JP2024529762A - Footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

The sole structure for footwear includes a midsole and a reinforcing member. The reinforcing member can include a first end and a second end. The first end is disposed along a bottom surface of the midsole. A first sub-portion of the first end extends along a first side of the midsole and a second sub-portion of the first end extends across the bottom surface from the first side of the midsole to a second side of the midsole. A second portion extends upward from the first portion to the second side of the midsole, wraps at least partially around a heel region of the midsole, and extends to the first side of the midsole. [Selected Figure]

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to footwear with a stabilizing structure, and more specifically to footwear having an upper and sole structure including a midsole, an outsole, and a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) reinforcement member.

Many conventional shoes and other footwear generally include an upper and a sole attached to the lower end of the upper. Conventional shoes also include an interior space (i.e., a gap or cavity) formed by the upper and the inner surface of the sole to accommodate the user's foot before the shoe is secured to the foot. The sole is attached to the underside or boundary of the upper and between the upper and the ground. As a result, the sole typically provides stability and cushioning to the user while wearing the shoe. In some cases, the sole may include multiple components, such as an outsole, a midsole, and an insole. The outsole may provide traction to the bottom surface of the sole, and the midsole may be attached to the inner surface of the outsole and provide cushioning or additional stability to the sole. For example, the sole may include a foam or foam-like material that can increase stability at one or more desired locations along the sole or reduce stress or impact energy on the foot or leg while the user is running, walking, or performing other activities.

The upper generally extends upward from the sole and defines an interior cavity that completely or partially encases the foot. In most cases, the upper extends across and across the instep and toe regions of the foot on both the medial and lateral sides. Many footwear items may include a tongue that extends across the instep region and fills the gap between the medial and lateral edges of the upper that define an opening to the cavity. The tongue may be located below the lacing system, between the medial and lateral sides of the upper, to allow the tightness of the shoe to be adjusted. The tongue may also be operable by a user to allow the foot to move in and out of the interior space or cavity. Additionally, the lacing system may allow a user to adjust certain dimensions of the upper or sole, thereby allowing the upper to fit a variety of foot types having different sizes and shapes.

The upper may be constructed of a wide variety of materials selected based on one or more uses of the shoe. The upper may also include portions that include various materials specific to particular areas of the upper. For example, it may be desirable to add stability to areas adjacent the front or heel region of the upper to provide greater resistance or stiffness. In contrast, other portions of the shoe may include soft woven fabrics to provide stretch resistance, flexibility, breathability, or moisture wicking properties.

The sole assembly generally extends between the ground and the upper. In some examples, the sole assembly includes an outsole that provides wear resistance and traction with the ground. The outsole may be formed from rubber or other materials that provide durability, wear resistance, and increased traction with the ground.

While many shoes on the market today offer a variety of features related to the above characteristics, many shoes, including athletic and even running shoes, lack an additional support structure in the sole structure to aid in stability while running or engaging in vigorous exercise. This can be particularly problematic for individuals who suffer from pronation and supination, which results in the foot rolling inward and outward, respectively, during normal foot movement. Such pronation and supination can lead to injury if not addressed.

Therefore, there is a need for footwear that has features that aid in stability along the structure of both the upper and the sole. These and other deficiencies in the prior art are addressed by the following disclosure.

Many advantages of the footwear described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the various components that make up the sole structure, particularly the elongated reinforcing members, provide various athletic benefits to the shoe, such as increased stiffness and support for pronation and supination.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a sole structure for footwear may include a midsole and a reinforcing member. The midsole may define a first side and a second side extending between a top surface and a bottom surface. The reinforcing member may include a first end and a second end. The first end may be disposed along a bottom surface of the midsole and may include a first sub-portion and a second sub-portion. The first sub-portion may extend along the first side of the midsole and the second sub-portion may extend across (diagonally) the bottom surface from the first side of the midsole to the second side of the midsole. The second end extends upward from the first portion of the midsole to the second side, wraps around at least a portion of the periphery of the heel region of the sole structure, and extends to the first side of the midsole.

In some embodiments, the reinforcing member can be at least partially disposed over the midsole in the heel region. In some cases, the distal end of the second end can be disposed closer to the midfoot region of the midsole than the heel end of the midsole.

In some embodiments, a first sub-portion of the reinforcing member may be disposed in a forefoot region of the midsole and a second sub-portion of the reinforcing member may be disposed in a midfoot region of the midsole. In some cases, the second end may be disposed in both the midfoot region and the heel region of the sole structure.

In some embodiments, an inner surface of the first end of the reinforcing member is coupled to the midsole, and an outer surface of the first end of the reinforcing member can form at least a portion of the ground-engaging surface of the sole structure. In some cases, the first end can be at least partially disposed within a channel formed in the midsole. In some cases, the sole structure can further include an outsole having a first outsole portion and a second outsole portion separated by the reinforcing member. The first outsole portion and the second outsole portion can form the remaining portion of the ground-engaging surface of the sole structure. In some cases, the first end can include a first flange extending from a first edge of the first portion. The first flange can be secured between the midsole and at least one of the first outsole portion or the second outsole portion. In some cases, the first end can further include a second flange extending from an opposite second edge of the first portion. The second flange can be secured between the midsole and the other of the first outsole portion or the second outsole portion.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the footwear may include an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure may extend across a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the footwear. The sole structure may include a midsole, an outsole coupled to a bottom surface of the midsole, and a reinforcing member. The reinforcing member may extend from a first distal end on the medial side of the forefoot region of the outsole across to the lateral side of the midsole in the midfoot region, continue along the lateral side of the midsole from the midfoot region to the heel region, around the periphery of the heel region, and extend upwardly to terminate at a second distal end in the medial midfoot region and wrap around the periphery of the midsole.

In some embodiments, the reinforcing member can be coupled to at least one of the midsole or the upper so as to wrap around the heel region. In some cases, the sole structure can further include an outsole coupled to a bottom surface of the midsole. The outsole can include a first outsole portion and a second outsole portion separated by the reinforcing member. The reinforcing member can include a flange secured between the outsole and the midsole. The outsole and the first end of the reinforcing member together can form a ground-engaging surface of the footwear.

In some embodiments, the exterior surface of the reinforcing member can include a plurality of substantially parallel ridges that can extend along the length of the reinforcing member from a first distal end to a second distal end. In some cases, the first distal end of the reinforcing member can be coupled to at least one of the medial side of the midsole or the upper in the forefoot region. In some cases, the reinforcing member can be at least partially disposed within a channel formed in the midsole.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the footwear may include an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure may extend across a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the footwear. The sole structure may include a midsole and a reinforcing member that may include a first end and a second end. The first end may include a first sub-portion disposed along a bottom surface of the midsole and extending along a medial side of the midsole in the forefoot region and a second sub-portion extending across the bottom surface from the medial side to the lateral side of the midsole in the midfoot region. The second end may extend upward from the first portion to the lateral side of the midsole in the midfoot region. The second end may continue to extend rearward along the lateral side of the midsole and may wrap around a heel end of the midsole and extend to the medial side of the midsole.

In some embodiments, the reinforcing member can be coupled to each of the midsole and upper in at least one of the forefoot region or heel region.

Other aspects of the footwear described herein, including its features and advantages, will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the drawings and detailed description herein. Accordingly, all such aspects of the footwear are intended to be included in the detailed description and this summary.

