Footwear

Abstract

A footwear article comprises: an upper having an outer surface, a foot insertion space and a sole-facing surface; and a sole assembly comprising: a midsole having a foot-facing surface, a ground-facing surface, a heel area, a forefoot area and an arch area along a longitudinal direction between the heel area and the forefoot area; a medial reinforcement member located on the inner side of the midsole and / or a lateral reinforcement member located on the outer side of the midsole, wherein the medial and / or lateral reinforcement members are configured to increase the stiffness of the midsole along the longitudinal direction in the arch area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] A footwear article comprises: an upper having an outer surface, a foot insertion space and a sole-facing surface; and a sole assembly comprising: a midsole having a foot-facing surface, a ground-facing surface, a heel area, a forefoot area and an arch area along a longitudinal direction between the heel area and the forefoot area. Background Art

[0002] Articles of footwear are designed and manufactured in a variety of ways, where an article of footwear having a specific use may have construction features that are advantageous for that specific use. This means that an article of footwear designed for hiking may have a significantly different structure than an article of footwear designed for running. These structures may be in the form of a specific type of midsole, a specific type of upper, a specific type of outsole, etc.

[0003] In conventional footwear manufacturing, an article of footwear may be provided with a shank, wherein the shank is embedded within a sole assembly of the shoe, wherein the shank may be utilized to provide support in the arch area or to provide increased stiffness between the heel area and the arch area of ​​the shoe such that the forefoot area of ​​the article of footwear is flexible and may flex as the user strides.

[0004] However, the shank is traditionally a rigid element that is inserted into an area of ​​the sole assembly where a shock absorbing effect may be important. Inserting a rigid shank into this area may mean that the midsole of the shoe may have to compensate for the shank, for example by increasing the sole thickness or reducing the material hardness. These compensations may be seen as detrimental to the construction of the sole assembly, which has traditionally been attempted to be addressed by specific designs of the embedded shank having a specific design that overcomes the adverse effects of the shank stiffness. However, the further design of the shank means that the effects of the shank have to be addressed when designing the sole assembly.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to improve the manner in which stiffness can be imparted to sole components. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to the present specification, a footwear article is provided, comprising: an upper having an outer surface, a foot insertion space and a sole-facing surface; and a sole assembly comprising: a midsole having a foot-facing surface, a ground-facing surface, a heel area, a forefoot area and an arch area along a longitudinal direction between the heel area and the forefoot area; a medial reinforcement member located on the inner side of the midsole and / or a lateral reinforcement member located on the outer side of the midsole, wherein the medial and / or lateral reinforcement members are configured to increase the stiffness of the midsole along the longitudinal direction in the arch area.

[0007] Within the understanding of the present disclosure, the term stiffness with respect to support elements and reinforcement members may be understood as stiffness relative to bending forces. That is, stiffness relates to the ease or difficulty of bending the support element and / or reinforcement member.

[0008] In the understanding of the present invention, the sole assembly can be considered to have a longitudinal axis, which extends from the heel end of the sole assembly to the toe end of the sole assembly and extends along the length of the sole assembly. The sole assembly can be divided into separate areas, such as a forefoot area, a heel area, and an arch area, wherein each of these areas of the sole assembly can have different functions. The areas of the sole assembly can correspond to areas of the user's foot, so that, for example, the arch area is located in the arch area of ​​the user's foot. The arch area can, for example, be used as a part of the midsole that provides support for the arch of the foot, while the heel area can, for example, act as a shock absorber when the heel strikes during the person's gait, and the forefoot area can, for example, provide flexibility for the user to step. Therefore, each area of ​​the sole assembly in the longitudinal direction can have different functions, which can mean that the sole assembly can include different parts with different properties, and these areas can be seen in different parts of the sole assembly along the longitudinal direction.

[0009] The forefoot region of the sole assembly can be separated from the arch region via a first separation axis, wherein the first separation axis is defined in a region between the forefoot region and the arch region. The first separation axis can be viewed as an axis that can define a region that defines a boundary between the mechanical properties of the forefoot region of the sole assembly and the mechanical properties of the arch region of the sole assembly and / or the heel region of the sole assembly. Thus, as an example, the first separation axis can, for example, define a region of the sole assembly in which the sole assembly transitions from a rigid sole assembly to a flexible sole assembly in a direction from the heel to the forefoot region.

[0010] The heel area of ​​the sole assembly can be separated from the arch area via the second separation axis, wherein the first separation axis defines the area between the heel area and the arch area. The second separation axis can be regarded as the axis of the definable area, which defines the boundary between the mechanical properties of the heel area of ​​the sole assembly and the arch area of ​​the sole assembly and / or the forefoot area of ​​the sole assembly. Therefore, as an example, the second separation axis can, for example, define the area of ​​the sole assembly, in which the sole assembly is in the direction from the heel to the forefoot area, wherein the sole assembly can be transitioned from shock absorption to a more supportive and / or flexible sole assembly, wherein the shock absorption is reduced compared to the heel assembly. In one or more examples, the transition between the heel area and the arch area can be hard, that is, the bending force in the heel area close to the second separation axis and the bending force in the arch area close to the second separation axis are similar and / or equal.

[0011] Within the understanding of the present disclosure, the bending force can be viewed as the amount of energy required to bend an object from its natural shape. The bending force of the sole assembly can be viewed as the force required to bend the sole assembly from its natural position along the longitudinal axis of the sole assembly. The bending force of the support element and / or reinforcing member can be viewed as the force required to bend the reinforcing member and / or support element in a radial direction, i.e., from the central axis of the footwear and in an outward and / or inward direction. Alternatively, the bending force of the reinforcing member and / or support element can be in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sole assembly.

[0012] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the first and / or second separation axis may be in the form of a straight line extending from the medial portion of the sole assembly to the lateral portion of the sole assembly, or may be a polygonal line extending from the medial portion of the sole assembly to the lateral portion of the sole assembly.

[0013] Providing a sole assembly according to the present disclosure, a sole can be provided which has excellent shock absorption while still having high stiffness in the longitudinal direction in the arch area. The reinforcing member can be used to support the midsole from the side so that the soft material of the midsole will maintain its shape even if forces are applied during use. Thus, the reinforcing element can be used, for example, to increase the stiffness of the sole assembly in the arch area to ensure that the sole assembly has a reduced flexing ability in the longitudinal direction when the user wears the shoe.

