Foot support components for footwear

Abstract

The foot support component (250, 260, 360, 460) of the footwear article (200) includes: (a) a lateral sidewall (260L) extending to and forming a lateral free edge (260LT); (b) a medial sidewall (260M) opposite the lateral sidewall, extending to and forming a medial free edge (260MT); and (c) a base support surface (260S) having an outer surface (260B) and an opposing inner surface (260T). The base support surface (260S) can be formed to include one or more arch-shaped foot support members / strips (270). The local extrema (270E) (e.g., apex) of the arched foot supporting member / strip (270) is located in the central region of the arched foot supporting member / strip (270) between the lateral side wall (260L) and the medial side wall (260M). The arched foot supporting member / strip 270 may originate at or near the lateral side wall (260L) and the medial side wall (260M) at a location spaced apart from the lateral free edge (260LT) and the medial free edge (260MT). Open spaces (280) (e.g., through holes) extend between and separate the individual foot supporting members / strips (270). In some examples, at least 75% of the rearward edge (270RE) of the arch foot support member / strip (270) will be separated from at least 75% of the forward edge (270FE) of the forwardly adjacent arch foot support member / strip (270) by an open space (280) extending between and separating adjacent arch foot support members / strips (270).

Description

[0001] Related application data

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 905,649, filed on September 25, 2019. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 905,649 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present technology relates to the field of footwear. More specifically, aspects of the present technology relate to foot-supporting components of footwear articles. Background Art

[0004] Conventional articles of athletic footwear include two major components: an upper and a sole structure. The upper provides a covering for the foot that securely holds and positions the foot relative to the sole structure. Additionally, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure is secured to the lower surface of the upper and is generally located between the foot and any contact surface. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and absorbing energy, the sole structure may also provide traction and control potentially harmful foot motions, such as excessive pronation. The general features and configurations of the upper and sole structure will be discussed in more detail below.

[0005] The upper forms a cavity inside the footwear for accommodating the foot. The cavity has the general shape of the foot and is provided with an entrance to the cavity at the ankle opening or the foot insertion opening. Thus, the upper extends along the medial and lateral sides of the foot and around the heel area of ​​the foot over the instep area and toe area of ​​the foot. A lacing system is typically incorporated into the upper to selectively change the size of the ankle opening and allow the wearer to modify certain dimensions of the upper, particularly girth, to accommodate feet of different proportions. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends below the lacing system to enhance the comfort of the footwear (e.g., to adjust the pressure applied to the foot by the lacing), and the upper may also include a heel stabilizer to limit or control the movement of the heel.

[0006] The sole structure typically incorporates multiple layers, which are often referred to as an "insole," "midsole," and "outsole." The insole (which may also constitute the sockliner) is a thin member located within the upper and adjacent to the plantar (lower) surface of the foot to enhance footwear comfort, such as by wicking away moisture. The midsole, which is traditionally attached to the upper along the entire length of the upper, forms the middle layer of the sole structure and serves a number of purposes, including controlling foot motion and attenuating impact forces. The outsole forms the ground-contacting element of the footwear and is typically made of a durable and wear-resistant material that includes texture or other features to improve traction.

[0007] The primary element of a conventional midsole is a resilient polymer foam material, such as polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate ("EVA"), which extends the entire length of the footwear. The properties of the polymer foam material in the midsole depend primarily on factors including the dimensional configuration of the midsole and the specific characteristics of the material selected for the polymer foam, including the density of the polymer foam material. By varying these factors throughout the midsole, the relative stiffness, degree of ground reaction force attenuation, and energy absorption characteristics can be varied to meet the specific requirements of the activity for which the footwear is intended to be used.

[0008] the term

[0009] Some general terms and information are provided that will help understand the various parts of this specification and the invention as described herein. As mentioned above, the present technology relates to the field of footwear, but it can also relate to other foot-receiving devices. "Foot-receiving device" refers to any device used by a user to place at least some portion of his or her foot. In addition to various types of footwear (described below), foot-receiving devices also include, but are not limited to: bindings and other devices for securing the foot in skis, cross-country skis, water skis, snowboards, etc.; bindings, clamps or other devices for securing the foot in pedals for use with bicycles, sports equipment, etc.; bindings, clamps or other devices for accommodating the foot during the play of video games or other games, etc. "Foot-receiving device" may include: (a) one or more "foot covering members" (e.g., similar to footwear upper parts) that help position the foot relative to other parts or structures; and (b) one or more "foot supporting members" or "foot supporting parts" (e.g., similar to footwear sole structures and parts thereof) that help support at least some portions of the plantar surface of the user's foot. "Footwear" refers to any type of apparel for the foot, and the term includes, but is not limited to, all types of shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, flip-flops, slippers, loafers, loafers, athletic shoes (such as golf shoes, tennis shoes, baseball shoes, soccer shoes or football shoes, ski boots, basketball shoes, cross-training shoes, track shoes, track and field shoes (e.g., for high jump, triple jump, etc.), etc., etc. "Foot-supporting members" may include components used for and / or as midsoles and / or outsoles of articles of footwear (or components that provide corresponding functions in non-footwear foot-receiving devices).

[0010] Figure 1A Information that can be used to explain and understand the description and / or aspects of the present technology is also provided. Figure 1AA representation of a footwear / foot-receiving device component 100 is provided, which in the illustrated example, constitutes a portion of a sole structure of an article of footwear. The same general definitions and terminology described below may generally apply to footwear and foot-receiving devices and / or other footwear / foot-receiving device components or portions thereof, such as uppers, midsole components, outsole components, sole structures, etc.

[0011] First, if Figure 1A As illustrated, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, the terms “forward” or “forward direction” as used herein refer to the direction toward or in the direction toward the foremost toe region FT of the footwear or foot-receiving device structure or component 100. Unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, the terms “rearward” or “rearward direction” as used herein refer to the direction toward or in the direction toward the rearmost heel region RH of the footwear or foot-receiving device structure or component 100. Unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, the terms “lateral” or “lateral side” as used herein refer to the outside or “little toe” side of the footwear or foot-receiving device structure or component 100. Unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, the terms “medial” or “medial side” as used herein refer to the inside or “big toe” side of the footwear or foot-receiving device structure or component 100.

[0012] Furthermore, various example features and aspects of the present technology are disclosed or explained herein with reference to a “longitudinal direction” and / or a “longitudinal length” L relative to a footwear / foot-receiving device component 100 (such as a footwear sole structure). Figure 1A As shown, the “longitudinal direction” is defined as the distance from the rear heel position ( ) of the footwear component 100 in question (in the illustrated example, the sole structure or foot-supporting member) to the rear heel position ( Figure 1A RH) extends to the most forward toe position ( Figure 1AFT). The "longitudinal length" L is the length dimension measured from the rearmost heel position RH to the foremost toe position FT. When component 100 (e.g., a sole structure or foot-supporting member in this illustrated example, optionally as part of an article of footwear or foot-receiving device) is oriented on a horizontal support surface S in an unloaded state (e.g., with no weight applied thereto except for the possible weight of the shoe / foot-receiving device component engaged therewith), the rearmost heel position RH and the foremost toe position FT can be located by determining the rear heel and foretoe tangent points relative to front and rear parallel vertical planes VP. If the foremost and / or rearmost positions of a particular footwear or foot-receiving device component 100 constitute line segments (rather than tangent points), the foremost toe position and / or rearmost heel position constitute the midpoints of the corresponding line segments. If the foremost and / or rearmost positions of a particular footwear or foot-receiving device component 100 constitute two or more separate points or line segments, the foremost toe position and / or rearmost heel position constitutes the midpoint of the line segment connecting the most distantly spaced and separated points and / or the most distantly spaced and separated endpoints of those line segments (regardless of whether the midpoint itself is located on the component 100 structure). If the foremost and / or rearmost positions constitute one or more regions, the foremost toe position and / or rearmost heel position constitutes the geographic center of the region or combined regions (regardless of whether the geographic center itself is located on the component 100 structure).

[0013] Once the longitudinal direction of the component or structure 100 has been determined, wherein the component 100 is oriented on the horizontal support surface S, the plane can be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (e.g., in and out). Figure 1A The positions of these vertical planes can be specified based on their positions along the longitudinal length L, where the vertical planes intersect the longitudinal direction between the rearmost heel position RH and the forwardmost toe position FT. Figure 1A In this illustrated example, the rearmost heel position RH is considered to be the starting point of measurement (or "0L position"), and the forward-most toe position FT is considered to be the end (or "1.0L position") of the longitudinal length L of the component. The planar position can be specified based on its position along the longitudinal length L (between 0L and 1.0L), measured forward from the rearmost heel RH position in this example. Figure 1A Also shown are the positions of various planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (and positioned in the transverse direction) and located along the longitudinal length L at positions 0.25L, 0.4L, 0.5L, 0.55L, 0.6L and 0.8L (measured in the forward direction from the rearmost heel position RH). Figure 1AIn the view shown, these planes may extend into the page of the paper, and similar planes may be oriented at any other desired position along the longitudinal length L. Although these planes may be parallel to the parallel vertical planes VP used to determine the rearmost heel RH and foremost toe FT positions, this is not required. Instead, the orientation of the vertical planes along the longitudinal length L will depend on the orientation of the longitudinal direction, which is oriented in the longitudinal direction. Figure 1A The arrangement / orientation shown may or may not be parallel to the horizontal surface S. Figure 1A The illustrated "lateral direction" is also perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (and optionally, in at least some cases, may extend in the direction of the horizontal surface S).

[0014] Unless otherwise defined or clear from the context, the term "strip" as used herein refers to a thin, narrow strip of a foot-supporting component that extends across and forms a portion of a base support surface of a foot-supporting component. In at least some examples, a "strip" will have a thickness dimension "T" (e.g., in a top-to-bottom direction of the foot-supporting component / footwear), a width dimension "W" (e.g., a direct dimension across the component from one open space to an opposite and adjacent open space—in some examples, the dimension in a heel-to-toe direction of the foot-supporting component and / or in a longitudinal direction of the sole structure / footwear), and a width dimension "B" (e.g., transverse to the width dimension—in some examples, the dimension in a lateral-to-medial direction of the foot-supporting component and / or in a lateral direction of the sole structure / footwear). In some examples of the present technology, a "strip" may have any one or more of the following features: (a) T = 0.01W to 0.6W; (b) T = 0.025W to 0.5W; (c) T = 0.05W to 0.45W; (d) T = 0.075W to 0.35W; (e) W = 0.01B to 0.4B; (f) W = 0.02B to 0.35B; (g) W = 0.03B to 0.3B; and / or (h) W = 0.05B ​​to 0.25B. Although a "strip" may have a generally rectangular shape or may be formed as a rectangular prism, the term "strip" as used herein may have one or more rounded corners and / or edges. A "strip" may also have curved edges in any dimension (including curved edges in one or more of the thickness, breadth, and / or width dimensions).

[0015] Unless otherwise defined or clear from the context, the term "extremum" as used herein refers to the inflection point of a curved or arched surface. With respect to foot-supporting members and / or strips as described herein, an "extremum" corresponds to the apex of a curved surface when the foot-supporting member, sole structure, and / or article of footwear is supported on a horizontal support surface on its ground-facing surface, such as in an unloaded state (e.g., with no external forces applied thereto other than forces holding the foot-supporting member, sole structure, and / or article of footwear together).

[0016] Unless otherwise defined or clear from the context, the term "central area" of a foot-supporting member or strip as used herein refers to the central 35% to 65% of the foot-supporting member or strip in its longest dimension B (e.g., in some instances, the longest dimension of the member / strip will be the width dimension and / or in the lateral to medial direction of the foot-supporting member or strip). If a foot-supporting member or strip is considered to have the longest dimension B in one direction (e.g., from its lateral endpoint to its medial endpoint), then the "central 35% to 65%" or "central area" of the foot-supporting member or strip refers to the area located between 0.35B and 0.65B measured from a starting point on either side. See Figure 1B The shadow area.

[0017] Unless otherwise stated or clear from the context, the phrase "beginning at or near" as used herein refers to the location of the opening or open space that defines the outer end of the foot-supporting member / strip on the width dimension B (the outer point of the opening or open space that defines the edge of the foot-supporting member / strip) is directly at or within 20 mm of any portion of the corresponding sidewall of the component. In some examples, the foot-supporting member / strip will begin (have a "starting point") within 15 mm, within 10 mm, or even within 5 mm of the corresponding sidewall. Foot-supporting members / strips defined by an opening or open space that begins in a sidewall fall within the scope of the term "beginning at or near" unless the phrase is further modified to explicitly state that the foot-supporting member / strip begins at the base support surface. Similarly, the phrase "located at or near" means that any part of the article (e.g., the "starting point" and the "sidewall") are within 20 mm of each other (and in some instances, when stated, may be within 15 mm, within 10 mm, within 5 mm, or even touching).

[0018] Unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, the term "spaced apart" as used herein means that there is at least some measurable distance between the components. In some more specific examples, if specified, a foot-supporting member / strip may start at (have a "starting point") at a location that is "spaced apart" from the free edge of the sidewall by a direct distance of at least 2 mm (and in some examples, at least 3 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, or even at least 15 mm). Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examples, a distance or dimension (e.g., a sidewall height dimension or other direct distance measurement) of at least 2 mm (and in some examples, at least 3 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, or even at least 15 mm) may exist between: (a) the outer end of the foot-supporting member / strip on the width dimension B (the outer point defining the opening or open space of the edge of the foot-supporting member / strip) and (b) the free (e.g., top) edge of the corresponding sidewall.

[0019] Unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, the term "substantially parallel" as used herein refers to two items (e.g., two edges of a foot-supporting member / slat, two edges defining an opening of a foot-supporting member / slat, etc.): (a) are parallel (i.e., separated by a constant distance), (b) are separated by a "substantially constant distance "d" (i.e., ±10%) over at least 85% of at least one dimension of the item (e.g., the width dimension of at least one edge), and / or (c) extend in directions (e.g., the width dimension direction) that do not intersect (e.g., within the base support surface) and are at an angle of less than 10 degrees to each other. Edges that directly intersect each other (e.g., within the base support surface) are not "substantially parallel", regardless of their angle relative to each other. Edges do not need to be straight lines to be "substantially parallel".

[0020] As used herein, the term "majority" refers to any amount of "greater than 50%." As used herein, the phrase "foot-supporting member / slat" (including variations thereof) refers to "foot-supporting member and / or slat." Summary of the invention

[0021] The foot-supporting component includes a plurality of arched foot-supporting members (e.g., arched slats) that form at least a portion of a sole structure / footbed of the article of footwear. Spacing between the individual foot-supporting members enables selective activation of one or more of the individual members to provide support where needed and enhance overall comfort without unduly stiffening the footbed. When made of a sufficiently rigid / elastic material, the foot-supporting component can flex (e.g., flatten) under an applied force, and then, when the force sufficiently diminishes / relaxes, apply return energy to the wearer's foot by springing back to and / or rebounding toward its original shape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements throughout the various views where such reference numerals appear.