FIG. 1 is a side view of footwear including the upper and sole constructions disclosed herein. FIG. 2 is a medial side view of the footwear of FIG. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the footwear of FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of another example of footwear similar to that of FIG. FIG. 5 is a medial side view of the footwear of FIG. FIG. 6 is a top view of yet another piece of footwear similar to that of FIG. 7 is a bottom side isometric view of the footwear of FIG. 6. FIG. FIG. 8 is a bottom, medial isometric view of another footwear similar to that of FIG. FIG. 9 is a bottom, medial isometric view of yet another piece of footwear similar to that of FIG. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a sole structure according to aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a side view of the sole structure of FIG. 12 is a medial side view of the sole structure of FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 14 is a side view of another example of footwear similar to that of FIG.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/235,353, entitled "Footwear," filed on August 20, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

References Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development Not Applicable

Sequence Listing Not applicable

The following description and accompanying figures disclose various embodiments or configurations of shoes having upper and sole structures. Although the embodiments are disclosed with reference to athletic shoes, such as running shoes, tennis shoes, basketball shoes, etc., the concepts related to the shoe embodiments may be applied to a wide range of footwear and footwear styles, such as, for example, basketball shoes, cross-training shoes, football shoes, golf shoes, hiking shoes, hiking boots, ski and snowboard boots, soccer shoes and cleats, walking shoes, and track cleats. The shoe concepts may also be applied to footwear considered non-athletic, such as dress shoes, sandals, loafers, slippers, heels, etc.

As used herein, the term "about" refers to variations in numerical values that may occur due to, for example, typical measuring and manufacturing procedures used in footwear or other articles of manufacture that may include embodiments disclosed herein, inadvertent errors in these procedures, differences in manufacture, source, or purity of ingredients used in making a composition or mixture or performing a method. Throughout the disclosure, the terms "about" and "approximately" refer to values within ±5% of the numerical value that the term precedes.

Also, as used herein, "or" refers to a non-exclusive list of configurations or operations that can exist in various combinations, unless otherwise limited or defined, rather than an exclusive list of configurations that can exist only as alternatives of one another. For example, a list of "A, B, or C" indicates the options A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A, B, and C. Similarly, the term "or" as used herein is intended to indicate exclusive alternatives only when preceded by a term indicating exclusivity, such as "any," "any one," "only one," or "only one." For example, a list of "one of A, B, or C" indicates the alternatives of A but not B and C, B but not A and C, and C but not A and B. A list preceded by "one or more" (and variations thereof) and containing "or" to separate the listed elements indicates the alternative of one or more of any or all of the listed elements. For example, the phrases "one or more of A, B, or C" and "at least one of A, B, or C" refer to one or more choices of one or more A, one or more B, one or more C, one or more A and one or more B, one or more B and one or more C, one or more A and one or more C, and one or more A, one or more B, and one or more C. Similarly, a list beginning with "multiple" (and variations thereof) and including "or" to separate the listed elements refers to the option of any or all of the listed elements occurring multiple times. For example, the phrases "multiple of A, B, or C" and "two or more of A, B, or C" refer to the choices of A and B, B and C, A and C, and A, B, and C.

Furthermore, as used herein, unless otherwise defined or limited, directional terms are used for convenience when referring to the description of a particular figure or example. For example, references to "downward" or other directions, or to "lower" or other positions, may be used to describe aspects of a particular example or figure, and do not necessarily require a similar orientation or shape in all installations or configurations.

In this specification, terms such as first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various elements, configurations, regions, layers, and/or portions. These elements, configurations, regions, layers, and/or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, configuration, region, layer, or portion from another region, layer, or portion. Terms such as "first", "second", and other numerical terms do not imply any order or sequence unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, configuration, region, layer, or portion described below can be referred to as a second element, configuration, region, layer, or portion without departing from the teachings of the example configuration.

The present disclosure relates to footwear or certain components of footwear, such as an upper, a sole, or a sole structure. The upper may be composed of a knit material, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, leather, mesh, suede, or a combination of one or more of the aforementioned materials. Knit materials may be made by knitting yarns, woven fabrics may be made by weaving yarns, and nonwoven fabrics may be made by producing a one-piece nonwoven web. Knit fabrics include fabrics formed by warp knitting, weft knitting, flat knitting, circular knitting, or other suitable knitting operations. Knit fabrics may have, for example, a flat knit structure, a mesh knit structure, a ribbed knit structure, and the like. Woven fabrics include fabrics formed by any of a number of weaves, such as, but not limited to, a plain weave, a twill weave, a satin weave, a dobbin weave, a jacquard weave, a double weave, or a double cloth weave. Nonwoven fabrics include, for example, fabrics made by airlaid and spunlaid processes. The upper may be constructed of different materials, such as the first thread, the second thread, or the third thread, and may have different properties or different visual characteristics.

The present disclosure further relates to footwear having a sole structure attached to an upper. The sole structure may include a midsole, an outsole, and a reinforcing member. The midsole, the outsole, and the reinforcing member may each be separate components bonded to one another, or one or more of these elements may be integrally formed with one another. The midsole may be made of a foam material and is disposed between and connects the upper and the outsole. The midsole may cushion the impact of the user's foot contacting the ground. The outsole may be attached to the midsole and define a bottom surface of the shoe. The outsole may be made of a rubber material and is configured to provide traction in contact with the ground. The outsole may include one or more portions, such as a heel portion and a forefoot portion, although the outsole may include two or more portions in different areas or may be of a single construction. The reinforcing member may be made of a hard plastic, such as TPU, or another type of plastic or composite, and is provided to enhance support and guide the user's foot during walking. In particular, the reinforcing member wraps around the midsole and has portions on both the medial and lateral sides of the footwear, which can help prevent the user's foot from rolling through pronation and supination.

The reinforcing member is an elongated member that couples to the midsole and wraps around the midsole. The reinforcing member has an inner surface that faces the footwear and is configured to couple to the midsole and, if the sole structure connects with the upper, to at least a portion of the upper. The reinforcing member also has an outer surface, which in some embodiments may be smooth, contoured, or have other features, such as ribs. The reinforcing member may be curved to match adjacent portions of the midsole and/or upper. Such features may be used to tailor the flexibility of the reinforcing member, make the reinforcing member stiffer along certain directions, such as a portion or length of the reinforcing member, and enhance the decorativeness of the reinforcing member. Additionally, the reinforcing member may have edges that are generally smooth, curved, wavy, zigzag, or otherwise wavy. Some portions of the reinforcing member, such as portions adjacent the bottom surface, may have one or more flanges extending therefrom. The flanges may be disposed between the midsole and the outsole to help secure the reinforcing member to the sole structure.

As previously mentioned, the reinforcing member wraps around the midsole. In particular, the reinforcing member may define a first distal end in the forefoot region proximal to the medial side. The first distal end may be located adjacent to the bottom surface of the sole structure or may extend partially to the side of the midsole or upper. The reinforcing member may extend rearward along the bottom surface of the sole structure proximal to the medial side and may cross over to the lateral side. Once the reinforcing member reaches the lateral side, it wraps upward and rearward along the lateral side of the midsole toward the heel region. The reinforcing member may extend above the midsole in the heel region and connect with the upper. The reinforcing member may wrap around the heel region from the lateral side to the medial side and extend forward to terminate at a second distal end adjacent to the midfoot region. In the heel region, the reinforcing member may be configured to connect to both the midsole and the upper over at least a portion of its length.

1-3 show a first exemplary embodiment of footwear 100 including an upper 102 and a sole structure 104. As described in more detail below, the upper 102 is attached to the sole structure 104 and, together with the sole structure 104, defines an interior cavity 106 into which a user's foot can be inserted. The upper 102 may also include an insole (not shown) disposed within the interior cavity 106, which may be connected to an interior surface (not shown) of the footwear 100. When the shoe is worn, the interior surface may be in direct contact with the user's foot. The sole structure 104 includes a midsole 108, an outsole 110 that defines a bottom surface 112 (e.g., a ground-engaging surface) of the footwear 100, and a reinforcing member 114. In some embodiments, an outsole may not be included and the bottom of the midsole may define the ground-engaging surface.

