Article of footwear, heel clip and sole structure

Abstract

An article of footwear having a heel region with a rear end of the article of footwear, a midfoot region, and a forefoot region with a front end of the article of footwear. The article of footwear also has a lateral side and a medial side opposite the lateral side; a vamp; and a sole structure coupled to the upper, the sole structure having a midsole with a first cushioning element extending from a rear end to a front end. The article of footwear also has a heel clip disposed adjacent the first cushioning element in the heel region. A heel clip includes a support extending from a first end on a medial side to a second end on a lateral side, the support increasing in height from the first end to an apex at a posterior region of the support and decreasing in height from the apex to the second end; and a base including a first surface and a second surface extending from a first end on the inner side to a second end on the outer side, the base including a first hook at a first terminal end and a second hook at a second terminal end, the base being disposed adjacent to the support. A sole structure for an article of footwear.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to sole structures for articles of footwear, and more specifically to sole structures incorporating fluid-filled bladders and heel stabilization elements. BACKGROUND

[0002] This section provides background information relating to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] Articles of footwear traditionally include an upper and a sole structure. The upper can be formed from any suitable materials to receive, secure, and support the foot on the sole structure. The upper can cooperate with laces, straps, or other fasteners to adjust the fit of the upper around the foot. A bottom portion of the upper is attached to the sole structure at a location proximate to the bottom surface of the foot.

[0004] The sole structure generally includes a layered arrangement extending between a ground surface and the upper. One layer of the sole structure includes an outsole that provides durability and traction with the ground surface. The outsole can be formed from rubber or other materials that impart durability and abrasion resistance as well as enhance traction with the ground surface. Another layer of the sole structure includes a midsole disposed between the outsole and the upper. The midsole provides cushioning for the foot and can be formed in part from a polymeric foam material that elastically compresses under applied loads to cushion the foot by attenuating ground reaction forces. The midsole can additionally or alternatively incorporate fluid-filled bladders to increase the durability of the sole structure as well as provide cushioning for the foot by elastically compressing under applied loads to attenuate ground reaction forces. The sole structure can also include a comfort-enhancing insole or sockliner seated within a void proximate to the bottom portion of the upper, as well as a strobel attached to the upper and disposed between the midsole and the insole or sockliner.

[0005] Midsoles that employ fluid-filled bladders generally include a bladder formed from two polymeric material barrier layers that are sealed or bonded together. The fluid-filled bladder is pressurized with a fluid such as air and can incorporate tensile members within the bladder to maintain the shape of the bladder when elastically compressed under applied loads, such as during athletic activities. Generally, the design of the bladder focuses on balancing support and cushioning characteristics for the foot that relate to the responsiveness of the bladder when elastically compressed under applied loads. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present utility model provide a footwear article, the footwear article comprising: a heel region comprising a rear end of the footwear article, a midfoot region, and a forefoot region comprising a front end of the footwear article; a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; a sole structure coupled to the upper, and wherein the sole structure further comprises: a midsole having a first cushioning element extending from the rear end to the front end; and wherein the footwear article further comprises a heel clip disposed in the heel region adjacent to the first cushioning element.

[0007] In some embodiments, the heel clip is disposed in the heel region, and wherein the heel clip extends from a first end on the medial side to a second end on the lateral side.

[0008] In some embodiments, the heel clip comprises: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and comprising a bottom surface, and a support, wherein the base and the support together form the outer surface of the heel clip; and a recess disposed between the support and the base within the outer surface of the heel clip, and a receiving area disposed between the support and the base on the inner surface of the heel clip.

[0009] In some embodiments, the support of the heel clip comprises an inner surface having a rim extending from a third end to a fourth end, the rim forming a first boundary of the receiving area; the base comprises an upper surface extending from the first end to the second end, the upper surface comprising one or more raised portions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and the first cushioning element comprises a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface comprising a first flange, wherein the first flange and the rim are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the rim, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more raised portions are complementary in shape and the one or more raised portions abut the one or more receiving areas.

[0010] In some embodiments, the heel clip is U-shaped.

[0011] In some embodiments, the heel clip comprises a pair of opposing protrusions extending from the first end of the base and the second end of the base, the pair of opposing protrusions curved away from the base.

[0012] In some embodiments, the support has a parabolic shape, wherein a length of the parabolic shape decreases as it moves away from the base.

[0013] In some embodiments, the article of footwear further includes a heel wrap extending around the rear end of the first cushioning element, the heel wrap coupled to the first cushioning element on the medial side and the lateral side, the medial side of the heel wrap including a first end and the lateral side of the heel wrap including a second end.

[0014] In some embodiments, the article of footwear further includes a second cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the second cushioning element coupled to the bottom surface of the base, wherein a top surface of a medial portion, a top surface of a lateral portion, and a top surface of a base portion of the second cushioning element are covered by the base.

[0015] In some embodiments, the sole structure further includes an outsole coupled to the midsole to form a ground engaging surface, the outsole including: an outsole layer extending from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the front end, the outsole layer including a cavity and a recess; a heel pad disposed on a bottom surface of the outsole layer; and a heel cup coupled to a bottom surface of the second cushioning element.

[0016] In some embodiments, a portion of a bottom surface of the first cushioning element is exposed through the cavity and forms a portion of the outsole.

[0017] In some embodiments, the second cushioning element includes a fluid-filled bladder.

[0018] In some embodiments, the heel wrap is U-shaped.

[0019] In some embodiments, the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element between the first boundary of the containment region and the second boundary of the containment region.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first cushioning element and the heel wrap are coupled such that the midsole has a continuous and flush lateral surface, wherein the lateral surface extends between a top surface and a bottom surface of the midsole.

[0021] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

[0022] In some embodiments, the heel wrap includes an inner surface, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrap, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the containment region.

[0023] In some embodiments, the heel wrap is disposed about the heel clip, and the first end and the second end of the heel wrap abut the first cushioning element.

[0024] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a flange at a periphery of the base, the heel wrap includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrap abuts the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

[0025] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the heel clip further includes one or more protruding portions extending from the second surface.

[0026] In some embodiments, the one or more protruding portions include a unitary protruding portion.

[0027] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and including a bottom surface of the base, and a support, wherein the base and the support together form the outer surface of the heel clip; and one or more protruding portions extending from the bottom surface of the base.

[0028] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a gap extending from a first end to a second end.

[0029] In some embodiments, the heel wrap includes an inner surface, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrap, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the containment region.

[0030] In some embodiments, the heel wrap is disposed about the heel clip, and the first end and the second end of the heel wrap abut the first cushioning element.

[0031] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a flange at a periphery of the base, the heel wrap includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrap abuts the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

[0032] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising: a heel region including a rear end of the article of footwear, a midfoot region, and a forefoot region including a front end of the article of footwear; a midsole having: a first cushioning element extending from the rear end to the front end; and wherein the article of footwear includes a heel clip, the heel clip disposed adjacent to the first cushioning element in the heel region.

[0033] In some embodiments, the article of footwear further includes a medial side and a lateral side, the heel clip disposed in the heel region, wherein the heel clip extends from a first end on the medial side to a second end on the lateral side, the heel clip including: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from the first end to the second end and including a bottom surface of the base, and a support, wherein the base and the support together form the outer surface of the heel clip; a recess disposed between the support and the base within the outer surface of the heel clip, and a receiving area disposed between the support and the base on the inner surface of the heel clip.

[0034] In some embodiments, the support of the heel clip includes an inner surface having a rim extending from a third end to a fourth end, the rim forming a first boundary of the receiving area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to the second end, the upper surface including one or more raised portions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the rim are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the rim, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more raised portions are complementary in shape and the one or more raised portions abut the one or more receiving areas.

[0035] In some embodiments, the heel clip is U-shaped.

[0036] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a pair of opposing protrusions extending from the first end of the base and the second end of the base, the pair of opposing protrusions curved away from the base.

[0037] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

[0038] In some embodiments, the support has a parabolic shape, wherein a length of the parabolic shape decreases as it moves away from the base.

[0039] In some embodiments, the article of footwear further includes: a heel wrap extending around the rear end of the first cushioning element, the heel wrap coupled to the first cushioning element on the medial side and the lateral side, the medial side of the heel wrap including a first end, and the lateral side of the heel wrap including a second end.

[0040] In some embodiments, the article of footwear further includes a second cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the second cushioning element coupled to the bottom surface of the base, wherein a top surface of a medial portion, a top surface of a lateral portion, and a top surface of a base portion of the second cushioning element are covered by the base.

[0041] In some embodiments, the article of footwear further includes: an outsole coupled to the midsole to form a ground-engaging surface, the outsole including: an outsole layer extending from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the front end, the outsole layer including a cavity and a recess; a heel pad disposed on a bottom surface of the outsole layer; and a heel cup coupled to a bottom surface of the second cushioning element.

[0042] In some embodiments, a portion of the bottom surface of the first cushioning element is exposed through the cavity and forms a portion of the outsole.

[0043] In some embodiments, the second cushioning element includes a fluid-filled bladder.

[0044] In some embodiments, the heel wrap is U-shaped.

[0045] In some embodiments, the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element between the first boundary of the containment region and the second boundary of the containment region.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first cushioning element and the heel wrap are coupled such that the midsole has a continuous and flush lateral surface, wherein the lateral surface extends between a top surface and a bottom surface of the midsole.

[0047] In some embodiments, the heel wrap includes an inner surface, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrap, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the containment region.

[0048] In some embodiments, the heel wrap is disposed around the heel clip, and the first end and the second end of the heel wrap abut the first cushioning element.

[0049] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a flange at a periphery of the base, the heel wrap includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrap abuts the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

[0050] In some embodiments, the heel wrap includes an inner surface, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrap, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

[0051] In some embodiments, the heel wrap is disposed about the heel clip, and a first end and a second end of the heel wrap abut the first cushioning element.

[0052] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a flange at a periphery of the base, the heel wrap includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrap abuts the flange of the periphery of the heel clip.

[0053] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising: an upper; a heel region comprising a rear end of the article of footwear, a midfoot region, a forefoot region comprising a front end of the article of footwear, a medial side, and a lateral side; a sole structure coupled to the upper, the sole structure comprising: a midsole having a lateral surface, the midsole comprising: a first cushioning element extending from the rear end toward the front end, the first cushioning element comprising one or more engagement areas; and wherein the article of footwear further comprises a heel clip extending from a first end on the medial side to a second end on the lateral side, the heel clip comprising a lateral surface, a medial surface, a base extending from the first end to the second end and comprising a bottom surface, and a support, wherein the base and the support together form the lateral surface of the heel clip.

[0054] In some embodiments, the article of footwear further comprises: a fluid-filled bladder disposed in the heel region; a heel wrap disposed in the heel region, the heel wrap disposed proximate the lateral surface of the heel clip, and the heel wrap coupled to the one or more engagement areas of the first cushioning element, wherein the fluid-filled bladder is coupled to the bottom surface of the heel clip.

[0055] In some embodiments, the heel clip further comprises: a recess disposed between the support and the base within the lateral surface of the heel clip, and a receiving area disposed between the support and the base on the medial surface of the heel clip, wherein the heel wrap is coupled to the lateral surface of the heel clip, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

[0056] In some embodiments, the support of the heel clip includes an inner surface having a rim extending from a third end to a fourth end, the rim forming a first boundary of the containment area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to the second end, the upper surface including one or more raised portions and forming a second boundary of the containment area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more containment areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the rim are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the rim, and wherein the one or more containment areas and the one or more raised portions are complementary in shape and the one or more raised portions abut the one or more containment areas.

[0057] In some embodiments, the heel clip is U-shaped.

[0058] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a pair of opposing protrusions extending from the first end of the base and the second end of the base, the pair of opposing protrusions curved away from the base.

[0059] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

[0060] In some embodiments, the support has a parabolic shape, and wherein a length of the parabolic shape decreases away from the base.

[0061] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a flange at a periphery of the base, the heel wrap includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrap abuts the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

[0062] In some embodiments, the article of footwear further includes a second cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the second cushioning element coupled to a bottom surface of the base, wherein a top surface of a medial portion, a lateral portion, and a base portion of the second cushioning element is covered by the base.

[0063] In some embodiments, the sole structure further includes: an outsole coupled to the midsole to form a ground-engaging surface, the outsole including: an outsole layer extending from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the front end, the outsole layer including a cavity and a recess; a heel pad disposed on a bottom surface of the outsole layer; and a heel cup coupled to a bottom surface of the second cushioning element.

[0064] In some embodiments, a portion of a bottom surface of the first cushioning element is exposed through the cavity and forms a portion of the outsole.

[0065] In some embodiments, the second cushioning element comprises a fluid-filled bladder.

[0066] In some embodiments, the heel wrap is U-shaped.

[0067] In some embodiments, the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element between the first border of the containment region and the second border of the containment region.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first cushioning element and the heel wrap are coupled such that the midsole has a continuous and flush lateral surface, wherein the lateral surface extends between a top surface and a bottom surface of the midsole.

[0069] The present utility model provides a kind of footwear, it is characterized in that, the footwear includes inner side and outer side, the footwear includes: including the rear end of the footwear the heel region, midfoot region and including the front end of the footwear forefoot region;With lateral surface, the midsole includes: from the rear end towards the first cushioning element of the first end, the first cushioning element includes one or more joint areas;And wherein the footwear further includes from the first end on the inner side extends to the second end on the outer side of heel clip, the heel clip includes outer surface, inner surface, from first end to second end of base and including bottom surface of the base, and support piece, wherein the base and the support piece together form the outer surface of the heel clip.

[0070] In some embodiments, the footwear further includes: fluid-filled bladder is arranged in the heel region;Heel wrap is arranged in the heel region, the heel wrap is arranged adjacent to the outer surface of the heel clip, and the heel wrap is coupled to the one or more joint areas of the first cushioning element, wherein the fluid-filled bladder is coupled to the bottom surface of the heel clip.

[0071] In some embodiments, the heel clip further includes: recess between the support piece and the base arranged in the outer surface of the heel clip, and containment region between the support piece and the base arranged on the inner surface of the heel clip, wherein the heel wrap is coupled to the outer surface of the heel clip, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the containment region.

[0072] In some embodiments, the support of the heel clip includes an inner surface having a rim extending from a third end to a fourth end, the rim forming a first boundary of the containment area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to the second end, the upper surface including one or more raised portions and forming a second boundary of the containment area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more containment areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the rim are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the rim, and wherein the one or more containment areas and the one or more raised portions are complementary in shape and the one or more raised portions abut the one or more containment areas.

[0073] In some embodiments, the heel clip is U-shaped.

[0074] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a pair of opposing protrusions extending from the first end of the base and the second end of the base, the pair of opposing protrusions curved away from the base.

[0075] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

[0076] In some embodiments, the support has a parabolic shape, and wherein a length of the parabolic shape decreases as it moves away from the base.

[0077] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a flange at a periphery of the base, the heel wrap includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrap abuts the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

[0078] In some embodiments, the article of footwear further includes a second cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the second cushioning element coupled to a bottom surface of the base, wherein a top surface of a medial portion, a lateral portion, and a base portion of the second cushioning element is covered by the base.

[0079] In some embodiments, the article of footwear further includes: an outsole coupled to the midsole to form a ground-engaging surface, the outsole including: an outsole layer extending from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the front end, the outsole layer including a cavity and a recess; a heel pad disposed on a bottom surface of the outsole layer; and a heel cup coupled to a bottom surface of the second cushioning element.