[0023] Figure 1A and Figure 1B Background and definition information is provided to help illustrate and explain certain terms used in this application and certain aspects of the technology to aid in understanding;

[0024] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Provides exploded views and rear heel views of a heel region and / or heel component of a foot-supporting component, a sole structure, and / or an article of footwear according to some examples of the present technology;

[0025] Figure 2C provides perspective views of example foot-supporting members (or portions thereof) according to some examples of the present technology;

[0026] Figure 2D A rear view of an example foot-supporting member (or portion thereof) according to some examples of the present technology is provided;

[0027] Figure 2E Provides a front view of an example foot-supporting member (or portion thereof) according to some examples of the present technology;

[0028] Figure 2F and Figure 2G Provides medial and lateral views, respectively, of example foot-supporting components (or portions thereof) according to some examples of the present technology;

[0029] Figure 2H and Fig.2I Provide top and bottom views, respectively, of example foot-supporting members (or portions thereof) according to some examples of the present technology;

[0030] Figure 2J provides an enlarged view of a portion of a foot-supporting member according to some examples of the present technology;

[0031] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D Examples of footwear sole structures and assemblies thereof according to some examples of the present technology are illustrated;

[0032] Figure 4A illustrates example foot-supporting components (or portions thereof) that include foot-supporting members connected in a central region and / or other regions;

[0033] Figure 4B illustrates example foot-supporting components (or portions thereof) that include foot-supporting members having discontinuities in a central region and / or other regions;

[0034] Figure 5 An exploded view of a heel region and / or heel component of another example of a foot-supporting component and / or sole structure according to some examples of the present technology is provided;

[0035] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a foot-supporting component located at the midfoot / arch according to some examples of the present technology;

[0036] Figure 7 illustrates an example of a foot-supporting component located at a forefoot according to some examples of the present technology; and

[0037] Figure 8 Examples of full-foot support components according to some examples of the present technology are illustrated.

[0038] The reader should understand that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In the following description of various examples of footwear and foot-receiving device structures and components according to the present technology, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It should be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized, and that structural and functional modifications may be made to the specifically described structures and functions without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0040] I. Detailed Description of Example Foot-Supporting Components and / or Articles of Footwear or Other Foot-Receiving Devices According to the Invention

[0041] With reference to the accompanying drawings and the following discussion, various foot-supporting components, articles of footwear, and features thereof, according to various aspects of the present invention are disclosed. The concepts disclosed with respect to these components and footwear can be applied to a wide range of athletic footwear styles, including, but not limited to, walking shoes, tennis shoes, soccer shoes, rugby shoes, basketball shoes, running shoes, track and field shoes, shoes for athletic events (e.g., high jump, triple jump, etc.), cross-training shoes, etc. In addition, the concepts of the present invention can be applied to a wide range of non-athletic footwear, including work boots, sandals, loafers, and dress shoes.

[0042] A foot supporting member of an article of footwear according to some aspects of the present technology includes: (a) a lateral sidewall extending to and forming a lateral free edge (e.g., a lateral top edge); (b) a medial sidewall positioned opposite the lateral sidewall, wherein the medial sidewall extends to and forms a medial free edge (e.g., a medial top edge); and (c) a base support surface including an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The base support surface may include a plurality of foot supporting members (e.g., arch foot supporting members, such as arch foot supporting strips) to support at least a portion of a plantar surface of a wearer's foot. When arched, at least one—and in some instances, some, most, or even all—of the foot supporting members may constitute an arch foot supporting strip, wherein a local extremum (e.g., an apex of the arch) of the arch foot supporting member (strip) is located in a central region of the arch foot supporting member (strip) between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall. The arch foot support member / strip may start at or near the lateral side wall and / or at or near the medial side wall at a location spaced apart from the lateral free edge and the medial free edge. In some example structures, at least some of the arch foot support members / strips are separated from each other by an open space, which is, for example, a space that extends (e.g., continuously and completely) between and separates at least 90% of the rearward edge of one arch foot support member / strip and at least 90% of the forward edge of an adjacent arch foot support member / strip. In yet other example structures, the space may extend (e.g., continuously and completely) to separate at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 95%, or even at least 98% of the rearward edge of one arch foot support member / strip from at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 95%, or even at least 98% of the forward edge of an adjacent arch foot support member / strip.

[0043] As some more specific examples of these aspects of the present technology, the base support surface may include: (a) a first arch foot support strip, wherein a local extremum of the first arch foot support strip (e.g., an apex of the arch) is located in a central region of the first arch foot support strip between the outer side wall and the inner side wall, and wherein the first arch foot support strip starts at or near the outer side wall and the inner side wall at corresponding positions spaced apart from the outer side free edge and the inner side free edge, (b) a second arch foot support strip, wherein a local extremum of the second arch foot support strip (e.g., an apex of the arch) is located in a central region of the second arch foot support strip between the outer side wall and the inner side wall, and wherein the second arch foot support strip starts at or near the outer side wall and the inner side wall at corresponding positions spaced apart from the outer side free edge and the inner side free edge, (c) a second arch foot support strip Three arch foot support strips, wherein the local extremum (e.g., apex of the arch) of the third arch foot support strip is located in a central area of ​​the third arch foot support strip between the lateral side wall and the medial side wall, and wherein the third arch foot support strip starts at or near the lateral side wall and the medial side wall at respective positions spaced apart from the lateral free edge and the medial free edge, (d) a first open space extending (e.g., continuously and completely) between and separating at least 90% of the rearward edge of the first arch foot support strip and at least 90% of the forward edge of the second arch foot support strip, and (e) a second open space extending (e.g., continuously and completely) between and separating at least 90% of the rearward edge of the second arch foot support strip and at least 90% of the forward edge of the third arch foot support strip. In some example structures, the first open space and / or the second open space can extend to continuously and completely separate at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 95%, or even at least 98% of the rearward edge of one arch foot support component / slat from at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 95%, or even at least 98% of the forward edge of an adjacent arch foot support component / slat. In these example structures, each of the first open space and the second open space constitutes a through hole extending completely through the base support surface from the outer surface of the base support surface to the inner surface of the base support surface.

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, a foot-supporting component of an article of footwear according to at least some aspects and examples of the present technology may include: (a) a lateral sidewall extending to and forming a lateral free edge (e.g., a lateral top edge); (b) a medial sidewall positioned opposite the lateral sidewall, wherein the medial sidewall extends to and forms a medial free edge (e.g., a medial top edge); and (c) a base support surface including an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The base support surface may include a plurality of foot support members (e.g., arch foot support members, such as arch foot support strips) to support at least a portion of a plantar surface of a wearer's foot. When arched, at least one - and in some instances, some, most, or even all - of the foot-supporting members may include a forward edge extending between: (i) a first lateral starting point located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a first medial starting point located at or near the medial sidewall, and a rearward edge extending between: (i) a second lateral starting point located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a second medial starting point located at or near the medial sidewall, and wherein one or more of the arched foot-supporting members also include a single local extremum (of the arched foot-supporting member) located in a central region of the arched foot-supporting member between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall. Additionally or alternatively, when arched, at least one - and in some instances, some, most, or even all - of the foot-supporting members may include: (i) a lateral endpoint located at or near the lateral sidewall, (ii) a medial endpoint located at or near the medial sidewall, (iii) a forward edge defined at least in part by a forward open space between the foot-supporting member and a forwardly adjacent foot-supporting member, (iv) a rearward edge defined at least in part by a rearward open space between the foot-supporting member and a rearwardly adjacent foot-supporting member, and (v) a single local extremum (of the arched foot-supporting member) located in a central region of the arched foot-supporting member between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall. In any of these examples, the forward edge of one foot-supporting member can be substantially parallel to the rearward edge of a forwardly adjacent foot-supporting member and / or the forward edge of one foot-supporting member can be separated from the rearward edge of a forwardly adjacent foot-supporting member over at least 85% of the width dimension of the forward edge (or over at least 85% of the width dimension of the rearward foot-supporting member) and / or over at least 85% of the width dimension of the rearward edge (or over at least 85% of the width dimension of the forward foot-supporting member).In some examples, the forward edge of one foot-supporting member can be separated from the rearward edge of a forwardly adjacent foot-supporting member over at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even at least 98% of the width dimension of either or both of the foot-supporting members. In such examples, one or more of the support members can be continuous and separated from one another across their entire width, one or more of the support members can be discontinuous (e.g., having a gap therein) across their lateral-to-medial width dimension, and / or one or more of the support members can be connected to one or two adjacent support members, for example, by bridging material that extends or spans the space between adjacent support members.

[0045] As some more specific examples of these aspects of the present technology, the base support surface may include:

[0046] (a) a first arch foot support member, the first arch foot support member comprising: (i) a first lateral endpoint, the first lateral endpoint being located at or near the lateral sidewall, (ii) a first medial endpoint, the first medial endpoint being located at or near the medial sidewall, (iii) a first forward edge, the first forward edge being at least partially defined by a first open space, (iv) a first rearward edge, the first rearward edge being at least partially defined by a second open space, and (v) a single local extremum of the first arch foot support member, the single local extremum of the first arch foot support member being located in a central region of the first arch foot support member between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall,

[0047] (b) a second arch foot support member, the second arch foot support member comprising: (i) a second lateral endpoint located at or near the lateral sidewall, (ii) a second medial endpoint located at or near the medial sidewall, (iii) a second forward edge defined at least in part by the second open space, (iv) a second rearward edge defined at least in part by the third open space, and (v) a single local extremum of the second arch foot support member located in a central region of the second arch foot support member between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall, wherein the second forward edge is substantially parallel to the first rearward edge, and wherein the second forward edge is separated from the first rearward edge: (1) occurs over at least 85% of the width dimension of the second arch foot support member, and / or (2) occurs over at least 85% of the width dimension of the first arch foot support member, and

[0048] (c) a third arch foot support member, the third arch foot support member comprising: (i) a third lateral endpoint located at or near the lateral sidewall, (ii) a third medial endpoint located at or near the medial sidewall, (iii) a third forward edge defined at least in part by a third open space, (iv) a third rearward edge defined at least in part by a fourth open space, and (v) a single local extremum of the third arch foot support member located in a central region of the third arch foot support member between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall, wherein the third forward edge is substantially parallel to the second rearward edge, and wherein the separation of the third forward edge from the second rearward edge: (1) occurs over at least 85% of a width dimension of the third arch foot support member, and / or (2) occurs over at least 85% of a width dimension of the second arch foot support member.

[0049] In these examples, the forward edge of one foot-supporting member can be separated from the rearward edge of the forwardly adjacent foot-supporting member by at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even at least 98% of the width dimension of either or both of the foot-supporting members. Furthermore, one or more additional arched foot-supporting members having any one or more of the features of the first, second, and third arched foot-supporting members can be included (e.g., disposed forwardly and / or rearwardly of the first, second, and third arched foot-supporting members) in the base support surface and / or foot-supporting component without departing from the present technology.

[0050] Additionally or alternatively, as some more specific examples, the base support surface may include:

[0051] (a) a first arch foot support member including a first forward edge extending between: (i) a first lateral starting point located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a first medial starting point located at or near the medial sidewall, and a first rearward edge extending between: (i) a second lateral starting point located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a second medial starting point located at or near the medial sidewall, and wherein the first arch foot support member includes a first single local extremum located in a central region of the first arch foot support member between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall,

[0052] (b) a second arch foot support member, the second arch foot support member including a second forward edge extending between: (i) a third lateral starting point, the third lateral starting point being located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a third medial starting point, the third medial starting point being located at or near the medial sidewall, and a second rearward edge extending between: (i) a fourth lateral starting point, the fourth lateral starting point being located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a fourth medial starting point being located at or near the medial sidewall, and wherein the second arch foot support member includes a second single local extremum located in a central region of the second arch foot support member between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall, wherein the second forward edge is substantially parallel to the first rearward edge, and wherein a separation of the second forward edge from the first rearward edge occurs over at least 85% of a width dimension of the second arch foot support member, and

[0053] (c) a third arch foot support member, the third arch foot support member including a third forward edge extending between: (i) a fifth lateral starting point, the fifth lateral starting point being located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a fifth medial starting point, the fifth medial starting point being located at or near the medial sidewall, and a third rearward edge extending between: (i) a sixth lateral starting point, the sixth lateral starting point being located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a sixth medial starting point being located at or near the medial sidewall, and wherein the third arch foot support member includes a third single local extremum located in a central region of the third arch foot support member between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall, wherein the third forward edge is substantially parallel to the second rearward edge, and wherein a separation of the third forward edge from the second rearward edge occurs over at least 85% of a width dimension of the third arch foot support member.

[0054] In these examples, the forward edge of one foot-supporting member can be separated from the rearward edge of the forwardly adjacent foot-supporting member by at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even at least 98% of the width dimension of either or both of the foot-supporting members. Furthermore, one or more additional arched foot-supporting members having any one or more of the features of the first, second, and third arched foot-supporting members can be included (e.g., disposed forwardly and / or rearwardly of the first, second, and third arched foot-supporting members) in the base support surface and / or foot-supporting component without departing from the present technology.

[0055] Additional aspects of the present technology relate to more specific features of the various footwear components described above and in more detail below, as well as additional features or structures included in the footwear components. Such additional aspects may include: more specific features of the footwear components including the lateral and medial sidewalls and the base support surface, for example, features of connecting walls (e.g., rear heel wall, front toe wall); features of connecting the above footwear components to other footwear components (such as foam midsole components, bladder midsole components, other midsole components, outsole components, footwear upper components, etc.); various dimensional features of footwear components, etc. These additional aspects of the present technology may be included as part of any of the various examples and aspects of the technology described in the above paragraphs.

[0056] Other aspects of the present technology relate to methods of making footwear components and / or articles of footwear incorporating the same (eg, of the types described above and having the structures described above) (and are described in greater detail below).

[0057] Given the above background and general description of various aspects and examples of the present technology, what follows is a more detailed description of specific examples of articles of footwear in accordance with at least some examples of the present technology and invention.

[0058] II. Detailed description of specific example foot support components and / or footwear according to the present invention

[0059] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2J Various views of a foot-supporting component 250 and an article of footwear 200 incorporating the foot-supporting component 250 are shown in accordance with at least some aspects of the present technology. As used herein, the term "foot-supporting component" may include any one or more foot-supporting portions, such as to form the entirety and / or a portion of a sole structure of the article of footwear 200. Such "foot-supporting components" may include, for example, FIG. 2A to FIG. 2J Various features, characteristics and / or portions of example article of footwear 200 and foot-supporting component 250 thereof are described in more detail below.

[0060] Figure 2A The article of footwear 200 includes an upper 202 and a sole structure 204 joined to the upper 202. As described above, a foot-supporting component 250 according to aspects of the present technology can constitute all or a portion of the sole structure 204. The upper 202 and the sole structure 204 can be joined together in any desired manner, including in manners that are generally known and used in the footwear art (such as by one or more of adhesives or cements, stapling or stitching, mechanical connectors, etc.).

[0061] The upper 202 (potentially together with the sole structure 204) defines a foot-receiving interior cavity 206 for containing a wearer's foot. The bottom of the upper 202 may include a strobel 208 or other component that is joined or integrally formed with another portion of the upper 202 (e.g., the lateral upper component 202L and / or the medial upper component 202M). The upper 202 may also include other components. For example, the upper 202 may include: a tongue member that is positioned across the instep area and is positioned to mitigate the feel of the footwear's closure system on the wearer's foot; a closure system (e.g., including one or more of a lace-up closure system, a zipper-type closure system, a snap-on closure system, an elastic stretch element, etc.); a heel counter; a toe cap; a strap, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the upper 202 may include a "sock-like" upper component, for example, made of fabric and configured to fit the wearer's foot closely like a conventional sock.