[0014] The reinforcing member may increase the hardness of the midsole and / or the sole assembly in the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the direction extending from the heel end of the sole assembly toward the toe end. The reinforcing member may reduce the bendability of the midsole in such a way that it will require an increased force to bend the midsole in the longitudinal region where the reinforcing member is present. This means that if the reinforcing member is not added to the side of the midsole, the midsole will flex and / or bend with a force less than when the reinforcing member is added. This means that the reinforcing member can be used to increase the hardness of the midsole without compromising the shock absorbing properties of the midsole. This can also mean that the midsole of the sole assembly can be provided without an embedded shank.

[0015] The reinforcement member may be positioned on a side of the midsole, wherein the reinforcement member is connected to the side of the midsole in such a manner that the stiffness of the reinforcement member is transferred to at least a portion of the material of the midsole. The inner surface of the reinforcement member may be connected to the outer surface of the midsole, wherein the connection can transfer the stiffness of the reinforcement member to the midsole.

[0016] By providing medial and lateral reinforcement members, the midsole can be supported on both sides, wherein the increase in stiffness on both lateral sides of the arch area can ensure that the stiffness of the sole assembly can be higher than relying on the midsole itself. The medial and lateral reinforcement members can provide a sole assembly with a peripheral portion in the arch area that has a higher stiffness than the central area of ​​the sole assembly. That is, the central area is located between the medial and lateral reinforcement members.

[0017] The reinforcement member may be used to provide increased support in the arch area, wherein the reinforcement member may ensure that the arch area of ​​the sole of the foot is supported during use of the article of footwear. Where the midsole of the sole assembly is a low stiffness material, the reinforcement member may provide increased stiffness in the arch area, ensuring that the arch of the foot will be supported by the reinforcement member and the midsole due to the increased stiffness in the arch area.

[0018] In one exemplary embodiment, the medial and / or lateral reinforcement members may extend in a longitudinal direction from an area facing the heel region of the midsole and / or the article of footwear towards an area facing the border of the forefoot region of the midsole and / or the article of footwear. Thus, the reinforcement members may extend continuously and / or uninterruptedly along the arch region of the midsole. Thereby, the reinforcement members will increase the stiffness of the midsole in the arch region in the longitudinal direction, wherein the reinforcement members may reduce the risk that the midsole will bend in the arch region in the longitudinal direction and / or may provide increased support to the arch of the foot during use.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the reinforcement member and / or any reinforcement member may not be present in the forefoot region of the midsole, thereby ensuring that the forefoot region of the midsole can bend and flex freely based on the hardness or stiffness of the midsole material in the forefoot region, and the reinforcement member will not affect the stiffness of the forefoot region of the midsole.

[0020] In one embodiment, the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member may extend in an upward direction beyond the portion of the midsole facing the foot, such that the reinforcement member extends in a vertical direction, for example, vertically higher than a central portion of the midsole. Thus, the central portion of the midsole (i.e., in a lateral region between the lateral and medial sides) may have a height that is lower than the height of the reinforcement member. In the arch region of the sole assembly and / or midsole, the height of the reinforcement member may be particularly higher than the central portion of the midsole.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the reinforcing member may optionally be positioned in the forefoot region and / or the heel region without extending into the arch region. Thus, the reinforcing member may be used, for example, to provide improved stability in the forefoot region and / or the heel region. In an exemplary embodiment, the reinforcing member may extend from the heel region to the arch region and through the arch region into the forefoot region, thereby providing support and increased stiffness along all three longitudinal regions of the sole assembly.

[0022] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the sole assembly may include an outsole having a ground-facing surface and a midsole-facing surface. The outsole may be positioned below the ground-facing surface of the midsole and may, for example, be adapted to provide increased traction and / or a surface having increased wear resistance to the midsole element. This means that the outsole includes a ground-contacting surface for the sole assembly. In one embodiment, the ground-facing surface of the midsole may be the ground-facing surface of the sole assembly, i.e., the ground-facing surface of the midsole may be used as the ground-contacting surface of the sole assembly.

[0023] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the reinforcing member may have a first distal end, a heel end and a toe end, wherein the first distal end, the heel end and / or the toe end may abut against the upper. The reinforcing member may have a main body portion, wherein the main body portion may connect the first distal portion, the toe portion and / or the heel portion to each other, wherein the first distal end, the toe end and / or the heel end may be the terminal end of the first distal portion, the toe portion and / or the heel portion. The first distal portion, the toe portion and the heel portion may be at an angle with the main body portion of the reinforcing member so that the reinforcing member produces a reinforcing space, which may be able to surround at least a portion of the midsole. The first distal end, the heel end and / or the toe end of the reinforcing member may be suitable for the outer surface of the abutting upper so that the main body and / or the toe portion, the heel portion and the distal portion cover the outer surface of the midsole. By making the toe portion, the heel portion and the distal portion at an angle with the main body, by having two or more surfaces angled relative to each other, the rigidity of the midsole may be increased. The body and the toe portion of the reinforcing member may have surface areas at different angles to each other, wherein the angle may be provided in a folded form. The same principle may be applied between the body portion and the distal portion and / or the heel portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the heel portion may be connected to the distal portion, and / or the toe portion may be connected to the distal portion. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the toe portion may be connected to the heel portion via the distal portion.

[0024] In one exemplary embodiment, the midsole may be provided with a support element positioned between the upper assembly and the reinforcement member.

[0025] In one exemplary embodiment, the reinforcing member is disposed on the peripheral surface of the midsole. This means that the reinforcing member is located only on the outer surface of the midsole, wherein the outer surface of the midsole may be positioned in the medial or lateral direction relative to the central axis of the sole assembly. Effectively, this means that the reinforcing member (in the vertical direction) does not extend in a direction below the upper assembly of the article of footwear. Furthermore, this may mean that the lateral reinforcing member is separate from the medial reinforcing member, wherein the reinforcing members are connected to the midsole rather than to each other.

[0026] In one exemplary embodiment, the midsole may include a reduced stiffness portion in an area between the forefoot region and the forefoot-facing portion of the medial reinforcement member and / or the forefoot-facing portion of the lateral reinforcement member. The reduced stiffness portion may be a forefoot reduced stiffness portion.

