate may be disposed within the midsole and may extend into the aperture. Additionally or alternatively, the aperture may be disposed in a midfoot region of the sole structure. Further, the aperture may taper in a direction extending from a heel region of the sole structure to a forefoot region of the sole structure.

An article of footwear may incorporate the sole structure.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, an article of footwear 10 includes a sole structure 100 and an upper 200 attached to the sole structure 100. The footwear 10 and, thus, the sole structure 100, may further include an anterior end 12 associated with a forward-most point of the footwear 10, and a posterior end 14 corresponding to a rearward-most point of the footwear 10. As shown in FIG. 2, a longitudinal axis A10 of the footwear 10 extends along a length of the footwear 10 from the anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14 parallel to a ground surface, and generally divides the footwear 10 and the sole structure 100 into a medial side 16 and a lateral side 18. Accordingly, the medial side 16 and the lateral side 18 respectively correspond with opposite sides of the footwear 10 and extend from the anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14. As used herein, a longitudinal direction refers to the direction extending from the anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14, while a lateral direction refers to the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and extending from the medial side 16 to the lateral side 18.

The article of footwear 10 may be divided into one or more regions. The regions may include a forefoot region 20, a mid-foot region 22, and a heel region 24. The forefoot region 20 may be subdivided into a toe portion 20T corresponding with phalanges and a ball portion 20B associated with metatarsal bones of a foot. The mid-foot region 22 may correspond with an arch area of the foot, and the heel region 24 may correspond with rear portions of the foot, including a calcaneus bone.

The article of footwear 10, and more particularly, the sole structure 100, may be further described as including a peripheral region 26 and an interior region 28, as indicated in FIG. 3. The peripheral region 26 is generally described as defining an outer perimeter of the sole structure 100. Particularly, the peripheral region 26 extends from the forefoot region 20 to the heel region 24 along each of the medial side 16 and the lateral side 18, and wraps around each of the forefoot region 20 and the heel region 24. The interior region 28 is circumscribed by the peripheral region 26 and extends from the forefoot region 20 to the heel region 24 along a central portion of the sole structure 100. Accordingly, each of the forefoot region 20, the mid-foot region 22, and the heel region 24 may be described as including the peripheral region 26 and the interior region 28.

The upper 200 forms an enclosure defining an interior void 102 and an ankle opening 104, which cooperate to receive and secure a foot for support on the sole structure 100. The upper 200 may be formed from one or more materials that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to define the interior void 102. Suitable materials of the upper 200 may include, but are not limited to, textiles, foam, leather, and synthetic leather. The example upper 200 may be formed from a combination of one or more substantially inelastic or non-stretchable materials and one or more substantially elastic or stretchable materials disposed in different regions of the upper 200 to facilitate movement of the article of footwear 10 between the tightened state and the loosened state. The one or more elastic materials may include any combination of one or more elastic fabrics such as, without limitation, spandex, elastane, rubber or neoprene. The one or more inelastic materials may include any combination of one or more of thermoplastic polyurethanes, nylon, leather, vinyl, or another material/fabric that does not impart properties of elasticity.

The sole structure 100 is attached to the upper 200 and includes a midsole 30, an outsole 32, and a plate 34 disposed within the midsole 30. In one configuration, a strobel (not shown) of the upper 200 extends between the upper 200 and the midsole 30 and serves as an interface between the upper 200 and the midsole 30. In another configuration, a material forming the upper 200 extends between the upper 200 and the midsole 30 and likewise serves as an interface between the upper 200 and the midsole 30. The strobel or the portion of the upper 200 extending between the midsole 30 and the upper 200 serves as a footbed and may receive an insole or sockliner (not shown) within the interior void 102 to provide a cushioned foot-receiving surface within the interior void 102 of the upper 200.

The midsole 30 extends from the anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14 and between the medial side 16 and the lateral side 18. The midsole 30 includes a top surface 36 opposing the upper 200 and a bottom surface 38 disposed on an opposite side of the midsole 30 then the top surface 36. The top surface 36 includes a recess 40 defined by a flange 42 extending around a perimeter of the midsole 30. The recess 40 may cooperate with the upper 200 and the insole to define a footbed of the article of footwear 10. The flange 42 extends substantially uninterrupted around a perimeter of the midsole 30 from the medial side 16 to the lateral side 18. While the flange 42 may extend substantially uninterrupted around a perimeter of the midsole 30, the flange 42 may include an opening 44 at the anterior end 12 to allow a portion of the outsole 32 to extend up and over a portion of the midsole 30 at the anterior end 12.