[0062] The upper 202 may be made of any desired material and / or in any desired configuration and / or manner without departing from the present technology. As some more specific examples, all or at least a portion of the upper 202 (and optionally most, substantially all, or even all of the upper 202) may be formed as a woven textile component, a knitted textile component, another textile component, a natural leather component, a synthetic leather component, a polymer component (e.g., TPU, etc.), etc. The components of the upper 202 may have structures and / or configurations similar to those used in footwear products commercially available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon, and / or other manufacturers.

[0063] Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the upper 202 configuration may include an upper having a foot fixation and engagement structure (e.g., a "dynamic" and / or "adaptive fit" structure), such as the type described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0104423, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As some additional examples, if desired, uppers and footwear articles according to the present technology may include foot fixation and engagement structures of the type used in footwear products commercially available from Nike, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon. These types of wrapping and / or adaptive or dynamic fit structures may at least partially wrap around, conform to, and / or securely hold the wearer's foot.

[0064] As yet another alternative or additional feature, if desired, uppers 202 and articles of footwear 200 according to at least some examples of the present technology may include a fused layer of upper material, such as uppers of the type including upper materials bonded by heat-melt or other adhesive materials, such as uppers in footwear commercially available from Nike, Inc. of Beaverton, Ore. As yet additional examples, uppers of the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,347,011 and / or 8,429,835 may be used without departing from the present technology (each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

[0065] We will now describe in more detail Figure 2A and Figure 2B An example foot-supporting member 250 is shown. Figure 2A An exploded perspective view of an example foot-supporting member 250 is shown, and Figure 2B An assembled rear view of a foot-supporting component 250 is provided. As illustrated in these figures, the example footwear sole structure 204 and / or foot-supporting component 250 includes: (a) an outsole component 252; (b) a lower midsole component 254 (also referred to herein as a "first midsole component" or a "first midsole system"); (c) an upper midsole component 256 (also referred to herein as a "second midsole component" or a "second midsole system"); and (d) an intermediate midsole component 260 (also referred to herein as a "foot-supporting component" or a "midsole component"), which is at least partially located between the lower midsole component 254 and the upper midsole component 256. Various example structures, features, and / or characteristics of these various footwear sole structures 204 and / or foot-supporting components 250 / portions are described in more detail below.

[0066] The outsole component 252 of this example sole structure 204 / foot support component 250 can have any desired structure, function and / or feature and can be made of any desired material, including conventional structures, functions, features and / or materials known and used in the field of footwear, without departing from the present technology. As some more specific examples, the outsole component 252 can be formed by rubber, polymer materials, etc. Its bottom surface 252B can include traction elements, treads, anti-slip spikes, spikes and / or any other desired configuration, including any conventional configuration for sports-specific purposes. The outsole component 252 can include wear-resistant / wear-resistant materials and can be designed to contact the ground or other contact surfaces during use. Although other shapes are also possible, in these illustrated examples, the outsole component 252 includes a middle recess or central open space 252O between the lateral arm 252L and the medial arm 252M, and a rear connecting wall 252W connecting the lateral arm 252L and the medial arm 252M. Thus, in this manner, outsole member 252 may have a generally U-shape, including a generally U-shaped outer perimeter and a generally U-shaped inner perimeter (and outsole member 252 may terminate at lateral free end 252LE and medial free end 252LM, for example, in the midfoot or heel region of sole structure 204). Figure 2A The top surface 252T of the outsole member 252 is shown as having a generally planar surface, but Figure 2B An alternative is shown in which the top surface 252T has a contoured profile (eg, is upwardly arched in the lateral-to-medial direction).

[0067] Although some types of central open spaces may be advantageous according to at least some examples of the present technology, the outsole member 252 is not required to be U-shaped in all aspects of the present technology. For example, the central open space (e.g., 252O) of the outsole member 252 can enhance flexibility between the lateral and medial sides of the sole structure 204, for example, to promote / enhance natural movement. Moreover, as will be described in more detail below, the central open space (e.g., 252O) can provide space for vertical displacement of other components of the foot-supporting member 250, for example, in response to foot forces (e.g., stepping or jumping). If desired, the central open space (e.g., 252O) of the outsole member 252 can also be provided by a generally circular, oval, or elliptical outsole member, by an outsole member with a rounded rectangular shape, by an outsole configuration with another end open or an end closed, and / or by providing separate medial and lateral members (e.g., omitting the connecting wall 252W), etc. The open space 252O can also have any desired shape. In at least some examples of the present invention, the open space 252O of the outsole member 252 may define at least 10 cm between the side arms 252L and 252M. 2 The horizontal cross-sectional area is at least 15 cm 2, at least 20cm 2 , at least 25cm 2 , at least 30cm 2 , at least 40cm 2 , at least 50cm 2 , or even at least 60cm 2 (This area can be measured as the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​opening 252O in which outsole member 252 is supported on its ground-facing surface on a horizontal base surface in an unloaded state (e.g., with no weight applied to outsole member 252 other than the weight that may make up foot-supporting member 250, sole structure 204, and / or other components of the footwear article).)).

[0068] The outsole member 252 of the example foot-supporting member 250 structure is joined to a lower midsole member 254. In the illustrated example, the lower midsole member 254 includes a bottom surface 254B joined to a top surface 252T of the outsole member 252. Any desired joining means may be employed between the lower midsole member 254 and the outsole member 252, including fixed or releasable connections, without departing from the present technology. As some more specific examples, these components 252 / 254 may be joined together via one or more of the following: a bonding agent or adhesive; mechanical fasteners or hardware; a welded or soldered connection, etc.

[0069] The lower midsole component 254 of this example attenuates impact forces (e.g., when the wearer's foot contacts the surface when stepping or jumping), and can have any desired configuration and / or number of parts (including conventional configurations and / or parts known and used in the footwear field) without departing from the present technology. In some more specific examples, the lower midsole component 254 can include one or more of the following: (a) foam material and / or one or more foam components; (b) one or more fluid-filled bladders; (c) one or more mechanical shock-absorbing components, etc.

[0070] Although other shapes are possible, Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the illustrated example of , the lower midsole component 254 includes a middle recess or central open space 254O between the lateral arm 254L and the medial arm 254M, and a rear connecting wall 254W connecting the lateral arm 254L and the medial arm 254M. Thus, in this manner, the lower midsole component 254 can have a generally U-shape, including a generally U-shaped outer perimeter and a generally U-shaped inner perimeter (and the lower midsole component 254 can terminate at the lateral free end 254LE and the medial free end 254LM, for example, in the midfoot region or heel region of the sole structure 204).

[0071] Although some types of central open spaces may be advantageous according to at least some examples of the present technology, the lower midsole component 254 is not required to be U-shaped in all aspects of the present technology. For example, the central open space (e.g., 254O) of the lower midsole component 254 can enhance the flexibility between the lateral side and the medial side of the sole structure 204 (e.g., promote / enhance natural movement). Moreover, as will be described in more detail below, the central open space (e.g., 254O) can provide space for vertical displacement of other components of the foot-supporting component 250, for example, in response to foot forces (e.g., stepping or jumping). If desired, the central open space (e.g., 254O) of the lower midsole component 254 can also be provided by a generally oval, circular, or elliptical lower midsole component, by a rounded rectangular lower midsole component, by a lower midsole configuration with another end open or an end closed, and / or by providing separate medial and lateral components (e.g., omitting the connecting wall 254W), etc. The open space 254O can also have any desired shape. In at least some examples of the present invention, the open space 254O of the midsole member 254 may define at least 10 cm between the side arms 254L and 254M. 2 The horizontal cross-sectional area is at least 15 cm 2 , at least 20cm 2 , at least 25cm 2 , at least 30cm 2 , at least 40cm 2 , at least 50cm 2 , or even at least 60cm 2 (This area can be measured as the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​opening 254O in which foot-supporting component 250, sole structure 204, and / or article of footwear 204 are supported on a horizontal base surface on their ground-facing surfaces in an unloaded state (e.g., no weight is applied to midsole component 254 other than the weight of other components that may make up foot-supporting component 250, sole structure 204, and / or article of footwear).

[0072] The foot support component 250 of this example includes an upper midsole component 256, for example, in the illustrated example, the upper midsole component 256 is located closest to the wearer's foot. In some examples, the upper midsole component 256 can be directly located below the upper 202, and in some examples can be directly engaged with the upper 202 (for example, engaged with the bottom surface of the upper 202, such as strobel 208). Therefore, the upper midsole component 256 of this example includes a top surface 256T engaged with the bottom surface of the upper 202 (for example, strobel 208). Any desired engagement method can be adopted between the upper midsole component 256 and the upper 202, including fixed or releasable connection, without departing from the present technology. As some more specific examples, these components 202 / 256 can be joined together via one or more of the following: a bonding agent or adhesive; a mechanical fastener or hardware; a fusion or welding connection, etc. Moreover, the upper midsole component 256 of this example includes a bottom surface 256B that is joined to the top surface 260T of the midsole component 260 (which is described in more detail below). Any desired joining method can be used between the upper midsole component 256 and the midsole component 260, including fixed or releasable connections, without departing from the present technology. As some more specific examples, these components 256 / 260 can be joined together via one or more of the following: a bonding agent or adhesive; a mechanical fastener or hardware; a welded or soldered connection, etc.

[0073] The upper midsole component 256 attenuates impact forces (e.g., when the wearer's foot contacts the surface when stepping or jumping) and / or provides a comfortable base surface to engage at least a portion of the wearer's foot. The upper midsole component 256 can have any desired configuration and / or number of parts (including conventional configurations and / or parts known and used in the footwear field) without departing from the present technology. In some more specific examples, the upper midsole component 256 can include one or more of the following: (a) a foam material and / or one or more foam components; (b) one or more fluid-filled bladders; (c) one or more mechanical shock absorbing components, etc. In at least some examples of the foot-supporting component 250 according to various aspects of the present technology, when both the upper midsole component 256 and the lower midsole component 254 are present, the lower midsole component 254 can be "stronger" than the upper midsole component 256. This can be determined, for example, by determining which component responds with a greater deflection under an applied force or load (e.g., the vertical displacement or deflection of the "stronger" component is less than the vertical displacement or deflection of the "softer" component under the same applied force). When both components 254 / 256 are made of and / or include foam materials, the "stronger" component can be considered to be the foam material with greater hardness characteristics (e.g., maximum durometer or Shore A hardness) and / or greater density, and the "softer" component can be considered to be the foam material with lower hardness characteristics (e.g., lower durometer or Shore A hardness) and / or lower density. In some more specific examples, the upper midsole component 256 can be made of a foam material that is at least 10 Shore A hardness points lower (and in some examples, at least 15 points, at least 20 points, at least 25 points, at least 30 points, or even at least 35 points lower on the Shore A hardness) than the foam material of the lower midsole component 254.

[0074] Although other shapes are possible, Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the illustrated example of , the upper midsole component 256 has a lateral sidewall 256L and a medial sidewall 256M, and a rear wall 256W connecting the lateral sidewall 256L and the medial sidewall 256M. The upper midsole component 256 can have a semi-oval or semi-elliptical shape, for example, including a generally U-shaped outer perimeter. The example upper midsole component 256 terminates at a free end 256E, for example, in the midfoot region or heel region of the sole structure 204.

[0075] Now combine FIG. 2A to FIG. 2J Describing the midsole component 260 in more detail (which itself may be considered a "foot-supporting component" or a portion thereof according to the present invention), the midsole component 260 may be constructed in a single piece or in multiple pieces, for example, from a rigid plastic material such as a thermoplastic polyurethane ("TPU") material; a polyether block amide thermoplastic elastomeric polymer material (e.g., Brand (from Arkema) and / or E brand (obtained from Evonik); fiber-reinforced composite plastic components (e.g., carbon fiber reinforced composite materials, glass fiber reinforced composite materials, etc.), etc. In some examples, the midsole component 260 will be formed into a rigid but flexible and elastic structure, for example, capable of deforming or deflecting under an applied force (e.g., from a wearer stepping or jumping or otherwise applying foot force), but elastically returning to its original shape when the applied force is sufficiently relaxed or reduced. In some examples, the midsole component 260 can be considered to include a "plate"-like base structure (e.g., a relatively thin base surface, and in some examples, formed by multiple "narrow strip" type members extending across the midsole component 260 (and, if present, across the open space defined by the opening area 254O and / or 252O)). The material constituting the midsole component may be a rigid plastic material having a Shore D hardness in the range of 20 to 80 Shore D, and in some instances, a Shore D hardness in the range of 25 to 80 Shore D, in the range of 30 to 80 Shore D, in the range of 35 to 80 Shore D, in the range of 40 to 75 Shore D, or even in the range of 50 to 75 Shore D.

[0076] like FIG. 2A to FIG. 2J As shown, the midsole component 260 of the example foot-supporting component 250 includes: (a) a lateral wall 260L, which extends to a lateral free edge (260LT—lateral top edge) and forms a lateral free edge; (b) a medial wall 260M, which is positioned opposite to the lateral wall 260L and extends to a medial free edge (260MT—medial top edge) and forms a medial free edge; and (c) a base support surface 260S, which includes an outer surface (260B—bottom surface) and an inner surface (260T—top surface) opposite to the outer surface 260B. The base support surface 260S of the illustrated example includes a plurality of arched foot support members 270, which in some examples may take the form of arched foot support strips (e.g., arched upward when in an unloaded state and oriented on a horizontal support surface with their ground-facing surfaces oriented downward). Individual arched foot support members / strips 270 in a single foot-supporting component 250 may have the same size and / or shape characteristics as other individual arched foot support members / strips 270, or one or more arched foot support members / strips 270 may have a different size and / or shape in one or more dimensions than at least one other arched foot support member / strip 270 in the same foot-supporting component 250 and / or midsole member 260.

[0077] Any number of arched foot-supporting members / strands 270 may be included in foot-supporting component 250 without departing from the present technology. As some more specific examples, the foot-supporting component 250 and / or the midsole component 260 can have any one or more of the following: (a) at least 2 separate arch foot support members / strips 270; (b) at least 3 separate arch foot support members / strips 270; (c) at least 5 separate arch foot support members / strips 270; (d) 2 to 45 separate arch foot support members / strips 270; (e) 2 to 35 separate arch foot support members / strips 270; (f) 2 to 25 separate arch foot support members / strips 270; (g) 2 to 20 separate arch foot support members / strips 270; (h) 2 to 16 separate arch foot support members / strips 270; (i) 3 to 12 separate arch foot support members / strips 270; and / or (j) 3 to 8 separate arch foot support members / strips 270. In addition to the arched foot-supporting members / slats 270, one or more (up to all) of the foot-supporting members / slats 270 can be planar, substantially planar, or un-arched (e.g., planar, substantially planar, or un-arched when in an unloaded state and oriented on a horizontal support surface with their ground-facing surfaces oriented downward).

[0078] In foot-supporting components 250 according to at least some examples of the present technology (including in the illustrated midsole member 260 of such examples), at least one individual arched foot-supporting member / strip 270 will include a local extremum 270E, e.g., a single inflection point or apex of the arch / curve of the individual arched foot-supporting member / strip 270 (see FIG. Figure 2D and Figure 2E ). Although only one individual foot-supporting member / strip 270 may include this arch / curvature structure, in some examples of the present technology: (a) multiple individual foot-supporting members / strips 270 of a foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 will include the arch / curvature shape and local extrema 270E features, (b) a majority of the individual foot-supporting members / strips 270 of a foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 will include the arch / curvature shape and local extrema 270E features, or even (c) all of the individual foot-supporting members / strips 270 of a foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 will include the arch / curvature shape and local extrema 270E features. Additionally or alternatively, multiple, most, or all of the foot-supporting members / strips 270 in a midsole component 260 may have a planar (flat) surface or a substantially planar surface.

