Footwear Sole Structures Providing Targeted Stiffening and Flex Characteristics

Abstract

Sole structures and footwear include: (a) an outsole component having a ground-contacting surface and an opposite upper-facing surface, the outsole component extending from a heel region to a forefoot region of the sole structure/footwear; (b) a foam layer including a bottom foam surface located at least in the midfoot and regions; and (c) a stiffening structure located between the bottom foam surface and the upper-facing surface at least in the midfoot and forefoot regions. The stiffening structure may include one or more of: a base member (e.g., a rigid plate member that retains its shape under force of gravity or a more flexible and/or pliable base member (e.g., made from fabric)); and/or cement material. The base member and/or cement material may be provided in a shape forming a lateral arm and a medial arm that are separated from one another in the forefoot region by a recess.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present technology relates to footwear sole structures and/or articles of footwear that provide targeted stiffening and flex characteristics. Additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of making and using such sole structures and/or articles of footwear.

BACKGROUND

Conventional articles of athletic footwear include two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper may provide a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure may be secured to a lower surface of the upper and generally is positioned between the foot and any contact surface. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and absorbing energy, the sole structure may provide traction and control potentially harmful foot motion, such as over pronation.

The upper forms a void on the interior of the footwear for receiving the foot. The void has the general shape of the foot, and access to the void is provided at an ankle opening. Accordingly, the upper extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of the foot. A lacing system often is incorporated into the upper to allow users to selectively change the size of the ankle opening and to permit the user to modify certain dimensions of the upper, particularly girth, to accommodate feet with varying proportions. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance the comfort of the footwear (e.g., to moderate pressure applied to the foot by the laces). The upper also may include a heel counter to limit or control movement of the heel.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce some general concepts relating to this technology in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention.

Aspects of this technology relate to footwear sole structures and/or articles of footwear that provide targeted stiffening and flex characteristics. Such sole structures and/or footwear may include: (a) an outsole component having a ground-contacting surface and an opposite upper-facing surface, the outsole component extending from a heel region to a forefoot region of the sole structure and/or footwear; (b) a foam layer including a bottom foam surface located at least in the midfoot and regions; and (c) a stiffening structure located between the bottom foam surface and the upper-facing surface at least in the midfoot and forefoot regions. The stiffening structure may include one or more of: a base member (e.g., a rigid plate member that retains its shape under force of gravity or a more flexible and/or pliable base member (e.g., made from fabric)); and/or cement material. The base member and/or cement material may be provided in a shape to provide the desired flexion and stiffness properties, e.g., forming a lateral arm and a medial arm that are separated from one another in the forefoot region, e.g., by a recess or gap.

More specific aspects of this technology relate to sole structures and/or articles of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region. These sole structures and/or articles of footwear may include: (a) an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region; (b) a base member (e.g., a rigid plate member or a more flexible and pliable base member) including a bottom surface (e.g., a bottom plate surface) adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface, the base member including a top surface (e.g., a top plate surface) located opposite the bottom surface and extending through the midfoot region into both the forefoot region and the heel region; and (c) a foam layer including a bottom foam surface adhesively fixed to the top surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region.

Additional or alternative aspects of this technology relate to sole structures and/or articles of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region. These sole structures consist essentially of: (a) an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region; (b) a base member (e.g., a rigid plate member or a more flexible and pliable base member) including a bottom surface (e.g., a bottom plate surface) adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface, the base member including a top surface (e.g., a top plate surface) located opposite the bottom surface and extending through the midfoot region into both the forefoot region and the heel region; and (c) a foam layer including a bottom foam surface adhesively fixed to the top surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region.

Additional or alternative aspects of this technology relate to sole structures and/or articles of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region. These sole structures consist essentially of: (a) an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region; (b) a base member (e.g., a rigid plate member or a more flexible and pliable base member) including a bottom surface (e.g., a bottom plate surface) adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface, the base member including a top surface (e.g., a top plate surface) located opposite the bottom surface and extending through the midfoot region into both the forefoot region and the heel region; (c) a foam layer including a bottom foam surface adhesively fixed to the top surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region; and (d) a fluid-filled bladder component engaged with the top surface at least in the heel region.

Still additional or alternative aspects of this technology relate to sole structures and/or articles of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region. These sole structures include: (a) an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region; (b) a foam layer including a bottom foam surface located at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region; and (c) a stiffening structure provided between and in direct contact with both the bottom foam surface and the upper-facing surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region. This stiffening structure may include: (a) a base member and (b) cement material applied to at least one of the base member, the upper-facing surface, or the bottom foam surface, wherein the cement material is applied in a shape forming a lateral cement arm and a medial cement arm that are separated from one another in the forefoot region. Such sole structures and/or articles of footwear may further include a fluid-filled bladder component (e.g., at least in a heel region of the sole structure and/or article of footwear).

Additional or alternative aspects of this technology relate to sole structures for articles of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region. These sole structures include: (a) an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region; (b) a foam or fabric layer including a bottom surface located at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region; and (c) a stiffening structure provided between the bottom surface and the upper-facing surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region. The stiffening structure includes at least cement material in direct contact with at least one of the upper-facing surface or the bottom surface, and this cement material may be provided in a shape forming a lateral cement arm and a medial cement arm that are separated from one another in the forefoot region (e.g., by a recess or gap in the cement application).

Still additional or alternative aspects of this technology relate to methods of making and/or using sole structures and/or articles of footwear, e.g., of the types described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears.

FIGS. 1A-1E provide various views of articles of footwear and sole structures in accordance with some examples of this technology;

FIGS. 1F-1I provide various views of a base member (e.g., plate member, a textile member, etc.) that may be included in articles of footwear and sole structures in accordance with some examples of this technology;

FIG. 2 provides a view similar to FIG. 1C showing a portion of an alternative sole structure in accordance with some examples of this technology;

FIGS. 3A-3D show various examples of different sole structure tread and traction element features in accordance with aspects of this technology;

FIGS. 4-10 provide views of different example base member structures (e.g., plate members, textile members, etc.) that may be included in articles of footwear and sole structures in accordance with some examples of this technology; and

FIG. 11 provides another example of stiffening structures that may be used in accordance with some examples of this technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various examples of footwear structures and components according to the present technology, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the present technology may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made to the specifically described structures and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

“Footwear,” as that term is used herein, means any type of wearing apparel for the feet, and this term includes, but is not limited to: all types of shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, thongs, flip-flops, mules, scuffs, slippers, sport-specific shoes (such as skateboarding shoes, golf shoes, tennis shoes, baseball cleats, soccer or football cleats, ski boots, basketball shoes, cross training shoes, dance shoes, etc.), and the like.

Various structures and parameters of footwear sole structures and/or articles of footwear are described herein based on a “longitudinal length” parameter L. Note FIG. 1B. The longitudinal length L can be found with the article of footwear (or sole structure or other component) oriented on a horizontal support surface on its ground-facing surface in an unloaded condition (e.g., with no weight applied to it other than weight of other components of the article of footwear, sole structure, or other component). Once so oriented, parallel vertical planes VP that are perpendicular to the horizontal support surface are oriented to contact the rearmost heel (RH) location(s) and the forwardmost toe (FT) location(s) of the article of footwear, upper, sole structure, or another component of interest. The parallel vertical planes VP should be oriented facing one another, e.g., extending into and out of the page of FIG. 1B, and as far away from one another as possible while still in contact with the rearmost heel RH and forwardmost toe FT locations. The direct distance between these vertical planes VPs corresponds to the longitudinal length L of the article of footwear, sole structure, or other component of interest. Locations of various footwear features and/or components are described in this specification based on their respective locations along the longitudinal length L as measured forward from the rear heel vertical plane VP. The rearmost heel (RH) location(s) is (are) located at position 0L and the forwardmost toe (FT) location(s) is (are) located at position 1L along the longitudinal length L. Intermediate locations along the longitudinal length L are referred to by fractional locations (e.g., 0.33L) along the longitudinal length L measured forward from the rear heel vertical plane VP. The term “parallel planes” as used herein are planes oriented parallel to the vertical planes VP. These parallel planes may intersect the longitudinal length L or longitudinal direction somewhere between P=0L and P=1.0L. Note FIG. 1B, including example parallel plane location designators at 0.33L and 0.67L.

The term “rearward” as used herein means at or toward the heel region of the article of footwear (or component thereof), and the term “forward” as used herein means at or toward a forefoot or forward toe region of the article of footwear (or component thereof). Unless otherwise defined, the terms “heel area” or “heel region” refer to a region bounded by parallel planes at 0L and 0.33L, the terms “midfoot area,” “midfoot region,” or “arch region” refer to a region bounded by parallel planes at 0.33L and 0.67L, and the terms “forefoot area” or “forefoot region” refer to a region bounded by parallel planes at 0.67L and 1.0L. See FIG. 1B. Also, the term “lateral” means the “little toe” side or outside area of an article of footwear or component thereof (e.g., an upper, a sole structure, etc.), and the term “medial” means the “big toe” side or inside area of an article of footwear or component thereof (e.g., an upper, a sole structure, etc.).

