CN113924021B

CN113924021B - Sole structure for an article of footwear

Info

Publication number: CN113924021B
Application number: CN202080040008.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 托瑞·M·克罗斯
Original assignee: Nike Innovate CV USA
Current assignee: Nike Innovate CV USA
Priority date: 2019-03-29
Filing date: 2020-03-29
Publication date: 2024-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-29
Also published as: CN113924021A; US20200305544A1; CN117547085A; WO2020205678A1; EP3945918A1

Abstract

A sole structure is provided that includes a midfoot region, a heel region, a lateral side, and a medial side. The sole structure has a first sole element that includes a first interior surface that has a plurality of first surface features, whereby at least one of the first surface features has a different configuration than another of the first surface features. The sole structure also includes a second sole element that includes a second interior surface having a plurality of second surface features configured to interface with the first surface features. The sheet is disposed between the first sole element and the second sole element such that the first sole element is disposed on a first side of the sheet and the second sole element is disposed on a second side of the sheet opposite the first side.

Description

Sole structure for an article of footwear

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from non-provisional U.S. patent application serial No. 16/833,617 filed 3/29 in 2020, 35, 119 (e) of the american society of america, claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/825,898 filed 3/29 in 2019, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to articles of footwear, and more particularly to sole structures for articles of footwear.

Background

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

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

The sole structure generally includes a stacked arrangement of a midsole and an outsole that extend between a ground surface and an upper. The outsole provides both wear-resistance and traction with the ground surface, and may be formed from rubber or other materials that impart durability and wear-resistance, as well as enhance traction with the ground surface. The midsole is disposed between the outsole and the upper. While existing sole structures adequately achieve their intended purposes, improvements in sole structures are continually sought for the purposes of advancing technology.

Drawings

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

FIG. 1 is a lateral side view of an article of footwear according to principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inner sole element of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an outer sole element of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the inner sole element of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the outer sole element of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a lateral side view of an article of footwear according to principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inner sole element of the article of footwear of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an outer sole element of the article of footwear of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the inner sole element of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the outer sole element of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a lateral side view of an article of footwear according to principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an inner sole element of the article of footwear of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an outer sole element of the article of footwear of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the inner sole element of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the outer sole element of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a lateral side view of an article of footwear according to principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an inner sole element of the article of footwear of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an outer sole element of the article of footwear of FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the inner sole element of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a plan view of the outer sole element of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a lateral side view of an article of footwear according to principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 8;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an inner sole element of the article of footwear of FIG. 8;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an outer sole element of the article of footwear of FIG. 8;

FIG. 30 is a plan view of the inner sole element of FIG. 28; and

figure 31 is a plan view of the outer sole element of figure 29.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to sole structures, articles of footwear including sole structures, methods of manufacturing sole structures, sole structures manufactured using these methods, methods of manufacturing articles of footwear including sole structures, and articles of footwear manufactured using these methods. These sole structures provide cushioning and lateral stability to the article of footwear. The sole structure has a forefoot region, a midfoot region, a heel region, a lateral side (lateral side), and a medial side (medial side), and includes a first sole element including a first interior surface (inner surface) having a plurality of first surface features, at least one of the first surface features having a different configuration than another one of the first surface features; a second sole element including a second interior surface having a plurality of second surface features configured to interface with the first surface features; and a panel disposed between the first sole element and the second sole element, the first sole element disposed on a first side of the panel and the second sole element disposed on a second side of the panel opposite the first side. The first surface feature or the second surface feature or both may comprise at least one rib. In some examples, the ribs define one or more channels, and the at least one cable may extend through the channels. These cables may be used to lock the upper to the sole structure during wear. The sheet may comprise a film or a sheet of material, or may comprise a textile (textile), such as a knitted textile (woven textile), a woven textile (woven textile), a crocheted textile (crocheted textile) or a non-woven textile (non-woven textile). Since the properties of the sheet material affect the lateral stability of the sole structure, the properties of the sole structure may be easily altered in a manufacturing environment by changing the type of sheet material used in the sole structure. In particular examples, the sheet material may be integrally formed with an upper for an article of footwear such that the step of disposing the sheet material between the first sole element and the second sole element also serves to attach the upper to the sole structure, thereby providing a simpler manufacturing process that is easily automated.

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms without the use of specific details, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques have not been described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and "including" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Unless specifically identified as an order of execution, the method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring their execution in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

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

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, pieces and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, pieces and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, piece or section from another region, piece or section. Unless clearly indicated by the context, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms, when used herein, do not imply a sequence or order. Thus, a first element, component, region, piece or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, piece or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and similar terms, may be used herein to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures for ease of description. In addition to the orientations depicted in the drawings, the spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" may encompass both the above orientation and the below orientation. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

With reference to the figures, a sole structure is provided that has a forefoot region, a midfoot region, a heel region, a lateral side, and a medial side. The sole structure includes a first sole element that includes a first interior surface having a plurality of first surface features, at least one of the first surface features having a different configuration than another of the first surface features. The sole structure also includes a second sole element including a second interior surface having a plurality of second surface features configured to interface with the first surface features; and a sheet material disposed between the first sole element and the second sole element, the first sole element disposed on a first side of the sheet material and the second sole element disposed on a second side of the sheet material opposite the first side.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, the first surface feature comprises a plurality of protrusions and the second surface feature comprises a plurality of recesses configured to mate with the protrusions.

In some embodiments, the first surface feature comprises at least one first protrusion having a first configuration and at least one second protrusion having a second configuration different from the first configuration, the second surface feature comprises at least one first recess having the first configuration and at least one second recess having the second configuration. Here, the first configuration may include at least one of a first size, a first shape, and a first orientation, and the second configuration includes at least one of a second size, a second shape, and a second orientation. Optionally, the at least one first protrusion and the at least one second protrusion are opposite the at least one first recess and the at least one second recess, respectively.

In some examples, the first surface feature includes a first plurality of ribs having a first configuration and a second plurality of ribs having a second configuration different from the first configuration. Optionally, each rib extends from a first end to a second end. Here, the width of each rib may be along a direction from the first end to the second end. Optionally, the spacing between adjacent ones of the ribs in the forefoot region is different than the spacing between adjacent ones of the ribs in the heel region. In some examples, the first plurality of ribs extends along a first direction and the second plurality of ribs extends along a second direction transverse to (intersecting) the first direction.

In some embodiments, the surface features include a first protrusion disposed in a forefoot region, a second protrusion disposed in a heel region, a plurality of first ribs partially surrounding the first protrusion, a plurality of second ribs completely surrounding the second protrusion, and a plurality of third ribs extending between the first ribs and the second ribs.

In some examples, the first rib, the second rib, and the third rib are ridged (ridge-shaped). Alternatively, the first rib may extend around the first protrusion from a first end on the lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on the lateral side of the first sole element. Here, the first ribs may extend along an arc-shaped path and be concentric with each other and with the first protrusion. In some embodiments, the second ribs each extend along a circular path and are concentric with each other and with the second protrusion. Optionally, the third rib extends from a first end on the lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on the medial side of the first sole element. Each of the third ribs may extend along an arcuate path.

In some examples, the plurality of first ribs define a plurality of first channels, each first channel extending from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a lateral side of the first sole element. Here, the sole structure may include at least one cable extending through the at least one first channel.

In some examples, the plurality of second ribs define a plurality of second channels, each second channel extending from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a medial side of the first sole element. Here, the sole structure may also include at least one cable extending through the at least one second channel.

In some embodiments, the first protrusion is cylindrical. In some examples, the second protrusion is cylindrical. Optionally, the first projection is offset to a lateral side of the first sole element. Optionally, the second protrusion is centrally disposed between the lateral side of the first sole element and the medial side of the first sole element.

In some examples, the first protrusion has a different hardness than the second protrusion.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first surface feature includes a first protrusion disposed in a forefoot region, a plurality of arcuate first ribs partially surrounding the first protrusion, and a plurality of elongated second ribs disposed adjacent the plurality of first ribs.

Optionally, the first rib and the second rib are ridge-shaped. Here, the first rib may extend around the first protrusion from a first end on the medial side of the first sole element to a second end on the medial side of the first sole element. Optionally, the first ribs extend along an arcuate path and are concentric with each other and with the first protrusions. In some examples, the second rib extends from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a medial side of the first sole element. In some embodiments, the second ribs extend along an arcuate path and are concentric with each other and with the first protrusion. In some configurations, the first rib and the second rib are arranged in series from the first projection to the rear end portion of the first sole element and gradually increase in size away from the first projection in the radial direction. Optionally, the first protrusion is cylindrical. In some examples, the first protrusion is disposed adjacent to a medial side of the first sole element. In some embodiments, the first rib and the second rib are ridged.

In some configurations, the first surface feature includes a plurality of annular first ribs disposed in the heel region, a plurality of elongate second ribs disposed in the midfoot region and the forefoot region. Optionally, the first ribs are concentric with each other. In some embodiments, the second rib extends from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a medial side of the first sole element. In some embodiments, the second ribs each extend along an arcuate path. In some examples, the second ribs are concentric with each other. In some examples, the second rib is concentric with the first rib.

Optionally, the second rib is arranged in series between the first rib and the front end portion of the first sole element. Here, the second rib gradually varies in size in a direction from the first rib to the front end portion. In some embodiments, the second rib gradually increases in width in a direction from the first rib to the front end portion.

In some embodiments, the first rib and the second rib are ridged.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first surface feature includes a plurality of first ribs extending radially outward from a central portion of the heel region, a plurality of second ribs disposed in series between the first ribs and the forward end portion of the first sole element. Here, the first rib and the second rib may cooperate to form a psittacosis pattern (nautilus pattern).

In some examples, the central portion is substantially planar and the apex of the first rib is coplanar with the central portion. Here, the first rib may extend from a first end at the central portion of the first sole element to a second end at the peripheral sidewall. In some embodiments, the first ribs each increase in height from the first end to the second end.

In some examples, the second rib is arranged in series from the first rib of the first sole element to the front end portion. In some embodiments, the second rib extends from a last first end adjacent the medial side of the first sole element to a second end at the lateral side of the first sole element. Optionally, the second ribs each increase in height from the first end to the second end.

In some examples, the central portion is tear-drop shaped (teardrop-shaped).

In some embodiments, the first rib and the second rib are ridged.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the first surface features include a plurality of first ribs converging with each other along a first direction and a plurality of second ribs converging with each other along a second direction. Here, the first ribs may be arranged in a first radial array and the second ribs are arranged in a second radial array. Optionally, the first ribs converge towards each other in a direction from the outer side to the inner side. In some embodiments, the second ribs converge toward each other in a direction from the medial side to the lateral side.

In some examples, the first rib is disposed in a forefoot region. Optionally, a second rib is disposed in the heel region. In some embodiments, the first surface feature further comprises a plurality of transition ribs disposed between the first rib and the second rib. In some examples, the first rib and the second rib are ridged. In some embodiments, the first ribs each taper in width in a direction from the outer side to the inner side. Alternatively, the second ribs each taper in width in a direction from the inner side face to the outer side face.

In some examples, the first sole element defines a foot bed (bootbed) of the sole structure, and the outer sole element defines a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure.

Optionally, each of the plurality of first surface features has a minimum height or depth of at least 2 mm. In some examples, each of the plurality of first surface features has a minimum height or depth of at least 11 mm. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of first surface features has a maximum height or depth of less than 28 mm. In some configurations, each of the plurality of first surface features has a maximum height or depth of less than 23 mm. Optionally, the height or depth of each of the plurality of surface features ranges from about 2mm to about 27mm.

In some aspects, the sole structure includes an adhesive disposed between the first sole element and the second sole element, the adhesive being applied to at least one of the first sole element, the second sole element, the upper surface of the sheet, and the lower surface of the sheet.

In some embodiments, the sheet comprises a mesh textile (mesh textile). In some examples, the sheet is a textile that is configured to stretch in only one dimension. Alternatively, the sheet is a textile configured to stretch in two dimensions. In some configurations, the sheet is an embroidery textile (embroidered textile).

In some examples, at least one of the first sole element and the second sole element is formed from a polymeric material having a foam structure. Here, the polymer material having a foam structure may be injection-molded foam (injection-molded foam). Alternatively, the polymeric material having a foam structure is a compression-molded foam (compression-molded foam). In some examples, the polymeric material having a foam structure is anisotropic.