[0079] The individual foot-supporting members / strips 270 of foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 may extend in any desired direction without departing from the present technology. As some more specific examples, one, more, most, or even all of the individual foot-supporting members / strips 270 of foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 may extend in the lateral direction of sole structure 204 / footwear article 200, as described above in conjunction with Figure 1A As another example, one, more, most, or even all of the individual foot-supporting members / stripes 270 of foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 may extend in a generally lateral-to-medial direction of sole structure 204 / article of footwear 200, e.g., from near lateral sidewall 260L of midsole component 260 to near medial sidewall 260M (and, in some examples, starting at or near lateral sidewall 260L and / or medial sidewall 260M). Additionally or alternatively, as Figure 2A and Figure 2C As shown, one, more, most, or even all of the individual foot-supporting members / stripes 270 of foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 may originate at a location spaced apart from lateral free edge 260LT and / or originate at a location spaced apart from medial free edge 260MT.

[0080] Figure 2D and Figure 2E It is also illustrated that the local extremum 270E of at least one individual arch foot support member / strip 270 (and in some instances, at least a plurality, at least a majority, or even all of the individual arch foot support members / strips 270) is located in the central region of the arch foot support member / strip 270 (i.e., within the central 35% to 65% of the arch foot support member / strip 270 in its longest dimension B (in the illustrated example, its width dimension)). As some additional examples, if desired, the local extremum 270E of at least one individual arch foot support member / strip 270 (and in some instances, at least a plurality, at least a majority, or even all of the individual arch foot support members / strips 270) may be located within the central 40% to 60% of the arch foot support member / strip 270 in its longest dimension B (e.g., in its width dimension), or even within the central 45% to 55% of the arch foot support member / strip 270 in its longest dimension B (e.g., in its width dimension).

[0081] As further shown in this illustrated example (e.g., Figure 2A , Figure 2C , Figure 2H to Figure 2J), the individual arch foot supporting members / stripes 270 are separated from one another by open spaces 280 (e.g., openings that extend completely through the midsole component 260 of this example (e.g., from its top surface 260T to its bottom surface 260B)). Figure 2H to Figure 2J As shown, at least one open space 280 (and in some instances, a plurality of open spaces 280, a majority of open spaces 280, or even all of open spaces 280) can extend continuously to at least partially separate one arch foot support member / strip 270 from an adjacent arch foot support member / strip 270. The open spaces 280 can be positioned and shaped to completely separate at least 90% of the rearward edge 270RE of one arch foot support member / strip 270 from at least 90% of the forward edge 270FE of the rearwardly adjacent arch foot support member / strip 270. See FIG. Figure 2J In some examples, the open spaces 280 may be positioned and shaped to completely separate at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or even 100% of the rearward edge 270RE of one arched foot-supporting member / strip 270 from at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or even 100% of the forward edge 270FE of the rearwardly adjacent arched foot-supporting member / strip 270. These space 280 shapes and / or member / strip 270 separation features may be provided between any number of adjacent foot-supporting member / strip 270 pairs in the overall midsole component 260 structure.

[0082] Figure 2J Various dimensional features (e.g., width dimension B1, width dimension W1) of open space 280 and various dimensional features (e.g., width dimension B2, width dimension W2) of foot-supporting member / strip 270 in midsole component 260 according to at least some examples of this invention are illustrated. Width dimensions B1, B2 can be the longest dimensions of open space 280 and foot-supporting member / strip 270, respectively, e.g., lateral to medial dimensions. Width dimensions W1, W2 can be transverse to their corresponding width dimensions B1, B2, respectively, e.g., heel to toe dimensions.

[0083] For generally rectangular shaped spaces 280 and / or foot-supporting members / strips 270, the determination of dimensions B1, B2, W1, and / or W2 may be apparent from the structure itself (e.g., the shortest and / or most direct distance from one edge to the opposite edge). If the directions for determining these various dimensions are not readily apparent from the structure of the open space 280 and / or foot-supporting members / strips 270, one or more of the dimensions may be determined as follows. First, locate the outermost points or endpoints 280LE and 280ME at the outer and inner sides of the associated open space 280. Then, as Figure 2JAs shown, the width dimension B1 of the open space 280 can be determined as the distance across the open space 280 between these outermost endpoints 280LE, 280ME. In many cases, the width dimension B1 will correspond to the maximum dimension of the space 280. The outermost points or endpoints 280LE and 280ME at the outer and inner sides of the open space 280 can also be considered to be the "starting points" of the forward edge and rearward edge (280FE, 280RE) of the open space 280. The width dimension W1 will correspond to the distance across the open space and perpendicular to the width dimension B1 from the forward edge 280FE of the open space 280 to its rearward edge 280RE. If the width of the open space 280 varies across the width dimension B1, the width dimension W1 can be considered to be the widest width dimension that exists across the open space 280 perpendicular to the width dimension B1.

[0084] The outermost points or endpoints 280LE and 280ME at the lateral and medial sides of the open spaces 280 may also be considered the "starting points" 270LE, 270ME of the forward edge 270FE and rearward edge 270RE, respectively, of the foot-supporting member / strip 270 (and the foot-supporting member / strip 270 itself). The width dimension B2 of the foot-supporting member / strip 270 may be determined by: (a) drawing a lateral end line 282L between the adjacent lateral endpoints 280LE of two adjacent open spaces 280, (b) drawing a medial end line 282M between the adjacent medial endpoints 280ME of two adjacent open spaces 280, (c) finding the midpoints 270LMP and 270MMP of the lateral end line 282L and the medial end line 282M, respectively, and (d) determining the dimension B2 between the lateral midpoint 270LMP and the medial midpoint 270MMP as the width dimension B2 of the foot-supporting member / strip 270. The width dimension W2 of the foot-supporting member / strip 270 will correspond to the distance across the foot-supporting member / strip 270 and perpendicular to the width dimension B2 from the forward edge 270FE of the foot-supporting member / strip 270 to its rearward edge 270RE. If the width of the foot-supporting member / strip 270 varies across the width dimension B2, the width dimension W2 can be considered to be the widest width dimension that exists across the foot-supporting member / strip 270 and perpendicular to the width dimension B2.

[0085] Dimensions Bl, Wl, B2, and W2 may have any suitable values, e.g., any values ​​that will provide desired impact-attenuating properties for midsole component 260 (in combination with any other foot-supporting components present, such as midsole components 254, 256). As some more specific examples, the width dimension B1 of the open space 280 and / or the width dimension B2 of the foot support member / narrow strip 270 can have one or more of the following characteristics: (a) at least 15 mm long, (b) at least 20 mm long, (c) at least 30 mm long, (d) at least 40 mm long, (e) at least 50 mm long, (f) less than 150 mm long, (g) less than 120 mm long, (h) less than 100 mm long, (i) less than 90 mm long, (j) 15 mm to 150 mm long, (k) 18 mm to 120 mm long, (l) 20 mm to 100 mm long, (m) 25 mm to 90 mm long, and / or (n) 30 mm to 85 mm long. Additionally or alternatively, as some more specific examples, the width dimension W1 of the open space 280 and / or the width dimension W2 of the foot support member / narrow strip 270 can have one or more of the following characteristics: (a) at least 1 mm wide, (b) at least 2 mm wide, (c) at least 4 mm wide, (d) at least 8 mm wide, (e) at least 10 mm wide, (f) less than 25 mm wide, (g) less than 20 mm wide, (h) less than 18 mm wide, (i) less than 16 mm wide, (j) 1 mm to 25 mm wide, (k) 2 mm to 20 mm wide, (l) 3 mm to 18 mm wide, (m) 4 mm to 16 mm wide, and / or (n) 5 mm to 12 mm wide. The ratio of B1 / W1 and / or B2 / W2 can be in one or more of the following ranges: (a) 0.5 to 150, (b) 0.75 to 120, (c) 1 to 100, (d) 1 to 80, (e) 1 to 60, (f) 1.25 to 50, (g) 1.5 to 40, (h) 1.5 to 40, (i) 1.75 to 25, (i) 2 to 20, (j) 2.2 to 18, and / or (k) 2.3 to 15. The ratio of W1 to W2 can be in one or more of the following ranges: (a) 0.05 to 5, (b) 0.1 to 3, (c) 0.15 to 2, (d) 0.2 to 1.8, (e) 0.25 to 1.5; and / or (f) 0.5 to 1.25. The ratio of B1 to B2 can be within one or more of the following ranges: (a) 0.5 to 1.5, (b) 0.6 to 1.4, (c) 0.75 to 1.25, (d) 0.8 to 1.15, and / or (e) 0.9 to 1.1.

[0086] The integral midsole component 260 and / or its sidewalls 260L, 260M and 260W may have any desired height dimension HW or vertical height (e.g., from the top edge 260LT, 260MT, 260WT to its bottom-most position when resting on a horizontal base surface—see Figure 2F , Figure 2G ) without departing from the invention. In addition, as shown in these figures, the height dimension HW or vertical height can vary at different locations along the top edges 260LT, 260MT, 260WT (e.g., the top edges 260LT and 260MT can be inclined, curved, or otherwise vary in height; the top edge 260WT can include a notch feature 260N or other inclined / curvature features, etc.). As some more absolute dimensions, the wall height dimension HW or vertical height can be as high as 50 mm or even higher, particularly in instances where the sidewalls 260L, 260M and / or 260W of the midsole component can provide the function of a footwear heel stabilizer. As some additional absolute size ranges, in some instances, the highest wall height dimension HW and / or maximum vertical height of the midsole component 260 can have one or more of the following characteristics at any one or more of the side walls 260L, 260M and / or 260W: (a) at least 3 mm, (b) at least 5 mm, (c) at least 10 mm, (d) at least 15 mm, (e) at least 20 mm, (f) less than 50 mm, (g) less than 35 mm, (h) less than 30 mm, (i) less than 25 mm, (j) within the range of 3 mm to 50 mm, (k) within the range of 5 mm to 35 mm, and / or (l) within the range of 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0087] Additionally or alternatively, at least one, a plurality, a majority, or even all of the open spaces 280 may be sized, shaped, and positioned such that: (a) in its longest dimension (e.g., Figure 2J (a) the forward edge 270FE of one or more of the individual foot-supporting members / strips 270 will be substantially parallel to the rearward edge 270RE of the forwardly adjacent foot-supporting members / strips 270, and / or (b) the forward edge 270FE of one or more of the individual foot-supporting members / strips 270 will be substantially parallel to the rearward edge 270RE of the forwardly adjacent foot-supporting members / strips 270, and the parallelism occurs at the longest dimension ( Figure 2JIn some examples of the present technology, the open spaces 280 and foot-supporting members / strips 270 may be constructed and arranged such that the forward edge 270FE of one or more of the individual foot-supporting members / strips 270 will be substantially parallel to the rearward edge 270RE of the forwardly adjacent foot-supporting member / strip 270, with the parallelism occurring over at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even 100% of one or both of the longest dimension and / or edge length of the adjacent foot-supporting member / strip 270. The "forward edge" 270FE and "rearward edge" 270RE of the individual foot-supporting member / strip 270 can be found by (a) extending a lateral end line 282L from the outermost lateral position of the forward open space 280 defining the individual foot-supporting member / strip 270 to the outermost lateral position of the rearward open space 280, and (b) extending a medial end line 282M from the outermost medial position of the forward open space 280 defining the individual foot-supporting member / strip 270 to the outermost medial position of the rearward open space 280. The associated edges 270FE, 270RE, 280FE, 280RE begin / end where the end lines 282L, 282M reach the open space 280 defining the foot-supporting member / strip 270. The longest or width dimension of the open space 280 (B1) is the dimension from 280LE to 280ME. The longest or width dimension of foot-supporting member / strip 270 (B2) may be measured from the lateral midpoint (270LMP) of lateral end line 282L to the medial midpoint (270MMP) of medial end line 282M. Figure 2J Lateral midpoint 270LMP and medial midpoint 270MMP may be considered the "endpoints" of foot-supporting member / strip 270 (eg, if no other "endpoints" are apparent from the structure itself), for example, for purposes of sizing or calculations.

[0088] Therefore, foot-supporting member 250 (including FIG. 2A to FIG. 2JThe midsole component 260 of the illustrated example includes: (a) a lateral sidewall 260L extending to and forming a lateral free edge 260LT; (b) a medial sidewall 260M positioned opposite the lateral sidewall 260L, extending to and forming a medial free edge 260MT; and (c) a base support surface 260S including an outer surface 260B and an inner surface 260T opposite the outer surface 260B. In these illustrated examples, the base support surface 260S includes one or more arch support members / stripes 270, for example, as described above. At least one arch foot support member / strip 270 (and in some instances, a plurality, a majority, or even all of the arch foot support members / strips 270) may include: (i) a lateral starting point 270LE and / or a lateral end or midpoint 270LMP located at or near the lateral side wall 260L, (ii) a medial starting point 270ME and / or a medial end or midpoint 270MMP located at or near the medial side wall 260M, (iii) a forward edge 270FE located at or near the forward edge 270FE, and (iv) a forward edge 270FE located at or near the forward edge 270FE. FE extends from the forward lateral starting point 270LE to the corresponding forward medial starting point 270ME, (iv) a rearward edge 270RE, which extends from the adjacent rearward lateral starting point 270LE to the corresponding adjacent rearward medial starting point 270ME, and (v) a single local extremum 270E of the arch foot support member / strip 270, which is located in the center area of ​​the first arch foot support member / strip 270 between the lateral wall 260L and the medial wall 270M (for example, measured from the width dimension B2 between the midpoints 270LMP and 270MMP).

[0089] Although FIG. 2A to FIG. 2J Foot-supporting members / slats 270 and voids 280 are illustrated as having substantially constant dimensions and parallel orientations within a single midsole component 260, but the size, shape, dimensions, orientation, and / or other features of foot-supporting members / slats 270 and / or voids 280 may vary within a single midsole component 260. As will be described in more detail below, these features may also vary, for example, for customization / optimization purposes.

[0090] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2IOther features that may be incorporated into a foot-supporting component 250 (e.g., in the illustrated midsole member 260) in accordance with at least some examples of the present technology are shown. As an example, a connecting wall 260W (which may constitute a rear heel wall and / or a foretoe wall in some sole structures 204 / foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 in accordance with the present technology) connects a lateral wall 260L and a medial wall 260M. The connecting wall 260W may extend to and form a connecting wall free edge 260WT (e.g., a top edge when oriented in a sole structure 204 where the sole structure 204 is supported on a horizontal plane on its ground-facing surface). The connecting wall free edge 260WT may (in at least some examples) extend between and continuously connect a lateral free edge 260LT and a medial free edge 260MT (e.g., extend from the lateral free edge 260LT to the medial free edge 260T). In addition, as shown in the illustrated example, the connecting wall free edge 260WT can be defined and formed to include a notched or concave top edge portion 260N and a notched wall 260W. The notched or concave portion 260N can be used, at least in part, to define a flex line or location (e.g., a predetermined longitudinal flex line or flex location) to promote and facilitate flexion of the lateral and medial sides of the foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 relative to each other (e.g., to move the free ends 260LT and 260MT toward each other and more closely engage the wearer's foot, such as Figure 2B ) as indicated by arrows F1 and F2 in FIG.