This application and/or its claims may use the terms, e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like, to identify certain components and/or features relating to this technology. These terms are used merely for convenience, e.g., to assist in maintaining a distinction between components and/or features of a specific structure. Use of these terms should not be construed as requiring a specific order or arrangement of the components and/or features being discussed. Also, use of these specific terms in the specification for a specific structure does not require that the same term be used in the claims to refer to the same structure (e.g., a component or feature referred to as the “third” in the specification may correspond to any numerical adjective used for that component or feature in the claims).

Also, while the appended figures illustrate features of sole structures and articles of footwear for supporting a wearer's right foot, those skilled in the art, given benefit of this disclosure, will understand that this technology can be applied to sole structures and articles of footwear for the left foot as well (e.g., as mirror images from the structures illustrated in the appended drawings).

Given the general description of features, aspects, structures, and arrangements according to certain examples of this technology provided above, a more detailed description of specific example foot support systems, sole structures, articles of footwear, and methods in accordance with this technology follows. Where the same reference number appears in multiple figures, the same or similar part is being referenced (including any applicable options or alternatives for that part), and at least some of the overlapping description of that part may be omitted.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show bottom views of an article of footwear 100 and sole structure 200 in accordance with some examples of this technology. FIG. 1A shows the ground-contacting surface 200G of the sole structure 200 with traction elements 202 (e.g., diamond shaped projections and/or recesses in this illustrated example), while FIG. 1B shows the sole structure 200 at the same orientation but with the traction elements 202 removed so that locations of other structures in the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100 can be better visualized. FIG. 1B also helps illustrate some definitional information, e.g., as described above. FIG. 1C is a sectional view taken along line 1C-1C in FIG. 1B; FIG. 1D is a sectional view taken along line 1D-1D in FIG. 1B; and FIG. 1E is a sectional view taken along line 1E-1E in FIG. 1B. FIGS. 1F, 1G, 1H, and 1I provide top, bottom, perspective, and lateral side views, respectively, of a plate member 220 or other base member structure (provided as at least a portion of a stiffening structure) in accordance with some examples of this technology.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-IE, article of footwear 100 includes a footwear upper 102 (formed from one or more component parts) and a sole structure 200 engaged with the upper 102. The article of footwear 100 and sole structure 200 include a forefoot region (between parallel planes at P=0.67L and 1L), a heel region (between parallel planes at P=0L and 0.33L, and a midfoot region extending between and connecting the forefoot region and the heel region (between parallel planes at P=0.33L and 0.67L). The upper 102 may have any desired construction, number of parts, features, or the like, without departing from this technology, including conventional constructions, parts, features, etc. As some more specific examples, the upper 102 may be formed, at least in part, from one or more textile elements, such as textile elements of the types and structures sold under the trademark CHUCK TAYLOR® and available from Converse Inc. of Boston, MA. Additionally, the sole structure 200 may engage with the upper 102 in any desired manner, including in conventional manners as are known and used in the footwear arts (e.g., by one or more of adhesives, mechanical connectors, stitching, etc.). As shown in FIGS. 1C-1E, in this illustrated example, upper components 102 are joined at the bottom to a strobel member 102S, and this strobel member 102S may be engaged with the sole structure 200 (e.g., with any one or more of the four main components of sole structure 200 described below) by a cement material, by stitching, by mechanical fasteners, etc.

The example sole structure 200 shown in FIGS. 1A-IE includes four main components: (a) an outsole component 210; (b) a plate member 220; (c) a foam layer 230 or foam member; and (d) a fluid-filled bladder component 240. In some examples of this technology, the sole structure 200 will “consist essentially of” these four main components. Each of these component parts will be described in more detail below.

The outsole component 210 in this illustrated example includes a ground-contacting surface 210G (e.g., including the traction elements 202, noted above) and an upper-facing surface 210U located opposite the ground-contacting surface 210G. In this illustrated example, the outsole component 210 extends from the heel region to the forefoot region of the sole structure 200 and article of footwear 100 through the midfoot region. While other structures are possible, the outsole component 210 of this example is a single piece construction formed as a cup sole structure (e.g., including outsole sidewalls 210W around the perimeter of the outsole component 210 that define an interior recess 210R that is closed off by a bottom surface (e.g., that forms the ground-contacting surface 210G)). The outsole component 210 may be formed of any desired material, e.g., including rubber materials of the types generally known and used in the footwear arts. In some examples of this technology, the outsole component 210 may be made of a material and having a general cup sole construction of the types known and used in conventional footwear, such as outsole materials and structures of the types sold under the trademark CHUCK TAYLOR® and available from Converse Inc. of Boston, MA. The outsole component 210 may be made from one or more parts.

As noted above, the sole structure 200 of this example further includes plate member 220 (or other base member that is less rigid and more pliable). The plate member 220 of this example forms at least a portion of a stiffening element, e.g., to provide support and/or torsional stability to a wearer's foot. The plate member 220 may be made of any desired material, such as a rubber component (e.g., a relatively hard rubber component). In other examples, however, the plate member 220 may comprise one or more of: a rubber material, a poly-ether-block co-polyamide polymer material, a silicone material, a thermoplastic polyurethane material, a fiber reinforced polymer material, a thermosetting material, a polypropylene material, and a polyethylene material. Plate members 220 in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology include relatively rigid components, including components that maintain their shape under forces applied by gravity (although the plate members 220 may flex under greater forces, such as under forces applied by a wearer's foot, e.g., when landing a step or jump). Plate members 220 may be made from resilient materials that return to their original shape after being deformed by an applied force (e.g., when force applied by a wearer's foot is sufficiently removed or relaxed).

Most of the plate member 220 is shown in broken lines in FIGS. 1A and 1B because it is located inside the outsole component 210, e.g., within recess 210R, as shown in FIGS. 1C-1E. Thus, most of plate member 220 is not exposed in the bottom views of FIGS. 1A and 1B. In this illustrated example, however, the bottom plate surface 220G of the plate member 220 includes a projection 220P that extends downward from a main surface 220B of the plate member 220 at the bottom of the plate member 220. See FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D, 1G, and 1I. The projection 220P of this example extends into (and optionally through) a through hole opening 210H provided through the outsole component 210 (the through hole opening 210H extends from the upper-facing surface 210U to the ground-contacting surface 210G of the outsole component 210, in this illustrated example). See FIG. 1D. Alternatively, however, if desired, projection 220P (and/or through hole opening 210H) could be omitted or could be contained within the outsole component 210 in at least some examples of this technology (e.g., fit into a recess provided on the upper-facing surface 210U rather than into a through hole 210H).

The plate member 220 of this example further includes a top plate surface 220U opposite bottom plate surface 220G. See FIGS. 1F, 1H, and 1I. This top plate surface 220U (as well as the bottom plate surface 220G) may extend through the midfoot region into both the forefoot region and the heel region of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100. In this manner, the plate member 220 may underlie and/or support at least 40% of a surface area of a plantar surface of a wearer's foot (and in some examples, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, or even at least 65% of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot). While the plate member 220 may underlie and/or support 100% of a plantar surface of a wearer's foot, in some examples of this technology, the plate member 220 will underlie and/or support less than 90%, less than 80%, or even less than 75% of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot. The bottom plate surface 220G of plate member 220 may be adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface 210U of the outsole component 210 (e.g., using a cement material, e.g., of a type conventionally known and used in footwear construction). Cement material may be applied in a shape to cover and/or contact at least 75% of the surface area of the bottom plate surface 220G (and in some examples, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even 100% of the surface area of the bottom plate surface 220G).

As noted above, the sole structure 200 of this example further includes a foam layer 230, e.g., formed from one or more foam component parts. Any desired type of foam material can be used in examples of this technology, including foam materials of the types conventionally known and used in footwear construction (e.g., polyurethane foams, ethylvinylacetate (“EVA”) foams, etc.). The foam layer 230 includes a bottom foam surface 230B that may be adhesively fixed to the top plate surface 220U of the plate member, e.g., at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100. Cement material may be applied in a shape to cover and/or contact at least 75% of the surface area of the top plate surface 220U (and in some examples, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even 100% of the surface area of the top plate surface 220U). In some examples, the foam layer 230 may extend into the heel region of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100. A top foam surface 230T is located opposite the bottom foam surface 230B, and this top foam surface 230T may be provided to support all or some portion of a plantar surface of a wearer's foot. As some more specific examples, the foam layer 230 may support at least 50% of a plantar surface of the wearer's foot (and even at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 90%, or even up to 100% of the plantar surface of a wearer's foot).