[0027] The hardness reduction part can be in the form of a gap in the peripheral area of ​​the sole assembly and / or midsole, wherein the hardness reduction part can abut the toe-facing part of the medial and / or lateral reinforcement member. The hardness reduction part can be configured to ensure that the hardness of the arch area of ​​the midsole is isolated from the forefoot area of ​​the sole assembly, thereby allowing the forefoot area to have a lower bending force than the area with reinforcement members. The hardness reduction part can be located at the outside of the midsole and / or the inside of the midsole. When the sole assembly / midsole is attached to the upper assembly, the peripheral part of the sole assembly and / or midsole can be provided with a vertical portion, wherein the vertical portion abuts the upper assembly. The hardness reduction part can be in the form of cu, vacancy, disconnection or lack of material in the peripheral area of ​​the sole assembly and / or midsole, which means that the hardness in the outside and / or medial area of ​​the arch area of ​​the sole assembly and / or midsole is limited to the arch area, and is not connected with the forefoot area of ​​the sole assembly and / or midsole.

[0028] In one exemplary embodiment, the midsole may include a reduced stiffness portion in an area between the heel region of the midsole and the forefoot-facing portion of the medial reinforcement member and / or the heel-facing portion of the lateral reinforcement member. The reduced stiffness portion may be a heel reduced stiffness portion.

[0029] The hardness reduction part can be the form of the gap in the peripheral area of ​​sole assembly and / or midsole, wherein, the hardness reduction part can abut the part facing the heel of the medial and / or lateral reinforcement member. The hardness reduction part can be configured to ensure that the hardness of the arch area of ​​the midsole and / or the sole assembly is isolated from the heel area of ​​the sole assembly, allowing the heel area to have a bending force less than the arch area with reinforcement member. The hardness reduction part can be located at the outside of the midsole and / or the inside of the midsole. When the sole assembly / midsole is attached to the upper assembly, the peripheral part of the sole assembly and / or the midsole can be provided with a vertical portion, wherein the vertical portion abuts the upper assembly. The hardness reduction part can be the form of cu, vacancy, disconnection or lack of material in the peripheral area of ​​the sole assembly and / or the midsole, which means that the hardness in the outside and / or medial area of ​​the arch area of ​​the sole assembly and / or the midsole is limited to the arch area, and is not connected with the heel area of ​​the sole assembly and / or the midsole.

[0030] The portion of reduced forefoot and / or heel hardness can be considered to be an area of ​​the sole component and / or midsole, which ensures that the hardness provided by the reinforcing member in the arch area of ​​the sole component and / or midsole is isolated from the forefoot area and / or heel area of ​​the sole component and / or midsole, so that the stiffness of the arch area is independent of the forefoot area and / or heel area.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the midsole has a first material hardness, and the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member have a second material hardness, wherein the first material hardness is different from the second material hardness. The midsole can be mechanically connected to the reinforcement member so that the hardness of the reinforcement member can be transferred to the midsole, and / or vice versa. Therefore, the midsole and reinforcement member are provided with different hardnesses, and the rigidity of the midsole can be manipulated by mechanical connection with the reinforcement member, and vice versa. In the exemplary example where the reinforcement has high rigidity (material hardness) and the midsole has low rigidity (material hardness), the high rigidity of the reinforcement member can be transferred to the softer midsole, thereby forming a combined rigidity element with a low rigidity higher than the midsole. When the midsole can have a rigidity higher than the reinforcement member, the situation is opposite, and the rigidity of the midsole can be transferred to the reinforcement member.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the first material hardness may be lower than the second material hardness. By providing a reinforcing member that is harder than the midsole, the hardness of the midsole can be increased so that the midsole element can provide static and / or active force to the sidewall of the midsole and / or the upper. Therefore, when the user wears shoes, the reinforcing member and / or the midsole can (through the upper) abut the side of the foot, and the reinforcing member can increase the rigidity of the midsole and / or the support element to increase the static counterpressure of the midsole element. Therefore, when the reinforcing member has a higher material hardness and is connected to the support element, the force increased during use will be required to bend the midsole element. Therefore, when the user wears footwear, this will provide an enhanced sense of security, because more force will be required during use to provide the foot relative to the outer side movement of the sole assembly, the upper and / or the footwear article. The reinforcing element can further provide an increased hardness for the midsole, so that when applying force to the midsole, in order to make the midsole bend along its longitudinal axis, the reinforcing member will ensure that the arch area with the reinforcing member needs a larger force to bend than the forefoot area and / or the heel area.

[0033] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the medial reinforcement member and / or the support element and / or the lateral reinforcement member and / or the lateral support element may have a first height, wherein the first height is higher than the height of the midsole in the central region from a lateral direction. This means that the reinforcement member and / or the support element may extend above the central region of the midsole. Thus, the distal end of the reinforcement member and / or the support element extends higher than the central region of the midsole in the vertical direction. The distal end of the reinforcement member and / or the support element may be the highest point of the midsole in the central region (arch region) of the sole assembly.

[0034] In one or more exemplary embodiments, a midsole in a heel region may include a heel support element that covers at least a portion of a tuberosity of a calcaneus bone of a wearer's foot. The heel support element may be an integral part of the midsole of the sole assembly, wherein the heel support may be made of the same material as the midsole element. The heel support element may extend upward in a vertical direction, wherein the heel support element provides support for the user's heel during gait. The heel support element may provide increased stiffness to a heel portion of an upper, wherein the heel support element covers at least a portion of a heel region of the upper and may be optionally bonded to the heel region of the upper.

[0035] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the medial reinforcement member and / or the support element and / or the lateral reinforcement member and / or the support element may have an upper vertical end, wherein the upper vertical end may be located in a region between 0-50% of the distance from the portion of the midsole facing the upper and the instep portion of the upper. The instep portion of the upper may be considered as the portion of the upper that covers the instep of the foot, and may extend from the foot insertion opening and extend toward the toe end of the foot on the top surface of the upper. The apex of the instep portion is approximately at the center of the upper top surface, wherein the distance from the portion of the midsole facing the upper to the apex of the instep portion has a predetermined length for a predetermined size of footwear article. The predetermined length between the apex of the instep and the portion of the midsole facing the upper may be defined as the length of the instep. Therefore, in the context of the present disclosure, the reinforcement member and / or the support element may extend between 0-50% of the predetermined length. Therefore, if the predetermined length between the apex of the instep and the portion of the midsole facing the upper is 8 cm, the height of the reinforcement member and / or the support element may extend between 0 cm and 4 cm from the surface of the midsole facing the upper. The reinforcing member and / or the supporting element may more particularly extend for at least 10% of the predetermined length, or more particularly for at least 20% of the predetermined length, or more particularly for at least 30% of the predetermined length.