[0091] Other ways of supporting and / or facilitating a predetermined flex position may be used without departing from the present technology. Some examples include: including one or more hinge structures (e.g., in the connecting wall 260W and / or within the width dimension of one or more foot-supporting members / strips 270); including a compressible material as part of the connecting wall 260W and / or within the width dimension of one or more foot-supporting members / strips 270; providing one or more voids in the connecting wall 260W and / or within the width dimension of one or more foot-supporting members / strips 270; providing one or more perforated areas and / or predetermined flex lines in the connecting wall 260W and / or within the width dimension of one or more foot-supporting members / strips 270, etc. Such structures may facilitate flexion in one direction while resisting flexion in an opposite direction (at least once the sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 returns to its unflexed or preloaded state (e.g., after the force of a step or jump is removed or sufficiently reduced)).

[0092] Alternatively or additionally, in at least some examples of the present technology, the connecting wall 260W (when present) can constitute a forefoot wall and be located in a forefoot region (e.g., a foremost toe region) of the sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260. Some sole structures 204 / foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 according to the present technology can include a connecting wall 260W at both the rear heel region and the forefoot toe region of the structure. In such examples having two connecting walls 260W, one or both of the connecting walls 260W can include or both can include no notched region 260N and / or other predetermined flex features of the type described above.

[0093] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2I Additional or alternative potential features of the sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 according to aspects of the present technology are illustrated. For example, as shown, the outer surface 260B of the base support surface 260S may include: (a) a lateral base edge 262L (e.g., a lower lateral base edge) located on the side of the lateral wall 260L opposite the lateral free edge 260LT, (b) a medial base edge 262M (e.g., a lower medial base edge) located on the side of the medial wall 260M opposite the medial free edge 260MT, and optionally, if a connecting wall 260W is present, (c) a connecting base edge 262W (e.g., a lower edge) located on the side of the connecting wall 260W opposite the connecting wall free edge 260WT. Additionally or alternatively, the lower midsole component 254 may include (e.g., as part of its top surface 254T): (a) a lateral base edge 254LB (e.g., an upper edge), (b) a medial base edge 254MB, and optionally, if a connecting wall 260W is present, (c) a connecting base edge 254CB. Such a sole structure 204 and / or foot-supporting component 250 may have one or more of the following: (a) a lateral base edge 254LB of the lower midsole component 254 may engage with a lateral base edge 262L of the base support surface 260S, (b) a medial base edge 254MB of the lower midsole component 254 may engage with a medial base edge 262M of the base support surface 260S, and / or (c) a connecting base edge 254CB of the lower midsole component 254 may engage with a connecting base edge 262W of the base support surface 260S. These bonds may be provided in any desired manner (eg, by using one or more of: adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and / or fusion techniques).

[0094] exist Figure 2AIn the illustrated example sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250, the lower midsole component 254 has a U-shaped structure, wherein the lateral base edge 254LB and lateral wall 254L of the lower midsole component 254 form the lateral arm of the U-shaped structure, the medial base edge 254MB and medial wall 254M of the lower midsole component 254 form the medial arm of the U-shaped structure, and the connecting base edge 254CB and connecting wall 254W of the lower midsole component form the base of the U-shaped structure (connecting the above-mentioned medial and lateral edges and sidewalls). The U-shaped structure of the lower midsole component 254 defines an open space 254O between the lateral arm (and lateral wall 254L) and the medial arm (and medial wall 254M).

[0095] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2I It is also shown that these example foot-supporting components 250 (including midsole component 260) can form a receptacle 264 for receiving at least a portion of an impact-attenuating component (such as at least a portion of upper midsole component 256 in the illustrated example). As a more specific example: (a) the inner surface of lateral sidewall 260L, (b) the inner surface of medial sidewall 260M, (c) the inner surface of connecting wall 260W (when present), and (d) the inner surface 260T of base support surface 260S can define receptacle 264. At least a portion of upper midsole component 256 (e.g., bottom surface 256B thereof and at least some of its sidewalls 256L, 256M) can be received in receptacle 264. In some examples, two or more corresponding surfaces of midsole component 260 and upper midsole component 256 can be joined together, for example, by an adhesive, by fasteners, by a fusion technique, etc.

[0096] As also described above, article of footwear 200 / sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250 of the present example may include outsole system 252. Outsole system 252 may include one or more outsole components including surfaces constructed and arranged to contact the ground (or other contacting surface) during use (e.g., when worn by a wearer). Figure 2A The illustrated example outsole system 252 includes: (a) a lateral outsole element or lateral arm 252L, the top surface 252T of the lateral outsole element or lateral arm 252L being engaged with the bottom surface 254B of the lateral arm 254L of the lower midsole component 254; and (b) a medial outsole element or medial arm 252L, the top surface 252T of the medial outsole element or medial arm 252L being engaged with the bottom surface 254B of the medial arm 254M of the lower midsole component 254.

[0097] In operation, at least some examples of the present technology will attenuate impact forces, for example, by compressing midsole components 254, 256 and / or vertically displacing foot-supporting members / slats 270 of midsole component 260. Additionally, in some examples, foot-supporting component 250 / midsole component 260 can apply a securing force to the wearer's foot. As an example, Figure 2B As shown, a downward force F (e.g., from stepping or jumping) will cause one or more of foot-supporting members 270 (e.g., upwardly arched foot-supporting members / slats 270) to deflect and / or flatten under the applied force F. Because foot-supporting members / slats 270 are connected to lateral sidewall 260L and medial sidewall 260M (e.g., in these examples, are integrally formed with these sidewalls 260L, 260M, such as by a molding process), the downward deflection and / or flattening of foot-supporting members / slats 270 will cause lateral sidewall 260L and medial sidewall 260M to squeeze inwardly (see FIG. 2 ). Figure 2B The inward bending / squeezing action may also be supported or facilitated by the notched area 260N of the connecting wall 260W (or the absence of the connecting wall 260W). When the inward squeezing force is present, it may help provide a more secure and stable feel to the wearer during use. When the downward force F is removed or substantially reduced or relaxed, the squeezing forces F1, F2 will also be removed, reduced or relaxed.

[0098] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3CAn example assembly process of a sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250 according to at least some examples of the present technology is illustrated. As shown, the process can start with up to four components of the sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250, such as a first midsole component or system (e.g., lower midsole component 254 in this example), a second midsole component or system (e.g., upper midsole component 256 in this example), a foot-supporting component or system (e.g., midsole component 260 in this example), and an outsole component or system (e.g., outsole component 252 in this example). In this illustrated example, the first midsole component or system 254 can extend from the rear heel region of the sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250 to the midfoot region (e.g., to provide adequate heel / midfoot support for stepping). On the other hand, the second midsole component or system 256 extends from the rear heel area through the midfoot area and extends to the front toe / forefoot area of ​​the example sole structure / foot-supporting component 250 (e.g., including the upper surface 256T to support all (or substantially all) of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot). The outsole component 252 can be joined to the bottom surface 254B of the first midsole component 254 where the first midsole component 254 exists (e.g., from the rear heel area to the midfoot area), and joined to the bottom surface 256B of the second midsole component 256 where the second midsole component 256 exists as the bottommost surface (e.g., in front of the free ends 254LE, 254ME of the midsole component 254). This joining can be through one or more of an adhesive, a mechanical connector, etc.

[0099] If desired, at the initial stage, the outsole member 252 can hold the first midsole member 254 and the second midsole member 256 together without directly fixing the first midsole member 254 to the second midsole member 256. At this stage, the first midsole member 254 can be easily moved relative to the second midsole member 256, for example, Figure 3B At this stage, a recess 300 may be defined between the bottom surface 256B of the second midsole component 256 and the top surface 254T of the first midsole component 254 .

[0100] Then, with first midsole component 254 and second midsole component 256 kept separated to expose recess 300, midsole component 260 can be inserted into unitary sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250, as shown in FIG. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B to Figure 3CThe process of the midsole component 260 is shown. The bottom surface 260B (e.g., lower edges 262L, 262M) of the midsole component 260 can be joined (e.g., by adhesive, mechanical connectors, etc.) to the top surface 254T (e.g., upper edges of 254LB, 254MB) of the first midsole component 254, and the top surface 260T of the midsole component 260 can be joined (e.g., by adhesive, mechanical connectors, etc.) to the bottom surface 256B of the second midsole component 256. If applicable, the bottom surface 256B of the upper midsole component 256 can be joined to the top surface 254T of the lower midsole component 254, such as at a location where the surfaces 256B / 254T contact each other, such as in front of the free end of the midsole component 260 (the midfoot region of the illustrated example). Figure 3C An example of a final assembled sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250 made by this process is shown.

[0101] Alternatively, if desired, the various sole components 252, 254, 256, and / or 260 may be joined together (and / or to other sole components, upper components, and / or footwear components) in a different order and / or in a different manner. As additional examples: (a) midsole component 260 may first be joined to one of first midsole component 254 or second midsole component 256, (b) the combination may then be joined to the other midsole component (254 or 256), and (c) the combination may then be joined to outsole component 252. These joins may be fixed or releasable and may include any one or more of adhesives, mechanical connectors, and / or fusion bonded / welded joints.

[0102] If necessary, such as Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the bottom surface 256B of the second midsole component 256 (upper midsole component) may include one or more ribs 256R or other structures that fit within the space 280 provided between adjacent foot-supporting members / strips 270 of the midsole component 260. The ribs 256R may help engage the second midsole component 256 with the midsole component 260, help prevent undesirable relative movement between the two components 256, 260, and / or help prevent undesirable deflection of the foot-supporting members / strips 270 in the heel-to-toe direction of the sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250. If such mating and / or interlocking structures are desired, any other type of mating and / or interlocking structures on the second midsole component 256 and / or midsole component 260 (e.g., located within the space 280 and / or around the foot-supporting members / strips 270) may be provided without departing from the present technology.

[0103] This example sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250 assembly process (as well as other assembly processes that incorporate foot-supporting components such as foot-supporting member 260 into sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250) provides an opportunity to customize or otherwise tailor footwear and foot supports for a particular wearer and / or a particular use (e.g., a particular sport, a particular activity, a particular team position, etc.). As some specific examples, plantar forces generated by a wearer of footwear may be measured (e.g., using a foot force measurement system known and used in the art), for example, by the wearer engaging in some type of activity in which steps or jumps are dropped, and / or other forces are applied by the wearer's foot to a contact surface and forces are applied by the contact surface to the wearer's foot. Some examples of such activities may include: walking; running; jumping; throwing a ball (or other object); swinging a bat, club, or other object, etc. Based on the measured foot forces and / or changes in foot forces over time and / or over plantar surface areas, areas of the foot that require different levels of support / impact force reduction properties for that particular user may be identified. Additionally, based on measured foot forces and / or changes in foot forces over time: (a) specific foot-supporting member / slats 270 features and / or characteristics and / or (b) specific open space 280 features and / or characteristics can be designed to provide foot support that is customized and optimized for a specific wearer and / or customized and optimized for a specific sport / activity.The features and / or characteristics of the foot-supporting member / strip 270 and / or the features and / or characteristics of the open space 280 may be varied and / or controlled for this type of customization / optimization, including but not limited to any one or more of the following: foot-supporting member / strip 270 material; foot-supporting member / strip 270 thickness (in the footwear upper to ground direction); foot-supporting member / strip 270 width dimension B2 and / or open space 280 width dimension B1 (e.g., in the lateral to medial direction); ... the width dimension W2 of the strip 270 and / or the width dimension W1 of the open space 280 (e.g., in the heel-to-toe direction); the orientation of the foot-supporting members / strips 270 and / or the open spaces 280 (e.g., the angle and / or direction of the longest dimensions B1, B2 relative to the longitudinal direction or the lateral direction of the sole structure 204 and / or the foot-supporting component 250); the origin and direction of the individual foot-supporting members / strips 270 and / or the open spaces 280 relative to the sidewalls 260L, 260M and / or the free edges 260LT, 260MT of the midsole component 260; the initial position of the arch foot-supporting member / strip 270; the spacing of the foot-supporting members / strips 270; the position of one or more of the foot-supporting members / strips 270 and / or the spacing in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 204; the radius or other curvature feature of the arch of the arch foot-supporting member / strip 270; the height of the local extremum 270E at the lateral side wall 260L and / or the medial side wall 260M relative to the bottom surface 260B of the midsole component 260; the position of the local extremum 270E relative to the longest dimension of the arch foot-supporting member / strip 270 (e.g., the width dimension B2, the lateral direction and and / or another lateral-to-medial position); changes in one or more dimensions of a single foot-supporting member / strip 270 and / or space 280 (e.g., changes in the thickness dimension of a single foot-supporting member / strip 270; changes in the breadth dimension of a single foot-supporting member / strip 270 and / or space 280; changes in the width dimension of a single foot-supporting member / strip 270 and / or space 280; and / or changes in the curvature of a single foot-supporting member / strip 270); the number of foot-supporting members / strips 270 and / or spaces 280, etc.

[0104] Figure 3D A bottom view of an assembled sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250 is provided according to some examples of the present technology. As described above, in at least some examples of the present technology, the first midsole system 254 (e.g., lower midsole component 254) can be substantially U-shaped, with free ends 254LE, 254ME of the U-shape located in the heel or midfoot region of the sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250 and a central open space 254O. Figure 3DThe dashed line 310 in FIG. 3 shows the forward extent of the first midsole system 254 in this illustrated example. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C ), the outsole component 252 (which may be made of one or more component portions) extends beyond the forward free ends 254LE, 254ME of the first midsole system 254 (i.e., beyond the line 310) and directly contacts and covers the bottom surface 256B of the second midsole system 256 (e.g., the upper midsole component 256) at the midfoot and forefoot areas of the sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250.

[0105] As further described above, the outsole member 252 may include, for example, a central recess or central open space 252O between the lateral arm 252L and the medial arm 252M. Figure 3D As shown in the outsole portion 252F in the figure, the outsole member 252 may include a closed front end to close the middle recess or central open space 252O. Except for the central open space 252O, the remaining portion of the bottom of the sole structure 204 / foot-supporting member 250 of the present example (surrounding the open spaces 252O, 254O and line 310 and in front of them) constitutes the bottom surface 252B of the outsole 252. Figure 3D In the illustrated example of , rear connecting wall 252W of outsole member 252 includes a recess or void 252R. The recess or void 252R can help facilitate flexion of sole structure 204 / foot-supporting member 250 along a heel-to-toe oriented axis (e.g., to provide a predetermined flex line and / or otherwise allow the lateral side of sole structure 204 / foot-supporting member 250 to flex relative to the medial side, e.g., during a foot cycle or other use).