Also, as noted above, the sole structure 200 of this example further includes a fluid-filled bladder component 240. The fluid-filled bladder component 240 is shown in dot-dash lines in FIGS. 1A and 1B because it is located inside the outsole component 210, e.g., within recess 210R, as shown in FIG. 1C. The fluid-filled bladder component 240 may be formed from two sheets or portions of thermoplastic elastomer material fixed together (e.g., by welding techniques) to form an interior chamber for holding a fluid (e.g., a gas). The interior chamber may include internal welds and/or one or more tensile elements, e.g., for controlling bladder shape when it is inflated. The fluid-filled bladder component 240 may be of types conventionally known and used in the footwear arts, e.g., such as fluid-filled bladders of the types included with footwear components available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, OR.

Further to the general descriptions above, some additional features, options, variations, and alternatives for the four main components and sole structures 200 containing them will be described in more detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-11.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1E-1I, in accordance with at least some examples of this technology, the plate member 220 may be formed to include a lateral arm 220L and a medial arm 220M that are separated from one another at least in the forefoot region. Thus, in this illustrated example, the plate member 220 includes a central recess 220R or gap that separates the lateral arm 220L from the medial arm 220M. This central recess 220R extends rearward from the free end 220LE of the lateral arm 220L and from the free end 220ME of the medial arm 220M located in the forefoot region to a recess base 220RB of the central recess 220R located in the midfoot region. The recess base 220RB is located at and includes the rearward most extent of the recess base 220RB. The bottom plate surface 220G located at each of the lateral arm 220L and the medial arm 220M may be adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface 210U of the outsole component 210.

In some examples of this technology, the plate member 220 will be sized, shaped, and positioned such that: (a) the free end 220LE of the lateral arm 220L may be located forward of a parallel plane located at 0.7L (and in some examples, forward of a parallel plane located at 0.75L); (b) the free end 220LE of the lateral arm 220L may be located rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.9L (and in some examples, rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.85L); (c) the free end 220ME of the medial arm 220M may be located forward of a parallel plane located at 0.75L (and in some examples, forward of a parallel plane located at 0.8L); (d) the free end 220ME of the medial arm 220M may be located rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.98L (and in some examples, rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.92L); (e) the recess base 220RB may be located forward of a parallel plane located at 0.45L (and in some examples, forward of a parallel plane located at 0.5L); and/or (f) the recess base 220RB may be located rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.65L (and in some examples, rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.6L). The free ends 220LE, 220ME are located at and include a forwardmost extent of the lateral arm 220L and medial arm 220M, respectively. In some examples of this technology, as shown in the example of FIGS. 1A-1I (and others), the medial arm 220M may extend farther forward in the sole structure 200 and or article of footwear 100 structure than does the lateral arm 220L. The rearward end 224 (and rearwardmost extent) of the plate member 220 may be located forward of a parallel plane located at 0L (and in some examples, forward of a parallel plane located at 0.05L) and/or rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.2L (and in some examples, rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.15L). All of these parallel plane locations are based on the longitudinal length L of the article of footwear 100 and/or sole structure 200 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1B). Arrangements of this type may help provide support and stability in the forefoot region while still permitting adequate medial side-to-lateral side flexion in the forefoot region.

Additionally or alternatively, as noted above, the bottom plate surface 220G of the plate member 220 may include a main surface 220B and a projection 220P extending downward from the main surface 220B. The main surface 220B covers a greater surface area of the plate member 220 than does the projection 220P. This projection 220P may be provided in the midfoot region of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100. This example outsole component 210 defines a through hole opening 210H in the midfoot region, and the projection 220P is exposed (and optionally extends into or through) this through hole opening 210H. The through hole opening 210H in the outsole component 210 includes a forward end 210FE and a rearward end 210RE, and in this example, the forward end 210FE is wider than the rearward end 210RE. The projection 220P of the plate member 220 in this example also includes a forward end 220FE and a rearward end 220RE, and in this example, the forward end 220FE is wider than the rearward end 220RE. In some examples of this technology, the projection 220P may be sized and shaped to closely fit into the through hole opening 210H. The forward ends 210FE, 220FE are located at and include a forwardmost extent of the through hole opening 210H and projection 220P, respectively, and the rearward ends 210RE, 220RE are located at and include a rearwardmost extent of the through hole opening 210H and projection 220P, respectively.

In some examples of this technology, the through hole opening 210H and/or the projection 220P of the plate member 220 will be sized, shaped, and positioned such that: (a) the forward ends 210FE and 220FE may be located forward of a parallel plane located at 0.42L (and in some examples, forward of a parallel plane located at 0.48L); (b) the forward ends 210FE and 220FE may be located rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.65L (and in some examples, rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.6L); (c) the rearward ends 210RE and 220RE may be located forward of a parallel plane located at 0.27L (and in some examples, forward of a parallel plane located at 0.33L); and/or (d) the rearward ends 210RE and 220RE may be located rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.5L (and in some examples, rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.45L). All of these parallel plane locations are based on the longitudinal length L of the article of footwear 100 and/or sole structure 200 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1B). In some examples, the through hole opening 210H and/or projection 220P will be located completely within the midfoot region of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100. Arrangements of this type may help provide additional arch support and torsional resistance to the sole structure 200 in the midfoot region.

In some examples of this technology, including the specific example shown in FIGS. 1A-1I, the plate member 220 defines a through hole opening 220H, e.g., at least partially contained in the heel region. In some more specific examples, this through hole opening 220H of the plate member 220 may be elongated (e.g., slot shaped) to extend generally in the longitudinal direction L of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100. This through hole opening 220H of the plate member 220 may be sized, shaped, and positioned such that: (a) its forward end 222FE may be located forward of a parallel plane located at 0.2L (and in some examples, forward of a parallel plane located at 0.25L); (b) its forward end 222FE may be located rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.4L (and in some examples, rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.35L); (c) its rearward end 222RE may be located forward of a parallel plane located at 0.05L (and in some examples, forward of a parallel plane located at 0.08L); and/or (d) its rearward end 222RE may be located rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.2L (and in some examples, rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.15L). All of these parallel plane locations are based on the longitudinal length L of the article of footwear 100 and/or sole structure 200 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1B). In some examples, the through hole opening 220H will be located completely within the heel region of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100. Alternatively, in some examples, the through hole opening 220H may extend from the heel region into the midfoot region. Additionally or alternatively, at least 50% of a surface area of the through hole opening 220H may be located in the heel region (and in some examples, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of the surface area of the through hole opening 220H may be located in the heel region). The forward end 222FE is located at and includes a forwardmost extent of the through hole opening 220H and the rearward end 222RE is located at and includes a rearwardmost extent of the through hole opening 220H. Arrangements of this type may help provide additional medial side-to-lateral side flexibility in the heel region (and/or the midfoot region).

As described above, in this example sole structure 200, a fluid-filled bladder component 240 is engaged with the top plate surface 220U of the plate member 220 (e.g., via a cement) at least in the heel region of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100. In this specifically illustrated example, a portion of the fluid-filled bladder component 240 overlays the through hole opening 220H in the plate member 220. The bottom foam surface 230B may overlay (and optionally attach to) an upper surface of the fluid-filled bladder component 240. See FIG. 1C. While other structures are possible, in this illustrated example, at least 75% of a total volume of the fluid-filled bladder component 240 is located in the heel region of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100, and in some examples, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even up to 100% of the total volume of the fluid-filled bladder component 240 may be located in the heel region of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100.

In some examples of this technology, the fluid-filled bladder component 240 may be sized, shaped, and positioned such that: (a) its forward end 240FE may be located forward of a parallel plane located at 0.25L (and in some examples, forward of a parallel plane located at 0.3L); (b) its forward end 240FE may be located rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.45L (and in some examples, rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.4L); (c) its rearward end 240RE may be located forward of a parallel plane located at 0L (and in some examples, forward of a parallel plane located at 0.02L); and/or (d) its rearward end 240RE may be located rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.15L (and in some examples, rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.1L). All of these parallel plane locations are based on the longitudinal length L of the article of footwear 100 and/or sole structure 200 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1B). The forward end 240FE is located at and includes a forwardmost extent of the fluid-filled bladder component 240 and the rearward end 240RE is located at and includes a rearwardmost extent of the fluid-filled bladder component 240. Heel based fluid-filled bladder components 240 of this type may improve feel, impact force attenuation, and/or responsiveness of the sole structure 200 (e.g., at least in the heel region).