In some configurations, the sheet follows the shape of the first surface feature and follows the shape of the second surface feature.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an article of footwear including any example of a sole structure described in the preceding paragraphs. Here, an article of footwear includes an upper that includes a sheet material and a perimeter wall that defines an interior void and a throat opening. Optionally, the first sole element is disposed within the interior void of the upper and the second sole element is disposed on an exterior of the upper. Here, the article of footwear may include at least one cable extending from the throat opening and located between the first sole element and the second sole element. Optionally, the cable includes an end defining an aperture for receiving at least one fastener of the article of footwear.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of providing the above-described sole structure includes providing an upper for an article of footwear, and attaching the sole structure and the upper to each other to form the article of footwear.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an article of footwear includes an upper having a bottom sheet and a peripheral sidewall that cooperate to define an interior cavity. The article of footwear also includes a first sole element disposed within the interior cavity on a first side of the sheet and including a first interior surface having a plurality of first surface features, at least one of the first surface features having a different configuration than another one of the first surface features. The second sole element is disposed on an opposite side of the sheet from the first sole element and includes a second inner surface having a plurality of second surface features configured to interface with the first surface features.

In some examples, at least one of the bottom sheet and the peripheral sidewall is formed from a textile, optionally a knitted textile, a woven textile, a braided textile, a crocheted textile, or a nonwoven textile, optionally a knitted textile. Optionally, the upper is a sock-like structure (sock) having integrally formed bottom panel and peripheral side walls. In some embodiments, the bottom sheet is formed as a strobel sheet. In some examples, the bottom sheet includes an inner layer on a first side of the first sole element and an outer layer disposed on a side of the first sole element opposite the inner layer. Optionally, the bottom sheet defines pockets that receive the first sole elements. Here, the bottom sheet may follow the shape of the plurality of first surface features.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes forming a first sole element including a first inner surface having a plurality of first surface features, at least one of the first surface features having a different configuration than another one of the first surface features. The method further includes forming a second sole element including a second inner surface having a plurality of second surface features configured to interface with the first surface features; a sheet material is disposed between the first inner surface of the first sole element and the second inner surface of the second sole element.

In some embodiments, the method includes forming the first sole element and the second sole element by injection molding. Optionally, the method includes forming the plurality of surface features to include at least one channel extending from a first end at the peripheral side surface of the first sole element to a second end at the peripheral side surface of the first sole element.

In some examples, the method includes positioning a first cable within at least one channel. Here, the method may include positioning a first cable between the sheet material and the first sole element. Optionally, the method includes positioning the first cable between the sheet and the second sole element. In some examples, the method includes routing a cable from a first end of the channel to a second end of the channel.

In some examples, the method includes attaching the sheet to the peripheral sidewall to form the upper. Here, the method may include integrally forming the sheet of textile and the peripheral sidewall. In some embodiments, the method includes attaching the sheet to the peripheral sidewall using a strobel configuration.

In some embodiments, the method includes forming a sheet having an inner layer and an outer layer. Optionally, the method includes positioning the first sole element between the inner layer and the outer layer.

In some examples, the method includes forming a sheet having a pocket. Here, the method includes positioning the first sole element within the pocket.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an article of footwear is produced according to any of the methods described above.

Referring to fig. 1-7, a first example of an article of footwear 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. Article of footwear 10 includes upper 100 and sole structure 200. Unlike conventional articles of footwear that attach an entire sole structure to a lower exterior surface of an upper, sole structure 200 of the illustrated example includes an inner sole element 202 disposed within upper 100 and an outer sole element 204 attached to an exterior of upper 100, whereby a portion of upper 100 is interposed between inner sole element 202 and outer sole element 204, as discussed in more detail below.

Footwear 10 may include a forward end 12 associated with a forward-most point of footwear 10, and a rearward end 14 corresponding with a rearward-most point of footwear 10. Longitudinal axis A of footwear 10 _f Extending along the length of footwear 10 from front end 12 to rear end 14, and generally dividing footwear 10 into a lateral side 16 and a medial side 18, lateral side 16 and medial side 18 corresponding with opposite sides of footwear 10 and extending from front end 12 to rear end 14, respectively.

The article of footwear 10 may be along a longitudinal axis a _f Divided into one or more regions. These areas may include forefoot region 20, midfoot region 22, and heel region 24. Forefoot region 20 may correspond with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges of the foot. Midfoot region 22 may correspond with an arch region of the foot and heel region 24 may correspond with a rear region of the foot (including the calcaneus bone). Forefoot regionThe domain 20 may be subdivided into toe portions 20 corresponding to phalanges _T And ball portion (ball portion) 20 associated with the metatarsal of the foot _B 。

Upper 100 may be described as including a plurality of components that cooperate to define interior void 102 and ankle opening 104, with interior void 102 and ankle opening 104 receiving and securing a foot for support on sole structure 200. As shown in fig. 2, upper 100 includes a bottom sheet 108 that defines the bottom of interior cavity 102, and a perimeter wall 110 that extends from bottom sheet 108 and encloses interior cavity 102. As discussed in greater detail below, when footwear 10 is assembled, bottom sheet 108 will be interposed between inner sole element 202 and outer sole element 204 and follow the contours of inner sole element 202 and outer sole element 204, as shown in fig. 1.

In some examples, upper 100 of the present disclosure includes sock-like structure 106 formed from a single textile, such as a knitted textile, a woven textile, a braided textile, a crocheted textile, or a nonwoven textile. Here, the sheet 108 and the peripheral wall 110 are integrally formed as a substantially continuous sock-like structure. In other examples, the sheet 108 is a strobel sock (strobel sock) or sheet formed separately from the peripheral side wall 110 and is attached to the peripheral side wall 110 using a configuration commonly referred to as a strobel configuration, wherein the bottom sheet 108 and the peripheral side wall 110 are stitched together along the periphery of the bottom sheet 108. Where a strobel construction is used, the bottom sheet 108 and the peripheral sidewall 110 may be formed of the same or different materials. Additionally or alternatively, one or both of the bottom sheet 108 and the peripheral sidewall 110 may be formed from a textile, as discussed below.

In some examples, the bottom sheet 108 may include an inner layer and an outer layer that cooperate to define a pocket within the bottom sheet 108. The pocket 108 is configured to receive the inner sole element 202 therein, with the inner layer of the bottom sheet 108 disposed on a first side of the inner sole element 202 facing the interior cavity 102, and the outer layer 108 disposed on an opposite side of the inner sole element 202 between the inner sole element 202 and the outer sole element 204.

With continued reference to the figures, the bottom sheet 108 and/or the peripheral sidewall 110 may be formed from a textile. Textiles may be formed by manipulating one or more fibers, filaments, or yarns using techniques such as knitting, braiding, felting, hydroentangling (hydro entangling), or the like. Similarly, where one or more cables are included in the sole structure, the cables may be formed from one or more fibers, filaments, or yarns using knitting or braiding techniques. The filaments and/or fibers used to form the yarn or fiber may comprise a polymeric material, such as, for example, a thermoplastic material. Exemplary thermoplastic materials can include, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic polyamide, thermoplastic polyether, thermoplastic polyester, thermoplastic polyolefin, any combination thereof, and the like. In some cases, the sheet is porous. In some examples, if the sheet is a textile, the textile may include polyester yarns. Furthermore, in other examples, if the sheet is a textile that includes apertures or channels between overlapping or intertwined filaments, fibers, or yarns, each channel or aperture defining the structure of the textile may be at least 0.5mm long in a largest dimension, or at least 1.0mm long in a largest dimension. In some cases, the sheet comprises an embroidered textile and has one or more first regions comprising embroidery and one or more second regions having no embroidery or a lower percentage of embroidery surface area than the one or more first regions. Embroidery may provide reduced stretch or "lock down" features to areas of the sheet material. In some examples, or in some portions of the upper, the sheet material may be stretched in a single direction. In other examples, or in other portions, the sheet may be multi-directional stretched.

Sock-like structure 106 of upper 100 may include a throat opening 112 extending from ankle opening 104 toward forefoot region 20 between lateral side 16 and medial side 18 of sock-like structure 106. Tongue 114 may be disposed within throat opening 112 to cover interior cavity 102. A plurality of fasteners 116 may extend between opposite edges of throat opening 112 to adjust the fit of interior void 102 around the foot and accommodate the entry of the foot into interior void 102 and removal of the foot from interior void 102. The fasteners 116 may include laces, straps, ropes, shackles, or any other suitable type of fastener. Accordingly, the peripheral wall 110 of the sock-like structure 106 may include a plurality of holes 118 disposed along opposite sides of the throat opening 112 through which fasteners 116 are routed.

In some examples, the aperture 118 may be formed through the material of the sock-like structure 106. However, in the example of footwear 10 shown in fig. 1-7, at least a portion of aperture 118 is formed at an end of cable 120 that is integrated within the material of sock-like structure 106. Each cable 120 includes at least one end 122 forming one aperture 118. In the illustrated example, each cable 120 includes a pair of ends 122 formed at opposite ends of the cable 120. As best shown in fig. 3 and described in greater detail below, cables 120 each extend from a first end 122 adjacent throat opening 112, along peripheral wall 110 to sole structure 200, along bottom sheet 108 between inner sole element 202 and outer sole element 204, and back up peripheral wall 110 to a second end 122 adjacent throat opening 112. Cable 120 is formed from a material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the material forming the sock-like structure, whereby cable 120 is configured to act as a tensile member between sole structure 200 and upper 100.

Referring now to FIG. 2, sole structure 200 of article of footwear 10 includes an inner sole element 202 and an outer sole element 204. Generally, the inner sole element 202 and the outer sole element 204 are configured to be disposed on opposite sides of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock-like structure 106 such that the bottom sheet 108 is interposed or sandwiched between the sole elements 202, 204. In particular, interior sole element 202 is disposed within interior void 102 of upper 100, while exterior sole element 204 is disposed exterior to upper 100.

As shown in fig. 2, the inner sole element 202 includes a top surface 206 formed on top of the inner sole element 202, a lower surface 208 formed on a side of the inner sole element 202 opposite the top surface 206, and a peripheral side surface 210 extending between the top surface 206 and the lower surface 208.

Referring to fig. 4, the top surface 206 of the inner sole element 202The outline may define the footbed 212 of the article of footwear 10. Further, the top surface 206 and the peripheral side surface 210 can cooperate to define a sidewall 214, the sidewall 214 extending away from the outer periphery of the foot bed 212 to a distal end 216. The side walls 214 of the illustrated example extend continuously around the foot bed 212. The distal end 216 of the sidewall 214 may include one or more grooves (relief) or notches 218 formed therein to provide a reduced height to a section of the sidewall 214 to increase the flexibility of the sole structure 200. In the illustrated example, the inner sole element 202 includes a ball toe region 20 on the lateral side 16 and medial side 18 at a side wall 214 _B Thereby allowing forefoot region 20 of the sole structure to flex relative to midfoot region 22. Sidewall 214 also includes a notch 218a formed in heel region 24 between lateral side 16 and medial side 18 to allow lateral side 16 of sole structure 200 to flex in heel region 24 independently of medial side 18 of sole structure 200.

Referring again to fig. 2, outer sole element 204 includes an upper surface 220 formed on top of outer sole element 204, a bottom surface 222 formed on a side of outer sole element 204 opposite upper surface 220, and a peripheral side surface 224 extending between upper surface 220 and bottom surface 222.

Referring to fig. 5, bottom surface 222 of outer sole element 204 may form a ground engaging surface of article of footwear 10. Thus, although the bottom surface 222 is illustrated as being substantially smooth, the bottom surface 222 may include tread profiles formed therein. In some examples, an outsole may be attached to bottom surface 222 to form a ground-engaging surface of the article of footwear.

As best shown in fig. 2, when the article of footwear 10 is assembled, the inner sole element 202 is inserted into the interior cavity 102 such that the lower surface 208 of the inner sole element 202 faces the inner surface of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock-like structure 106. The outer sole element 204 is located on the opposite side of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock structure 106 from the inner sole element 202 such that the upper surface 220 of the outer sole element 204 also faces the bottom sheet 108. Thus, the bottom sheet 108 of the sock-like structure 106 would be interposed or sandwiched between the lower surface 208 of the inner sole element 202 and the upper surface 220 of the outer sole element 204. Accordingly, the lower surface 208 of the inner sole element 202 and the upper surface 220 of the outer sole element 204 may be collectively referred to as the inner surfaces 208, 220 of the sole structure 200, while the top surface 206 of the inner sole element 202 and the bottom surface 222 of the outer sole element 204 may be collectively referred to as the outer surfaces 206, 222 of the sole structure 200.

