Sole structure with midsole projection and arcuate profile for forward momentum

Abstract

The invention relates to a sole structure with midsole protrusions and arcuate profiles for forward momentum. A footwear sole structure includes a midsole having a ground facing surface with a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The midsole defines downwardly extending protrusions at the ground facing surface that are distributed over the midsole region and the heel region, each downwardly extending protrusion having a convex outer surface. The height of the midsole is maximum at the midsole region. The sole structure may also include an outsole covering at least a portion of the ground facing surface of the midsole, and a height of the sole structure may be maximum at the midsole region.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application filed on July 12, 2021, with application number 202180041022.0 and invention title "Sole Structure with Sole Midlayer Protrusions and Arc-shaped Profile for Forward Momentum".

[0002] Cross-references to related applications This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 051,110, filed July 13, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to a sole structure for footwear articles, the sole structure including a sole interlayer having downwardly extending protrusions. background Footwear typically includes a sole assembly constructed to sit beneath the wearer's foot, separating it from the ground. In athletic footwear, the sole assembly is designed to provide the necessary cushioning, motion control, and rebound, and is often composed of multiple components made of different materials to meet durability, stability, and cushioning goals. For example, some components may have high energy return and elastic rebound under compressive loading, while others may have lower elastic rebound but higher abrasion resistance. Footwear manufacturers strive to design and assemble these various components so that each one can fulfill its function. Brief description of the attached diagram The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only, are schematic in nature, and are intended to be exemplary and not to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0004] Figure 1 It is a bottom view of the sole structure of footwear, including the midsole and outsole.

[0005] Figure 2 It is a perspective bottom view and a lateral side view of the shoe sole without an outsole.

[0006] Figure 3 This is an external side view of the shoe sole structure.

[0007] Figure 4 This is a view of the medial side of the shoe sole structure.

[0008] Figure 5 Is Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of the sole structure taken at line 5-5 in the figure.

[0009] Figure 6 Is Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the sole structure taken at line 6-6 in the figure.

[0010] Figure 7 It is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of the sole structure worn on the foot, shown in dashed lines, during ground contact in the heel area (e.g., during heel impact when stepping forward).

[0011] Figure 8 During the forward stride, during the ground contact in the mid-shoe area Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the sole structure of a shoe.

[0012] Figure 9 During the forward stride, during the ground contact area in the forefoot region of the shoe Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the sole structure of a shoe.

[0013] Figure 10 Is Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of the sole structure taken at line 10-10.

[0014] Figure 11 Is Figure 15 The diagram shows a cross-section of the shoe sole structure taken at line 11-11.

[0015] Figure 12 Is Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of the sole structure taken at line 12-12 in the diagram.

[0016] Figure 13 This is a front view of the shoe sole structure.

[0017] Figure 14 This is a rear view of the shoe sole structure.

[0018] Figure 15 This is a top view of the shoe sole structure.

[0019] Figure 16 This is a bottom view of another embodiment of a sole structure for footwear articles, including a midsole and an outsole.

[0020] Figure 17 yes Figure 16 A perspective view of the shoe sole structure.

[0021] Figure 18 yes Figure 16 A perspective view of the midsole structure of the shoe sole.

[0022] Figure 19 yes Figure 16 A bottom view of the shoe sole structure and its interlayer.

[0023] Figure 20 yes Figure 16 A bottom view of the outsole of a shoe, showing its sole structure.

[0024] Figure 21 yes Figure 16 A perspective view of the outsole structure of the shoe sole.

[0025] Figure 22 yes Figure 16 A top view of the outsole structure of the shoe sole.

[0026] Figure 23 Is Figure 22 The line 23-23 was cut off. Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of the shoe outsole.

[0027] Figure 24 Is Figure 16 The line 24-24 was cut off. Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0028] Figure 25 yes Figure 16 A top view of the shoe sole structure.

[0029] Figure 26 yes Figure 16 Front view of the shoe sole structure.

[0030] Figure 27 yes Figure 16 Rear view of the shoe sole structure.

[0031] Figure 28 Is Figure 25 The line 28-28 was cut off. Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0032] Figure 29 Is Figure 25 The line 29-29 was cut off. Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0033] Figure 30 Is Figure 25 The line 30-30 was cut off. Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0034] Figure 31 Is Figure 25 The line 31-31 was cut off. Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0035] Figure 32 This is a bottom view of another embodiment of a sole structure for footwear articles, including a midsole and an outsole.

[0036] Figure 33 yes Figure 32 An inside view of the shoe sole structure.

[0037] Figure 34 yes Figure 32 An external view of the shoe sole structure.

[0038] Figure 35 Is Figure 32 The line 35-35 was cut off. Figure 32 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0039] Figure 36 yes Figure 32 A top view of the shoe sole structure.

[0040] Figure 37 yes Figure 32 Front view of the shoe sole structure.

[0041] Figure 38 yes Figure 32 Rear view of the shoe sole structure.

[0042] Figure 39 Is Figure 36 The line 39-39 was cut off. Figure 32 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0043] Figure 40 Is Figure 36 The line 40-40 was cut off Figure 32 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0044] Figure 41 Is Figure 36 The line 41-41 was cut off. Figure 32 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0045] Figure 42 Is Figure 36 The line 42-42 was cut off. Figure 32 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0046] Figure 43 This is a bottom view of another embodiment of a sole structure for footwear articles, including a midsole and an outsole.

[0047] Figure 44 yes Figure 43 An inside view of the shoe sole structure.

[0048] Figure 45 yes Figure 43 An external view of the shoe sole structure.

[0049] Figure 46 Is Figure 43 The line 46-46 was cut off. Figure 43A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0050] Figure 47 yes Figure 43 A top view of the shoe sole structure.

[0051] Figure 48 yes Figure 43 Front view of the shoe sole structure.

[0052] Figure 49 yes Figure 43 Rear view of the shoe sole structure.

[0053] Figure 50 Is Figure 47 The line 50-50 was cut off. Figure 43 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0054] Figure 51 Is Figure 47 The line 51-51 was cut off. Figure 43 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0055] Figure 52 Is Figure 47 The line 52-52 was cut off. Figure 43 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0056] Figure 53 Is Figure 47 The line 53-53 was cut off. Figure 43 A cross-sectional view of the shoe sole structure.

[0057] describe This disclosure generally relates to a sole construction for footwear articles, having features that may be particularly advantageous for various forward strides, including walking, relatively slow running, and for casual wear and / or combinations of these activities. For example, the sole construction may include a midsole that facilitates a soft landing on impact and promotes effective and relatively uniform forward momentum through a toe-off phase from heel impact, across the midfoot region to the forefoot region, and toe-off. Walkers and slower runners may tend to land on the heel region more frequently than faster runners; therefore, a design that both mitigates heel impact and promotes a smooth, efficient transition from heel to toe is particularly beneficial for these activities and strides.

[0058] More specifically, the sole structure for footwear articles may include a midsole having a ground-facing surface comprising a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The midsole may define downwardly extending protrusions distributed in the midfoot and heel regions on the ground-facing surface. Each downwardly extending protrusion may have a convex outer surface. The height of the midsole may be greatest in the midfoot region.

[0059] Furthermore, the height of the midsole can be greater at the midfoot protrusion than at the heel protrusion, and also greater at the midfoot protrusion than at the forefoot region. This embodiment achieves a "rocker" function for the midsole. For example, the ground-facing surface of the midsole can curve upwards from the midfoot region to the forefoot extension and upwards from the midfoot region to the rearfoot extension, thus establishing an arcuate profile for the midsole. For such a full-length convex surface, at any given time during a forward stride, only a relatively small area of ​​the ground-facing surface contacts the horizontal ground plane, and the rate of forward transition on the midsole is relatively constant, for example, compared to sole structures constructed such that a large portion of the midfoot region contacts the ground very abruptly when transitioning from the heel region to the midfoot region. This helps to avoid the "slapping" phenomenon and associated foot fatigue that can occur with such sole structures constructed such that a large portion of the midfoot region contacts the ground very abruptly when transitioning from the heel region to the midfoot region.

[0060] In one embodiment, the ground-facing surface of the sole interlayer can bend upwards from the mid-shoe region to the front extension of the sole interlayer, and upwards from the mid-shoe region to the rear extension of the sole interlayer, thereby establishing an arcuate profile of the sole interlayer.

[0061] In contrast to the midfoot and heel regions, which have downwardly extending protrusions, in one or more embodiments, the ground-facing surface of the forefoot region can be relatively flat. To provide a stable platform for toe-off from the forefoot region, at least the forefoot region may lack downwardly extending protrusions.

[0062] The midsole may include a rear sidewall that extends outward from an upper extension to a lower extension in the rear portion of the heel area. This can help guide the midsole into the forward swing motion early in the forward stride. The compressibility of the protrusions reduces impact to prevent muscle fatigue, while the curved profile facilitates an efficient transition from heel impact to toe lift. Typically, achieving both goals is challenging because increased compressibility often reduces the efficiency of forward motion (e.g., a wearer may need to exert more energy to maintain forward momentum in a highly compressible cushioned midsole without a curved profile than in one with a curved profile).

[0063] In this implementation, the midsole may include a lateral sidewall and a medial sidewall, each having an upper extension and a lower extension, and each of the lateral and medial sidewalls extending outward from the upper extension to the lower extension in the forefoot region. Therefore, the forefoot region can be relatively flat and wide. The height of the midsole in the forefoot region should be sufficient to provide adequate cushioning, while the relative flatness of the foam (without downwardly extending protrusions) makes this region relatively firm compared to other regions to provide support for effective toe lift.

[0064] Furthermore, the downward-extending protrusions may include the foremost protrusions, each having a front half and a rear half, and the convex outer surface may be steeper in the rear half than in the front half. The less steep front half may extend more gradually in front of the foremost protrusions into the relatively flat forefoot area of ​​the ground-facing surface (e.g., relatively flat compared to the midfoot and heel areas).

[0065] Considering the convex shape of the downward-extending protrusion, for stability in the midfoot region, the downward-extending protrusion may include a peripheral protrusion in the midfoot region that defines the outer and inner edges of the ground-facing surface. The peripheral protrusion may be truncated at the outer and inner edges, such that the peak of the peripheral protrusion is positioned along the outer and inner edges. The peripheral protrusion provides a wide-spaced contact area with the ground plane, increasing medial-lateral stability. A similarly truncated peripheral protrusion may define a rear edge with a peak positioned along the rear edge to achieve stability during heel impact.

[0066] The midsole can be a one-piece foam body. For example, each of the downwardly extending protrusions and the base from which the downwardly extending protrusions extend can be a single, integral one-piece component. For example, the foam material can be injection molded, compression molded, or otherwise manufactured as a one-piece foam body. In some embodiments, the foam material may include EVA foam, such as, for example, a blend of one or more EVA materials.

[0067] In one embodiment, the sole structure may include an outsole covering at least a portion of the ground-facing surface of the midsole. The height of the sole structure may be greatest in the midfoot region. In other words, the height of the sole structure (including both the midsole and the outsole) may be greatest in the midfoot region. Therefore, like the midsole, the sole structure (including both the midsole and the outsole) also has a curved profile.

[0068] In one embodiment, the sole structure may include an outsole having an outsole element that is fixed to the ground-facing surface of the sole interlayer in the forefoot region. For example, the outsole element may be a first outsole element, and the outsole may also include a second outsole element in the heel region that covers the ground-facing surface of the sole interlayer.