The bottom surface 38 is attached to the outsole 32 and includes a channel 46 extending from an aperture 48 in a direction toward the heel region 24. As will be described in more detail below, the aperture 48 extends through the bottom surface 38 in a direction toward the upper 200 and partially through a thickness of the midsole 30 to expose the plate 34 at a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure 100.

In one configuration, the midsole 30 is formed from a resilient polymeric material such as foam. Example resilient polymeric materials for the midsole 30 may include those based on foaming or molding one or more polymers, such as one or more elastomers (e.g., thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)). The one or more polymers may include aliphatic polymers, aromatic polymers, or mixtures of both; and may include homopolymers, copolymers (including terpolymers), or mixtures of both.

In some aspects, the one or more polymers may include olefinic homopolymers, olefinic copolymers, or blends thereof. Examples of olefinic polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, and combinations thereof. In other aspects, the one or more polymers may include one or more ethylene copolymers, such as, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, EVOH copolymers, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-unsaturated mono-fatty acid copolymers, and combinations thereof.

In further aspects, the one or more polymers may include one or more polyacrylates, such as polyacrylic acid, esters of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylic acetate, polymethyl acrylate, polyethyl acrylate, polybutyl acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyvinyl acetate; including derivatives thereof, copolymers thereof, and any combinations thereof.

In yet further aspects, the one or more polymers may include one or more ionomeric polymers. In these aspects, the ionomeric polymers may include polymers with carboxylic acid functional groups, sulfonic acid functional groups, salts thereof (e.g., sodium, magnesium, potassium, etc.), and/or anhydrides thereof. For instance, the ionomeric polymer(s) may include one or more fatty acid-modified ionomeric polymers, polystyrene sulfonate, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, and combinations thereof.

In further aspects, the one or more polymers may include one or more styrenic block copolymers, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene block copolymers, styrene acrylonitrile block copolymers, styrene ethylene butylene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene butadiene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene propylene styrene block copolymers, styrene butadiene styrene block copolymers, and combinations thereof.

In further aspects, the one or more polymers may include one or more polyamide copolymers (e.g., polyamide-polyether copolymers) and/or one or more polyurethanes (e.g., cross-linked polyurethanes and/or thermoplastic polyurethanes). Examples of suitable polyurethanes include those discussed below with respect to the cushion assembly. Alternatively, the one or more polymers may include one or more natural and/or synthetic rubbers, such as butadiene and isoprene.

When the resilient polymeric material is a foamed polymeric material, the foamed material may be foamed using a physical blowing agent which phase transitions to a gas based on a change in temperature and/or pressure, or a chemical blowing agent which forms a gas when heated above its activation temperature. For example, the chemical blowing agent may be an azo compound such as azodicarbonamide, sodium bicarbonate, and/or an isocyanate.

In some embodiments, the foamed polymeric material may be a crosslinked foamed material. In these embodiments, a peroxide-based crosslinking agent such as dicumyl peroxide may be used. Furthermore, the foamed polymeric material may include one or more fillers such as pigments, modified or natural clays, modified or unmodified synthetic clays, talc glass fiber, powdered glass, modified or natural silica, calcium carbonate, mica, paper, wood chips, and the like.

The resilient polymeric material may be formed using a molding process. In one example, when the resilient polymeric material is a molded elastomer, the uncured elastomer (e.g., rubber) may be mixed in a Banbury mixer with an optional filler and a curing package such as a sulfur-based or peroxide-based curing package, calendared, formed into shape, placed in a mold, and vulcanized.

In another example, when the resilient polymeric material is a foamed material, the material may be foamed during a molding process, such as an injection molding process. A thermoplastic polymeric material may be melted in the barrel of an injection molding system and combined with a physical or chemical blowing agent and optionally a crosslinking agent, and then injected into a mold under conditions which activate the blowing agent, forming a molded foam.

