CN108497623B

CN108497623B - Footwear with lace receiving cord

Info

Publication number: CN108497623B
Application number: CN201810548176.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 布赖恩特·拉塞尔·克卢格; T·T·米纳米; J·莫里纽克斯
Original assignee: Nike Inc
Current assignee: Nike Inc
Priority date: 2014-01-08
Filing date: 2014-10-30
Publication date: 2021-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-30
Also published as: MX2016008981A; EP3091866A1; BR112016015957A2; EP3091866B1; EP3504999A1; CN106061308A; US20190037970A1; CN106061308B; CN108497623A; WO2015105564A1; EP3504999B1; AU2014376275A1; AU2014376275B2

Abstract

The present application relates to footwear having lace receiving cords. An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot and a sole structure fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole structure may include a ground-engaging outer member and the footwear may include a first strand configured to form at least a first lace-receiving loop and extend through the outer member of the sole structure.

Description

Footwear with lace receiving cord

The present application is a divisional application of the application entitled "footwear with lace receiving cord" filed as 30/10/2014 under application number 201480076882.8.

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/924,958 to Klug et al, filed on 8/1/2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the present application is directed to U.S. patent to Klug et al entitled "Footwear group Engaging Members had connecting devices" (current U.S. patent application No. 14/145,513 filed on 31.12.2013 [ attorney docket No. 51-3653]), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to articles of footwear, and more particularly to the construction of cords forming lace-receiving loops.

Background

Lace-receiving elements of footwear, particularly in athletic footwear, may be subjected to significant loads. Accordingly, various structures are used to reinforce the lacing area of footwear as well as the lace-receiving elements themselves. For example, in some cases, the strap eyelets may include reinforcing grommets formed of metal or hard plastic. Additionally, the upper of the article of footwear may include a second layer of material in the area where the lace passes through. In some cases, the lace-receiving structures may extend downward along the sides of the footwear and may be secured to the sole structure to provide reinforcement to the footwear and stability to the wearer. For example, in some cases, cords or threads have been used to form loops that form the lace-receiving elements. These cords or strands may extend under the foot between the upper and the sole structure, and thus may provide a stirrup-like structure. Such strands may provide reinforcement with minimal weight, and may allow the remainder of the upper to be constructed of lighter weight and/or breathable materials, while maintaining the strength and stability of the footwear.

SUMMARY

It is desirable to secure such lace-receiving threads to a relatively stable structure of the footwear. The present disclosure is directed to improvements in existing lace receiving systems that include provisions for securing a lace receiving cord.

The present disclosure is directed to configurations of cords arranged to form lace-receiving loops. The cords may be configured to extend from one side of the footwear to another. In some embodiments, the strand may extend through an outer member (outsole) of the footwear. In some embodiments, the outer member may be formed of a relatively hard plastic material, such as in footwear equipped with a slip prevention (clean), and thus, the outer member may provide a relatively rigid structure therein to anchor the cord.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear including an upper configured to receive a foot and a sole structure fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole structure may include a ground-engaging outer member and the footwear may include a first strand configured to form at least a first lace-receiving loop and extend through the outer member of the sole structure.

In the article of footwear, the first strand forms a first lace-receiving loop on a medial side of the article of footwear and a second lace-receiving loop on a lateral side of the article of footwear.

In this article of footwear, the first strand forms a third lace-receiving loop on a medial side of the article of footwear and a fourth lace-receiving loop on a lateral side of the article of footwear.

In the article of footwear, the first strand includes a first end and a second end; and is

Wherein the first cord includes a knot at the first end configured to prevent the first cord from being pulled through the ground-engaging outer member.

In the article of footwear, at least a portion of the first strand is attached to a portion of the upper.

In the article of footwear, the first strand is attached to the upper with stitching.

In the article of footwear, the first strand is attached to the upper with stitching adjacent to the first lace-receiving loop.

In the article of footwear, the first strand includes a first end and a second end;

wherein the first end and the second end of the first cord overlap each other in an overlap region; and is

Wherein the first end and the second end of the first cord are secured to each other with stitches in the overlapping area.

In the article of footwear, the overlap region forms at least a portion of the first lace-receiving loop.

In the article of footwear, a figure eight cord arrangement is also included, the figure eight cord arrangement having one or more cords and a pair of cords, the one or more cords forming a first lace-receiving loop disposed adjacent the instep region on a first side of the upper, and the pair of cords extending from the first lace-receiving loop down a first side of the upper to the sole structure, passing through a ground-engaging outer member of the sole structure, extending up and diagonally across the instep region of the upper, down the first side of the upper, under the upper and up a second side of the upper, and forming a second lace-receiving loop on a second side of the upper adjacent the instep region diagonally opposite the first lace-receiving loop.

In the article of footwear, a first cord extends through a midfoot region of the ground-engaging outer member.

In the article of footwear, a first strand extends through a forefoot region of the ground-engaging outer member.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear including an upper configured to receive a foot and a sole structure fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole structure may include a ground-engaging outer member, and the footwear may include a first cord configured to form a plurality of lace-receiving loops including at least a first lace-receiving loop on a first side of the upper and a second lace-receiving loop on a second side of the upper. The first strand may extend from a first side of the upper, through an outer member of the sole structure, to a second side of the upper.

In the article of footwear, the plurality of lace-receiving loops further includes a third lace-receiving loop on a first side of the article of footwear and a fourth lace-receiving loop on a second side of the article of footwear.

Wherein the first cord includes a first knot at the first end configured to prevent the first cord from being pulled through the ground engaging outer member.

In the article of footwear, the first strand includes a second knot at a second end of the first strand, the second knot configured to prevent the first strand from being pulled through the ground-engaging outer member.

In the article of footwear, the first strand extends through the ground-engaging outer member at two or more locations.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear including an upper configured to receive a foot and a sole structure fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The footwear may include a ground-engaging outer member and a first strand configured to form a first lace-receiving loop on a medial side of the upper and a second lace-receiving loop on a lateral side of the upper, the first strand extending from the medial side of the upper to the lateral side of the upper between the upper and the outer member of the sole structure. Additionally, the footwear may include a second strand configured to form a third lace-receiving loop on a medial side of the upper and a fourth lace-receiving loop on a lateral side of the upper, the second strand extending from the medial side of the upper through the outer member of the sole structure to the lateral side of the upper.

In the article of footwear, the second strand includes a first end and a second end; and is

Wherein the second cord includes a knot at the first end, the structure being such that the second cord is prevented from being pulled through the ground engaging outer member.

In the article of footwear, the second strand includes a second knot at a second end of the second strand, the second knot configured to prevent the second strand from being pulled through the ground-engaging outer member.

In the article of footwear, the second strand extends through the ground-engaging outer member at two or more locations.

In the article of footwear, at least a portion of the second strand is attached to a portion of the upper.

In the article of footwear, the second strand is attached to the upper with stitching.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.

Drawings

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The drawings are schematic and, thus, the components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary article of footwear having a ground-engaging outer member with a ground-engaging member.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a lower perspective view of an exemplary ground engaging outer member.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a lower perspective view of a forefoot region of the outer member shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an enlarged view of an exemplary ground engaging member.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a side view of an exemplary ground engaging member.

Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the ground engaging member shown in fig. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration of a member for engaging the ground.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of another alternative configuration of a member for engaging the ground.

Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of an exemplary ground engaging member.

Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration in perspective view and various cross-sectional views of the ground engaging member shown in fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of another exemplary ground engaging member.

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration in perspective view and a plurality of cross-sectional views of the ground engaging member shown in FIG. 11.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view of a bottom perspective view of an arrangement of ground-engaging members in a heel region of an article of footwear.

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of another bottom perspective view of the arrangement of ground engaging members shown in FIG. 13.

Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom view of a forefoot region of an article of footwear with longitudinal overlap of ground-engaging members.

Fig. 16 is a schematic partial lateral side view of the article of footwear shown in fig. 15.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a partial side view of an article of footwear including a strand forming a lace-receiving loop.

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a lateral side view of an article of footwear including a plurality of strands forming lace-receiving loops.

Fig. 19 is a schematic illustration of a top view of the article of footwear shown in fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a schematic representation of a medial side view of the article of footwear shown in fig. 18.

Fig. 21 is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the article of footwear shown in fig. 18.

Fig. 22 is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of layers of the article of footwear shown in fig. 18.

Fig. 23 is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of the article of footwear shown in fig. 18.

Fig. 24 is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of the heel region of the article of footwear shown in fig. 18.

Fig. 25 is a schematic view of a threading arrangement of the cords of the article of footwear shown in fig. 18.

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of another pass-through arrangement of cords of the article of footwear shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of a bottom view of an article of footwear including a strand forming a lace-receiving loop.

FIG. 28 is a schematic view of another bottom view of an article of footwear including a strand forming a lace-receiving loop.

Fig. 29 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of a midfoot cross-over arrangement of the article of footwear illustrated in fig. 27.

Fig. 30 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of a forefoot pass-through arrangement of the article of footwear illustrated in fig. 27.

Detailed description of the invention

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose sole structures for articles of footwear. Concepts associated with the footwear disclosed herein may be applied to a variety of athletic footwear styles, including soccer shoes, baseball shoes, football shoes, and golf shoes, for example. Accordingly, the concepts disclosed herein are applicable to a variety of footwear types.

Directional adjectives are employed throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments for consistency and convenience. The term "longitudinal," as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims, refers to a direction that extends the length of a sole structure, i.e., from a forefoot portion to a heel portion of a sole. The term "forward" is used to refer to the general direction in which the toes of the foot point, and the term "rearward" is used to refer to the opposite direction, i.e., the direction in which the heel of the foot faces.

The term "lateral direction" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a side-to-side direction (side-to-side direction) that extends the width of a sole. In other words, the lateral direction may extend between a medial side and a lateral side of the article of footwear, where the lateral side of the article of footwear faces away from a surface of the other foot and the medial side is the surface that faces the other foot.

The term "transverse axis" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to an axis oriented in a transverse direction.

The term "horizontal" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any direction generally parallel to the ground, including longitudinal, lateral, and all directions in between. Similarly, the term "side" as used in the specification and claims refers to any portion of a component that generally faces in an outboard, inboard, forward, and/or rearward direction, rather than an upward or downward direction.

The term "vertical" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral and longitudinal directions. For example, where the sole is flat on a ground surface, the vertical direction may extend upward from the ground surface. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may apply to a single component of a sole. The term "upward" refers to a vertical direction of travel away from the ground, while the term "downward" refers to a vertical direction of travel toward the ground. Likewise, the terms "top," "upper," and other similar terms refer to the portion of an object that is generally furthest from the ground in a vertical direction, while the terms "bottom," "lower," and other similar terms refer to the portion of an object that is generally closest to the ground in a vertical direction.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the foregoing directional terms, as used to refer to an article of footwear, shall refer to the article of footwear when in an upright position, with the sole facing the ground, i.e., as the article of footwear would be positioned when worn by a wearer standing on a generally horizontal surface.

Additionally, for purposes of this disclosure, the term "fixedly attached" shall refer to two components that are joined in a manner such that the components cannot be easily separated (e.g., without breaking one or both of the components). Exemplary forms of fixedly attaching may include joining with permanent adhesives, rivets, sutures, staples, u-shaped staples, welding or other thermal bonding, and/or other joining techniques. Additionally, the two components may be "fixedly attached" by means of integral forming, for example, in a molding process.