With continued reference to fig. 2, the inner surfaces 208, 220 of the sole elements 202, 204 are configured to interface with one another to form a substantially continuous sole structure 200, wherein the inner surfaces 208, 220 mate with one another when the article of footwear 10 is assembled. As shown, each of the inner surfaces 208, 220 of the sole elements 202, 204 includes a plurality of surface features 226, 228 configured to interface or mate with corresponding surface features 226, 228 of the other of the inner surfaces 208, 220. For example, the surface features 226, 228 may be described as including a plurality of protrusions formed on the inner surface 208 of the inner sole element 202 that are configured to be received in corresponding recesses of the outer sole element 204. Alternatively, inner sole element 202 may be described as including a plurality of recesses configured to receive corresponding protrusions of outer sole element 204.

Generally, the configuration of the surface features 226, 228 is irregular or non-uniform, whereby the profile and arrangement of the surface features 226, 228 varies along the length of the sole structure 200. For example, the surface features 226, 228 may include one or more first surface features 226, 228 having a first size, first shape, and/or first orientation in the first region 20, 22, 24 of the sole structure 200, and one or more second surface features 226, 228 in the second region 20, 22, 24 of the sole structure 200. Additionally or alternatively, the surface features 226, 228 may vary within any of the regions 20, 22, 24, from the lateral side 16 to the medial side 18, or a combination thereof.

Referring now to fig. 6, the surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202 include a first protrusion 230a, a second protrusion 230b, a plurality of third protrusions 230c, a plurality of fourth protrusions 230d, and a plurality of fifth protrusions 230e. Similarly, outer sole element 204 includes corresponding recesses, including a first recess 236a, a second recess 236b, a plurality of third recesses 236c, a plurality of fourth recesses 236d, and a plurality of fifth recesses 236e, as illustrated in fig. 7.

With continued reference to fig. 6, a first protrusion 230a of inner sole element 202 is disposed in forefoot region 20, adjacent to peripheral side surface 210 on lateral side 16. As shown, the first protrusion 230a may be continuously formed and disposed entirely within (i.e., not intersecting) the peripheral side surface 210 of the inner sole element 202. In the illustrated example, the first protrusion 230a is cylindrically shaped and extends to a substantially planar distal end 238a. In other examples, the first protrusion 230a may be polygonal or irregularly shaped. The location of the first protrusion 230a of the inner sole element 202 is configured to correspond to the location of a Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint on the lateral side of the foot. Thus, the first protrusion 230a acts as a pad for the MTP joint of the foot during use.

Second protrusion 230b of inner sole element 202 is disposed in a central portion of heel region 24. As shown, second protrusion 230b is continuously formed and disposed entirely within (i.e., does not intersect with) perimeter side surface 210 of inner sole element 202. In the illustrated example, the second protrusion 230b is cylindrically shaped and extends to a substantially planar distal end 238b. In other examples, the second protrusion 230b may be polygonal or irregularly shaped. The location of second projection 230b of inner sole element 202 is configured to correspond to the location of the calcaneus bone of the foot. Thus, when first projection 230a is offset toward lateral side 16, second projection 230b is substantially centrally disposed between lateral side 16 and medial side 18 of inner sole element 202, whereby a central axis A of second projection 230b _230b With longitudinal axis A _f Alignment, as best shown in fig. 6. Thus, the second protrusion 230b acts as a cushion for the heel of the foot.

The plurality of third protrusions 230c includes a plurality of arc-shaped first ribs 230c extending around the first protrusions 230 a. In the illustrated example, each first rib 230c extends from a first end 240c at the peripheral side surface 210 on the outer side surface 16 and extends around the first protrusion 230a to a second end 242c at the peripheral side surface 210 on the outer side surface 16. Thus, each first rib 230c extends along a substantially arcuate path. In midfoot region 22, a first end 240c of each first rib 230c is disposed between first projection 230a and forward end 12, and a second end 242c is disposed between first projection 230a and rearward end 14.

With continued reference to fig. 6, the plurality of fourth protrusions 230d includes a plurality of elongated second ribs 230d disposed adjacent to the first ribs 230c and continuously extending from a first end 240d at the peripheral side surface 210 on the lateral side 16 to a second end 242d at the peripheral side surface 210 on the medial side 18. Thus, unlike the first rib 230c, which is arcuate and extends from the lateral side 16 around the first protrusion 230a and back to the lateral side 16, the second rib 230d is substantially elongate and extends from the lateral side 16 to the medial side 18. As described below, the second rib 230d may extend along an arc-shaped path complementary to the paths of the adjacent first and third ribs 230c and 230e.

The plurality of fifth protrusions 230e include a plurality of annular third ribs 230e that continuously extend around the second protrusions 230 b. Therefore, unlike the first rib 230c and the second rib 230d, the third rib 230d has no end portion. Instead, each third rib 230e extends along a continuous circular path having a constant radius measured from the center point of the second protrusion 230 b. Thus, the third ribs 230e are concentric with each other and with the second protrusions 230 b.

As shown, second rib 230d is disposed in series along midfoot region 22 between first rib 230c and third rib 230 d. As discussed above, one or more paths along which the second ribs 230d extend may be complementary in shape to the paths of adjacent first ribs 230c and/or third ribs 230e. As shown, the second rib 230d gradually transitions from a concave forward-facing curvature complementary to the arcuate path of the first rib 230c to a concave rearward-facing curvature complementary to the circular path of the third rib 230e.

Each of the ribs 230c-230e may be described as ridged, whereby the width W of each rib 230c-230e ₂₃₀ Measured from a first valley 237c-237e on a first side of the rib 230c-230e to a second valley 237c-237e on an opposite side of the rib 230c-230e and tapered to a continuous oneDistal ends or peaks 238c-238e. Height H of each rib 230c-230e ₂₃₀ Measured from one of the valleys 237 to the peaks 238c-238e of the corresponding rib 230c-230 e.

As discussed above, the size and spacing of the ribs 230c-230e may be variable between the ribs 230c-230e and along individual ones of the ribs 230c-230 e. For example, the width of the first rib 230c adjacent to the first protrusion 230a may be smaller than the width of the first rib 230c spaced apart from the first protrusion 230 a. Further, one or more of the first ribs 230c and/or the second ribs 230d may have a greater width at the first ends 240c, 240d and/or the second ends 242c, 242d than at the middle portion. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the ribs 230c-230e may have different cross-sectional shapes. For example, the ribs 230c-230e may have a polygonal cross-section, an arcuate cross-section, or a combination thereof.

As discussed above, inner sole element 202 may be described as including a plurality of recesses 234c-234e defined by and disposed between adjacent ones of protrusions 230a-230 c. In the illustrated example, the recesses 234c-234e include a plurality of channels 234c-234e defined by the ribs 230c-230 e. In particular, inner sole element 202 includes a plurality of first channels 234c defined by first ribs 230c that extend from a first end 244c at peripheral side surface 210 on lateral side 16 to a second end 246c at peripheral side surface 210 on lateral side 16. A plurality of second channels 234c are defined between adjacent ones of the second ribs 230d, and each second channel extends from a first end 244d at the peripheral side surface 210 on the outer side 16 to a second end 246 at the peripheral side surface 210 on the outer side 16. A plurality of third channels 234c are defined between third ribs 230e, and each third channel 234c extends along a continuous circular path in the heel region.

Referring to fig. 7, the inner surface 220 of the outer sole element 204 includes a plurality of surface features 228, the surface features 228 corresponding to the surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202. For example, outer sole element 204 includes a plurality of recesses 236a-236e and protrusions 232c-232e that are configured to mate with corresponding protrusions 230a-230e and recesses 234c-e of inner sole element 202. Accordingly, the size, shape, and arrangement of the surface features 228 of the outer sole element 204 will be substantially similar to the size, shape, and arrangement of the corresponding surface features 226, whereby the inner surfaces 208, 220 of the inner sole element 202 and the outer sole element 204 mate with one another. In other words, when the article of footwear 10 is assembled, the peaks 238 of the inner sole element 202 are opposite the valleys 237 of the outer sole element 204, and vice versa.

In some examples, the materials forming inner sole element 202 and outer sole element 204 may be anisotropic, whereby the properties of a first portion of sole structure 200 are different from the properties of a second portion of sole structure 200. In the illustrated example, the material forming the first protrusion 230a may be softer than the material forming the second protrusion 230 b.

As best shown in fig. 3, when article of footwear 10 is assembled, inner sole element 202 is inserted into interior void 102 of upper 100, and bottom sheet 108 of sock-like structure 106 follows the shape of surface features 226 of inner sole element 202. Thus, the contours of the protrusions 230a-230e and recesses 234c-234e will be imparted to the bottom sheet 108. In some examples, the bottom sheet 108 may be preformed with contours of the surface features 226, 228.

As shown, cable 120 is routed through sole structure 200 along valleys 237 of channels 234c, 234d of inner sole element 202. Specifically, each cable 102 extends from a first end 122 adjacent the throat opening 112, along the perimeter wall 110 of the sock-like structure 106, to a first end 244c, 244d of one of the channels 234c, 234d, through one of the channels 234c, 234d, to a second end 246c, 246d, and back up the perimeter wall 110 to the second end 122 adjacent the throat opening 112. In the illustrated example, first pair of cables 122 are routed through first channel 234c, whereby first end 122 and second end 122 of each cable 120 are routed along lateral side 16 of upper 100 and are disposed adjacent lateral side 16 of throat opening 120. The second pair of cables 122 is routed through the second channel 234d, whereby the first end 122 of each cable 120 is routed to the lateral side 16 of the throat opening and the second end 122 of each cable 120 is routed to the medial side 18 of the throat opening 112. Accordingly, cable end 122 forms a greater number of apertures 118 on lateral side 16 than on medial side 18 of footwear 10. More specifically, aperture 118 in forefoot region 20 on lateral side 16 is formed by cable end 122, thereby providing increased responsiveness between upper 100 and sole structure 200 by cable 120 routed along lateral side 16 of upper 100. Cable 120 may be stitched or knitted or otherwise attached or integrated into perimeter wall 110 of upper 100.

After the cables 120 are routed through the channels 234c, 234d of the inner sole element 202, the outer sole element 204 may be joined to the inner sole element 202, whereby the bottom sheet 108 and the cables 120 will be interposed between the mating surface features 226, 228 of the sole elements 202, 204. Here, the outer sole element 204 may be joined to the inner sole element 202 by the bottom sheet 108 using one or more bonding methods (such as adhesive bonding or fusing).

Referring to fig. 8-13, an article of footwear 10a constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of components associated with article of footwear 10 with respect to article of footwear 10a, the same reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify the same components, while the same reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

Article of footwear 10a includes upper 100 and sole structure 200a. Referring to fig. 9, sole structure 200a of article of footwear 10a includes an inner sole element 202a and an outer sole element 204a. Generally, the inner sole element 202a and the outer sole element 204a are configured to be disposed on opposite sides of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock-like structure 106 such that the bottom sheet 108 is interposed or sandwiched between the sole elements 202a, 204a.

As shown in fig. 9, the inner sole element 202a includes a top surface 206 formed on top of the inner sole element 202a, a lower surface 208a formed on a side of the inner sole element 202a opposite the top surface 206, and a peripheral side surface 210 extending between the top surface 206 and the lower surface 208 a. Outer sole element 204a includes an upper surface 220a formed on top of outer sole element 204a, a bottom surface 222 formed on a side of outer sole element 204a opposite upper surface 220a, and a peripheral side surface 224 extending between upper surface 220a and bottom surface 222.

As best shown in fig. 9, when the article of footwear 10a is assembled, the inner sole element 202a is inserted into the interior cavity 102 such that the lower surface 208a of the inner sole element 202a faces the inner surface of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock-like structure 106. The outer sole element 204a is located on the opposite side of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock structure 106 from the inner sole element 202a such that the upper surface 220a of the outer sole element 204a also faces the bottom sheet 108. Thus, the bottom sheet 108 of sock-like structure 106 would be interposed or sandwiched between the lower surface 208a of inner sole element 202a and the upper surface 220a of outer sole element 204 a. The lower surface 208a of the inner sole element 202a and the upper surface 220a of the outer sole element 204a may be collectively referred to as inner surfaces 208a, 220a of the sole structure 200a, while the top surface 206 of the inner sole element 202a and the bottom surface 222 of the outer sole element 204a may be collectively referred to as outer surfaces 206, 222 of the sole structure 200 a.

With continued reference to fig. 9, the inner surfaces 208a, 220a of the sole elements 202a, 204a are configured to interface with one another to form a substantially continuous sole structure 200a, wherein the inner surfaces 208a, 220a mate with one another when the article of footwear 10a is assembled. As shown, each of the inner surfaces 208a, 220a of the sole elements 202a, 204a includes a plurality of surface features 226, 228 configured to interface or mate with corresponding surface features 226, 228 of the other of the inner surfaces 208a, 220 a. For example, the surface features 226, 228 may be described as including a plurality of protrusions formed on the inner surface 208a of the inner sole element 202a that are configured to be received in corresponding recesses of the outer sole element 204 a. Alternatively, inner sole element 202a may be described as including a plurality of recesses configured to receive corresponding protrusions of outer sole element 204 a.

