Sole structure for article of footwear

Abstract

The invention relates to a sole structure for an article of footwear. A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a one-piece sole having a first cushioning body having a first hardness and a second cushioning body having a second hardness greater than the first hardness. Both the first cushioning body and the second cushioning body are exposed at the periphery of the sole. The second cushioning body may have a wedge-shaped surface that engages a lateral limit of the first cushioning body and is angled laterally outward toward a lateral outer surface of the sole from a lower extension to an upper extension of the wedge-shaped surface. The second cushioning body may be located under the first cushioning body in a portion of the forefoot region of the sole such that at a location where the first cushioning body covers the second cushioning body, the first cushioning body constructs a foot-facing outer surface and the second cushioning body constructs a ground-facing outer surface of the sole.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application filed on October 23, 2018, with application number 202210666356.3, and invention name “Sole structure for footwear”.

[0002] The application with the application date of October 23, 2018, the application number of 202210666356.3, and the invention name of “Sole structure for footwear” is a divisional application of the application with the application date of October 23, 2018, the application number of 201880061256.X, and the invention name of “Put-in integrated footwear sole with first and second buffer bodies of different hardness”. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 575,922, filed on October 23, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure generally includes sole structures for articles of footwear. background

[0005] Footwear generally includes a sole structure that is configured to be positioned under a wearer's foot to space the foot from the ground. The sole structure in athletic footwear is configured to provide one or more of desired cushioning, motion control, and resiliency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of a shoe midsole according to the present disclosure.

[0007] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic illustration of a bottom view of a shoe midsole.

[0008] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic illustration of a medial view of a shoe midsole.

[0009] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic illustration of a lateral view of a shoe midsole.

[0010] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Schematic illustration of a front perspective view of a shoe midsole.

[0011] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Schematic illustration of another front perspective view of a shoe midsole.

[0012] Figure 7 is Figure 1 The line 7-7 in Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional illustration of a shoe midsole.

[0013] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an alternative embodiment of a shoe midsole within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of another alternative embodiment of a shoe midsole within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0015] Fig.10 is a schematic illustration of a lateral side view of an article of footwear showing a footwear being inserted into a foot-receiving cavity Figure 1 midsole.

[0016] Fig.11 is along Fig.10 The line 11-11 in Fig.10 Schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of an article of footwear with the midsole fully inserted. describe

[0017] A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising a unitary sole for insertion into a foot-receiving cavity of the article of footwear. The unitary sole has a forefoot region, a midsole region, and a heel region. In other words, the unitary sole is a full-length sole. The unitary sole provides cushioning and is configured as a "drop-in" unitary sole that can be removably inserted into the foot-receiving cavity of the article of footwear through an ankle opening of the article of footwear. Thus, the unitary sole is configured to function both as a midsole and as an insole. The unitary sole is generally referred to herein as a midsole, but may also be referred to as an insole or a unisole.

[0018] The one-piece sole includes a first buffer body and a second buffer body. The first buffer body has a first hardness, and the second buffer body has a second hardness greater than the first hardness. For example, the hardness of the first buffer body may be, but is not limited to, greater than the hardness of the second buffer body by about 5 durometers to about 15 durometers. The first buffer body may include and be formed of a first foam material, and the second buffer body may include and be formed of a second foam material different from the first foam material.

[0019] The first buffer body and the second buffer body are both exposed at the periphery of the integral sole. The periphery of the integral sole is located at the outer surface of the integral sole, and if the buffer body forms part of the outer surface of the integral sole, the buffer body is exposed at the periphery. In other words, even the softer first buffer body forms part of the outer surface of the integral sole. For example, in aspects of the present disclosure, only the first buffer body is exposed along a first portion of the periphery, and the second buffer body is exposed along the remaining portion of the periphery. The first portion of the periphery where the first buffer body is exposed can be the medial outer surface of the integral sole in the forefoot area.

[0020] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the first cushioning body may include a first upwardly extending flange at a first portion of the perimeter, and the second cushioning body may include a second upwardly extending flange at a second portion of the perimeter. The first upwardly extending flange and the second upwardly extending flange partially define a footbed recess at an outer surface facing the foot.

[0021] Both the first buffer body and the second buffer body can each be a continuous configuration extending in the forefoot area, in the midfoot area, and in the heel area, wherein some portions of the first buffer body and the second buffer body are layered relative to each other in the vertical direction, and at some other portions, only the first buffer body or only the second buffer body forms the entire thickness of the one-piece sole without vertical layering. Also in the lateral direction (i.e., perpendicular to the vertical direction of the one-piece sole and perpendicular to the longitudinal midline), the first buffer body and the second buffer body can be juxtaposed differently at different portions. This enables the different hardnesses of the first buffer body and the second buffer body to be advantageously used alone or together to react to vertical and lateral loads of the foot on the one-piece sole.

[0022] For example, in aspects of the present disclosure, the second cushioning body is positioned beneath a portion of the first cushioning body in the forefoot region and constructs a ground-facing exterior surface of the unitary sole in the forefoot region beneath the portion of the first cushioning body.

[0023] The first cushioning body may have a continuous configuration that extends from a first portion of the periphery in the forefoot region along the foot-facing outer surface of the one-piece sole, through the midshoe region and into the heel region, and also extends from a first portion of the periphery in the forefoot region along the ground-facing outer surface of the one-piece sole, through the midshoe region and into the heel region.

[0024] The first cushioning body may have a lateral extremity that is located between the longitudinal centerline of the integral sole and the lateral outer surface of the integral sole at the outer surface facing the foot in the forefoot area, and the second cushioning body may extend from the lateral outer surface of the integral sole to the lateral extremity of the first cushioning body at the outer surface facing the foot in the forefoot area.