[0069] In one embodiment, the outsole may further include a third outsole element covering the ground-facing surface of the midsole layer in the midfoot region. The first and third outsole elements may be separated by a first gap extending from the inner edge of the midsole layer to the outer edge of the midsole layer. The midsole layer may include a first ridge extending into and at least partially filling the first gap. Similarly, the second and third outsole elements may be separated by a second gap extending from the inner edge of the midsole layer to the outer edge of the midsole layer. The midsole layer may include a second ridge extending into and at least partially filling the second gap between the second and third outsole elements. In some configurations, the first and second ridges may be non-linear.

[0070] In embodiments such as those in which the outsole comprises separate outsole elements that are separate from each other, the flexibility of the outsole interlayer can be less constrained by the outsole compared to embodiments in which a one-piece outsole extends across most or all of the ground-facing surface.

[0071] In this implementation, the outsole is thicker at the peaks of the downwardly extending protrusions than at the ground-facing surface of the midsole between adjacent peaks of the downwardly extending protrusions. The outsole can be made of a relatively durable material compared to the midsole material, and the thickness at the peaks contributes to the durability of the sole structure, thereby reducing wear. The midsole material can be relatively more compressible than the outsole material, and the relative thinness of the outsole between the peaks allows for greater movement and deformation of the downwardly extending protrusions during compression compared to a thicker outsole between the peaks. In other words, an outsole with a relatively thin area between the peaks can constrain the midsole less than a thicker material between the peaks, thus allowing for greater elastic deformation and associated cushioning.

[0072] In one embodiment, the midsole may include an inner sidewall having a lower inner edge and an outer sidewall having a lower outer edge. The outsole may extend to and be below the inner and outer edges, terminating at the inner and outer edges without extending onto the inner and outer sidewalls. By not extending onto the inner and outer sidewalls, the midsole is less constrained by the outsole and can elastically deform to a greater extent, thereby providing greater cushioning.

[0073] In one embodiment, the outsole may include a forefoot outsole element, a midfoot outsole element, and a heel outsole element. Each of the forefoot, midfoot, and heel outsole elements may extend from the medial sidewall of the midsole interlayer to the lateral sidewall of the midsole interlayer. The rear edge of the forefoot outsole element may be spaced apart from the front edge of the midfoot outsole element, thereby defining a first gap between the rear edge of the forefoot outsole element and the front edge of the midfoot outsole element. The rear edge of the midfoot outsole element may be spaced apart from the front edge of the heel outsole element, thereby defining a second gap between the rear edge of the midfoot outsole element and the front edge of the heel outsole element. Because the midsole interlayer can be more flexible than the outsole, the gaps allow the midsole interlayer to move more during dorsiflexion (e.g., compared to a situation where the outsole extends along the ground-facing surface of the midsole interlayer from the heel region of the midsole interlayer to the forefoot region of the midsole interlayer without gaps).

[0074] Furthermore, the rear edge of the forefoot outsole element may have an irregular shape, and the front edge of the midfoot outsole element may have a complementary irregular shape that follows the irregular shape of the rear edge of the forefoot outsole element.

[0075] Similarly, the front edge of the heel outsole element can have an irregular shape, and the rear edge of the midfoot outsole element can have a complementary irregular shape that follows the irregular shape of the front edge of the heel outsole element.

[0076] By providing the edges of adjacent outsole elements that are complementary and track each other, the following competing objectives can be achieved: to cover the ground-facing surface of the midsole with the outsole to increase durability, and to allow the midsole to be flexible and deformable without being overly constrained by the outsole.

[0077] In one embodiment, the midsole may include a first ridge extending into and at least partially filling the first gap, and the midsole may also include a second ridge extending into and at least partially filling the second gap. Thus, the ridges of the midsole may define a portion of the surface that engages with the ground.

[0078] In one or more embodiments, the outsole element may cover only the ground-facing surface of the midsole in the forefoot region. In other words, the ground-facing surfaces of the midsole in the midfoot and heel regions may be used together with the outsole element in the forefoot region as the surface for contacting the ground. In such a configuration, the foremost of the downwardly extending protrusions lies behind the widest portion of the midsole in the forefoot region, and the majority of the outsole element lies in front of the widest portion of the midsole in the forefoot region. Providing an outsole element in the forefoot region achieves the increased durability and traction required for toe-off. In some embodiments, the material of the midsole alone may provide sufficient durability and traction for the outsole element to be omitted.

[0079] In one configuration, the sole structure may include a midsole having a ground-facing surface comprising a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The midsole may define downwardly extending protrusions on its ground-facing surface, distributed in the midfoot and heel regions but not present in at least the forefoot region. Each downwardly extending protrusion may have a convex outer surface. The downwardly extending protrusions may include a midfoot protrusion in the midfoot region, the width of which in the transverse direction of the midsole is greater than its length in the longitudinal direction of the midsole. The downwardly extending protrusions may also include a heel protrusion in the heel region, the width-to-length ratio of which is less than that of the midfoot protrusion. For example, the midfoot protrusion may be relatively oblong, and the heel protrusion may be relatively circular.

[0080] To promote elastic deformation and produce a soft feel upon heel impact, the spacing between adjacent heel protrusions in the heel protrusion can be greater than the spacing between adjacent midfoot protrusions in the midfoot protrusion. The larger space between the protrusions allows for greater "movement" or outward extension of the protrusion under compression without interference from adjacent protrusions (e.g., lower compressive stiffness). The relatively low width-to-length ratio of the heel protrusion enables greater deformation, independent of the precise impact angle or location in the heel region of initial ground contact during heel impact.

[0081] When the sole structure rolls forward, causing the midfoot protrusion to contact the horizontal ground plane, the elongated transverse shape of the midfoot protrusion allows it to compress downwards on its forefoot and roll over its peak. This provides forward momentum as the compressive forces of the foot move forward into the forefoot region of the shoe, under decompression conditions, as the midfoot protrusion straightens. This can be referred to as longitudinal shear. Furthermore, the elongated transverse shape of the midfoot protrusions makes them more resistant to lateral shear under lateral (medial-lateral) loading (e.g., when the sole structure is worn on the "outer" side of the foot during cornering).

[0082] In the example configuration, the midsole can be a foam material, and the midfoot protrusion can be the ground-contacting surface of the foam, for example, when the weight of the foot is concentrated in the midfoot area causing the midfoot protrusion to contact the ground. In the same or another configuration, the heel protrusion can be the ground-contacting surface of the foam, for example, when the weight of the foot is concentrated in the heel area. In other words, the ground-facing surface of the midsole can be the ground-contacting surface, thus the midsole also functions as the outsole, where the ground-facing surface is also the ground-contacting surface. For example, in such a configuration, no outsole element can be attached to the ground-facing surface of the midsole at the midfoot protrusion and / or the heel protrusion.

[0083] In one configuration, the sole structure for footwear articles may include a sole interlayer having a ground-facing surface having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The sole interlayer may define downwardly extending protrusions distributed in the midfoot and heel regions, and the forefoot region may be relatively flat. The downwardly extending protrusions may have convex outer surfaces and may transition from relatively circular to relatively oblong and back to relatively circular in a forward direction, each relatively oblong downwardly extending protrusion having a width greater in the transverse direction of the sole interlayer than its length in the longitudinal direction. The relatively oblong downwardly extending protrusions may be higher than the relatively circular downwardly extending protrusions. The sole interlayer may be arcing upward from the midfoot region to the heel region and from the midfoot region to the forefoot region.

[0084] The above-mentioned features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages, of this teaching will become apparent when understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and in the following detailed description of the mode of implementing this teaching.

[0085] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals in all views refer to the same parts. Figure 1 It shows items for footwear (such as) Figures 7-9 Footwear items 12) Sole structure 10. Figure 1This is a bottom view of the sole structure 10. The sole structure 10 includes a sole interlayer 14 and an outsole 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the outsole 16 is a single outsole element 16 attached to the sole interlayer 14. The sole structure 10 may include additional components, such as one or more insoles covering the sole interlayer 14 (e.g., Figure 7 (as shown) and / or one or more bladders that hold gas. For example, a heel bladder may be placed on the foot-facing surface 24 of the sole interlayer 14, or nested within the sole interlayer 14 in the heel region 26 of the sole interlayer 14. Figure 7 An upper 18 connected to the sole structure 10 is shown, along with a foot 20 shown in dashed lines. The foot 20 is received in a foot receiving cavity 22 defined by the upper 18 and the sole structure 10, and is positioned on the foot-facing surface 24 of the sole structure 10. A strobel (midsole fabric) and / or insole (not shown) may cover the sole interlayer and be disposed between the foot 20 and the sole interlayer 14. However, for the purposes of this discussion, the foot-facing surface 24 is the top surface of the sole interlayer 14, and the foot 20 is shown on the foot-facing surface 24 of the sole interlayer 14. The foot-facing surface 24 is shown to generally shape the bottom of the foot 20 into a cup shape. Alternatively or additionally, the foam of the sole interlayer 14 may be shaped to provide additional geometry at the foot-facing surface 24.

[0086] like Figure 1 As shown, the sole structure 10 includes a heel region 26, a midfoot region 28, and a forefoot region 30. The heel region 26 typically includes the portion of the sole structure 10 that supports a human foot of a corresponding size (e.g., when the human foot is supported on the sole structure 10). Figure 7 (As shown) corresponds to the posterior portion of the human foot, including the calcaneus. The forefoot region 30 of the sole structure 10 typically includes a portion of the sole structure 10 corresponding to the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals and phalanges of the human foot (which may be interchangeably referred to herein as "metatarsopsomia" or "MPJ" joints). The midfoot region 28 of the sole structure 10 is located between the heel region 26 and the forefoot region 30, and typically includes a portion of the sole structure 10 corresponding to the arch region of the human foot (including the navicular joint).

[0087] Furthermore, this document may disclose or explain various exemplary features and aspects of footwear 12 by referring to the "longitudinal direction" and / or "longitudinal length" of the footwear sole structure 10. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the "longitudinal direction" is defined as starting from the rearmost heel position of the sole structure 10 ( Figure 1 The RH in the middle extends to the foremost toe position ( Figure 1The direction of the line LM (FT) in the footwear. This line LM can also be referred to as the longitudinal centerline. The "longitudinal length" L is the length dimension measured from the rearmost heel position RH to the frontmost toe position FT. When the sole structure 10 is in an unloaded state (e.g., no weight is applied to the sole structure 10 except for the weight of the shoe components (such as the upper 18) of the footwear article 12), it is oriented in a direction such as... Figure 7 When on the horizontal support surface of the ground plane G shown, the rearmost heel position RH and the frontmost toe position FT can be located by determining the rear heel tangent point and the front toe tangent point relative to the front parallel vertical plane VP and the rear parallel vertical plane VP. If the frontmost and / or rearmost positions of a particular sole structure form a line segment (rather than a tangent point), then the frontmost toe position and / or rearmost heel position constitute the midpoint of the corresponding line segment. If the frontmost and / or rearmost positions of a particular sole structure form two or more separate points or line segments, then the frontmost toe position and / or rearmost heel position constitute the midpoint of the line segment connecting the farthest separated points and / or the farthest separated endpoints of the line segments (regardless of whether the midpoint itself is located on the sole structure 10). If the frontmost and / or rearmost positions form one or more regions, then the frontmost toe position and / or rearmost heel position constitute the geographic center of that region or combination of regions (regardless of whether the geographic center itself is located on the sole structure 10).