[0106] In sole structure 204 / foot-supporting member 250 (where outsole opening 252O and lower midsole member opening 254O are at least partially aligned), for example, Figure 3D As shown, at least a portion of one or more of the foot-supporting members / strips 270 can be exposed at the exterior of the final assembled sole structure 204 and the final assembled foot-supporting component 250. In this example, the exposed portion of the one or more foot-supporting members / strips 270 includes the portion of the foot-supporting member / strip 270 located between the lateral base edge 254LB of the first midsole system 254 and the medial base edge 254MB of the first midsole system 254 (and / or between the lateral arm 252L and the medial arm 252M of the outsole component 252). Thus, the exposed portion of the one or more foot-supporting members / strips 270 can include a central area of ​​the foot-supporting member / strip 270 that includes any local extrema 270E of the arched foot-supporting member / strip 270. In the example of Figure 3DIn some examples of the sole structure 204 / foot-supporting component 250 shown, a bottom surface 256B of the second (upper) midsole component 256 may be exposed in one or more spaces 280 between adjacent foot-supporting members / stripes 270 .

[0107] exist FIG. 2A to FIG. 3D In the example structure of foot-supporting members / stripes 270, each of foot-supporting members / stripes 270 extends continuously from its lateral starting point 270LE to its medial starting point 270ME (and / or extends continuously from its lateral end or midpoint 270LMP to its medial end or midpoint 270MMP), and each of voids 280 extends continuously from its lateral end 280LE to its medial end 280ME. These features are not requirements in all examples of the present technology. Figure 4A An alternative example of a foot-supporting member is provided in the form of a midsole member 360 that is similar to midsole member 260 described above. Figure 4A The midsole component 360 may have any of the various features, characteristics, materials, parts and / or properties of the midsole component 260 described above. Figure 4A When the same reference numerals as in other drawings are used in the drawings, the same or similar parts are meant, and much of the repeated disclosure is omitted.

[0108] However, in Figure 4A In an example of, the midsole component 360 includes a bridge component 362 that extends across one or more of the open spaces 280 to connect at least some of the adjacent foot supporting members / strips 270 together. The bridge component 362 can be located anywhere along the longest (e.g., width) dimension of the foot supporting member / strip 270, and the bridge component 362 can extend between adjacent foot supporting members / strips 270 in any direction. In some examples, the bridge component 362 can be located in the central area of ​​the foot supporting member / strip 270 and / or positioned to connect the local extrema 270E of two adjacent arch foot supporting members / strips 270. Additionally or alternatively, one or more bridge components 362 can be located outside the central area of ​​the foot supporting member / strip 270 and / or positioned away from one or both of the local extrema 270E of two adjacent arch foot supporting members / strips 270. Moreover, as Figure 4AAs shown, two adjacent foot-supporting members / strips 270 may be connected by more than one bridge member 362. Bridge members 362 may be integrally formed as part of midsole member 360 (e.g., when midsole member 360 is molded) and may be made of the same material (or a different material) as midsole member 360. Alternatively, one or more bridge members 362 may be separate parts that are joined (e.g., by an adhesive or glue, a mechanical connector, a fusion technique, etc.) to two or more adjacent foot-supporting members / strips 270.

[0109] Although Figure 4A A bridge component 362 is shown connecting three pairs of adjacent foot-supporting members / stripes 270, but any number of bridge components 362 may be included in a single midsole component 360 connecting any number of adjacent pairs of foot-supporting members / stripes 270. One or more bridge components 362 of these types may be included in a midsole component 360 structure to allow for further tuning, customization, and / or optimization of the impact force attenuation response of the midsole component 360, the foot-supporting component 250 including it, and / or the sole structure 204 including it. As an example, one or more bridge components 362 may be provided at a localized area of ​​a midsole component 360 to provide increased stiffness or resistance to deflection at that localized area (e.g., at an area identified as needing increased support based on foot force measurements).

[0110] Figure 4B Another example of a foot-supporting member is illustrated in the form of a midsole member 460 that is similar to midsole member 260 described above. Figure 4B The midsole component 460 of can have any of the various features, characteristics, materials, parts and / or properties of the midsole components 260 and 360 described above. Figure 4B When the same reference numerals as in other drawings are used in the drawings, the same or similar parts are meant, and much of the repeated disclosure is omitted.

[0111] However, in Figure 4BIn an example of the invention, one or more of the individual foot-supporting members / strips 270 of the midsole component 460 include voids 462 along their longest dimension (e.g., width dimension). The voids 462 extend between adjacent open spaces 280 and connect them together. The voids 462 may be located anywhere along the longest (e.g., width) dimension of the foot-supporting member / strip 270, and the voids 462 may extend across the foot-supporting member / strip 270 in any direction. In some examples, the voids 462 may be located in a central region of the foot-supporting member / strip 270 and / or at a local extremum 270E of the arched foot-supporting member / strip 270. Additionally or alternatively, one or more voids 462 may be located outside of a central region of the foot-supporting member / strip 270 and / or positioned away from a local extremum 270E of the arched foot-supporting member / strip 270. Voids 462 may be integrally formed as part of midsole component 460 (e.g., when midsole component 460 is molded) and / or they may be cut across foot-supporting member / strip 270 after foot-supporting member / strip 270 is formed. Thus, the term "void" as used in this context may constitute a discontinuity in foot-supporting member / strip 270 (having little or no measurable spacing).

[0112] Although Figure 4B The voids 462 are shown connecting four pairs of adjacent spaces 280, but any number of voids 462 may be included in a single midsole component 460 connecting any number of pairs of adjacent spaces 280. Additionally, although not required, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B As shown in the example, the individual midsole component 460 may include one or more voids 462 and one or more bridge components 362, for example, which may be a combination of the above Figure 4A One or more voids 462 of these types (and, if present, one or more bridge members 362 of these types) may be included in the midsole member 460 structure to allow for further adjustment, customization, and / or optimization of the impact force attenuation response of the midsole member 460, the foot-supporting member 250 including it, and / or the sole structure 204 including it. As an example, one or more voids 462 may be provided at a localized area of ​​the midsole member 460 to provide increased flexibility and / or deflection at that localized area (e.g., at an area identified as needing increased deflection or softness based on foot force measurements).

[0113] Figure 5 is an exploded view of foot-supporting member 250 and a portion of sole structure 204 similar to Figure 2A Therefore, when Figure 5When the same reference numerals are used in other drawings, the same or similar parts are intended, and much of the repetitive disclosure is omitted. Figure 5 , to illustrate features that may be included in at least some examples of the present technology. As shown, at least a portion of the top surface 254T of the lower midsole component 254 and / or at least a portion of the bottom surface 260B of the base support surface 260S of the midsole component 260 may include structure that helps to hold the two components 254, 260 together. For example, under shear forces (e.g., when a user applies laterally directed forces to the sole structure 204 / shoe 200, such as when performing a cutting action or turning), the components 254, 260 may be exposed to forces that may tend to cause them to disengage (slide / tear apart, even when attached by adhesive or otherwise). Therefore, some portions of the top surface 254T of the lower midsole component 254 and / or the bottom surface 260B of the base support surface 260S of the midsole component 260 may include mating and / or interlocking structures / surfaces 520. As some more specific examples, any one or more (and optionally all) of the following: (a) the lateral base edge 262L (e.g., the lower lateral edge) of the lateral wall 260L, (b) the medial base edge 262M (e.g., the lower medial edge) of the medial wall 260M, (c) the connecting base edge 262W (e.g., the lower edge) of the connecting wall 260W, (d) the lateral base edge 254LB (e.g., the upper edge) of the lower midsole component 254, (e) the medial base edge 254MB (e.g., the upper edge) of the lower midsole component 254, and / or (f) the connecting base edge 254CB (e.g., the upper edge) of the lower midsole component 254 may include a mating and / or interlocking structure 520 (e.g., a complementary engagement structure) that provides a load-bearing surface in a side-to-side direction to help prevent the components 254, 260 from separating under shear forces. Figure 5 (as well as Figure 2A ) illustrates various notches, raised ribs, and / or side surfaces along the top surface 254T of the lateral base edge 254LB and the medial base edge 254MB of the lower midsole component 254 as mating and / or interlocking structures 520 that can engage corresponding (e.g., complementary) raised ribs, notches, and / or side surfaces (as mating and / or interlocking structures 520) disposed on the lateral base edge 262L and the medial base edge 262M, respectively, of the midsole component 260. The mating and / or interlocking structures 520 (e.g., raised ribs, notches, and / or side surfaces) also increase the surface area to which adhesive can be applied, thereby increasing the bonding surface area between the two components 254, 260.

[0114] In the specific examples above, foot-supporting component 250 and midsole component 260 of sole structure 204 are primarily located in the heel region of the article of footwear, although other options are also mentioned. As some more specific examples, if desired, the forward-most portions of lateral sidewall 260L and medial sidewall 260M may be located rearward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of overall foot-supporting component 250, sole structure 204, and / or article of footwear 200, and located at P=0.45L (and in some examples, rearward of a vertical plane at P=0.4L or even rearward of a vertical plane at P=0.35L).

[0115] Other arrangements of foot-supporting components 260, 360, 460 (e.g., midsole components 260, 360, 460) are possible according to aspects of the present technology, for example, depending on where support is needed / desired. Figure 6 As shown, midsole component 260, 360, 460 can be configured as a midfoot or arch support component. As a more specific example, midsole component 260, 360, 460 can be located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of overall foot-supporting component 250, sole structure 204, and / or article of footwear 200, and located at P=0.2L and P=0.8L. Therefore, the rearmost extent (at Figure 6 The forwardmost extent of the midsole component 260, 360, 460 of this example (shown as dashed line 610A) may be located forward of the vertical plane at P = 0.2L, and in some examples, forward of the vertical plane at P = 0.25L, or even forward of the vertical plane at P = 0.3L. Additionally or alternatively, the forwardmost extent of the midsole component 260, 360, 460 of this example (shown as dashed line 610A) may be located forward of the vertical plane at P = 0.2L, and in some examples, forward of the vertical plane at P = 0.25L, or even forward of the vertical plane at P = 0.3L. Figure 6 The bottom surface 260B of the midsole component 260, 360, 460 (shown as dashed line 610B in FIG. 1 ) may be located posteriorly of the vertical plane at P = 0.8L, and in some examples, posteriorly of the vertical plane at P = 0.75L, or even posteriorly of the vertical plane at P = 0.7L. In at least some examples of this midfoot / arch-based structure, portions of the bottom surface 260B of the midsole component 260, 360, 460 at the rearmost extent and forwardmost extent (and / or around its perimeter) may be covered by the lower midsole component 254 and / or the outsole component 252.

[0116] Figure 6The midsole component 260, 360, 460 of the example can include an outer side wall (e.g., such as 260L), an inner side wall (e.g., such as 260M), a receptacle, and a narrow strip or other base surface 260S of the type described above. However, in this midfoot / arch based example, a substantially connecting wall (similar to wall 260W) can be omitted, for example, to avoid a raised wall crossing the plantar surface of the wearer's foot. If desired, one or both of the outsole component 252 and / or the lower midsole component 254 can include a central opening 252O, 254O so that the bottom 260B of the midsole component 260, 360, 460 (e.g., the foot supporting member / narrow strip 270 and / or the space 280) is exposed at the bottom of the exterior of the overall sole structure 204, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 Moreover, the sidewall height dimension HW can be slightly toward the lower end of the various ranges described above (eg, less than 15 mm high, less than 12 mm high, less than 10 mm high, etc.).

[0117] Figure 7 The forefoot-based arrangement of foot-supporting components 260, 360, 460 according to aspects of the present technology is illustrated. As a more specific example, the midsole components 260, 360, 460 of this example can be located forward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the overall foot-supporting component 250, the sole structure 204, and / or the article of footwear 200, and located at P=0.55L. Thus, the rearmost extent (at Figure 7 The bottom surface 260B of the midsole component 260, 360, 460 may be covered at the rearmost extent and / or around the perimeter thereof by the lower midsole component 254 and / or the outsole component 252 in at least some examples of this forefoot-based structure.

[0118] The bottom member 260, 360, 460 in this example may include a lateral wall (e.g., such as 260L), a medial wall (e.g., such as 260M), a receptacle, and a narrow strip or other base surface 260S of the type described above. In this forefoot-based example, if desired, a forward connecting wall (similar to wall 260W) may be located around the front toe area of ​​the structure to connect the lateral wall 260L and the medial wall 260M. When present, it may have any of the structural features, characteristics, options, etc. described above for the connecting wall 260W, including notch features and / or other pre-bend / flex support features, except that the forward connecting wall is located around the front of the foot support structure rather than around the rear of the structure. If desired, one or both of the outsole component 252 and / or the lower midsole component 254 may include a central opening 252O, 254O (and may be U-shaped) such that the bottom 260B of the midsole component 260, 360, 460 (e.g., the foot-supporting member / narrow strip 270 and / or the space 280) is exposed at the bottom of the exterior of the overall sole structure 204, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 Moreover, the sidewall height dimension HW can be within the various ranges described above, and in some specific examples, is less than 20 mm, less than 15 mm high, less than 12 mm high, less than 10 mm high, etc. If desired, the sidewalls 260L, 260M, and / or 260W can extend to a position above the top of the wearer's foot (inside or outside of the footwear upper) to provide a toe-like structure.

[0119] Still other arrangements and / or extents of midsole components 260, 360, 460 are possible without departing from the present technology. Figure 8An arrangement is shown in which a midsole member 260, 360, 460 extends to support all or substantially all of the plantar surface of the wearer's foot. The midsole member 260, 360, 460 in this example may include a lateral wall (e.g., such as 260L), a medial wall (e.g., such as 260M), a receptacle, and a narrow strip or other base surface 260S of the type described above. In this full-foot based example, if desired, a forward connecting wall (similar to wall 260W) may be located around the front toe area of ​​the structure to connect the lateral wall 260L and the medial wall 260M, and / or a rearward connecting wall (similar to wall 260W) may be located around the rear heel area of ​​the structure to connect the lateral wall 260L and the medial wall 260M. When present, the connecting wall may have any of the structural features, characteristics, options, etc. of the connecting wall 260W described above, including one or more notched areas, for example, to facilitate / support flexion of the lateral side relative to the medial side. If desired, one or both of the outsole component 252 and / or the lower midsole component 254 may include a central opening 252O, 254O such that a bottom 260B of the midsole component 260, 360, 460 (e.g., the foot-supporting member / slat 270 and / or the void 280) is exposed at the bottom of the exterior of the overall sole structure 204. In at least some examples of this structure, portions of the bottom surface 260B of the midsole component 260, 360, 460, e.g., portions around its perimeter, may be covered by the lower midsole component 254 and / or the outsole component 252.

[0120] As yet other examples, if desired, midsole components 260, 360, 460 can be sized and arranged within foot-supporting component 250 structure to support: (a) a combined midfoot and heel region of a wearer's foot, (b) a combined midfoot and forefoot region of a wearer's foot, and / or (c) a combined heel and forefoot region of a wearer's foot.

[0121] Although the above example structures show an arched foot-supporting member / strip 270 having a single local extremum 270E, other options are possible, including: (a) a flat / planar foot-supporting member / strip 270 (optionally oriented horizontally when the midsole component 260 and / or sole structure is supported on a horizontal base surface in an unloaded state); (b) a foot-supporting member / strip 270 having two local extrema 270E or vertices; (c) a foot-supporting member / strip 270 having three local extrema 270E or vertices; and / or (d) a foot-supporting member / strip 270 having four or more local extrema 270E or vertices.