[0080] In some embodiments, a portion of a bottom surface of the first cushioning element is exposed through the cavity and forms a portion of the outsole.

[0081] In some embodiments, the second cushioning element comprises a fluid-filled bladder.

[0082] In some embodiments, the heel wrap is U-shaped.

[0083] In some embodiments, the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element between the first boundary of the containment region and the second boundary of the containment region.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first cushioning element and the heel wrap are coupled such that the midsole has a continuous and flush lateral side surface, wherein the lateral side surface extends between a top surface and a bottom surface of the midsole.

[0085] A footwear article is provided, the footwear article comprising: an upper; a heel region, a midfoot region comprising a rear end of the footwear article, and a forefoot region comprising a front end of the footwear article; a sole structure coupled to the upper, the sole structure comprising: a midsole having: a first cushioning element extending from a first end disposed in a heel region toward a second end disposed at a front end of the footwear article; and wherein the footwear article further comprises a heel wrap extending around the first end of the first cushioning element, the heel wrap coupled to the first cushioning element such that the heel wrap and the first cushioning element form a substantially continuous and flush lateral side surface of the footwear article.

[0086] In some embodiments, the footwear article further comprises a medial side and a lateral side, wherein: the first cushioning element comprises a first rear-facing edge on the medial side and a second rear-facing edge on the lateral side; a heel clip comprises a medial portion having a first end abutting the first rear-facing edge, and a lateral portion having a second end abutting the second rear-facing edge.

[0087] In some embodiments, the footwear article further comprises a heel clip extending from a first end on the medial side to a second end on the lateral side, the first end of the heel clip comprising a first forward-facing edge abutting the first rear-facing edge, and the second end of the heel clip comprising a second forward-facing edge abutting the second rear-facing edge.

[0088] In some embodiments, each of the first forward-facing edge and the second forward-facing edge has a downward taper in the forward direction.

[0089] The utility model provides a sole structure for footwear, the sole structure includes: the heel region including the rear end of footwear, the midfoot region, the forefoot region including the front end of footwear, the lateral side and the medial side opposite to the lateral side, the insole, it has: first buffer element, first buffer element has first surface and second surface opposite with first surface, from the first end setting in the heel region to the second end setting at the front end of the footwear, first buffer element includes first rear -facing edge on the medial side and second rear -facing edge on the lateral side, and first buffer element includes one or more recessed parts.

[0090] The utility model provides a footwear, the footwear includes: the vamp, first buffer element is coupled to the vamp, first buffer element extends from the first end in the heel region to the second end at the front end of the footwear, the heel clip extends around the first end of the first buffer element, the heel clip is coupled to the first buffer element on the medial side and the lateral side, and the exposed fluid-filled bladder coupled to the heel clip.

[0091] In some embodiments, the outermost surface of the fluid-filled bladder is exposed and visible from the exterior of the footwear.

[0092] In some embodiments, the footwear further includes a heel wrap extending around the first end of the first buffer element; the heel clip further includes: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support, wherein the base and the support together form the outer surface of the heel clip; a recess between the support and the base disposed within the outer surface of the heel wrap, and a receiving area between the support and the base disposed on the inner surface of the heel clip, wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrap, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first buffer element via the receiving area.

[0093] In some embodiments, the support of the heel clip includes an inner surface having a rim extending from a third end to a fourth end, the rim forming a first boundary of the containment area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to the second end, the upper surface including one or more raised portions and forming a second boundary of the containment area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more containment areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the rim are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the rim, and wherein the one or more containment areas and the one or more raised portions are complementary in shape and the one or more raised portions abut the one or more containment areas.

[0094] In some embodiments, the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element between the first boundary of the containment area and the second boundary of the containment area.

[0095] In some embodiments, the article of footwear further includes; a sole structure, wherein the sole structure is coupled to the upper.

[0096] An article of footwear is provided, the article of footwear including: a first cushioning element extending from a first end in a heel region to a second end at a forward end of the article of footwear; a heel clip extending around the first end of the first cushioning element, the heel clip coupled to the first cushioning element on a medial side and a lateral side; and a fluid-filled bladder coupled to the heel clip.

[0097] In some embodiments, an outermost surface of the fluid-filled bladder is exposed and visible from an exterior of the article of footwear.

[0098] In some embodiments, the heel clip further includes: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and including a bottom surface, and a support, wherein the base and the support together form the outer surface of the heel clip; a recess disposed between the support and the base within the outer surface of the heel clip, and a containment area disposed between the support and the base on the inner surface of the heel clip, wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel clip, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the containment area.

[0099] In some embodiments, the support of the heel clip includes an inner surface having a rim extending from a third end to a fourth end, the rim forming a first boundary of the receiving area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to the second end, the upper surface including one or more raised portions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the rim are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the rim, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more raised portions are complementary in shape and the one or more raised portions abut the one or more receiving areas.

[0100] In some embodiments, the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area.

[0101] The present utility model provides a kind of heel clip, the heel clip includes: support piece, the support piece extends from the first end on inner side to the second end on outer side, wherein the height of the support piece increases from the first end to the vertex at the rear area of the support piece and the height decreases from the vertex to the second end;And base, the base includes the first surface and second surface extending from the first end on inner side to the second end on outer side, the base includes first hook at first terminal end and second hook at second terminal end, wherein the base is arranged adjacent to the support piece.

[0102] In some embodiments, the heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

[0103] The present utility model provides a kind of footwear, the footwear includes the heel clip as described before.

[0104] The present utility model provides a kind of heel clip, the heel clip includes: support piece, the support piece extends from the first end on inner side to the second end on outer side, wherein the height of the support piece increases from the first end to the vertex at the rear area of the support piece and the height decreases from the vertex to the second end;Base, the base includes the first surface and second surface extending from the first end on inner side to the second end on outer side;And one or more protruding portions extending from the second surface of the base.

[0105] In some embodiments, the base includes a first hook at first terminal end and a second hook at second terminal end.

[0106] In some embodiments, the one or more protruding portions include a unitary protruding portion, the unitary protruding portion including one or more protruding segments.

[0107] In some embodiments, one or more of the protruding segments are partially separated from an immediately adjacent protruding segment by a recess.

[0108] The utility model provides a kind of footwear, the footwear includes the heel clamp as described above.

[0109] The utility model provides a kind of footwear, the footwear includes: including the rear end of the footwear of the footwear, midfoot region and including the front end of the footwear of the front foot region;Lateral, and with the lateral opposite medial side;Vamp;Sole structure, the sole structure is coupled to the vamp, and wherein the sole structure further includes: insole, including: from rear end to front end the first buffer element;From the midfoot region extends to rear end the second buffer element, the second buffer element is formed by different material with the first buffer element;And shoe shell, wherein the shoe shell includes circumferentially spaced multiple protrusions, wherein each of the multiple protrusions is directly coupled to the second buffer element.

[0110] In some embodiments, the footwear further includes a heel counter disposed adjacent the first buffer element in the heel region.

[0111] In some embodiments, the shoe shell and one or more protrusions include a cavity.

[0112] In some embodiments, the heel counter includes one or more protrusions, each protrusion of the heel counter disposed on the shoe shell.

[0113] In some embodiments, the one or more protrusions of the heel counter extend radially outward from a first surface of the heel counter.

[0114] In some embodiments, the heel counter does not directly contact the second buffer element.

[0115] In some embodiments, the shoe shell does not directly contact the second buffer element between circumferentially adjacent protrusions.

[0116] In some embodiments, the one or more protrusions of the shoe shell have a downward taper in the forward direction.

[0117] In some embodiments, the one or more protrusions include a first protrusion, a second protrusion, a third protrusion, a fourth protrusion, and a fifth protrusion.

[0118] In some embodiments, circumferentially adjacent protrusions of the shoe shell are separated by a circumferentially extending gap.

[0119] In some embodiments, the shoe case further comprises an anterior lateral end coupled to the first cushioning element and an anterior medial end coupled to the first cushioning element.

[0120] In some embodiments, the second cushioning element is a pressurized bladder.

[0121] A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided, the sole structure comprising: a first cushioning element disposed at a rear end of the article of footwear, the first cushioning element comprising a first surface; a shoe case directly coupled to the first surface of the first cushioning element, the shoe case comprising a body and a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions forming a first concave surface; and a heel counter coupled to the shoe case, the heel counter comprising a body and a plurality of protrusions forming a second concave surface, wherein the first concave surface of the shoe case is aligned with the second concave surface of the heel counter.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first cushioning element is a fluid-filled bladder.

[0123] In some embodiments, the heel counter is disposed within a hollow interior of the shoe case.

[0124] In some embodiments, the shoe case comprises a first protrusion, a second protrusion, a third protrusion, a fourth protrusion, and a fifth protrusion.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first protrusion and the fifth protrusion are symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis of the shoe case, and wherein the second protrusion and the fourth protrusion are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the shoe case.

[0126] In some embodiments, the third protrusion is disposed between the second protrusion and the fourth protrusion.

[0127] An article of footwear is provided, the article of footwear comprising a sole structure as previously described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0128] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0129] FIG. 1 is a side view of an article of footwear;

[0130] FIG. 2 is FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a sole structure of the article of footwear of

[0131] FIG. 3A is FIG. 1 is a side view of a midsole of the article of footwear of

[0132] FIG. 3B isFIG. 3A side view of the first cushioning element of the midsole of

[0133] FIG. 3C is FIG. 3B bottom view of the first cushioning element of

[0134] FIG. 3D is FIG. 3A top perspective view of the heel wrap of the midsole of

[0135] FIG. 3E is FIG. 3D side view of the heel wrap of the midsole of

[0136] FIG. 3F is FIG. 3D bottom perspective view of the heel wrap of

[0137] FIG. 3G is FIG. 3A bottom perspective view of the midsole of

[0138] FIG. 4A is FIG. 1 side view of the heel clip of the article of footwear of

[0139] FIG. 4B is FIG. 4A top perspective view of the heel clip of

[0140] FIG. 4C is FIG. 4A bottom view of the heel clip of

[0141] FIG. 5A is FIG. 1 side view of the second cushioning element of the article of footwear of

[0142] FIG. 5B is FIG. 12 rear cross-sectional view of the sole structure of

[0143] FIG. 5C is FIG. 5A top view of the second cushioning element of

[0144] FIG. 6 is FIG. 1 top perspective view of the heel cup of the article of footwear of

[0145] FIG. 7A is FIG. 1 top perspective view of the outsole layer of the article of footwear of

[0146] FIG. 7B is FIG. 7A bottom view of the outsole layer of

[0147] FIG. 8 isFIG. 1 a side view of a heel pad of the article of footwear of

[0148] FIG. 9 is FIG. 1 an assembled combination of an outsole layer and a heel pad of the article of footwear of

[0149] FIG. 10 is FIG. 1 a bottom view of an outsole of the article of footwear of

[0150] FIG. 11A is FIG. 1 a side view of a sole structure of the article of footwear of

[0151] FIG. 11B is FIG. 13 a close-up view of a portion of the sole structure of

[0152] FIG. 12 is FIG. 3A a top view of a midsole of the article of footwear of

[0153] FIG. 13 is FIG. 1 a bottom view of the article of footwear of

[0154] FIG. 14 is FIG. 7B a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the outsole layer of

[0155] FIG. 15 is FIG. 1 a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the outsole of the article of footwear of

[0156] FIG. 16 is FIG. 1 a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the outsole of the article of footwear of

[0157] FIG. 17 is FIG. 5A a side view of an alternative embodiment of the second cushioning element of

[0158] FIG. 18 is FIG. 3C a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the first cushioning element of

[0159] FIG. 19 is FIG. 4C a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the heel clip of

[0160] FIG. 20 is FIG. 3D a side view of an alternative embodiment of the heel wrap of

[0161] FIG. 21 is FIG. 11A a side view of an alternative embodiment of the sole structure of

[0162] FIG. 22 is FIG. 4A a side view of an alternative embodiment of a heel clip of the footwear of

[0163] FIG. 23 is FIG. 4A a side view of an alternative embodiment of a heel clip of the footwear of

[0164] FIG. 24 is FIG. 4A a side view of an alternative embodiment of a heel clip of the footwear of

[0165] FIG. 25 is FIG. 11A a side view of an alternative embodiment of a sole structure of the footwear of

[0166] FIG. 26 is FIG. 11A a side view of an alternative embodiment of a sole structure of the footwear of

[0167] FIG. 27 is FIG. 11A a side view of an alternative embodiment of a sole structure of the footwear of

[0168] FIG. 28 is FIG. 4A a side view of an alternative embodiment of a heel clip of the footwear of

[0169] FIG. 29 is FIG. 11A a side view of an alternative embodiment of a sole structure of the footwear of

[0170] FIG. 30 is FIG. 4A a side view of an alternative embodiment of a heel clip of the footwear of

[0171] FIG. 31 is FIG. 4A a side view of an alternative embodiment of a heel clip of the footwear of

[0172] FIG. 32 is FIG. 4A a side view of an alternative embodiment of a heel clip of the footwear of

[0173] FIG. 33 is FIG. 11A a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sole structure of the footwear of

[0174] FIG. 34 is FIG. 33 a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sole structure of the footwear of

[0175] FIG. 35 is FIG. 33 an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a sole structure of the footwear of

[0176] FIG. 36A is FIG. 11Bexploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the sole structure of

[0177] FIG. 36B is FIG. 36A side view of an alternative embodiment of the sole structure of

[0178] FIG. 37A is FIG. 36A side view of an alternative embodiment of the sole structure of

[0179] FIG. 37B is FIG. 36A side view of an alternative embodiment of the sole structure of

[0180] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the sole structure of FIG. 37A

[0181] FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the sole structure of FIG. 37A

[0182] FIG. 40 is FIG. 36A bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the sole structure of

[0183] FIG. 41 is FIG. 11B perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the sole structure of

[0184] FIG. 42 is FIG. 11B perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the sole structure of

[0185] FIG. 43 is FIG. 11B perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the sole structure of

[0186] In all of the drawings, corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0187] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that example configurations can be practiced without the need for every

[0188] ​​The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” can be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order

[0189] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0190] The terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections. Such elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms can be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless the context clearly dictates. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

[0191] In the following discussion, the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially” and the like mean a variation of + / - 10% of the value when used to describe a numerical value.

[0192] The present disclosure relates to an article of footwear, such as FIG. 1 The illustrated article of footwear 10 provides unique underfoot cushioning and responsiveness during use. Referring to FIG. 1The footwear article 10 includes an upper 100 and a sole structure 102, wherein the sole structure 102 is configured to provide underfoot cushioning and responsiveness to the footwear article 10 as described below.