[0088] Once the longitudinal direction of the sole structure 10 has been determined with the sole structure 10 oriented on the horizontal ground plane G, the plane can be oriented perpendicular to that longitudinal direction (e.g., the plane enters and leaves). Figure 1 (See the page for details). 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 frontmost toe position FT. Figure 1 In the example illustrated here, the rearmost heel position RH is considered the origin of the measurement (or "0L position"), and the frontmost toe position FT is considered the end of the longitudinal length of the part (or "1.0L position"). In this example, the planar position can be specified based on the planar position along the longitudinal length L (between 0L and 1.0L) measured forward from the rearmost heel position RH. Figure 1 The positions of various planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (and oriented in the transverse direction) and located along the longitudinal length L at positions 0.3L and 0.6L (measured forward from the rearmost heel position RH) are also shown. These planes can be seen from... Figure 1The view shown extends into and out of the page, and similar vertical planes can be oriented along the longitudinal length L at any other desired location. While these planes can be parallel to the parallel vertical plane VP used to determine the rearmost heel RH position and the frontmost toe FT position, this is not necessary. Rather, the orientation of the vertical planes along the longitudinal length L will depend on the orientation in the longitudinal direction. Figure 1 In the arrangement / orientation shown, the longitudinal direction can be parallel to the horizontal ground plane G or not.

[0089] like Figure 1 As shown, the heel region 26 of the sole structure 10 is defined herein as being located between vertical planes at 0L and 0.3L of the sole structure 10, the midfoot region 28 of the sole structure 10 is defined herein as being located between vertical planes at 0.3L and 0.6L, and the forefoot region 30 of the sole structure 10 is defined herein as being located between vertical planes at 0.6L and 1.0L.

[0090] The sole structure 10 has an inner side 32 (also in Figure 4 shown in ) and lateral side 34 (also shown in Figure 3 As shown in the diagram, both the inner side 32 and the outer side 34 extend from the heel region 26 to the forefoot region 30 and are generally on opposite sides of the longitudinal midline LM of the sole structure 10. The inner side 32, outer side 34, and rear side 36 of the sole structure 10 described herein correspond to the inner, outer, and rear sides of individual components of the sole structure 10, such as the sole interlayer 14, and can also be used to indicate the inner, outer, and rear sides of individual components of the sole structure 10, such as the sole interlayer 14.

[0091] The midsole 14 has a ground-facing surface 40, a portion of which falls within the forefoot region 30, midfoot region 28, and heel region 26. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown. In Figure 2In this embodiment, the outsole element 16 is removed. The midsole layer 14 has a slight lip 42 disposed on the ground-facing surface 40 of the forefoot region 30. When the outsole element 16 is fixed to the ground-facing surface 40 in the forefoot region 30, for example by adhesive and / or thermal bonding, the rearward extension of the outsole element 16 abuts the lip 42. The forefoot region 30 has a front half (e.g., from a vertical plane 0.8L to a vertical plane VP at the foremost toe position FT) and a rear half (e.g., from a vertical plane at 0.6L to a vertical plane at 0.8L). In the illustrated embodiment, the outsole element 16 covers most of the ground-facing surface 40 in the front half of the forefoot region 30, and most of the rear half is uncovered. In other configurations, the outsole element may cover more or less of the forefoot region 30 and / or more than one outsole element may be fixed to the ground-facing surface 40.

[0092] The midsole 14 defines downwardly extending protrusions 44 on the ground-facing surface 40. These downwardly extending protrusions 44 are distributed across the midfoot region 28 and the heel region 26, and do not extend downwardly in at least the anterior half of the ground-facing surface 40 of the forefoot region 30 (e.g., the vertical plane VP from the vertical plane at 0.8L to the foremost toe position FT (1.0L)). For example, the outsole element 16 covers the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 14 only in a portion of the forefoot region 30, and the foremost protrusion 44C of the downwardly extending protrusions 44 is behind the widest portion 47 of the midsole 14 in the forefoot region 30. The majority of the outsole element 16 is located in front of the widest portion 47 of the midsole 14 in the forefoot region 30. Providing the outsole element 16 in the forefoot region 30 enables the increased durability and traction required for toe-off contact (e.g., ...). Figure 9 (As shown). In some embodiments, the material of the sole interlayer 14 may provide sufficient durability and adhesion friction not only in the midfoot region 28 and heel region 26 but also in the forefoot region 30, such that the sole structure 10 does not include an outsole element.

[0093] Each downwardly extending protrusion 44 has a convex outer surface 45, such as Figure 2 As best shown in the accompanying drawings. For clarity, only some of the convex outer surfaces 45 are shown in the drawings. Figure 2 The middle part is marked. The downwardly extending protrusion 44 includes a midfoot protrusion 44B in the midfoot region 28, which has a width in the lateral direction of the sole interlayer 14 greater than its length in the longitudinal direction of the sole interlayer 14.

[0094] The downwardly extending protrusion 44 also includes a heel protrusion 44A in the heel region 26, the width-to-length ratio of which is smaller than that of the midfoot protrusion 44B. For example, the midfoot protrusion 44B may be relatively oblong, and the heel protrusion 44A may be relatively circular. In determining the width of the protrusion 44, measurements are taken perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline LM and between points that are furthest apart in the lateral direction and fall on the outer perimeter OP of the protrusion 44 (e.g., where the outer perimeter OP descends along the profile of a curvature change that begins to extend downward from the overlapping base portion 14B of the sole interlayer 14). Some of the outer perimeter OP... Figure 1 The middle mark, and each outer perimeter OP is presented as a closed curve surrounding the protrusion 44. The basal portion 14B can be regarded as Figure 1 The space between protrusions 44 on the ground-facing surface 40. In determining the length of the protrusions 44, measurements are taken parallel to the longitudinal centerline LM and between points that are furthest apart in the longitudinal direction and fall on the outer perimeter OP of the protrusions 44 on the ground-facing surface 40. When referring to the protrusions 44 as approximately oblong or approximately circular, this reference refers to the shape of the outer perimeter OP of the protrusions.

[0095] It should be noted that not all downwardly extending protrusions 44 in the midfoot region 28 need to have a width greater than their length and / or be approximately oblong in the lateral direction to fall within the scope of this disclosure and achieve the advantages of the sole structure 10 discussed herein. Furthermore, not all downwardly extending protrusions 44A in the heel region 26 need to have a width-to-length ratio smaller than that of the midfoot protrusions 44B to fall within the scope of this disclosure and achieve the advantages of the sole structure 10 discussed herein. However, as in Figure 1 As can be seen, the more downward-extending protrusions 44A in the heel area 26 are roughly circular and have a width-to-length ratio smaller than that of the midfoot protrusions 44B, of which the more midfoot protrusions are roughly oblong.

[0096] An exemplary, generally elongated oval shoe midsection protrusion 44B1 Figure 1 The heel protrusion 44A1 is indicated to have a width W1 and a length L1. An example generally circular heel protrusion 44A1 is shown in... Figure 1The heel protrusion 44A1 is indicated to have a width W2 and a length L2. It can be seen that the ratio of the width W2 to the length L2 of the heel protrusion 44A1 is less than the ratio of the width W1 to the length L1 of the midfoot protrusion 44B1. The heel protrusion 44A includes, but is not limited to, those protrusions that are not truncated at the edge of the sole interlayer 14 as discussed herein, these being the rearmost protrusions 44A1 and 44A2. The midfoot protrusion 44B includes, but is not limited to, those protrusions 44B1, 44B2, and 44B3 that are not truncated at the edge of the sole interlayer 14. Furthermore, the downwardly extending protrusions 44 include the foremost protrusion 44C, which may fall within the rear half of the forefoot region 30 and / or may be located in the foreground portion of the midfoot region 28. In particular, observing the protrusions 44 from the rearmost untruncated protrusions at the edge of the sole interlayer 14 (e.g., protrusions 44A1 and 44A2) to the frontmost untruncated protrusion 44C at the edge of the sole interlayer 14, the downwardly extending protrusions 44, falling along the longitudinal midline LM, generally transition from a relatively round shape to a relatively oblong shape and back to a relatively round shape in the forward direction, while increasing in height and then decreasing in height. The shorter protrusions are more neutral in their precise location within the heel area 26, which serves as the first point of contact, to reduce the likelihood of lateral movement and loss of balance upon heel impact.

[0097] The midsole 14 may be a foam body of a polymeric material such as foamed polymer. In some embodiments, the midsole 14 may be at least partially polyurethane (PU) foam, polyurethane ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, and may include thermally expanded and molded EVA foam particles. In some embodiments, the foam material may include, for example, a blend of one or more EVA materials. The midsole 14 may include Pebax® thermoplastic elastomer foam, which may be sold by Nike, Inc. under the trade name ZoomX. The outsole element 16 may include a rubber material, which may be natural rubber or synthetic rubber or a combination of both. Examples of rubber types include butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene (SBR) rubber, butyl rubber, isoprene rubber, urethane rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, urethane rubber, polynorbornene rubber, methyl methacrylate butadiene styrene (MBS) rubber, styrene-ethylene butene (SEBS) rubber, silicone rubber, and mixtures thereof. Rubber compounds can be raw materials, re-grinding materials, and mixtures thereof.

[0098] Since the outsole element 16 is only provided in the forefoot region 30 in the illustrated embodiment, the convex outer surfaces 45 of the midfoot protrusion 44B, the heel protrusion 44A, and the foremost protrusion 44C serve as the contact surfaces of the sole structure 10 with the ground. For example, some or all of the convex outer surfaces 45 of the heel protrusion 44A and the truncated peripheral protrusion 44D in the heel region 26 are contact surfaces of the sole structure 10 with the ground, for example, during heel impact and / or when the weight of the foot 20 is concentrated on the heel region 26 and the heel protrusion 44A contacts the horizontal ground plane G. Figure 7 As shown. Similarly, some or all of the convex outer surfaces 45 of the midfoot protrusion 44B and the truncated peripheral protrusion 44D in the midfoot region 28 are the surfaces of the sole structure 10 that contact the ground, for example, when the weight of the foot 20 is concentrated on the midfoot region 28, causing the midfoot protrusion 44B to contact the ground plane G, as... Figure 8 As shown. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, because the convex outer surfaces 45 of the midfoot protrusion 44B, the heel protrusion 44A, and the truncated peripheral protrusion 44D are exposed (e.g., not covered), the midsole 14 also functions as an outsole in at least the heel region 26 and the midfoot region 28, without any outsole elements being fixed to the midsole 14. Alternatively, in some configurations, one or more outsole elements may be fixed in the midfoot region 28 and / or the heel region 26 to the ground-facing surface 40 and / or the convex outer surfaces 45 of some or all of the downwardly extending protrusions 44.

[0099] The midsole 14 is shown as a one-piece foam body. For example, each of the downwardly extending protrusions 44 and the base portion 14B from which the downwardly extending protrusions 44 extend are integral one-piece (e.g., single) components. For example, the foam material may be injection molded, compression molded, or otherwise manufactured as a one-piece midsole 14. In alternative embodiments, the midsole 14 having the shapes shown and described herein (including protrusions of the shapes and sizes shown and described herein) may be a fluid-filled bladder defining an inner cavity and configured to retain fluid within the cavity. For example, polymer sheets may be secured to each other at peripheral flanges to close the cavity and retain fluid within it, or individual polymer sheets may be folded over themselves to define a sealed peripheral flange, or polymer material in the form of a preform that is not a sheet may be blow-molded to define a bladder. As used herein, the “fluid” filling the cavity may be a gas, such as air, nitrogen, another gas, or a combination thereof. The polymer material can define the protrusion 44 during formation and expansion.