For reference, the footwear 100 also defines a lateral side 116 (i.e., a first side of the footwear 100, see FIG. 1) and a medial side 118 (i.e., a second side of the footwear 100, see FIG. 2). For reference, the footwear 100 defines a transverse plane 120 that extends from a toe tip 122 located at a distal end of a forefoot region 126 to a heel tip 124 located at a distal end of a heel portion opposite the toe tip 122 (see FIG. 3). The transverse plane 120, together with a central portion of the footwear 100, defines a lateral side 116 extending from one side of the transverse plane 120 and a medial side 118 extending from the other side. In other words, the lateral side 116 and medial side 118 are adjacent to one another along the transverse plane 120. In particular, the lateral side 116 corresponds to the outer portion of the footwear 100 relative to the user's foot, and the medial side 118 corresponds to the inner portion of the footwear 100. Thus, the left and right sides of the footwear have opposing lateral side 116 and medial side 118, with the medial side 118 being closest to each other when the footwear 100 is worn by a user, and the lateral side 116 being defined as the side furthest from each other when worn.

3, footwear 100 also defines a forefoot region 126, a midfoot region 130, and a heel region 134, shown separated by dashed lines intersecting cross section 120. Forefoot region 126 generally corresponds to the portion of footwear 100 that encases the toes, the ball of the foot, and the portions of the joints connecting the metatarsals to the toes or phalanges. Midfoot region 130 is closely adjacent to forefoot region 126 and generally corresponds to the portion of footwear 100 that encases the arch along the foot's trajectory. Heel region 134 is closely adjacent to midfoot region 130 and generally corresponds to the portion of footwear 100 that encases the heel or calcaneus, ankle, or rear of the foot, including the Achilles tendon.

3, the forefoot region 126, midfoot region 130, heel region 134, medial side 118, and lateral side 116 are intended to define boundaries or regions of the footwear 100 and collectively extend the entire length of the footwear 100 from the toe tip 122 to the heel end 124. It should be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may refer to portions or elements coextensive with one or more of the forefoot region 126, midfoot region 130, heel region 134, medial side 118, or lateral side 116. The forefoot region 126 extends from the toe tip 122 to the widest portion 137a of the footwear 100 (i.e., the distance between the medial side 118 and the lateral side 116 of the sole structure 104). The midfoot region 130 extends from the widest portion 137a of the footwear 100 to the thinnest portion 137b (i.e., the distance between the medial side 118 and the lateral side 116 of the sole structure 104). The heel region 134 extends from the thinnest portion 137b of the footwear 100 to the heel end 124.

1 and 3, the lateral side 116 begins where the toe tip 122 intersects the transverse plane 120 and curves outward (i.e., away from the transverse plane 120) along the forefoot region 126 toward the midfoot region 130. At the widest portion 137a, the lateral side 116 curves inward (i.e., toward the transverse plane 120) toward the thinnest portion 137b and into the midfoot region 130. Upon reaching the thinnest portion 137b, the lateral side 116 curves outward and extends to the heel region 134. The lateral side 116 then curves inward toward the heel end 124, terminating where the heel end 124 intersects the transverse plane 120.

2 and 3, the medial side 118 begins where the toe tip 122 intersects the transverse plane 120 and curves outward (i.e., away from the transverse plane 120) along the forefoot region 126 toward the midfoot region 130. At the widest portion 137a, the medial side 118 curves inward (i.e., toward the transverse plane 120) toward the thinnest portion 137b, which then enters the midfoot region 130. Upon reaching the thinnest portion 137b, the medial side 118 curves outward and extends to the heel region 134. The medial side 118 then curves inward toward the heel end 124, terminating where the heel end 124 intersects the transverse plane 120.

In view of the foregoing description, it should be understood that numerous variations will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and that individual components thereof may be incorporated into numerous pieces of footwear. Accordingly, aspects of the footwear 100 and its components may be described with reference to general areas or portions of the footwear 100, with the understanding that the boundaries of the forefoot region 126, midfoot region 130, heel region 134, lateral side 116, and/or medial side 118 described herein may vary from piece to piece of footwear. Additionally, aspects of the footwear 100 and its individual components may be described with reference to precise areas or portions of the footwear 100, and the scope of the claims appended hereto may incorporate limitations related to these boundaries of the forefoot region 126, midfoot region 130, heel region 134, lateral side 116, and/or medial side 118 described herein.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper 102 is disposed above and coupled to the sole structure 104. The upper 102 is made from a single mesh material that extends along the entire medial 118 and lateral 116 sides, including over the forefoot region 126 and around the heel region 134. Although the upper 102 is shown and described as a one-piece upper 102, the upper 102 may be formed from other materials or structures. For example, many conventional uppers are formed from multiple elements (e.g., textiles, polymer foams, polymer sheets, leather, synthetic leather, etc.) that are bonded or stitched together with seams. In various embodiments, the knit material may incorporate different types of yarns that can provide different properties to the upper. In some embodiments, the upper may incorporate multiple layers of different materials, each with different properties, such as enhanced breathability or moisture wicking.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1 and 2, several other features may be attached or coupled to the upper 102 to provide or enhance certain properties of the upper 102. For example, a tongue 138 is shown attached to the upper 102. The tongue 138 includes a lining and foam padding (not shown) for added comfort. However, in some embodiments, the tongue 138 may not be a separate component and may be integrated with the upper 102. Additionally, the upper 102 also includes a tensioning system 140 that allows a user to adjust the upper 102 to fit the user's foot. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tensioning system 140 includes laces 142 that extend through the midfoot 130 and forefoot 126 regions of the upper 102. Additionally, the upper 102 is provided with holes or other structures (not shown) to allow the laces 142 to be tightened. The TPU skin 144 may stretch the tension adjustment system 140 and provide increased structural integrity to the upper 102 at various stress points. In further embodiments, the tension adjustment system 140 may be another laceless fastening system known in the art.

1 and 2, a TPU skin 144 is applied to the outer surface of the upper. The TPU skin 144 may extend anywhere along the upper 102, including the heel 134, midfoot 130, and forefoot 126 regions. The TPU skin 144 may include multiple different portions and may be included on both the lateral side 116 and medial side 118 of the upper. For example, in this embodiment, the lateral side 116 and medial side 118 of the upper 102 each include two portions of the TPU skin 144. The TPU skin 144 can help support the user's foot by providing different properties to the upper 102, such as areas that are less flexible or stretchy. Additionally, the TPU skin 144 may be applied to areas of the upper 102 that experience high stress or friction from other components, such as areas near where the laces 142 are attached to the upper 102.

The TPU skin 144 may be a single TPU piece or multiple TPU pieces. For example, as best shown in FIG. 1, the lateral side 116 of the upper 102 includes a first TPU skin portion 144A and a second TPU skin portion 144B. The first TPU skin portion 144A has an inverted V-shape that extends along the lateral side 116 of the upper 102. More specifically, the first TPU portion 144A has a first arm 146A that extends diagonally along the tongue 138 and receives a portion of the lace 142, and a second arm 146B that extends diagonally downward and rearward away from the tongue 138 toward the sole structure 104 (i.e., the portion where the upper 102 and the midsole 108 join) and the heel end 124. The second TPU portion 144B is circular and is positioned forward of the first TPU portion 146A and accommodates the remaining portion of the lace 142 on the lateral side 116.