Sole structures 200 in accordance with at least some examples of this technology may have a relatively thin construction underfoot. This feature can provide improved flexibility and/or give the wearer better “feel” for certain activities, such as skateboarding. As some more specific examples, in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology, the fluid-filled bladder component 240, when present, may have a thickness (measured as the direct, straight line distance from a top surface of the fluid-filled bladder component 240 to a bottom surface of the fluid-filled bladder component 240, e.g., in the vertical direction of FIG. 1C) of less than 20 mm (and in some examples, less than 15 mm, less than 12 mm, less than 10 mm, or even less than 8 mm) through at least 75% of a surface area of the top surface of the fluid-filled bladder component 240. In some examples of this technology, any of the above thickness ranges may be present through at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even over 100% of the surface area of the top surface of the fluid-filled bladder component 240.

Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examples of this technology, the plate member 220 (which may be formed from a rubber material) may have a relatively thin construction underfoot. This feature also can provide improved flexibility and/or give the wearer better “feel” for certain activities, such as skateboarding. As some more specific examples, in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology, the plate member 220 may have a thickness (measured as the direct, straight line distance from the top plate surface 220U of the plate member 220 to the bottom plate surface 220G of the plate member 220, e.g., dimension T shown in FIG. 1I) of less than 8 mm (and in some examples, less than 6 mm, less than 5 mm, less than 4 mm, less than 2.5 mm, or even less than 2 mm) through at least 60% of a surface area of the top plate surface 220U of the plate member 220. In some examples of this technology, any of the above thickness ranges may be present through at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even over 100% of the surface area of the top plate surface 220U of the plate member 220.

Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examples of this technology, the foam layer 230 (which may be formed from a polyurethane foam material and/or EVA foam material) may have a relatively thin construction underfoot. This feature also can provide improved flexibility and/or give the wearer better “feel” for certain activities, such as skateboarding. As some more specific examples, in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology, the foam layer 230 may have a thickness (measured as the direct, straight line distance from the top foam surface 230T of the foam layer 230 to the bottom foam surface 230B of the foam layer 230 of less than 12 mm (and in some examples, less than 10 mm, less than 8 mm, or even less than 6 mm) through at least 50% of a surface area of the top foam surface 230T of the foam layer 230. In some examples of this technology, any of the above thickness ranges may be present through at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or even over 100% of the surface area of the top foam surface 230T of the foam layer 230.

As further shown in FIG. 11, the plate member 220 may be substantially planar through the heel and midfoot regions (note horizontal baseline H in FIG. 1I) with an upward curvature at least in the forefoot region (where the medial arm 220M and lateral arm 220L are located). In some examples of this technology, the upward curvature, when present, may originate in the forefoot region or in the midfoot region of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100. The angle α between the horizontal baseline H and a line segment LS extending between the upward curvature orientation location and the free end 220ME, 220LE of at least one of the medial arm 220M or lateral arm 220L may be: (i) less than 30 degrees (and in some examples, less than 25 degrees, less than 20 degrees, or even less than 15 degrees) and (ii) more than 5 degrees (and in some examples, more than 7.5 degrees, or even more than 10 degrees). The upward curvature and resilience of the plate member 220 may provide rebound force and/or energy return to the wearer's foot (as the plate member 220 rebounds from a flattened condition toward its original shape as the foot lifts after landing a step or jump).

Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examples of this technology, the outsole component 210 (which may be formed from a rubber material and/or as a cup sole structure) may have a relatively thin construction underfoot. This feature also can provide improved flexibility and/or give the wearer better “feel” for certain activities, such as skateboarding. As some more specific examples, in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology, the outsole component 210 may have a thickness (measured as the direct, straight line distance from the upper-facing surface 210U of the outsole component 210 to the ground-contacting surface 210G of outsole component 210) of less than 6 mm (and in some examples, less than 5 mm, less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2.5 mm, or even less than 2 mm) through at least 50% of a surface area of the upper-facing surface 210U of the outsole component 210. In some examples of this technology, any of the above thickness ranges may be present through at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even over 100% of the surface area of the upper-facing surface 210U of the outsole component 210. Also, in at least some examples of this technology, outsole component 210 thickness measurements within any of the ranges described above may be provided both at locations between traction elements 202 and through the traction elements 202 (if such traction elements are present.

In at least some examples of this technology, sole structures 200 will have a limited number of parts, particularly underfoot, e.g., to provide support with improved flexibility and/or give the wearer better “feel” for certain activities, such as skateboarding. Thus, in accordance with at least some examples of this technology, sole structures 200 for articles of footwear 100 may “consist essentially of:” (a) an outsole component 210, (b) a plate member 220, (c) a foam layer 230, and (d) a fluid-filled bladder component 240, e.g., of any of the types described above and/or having any of the characteristics described above. The term “consists essentially of” as used herein is intended to denote a listing of sole structure parts necessary to perform foot support functions. Thus, a sole structure 200 that “consists essentially of” the four above noted components still may include other component parts that are not essential for foot support functions, such as components included purely for aesthetic purposes, logo components, pigments, dyes, tags, foxing strips used to cover edges or seams, and the like.

In the example structures described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-1I, the sole structure 200 included a heel based fluid-filled bladder component 240. In other examples of this technology, the fluid-filled bladder component 240 may extend further forward, e.g., into or through the midfoot region, into the forefoot region, to comport to the shape of the plate member 220 at least in the midfoot and/or forefoot regions, etc. In other examples of this technology, however, the fluid-filled bladder component 240 may be omitted. FIG. 2 shows an example. Where the same reference numbers are used in FIG. 2 as used in any of FIGS. 1A-1I, the same or similar parts are being referenced (including any options, variations, alternatives, and/or features for that part described above), and much of the overlapping description may be omitted. FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 1C, but in the structure of FIG. 2, the fluid-filled bladder component 240 is removed, e.g., and replaced by heel foam component 230H. The heel foam component 230H may be a separate component from foam layer 230 described above (e.g., optionally having different hardness characteristics from foam layer 230). Alternatively, the heel foam component 230H may be integrally formed as a single part with foam layer 230 (optionally made somewhat thicker in the heel region than in the midfoot and/or forefoot regions). The structure shown in FIG. 2 (and the variations thereof described above, e.g., in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-1I) may be used in conjunction with any of the outsole component 210, plate member 220, foam layer 230, sole structure 200, upper 102, and/or article of footwear 100 features described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D-1I (including any options, variations, or alternatives described above for those components).

Thus, in accordance with some examples of this technology, sole structures 200 for articles of footwear 100 may “consist essentially of:” (a) an outsole component 210, (b) a plate member 220, (c) and a foam layer 230, e.g., of any of the types described above and/or having any of the characteristics described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-2. The foam layer 230 may be formed from one or more foam component parts. Such sole structures 200 that “consist essentially of” the three above noted components still may include other component parts that are not essential for foot support functions, such as components included purely for aesthetic purposes, logo components, pigments, dyes, tags, foxing strips used to cover edges or seams, and the like.

Many variations may be made to the specific structures shown in FIGS. 1A-2, including variations in the aesthetic or ornamental appearance of the component parts and the combinations of component parts while still providing the desired foot support and/or other performance features. For example, while FIGS. 1A-1E and 2 show sole components 200 having a specific pattern and arrangement of traction elements 202, many other arrangements may be used without departing from this technology. As some other potential features, rather than the raised diamond shaped traction elements 202 shown in FIG. 1A, sole structures 200 in accordance with some examples of this technology may have diamond shaped traction elements of different sizes, shapes, arrangements, and the like. As another example, one or more raised diamond shaped traction elements 202 shown in FIG. 1A may be replaced by diamond shaped recesses having the same or different sizes, shapes, and/or arrangements. As yet additional examples, the diamond shaped traction elements 202 may be partially or fully replaced with traction elements of other sizes, shapes, and/or arrangements, including one or more other traction elements (raised elements or recesses) of: round, elliptical, oval, or other curved shapes; other polygonal shapes; irregular shapes; raised rib shapes; recessed groove shapes; etc. Additionally or alternatively, any two or more of these different traction element shapes may be used in combination.

FIGS. 3A-3D show examples of other traction element features that may be provided at some or all of a ground-contacting surface 210G of an outsole component 210 in accordance with other specific examples of this technology. For example, FIG. 3A shows a herringbone type traction element pattern 310A that include zig-zag shaped ridges, recesses, and/or sipes formed in at least some portion of the ground-contacting surface 210G of outsole component 210. Such a herringbone type traction element pattern 310A may be provided over at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of the ground-contacting surface 210G of outsole component 210. Further, the herringbone type traction element pattern 310A need not maintain a constant size (e.g., raised element ridge, recess, and/or sipe width) and/or spacing over the entire ground-contacting surface 210G area that the pattern 310A covers.

FIG. 3B shows a traction element pattern 310B having raised elements and/or recesses 312 with a round, elliptical, oval, or other curved shape formed in at least some portion of the ground-contacting surface 210G of outsole component 210. The round, elliptical, oval, or other curved shape raised elements and/or recesses 312 need not have the same sizes and/or shapes and/or may be provided on any desired portion (or proportion) of the ground-contacting surface 210G.