[0025] The second cushioning body may have a medial extremity located between the longitudinal midline of the unitary sole and the medial portion outer surface at the ground-facing outer surface in the forefoot region, and the first cushioning body may extend from the medial portion outer surface of the unitary sole to the medial extremity of the second cushioning body at the ground-facing outer surface in the forefoot region. The lateral extremity of the first cushioning body at the foot-facing outer surface may be closer to the lateral portion outer surface of the unitary sole than the medial extremity of the second cushioning body at the ground-facing outer surface. The first cushioning body may cover the second cushioning body in the forefoot region between the medial extremity of the second cushioning body and the lateral extremity of the first cushioning body.

[0026] The second buffer body may have a wedge surface that engages with the first buffer body at the outer limit of the first buffer body. For example, the wedge surface may be angled upward and laterally outward from the lower inner surface of the first buffer body covering the second buffer body to the outer surface of the one-piece sole facing the foot toward the outer surface of the outer side of the one-piece sole. As a non-limiting example, the angle between the wedge surface and the vertical axis can be from about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees. At such an angle within a range, the wedge surface is subjected to a variety of loads extending downward and / or laterally outward, thereby allowing a harder second buffer body to react to such loads. The wedge surface may extend along the outer limit of the first buffer body in one or more of the forefoot area, the midfoot area, and the heel area. The angle between the wedge surface and the vertical axis may vary as the wedge surface extends along the outer limit. For example, the angle in the forefoot area may be different from the angle in the midfoot area or different from the angle in the heel area.

[0027] The first cushioning body may have an inner surface that engages the inner surface of the second cushioning body at the medial limit of the second cushioning body in the forefoot region. The inner surface of the first cushioning body may extend vertically, may be angled laterally outward and downward relative to a vertical axis from an upper inner surface of the second cushioning body below the first cushioning body to a ground-facing outer surface of the unibody sole (i.e., angled downward and toward the medial outer surface of the unibody sole), or may be angled laterally inward relative to a vertical axis from an upper inner surface of the second cushioning body below the first cushioning body to a ground-facing outer surface of the unibody sole (i.e., angled downward and away from the medial outer surface of the unibody sole).

[0028] In aspects of the present disclosure, a first cushioning body may extend from a foot-facing outer surface to a ground-facing outer surface in the midshoe region and in the heel region, and may be bounded at the perimeter of the first cushioning body in the midshoe region and in the heel region by a second cushioning body extending from the foot-facing outer surface to the ground-facing outer surface. Thus, in such an embodiment, the first cushioning body is centrally positioned in the midshoe region and in the heel region, and the second cushioning body laterally wraps around and surrounds an exterior portion (e.g., a lateral portion and a rear exterior portion) of the first cushioning body in the midshoe region and in the heel region.

[0029] The first cushioning body and the second cushioning body can have a complex three-dimensional configuration, in which they cooperate with each other in different vertical and lateral arrangements in different areas of the integral sole, but can still be flush with each other where they adjoin the outer surface of the integral sole, including the foot-facing outer surface, the ground-facing outer surface, the medial outer surface, and the lateral outer surface.

[0030] In aspects of the present disclosure, an article of footwear includes an outsole, an upper, and an integral full-length midsole. The upper is fixed to the outsole and defines a foot-receiving cavity and an ankle opening. The integral full-length midsole has a forefoot region, a midsole region, and a heel region, and is configured to be removably inserted into the foot-receiving cavity through the ankle opening. The midsole includes a first buffer body having a first hardness and a second buffer body having a second hardness greater than the first hardness. The second buffer body is located below the first buffer body in a portion of the forefoot region of the midsole, so that: at a position where the first buffer body covers the second buffer body, the first buffer body constructs an outer surface of the midsole facing the foot, and the second buffer body constructs an outer surface of the midsole facing the ground. The first buffer body constructs both the outer surface of the midsole facing the foot and the outer surface of the midsole facing the ground in a central portion of the heel region of the midsole.

[0031] In aspects of the present disclosure, a first cushioning body is exposed at a perimeter of the midsole at a medial exterior surface of the midsole in the forefoot region, and a second cushioning body is exposed at a perimeter of the midsole at a lateral exterior surface of the midsole in the forefoot region. When the midsole is inserted into the foot-receiving cavity, the first cushioning body and the second cushioning body remain exposed at (e.g., form) an exterior surface of the midsole as described, although in some embodiments, they may not be exposed to view unless it is possible to see down through the ankle opening into the foot-receiving cavity.

[0032] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the second cushioning body has a wedge-shaped surface that engages the lateral limit of the first cushioning body. The wedge-shaped surface is angled upward and laterally outward (i.e., sloping upward and toward the lateral outer surface of the midsole from a lower extension of the wedge-shaped surface to an upper extension of the wedge-shaped surface).

[0033] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description of modes for carrying out the disclosure when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 A one-piece sole 10 for an article of footwear 12 is shown. Fig.10 and Fig.11 1. The one-piece sole 10 is also referred to herein simply as sole 10, and because the one-piece sole 10 is configured to function as both a midsole and an insole, it may be referred to herein as a midsole, an insole, or an integral sole. The article of footwear 12 may also be referred to simply as footwear 12. The sole 10 is part of a sole structure 14 of the article of footwear 12. The sole structure 14 also includes an outsole 16 secured to an upper 18. The upper 18 defines a foot-receiving cavity 20 and an ankle opening 22.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 , the sole 10 can be divided into three general areas: a forefoot area 24, a midshoe area 26, and a heel area 28, which support corresponding areas of the foot resting on the sole 10. As such, the sole 10 can be referred to as a full-length sole and is a unitary, full-length midsole. The forefoot area 24 generally includes the portion of the sole 10 corresponding to the toes and the metatarsophalangeal joints connecting the metatarsals to the phalanges. The midshoe area 26 generally includes the portion of the sole 10 corresponding to the arch area of ​​the foot, and the heel area 28 includes the portion of the sole 10 corresponding to the rear portion of the foot including the calcaneus.