Similarly, as best shown in FIG. 2, the medial side 118 of the upper 102 includes a third TPU skin portion 144C and a fourth TPU skin portion 144D. The third TPU skin portion 144C is similar to the second arm 146B of the first TPU skin portion 144A and extends diagonally downward and rearward away from the tongue 138 toward the sole structure 104 (i.e., where the upper 102 and the midsole 108 are joined) and the heel end 124. The third TPU skin portion 144C accommodates a portion of the lace 142 on the medial side 118 of the upper 102. The fourth TPU skin portion 144D has a V-shaped configuration with a first arm 146C and a second arm 146D. The first arm 146C of the fourth TPU skin portion 144D extends downward and rearward from the tongue 138 toward the sole structure 104 (i.e., where the upper 102 and midsole 108 are joined) and the heel region 134. The second arm 146D of the fourth TPU skin portion 144D is curved and extends generally forward toward the toe tip 122. Each of the first arm 146C and the second arm 146D of the fourth TPU skin portion 144D accommodates a portion of the lace 142 on the medial side 118.

1 and 2, the upper 102 is coupled to a sole structure 104. The sole structure 104 extends between the upper 102 and the ground and includes a midsole 108, an outsole 110, and a reinforcing member 114. The upper 102 and the midsole 108 may be joined by adhesive. Additionally, the upper 102 is attached to the reinforcing member 114 at the heel region 134, also by adhesive. The sole structure 104 may also include one or more other components, including a last board, plate, or strobel board (not shown). The midsole 108 is defined as the portion of the sole structure 104 that extends between and connects the upper 102 and the outsole 110. The midsole 108 functions as a cushion to absorb shocks that occur when the user's foot strikes the ground, and is thickened to enhance the cushioning function. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the midsole is thickened at the heel region 134, where the user's foot first strikes the ground.

In this embodiment, the midsole 108 extends from the toe end 122 to the heel end 124 across the forefoot 126, midfoot 130, and heel 134 regions. The midsole 108 is made from a foam material, such as TPU foam, EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), or other thermoplastic polymeric materials, such as thermoplastic polyurethane, polyolefin elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the midsole 108 or a portion of the midsole 108 may include beads or pellets containing particulate foam, such as eTPU or eTPE-E. Additionally, the midsole 108 may be a dual density foam or a multi-density foam.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the midsole 108 of this embodiment is a dual density foam. In particular, a first midsole member 148 including a soft EVA foam may be provided at least in the heel region 134 to enhance shock absorption capabilities. Conversely, a second midsole member 150 including a denser, harder EVA foam may be provided at least in the forefoot region 126 to aid in toe-off and provide increased stability to other regions of the sole structure 104, such as the forefoot 126, midfoot 130, and heel 134 regions. However, the use of different types of foams, such as nitrogen-infused foam, is not limited to these regions. Rather, different foams may be included in any of the forefoot 126, midfoot 130, and heel 134 regions to achieve desired cushioning characteristics. Additionally, different foams may be layered, or there may be pockets or cavities of different types of material within the midsole 108.

In another aspect, the midsole 108 may include various textures on the sides of the midsole 108, which can add aesthetic elements to the footwear 100. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the midsole 108 has a texture 152 laser etched into the midsole 108. The texture 152 is etched into the sides of the midsole 108 along the medial side 118 and lateral side 116, and extends throughout the forefoot 126, midfoot 130, and heel 134 areas. The texture 152 can also add to the aesthetic appeal of the shoe. Alternatively, known methods such as UV (ultraviolet) printing can be used to create various textures and other decorative elements.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outsole 110 connects to the midsole 108, is disposed below the midsole 108, and extends substantially across the underside of the midsole 108. The outsole 110 defines a bottom surface 112 of the sole structure and is configured to at least partially contact the ground. Additionally, the outsole 110 enhances the structural integrity of the sole structure 104 and provides traction to the user. As shown, the outsole 110 is formed from two portions, a first outsole portion 110a and a second portion 110b, separated by a reinforcing member 114. Thus, the bottom surface 112 of the outsole 110 is discontinuous. Here, the first outsole member 110a extends from the heel end 124 to the midfoot region 130, and the second outsole portion 110b extends from the toe tip 122 to the midfoot region 130. However, the outsole 110 may be formed as a single, integral piece or may be formed as any number of separate pieces. The outsole 110 may be integrally molded or co-molded with the midsole 108, or alternatively, the outsole 110 may be attached to the midsole 108 by an adhesive or other adhesive. Additionally, the outsole 110 may be integrally molded or co-molded with the reinforcing member 114. In some embodiments, the outsole 110 may be attached to the reinforcing member 114 by an adhesive or other adhesive, or may not be attached to the reinforcing member 114 at all.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, the sole structure 104 may include one or more recesses. As shown in FIG. 3, a first recess 156 is provided in the heel region 134 and a second recess 158 is provided in the forefoot region 126. The recesses 156 and 158 extend through the outsole 110 to the midsole 108 such that the first and second midsole members 148 and 150 are visible from the bottom of the sole structure 104. Although the sole structure 104 is shown as having two recesses 156 and 158, in some embodiments, more or fewer recesses may be provided. Additionally, while the present embodiment includes recesses 156 and 158 in the forefoot region 126 and heel region 134, respectively, more or fewer recesses may be included anywhere within the respective regions of the forefoot 126, midfoot 130, and heel 134. In this embodiment, the recesses 156, 158 intersect the transverse plane 120, but the recesses 156, 158 may be biased toward either the outer side or the inner side 116, 118.

1-3, the sole structure 104 includes grooves 160 (e.g., flexible grooves) along the bottom surface 112, which increase the flexibility of the sole structure 104 and improve traction. The grooves 160 define gaps within the sole structure 104. In some embodiments, the grooves 160 may be replaced with other traction structures, such as ribs or treads. In this embodiment, the sole structure 104 is provided with a first or internal groove set 160a and a second or peripheral groove set 160b. As shown, all of the grooves in the first groove set 160a are shallower than all of the grooves in the second groove set 160b, but this is not always the case. In other words, the maximum depth of all grooves in the first groove set 160a is less than the maximum depth of all grooves in the second groove set 160b, each measured along a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 112 of each groove in the first groove set 160a and the second groove set 160b. In some embodiments, the first groove set 160a may have a maximum depth that is greater than or equal to the maximum depth of the second groove set 160b. In some embodiments, only a portion of the grooves in the first groove set 160a may have a maximum depth that is less than the maximum depth of all grooves in the second groove set 160b, or vice versa.

3, the grooves of the first groove set 160a are each elongated recesses disposed within the outsole 110. Some of the grooves within the first groove set 160a are curved and some of the grooves within the first groove set 160a are straight, but all of the grooves within the first groove set 160a extend at least partially through the outsole 110. In this embodiment, the grooves within the first groove set 160a are disposed completely within the outsole 110, and each groove within the first groove set 160a does not extend to the outer periphery of the outsole 110, but rather is visible only from the bottom of the footwear 100.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the grooves of the second groove set 160b are disposed along the periphery of the outsole 110 and extend to the midsole 108. That is, each groove in the second groove set 160b has at least one open end located around the periphery of the midsole 108 along either the medial side 118 or the lateral side 116. The grooves in the second groove set 160b may be straight or curved. Furthermore, the grooves in the second groove set 160b vary in depth. In particular, the grooves in the second groove set 160b are deeper at the edges of the sole structure 104. In other words, the second groove set 160b increases in depth along its length as it extends outward toward the respective lateral side 116 or medial side 118. Furthermore, the outsole 110 has a plurality of fingers 166 extending between at least a portion of the second groove set 160b. To that end, at least a portion of the first groove set 160a can be aligned with at least a portion of the second groove set 160b, such that the first and second groove sets 160a, 160b together form a row that extends generally laterally between the lateral side 116 and the medial side 118 of the sole structure. For example, in the heel region 134, the first and second groove sets 160a, 160b form a substantially arcuate row that is convex toward the heel end 124 of the footwear 100.