FIG. 3C shows a grid or matrix type traction element pattern 310C that includes ridges, recesses, and/or sipes formed in at least some portion of the ground-contacting surface 210G of outsole component 210. Such a grid or matrix type traction element pattern 310C may be provided over at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of the ground-contacting surface 210G of outsole component 210. The grid or matrix type traction element pattern 310C may include intersecting ridges or recesses that cross one another at any desired angle. Further, the grid or matrix type traction element pattern 310C need not maintain a constant size (e.g., raised element ridge or recess width), spacing, and/or angular orientation over the entire ground-contacting surface 210G area that the pattern 310C covers.

FIG. 3D shows a traction element pattern 310D that includes a combination of ridges, recesses, and/or other features of various different sizes and shapes formed in at least some portion of the ground-contacting surface 210G of outsole component 210. Any desired number and/or combination of different sized and shaped ridges, recesses, and/or other features may be used in a single ground-contacting surface 210G structure.

Further, although outsole component 210 is described above as having a cup sole structure and configuration with sidewalls 210W extending around its perimeter, other structural options are possible. For example, the sidewall 210W, if present at all, need not extend completely around the perimeter of the sole structure 200. For example, one or more sidewall segments may be provided that extend around less than 100% of the perimeter of the sole structure 200 and/or that are spaced apart from one another. Additionally or alternatively, the sidewall(s) 210W may vary in height as they extend around the perimeter or a portion of the perimeter. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the sidewall(s) 210W and/or outsole component 210 may extend to form and/or be attached with a toe cap structure that extends over the footwear upper 102 at the forward toe area of the article of footwear 100 structure. In other examples, sidewall(s) 210W may be omitted.

Different structures and/or ornamental appearances may be provided with other article of footwear 100 components as well. FIGS. 4-9 show bottom views of different example plate members 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, respectively, similar to FIG. 1G. These plate members 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 may be included in articles of footwear 100 and sole structures, e.g., in the various manners shown and described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-3D. Further, these plate members 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 may be made of any of the materials and/or have any of the features (e.g., thickness, size, shape, etc.) described above for plate member 220. Where the same reference numbers are used in FIGS. 4-9 as used in FIGS. 1A-3D described above, the same or similar parts are being referenced (including any options, variations, alternatives, and/or features for that part described above), and much of the overlapping description may be omitted. The discussion of FIGS. 4-9 below will focus primarily on manners in which those plate member structures differ from some of the other plate member structures.

The plate member 400 of FIG. 4 differs from the plate member 220 in at least two main ways. First, plate member 400 does not include a midfoot projection 220P extending downward at the bottom plate surface 220G as is present in the example of FIGS. 1A-1I. If additional midfoot stiffening is needed or desired, the plate member 400 could be made gradually thicker in the midfoot region (e.g., morphing to thinner structures in the heel and/or forefoot region(s)) and/or one or more projections or other arch support elements could be provided on the top plate surface (not shown in FIG. 4). Plate members 400 without a projection 220P could be used with outsole components 210 that do not include a midfoot through hole opening 210H.

Second, while both plate members 220 and 400 have elongated slots that extend generally in a heel-to-toe direction of the plate member, the through hole opening 420H of the plate member 400 is sized and shaped differently from the through hole opening 220H shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1F-1H. The slot formed by through hole opening 420H is longer in the longitudinal direction and narrower in a medial side-to-lateral side direction than the slot formed by through hole opening 220H. Also, through hole opening 420H extends forward into the midfoot region. As some more specific examples, the forward end 222FE of through hole opening 420H may be located: (a) forward of a parallel plane located at 0.30L or even 0.35L and/or (b) rearward of a parallel plane located at 0.6L or even 0.55L, where L represents a longitudinal length of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100 in which plate member 400 is contained. Nonetheless, through hole opening 420H provides additional medial side-to-lateral side flexibility in the heel region (and/or the midfoot region). Alternatively, if desired, through hole opening 420H could be used with a plate member structure that includes some type of midfoot projection structure (e.g., like projection 220P) and/or other arch support components of the types described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example plate member 500. In this example plate member 500, no through hole opening is provided in the heel support region (and/or midfoot support region). If desired, a thinned recess or other thinned area could be provided, e.g., in the top plate surface 220U, in the bottom plate surface 220G, as a gradually morphed thinned area, etc., to provide additional medial side-to-lateral side flexibility in the heel region (and/or the midfoot region). Through hole openings could be omitted and/or replaced with non-through hole recesses or thinned areas in the other examples of plate members described herein.

FIG. 5 further illustrates a midfoot projection 520P having a different size and shape from projection 220P illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1G. Plate member 500 including midfoot projection 520P may have the thickness and/or locational features described above for plate member 220. In this example, the bottom plate surface 220G of the plate member 500 includes a main surface 220B with projection 520P extending downward from the main surface 220B. This projection 520P may be provided in the midfoot region of the sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100. The projection 520P may extend into or through a correspondingly sized and shaped through hole opening in an outsole component 210 (e.g., like through hole opening 210H). The projection 520P of the plate member 500 in this example includes a forward end 220FE and a rearward end 220RE, and in this example, the forward end 220FE is wider than the rearward end 220RE. The forward end 220FE and rearward end 220RE may have any of the positional features described above. A projection 520P of the type described in conjunction with FIG. 5 also may be provided in plate members having a heel based through hole opening of the types described herein (e.g., including those of FIGS. 1A-1I and 4).

FIG. 6 shows another example plate member 600 including different types of midfoot-based stiffening features and heel-based opening features. In the example plate member 600 of FIG. 6, a more round through hole opening 620H (or recess, if not a through hole opening) is provided. Through hole opening 620H (or recess) may have any of the locational and/or other features described above for through hole openings 220H and 420H. Also, an opening having the size and/or shape features of through hole opening 620H (or recess, if not a through hole opening) could be used in any of the other plate members described herein.

The plate member 600 of FIG. 6 further includes a plurality of midfoot stiffening ribs 622 that extend generally in a heel-to-toe direction of the plate member 600 (rather than a single large projection as shown in various other figures). Any desired number of stiffening ribs 622 (e.g., one or more) may be provided with any desired arrangement and/or spacing. The ribs 622 may be provided as raised structures extending outward from the main surface 220B of bottom plate surface 220G or recesses extending inward from main surface 220B. Additionally or alternatively, one or more ribs 622 may be provided on the top plate surface 220U. Additionally or alternatively, one or more ribs 622 of this type may be provided with any of the other plate members described herein.

In the plate member structure examples shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1F-1I, and 4-6, the medial arm 220M extends further forward than the lateral arm 220L. This feature need not be present in all examples of this technology. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a plate member 700 in which the medial arm 220M and the lateral arm 220L extend to substantially the same longitudinal location. In the example of FIG. 7, the free end 220ME of the medial arm 220M and the free end 220LE of the lateral arm 220L may extend to longitudinal locations within any of the ranges described above for free ends 220ME and 220LE in conjunction with FIG. 1B. Medial arms 220M and lateral arms 220L having substantially the same forward extent in the longitudinal length direction as described above may be provided in any of the other plate member structures described herein.

FIG. 7 further shows a midfoot projection 720P having a somewhat different shape from the other midfoot projections 220P, 420P, 520P described above. Projection 720P has a pentagonal shape with forward end 220FE formed by a base side of the pentagonal shape and rearward end 220RE formed by an apex of the pentagonal shape. Thus, this projection 720P is wider at the forward end 220FE than at the rearward end 220RE (although this specific projection 720 is widest at an intermediate location between the rearward end 220RE and forward end 220FE). A projection 720P of this type also may be provided in plate members of any of the other types described herein.

Like plate member 500 of FIG. 5, the specific example plate member 700 of FIG. 7 does not include a heel based though hole opening. Nonetheless, a projection 720P of this type also may be provided in plate members having heel based through hole openings of the types described herein (e.g., including those of FIGS. 1A-1I, 4, and 6).

Other arm structures also may be used in some examples of this technology. As shown in FIG. 8, this example plate member 800 includes a wider medial arm 820M and a wider lateral arm 820L (as compared to the other illustrated examples). Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the free ends 820ME and 820LE of one or both of medial arm 820M and lateral arm 820L, respectively, may be located forward of a parallel plane located at P=0.75L, and in some examples, forward of parallel planes located at 0.8L, 0.85L, or even 0.9L (where L is the longitudinal length L of a sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100 in which plate member 800 is contained). In this illustrated example, the recess 220R between the medial arm 820M and lateral arm 820L is narrower, e.g., formed as a slot extending generally in the heel-to-toe direction. At least 90% of a length of the slot defined by recess 220R may be less than 20 mm wide, and in some examples, less than 15 mm wide or even less than 10 mm wide. In some examples, the recess 220R may simply be formed as a cut that extends through the plate member 800. The medial arm 820M and lateral arm 820L structure of FIG. 8 may be used with plate members having a midfoot projection (e.g., like projections 220P, 420P, 520P, 720P), with plate members having one or more stiffening ribs (e.g., like ribs 622), with plate members having no midfoot projections or stiffening ribs, with plate members having differently shaped heel-based through hole openings (e.g., like openings 420H, 620H), and/or with plate members having no heel-based through hole openings in other specific examples of this technology.