Generally, the configuration of the surface features 226, 228 is irregular or non-uniform, whereby the profile and arrangement of the surface features 226, 228 varies along the length of the sole structure 200 a. For example, the surface features 226, 228 may include one or more first surface features 226, 228 having a first size, first shape, and/or first orientation in the first region 20, 22, 24 of the sole structure 200a, and one or more second surface features 226, 228 in the second region 20, 22, 24 of the sole structure 200 a. Additionally or alternatively, the surface features 226, 228 may vary within any of the regions 20, 22, 24, from the lateral side 16 to the medial side 18, or a combination thereof.

Referring now to fig. 9 and 12, the surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202a include a first protrusion 230f, a plurality of second protrusions 230g, and a plurality of third protrusions 230h. Similarly, outer sole element 204a includes corresponding recesses including a first recess 236f, a plurality of second recesses 236g, and a plurality of third recesses 236h, as illustrated in fig. 9 and 13.

With continued reference to fig. 12, a first protrusion 230f of inner sole element 202a is disposed in forefoot region 20, adjacent to peripheral side surface 210 on medial side 18. As shown, the first protrusion 230f may be continuously formed. In the illustrated example, the first protrusion 230f has a frustoconical shape, intersects the peripheral sidewall 210 on the medial side 18, and extends to a substantially planar distal end 238f. In other examples, the first protrusion 230f may be polygonal or irregularly shaped. The location of the first protrusion 230f of the inner sole element 202a is configured to correspond to the location of a first Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint on the medial side 18 of the foot. Thus, the first protrusion 230f acts as a pad for the first MTP joint of the foot.

The plurality of second protrusions 230g include a plurality of arc-shaped first ribs 230g extending around the first protrusions 230 f. In the illustrated example, each first rib 230g extends from a first end 240g at the peripheral side surface 210 on the medial side 18 and around the first protrusion 230f to a second end 242g at the peripheral side surface 210 on the medial side surface 18. Thus, each first rib 230g is along the central axis a with the first protrusion 230f _230f The concentric substantially arcuate path extends. In midfoot region 22, a first end 240g of each first rib 230g is disposed between first projection 230f and forward end 12, and a firstThe two end portions 242g are disposed between the first protrusion 230f and the rear end portion 14.

With continued reference to fig. 12, the plurality of third protrusions 230h includes a plurality of elongated second ribs 230h disposed adjacent to the first ribs 230g, and each second rib 230h extends continuously from a first end 240h at the peripheral side surface 210 on the lateral side 16 to a second end 242h at the peripheral side surface 210 on the medial side 18. Thus, unlike the first rib 230g that extends from the medial side 18 to the medial side 18, the second rib 232d is substantially elongated and extends from the lateral side 16 to the medial side 18. However, although the second ribs 230h are substantially elongate, each second rib 230h may extend along an arcuate path from the lateral side 16 to the medial side 18. The arcuate path along which the second rib 230h extends may be in communication with the central axis a of the first protrusion 230f _230f And/or the first rib 230g is concentric.

Each of the ribs 230g, 230h may be described as ridged, whereby the width W of each rib 230g, 230h ₂₃₀ Measured from a first valley 237 on a first side of the ribs 230g, 230h to a second valley 237 on an opposite side of the ribs 230g, 230h, and tapers to a continuous distal end or peak 238.

As discussed above, the size and spacing of the ribs 230g, 230h may be variable between the ribs 230g, 230h as well as along individual ones of the ribs 230g, 230 h. As shown, the ribs 230g, 230h are arranged in series from the first protrusion 230f to the rear end portion 14, and gradually increase in size away from the first protrusion 230f in the radial direction. For example, the height H of the first rib 230g adjacent to the first protrusion 230f ₂₃₀ And/or width W ₂₃₀ May be smaller than the height H of the first rib 230g further away from the first protrusion 230f ₂₃₀ And/or width W ₂₃₀ . Likewise, one or more of the first ribs 230g and/or the second ribs 230h may have a height or width at the first ends 240g, 240h that is greater than a height or width at the second ends 242g, 242 h. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the ribs 230g, 230h may have different cross-sectional shapes. For example, the ribs 230g, 230h may have a polygonal cross-section, an arcuate cross-section, or a combination thereof.

As discussed above, inner sole element 202a may be described as including a plurality of recesses 234g, 234h defined by and disposed between adjacent ones of protrusions 230f-230 h. In the illustrated example, the recesses 234g, 234h include a plurality of channels 234g, 234h defined by adjacent ones of the ribs 230g, 230 h. In particular, inner sole element 202a includes a plurality of first channels 234g defined by adjacent ones of first ribs 230 g. The first channel 234g extends from a first end 244g at the peripheral side surface 210 on the medial side 18 to a second end 246g at the peripheral side surface 210 on the medial side 18. The plurality of second channels 234h are defined by adjacent ones of the second ribs 230h, and each second channel extends from a first end 244h at the peripheral side surface 210 on the lateral side 16 to a second end 246h at the peripheral side surface 210 on the medial side 18.

Referring to fig. 13, the inner surface 220a of the outer sole element 204a includes a plurality of surface features 228 that correspond to the surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202 a. For example, outer sole element 204a includes a plurality of recesses 236f-236h and protrusions 232g, 232h configured to mate with corresponding protrusions 230f-230h and recesses 234g, 234h of inner sole element 202 a. Accordingly, the size, shape, and arrangement of the surface features 228 of the outer sole element 204a will be substantially similar to the size, shape, and arrangement of the corresponding surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202a, whereby the inner surfaces 208a, 220a of the inner sole element 202a and the outer sole element 204a mate with one another. In other words, when the article of footwear 10a is assembled, the peaks 238 of the inner sole element 202a are opposite the valleys 237 of the outer sole element 204a, and vice versa.

In some examples, the materials forming inner sole element 202a and outer sole element 204a may be anisotropic, whereby the properties of a first portion of sole structure 200a are different from the properties of a second portion of sole structure 200 a. For example, inner sole element 202a and/or outer sole element 204a may have a first stiffness in first regions 20, 22, 24 of sole structure 200a and a second stiffness in second regions 20, 22, 24 of sole structure 200 a.

As best shown in fig. 8, when article of footwear 10a is assembled, inner sole element 202a is inserted into interior void 102 of upper 100, and bottom sheet 108 of sock-like structure 106 follows the shape of surface features 226 of inner sole element 202a. Thus, the contours of the protrusions 230f-230h and recesses 234g, 234h will be imparted to the bottom sheet 108. Outer sole element 204a is then attached to the opposite side of bottom sheet 108 on the exterior of upper 100, whereby bottom sheet 108 will be interposed between mating surface features 226, 228 of sole elements 202a, 204 a. Here, the outer sole element 204a may be joined to the inner sole element 202a by the bottom sheet 108 using one or more bonding methods (such as adhesive bonding or fusing).

Although not shown in the illustrated example, the article of footwear 10a may include one or more cables 120, with the cables 120 extending from a first end 122 adjacent the throat opening 112, through one or more of the channels 234g, 230h of the inner sole element 202a, and back to a second end 122 adjacent the throat opening 112.

Referring to fig. 14-19, an article of footwear 10b constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of components associated with article of footwear 10 with respect to article of footwear 10b, the same reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify the same components, while the same reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

Article of footwear 10b includes upper 100 and sole structure 200b. Sole structure 200b of article of footwear 10b includes an inner sole element 202b and an outer sole element 204b. Generally, the inner sole element 202b and the outer sole element 204b are configured to be disposed on opposite sides of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock-like structure 106 such that the bottom sheet 108 is interposed or sandwiched between the sole elements 202b, 204b.

As shown in fig. 14, the inner sole element 202b includes a top surface 206 formed on top of the inner sole element 202b, a lower surface 208b formed on a side of the inner sole element 202b opposite the top surface 206, and a peripheral side surface 210 extending between the top surface 206 and the lower surface 208 b. Outer sole element 204b includes an upper surface 220b formed on top of outer sole element 204b, a bottom surface 222 formed on a side of outer sole element 204b opposite upper surface 220b, and a peripheral side surface 224 extending between upper surface 220b and bottom surface 222.

As best shown in fig. 14, when the article of footwear 10b is assembled, the inner sole element 202b is inserted into the interior cavity 102 such that the lower surface 208b of the inner sole element 202b faces the inner surface of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock-like structure 106. The outer sole element 204b is located on the opposite side of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock structure 106 from the inner sole element 202b such that the upper surface 220b of the outer sole element 204b faces the outer surface of the bottom sheet 108. Thus, the bottom sheet 108 of sock-like structure 106 would be interposed or sandwiched between the lower surface 208b of inner sole element 202b and the upper surface 220b of outer sole element 204b. The lower surface 208b of the inner sole element 202b and the upper surface 220b of the outer sole element 204b may be collectively referred to as inner surfaces 208b, 220b of the sole structure 200b, while the top surface 206 of the inner sole element 202b and the bottom surface 222 of the outer sole element 204b may be collectively referred to as outer surfaces 206, 222 of the sole structure 200b.

With continued reference to fig. 14, the inner surfaces 208b, 220b of the sole elements 202b, 204b are configured to interface with one another to form a substantially continuous sole structure 200b, wherein the inner surfaces 208b, 220b mate with one another when the article of footwear 10b is assembled. As shown, each of the inner surfaces 208b, 220b of the sole elements 202b, 204b includes a plurality of surface features 226, 228 configured to interface or mate with corresponding surface features 226, 228 of the other of the inner surfaces 208b, 220 b. For example, the surface features 226, 228 may be described as including a plurality of protrusions formed on the inner surface 208b of the inner sole element 202b that are configured to be received in corresponding recesses of the outer sole element 204 b. Alternatively, inner sole element 202b may be described as including a plurality of recesses configured to receive corresponding protrusions of outer sole element 204 b.

Generally, the configuration of the surface features 226, 228 is irregular or non-uniform, whereby the profile and arrangement of the surface features 226, 228 varies along the sole structure 200 b. For example, the surface features 226, 228 may include one or more first surface features 226, 228 having a first size, first shape, and/or first orientation in the first region 20, 22, 24 of the sole structure 200b, and one or more second surface features 226, 228 in the second region 20, 22, 24 of the sole structure 200 b. Additionally or alternatively, the surface features 226, 228 may vary within any of the regions 20, 22, 24, from the lateral side 16 to the medial side 18, or a combination thereof.

Referring now to fig. 15, surface feature 226 of inner sole element 202b includes a plurality of first protrusions 230i in heel region 24 and a plurality of second protrusions 230j arranged in series between heel region 24 and forward end portion 12. Similarly, outer sole element 204b includes corresponding recesses including a plurality of first recesses 236i and a plurality of second recesses 236j, as illustrated in fig. 15.

Referring to fig. 15 and 18, first protrusion 230i of inner sole element 202b is disposed in heel region 24 adjacent to peripheral side surface 210 on medial side 18. First plurality of protrusions 230i includes a plurality of annular first ribs 230i disposed in heel region 24. As shown, first rib 230i surrounds axis a in a central portion of heel region 24 _230i Arranged concentrically.

The plurality of second protrusions 230j include a plurality of arc-shaped elongated second ribs 230j, and the second ribs 230j are disposed adjacent to and concentrically with the first ribs 230i. Each second rib 230j extends continuously from a first end 240j at the peripheral side surface 210 on the lateral side 16 to a second end 242j at the peripheral side surface 210 on the medial side 18. Thus, unlike the annular and continuous first rib 230i, the second rib 232d is substantially elongate and extends from the outer side 16 to the inner side 18. Although the second ribs 230j are substantially elongate, each second rib 230j may extend along an arcuate path from the lateral side 16 to the medial side 18. In the illustrated example, the second ribs 230j are concentric with one another, and the first ribs 230i are about the axis a _230i 。

Each of the ribs 230i, 230jEach may be described as ridged, whereby the width W of each rib 230i, 230j ₂₃₀ Measured from a first valley 237 on a first side of the ribs 230g, 230h to a second valley 237 on an opposite side of the ribs 230i, 230j and tapered to a continuous distal end or peak 238. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the ribs 230i, 230j may have different cross-sectional shapes. For example, the ribs 230i, 230j may have a polygonal cross-section, an arcuate cross-section, or a combination thereof.