In some embodiments, the grooves of the second groove set 160b can be positioned such that the width of the fingers 166 (e.g., the dimension between adjacent grooves) varies depending on the particular location of the fingers 166 on the sole structure 104. For example, along the heel region 134, and more specifically, the lateral side 116 of the heel region 134, the grooves of the second groove set 160b are angled relative to one another such that the width of the fingers 166 narrows as one moves laterally outward toward the lateral side 116. Conversely, along the medial side 118 of the midfoot region 130, the grooves of the second groove set 160b are angled relative to one another such that the width of the fingers 166 widens as one moves laterally outward toward the medial side 118. Furthermore, the fingers 166 generally become wider as one moves along the medial side 118 from the midfoot region 130 to the heel region 134 and narrower (i.e., narrower) as one moves along the lateral side 116 from the forefoot region 126 to the heel region 134.

With continued reference to Figures 1-3, the sole structure 104 also includes a reinforcing member 114. The reinforcing member 114 is an elongated member that at least partially wraps around the outsole 110 and the midsole 108. As shown, the reinforcing member 114 is a carrier structure made from a thermoplastic material, such as TPU. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 114 is made from a translucent TPU or another translucent material. Additionally, the reinforcing member 114 is composed of two or more materials having different properties. For example, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member 114 includes a portion made from TPU and another portion that includes a composite material, which may be integrally formed or bonded together.

The reinforcing member 114 helps guide the user's foot as it moves and provides support to the user's foot while it is in contact with the ground. In particular, the reinforcing member 114 helps prevent or reduce foot or ankle rolling that is characteristic of a user's particular gait. This can allow a user who suffers from pronation or supination to achieve a more natural gait and reduce the chance of injury. For example, a user who pronates or supinates during normal walking may be more susceptible to ankle, knee, or other injuries because these parts of the body must compensate for the rotation of the foot. Supporting the foot can reduce the chance of injury. Additionally, the inclusion of the reinforcing member 114 increases the visual appeal of the shoe and allows the user to see how the footwear is designed to be supportive by providing a strong visual element.

1-3, the reinforcing member 114 is an elongated member that wraps around the midsole 108 and provides support to both the medial side 118 and the lateral side 116 of the sole structure 104. The reinforcing member 114 has an inner surface that faces the footwear 100 (see, for example, inner surface 668 in FIG. 13) and an outer surface 170 that faces away from the footwear 100. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 114 may be at least partially disposed within a channel formed in the midsole 108 (see, for example, channel 608a in FIG. 13). The inner surface of the reinforcing member 114 is configured to connect with the bottom of the midsole 108 in the forefoot 126 and midfoot 130 regions and to connect with the midsole 108 and upper 102 in the heel region 134. However, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member 114 may also connect to the sides of the midsole 108 or upper 102 in the forefoot 126 and midfoot 130 regions. With respect to the midsole 108, the reinforcing member 114 can be integrally formed with the midsole 108 or can be attached to the midsole 108 by adhesive or other bonding material.

3, the reinforcing member 114 includes one or more flanges 172, shown in phantom, extending at least partially along and parallel to the length of the reinforcing member 114. As used herein, the length of the reinforcing member 114 refers to the dimension measured along a centerline 181 of the reinforcing member 114, which extends from a first distal end 178 to a second distal end 180. The flanges 172 extend approximately perpendicularly from the edge of the reinforcing member 114. Accordingly, the flanges 172 can increase the local width (e.g., the dimension substantially perpendicular to the length) of the reinforcing member 114. The flanges 172 are located in the forefoot region 126 and midfoot region 130 to increase the contact area between the midsole 108 and the inner surface of the reinforcing member 114 to ensure a strong bond therebetween. The inclusion of the flange 172 allows the outsole 110 to be glued on top of the flange 172 or molded over the flange 172 to provide an even stronger bond. In some embodiments, the outsole 110 and the reinforcing member 114 each have the same thickness (e.g., a dimension along a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 112 and substantially perpendicular to the length and width of the reinforcing member 114) or substantially correspond to each other, such that the outsole 110 and the reinforcing member 114 form a flat or continuous bottom surface 112 of the sole structure 104. For example, the outsole 110 can protrude beyond the reinforcing member 114 by up to 10% of its thickness, and vice versa.

Returning to FIGS. 1-3, the reinforcing member 114 can vary in thickness throughout its length, such that some portions of the reinforcing member 114 are stiffer or softer than others. This allows the footwear 100 to have zones of increased support while still maintaining sufficient flexibility. Additionally, the exterior surface 170 of the reinforcing member 114 can be substantially flat, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, or the exterior surface 170 can be contoured or provided with ribs or ridges. In some embodiments, the contours, ribs, or ridges can extend substantially along the entire length of the reinforcing member 114 or can extend substantially perpendicular to the length of the reinforcing member 114. In some embodiments, the contours and/or ribs can be curved.

1 and 3, the reinforcing member 114 defines a first end or bottom 174 and a second end or top 176 connected at a corner or inflection point 175. As shown, the first end 174 extends generally diagonally across the bottom surface 112 from the medial side 118 to the lateral side 116. The second portion 176 extends upward from the first end 174 to the inflection point 175, wraps around the lateral side 116 of the midsole 108, and returns to the medial side 118 around at least a portion of the perimeter of the heel region 134. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 114 is substantially mirrored about the transverse plane 120, with the first end 174 extending generally diagonally across the bottom surface 112 from the lateral side 116 to the medial side 118. Similarly, the second portion 176 can extend upward from the first end 174 at an inflection point 175, wrap around the medial side 118 of the midsole 108, wrap at least partially around the heel region 134, and return to the lateral side 116. In either case, the reinforcing member 114 can extend above the midsole 108 in the heel region 134, thereby forming the tallest portion of the sole structure 104. Additionally, while the inflection point 175 is located in the midfoot region 130, it can also be located in either the forefoot region 126 or the heel region 134, allowing selective support to be provided in those regions.

With continued reference to Figures 1-3, the first end 174 is associated with a portion of the reinforcing member 114 that begins at the toe tip 122 of the forefoot region 126 and extends substantially rearward along the bottom surface 112 from the medial side 118 of the forefoot region 126 to the lateral side 116 of the midfoot region 130. The second end 176 is associated with a portion of the reinforcing member 114 that extends upward at the midfoot region 130 along the lateral side 116 of the midsole 108 and around the periphery of the heel region 134 to the medial side 118. Thus, the second end 176 can be a heel portion of the reinforcing member 114. In some embodiments, the first end 174 extends rearward along the bottom surface 112 to the heel region 134, such that the second end 176 begins at the lateral side 116 of the heel region 134. Alternatively, the first end 174 may extend rearwardly along the bottom surface 112 such that the second end 176 begins on the lateral side 116 of the forefoot region 126.

3, the reinforcing member 114 further defines a first distal end 178 of the first end 174. The first distal end 178 is disposed along the bottom surface 112 of the toe tip 122, near the medial side 118 of the forefoot region 126, and connects to the midsole 108. In some embodiments, the distal end 178 may be connected to a portion of the midsole 108 and/or the side of the upper 102. From the first distal end 178, the first end 174 (e.g., the first sub-portion 174a) extends posteriorly along the medial side 118 of the forefoot region 126 in a generally heel-to-toe direction to the midfoot region 130. That is, the first sub-portion 174a extends from the toe tip 122 toward the midfoot region 130 in a toe-to-heel direction. In some cases, as the first end 174 approaches the midfoot region 130, the first end 174 (e.g., the second sub-portion 174b) may begin to extend toward the lateral side 116.