Fig. 1 depicts an embodiment of an article of footwear 100, which may include a sole structure 105 and an upper 110 configured to receive a foot. Sole structure 105 may be fixedly attached to a bottom portion of upper 110. For reference purposes, as shown in fig. 1, footwear 100 may be divided into three general regions, including forefoot region 130, midfoot region 135, and heel region 140. Forefoot region 130 generally includes portions of footwear 100 corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. Midfoot region 135 generally includes portions of footwear 100 corresponding with the arch area of the foot. Heel region 140 generally corresponds with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. Forefoot region 130, midfoot region 135, and heel region 140 are not intended to demarcate precise areas of footwear 100. Rather, forefoot region 130, midfoot region 135, and heel region 140 are intended to represent generally opposite areas of footwear 100 to aid in the following discussion.

Because both sole structure 105 and upper 110 span substantially the entire length of footwear 100, the terms forefoot region 130, midfoot region 135, and heel region 140 apply not only to footwear 100 generally, but also to sole structure 105 and upper 110, as well as to the individual elements of sole structure 105 and upper 110. Footwear 100 may be formed from any suitable material. In some configurations, the disclosed footwear 100 may employ one or more materials disclosed in U.S. patent No. 5,709,954, issued 1-20 of Lyden et al, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Upper 110 may include one or more material elements (e.g., textiles, foam, leather, and synthetic leather) that may be stitched, adhesively bonded, molded, or otherwise formed to define an interior cavity configured to receive a foot. The material elements may be selected and arranged to selectively impart properties such as durability, air permeability, wear resistance, flexibility, and comfort. Upper 110 may optionally implement any of a variety of other configurations, materials, and/or closure mechanisms.

Sole structure 105 may have a configuration that extends between upper 110 and the ground and may be secured to upper 110 in any suitable manner. For example, sole structure 105 may be secured to upper 110 by adhesive attachment, stitching, welding, or any other suitable means. Sole structure 105 may include provisions for attenuating ground reaction forces (i.e., cushioning and stabilizing the foot during vertical and horizontal loads). In addition, sole structure 105 may be configured to provide traction, impart stability, and/or limit a wide variety of foot motions, such as pronation, supination, and/or other motions.

The configuration of sole structure 105 may vary significantly depending on the type or types of ground surfaces on which sole structure 105 may be used. For example, the disclosed concepts may be applicable to footwear configured for use on indoor or outdoor surfaces. The configuration of sole structure 105 may vary depending on the nature and conditions of the surfaces on which footwear 100 is intended to be used. For example, sole structure 105 may vary depending on whether the surface is harder or softer. In addition, sole structure 105 may be adapted for use in wet or dry conditions.

Sole structure 105 may include multiple components that individually and/or collectively may provide footwear 100 with a number of attributes, such as support, rigidity, flexibility, stability, cushioning, comfort, reduced weight, traction, and/or other attributes. For example, in some embodiments, sole structure 105 may include incompressible plates, moderators, and/or other elements that attenuate forces, affect the motion of the foot, and/or impart stability, for example. Additionally, although various types of cleated footwear may not be provided with a midsole, in some embodiments, sole structure 105 may also include a midsole (not shown) disposed between outer member 120 and upper 110. Such midsoles may include cushioning members, reinforcing structures, support structures, or other features.

An article of footwear according to the present disclosure may include a sole structure that includes a ground-engaging outer member fixedly attached to a bottom portion of an upper. The outer member may include features that provide traction and stability on any of a variety of surfaces and under any of a variety of conditions. The outer member may include a base plate and one or more ground engaging members extending downwardly from the base plate. The base plate may include a substantially planar element, and the substantially planar element supports the foot and serves as a substantially rigid platform from which the ground engaging members may extend.

As shown in fig. 1, sole structure 105 may include a ground-contacting outer member 120. The outer member 120 may include a substrate 126. The base plate 126 may be a substantially flat, plate-like platform. Base plate 126, while relatively flat, may include various anatomical contours, such as a relatively rounded longitudinal profile, a heel portion that is higher than the forefoot portion, a higher arch support area, and other anatomical features. Additionally, the base plate 126 may include a bottom surface 125 that is exposed to the ground. Bottom surface 125 may be generally flat, but may have various contours that provide rigidity, strength, and/or traction. Exemplary such structures are discussed in more detail below.

Outer member 120 may include various features configured to provide traction. For example, in some embodiments, the outer member 120 can include one or more ground engaging members 200 extending from the outer surface 125, as shown in fig. 1.

The materials and configurations for the exterior member may be selected based on the type of activity for which footwear 100 is configured. The outer member may be formed of a suitable material for achieving the desired performance attributes. For example, the outer member may be formed from any suitable polymer, rubber, composite, and/or metal alloy material. Exemplary such materials may include thermoplastic and Thermoset Polyurethanes (TPU), polyesters, nylon, glass-filled nylon, polyether block amides, blends of polyurethane and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, carbon fiber, poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide) (p-aramid fiber, for example,

) Titanium alloy, and/or aluminum alloy. In some embodiments, the outer member or portions of the outer member may be formed from a composite of two or more materials, such as carbon fiber and poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide. In some embodiments, the two materials may be disposed in different portions of the outer member. Alternatively or additionally, the carbon fibers and the poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide fibers may be woven together in the same fabric, which may be laminated to form the outer member. Other suitable materials, including those developed in the future, will be identified by those skilled in the art.

Different structural properties may be desirable for different aspects of the outer member. Thus, the structural configuration may be determined such that even though a common material is used for all portions of the exterior member, different portions may be stiffer or more flexible due to different shapes and sizes of the components. For example, the heel and midfoot regions of the baseplate may be formed of a thicker material and/or may include reinforcing features such as ribs to provide rigidity to these portions of the outer member, however, the forefoot region of the baseplate, particularly the region of the baseplate corresponding with the ball of the foot, may be formed of a relatively thin material to provide flexibility to the forefoot region. Greater flexibility in the forefoot region may enable the foot to naturally flex during running or walking, and may also enable the outer member to conform to surface irregularities, which may provide additional traction and stability on such surfaces. In addition, the ground engaging members may be formed with a thicker structure to provide rigidity and strength.

The outer member may be formed by any suitable process. For example, in some embodiments, the outer member may be formed by molding. In addition, in some embodiments, the various elements of the outer member may be formed separately and then joined in a subsequent process. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other suitable processes for making the outer member discussed in this disclosure.

In some embodiments, the base plate, ground engaging member, and other elements of the outer member may be integrally formed. For example, in some embodiments, the entirety of the outer member can be formed from a single material to form all portions of the outer member. In such embodiments, the outer members may be formed together in a single molding process, such as by injection molding, at one time.

In other embodiments, different portions of the outer member may be formed of different materials. For example, a more rigid material such as carbon fiber may be used in the heel and/or midfoot regions of the substrate, whereas a more flexible material such as thin polyurethane may be used to form the forefoot region of the substrate. Additionally, it may be desirable to employ a stiffer and/or harder material, such as carbon fiber and/or polyurethane, for the substrate and a softer and more flexible material, such as a relatively hard rubber, for the ground-engaging members.

Thus, in some embodiments, the outer member may be formed by multiple molding steps, for example using a co-molding process. For example, the substrate may be pre-molded and then inserted into an outer member mold into which the ground-engaging member material may be injected to form the ground-engaging member or a portion of the ground-engaging member. In other embodiments, the ground-engaging members may be pre-molded, and the substrate may be co-molded with the pre-formed ground-engaging members. In addition, other components of the substrate, such as the stiffening elements, may be formed of different materials.

In some embodiments, the substrate and ground-engaging member can be made separately and then joined to each other (e.g., by mechanical connectors, by cements or adhesives, etc.). In some embodiments, the non-slip portion or outer component may be integrally formed as a unitary, one-piece construction (e.g., by a molding step).

In some embodiments, at least some portions of the sole structure (e.g., the outsole component, optionally including a rear heel support or other heel counter-type structure) may be secured to one another or formed together as a unitary, one-piece construction, for example, by selective laser sintering techniques, stereolithography techniques, or other three-dimensional printing or rapid manufacturing additive manufacturing techniques. These types of additive manufacturing techniques allow the non-slip portion, outsole substrate, base structure, support members, heel counter, and/or rear heel support to be built as a unitary structure.

The configuration of sole structure 105 may vary significantly depending on the type or types of ground surfaces on which sole structure 105 may be used. Accordingly, the outer member 120 can be configured to provide traction on various surfaces such as natural turf (e.g., grass), artificial turf, dirt, snow. Sole structure 105 may also vary depending on the nature and conditions of the surfaces on which footwear 100 is intended to be used. For example, sole structure 105 may vary depending on whether the surface is harder or softer. In addition, sole structure 105 may be adapted for use in wet or dry conditions. In addition, the configuration of sole structure 105, including the traction pattern of outer member 120, may vary significantly depending on the type of activity for which footwear 100 is intended to be used (e.g., running, soccer, baseball, football, and other activities).

In some embodiments, sole structure 105 may be configured for particular specialized surfaces and/or conditions. For example, in some embodiments, sole structure 105 may include a sole for a soccer shoe configured to provide traction and stability on a soft, natural turf surface in wet conditions. In some such embodiments, sole structure 105 may include, for example, a small number of ground-engaging members that are aggressively shaped (aggressive shaped) and have a relatively large size. Conversely, alternative embodiments of sole structure 105 may be configured to provide traction and stability on the surface of a relatively strong, artificial turf in dry conditions. In some such embodiments, sole structure 105 may include, for example, a large number of ground-engaging members, which may be relatively small in size and may have a less aggressive shape. While the number, size, and shape of ground-engaging members are provided for exemplary purposes, other structural parameters may be varied to accommodate traction and stability of the footwear on various surfaces and/or under various conditions. Additional such parameters may include, for example, the use of auxiliary traction elements, the placement of ground-engaging members, the relative softness or stiffness of the ground-engaging members and/or the sole structure 105 as a whole, the relative flexibility of portions of the sole structure 105, and other such parameters.

In some embodiments, sole structure 105 may be configured to be versatile. For example, sole structure 105 may be configured to provide traction and stability on a variety of surfaces having a range of properties and/or under a variety of conditions. For example, a common embodiment of sole structure 105 may include a moderate number of ground-engaging members having a moderate size and moderately aggressive shape.

In addition to surface properties and conditions, sole structure 105 may be configured according to the physical characteristics of the athlete that is intended to wear the footwear, and/or according to the type of activity that is expected to be performed while wearing the footwear. Football players, depending on the location they are playing, may have a wide range of physical characteristics and skills. For example, a forward player may be relatively heavy, relatively slow, but also much more powerful than players in other positions. When engaged with an opposing front opponent, the front opponent may place greater loads on the sole structure, which may be sustained for longer periods of time, e.g., up to one second to two seconds.

In contrast, a technician location, such as an outsider, may be relatively light weight, but much faster. The position of the skilled player may place more explosive and transient loads on the sole structure via sprinting, cutting and jumping, and thus, may also maintain these loads for only a relatively short duration (e.g., a moment). A middle and back defender may have body traits and abilities that represent a combination of the body traits and abilities of the front team member and the outer team member. While the middle rear-defender may possess speed and agility and move like a circumscribed person in an open field, the middle rear-defender may also be larger, heavier and more powerful, and engage other players in a block/block situation like a forward team member.