[0036] The sole 10 has a longitudinal midline LM extending front-to-back from the forefoot region 24 to the heel region 28. The portion of the sole 10 disposed between the longitudinal midline LM and the lateral portion outer surface 46 of the sole 10 may be considered the lateral portion 27 of the sole 10. The portion of the sole 10 disposed between the longitudinal midline LM and the medial portion outer surface 44 may be considered the medial portion 29 of the sole 10.

[0037] Forefoot region 24, midfoot region 26, heel region 28, lateral portion 27, and medial portion 29 are not intended to demarcate precise areas of sole 10, but are intended to represent general areas of sole 10 to facilitate the following discussion. In addition to sole 10, the relative positions of forefoot region 24, midfoot region 26, heel region 28, lateral portion 27, and medial portion 29 may also apply to outsole 16, as well as upper 18 and other components and their individual elements.

[0038] The sole 10 is configured to be removably inserted into the foot-receiving cavity 20 through the ankle opening 22. Fig.10, sole 10 is shown in the process of being inserted into foot-receiving cavity 20 and is guided into foot-receiving cavity 20 in the direction of arrow A. Therefore, sole 10 is referred to as a "drop-in" midsole. Fig.11 As shown in FIG, the sole 10 is supported by the outsole 16 and, if the upper 18 is wrapped under the foot, the sole 10 may rest on the lower portion of the upper 18. Fig.10 , the sidewalls of outsole 16 may extend upwardly and be disposed laterally outwardly of perimeter P of sole 10 to provide support around the entire perimeter of sole 10. However, sole 10 is not permanently secured to outsole 16, to upper 18, or to any other component within foot-receiving cavity 20, such as by adhesive or other means, and thus may be removed from foot-receiving cavity 20 by lifting sole 10 at heel region 28 and withdrawing sole 10 through ankle opening 22 without damaging article of footwear 12.

[0039] The sole 10 is configured to cushion the foot of the wearer of the footwear article 12, and when positioned between the foot and the ground G, reacts to the load force of the foot. More specifically, the sole 10 includes a first cushioning body 30 and a second cushioning body 32. In the accompanying drawings, the first cushioning body 30 is depicted as having a generally lighter shade than the second cushioning body 32 to easily distinguish the bodies 30, 32. The first cushioning body 30 has a first hardness, and the second cushioning body 32 has a second hardness greater than the first hardness. For example, the hardness of the first cushioning body 30 may be, but is not limited to, greater than the hardness of the second cushioning body 32 from about 5 hardness levels to about 15 hardness levels, such as Shore A, Shore D, or Asker C hardness levels. The first cushioning body 30 and the second cushioning body 32 may be formed of the same material, but have different densities to achieve different hardnesses, or may be formed of different materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the first cushioning body 30 includes and is formed of a first foam material, and the second cushioning body 32 includes and is formed of a second foam material different from the first foam material. Example foam materials that can form the first buffer body 30 and the second buffer body 32 include thermoplastic polymer foams or thermosetting polymer foams. As non-limiting examples, the first foam material and the second foam material can each be any of the following: polyurethane (PU) foam (also known as PU-based foam); ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam (also known as EVA-based foam), which in some embodiments may include heat-expanded and molded EVA foam particles; or a combination of EVA foam and rubber; cushlon foams known as phylon, phylite; or other foams, wherein the resulting second buffer body is harder than the first buffer body.

[0040] The first buffer body 30 and the second buffer body 32 are both continuous configurations extending in the forefoot area 24, the midsole area 26 and the heel area 28, respectively. The first buffer body 30 and the second buffer body 32 can be injection molded or otherwise formed together so that the sole 10 is an integral (i.e., one-piece) component including the two buffer bodies 30, 32. The first buffer body 30 and the second buffer body 32 have a complex three-dimensional configuration, and they cooperate with each other in different vertical and lateral arrangements in different areas of the sole 10. This enables the first buffer body 30 and the second buffer body 32 with their different hardness to be advantageously used alone or together to react the vertical and lateral loads of the foot. The first buffer body 30 and the second buffer body 32 are flush with each other at their respective limits at the outer surface of the sole 10, where they abut each other, including at the outer surface 40 facing the foot, the outer surface 42 facing the ground, the medial outer surface 44 and the lateral outer surface 46.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , only some portions of the first buffer body 30 and the second buffer body 32 are vertically layered relative to each other. Figure 7 As shown, in the forefoot region 24, a portion 48 of the second cushioning body 32 is located below the portion 50 of the first cushioning body 30 and structures the ground-facing outer surface 42 of the sole 10 in the forefoot region 24 at a position directly below the portion 50 of the first cushioning body 30. The vertically stacked configuration of the portions 48, 50 can provide different cushioning properties to different areas of the sole 10, such as occupying a portion of the outer surface 40 (e.g., the softer first cushioning body 30) relative to the softer first cushioning body 30. Figure 1 ) to the outer surface 42 facing the ground (as shown Figure 2 The different resilience or stiffness of the portion of the total thickness of the sole 10 of the second cushioning body 32 relative to the portion of the total thickness of the sole 10 from the outer surface 40 facing the foot to the outer surface 42 facing the ground.