Optionally, when the resilient polymeric material is a foamed material, the foamed material may be a compression molded foam. Compression molding may be used to alter the physical properties (e.g., density, stiffness and/or durometer) of a foam, or to alter the physical appearance of the foam (e.g., to fuse two or more pieces of foam, to shape the foam, etc.), or both.

The compression molding process desirably starts by forming one or more foam preforms, such as by injection molding and foaming a polymeric material, by forming foamed particles or beads, by cutting foamed sheet stock, and the like. The compression molded foam may then be made by placing the one or more preforms formed of foamed polymeric material(s) in a compression mold, and applying sufficient pressure to the one or more preforms to compress the one or more preforms in a closed mold. Once the mold is closed, sufficient heat and/or pressure is applied to the one or more preforms in the closed mold for a sufficient duration of time to alter the preform(s) by forming a skin on the outer surface of the compression molded foam, fuse individual foam particles to each other, permanently increase the density of the foam(s), or any combination thereof. Following the heating and/or application of pressure, the mold is opened and the molded foam article is removed from the mold.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the midsole 30 is shown as including an upper portion 50 and a lower portion 52. As will be described in greater detail below, the upper portion 50 is attached to the lower portion 52 to form the midsole 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the plate 34 is disposed between the upper portion 50 and the lower portion 52 and, as such, is disposed within the midsole 30.

The upper portion 50 includes the recess 40 and the flange 42 and, as such, acts as an interface between the midsole 30 and the upper 200. The upper portion 50 includes a recess 54 disposed on an opposite side of the upper portion 50 than the recess 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the recess 54 extends along the longitudinal axis A10 of the sole structure 100 and extends from the forefoot region 22 of the heel region 24. As shown, the recess 54 includes a shape that is similar to a shape of the plate 34. Accordingly, the recess 54 matingly receives the plate 34 when the plate 34 is installed in the midsole 30.

The recess 54 is bounded by an outer perimeter surface 56 of the upper portion 50. The outer perimeter surface 56 is likewise disposed on an opposite side of the upper portion 50 than the recess 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer perimeter surface 56 is offset from a bottom surface 58 of the recess 54 such that the outer perimeter surface 56 extends in a direction toward the outsole 32 to a greater extent than the bottom surface 58 of the recess 54. The outer perimeter surface 56 may extend from the bottom surface 58 a distance that is equivalent to a thickness of the plate 34. Accordingly, when the plate 34 is disposed within the recess 54, the plate 34 is substantially flush with the outer perimeter surface 56.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower portion 52 of the midsole 30 is shown as including a flange 60 extending from a top surface 62 thereof. The flange 60 extends from the medial side 16 of the sole structure 100 to the lateral side 18 of the sole structure 100 and, in so doing, forms a pocket 64 disposed in the heel region 24. As best shown in FIG. 5, the pocket 64 receives a portion of the upper portion 50 of the midsole 30 proximate to the posterior end 14 of the sole structure 100. In this region of the midsole 30, the upper portion 50 is in direct contact with the lower portion 52 such that the upper portion 50 is directly bonded or otherwise attached to the lower portion 52. Specifically, the outer perimeter surface 56 of the upper portion 50 may be bonded to the flange 60 of the lower portion 52 by a suitable adhesive, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the aperture 48 extends through a thickness of the lower portion 52 such that the aperture 48 is formed through the top surface 62 and the bottom surface 38. In one configuration, the aperture 48 is elongate and extends along the longitudinal axis A10 of the sole structure 100 between a first end 66 and a second end 68. The first end 66 is disposed within the midfoot region 22 proximate to a junction of the midfoot region 22 and the forefoot region 20 while the second end 68 is disposed within the heel region 24. While the first end 66 is described and shown as being disposed as in the midfoot region 22, the first end 66 could alternatively be disposed within the forefoot region 20. As shown, the aperture 48 extends along more than half of the overall length of the midsole 30.