In view of the different requirements, the forward team member and the outsider may select sole structures, and the sole structures best suited for each type of player may be configured differently. For example, the sole structure of a forward team member's shoe may be configured to be more rigid and durable, and also configured to distribute loads across the sole of the shoe. In contrast, a circumscribed shoe may have a sole structure that is configured to be lightweight, more selectively flexible and rigid at different regions of the foot, rapid ground penetration and extraction by ground-engaging members, and lateral response capability. In addition, sole structures configured for use by middle and rear-guardians may be more versatile, with compromises of strength, stiffness, stability, light weight, directional traction, and other characteristics.

Other types of activities may place similar and/or different demands on the footwear low structure. For example, a soccer player may present similar needs as a circumscribed player, i.e., a load based on speed and agility. Accordingly, a sole structure that has light weight, responsiveness, rapid ground penetration and extraction, and traction in various directions and at various ground contact angles may be advantageous. In other sports, the demand may be more pronounced. For example, a sole structure configured for use by an athletic player that is only running straight at high speeds and accelerations may be configured for light weight, straight traction, and rapid surface penetration and pull-out.

In some embodiments, the disclosed footwear may be configured for activities involving multi-directional agility. For example, the disclosed footwear may be configured for agility training and evaluation. In some embodiments, the disclosed footwear can be configured for agility testing, such as speed and agility evaluation of NFL newshow training or other shows or pre-races.

Agility testing involves athletes performing short, time-limited activities in order to test their athletic ability. The agility test assesses an athlete's ability to accelerate, decelerate, and change direction in comparison to activities such as 40 yard sprints which test speed and acceleration in a straight line. In addition, the agility test assesses an athlete's ability to move not only forward but also sideways.

The ability of an athlete to exhibit agility is dependent on the traction in multiple directions between the athlete's footwear and the ground surface on which the athlete is playing. If traction is lacking and the player slips during the change of direction, the change of direction cannot be made as quickly as possible. By providing traction in multiple directions, a shoe configured for agility may enable athletes to peak their athletic potential, as traction will not be a limiting factor, or will be less limiting than a shoe not so configured.

The figures depict various embodiments of cleated footwear having a sole structure adapted for multi-directional traction on natural and/or artificial turf. Footwear 100 as depicted may be suitable for various activities on natural and/or artificial turf, such as agility/speed training and competition, and other activities such as baseball, soccer, american football, and other such activities in which traction and grip may be significantly enhanced by cleat members. Additionally, the various features of the disclosed sole structure (and/or variations of these features) may be implemented in various other types of footwear.

Exemplary disclosed ground engaging members may have one or more features that provide increased traction, directional traction, ground penetration, and/or ground pull-out. Such features may include, for example, the shape, size, positioning on the outer member, and orientation of the ground engaging member.

The ground engaging members may be used at any suitable location on the outer member. In some embodiments, ground-engaging members having particular shapes and configurations may be disposed at regions of the outer member that correspond with various anatomical portions of the foot. For example, in some cases, one or more ground-engaging members may be disposed at a location corresponding to a first metatarsal head region of a wearer's foot and/or at a region of the foot corresponding to a distal portion of a first phalange. Athletes may place most of their weight on these areas of their feet during certain movements, such as cuts in the lateral direction.

In some embodiments, the ground engaging members may have a generally triangular shape. For example, the ground engaging member may have a generally triangular cross-sectional shape in a generally horizontal plane. In some embodiments, the ground engaging member may have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape over substantially the entire height of the ground engaging member. Thus, the ground engaging member may extend from the base plate to a free end comprising a substantially planar tip surface, which also has a substantially triangular shape. That is, the perimeter of the tip surface may have a generally triangular shape.

The generally triangular ground-engaging members may provide asymmetric traction and, thus, may be oriented to provide more traction in some directions and less traction in other directions. In addition, at least two of the corners between the sides of the triangle must be acute. Such an acute angle at the apex of the triangular ground-engaging member may provide an edge that may be configured to provide increased traction.

It should be noted that although a generally triangular shaped cleat is described in detail herein, other cleat configurations are possible, including for example cleats having a generally square, rectangular, parallelogram, and/or trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. Such a cleat may still have one edge with a vertically and/or horizontally concave outer surface oriented away from the peripheral edge of the sole. In some embodiments, individual shoes and/or areas of shoes may have ground-engaging members that have different overall sizes, shapes, and/or configurations.

The traction provided by the triangular ground engaging members may be further increased by forming the sidewalls of the ground engaging members to be concave in one or more orientations. For example, the sidewalls may be horizontally concave, vertically concave, or both horizontally and vertically concave. Additionally, the tip surface of the ground engaging member may have a concave edge. The concave surface of the ground engaging member side wall provides a "scoop" or "scoop" type structure to help provide a strong, non-slip base for push-off. The ground engaging members may be arranged to provide increased traction during a selected athletic movement by orienting the concave structure in a particular direction.

Additionally, the concavity of the ground engaging member may reduce weight, but remove additional material. Additionally, the concave surface may improve ground penetration and/or ground pull-out by narrowing the cross-section of the ground engaging members as compared to non-concave ground engaging members.

In addition to increasing traction, ground penetration, and ground pull-out, the concavity may form a generally triangular ground-engaging member with a raised portion (lobe) at one or more vertices of the triangle. The raised portion may also provide increased traction. Additionally, because the projections may be elongated, the traction provided may be generally directional. That is, the protrusions provide the greatest traction in a direction perpendicular to the direction of elongation thereof. Thus, the orientation of each projection may be selected to provide traction in a desired direction in a desired area of the ground-engaging outer member. Thus, additional frictional forces may be provided specifically in the longitudinal (forward-rearward) direction or in the transverse (lateral-medial) direction or at any angle between the longitudinal and transverse directions.

By having one or more projections extending generally radially (or at other angles) from the ground engaging member, torsional traction may be provided about the ground engaging member. The torsional traction may depend on the characteristics desired or undesired for the application. For example, for some activities, it may be beneficial to have a greater freedom of movement. Thus, for such activities, a reduced size and/or number of projections may be used in areas of the foot that may serve as pivot points during the activity. For other activities, it may be desirable to provide increased torsional traction to improve performance. For example, in order to enable a batter to generate more torque by twisting his body during a swing, it may be advantageous to provide increased torsional traction for a baseball shoe at certain portions of the foot.

In some cases, it may be advantageous to provide increased torsional traction on one foot and reduced torsional traction on the other foot. For example, while a baseball player may require additional torsional traction at one or more portions of his heel (away from the pitcher) to enable a more powerful swing, he may require a reduced amount of torsional traction at one or more portions of his forefoot (near the pitcher) to enable greater freedom of movement. Depending on the part of the foot in question, the reverse may also be true. That is, it may be desirable to provide a reduced amount of torsional traction for one or more portions of the hindfoot and an increased amount of torsional traction for one or more portions of the forefoot. Thus, an asymmetric outer member may be provided for both the left and right feet. That is, the left foot outer member may be a non-mirror image of the right foot outer member.

The torsional traction system may be advantageous for any type of activity in which it would be beneficial to generate torque with the body. For example, increased agility may be provided by enabling increased torque to be generated when changing direction. Additionally, other exemplary such activities may include asymmetrical movements, such as throwing, waving, kicking, and other movements. Thus, exemplary applications in which the torsional traction system may be implemented may include, for example, golf, baseball (for batting and pitching as described above), american football (pitching by the quarter-defensive of football), javelins, and soccer (kicking).

The foregoing summarizes a number of parameters regarding the structural configuration of a boss that may be manipulated to provide desired ground penetration, ground release, and traction characteristics at a particular location of a sole of an article of footwear. Thus, the shape, size, material, layout, orientation, and other technical parameters (specification) of each individual projection may be selected to achieve desired performance characteristics. In the disclosed embodiments, such individualized placement of the various components of the cleat system is manifested in an asymmetric and irregular configuration of the bosses. It should be noted that the shape, size, orientation, and other parameters of the projections may be inconsistent among ground engaging members in embodiments of the same sole structure. In addition, it should also be noted that such variations may also exist among the projections with respect to the common ground engaging member.

As discussed above, the size of the lobes can have a significant impact on the amount of ground penetration, ground pull-out, and traction provided by the lobes. Accordingly, the dimensions of each boss may be selected in accordance with the considerations discussed above in order to achieve the desired performance characteristics.

While ground penetration, ground pull-out and/or traction may be controlled by varying the shape of the projections, the direction in which traction may be provided may also be controlled. Each projection may provide traction in multiple directions. However, due to the elongated structure, the direction of the maximum traction force provided by the protrusions may be substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation.

In some embodiments, the one or more projections may extend substantially radially from an approximately central portion of the ground engaging member. In some embodiments, the one or more lobes may extend in a generally non-radial direction. In some embodiments, all of the projections that abut the same ground-engaging member may extend radially from the ground-engaging member. In some embodiments, all of the projections that abut the same ground-engaging member may extend in a generally non-radial direction. Additionally, in some embodiments, the radially and non-radially oriented projections may abut the same ground engaging member.

As shown in fig. 2, ground-engaging member 200 of footwear 100 may include a plurality of generally triangular ground-engaging members arranged in a selected orientation depending on the position of each ground-engaging member. In some embodiments, a ground-engaging member disposed adjacent a peripheral edge of an outer member of a sole structure may be configured with a directional traction characteristic that provides traction that resists slippage in a direction away from the peripheral edge of the outer member. When the peripheral edge of a footwear outsole contacts the ground first, contacts the ground with greater force, or contacts the ground without other portions of the outsole contacting the ground, the traction provided at the peripheral edge will generally provide the greatest benefit in performance because not only vertical loads but also horizontal loads are greatest in the peripheral region under these circumstances. For example, when the foot first impacts the ground on the medial side and/or with the greatest force, it is common for the wearer to cut or attempt to slow the lateral movement toward the medial side. In both cases, a traction force is required that will resist slippage toward the lateral direction. Accordingly, footwear may be provided with ground-engaging members on the medial side of the outsole with concave sides oriented away from the medial edge. For similar reasons, footwear may be provided with a ground-engaging member on a lateral side with a concave side oriented away from a lateral edge. Such peripheral ground-engaging members may be disposed in any area of the foot, including the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region. In addition, the principles discussed above with respect to traction at the periphery of the sole apply to the medial side, the lateral side, the forward edge of the toe region, and the rearward edge of the heel region.

In some embodiments, all or substantially all of the peripherally located ground-engaging members on the outer member may be configured with a concave side oriented away from the peripheral edge. For example, in some embodiments, all or substantially all of the ground-engaging members disposed along the medial side adjacent the peripheral edge may have concave sidewalls facing away from the peripheral edge, e.g., facing in a substantially lateral direction. Similarly, all or substantially all of the ground-engaging members disposed along the lateral side adjacent the peripheral edge may have concave side walls facing away from the peripheral edge, e.g., facing in a substantially medial direction. In some cases, both the inboard disposed ground engaging member and the outboard disposed ground engaging member may be so configured. Providing all or substantially all of the medially disposed ground-engaging members and/or all or substantially all of the laterally disposed ground-engaging members with concave sidewalls facing away from the peripheral edge may maximize the benefits discussed above with respect to the characteristics of the concave sidewalls and the traction provided in the medial-lateral (i.e., side-to-side) direction. That is, such a configuration may provide increased performance in terms of traction that supports lateral agility.