As a result, the stability of the medial side 118 of the forefoot region 134 is improved and the flexibility of the lateral side 116 of the forefoot region 134 is improved, which helps to reduce or prevent pronation. The first end 174 then continues to extend from the medial side 118 to the lateral side 116 of the midfoot region 130. The first end 174 extends generally diagonally across the bottom surface 112 from the medial side of the forefoot of the midfoot region 130 to the lateral side of the heel of the midfoot region 130. That is, the first end 174 extends from the medial side 118 to the lateral side 116 generally toward the heel region 134. It should be noted that the reinforcing member 114 includes both straight and curved portions and is considered to extend diagonally across the bottom surface 112.

Although the first end 174 is shown disposed along or adjacent to the bottom surface 112, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the reinforcing member 114, particularly at the distal end 178, may extend upwardly along the medial side 118 of the forefoot region 126 such that the reinforcing member 114 extends to the side of the midsole 108 and/or upper 102. Furthermore, because at least a portion of the first end 174 is disposed adjacent to the bottom surface 112, the reinforcing member 114 may also contact the ground in a manner similar to that of the outsole 110.

Returning to FIG. 1, as the reinforcing member 114 extends upward from the bottom surface 112 on the lateral side 116 of the midfoot region 130, the first end 174 becomes or transitions to the second end 176. The second end 176 continues to extend upward and rearward from the midfoot region 130 to the heel region 134 along the lateral side 116 of the midsole 108. In the heel region 134, the second end 176 continues to extend upward and rearward toward the lateral side 116 of the heel region 134, where the second end 176 is disposed at least partially above the midsole 108 and is joined to the upper 102. At the heel end 124, the reinforcing member 114 remains connected to the midsole 108. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the reinforcing member 114 may be connected only to the midsole 108 at the edges or only along a small portion of the inner surface of the reinforcing member 114.

At the lateral side 116, the reinforcing member 114 is coupled to the midsole 108 so as to extend upward and rearward from the bottom surface 112. Upon reaching the heel region 134, the reinforcing member 114 extends along the upper 102 and is primarily coupled to the upper 102, moving rearward toward the heel end 124. Although the reinforcing member 114 is primarily coupled to the upper, the local lower end of the reinforcing member 114 remains coupled to the upper end of the midsole 108. Then, moving along the medial side 118, the reinforcing member 114 slopes downward, and a larger portion of the reinforcing member 114 is coupled to the midsole 108 as it moves toward the midfoot region 130. For example, at the second distal end 180, approximately half of the width of the reinforcing member 114 is coupled to the upper 102, and approximately the remaining half of the width of the reinforcing member 114 is coupled to the midsole 108. Thus, the upper and lower ends each include multiple inflection points and wavy configurations. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 114 may be connected only to one of the upper 102 or the midsole 108 at the heel end 124. From there, the second end 176 continues around the perimeter of the heel region 134 and crosses over to the medial side 118 of the heel region 134 at the heel end 124.

Returning to FIG. 2, the second end 176 is shown extending generally forward from the heel end 124 and extending along the periphery of the heel region 134 to the midfoot region 130. The reinforcing member 114 terminates at a second distal end 180 of the second end 176 adjacent the midfoot region 130. In other words, the reinforcing member 114 wraps from the first distal end 178 along the medial side 118 of the forefoot region 126 of the outsole 110, across to the lateral side 116 of the midfoot region 134, from the midfoot region 130 to the heel region 134, upward along the lateral side 116 of the midsole 108, around the periphery of the heel region 134, and to the second distal end 180 that terminates within the midfoot region 130 on the medial side 118.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reinforcing member 114 widens as it moves through the upper 104 along the lateral side 116 of the midsole 108 to the heel end 124. The reinforcing member 114 then narrows along the medial side 118 toward the midfoot region 130 and tips at a second distal end 180. Additionally, the reinforcing member 114 is shaped to follow the contours of the midsole 108 and upper 102 as it extends along the lateral side of the midsole 108 to the upper 102. The reinforcing member 114 may be located at its highest point on the upper 102 at the heel end 124 and slope generally downward (i.e., toward the midsole 108) along the medial and lateral sides 118, 116 so as not to interfere with the user's ankle movement. Additionally, the reinforcing member 114 may be contoured to the portion of the upper 102 and midsole 108 to which the reinforcing member 114 is connected. As a result, the reinforcing member 114 can define wavy exterior and interior surfaces that can include various inflection points, such as near the heel end 124 and near the junction of the upper 102 and the sole structure 102 (e.g., the midsole 108).

In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 114 may terminate in the heel region 134 to provide increased mobility, which may be preferred for some activities, such as running, where the user's ankle has a wide range of motion. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 114 may terminate in either the midfoot region 130 or the forefoot region 126 to provide increased support, which may be preferred for some activities, such as trail running or hiking. The reinforcing member 114 is connected to both the midsole 108 and the upper 102 so as to wrap around the heel region 134. The portion of the reinforcing member 114 that wraps around the heel region 134 extends over or along the upper 102, providing additional stability and rigidity to the user.

In some embodiments, the reinforcing member may be a mirror image of the reinforcing member 114 that is mirror imaged across the transverse plane 120. More specifically, the reinforcing member may wrap from a first distal end along the lateral side of the forefoot region of the outsole, over the medial side of the midfoot region, up along the medial side of the midsole from the midfoot region to the heel region, around the heel region, and medially to a second distal end that terminates in the midfoot region. In such an embodiment, the reinforcing member may provide better support to the lateral side of the forefoot region and better flexibility to the medial side of the forefoot region, which may help reduce or prevent eversion. The reinforcing member may be connected to one or both of the upper and the midsole such that it wraps around the heel region.

4 and 5, another exemplary embodiment of footwear 200 including an upper 202 and a sole structure 204 is shown. Footwear 200 is similar to the previous embodiment, with like elements being designated with like reference numbers under the "2xx" series of reference numbers. Footwear 200 is similar to the previous embodiment in many respects, but also has some differences. In particular, tongue 238 is integrated with upper 202, and upper 202 is configured to rise higher to the user's ankle to provide enhanced support from upper 202. Additionally, groove sets 260 extend deeper (i.e., the depth of each groove 260 along a direction perpendicular to bottom surface 212) into midsole 208 on lateral side 216 and medial side 218. The deeper grooves 260 further improve traction and flexibility of sole structure 204. Additionally, the reinforcing member 214 includes a rib 282 extending from the first end 274 to the second end 276. The rib 282 is also disposed at the second end 276 on the medial side 218 of the heel region 234. Additionally, the reinforcing member 214 is partially disposed within a channel 208a formed in the midsole 208. Recessing the reinforcing member 214 within the channel 208a may further securely attach the reinforcing member 214 to the midsole 208 along the portion of the reinforcing member 214 that does not include a flange.