[0100] like Figure 1 As shown and in Figure 6As best shown in the close-up view, the foremost protrusions 44C each have a front half 46 and a rear half 48, and the convex outer surface 45 (e.g., the portion of the ground-facing surface 40 at the protrusions 44C) is steeper at the rear half 48 than at the front half 46. The less steep front half 46 extends more gradually forward in the forefoot region 30 of the ground-facing surface. The ground-facing surface 40 in the forefoot region 30 has no downwardly extending protrusion in front of the foremost protrusions 44C and is relatively flat compared to the ground-facing surfaces 40 in the midfoot region 28 and the heel region 26.

[0101] like Figure 2 As shown in the best example, the downward-extending protrusion 44 tapers in width and length from the base portion 14B to the peak portion 50. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Only some peaks 50 are marked. When the protrusion 44 contacts the horizontal ground plane G, the peaks 50 initially contact the horizontal ground plane G, and the protrusion 44 is compressed, such that as loading progresses, more surface area of ​​the protrusion (e.g., more convex outer surfaces 45) contacts the horizontal ground plane G. Due to the relatively small surface area at the peaks 50, pressure is concentrated at the peaks 50 by the initial load, and the pressure decreases as the surface area widens with the compression of the protrusion 44. The distribution of the load over the increasing surface area and the resulting decrease in pressure cause the deflection rate of the protrusion 44 to decrease over time. In other words, as the shape of the protrusion 44 widens from the relatively narrow peaks 50, the protrusion 44 initially compresses more rapidly and the deflection rate gradually decreases. This contrasts with the relatively low deflection rate experienced by sole structures with a flatter area initially in contact with the horizontal ground plane G.

[0102] like Figures 2-6 As shown, the relatively oblong, downwardly extending protrusion 44B in the midfoot region 28 is higher than the relatively circular, downwardly extending protrusion 44A in the heel region 26. That is, as Figure 5 As shown in the best example, the midfoot protrusion 44B extends from the outer perimeter OP (the outer perimeter is at...) Figure 1 The height H1 of the plane (as indicated by the middle indicator) is greater than the height H2 of the plane extending from the heel protrusion 44A through its outer perimeter OP. The higher midfoot protrusion 44B is able to "tilt" during a forward stride, as per the description of the middle foot protrusion 44B. Figure 8 The subject of discussion.

[0103] like Figures 3-5 As shown, the midsole layer 14 curves upwards from the midfoot region 28 to the heel region 26, and also curves upwards from the midfoot region 28 to the forefoot region 30. (Reference) Figure 5At any given transverse cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline LM, the surface S, tangent to the peak 50 of the protrusion 44 and the lower surface of the outsole element 16, remains substantially horizontal and arcs from the rearmost extension of the midsole 14 (e.g., at the rearmost heel position RH) to the front extension of the midsole 14 (near the frontmost toe position FT), thus establishing the arcuate profile of the midsole, wherein the midfoot region 28 is lower than the heel region 26 and the forefoot region 30, and therefore contacts the ground plane G when the sole structure 10 is unloaded. (See also: Regarding...) Figures 7-9 The configuration discussed here helps maintain a more constant forward angular momentum (indicated by arrow AM) during a forward stride compared to a sole structure without this curvature. This embodiment achieves the "rocker" function of the midsole 14. For such a full-length convex surface, at any given time during a stride, only a relatively small area of ​​the ground-facing surface 40 contacts the ground plane G. This, for example, helps avoid the "slapping" phenomenon and associated foot fatigue that can occur with sole structures constructed such that a large area of ​​the midsole suddenly contacts the ground plane during the transition from the heel area to the midsole area.

[0104] Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 14 The midsole 14 is also best illustrated by including a rear sidewall 52 that extends outward from an upper extension 52A to a lower extension 52B at the rear 36 of the heel region 26. This expansion causes the lower extension 52B to extend further rearward compared to a case where the rear sidewall 52 is more perpendicular to the horizontal ground plane G. This can help guide the midsole 14 into a forward swaying motion in the early stages of heel impact during a forward stride.

[0105] Similarly, such as Figures 12-15 As best shown, the midsole 14 includes an outer sidewall 58 and an inner sidewall 56, each of the outer sidewall 58 and the inner sidewall 56 having an upper extension and a lower extension, and each of the outer sidewall 58 and the inner sidewall 56 in the forefoot region 30 (see [reference]). Figure 13 and Figure 15 ) and heel area 26 (see Figure 14 and Figure 15 Both extend outward from the upper extension to the lower extension. Specifically, as shown... Figure 15 As shown, the inner sidewall 56 extends outward from the upper extension 56A to the lower extension 56B. The inner sidewall 58 extends outward from the upper extension 58A to the lower extension 58B. (As shown in...) Figure 1 and Figure 15Clearly, the midsole 14 in the forefoot region 30 is typically located just in front of the foremost protrusion 44C and is widest approximately where the rear edge 16A of the outsole element 16 is attached to the midsole 14. The heel region 26 is typically located just in front of the forefoot protrusion 44C. Figure 1 The front of the rearmost (untruncated) heel protrusion 44A1 marked in the middle is also relatively wide. The relatively wide and flat forefoot region 30 provides a stable platform for toe-off. The height of the midsole 14 in the forefoot region 30 is sufficient to provide adequate cushioning, while the relative flatness of the midsole 14 in the forefoot region 30 (e.g., due to the shorter downward-extending protrusion 44 and the absence of downward-extending protrusions in the front portion of the forefoot region 30, relative to the relative flatness of the midfoot region 28 and heel region 26) makes this region relatively stiff compared to other regions 28, 30, thereby providing support for effective toe-off.

[0106] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the downwardly extending protrusions 44 include truncated peripheral protrusions 44D in the midfoot region 28 and heel region 26, which define the outer lateral edge 34A and inner lateral edge 32A of the ground-facing surface 40 of the sole interlayer 14. Similarly, a truncated peripheral protrusion 44D defines a rear edge 36A. The peripheral protrusions 44D are truncated because each of them has only about half the convex outer surface 45 compared to the midfoot protrusion 44B and heel protrusion 44A, due to the peaks 50 of the truncated peripheral protrusions 44D being positioned along the outer lateral edge 34A, inner lateral edge 32A, and rear edge 36A. Providing peaks 50 along edges 32A and 34A expands the width between the two furthest peaks 50 in contact with the ground plane G during a forward stride, thereby increasing medial-lateral stability. Providing a peak 50 along the rear edge 36A and edges 32A, 34A helps limit the degree of possible inside-outside tilt, regardless of whether the initial impact is on the untruncated, fully convex protrusions 44A or 44B.

[0107] To promote elastic deformation and produce a soft feel upon heel impact, the spacing between adjacent heel protrusions in heel protrusion 44A can be greater than the spacing between adjacent midfoot protrusions in midfoot protrusion 44B. For example, Figure 1On average, the number of ground-facing surfaces 40 (e.g., spacing S1) between the outer perimeters OP of the heel protrusions 44A is greater than the number of ground-facing surfaces 40 (e.g., spacing S2) between the outer perimeters OP of the midfoot protrusions 44B. The larger space between the heel protrusions 44A allows for greater “movement” or outward extension of the heel protrusions 44A under compression by the compressive force F, without interference from adjacent protrusions (e.g., lower compressive stiffness). The lower aspect ratio of the heel protrusions 44A allows for greater deformation regardless of the precise impact angle of the initial ground contact during heel impact or their position within the heel region 26. Figure 7 As shown.

[0108] Figures 7-9 The diagram shows three instants in time during three distinct phases of the forward rolling of the sole structure 10, with the curved arrow AM indicating the angular momentum of the sole structure 10. (See diagram for reference.) Figure 7 As shown, due to the arcuate profile of the sole structure 10 discussed in this paper, only the heel area 26 contacts the ground plane G during the initial heel impact.

[0109] As the shoe moves forward, the sole structure 10 rolls forward, causing the midfoot protrusion 44B to contact the horizontal ground plane G. Due to the curved profile of the sole structure 10, the heel area 26 and the forefoot area 30 do not contact the ground plane G. The relatively high height of the laterally elongated midfoot protrusions 44B causes them to compress downwards on their front sides, as... Figure 8 As shown, the midfoot protrusions 44B roll on their peaks 50 (e.g., tilt or bend towards their forefoot), so that when the compressive force F of the foot 20 moves forward to the forefoot region 30 under decompression, each of the laterally elongated midfoot protrusions 44B provides forward momentum when straightened. This tilting or bending movement can be termed longitudinal shear. The relatively high height of the midfoot protrusions 44B facilitates and enables this shear in the longitudinal direction. However, the laterally elongated shape of the midfoot protrusions 44B makes them more resistant to lateral shear under lateral loading, which can occur when the sole structure 10 is loaded while turning (e.g., when the sole structure 10 is worn on the “outer” foot 20 during cornering).

[0110] Figure 9The sole structure 10 is depicted as follows: during further forward rolling, the ground-facing surface 40 of the forefoot region 30 becomes the surface in contact with the ground during a forward step. Due to the arcuate profile of the sole structure 10, the heel region 26 and the midfoot region 28 no longer contact the ground G. The absence of downwardly extending protrusions 44 in at least the forefoot region 30 creates a relatively stiff forefoot, as more surface area in the lateral direction contacts the ground plane G at any point along the length of the sole structure 10 during forward rolling. Because the entire width of the sole interlayer 14 in the forefoot region 30 is relatively flat compared to the protrusions 44, more surface area of ​​the forefoot region 30 can contact the horizontal ground plane G compared to only a portion of the convex outer surface 45 of the protrusions 44, thus enabling the forefoot region 30 to form a supporting platform for toe lift-off. In order to smoothly transition to a more stable platform in the relatively flat portion of the forefoot region 30, the shape of the protrusion 44 returns from a relatively elliptical shape to a relatively circular shape (e.g., at protrusion 44C), and the height of the foremost protrusion 44C gradually decreases to zero (e.g., the front half 46 of the foremost protrusion 44C is not as steep as the rear half 48).

[0111] Therefore, the compressibility of protrusion 44 reduces impact, while the curved profile of sole structure 10 facilitates an efficient transition from heel impact to toe lift-off. Typically, achieving both goals is difficult because increased compressibility often reduces the efficiency of forward movement (e.g., the wearer must exert relatively more effort to maintain forward momentum in a highly compressible cushioned midsole without the curved profile from heel region 26 to forefoot region 30). The curved profile facilitates a more efficient transition from heel impact to toe lift-off compared to a more typical sole structure profile (e.g., without the curved profile extending upwards from midfoot region 28 to the rear of heel region 26), which could result in a sudden increase in angular momentum. Figure 7 The point of impact of the heel Figure 8 The midsection of the shoe maintains a more constant angular momentum.

[0112] Figure 10 Is Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of the sole structure 10 taken at line 10-10 is shown. A relatively short protrusion 44C is shown in the foreground portion of the midfoot region 28, where the cross-section is taken in front of the peak 50, making the overall height inconspicuous. Figure 11 Is Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of the sole structure 10, taken at line 11-11. (Compared to...) Figure 10 Compared to the more forward protrusion 44C, the relatively high height of protrusion 44B3, as well as the expanded sidewalls 56 and the truncated peripheral protrusion 44D, are evident.