[0193] The footwear 10 also includes a front end 12 associated with the foremost point of the footwear 10, and a rear end 14 corresponding to the rearmost point of the footwear 10. For ease of discussion, reference is made to the longitudinal axis A10, the inner-outer axis A12 (… FIG. 1 To discuss footwear 10, we consider the longitudinal axis A10, the inner-outer axis A12, and the vertical axis A14, where the longitudinal axis A10, the inner-outer axis A12, and the vertical axis A14 are perpendicular to each other. The longitudinal axis A10 of footwear 10 extends along the length of footwear 10 from the front end 12 to the rear end 14 (also shown below). FIG. 13 (as shown in the image), and footwear 10 is typically divided into an inner 16 and an outer 18 (as shown below). FIG. 13 (Best shown in the middle). The inner-outer axis A12 extends from the inner side 16 to the outer side 18. Thus, the inner side 16 and the outer side 18 correspond to opposite sides of the footwear 10, and extend from the front end 12 to the rear end 14. The vertical axis A14 extends from the bottom of the footwear 10 (i.e., the ground contact portion) to the top of the footwear 10.

[0194] Footwear 10 is divided into multiple areas, including, for example, a forefoot area 20, a midfoot area 22, and a heel area 24. FIG. 1 As shown, the forefoot region 20 is further subdivided into a toe portion 20T corresponding to the phalanges and a forefoot portion 20B associated with the metatarsals of the foot. The midfoot region 22 corresponds to the arch of the foot, and the heel region 24 corresponds to the posterior portion of the foot, including the calcaneus.

[0195] Still referencing FIG. 1 The upper 100 includes an inner surface (not shown) defining an internal cavity configured, for example, to receive and secure the foot for support on the sole structure 102. The upper 100 is formed of one or more materials that are stitched, bonded, or otherwise combined to form the internal cavity. Suitable materials for the upper include, but are not limited to, mesh, fabric, foam, leather, and synthetic leather. Materials can be selected and positioned to impart properties of durability, breathability, abrasion resistance, flexibility, and comfort.

[0196] In some examples, the upper 100 includes a strobel (not shown) having a bottom surface opposite the sole structure 102 and an opposing top surface defining a footbed of the interior void. Stitching or adhesive secures the strobel to the upper 100. The footbed contours to the contours of the bottom surface of the foot (e.g., the plantar surface). The upper 100 can also include additional layers, such as an insole or sockliner (not shown), disposed on the strobel and within the interior void of the upper 100 to accommodate the plantar surface of the foot. These layers can enhance the comfort of the article of footwear 10. An ankle opening 103 in the heel region 24 provides access to the interior void. For example, the ankle opening 103 accommodates the foot to secure the foot within the void and to facilitate entry and removal of the foot into and out of the interior void.

[0197] In some examples, one or more fasteners 105 extend along the upper 100 to adjust the fit of the interior void around the foot and accommodate ingress and egress of the foot. The fasteners 105 include laces, straps, cords, hook-and-loop, or any other suitable type of fastener. The upper 100 includes a tongue portion 107 extending between the interior void and the fasteners.

[0198] The sole structure 102 includes a midsole 200, a first cushioning element 212, a second cushioning element 204, and an outsole 206. The midsole 200 includes a raised portion 244 for flexion of the article of footwear 10 (described in more detail below with respect to the FIG. 3C Detailed Description). The article of footwear 10 includes a heel wrap 210 and a heel clip 202. The heel wrap 210 and the heel clip 202 are attachable to the midsole 200 (as described in more detail below with respect to the FIG. 12 Detailed Description). The outsole 206 includes a raised portion 818 for flexion of the article of footwear 10 (described in more detail below with respect to the FIG. 7A Detailed Description). The outsole 206 defines a ground-engaging surface of the article of footwear 10. The midsole 200 is configured to impart unique underfoot cushioning, stability, and responsiveness to the article of footwear 10. The heel clip 202 is configured to impart stability to the article of footwear 10. The second cushioning element 204 is configured to impart cushioning and responsiveness to the article of footwear 10. The outsole 206 is configured to impart traction and wear resistance to the article of footwear 10. The heel wrap 210 is configured to provide additional tactile sensation to the article of footwear 10. The heel wrap 210 extends from a portion of the midfoot region 22 through the heel region 24 and also extends around the rear end 14 of the article of footwear 10. The first cushioning element 212 extends from the front end 12 to a portion of the heel region 24.

[0199] FIG. 2 The second cushioning element 204, the first cushioning element 212, a heel cup 602 (described in more detail below with respect to the FIG. 6 Detailed Description), and an outsole layer 604 (described in more detail below with respect to the FIG. 7A(More details will be provided in the text). FIG. 2 The image also shows an exploded view of a portion of the footwear article 10, including a heel clip 202 and a heel wrap 210. In one embodiment, the sole structure 102 may be formed as a single, integral structure.

[0200] The heel wrap 210 and the first cushioning element 212 are attached (e.g., directly attached) in the midfoot region 22 (also in... FIG. 3A (As shown in the figure). The cushioning element 212 comprises an elastomeric material. It is conceivable that the cushioning element 212 may include any other material to impart cushioning properties to the footwear article 10.

[0201] refer to FIG. 3B The first cushioning element 212 includes a top surface 230, a bottom surface 232, and an outer surface 234. The first cushioning element 212 also includes a terminal 236. The terminal 236 is part of the first cushioning element 212 disposed within the heel region 24. The outer surface 234 is defined at its top by the top surface 230 and at its bottom by the bottom surface 232.

[0202] The bottom surface 232 includes one or more recessed portions (e.g., inner recessed portion 238a, such as...). FIG. 3C (as shown) and outer recessed portion 238b). Recessed portions 238a and 238b are part of the bottom surface 232, and are cut-out portions of the material of the bottom surface 232. Recessed portions 238a and 238b expose the interior of the first cushioning element 212. Recessed portions 238a and 238b are each shown having a substantially D-shaped cross-section, although any other shape may be considered. Recessed portions 238a and 238b include any shape suitable for communication with other parts of the footwear article 10. The bottom surface 232 also includes stepped recessed portions (e.g., inner stepped recessed portion 239a, as shown). FIG. 3CThe lateral stepped recessed portions 239a and 239b are additional cutouts of material from the bottom surface 232. The lateral stepped recessed portions 239a and 239b have a substantially rectangular cross-section. The lateral stepped recessed portions 239a and 239b are disposed in a different horizontal plane (a plane defined by the longitudinal axis A10 and the medial-lateral axis A12) than the horizontal plane of the recessed portions 238a and 238b. In the example embodiment, the lateral stepped recessed portions 239a and 239b are disposed above (relative to the vertical axis A14) the recessed portions 238a and 238b when the bottom surface 232 is facing a ground surface. Additionally, the lateral stepped recessed portions 239a and 239b include a vertical depth that is greater than the vertical depth of the stepped portions 238a and 238b. The lateral stepped recessed portions 239a and 239b include a horizontal width that is wider than the horizontal width of the recessed portions 238a and 238b. In alternative embodiments, the lateral stepped recessed portions 239a and 239b are narrower and / or shorter than the recessed portions 238a and 238b. The lateral stepped recessed portions 239a and 239b include any shape suitable for communicating with other components of the article of footwear 10.

[0203] The heel portion of the bottom surface 232 lies in a plane along the vertical axis A14 that is different than the plane along the vertical axis A14 of the midfoot portion and the forefoot portion of the bottom surface 232. The portions of the bottom surface 232 that lie in different planes correspond to portions of the bottom surface 232 that have different thicknesses relative to one another. For example, the heel portion of the bottom surface 232 has a first thickness, and the midfoot portion and the forefoot portion of the bottom surface 232 have a second thickness.

[0204] The outer surface 234 of the first cushioning element 212 also includes at least one engagement zone 248a. The engagement zone 248a is a recessed portion of the lateral surface 234. The engagement zone 248a extends along the entire height of the lateral surface 234. The height of the lateral surface 234 is the distance between the top surface 230 and the bottom surface 232. The engagement zone 248a is a lateral engagement zone disposed on the lateral side 18.

[0205] The engagement zone 248a is bounded on the posterior side by a posterior segment 250. The engagement zone 248a is bounded on the anterior side by an anterior segment 252. The anterior segment 252 is a posterior-facing edge of the first cushioning element 212. Although only shown on the lateral side 18, the anterior segment 252 is present on the medial side 16 and the lateral side 18. The engagement zone 248a has a generally hourglass shape, or is complementary in shape to one or more protruding segments 228a / 228b of the heel wrap 210 (see FIG. 6). The engagement zone 248a is disposed on the lateral side 18 of the first cushioning element 212. The engagement zone 248a is disposed on the medial side 16 of the first cushioning element 212. FIG. 3GIt is contemplated that in alternative embodiments, the engagement region 248a has a shape suitable for engagement with other components of the article of footwear 10. An inside engagement region (not shown) is disposed on the medial side 16 of the first cushioning element 212, opposite the lateral side engagement region 248a. The inside engagement region is substantially similar or identical to the lateral side engagement region 248a.

[0206] With reference to FIG. 3C The bottom surface 232 includes a receiving region 240 and an extension 242. In the exemplary embodiment, the receiving region 240 is a slot extending into a portion of the bottom surface 232. The receiving region 240 is a portion of the bottom surface 232 from which material has been removed. In other words, the receiving region 240 is a recessed portion of the bottom surface 232. The receiving region 240 is curved. The receiving region 240 has a substantially J-shape. The extension 242 protrudes outwardly from a central portion of the bottom surface 232. In other words, the extension 242 is a raised portion of the bottom surface 232. The extension 242 includes an inner base 242a and a peripheral edge 242b. The peripheral edge 242b has a shape that substantially or completely surrounds the inner base 242a. It is contemplated that the extension 242 includes any shape, such as a circle, triangle, square, rectangle, or irregular shape. In the exemplary embodiment, the inner base 242a and the peripheral edge 242b are heptagonal. The shape of the extension 242 includes any shape suitable for providing a desired tactile feel to the article of footwear 10.

[0207] Additionally, the bottom surface 232 includes one or more protrusions 244. The protrusions 244 extend from the medial side 16 to the lateral side 18. One of the protrusions 244 includes a chevron shape. Another of the protrusions 244 includes any other shape, such as a linear shape, among others. In alternative embodiments, each of the protrusions 244 can have the same shape as any other protrusion 244.

[0208] With reference to FIG. 3D The heel wrap 210 extends from a first end 214 to a second end 216. The first end 214 is located on the medial side 16. The second end 216 is located on the lateral side 18. The heel wrap 210 includes a body 218 having a base or rear section 220, a medial side 222, and a lateral side 224. The medial side 222 and the lateral side 224 are coupled to the base section 220 such that the heel wrap 210 forms a generally “U” shape with an opening (or gap) 226 between the medial side 222 and the lateral side 224.

[0209] The heel wrap 210 also includes one or more protruding sections (or flaps) 228a and 228b that extend from the body 218 in a direction away from the upper 100 (e.g., toward the ground). The protruding section 228a is a first protruding section, and the protruding section 228b is a second protruding section. The first protruding section 228a is disposed at the first end 214 on the medial side 16. The second protruding section 228b is disposed at the second end 216 on the lateral side 18. The protruding section 228a is a portion of the heel wrap 210 that extends from the respective medial side 222 toward the ground. The protruding section 228b is a portion of the heel wrap 210 that extends from the respective lateral side 224 toward the ground. Each protruding section 228a and 228b includes a respective forward-facing edge. The protruding sections 228a and 228b have a downward taper in the forward direction. The protruding sections 228a and 228b extend toward the ground when the article of footwear is oriented such that the outsole 206 is in contact with the ground.

[0210] Referring to FIG. 3E The heel wrap 210 also includes a top surface 221 and a first bottom surface 223. The protruding sections 228a and 228b each include a curve 229 at a rear-facing portion of the protruding sections 228a and 228b, a bevel 225 at the forward-facing edge of the protruding sections 228a and 228b, and a second bottom surface 227. The curve 229 corresponds to a rear-facing transition area between the medial side 222 or the lateral side 224 and the protruding section 228a or 228b, respectively. The curve 229 also corresponds to a transition area between the first bottom surface 223 and the second bottom surface 227. The bevel 225 corresponds to a forward-facing transition area between the medial side 222 or the lateral side 224 and the protruding section 228a or 228b, respectively. The bevel 225 also corresponds to a transition area between the top surface 221 and the first end 214 or the second end 216. The protruding sections 228a and 228b are substantially triangular. In alternative embodiments, one or more of the protruding sections 228a and 228b are circular, square, or any other shape that is capable of attaching the heel wrap 210 to the first cushioning element 212.

[0211] The first protruding section 228a and the second protruding section 228b are disposed at similar and / or overlapping longitudinal positions on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis of the heel wrap 210. In some embodiments, the first protruding section 228a and the second protruding section 228b are symmetrical, although it is contemplated that they can have different shapes.

[0212] Referring to FIG. 3FThe heel wrap 210 includes an inner surface 254 and an outer surface 256. The inner surface 254 also includes an inner rim 260. However, it is also contemplated that in some embodiments, the inner surface 254 does not include an inner rim and has a substantially smooth and continuous surface 254 (e.g., refer to FIG. 3D ). The inner rim 260 extends along substantially all or all of the inner surface 254 from the first end 214 to the second end 216. The inner rim 260 includes a continuous flat edge 260a that faces the bottom of the heel clip (i.e., faces the ground when the outsole 206 is in contact with the ground). The inner rim 260 also divides the inner surface 254 into a first (top) portion 254a and a second (bottom) portion 254b. Thus, the first portion 254a is located above the second portion 254b. The second portion 254b is recessed relative to the first portion 254a. Thus, the first portion 254a has a greater thickness in the direction from the inner surface 254 to the outer surface 256 than the second portion 254b has in the same direction.

[0213] Referring to FIG. 3G , the heel wrap 210 and the first cushioning element 212 are attached to each other on the medial side 16 and the lateral side 18. The attachment points of the heel wrap 210 and the first cushioning element 212 are located in the midfoot region 22. On the medial side, the protruding section 228a is accommodated by the medial juncture 248b. The first end 214 of the protruding section 228a is substantially flush with the medial juncture 248b. On the lateral side, the protruding section 228b is accommodated by the lateral juncture 248a. The second end 216 of the protruding section 228b is substantially flush with the lateral juncture 248a. The forward-facing edge of the ramp 225 and the corresponding protruding section 228a abuts the forward segment 252 on the medial side 16. Although not shown, on the lateral side 18, the forward-facing edge of the ramp 225 and the corresponding protruding section 228b abuts the forward segment 252. The heel wrap 210 is attached to the first cushioning element 212 by a material fit, an adhesive fit, friction, etc. The outer surfaces of the heel wrap 210 and the first cushioning element 212 are substantially flush with each other to form a smooth transition between them on their outer surfaces. In the unassembled state, a gap 246 for accommodating the heel clip 202 is provided between the rear end of the first cushioning element 212 and the heel wrap 210.

[0214] Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B , the heel clip 202 extends from a first end 402 to a second end 404 (as FIG. 4B(As shown). The heel clip 202 includes a support 409 and a base 410. The height of the heel clip 202 increases from a second end 404 in the heel region of the outer side 18 to a vertex 406 located at the outer center of the heel clip 202, and then decreases to the first end 402. The heel clip 202 is similarly formed along the inner side 16 such that the height of the heel clip 202 increases from the first end 402 in the heel region of the inner side 16 to the vertex 406, and then decreases to the second end 404.