As discussed above, the size, shape, and/or orientation of the ribs 230i, 230j may vary between the ribs 230i, 230 j. As shown, the second ribs 230j are arranged in series from the first ribs 230i to the front end portion 12, and gradually vary in size from the first ribs 230i to the front end portion in the radial direction. For example, the width W of the second rib 230j adjacent to the first rib 230i ₂₃₀ May be smaller than the width W of the second rib 230j further away from the first rib 230i ₂₃₀ While the height H of the second rib 230j adjacent to the first rib 230i ₂₃₀ May be greater than the height H of the second rib 230j further away from the first rib 230i ₂₃₀ . In this example, the height H of each of the ribs 230i, 230j ₂₃₀ And width W ₂₃₀ Along the entire length of each rib 230i, 230j is substantially constant.

As previously discussed, the inner sole element 202b may be described as including a plurality of recesses 234i, 234j, the recesses 234i, 234j being defined by and disposed between adjacent ones of the protrusions 230i, 230 j. In the illustrated example, the recesses 234i, 234j include a plurality of channels 234i, 234j defined by adjacent ones of the protrusions 230i, 230 j. In particular, inner sole element 202b includes a plurality of annular first channels 234i defined by first ribs 230 i. The plurality of second channels 234j are defined by second ribs 230j, and each second channel extends from a first end 244j at the peripheral side surface 210 on the lateral side 16 to a second end 246j at the peripheral side surface 210 on the medial side 18.

Referring to fig. 19, the inner surface 220b of the outer sole element 204b includes a plurality of surface features 228 that correspond to the surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202 b. For example, outer sole element 204b includes a plurality of recesses 236i, 236j and protrusions 232i, 232j, with recesses 236i, 236j and protrusions 232i, 232j configured to mate with corresponding protrusions 230i, 230j and recesses 234i, 234j of inner sole element 202 b. Thus, the size, shape, and arrangement of the surface features 228 of the outer sole element 204b will be substantially similar to the size, shape, and arrangement of the cooperating surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202b, whereby the inner surfaces 208b, 220b of the inner sole element 202b and the outer sole element 204b are configured to mate with one another. In other words, when the article of footwear 10b is assembled, the peaks 238 of the inner sole element 202b are opposite the valleys 237 of the outer sole element 204b, and vice versa.

In some examples, the materials forming inner sole element 202b and outer sole element 204b may be anisotropic, whereby the properties of a first portion of sole structure 200b are different from the properties of a second portion of sole structure 200 b. For example, inner sole element 202b and/or outer sole element 204b may have a first stiffness in first regions 20, 22, 24 of sole structure 200b and a second stiffness in second regions 20, 22, 24 of sole structure 200 b.

As best shown in fig. 14, when article of footwear 10b is assembled, inner sole element 202b is inserted into interior void 102 of upper 100, and bottom sheet 108 of sock-like structure 106 follows the shape of surface features 226 of inner sole element 202 b. Thus, the contours of the protrusions 230i, 230j and recesses 234i, 234j will be imparted to the bottom sheet 108. Outer sole element 204b is then attached to the opposite side of bottom sheet 108 on the exterior of upper 100, whereby bottom sheet 108 will be interposed between mating surface features 226, 228 of sole elements 202b, 204 b. Here, the outer sole element 204 may be joined to the inner sole element 202 by the bottom sheet 108 using one or more bonding methods (such as adhesive bonding or fusing). Although not shown in the illustrated example, the article of footwear 10b may include one or more cables 120, with the cables 120 extending from a first end 122 adjacent the throat opening 112, through one or more of the channels 234i, 230j of the inner sole element 202b, and back to a second end 122 adjacent the throat opening 112.

Referring to fig. 20-25, an article of footwear 10c constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of components associated with article of footwear 10 with respect to article of footwear 10c, the same reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify the same components, while the same reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

Article of footwear 10c includes upper 100 and sole structure 200c. Referring to fig. 20, sole structure 200c of article of footwear 10c includes an inner sole element 202c and an outer sole element 204c. Generally, the inner sole element 202c and the outer sole element 204c are configured to be disposed on opposite sides of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock-like structure 106 such that the bottom sheet 108 is interposed or sandwiched between the sole elements 202c, 204c.

As shown in fig. 22, the inner sole element 202c includes a top surface 206 formed on top of the inner sole element 202c, a lower surface 208c formed on a side of the inner sole element 202c opposite the top surface 206, and a peripheral side surface 210 extending between the top surface 206 and the lower surface 208 c. Referring to fig. 23, outer sole element 204c includes an upper surface 220c formed on top of outer sole element 204c, a bottom surface 222 formed on a side of outer sole element 204c opposite upper surface 220c, and a peripheral side surface 224 extending between upper surface 220c and bottom surface 222.

Referring to fig. 20 and 21, when the article of footwear 10c is assembled, the inner sole element 202c is inserted into the interior cavity 102 such that the lower surface 208c of the inner sole element 202c faces the inner surface of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock-like structure 106. The outer sole element 204c is located on the opposite side of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock structure 106 from the inner sole element 202c such that the upper surface 220c of the outer sole element 204c faces the outer surface of the bottom sheet 108. Thus, the bottom sheet 108 of sock-like structure 106 would be interposed or sandwiched between the lower surface 208c of inner sole element 202c and the upper surface 220c of outer sole element 204 c. The lower surface 208c of the inner sole element 202c and the upper surface 220c of the outer sole element 204c may be collectively referred to as inner surfaces 208c, 220c of the sole structure 200c, while the top surface 206 of the inner sole element 202c and the bottom surface 222 of the outer sole element 204c may be collectively referred to as outer surfaces 206, 222 of the sole structure 200 c.

With continued reference to fig. 20, the inner surfaces 208c, 220c of the sole elements 202c, 204c are configured to interface with one another to form a substantially continuous sole structure 200c, wherein the inner surfaces 208c, 220c mate with one another when the article of footwear 10c is assembled. The lower interior surface 208c of the inner sole element 202c includes a plurality of surface features 226, which surface features 226 are configured to interface or mate with corresponding surface features 228 of the upper interior surface 220c of the outer sole element 204 c. For example, the surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202c may be described as including a plurality of protrusions formed on the inner surface 208c of the inner sole element 202c, while the surface features 228 of the outer sole element 204c include a plurality of recesses corresponding to the protrusions of the inner sole element 202 c. Additionally or alternatively, inner sole element 202c may be described as including a plurality of recesses configured to receive corresponding protrusions of outer sole element 204 c.

Generally, the configuration of the surface features 226, 228 is irregular or non-uniform, whereby the profile and arrangement of the surface features 226, 228 varies along the sole structure 200 c. For example, the surface features 226, 228 may include one or more first surface features 226, 228 having a first size, first shape, and/or first orientation in the first region 20, 22, 24 of the sole structure 200c, and one or more second surface features 226, 228 in the second region 20, 22, 24 of the sole structure 200 c. Additionally or alternatively, the surface features 226, 228 may vary within any of the regions 20, 22, 24, from the lateral side 16 to the medial side 18, or a combination thereof.

Referring now to fig. 21, surface feature 226 of inner sole element 202c includes a plurality of first protrusions 230k in heel region 24 and a plurality of second protrusions 230m disposed in series between first protrusions 230k and forward end portion 12. In general, first protrusions 230k and second protrusions 230m may be described as being arranged in a psittacosis pattern, whereby first protrusions 230k are about axis A in heel region 24 _230K Radially arranged, and a second protrusionStart 230m is continuously spaced apart along midfoot region 22 and forefoot region 20. The outer sole element 204c includes a corresponding recess including a plurality of first recesses 236k and a plurality of second recesses 236m, the plurality of first recesses 236k and the plurality of second recesses 236m being configured to receive corresponding protrusions 230k, 230m, respectively.

With continued reference to fig. 21, first plurality of protrusions 230k includes a first plurality of tapered elongate ribs 230k disposed in heel region 24, and second plurality of protrusions 230m includes a second plurality of tapered elongate ribs 230m disposed in midfoot region 22 and forefoot region 20. Each rib 230k, 230m may be described as a ridge, whereby the width W of each rib 230k, 230m ₂₃₀ Measured from a first valley 237 on a first side of the rib 230k, 230m to a second valley 237 on an opposite side of the rib 230k, 230m, and tapers to a continuous distal end or peak 238.

As shown, first rib 230k surrounds an axis a of central portion 229 of heel region 24 _230k Radially arranged. The area of the inner surface 208c formed by the central portion 229 is substantially planar and free of the surface features 226. In some examples, the peaks 238 of the first ribs 230k are substantially coplanar with the central portion 229, while the depth D of the first recesses 234k defined by the first ribs 230k ₂₃₄ Increasing in a radial direction away from the central portion 229. Thus, the effective height H of the first rib 230 ₂₃₀ Also gradually or continuously increasing in a radial direction away from the central portion 229.

In the illustrated example, the perimeter of the central portion 229 is teardrop-shaped-tapering in a direction from the rear end portion 14 to the front end portion 12-and the first protrusion 230k protrudes radially outward therefrom. In particular, a first one of first ribs 230k extends from a first end 240k on medial side 18 of central portion 229 to a second end 242k at peripheral sidewall 210 on medial side 18 of inner sole element 202c, and a last one of first ribs 230k extends from first end 240k on lateral side 16 of central portion 229 to second end 242k at peripheral sidewall 210 on lateral side 16 of inner sole element 202 c. A series of intermediate ribs of the first rib 230k are spaced between the first rib and the last rib of the first rib 230k, Whereby the central portion 229 is completely surrounded by the first rib 230 k. As described above, the height H of each first rib 230k ₂₃₀ (i.e., depth D of channel 234 k) ₂₃₄ ) Continuously increasing in a direction from the first end 240k to the second end 242 k.

With continued reference to fig. 21, second rib 230m is continuously spaced apart along midfoot region 22 and forefoot region 20. Each second rib 230m extends continuously from a last first end 240m on medial side 18 of inner sole element 202c to a second end 242m on peripheral side surface 210 on lateral side 16. As shown, the first end 240m is spaced inwardly from the peripheral side surface 210 on the medial side 18. The height H of each second rib 230m is the same as the first rib 230k ₂₃₀ (i.e., depth D of channel 234 m) ₂₃₄ ) Increasing from the first end 240m to the second end 242m.

As shown in fig. 24, a first one of second ribs 230m is disposed adjacent to a last one of first ribs 230k on lateral side 16 in heel region 24, and a last one of second ribs 230m is disposed in toe portion 20 of forefoot region 20 _T Is a kind of medium. A series of intermediate ribs in the second ribs 230m are spaced between the first and last ribs in the second ribs 230 m. In the illustrated example, the second ribs 230m are each oriented in a lateral direction of the article of footwear (i.e., from lateral side to medial side, transverse to the longitudinal axis a _f ) Extending. Two or more second ribs 230m may be parallel to each other.

As described above, inner sole element 202c may be described as including a plurality of recesses 234k, 234m defined by and disposed between adjacent ones of ribs 230k, 230 m. In the illustrated example, the recesses 234k, 234m include a plurality of channels 234k, 234m defined by adjacent ones of the ribs 230k, 230 m. In particular, inner sole element 202c includes a plurality of elongated first channels 234k defined by first ribs 230k, first ribs 230k extending radially outwardly from first ends 244k at central portion 229 to second ends 246k at peripheral sidewall 210. The plurality of second channels 234m are defined by second ribs 230m, and each second channel 234m extends from a first end 244m of the medial side 18 adjacent the inner surface 208m to a second end 246m at the peripheral side surface 210 on the lateral side 16.

Referring to fig. 25, the inner surface 220c of the outer sole element 204c includes a plurality of surface features 228 that correspond to the surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202 c. For example, outer sole element 204c includes a plurality of recesses 236k, 236m and protrusions 232k, 232m, with the plurality of recesses 236k, 236m and protrusions 232k, 232m configured to mate with corresponding protrusions 230k, 230m and recesses 234k, 234m of inner sole element 202 c. Accordingly, the size, shape, and arrangement of the surface features 228 of the outer sole element 204c will be substantially similar to the size, shape, and arrangement of the mating surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202c, whereby the inner surfaces 208c, 220c of the inner sole element 202c and the outer sole element 204c are configured to mate with one another. In other words, when the article of footwear 10c is assembled, the peaks 238 of the inner sole element 202c are opposite the valleys 237 of the outer sole element 204c, and vice versa.

In some examples, the materials forming inner sole element 202c and outer sole element 204c may be anisotropic, whereby the properties of a first portion of sole structure 200c are different from the properties of a second portion of sole structure 200 c. For example, inner sole element 202c and/or outer sole element 204c may have a first stiffness in first regions 20, 22, 24 of sole structure 200c and a second stiffness in second regions 20, 22, 24 of sole structure 200 c.