[0036] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the midsole may be directly injected (DIP) molded to the upper. Direct injection molding is performed by inserting the upper into a footwear injection mold, wherein the material is injected into the mold, and then the mold is closed. The material expands inside the mold and fills all areas that are fluidly connected to the space into which the material is injected. By using direct injection molding, the midsole and / or sole assembly can be attached to the upper without using any adhesive. Therefore, the midsole will be formed into the contour of each part of the upper to which the midsole is attached. In addition, by utilizing direct injection molding, the reinforcing member and / or support element can be attached to the reinforcing member and / or support element by injecting the reinforcing member and / or support element into the space between the reinforcing member and the upper. Therefore, the material for the midsole will fill all areas in the shoe injection mold that the material can enter. The reinforcing member can be inserted into the mold before injection, wherein the midsole material can be adapted to expand in a manner that the midsole material extends into the area between the upper and the reinforcing member.

[0037] The reinforcing member may have an inner surface, wherein the inner surface may be configured to define at least a portion of the outer surface of the midsole and / or the supporting element. Therefore, the inner surface of the reinforcing member may have the same shape as at least a portion of the outer surface of the midsole and / or the supporting element. Therefore, the reinforcing member may define the injection cavity of the midsole and / or the supporting element. The reinforcing member may define the entire outer surface of the supporting element, wherein the production of the supporting element ensures that the midsole material contacts the inner surface of the reinforcing member, and when the material has solidified, the supporting element extends between the reinforcing member and the upper, wherein the reinforcing member is connected to the supporting element, and the supporting element is connected to the upper. Therefore, the reinforcing member is connected to the upper via the supporting element. The supporting element can be regarded as a part of the midsole and is completely integrated with the midsole.

[0038] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the material of the midsole may be PU (polyurethane), wherein the support element may be PU. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the material of the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member may be TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). The hardness of the TPU of the reinforcement member may be higher than the hardness of PU, wherein the joined support element and reinforcement member may have a hardness greater than the hardness of PU.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal length of the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member may be between 10% and 70% of the longitudinal length of the sole assembly, or more specifically, between 20% and 60% of the longitudinal length of the midsole, or more specifically, between 30% and 50% of the longitudinal length of the sole assembly, or more specifically, between 40% and 45% of the longitudinal length of the sole assembly. The sole assembly and the midsole may be considered synonymous because the length of the midsole may extend in the same manner as the sole assembly. That is, the midsole and the sole assembly extend from the toe end of the footwear article to the heel end. The longitudinal length may be considered as the length from the toe end of the sole assembly to the heel end of the sole assembly.

[0040] The end of the reinforcing member facing the heel may be positioned at a distance from the heel end of the sole assembly in the longitudinal direction. The end of the reinforcing member facing the forefoot may be positioned at a distance from the toe end of the sole assembly in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the end of the reinforcing member in the longitudinal direction may be spaced apart from the heel end and / or the toe end of the sole assembly.

[0041] Providing a reinforcing member having a length less than the length of the sole assembly and / or the midsole means that the use of the reinforcing member can increase the rigidity of a portion of the sole assembly and / or the midsole. The increase in rigidity can then be limited to a portion of the longitudinal length of the sole assembly, so that the rigidity of certain portions of the sole assembly can be lower than the rigidity of the portion of the sole assembly having the reinforcing member. The reinforcing member can extend from a first end of the sole assembly and extend toward the arch region along the longitudinal length of the sole assembly and cover at least a portion of the arch region to increase the rigidity of the midsole in the arch region, while also providing a stiffener between at least two regions of the midsole, i.e., between the heel region and the arch and between the forefoot region and the arch. In different examples, the reinforcing member can extend from the heel region, across the arch region and into the forefoot region of the sole assembly.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member may have an end facing the forefoot, which is located in a region between 20% and 40% of the longitudinal length of the outsole assembly from the toe end of the outsole assembly, or more specifically, in a region between 25% and 35% of the longitudinal length of the outsole assembly from the toe end of the outsole assembly. Thus, the reinforcement member may terminate at a position facing the forefoot region of the sole assembly, and here, the end facing the forefoot provides a termination end where the stiffness increase provided in the sole assembly is provided. From the toe end toward the arch region, the length of the forefoot region of the sole assembly may reach 40% of the length of the sole assembly. The end facing the forefoot of the reinforcement member, for example, may define an end of the arch region of the sole assembly, wherein the forefoot region of the sole assembly may have a bending force that is less than the bending force of the arch region.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member may have an end facing the heel, which is positioned in a region between 10% and 50% of the longitudinal length of the outsole assembly from the heel end of the outsole assembly, or more specifically, in a region between 20% and 40% of the longitudinal length of the outsole assembly from the heel end of the outsole assembly, or more specifically, in a region between 25% and 35% of the longitudinal length of the outsole assembly from the heel end of the outsole assembly. Therefore, the reinforcement member may end at a position facing the heel area of ​​the sole assembly, and here, the end facing the heel provides a termination end at a place where the stiffness increase provided in the sole assembly is provided. From the heel end toward the arch area, the length of the heel area of ​​the sole assembly can reach 50% of the length of the sole assembly. The end facing the heel of the reinforcement member, for example, can define the end of the arch area of ​​the sole assembly, wherein the heel area of ​​the sole assembly can have a bending force less than the bending force of the arch area. Alternatively, the heel-facing end may extend into the heel region of the sole assembly where the arch region and the heel region are reinforced using reinforcing members so that the arch region and the heel region have similar bending forces and have similar stiffness from the heel region to the arch region.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member may have a first wall extending in a vertical direction and a second wall extending in a transverse direction. The vertical direction may be a direction along the outer surface of the upper and / or the outer surface of the midsole. The transverse direction may be a direction parallel to the ground contact surface of the sole assembly. The plane of the first wall may provide rigidity in one direction, and the plane of the second wall may provide rigidity in a second direction. The rigidity of the reinforcement member may be considered as maximum in a direction parallel to the plane of the wall of the reinforcement member, wherein the wall of the reinforcement member may have a higher bending force in a direction parallel to the plane of the wall, and in a direction angled with the plane, for example, in a direction orthogonal to the plane, there is a lower bending force. Therefore, the first wall and the second wall will provide an increased bending force in their respective planes, which provides a higher combined bending force for the reinforcement member.