FIG. 9 shows another example plate member 900 in which no distinct arm structures are provided. If additional forefoot medial side-to-lateral side flexion is desired in this example plate member 900, then a thinned region 900R (e.g., in the shape of recesses 220R described above) may be provided, e.g., extending inward from the top plate surface 220U (not shown in FIG. 9) and/or the bottom plate surface 220G. Thinned region 900R and its rear base 900RB (when present), may have any of the size, shape, and/locational features described above in conjunction with recess 220R and recess base 220RB in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1E-1H, 4-8. The thinned region 900R structure of FIG. 9 may be used with plate members having a midfoot projection (e.g., like projections 220P, 420P, 520P, 720P), with plate members having one or more stiffening ribs (e.g., like ribs 622), with plate members having no midfoot projections or stiffening ribs, with plate members having differently shaped heel-based through hole openings (e.g., like openings 420H, 620H), and/or with plate members having no heel-based through hole openings in other specific examples of this technology.

Plate members 220, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 of the types described above may comprise a “stiffening structure” or a portion of a “stiffening structure” (e.g., a “base member” of an overall “stiffening structure”) in sole structures 200 and/or articles of footwear 100 in accordance with some aspects of this technology. The stiffening structure may provide foot support, flexibility in desired location(s) and/or direction(s), and/or torsional stability. Plate members 220, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 formed from rigid materials (e.g., one or more of: rubber materials, poly-ether-block co-polyamide polymer materials, silicone materials, thermoplastic polyurethane materials, fiber reinforced polymer materials, thermosetting materials, polypropylene materials, polyethylene materials, and the like) may form a significant component of a stiffening structure and provide substantial stiffening functions. Additionally, however, cement material may be provided in such structures to provide some additional stiffening function (and thus, the cement material also may function as and form a portion of a stiffening structure for the sole member 200 and/or article of footwear 100).

In at least some examples of this technology, however, sole structures 200 and/or articles of footwear 100 may include base members, e.g., that may be sized, shaped, and positioned like the plate members 220, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 described above, but these base members may be made from less rigid materials, e.g., materials that do not hold their shape under force of gravity. Such materials may include ethylvinylacetate materials (e.g., thin, soft foams), polyurethane materials (e.g., thin, soft foams), and/or textile materials (e.g., fabrics). More flexible base members of these types may be used in place of more rigid plate members 220, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 described above (although the more flexible base members may have any of the size, shape, projection, and/or through hole opening features for the plate members described above). In such sole structures 200 and/or articles of footwear 100, at least some portion or degree of the stiffening functions—even most or all of the stiffening function—may be provided by cement material.

In some more specific examples of such structures, the cement material may be provided to: (a) fix the top plate surface 220U (or the top of a less rigid base member) to an overlying foam layer 230 and/or fluid-filled bladder component 240 and/or (b) fix the bottom plate surface 220G (or the bottom of a less rigid base member) to an underlying outsole component 210 (e.g., to upper-facing surface 210U). Cement material may provide some or all of the stiffening functions when the base member is formed from softer and/or more pliable or compressible materials, such as ethylvinylacetate materials, polyurethane materials, and/or textile materials (e.g., textile materials of the type used in footwear strobel members). Additionally or alternatively, in some structures in accordance with aspects of this technology, cement material may provide all of the desired stiffening function (and thus form the “stiffening structure”) in footwear structures in which no separate plate member and/or other base member is provided. In such structures, the cement material may be applied directly to the upper-facing surface 210U of the outsole component 210, the bottom foam surface 230B (if present), and/or the bottom of fluid-filled bladder component 240 (if present). In this manner, the cement material will directly join the outsole component 210 with the foam layer 230 (if present) and/or fluid-filled bladder component 240 (if present) and/or to another footwear component (e.g., a strobel member).

As some specific examples of this aspect of the present technology, cement material may be applied to one or more of: (i) the upper-facing surface 210U of the outsole component 210, (ii) the bottom plate surface 220G or the bottom of a less rigid base member (if a plate member or base member is present), (iii) the top plate surface 220U or the top of a less rigid base member (if a plate member or base member is present), (iv) the bottom foam surface 230B (if a foam layer 230 is present), and/or (v) the bottom of a fluid-filled bladder component 240 (if present). The cement material may be applied to one or more of these components at least in part in the shape of any of the plate members 220, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-2 and 4-9. Thus, the cement material may be applied to one or more of those components in a shape to form a lateral cement arm and a medial cement arm separated from one another in the forefoot region (whether or not a rigid plate member or a softer base member is included in the sole structure). When dried, the cement material will harden and act as at least a portion of a stiffening structure for the sole structure 200. Stiffening can be provided by the cement material in structures that include a rigid plate member as a base member, structures that include a softer, more flexible, and pliable base member (e.g., such as a fabric or foam base member), and/or structures that do not include any base member.

FIG. 10 shows an example. FIG. 10 shows a base member 1000 (which may comprise a plate member of types described above or a less rigid base member, e.g., made from a softer, more pliable fabric or foam material). The base member 1000 may include any of the heel-based opening structures and/or midfoot projection and/or rib features described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-2 and 4-9. In this example, the base member 1000 includes a heel based opening 1002 (which may have any of the size, shape, and/or other features described above). Base member 1000 may fit into a sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100 having any of the components (including any of the options or alternative) described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-9, e.g., in place of plate members 220, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900.

At the forefoot area, however, this example base member 1000 continues to form a rounded toe region 1004 with no discernible arms. Cement material 1006, however, may be applied to the material of the base member 1000 (e.g., to its top surface and/or bottom surface) in a shape forming a lateral cement arm 1006L, a medial cement arm 1006M, and a central cement recess 1006R or gap separating the lateral cement arm 1000L from the medial cement arm 1006M in the forefoot region. The central cement recess 1006R may extend rearward to a cement recess base 1006RB, e.g., that may be located in a sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100 at any of the locations of recess base 220RB described above. As shown in FIG. 10, the central cement recess 1006R extends rearward from the free end 1006LE of the lateral cement arm 1006L and the free end 1006ME of the medial cement arm 1006M located in the forefoot region to the cement recess base 1006RB, e.g., located in the midfoot region. Thus, cement material may cover the top and/or bottom surface area of the base member 1000 rearward of the broken line in FIG. 10 (where the broken line represents the edge of the cement material) to thereby form the cement arms 1000L, 1000M. When hardened/cured, the cement material provides stiffening function for the base member 1000 (irrespective of whether the base member 1000 is formed from a rigid material or a more pliable material). The cement material 1006 may be conventional cement material of the types used in conventional footwear construction.

Thus, in some examples of this technology, cement material may be applied to a base member (rigid or non-rigid) in any of the shapes, locations, and/or areas described above for the plate members 220, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, e.g., forming a lateral cement arm and a medial cement arm, irrespective of the overall shape of the base member. As shown in FIG. 10, while the cement material is applied to base member 1000 to include lateral cement arm 1006L and medial cement arm 1006M, the base member 1000 additionally includes the toe region 1004 that does not have cement material applied to it. This leaves the toe region 1004 more flexible than the areas having cement applied to them (and thus permits some degree of lateral side-to-medial side flexibility in the forefoot region). Base member 1000 also may have any of the thickness features described above for plate members 220, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900.

Some examples of this technology may not include a separate base member (e.g., neither a plate member nor a more flexible base member). FIG. 11 illustrates one example. In such structures, cement material (of the types described above in conjunction with FIG. 10) may be provided as the stiffening agent, and it may be applied directly to one or more of: (a) the upper-facing surface 210U of outsole component 210, (b) the bottom foam surface 230B of foam layer 230 (if present), (c) the bottom surface 1100A of a fluid-filled bladder component 240 (if present), and/or (d) the bottom surface 1100B of a footwear upper 102 (e.g., a strobel component). As shown in FIG. 11, in such structures, the cement material 1106 may be applied in direct contact with at least one of the upper-facing surface 210U, the bottom foam surface 230B, the bottom surface 1100A of a fluid-filled bladder component 240, and/or the bottom surface 1100B of a footwear upper 102 in a shape forming a lateral cement arm 1106L and a medial cement arm 1106M that are separated from one another in the forefoot region. The broken line in FIG. 11 represents the edge of the cement material 1106 (with the cement material 1106 located inside the broken line). The cement material 1106 may be applied such that a central cement recess 1106R separates the lateral cement arm 1106L from the medial cement arm 1106M in the forefoot region. The central cement recess 1106R may extend rearward to a cement recess base 1106RB, e.g., that may be located in a sole structure 200 and/or article of footwear 100 at any of the locations of recess base 220RB described above. As shown in FIG. 11, the central cement recess 1106R extends rearward from the free end 1106LE of the lateral cement arm 1106L and the free end 1106ME of the medial cement arm 1106M located in the forefoot region to the cement recess base 1106RB, e.g., located in the midfoot region. When hardened/cured, the cement material 1106 provides stiffening function for the sole structure 200. Cement material 1106 may be applied to one or more of the upper-facing surface 210U, the bottom foam surface 230B, the bottom surface 1100A of a fluid-filled bladder component 240, and/or the bottom surface 1100B of a footwear upper 102 at locations and/or in shapes corresponding to any of the locations and/or shapes for plate members 220, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-9.