As shown in fig. 20, when article of footwear 10c is assembled, inner sole element 202c is inserted into interior void 102 of upper 100, and bottom sheet 108 of sock-like structure 106 follows the shape of surface feature 226 of inner sole element 202c. Thus, the contours of the protrusions 230k, 230m and recesses 234k, 234m will be imparted to the bottom sheet 108. Outer sole element 204c is then attached to the opposite side of bottom sheet 108 on the exterior of upper 100, whereby bottom sheet 108 will be interposed between mating surface features 226, 228 of sole elements 202c, 204 c. Here, the outer sole element 204c may be joined to the inner sole element 202c by the bottom sheet 108 using one or more bonding methods (e.g., adhesive bonding or fusing). Although not shown in the illustrated example, the article of footwear 10c may include one or more cables 120, with the cables 120 extending from a first end 122 adjacent the throat opening 112, through one or more channels 234k, 230m of the inner sole element 202a, and back to a second end 122 adjacent the throat opening 112.

26-31, an article of footwear 10d constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of components associated with article of footwear 10 with respect to article of footwear 10d, the same reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify the same components, while the same reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

Article of footwear 10d includes upper 100 and sole structure 200d. Referring to fig. 27, sole structure 200d of article of footwear 10d includes an inner sole element 202d and an outer sole element 204d. Generally, the inner sole element 202d and the outer sole element 204d are configured to be disposed on opposite sides of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock-like structure 106 such that the bottom sheet 108 is interposed or sandwiched between the sole elements 202d, 204d.

As shown in fig. 28, the inner sole element 202d includes a top surface 206 formed on top of the inner sole element 202d, a lower surface 208d formed on a side of the inner sole element 202d opposite the top surface 206, and a peripheral side surface 210 extending between the top surface 206 and the lower surface 208 d. Referring to fig. 29, outer sole element 204d includes an upper surface 220d formed atop outer sole element 204d, a bottom surface 222 formed on a side of outer sole element 204d opposite upper surface 220d, and a peripheral side surface 224 extending between inner surface 220d and outer surface 222.

Referring to fig. 26 and 27, when the article of footwear 10d is assembled, the inner sole element 202d is inserted into the interior cavity 102 such that the lower surface 208d of the inner sole element 202d faces the inner surface of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock-like structure 106. The outer sole element 204d is located on the opposite side of the bottom sheet 108 of the sock structure 106 from the inner sole element 202d such that the upper surface 220d of the outer sole element 204d faces the outer surface of the bottom sheet 108. Thus, the bottom sheet 108 of sock-like structure 106 would be interposed or sandwiched between the lower surface 208d of inner sole element 202d and the upper surface 220d of outer sole element 204 d. The lower surface 208d of the inner sole element 202d and the upper surface 220d of the outer sole element 204d may be collectively referred to as inner surfaces 208d, 220d of the sole structure 200d, while the top surface 206 of the inner sole element 202d and the bottom surface 222 of the outer sole element 204d may be collectively referred to as outer surfaces 206, 222 of the sole structure 200 d.

With continued reference to fig. 26, the inner surfaces 208d, 220d of the sole elements 202d, 204d are configured to interface with one another to form a substantially continuous sole structure 200d, wherein the inner surfaces 208d, 220d mate with one another when the article of footwear 10d is assembled. The lower interior surface 208d of the inner sole element 202d includes a plurality of surface features 226, which surface features 226 are configured to interface or mate with corresponding surface features 228 of the upper interior surface 220d of the outer sole element 204 d. For example, the surface feature 226 of the inner sole element 202d may be described as including a plurality of protrusions 230n, 230p and recesses 234p, 234n formed on the inner surface 208d of the inner sole element 202d, while the surface feature 228 of the outer sole element 204d includes a plurality of recesses 236p, 236n and protrusions 232p, 232n configured to interface with the protrusions 230n, 230p and recesses 234p, 234n, respectively, of the inner sole element 202 d.

Generally, the configuration of the surface features 226, 228 is irregular or non-uniform, whereby the profile and arrangement of the surface features 226, 228 varies along the sole structure 200 d. For example, the surface features 226, 228 may include one or more first surface features 226, 228 having a first size, first shape, and/or first orientation in the first region 20, 22, 24 of the sole structure 200d, and one or more second surface features 226, 228 in the second region 20, 22, 24 of the sole structure 200 d. Additionally or alternatively, the surface features 226, 228 may vary within any of the regions 20, 22, 24, from the lateral side 16 to the medial side 18, or a combination thereof.

Referring now to fig. 27, the surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202d include a plurality of first protrusions 230n and a plurality of second protrusions 230p. The outer sole element 204d includes corresponding recesses 236n, 236p including a plurality of first recesses 236n and a plurality of second recesses 236p configured to receive the protrusions 230n, 230p when the inner sole element 202c and the outer sole element 204c are assembled.

Generally, the first protrusion 230n includes a plurality of first tapered ribs 230n, and the second protrusion 230p includes a plurality of second tapered ribs 230p. Each of the ribs 230n, 230p may be described as ridged, whereby the width W of each rib 230n, 230p ₂₃₀ Measured from a first valley 237 on a first side of the rib 230n, 230p to a second valley 237 on an opposite side of the rib 230n, 230p, and tapers to a continuous distal end or peak 238. Ribs 230n, 230p may be described as being arranged in a compound star storm pattern, whereby first ribs 230n are arranged in a first radial array in forefoot region 20 and converge toward each other in a direction from lateral side 16 to medial side 18, and second ribs 230p are arranged in a second radial array in heel region 24 and converge toward each other in a direction from medial side 18 to lateral side 16, as best shown in fig. 30.

As shown, first rib 230n is arranged in a first star storm pattern in forefoot region 20. Each first rib 230n extends continuously across inner surface 208c from a first end 240n at peripheral sidewall 210 on lateral side 16 to a second end 242n at peripheral sidewall 210 on medial side 18. As discussed above, the first ribs 230n converge toward one another in a direction from the lateral side 16 to the medial side 18. As shown in fig. 30, a first one of the first ribs 230n is disposed at the forward end 12 of the inner sole element 202d, and a last one of the first ribs 230n is disposed in the midfoot region 22 of the inner sole element 202d, with an intermediate one of the first ribs 230n being continuously spaced between the first rib 230n and the last rib 230 n. First rib 230n may be located about first axis A on medial side 18 of inner sole element 202c _230n Arranged in a radial array.

As shown, second ribs 230p are arranged in heel region 24 in a second star storm pattern, whereby second ribs 230p continuously extend across inner surface 208c from a first end 240p at peripheral side wall 210 on lateral side 16 to a second end 242p at peripheral side wall 210 on medial side 18. The second rib 230p is oriented in a direction from the inner side 18 to the outer side 16 as compared to the first rib 230nConverging each other. As shown in fig. 30, a first one of the second ribs 230p is disposed adjacent to a last one of the first ribs 230n in the midfoot region 22, and the last one of the second ribs 230p is disposed at the front end portion 14, while an intermediate one of the second ribs 230p is continuously spaced apart between the first rib 230p and the last rib 230 p. Two or more second ribs 230p may be on lateral side 16 of inner sole element 202c from second axis A _230p Extending radially.

As shown in FIG. 30, inner sole element 202d may include a plurality of ribs 230n-p in midfoot region 22 that converge with either first rib 230n or second rib 230p, but do not surround axis A _230n 、A _230p Any one of which is arranged. These ribs 230n-p may be referred to as transition ribs 230n-p that gradually transition from an outboard-to-inboard convergence of the first rib 230n to an outboard-to-inboard convergence of the second rib 230 p. Thus, the ribs 230n, 230p, 230n-p cooperate to define a composite radial array having a first portion and an opposing second portion.

As discussed above, the inner sole element 202d may be described as including a plurality of recesses 234n, 234p defined by and disposed between adjacent ones of the ribs 230n, 230 p. In the illustrated example, the recesses 234n, 234p include a plurality of channels 234n, 234p defined by adjacent ones of the ribs 230n, 230 p. In particular, inner sole element 202d includes a plurality of elongated first channels 234n defined by first ribs 230n, first ribs 230n extending from a first end 244m at peripheral sidewall 210 on lateral side 16 to a second end 246m at peripheral sidewall 210 on medial side 18. A plurality of second channels 234p are defined by the second ribs 230p and each extend from a first end 244m on the lateral side 16 of the inner surface 208m to a second end 246m at the peripheral side surface 210 on the medial side 18.

Referring to fig. 31, the inner surface 220d of the outer sole element 204d includes a plurality of surface features 228 that correspond to the surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202 d. For example, the outer sole element 204d includes a plurality of recesses 236n, 236p and protrusions 232n, 232p configured to mate with corresponding protrusions 230n, 230p and recesses 234n, 234p of the inner sole element 202 d. Accordingly, the size, shape, and arrangement of the surface features 228 of the outer sole element 204d will be substantially similar to the size, shape, and arrangement of the cooperating surface features 226 of the inner sole element 202d, whereby the inner surfaces 208d, 220d of the inner sole element 202d and the outer sole element 204d are configured to mate with one another. In other words, when the article of footwear 10d is assembled, the peaks 238 of the inner sole element 202d are opposite the valleys 237 of the outer sole element 204d, and vice versa.

In some examples, the materials forming inner sole element 202d and outer sole element 204d may be anisotropic, whereby the properties of a first portion of sole structure 200d are different from the properties of a second portion of sole structure 200 d. For example, inner sole element 202d and/or outer sole element 204d may have a first stiffness in first regions 20, 22, 24 of sole structure 200d and a second stiffness in second regions 20, 22, 24 of sole structure 200 d.

As best shown in fig. 26, when article of footwear 10d is assembled, inner sole element 202d is inserted into interior void 102 of upper 100, and bottom sheet 108 of sock-like structure 106 follows the shape of surface features 226 of inner sole element 202 d. Thus, the contours of the protrusions 230n, 230p and recesses 234n, 234p will be imparted to the bottom sheet 108. Outer sole element 204d is then attached to the opposite side of bottom sheet 108 on the exterior of upper 100, whereby bottom sheet 108 will be interposed between mating surface features 226, 228 of sole elements 202d, 204 d. Although not shown, article of footwear 10d may include one or more cables 120, whereby each cable 120 extends from lateral side 16 of throat opening 112 along peripheral wall 110 of sock-like structure 106, through sole structure 200d along one of channels 234n, 234p, and back up peripheral wall 110 to lateral side 18 of throat opening 112.

As discussed above, sole elements 202-202d, 204-204d are formed from an elastic polymer material (such as foam or rubber) to impart cushioning, responsiveness, and energy distribution properties to the wearer's foot. As discussed, the sole elements 202-202d, 204-204d may be anisotropic, whereby a first portion of the respective sole elements 202-202d, 204-204d has different properties than a second portion of the sole elements 202-202d, 204-204 d. For example, one or more of the surface features 226, 228 may have a first hardness, while a second one of the surface features 226, 228 has a second hardness.

Example elastic polymer materials for sole elements 202-202d, 204-204d may include materials based on foamed or molded one or more polymers, such as one or more elastomers (e.g., thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs)). The one or more polymers may include aliphatic polymers, aromatic polymers, or a mixture of both; and may comprise homopolymers, copolymers (including terpolymers), or a mixture of both.

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

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

In still further aspects, the one or more polymers may include one or more ionomer polymers. In these aspects, the ionomer polymer may include a polymer having carboxylic acid functionality, sulfonic acid functionality, salts thereof (e.g., sodium, magnesium, potassium, etc.), and/or anhydrides thereof. For example, the ionomer polymer may include one or more fatty acid modified ionomer polymers, polystyrene sulfonate, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, and combinations thereof.

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

In further aspects, the one or more polymers may include one or more polyamide copolymers (e.g., polyamide-polyether copolymers) and/or one or more polyurethanes (e.g., crosslinked polyurethanes and/or thermoplastic polyurethanes). Examples of suitable polyurethanes include those discussed above for barrier layers 218a, 218 b. Alternatively, the one or more polymers may include one or more natural and/or synthetic rubbers, such as butadiene and isoprene.

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

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

The elastomeric polymer material may be formed using a molding process. In one example, when the elastomeric polymer material is a molded elastomer, the uncured elastomer (e.g., rubber) may be mixed in a Banbury mixer (Banbury mixer), calendered, shaped (formed into shape), placed in a mold, and vulcanized with optional fillers and curing packages, such as sulfur-based or peroxide-based curing packages.