[0215] The support 409 is cup-shaped around the rear end 14 of the upper 100 between the outer side 18 and the inner side 16. In other words, the support 409 is parabolic. The dimensions of the parabolic support 409 decrease with distance from the base 410. It is conceivable that, in alternative embodiments, the support 409 may have a shape adapted to provide support for the heel of the user of the footwear 10. The support 409 also includes a lower edge 408. The lower edge 408 is formed on the bottom surface of the support 409 at the interface between the support 409 and the base 410. The lower edge 408 corresponds to the bottommost part of the support 409 and has a thickness greater than the thickness of the adjacent portion of the heel clip 202 at the base 410. When engaged with the heel clip 202, the lower edge 408 abuts the top surface of the heel wrap 210.

[0216] The base 410 is disposed adjacent to the lower edge 408. The base 410 extends from a first end 412 disposed on the inner side 16 to a second end 414 disposed on the outer side 18. The first end 412 and the second end 414 of the base 410 are disposed at the first end 402 and the second end 404 of the heel clip 202. The base 410 is U-shaped. The base 410 also includes a first (upper) surface 416, a second (lower) surface 418, a third (inner) surface 420, and a fourth (outer) surface 422. The fourth surface 422 is disposed adjacent to the lower edge 408 and is positioned between the inner edge and the upper surface 416. The third surface 420 is disposed adjacent to the lower edge 408. The third surface 420 is recessed from the lower edge 408. The first surface 416 is adjacent to the fourth surface 422, and the first surface 416 is adjacent to the third surface 420. The first surface 416 and the third surface 420 are separated by a support member 409. The portion of the first surface 416 adjacent to the fourth surface 422 forms a lip or flange 424. A receiving area 425 is formed between the lower edge 408 and the flange 424. The receiving area 425 corresponds to the fourth surface 422. The receiving area 425 is recessed compared to the base 410 and the support 409. In instances where the heel wrap 210 is absent, the receiving area 425 can be removed and the base 410 can be adjacent to the support 409. A portion of the third surface 420 includes a pair of opposing protrusions 428a and 428b. The opposing protrusions include an inner protrusion 428a (e.g., ...). FIG. 4CThe opposite protrusions 428a and 428b are raised portions of the third surface 420 when compared to other portions of the third surface 420. The protrusions 428a and 428b are rectangular. It is contemplated that in alternative embodiments, the protrusions 428a and 428b are square, circular, or any other shape.

[0217] The base 410 includes a pair of opposite protrusions (e.g., hooks) 426. The protrusions 426 are disposed at the first end 412 and the second end 414. The base 410 is curved downward at its ends 412 and 414 such that there is a drop (along the vertical axis A14) from the first surface 416 to the first end 412 and the second end 414 at the forward-most portion of the heel clip 202. The protrusions 426 correspond to the drop from the first surface 416 to the first end 412 and the second end 414 at the forward-most portion of the heel clip 202. In other words, the first end 412 and the second end 414 have a curved shape that includes a generally hook-shaped curve. The protrusions 426 curve in a direction away from the base 410 (toward the ground).

[0218] With reference to FIG. 4C The second surface 418 is a recessed portion of the base 410. The base 410 includes a protruding portion 430 that extends from the second surface 418. In the example embodiment, the protruding portion 430 includes portions 430a, 430b, and 430c. The portions 430 are raised portions of the base 410 that are disposed on the second surface 418. In other words, the portions 430 extend away from the second surface 418 toward the ground surface. The portions 430 are bounded by an outer edge 419 at the outermost edges. The outer edge 419 is the outermost edge of the base 410. The outer edge 419 is also the bottommost edge of the base 410. In some instances, the second surface 418 can not be recessed, and thus the base 410 can have a substantially flat second surface 418.

[0219] Each portion 430a, 430b, and 430c includes one or more protruding segments 432. Portions 430a and 430c are symmetrical to each other about the central longitudinal axis of the heel wrap 210. Portion 430b is disposed between posterior portions 430a and 430c. Segments 432 are individual portions of their respective one or more portions 430. Portion 430B includes segments 432b, 432c, and 432d. Segments 432b, 432c, and 432d extend laterally or longitudinally on the second surface 418. Segments 432b, 432c, and 432d are interconnected. In alternative embodiments, segments 432b, 432c, and 432d can not be interconnected and can form their own individual mold segments each spaced apart by the second surface 418. Portions 430a and 430c are disposed opposite each other at respective first and second ends 412 and 414, respectively. Portions 430a and 430c include respective segments 432a and 432e, respectively. It is contemplated that, in alternative embodiments, portions 430a and 430c are asymmetrical. Segments 432a and 432b are spaced apart from each other by a distance Dl. Distance Dl corresponds to the length of one of protrusions 428a or 428b. Segments 432d and 432e are spaced apart from each other by a distance D2. Distance D2 corresponds to the length of one of protrusions 428a or 428b. In exemplary embodiments, distances Dl and D2 range between about.5 mm to about 75 mm. In some embodiments, Dl and D2 are substantially the same or equal to each other. In alternative embodiments, distances Dl and D2 are different from each other.

[0220] Referring to FIG. 5A , the cushioning element 204 includes a pair of opposing barrier films 502 and 504 that can be bonded to each other at discrete locations to define a chamber 506 (as shown in FIG. 5B , a web region 508 (as shown in FIG. 5C , and a peripheral seam 510. The cushioning element 204 can be an air bladder or a bladder.

[0221] Referring to FIG. 5B , the barrier films 502 and 504 include a first, upper barrier film 502 and a second, lower barrier film 504. Alternatively, the chamber 506 can be made from any suitable combination of one or more barrier films. The web region 508 is a region where the opposing barrier films 502 and 504 are directly bonded to each other without an intervening gap between the films. The web region 508 includes a first (upper) surface 508A disposed on a first side of the web region 508 facing the upper 100, and a second (lower) surface 508B disposed on an opposite second side of the web region 508 facing the ground surface.

[0222] In some embodiments, the upper barrier film 502 and the lower barrier film 504 cooperate to define the geometry (e.g., thickness, width, and length) of the chamber 506. For example, the web regions 508 and the peripheral seams 510 cooperate to bound and extend around the chamber 506 to seal the fluid (e.g., air) within the chamber 506. Accordingly, the chamber 506 is associated with a region of the cushioning element 204 in which the interior surfaces of the upper barrier film 502 and the lower barrier film 504 are not bonded together and, thus, are separated from one another. The space formed between the opposing interior surfaces of the upper barrier film 502 and the lower barrier film 504 defines the interior void of the chamber 506. Similarly, the exterior surfaces of the upper barrier film 502 and the lower barrier film 504 define the exterior profile of the chamber 506. Accordingly, the upper barrier film 502 and the lower barrier film 504 define respective upper and lower surfaces of the cushioning element 204.

[0223] Referring to FIG. 5C The second cushioning element 204 includes a plurality of segments 514a, 514b, and 514c. In some embodiments, the upper barrier film 502 and the lower barrier film 504 cooperate to define the geometry (e.g., thickness, width, and length) of each of the segments 514a, 514b, and 514c. For example, the seams 510 and the web regions 508 cooperate to bound and extend around each of the segments 514a, 514b, and 514c to seal the fluid (e.g., air) within each of the segments 514a, 514b, and 514c. Accordingly, in some embodiments, each of the segments 514a, 514b, and 514c is associated with a region of the second cushioning element 204 in which the upper film 502 and the lower film 504 are not bonded together and, thus, are separated from one another to form a respective chamber 506.

[0224] In the illustrated example, the second cushioning element 204 includes a series of connected segments 514a, 514b, and 514c disposed within the heel region 24 of the sole structure 102. Additionally or alternatively, the second cushioning element 204 can be located within the forefoot or midfoot regions 20 and 22 of the sole structure. The medial segment 514a extends along the medial side 16 of the sole structure 102 in the heel region 24 and terminates at a first distal end 516a within the midfoot region 22. Similarly, the lateral segment 514c extends along the lateral side 18 of the sole structure 102 in the heel region 24 and terminates at a second distal end 516b within the midfoot region 22. The posterior segment 514b extends around the posterior end 14 of the heel region 24 and is fluidly coupled to the medial segment 514a and the lateral segment 514c.

[0225] The posterior segment 514b extends along a substantially curved path to connect the posterior end of the medial segment 514a to the posterior end of the lateral segment 514c. Further, the posterior segment 514b is formed continuously with each of the medial segment 514a and the lateral segment 514c. Thus, the second cushioning element 204 is generally defined as a horseshoe or U-shape, with the posterior segment 514b coupled to the medial segment 514a and the lateral segment 514c at a respective one of the medial side 16 and the lateral side 18. In alternative embodiments, the medial segment 514a and the lateral segment 514c have different lengths. For example, the lateral segment 514c can extend farther along the lateral side 18 and into the midfoot region 22 than the medial segment 514c extends along the medial side 16 and into the midfoot region 22.

[0226] Each segment 514a, 514b, and 514c is tubular and defines a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. Thus, the diameter of the segments 514a, 514b, and 514c corresponds to the thickness and width of the second cushioning element 204. The thickness of the second cushioning element 204 is defined by the distance between the upper barrier film 502 and the lower barrier film 504 in a direction from the ground engaging surface to the upper 100, while the width of the second cushioning element 204 is defined by the distance through the chamber 506 taken perpendicular to the thickness of the second cushioning element 204. In alternative embodiments, the thickness and width of the second cushioning element 204 are different from one another.

[0227] At least two of the segments 514a, 514b, and 514c define different diameters of the second cushioning element 204. For example, one or more of the segments 514a, 514b, and 514c has a larger diameter than one or more of the other segments 514a, 514b, and 514c. Additionally, the diameter of each segment 514a, 514b, and 514c gradually decreases from one end to the other. As FIG. 5A As best shown in FIG. 6, the diameter of the second cushioning element 204 gradually decreases from the posterior end 14 to the midfoot region 22 to provide a greater degree of cushioning for absorbing the greater magnitude of ground reaction forces that initially occur in the heel region 24 and decrease as the midfoot region 22 of the sole structure 102 rolls to engage the ground surface. More particularly, the second cushioning element 204 continuously and gradually decreases at a constant rate from a first diameter at the posterior end 14 to a second diameter at the midfoot region 22.

[0228] Each of segments 514a, 514b, and 514c is filled with fluid to provide cushioning and stability for the foot during use of footwear 10. In some embodiments, the compressibility of a first portion of the plurality of segments 514a, 514b, and 514c under applied loads can provide responsive cushioning, while a second portion of segments 514a, 514b, and 514c are configured to provide soft-type cushioning under applied loads. Accordingly, segments 514a, 514b, and 514c of second cushioning element 204 cooperate to provide footwear article 10 with gradient cushioning that varies with changes in applied loads (i.e., the greater the applied load, the more segments 514a, 514b, and 514c are compressed, and thus, the more responsive footwear article 10 is).

[0229] In some embodiments, segments 514a, 514b, and 514c are in fluid communication with one another to form an overall pressure system for second cushioning element 204. When under applied loads, as segments 514a, 514b, and 514c compress or expand, the overall pressure system directs fluid through segments 514a, 514b, and 514c to provide cushioning, stability, and support by attenuating ground reaction forces, especially during forward running motions of footwear 10. In some embodiments, one or more of segments 514a, 514b, and 514c are fluidly isolated from the other segments 514a, 514b, and 514c, such that at least one of segments 514a, 514b, and 514c can be pressurized differently.

[0230] In alternative embodiments, one or more cushioning materials, such as polymeric foams and / or particulate matter, are encased within one or more of segments 514a, 514b, and 514c to provide cushioning for the foot in place of or in addition to fluid. In alternative embodiments, the cushioning materials can provide one or more of segments 514a, 514b, and 514c with different cushioning properties than segments 514a, 514b, and 514c filled with fluid. For example, the cushioning materials can have more or less responsiveness or provide greater impact absorption than pressurized fluid.

[0231] Reference FIG. 6The heel cup 602 includes a series of connecting segments 608a, 608b, and 608c disposed within the heel region 24 of the sole structure 102. The medial segment 608a extends along the medial side 16 of the sole structure 102 in the heel region 24 and terminates at a first forward end 610a within the midfoot region 22. Similarly, the lateral segment 608c extends along the lateral side 18 of the sole structure 102 in the heel region 24 and terminates at a second forward end 610b within the midfoot region 22. The segments 608 of the heel cup 602 define an opening 614. The rear segment 608b extends around the rear end 14 of the heel region 24 and is coupled to the medial segment 608a and the lateral segment 608c. The rear segment 608b extends along a substantially curved path to connect the rear end of the medial segment 608a to the rear end of the lateral segment 608c.

[0232] The rear segment 608b is formed continuously with each of the medial segment 608a and the lateral segment 608c. Thus, the heel cup 602 is generally defined as a horseshoe or U-shape with the rear segment 608b coupled to the medial segment 608a and the lateral segment 608c at respective ones of the medial side 16 and the lateral side 18. In alternative embodiments, the medial segment 608a and the lateral segment 608c have different lengths. For example, the lateral segment 608c extends along the lateral side 18 and into the midfoot region 22 farther than the medial segment 608a extends along the medial side 16 and into the midfoot region 22.

[0233] The heel cup 602 includes a first (top) surface 602A and a second (bottom) surface 602B (as shown). FIG. 10 The first surface 602A is a concave surface that extends along each segment 608. The second surface 602B includes a plurality of traction elements 612 configured to engage a ground surface to provide responsiveness and stability for the sole structure 102 during use, as described in U.S. Patent No. 10,932,524 (Eldem), published August 1, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0234] Referring to FIG. 7A The outsole layer 604 includes a heel portion 802, a body portion 804, and an overlap or transition region 806. The heel portion 802 and the body portion 804 are attached (e.g., directly attached) to each other at the overlap region 806. The overlap region 806 is a region where the heel portion 802 and the body portion 804 intersect each other. In example embodiments, the overlap region 806 is a transition from the heel portion 802 to the body portion 804. In some embodiments, the thickness of the overlap region 806 is greater than the thickness of the heel portion 802 and the body portion 804.

[0235] The heel portion 802 extends from the heel region 24 to the midfoot region 22. The heel portion 802 extends toward the inner side 16 and outer side 18 of the footwear article 10, but does not extend all the way to the inner side 16 and outer side 18. The heel portion 802 includes a first (top) surface 802a and a second (bottom) surface 802b (as shown in the image). FIG. 7B (As shown), front end 802c and rear end 802d. Front end 802c is the portion of the heel portion 802 closest to the overlapping region 806. Rear end 802d is the portion of the heel portion 802 furthest from the overlapping region 806. First surface 802a includes a recessed portion 808 disposed near the front end 802c. Recessed portion 808 has a curved shape. Recessed portion 808 is generally J-shaped. It is conceivable that recessed portion 808 has any shape suitable for receiving valve 512 of second cushioning element 204. FIG. 7B As shown, the second surface 802b includes a cutout portion (recessed area) 810 disposed therein. The cutout portion 810 is disposed in the heel region 24. The cutout portion 810 extends from near the rear end 802d to near the front end 802c. The cutout portion 810 substantially spans the width of the heel portion 802.

[0236] The main body portion 804 extends from the midfoot region 22 to the forefoot 12. The main body portion 804 extends from the inner side 16 to the outer side 18 of the footwear article 10. The main body portion includes a first (top) surface 804a and a second (bottom) surface 804b opposite to the first surface 804a (e.g.,...). FIG. 7B (As shown). The main body portion 804 includes a rear end 804c. The rear end 804c is the end of the main body portion 804 closest to the overlapping region 806. The inner side and the outer side of the main body portion 804 each include one or more points 812. The one or more points 812 include an inner point 812a and an outer point 812b. Between point 812a and the rear end 804c is a corresponding curved segment 814a. Between point 812b and the rear end 804c is a corresponding curved segment 814b. The curved segment 814 connects the front end 804c and the points 812 to each other.