[0045] In one exemplary embodiment, the first wall can be connected to the second wall. Thus, the first wall and the second wall can be angled relative to each other, with the walls connected to each other along an axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sole assembly. The connection and angle of the first wall relative to the second wall can increase the stiffness of the reinforcement member, wherein the second wall increases the stiffness of the first wall in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the first wall, and vice versa.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member may optionally define the lateral outer surface of the sole assembly in the arch area of ​​the sole assembly. This means that the reinforcement member may define the end sidewall of the sole assembly in a predetermined area of ​​the sole assembly, in which the reinforcement member may, for example, provide dirt and / or damage protection to the sidewall of the midsole, wherein the midsole may be covered by the reinforcement member. The reinforcement member may define an area that may be between 2-15 cm in length and / or between 1-5 cm in height, more preferably between 4-10 cm in length and between 2-4 cm in height. The reinforcement member may extend from the heel area of ​​the sole assembly to the arch area, or from the forefoot area of ​​the sole to the arch area.

[0047] In one exemplary embodiment, the medial and / or lateral reinforcement members may include a peripheral member that extends inwardly in a medial direction from an outer lateral surface of the medial and / or lateral reinforcement members (providing greater stiffness and may cover the midsole).

[0048] In one exemplary embodiment, the medial support element and / or the lateral support element may have a first material hardness and the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member may have a second material hardness, wherein the first material hardness is different than the second material hardness.

[0049] The present disclosure provides a sole assembly, which includes: a midsole, which has a foot-facing surface, a ground-facing surface, a heel area, a forefoot area, and an arch area along a longitudinal direction between the heel area and the forefoot area; a medial reinforcement member located on the inner side of the midsole and / or a lateral reinforcement member located on the outer side of the midsole, wherein the medial and / or lateral reinforcement members are configured to increase the stiffness of the midsole in the arch area along the longitudinal direction.

[0050] In one embodiment, the distal surface (upper surface) of the midsole and / or the reinforcing member may be provided with a fixing member. The fixing member may be used to attach a shoelace or a tensioning device adapted to extend from the medial support element or reinforcing member to the distal support element or reinforcing member, across the instep of the user. Thus, the fixing member arrangement may be adapted to provide a mechanical connection to the midsole via the support element and / or the reinforcing member.

[0051] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the medial support element and / or the lateral support element may extend in a vertical direction from the surface facing the foot. The support element may extend upward from the midsole, wherein the support element may raise the height of the midsole in the arch area of ​​the sole assembly. The support element may rise upward to support the side of the foot, wherein the support element may be attached to the outside of the upper and provide support to the user's foot during use. The support element may extend vertically upward.

[0052] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the medial support element and / or the lateral support element may extend from the surface facing the foot in a medial direction. By extending the support element inwardly in the medial direction, the support element may extend inwardly toward a vertical plane extending along the longitudinal axis of the footwear article. The medial extension may mean that the support element may follow the shape of the upper and / or the user's foot, wherein the user's foot bends in a medial direction from the sole toward the instep of the foot. The inward extension of the support element may be adapted to follow the shape of the foot to provide support in the lateral and / or medial side of the foot in the arch area, i.e., on the side of the foot between the heel and the forefoot area.

[0053] In one embodiment, the support element may have a curvature that follows the curvature of an outer surface of the upper and / or an outer surface of a user's foot in the arch region of the article of footwear.

[0054] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the medial support element and / or the lateral support element may abut the outer surface of the upper. This means that the support element can provide mechanical strength for the upper of the footwear article. Therefore, providing a support element may mean that mechanical reinforcement of the upper may not be necessary, because the support element of the midsole provides mechanical reinforcement for the upper side. Therefore, it may not be necessary to provide a reinforcing element to improve the tensile strength of the upper in the area where, for example, the lacing system is tightened to achieve foot-side support. The upper of the shoe is adapted to fit the user's foot, and by having a support element abutting the upper, the support element provides support to the foot side during use. The support element may be configured to increase the resistance in the area where the support element is provided, thereby reducing the tendency of the upper to be forced outward in the lateral direction when the support element is enlarged, providing a reaction force for the upper side.

[0055] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the support element may bond the reinforcement member to the outer surface of the upper. The present disclosure is configured to attach the reinforcement member to the support element, wherein the support element is bonded to the reinforcement member on a side facing the reinforcement member. The support element may be bonded on a side opposite to the upper so that the reinforcement member is bonded to the upper via the support element. In particular, when the support element expands into the space between the upper and the reinforcement member, the solidification of the support element provides bonding between the two surfaces. Therefore, the material for the midsole can fill all areas accessible to the material of the shoe injection mold. The reinforcement member may be inserted into the mold before injection, wherein the midsole material may be adapted to expand in a manner that the midsole material extends into the region between the upper and the reinforcement member and bonds the reinforcement member to the upper.

[0056] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the support element may couple the reinforcement member to the sole assembly. The present disclosure is configured to attach the reinforcement member to the support element, wherein the support element is coupled to the reinforcement member on a side facing the reinforcement member. The support element extends from the midsole and ensures that the reinforcement member is attached to the midsole and thereby to the sole assembly. In particular, when the support element expands into the space defined by the reinforcement member and contacts the inner surface of the reinforcement member.

[0057] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member may surround at least a portion of the lateral surface of the medial support element and / or the lateral support element, respectively, wherein the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member may optionally surround the entire lateral surface of the medial support element and / or the lateral support element, respectively. Thus, the reinforcement member may be adapted to cover the outer surface of the support element, wherein the outermost surface of the sole assembly may be defined by the reinforcement member. Thus, the reinforcement member may, for example, be adapted to protect the material of the support element from wear, discoloration and / or degradation. In one example, the reinforcement member may surround the entire outer surface of the support element, such that the support element is not visible from the outside of the article of footwear.