[0122] III. Conclusion

[0123] The present invention has been disclosed above with reference to various embodiments and / or options in the accompanying drawings. However, the purpose served by this disclosure is to provide examples of various features and concepts related to the present invention, rather than to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that various changes and modifications may be made to the features of the present invention described above without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0124] For the avoidance of doubt, this application includes at least the subject matter described in the following numbered clauses:

[0125] Clause 1. A foot-supporting component of an article of footwear, comprising:

[0126] an outer side wall extending to and forming an outer side free edge;

[0127] an inner side wall, the inner side wall being located opposite the outer side wall, wherein the inner side wall extends to and forms an inner free edge; and

[0128] A base support surface, the base support surface comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the base support surface comprises:

[0129] a first arch foot support strip, wherein a local extremum of the first arch foot support strip is located in a central region of the first arch foot support strip between the outer side wall and the inner side wall, and wherein the first arch foot support strip originates at or near the outer side wall and the inner side wall at a location spaced apart from the outer side free edge and the inner side free edge,

[0130] a second arch foot support strip, wherein a local extremity of the second arch foot support strip is located in a central region of the second arch foot support strip between the lateral side wall and the medial side wall, and wherein the second arch foot support strip originates at or near the lateral side wall and the medial side wall at a location spaced apart from the lateral free edge and the medial free edge,

[0131] a third arch foot support strip, wherein a local extremum of the third arch foot support strip is located in a central region of the third arch foot support strip between the lateral side wall and the medial side wall, and wherein the third arch foot support strip originates at or near the lateral side wall and the medial side wall at a location spaced apart from the lateral free edge and the medial free edge,

[0132] a first open space extending between and separating at least 90% of a rearward edge of the first arch foot support strip and at least 90% of a forward edge of the second arch foot support strip, and

[0133] a second open space extending between and separating at least 90% of a rearward edge of the second arch foot support strip and at least 90% of a forward edge of the third arch foot support strip,

[0134] Wherein, each of the first open space and the second open space constitutes a through hole extending completely through the base supporting surface from the outer surface of the base supporting surface to the inner surface of the base supporting surface.

[0135] Clause 2. The foot-supporting member of clause 1, further comprising:

[0136] A connecting wall connects the outer side wall and the inner side wall, wherein the connecting wall extends to and forms a connecting wall free edge, and the connecting wall free edge extends from the outer side free edge to the inner side free edge.

[0137] Clause 3. The foot-supporting member of Clause 2, wherein the connecting wall free edge includes a notched or concave top edge portion.

[0138] Clause 4. The foot-supporting member of Clause 2, wherein the connecting wall includes a notched or concave portion.

[0139] Clause 5. The foot-supporting component of any one of Clauses 2 to 4, wherein the connecting wall is a rear heel wall.

[0140] Clause 6. The foot-supporting component of any one of Clauses 2 to 4, wherein the connecting wall is a forefoot wall.

[0141] Clause 7. A foot support component according to any one of Clauses 2 to 6, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface includes: a lateral base edge, which is located on the side of the lateral wall opposite to the lateral free edge; a medial base edge, which is located on the side of the medial wall opposite to the medial free edge; and a connecting base edge, which is located on the side of the connecting wall opposite to the connecting wall free edge.

[0142] Clause 8. The foot-supporting component of clause 7, further comprising:

[0143] A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge, a medial base edge and a connecting base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the connecting base edge of the first midsole system engages the connecting base edge of the base support surface.

[0144] Item 9. A foot-supporting component according to Item 8, wherein the first midsole system has a U-shaped structure, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system forms a lateral arm of the U-shaped structure, the medial base edge of the first midsole system forms a medial arm of the U-shaped structure, and the connecting base edge of the first midsole system forms a base of the U-shaped structure.

[0145] Clause 10. The foot-supporting component of any of Clauses 2 to 6, wherein an inner surface of the lateral sidewall, an inner surface of the medial sidewall, an inner surface of the connecting wall, and the inner surface of the base support surface define a receptacle.

[0146] Clause 11. The foot-supporting component of any of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein an inner surface of the lateral sidewall, an inner surface of the medial sidewall, and the inner surface of the base support surface define a receptacle.

[0147] Clause 12. The foot-supporting component of clause 10 or clause 11, further comprising:

[0148] A midsole component is received in the receptacle.

[0149] Clause 13. A foot support component according to Clause 12, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface includes: a lateral base edge, which is located on a side of the lateral wall opposite to the lateral free edge; and a medial base edge, which is located on a side of the medial wall opposite to the medial free edge.

[0150] Clause 14. The foot-supporting component of clause 13, further comprising:

[0151] A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge and a medial base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0152] Clause 15. The foot-supporting component of Clause 14, wherein the material of the midsole component has a lower Shore A hardness and / or a lower density than the material of the first midsole system.

[0153] Clause 16. A foot support component according to Clause 14 or Clause 15, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system includes a first interlocking structure, which engages with a first complementary interlocking structure disposed on the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system includes a second interlocking structure, which engages with a second complementary interlocking structure disposed on the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0154] Clause 17. A foot support component according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface includes: a lateral base edge, which is located on the side of the lateral wall opposite to the lateral free edge; and a medial base edge, which is located on the side of the medial wall opposite to the medial free edge.

[0155] Clause 18. The foot-supporting component of clause 17, further comprising:

[0156] A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge and a medial base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0157] Item 19. A foot support component according to Item 18, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system includes a first interlocking structure, which engages with a first complementary interlocking structure disposed on the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system includes a second interlocking structure, which engages with a second complementary interlocking structure disposed on the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0158] Clause 20. The foot-supporting component of any one of clauses 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18, or 19, further comprising:

[0159] An outsole system comprising: a lateral outsole element engaged with a surface of the first midsole system positioned opposite the lateral base edge; and a medial outsole element engaged with a surface of the first midsole system positioned opposite the medial base edge.

[0160] Clause 21. A foot-supporting component according to any one of clauses 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 or 20, wherein at least a portion of each of the first arch foot-supporting strip, the second arch foot-supporting strip and the third arch foot-supporting strip is exposed between the lateral base edge of the first midsole system and the medial base edge of the first midsole system.

[0161] Clause 22. A foot-supporting component of an article of footwear, comprising:

[0162] an outer side wall extending to and forming an outer side free edge;

[0163] an inner side wall, the inner side wall being located opposite the outer side wall, wherein the inner side wall extends to and forms an inner free edge; and

[0164] A base support surface, the base support surface comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the base support surface comprises:

[0165] a first arch foot support member, the first arch foot support member including a first forward edge extending between: (i) a first lateral starting point, the first lateral starting point being located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a first medial starting point, the first medial starting point being located at or near the medial sidewall, and a first rearward edge extending between: (i) a second lateral starting point, the second lateral starting point being located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a second medial starting point, the second medial starting point being located at or near the medial sidewall, and wherein the first arch foot support member includes a first single local extremum located in a central region of the first arch foot support member between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall,

[0166] a second arch foot support member, the second arch foot support member including a second forward edge extending between: (i) a third lateral starting point, the third lateral starting point being located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a third medial starting point, the third medial starting point being located at or near the medial sidewall, and a second rearward edge extending between: (i) a fourth lateral starting point, the fourth lateral starting point being located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a fourth medial starting point, the fourth medial starting point being located at or near the medial sidewall, and wherein the second arch foot support member includes a second single local extremum located in a central region of the second arch foot support member between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall, wherein the second forward edge is substantially parallel to the first rearward edge, and wherein the separation of the second forward edge from the first rearward edge occurs over at least 85% of a width dimension of the second arch foot support member, and

[0167] A third arch foot support member, the third arch foot support member including a third forward edge extending between: (i) a fifth lateral starting point, the fifth lateral starting point being located at or near the lateral side wall, and (ii) a fifth medial starting point, the fifth medial starting point being located at or near the medial side wall, and a third rearward edge extending between: (i) a sixth lateral starting point, the sixth lateral starting point being located at or near the lateral side wall, and (ii) a sixth medial starting point, the sixth medial starting point being located at or near the medial side wall, and wherein the third arch foot support member includes a third single local extremum located in a central region of the third arch foot support member between the lateral side wall and the medial side wall, wherein the third forward edge is substantially parallel to the second rearward edge, and wherein the separation of the third forward edge from the second rearward edge occurs over at least 85% of the width dimension of the third arch foot support member.

[0168] Clause 23. The foot-supporting component of clause 22, further comprising:

[0169] A connecting wall connects the outer side wall and the inner side wall, wherein the connecting wall extends to and forms a connecting wall free edge, and the connecting wall free edge extends from the outer side free edge to the inner side free edge.

[0170] Clause 24. The foot-supporting component of Clause 23, wherein the connecting wall free edge includes a notched or concave top edge portion.

[0171] Clause 25. The foot-supporting member of Clause 23, wherein the connecting wall includes a notched or concave portion.

[0172] Clause 26. The foot-supporting component of any one of Clauses 23 to 25, wherein the connecting wall is a rear heel wall.

[0173] Clause 27. The foot-supporting component of any one of Clauses 23 to 25, wherein the connecting wall is a forefoot wall.

[0174] Clause 28. A foot support component according to any one of clauses 23 to 27, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface includes: a lateral base edge, which is located on the side of the lateral wall opposite to the lateral free edge; a medial base edge, which is located on the side of the medial wall opposite to the medial free edge; and a connecting base edge, which is located on the side of the connecting wall opposite to the connecting wall free edge.

[0175] Clause 29. The foot-supporting component of clause 28, further comprising:

[0176] A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge, a medial base edge and a connecting base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the connecting base edge of the first midsole system engages the connecting base edge of the base support surface.

[0177] Clause 30. A foot-supporting component according to Clause 29, wherein the first midsole system has a U-shaped structure, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system forms a lateral arm of the U-shaped structure, the medial base edge of the first midsole system forms a medial arm of the U-shaped structure, and the connecting base edge of the first midsole system forms a base of the U-shaped structure.

[0178] Clause 31. The foot-supporting component of any of Clauses 23 to 27, wherein an inner surface of the lateral sidewall, an inner surface of the medial sidewall, an inner surface of the connecting wall, and the inner surface of the base support surface define a receptacle.

[0179] Clause 32. The foot-supporting component of any of Clauses 22 to 27, wherein an inner surface of the lateral sidewall, an inner surface of the medial sidewall, and the inner surface of the base support surface define a receptacle.

[0180] Clause 33. The foot-supporting component of clause 31 or clause 32, further comprising:

[0181] A midsole component is received in the receptacle.

[0182] Clause 34. A foot support component according to clause 33, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface includes: a lateral base edge, which is located on the side of the lateral wall opposite to the lateral free edge; and a medial base edge, which is located on the side of the medial wall opposite to the medial free edge.

[0183] Clause 35. The foot-supporting component of clause 34, further comprising:

[0184] A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge and a medial base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0185] Clause 36. The foot-supporting component of Clause 35, wherein the material of the midsole component has a lower Shore A hardness and / or a lower density than the material of the first midsole system.

[0186] Clause 37. A foot support component as described in Clause 35 or Clause 36, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system includes a first interlocking structure that engages with a first complementary interlocking structure disposed on the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system includes a second interlocking structure that engages with a second complementary interlocking structure disposed on the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0187] Clause 38. A foot support component according to any one of clauses 22 to 27, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface includes: a lateral base edge, which is located on the side of the lateral wall opposite to the lateral free edge; and a medial base edge, which is located on the side of the medial wall opposite to the medial free edge.

[0188] Clause 39. The foot-supporting component of clause 38, further comprising:

[0189] A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge and a medial base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0190] Clause 40. A foot support component according to Clause 39, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system includes a first interlocking structure, which engages with a first complementary interlocking structure disposed on the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system includes a second interlocking structure, which engages with a second complementary interlocking structure disposed on the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0191] Clause 41. The foot-supporting component of any one of clauses 29, 30, 35, 36, 37, 39, or 40, further comprising:

[0192] An outsole system comprising: a lateral outsole element engaged with a surface of the first midsole system positioned opposite the lateral base edge; and a medial outsole element engaged with a surface of the first midsole system positioned opposite the medial base edge.

[0193] Clause 42. A foot-supporting component as described in any one of clauses 29, 30, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40 or 41, wherein at least a portion of each of the first arch foot-supporting member, the second arch foot-supporting member and the third arch foot-supporting member is exposed between the lateral base edge of the first midsole system and the medial base edge of the first midsole system.

[0194] Clause 43. The foot-supporting component of any of Clauses 22 to 42, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third arched foot-supporting members includes a void along a width dimension thereof.

[0195] Clause 44. A foot-supporting component according to any one of clauses 22 to 43, wherein: (a) a bridging member extends between and connects a portion of the first rearward edge and a portion of the second forward edge, and / or (b) a bridging member extends between and connects a portion of the second rearward edge and a portion of the third forward edge.

[0196] Clause 45. An article of footwear comprising:

[0197] Upper; and

[0198] A sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the sole structure includes a foot-supporting component according to any preceding clause.

[0199] Clause 46. A foot-supporting component of an article of footwear, comprising:

[0200] an outer side wall extending to and forming an outer side free edge;

[0201] an inner side wall, the inner side wall being located opposite the outer side wall, wherein the inner side wall extends to and forms an inner free edge; and

[0202] A base support surface, the base support surface comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the base support surface comprises:

[0203] a first foot-supporting strip extending in a direction between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall, and wherein the first foot-supporting strip originates at or near the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall at a location spaced apart from the lateral free edge and the medial free edge,

[0204] a second foot-supporting strip extending in a direction between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall, and wherein the second foot-supporting strip originates at or near the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall at a location spaced apart from the lateral free edge and the medial free edge,

[0205] a third foot-supporting strip extending in a direction between the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall, and wherein the third foot-supporting strip originates at or near the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall at a location spaced apart from the lateral free edge and the medial free edge,

[0206] a first open space extending between and separating at least 90% of a rearward edge of the first foot-supporting strip and at least 75% of a forward edge of the second foot-supporting strip, and

[0207] A second open space extends between and separates at least 90% of the rearward edge of the second foot-supporting strip and at least 75% of the forward edge of the third foot-supporting strip.

[0208] Clause 47. The foot-supporting component of clause 46, further comprising:

[0209] A connecting wall connects the outer side wall and the inner side wall, wherein the connecting wall extends to and forms a connecting wall free edge, and the connecting wall free edge extends from the outer side free edge to the inner side free edge.

[0210] Clause 48. The foot-supporting component of Clause 47, wherein the connecting wall free edge includes a notched or concave top edge portion.

[0211] Clause 49. The foot-supporting member of Clause 47, wherein the connecting wall includes a notched or concave portion.

[0212] Clause 50. The foot-supporting component of any one of Clauses 47 to 49, wherein the connecting wall is a rear heel wall.

[0213] Clause 51. The foot-supporting component of any one of Clauses 47 to 49, wherein the connecting wall is a forefoot wall.

[0214] Clause 52. A foot support component according to any one of clauses 47 to 51, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface includes: a lateral base edge, which is located on the side of the lateral wall opposite to the lateral free edge; a medial base edge, which is located on the side of the medial wall opposite to the medial free edge; and a connecting base edge, which is located on the side of the connecting wall opposite to the connecting wall free edge.

[0215] Clause 53. The foot-supporting component of clause 52, further comprising:

[0216] A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge, a medial base edge and a connecting base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the connecting base edge of the first midsole system engages the connecting base edge of the base support surface.

[0217] Item 54. A foot-supporting component according to Item 53, wherein the first midsole system has a U-shaped structure, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system forms a lateral arm of the U-shaped structure, the medial base edge of the first midsole system forms a medial arm of the U-shaped structure, and the connecting base edge of the first midsole system forms a base of the U-shaped structure.