[0237] The main body 804 also includes a cavity 816. The cavity 816 is located near the rear end 804c. The cavity 816 is located in the midfoot region 22. A portion of the cavity 816 extends into either the forefoot region 20 or the heel region 24. The cavity 816 has an irregular shape. A raised portion (bending point) 818 includes a first raised portion 818A and a second raised portion 818B. The raised portions 818 have linear, herringbone, or other shapes. Alternatively, each raised portion 818 may have a shape similar to the other raised portions 818. The raised portions 818 are closer to the front end 12 than the cavity 816. In other words, the raised portions 818 are located further forward than the cavity 816. The raised portions 818 are the bending points of the footwear article 10.

[0238] refer to FIG. 8 The heel pad 606 extends from a first end 606a to a second end 606b. The heel pad 606 includes a first (upper) surface 606c and a second (lower) surface 606d. The heel pad 606 has a rectangular shape. The heel pad 606 can be oval, triangular, circular, or any shape suitable for fitting within the cutout portion 810. The heel pad 606 comprises a rubber material. Alternatively, the heel pad 606 can be an elastomeric material suitable for engaging with a ground surface.

[0239] refer to FIG. 9 The first surface of the 606 heel pad is 606c ( FIG. 9 (Not shown in the image) Adjacent to the cutout portion 810. In an exemplary embodiment, when the first surface 606c engages with the cutout portion 810, the second surface 606d of the heel pad 606 lies in a horizontal plane different from the horizontal plane of the second surface 802b of the heel portion 802. In an alternative embodiment, the second surface 606d is flush with the second surface 802b.

[0240] like FIG. 10 As shown, the outsole 206 is compositely formed. The heel cup 602, the outer bottom layer 604, and the heel pad 606 each form a portion of the ground contact surface of the outsole 206. Each of the heel cup 602 and the outer bottom layer 604 comprises a rubber material. The heel pad 606 comprises an elastic or foam material. It is conceivable that, in alternative embodiments, the outsole 206 may be formed as a single piece.

[0241] refer to FIG. 10 The heel cup 602 and the outer bottom layer 604 are attached to each other (e.g., directly attached). The distal ends 610a and 610b of the heel cup 602 cooperate with the curved segments 814 and points 812 of the outer bottom layer 604. The heel pad 606 is disposed within the cutout portion 810. The combination of the heel cup 602, the outer bottom layer 604, the heel pad 606, and the extension portion 242 forms a ground contact surface.

[0242] refer toFIG. 11A The second cushioning element 204 is configured to cooperate with the first surface 602A of the heel cup 602. Specifically, the lower blocking membrane 504 is received by the first surface 602A of the heel cup 602. The second cushioning element 204 is also configured to cooperate with the base 410. Specifically, the upper blocking membrane 502 is received by the bottom surface 418 of the base 410. Each of the molded segments 432 engages with the upper blocking membrane 502. Protrusions 426 engage with the seam 510 and the distal ends 516A and 516B of the second cushioning element 204, such that the base 410 and the second cushioning element 204 are placed flush with each other. This engagement provides cushioning and responsiveness, as well as additional feel. The heel portion 802 of the outer bottom layer 604 is disposed within the opening 614 of the heel cup 602 and contacts the belly area 508. The second cushioning element 204 is continuously exposed to the external environment.

[0243] like FIG. 11B As shown, the midsole 200 is attached (e.g., directly attached) to the outer bottom layer 604. An extension 242 of the first cushioning element 212 extends through the cavity 816. The extension 242 forms part of the ground contact surface. The extension 242 is flush with the second surface 804B of the body portion 804.

[0244] refer to FIG. 12 The heel clip 202 is configured to cooperate with the heel wrap 210 and is also configured to cooperate with the first cushioning element 212 of the midsole 200. Specifically, the base 410 of the heel clip 202 is disposed within the gap between the inner side 222 and the outer side 224 of the heel wrap 210. The heel clip 202, the heel wrap 210, and the first cushioning element 212 are attached to each other (e.g., directly attached). For example, the heel clip 202 is attached to the heel wrap 210. The heel wrap 210 is directly attached to the first cushioning element 212 and the heel clip 202. The heel wrap 210 and the heel clip 202 extend around the terminal 236 of the first cushioning element 212. The heel wrap 210 coupled to the first cushioning element 212 ensures that the footwear article 10 has a substantially continuous and flush outer surface extending from the midsole 200 through the heel wrap 210. FIG. 1 As shown, the height of the heel clip 202 is greater than the height of the midsole 200, so that the heel clip 202 extends above the midsole 200 and is attached to the upper 100 of the footwear product 10.

[0245] refer to FIG. 13The second surface 804b includes a plurality of traction elements 820 configured to engage with a ground surface to provide responsiveness and stability to the sole structure 102 during use. The second surface 804b also includes one or more grooves 822 (e.g., grooves 822a, 822b, and 822c). The grooves 822 are recessed portions of the second surface 804b. Grooves 822a and 822b divide the plurality of traction elements 820 into distinct segments. Grooves 822a and 822b correspond in shape and position to protrusions 818. Groove 822c extends longitudinally and passes through grooves 822a and 822b.

[0246] FIG. 14 to FIG. 16 An alternative embodiment with a substantially smooth second surface 804b and an oval cavity 816 is depicted. In the alternative embodiment, the second surface 804b is a substantially smooth surface. In other words, the second surface 804b does not have multiple traction elements 820, nor does it have grooves 822. The heel cup 602 includes a single continuous segment 608' extending from the first distal end 610a to the second distal end 610b. The outer bottom layer 604' includes a single continuous portion 804'. It is contemplated that the cavity 816' can be circular, oval, triangular, or any shape suitable for receiving an extension 242 of the first cushioning element 212.

[0247] Although the seam 510 is illustrated as forming a relatively prominent flange protruding outward from the second buffer element 204, in FIG. 17 In the alternative embodiment shown, the upper blocking membrane 502 and the lower blocking membrane 504 are flush with each other, so that there is no seam, and the upper blocking membrane 502 and the lower blocking membrane 504 form a continuous blocking membrane 505. Furthermore, the upper blocking membrane 502 and the lower blocking membrane 504 may be joined together between the outer side 18 and the inner side 16 of the sole structure 102 to define a substantially continuous web region 508.

[0248] The extension 242 can be oval or any other shape. FIG. 18 In the alternative embodiment shown, the inner base 242a and the outer edge 242b are oval. In the alternative embodiment, the extension 242 is replaced by a fluid-filled sac.

[0249] FIG. 19 An alternative embodiment of the heel clip 202 is shown. Specifically, the second surface 418 may include an integral protrusion 1802, which is a raised portion extending toward the ground surface away from the second surface 418 and providing the desired tactile feel for the footwear article 10. The second surface 418 of this embodiment is similar to that referenced above. FIG. 4CThe second surface. The integral protruding portion 1802 includes protruding segments 1804a, 1804b, 1804c, 1804d, 1804e, 1804f, and 1804g. Each segment is separated from the adjacent segment portion by a recess. However, as FIG. 19 As shown, adjacent segments are also connected to each other by the material of the overall protruding portion 1802.

[0250] Segments 1804a, 1804b, and 1804c are positioned across the longitudinal axis A10 and are opposite to segments 1804e, 1804f, and 1804g, respectively. Segment 1804d intersects the longitudinal axis A10 such that a portion of segment 1804d is positioned on the inner side of the article and a portion of segment 1804d is positioned on the outer side of the article.

[0251] The number of segments 1804a, 1804b, 1804c, 1804d, 1804e, 1804f, and 1804g can be increased or decreased to provide the desired feel to the footwear article 10. In some embodiments, these segments provide additional loading points for the heel clip 202 relative to the cushioning element 204.

[0252] FIG. 20 An alternative embodiment of the heel wrap 210 is shown. (As shown) FIG. 20 As shown, the heel wrap 2010 includes a rear section 2020, a flat edge 2025, and a straight edge 2029. The protruding section 228b has a generally trapezoidal shape.

[0253] FIG. 21 An alternative embodiment of the sole structure 102, including a heel wrap 2010, is shown. The heel wrap 2010 forms a substantially sharp edge when attached to the sole structure 102.

[0254] FIG. 22 An alternative embodiment of the heel clip 202 is shown, which has a separate support 2202 and a separate base 2204. The support 2202 and the base 2204 are non-integral structures. The support 2202 is substantially similar to the support 409. The base 2204 includes a substantially flat top 2208.

[0255] FIG. 23 An alternative embodiment of the heel clip 202 is shown. The heel clip 2302 includes only the base 410.

[0256] FIG. 24 An alternative embodiment of the heel clip 202 including a support member 2402 is shown. The support member 2402 includes a top surface 2406 and a front edge 2409. The support member 2402 is substantially similar to the support member 409 described above as part of the heel clip 202, except that the support member 2402 has a flat or substantially flat top surface 2406 instead of a vertex 406.

[0257] FIG. 25 An alternative embodiment of the sole structure 102 including heel clip 2302 is shown.

[0258] FIG. 26 An alternative embodiment of the sole structure 102 including heel clip 2402 is shown.

[0259] FIG. 27 An alternative embodiment of the sole structure 102 including heel clip 2202 is shown.

[0260] FIG. 28 Alternative embodiments of heel clip 202 and heel clip 2802 are shown. Heel clip 2802 does not include receiving area 425 and has a substantially smooth outer surface.

[0261] FIG. 29 An alternative embodiment of the sole structure 102 including heel clip 2802 is shown.

[0262] FIG. 30 An alternative embodiment of the heel clip 202 is shown, which has a separate support 2202 and a separate base 3004. The support 2202 and the base 3004 are non-integral structures. The support 2202 is substantially similar to the support 409. When engaged, the support 2202 and the base 3004 form a smooth outer surface.

[0263] FIG. 31 Alternative embodiments of heel clips 202 and 3102 are shown. Heel clip 2302 includes only the base 3004.

[0264] FIG. 32 An alternative embodiment of the heel clip 2802, including support member 3202, is shown. Support member 3202 is substantially similar to support member 2402.

[0265] FIG. 33 to FIG. 35 An alternative embodiment of the sole structure, including an integral protrusion 1802, is shown. Each protrusion 1804a, 1804b, 1804c, 1804d, 1804e, 1804f, and 1804g communicates with the top surface of the cushioning element 204. In this way, the protrusions are referred to as point loads on the cushioning element 204 to provide the desired form of cushioning.

[0266] FIG. 36A and FIG. 36BAn alternative embodiment of the sole structure 102 is shown, depicted as sole structure 3602. Sole structure 3602 is shown with the same reference numerals as sole structure 102. Sole structure 3602 includes a heel counter 3604 and a shell 3606. Sole structure 3602 includes a first cushioning element 212 and a second cushioning element 204. Sole structure 3602 also includes a heel cup 602 and an outsole 3601.

[0267] like FIG. 36A As shown, the shoe shell 3606 is coupled (e.g., directly coupled) to one or both of the first cushioning element 212 (similar to the heel wrap 210) and the second cushioning element 204. The shoe shell 3606 includes a medial front end 3606a and a lateral front end 3606b. The shoe shell 3606 extends from the medial front end 3606a, located in a portion of the midfoot region 22, to the lateral front end 3606b, located in a portion of the midfoot region 22 opposite to the medial front end 3606a. The medial front end 3606a contacts a portion of the midsole 212 at a first rearward contact area 3607a. The lateral front end 3606b contacts a portion of the midsole 212 at a second rearward contact area 3607b (e.g., directly coupled). FIG. 37B (As shown) a portion of the midsole 212 is in contact. The shoe shell 3606 extends through the heel area 24 and surrounds the rear end 14 of the footwear article 3600. The shoe shell 3606 is substantially "U"-shaped and has an opening (or gap) 3607 between the anteromedial end 3606a and the anterolateral end 3606b.

[0268] The shoe shell 3606 includes a body and one or more protrusions extending away from the body. The one or more protrusions include a first protrusion 3608a, a second protrusion 3608b, a third protrusion 3608c, a fourth protrusion 3608d, and a fifth protrusion 3608e (e.g., FIG. 37B (As shown). The first protrusion 3608a is disposed adjacent to the anterior inner end 3606a. The second protrusion 3608b is disposed on the inner side 16. The fourth protrusion 3608d is disposed on the outer side 18 (in... FIG. 37B (Best shown in the middle). The third protrusion 3608c is provided at the rear end 14 and is positioned in the inner-outer direction between the second protrusion 3608b and the fourth protrusion 3608d. The fifth protrusion 3608e is provided adjacent to the anterolateral end 3606b.

[0269] The first protrusion 3608a is a portion of the shoe shell 3606 extending towards the ground. The second protrusion 3608b is a portion of the shoe shell 3606 extending towards the ground. The third protrusion 3608c is a portion of the shoe shell 3606 extending towards the ground. The fourth protrusion 3608d is a portion of the shoe shell 3606 extending towards the ground. The fifth protrusion 3608e is a portion of the shoe shell 3606 extending towards the ground. Each of the protrusions 3608a, 3608b, 3608c, 3608d, and 3608e includes its own forward-facing edge. The bottom surfaces of the protrusions 3608a, 3608b, 3608c, 3608d, and 3608e, especially the protrusions 3608a, 3608b, 3608c, 3608d, and 3608e, have a downward taper in the forward direction. When the footwear is oriented such that the outsole 206 contacts the ground, the protrusions 3608a, 3608b, 3608c, 3608d and 3608e extend toward the ground.

[0270] The first protrusion 3608a and the fifth protrusion 3608e are located at similar and / or overlapping longitudinal positions on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis of the shoe shell 3606. The second protrusion 3608b and the fourth protrusion 3608d are located at similar and / or overlapping longitudinal positions on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis of the shoe shell 3606. In some embodiments, the first protrusion 3608a and the fifth protrusion 3608e are symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis, although it is contemplated that they may have different shapes or orientations. In some embodiments, the second protrusion 3608b and the fourth protrusion 3608d are symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis, although it is contemplated that they may have different shapes or orientations.

[0271] In one example, each protrusion 3608a, 3608b, 3608c, 3608d, and 3608e is coupled to a corresponding portion of the second buffer element 204. In this example, each protrusion 3608a, 3608b, 3608c, 3608d, and 3608e includes a concave surface to facilitate coupling with the corresponding portion of the second buffer element 204.

[0272] A gap is provided between circumferentially adjacent protrusions 3608a, 3608b, 3608c, 3608d, and 3608e. In one example, a first gap 3610a extends between a first protrusion 3608a and a second protrusion 3608b. In one example, a second gap 3610b extends between a second protrusion 3608b and a third protrusion 3608c. In one example, a third gap 3610c extends between a third protrusion 3608c and a fourth protrusion 3608d (e.g., ...). FIG. 37B As shown). In one instance, the fourth gap 3610d (as shown) FIG. 37B(As shown) it extends between the fourth protrusion 3608d and the fifth protrusion 3608e.