In some embodiments, footwear 100 may include a plurality of peripheral, ground-engaging members disposed adjacent peripheral edge 150 of outer member 120. In some embodiments, such peripheral ground-engaging members may be located in forefoot region 130. In some embodiments, such peripheral ground-engaging members may include peripheral ground-engaging members located in heel region 140. In some embodiments, footwear 100 may include more or less ground-engaging members as needed to provide performance characteristics suitable for a desired use.

As shown in fig. 2, footwear 100 may include a ground-engaging member 201 along a first forefoot periphery of lateral side 155 of outer member 120 adjacent peripheral edge 150. Footwear 100 may also include a second forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 202 and a third forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 203 along lateral side 155 adjacent peripheral edge 150. Additionally, footwear 100 may also include a fourth forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 204, a fifth forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 205, and a sixth forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 206 disposed along medial side 160 of outer member 120 adjacent peripheral edge 150.

First forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 201 may include a first concave sidewall 301 oriented away from peripheral edge 150. Accordingly, because first forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 201 is disposed adjacent lateral side 155, first concave side wall 301 may be oriented facing in the lateral direction. As explained in more detail below, the sidewalls may be concave in one or more orientations. For example, the sidewall may be concave in a substantially horizontal plane, in a substantially vertical plane, and the edge of the tip surface may be concave in a horizontal plane.

The second forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 202 may include a second concave sidewall 302 oriented away from peripheral edge 150. Additionally, third forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 203 may include a third concave sidewall 303 oriented away from peripheral edge 150.

In some embodiments, fourth forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 204 may include a fourth concave sidewall 304 oriented away from peripheral edge 150. Because fourth forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 204 is disposed adjacent medial side 160 of outer member 120, fourth concave sidewall 304 may be oriented facing in a medial direction. Additionally, fifth forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 205 may include a fifth concave sidewall 305 oriented away from peripheral edge 150, and sixth forefoot peripheral ground-engaging member 206 may include a sixth concave sidewall 306 oriented away from peripheral edge 150.

In some embodiments, the ground-engaging member in heel region 140 may also include a concave sidewall oriented away from a peripheral edge of the base plate's outer member. As shown in fig. 2, footwear 100 may include a first heel-engaging ground member 401, a second heel-engaging ground member 402, a third heel-engaging ground member 403, a fourth heel-engaging ground member 404, and a fifth heel-engaging ground member 405. As further shown in fig. 2, first heel ground-engaging member 401 may include a first concave sidewall 411, second heel ground-engaging member 402 may include a second concave sidewall 412, third heel ground-engaging member 403 may include a third concave sidewall 413, fourth heel ground-engaging member 404 may include a fourth concave sidewall 414, and fifth heel ground-engaging member 405 may include a fifth concave sidewall 415. As shown in fig. 2, the first concave sidewall 411, the second concave sidewall 412, the third concave sidewall 413, the fourth concave sidewall 414, and the fifth concave sidewall 415 may be oriented away from the peripheral edge 150 of the substrate 126.

In addition to the peripheral ground-engaging members, footwear 100 may also include ground-engaging members disposed in a central portion of outer member 120 between medial side 150 and lateral side 155 of base plate 126. Because significant loads are applied in the central portion of the outer member 120 during linear forward acceleration and running, such a centrally located ground engaging member may be configured with features that provide traction that resists slippage in the rearward direction. For example, in some embodiments, the centrally located ground-engaging member may include a concave sidewall that is generally oriented rearwardly.

For example, as shown in fig. 2, footwear 100 may include a first center ground-engaging member 207, a second forefoot ground-engaging member 208, a third forefoot ground-engaging member 209, a fourth forefoot ground-engaging member 210, a fifth forefoot ground-engaging member 211, and a sixth forefoot ground-engaging member 212. As also shown in fig. 2, first central ground-engaging member 207 may include a first concave sidewall 307, second forefoot ground-engaging member 208 may include a second concave sidewall 308, third forefoot ground-engaging member 209 may include a third concave sidewall 309, fourth forefoot ground-engaging member 210 may include a fourth concave sidewall 310, fifth forefoot ground-engaging member 211 may include a fifth concave sidewall 311, and sixth forefoot ground-engaging member 212 may include a sixth concave sidewall 312. As shown in fig. 2, each of the first concave sidewall 307, the second concave sidewall 308, the third concave sidewall 309, the fourth concave sidewall 310, the fifth concave sidewall 311, and the sixth concave sidewall 312 may be oriented to face in a generally rearward direction.

It will also be noted that due to the contour of the outer member 120 and the generally triangular shape of the ground engaging members, in some embodiments, one or more ground engaging members may include both a first concave sidewall oriented away from the peripheral edge of the base plate and a second concave sidewall oriented generally rearwardly. For example, as shown in fig. 2, sixth peripheral forefoot ground-engaging member 206 may include not only sixth concave sidewall 306 facing away from peripheral edge 150, but also another concave sidewall 316 that is generally oriented rearwardly. Because the ground-engaging member 206 is disposed at a location corresponding to the first metatarsal head, the ground-engaging member 206 can withstand significant loads in many different directions. Most notably, the ground engaging member 206 can withstand the highest outboard loads in the inboard direction when struck in the inboard direction. Accordingly, the sixth concave side wall 306 may provide traction that resists slippage under such inboard loads. In addition, because athletes often accelerate on the medial side of their feet, the ground-engaging members 206 may be subjected to significant forward loads as the athlete pushes rearward during acceleration. Accordingly, the concave side wall 316 may provide traction against the forward load.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a lower perspective view of a forefoot region of the outer member shown in FIG. 2. As shown in fig. 3, fifth peripheral forefoot ground-engaging member 205 may be disposed adjacent peripheral edge 150 on medial side 160 of outer member 120. In some embodiments, multiple sides of ground-engaging member 205 may be concave, thus forming multiple lobes between the respective sides. For example, as shown in fig. 3, ground engaging member 205 may include a first boss 905, a second boss 910, and a third boss 915. Each boss may extend horizontally to the sidewall edge. For example, the first boss 905 may extend to the first sidewall edge 906, the second boss 910 may extend to the second sidewall edge 911, and the third boss 915 may extend to the third sidewall edge 916. In a horizontal cross-section, the first sidewall edge 906, the second sidewall edge 911, and the third sidewall edge 916 may form an apex of the substantially triangular shape of the ground-engaging member 205 in a horizontal plane.

In some embodiments, the raised portion of the ground engaging member may extend substantially radially from the central portion of the ground engaging member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the sidewall edge may be disposed opposite the concave sidewall portion. For example, as shown in fig. 3, second lobe 910 of ground-engaging member 205 may extend along axis 930. In some embodiments, axis 930 may extend substantially radially from a mid portion (e.g., center point 920) of ground-engaging member 205. As also shown in fig. 3, in some embodiments, the axis 930 of the second boss 910 may be substantially perpendicular to the peripheral edge 150. Additionally, in some embodiments, concave surface 305 may be oriented away from peripheral edge 150, e.g., in the direction indicated by arrow 165, with arrow 165 pointing in a direction opposite boss 910, and thus substantially perpendicular to peripheral edge 150.

In some embodiments, the ground engaging member may include a first side wall, a second side wall, and a third side wall arranged to form three sides of a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape in a substantially horizontal plane. In some cases, the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the third sidewall may all be concave in a substantially horizontal plane.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of an enlarged view of ground engaging member 205. In the view shown in fig. 4, concave sidewall 305 is shown on the right, facing in a generally lateral direction indicated by arrow 165. As shown in fig. 4, the sidewall of the ground-engaging member 205 may be concave in one or more orientations. For example, dashed line 455 represents the concavity of the first sidewall surface 420 of the sidewall 305 in a generally horizontal plane. Additionally, dashed line 460 represents the concavity of second sidewall surface 425 in the same generally horizontal plane.

In some embodiments, the ground engaging member may comprise a concave sidewall surface in a substantially vertical plane. The vertical concavity may provide a tapered cross-section to the ground engaging member. The tapered cross-section may promote ground penetration and ground pull-out. In addition, the tapered cross-section may limit the accumulation of soil, grass, and other debris on the outer member of the sole.

As shown in fig. 4, dashed lines 465 represent the concavity of the second sidewall surface 425 in a generally vertical plane. As shown in fig. 4, the vertical concavity may provide the ground-engaging member 205 with a tapered profile, as represented by the obtuse angle 450 at the intersection of the first sidewall surface 425 and the base plate 126. In contrast, for example, the first sidewall surface 420 may intersect the substrate 126 at a substantially perpendicular angle 445.

In some embodiments, the vertical concavity of the sidewalls may be the same for each sidewall of the ground engaging member. In other embodiments, the vertical concavity may be different for different sidewall surfaces. For example, as shown in fig. 4, dashed line 470 is substantially straight, representing a substantially flat surface in a substantially vertical direction. That is, while the first sidewall surface 420 may have a substantially concave cross-sectional shape in a substantially horizontal plane, the first sidewall surface may have a substantially straight cross-sectional shape in a substantially vertical plane. As also shown in fig. 4, this configuration may be different from the second sidewall surface 425. Additionally, the third sidewall 430 may have any configuration.

In addition to the configuration of the side walls, the tip surface of the ground engaging member may also have a concave edge. The edge of the generally planar tip surface may provide traction similar to that of a skate. By providing such an edge with a concavity in a substantially horizontal plane, the traction can be further increased.

As shown in fig. 4, the ground engaging member 205 may include a substantially planar tip surface 435. The tip surface is substantially planar in a substantially horizontal plane. Thus, in some embodiments, the first sidewall surface 420 (which may be substantially vertical) may be substantially perpendicular to the tip surface 435. The tip surface 435 may have a generally triangular shape with a first tip surface edge 421, a second tip surface edge 426, and a third tip surface edge 431. As shown in fig. 4, in some embodiments, the first tip surface edge 421, the second tip surface edge 426, and the third tip surface edge 431 are concave in a substantially horizontal plane in which the tip surface 435 lies.

Fig. 5 is a side view of ground engaging member 205. In some embodiments, adjacent lugs may extend in substantially opposite directions, thereby providing an irregular profile to the ground engaging member. For example, as shown in fig. 5, a first tip 505 of ground-engaging member 205 adjacent the substrate may extend a first distance 510 from first tip surface edge 421 on the side of sidewall 305. Second tip 515 may extend a second distance 520 from a tip surface apex 525 disposed opposite first tip surface edge 421. As shown in fig. 5, the second distance 520 may be significantly greater than the first distance 510. Because the sidewall 305 is oriented to provide traction in a direction to resist the maximum load experienced by the ground-engaging member 205, the extended second tip 515 may provide additional strength under such loads. Thus, the projections of the ground engaging member adjacent the sidewall surface 305 may flare outwardly to provide a wider surface for engaging the ground in the direction of the most needed traction force at the location of the ground engaging member 205. (see also FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is used to further illustrate the irregular size and positioning of the ground engaging member projections).