[0058] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the medial support element and / or the lateral support element may extend in a vertical direction from the ground-facing surface of the midsole. Thus, the support element may extend upward from the ground-facing surface of the midsole, thereby extending the height of the midsole in the area of ​​the support element. The support element may extend from the ground-facing surface and extend upward toward the distal end, wherein the distal end extends beyond the top surface of the midsole (the surface facing the upper). Thus, the distal end of the support element may be the top of the midsole and / or the sole assembly in the arch area of ​​the sole assembly.

[0059] In one embodiment, the distal surface of the support element and / or reinforcement member may be provided with a fixing member. The fixing member may be used to attach a shoelace or a tensioning device adapted to extend from the medial support element or reinforcement member to the distal support element or reinforcement member, across the instep of the user. Thus, the fixing member arrangement may be adapted to provide a mechanical connection to the midsole via the support element and / or reinforcement member.

[0060] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the height of a portion of the medial support element and / or the lateral support element in the vertical direction may be at least 150% of the height of the midsole in the central region defined in the lateral direction, or more preferably, the height in the vertical direction may be at least 180% of the height of the midsole in the central region defined in the lateral direction, or more preferably, the height in the vertical direction may be at least 200% of the height of the midsole in the central region defined in the lateral direction, or more preferably, the height in the vertical direction may be at least 230% of the height of the midsole in the central region defined in the lateral direction. The height may be defined as the length in the vertical direction upward from the surface facing the ground.

[0061] Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments and details are described with reference to the accompanying drawings when relevant. It should be noted that the drawings may be drawn to scale or not, and that elements of similar structure or function are represented by similar reference numerals throughout the drawings. It should also be noted that the drawings are intended only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended to be an exhaustive description of the present invention or to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, the embodiments shown do not necessarily have all the aspects or advantages shown. The aspects or advantages described in conjunction with a particular embodiment are not necessarily limited to that embodiment, and may be practiced in any other embodiment even if not shown or not so explicitly described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] The following is a description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0063] Figure 1 showing a side view of an exemplary article of footwear,

[0064] Figure 2 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the arch area of ​​an exemplary article of footwear taken along line II-II,

[0065] Figure 3 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the arch area of ​​an exemplary article of footwear taken along line II-II,

[0066] Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of an exemplary sole assembly,

[0067] Figure 5 A perspective view of the medial side of a portion of an exemplary sole assembly is shown,

[0068] Figure 6 a perspective view showing a portion of the lateral side of an exemplary article of footwear, and

[0069] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the arch area of ​​an exemplary article of footwear is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] Figure 1 A side view of an exemplary article of footwear 2 is shown, wherein the article of footwear includes an upper 4 and a sole assembly 6. The article of footwear can be considered to have a forefoot region 8, a heel region 10, and an arch region 12, wherein the forefoot region can be considered to be an area that accommodates the user's forefoot, the heel region 10 can be an area that accommodates the user's heel, and the arch region 12 can be considered to be an area that accommodates the user's arch and instep during use. In a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the article of footwear, the regions 8, 10, 12 can be considered to be independent parts of the article of footwear, wherein each region can be considered to have a specific purpose, wherein the forefoot region 8 can be considered to be a flexible area of ​​the footwear, allowing the sole assembly 6 to flex with the user's foot. The heel region 10 can be considered to be a portion that provides initial shock absorption during gait, and the arch region 12 can be considered to be a portion of the article of footwear 2 that provides support to the arch region of the foot and the instep of the foot to the user during use.

[0071] The upper 4 includes a heel end 20 , a foot insertion opening 14 , an instep portion 16 , and a toe end 18 , wherein the upper 4 can be permanently connected to the sole assembly 6 at a ground-facing surface (not shown) of the upper 4 from the toe end 18 toward the heel end 20 .

[0072] The sole assembly 6 includes a heel region 22, an arch region 24, and a forefoot region 26, wherein the arch region 24 is positioned between the heel region 22 and the forefoot region 26 in a direction along the longitudinal axis A. The sole assembly may include a midsole 28 that may provide shock absorption and an outsole 30 that may provide a ground contacting surface 32. In this exemplary embodiment, the heel region 22 of the sole assembly 6 includes a heel cap 34 that may provide support for the user's heel during use, wherein the heel cap 34 may be integral with the midsole 28 and may be made of the same material as the midsole 28. The forefoot region 26 may include a peripheral portion 36 that is adjacent to and bonded to an outer surface 38 of the upper 4.

[0073] The arch area 24 of the sole assembly 6 may include a medial support member 40, wherein the medial support member 40 extends upward from the ground-facing surface 42 of the midsole 28 and along the outer surface 38 of the upper, and extends a predetermined distance along the surface 38 of the upper 4 in a direction toward the instep portion 16 of the upper 4. The support member 40 may be limited to the arch area of ​​the footwear article, that is, the support member 40 does not extend toward the last 25% of the length of the sole assembly in the longitudinal direction, and / or does not extend to the first 25% of the length of the sole assembly in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the support member may be outside the heel area 22 and / or the forefoot area 26.

[0074] The support member 40 may have a heel end 44 and a toe end 46 and a distal end 48 , wherein the support member 40 may be taller at the heel end 44 than at the toe end 46 , and the support member 40 may optionally gradually decrease in height from the heel end 44 toward the toe end 46 .

[0075] The support structure 40 may include a support element 50 (not shown), which is part of the midsole 28 of the sole assembly, and a reinforcement member 52, which may be a separate element that may be bonded to the support element, such as Figure 2 shown.

[0076] The sole assembly 6 may include a first flex zone 54 extending between the forefoot region 26 and the arch region 24, and / or a second flex zone 56 extending between the heel region 22 and the arch region 24. The first flex zone 54 may be adapted to provide an area of ​​increased or decreased flex between the arch region 24 and the forefoot region 26. The second flex zone 56 may be adapted to provide an area of ​​increased or decreased flex between the arch region 24 and the heel region 22. Thus, in one example, the second flex zone may be adapted to provide a reduced flex between the heel region 22 and the arch region 24, which may mean that the arch region 24 and the heel region may have a certain degree of uniform flexibility along their lengths. In one example, the first flex zone 54 may have a reduced flexibility, allowing the forefoot region 26 to flex to some extent independently of the arch region 24, i.e., the forefoot can flex or bend with a lower force than, for example, the arch region.