[0042] The first buffer body 30 and the second buffer body 32 are both exposed at the periphery P of the sole 10. Figure 3 As best shown in FIG. 1 , only the first cushioning body 30 is exposed in the forefoot region 24 along a first portion P1 of the perimeter P at the medial outer surface 44 of the sole 10. In other words, even the relatively soft first cushioning body 30 forms a portion of the outer surface of the sole 10. Like the second cushioning body 32, the first cushioning body 30 is also exposed at and forms a portion of the foot-facing outer surface 40 and the ground-facing outer surface 42.

[0043] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the second cushioning body 32 is exposed along the remaining portion P2 of the perimeter P. The remaining portion P2 may also be referred to as the second portion P2 of the perimeter P. The first portion P1 and the second portion P2 may together form the entire perimeter P. The second portion P2 extends longer than the first portion P1 so that the stiffer second cushioning body 32 covers a greater area of ​​the lateral outer surfaces 44, 46 than the first cushioning body 30. The second cushioning body 32 forms the entire lateral outer surface 46 of the lateral portion so as to provide greater stiffness at the lateral portion 27 of the sole 10 than if the first cushioning body 30 were provided at the lateral outer surface 46 of the lateral portion.

[0044] like Figure 6 As best shown in FIG. 1 , first cushioning body 30 includes a first upwardly extending flange 43 at a first portion P1 of perimeter P. Second cushioning body 32 includes a second upwardly extending flange 45 at a second portion P2 of perimeter P. First upwardly extending flange 43 and second upwardly extending flange 45 partially define a footbed recess 47 at foot-facing exterior surface 40 in forefoot region 24, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 The second upwardly extending flange 45 generally extends around the entire remainder of the perimeter P (ie, the second portion P2), including continuing in the midfoot region 26 and the heel region 28, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 4. The flanges 43, 45 together surround the entire foot-facing outer surface 40 to encase or nest the foot in the footbed recess 47. The harder material of the second cushioning body 32 bears the lateral load of the flange 45 on the lateral side 27 of the sole 10. The flange 43 has a medial recess 55 and the flange 45 has a lateral recess 57. The two recesses 55, 57 are generally located adjacent to the metatarsophalangeal joints of the foot in the forefoot region 24 to increase flexibility and ease of dorsiflexion.

[0045] The first cushioning body 30 has a continuous configuration that extends along the outer surface 40 of the sole 10 facing the foot from a first portion P1 of the perimeter in the forefoot region 24, through the midfoot region 26 and into the heel region 28, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The continuous configuration of the first cushioning body 30 also allows the first cushioning body 30 to extend from the first portion P1 of the perimeter in the forefoot region 24 along the outer surface 42 of the sole 10 facing the ground, through the midfoot region 26 and into the heel region 28, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 The outer surface 42 and the medial outer surface 44 of the first cushioning body 30 facing the ground may have a surface texture (not shown). In addition, the sole 10 may include grooves, recesses, and protrusions that help increase the flexibility of the sole 10, such as Figure 2 The laterally extending grooves are shown in the forefoot area 24 in the bottom view of the shoe.

[0046] Reference Figure 1, the first cushioning body 30 has a lateral limit 52 at the foot-facing outer surface 40 in the forefoot region 24, and the lateral limit 52 is located between the longitudinal centerline LM of the sole 10 and the lateral outer surface 46 of the sole 10. The lateral limit 52 also extends through the midfoot region 26 and the heel region 28 at the foot-facing outer surface 40. Figure 1 As shown, the second cushioning body 32 extends from a lateral outer surface 46 of the second cushioning body 32 to a lateral limit 52 at the foot-facing outer surface 40 in the forefoot region 24 , and in the midfoot region 26 and the heel region 28 .

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the second cushioning body 32 has a medial limit 54 at the ground-facing outer surface 42 in the forefoot region 24, the medial limit 54 being located between the longitudinal centerline LM of the sole 10 and the medial outer surface 44. The medial limit 54 also extends through the midfoot region 26 and the heel region 28 at the ground-facing outer surface 42. The first cushioning body 30 extends from the medial outer surface 44 of the sole 10 at the ground-facing outer surface 42 in the forefoot region 24 to the medial limit 54 of the second cushioning body 32, and extends in the midfoot region 26 and the heel region 28. At least in the forefoot region 24, the lateral limit 52 of the first cushioning body 30 at the foot-facing outer surface 40 is closer to the lateral outer surface 46 of the sole 10 than the medial limit 54 of the second cushioning body 32 at the ground-facing outer surface 42, as shown by Figure 1 This can be seen by comparing the outer limit 52 and the inner limit 54 (shown as hidden lines) in FIG.

[0048] Similarly, at least in the forefoot region 24, the medial limit 54 of the second cushioning body 32 at the ground-facing outer surface 42 is closer to the medial outer surface 44 of the sole 10 than the lateral limit 52 of the first cushioning body 30 at the foot-facing outer surface 40, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 This can be seen by comparing the outer limit 52 (shown as hidden lines) and the inner limit 54.

[0049] In the forefoot region 24, between the medial limit 54 of the second cushioning body 32 and the lateral limit 52 of the first cushioning body 30, the first cushioning body 30 covers the second cushioning body 32 (e.g., at the portion 50 of the first cushioning body 30 and the portion 48 of the second cushioning body 32, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 described).