In another example, when the elastic polymeric material is a foamed material, the material may be foamed during a molding process (such as an injection molding process). The thermoplastic polymer material may be melted in a barrel of an injection molding system and combined with a physical or chemical blowing agent and an optional crosslinking agent, and then injected into a mold under conditions that activate the blowing agent, thereby forming a molded foam.

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

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

The following clauses provide example configurations for the articles of footwear described above.

Clause 1: a sole structure having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, a heel region, a lateral side, and a medial side, the sole structure comprising: a first sole element comprising a first interior surface having a plurality of first surface features, at least one of the first surface features having a different configuration than another of the first surface features; a second sole element including a second interior surface having a plurality of second surface features configured to interface with the first surface features; and a sheet disposed between the first sole element and the second sole element, the first sole element disposed on a first side of the sheet and the second sole element disposed on a second side of the sheet opposite the first side.

Clause 2: the sole structure of clause 1, wherein the first surface feature comprises a plurality of protrusions and the second surface feature comprises a plurality of recesses configured to mate with the protrusions.

Clause 3: the sole structure of clause 1, wherein the first surface feature includes at least one first protrusion having a first configuration and at least one second protrusion having a second configuration different from the first configuration, the second surface feature including at least one first recess having the first configuration and at least one second recess having the second configuration.

Clause 4: the sole structure of clause 3, wherein the first configuration includes at least one of a first size, a first shape, and a first orientation, and the second configuration includes at least one of a second size, a second shape, and a second orientation.

Clause 5: the sole structure of clause 3, wherein the at least one first projection and the at least one second projection are opposite the at least one first recess and the at least one second recess, respectively.

Clause 6: the sole structure of clause 1, wherein the first surface feature includes a first plurality of ribs having a first configuration and a second plurality of ribs having a second configuration different from the first configuration.

Clause 7: the sole structure of clause 6, wherein each of the ribs extends from a first end to a second end.

Clause 8: the sole structure of clause 7, wherein the width of each of the ribs tapers in a direction from the first end to the second end.

Clause 9: the sole structure of any of clauses 6-8, wherein a spacing between adjacent ones of the ribs in the forefoot region is different than a spacing between adjacent ones of the ribs in the heel region.

Clause 10: the sole structure of any of clauses 6-9, wherein the first plurality of ribs extends along a first direction and the second plurality of ribs extends along a second direction that is transverse to the first direction.

Clause 11: the sole structure of clause 1, wherein the first surface feature includes a first projection disposed in the forefoot region, a second projection disposed in the heel region, a plurality of first ribs partially surrounding the first projection, a plurality of second ribs completely surrounding the second projection, and a plurality of third ribs extending between the first ribs and the second ribs.

Clause 12: the sole structure of clause 11, wherein the first rib, the second rib, and the third rib are ridge-shaped.

Clause 13: the sole structure of clause 11 or 12, wherein the first rib extends around the first projection from a first end on the lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on the lateral side of the first sole element.

Clause 14: the sole structure of any of clauses 11-13, wherein the first rib extends along an arcuate path and is concentric with each other and with the first projection.

Clause 15: the sole structure of any of clauses 11-14, wherein the second ribs each extend along a circular path and are concentric with each other and with the second projection.

Clause 16: the sole structure of any of clauses 11-15, wherein the third rib extends from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a medial side of the first sole element.

Clause 17: the sole structure of clause 16, wherein each third rib extends along an arcuate path.

Clause 18: the sole structure of any of clauses 11-17, wherein the plurality of first ribs define a plurality of first channels, each first channel extending from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a lateral side of the first sole element.

Clause 19: the sole structure of clause 18, further comprising at least one cable extending through the at least one first channel.

Clause 20: the sole structure of any of clauses 11-19, wherein the plurality of second ribs define a plurality of second channels, each second channel extending from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a medial side of the first sole element.

Clause 21: the sole structure of clause 20, further comprising at least one cable extending through the at least one second channel.

Clause 22: the sole structure of any of clauses 11-21, wherein the first projection is cylindrical.

Clause 23: the sole structure of any of clauses 11-22, wherein the second projection is cylindrical.

Clause 24: the sole structure of any of clauses 11-23, wherein the first projection is offset toward a lateral side of the first sole element.

Clause 25: the sole structure of any of clauses 11-24, wherein the second projection is disposed centrally between the lateral side of the first sole element and the medial side of the first sole element.

Clause 26: the sole structure of any of clauses 11-25, wherein the first projection has a different hardness than the second projection.

Clause 27: the sole structure of clause 1, wherein the first surface feature includes a first projection disposed in the forefoot region, a plurality of arcuate first ribs partially surrounding the first projection, and a plurality of elongated second ribs disposed adjacent the plurality of first ribs.

Clause 28: the sole structure of clause 27, wherein the first rib and the second rib are ridge-shaped.

Clause 29: the sole structure of clause 27 or 28, wherein the first rib extends around the first projection from a first end on the medial side of the first sole element to a second end on the medial side of the first sole element.

Clause 30: the sole structure of any of clauses 27-29, wherein the first rib extends along an arcuate path and is concentric with each other and with the first projection.

Clause 31: the sole structure of any of clauses 27-30, wherein the second rib extends from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a medial side of the first sole element.

Clause 32: the sole structure of any of clauses 27-31, wherein the second ribs extend along an arcuate path and are concentric with each other and with the first projection.

Clause 33: the sole structure of any of clauses 27-32, wherein the first rib and the second rib are arranged in series from the first protrusion to a rear end portion of the first sole element and gradually increase in size away from the first protrusion in a radial direction.

Clause 34: the sole structure of any of clauses 27-33, wherein the first projection is cylindrical.

Clause 35: the sole structure of any of clauses 27-34, wherein the first projection is disposed adjacent to a medial side of the first sole element.

Clause 36: the sole structure of any of clauses 27-35, wherein the first rib and the second rib are ridge-shaped.

Clause 37: the sole structure of clause 1, wherein the first surface feature comprises a plurality of annular first ribs disposed in the heel region, and a plurality of elongated second ribs disposed in the midfoot region and the forefoot region.

Clause 38: the sole structure of clause 37, wherein the first ribs are concentric with each other.

Clause 39: the sole structure of clause 37 or 38, wherein the second rib extends from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a medial side of the first sole element.

Clause 40: the sole structure of any of clauses 37-39, wherein the second ribs each extend along an arcuate path.

Clause 41: the sole structure of any of clauses 37-40, wherein the second ribs are concentric with each other.

Clause 42: the sole structure of any of clauses 37-41, wherein the second rib is concentric with the first rib.

Clause 43: the sole structure of any of clauses 37-42, wherein the second rib is disposed in series between the first rib and the forward end portion of the first sole element.

Clause 44: the sole structure of clause 43, wherein the second rib varies in size gradually along the direction from the first rib to the forward end portion.

Clause 45: the sole structure of clause 43, wherein the second rib gradually increases in width in a direction from the first rib to the forward end portion.

Clause 46: the sole structure of any of clauses 37-45, wherein the first rib and the second rib are ridge-shaped.

Clause 47: the sole structure of clause 1, wherein the first surface feature includes a plurality of first ribs extending radially outward from a central portion of the heel region, and a plurality of second ribs disposed in series between the first ribs and a forward end portion of the first sole element.

Clause 48: the sole structure of clause 47, wherein the first rib and the second rib cooperate to form a psittacosis pattern.

Clause 49: the sole structure of clause 47 or 48, wherein the central portion is substantially planar and the peaks of the first ribs are coplanar with the central portion.

Clause 50: the sole structure of any of clauses 47-49, wherein the first rib extends from a first end at the central portion to a second end at the peripheral sidewall of the first sole element.

Clause 51: the sole structure of any of clauses 47-50, wherein the first ribs each increase in height from the first end to the second end.

Clause 52: the sole structure of any of clauses 47-51, wherein the second rib is arranged in series from the first rib to the front end portion of the first sole element.

Clause 53: the sole structure of any of clauses 47-52, wherein the second rib extends from a last first end adjacent the medial side of the first sole element to a second end at the lateral side of the first sole element.

Clause 54: the sole structure of any of clauses 47-53, wherein the second ribs each increase in height from the first end to the second end.

Clause 55: the sole structure of any of clauses 47-54, wherein the central portion is teardrop shaped.

Clause 56: the sole structure of any of clauses 47-55, wherein the first rib and the second rib are ridge-shaped.

Clause 57: the sole structure of clause 1, wherein the first surface feature includes a plurality of first ribs converging with each other along a first direction and a plurality of second ribs converging with each other along a second direction.

Clause 58: the sole structure of clause 57, wherein the first ribs are arranged in a first radial array and the second ribs are arranged in a second radial array.

Clause 59: the sole structure of clause 57 or 58, wherein the first ribs converge toward each other in a direction from the lateral side to the medial side.

Clause 60: the sole structure of any of clauses 57-59, wherein the second ribs converge toward each other in a direction from the medial side to the lateral side.

Clause 61: the sole structure of any of clauses 57-60, wherein a first rib is provided in the forefoot region.

Clause 62: the sole structure of any of clauses 57-61, wherein a second rib is disposed in the heel region.

Clause 63: the sole structure of any of clauses 57-62, further comprising a plurality of transition ribs disposed between the first rib and the second rib.

Clause 64: the sole structure of any of clauses 57-63, wherein the first rib and the second rib are ridge-shaped.

Clause 65: the sole structure of any of clauses 57-64, wherein the first ribs each taper in width in a direction from the lateral side to the medial side.

Clause 66: the sole structure of any of clauses 57-65, wherein the second ribs each taper in width in a direction from the medial side to the lateral side.

Clause 67: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first sole element defines a footbed of the sole structure and the outer sole element defines a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure.

Clause 68: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses, wherein each of the plurality of first surface features has a minimum height or depth of at least 2 mm.

Clause 69: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses, wherein each of the plurality of first surface features has a minimum height or depth of at least 11 mm.

Clause 70: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses wherein each of the plurality of first surface features has a maximum height or depth of less than 28 mm.

Clause 71: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses wherein each of the plurality of first surface features has a maximum height or depth of less than 23 mm.

Clause 72: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the height or depth of each of the plurality of surface features ranges from about 2mm to about 27mm.

Clause 73: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising an adhesive disposed between the first sole element and the second sole element, the adhesive being applied to at least one of the first sole element, the second sole element, the upper surface of the sheet, and the lower surface of the sheet.

Clause 74: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses wherein the sheet material comprises a mesh textile.

Clause 75: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses wherein the sheet is a textile configured to stretch in only one dimension.

Clause 76: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses wherein the sheet is a textile configured to stretch in two dimensions.

Clause 77: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses wherein the sheet is an embroidered textile.

Clause 78: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least one of the first sole element and the second sole element is formed from a polymer material having a foam structure.

Clause 79: the sole structure of clause 78, wherein the polymer material having the foam structure is injection molded foam.

Clause 80: the sole structure of clause 78, wherein the polymer material having the foam structure is a compression molded foam.

Clause 81: the sole structure of clause 78, wherein the polymer material having the foam structure is anisotropic.

Clause 82: the sole structure of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the sheet conforms to the shape of the first surface feature and conforms to the shape of the second surface feature.

Clause 83: an article of footwear comprising the sole structure of any of clauses 1-82.

Clause 84: the article of footwear of clause 83, further comprising an upper comprising the sheet and a peripheral wall defining an interior void and a throat opening.

Clause 85: the article of footwear of clause 84, wherein the first sole element is disposed within an interior void of the upper and the second sole element is disposed on an exterior of the upper.

Clause 86: the article of footwear of clause 85, further comprising at least one cable extending from the throat opening and located between the first sole element and the second sole element.

Clause 87: the article of footwear of clause 86, wherein the cable includes an end defining an aperture for receiving at least one fastener of the article of footwear.

Clause 88: a method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method comprising providing a sole structure according to any of clauses 1-82, providing an upper for the article of footwear, and attaching the sole structure and the upper to each other to form the article of footwear.

Clause 89: an article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising: an upper having a bottom sheet and a peripheral sidewall, the bottom sheet and the peripheral sidewall cooperating to define an interior cavity; a first sole element disposed within the interior cavity on a first side of the sheet and including a first interior surface having a plurality of first surface features, at least one of the first surface features having a different configuration than another of the first surface features; and a second sole element disposed on a side of the sheet opposite the first sole element and including a second inner surface having a plurality of second surface features configured to interface with the first surface features.

Clause 90: the article of footwear of clause 89, wherein at least one of the bottom sheet and the peripheral sidewall is formed of a textile, optionally a knitted textile, a woven textile, a braided textile, a crocheted textile, or a nonwoven textile, optionally a knitted textile.