[0273] Still referencing FIG. 36A The heel counter 3604 includes a medial front end 3604a and a lateral front end 3604b. The heel counter 3604 extends from the medial front end 3604a, located at a portion of the heel region 24, to the medial lateral front end 3604b, located at a portion of the heel region 24 opposite to the medial front end 3604a. The heel counter 3604 extends around the rear end 14 of the footwear article 10. The heel counter 3604 is substantially U-shaped, having an opening (or gap) 3614 between the medial front end 3604a and the lateral front end 3604b.

[0274] The heel counter 3604 includes a first protrusion 3612a, a second protrusion 3612b, and a third protrusion 3612c. The first protrusion 3612a is located on the inner side 16 adjacent to the anteromedial end 3604a. The third protrusion 3612c is located on the outer side 18 adjacent to the anterolateral end 3604b. The third protrusion 3612c is not shown for illustrative purposes. The second protrusion 3612b is located at the rear end 14 and is positioned between the first protrusion 3612a and the third protrusion 3612c in the medial-lateral direction. In one example, each of the protrusions 3612a, 3612b, and 3612c is recessed relative to the outer side of the heel counter 3604, such that each of the protrusions 3612a, 3612b, and 3612c extends radially outward from the bottom surface of the body of the heel counter 3604.

[0275] The first protrusion 3612a is a portion of the heel counter 3604 extending towards the ground. The second protrusion 3612b is a portion of the heel counter 3604 extending towards the ground. The third protrusion 3612c is a portion of the heel counter 3604 extending towards the ground. Each of the protrusions 3612a, 3612b, and 3612c includes a respective forward-facing edge. The protrusions 3612a, 3612b, and 3612c have a downward taper in the forward direction. When the footwear article is oriented such that the outsole 206 contacts the ground, the protrusions 3612a, 3612b, and 3612c extend towards the ground. The first protrusion 3612a and the third protrusion 3612c are located at similar and / or overlapping longitudinal positions on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis of the heel counter 3604. In some embodiments, the first protrusion 3612a and the second protrusion 3612b are symmetrical, although it is conceivable that they may have different shapes or orientations.

[0276] like FIG. 36BAs shown, during assembly, the heel counter 3604 is disposed within the cavity of the shoe shell 3606. A first protrusion 3612a is connected to a first protrusion 3608a. A second protrusion 3612b is connected to a second protrusion 3608b. A third protrusion 3612c is connected to a second protrusion 3608c. The angles of each protrusion 3612a, 3612b, and 3612c help maintain the connection between the heel counter 3604 and the shoe shell 3606. The assembly of the heel counter 3604 and the shoe shell 3606 is connected to a second cushioning element 204, allowing point load distribution on the second cushioning element 204. In some instances, the heel counter 3604 and the shoe shell 3606 can be formed as a single integral structure. In other instances, the heel counter 3604 and the shoe shell 3606 can be compositely formed. In some instances, the shoe shell 3606 is a transparent thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). In some instances, the 3604 heel counter is made of opaque thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

[0277] FIG. 37A The sole structure 3602 is depicted in an inside view. FIG. 37B The sole structure 3602 is depicted in an outside view.

[0278] FIG. 38 Depicting along FIG. 36A The cross-section of the sole structure 3602 is shown by line 38-38.

[0279] FIG. 39 Depicting along FIG. 36A The figure shows a cross-section of the sole structure 3602 taken by line 39-39. As shown, the combination of the heel counter 3604 and the shell 3606 is internally connected to the midsole 212. Each of the heel counter 3604 and the shell 3606 includes a respective concave surface. The concave surface of the heel counter 3604 is connected to a first concave surface of the shell 3606. A second concave surface of the shell 3606, opposite to the first concave surface of the shell 3606, is connected to a convex surface of the cushioning element 204.

[0280] FIG. 40 A bottom view depicts a sole structure 3602 including an alternative embodiment of outsole 206. An alternative embodiment of outsole 206, shown as outsole 4006, includes a plurality of gaps 4008. The gaps 4008 can be substantially square, curved, or shaped. The gaps 4008 can be shaped in any way suitable for viewing portions of the sole structure 3602 through the outsole 4006. The outsole 4006 may include any other shape or may include any other elements to contribute to the adhesion friction of the footwear article.

[0281] FIG. 41 , 42Figures 43 and 43 depict the heel counter 3604 and the shoe shell 3606, including alternative shapes. For example, protrusions 3612a, 3612b, and 3612c may have generally triangular, generally circular, generally rectangular, etc. For example, protrusions 3608a, 3608b, 3608c, 3608d, and 3608e may have generally triangular, generally circular, generally rectangular, etc. Protrusions 3612a, 3612b, and 3612c, as well as protrusions 3608a, 3608b, 3608c, 3608d, and 3608e, may have corresponding shapes.

[0282] In one embodiment, the heel wrap 210 is made of or otherwise comprises fabric-wrapped foam. In one embodiment, the heel wrap 210 is made of or otherwise comprises any suitable molded plastic. Alternatively, the heel wrap 210 may be made of or otherwise comprises metal. Depending on the material chosen, padding may be provided on the inside of the heel wrap 210 for wearer comfort. If desired, the heel wrap 210 may include multiple sections to allow for adjustability, or, as shown, the heel wrap 210 may be a monolithic structure (i.e., may have a single-piece structure). In some instances, the heel stabilizing element may be 3D printed or formed by any suitable additive manufacturing method. In some instances, the heel wrap 210 may include, for example, a molded thermoplastic polyurethane component or another suitable material.

[0283] In an exemplary embodiment, the heel clip 202 is formed of a TPU material, such as a transparent or opaque TPU material. It is conceivable that, in alternative embodiments, the heel clip 202 may be an elastomeric material or any material suitable for providing support for the heel of the user of the footwear article 10.

[0284] In some embodiments, the upper barrier film 502 and the lower barrier film 504 may be formed by respective mold portions. Each mold portion may define various surfaces and extrusion surfaces for forming recesses, corresponding to the locations where the web region 508 and / or the peripheral seam 510 are formed when the upper barrier film 502 and the lower barrier film 504 are bonded and adhered together. In some embodiments, adhesive bonding may be used to bond the upper barrier film 502 and the lower barrier film 504 to form the web region 508 and the peripheral seam 510. In other embodiments, the upper barrier film 502 and the lower barrier film 504 may be thermally bonded to form the web region 508 and the peripheral seam 510. In some instances, one or both of the barrier films 502 and 504 may be heated to a temperature conducive to forming and melting. In some instances, the barrier films 502 and 504 may be heated before being positioned between their respective molds. In other instances, the molds may be heated to increase the temperature of the barrier films 502 and 504. In some embodiments, the molding process for forming the fluid-filled chamber 506 may incorporate a vacuum port within the mold portion to remove air, causing the upper barrier membrane 502 and the lower barrier membrane 504 to be drawn into contact with their respective mold portions. In other embodiments, a fluid (such as air) may be injected into the region between the upper barrier membrane 502 and the lower barrier membrane 504, causing an increase in pressure that leads to the barrier membranes 502 and 504 engaging with the surfaces of their respective mold portions.

[0285] As used herein, the term "barrier film" or "barrier membrane" (e.g., barrier films 502 and 504) encompasses both single-layer and multilayer films. In some embodiments, one or both of barrier films 502 and 504 may be made from single-layer films (monolayers) (e.g., thermoforming or blow molding). In other embodiments, one or both of barrier films 502 and 504 may be made from multilayer films (multiple sublayers) (e.g., thermoforming or blow molding). A multilayer film may include multiple layers. The multiple layers may include one or more barrier layers. The one or more barrier layers may include a barrier material. The barrier material may include one or more gas barrier compounds or be substantially composed of one or more gas barrier compounds. A multilayer film may include at least 5 layers or at least 10 layers. In other embodiments, a multilayer film may include about 5 layers to about 400 layers. In one aspect of a multilayer film, the multiple layers may include a series of alternating layers, wherein the alternating layers include two or more barrier layers. Each of the two or more barrier layers may individually include a barrier material that includes one or more gas barrier compounds or is substantially composed of one or more gas barrier compounds. In a series of alternating layers, adjacent layers may be formed individually of materials that differ from each other at least in terms of the chemical composition of the individual components present (e.g., the materials of adjacent layers may differ based on the presence or absence of gas-barrier compounds, or based on the type or kind of gas-barrier compounds present), the concentration of the individual components present (e.g., the materials of adjacent layers may differ based on the concentration of a particular type of gas-barrier compound present), or may differ based on the components present and their concentrations.

[0286] The multiple layers of a multilayer film may include a first barrier layer comprising a first barrier material and a second barrier layer comprising a second barrier material, wherein the first barrier material and the second barrier material are different from each other as described above. The first barrier material may be described as comprising a first gas barrier component consisting of all gas barrier compounds present in the first barrier material, and the second barrier material may be described as comprising a second barrier material component consisting of all gas barrier compounds present in the second barrier material. In a first example, the first barrier component may consist only of one or more gas barrier polymers, and the second barrier component may consist only of one or more inorganic gas barrier compounds. In a second example, the first barrier component may consist of a first one or more gas barrier polymers, and the second component may consist of a second one or more gas barrier polymers, wherein the first one or more gas barrier polymers differ from the second one or more gas barrier polymers in terms of polymer class, type, or concentration. In a third example, both the first barrier component and the second barrier component may comprise the same type of gas barrier compound, but the concentrations of the gas barrier compounds may differ. Optionally, the concentrations may differ by at least 5% by weight based on the weight of the barrier material. In these multilayer films, the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer may alternate with each other, or may alternate with additional barrier layers (e.g., a third barrier layer including a third barrier material, a fourth barrier layer including a fourth barrier material, etc., wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth barrier materials, etc., is different from each other as described above).

[0287] In any one aspect, each layer or sublayer may have a film thickness ranging from about 0.2 micrometers to about 1 millimeter. In another embodiment, the film thickness of each layer or sublayer may range from about 0.5 micrometers to about 500 micrometers. In yet another embodiment, the film thickness of each layer or sublayer may range from about 1 micrometer to about 100 micrometers. In yet another embodiment, the film thickness of each layer or sublayer may range from about 72 micrometers to about 320 micrometers.

[0288] The lower barrier film 504 may have a greater thickness than the upper barrier film 502, or vice versa. When thicker than the upper barrier film 502, the lower barrier film 504 is configured to provide part of the ground contact surface of the footwear article 10. Alternatively, the lower barrier film 504 and the upper barrier film 502 may have equal thicknesses.

[0289] One or both of the barrier films 502 and 504 can be independently transparent, translucent, and / or opaque. For example, the upper barrier film 502 is transparent, while the lower barrier film 504 is opaque. It is conceivable that the upper barrier film 502 can be transparent or translucent, while the lower barrier film 504 is opaque, or the upper barrier film 502 can be opaque, while the lower barrier film 504 is transparent or translucent, and so on. As used herein, the term "transparent" for barrier films and / or fluid-filled chambers means that light passes through the barrier film substantially in a straight line, and an observer can see through the barrier film. In contrast, with an opaque barrier film, light cannot pass through the barrier film, and one cannot see through the barrier film at all. A translucent barrier film falls between a transparent barrier film and an opaque barrier film because light can pass through the translucent film, but some light is scattered, making it impossible for an observer to see through the film.

[0290] The chamber 506 can be made using any suitable technology, such as thermoforming (e.g., vacuum thermoforming), blow molding, extrusion, injection molding, vacuum forming, rotational molding, transfer molding, pressure forming, heat sealing, casting, low-pressure casting, rotational casting, reaction injection molding, radio frequency (RF) welding, etc. In one aspect, the barrier membranes 502 and 504 can be produced by co-extrusion followed by vacuum thermoforming to produce an inflatable chamber 506, which may optionally include one or more valves 512 (e.g., one-way valves) that allow the chamber 506 to be filled with a fluid (e.g., gas).

[0291] The chamber 506 can be provided in a fluid-filled state (e.g., as provided in footwear 10) or an unfilled state. The chamber 506 can be filled to include any suitable fluid, such as a gas or liquid. In one aspect, the gas may include air, nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), an inert gas, or any other suitable gas. In other aspects, the chamber 506 may alternatively include other media, such as granules, beads, ground recycled materials, etc. (e.g., foamed beads and / or rubber beads). The chamber 506 may be a membrane with a relatively low fluid permeability. When used alone or in combination with other materials in an airbag or bladder, the barrier membrane elastically retains the fluid. Depending on the structure and purpose of the airbag or bladder, the barrier membrane can maintain the fluid at a pressure above, at, or below atmospheric pressure. The fluid supplied to the chamber 506 can cause the chamber 506 to be pressurized. The chamber 506 can have a pressure ranging from about atmospheric pressure to about 40 PSI. Chamber 506 may have a pressure ranging from about 10 PSI to about 25 PSI. Chamber 506 may have a pressure ranging from about 12 PSI to about 25 PSI. In an exemplary embodiment, chamber 506 may have a pressure of about 15 PSI. It is contemplated that chamber 506 may be pressurized to a pressure suitable for the desired buffering characteristics. Alternatively, the fluid supplied to chamber 506 may be at atmospheric pressure, such that chamber 506 is not pressurized, but simply contains a volume of fluid at atmospheric pressure.

[0292] Chamber 506 can ideally have a low gas permeability to maintain the gas pressure it retains. In some embodiments, chamber 506 can have a nitrogen gas permeability that is at least about ten (10) times lower than that of a butyl rubber layer of substantially the same size. In one aspect, for an average membrane thickness of 500 micrometers (based on the thickness of the barrier membranes 502 and 504), chamber 506 can have a nitrogen permeability of 15 cubic centimeters per square meter atm per day (cm3 / m2·atm·day) or less. In another aspect, the permeability is 10 cm3 / m2·atm·day or less, 5 cm3 / m2·atm·day or less, or 1 cm3 / m2·atm·day or less.

[0293] Multilayer films can be produced through various methods, such as co-extrusion, lamination, and layer-by-layer deposition. When co-extruding one or more barrier layers individually or with one or more second layers, selecting materials with similar processing properties (such as melt temperature and melt flow index) (e.g., a first barrier material and a second barrier material, or a single barrier material and a second material) can reduce interlayer shear during extrusion and allow alternating barrier and second layer co-extrusion while maintaining their structural integrity and desired layer thickness. In one example, when using one or more barrier materials and an optional second material, they can be extruded into individual films, which can then be laminated together to form a multilayer film.

[0294] Multilayer films can be produced using a layer-by-layer deposition process. A substrate, optionally including a second material or barrier material, can be constructed into a multilayer film by depositing multiple layers onto the substrate. These layers may include one or more barrier layers (e.g., a first barrier layer, a second barrier layer, etc.). Optionally, these layers may include one or more second layers. One or more barrier layers and / or second layers can be deposited by any means known in the art, such as, for example, dipping, spraying, coating, or other methods. One or more barrier layers can be applied using charged solutions or suspensions, such as cationic solutions or suspensions or anionic solutions or suspensions, including charged polymer solutions or suspensions. One or more barrier layers can be applied using a series of two or more solutions with opposite charges, for example by applying a cationic solution followed by an anionic solution, then another cationic solution, then another anionic solution, etc.