[0050] In the lateral direction (eg, the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal midline LM), the first buffer body 30 and the second buffer body 32 may be juxtaposed differently at different portions or regions. Figure 7As shown, the second cushioning body 32 has a wedge surface 60 that meets the surface 64 of the first cushioning body 30 at the lateral limit 52 of the first cushioning body 30. The wedge surface 60 is angled laterally outward and upward (relative to a vertical axis V1 disposed at the intersection of the wedge surface 60 and the lower inner surface 66) from the lower inner surface 66 of the portion 50 of the first cushioning body 30 covering the portion 48 of the second cushioning body 32 to the foot-facing outer surface 40 of the sole 10. In other words, the wedge surface 60 is angled laterally upward and outward toward the lateral outer surface 46 from the lower limit 60A of the wedge surface 60 to the upper limit 60B of the wedge surface 60. As a non-limiting example, the angle θ1 of the wedge surface 60 to the vertical axis V1 can be from about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees. Angles within such a range allow the wedge surface 60 to be orthogonal to a variety of downwardly and laterally outwardly directed loads, thereby allowing the stiffer second cushioning body 32 to react to such loads. For example, during certain activities, such as lateral stop-and-go moves during basketball, the wedge surface 60 may react to such loads and thereby provide increased lateral support.

[0051] The wedge surface 60 may extend along the lateral limit 52 of the first cushioning body 30 in the forefoot region 24, the midfoot region 26, and the heel region 28. The angle θ1 of the wedge surface 60 to the vertical axis V1 may vary as the wedge surface 60 extends along the lateral limit 52. For example, the angle θ1 may be different in the forefoot region 24 than in the midfoot region 26 or different in the heel region 28.

[0052] Further references Figure 7 , the first cushioning body 30 has an inner surface 70 that engages the inner surface 72 of the second cushioning body 32 at the medial limit 54 of the second cushioning body 32 in the forefoot region 24. The inner surface 70 can be angled laterally outward and downward relative to the vertical axis V2 from the upper inner surface 74 of the portion 48 of the second cushioning body 32 located below the portion 50 of the first cushioning body 30 to the outer surface 42 facing the ground (i.e., generally downward and toward the medial outer surface 44 of the sole 10). As a non-limiting example, the angle θ2 between the inner surface 70 and the vertical axis V2 can be from about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees.

[0053] refer to Figure 8In another alternative embodiment of sole 110 within the scope of the present disclosure, which may be used as a replacement for sole 10 as a drop-in midsole in article of footwear 12, inner surface 70 may be angled laterally inward relative to vertical axis V2 from upper inner surface 74 of portion 48 of second cushioning body 32 located below portion 50 of first cushioning body 30 to ground-facing outer surface 42 of sole 110 (i.e., generally downward and away from medial outer surface 44 of sole 110). As a non-limiting example, angle θ3 between inner surface 70 of first cushioning body 30 of sole 110 and vertical axis V2 extending at the intersection of surface 70 and surface 66 may be from about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees. Sole 110 is similar to sole 10 in all other respects.

[0054] Reference Fig. 9 In another alternative embodiment of sole 210 within the scope of the present disclosure, which can be used as a substitute for sole 10, inner surface 70 can extend directly downward from upper inner surface 74 of portion 48 of second cushioning body 32 located below portion 50 of first cushioning body 30 to outer surface 42 of sole 110 facing the ground. In other words, inner surface 70 extends along vertical axis V2 in sole 210, such that, with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8 Any angle θ2 or θ3 defined has a value of zero.

[0055] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In other portions of the sole 10 away from the stacking portions 48, 50, the first cushioning body 30 or the second cushioning body 32 forms the entire thickness of the sole 10 from the foot-facing outer surface 40 to the ground-facing outer surface 42 (e.g., there is no vertical delamination of the first cushioning body 30 and the second cushioning body 32 in these portions). For example, between the lateral limit 52 of the first cushioning body 30 and the medial limit 54 of the second cushioning body 32, in most of the midshoe region 26 and in the heel region 28, the first cushioning body 30 extends from the foot-facing outer surface 40 to the ground-facing outer surface 42 and is exposed at both surfaces 40, 42. This portion of the first cushioning body 30 is bounded by the second cushioning body 32, which is at the periphery of the first cushioning body 30 in the midshoe region 26 and in the heel region 28 (e.g., between the medial limit 54 and the lateral outer surface 46, and also at the medial limit 80 ( Figure 2 4 and medial outer surface 44) extending from the foot-facing outer surface 40 to the ground-facing outer surface 42.

[0056] Thus, the first cushioning body 30 is centrally located in the midfoot region 26 and the heel region 28, and the second cushioning body 32 wraps around the medial limit 80, around the lateral limit 82, and around the rear portion 84 of the first cushioning body 30 in the midfoot region 26 and the heel region 28. The lateral limit 82 of the first cushioning body 30 is close to the lateral limit 52 in the midfoot region 26 and the heel region 28 in the lateral position and may coincide with the lateral limit 52. The first cushioning body 30 is exposed at the foot-facing outer surface 40 and the ground-facing outer surface 42 in the midfoot region 26 and the heel region 28. In fact, the first cushioning body 30 alone constructs both the foot-facing outer surface 40 and the ground-facing outer surface 42 of the sole 10 in the central portion 86 of the midfoot region 26 and the heel region 28 of the sole 10, wherein the central portion 86 is spaced from the two lateral outer surfaces 44, 46 by the second cushioning body 32. At all portions of sole 10 except at stacked portions 48 , 50 and central portion 86 , second cushioning body 32 solely constructs both foot-facing exterior surface 40 and ground-facing exterior surface 42 .