The plate 34 is shown as including a top surface 70 opposing the upper portion 50 and a bottom surface 72 opposing the lower portion 52. The top surface 70 includes a concave portion 74 disposed in the forefoot region 20 and a substantially flat portion 76 disposed in the heel region 24. The bottom surface 72 includes a substantially convex portion 78 disposed within the forefoot region 20 and a substantially flat portion 80 disposed in the heel region 24. The plate 34 extends from a first end 82 disposed in the forefoot region 20 to a second end 84 disposed in the heel region 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the first end 82 of the plate 34 is spaced apart and separated from the anterior end 12 and the second end 84 of the plate 34 as spaced apart and separated from the posterior end 14 of the sole structure 100. Accordingly, the plate 34—while extending along most or a majority of the length of the sole structure 100 along the longitudinal axis A₁₀—does not extend along the entire sole structure 100 from the anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14. Rather, and as shown in FIG. 5, the flange 60 of the lower portion 52 extends between the second end 84 of the plate 34 and the posterior end 14 of the sole structure 100. Similarly, the upper portion 50 extends between the first end 82 of the plate 34 and the anterior end 12 of the sole structure 100.

The plate 34 is formed of a material providing relatively high strength and stiffness, such as polymeric material and/or composite materials. In some examples, the plate 34 is a composite material manufactured using fiber sheets or textiles, including pre-impregnated (i.e., “prepreg”) fiber sheets or textiles. Alternatively or additionally, the plate 34 may be manufactured by strands formed from multiple filaments of one or more types of fiber (e.g., fiber tows) by affixing the fiber tows to a substrate or to each other to produce a plate having the strands of fibers arranged predominately at predetermined angles or in predetermined positions. When using strands of fibers, the types of fibers included in the strand can include synthetic polymer fibers which can be melted and re-solidified to consolidate the other fibers present in the strand and, optionally, other components such as stitching thread or a substrate or both. Alternatively or additionally, the fibers of the strand and, optionally the other components such as stitching thread or a substrate or both, can be consolidated by applying a resin after affixing the strands of fibers to the substrate and/or to each other.

In some configurations, the plate 34 may be formed from one or more layers of tows of fibers and/or layers of fibers including at least one of carbon fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, and polymeric fibers. In a particular configuration, the fibers include carbon fibers, or glass fibers, or a combination of both carbon fibers and glass fibers. The tows of fibers may be affixed to a substrate. The tows of fibers may be affixed by stitching or using an adhesive. Additionally or alternatively, the tows of fibers and/or layers of fibers may be consolidated with a thermoset polymer and/or a thermoplastic polymer. Accordingly, the plate 34 may have a tensile strength or flexural strength in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A₁₀ of the article of footwear 10 (i.e., the axis extending from the anterior end 12 to the posterior end 14). The stiffness of the plate 34 may be selected for a particular wearer based on the wearer's tendon flexibility, calf muscle strength, and/or metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint flexibility. Moreover, the stiffness of the plate 34 may also be tailored based upon a running motion of the athlete. In other configurations, the plate 34 is formed from one or more layers/plies of unidirectional tape. In some examples, each layer in the stack includes a different orientation than the layer disposed underneath. The plate may be formed from unidirectional tape including at least one of carbon fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, and polymeric fibers. In some examples, the one or more materials forming the plate 34 result in the plate 34 having a Young's modulus of at least 70 gigapascals (GPa).

In some implementations, the plate 34 includes a substantially uniform thickness. In some examples, the thickness of the plate 34 ranges from about 0.6 millimeters (mm) to about 3.0 mm and is substantially equal or equal to a depth of the recess 54 as measured from the outer perimeter surface 56. In one example, the thickness of the plate 34 is substantially equal to one 1.0 mm. In other implementations, the thickness of the plate 34 is non-uniform such that the plate 34 may have a greater thickness in one region 20, 22, 24 the sole structure 100 than the thicknesses in the other regions 20, 22, 24.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3-5, the plate 34 is shown as being disposed between the upper portion 50 and the lower portion 52 of the midsole 30 when the plate 34 is attached to the upper portion 50 and the lower portion 52. Specifically, the top surface 70 of the plate 34 may be attached to the bottom surface 58 of the recess 54 via a suitable adhesive. In a similar fashion, the bottom surface 72 of the plate 34 may be attached to the top surface 62 of the lower portion 52 by a suitable adhesive. Once the plate 34 is attached to the upper portion 50 and the lower portion 52, the upper portion 50 and the lower portion 52 are attached to one another via the plate 34. Additionally, and as described above, the upper portion 50 and the lower portion 52 may be directly attached to one another via a suitable adhesive at the anterior end 12 and the posterior end 14 of the sole structure 100 (FIG. 5).