[0295] The barrier film, including multilayer films, has a total thickness from about 40 micrometers to about 500 micrometers, or from about 50 micrometers to about 400 micrometers, or from about 60 micrometers to about 350 micrometers. In one aspect, each individual layer of the plurality of layers of the multilayer film has a thickness from about 0.001 micrometers to about 10 micrometers. For example, the thickness of a single barrier layer can range from about 0.001 micrometers to about 3 micrometers, or from about 0.5 micrometers to about 2 micrometers, or from about 0.5 micrometers to about 1 micrometer. The thickness of a single second layer can range from about 2 micrometers to about 8 micrometers, or from about 2 micrometers to about 4 micrometers.

[0296] On the other hand, the thickness of the film and / or their individual layers can be measured by any method known in the art, such as, for example, ASTM E252, ASTM D6988, ASTM D8136 or using an optical microscope or an electron microscope.

[0297] In some respects, barrier films, including multilayer films, can have Shore hardness ranging from about 35 A to about 95 A, and optionally from about 55 A to about 90 A. In these respects, hardness can be measured using the Shore A scale according to ASTM D2240.

[0298] In one aspect, when a barrier film is formed from multiple alternating barrier layers and a second layer using a co-extrusion process, the barrier material may have a melt flow index from about 5 to about 7 g / 10 min at 190°C when using a weight of 2.16 kg, while the second material may have a melt flow index from about 20 to about 30 g / 10 min at 190°C when using a weight of 2.16 kg. In another aspect, when measured at 190°C using a weight of 2.16 kg, the melt flow index of the barrier material may be about 80% to about 120% of the melt flow index of the barrier material per 10 min. In these aspects, the melt flow index can be measured using ASTM D1238. Alternatively or additionally, the barrier material or the second material, or both, may have a melting temperature from about 165°C to about 183°C, or from about 155°C to about 165°C. In one such example, the barrier material may have a melting temperature ranging from about 165 degrees Celsius to about 183 degrees Celsius, while the second material has a melting temperature ranging from about 155 degrees Celsius to about 165 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the melting temperature in these aspects can be measured using ASTM D3418.

[0299] The barrier films 502 and 504 may each be made of an elastomeric material comprising one or more thermoplastic polymers and / or one or more crosslinkable polymers. In one aspect, the elastomeric material may comprise one or more thermoplastic elastomer materials, such as one or more thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) copolymers, one or more ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymers, etc.

[0300] As used herein, “polyurethane” refers to copolymers (including oligomers) containing urethane groups (-N(C=O)O-). In addition to urethane groups, these polyurethanes may also contain other groups such as esters, ethers, ureas, urethane esters, biuret, carbodiimide, oxazolidinyl, isocyanurates, diuretes, carbonates, etc. In one aspect, one or more of the polyurethanes can be produced by polymerizing one or more isocyanates with one or more polyols to produce copolymer chains having (-N(C=O)O-) bonds.

[0301] Examples of suitable isocyanates for producing polyurethane copolymer chains include diisocyanates, such as aromatic diisocyanates, aliphatic diisocyanates, and combinations thereof. Examples of suitable aromatic diisocyanates include toluene diisocyanate (TDI), adducts of TDI and trimethylolpropane (TMP), methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), xylene diisocyanate (XDI), tetramethylphenyl dimethylene diisocyanate (TMXDI), hydrogenated xylene diisocyanate (HXDI), naphthalene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI), 1,5-tetrahydronaphthalene diisocyanate, p-phenylene diisocyanate (PPDI), 3,3'-dimethyldiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate (DDDI), 4,4'-dibenzyl diisocyanate (DBDI), 4-chloro-1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the copolymer chain is substantially free of aromatic groups.

[0302] In certain aspects, the polyurethane polymer chain is generated from diisocyanates including HMDI, TDI, MDI, H12 aliphatic compounds, and combinations thereof. In one aspect, thermoplastic TPUs may include polyester-based TPUs, polyether-based TPUs, polycaprolactone-based TPUs, polycarbonate-based TPUs, polysiloxane-based TPUs, or combinations thereof.

[0303] On the other hand, the polymer layer can be formed from one or more of the following: EVOH copolymers, poly(vinyl chloride), polyvinylidene ethylene polymers and copolymers (e.g., polyvinylidene chloride), polyamides (e.g., amorphous polyamides), amide-based copolymers, acrylonitrile polymers (e.g., acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymers), polyethylene terephthalate, polyetherimide, polyacrylamide, and other polymeric materials known to have relatively low gas permeability. Blends of these materials, as well as blends with the TPU copolymers described herein, and optionally combinations of polyimide and crystalline polymers, are also suitable.

[0304] Barrier films 502 and 504 may comprise two or more sublayers (multilayer films), as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,713,141 and 5,952,065 to Mitchell et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In embodiments where barrier films 502 and 504 comprise two or more sublayers, suitable examples of multilayer films include microlayer films, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,582,786 to Bonk et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In other embodiments, barrier films 502 and 504 may each independently comprise alternating sublayers of one or more TPU copolymer materials and one or more EVOH copolymer materials, wherein the total number of sublayers in each of barrier films 502 and 504 comprises at least four (4) sublayers, at least ten (10) sublayers, at least twenty (20) sublayers, at least forty (40) sublayers, and / or at least sixty (60) sublayers.

[0305] In one aspect, the barrier material may include one or more inorganic gas barrier compounds or be substantially composed of one or more inorganic gas barrier compounds. The one or more inorganic gas barrier compounds may take the form of fibers, particles, lamellar crystals, or combinations thereof. Fibers, particles, and lamellar crystals may include nanoscale fibers, particles, lamellar crystals, or combinations thereof, or be substantially composed of nanoscale fibers, particles, lamellar crystals, or combinations thereof. Examples of inorganic barrier compounds include, for example, carbon fibers, glass fibers, glass sheets, silica, silicates, calcium carbonate, clay, mica, talc, carbon black, particulate graphite, metal sheets, and combinations thereof. The inorganic gas barrier component may include one or more clays or be substantially composed of one or more clays. Examples of suitable clays include bentonite, montmorillonite, kaolinite, and mixtures thereof. In one example, the inorganic gas barrier component is composed of clay. Optionally, the barrier material may also include one or more additional components, such as polymers, processing aids, colorants, or any combination thereof. In the aspect where the barrier material includes one or more inorganic barrier compounds or is substantially composed of one or more inorganic barrier compounds, the barrier material may be described as comprising an inorganic gas barrier component consisting of all the inorganic barrier compounds present in the barrier material. When one or more inorganic gas-blocking compounds are included in the barrier material, the total concentration of the inorganic gas-blocking components present in the barrier material may be less than 60% by weight, or less than 40% by weight, or less than 20% by weight of the total composition. Alternatively, in other instances, the barrier material may consist substantially of one or more inorganic gas-blocking materials.

[0306] In one aspect, the gas-barrier compound comprises or is substantially composed of one or more gas-barrier polymers. The one or more gas-barrier polymers may include thermoplastic polymers. In one example, the barrier material may comprise or is substantially composed of one or more thermoplastic polymers, meaning that the barrier material comprises or is substantially composed of a variety of thermoplastic polymers, including thermoplastic polymers that are not gas-barrier polymers. In another example, the barrier material comprises or is substantially composed of one or more thermoplastic gas-barrier polymers, meaning that all polymers present in the barrier material are thermoplastic gas-barrier polymers. The barrier material can be described as comprising a polymeric component consisting of all polymers present in the barrier material. For example, the polymeric component of the barrier material may consist of a single class of gas-barrier polymers, such as, for example, one or more polyolefins, or may consist of a single type of gas-barrier polymer, such as one or more ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers. Optionally, the barrier material may also include one or more non-polymeric additives, such as one or more fillers, processing aids, colorants, or combinations thereof.

[0307] Many gas-barrier polymers are known in the art. Examples of gas-barrier polymers include vinyl polymers such as vinylidene chloride polymers, acrylic polymers such as acrylonitrile polymers, polyamides, epoxy polymers, amine polymers, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, copolymers thereof (such as ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers), and mixtures thereof. Examples of thermoplastic gas-barrier polymers include thermoplastic vinyl homopolymers and copolymers, thermoplastic acrylic homopolymers and copolymers, thermoplastic amine homopolymers and copolymers, thermoplastic polyolefin homopolymers and copolymers, and mixtures thereof. In one example, one or more gas-barrier polymers comprise or are substantially composed of one or more thermoplastic polyethylene copolymers, such as, for example, one or more thermoplastic ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers. One or more ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers may comprise an ethylene content from about 28 mol% to about 44 mol%, or an ethylene content from about 32 mol% to about 44 mol%. In yet another example, one or more gas-barrier polymers may comprise or are substantially composed of one or more polyethyleneimines, polyacrylic acid, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, polyamide amine, or any combination thereof.

[0308] The second material of one or more second layers may include one or more polymers. Depending on the type of gas-barrier compound used and the intended use of the multilayer membrane, the second material may have a higher gas permeability than the barrier material, meaning that the second material is a worse gas barrier than the barrier material. In some aspects, one or more second layers may act as a substrate for one or more barrier layers and may be used to increase the strength, elasticity, and / or durability of the multilayer membrane. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more second layers may be used to reduce the amount of gas-barrier material required, thereby reducing the overall material cost. Even when the second material has a relatively high gas permeability, the presence of one or more second layers, particularly when one or more second layers are located between one or more barrier layers, can help maintain the overall barrier properties of the membrane by increasing the distance between cracks in the barrier layers, thereby increasing the distance that gas molecules must travel between cracks in the barrier layers to pass through the multilayer membrane. While small cracks or fissures in the barrier layers of a multilayer membrane may not significantly affect the overall barrier properties of the membrane, using a larger amount of thinner barrier layers can prevent or reduce visible cracking, crazing, or fogging of the multilayer membrane. The one or more second layers may include, but are not limited to, an adhesive layer that bonds two or more layers together, a structural layer that provides mechanical support for the multilayer film, an adhesive layer that provides an adhesive material for the multilayer film, such as a hot melt adhesive material, and / or a covering layer that provides protection for the outer surface of the multilayer film.

[0309] In some aspects, the second material is an elastomeric material comprising at least one elastomer or substantially composed of at least one elastomer. Many gas-barrier compounds are brittle and / or relatively rigid, and therefore one or more barrier layers may be prone to cracking when subjected to repeated, excessive stress loads, such as those that may occur during the flexure and release of a multilayer film. Compared to films without an elastomeric second layer, multilayer films comprising one or more barrier layers alternating with a second layer of elastomeric material produce multilayer films that are better able to withstand repeated flexure and release while maintaining their gas-barrier properties.

[0310] The second material comprises or is substantially composed of one or more polymers. As used herein, one or more polymers present in the second material are referred to herein as one or more “second polymers” or “second polymer” because these polymers are present in the second material. The reference to “second polymer” is not intended to indicate that the “first polymer” is present in the second material or as a whole in the multilayer film, although in many respects, there are multiple classes or types of polymers. In one aspect, the second material comprises or is substantially composed of one or more thermoplastic polymers. In another aspect, the second material comprises or is substantially composed of one or more elastomeric polymers. In yet another aspect, the second material comprises or is substantially composed of one or more thermoplastic elastomers. The second material can be described as comprising a polymeric component consisting of all the polymers present in the second material. In one example, the polymeric component of the second material consists of one or more elastomers. Optionally, the second material may also include one or more non-polymeric additives, such as fillers, processing aids, and / or colorants.

[0311] Many polymers suitable for use in the second material are known in the art. Exemplary polymers that may be included in the second material (e.g., the second polymer) include polyolefins, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyimides, polyesters, polyacrylates, polyesters, polyethers, polystyrene, polyureas, and polyurethanes, including their homopolymers and copolymers (e.g., polyolefin homopolymers, polyolefin copolymers, etc.), and combinations thereof. In one example, the second material comprises or is substantially composed of one or more polymers selected from polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polystyrene, and polyurethanes, including their homopolymers and copolymers, and combinations thereof. In another example, the polymeric component of the second material is composed of one or more thermoplastic polymers or one or more elastomers or one or more thermoplastic elastomers, including thermoplastic vulcanized rubber. Alternatively, one or more second polymers may comprise one or more thermosetting or thermosetting elastomers, such as, for example, natural rubber and synthetic rubbers, including butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, silicone rubber, etc.

[0312] Polyolefins are a class of polymers comprising monomer units derived from simple olefins such as ethylene, propylene, and butene. Examples of thermoplastic polyolefins include polyethylene homopolymers, polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene copolymers (including polyethylene-polypropylene copolymers), polybutene, ethylene-octene copolymers, olefin block copolymers; propylene-butane copolymers and combinations thereof, including blends of polyethylene homopolymers and polypropylene homopolymers. Examples of polyolefin elastomers include polyisobutylene elastomers, poly(α-olefin) elastomers, ethylene-propylene elastomers, ethylene-propylene diene monomer elastomers, and combinations thereof.

[0313] Polyamides are a class of polymers comprising monomer units linked by amide bonds. Naturally occurring polyamides include proteins such as wool and silk, as well as synthetic amides such as nylon and aromatic polyamides. One or more second polymers may include thermoplastic polyamides such as nylon 6, nylon 6-6, nylon-11, and thermoplastic polyamide copolymers.

[0314] Polyesters are a class of polymers comprising monomer units derived from ester functional groups and are typically prepared by condensing a diacid (such as, for example, terephthalic acid) with one or more polyols. In one example, the second material may comprise one or more thermoplastic polyester elastomers or consist substantially of one or more thermoplastic polyester elastomers. Examples of polyester polymers include homopolymers such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and poly(1,4-cyclohexylene-dimethylene terephthalate), and copolymers such as polyester polyurethanes.

[0315] Styrene-based polymers are a class of polymers comprising monomer units derived from styrene. One or more second polymers may include styrene-based homopolymers, styrene-based random copolymers, styrene-based block copolymers, or combinations thereof, or substantially consist of them. Examples of styrene-based polymers include styrene-based block copolymers, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, and combinations thereof.

[0316] Polyurethanes are a class of polymers comprising monomer units linked by urethane bonds. Polyurethanes are most commonly formed by reacting polyisocyanates (e.g., diisocyanates or triisocyanates) with polyols (e.g., diols or triols) optionally in the presence of a chain extender. Monomer units derived from polyisocyanates are generally referred to as hard segments of polyurethanes, while monomer units derived from polyols are generally referred to as soft segments. Hard segments can be derived from aliphatic polyisocyanates, or organic isocyanates, or mixtures of both. Soft segments can be derived from saturated polyols, or unsaturated polyols such as polydiene polyols, or mixtures of both. When multilayer films are bonded to natural or synthetic rubber, including soft segments derived from one or more polydiene polyols can promote adhesion between the rubber and the film when they come into contact and crosslink, such as in a vulcanization process.

[0317] Examples of suitable polyisocyanates from which hard segments of polyurethane can be derived include hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), butene diisocyanate (BDI), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (HMDI), 2,2,4-trimethylhexyl diisocyanate (TMDI), cyclohexane dimethyl diisocyanate, bisisoglycol methyltricyclodecane, norbornane diisocyanate (NDI), cyclohexane diisocyanate (CHDI), 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H12MDI), and decane diisocyanate. Esters, lysine diisocyanates, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), TDI adducts with trimethylolpropane (TMP), methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), xylene diisocyanate (XDI), tetramethylphenyl dimethylene diisocyanate (TMXDI), hydrogenated xylene diisocyanate (HXDI), naphthalene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI), 1,5-tetrahydronaphthalene diisocyanate, p-phenylene diisocyanate (PPDI), 3,3′-dimethyldiphenyl-4,4′-diisocyanate (DDDI), 4,4′-dibenzyl diisocyanate (DBDI), 4-chloro-1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, and any combination thereof. In one aspect, polyurethanes comprise, or are substantially composed of, hard segments derived from, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), or methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), or both.