[0077] The support elements shown in the figures may be of any kind or size and may be an integral part of the midsole, and within the scope of the present invention the support elements may also be considered external to the midsole.

[0078] Figure 2 Shown along Figure 1 2. The upper 4 extends from a foot-facing surface 58 of the midsole 28 and defines a portion of a foot insertion space 60 of the footwear article 2. The midsole 28 has a medial side 62 and a lateral side 64, as well as a central area 66.

[0079] The sole assembly 6 may include a medial support member 68 (similar to Figure 14 , wherein the medial support member includes a support element 70 that is an integral part of the medial side 62 of the midsole 28, extends in an upward direction from the foot-facing surface 58 and terminates at a distal end 72. The support element 70 can be coupled to the outer surface 38 of the upper to provide support for the medial side 74 of the upper 4, thereby providing support for the foot when the foot is located in the foot insertion space 60. The medial support member 68 can also include a reinforcement member 76, wherein the reinforcement member 76 abuts the outer surface 78 of the support element 70 and is coupled to the midsole 28 and the support element 70 of the sole assembly 6. The reinforcement member 76 can have an inner surface 80 that is connected to the support element 70 along its vertical length and along its longitudinal length (along the longitudinal axis A). The reinforcement member 76 can have a distal portion 82 that is angled with a main body portion 84 of the reinforcement member and terminates at a distal periphery 86 that can abut the outer surface 38 of the upper 4. Reinforcement member 76 is attached to midsole 28 via support element 70 , wherein during manufacture of support element 70 via direct injection molding, the support element fills the space between reinforcement member 76 and upper 4 and attaches the reinforcement member to upper 4 upon curing.

[0080] The sole assembly 6 may include a lateral support member 68' (similar to Figure 1 4 , wherein the lateral support member includes a support element 70' that is an integral part of the lateral side 62' of the midsole 28 and extends from the foot-facing surface 58 in an upward direction and terminates at a distal end 72'. The support element 70' can be coupled to the outer surface 38 of the upper to provide support for the lateral side 74' of the upper 4, thereby providing support for the foot when the foot is located in the foot insertion space 60. The lateral support member 68' can further include a reinforcement member 76', wherein the reinforcement member 76' is adjacent to the outer surface 78 of the support element 70' and is coupled to the midsole 28 and the support element 70' of the sole assembly 6. The reinforcement member 76' can have an inner surface 80' that is connected to the support element 70' along its vertical length and along its longitudinal length (along the longitudinal axis A). Reinforcement member 76' may have a distal portion 82' that is angled with main body portion 84' of the reinforcement member and terminates at a distal periphery 86' that may abut outer surface 38 of upper 4. Reinforcement member 76' may be attached to midsole 28 via support element 70', wherein during manufacture of support element 70' via direct injection molding, the support element fills a space between reinforcement member 76' and upper 4 and attaches the reinforcement member to upper 4 upon curing.

[0081] The support member 68 may be adapted to provide increased stiffness in a lateral direction and may be adapted to provide support to the side of a user's foot during use.

[0082] Figure 3In addition to the midsole 38 defining the ground contact surface, Figure 2 An article of footwear similar to that shown in 2. Figure 2 The description can be applied similarly to Figure 3 middle.

[0083] Figure 4 An exploded view of a sole assembly 90 according to the present disclosure is shown, wherein the sole assembly 90 includes a midsole 92 extending from a toe end 94 to a heel end 96 along a longitudinal axis A of the sole assembly. The midsole 92 includes a medial support element 98 and a lateral support element 100 located at the peripheral boundary of an arch region 102 of the sole assembly 90. The midsole 92 can be injection molded directly to an upper (not shown) inside a shoe mold assembly, wherein the midsole is defined by an empty space into which an expansion material can be filled, and when the material cures, the midsole will take the shape of the empty space of the mold. The support elements 98 and 100 can include a heel end 104, a distal end 106, and a toe end 108, and a medial surface 110, wherein the shape of the support elements can be defined by the inner surfaces 112 of the medial reinforcement member 114 and the lateral reinforcement member 116, respectively. Reinforcement members 112, 114 may be preformed and inserted into predetermined portions of a shoe mold such that reinforcement members 112, 114 define the shapes of support elements 98, 100, respectively, with the toe, distal and heel ends being defined by corresponding inner surfaces on the reinforcement members.

[0084] Figure 5 An exemplary portion of a lateral periphery 118 of a sole assembly 6 according to the present disclosure is shown, wherein the lateral periphery 118 includes a heel region 120, an arch region 122, and a forefoot region 124. The lateral periphery 118 may be integral or monolithic with the midsole of the sole assembly 6, wherein an inner surface 126 is configured to be bonded to an upper (not shown) of an article of footwear. An upper edge 128 of the heel region 120 and an upper edge 130 of the forefoot region may be defined by the shape of a shoe injection mold (not shown) that is clamped to an upper that has been mounted on a last. However, as can be seen, the sole assembly 6 includes a reinforcing member 132 having an inner edge 134, wherein the inner edge 134 is adapted to contact the upper of the last, and the inner edge and the space defined by the reinforcing member define the profile of a support element 136, wherein the support element 136 attaches the reinforcing member 132 to the upper. Reinforcement member 132 may have a higher stiffness than support elements, meaning that arch area 122 of sole assembly 6 is stiffer than forefoot area 124 and heel area 120 .

[0085] Figure 6 A perspective view of a portion of the lateral side of an exemplary article of footwear 2 is shown having an upper 4 and a sole assembly 6 . Figure 6 The reference numerals used in Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 Same as shown in, Figure 1 or Figure 2 The components shown are also available in Figure 6 4, even though they are not explicitly named below. The sole assembly 6 includes a heel region 22, an arch region 24, and a forefoot region 26, wherein the arch region 24 is located between the heel region 22 and the forefoot region 26 in the direction along the longitudinal axis A. The sole assembly 6 includes a support member 40 in the arch region 24, the support member 40 including a reinforcement member 52 and a support element 70 (not visible) because the reinforcement member 52 covers the entire support element so that the support element cannot be seen from the outside, but is located between the inner surface of the reinforcement member and the outer surface 38 of the upper 4. The reinforcement member 52 can extend from the upper surface 40 of the outsole 30 toward its distal end 82.