[0113] Figure 12 Is Figure 15A cross-sectional view of the sole structure taken at line 12-12 is shown. A relatively rounder and shorter protrusion 44A1 is shown, and the cross-section is taken behind the peak of protrusion 44A2. A partially truncated peripheral protrusion 44D is also shown. Due to... Figure 3 The obvious arc-shaped profile, with the peripheral protrusion 44D of the rearmost truncated section set higher than the protrusion 44A1, are not visible in the truncated cross section.

[0114] Figure 13 This is a front view of the sole structure 10, showing an outwardly expanding outer sidewall 58 and an outwardly expanding inner sidewall 56. The outsole element 16 shown has a rearward extension approximately at the widest portion 47 of the sole interlayer 14. Figure 13 In the shoe forefoot region 30 shown, the inner sidewall 56 and the outer sidewall 58, which extend outward from the upper extension to the lower extension, are clearly visible.

[0115] Figure 14 This is a rear view of the sole structure 10, showing the peripheral protrusion 44D that provides a wide platform in the lateral direction to avoid truncation of medial-lateral movement. Figure 15 This is a top view of the sole structure 10, indicating the expanded inner sidewall 56 and outer sidewall 58, as well as the rear sidewall 52, in the heel region 26.

[0116] Figure 16 Another embodiment of the sole structure 110 is shown, which can replace the sole structure 10 in use in Figure 7 In footwear article 12. The sole structure 110 has many of the same features as described with respect to sole structure 10, and these features are indicated by the same reference numerals. Like sole structure 10, sole structure 110 includes a sole interlayer 114 having a plurality of downwardly extending protrusions 44 for shock absorption (e.g., see...). Figures 17-19 and Figure 24 The outsole structure 110 also has an arcuate profile to facilitate an efficient transition from heel impact to toe lift. As discussed further herein, the outsole structure 110 also includes an outsole 116 covering at least a portion of the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the outsole 116 has a first outsole element 116A, a second outsole element 116B, and a third outsole element 116C, which are also referred to herein as the first outsole portion, the second outsole portion, and the third outsole portion, respectively.

[0117] A first outsole element 116A is fixed in the forefoot region 30 to at least a portion of the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 114 and covers at least a portion of the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 114 in the forefoot region 30. The first outsole element 116A is also referred to as the forefoot outsole element 116A. A second outsole element 116B is fixed in the heel region 26 to at least a portion of the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 114 and covers at least a portion of the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 114 in the heel region 26. The second outsole element 116B is also referred to as the heel outsole element 116B. A third outsole element 116C is fixed in the midfoot region 28 to at least a portion of the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 114 and covers at least a portion of the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 114 in the midfoot region 28. The third outsole element 116C is also known as the midsole outsole element 116C. For example... Figures 28-31 As shown in the best embodiment, each of the forefoot outsole element 116A, the midfoot outsole element 116C, and the heel outsole element 116B extends from the inner sidewall 56 of the sole interlayer 114 to the outer sidewall 58 of the sole interlayer 114.

[0118] like Figure 16 As shown, the first outsole element 116A and the third outsole element 116C are separated by a first gap 151 extending from the inner edge 132A of the sole interlayer 114 to the outer edge 134A of the sole interlayer 114. The inner edge 132A is also referred to as the inner side edge of the ground-facing surface 40, and the outer edge 134A is also referred to as the outer side edge of the ground-facing surface 40. Figure 20 , Figure 21 and Figure 22 A first gap 151 is also depicted. In other words, the rear edge 153 of the first outsole element 116A (e.g., the forefoot outsole element) is spaced apart from the front edge 155 of the third outsole element 116C (e.g., the midfoot outsole element), thereby defining a first gap 151 between the rear edge 153 and the front edge 155.

[0119] The rear edge 153 of the first outsole element 116A has an irregular shape. As used herein, the irregular shape is a non-linear shape. The front edge 155 of the third outsole element 116C has a complementary irregular shape that follows the irregular shape of the rear edge 153 of the first outsole element 116A. As used herein, edges have complementary irregular shapes that follow the irregular shape of another edge when the edges can be spaced apart by a generally constant width gap. For example, a generally constant width gap can be a gap whose width varies by no more than 20% along the length of the gap. Figure 16 , Figure 20 , Figure 21 and Figure 22 As shown, the first gap 151 has a generally constant width.

[0120] Similarly, the second outsole element 116B and the third outsole element 116C are separated by a second gap 157 extending from the inner edge 132A of the sole interlayer 114 to the outer edge 134A of the sole interlayer 114. In other words, the rear edge 159 of the third outsole element 116C (e.g., the midfoot outsole element) is spaced from the front edge 161 of the second outsole element 116B (e.g., the heel outsole element), thereby defining the second gap 157 between the rear edge 159 and the front edge 161.

[0121] The front edge 161 of the second outsole element 116B has an irregular shape, and the rear edge 159 of the third outsole element 116C has a complementary irregular shape that follows the irregular shape of the front edge 161 of the heel outsole element. Therefore, the second gap 157 has a substantially constant width.

[0122] like Figure 18 , Figure 19 and Figure 24 As shown, the midsole 114 includes a first ridge 170 and a second ridge 172. The first ridge 170 and the second ridge 172 project downwards and form part of the ground-facing surface 40. The first ridge 170 and the second ridge 172 extend downwards from a contoured, downwardly extending protrusion 44 by a certain amount H3 and H4, respectively, which can vary along each of the ridges 170 and 172. In other words, the ridges 170 and 172 follow the contour of the downwardly extending protrusion 44 in the vertical direction and also follow the contours of gaps 151 and 157, respectively, in the horizontal direction.

[0123] like Figure 16 , Figure 17 and Figure 24 As shown, the first ridge 170 extends into the first gap 151 and at least partially fills the first gap 151. Similarly, the second ridge 172 extends into the second gap 157 and at least partially fills the second gap 157.

[0124] The configuration of the outsole 116, having two or more separate outsole elements (e.g., any two or all of outsole elements 116A, 116B, and 116C), imposes less constraint on the midsole 114 than in embodiments where a one-piece outsole extends across most or all of the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 114. The midsole 114, shown as a one-piece foam, can be any material described with respect to the midsole 14. The outsole 116 can be any material described with respect to the outsole 16. Therefore, the midsole 114 can be made of a more compressible and flexible material than the outsole 116. For example, gaps 151, 157 allow for greater movement of the midsole 114 during compression and dorsiflexion compared to a case where the outsole 116 extends along the ground-facing surface 40 from the rear extension of the heel region 26 (e.g., the rearmost heel position RH) to the front extension of the forefoot region 30 (e.g., the frontmost toe position FT) without gaps. By providing the edges of adjacent outsole elements that are complementary and track each other, the competing objectives of increasing durability by covering most of the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 114 with the outsole 116 and allowing the protrusions 44 of the midsole 114 to be flexible and deformable without being overly constrained by the outsole 116 can be achieved.

[0125] Reference Figure 24 The height H5 of the midsole 114 is greatest in the midfoot region 28. The height of the midsole 114 varies due to the wavy protrusions 44, but the height of the midsole 114 at the peak 50 of the protrusions 44 in the midfoot region 28 is always greater than the peak 50 of the protrusions 44 in the heel region 26. The height of the midsole 114 at any location is measured from the surface facing the foot to the surface facing the ground 40. The height of the midsole 114 at the peak 50 of the protrusions 44 in the midfoot region 28 is also greater than the peak 50 of the protrusions 44 in the forefoot region 30. The outsole 116 is constructed such that the height H6 of the sole structure 110 is also greatest in the midfoot region 28. In other words, the height of the sole structure 110 (including the heights of both the midsole 114 and the outsole 116) is greatest in the midfoot region 28. Therefore, like the midsole 114, the sole structure 110 (including both the midsole 114 and the outsole 116) also has an arcuate profile.

[0126] This embodiment achieves the "rocker" function of the midsole 114. For example, the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 114 curves upward from the midsole region 28 to the front extension of the midsole 114 and upward from the midsole region 28 to the rear extension of the midsole 114, thereby establishing the arcuate profile of the midsole 114. As discussed with respect to the midsole 14, for this full-length convex surface, at any time during a stride, only a relatively small area of ​​the ground-facing surface of the outsole 116 contacts the horizontal ground plane, and the rate of forward transition on the sole structure 110 is relatively constant, for example, compared to a sole structure configured such that a large portion of the midsole region 28 contacts the ground very abruptly when transitioning from the heel region 26 to the midsole region 28. The full-length convex surface helps to avoid "slapping" and associated foot fatigue.

[0127] Reference Figure 19 and Figure 24 Compared to the midfoot region 28 and heel region 26, which have downwardly extending protrusions 44, the ground-facing surface 40 of the forefoot region 30 is relatively flat. In order to provide a stable platform for the toe of the forefoot region 30 to leave the ground, the downwardly extending protrusions 44 may not be present in at least the front half of the forefoot region 30.

[0128] Refer again Figure 19 and Figure 24 The downward-extending protrusions 44 are distributed in the midfoot region 28 and the heel region 26. Like the midsole layer 14, each downward-extending protrusion 44 has a convex outer surface 45 and a peak 50. Figure 19 and Figure 24 In this context, only some of the convex outer surfaces 45 and peaks 50 are indicated by reference numerals. However, unlike the midsole 14, the downwardly extending protrusions 44 in the midsole region 28 of the midsole 114 have a similar width-to-length ratio to the downwardly extending protrusions in the forefoot region 30 and heel region 26. In other words, like the protrusions in the forefoot region 30 and heel region 26, the protrusions 44 in the midsole region 28 (e.g., midsole protrusion 44B) are relatively rounded rather than elongated. The protrusions 44 in the midsole region 28 have a width in the lateral direction of the midsole 114 that is approximately the same as or can be equal to the length in the longitudinal direction of the midsole 114, and the protrusions 44 in the heel region 26 (e.g., heel protrusion 44A) have a width-to-length ratio relatively similar to that of the protrusions 44 in the midsole region 28.

[0129] Reference Figure 19Similar to the midsole 14, the downwardly extending protrusions 44 in the forefoot region 30 include the foremost protrusions 44C, each having a front half 46 and a rear half 48, and the convex outer surface 45 is steeper at the rear half 48 than at the front half 46, so that the forward rolling of the foot can smoothly transition from the wavy midfoot region 28 to the relatively flat forefoot region 30.

[0130] like Figure 24 As best shown, the outsole 116 is thicker at the location where it aligns with and is fixed to the peaks 50 of the downwardly extending protrusions 44 than at the ground-facing surface 40 of the sole interlayer 114 between adjacent peaks 50. For example, the outsole 116 at regions A and B (at the peaks 50) is thicker than the outsole at regions C and D (between adjacent peaks 50). The material of the outsole 116 can be relatively more durable than the material of the sole interlayer 114, and the thickness at the peaks 50 contributes to the durability of the sole structure 110, thereby reducing wear. The material of the sole interlayer 114 can be relatively more compressible than the outsole 116, and the relative thinness of the outsole 116 between the peaks 50 compared to the thicker outsole between the peaks 50 allows for greater movement and deformation of the downwardly extending protrusions 44 during compression. In other words, compared to a case where the material is thicker between the peaks 50, the outsole 116 with a relatively thin area between the peaks 50 exerts less constraint on the midsole 114, thus allowing for greater elastic deformation and associated cushioning. (As in...) Figure 21 and Figure 22 As is evident, the outsole 116 is pre-formed to have these relatively thick and thin areas and has a wavy inner or top surface 74 (e.g., the foot-facing surface 74), which has a recess 75 that aligns with a protrusion 44 and forms a cup shape when the outsole 116 is assembled to the ground-facing surface 40 of the sole interlayer 114. Figures 21-22 Only some recesses 75 are marked. Because the outsole 116 is pre-formed to have this three-dimensional wavy shape, rather than being molded onto the midsole 114 to obtain a flat piece with a wavy shape, the protrusions 44 are less likely to be compressed or otherwise deformed by the outsole 116 during attachment to the midsole 114, thus allowing the midsole 114 to function according to its intended shape during use.