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of ground engaging member 205. As shown in fig. 6, the sidewall surface 305 may form a substantially perpendicular angle 445 with the lower surface 125 of the substrate 126 of the outer member 120. Fig. 6 also shows a substantially perpendicular angle 440 between the sidewall surface 305 and the tip surface 435.

In some embodiments, the sidewall surface of the ground-engaging member can be concave in another aspect. In some embodiments, the sidewall surface of the ground-engaging member may form an acute angle with the base plate. Such a configuration may provide increased grip in the direction that the acutely angled surface faces.

Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a member for engaging the ground, shown in cross-section similar to fig. 6. As shown in fig. 7, ground engaging member 700 may extend from a lower surface 725 of substrate 726. Ground engaging member 700 may include a sidewall surface 705 and a tip surface 735. As shown in fig. 7, in a generally vertical plane, sidewall surface 705 may form an acute angle 745 with lower surface 725 of substrate 726. In some embodiments, the tip surface 735 may be disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, i.e., substantially parallel to the lower surface 725 of the substrate 726. Accordingly, the sidewall surface 705 may form an acute angle 740 with the tip surface 735.

In some embodiments, the sidewall surface of the ground-engaging member may form a non-acute angle with the lower surface of the base plate. For example, in some embodiments, the sidewall surfaces may form a substantially perpendicular angle with the substrate. In other embodiments, the sidewall surface may form an obtuse angle with the lower surface of the substrate. Non-acute angles, such as substantially vertical angles or obtuse angles, may provide increased ground penetration for the ground engaging members and may facilitate the ground engaging members to pull out of the ground.

Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a member for engaging the ground, shown in cross-section similar to fig. 6. As shown in fig. 8, ground engaging member 800 may extend from a lower surface 825 of substrate 826. Ground engaging member 800 may include a sidewall surface 805 and a tip surface 835. As shown in fig. 8, in a generally vertical plane, sidewall surface 805 may form an obtuse angle 845 with a lower surface 825 of substrate 826. In some embodiments, tip surface 835 may be arranged in a substantially horizontal plane, i.e., substantially parallel to lower surface 825 of substrate 826. Accordingly, sidewall surface 805 may form an acute angle 840 with tip surface 835.

In some embodiments, the projection of the ground-engaging member may extend in a generally radial direction from an apex of the generally triangular tip surface. Such a configuration may provide predictable traction and may be manufactured relatively quickly.

Fig. 9 is a bottom view of ground engaging member 205. As shown in fig. 9, the tip surface 435 of the ground engaging member 205 may have an approximate center point 920. The tip surface 435 may have a first tip apex 940 disposed on a first radial axis 925, a second tip apex 950 disposed on a second radial axis 930, and a third tip apex 960 disposed on a third radial axis 935. As also shown in fig. 9, the ground-engaging member 205 can include a first boss 905 extending to the first sidewall edge 906. Additionally, the ground engaging member 205 may include a second boss 910 extending to the second sidewall edge 911. Likewise, the ground-engaging member 205 can include a third boss 915 that extends to the third sidewall edge 916. First sidewall edge 906 may intersect the substrate at first base apex 945. Similarly, the second sidewall edge 911 may intersect the substrate at a second base apex 955. Additionally, the third sidewall edge 916 may intersect the substrate at a third base apex 965. As shown in fig. 9, first base apex 945 may be arranged along the same first axis 925 as first tip apex 940. Similarly, the second base apex 955 may be disposed along the same second axis 930 as the second tip apex 950. Additionally, third base apex 965 may be disposed along the same third axis 935 as third tip apex 960.

Fig. 10 illustrates a perspective view and a plurality of cross-sectional views of ground engaging member 205, further illustrating the generally radial extension of the projections. Fig. 10 illustrates a horizontal cross-sectional shape of the ground engaging member 205 taken in a plurality of generally horizontal planes along a height 1005 of the ground engaging member 205 between the tip surface 435 and the base plate. At a first section line 1010, the ground-engaging member 205 has a first cross-sectional shape 1011. At a second section line 1015, the ground engaging member 205 has a second cross-sectional shape 1016. At a third section line 1020, the ground-engaging member 205 has a third cross-sectional shape 1021. At a fourth section line 1025, the ground engaging member 105 has a fourth cross-sectional shape 1026. Additionally, at the tip surface 435, the ground engaging member has a fifth cross-sectional shape 436.

As shown in fig. 10, first cross-sectional shape 1011, second cross-sectional shape 1016, third cross-sectional shape 1021, fourth cross-sectional shape 1026, and fifth cross-sectional shape 436 may have substantially the same shape of different dimensions. As also shown, the sidewalls may be concave in the horizontal direction over a majority of the height 1005 of the ground-engaging member 205. In some embodiments, the sidewall may be concave in the horizontal direction over at least 90% of the height dimension of the ground-engaging member.

Additionally, it should be noted that when the projections extend generally radially (as shown and discussed with respect to fig. 9), each shape is oriented in generally the same direction.

In some embodiments, one or more projections in the ground engaging member may extend in a non-radial direction. The non-radial projections may provide a twisted configuration similar to a turbine blade. Such a configuration may provide increased traction in the direction in which the projections extend and less traction in the opposite direction. In addition, such a configuration will provide a rotational traction about the approximate center point of the ground engaging members that is stronger in one direction than in the other. For example, such ground engaging members may provide increased traction in a clockwise direction rather than a counterclockwise direction.

Fig. 11 is a bottom view of ground engaging member 213 (see fig. 2). As shown in fig. 2, the ground-engaging members 213 may be positioned toward the forward end of the sole in the toe region. Ground-engaging member 213 may be configured with a non-radial projection that provides increased traction during medial heel rotation, but allows the lateral heel to rotate more freely. This directional traction may reduce undesirable stresses on the skeletons of the leg, such as the knee and ankle, during twisting movements.

As shown in fig. 11, the ground engaging member 213 may include a tip surface 1105. The ground-engaging member 213 can also include a first boss 1110 extending to the first sidewall edge 1111, a second boss 1115 extending to the second sidewall edge 1116, and a third boss 1120 extending to the third sidewall edge 1121. The tip surface 1105 may have a generally triangular shape including a first tip apex 1145, a second tip apex 1155, and a third tip apex 1165. First tip apex 1145 may be disposed on a first radial axis 1126 extending from an approximate center point 1125 of ground-engaging member 213. Additionally, the second tip apex 1155 may be disposed on a second radial axis 1127 extending from the central point 1125, and the third tip apex 1165 may be disposed on a third radial axis 1128 extending from the central point 1125.

First sidewall edge 1111 of first boss 1110 may extend to first base apex 1146. Second sidewall edge 1116 of second boss 1115 may extend to second base apex 1156. And the third sidewall edge 1121 of the third tab 1120 may extend to a third base apex 1166. First base apex 1146 may be disposed on first non-radial axis 1130. Second base apex 1156 may be disposed on second non-radial axis 1135. And third base apex 1166 may be disposed on third non-radial axis 1140. Accordingly, first boss 1110, second boss 1115, and third boss 1120 may each extend on a non-radial axis. The first non-radial axis 1130 may be positioned at a first angle 1150 relative to the first radial axis 1126. Similarly, the second non-radial axis 1135 may be positioned at a second angle 1160 relative to the second radial axis 1127. Also, the third non-radial axis 1140 may be positioned at a third angle 1170 with respect to the third radial axis 1128. In some embodiments, the first angle 1150, the second angle 1160, and the third angle 1170 may be substantially the same. In other embodiments, one or more of these angles may be different from the other angles in order to provide directional traction.

Fig. 12 illustrates a perspective view and a plurality of cross-sectional views of the ground engaging member 213 shown in fig. 11. As shown in fig. 12, the base perimeter 1210 of the ground engaging member 213 may have a base cross-sectional shape 1211. Additionally, at a first section line 1215, the ground engaging member 213 can have a first cross-sectional shape 1216. Additionally, at a second section line 1220, the ground-engaging member 213 can have a second cross-sectional shape 1221. Also, at a third section line 1225, the ground-engaging member 213 can have a third cross-sectional shape 1226. Also, the tip surface 1105 may have a tip cross-sectional shape 1206. As shown in fig. 12, the cross-sectional shape is a substantially similar shape, but is different in size, reflecting the tapered configuration of the ground engaging members 213. In addition, the cross-sectional shapes differ in orientation. For example, base cross-sectional shape 1211 rotates at a base angle 1212 relative to tip cross-sectional shape 1206. Similarly, relative to tip cross-sectional shape 1206, first cross-sectional shape 1216 is rotated at a first angle 1217, second cross-sectional shape 1221 is rotated at a second angle 1222, and third cross-sectional shape 1226 is rotated at a third angle 1227. As shown in fig. 12, the base angle 1212, the first angle 1217, the second angle 1222, and the third angle 1227 are different, reflecting a deviation of the projections that increases in a non-radial direction along the height of the ground-engaging member 213. The difference between these angles may be uniform. In other embodiments, these angles may vary from the top to the bottom of the ground engaging member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the angle may be uniform for one lobe, but may be different for other lobes on the same ground-engaging member.

Fig. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the arrangement of ground-engaging members in heel region 140 of article of footwear 100. As shown in fig. 13, first concave sidewall 411, second concave sidewall 412, third concave sidewall 413, fourth concave sidewall 414, and fifth concave sidewall 415 may be oriented away from peripheral edge 150 toward a central portion 1320 of heel region 140. As additionally shown in fig. 13, the raised portion of second heel ground-engaging member 402 may extend along an axis 1310, which axis 1310 may be disposed at an angle 1305 relative to peripheral edge 150. In some embodiments, angle 1305 may be a substantially perpendicular angle. Additionally, second concave sidewall 412 of second heel ground-engaging member 402 may be oriented away from peripheral edge 150 in the direction indicated by arrow 1315 toward central portion 1320. As discussed above, this configuration of the ground-engaging members may provide directional traction regardless of which side of the wearer's heel first contacts the ground and/or which side of the wearer's heel contacts the ground with greater force.

Fig. 14 is another bottom perspective view of the arrangement of ground engaging members shown in fig. 13. As shown in fig. 14, due to the curvature of peripheral edge 150 and the generally triangular shape of the ground engaging member, in some cases, the ground engaging member may have a concave sidewall oriented away from peripheral edge 150 and a second concave sidewall oriented generally facing rearward. For example, as shown in fig. 14, the fourth heel ground-engaging member 404 may have a fourth concave sidewall 414, the fourth concave sidewall 414 being oriented away from the peripheral edge 150 in the direction indicated by arrow 1316 toward the central portion 1320. Additionally, fourth heel ground-engaging member 404 may also include a second side wall 1405, which second side wall 1405 may be oriented generally rearwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 1410. As discussed above, the medial side of the footwear may be significantly loaded during acceleration. Accordingly, a medially disposed ground-engaging member, such as fourth heel ground-engaging member 404, may provide not only increased lateral traction but also increased traction for straight line acceleration.

Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the forefoot region of article of footwear 1500, illustrating the longitudinal overlap of the ground-engaging members. The footwear 1500 and ground-engaging members shown in fig. 15 may have any of the features described above with respect to other embodiments (including the embodiment shown in fig. 2), which are shown in fig. 2 as having the same ground-engaging member configuration. As shown in fig. 15, the forefoot region of footwear 1500 may have a longitudinal length 1501 extending from a rearmost forefoot ground-engaging member 1502 and a forwardmost forefoot ground-engaging member 1503. In addition, footwear 1500 has a lateral side 1560 and a medial side 1565.