[0057] The following clauses provide example configurations of the sole structures and articles of footwear disclosed herein.

[0058] Item 1: A sole structure for an article of footwear, the article of footwear having a foot-receiving cavity, the sole structure comprising: an integral sole configured to be inserted into the foot-receiving cavity and having a forefoot region, a midsole region, and a heel region; wherein the integral sole comprises a first buffer body and a second buffer body, the first buffer body having a first hardness and the second buffer body having a second hardness greater than the first hardness; and wherein the first buffer body and the second buffer body are both exposed at a periphery of the integral sole.

[0059] Clause 2: The sole structure of Clause 1, wherein only the first cushioning body is exposed along a first portion of the perimeter and the second cushioning body is exposed along a remaining portion of the perimeter.

[0060] Clause 3: The sole structure of Clause 2, wherein the first portion of the perimeter is located at a medial exterior surface of the unitary sole in the forefoot region.

[0061] Clause 4: The sole structure of any of Clauses 1-3, wherein the second hardness is greater than the first hardness by from about 5 hardness levels to about 15 hardness levels.

[0062] Clause 5: The sole structure of any of Clauses 1-4, wherein the second cushioning body is located below a portion of the first cushioning body in the forefoot region and constructs a ground-facing outer surface of the integral sole in the forefoot region below the portion of the first cushioning body.

[0063] Item 6: A sole structure as described in Item 5, wherein the first cushioning body has a continuous configuration that extends from a first portion of the periphery in the forefoot region along the outer surface of the one-piece sole facing the foot, through the midshoe region and into the heel region, and extends from a first portion of the periphery in the forefoot region along the outer surface of the one-piece sole facing the ground, through the midshoe region and into the heel region.

[0064] Item 7: A sole structure as described in Item 5, wherein the first buffer body has a lateral limit, which is located between the longitudinal center line of the integral sole and the lateral outer surface of the integral sole at the outer surface facing the foot in the forefoot area, and the second buffer body extends from the lateral outer surface of the integral sole to the lateral limit of the first buffer body at the outer surface facing the foot in the forefoot area.

[0065] Item 8: A sole structure as described in Item 7, wherein the second buffer body has a medial limit that is located at the medial limit of the longitudinal centerline of the integral sole and the medial outer surface at the ground-facing outer surface in the forefoot area, and the first buffer body extends from the medial outer surface of the integral sole to the medial limit of the second buffer body at the ground-facing outer surface in the forefoot area, and the lateral limit of the first buffer body at the foot-facing outer surface is closer to the lateral outer surface of the integral sole than the medial limit of the second buffer body at the ground-facing outer surface.

[0066] Clause 9: The sole structure of Clause 8, wherein the first cushioning body overlaps the second cushioning body in the forefoot region between a medial limit of the second cushioning body and a lateral limit of the first cushioning body.

[0067] Clause 10: The sole structure of any of Clauses 7-9, wherein the second cushioning body has a wedge-shaped surface that engages the first cushioning body at a lateral limit of the first cushioning body.

[0068] Clause 11: The sole structure of Clause 10, wherein the wedge surface angles upwardly and laterally outwardly toward the lateral outer surface of the integral sole from a lower inner surface of the first cushioning body overlying the second cushioning body to an outer surface facing the foot.

[0069] Clause 12: The sole structure of any of Clauses 10-11, wherein the angle between the wedge surface and the vertical axis is from about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees.

[0070] Clause 13: The sole structure of any of Clauses 10-12, wherein the wedge-shaped surface extends along a lateral limit of the first cushioning body in one or more of the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region.

[0071] Clause 14: A sole structure as described in any of Clauses 1-13, wherein a first buffer body extends from the outer surface of the integral sole facing the foot to the outer surface of the integral sole facing the ground in the mid-shoe area and in the heel area, and in the mid-shoe area and in the heel area, at the periphery of the first buffer body, is bounded by a second buffer body extending from the outer surface facing the foot to the outer surface facing the ground.

[0072] Clause 15: A sole structure as described in any of Clauses 1-14, wherein the first cushioning body includes a first upwardly extending flange located at a first portion of the periphery of the integral sole, and the second cushioning body includes a second upwardly extending flange located at a second portion of the periphery of the integral sole, the first upwardly extending flange and the second upwardly extending flange partially defining a footbed recess at the outer surface of the integral sole facing the foot.

[0073] Clause 16: The sole structure of any of Clauses 1-15, wherein the first cushioning body comprises a first foam material and the second cushioning body comprises a second foam material.

[0074] Clause 17: The sole structure of any of Clauses 1-16, in combination with a footwear upper defining a foot-receiving cavity and an ankle opening; wherein the unitary sole is configured to be removably insertable into the foot-receiving cavity through the ankle opening.

[0075] Clause 18: The sole structure of any of Clauses 1-17, wherein the first cushioning body and the second cushioning body are flush with each other at an outer surface of the unitary sole that faces the foot.

[0076] Item 19: An article of footwear comprising: an outsole; an upper secured to the outsole and defining a foot-receiving cavity and an ankle opening; a one-piece, full-length midsole having a forefoot region, a midsole region, and a heel region, and being constructed to be removably inserted into the foot-receiving cavity through the ankle opening; wherein the midsole comprises a first buffer body having a first hardness and a second buffer body having a second hardness greater than the first hardness; wherein the second buffer body is located below the first buffer body in a portion of the forefoot region of the midsole, such that: at a position where the first buffer body covers the second buffer body, the first buffer body constructs an outer surface of the midsole facing the foot, and the second buffer body constructs an outer surface of the midsole facing the ground; and wherein the first buffer body constructs both the outer surface of the midsole facing the foot and the outer surface of the midsole facing the ground in a central portion of the heel region of the midsole.