Clause 91: the article of footwear of clause 89 or 90, wherein the upper is a sock-like structure having the integrally formed bottom sheet and peripheral side wall.

Clause 92: the article of footwear of clause 89 or 90, wherein the bottom sheet is formed as a strobel sheet.

Clause 93: the article of footwear of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the bottom sheet includes an inner layer on a first side of the first sole element and an outer layer disposed on a side of the first sole element opposite the inner layer.

Clause 94: the article of footwear recited in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the bottom sheet defines a pocket that receives the first sole element.

Clause 95: the article of footwear of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the bottom sheet conforms to the shape of the plurality of first surface features.

Clause 96: a method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method comprising: forming a first sole element comprising a first interior surface, the first interior surface having a plurality of first surface features, at least one of the first surface features having a different configuration than another of the first surface features; forming a second sole element including a second interior surface having a plurality of second surface features configured to interface with the first surface features; and disposing a sheet material between the first inner surface of the first sole element and the second inner surface of the second sole element.

Clause 97: the method of clause 96, further comprising forming the first sole element and the second sole element by injection molding.

Clause 98: the method of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising forming the plurality of surface features to include at least one channel extending from a first end at the peripheral side surface of the first sole element to a second end at the peripheral side surface of the first sole element.

Clause 99: the method of clause 98, further comprising positioning the first cable within the at least one channel.

Clause 100: the method of clause 99, further comprising positioning the first cable between the sheet and the first sole element.

Clause 101: the method of clause 99, further comprising positioning the first cable between the sheet and the second sole element.

Clause 102: the method of clause 99, further comprising routing the cable from the first end of the channel to the second end of the channel.

Clause 103: the method of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising attaching a sheet to the peripheral sidewall to form the upper.

Clause 104: the method of clause 103, further comprising integrally forming the sheet and the peripheral sidewall from the textile.

Clause 105: the method of clause 103, further comprising attaching the sheet to the peripheral sidewall using a strobel configuration.

Clause 106: the method of any of the preceding clauses further comprising forming a sheet having an inner layer and an outer layer.

Clause 107: the method of clause 106, further comprising positioning the first sole element between the inner layer and the outer layer.

Clause 108: the method of any of the preceding clauses further comprising forming the sheet with a pocket.

Clause 109: the method of clause 108, further comprising positioning the first sole element within the pocket.

Clause 110: an article of footwear prepared according to the method of any one of clauses 96-109.

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

Claims

1. A sole structure having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, a heel region, a lateral side, and a medial side, the sole structure comprising:

a first sole element comprising a first interior surface having a plurality of first surface features, the first surface features comprising: (i) a first protrusion disposed within the forefoot region, (ii) a second protrusion disposed within the heel region, (iii) a plurality of first ribs, each first rib extending along the first interior surface in a first direction along an arcuate path and extending continuously around the first protrusion from a first end on a medial side of the first sole element to a second end on the medial side of the first sole element or continuously around the first protrusion from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on the lateral side of the first sole element, (iv) a plurality of second ribs, each second rib extending along the first interior surface in a second direction transverse to the first direction and extending completely around the second protrusion, and (v) a plurality of third ribs extending between the first ribs and the second ribs;

A second sole element including a second interior surface having a plurality of second surface features configured to interface with the first surface features; and

a sheet disposed between the first sole element and the second sole element, the first sole element disposed on a first side of the sheet and the second sole element disposed on a second side of the sheet opposite the first side.

2. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first surface feature comprises a plurality of protrusions and the second surface feature comprises a plurality of recesses configured to mate with the protrusions.

3. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first surface feature includes at least one first protrusion having a first configuration and at least one second protrusion having a second configuration different from the first configuration, the second surface feature including at least one first recess having the first configuration and at least one second recess having the second configuration.

4. The sole structure of claim 3, wherein the first configuration includes at least one of a first size, a first shape, and a first orientation, and the second configuration includes at least one of a second size, a second shape, and a second orientation.

5. A sole structure according to claim 3, wherein the at least one first protrusion and the at least one second protrusion are opposite the at least one first recess and the at least one second recess, respectively.

6. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein a width of each of the plurality of first ribs tapers in a direction from the first end to the second end.

7. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein a spacing between adjacent ones of the plurality of first ribs in the forefoot region is different than a spacing between adjacent ones of the plurality of second ribs in the heel region.

8. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first rib, the second rib, and the third rib are ridged.

9. The sole structure of any of claims 1-8, wherein the second ribs each extend along a circular path and are concentric with each other and with the second protrusion.

10. The sole structure of any of claims 1-9, wherein the third rib extends from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a medial side of the first sole element.

11. The sole structure of claim 10, wherein each of the third ribs extends along an arcuate path.

12. The sole structure of any of claims 1-11, wherein the plurality of first ribs define a plurality of first channels, each first channel extending from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a lateral side of the first sole element.

13. The sole structure of claim 12, further comprising at least one cable extending through at least one of the first channels.

14. The sole structure of any of claims 1-13, wherein the plurality of third ribs define a plurality of third channels, each third channel extending from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a medial side of the first sole element.

15. The sole structure of claim 14, further comprising at least one cable extending through at least one of the third channels.

16. The sole structure of any of claims 1-15, wherein the first protrusion is cylindrical.

17. The sole structure of any of claims 1-16, wherein the second protrusion is cylindrical.

18. The sole structure of any of claims 1-17, wherein the first projection is offset toward a lateral side of the first sole element.

19. The sole structure of any of claims 1-18, wherein the second protrusion is centrally disposed between a lateral side of the first sole element and a medial side of the first sole element.

20. The sole structure of any of claims 1-19, wherein the first protrusion has a different hardness than the second protrusion.

21. The sole structure of any of claims 1-20, wherein the first ribs are concentric with each other and with the first protrusions.

22. A sole structure according to claim 21, wherein the third rib extends from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on a medial side of the first sole element.

23. The sole structure of any of claims 1-22, wherein the second ribs extend along an arcuate path and are concentric with each other and with the second protrusion.

24. The sole structure of any of claims 1-23, wherein the first rib and the second rib are ridge-shaped.

25. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first surface feature includes an annular first plurality of ribs disposed in the heel region and an elongated second plurality of ribs disposed in the midfoot region and the forefoot region.

26. The sole structure of claim 25, wherein the first ribs are concentric with one another.

27. A sole structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first sole element defines a footbed of the sole structure and the second sole element defines a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure.

28. A sole structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of first surface features has a minimum height or depth of at least 2 mm.

29. A sole structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of first surface features has a minimum height or depth of at least 11 mm.

30. A sole structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of first surface features has a maximum height or depth of less than 28 mm.

31. A sole structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of first surface features has a maximum height or depth of less than 23 mm.

32. A sole structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a height or depth of each of the plurality of first surface features ranges from 2mm to 27mm.

33. The sole structure of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an adhesive disposed between the first sole element and the second sole element, the adhesive applied to at least one of the first sole element, the second sole element, an upper surface of the sheet, and a lower surface of the sheet.

34. The sole structure of any of claims 1-33, wherein the sheet includes a mesh textile.

35. The sole structure of any of claims 1-34, wherein the sheet is a textile configured to stretch in only one dimension.

36. The sole structure of any of claims 1-34, wherein the sheet is a textile configured to stretch in two dimensions.

37. The sole structure of any of claims 1-33, wherein the sheet is an embroidered textile.

38. A sole structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first sole element and the second sole element is formed from a polymer material having a foam structure.

39. The sole structure of claim 38, wherein the polymer material having a foam structure is an injection molded foam.

40. The sole structure of claim 38, wherein the polymer material having a foam structure is a compression molded foam.

41. The sole structure of claim 38, wherein the polymer material having a foam structure is anisotropic.

42. A sole structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet follows the shape of the first surface feature and follows the shape of the second surface feature.

43. An article of footwear comprising the sole structure of any of claims 1-42.

44. The article of footwear according to claim 43, further comprising an upper including the sheet and a peripheral wall defining an interior void and a throat opening.

45. The article of footwear according to claim 44, wherein the first sole element is disposed within the interior void of the upper and the second sole element is disposed on an exterior of the upper.

46. The article of footwear according to claim 45, further comprising at least one cable extending from the throat opening and located between the first sole element and the second sole element.

47. The article of footwear according to claim 46, wherein the cable includes an end defining an aperture for receiving at least one fastener of the article of footwear.

48. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method comprising providing a sole structure according to any of claims 1-42, providing an upper for an article of footwear, and attaching the sole structure and the upper to one another to form the article of footwear.

49. An article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising:

an upper having a bottom sheet and a peripheral sidewall, the bottom sheet and the peripheral sidewall cooperating to define an interior cavity;

a first sole element disposed within the interior cavity on a first side of the bottom sheet and including a first interior surface having a plurality of first surface features opposite the bottom sheet, the first surface features comprising: (i) a first protrusion disposed in a forefoot region, (ii) a second protrusion disposed in a heel region, (iii) a plurality of first ribs, each first rib extending along the first interior surface in a first direction along an arcuate path and extending continuously around the first protrusion from a first end on a medial side of the first sole element to a second end on the medial side of the first sole element or continuously around the first protrusion from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on the lateral side of the first sole element, (iv) a plurality of second ribs, each second rib extending along the first interior surface in a second direction transverse to the first direction and extending completely around the second protrusion, and (v) a plurality of third ribs extending between the first ribs and the second ribs; and

A second sole element disposed on an opposite side of the bottom sheet from the first sole element and including a second interior surface having a plurality of second surface features opposite the bottom sheet and configured to interface with the first surface features.

50. The article of footwear of claim 49, wherein at least one of the bottom sheet and the peripheral sidewall is formed from a textile.

51. The article of footwear of claim 50, wherein the bottom sheet is integrally formed with the peripheral sidewall.

52. The article of footwear according to claim 49, wherein the bottom sheet includes an inner layer on a first side of the first sole element and an outer layer disposed on a side of the first sole element opposite the inner layer.

53. The article of footwear of claim 49, wherein the bottom sheet defines a pocket that receives the first sole element.

54. The article of footwear of claim 49, wherein the bottom sheet conforms to a shape of the plurality of first surface features.

55. The article of footwear of claim 49 or 50, wherein the bottom sheet is formed as a strobel sheet.

56. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method comprising:

forming a first sole element including a first interior surface having a plurality of first surface features, the first surface features comprising: (i) a first protrusion disposed in a forefoot region, (ii) a second protrusion disposed in a heel region, (iii) a plurality of first ribs, each first rib extending along the first interior surface in a first direction along an arcuate path and extending continuously around the first protrusion from a first end on a medial side of the first sole element to a second end on the medial side of the first sole element or continuously around the first protrusion from a first end on a lateral side of the first sole element to a second end on the lateral side of the first sole element, (iv) a plurality of second ribs, each second rib extending along the first interior surface in a second direction transverse to the first direction and extending completely around the second protrusion, and (v) a plurality of third ribs extending between the first ribs and the second ribs;

forming a second sole element including a second interior surface having a plurality of second surface features configured to interface with the first surface features; and

A sheet is disposed between the first inner surface of the first sole element and the second inner surface of the second sole element.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising defining at least one channel extending from a first end at a peripheral side surface of the first sole element to a second end at the peripheral side surface of the first sole element.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising positioning a cable within the at least one channel, the cable being positioned between the sheet and the first sole element or between the sheet and the second sole element.

59. The method of claim 56, further comprising forming the sheet from a textile.

60. The method of claim 56, further comprising forming the first sole element and the second sole element by injection molding.

61. The method of any of claims 56-57, further comprising forming the plurality of first surface features to include at least one channel extending from a first end at a peripheral side surface of the first sole element to a second end at the peripheral side surface of the first sole element.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising positioning a first cable within the at least one channel.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising positioning the first cable between the sheet and the first sole element.

64. The method of claim 62, further comprising positioning the first cable between the sheet and the second sole element.

65. The method of claim 64, further comprising routing the cable from a first end of the channel to a second end of the channel.

66. The method of any of claims 56-65, further comprising attaching the sheet to a peripheral sidewall to form an upper.

67. The method of claim 66, further comprising integrally forming the sheet and the peripheral sidewall from a textile.

68. The method of claim 66, further comprising attaching the sheet to the peripheral sidewall using a strobel configuration.

69. The method of any of claims 56-68 further comprising forming the sheet having an inner layer and an outer layer.

70. The method of claim 69, further comprising positioning the first sole element between the inner layer and the outer layer.

71. The method of any of claims 56-70, further comprising forming the sheet with a pocket.

72. The method of claim 71, further comprising positioning the first sole element within the pocket.

73. An article of footwear prepared according to the method of any one of claims 56-72.