[0131] Like the midsole 14, the midsole 114 includes a lateral sidewall 58 and a medial sidewall 56, each of the lateral sidewall 58 and the medial sidewall 56 having an upper extension and a lower extension, and each of the lateral sidewall 58 and the medial sidewall 56 in the forefoot region 30 (e.g., see...). Figure 25 , Figure 26 and Figure 28) and heel area 26 (for example, see Figure 25 , Figure 27 and Figure 31 Both extend outwards from the upper extension 56A to the lower extension 56B. Specifically, the inner sidewall 56 extends outwards from the upper extension 56A to the lower extension 56B, and the outer sidewall 58 extends outwards from the upper extension 58A to the lower extension 58B. Therefore, the forefoot region 30 is relatively flat and wide to provide stability. The height of the midsole 114 in the forefoot region 30 should be sufficient to provide adequate cushioning, while the relative flatness of the foam (without downwardly extending protrusions 44) makes this area relatively firm compared to other areas, thus providing support for effective toe lift. Similarly, the heel region 26 extends outwards to be sufficiently wide at the lower extensions 56B and 58B of the sidewalls 56 and 58 to provide stability.

[0132] Refer again Figures 25-27 The inner sidewall 56 has a lower inner edge 56C at its lower extension 56B extending from the forefoot region 30 to the heel region 26. The outer sidewall 58 has a lower outer edge 58C at its lower extension 58B extending from the forefoot region 30 to the heel region 26. The outsole 116 (including outsole elements 116A, 116B, and 116C) extends to and is below the inner edge 56C and the outer edge 58C, terminating at the inner edge 56C and the outer edge 58C, without extending onto the inner sidewall 56 and the outer sidewall 58. In other words, the outsole 116 does not wrap upwards along the sidewalls 56 and 58. By not extending onto the inner sidewall 56 and the outer sidewall 58, the midsole 114 is less constrained by the outsole 116 at the sidewalls 56 and 58, and can elastically deform to a greater extent, potentially providing greater cushioning.

[0133] Similar to the midsole 14, considering the convex outer surface 45 of the downwardly extending protrusion 44, for stability in the midsole region 28, the downwardly extending protrusion 44 includes truncated peripheral protrusions 44D in the midsole region 28 and heel region 26. The truncated peripheral protrusions 44D define the outer edge 34A and inner edge 32A of the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 114, as... Figure 31As shown. The peripheral protrusion 44D is truncated because, compared to the untruncated midfoot protrusion 44B and heel protrusion 44A, each peripheral protrusion 44D has only about half the convex outer surface 45. This is because the peaks 50 of the truncated peripheral protrusion 44D are positioned along the outer side edge 34A and the inner side edge 32A. Providing peaks 50 along edges 32A and 34A increases the width between the two furthest peaks 50 that contact the ground plane G during a forward stride, thereby increasing medial-lateral stability. Providing peaks 50 along edges 32A and 34A helps limit the degree of medial-lateral tilt that may occur, regardless of whether the initial impact is on the untruncated, fully convex protrusion 44.

[0134] Figure 32 Another embodiment of the sole structure 210 is shown, which can be used in place of the sole structure 10 in footwear article 12. The sole structure 210 has the same midsole 14 as described with respect to sole structure 10, but includes a one-piece outsole 216 that covers the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 14 in each of the forefoot region 30, midfoot region 28, and heel region 26, and establishes the ground-contact surface of the sole structure 210. The one-piece outsole 216 may completely cover each of these regions such that no portion of the ground-facing surface 40 of the midsole 14 is a ground-contact surface of the sole structure 210.

[0135] Figure 33 and Figure 34 The truncated peripheral protrusion 44D is shown. Figure 38 and Figure 42 The medial-lateral stability provided by the truncated protrusion 44D in the heel area 26 is best demonstrated. Figure 35 The curved profile of the sole structure 210 is best shown. Figures 36-42 The expanded sidewalls 56 and 58 are shown. Figure 39 The inner sidewall 56 and outer sidewall 58, which extend outward from the upper extensions 56A and 58A to the lower extensions 56B and 58B, are also shown. Figure 39 The outsole 216 extends to the inner side edge 56C and outer side edge 58C of the sole interlayer 14 and is located below the inner side edge 56C and outer side edge 58C of the sole interlayer 14, terminating at the inner side edge 56C and outer side edge 58C, without extending to the inner side wall 56 and outer side wall 58.

[0136] Figure 43Another embodiment of the sole structure 310 is shown, which can be used to replace the sole structure 10 in footwear article 12. The sole structure 310 has the same sole interlayer 14 as described with respect to sole structure 10, but includes a two-piece outsole 316. The outsole 316 includes a forefoot outsole element 316A (also referred to as a first outsole element) and a heel outsole element 316B (also referred to as a second outsole element). The forefoot outsole element 316A covers most of the ground-facing surface 40 in the forefoot region 30 and has a non-linear rear edge 353. The heel outsole element 316B covers most of the ground-facing surface 40 of the sole interlayer 14 in the heel region 26 and has a non-linear front edge 361. Many of the downwardly extending protrusions 44 in the midfoot region 28 (only some of which are marked) are not covered by any part of the outsole 316, so that the ground-facing surface 40 in this region also serves as the ground-contacting surface of the sole structure 310.

[0137] Figure 44 and Figure 45 The truncated peripheral protrusion 44D is shown. Figure 49 and Figure 53 The medial-lateral stability provided by the truncated protrusion 44D in the heel area 26 is best demonstrated. Figure 46 The curved profile of the sole structure 310 is best shown. Figures 47-50 The expanded sidewalls 56 and 58 are shown.

[0138] Figures 48-49 The inner sidewall 56 and outer sidewall 58 extending outward from the upper extensions 56A and 58A to the lower extensions 56B and 58B are shown. Figure 50 The outsole 316 (forefoot outsole element 316A) extends to and lies below the inner edge 56C and outer edge 58C of the sole interlayer 14, terminating at the inner edge 56C and outer edge 58C, without extending to the inner sidewall 56 and outer sidewall 58. Figure 53 As shown, the heel outsole element 316B extends to the inner side edge 56C and outer side edge 58C of the sole interlayer 14 and is located below the inner side edge 56C and outer side edge 58C of the sole interlayer 14, terminating at the inner side edge 56C and outer side edge 58C, without extending to the inner side wall 56 and outer side wall 58. Figure 51 and Figure 52 As shown, in some portions of the midfoot region 28, the ground-facing surface 40 of the sole interlayer 14 is not covered by the outsole 16 and thus also serves as the surface in contact with the ground.

[0139] The following terms provide example configurations of footwear items disclosed in this article.

[0140] Clause 1. A sole structure for footwear articles, the sole structure comprising: a sole interlayer having a ground-facing surface, the ground-facing surface having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the sole interlayer defining downwardly extending protrusions distributed on the ground-facing surface in the midfoot region and the heel region, each of the downwardly extending protrusions having a convex outer surface; and wherein the height of the sole interlayer is greatest in the midfoot region.

[0141] Clause 2. The sole structure according to Clause 1, wherein the ground-facing surface of the sole interlayer curves upward from the mid-shoe region to the front extension of the sole interlayer and upward from the mid-shoe region to the rear extension of the sole interlayer, thereby establishing the arcuate profile of the sole interlayer.

[0142] Clause 3. The sole structure according to Clause 1, wherein the ground-facing surface of the forefoot region is relatively flat.

[0143] Clause 4. The sole structure according to Clause 1, wherein the sole interlayer is characterized by having no downwardly extending protrusions in the forefoot region.

[0144] Clause 5. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1-4, wherein the sole interlayer includes a rear sidewall that extends outward from an upper extension of the rear sidewall to a lower extension of the rear sidewall at the rear of the heel region.

[0145] Clause 6. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1-5, wherein the sole interlayer includes an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, each of the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall having an upper extension and a lower extension, and each of the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall extending outward from the upper extension to the lower extension in the forefoot region.

[0146] Clause 7. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1-6, wherein the downwardly extending protrusion includes a foremost protrusion, each of the foremost protrusions having a front half and a rear half, and wherein the convex outer surface is steeper in the rear half than in the front half.

[0147] Clause 8. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1-7, wherein: the downwardly extending protrusion includes a peripheral protrusion in the mid-shoe region, the peripheral protrusion defining an outer side edge and an inner side edge of the ground-facing surface; and the peripheral protrusion is truncated at the outer side edge and the inner side edge such that the peak of the peripheral protrusion is positioned along the outer side edge and the inner side edge.

[0148] Clause 9. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1-8, wherein the sole interlayer is a one-piece foam body.

[0149] Clause 10. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1-9 further includes: an outsole comprising an outsole element covering the ground-facing surface of the sole interlayer in the forefoot region.

[0150] Clause 11. The outsole structure according to Clause 10, wherein the outsole element is a first outsole element, and the outsole further includes a second outsole element that covers the ground-facing surface of the outsole interlayer in the heel region.

[0151] Clause 12. The outsole structure according to Clause 11, wherein: the outsole further includes a third outsole element that covers the ground-facing surface of the outsole interlayer in the midfoot region; the first outsole element and the third outsole element are separated by a first gap extending from an inner edge of the outsole interlayer to an outer edge of the outsole interlayer; the outsole interlayer includes a first ridge that extends into the first gap and at least partially fills the first gap; the second outsole element and the third outsole element are separated by a second gap extending from an inner edge of the outsole interlayer to an outer edge of the outsole interlayer; and the outsole interlayer includes a second ridge that extends into the second gap and at least partially fills the second gap.

[0152] Clause 13. The sole structure according to Clause 12, wherein the first ridge and the second ridge are non-linear.

[0153] Clause 14. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 1-9 further includes: an outsole covering at least a portion of the ground-facing surface of the sole interlayer; and wherein the height of the sole structure is greatest in the midfoot region.

[0154] Clause 15. The sole structure according to Clause 14, wherein the outsole is thicker at the peak of the downwardly extending protrusion than at the ground-facing surface of the sole interlayer between adjacent peaks of the downwardly extending protrusion.

[0155] Clause 16. The sole structure according to Clause 14 or 15, wherein: the sole interlayer includes an inner sidewall having a lower inner sidewall edge and an outer sidewall having a lower outer sidewall edge; and the outsole extends to and is located below the inner sidewall edge and the outer sidewall edge, terminating at the inner sidewall edge and the outer sidewall edge without extending to the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall edge.

[0156] Clause 17. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 14-16, wherein: the outsole includes a forefoot outsole element, a midfoot outsole element, and a heel outsole element, each of the forefoot outsole element, the midfoot outsole element, and the heel outsole element extending from an inner sidewall of the sole interlayer to an outer sidewall of the sole interlayer; the rear edge of the forefoot outsole element is spaced apart from the front edge of the midfoot outsole element to define a first gap between the rear edge of the forefoot outsole element and the front edge of the midfoot outsole element; and the rear edge of the midfoot outsole element is spaced apart from the front edge of the heel outsole element to define a second gap between the rear edge of the midfoot outsole element and the front edge of the heel outsole element.