[0086] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the arch region of an exemplary article of footwear 100 is shown, wherein an upper 102 extends from a foot-facing surface 104 of a midsole 106 and defines a portion of a foot insertion space 108 of the article of footwear 100 .

[0087] The sole assembly 110 may include a medial reinforcement member 112 and a lateral reinforcement member 114 having an inner surface 116 that may be bonded to the outside of the medial and / or lateral surfaces 118 of the midsole 106. The reinforcement members 112 and 114 may include a first wall 120 and a second wall 122, wherein the first wall 120 provides increased stiffness in the horizontal direction and the second wall 122 provides increased stiffness in the vertical direction. The two walls may be connected to each other via a connecting portion 124, which allows the stiffness of one wall to be transferred to the second wall, thereby creating a reinforcement member 112, 114 having stiffness in at least two directions. This may also be achieved in a manner that allows the reinforcement member 112, 114 to have stiffness in at least two directions. Figure 6 Seen in.

[0088] Figure 6 The second wall 122 shown in FIG. 1 may further include an upper wall 126 and a lower wall 128 , which may be angled relative to each other via a middle portion 130 such that the second wall may provide reinforcement in two directions that are non-parallel to each other, both of which are different from the direction of the first wall 120 .

[0089] The use of the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primarily," "secondarily," "against," and the like, does not imply any particular order, but is included to identify individual elements. Furthermore, the use of the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primarily," "secondarily," "against," and the like, does not indicate any order or importance, but rather the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primarily," "secondarily," "against," and the like, are used to distinguish one element from another. Note that the words "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primarily," "secondarily," "against," and the like, here and elsewhere, are used for labeling purposes only and are not intended to indicate any particular spatial or temporal order.

[0090] Furthermore, the marking of a first element does not imply the presence of a second element, and vice versa.

[0091] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.

[0092]

[0063] To be noted, the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0093] It should also be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that exemplary embodiments may be implemented at least partially by means of hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

[0094] Although various features have been shown and described, it should be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, the specification and drawings should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising an upper having an outer surface, a foot insertion space, and a surface facing the sole; The sole assembly comprises: a midsole having a foot-facing surface, a ground-facing surface, a heel region, a forefoot region and an arch region between the heel region and the forefoot region in a longitudinal direction, a medial reinforcement member located on a medial side of the midsole and a lateral reinforcement member located on a lateral side of the midsole, wherein the medial and lateral reinforcement members are configured to increase the stiffness of the midsole in a longitudinal direction in the arch region, wherein the medial reinforcement member and the lateral reinforcement member have a first wall extending in a vertical direction and a second wall extending in a transverse direction, the vertical direction being a direction along an outer surface of the midsole, the transverse direction being a direction parallel to a ground contact surface of the sole assembly, the first wall and the second wall being connected via a connecting portion so that the medial reinforcement member and the lateral reinforcement member have rigidity in both the vertical direction and the transverse direction, wherein the medial reinforcement member and the lateral reinforcement member are separate from each other and do not extend in a direction below an upper of the article of footwear, Therein, the midsole has a first material hardness, and the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member has a second material hardness, wherein the first material hardness is different from the second material hardness.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein: The sole assembly includes an outsole having a ground facing surface and a midsole facing surface.

3. An article of footwear according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The midsole includes a portion of reduced stiffness in an area between the forefoot region and a forefoot-facing portion of the medial reinforcement member and / or a forefoot-facing portion of the lateral reinforcement member.

4. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein: The midsole includes a reduced stiffness portion in an area between the heel region of the midsole and a forefoot facing portion of the medial reinforcement member and / or a heel facing portion of the lateral reinforcement member.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein: The first material hardness is lower than the second material hardness.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein: The medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member has a longitudinal length between 10% and 70% of the longitudinal length of the outsole.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein: The medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member has a longitudinal length between 20% and 60% of the longitudinal length of the outsole.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein: The medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member has a longitudinal length between 30% and 50% of the longitudinal length of the outsole.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein: The medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member has a longitudinal length between 40% and 45% of the longitudinal length of the outsole.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein: The medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member has a forefoot-facing end located in a region between 20% and 40% of the longitudinal length of the outsole from the toe end of the outsole.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein: The area is a region between 25% and 35% of the longitudinal length of the outsole from the toe end of the outsole.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein: The medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member has a heel-facing end located in a region between 10% and 50% of the longitudinal length of the outsole from the heel end of the outsole.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 12, wherein: The area is a region between 20% and 40% of the longitudinal length of the outsole from the heel end of the outsole.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 12, wherein: The area is a region between 25% and 35% of the longitudinal length of the outsole from the heel end of the outsole.

15. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein: The medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member define a lateral outer surface of the sole assembly.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein: The medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member define a lateral outer surface of the sole assembly in the arch region of the sole assembly.

17. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein: The inner reinforcement member and / or the outer reinforcement member includes a peripheral member extending inwardly in the inner direction from an outer lateral surface of the inner reinforcement member and / or the outer reinforcement member.

18. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein: The midsole also includes a medial support element and a lateral support element extending in a vertical direction from a ground-facing surface of the midsole, and the medial reinforcement member and the lateral reinforcement member surround at least a portion of a lateral surface of the medial support element and the lateral support element, respectively.

19. A sole assembly comprising: a midsole having a foot-facing surface, a ground-facing surface, a heel region, a forefoot region and an arch region between the heel region and the forefoot region in a longitudinal direction, a medial reinforcement member located on a medial side of the midsole and a lateral reinforcement member located on a lateral side of the midsole, wherein the medial and lateral reinforcement members are configured to increase the stiffness of the midsole in a longitudinal direction in the arch region, wherein the medial reinforcement member and the lateral reinforcement member have a first wall extending in a vertical direction and a second wall extending in a transverse direction, the vertical direction being a direction along an outer surface of the midsole, the transverse direction being a direction parallel to a ground contact surface of the sole assembly, the first wall and the second wall being connected via a connecting portion so that the medial reinforcement member and the lateral reinforcement member have rigidity in both the vertical direction and the transverse direction, wherein the medial reinforcement member and the lateral reinforcement member are separate from one another and do not extend in a direction below an upper of an article of footwear including the sole assembly, Therein, the midsole has a first material hardness, and the medial reinforcement member and / or the lateral reinforcement member has a second material hardness, wherein the first material hardness is different from the second material hardness.

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