[0077] Item 20: The article of footwear as described in Item 19, wherein the first cushioning body is exposed at the periphery of the midsole at the medial outer surface of the midsole in the forefoot area; and wherein the second cushioning body is exposed at the periphery of the midsole at the lateral outer surface of the midsole in the forefoot area.

[0078] Clause 21: An article of footwear as described in any of clauses 19-20, wherein the second cushioning body has a wedge surface that engages the lateral limit of the first cushioning body; and wherein the wedge surface is angled upwardly and laterally outwardly toward the lateral outer surface of the midsole from a lower extension of the wedge surface to an upper extension of the wedge surface.

[0079] In order to assist and clarify the description of various embodiments, a number of terms are defined herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions apply throughout this specification (including claims). In addition, all references cited are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0080] "Articles of footwear," "articles of footwear manufacture," and "footwear" may be considered both as devices and articles of manufacture. Assembled, ready-to-wear articles of footwear (e.g., shoes, sandals, boots, etc.) and individual components of articles of footwear (such as midsoles, outsoles, upper components, etc.) prior to final assembly into ready-to-wear articles of footwear are considered or alternatively referred to herein as "articles of footwear" in the singular or plural.

[0081] "A", "an", "the", "at least one" and "one or more" are used interchangeably to indicate that there is at least one of the items. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, there may be multiple such items. Unless otherwise clearly or clearly indicated in view of the context, all numerical values ​​of parameters (e.g., amounts or conditions) in this specification (including the appended claims) should be understood as being modified by the term "approximately" in all cases, regardless of whether "approximately" actually appears before the numerical value. "Approximately" indicates that the numerical value described allows some slight imprecision (close to the exact value to a certain extent; approximately or moderately close to the value; almost). If the imprecision provided by "approximately" is not understood in this ordinary sense in the art, then "approximately" as used herein at least indicates the variation that may be caused by the ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. As used in this specification and the appended claims, if a value is neither greater than the value by more than 5 percent nor less than the value by more than 5 percent, the value is considered to be "approximately" equal to the value. In addition, the disclosure of a range should be understood as specifically disclosing all values ​​within the range and further divided ranges.

[0082] The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are inclusive and thus specify the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements or components. The order of steps, processes and operations may be changed when possible, and additional or alternative steps may be adopted. As used in this specification, the term "or" includes any and all combinations of the relevant listed items. The term "any" is understood to include any possible combination of the referenced items, including "any one" of the referenced items. The term "any" is understood to include any possible combination of the referenced claims of the appended claims, including "any one" of the referenced claims.

[0083] For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives may be used throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as "above", "below", "upwardly", "downwardly", "top", "bottom", etc. may be used descriptively with respect to the drawings and do not represent a limitation on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0084] The term "longitudinal" refers to the direction in which the length of a component extends. For example, the longitudinal direction of a shoe extends between the forefoot area and the heel area of ​​the shoe. The terms "forward" or "anterior" are used to refer to the general direction from the heel area toward the forefoot area, and the terms "rearward" or "posterior" are used to refer to the opposite direction, i.e., the direction from the forefoot area toward the heel area. In some cases, a component can be identified by a longitudinal axis and a forward longitudinal direction and a rearward longitudinal direction along the axis. The longitudinal direction or longitudinal axis may also be referred to as the fore-and-aft direction or the fore-and-aft axis.

[0085] The term "lateral" refers to a direction extending the width of a component. For example, the lateral direction of a shoe extends between the lateral portion and the medial portion of the shoe. The lateral direction or lateral axis may also be referred to as the lateral direction or lateral axis or the medial-lateral direction or medial-lateral axis.

[0086] The term "vertical" refers to a direction that is generally perpendicular to both the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction. For example, in the case where the sole is laid flat on the ground surface, the vertical direction may extend upward from the ground surface. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to a separate component of the sole. The term "upward" or "upwards" refers to a vertical direction pointing to the top of a component, which may include an instep, a fastening area, and / or a throat of an upper. The term "downward" or "downwards" refers to a vertical direction pointing opposite to the upward direction, pointing to the bottom of a component and may generally point to the bottom of a sole structure of an article of footwear.

[0087] The "interior" of an article of footwear, such as a shoe, refers to the portion of the space occupied by the foot of the wearer when the shoe is worn. The "inside" of a component refers to the side or surface of the component that is oriented toward (or will be oriented toward) the interior of the component or the article of footwear in the assembled article of footwear. The "outside" or "exterior" of a component refers to the side or surface of the component that is oriented away from (or will be away from) the interior of the shoe in the assembled shoe. In some cases, other components may be between the inside of the component and the inside of the assembled article of footwear. Similarly, other components may be between the outside of the component and the external space of the assembled article of footwear. In addition, the terms "inward" and "inwardly" refer to the direction toward the inside of a component or an article of footwear, such as a shoe, and the terms "outward" and "outwardly" refer to the direction toward the outside of a component or an article of footwear, such as a shoe. In addition, the term "proximal" refers to the direction closer to the center of the footwear component or closer to the foot when the foot is inserted into the article of footwear as the article of footwear is worn by the user. Likewise, the term "distal" refers to a relative position further away from the center of the footwear component or further away from the foot as the footwear is worn by a user and the foot is inserted into the footwear. Therefore, the terms proximal and distal can be understood as providing generally opposite terms to describe relative spatial positions.