Footwear 1500 may include an upper 1505 and a sole structure 1506 fixedly attached to a bottom portion of upper 1505. The sole structure 1506 may include a ground-engaging outer member 1507, which ground-engaging outer member 1507 may include a baseplate 1510 having a ground-engaging bottom surface 1515. Additionally, the outer member 1507 may include a plurality of ground engaging members that extend generally downward from the ground engaging bottom surface 1515 of the base plate 1510.

In some embodiments, two or more of the ground engaging members may overlap longitudinally. In some embodiments, the ground-engaging members of the forefoot region may be arranged overlapping each other in the longitudinal direction such that all portions of the longitudinal length of the forefoot region are occupied by at least one ground-engaging member. For purposes of discussion, several overlapping ground-engaging members will be discussed, but it should be understood that the ground-engaging members may overlap longitudinally along the entire longitudinal length of the forefoot region. By arranging the ground-engaging members longitudinally along the entire longitudinal length of the forefoot region, traction may be provided in a lateral direction along the entire longitudinal length of the forefoot region.

Some laterally extending portions of the forefoot region (e.g., corresponding with the metatarsal-phalangeal joints) may have a reduced number of ground-engaging members to provide flexibility to the outer member. However, to provide traction in the lateral direction, such a portion may include at least one ground engaging member.

As shown in fig. 15, external component 1507 can include at least a first ground-engaging component 1521, a second ground-engaging component 1522, a third ground-engaging component 1523, and a fourth ground-engaging component 1524. In some embodiments, a majority of first ground-engaging member 1521 may be disposed farther rearward than a majority of second ground-engaging member 1522, and portions of first ground-engaging member 1521 and second ground-engaging member 1522 may overlap longitudinally along longitudinal length 1501 of the forefoot region. As shown in fig. 15, first ground engaging member 1521 may include a first forward-most portion 1525. The second ground engaging member 1522 may include a second rearwardmost portion 1526. As shown in fig. 15, first ground engaging member 1521 may longitudinally overlap with second ground engaging member 1522. For example, a first forward-most portion 1525 of first ground-engaging member 1521 may extend farther forward than a second rearward-most portion 1526 of second ground-engaging member 1522. Thus, first ground-engaging member 1521 may longitudinally overlap with second ground-engaging member 1522 in a first overlap region 1531.

Additionally, second ground engaging member 1522 and third ground engaging member 1523 may longitudinally overlap one another. As shown in fig. 15, second ground engaging member 1522 may include a third forward-most portion 1527 and third ground engaging member 1523 may include a fourth rearward-most portion 1528. In some embodiments, the third forward-most portion 1527 of the second ground-engaging member 1522 may extend farther forward than the fourth rearward-most portion 1528 of the third ground-engaging member 1523. Thus, second ground-engaging member 1522 may longitudinally overlap with third ground-engaging member 1523 in a second overlap region 1545.

Similarly, third ground-engaging member 1523 may longitudinally overlap fourth ground-engaging member 1524. As shown in fig. 15, third ground-engaging member 1523 may include a fifth forward-most portion 1529 and fourth ground-engaging member 1524 may include a sixth rearward-most portion 1530. In some embodiments, the fifth forward-most portion 1529 of the third ground-engaging member 1523 may extend farther forward than the sixth rearward-most portion 1530 of the fourth ground-engaging member 1524. Thus, third ground-engaging member 1523 may longitudinally overlap fourth ground-engaging member 1524 in third overlapping area 1550.

It should be noted that second ground-engaging member 1522 may be the only ground-engaging member disposed in the laterally-extending region corresponding with the metatarsal-phalangeal joint of the wearer's foot. This may provide flexibility to facilitate foot bending while maintaining traction in the lateral direction.

Fig. 16 is a partial lateral side view of the article of footwear shown in fig. 15. As shown in fig. 16, first ground engaging member 1521, second ground engaging member 1522, third ground engaging member 1523, and fourth ground engaging member 1524 may overlap one another. For example, as shown in fig. 16, first ground-engaging member 1521 may longitudinally overlap second ground-engaging member 1522 by a longitudinal overlap distance 1535 in a first overlap region 1531. Thus, the minimum height of the ground-engaging member profile in the overlap region 1531 is represented by the minimum height dimension 1540. In other embodiments, the ground engaging members may be longitudinally abutted to each other such that there is no overlap area, but no longitudinal gap. In such embodiments, the minimum height will be zero or substantially zero at a longitudinal point between the adjoining ground-engaging members.

In some embodiments, the lace-receiving elements may be formed from one or more cords. The cords may be arranged to form lace-receiving loops configured to receive a lace in a lacing region of an article of footwear. The cord may extend from the lacing area down the side of the article of footwear to the sole structure. In some embodiments, the strand may extend from one side of the article of footwear to the other under the foot of the wearer.

The cords may be made of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the cord may be formed with a predetermined amount of elasticity. The use of elastic strands may provide comfort by allowing a limited amount of expansion of the footwear during foot motions of the wearer. In other embodiments, the cords may be formed to be substantially inelastic. Such inelastic cords can provide consistent and therefore predictable tension. In some embodiments, such consistent tension provided by the substantially inelastic strands may enable the wearer to tighten the lace more tightly.

Figure 17 is a partial side view of article of footwear 1700 including upper 1705 and sole structure 1710. Sole structure 1710 may include a ground-contacting outer member 1715, with ground-contacting outer member 1715 being fixably attached to a lower portion of upper 1705. Footwear 1700 may also include lace region 1725. As shown in fig. 17, in some embodiments, lacing region 1725 may be located in an instep region (instep region)1730 of upper 1705 of footwear 1700. Footwear 1700 may include any of the features of the upper and sole structures described above. Additionally, as shown in fig. 17, footwear 1700 may include a cord 1735 forming a lace receiving loop 1740, with lace receiving loop 1740 configured to receive lace 1745. As shown in fig. 17, in some cases, cords 1735 may be secured to upper 1705 with stitches 1750. In some embodiments, cord 1735 may be fixedly attached to upper 1705. For example, as shown in fig. 17, in some cases, strand 1735 may be secured to upper 1705 with stitch 1750.

In some embodiments, cord 1735 may be secured to upper 1705 adjacent lace receiving loops 1740. By securing cord 1735 to upper 1735 adjacent lace receiving loops 1740, the position of the lace receiving loops may be maintained in a desired position to facilitate predictable adjustment of footwear 1700 with lace 1745.

Fig. 18 is a lateral side view of article of footwear 1800 including a plurality of cords 1828 that form a lace-receiving loop. As shown in fig. 18, footwear 1800 may include an upper 1805 and a sole structure 1810. Upper 1805 may have any of the features described above with respect to the other disclosed embodiments. Additionally, footwear 1800 may have a forefoot region 1812, a midfoot region 1813, and a heel region 1814. Footwear 1800 may also include lateral side 1815. Moreover, footwear 1800 may include an opening 1817, with opening 1817 configured to receive a wearer's foot into the void defined by upper 1805.

As shown in fig. 18, sole structure 1810 may include a ground-engaging outer member 1811. In some embodiments, outer member 1811 may be a sole component fitted with a non-slip portion, as shown in fig. 18. In some embodiments, outer member 1811 may be substantially incompressible. For example, in some cases, outer member 1811 may be formed of a relatively hard plastic material. Additionally, portions of outer member 1811 may also be relatively rigid (inflexible) in terms of bending and/or twisting.

As additionally shown in fig. 18, in some embodiments, footwear 1800 may include instep region 1820. Footwear 1800 may include lacing region 1825 in instep region 1820. As also shown in fig. 18, footwear 1800 may include a plurality of cords 1828 that form lace-receiving loops in lacing region 1825. For example, the plurality of cords 1828 may include a first cord 1830 and a second cord 1850. The plurality of cords may also include a third cord 1865.

In some embodiments, the cord may extend between the upper and an outer member of the sole structure. In some embodiments, one or more cords may extend through the outer member. The outer members of various types of footwear may be relatively rigid in some portions. For example, in cleated footwear such as footwear 1800, the outer member may be formed of a substantially incompressible material such as hard plastic. Additionally, in some portions, such as the midfoot region and the heel region of the footwear, the outer member may be substantially rigid. Thus, by threading the lace-receiving cord through the outer member, the lace-receiving cord may be secured to a relatively stable structure, thereby enabling a strong and consistent tension to be applied with the footwear lace. That is, because of these rigid and incompressible portions of the outer member that minimally flex under load, the tension on the cord does not change due to deformation in the outer member during use. This may provide comfort, a tight fit and stability. In some embodiments, the cord may extend through the outer member at two or more locations. This may increase the reinforcement provided by anchoring the cord through the outer member.

As shown in fig. 18, first cord 1830 may extend through first through-hole 1835 and second through-hole 1840 in midfoot region 1813 of outer member 1811. Similarly, the second cord 1850 may extend through the third and fourth through

holes

1855, 1860 of the outer member 1811. First strand 1830 may extend diagonally over instep region 1820 and away from outer member 1811 on the medial side of footwear 1800, as shown in fig. 18. (see also fig. 19 and 20).

Additionally, as shown in fig. 18, the cord may form lace-receiving loops in lacing area 1825 of instep area 1820. For example, first cord 1830 may form first lace receiving loop 1831 on lateral side 1815 of footwear 1800. Second cord 1850 may form a second lace-receiving loop 1851. Additionally, third cord 1865 may form a third lace-receiving loop 1872.

Fig. 19 is a top view of footwear 1800 shown in fig. 18. As shown in fig. 19, first cord 1830 and second cord 1850 may extend diagonally across instep area 1820 from medial side 1816 to lateral side 1815 of footwear 1800. Additionally, first cord 1830 and second cord 1850 may extend under upper 1805 in forefoot region 1812. After passing under upper 1805 in forefoot region 1812, first strand 1830 may extend upward along medial side 1816 of footwear 1800 and form a fourth lace-receiving loop 1832. Similarly, after passing under upper 1805 in forefoot region 1812, second strand 1850 may extend upward along medial side 1816 of footwear 1800 and form fifth lace-receiving loop 1852. (see also FIG. 23).

Fig. 20 is a medial side view of footwear 1800 shown in fig. 18 and 19. As shown in fig. 20, first cord 1830 may exit first through-hole 1835 and second through-hole 1840 in outer member 1811 and extend up and across instep area 1820 along medial side 1816 of footwear 1800 to lateral side 1815 of footwear 1800. Then, after passing under upper 1805 in forefoot region 1812 between upper 1805 and outer member 1811, first strand 1830 may extend upward along medial side 1816 in forefoot region 1812 to form fourth lace receiving loop 1832.

Similarly, the second cord 1850 can exit from the third and fourth through

holes

1855, 1860 in the outer member 1811 and extend upward along the medial side 1816 of the footwear 1800 and across the instep region 1820 to the lateral side 1815 of the footwear 1800. Then, after passing under upper 1805 in forefoot region 1812 between upper 1805 and outer member 1811, second strand 1850 may extend upward along medial side 1816 in forefoot region 1812 to form fifth lace-receiving loop 1852.