6 and 7, yet another exemplary embodiment of footwear 300 is shown, including an upper 302 and a sole structure 304. Footwear 300 is similar to the previous embodiment, with like elements being designated with like reference numbers under the "3xx" series of reference numbers. Footwear 300 is similar to the previous embodiment in many respects, but also differs in some respects. In particular, upper 302 is a two-piece upper connected to sole structure 304. Additionally, upper 302 has an integral tongue 338 and does not include a tensioning system or a TPU skin. Referring to sole structure 304, outsole 310 defines a bottom surface 312 of footwear 300 and is integral with midsole 308. There are no grooves in midsole 308 or outsole 310. Rather, the outsole 310, including the first and second outsole portions 310a, 310b, is provided with a plurality of triangular ridges 384 running perpendicular to a transverse plane 320 extending through the footwear 300 from a toe tip 322 located at a distal end of the forefoot region 326 to a heel tip 324 located at a distal end of the heel region 334 opposite the toe tip 322. Additionally, the sides of the midsole 308 are not etched with texture.

6 and 7, similar to the previous embodiment, the reinforcing member 314 is wrapped around and embedded within the midsole 308 and outsole 310. That is, the reinforcing member 314 is at least partially disposed within a channel 308a in the midsole 308 and outsole 310 configured to accommodate the reinforcing member 314. A first end 374 of the reinforcing member 314 extends along the side of the midsole 308 and upper 302 with a first distal end 378 disposed on the medial side 318 of the forefoot region 326. Additionally, the reinforcing member 314 is provided with a plurality of ridges 382 disposed across the exterior surface 370 of the reinforcing member 314. Some of the ridges 382 are curved and/or concentric with one another, while other ridges are generally linear.

8, another exemplary embodiment of footwear 400 is shown, including an upper 402 and a sole structure 404. Footwear 400 is similar to the previous embodiment, with like elements being designated with like reference numbers under the "4xx" series of reference numbers. Upper 402 is laceless, and sole structure 404 is made of a plurality of expanded thermoplastic beads molded together to form a unitary structure. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic beads may be molded with a binder. Additionally, a plurality of grooves 460 are disposed on bottom surface 412 of outsole 410 (e.g., in each of first and second outsole portions 410a, 410b). Grooves 460 extend through footwear 400 perpendicular to a longitudinal plane 420 that extends from heel end 442 to toe tip 422. Additionally, sole structure 404 includes two elongated recesses, namely, a first recess 456 and a second recess 458. The first recess 456 is disposed near the medial side 418 of the heel region 434 of the sole structure 404. The second recess 458 extends through the midfoot region 430 and the forefoot region 426 of the sole structure 404.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 8, the sole structure 404 includes a reinforcing member 414 with a portion of a first end 474 (e.g., a first sub-portion 474a) extending upward to the medial side 418 of the forefoot region 430 and connecting to the upper 402 and a first distal end 478 bonded to the upper 402. The outer surface 470 of the reinforcing member is provided with a number of curved ribs 482. Some of the ribs 482 are disposed at the first end 474 and other ribs 482 extend from the first end 474 to the second end 476. For example, the ribs 482 include a first rib set 482a along the medial side 418 of the first end 474. The ribs in the first rib set 482a are arranged in an elongated spiral and extend to the portion of the reinforcing member 414 bonded to the medial side 418 of the midsole 408. Additionally, the ribs in the first rib set 482a extend along the outside 418 of the first end 474 to the second end 476. Similar to the first rib set 482a, the ribs in the second rib set 482b are also arranged in an elongated spiral. In some embodiments, the ribs 482 may be arranged in a different pattern, such as concentric ellipses shaped according to the contour of the reinforcing member 414.

Additionally, the reinforcing member 414 (e.g., the second sub-portion 474b of the first end 474) varies in width along its length moving from the first distal end 478 to the second distal end 480. In particular, the reinforcing member 414 becomes wider as it crosses diagonally from the lateral side 416 to the medial side 418 along the bottom surface 412. Because the reinforcing member 414 is wider along the lateral side 416, it may provide increased support for a user who supinates or rotates their foot to the lateral side 416. Additionally, because the reinforcing member 414 remains wider throughout the second end 476, the reinforcing member 414 may provide greater support in the heel region 434.

9, another exemplary embodiment of footwear 500 is shown, including an upper 502 and a sole structure 504. Footwear 500 is similar to the previous embodiment, with like elements being designated with like reference numbers under the "5xx" series of reference numbers. Footwear 500 is similar to the previous embodiment in many respects, but also in some respects. In particular, upper 502 is a laceless upper, and sole structure includes outsole 510 with a plurality of curvilinear grooves 560 in forefoot region 526, midfoot region 530, and heel region 534. Thus, curvilinear grooves 560 are provided in each of first and second outsole portions 510a, 510b. Additionally, reinforcing member 514 has a plurality of ribs 582 perpendicular to the length of reinforcing member 514. That is, ribs 582 are perpendicular to a midline 584 extending from first distal end 578 to second distal end 580. In some embodiments, the ribs 582 may be perpendicular to the length of the footwear 500, or the ribs 582 may be oriented in multiple directions.

9, the width of the reinforcing member 514 varies along its length. A first end 574 (e.g., a first sub-portion 574a) of the reinforcing member 514 extends from a first distal end 576 to the widest portion 537a of the footwear 500 while extending near the medial side 518 of the forefoot region 526. A portion of the reinforcing member 514 extends over the upper 502 in the forefoot region 526. Extending from the widest portion 537a of the footwear 500, a first end 574 (e.g., a second sub-portion 574b) of the reinforcing member 514 curves toward a transverse plane 520 that extends through the footwear 500 and intersects the transverse plane 520 at the thinnest portion 537b of the footwear 500. In this way, the reinforcing member 514 is also thinned to its thinnest portion, which coincides with the thinnest portion 537b of the footwear 500.

The reinforcing member 514 continues to extend along the bottom surface 512 of the footwear 500 to the lateral side 516 of the heel region 534 near the heel end 524. At this position, the reinforcing member 514 curves upward to a second end 576 at an inflection point 575, wraps around the heel region 534, and wraps to a second distal end 580 on the medial side 518 of the heel region 534. The reinforcing member 514 curves downward along the medial side 518 of the heel region 534, forming a U-shape that provides room for the user's ankle. By providing room around the user's ankle, the footwear 500 may provide greater or less restricted ankle mobility, which may be advantageous, for example, when running. Additionally, providing room around the ankle may provide increased comfort. Additionally, because the reinforcing member 514 curves upwardly toward the eyelet stays (not shown) and/or the tongue 538, the footwear 500 may provide increased support to reduce or prevent pronation.

10-13, yet another exemplary sole structure 604 is shown. The sole structure 604 is similar to the previous sole structure, with like elements being designated with like reference numbers under the "6xx" series of reference numbers. The sole structure 604 has only a single recess 656 located in the heel region 634 of the sole structure 604 (see FIGS. 10 and 13). The recess 656 extends through the outsole 610 to the midsole 608. Additionally, the reinforcing member 614 has a plurality of parallel ridges 682 extending along its length (see FIGS. 11-13). In this embodiment, there are five ridges 682, all of which have a triangular shape and extend parallel to the sides of the reinforcing member 614. That is, the ridges 682 form elongated, pointed folds on the outer surface 670 of the reinforcing member 614, and extend along the length of the reinforcing member 614 from the first distal end 674 to the second distal end 676. However, in some embodiments, the ridges 682 may be more or less in number and may have different shapes, such as round or square. In any case, the ridges 682 help to increase traction between the footwear 500 and the ground while also providing additional support.