Once assembled, the plate 34 spans the aperture 48 at the top surface 62 of the lower portion 52. In so doing, the bottom surface 72 of the plate 34 covers the entirety of the aperture 48 from the first end 66 to the second end 68. However, because the aperture 48 extends through a thickness of the lower portion 52, the bottom surface 72 of the plate 34 is exposed at the ground-engaging surface of the sole structure 100.

When the upper portion 50 is attached to the lower portion 52, portions of the outer perimeter surface 56 of the upper portion 50 and the bottom surface 72 of the plate 34 are spaced apart and separated from the top surface 62 of the lower portion 52 to define an aperture 86 at a junction between the upper portion 50 and the lower portion 52. The aperture 86 extends from the medial side 16 to the lateral side 18 such that the aperture 86 extends completely through the midsole 30 from the medial side 16 to the lateral side 18. Accordingly, the aperture 86 is defined by opposing surfaces of the upper portion 50 of the midsole 30 and the lower portion 52 of the midsole 30. However, because the plate 34 is described and shown as extending over and being attached to the bottom surface 58 of the recess 54 of the upper portion 50, the plate 34 extends between the upper portion 50 and the lower portion 52 at the aperture 86. Accordingly, the bottom surface 72 of the plate 34 faces the top surface 62 of the lower portion 52 within the aperture 86. Accordingly, the plate 34 is visible within the aperture 86 and, further, is visible within the aperture 48 formed through a thickness of the lower portion 52 of the midsole 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the aperture 86 is disposed within the midfoot region 22 and extends from a first end 88 proximate to a junction of the midfoot region 22 and the forefoot region 20 to a second end 90 disposed proximate to a junction of the heel region 24 and the midfoot region 22. The aperture 86 is defined by the generally arcuate bottom surface 58 of the upper portion 50 and the generally arcuate surface of the top surface 62 of the lower portion 52. These surfaces 58, 62 along with the generally arcuate shape of the outer perimeter surface 56 provide the aperture 86 with an arcuate shape extending between the first end 88 and the second end 90. The aperture 86 includes a greatest thickness or height at an approximate midpoint of the aperture 86 between the first end 88 and the second end 90. The aperture 86 tapers in thickness from the midpoint towards the first end 88 and towards the second end 90. Accordingly, the aperture 86 tapers in thickness in a direction extending from the midfoot region 22 toward the forefoot region 20 and tapers in thickness in a direction from the midfoot region 22 toward the heel region 24.

Providing the sole structure 100 with the aperture 86 within the midfoot region 22 provides the sole structure 100 with a degree of flexibility compared to a midsole having first and second portions that are bonded to one another along an entire length of the midsole. Specifically, providing the midsole 30 with the aperture 86 allows the midsole 30 to more easily flex and twist about the midfoot region 22 when subjected to a bending or twisting force. While the plate 34 provides a degree of rigidity to the sole structure 100, the aperture 86 allows the lower portion 52 of the midsole 30 to more easily flex and move relative to the plate 34 and the upper portion 50 during wear.

With particular reference to FIGS. 6-10, an article of footwear 10a is provided and includes a sole structure 100a and an upper 200. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function associated with the article of footwear 10a with respect to the article of footwear 10, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and, in the drawings, to identify like components while reference numerals containing a letter extension are used to identify those components that have been modified.

As shown, the midsole 30a includes an upper portion 50a and a lower portion 52a. As with the midsole 30, the upper portion 50a is attached to the lower portion 52 when the midsole 30a is assembled. Specifically, the upper portion 50a is directly attached to the lower portion 52a proximate to the anterior end 12 and the posterior end 14 of the sole structure 100a. Similarly, the upper portion 50a is attached to the lower portion 52a when the plate 34 is attached to the upper portion 50a and the lower portion 52a.