The footwear may have any suitable combination of components. For example, the upper may have various combinations of layers. The layers may be formed from a variety of materials, including mesh fabrics, leather, synthetic leather, and optionally placed reinforcing materials. The strands may be disposed at different locations within the layers of the upper. Some of the cords may be substantially exposed. A majority of some of the strands may be disposed below at least one layer of the upper. In some cases, the only exposed portion of the cord may be the lace-receiving loop formed by the cord.

Fig. 21 is an exploded view of footwear 1800 shown in fig. 18. As shown in fig. 18, upper 1805 may include a first upper layer 1870 and a second upper layer 1875. In some embodiments, first upper layer 1870 may be a full length layer. In some embodiments, first upper layer 1870 may include a breathable mesh fabric. In some cases, first upper layer 1870 may include a spacer mesh fabric. Second upper layer 1875 may be a partial length layer. For example, as shown in fig. 21, second upper layer 1875 may extend over a portion of the surface area of first upper layer 1870. In some embodiments, second upper layer 1875 may be a reinforcing layer. Additionally, in some embodiments, second upper layer 1875 may be substantially transparent. Thus, portions of first upper layer 1870 and portions of the strands may be visible through second upper layer 1875. In some embodiments, upper 1805 may include one or more additional layers, such as a liner, a reinforcing layer, and any other suitable components.

As shown in fig. 21, first strand 1830 and second strand 1850 may be disposed on first upper layer 1870. Similarly, third strand 1865 may also be disposed on first upper layer 1870. One or more portions of first strand 1830, second strand 1850, and third strand 1865 may be disposed below a portion of second upper layer 1875. For example, as shown in fig. 22, in some locations, a first strand may be disposed between first upper layer 1870 and second upper layer 1875, with a portion of first strand 1830 remaining exposed to form first lace receiving loop 1831.

Fig. 23 is a bottom view of the article of footwear shown in fig. 18. Fig. 23 illustrates the configuration of first cord 1830 and second cord 1850 relative to outer member 1811. For example, as shown in fig. 23, first cord 1830 and second cord 1850 may extend through centrally located longitudinal rib 1885 in outer member 1811. That is, first, second, third, and

fourth vias

1835, 1840, 1855, 1860 may be oriented laterally through rib 1885. The ribs 1885 may provide rigidity in the midfoot region 1813 and the heel region 1814. For example, ribs 1885 may provide resistance to bending and twisting rotation between forefoot region 1812 and heel region 1814. Thus, by extending the cord through the ribs 1885 of the outer member 1811, the cord may be anchored to a rigid and incompressible structure. Thus, when the lace of the lace-receiving loops that pass through first cord 1830 and second cord 1850 is tightened, a locking fit may be achieved across the instep region of footwear 1800. In addition, portions of

first strands

1830 and 1850 may be stitched to upper 1805 in stitched region 1880 of medial side 1816 of upper 1805. This may keep the rope in a desired position.

As also shown in fig. 23, a portion of first cord 1830 and second cord 1850 may extend under upper 1805 in forefoot region 1812 of footwear 1800 between upper 1805 and outer member 1811, as visible within a split-toe portion (split-toe portion) of outer member 1811. This arrangement of cords may be anchored less rigidly than the portion extending through outer member 1811.

While rigid anchoring of the cords may be desirable in the midfoot region of footwear, the forefoot region of the foot may be more dynamic, and thus a more flexible configuration of the cords may be desirable to allow for various motions of the forefoot. Additionally, the cords may be manufactured to fit between the upper and the exterior member, but may be easier and less expensive to manufacture than fitting the cords through the exterior member. Accordingly, by selectively extending the strands through the outer member in some areas and between the upper and the outer member in other areas, rigid anchoring may be selectively provided in desired areas of the footwear while maintaining desired forefoot-fitting (e.g., flexibility) characteristics and cost-effectiveness of manufacturing the footwear as a whole.

Fig. 24 is a bottom view of the heel region of the article of footwear shown in fig. 18. As shown in fig. 24, in some embodiments, ribs 1885 may have a downwardly projecting structure with angled side portions. For example, the ribs 1885 may include a first side wall 1890 and a second side wall 1895. The first through-hole 1835, the second through-hole 1840, the third through-hole 1855, and the fourth through-hole 1860 may each extend from the first sidewall 1890 to the second sidewall 1895.

Fig. 25 is a schematic view of a threading arrangement of the cords of footwear 1800 shown in fig. 18. Fig. 25 illustrates forefoot region 1812 and midfoot region 1813 in a component of upper 1805 that includes first upper layer 1870 and second upper layer 1875. Fig. 25 also shows the passage of a first cord 1830 and a second cord 1850. It should be noted that the dashed lines in fig. 25 represent the locations where first cord 1830 and second cord 1850 pass under upper 1805. As discussed above, the cord may pass through outer member 1811 in midfoot region 1813 and between upper 1805 and outer member 1811 in forefoot region 1812.

For purposes of discussion, only the passage of the second rope 1850 will be discussed in detail. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the threading of the first cord 1830 may be substantially the same as the second cord 1850, as shown in fig. 25. In other embodiments, the passage of the first and

second cords

1830, 1850 may be substantially different from each other.

In some embodiments, the cords may have a figure eight cord arrangement (figure eight strand arrangement). Such a splayed cord arrangement may provide a locked supportive fit over a large portion of the surface area of the foot using minimal material and thus weight. For example, in some embodiments, footwear may include one or more cords forming a first lace-receiving loop disposed on a first side of the upper adjacent the instep region and a pair of cords extending from the first lace-receiving loop down a first side of the upper to the sole structure. The cords of the splayed cord arrangement may also extend through an outer member of the sole structure, upward along a second side of the upper and diagonally across an instep region of the upper, downward along the first side of the upper, and upward under the upper and along the second side of the upper. The cord may then form a second lace-receiving loop on a second side of the upper adjacent the instep area that is diagonally opposite the first lace-receiving loop.

As shown in fig. 25, second cord 1850 may pass downward along lateral side 1815 of upper 1805, as indicated by first arrow 1900. Second cord 1850 may then extend in an medial direction under midfoot region 1813 of upper 1805, as indicated by second arrow 1905. Second cord 1850 may then pass upward along medial side 1816 as indicated by third arrow 1910 and diagonally across the instep area as indicated by fourth arrow 1915. Second cord 1850 may extend downward in forefoot region 1812 along medial side 1816 as indicated by fifth arrow 1920 and extend in an medial direction across under forefoot region 1812 of upper 1805 as indicated by sixth arrow 1925. Second cord 1850 may then be passed upwardly along medial side 1816 of upper 1805 to fifth lace receiving loop 1852 as indicated by seventh arrow 1930.

The second cord 1850 may then be threaded in the reverse direction as described above. That is, second cord 1850 may pass downward along medial side 1816 as indicated by eighth arrow 1935 and across under upper 1805 in an lateral direction as indicated by ninth arrow 1940. Second cord 1850 may then pass upwardly along lateral side 1815 of upper 1805 as indicated by tenth arrow 1945, and diagonally across the instep area as indicated by eleventh arrow 1950. Second cord 1850 may also pass downward along medial side 1816 as indicated by twelfth arrow 1955 and across under upper 1805 in an lateral direction as indicated by thirteenth arrow 1960. Finally, second cord 1850 may then extend upward along lateral side 1815 to second lace-receiving loop 1851 as indicated by fourteenth arrow 1965.

The loop of the second rope 1850 may be closed by stitching portions of the second rope 1850 to itself. For example, as shown in fig. 25, the first end 1853 of the second cord 1850 may overlap the second end 1854 of the second cord 1850 in an overlap region 1970. In one or more portions of the overlapping region, the first end 1853 can be fixedly attached to the second end 1854. For example, at a first end of the overlap area 1970, the first end 1853 may be fixedly attached to the second end 1854 using a stitch 1975. At a second end of the overlap area 1970, the first end 1853 may be fixedly attached to the second end 1854 using stitches 1980.

Overlapping region 1970 may form at least a portion of second lace-receiving loop 1851. Thus, in addition to securing the first end 1853 to the second end 1854, the stitch 1975 and the stitch 1980 may also fixedly attach the second strand 1850 to the upper 1805 adjacent the second lace-receiving loop 1851.

As shown in fig. 25, in some embodiments, portions of first strand 1830 and second strand 1850 may extend between first upper layer 1870 and second upper layer 1875. In some embodiments, portions of first strand 1830 and second strand 1850 may extend above second upper layer 1875 (outside second upper layer 1875). For example, as shown in fig. 25, the strands may extend over medial midfoot portion 1985 of second upper layer 1875. Similarly, the strand may extend over lateral forefoot portion 1990 of second upper layer 1875.

Fig. 26 is a schematic view of another threading arrangement of the cords of footwear 1800 shown in fig. 18. Although the positioning of the cords in fig. 26 is substantially the same as in fig. 25, fig. 26 shows an alternative way of achieving the cord arrangement. First, as shown in fig. 26, the strand may extend between first upper layer 1870 and second upper layer 1875 in medial midfoot portion 1895 and lateral forefoot portion 1900. Secondly, while the arrangement is achieved in fig. 25 by threading the cord in one direction, doubling the cord back on itself, and fixedly attaching the cord to itself at one end to close the circuit, the arrangement is achieved in fig. 26 by passing two cords in parallel and then fixedly attaching the two cords to each other at both ends to close the circuit.

As shown in fig. 26, second strand 1850 may be formed from parallel strands threaded around upper 1805 and secured to each other at each end. For example, second strand 1850 may pass in opposite directions from opposite central portions of second strand 1850 in an instep region of upper 1805. Second cord 1850 may pass downward in forefoot region 1812 toward lateral side 1815, as indicated by arrow 1995. As shown in fig. 26, in some embodiments, second strand 1850 may be disposed under at least a portion of second upper layer 1875. Accordingly, as second strand 1850 approaches the sole structure, second strand 1850 may pass through first slot 1996 in second upper layer 1875. Second cord 1850 may be threaded in an medial direction under forefoot region 1812 of upper 1805 as indicated by arrow 2015, and then threaded up along medial side 1816 of forefoot region 1812 to fifth lace receiving loop 1852 as indicated by arrow 2020.

Extending in a direction opposite the instep area, second cord 1850 may pass diagonally in forefoot region 1812 toward medial side 1816 as indicated by arrow 2000. In some embodiments, second strand 1850 may extend under a portion of second upper layer 1875 and may pass through second slot 2001 in second upper layer 1875. Second cord 1850 may also be threaded under upper 1805 in an lateral direction as indicated by arrow 2005 and up along lateral side 1815 to second lace-receiving loop 1851 as indicated by arrow 2010.

As also shown in fig. 26, in addition to the second lace-receiving loop 1851 having an overlapping area, the fifth lace-receiving loop 1852 may also have an overlapping region 2025, which overlapping region 2025 is formed by the first end 2021 and the second end 2022 being overlapped and secured to each other with the first stitch 2030 and the second stitch 2035. In some embodiments, the configuration of the overlap region 2025 can be substantially the same as the configuration of the overlap region 1970 described above.

In some embodiments, rather than the cord being secured to itself to complete the loop and form a lace-receiving loop, the cord may optionally be threaded upwardly and downwardly between the lacing region and the sole structure to form one or more lace-receiving loops. In such embodiments, the ends of the cords may be anchored to an outer member of the sole structure. For example, in some embodiments, the ends of the cord may extend through holes in the outer member and may be anchored by knots that may prevent the ends of the cord from being pulled through the holes in the outer member.