In some examples of structures in accordance with FIG. 11, the cement material 1106 may be applied in a shape to provide an enclosed region 1102 free of cement material 1106, e.g., located in the heel region. This enclosed region 1102 free of cement material 1106 is shown in dot-dash line in FIG. 11. This enclosed region 1102 free of cement material 1106 may be completely surrounded by cement material 1106. The enclosed region 1102 free of cement material 1106 may function as through hole openings 220H, 420H, 620H described above, and the enclosed region 1102 may have any of the size, shape, and/or locational features described above for through hole opening 220H, 420H, 620H.

The cement material 1006 and/or 1106 may be applied to a surface of another footwear component structure (e.g., the structures described above) in any desired manner without departing from this technology. Some more specific examples of these application techniques include one or more of: coating; laminating; printing; brushing; spreading; spraying; dipping; rolling; stamping; calendering; etc.

At least some aspects of this technology are well suited to providing a sole structure 200 and article of footwear 100 with a low profile (e.g., less than an 8 mm drop between the heel and toe). Sole structures 200 and articles of footwear 100 in accordance with at least some examples of this technology may be well suited for skateboarding activities, including competitive skateboarding. Thin sole structures 200 allow wearer's to better feel the skateboard underfoot and provide sufficient flexibility (e.g., in the forefoot and/or heel regions) to enable wearer's to better perform certain skateboarding tricks and maneuvers, while still providing adequate stiffness, torsional resistance, and/or foot support.

CONCLUSION

The present technology is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to this technology, not to limit the scope of the claimed invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the presently claimed invention, as defined by the appended claims.

For avoidance of doubt, this invention includes within its scope at least the subject matter defined in the following numbered “Clauses:”

Clause 1. A sole structure for an article of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region, the sole structure comprising:

• • an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region;
  • a plate member including a bottom plate surface adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface, the plate member including a top plate surface located opposite the bottom plate surface and extending through the midfoot region into both the forefoot region and the heel region; and
  • a foam layer including a bottom foam surface adhesively fixed to the top plate surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region.

Clause 2. The sole structure according to Clause 1, wherein the plate member includes a lateral arm and a medial arm that are separated from one another in the forefoot region, wherein the bottom plate surface located at each of the lateral arm and the medial arm is adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface of the outsole component.

Clause 3. The sole structure according to Clause 2, wherein the plate member includes a central recess that separates the lateral arm from the medial arm, wherein the central recess extends rearward from free ends of the lateral arm and the medial arm located in the forefoot region to a recess base of the central recess located in the midfoot region.

Clause 4. The sole structure according to Clause 2 or 3, wherein the medial arm extends farther forward in the sole structure than does the lateral arm.

Clause 5. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4, wherein the bottom plate surface includes a main surface and a projection extending downward from the main surface in the midfoot region.

Clause 6. The sole structure according to Clause 5, wherein the outsole component defines a through hole opening in the midfoot region, and wherein the projection is exposed in the through hole opening.

Clause 7. The sole structure according to Clause 5, wherein the outsole component defines a through hole opening in the midfoot region, and wherein the projection extends into the through hole opening.

Clause 8. The sole structure according to Clause 7, wherein the through hole opening in the outsole component includes a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the forward end is wider than the rearward end.

Clause 9. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 5 to 8, wherein the projection includes a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the forward end of the projection is wider than the rearward end of the projection.

Clause 10. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1 to 9, wherein the plate member defines a through hole opening in the heel region.

Clause 11. The sole structure according to Clause 10, wherein the through hole opening of the plate member is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the sole structure.

Clause 12. The sole structure according to Clause 11, further comprising a fluid-filled bladder component engaged with the top plate surface in the heel region, wherein a portion of the fluid-filled bladder component overlays the through hole opening in the plate member.

Clause 13. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1 to 11, further comprising a fluid-filled bladder component engaged with the top plate surface in the heel region.

Clause 14. The sole structure according to Clause 13, wherein the bottom foam surface overlays an upper surface of the fluid-filled bladder component.

Clause 15. The sole structure according to Clause 13 or 14, wherein at least 90% of a total volume of the fluid-filled bladder component is located in the heel region.

Clause 16. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 13 to 15, wherein a thickness of the fluid-filled bladder component measured directly from a top surface of the fluid-filled bladder component to a bottom surface of the fluid-filled bladder component is less than 12 mm through at least 80% of a surface area of the top surface of the fluid-filled bladder component.

Clause 17. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1 to 16, wherein the plate member is formed from a rubber material.

Clause 18. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1 to 17, wherein a thickness of the plate member measured directly from the top plate surface to the bottom plate surface is less than 2.5 mm through at least 75% of a surface area of the top plate surface.

Clause 19. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1 to 17, wherein a thickness of the plate member measured directly from the top plate surface to the bottom plate surface is less than 2 mm through at least 75% of a surface area of the top plate surface.

Clause 20. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1 to 19, wherein the outsole component comprises a cup sole structure.

Clause 21. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1 to 20, wherein a thickness of the outsole component measured directly from the ground-contacting surface to the upper-facing surface is less than 2.5 mm through at least 60% of a surface area of the ground-contacting surface.

Clause 22. A sole structure for an article of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region, the sole structure consisting essentially of:

• • an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region;
  • a plate member including a bottom plate surface adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface, the plate member including a top plate surface located opposite the bottom plate surface and extending through the midfoot region into both the forefoot region and the heel region; and
  • a foam layer including a bottom foam surface adhesively fixed to the top plate surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region.

Clause 23. A sole structure for an article of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region, the sole structure consisting essentially of:

• • an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region;
  • a plate member including a bottom plate surface adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface, the plate member including a top plate surface located opposite the bottom plate surface and extending through the midfoot region into both the forefoot region and the heel region;
  • a foam layer including a bottom foam surface adhesively fixed to the top plate surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region; and
    • a fluid-filled bladder component engaged with the top plate surface in the heel region.

Clause 24. A sole structure for an article of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region, the sole structure comprising:

• • an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region;
  • a foam layer including a bottom foam surface located at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region; and
  • a stiffening structure provided between and in direct contact with both the bottom foam surface and the upper-facing surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region, wherein the stiffening structure includes: (a) a base member and (b) cement material applied to at least one of the base member, the upper-facing surface, or the bottom foam surface, wherein the cement material is applied in a shape forming a lateral cement arm and a medial cement arm that are separated from one another in the forefoot region.

Clause 25. The sole structure according to Clause 24, wherein the cement material is applied in a shape further forming a central recess that separates the lateral cement arm from the medial cement arm, wherein the central recess extends rearward from free ends of the lateral cement arm and the medial cement arm located in the forefoot region to a recess base of the central recess located in the midfoot region.

Clause 26. The sole structure according to Clause 24 or 25, wherein the medial cement arm extends farther forward in the sole structure than does the lateral cement arm.

Clause 27. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 26, wherein a bottom surface of the base member includes a main surface and a projection extending downward from the main surface in the midfoot region.

Clause 28. The sole structure according to Clause 27, wherein the outsole component defines a through hole opening in the midfoot region, and wherein the projection is exposed in the through hole opening.

Clause 29. The sole structure according to Clause 27, wherein the outsole component defines a through hole opening in the midfoot region, and wherein the projection extends into the through hole opening.

Clause 30. The sole structure according to Clause 29, wherein the through hole opening in the outsole component includes a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the forward end is wider than the rearward end.

Clause 31. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 27 to 30, wherein the projection includes a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the forward end of the projection is wider than the rearward end of the projection.

Clause 32. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 31, wherein the base member defines a through hole opening in the heel region.

Clause 33. The sole structure according to Clause 32, wherein the through hole opening of the base member is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the sole structure.

Clause 34. The sole structure according to Clause 33, further comprising a fluid-filled bladder component engaged with the base member in the heel region, wherein a portion of the fluid-filled bladder component overlays the through hole opening in the base member.