[0157] Clause 18. The sole structure according to Clause 17, wherein the rear edge of the forefoot outsole element has an irregular shape, and the front edge of the midfoot outsole element has a complementary irregular shape that follows the irregular shape of the rear edge of the forefoot outsole element.

[0158] Clause 19. The sole structure according to Clause 17 or 18, wherein the front edge of the heel outsole element has an irregular shape, and the rear edge of the midfoot outsole element has a complementary irregular shape that follows the irregular shape of the front edge of the heel outsole element.

[0159] Clause 20. The sole structure of claim 19, wherein the sole interlayer includes a first ridge extending into the first gap and at least partially filling the first gap, and the sole interlayer includes a second ridge extending into the second gap and at least partially filling the second gap.

[0160] Clause 21. A sole structure for footwear articles, the sole structure comprising: a sole interlayer having a ground-facing surface, the ground-facing surface having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the sole interlayer defining downwardly extending protrusions on the ground-facing surface, the downwardly extending protrusions being distributed on the midfoot region and the heel region and absent in at least the front half of the forefoot region, each of the downwardly extending protrusions having a convex outer surface, the downwardly extending protrusions comprising: a midfoot protrusion in the midfoot region, the width of the midfoot protrusion in the lateral direction of the sole interlayer being greater than its length in the longitudinal direction of the sole interlayer; and a heel protrusion in the heel region, the width-to-length ratio of the heel protrusion being less than the width-to-length ratio of the midfoot protrusion.

[0161] Clause 22. The sole structure according to Clause 21, wherein the height of the sole interlayer is greater at the midfoot protrusion than at the heel protrusion, and greater at the midfoot protrusion than at the forefoot region.

[0162] Clause 23. The sole structure according to Clause 22, wherein the ground-facing surface of the sole interlayer curves upward from the mid-shoe region to the front extension of the sole interlayer and upward from the mid-shoe region to the rear extension of the sole interlayer, thereby establishing the arcuate profile of the sole interlayer.

[0163] Clause 24. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 21-23, wherein the sole interlayer includes a rear sidewall that extends outward from an upper extension of the rear sidewall to a lower extension of the rear sidewall at the rear of the heel region.

[0164] Clause 25. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 21-23, wherein the sole interlayer includes an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, each of the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall having an upper extension and a lower extension, and extending outward from the upper extension to the lower extension in the forefoot region.

[0165] Clause 26. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 21-23, wherein the downwardly extending protrusion includes a foremost protrusion, each of the foremost protrusions having a front half and a rear half, and wherein the convex outer surface is steeper in the rear half than in the front half.

[0166] Clause 27. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 21-23, wherein the sole interlayer is a foam body, and the midfoot protrusion is the surface of the foam body that contacts the ground.

[0167] Clause 28. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 12-23, wherein the sole interlayer is a foam body, and the heel protrusion is the surface of the foam body that contacts the ground.

[0168] Clause 29. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 21-23 further includes: an outsole element that covers the ground-facing surface of the sole interlayer only in the forefoot region.

[0169] Clause 30. The sole structure according to Clause 29, wherein the foremost projection of the downwardly extending protrusion is behind the widest portion of the sole interlayer in the forefoot region, and a majority of the outsole element is in front of the widest portion of the sole interlayer in the forefoot region.

[0170] Clause 31. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 21-23, wherein the spacing between adjacent heel protrusions in the heel protrusions is greater than the spacing between adjacent midfoot protrusions in the midfoot protrusions.

[0171] Clause 32. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 21-23, wherein: the downwardly extending protrusion includes a peripheral protrusion in the mid-shoe region, the peripheral protrusion defining an outer side edge and an inner side edge of the ground-facing surface; and the peripheral protrusion is truncated at the outer side edge and the inner side edge such that the peak of the peripheral protrusion is positioned along the outer side edge and the inner side edge.

[0172] Clause 33. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 21-23, wherein the sole interlayer is a one-piece foam body.

[0173] Clause 34. A sole structure for footwear articles, the sole structure comprising: a sole interlayer having a ground-facing surface, the ground-facing surface having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the sole interlayer defining downwardly extending protrusions distributed on the midfoot region and the heel region, and the forefoot region being relatively flat; wherein the downwardly extending protrusions have convex outer surfaces and transition from relatively circular to relatively oblong and back to relatively circular in a forward direction, the width of each relatively oblong downwardly extending protrusion in the transverse direction of the sole interlayer being greater than its length in the longitudinal direction of the sole interlayer, and wherein the relatively oblong downwardly extending protrusions are higher than the relatively circular downwardly extending protrusions, and the sole interlayer is arcuate upward from the midfoot region to the heel region and arcuate upward from the midfoot region to the forefoot region.

[0174] Clause 35. The sole structure as described in Clause 34, wherein the downwardly extending protrusion is the surface of the sole interlayer that contacts the ground.

[0175] Clause 36. The sole structure according to Clause 35 further includes: an outsole element that covers the ground-facing surface of the sole interlayer only in the forefoot region.

[0176] Clause 37. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 34-36, wherein the sole interlayer includes a rear sidewall that extends outward from an upper extension of the rear sidewall to a lower extension of the rear sidewall at the rear of the heel region.

[0177] Clause 38. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 34-36, wherein the sole interlayer includes a lateral sidewall and a medial sidewall, each of the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall having an upper extension and a lower extension, and extending outward from the upper extension to the lower extension in the forefoot region.

[0178] Clause 39. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 34-36, wherein the downwardly extending protrusion includes a foremost protrusion, each of the foremost protrusions having a front half and a rear half, and wherein the convex outer surface is steeper in the rear half than in the front half.

[0179] Clause 40. The sole structure according to any one of Clauses 34-36, wherein: the downwardly extending protrusion includes a peripheral protrusion in the mid-shoe region, the peripheral protrusion defining an outer side edge and an inner side edge of the ground-facing surface; and the peripheral protrusion is truncated at the outer side edge and the inner side edge such that the peak of the peripheral protrusion is positioned along the outer side edge and the inner side edge.

[0180] To aid in and clarify the description of the various embodiments, various terms are defined herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions apply throughout this specification (including the claims). Furthermore, all references mentioned are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0181] "Footwear articles," "footwear products," and "footwear" can be considered as both machines and manufactured goods. Assembled footwear articles ready for wear (such as shoes, sandals, boots, etc.) and their individual components (such as midsoles, outsoles, upper components, etc.) are considered and may be referred to herein, either in the singular or plural, as "footwear articles" before being finally assembled into footwear articles ready for wear.

[0182] The terms “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate at least one of the items present. Multiple such items may exist unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless the context explicitly or clearly indicates otherwise, all numerical values ​​of parameters (e.g., quantities or conditions) in this specification (including the appended claims) should be understood to be modified in all cases by the term “about,” regardless of whether “about” actually precedes the numerical value. “About” indicates that the stated numerical value allows for some slight imprecision (somewhat close to the accuracy of the value; approximately or moderately close to the value; almost). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in this ordinary sense in the art, then “about” as used herein at least indicates variations that may arise from common methods of measuring and using these parameters. Furthermore, the disclosure of a range should be understood to specifically disclose all values ​​within that range and further subdivisions of the range.

[0183] The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not exclude 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 where possible, and alternative or optional steps may be used. As used in this specification, the term “or” includes any and all combinations of the associated 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 in the appended claims, including “any one” of the referenced claims.

[0184] For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives may be used throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” and “bottom” may be used descriptively with respect to the drawings and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0185] The term "longitudinal" refers to the direction extending along the length of a component. For example, the longitudinal direction of a shoe extends between the forefoot and heel areas. 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., from the forefoot area toward the heel area. In some cases, a component can be identified by a longitudinal axis and the forward and rearward longitudinal directions along that axis. The longitudinal direction or longitudinal axis can also be referred to as the front-rear direction or front-rear axis.

[0186] The term "transverse" refers to the direction that extends along the width of a component. For example, the transverse direction of a shoe extends between the outer and inner sides of the shoe. The transverse direction or transverse axis can also be referred to as the lateral direction or lateral axis, or the mid-lateral direction or mid-lateral axis.

[0187] The term "vertical" refers to a direction that is generally perpendicular to both the lateral and longitudinal directions. For example, when a shoe sole is laid flat on a ground surface, the vertical direction can extend upwards from the ground surface. It should be understood that each of these directional adjectives can be applied to various parts of the sole. The term "upward" or "upwards" refers to a vertical direction pointing towards the top of a part, which may include the instep, fastening area, and / or throat of the upper. The term "downward" or "downwards" refers to a vertical direction opposite to the upward direction, pointing towards the bottom of the part, and may generally point towards the bottom of the sole structure of the footwear.

[0188] While several embodiments have been described, this description is intended to be exemplary and not restrictive, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that further embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of these embodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with or in lieu of any other feature or element in any other embodiment, unless specifically limited thereto. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited except as provided in the appended claims and their equivalents. Moreover, various modifications and variations may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

[0189] While several modes of implementing many aspects of this teaching have been described in detail, those skilled in the art to which this teaching relates will recognize a variety of alternative aspects of implementing this teaching within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all content contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings be construed as an illustration and example of the overall scope of alternative embodiments that will be recognized by those of ordinary skill, such alternative implementations being implied by, structurally and / or functionally equivalent to, or otherwise apparent based on the contained content, and not limited to those embodiments explicitly depicted and / or described.

Claims

1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a midsole having a ground-facing surface, the ground-facing surface having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the midsole defining downwardly extending protrusions at the ground-facing surface that are distributed across the midfoot region and the heel region, each of the downwardly extending protrusions having a convex outer surface; and an outsole covering at least a portion of the ground-facing surface of the midsole; wherein a height of the midsole is greatest at the midfoot region; wherein the outsole includes a first outsole portion disposed on the ground-facing surface of the midsole in the forefoot region, a second outsole portion disposed on the ground-facing surface of the midsole in the heel region, and a third outsole portion disposed on the ground-facing surface of the midsole in the midfoot region; wherein the first outsole portion and the third outsole portion are separated by a first gap disposed between a medial edge of the midsole and a lateral edge of the midsole; and wherein the midsole includes a first ridge that extends into and at least partially fills the first gap.

2. The sole structure of Claim 1, wherein, The ground-facing surface of the forefoot region is relatively flat.

3. The sole structure of Claim 2, wherein, The midsole is characterized by an absence of downwardly extending protrusions in the forefoot region.

4. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The midsole includes a rear lateral wall that flares outward from an upper extension of the rear lateral wall to a lower extension of the rear lateral wall at a rear of the heel region.

5. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The midsole includes a lateral side wall and a medial side wall, each of the lateral side wall and the medial side wall having an upper extension and a lower extension, and each of the lateral side wall and the medial side wall flaring outward from the upper extension to the lower extension in the forefoot region.

6. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The downwardly extending protrusions include foremost protrusions, the foremost protrusions each having an anterior half and a posterior half; and wherein the convex outer surface is steeper at the posterior half than at the anterior half.

7. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The downwardly extending protrusions include a perimeter protrusion in the midfoot region, the perimeter protrusion defining a lateral face edge and a medial face edge of the ground-facing surface; and wherein the perimeter protrusion is truncated at the lateral face edge and the medial face edge such that a peak of the perimeter protrusion is disposed along the lateral face edge and the medial face edge.

8. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The midsole is a one-piece foam body.

9. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The first ridge is non-linear.

10. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, A height of the sole structure is greatest at the midfoot region.

11. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The outsole is thicker at a peak of the downwardly extending protrusions than at the ground-facing surface of the midsole between adjacent peaks of the downwardly extending protrusions.

12. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The midsole includes a medial side wall having a lower medial face edge and a lateral side wall having a lower lateral face edge; wherein the outsole extends to and under the lower medial edge and the lower lateral edge; and wherein the outsole terminates at the lower medial edge and the lower lateral edge without extending onto the medial sidewall and the lateral sidewall.

13. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, a rear edge of the first outsole portion is spaced apart from a front edge of the third outsole portion such that the first gap is defined between the rear edge of the first outsole portion and the front edge of the third outsole portion.

14. The sole structure of claim 13, wherein, the rear edge of the first outsole portion has an irregular shape, and wherein the front edge of the third outsole portion has a complementary irregular shape that tracks the irregular shape of the rear edge of the first outsole portion.

15. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, the ground-facing surface of the midsole curves upward from the midfoot region to an anterior extension of the midsole and curves upward from the midfoot region to a posterior extension of the midsole, thereby establishing an arcuate profile of the midsole.

16. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, a height of the midsole from a foot-facing surface of the midsole on which a foot rests to the ground-facing surface of the midsole is greatest at the midfoot region such that the height of the midsole from the foot-facing surface to the ground-facing surface in the heel region is less than the height of the midsole in the midfoot region.

17. The sole structure of any of claims 1-3, wherein, the second outsole portion and the third outsole portion are separated by a second gap disposed between the medial edge of the midsole and the lateral edge of the midsole; and wherein the midsole includes a second ridge extending into and at least partially filling the second gap.

18. The sole structure of claim 17, wherein, a rear edge of the third outsole portion is spaced apart from a front edge of the second outsole portion such that the second gap is defined between the rear edge of the third outsole portion and the front edge of the second outsole portion.

19. The sole structure of claim 18, wherein, the front edge of the second outsole portion has an irregular shape; and wherein the rear edge of the third outsole portion has a complementary irregular shape that tracks the irregular shape of the front edge of the second outsole portion.

20. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a midsole having a ground-facing surface, the ground-facing surface having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the midsole defining downwardly extending protrusions at the ground-facing surface distributed across the midfoot region and the heel region, each of the downwardly extending protrusions having a convex outer surface; and an outsole covering at least a portion of the ground-facing surface of the midsole; wherein a height of the midsole is greatest at the midfoot region; The outsole includes a forefoot outsole portion, a midfoot outsole portion, and a heel outsole portion, each of which extends from the inner sidewall of the outsole interlayer to the outer sidewall of the outsole interlayer. Wherein, the rear edge of the forefoot outsole portion of the shoe is spaced apart from the front edge of the midfoot outsole portion of the shoe, thereby defining a first gap between the rear edge of the forefoot outsole portion of the shoe and the front edge of the midfoot outsole portion of the shoe; The outsole defines a second gap between the midfoot outsole portion and the heel outsole portion. The sole interlayer includes a first ridge that extends into and at least partially fills the first gap; and The sole interlayer includes a second ridge that extends into the second gap and at least partially fills the second gap.

21. The sole structure according to claim 20, wherein: The sole interlayer includes a rear sidewall that extends outward from an upper extension to a lower extension at the rear of the heel region; or The ground-facing surface of the sole interlayer curves upward from the mid-shoe region to the front extension of the sole interlayer, and upward from the mid-shoe region to the rear extension of the sole interlayer, thereby establishing the arcuate profile of the sole interlayer.

22. The sole structure of any of claims 20-21, wherein, Each of the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall has an upper extension and a lower extension, and each of the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall extends outward from the upper extension to the lower extension in the forefoot region of the shoe.

23. The sole structure of any of claims 20-21, wherein, The downwardly extending protrusions include a foremost protrusion, each of which has a front half and a rear half, the front half extending rearward to a peak and the rear half extending rearward from the peak, wherein the outer surface of the convex shape is steeper in the rear half than in the front half.

24. The sole structure of any of claims 20-21, wherein, The downwardly extending protrusion includes a peripheral protrusion in the mid-shoe region, the peripheral protrusion defining the outer and inner edges of the ground-facing surface; and Wherein, the peripheral protrusion is truncated at the outer side edge and the inner side edge, such that the peak of the peripheral protrusion is set along the outer side edge and the inner side edge.

25. The sole structure of any of claims 20-21, wherein, The sole interlayer is a one-piece foam body.

26. The sole structure of any of claims 20-21, wherein, The outsole is thicker at the peak of the downwardly extending protrusion than at the ground-facing surface of the sole interlayer between adjacent peaks of the downwardly extending protrusion.

27. The sole structure of any of claims 20-21, wherein, The sole interlayer includes an inner sidewall having a lower inner sidewall edge and an outer sidewall having a lower outer sidewall edge; The outsole extends to and is located below the lower inner and lower outer edges of the shoe; and wherein the outsole terminates at the lower medial edge and the lower lateral edge without extending onto the medial sidewall and the lateral sidewall.

28. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a midsole having a ground-facing surface, the ground-facing surface having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the midsole defining downwardly extending protrusions at the ground-facing surface that are distributed across the midfoot region and the heel region, each of the downwardly extending protrusions having a convex outer surface; and an outsole covering at least a portion of the ground-facing surface of the midsole; wherein a height of the midsole from a foot-facing surface of the midsole on which a foot is placed to the ground-facing surface of the midsole is greatest at the midfoot region such that a height of the midsole from the foot-facing surface to the ground-facing surface in the heel region is less than the height of the midsole in the midfoot region; wherein the outsole includes a first outsole element, a second outsole element, and a third outsole element, the first outsole element and the third outsole element being separated by a first gap disposed between a medial edge of the midsole and a lateral edge of the midsole; and wherein the midsole includes a first ridge that extends into and at least partially fills the first gap.

29. The sole structure of claim 28, wherein: the ground-facing surface of the forefoot region is relatively flat; or the ground-facing surface of the midsole curves upward from the midfoot region to an anterior extension of the midsole and curves upward from the midfoot region to a posterior extension of the midsole, thereby establishing an arcuate profile of the midsole.

30. The sole structure of any of claims 28-29, wherein, the midsole is characterized by an absence of downwardly extending protrusions in an anterior half of the forefoot region.

31. The sole structure of any of claims 28-29, wherein, the midsole includes a posterior sidewall that flares outward from an upper extension of the posterior sidewall to a lower extension of the posterior sidewall at a posterior of the heel region.

32. The sole structure of any of claims 28-29, wherein, the midsole includes a lateral sidewall and a medial sidewall, each of the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall having an upper extension and a lower extension, and each of the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall flares outward from the upper extension to the lower extension in the forefoot region.

33. The sole structure of any of claims 28-29, wherein, the downwardly extending protrusions include foremost protrusions that each have an anterior half and a posterior half, and wherein the convex outer surface is steeper at the posterior half than at the anterior half.

34. The sole structure of claim 33, wherein, the anterior half extends rearward to a peak and the posterior half extends rearward from the peak.

35. The sole structure of any of claims 28-29, wherein, the downwardly extending protrusions include perimeter protrusions in the midfoot region that define a lateral edge and a medial edge of the ground-facing surface; and the perimeter protrusions each have a convex outer surface that is steeper at a posterior half than at an anterior half. wherein the perimeter protrusion is truncated at the lateral side edge and the medial side edge such that a peak of the perimeter protrusion is disposed along the lateral side edge and the medial side edge.

36. The sole structure of any of claims 28-29, wherein, The midsole is a one-piece foam body.

37. The sole structure of any of claims 28-29, wherein, The first outsole element covers the ground-facing surface of the midsole in the forefoot region.

38. The sole structure of any of claims 28-29, wherein, The second outsole element covers the ground-facing surface of the midsole in the heel region.

39. The sole structure of any of claims 28-29, wherein, The height of the sole structure is greatest at the midfoot region.

40. The sole structure of any of claims 28-29, wherein, The outsole is thicker at the peak of the downwardly extending protrusion than at the ground-facing surface of the midsole between adjacent peaks of the downwardly extending protrusions.

41. The sole structure of any of claims 28-29, wherein, The midsole includes a medial side wall having a lower medial side edge and a lateral side wall having a lower lateral side edge; wherein the outsole extends to and under the lower medial side edge and the lower lateral side edge; and wherein the outsole terminates at the lower medial side edge and the lower lateral side edge without extending onto the medial side wall and the lateral side wall.

42. The sole structure of claim 41, wherein, The first outsole element is a forefoot outsole element, the second outsole element is a heel outsole element, and the third outsole element is a midfoot outsole element, each of the forefoot outsole element, the midfoot outsole element, and the heel outsole element extending from a medial side wall of the midsole to a lateral side wall of the midsole; and wherein a rear edge of the forefoot outsole element is spaced apart from a front edge of the midfoot outsole element such that a first gap is defined between the rear edge of the forefoot outsole element and the front edge of the midfoot outsole element.

43. The sole structure of claim 42, wherein, The rear edge of the forefoot outsole element has an irregular shape, and the front edge of the midfoot outsole element has a complementary irregular shape that tracks the irregular shape of the rear edge of the forefoot outsole element.

44. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a midsole having a ground-facing surface, the ground-facing surface having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the midsole defining downwardly extending protrusions at the ground-facing surface that are distributed across the midfoot region and the heel region, each of the downwardly extending protrusions having a convex outer surface; and an outsole covering at least a portion of the ground-facing surface of the midsole; wherein the height of the midsole is greatest at the midfoot region; wherein the midsole is characterized by an absence of downwardly extending protrusions in a forward half of the forefoot region; and wherein the outsole includes a first outsole portion, a second outsole portion, and a third outsole portion; wherein the first outsole portion and the third outsole portion are separated by a first gap disposed between a medial edge of the midsole and a lateral edge of the midsole; and wherein the first outsole portion and the third outsole portion are separated by a first gap disposed between a medial edge of the midsole and a lateral edge of the midsole; and wherein the midsole includes a first ridge portion that extends into and at least partially fills the first gap.

45. The sole structure of claim 44, wherein, The ground-facing surface of the midsole curves upward from the midfoot region to an anterior extension of the midsole and curves upward from the midfoot region to a posterior extension of the midsole, thereby establishing an arcuate profile of the midsole.

46. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a midsole having a ground-facing surface with an anterior region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the midsole defining downwardly extending protrusions at the ground-facing surface that are distributed across the midfoot region and the heel region, each of the downwardly extending protrusions having a convex outer surface; and an outsole that covers at least a portion of the ground-facing surface of the midsole; wherein a height of the midsole is greatest at the midfoot region; wherein the downwardly extending protrusions include a forwardmost protrusion, the forwardmost protrusion each having an anterior half and a posterior half, the anterior half extending rearward to a peak and the posterior half extending rearward from the peak, and wherein the convex outer surface is steeper at the posterior half than at the anterior half, wherein the outsole includes a first outsole portion, a second outsole portion, and a third outsole portion; wherein the first outsole portion and the third outsole portion are separated by a first gap disposed between a medial edge of the midsole and a lateral edge of the midsole; and wherein the midsole includes a first ridge portion that extends into and at least partially fills the first gap.

47. The sole structure of claim 46, wherein, The ground-facing surface of the midsole curves upward from the midfoot region to an anterior extension of the midsole and curves upward from the midfoot region to a posterior extension of the midsole, thereby establishing an arcuate profile of the midsole.

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