[0218] Clause 55. The foot-supporting component of any of clauses 47 to 51, wherein an inner surface of the lateral sidewall, an inner surface of the medial sidewall, an inner surface of the connecting wall, and the inner surface of the base support surface define a receptacle.

[0219] Clause 56. The foot-supporting component of any of clauses 46 to 51, wherein an inner surface of the lateral sidewall, an inner surface of the medial sidewall, and the inner surface of the base support surface define a receptacle.

[0220] Clause 57. The foot-supporting component of Clause 55 or Clause 56, further comprising:

[0221] A midsole component is received in the receptacle.

[0222] Clause 58. A foot support component according to Clause 57, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface includes: a lateral base edge, which is located on the side of the lateral wall opposite to the lateral free edge; and a medial base edge, which is located on the side of the medial wall opposite to the medial free edge.

[0223] Clause 59. The foot-supporting component of clause 58, further comprising:

[0224] A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge and a medial base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0225] Clause 60. The foot-supporting component of Clause 59, wherein the material of the midsole component has a lower Shore A hardness and / or a lower density than the material of the first midsole system.

[0226] Clause 61. A foot support component as described in Clause 59 or Clause 60, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system includes a first interlocking structure that engages with a first complementary interlocking structure disposed on the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system includes a second interlocking structure that engages with a second complementary interlocking structure disposed on the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0227] Clause 62. A foot support component according to any one of clauses 46 to 51, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface includes: a lateral base edge, which is located on the side of the lateral wall opposite to the lateral free edge; and a medial base edge, which is located on the side of the medial wall opposite to the medial free edge.

[0228] Clause 63. The foot-supporting component of clause 62, further comprising:

[0229] A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge and a medial base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0230] Clause 64. A foot support component as described in Clause 63, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system includes a first interlocking structure that engages with a first complementary interlocking structure disposed on the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system includes a second interlocking structure that engages with a second complementary interlocking structure disposed on the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0231] Clause 65. The foot-supporting component of any one of clauses 53, 54, 59, 60, 61, 63, or 64, further comprising:

[0232] An outsole system comprising: a lateral outsole element engaged with a surface of the first midsole system positioned opposite the lateral base edge; and a medial outsole element engaged with a surface of the first midsole system positioned opposite the medial base edge.

[0233] Clause 66. A foot-supporting component according to any one of clauses 53, 54, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64 or 65, wherein at least a portion of each of the first foot-supporting strip, the second foot-supporting strip and the third foot-supporting strip is exposed between the lateral base edge of the first midsole system and the medial base edge of the first midsole system.

[0234] Clause 67. A foot-supporting component of an article of footwear, comprising:

[0235] an outer side wall extending to and forming an outer side free edge;

[0236] an inner side wall, the inner side wall being located opposite the outer side wall, wherein the inner side wall extends to and forms an inner free edge; and

[0237] A base support surface, the base support surface comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the base support surface comprises:

[0238] a first foot-supporting member including a first forward edge extending between: (i) a first lateral starting point, the first lateral starting point being located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a first medial starting point, the first medial starting point being located at or near the medial sidewall, and a first rearward edge extending between: (i) a second lateral starting point, the second lateral starting point being located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a second medial starting point, the second medial starting point being located at or near the medial sidewall,

[0239] a second foot-supporting member including a second forward edge extending between: (i) a third lateral starting point located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a third medial starting point located at or near the medial sidewall, and a second rearward edge extending between: (i) a fourth lateral starting point located at or near the lateral sidewall, and (ii) a fourth medial starting point located at or near the medial sidewall, and

[0240] and a third foot-supporting member including a third forward edge extending between: (i) a fifth lateral starting point located at or near the lateral sidewall and (ii) a fifth medial starting point located at or near the medial sidewall, and a third rearward edge extending between: (i) a sixth lateral starting point located at or near the lateral sidewall and (ii) a sixth medial starting point located at or near the medial sidewall.

[0241] Clause 68. The foot-supporting component of clause 67, further comprising:

[0242] A connecting wall connects the outer side wall and the inner side wall, wherein the connecting wall extends to and forms a connecting wall free edge, and the connecting wall free edge extends from the outer side free edge to the inner side free edge.

[0243] Clause 69. The foot-supporting component of Clause 68, wherein the connecting wall free edge includes a notched or concave top edge portion.

[0244] Clause 70. The foot-supporting member of Clause 68, wherein the connecting wall includes a notched or concave portion.

[0245] Clause 71. The foot-supporting component of any of Clauses 68 to 70, wherein the connecting wall is a rear heel wall.

[0246] Clause 72. The foot-supporting component of any one of Clauses 68 to 70, wherein the connecting wall is a forefoot wall.

[0247] Clause 73. A foot support component according to any one of clauses 68 to 72, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface includes: a lateral base edge, which is located on the side of the lateral wall opposite to the lateral free edge; a medial base edge, which is located on the side of the medial wall opposite to the medial free edge; and a connecting base edge, which is located on the side of the connecting wall opposite to the connecting wall free edge.

[0248] Clause 74. The foot-supporting component of clause 73, further comprising:

[0249] A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge, a medial base edge and a connecting base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the connecting base edge of the first midsole system engages the connecting base edge of the base support surface.

[0250] Clause 75. A foot-supporting component according to clause 74, wherein the first midsole system has a U-shaped structure, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system forms a lateral arm of the U-shaped structure, the medial base edge of the first midsole system forms a medial arm of the U-shaped structure, and the connecting base edge of the first midsole system forms a base of the U-shaped structure.

[0251] Clause 76. The foot-supporting component of any of clauses 69 to 72, wherein an inner surface of the lateral sidewall, an inner surface of the medial sidewall, an inner surface of the connecting wall, and the inner surface of the base support surface define a receptacle.

[0252] Clause 77. The foot-supporting component of any of clauses 67 to 72, wherein an inner surface of the lateral sidewall, an inner surface of the medial sidewall, and the inner surface of the base support surface define a receptacle.

[0253] Clause 78. The foot-supporting component of clause 76 or clause 77, further comprising:

[0254] A midsole component is received in the receptacle.

[0255] Clause 79. A foot support component according to clause 78, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface includes: a lateral base edge, which is located on the side of the lateral wall opposite to the lateral free edge; and a medial base edge, which is located on the side of the medial wall opposite to the medial free edge.

[0256] Clause 80. The foot-supporting component of clause 69, further comprising:

[0257] A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge and a medial base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0258] Clause 81. The foot-supporting component of clause 80, wherein the material of the midsole component has a lower Shore A hardness and / or a lower density than the material of the first midsole system.

[0259] Clause 82. A foot support component as described in clause 80 or clause 81, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system includes a first interlocking structure that engages with a first complementary interlocking structure disposed on the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system includes a second interlocking structure that engages with a second complementary interlocking structure disposed on the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0260] Clause 83. A foot support component according to any one of clauses 67 to 72, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface includes: a lateral base edge, which is located on the side of the lateral wall opposite to the lateral free edge; and a medial base edge, which is located on the side of the medial wall opposite to the medial free edge.

[0261] Clause 84. The foot-supporting component of clause 83, further comprising:

[0262] A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge and a medial base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0263] Clause 85. A foot support component as described in Clause 84, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system includes a first interlocking structure that engages with a first complementary interlocking structure disposed on the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system includes a second interlocking structure that engages with a second complementary interlocking structure disposed on the medial base edge of the base support surface.

[0264] Clause 86. The foot-supporting component of any one of clauses 74, 75, 80, 81, 82, 84, or 85, further comprising:

[0265] An outsole system comprising: a lateral outsole element engaged with a surface of the first midsole system positioned opposite the lateral base edge; and a medial outsole element engaged with a surface of the first midsole system positioned opposite the medial base edge.

[0266] Clause 87. A foot-supporting member as described in any one of clauses 74, 75, 80, 81, 82, 84, 84, 85 or 86, wherein at least a portion of each of the first foot-supporting member, the second foot-supporting member and the third foot-supporting member is exposed between the lateral base edge of the first midsole system and the medial base edge of the first midsole system.

[0267] Clause 88. The foot-supporting component of any of clauses 67 to 87, wherein at least one of the first foot-supporting member, the second foot-supporting member, and the third foot-supporting member includes a void along a width dimension thereof.

[0268] Clause 89. A foot-supporting member as described in any of clauses 67 to 88, wherein: (a) a bridging member extends between and connects a portion of the first rearward edge and a portion of the second forward edge, and / or (b) a bridging member extends between and connects a portion of the second rearward edge and a portion of the third forward edge.

[0269] Clause 90. An article of footwear comprising:

[0270] Upper; and

[0271] A sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the sole structure includes a foot-supporting component according to any of clauses 46 to 89.

Claims

1. A foot-supporting component of a footwear article, comprising: an outer side wall extending to and forming an outer side free edge; an inner side wall, the inner side wall being positioned opposite to the outer side wall, wherein the inner side wall extends to and forms an inner free edge; A base support surface, the base support surface comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the base support surface comprises: a first arch foot support strip, wherein a local extremum of the first arch foot support strip is located in a central region of the first arch foot support strip between the outer side wall and the inner side wall, and wherein the first arch foot support strip originates at or near the outer side wall and the inner side wall at a location spaced apart from the outer side free edge and the inner side free edge, a second arch foot support strip, wherein a local extremity of the second arch foot support strip is located in a central region of the second arch foot support strip between the lateral side wall and the medial side wall, and wherein the second arch foot support strip originates at or near the lateral side wall and the medial side wall at a location spaced apart from the lateral free edge and the medial free edge, a third arch foot support strip, wherein a local extremum of the third arch foot support strip is located in a central region of the third arch foot support strip between the lateral side wall and the medial side wall, and wherein the third arch foot support strip originates at or near the lateral side wall and the medial side wall at a location spaced apart from the lateral free edge and the medial free edge, a first open space extending between and separating at least 90% of a rearward edge of the first arch foot support strip and at least 90% of a forward edge of the second arch foot support strip, and a second open space extending between and separating at least 90% of a rearward edge of the second arch foot support strip and at least 90% of a forward edge of the third arch foot support strip, wherein each of the first open space and the second open space constitutes a through hole extending completely through the base support surface from the outer surface of the base support surface to the inner surface of the base support surface; a connecting wall connecting the outer side wall and the inner side wall, wherein the connecting wall extends to and forms a connecting wall free edge, the connecting wall free edge extending from the outer side free edge to the inner side free edge, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface comprises an outer base edge, an inner base edge and a connecting base edge, the outer base edge being located on a side of the outer side wall opposite to the outer free edge, the inner base edge being located on a side of the inner side wall opposite to the inner free edge, and the connecting base edge being located on a side of the connecting wall opposite to the connecting wall free edge; and A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge, a medial base edge and a connecting base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the connecting base edge of the first midsole system engages the connecting base edge of the base support surface, wherein the first midsole system has a U-shaped structure, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system forms a lateral arm of the U-shaped structure, the medial base edge of the first midsole system forms a medial arm of the U-shaped structure, and the connecting base edge of the first midsole system forms a base of the U-shaped structure.

2. The foot-supporting member according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting wall free edge includes a notched or concave top edge portion.

3. The foot-supporting member according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting wall includes a notched or recessed portion.

4. The foot supporting member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The connecting wall is a rear heel wall.

5. The foot supporting member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The connecting wall is a front toe wall.

6. The foot supporting member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The inner surface of the outer sidewall, the inner surface of the inner sidewall, the inner surface of the connecting wall, and the inner surface of the base support surface define a receptacle.

7. The foot supporting member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The inner surface of the outer sidewall, the inner surface of the inner sidewall, and the inner surface of the base support surface define a receptacle.

8. The foot-supporting member of claim 7, further comprising: A midsole component is received in the receptacle.

9. The foot-supporting member of claim 8, wherein: The material of the midsole component has a lower Shore A hardness and / or a lower density than the material of the first midsole system.

10. The foot-supporting member of claim 9, wherein: The lateral base edge of the first midsole system includes a first interlocking structure that engages with a first complementary interlocking structure disposed on the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system includes a second interlocking structure that engages with a second complementary interlocking structure disposed on the medial base edge of the base support surface.

11. The foot-supporting member of claim 1 , wherein: The lateral base edge of the first midsole system includes a first interlocking structure that engages with a first complementary interlocking structure disposed on the lateral base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system includes a second interlocking structure that engages with a second complementary interlocking structure disposed on the medial base edge of the base support surface.

12. The foot-supporting member of claim 1, further comprising: An outsole system comprising: a lateral outsole element engaged with a surface of the first midsole system positioned opposite the lateral base edge; and a medial outsole element engaged with a surface of the first midsole system positioned opposite the medial base edge.

13. A foot-supporting component of a footwear article, comprising: an outer side wall extending to and forming an outer side free edge; an inner side wall, the inner side wall being positioned opposite to the outer side wall, wherein the inner side wall extends to and forms an inner free edge; A base support surface, the base support surface comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the base support surface comprises: a first arch foot support strip, wherein a local extremum of the first arch foot support strip is located in a central region of the first arch foot support strip between the outer side wall and the inner side wall, and wherein the first arch foot support strip originates at or near the outer side wall and the inner side wall at a location spaced apart from the outer side free edge and the inner side free edge, a second arch foot support strip, wherein a local extremity of the second arch foot support strip is located in a central region of the second arch foot support strip between the lateral side wall and the medial side wall, and wherein the second arch foot support strip originates at or near the lateral side wall and the medial side wall at a location spaced apart from the lateral free edge and the medial free edge, a third arch foot support strip, wherein a local extremum of the third arch foot support strip is located in a central region of the third arch foot support strip between the lateral side wall and the medial side wall, and wherein the third arch foot support strip originates at or near the lateral side wall and the medial side wall at a location spaced apart from the lateral free edge and the medial free edge, a first open space extending between and separating at least 90% of a rearward edge of the first arch foot support strip and at least 90% of a forward edge of the second arch foot support strip, and a second open space extending between and separating at least 90% of a rearward edge of the second arch foot support strip and at least 90% of a forward edge of the third arch foot support strip, wherein each of the first open space and the second open space constitutes a through hole extending completely through the base support surface from the outer surface of the base support surface to the inner surface of the base support surface; a connecting wall connecting the outer side wall and the inner side wall, wherein the connecting wall extends to and forms a connecting wall free edge, the connecting wall free edge extending from the outer side free edge to the inner side free edge, wherein the outer surface of the base support surface comprises an outer base edge, an inner base edge and a connecting base edge, the outer base edge being located on a side of the outer side wall opposite to the outer free edge, the inner base edge being located on a side of the inner side wall opposite to the inner free edge, and the connecting base edge being located on a side of the connecting wall opposite to the connecting wall free edge; and A first midsole system, the first midsole system comprising a lateral base edge, a medial base edge and a connecting base edge, wherein the lateral base edge of the first midsole system engages the lateral base edge of the base support surface, wherein the medial base edge of the first midsole system engages the medial base edge of the base support surface, and wherein the connecting base edge of the first midsole system engages the connecting base edge of the base support surface, and wherein at least a portion of each of the first arch foot support strip, the second arch foot support strip, and the third arch foot support strip is exposed between the lateral base edge of the first midsole system and the medial base edge of the first midsole system.

14. A footwear article comprising: vamp; as well as A sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the sole structure includes a foot-supporting component according to any preceding claim.

Images