As with the midsole 30, when the midsole 30a is assembled, such that the upper portion 50a is attached to the lower portion 52a, an aperture 86a is formed within the midfoot region 22. The aperture 86a extends through the midsole 30a from the medial side 16 to the lateral side 18. The aperture 86a is defined by opposing surfaces of the upper portion 50a and the lower portion 52a. Specifically, and with respect to the upper portion 50a, the outer perimeter surface 56a and the bottom surface 58 of the upper portion 50a oppose the lower portion 52a at the aperture 86a. The lower portion 52a includes an arcuate surface 92 disposed between a first portion 94 of the top surface 62a and a second portion 96 of the top surface 62a. As shown in FIG. 8, the first portion of the top surface 62a is disposed within the forefoot region 20 while the second portion of the top surface 62a is disposed within the heel region 24. The arcuate surface 92 disposed between the first portion 94 and the second portion 96 is disposed within the midfoot region 22 and cooperates with the upper portion 50a to define a shape of the aperture 86a.

As shown in FIG. 10, the aperture 86a is largest at an approximate midpoint of the aperture 86a. The aperture 86a tapers in a direction towards a first end 88a of the aperture 86a and in a direction toward a second end 90a of the aperture 86a. As such, the aperture 86a tapers from an approximate midpoint of the aperture 86a in a direction towards the anterior end 12 and tapers in a direction from the approximate midpoint of the aperture 86a in a direction toward the posterior end 14.

As shown in FIG. 10, the arcuate surface 92 defining a portion of the aperture 86a at the lower portion 52a is longer than a portion of the outer perimeter surface 56a and the bottom surface 58 of the upper portion 50a that form an upper portion of the aperture 86a. The arcuate surface 92 includes a first portion 98 that is substantially parallel with the ground-engaging surface of the sole structure 100a and a ramped surface 106 extending from the first portion 98. The ramped surface 106 extends from the first portion 98 to the second end 90 of the aperture 86a, as shown in FIG. 10. Because the arcuate surface 92 includes a different shape proximate to the first end 88a than the second end 90a, the aperture 86a is asymmetric about an axis passing through the first end 88a and the second end 90a.

As shown in FIG. 9, the outer perimeter surface 56a is disposed on and extends from a flange 108 of the upper portion 50a in a direction towards the lower portion 52a. The flange 108 extends down from the upper portion 50a and interfaces with the lower portion 52a proximate to the first end 88a of the aperture 86a.

As with the aperture 86 of the sole structure 100, the aperture 86a of the sole structure 100a is defined by opposing surfaces of the upper portion 50a and the lower portion 52a. However, the plate 34 extends into the aperture 86a and is visible at the aperture 86a. Specifically, the plate 34 is received within the recess 54 of the upper portion 50a and is substantially planar with the outer perimeter surface 56a once assembled. Accordingly, the bottom surface 72 of the plate 34 opposes the arcuate surface 92 of the lower portion 52a within the aperture 86a. Because the shape of the plate 34 mimics the shape of the bottom surface 58 of the recess 54 of the upper portion 50a, the bottom surface 58 along with the outer perimeter surface 56a of the upper portion 50a define the overall shape of the aperture 86a in conjunction with the arcuate surface 92 of the lower portion 52a.

As with the sole structure 100, providing the sole structure 100a with the aperture 86a provides the sole structure 100a with improved flexibility during bending and torsional forces applied to the sole structure 100a. Further, because the plate 34 is more rigid than a material forming the midsole 30a, providing the sole structure 100a with the aperture 86a allows the lower portion 52a of the midsole 30a to flex and move relative to the plate 34 and the upper portion 50a during wear.

With particular reference to FIGS. 11-13, articles of footwear 10b, 10c, 10d are provided. The articles of footwear 10b, 10c, 10d are provided to illustrate articles of footwear having apertures 86b, 86c, 86d, respectively, located at a midfoot region 22 of the articles of footwear 10b, 10c, 10d in a similar fashion as the articles of footwear 10, 10a described above. However, and as shown in FIGS. 11-13, the apertures 86b, 86c, 86d include a different shape than the apertures 86, 86a described above with respect to the articles of footwear 10, 10a. Specifically, the article of footwear 10b is provided with an aperture 86b having a rectangular shape, whereby a longitudinal axis of the aperture 86b extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A10 of the article of footwear 10b. With respect to the article of footwear 10c, the aperture 86c includes a square shape located at the midfoot region 22 in place of the arcuate shapes of the apertures 86, 86s described above with respect to the articles of footwear 10, 10a, respectively. Finally, the article of footwear 10d includes an aperture 86d having a substantially oval shape. The aperture 86d includes a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis A10 of the article of footwear 10d.