13, a cross-sectional view of the sole structure 604 taken along line A-A in FIG. 10 is shown, with the upper 602 shown in phantom. The sole structure 604 has a dual density midsole 608 including a first midsole member 648 made of low density EVA foam for increased cushioning and a second midsole member 650 made of high density EVA foam for increased support and stability. The first and second midsole members 648 and 650 are integrally molded, but may also be formed as separate components connected by adhesive. The first midsole member 648 is disposed within the second midsole member 650, each of the midsole members 648, 650 extending across the forefoot region 626, the midfoot region 630, and the heel region 634. Additionally, the second midsole member 650 has a hole 658 in the heel region 634 that coincides with the recess 656. The first midsole member 648 extends into the hole 658, such that the first midsole member 648 is visible through the recess 656. Thus, the recess 656 extends through the outsole 610 to the first midsole member 648, with the first midsole member 648 defining the bottom of the recess 656.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 13, the first end 674 of the reinforcing member 614 is embedded in the channel 608a of the midsole 608, and the first end 674 of the reinforcing member 614 is connected to the midsole 608 along the inner surface 668 of the reinforcing member 614. Additionally, the flange 672 of the reinforcing member 614 is disposed along the outsole 610 (e.g., along each of the first and second outsole portions 610a, 610b). Thus, the reinforcing member 614 is connected to the outsole 610 at the outer surface 670 of the reinforcing member 614. Similarly, the flange 672 is disposed between the outsole 610 and the midsole 608.

With particular reference to the heel region 634, the second end 676 of the reinforcing member 614 is connected to the midsole 608 at a lower end 690 of the reinforcing member 614. This allows a majority of the inner surface 668 to be glued or otherwise connected to the upper portion 602. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 614 may be located above or below the midsole 608 in the heel region 634. When the reinforcing member 614 is located below the midsole 608, the reinforcing member 614 may be connected to the midsole 608 at a portion of the inner surface 668 of the reinforcing member 614.

14, yet another exemplary embodiment of footwear 700 is shown, including an upper 702 and a sole structure 704. Footwear 700 is similar to the previous embodiment, with like elements designated with like reference numerals under the "7xx" series of reference numerals. Footwear 700 is similar in many respects to the previous embodiment, but differs in some respects. In particular, a first midsole member 748 extends from a heel end 724 to a toe tip 722. The first midsole member 748 thickens in height (i.e., in a direction extending vertically from a bottom surface 710 of the footwear 700 toward the upper 702) as it extends from the heel end 724 through a heel region 734 to a midfoot region 730, where the first midsole member 748 is thickest. The first midsole member 748 thins as it continues from a forefoot region 726 to a toe tip 722. The second midsole member 750 is attached below the first midsole member 748 in the heel region 734 and has a wedge shape that complements the first midsole member 748, with its thickest portion located at the heel end 724. Both the first and second midsole members 748, 750 have a groove 760 that extends upwardly from the bottom surface 712 of the footwear 700.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 14, the reinforcing member 714 does not extend around the heel region 734. Rather, the second end 776 of the reinforcing member 714 rises from the bottom surface 712 on the lateral side 716 of the midfoot region 730 and extends rearward to a second distal end 780 located in the midsole 708 at the heel end 724. The second end 776 tapers from the midfoot region 730 to a point at the second distal end 780. Additionally, because the reinforcing member 714 does not wrap around the heel region 734, a heel cup 788 is provided to substantially encase the heel of the user. The heel cup 788 is a rigid or semi-rigid plastic, such as TPU. In this case, the heel cup 788 is formed from a translucent TPU.

Any of the embodiments described herein may be modified to include any of the structures or methodologies disclosed in connection with different embodiments. For example, certain features and combinations of features presented in the above description with respect to certain embodiments may be utilized in some embodiments and in other combinations, as appropriate. Similarly, in some embodiments, materials or construction techniques other than those disclosed above may be substituted or added in accordance with known approaches. Furthermore, the disclosure is not limited to the types of footwear specifically shown. Furthermore, the footwear aspects of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be modified to work with any type of footwear, apparel, or other athletic equipment.

As previously mentioned, while the present disclosure has been described above with reference to specific embodiments and examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure is not necessarily so limited, and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications, and departures from the embodiments, examples, and uses are intended to be encompassed by the claims appended hereto.

Numerous variations on the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. The exclusive rights to all modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.

Claims (20)

A sole structure for footwear, the sole structure comprising: a midsole defining a first side and a second side extending between an upper surface and a bottom surface;
a first end portion disposed along a bottom surface of the midsole, the first end portion including a first sub-portion extending along a first side of the midsole and a second sub-portion extending across the bottom surface from the first side of the midsole to a second side of the midsole;
a reinforcing member including a second end extending upwardly from the first end to a second side of the midsole, the second end wrapping at least partially around a heel region of the sole structure and extending to the first side of the midsole;
A sole structure comprising: The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is at least partially disposed over the midsole in the heel region. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the second end portion is located closer to the midfoot region of the midsole than the heel end of the midsole. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first sub-portion of the reinforcing member is disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure, and the second sub-portion of the reinforcing member is disposed in a midfoot region of the sole structure. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the second end is disposed in both the midfoot region and the heel region of the sole structure. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the first end of the reinforcing member is coupled to the midsole, and an outer surface of the first end of the reinforcing member forms at least a portion of a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure. The sole structure of claim 6, wherein the first end is at least partially disposed within a channel formed in the midsole. The sole structure of claim 7 further comprising an outsole having a first outsole portion and a second outsole portion separated by the reinforcing member, the first outsole portion and the second outsole portion forming a remaining portion of the ground-engaging surface of the sole structure. The sole structure of claim 8, wherein the first end includes a first flange extending from a first edge of the first end, the first flange being secured between the midsole and at least one of the first outsole portion or the second outsole portion. The sole structure of claim 9, wherein the first end includes a second flange extending from a second edge opposite the first end, the second flange being secured between the midsole and the other of the first outsole portion or the second outsole portion. Footwear,
Upper and
a sole structure coupled to the upper and extending through a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the footwear;
The sole structure includes:
The midsole and
an outsole coupled to a bottom surface of the midsole;
a reinforcing member that wraps around the midsole from a first distal end on the medial side of the forefoot region of the outsole, crosses the lateral side of the midsole at the midfoot region, extends upwardly along the lateral side of the midsole from the midfoot region to the heel region, continues around a perimeter of the heel region, and terminates at a second distal end on the medial side of the midfoot region. Footwear according to claim 11, wherein the reinforcing member is coupled to at least one of the midsole or the upper so as to wrap around the heel region. Footwear according to claim 11, further comprising an outsole coupled to the bottom surface of the midsole, the outsole including a first outsole portion and a second outsole portion separated by the reinforcing member. Footwear according to claim 13, wherein the outsole and the first end of the reinforcing member together form a ground-engaging surface of the footwear. Footwear according to claim 13, wherein the reinforcing member includes a flange fixed between the outsole and the midsole. Footwear according to claim 11, wherein the outer surface of the reinforcing member includes a plurality of substantially parallel ridges extending along the length of the reinforcing member from the first distal end to the second distal end. Footwear according to claim 11, wherein the first distal end of the reinforcing member is coupled to at least one of the medial side of the midsole or the upper in the forefoot region. Footwear according to claim 11, wherein the reinforcing member is at least partially disposed within a channel formed in the midsole. Footwear,
Upper and
a sole structure coupled to the upper and extending through a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the footwear;
The sole structure includes:
The midsole and
a first end portion disposed along a bottom surface of the midsole, the first end portion including a first sub-portion extending along a medial side of the midsole in the forefoot region and a second sub-portion extending across the bottom surface from a medial side to a lateral side of the midsole in the midfoot region;
a second end extending upward from the first end to an outer side of the midsole in the midfoot region, the second end extending rearward along the outer side of the midsole and wrapping around a heel end of the midsole to extend to the inner side of the midsole. 20. The article of footwear of claim 19, wherein the reinforcing member is coupled to each of the midsole and the upper in at least one of the forefoot region or the heel region.

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