[0088] Although various embodiments have been described, this description is intended to be exemplary rather than restrictive, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that more embodiments and implementations within the scope of the embodiments are possible. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination or in place of any other feature or element in any other embodiment, unless specifically limited. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited except in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. In addition, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

[0089] Although several modes for implementing many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those skilled in the art to which these teachings relate will recognize a variety of alternative aspects of implementing the present teachings within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all content contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and exemplary of the entire range of alternative embodiments that will be recognized by ordinary technicians, which are implied by the included content, structurally and / or functionally equivalent to the included content, or otherwise become obvious based on the included content, and are not limited to only those embodiments explicitly depicted and / or described.

Claims

1. A sole structure for an article of footwear having a foot-receiving cavity, the sole structure comprising: a one-piece sole configured for insertion into the foot-receiving cavity; wherein the one-piece sole comprises a first buffer body and a second buffer body, the first buffer body has a first hardness and the second buffer body has a second hardness greater than the first hardness; The first buffer body and the second buffer body both have a forefoot area, a midshoe area and a heel area; wherein the first buffer body covers the second buffer body between an inner limit of the second buffer body and an outer limit of the first buffer body; and The second buffer body has a wedge-shaped surface, and the wedge-shaped surface engages with the first buffer body at the outer limit of the first buffer body.

2. The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the wedge surface is angled upward and laterally outward toward a lateral outer surface of the one-piece sole from a lower inner surface of the first cushioning body covering the second cushioning body to an outer surface of the one-piece sole facing the foot.

3. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the angle between the wedge surface and the vertical axis is from about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees.

4. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the wedge-shaped surface extends along the lateral limit of the first cushioning body in the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region. 5 . The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first cushioning body and the second cushioning body are both exposed at a periphery of the integrated sole.

6. The sole structure of claim 1 in combination with an outsole and an upper secured to the outsole and defining the foot-receiving cavity and the ankle opening; The integrated sole is configured to be removably inserted into the foot-receiving cavity through the ankle opening.

7. The sole structure of claim 6, wherein the integrated sole is not permanently secured to the outsole or the upper within the foot-receiving cavity.

8. An article of footwear comprising: Outsole; an upper secured to the outsole and defining a foot-receiving cavity and an ankle opening; a one-piece, full-length midsole having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region and configured to be removably inserted into the foot-receiving cavity through the ankle opening; The shoe midsole comprises a first buffer body having a first hardness and a second buffer body having a second hardness greater than the first hardness; wherein the second buffer body is located below the first buffer body in a portion of the forefoot region of the midsole, such that: at a location where the first buffer body covers the second buffer body, the first buffer body constructs an outer surface of the midsole facing the foot, and the second buffer body constructs an outer surface of the midsole facing the ground; wherein the first cushioning body constructs both the foot-facing outer surface of the midsole and the ground-facing outer surface of the midsole in a central portion of the heel region of the midsole; and The midsole has a lateral portion, a medial portion opposite to the lateral portion, a forward extension, and a rearward extension opposite to the forward extension, the forward extension is arranged in the forefoot area, and the rearward extension is arranged in the heel area, the second buffer body includes a lateral segment extending through the lateral portion in the forefoot area, and compared with a portion of the lateral segment of the second buffer body to the midshoe area, the portion of the lateral segment of the second buffer body is closer to the forward extension.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the second cushioning body extends to the forward-most extension of the midsole, the first cushioning body being exposed at a periphery of the midsole at an outer surface of a medial portion of the midsole in the forefoot region; and The second buffer body is exposed at the periphery of the midsole at an outer surface of a lateral side portion of the midsole in the forefoot region.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the second cushioning body has a wedge-shaped surface that engages an outer limit of the first cushioning body; and Wherein the wedge surface is angled upwardly and laterally outwardly toward a lateral outer surface of the midsole from a lower extension of the wedge surface to an upper extension of the wedge surface.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the midsole is supported by the outsole and rests on the upper; and Further, wherein the midsole is removable from the foot-receiving cavity and is not permanently secured to the outsole or the upper within the foot-receiving cavity.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the first cushioning body and the second cushioning body can be formed of the same or different foam materials, and Further, each of the foam materials is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymer foam and thermosetting polymer foam.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the heel region is spaced apart from the forefoot region and the midfoot region is disposed between the forefoot region and the heel region, and wherein the midsole further includes a longitudinal midline extending between the forefoot region and the heel region; and Further, the first buffer body and the second buffer body have a three-dimensional continuous configuration, and are matched with each other vertically along the longitudinal center line and are matched with each other laterally across the longitudinal center line.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 13, wherein the first cushioning body passes through the longitudinal centerline in the midfoot region.

15. The article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein the first cushioning body passes through the longitudinal midline in the heel region.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the second cushioning body passes through the longitudinal midline in the forefoot region.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein the second cushioning body passes through the longitudinal midline in the heel region.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 13, wherein the midsole has a perimeter, the perimeter having a first portion and a second portion, the first cushioning body includes a first upwardly extending flange at the first portion, and the second cushioning body includes a second upwardly extending flange at the second portion; wherein the first upwardly extending flange and the second upwardly extending flange partially define a footbed recess in the forefoot region; and Further, wherein the second upwardly extending flange continues to surround the second portion at the midfoot region and the heel region.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the first cushioning body has a first portion and the second cushioning body has a second portion located below the first portion; and Further, the second portion has an upper inner surface and the first buffer body has an inner surface extending straight downward from the upper inner surface along a vertical axis perpendicular to the upper inner surface.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 13, wherein the first cushioning body has a first lateral extent and the second cushioning body has a second lateral extent that coincides in shape with the first lateral extent in the midfoot region and the heel region.

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