The foregoing articles of footwear 10b, 10c, 10d are provided with apertures 86b, 86c, 86d to illustrate sole structures having apertures 86b, 86c, 86d located at the midfoot region 22 of the respective sole structures having different shapes than the apertures 86, 86a of the respective articles of footwear 10, 10a described above. While the apertures 86b, 86c, 86d include different shapes than the apertures 86, 86a, the apertures 86b, 86c, 86d provide the respective articles of footwear 10b, 10c, 10d with improved flexibility at the midfoot region 22 when the articles of footwear 10b, 10c, 10d are subjected to bending or torsional loads. It should be noted that while the articles of footwear 10b, 10c, 10d are described as including apertures 86b, 86c, 86d, respectively, that differ from the apertures 86, 86a in size and shape, the sole structures of the articles of footwear 10b, 10c, 10d are otherwise identical to the sole structures 100, 100a described above with respect to the articles of footwear 10, 10a. The only exception is that the upper and lower portions of the midsoles of the articles of footwear 10b, 10c, 10d are modified to provide the shapes of the apertures 86b, 86c, 86d shown in FIGS. 11-13.

The following Clauses provide an exemplary configuration for a sole structure for an article of footwear and an article of footwear described above.

Clause 1. A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper, the sole structure comprising a midsole including a first surface opposing the upper and a second surface formed on an opposite side of the midsole than the first surface and defining a ground-engaging surface, the midsole including an aperture (i) formed through and defined by a material of the midsole, (ii) extending from a medial side of the midsole to a lateral side of the midsole, and (iii) tapering in height in a direction extending from a heel region of the sole structure to a forefoot region of the sole structure.

Clause 2. The sole structure of Clause 1, wherein the midsole includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being attached to the lower portion at a junction.

Clause 3. The sole structure of Clause 2, wherein the upper portion defines the first surface and the lower portion defines the second surface.

Clause 4. The sole structure of Clause 2, wherein the upper portion defines a first portion of the aperture and the lower portion defines a second portion of the aperture.

Clause 5. The sole structure of Clause 4, wherein the first portion includes a different shape than the second portion.

Clause 6. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the material of the midsole comprises foam.

Clause 7. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising a plate disposed within the midsole.

Clause 8. The sole structure of Clause 7, wherein the plate extends into the aperture.

Clause 9. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the aperture is disposed in a midfoot region of the sole structure.

Clause 10. An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses.

Clause 11. A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper, the sole structure comprising a midsole including an upper portion defining a first surface opposing the upper and a lower portion defining a second surface formed on an opposite side of the midsole than the first surface and defining a ground-engaging surface, the midsole including an aperture (i) formed through and defined by a material of the midsole, (ii) extending from a medial side of the midsole to a lateral side of the midsole, and (iii) defined by opposing surfaces of the upper portion and the lower portion.

Clause 12. The sole structure of Clause 11, wherein the upper portion is attached to the lower portion at a junction, the upper portion being spaced apart from the lower portion at the junction to define the aperture.

Clause 13. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the upper portion includes a third surface formed on an opposite side of the upper portion than the first surface and the lower portion includes a fourth surface formed on an opposite side of the lower portion than the second surface, the third surface being attached to the fourth surface at a junction.

Clause 14. The sole structure of Clause 13, wherein the third surface is spaced apart from the fourth surface at the junction to define the aperture.

Clause 15. The sole structure of Clause 13, wherein the third surface includes a first length measured in a first direction extending from a heel region of the sole structure to a forefoot region of the sole structure and the fourth surface includes a second length measured in the first direction and being greater than the first length.

Clause 16. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the material of the midsole comprises foam.

Clause 17. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising a plate disposed within the midsole, the plate extending into the aperture.

Clause 18. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the aperture is disposed in a midfoot region of the sole structure.

Clause 19. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the aperture tapers in a direction extending from a heel region of the sole structure to a forefoot region of the sole structure.

Clause 20. An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses.

The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.