Figure 27 is a bottom view of an article of footwear 2700, the article of footwear 2700 including a cord having ends anchored in an outer member of the sole structure. As shown in fig. 27, footwear 2700 may include upper 2705 and sole structure 2710. The sole structure 2710 may include an outer member 2711. Footwear 2700 may include a forefoot region 2712, a midfoot region 2713, and a heel region 2714. Additionally, footwear 2700 may have a lateral side 2715 and a medial side 2716. The outer member 2711 may include a central, longitudinally extending rib 2717 having a first side wall 2718 and a second side wall 2719. These components may have substantially the same or similar characteristics and features as the other embodiments discussed above.

Footwear 2700 may include one or more cords anchored to outer member 2711 at ends of the cords. For example, as shown in fig. 27, upper 2700 may include a first strand 2720. The first cord 2720 may be anchored to the outer member 2711 at one end of the first cord 2720. For example, as shown in fig. 27, the first cord can extend through the rib 2717 of the outer member 2711 and can include a first knot 2745 at an end of the first cord 2720, the first knot 2745 configured to prevent the cord 2720 from being pulled through the first aperture 2731 in the first sidewall 2718. The knot 2745 may be any suitable knot configured to expand the diameter of the first cord 2720. In other embodiments, the first cord 2720 may have additional features mounted on the end of the first cord 2720 to enlarge the diameter at the end of the first cord 2720.

From the knot 2745, a segment of the first strand 2720 can extend from the first aperture 2731 through the rib 2717 and can exit from the second aperture 2732. The first exposed segment 2721 of the first strand 2720 can extend upward from the second aperture 2732 along the lateral side 2715 of the upper 2705 and back in the second exposed segment 2722. The turn between the first exposed segment 2721 and the second exposed segment 2722 may form a lace receiving loop. (see FIG. 29). The second exposed segment 2722 can extend to the third aperture 2733. The first cord 2720 can extend from the third aperture 2733 through the rib 2717 to the fourth aperture 2734.

From the fourth aperture 2734, the third exposed segment 2723 of the first strand 2720 can extend upward along the medial side 2716 to an instep region of the footwear. The third exposed segment 2723 may transition to a fourth exposed segment 2724, forming a lace receiving loop. (see FIG. 29). The fourth exposed segment 2724 can extend downward to a fifth aperture 2735, wherein the first strand 2720 can enter the outer member 2711. The first strand 2720 can exit from the sixth aperture 2736 and the fifth exposed segment 2725 can extend upward along the lateral side 2715 of the upper 2705 and transition to the sixth exposed segment 2726, thereby forming another lace receiving loop on the lateral side 2715 of the upper 2705. (see FIG. 29).

The sixth exposed segment 2726 can extend to a seventh aperture 2737, wherein the first strand 2720 can enter the outer member 2711. The first cord 2720 can exit the outer member 2711 from the eighth aperture 2738 and a seventh exposed segment 2727 of the first cord 2720 can extend upward along the medial side 2716 of the upper 2705, transitioning to an eighth exposed segment 2728, forming another lace receiving loop on the medial side 2716. (see FIG. 29). The eighth exposed segment 2728 can extend downward to a ninth aperture 2739 where the first cord 2720 can extend from the ninth aperture 2739 through the outer member 2711 to the tenth aperture 2740. The first cord 2720 can terminate in a second knot 2750 that can prevent the end of the first cord 2720 from being pulled through the outer member 2711. Thus, both ends of the first cord 2720 may be anchored to the outer member 2711.

In some embodiments, footwear 2700 may include second strand 2760. Second strand 2760 may pass through in a rocking pattern similar to first strand 2720, except in forefoot region 2712 of footwear 2700. Also similar to the first strand 2720, a second strand 2760 may extend through the outer member 2711 at multiple locations. For a given length of second strand 2760 that extends between lateral side 2715 and medial side 2716 of footwear 2700, the second strand may extend through outer member 2711 more than once. Additionally, outer member 2711 may include a plurality of apertures adjacent the outer edge and a plurality of apertures adjacent the inner edge of outer member 2711. To illustrate these opposing apertures, fig. 27 and 28 illustrate the same embodiment in slightly different perspective views. Fig. 27, although a bottom view, shows footwear 2700 rotated slightly toward medial side 2716, thereby exposing apertures at the lateral edge of outer member 2711 and exposed segments of second strand 2760. Fig. 28 shows footwear 2700 rotated slightly toward lateral side 2715, thereby exposing an aperture at the medial edge of outer member 2711 and an exposed segment of second strand 2760.

As shown in fig. 27, second strand 2760 may be anchored at first aperture 2781 by third knot 2755. A second strand 2760 may extend from the first aperture 2781 to the second aperture 2782 within or above the outer member 2711, and a first exposed segment 2761 of the second strand 2760 may extend from the second aperture 2782. The first exposed segment 2761 can extend into the third aperture 2783, and a second cord 2760 that is into the third aperture 2783 can enter the outer member 2711. Second cord 2760 may extend through outer member 2711 to fourth aperture 2784 or over outer member 2711 to fourth aperture 2784. Second exposed segment 2762 can extend upward from fourth aperture 2784 along lateral side 2715 of footwear 2700. Second exposed segment 2762 may transition to third exposed segment 2763 adjacent to the lacing area of footwear 2700, forming a lace-receiving loop. (see FIG. 30).

The third exposed segment 2763 can extend to a fifth aperture 2785. The second rope 2760 may continue with the wobble pattern shown in fig. 27, 28, and 30 as follows. The second strand 2760 can enter the outer member 2711 at the fifth aperture 2785, exit via the sixth aperture 2786, and the fourth exposed segment 2764 of the second strand 2760 can extend to and enter the seventh aperture 3786. A fifth exposed segment 2765 (see fig. 28) may extend upwardly from an eighth aperture 2787 to the lacing area and transition to a sixth exposed segment 2766, forming a lace receiving loop (see fig. 30). The sixth exposed segment 2766 can extend back down to a ninth aperture 2788, and the second strand 2760 can extend through the outer member 2711 (or above the outer member 2711) to a tenth aperture 2789. The seventh exposed segment 2767 can extend across a gap in a separate toe region of the outer member 2711, and the second strand 2760 can reenter the outer member 2711 at the eleventh aperture 2790.

Second strand 2760 may extend from eleventh aperture 2790 through outer member 2711 or over outer member 2711 and may exit from twelfth aperture 2791, and eighth exposed segment 2768 may extend up to the lacing area and transition to ninth exposed segment 2769, forming a lace receiving loop (see fig. 30). The ninth exposed segment 2769 can extend to a thirteenth aperture 2792, wherein the second cord 2760 can enter the outer member 2711. Second strand 2760 may extend from thirteenth aperture 2762 through or above outer member 2711 and may exit from fourteenth aperture 2793, with tenth exposed segment 2770 of second strand 2760 extending to fifteenth aperture 2794. Second strand 2760 may enter outer member 2711 at fifteenth aperture 2794 and may extend through outer member 2711 to sixteenth aperture 2795 or above outer member 2711 to sixteenth aperture 2795 (see fig. 28). An eleventh exposed segment 2771 of second strand 2760 may extend upward from a sixteenth aperture 2795 to the lacing area and transition to a twelfth exposed segment 2772, forming a lace-receiving loop. (see FIG. 30). The twelfth exposed segment 2772 can extend down to a seventeenth aperture 2796 into which seventeenth aperture 2796 the second cord 2760 can enter and extend through the outer member 2711 to an eighteenth aperture 2797 or over the outer member 2711 to the eighteenth aperture 2797. At its end, second strand 2760 may also include a fourth knot 2773, which fourth knot 2773 may prevent second strand 2760 from being pulled through outer member 2711, thereby anchoring the end of second strand 2760 to outer member 2711.

Fig. 29 is a top view illustrating a midfoot-penetrating arrangement of footwear 27 shown in fig. 27. As shown in fig. 29, first cord may swing back and forth across the bottom side of footwear 2700, and may alternately extend up to the lateral side and medial side of footwear 2700 to form lace-receiving loops on either side of the lacing region in the midfoot region.

Fig. 30 is a top view illustrating a forefoot pass-through arrangement of footwear 2700 shown in fig. 27 and 28. For illustrative purposes, the labels of FIG. 30 have been reduced as compared to FIG. 29. As shown in fig. 30, second strand may swing back and forth across the bottom side of footwear 2700, and may alternately extend up to the lateral side and medial side of footwear 2700 to form lace-receiving loops on either side of the lacing region in the forefoot region.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Although many possible combinations of features are shown in the drawings and discussed in this detailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed features are possible. Thus, it should be understood that any features shown and/or discussed in this disclosure may be implemented together in any suitable combination. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Further, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper configured to receive a foot;

a sole structure fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper, the sole structure including a ground-engaging outer member; and

a first cord configured to form at least a first lace-receiving loop and the first cord extends through the ground-engaging outer member of the sole structure;

wherein the ground engaging outer member has a unitary, one-piece construction;

wherein the first cord comprises a first end and a second end;

wherein the first end and the second end of the first cord are each anchored to the ground-engaging outer member of the sole structure; and is

Wherein the first cord forms a plurality of lace receiving loops between the first end and the second end.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the first end and the second end of the first strand are each anchored to the ground-engaging outer member of the sole structure with a knot that prevents the first end and the second end of the first strand from being pulled through an aperture in the ground-engaging outer member through which the first strand extends.

3. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the first strand forms the first lace-receiving loop on a medial side of the article of footwear and a second lace-receiving loop on a lateral side of the article of footwear.

4. The article of footwear recited in claim 3, wherein the first strand forms a third lace-receiving loop on the medial side of the article of footwear and a fourth lace-receiving loop on the lateral side of the article of footwear.

5. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first strand is affixed to a portion of the upper.

6. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the first strand is affixed to the upper with stitching.

7. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein the first strand is affixed to the upper with stitching adjacent to the first lace-receiving loop.

8. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the first strand extends through a midfoot region of the ground-engaging outer member.

9. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the first strand extends through a forefoot region of the ground-engaging outer member.

10. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper configured to receive a foot;

a first cord configured to form a plurality of lace-receiving loops including at least a first lace-receiving loop on a first side of the upper and a second lace-receiving loop on a second side of the upper;

wherein the first strand extends from the first side of the upper through the ground-engaging outer member of the sole structure to the second side of the upper;

wherein the first cord comprises a first end and a second end;

Wherein the plurality of lace receiving loops are formed between the first end and the second end.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the first end and the second end of the first strand are each anchored to the ground-engaging outer member of the sole structure with a knot that prevents the first end and the second end of the first strand from being pulled through an aperture in the ground-engaging outer member through which the first strand extends.

12. The article of footwear recited in claim 10, wherein the plurality of lace-receiving loops further includes a third lace-receiving loop on the first side of the article of footwear and a fourth lace-receiving loop on the second side of the article of footwear.

13. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the first strand extends through the ground-engaging outer member at two or more locations.

14. The article of footwear recited in claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the first strand is affixed to a portion of the upper.

15. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the first strand is affixed to the upper with stitching.

16. The article of footwear recited in claim 15, wherein the first strand is affixed to the upper with stitching adjacent to the first lace-receiving loop.