Clause 35. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 33, further comprising a fluid-filled bladder component engaged with the base member in the heel region.

Clause 36. The sole structure according to Clause 35, wherein the bottom foam surface overlays an upper surface of the fluid-filled bladder component.

Clause 37. The sole structure according to Clause 35 or 36, wherein at least 90% of a total volume of the fluid-filled bladder component is located in the heel region.

Clause 38. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 35 to 37, wherein a thickness of the fluid-filled bladder component measured directly from a top surface of the fluid-filled bladder component to a bottom surface of the fluid-filled bladder component is less than 12 mm through at least 80% of a surface area of the top surface of the fluid-filled bladder component.

Clause 39. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 38, wherein the base member comprises one or more of: a rubber material, a poly-ether-block co-polyamide polymer material, a silicone material, a thermoplastic polyurethane material, a fiber reinforced polymer material, a polypropylene material, a polyethylene material, an ethylvinylacetate material, a polyurethane material, and a styrene ethylbutylene styrene material.

Clause 40. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 38, wherein the base member is formed from a textile material.

Clause 41. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 40, wherein a thickness of the base member measured directly from a top surface of the base member to a bottom surface of the base member is less than 2.5 mm through at least 75% of a surface area of the top surface.

Clause 42. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 40, wherein a thickness of the base member measured directly from a top surface of the base member to a bottom surface of the base member is less than 2 mm through at least 75% of a surface area of the top surface.

Clause 43. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 42, wherein the outsole component comprises a cup sole structure.

Clause 44. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 43, wherein a thickness of the outsole component measured directly from the ground-contacting surface to the upper-facing surface is less than 2.5 mm through at least 60% of a surface area of the ground-contacting surface.

Clause 45. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 44, wherein the base member has a shape that matches the shape of the cement material.

Clause 46. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 44, wherein at least one of a bottom surface of the base member or a top surface of the base member includes at least some surface area that is not in contact with the cement material.

Clause 47. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 46, wherein the cement material is applied to at least one of a bottom surface of the base member and the upper-facing surface of the outsole component to adhesively fix at least a portion of the bottom surface of the base member with the upper-facing surface of the outsole component.

Clause 48. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 47, wherein the cement material is applied to at least one of a top surface of the base member and the bottom foam surface to thereby adhesively fix at least a portion of the top surface of the base member with the bottom foam surface.

Clause 49. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 24 to 44, wherein an entire surface area of at least one of a bottom surface of the base member or a top surface of the base member includes is in contact with the cement material.

Clause 50. A sole structure for an article of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region, the sole structure comprising:

• • an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region;
  • a foam layer including a bottom foam surface located at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region; and
  • a stiffening structure provided between the bottom foam surface and the upper-facing surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region, wherein the stiffening structure includes cement material in direct contact with at least one of the upper-facing surface or the bottom foam surface, and wherein the cement material is provided in a shape forming a lateral cement arm and a medial cement arm that are separated from one another in the forefoot region.

Clause 51. The sole structure according to Clause 50, wherein the cement material is provided in a shape further forming a central recess that separates the lateral cement arm from the medial cement arm, wherein the central recess extends rearward from free ends of the lateral cement arm and the medial cement arm located in the forefoot region to a recess base of the central recess located in the midfoot region.

Clause 52. The sole structure according to Clause 50 or 51, wherein the medial cement arm extends farther forward in the sole structure than does the lateral cement arm.

Clause 53. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 50 to 52, wherein the cement material is provided in a shape forming an enclosed region free of cement material located in the heel region, wherein the enclosed region is completely surrounded by cement material.

Clause 54. The sole structure according to Clause 53, wherein the enclosed region free of cement material is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the sole structure.

Clause 55. The sole structure according to Clause 54, further comprising a fluid-filled bladder component located in the heel region, wherein a portion of the fluid-filled bladder component overlays the enclosed region free of cement material.

Clause 56. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 50 to 52, further comprising a fluid-filled bladder component located between the outsole component and the foam layer at least in the heel region.

Clause 57. The sole structure according to Clause 56, wherein the bottom foam surface overlays an upper surface of the fluid-filled bladder component.

Clause 58. The sole structure according to Clause 56 or 57, wherein at least 90% of a total volume of the fluid-filled bladder component is located in the heel region.

Clause 59. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 56 to 58, wherein a thickness of the fluid-filled bladder component measured directly from a top surface of the fluid-filled bladder component to a bottom surface of the fluid-filled bladder component is less than 12 mm through at least 80% of a surface area of the top surface of the fluid-filled bladder component.

Clause 60. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 50 to 59, wherein the outsole component comprises a cup sole structure.

Clause 61. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 50 to 60, wherein a thickness of the outsole component measured directly from the ground-contacting surface to the upper-facing surface is less than 2.5 mm through at least 60% of a surface area of the ground-contacting surface.

Clause 62. An article of footwear, comprising:

• • an upper; and
  • a sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1 to 61 engaged with the upper.

Claims

1. A sole structure for an article of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region, the sole structure comprising: an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region;a plate member including a bottom plate surface adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface, the plate member including a top plate surface located opposite the bottom plate surface and extending through the midfoot region into both the forefoot region and the heel region; anda foam layer including a bottom foam surface adhesively fixed to the top plate surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region.

2. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein the plate member includes a lateral arm and a medial arm that are separated from one another in the forefoot region, wherein the bottom plate surface located at each of the lateral arm and the medial arm is adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface of the outsole component.

3. The sole structure according to claim 2, wherein the plate member includes a central recess that separates the lateral arm from the medial arm, wherein the central recess extends rearward from free ends of the lateral arm and the medial arm located in the forefoot region to a recess base of the central recess located in the midfoot region.

4. The sole structure according to claim 3, wherein the medial arm extends farther forward in the sole structure than does the lateral arm.

5. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein the bottom plate surface includes a main surface and a projection extending downward from the main surface in the midfoot region.

6. The sole structure according to claim 5, wherein the outsole component defines a through hole opening in the midfoot region, and wherein the projection is exposed in the through hole opening.

7. The sole structure according to claim 5, wherein the outsole component defines a through hole opening in the midfoot region, and wherein the projection extends into the through hole opening.

8. The sole structure according to claim 7, wherein the through hole opening in the outsole component includes a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the forward end is wider than the rearward end, wherein the projection includes a forward end and a rearward end, and wherein the forward end of the projection is wider than the rearward end of the projection.

9. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein the plate member defines a through hole opening in the heel region, and wherein the through hole opening of the plate member is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the sole structure.

10. The sole structure according to claim 9, further comprising a fluid-filled bladder component engaged with the top plate surface in the heel region, wherein a portion of the fluid-filled bladder component overlays the through hole opening in the plate member.

11. The sole structure according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid-filled bladder component engaged with the top plate surface in the heel region.

12. The sole structure according to claim 11, wherein the bottom foam surface overlays an upper surface of the fluid-filled bladder component.

13. The sole structure according to claim 11, wherein at least 90% of a total volume of the fluid-filled bladder component is located in the heel region.

14. The sole structure according to claim 11, wherein a thickness of the fluid-filled bladder component measured directly from a top surface of the fluid-filled bladder component to a bottom surface of the fluid-filled bladder component is less than 12 mm through at least 80% of a surface area of the top surface of the fluid-filled bladder component.

15. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein the plate member is formed from a rubber material.

16. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the plate member measured directly from the top plate surface to the bottom plate surface is less than 2 mm through at least 75% of a surface area of the top plate surface.

17. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein the outsole component comprises a cup sole structure.

18. The sole structure according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the outsole component measured directly from the ground-contacting surface to the upper-facing surface is less than 2.5 mm through at least 60% of a surface area of the ground-contacting surface.

19. A sole structure for an article of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region, the sole structure consisting essentially of: an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region;a plate member including a bottom plate surface adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface, the plate member including a top plate surface located opposite the bottom plate surface and extending through the midfoot region into both the forefoot region and the heel region; anda foam layer including a bottom foam surface adhesively fixed to the top plate surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region.

20. A sole structure for an article of footwear including a forefoot region, a heel region, and a midfoot region located between the forefoot region and the heel region, the sole structure consisting essentially of: an outsole component including a ground-contacting surface and an upper-facing surface opposite the ground-contacting surface, the outsole component extending from the heel region to the forefoot region through the midfoot region;a plate member including a bottom plate surface adhesively fixed to the upper-facing surface, the plate member including a top plate surface located opposite the bottom plate surface and extending through the midfoot region into both the forefoot region and the heel region;a foam layer including a bottom foam surface adhesively fixed to the top plate surface at least in the midfoot region and the forefoot region; anda fluid-filled bladder component engaged with the top plate surface in the heel region.