[0318] The soft segments of polyurethane can be derived from a variety of polyols, including polyester polyols, polyether polyols, polyester-ether polyols, polycarbonate polyols, polycaprolactone polyethers, and combinations thereof. In one aspect, polyurethane comprises, or is substantially composed of, monomer units derived from, C4-C12 polyols, or C6-C10 polyols, or C8 or lower polyols, meaning polyols having 4 to 12 carbon molecules, or 6 to 10 carbon molecules, or 8 or fewer carbon molecules in their chemical structure. In another aspect, polyurethane comprises, or is substantially composed of, monomer units derived from, polyester polyols, polyester-ether polyols, polyether polyols, and any combination thereof. In yet another aspect, polyurethane comprises, or is substantially composed of, soft segments derived from polyols or diols having polyester functional units. The soft segments derived from polyols or diols having polyester functional units may account for about 10 to about 50, or about 20 to about 40, or about 30 by weight of the soft segments present in the polyurethane.

[0319] In alternative embodiments, the cushioning element 204 is not a fluid-filled capsule, but rather comprises a material such as foam or a non-foamed solid to impart cushioning, responsiveness, and energy distribution properties to the wearer's foot. For example, sole structure 102 may include cushioning element 204. Cushioning element 204 may include foam. Foam may comprise a material. Example materials for alternative cushioning element 204 may include materials based on foamed or molded materials, such as elastic materials, including one or more polymers, such as one or more elastomers (e.g., thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs)). One or more polymers may include aliphatic polymers, aromatic polymers, or mixtures thereof; and may include homopolymers, copolymers (including terpolymers), or mixtures thereof.

[0320] In some respects, when a material is combined with other components to manufacture a midsole, sole structure, or footwear article, the material is thermoplastic and remains thermoplastic, and is a thermoplastic material in the final product (e.g., in a finished midsole, finished sole structure, or finished footwear article). In other respects, when a material is combined with other components to manufacture a midsole, sole structure, or footwear article, the material is thermoplastic and subsequently cures into a crosslinked material during the manufacturing process, and is therefore a crosslinked material in the final product. In yet another respect, the material is crosslinked before being combined with other components of the midsole, sole structure, or footwear article during the manufacturing process, and is therefore a crosslinked material in the final product.

[0321] In some aspects, one or more polymers may include olefin homopolymers, olefin copolymers, or blends thereof. Examples of olefin polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, and combinations thereof. In other aspects, one or more polymers may include one or more ethylene copolymers, such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, EVOH copolymers, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-unsaturated monofatty acid copolymers, and combinations thereof.

[0322] In another aspect, one or more polymers may include one or more polyacrylates, such as polyacrylic acid, esters of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylate acetate, polymethyl acrylate, polyethyl acrylate, polybutyl acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyvinyl acetate; including derivatives thereof, copolymers thereof, and any combination thereof.

[0323] In another aspect, the one or more polymers may include one or more ionomer polymers. In these aspects, the ionomer polymers may include polymers having carboxylic acid functional groups, sulfonic acid functional groups, their salts (e.g., sodium, magnesium, potassium, etc.), and / or their anhydrides. For example, the ionomer polymers may include one or more fatty acid-modified ionomer polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, and combinations thereof.

[0324] In another aspect, one or more polymers may include one or more styrene block copolymers, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, and combinations thereof.

[0325] In another aspect, one or more polymers may comprise one or more polyamide copolymers (e.g., polyamide-polyether copolymers) and / or one or more polyurethanes (e.g., crosslinked polyurethanes and / or thermoplastic polyurethanes). Examples of suitable polyurethanes include those discussed above with respect to barrier films 502 and 504. Alternatively, one or more polymers may comprise one or more natural and / or synthetic rubbers, such as butadiene and isoprene.

[0326] In one respect, the elastic material is a foam. When a material is foamed, the elastic material can be foamed using a physical foaming agent that changes phase to gas based on changes in temperature and / or pressure, or a chemical foaming agent that forms a gas when heated above its activation temperature. For example, a chemical foaming agent can be an azo compound, such as azodicarbonamide, sodium bicarbonate, and / or isocyanate.

[0327] In some embodiments, the foam may be a cross-linked foam. In these embodiments, a peroxide-based cross-linking agent, such as dicumyl peroxide, may be used. Furthermore, the foam may include one or more fillers, such as pigments, modified or natural clay, modified or unmodified synthetic clay, talc glass fiber, powdered glass, modified or natural silica, calcium carbonate, mica, paper, wood chips, etc.

[0328] In another example, when the elastic material is foam, it can be foamed during a molding process, such as injection molding. Thermoplastic material can be melted in the barrel of an injection molding system and combined with physical or chemical foaming agents and optional crosslinking agents (to prepare crosslinked foam), and then injected into a mold under conditions that activate the foaming agents to form molded foam.

[0329] Optionally, when the elastic material is foam, the foam can be compression molded foam. Compression molding can be used to change the physical properties of the foam (e.g., density, stiffness, and / or hardness), or to change the physical appearance of the foam (e.g., fusing two or more foam sheets, molding the foam, etc.), or both.

[0330] Compression molding ideally begins by forming one or more foam preforms, such as by injection molding and foaming a material (e.g., an elastic material), by forming foam particles or beads, by cutting foam sheets, etc. Compression-molded foam can then be produced by placing one or more foam preforms in a compression mold and applying sufficient pressure to the preforms to compress them within a closed mold. Once the mold is closed, sufficient heat and / or pressure are applied to the preforms within the closed mold for a sufficient duration to alter the foam preforms, form a skin on the outer surface of the compression-molded foam, or fuse individual foam particles together, permanently or semi-permanently increase the density of the foam, or any combination thereof. After heating and / or applying pressure, the mold is opened and the molded foam article is removed from the mold.

[0331] On the other hand, the elastic material is an unfoamed solid. This material can be molded using molding processes that include injection molding. In one example, when the material is an elastomeric material (e.g., uncured rubber), the elastomeric material can be mixed, calendered, molded, placed in a mold, and cured (e.g., using a UV curing process or a thermosetting process such as vulcanization) with optional fillers and curing packages (e.g., a UV curing package or a thermosetting package including sulfur-based or peroxide-based curing packages) in a Banbury mixer.

[0332] The components of the sole structure disclosed herein (e.g., a first cushioning element, an optional second cushioning element, a heel wrap, a heel clip, an optional outsole, etc.) may include one or more polymeric materials (e.g., a polymeric first cushioning material, a polymeric second cushioning material, a polymeric heel clip material, a polymeric heel wrap material, a polymeric outsole material, etc.), substantially composed of one or more polymeric materials, or composed of one or more polymeric materials. Therefore, the polymeric materials described herein should be understood to include one or more polymers, substantially composed of one or more polymers, or composed of one or more polymers. All one or more polymers present in the polymeric material constitute the polymeric component of the polymeric material. Similarly, when the polymeric material includes one or more non-polymeric additives, all non-polymeric additives present in the polymeric material constitute the non-polymeric component of the polymeric material. The polymeric material may be a thermoplastic material, wherein one or more polymers of the polymeric material include one or more thermoplastic plastics, substantially composed of one or more thermoplastic plastics, or composed of one or more thermoplastic plastics. Thermoplastic plastics are polymers that are solid when cooled and can be repeatedly softened and melted when heated. Polymer materials can be elastomeric materials, wherein one or more polymers of the elastomeric material comprise one or more elastomers, are substantially composed of one or more elastomers, or are composed of one or more elastomers. An elastomer is a polymer having an elongation at break greater than 100% (such as greater than 200%, or greater than 400%) as measured using ASTM D-412-98 at 25 degrees Celsius. An elastomeric material is a composition having an elongation at break greater than 100% (such as greater than 200%, or greater than 400%) as measured using ASTM D-412-98 at 25 degrees Celsius.

[0333] The polymer material may include one or more polymers selected from a variety of polymers, including homopolymers and copolymers, and combinations of homopolymers and copolymers. One or more polymers may include polymers selected from polyurethanes, polyureas, polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, polyimides, polyolefins, polystyrene, polysilanes, polysiloxanes, polycarbonates, polyacetates (including their homopolymers and copolymers), and any combination thereof, substantially composed of or consisting of them. One or more polymers may include polymers selected from polyurethanes, polyesters, polyamides, polystyrene, polyolefins (including their homopolymers and copolymers), and substantially composed of or consisting of them. One or more polymers may include one or more polyurethanes, substantially composed of one or more polyurethanes, or composed of one or more polyurethanes. Examples of polyurethanes include thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs), such as polyester-polyurethane copolymers and polyether-polyurethane copolymers, including thermoplastic elastomer polyurethanes. One or more polymers may include one or more polyesters, substantially composed of one or more polyesters, or composed of one or more polyesters. Examples of polyesters include polyester homopolymers (such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) and polyester copolymers (such as polyether esters), including thermoplastic polyester copolymers. One or more polymers may include one or more polyamides, consisting essentially of one or more polyamides, or consisting of one or more polyamides. Examples of polyamide homopolymers include thermoplastic polyamide homopolymers, such as nylon-6, nylon-6,6, and nylon-11. Examples of polyamide copolymers include thermoplastic polyamide copolymers, such as thermoplastic elastomer polyamide block copolymers, such as polyether block amide (PEBA) thermoplastic elastomers. One or more polymers may include one or more polystyrene, consisting essentially of one or more polystyrene, or consisting of one or more polystyrene. One or more polystyrene may include thermoplastic polystyrene homopolymers, consisting essentially of thermoplastic polystyrene homopolymers, or consisting of thermoplastic polystyrene homopolymers, such as one or more thermoplastic polystyrene homopolymers. Examples of polystyrene also include polystyrene copolymers, such as thermoplastic polystyrene copolymers and thermoplastic polystyrene copolymer elastomers. Examples of polystyrene copolymers include styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymers and styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS) copolymers. One or more polymers may include one or more polyolefins, consisting essentially of one or more polyolefins, or consisting of one or more polyolefins. One or more polyolefins may include one or more thermoplastic polyolefins, consisting essentially of one or more thermoplastic polyolefins, or consisting of one or more thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers, including one or more thermoplastic polyolefin homopolymer elastomers, or one or more thermoplastic polyolefin copolymer elastomers, or a combination of both. Examples of polyolefin homopolymers include polyethylene and polypropylene.Examples of polyolefin copolymers include copolymers comprising two olefin monomer units, such as polyethylene-polypropylene copolymers, and copolymers comprising one olefin monomer unit, such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymers.

[0334] The polymeric material may comprise, by weight of about 5% to about 100% polymeric components. The polymeric components may comprise about 15% to about 100% by weight, about 30% to about 100% by weight, about 50% to about 100% by weight, or about 70% to about 100% by weight of the polymeric material. When the polymeric material includes non-polymeric components, the non-polymeric components may comprise about 1% to about 20% by weight, about 1% to about 10% by weight, or about 1% to about 5% by weight of the polymeric material. As used herein, the terms “consist essentially of,” “consists essentially of,” and “consisting essentially of” refer to a composition comprising less than 1% by weight of materials other than those mentioned above, by weight of the total composition. For example, "polymeric material consisting essentially of thermoplastic plastics" should be understood as a polymeric material including less than 1% by weight of non-thermoplastic polymers and non-polymeric materials; although "polymeric material including polymeric components consisting essentially of thermoplastic plastics" should be understood as a polymeric component including less than 1% by weight of polymers that are non-thermoplastic polymers, the polymeric material may include more than 1% by weight of non-polymeric materials.

[0335] Polymer materials can be materials that are polymerized or crosslinked, or both polymerized and crosslinked, during the formation of components or sole structures. Polymerization or crosslinking can be initiated by including a chemical polymerization or crosslinking initiator (e.g., a chemical that initiates a polymerization or crosslinking reaction within the polymer material when the polymer material is exposed to heat, UV light, or another form of photochemical radiation), or by mixing two compositions that produce a polymerization or crosslinking reaction together, or by exposing the polymer material to a sufficient amount of a form of photochemical radiation to polymerize prepolymers or oligomers present in the exposed material, or to crosslink polymers present in the exposed polymer material. In compositions in which polymerization occurs, the material may initially include one or more prepolymers or oligomers that react and polymerize during manufacturing to obtain a support or sole structure comprising the reacted polymer material. In compositions in which crosslinking occurs, the material may initially include one or more crosslinkable prepolymers, oligomers, or polymers that react with a crosslinking agent or crosslinking energy during manufacturing to form a crosslinked polymer to obtain a component or sole structure comprising the crosslinked polymer material. The resulting reactive polymer material may be a thermosetting material. Similarly, the initial polymer material can be a thermosetting thermoplastic material (e.g., a polymer material comprising one or more thermoplastics and a crosslinking agent prior to thermal processing), wherein the resulting crosslinked polymer material is a thermosetting material (e.g., after the crosslinking agent reacts with the thermoplastics and crosslinks them, and the resulting thermosetting material has cured). One such example is a thermosetting melt thermoplastic material comprising a thermally activated crosslinking agent and a foaming agent, wherein the thermally activated crosslinking agent is activated during the foaming process to produce a thermosetting foam material.

[0336] Optionally, the polymeric material may include one or more additives. Examples of additives include fillers, polymerization initiators, crosslinking agents, UV light absorbers, antioxidants, processing aids (such as lubricants and plasticizers), and colorants (such as pigments and dyes). Fillers may include non-polymer fillers such as silica, clay, and titanium dioxide. Fillers may include polymeric fillers such as polymer fibers and finely ground polymer powders, including ground thermosetting rubbers. Colorants, such as naturally occurring and synthetic pigments and dyes, may be used. By weight of the total polymeric material, the polymeric material may include one or more additives in concentrations of about 0.1% to about 20% by weight, or about 0.2% to about 10% by weight, or about 0.5% to about 5% by weight.

[0337] The polymer material can be a solid polymer material, meaning the polymer material is unfoamed. The solid polymer material can be an extruded material, resulting in a part comprising the extruded material being an extruded part, such as an extruded film or sheet. The solid polymer material can also be a molding material, resulting in a part comprising the molding material being a molded part. Various methods can be used, including compression molding and injection molding. For example, the solid polymer material can be an injection molding material, resulting in a part comprising the injection molding material being an injection molded part.

[0338] The polymer material can be a foamed polymer material, meaning that the polymer material has a porous foam structure. Foamed polymer materials can have an open-cell structure, meaning that most of the pores in the porous foam are open. Alternatively, foamed polymer materials can have a closed-cell structure, meaning that most of the pores in the porous foam are closed.

[0339] Foamed polymer materials can be extruded foamed materials, resulting in parts comprising extruded foamed materials being extruded foamed parts, such as extruded foamed sheets. Foamed polymer materials can also be molded foamed materials, resulting in parts comprising molded foamed materials being molded foamed parts. Various methods can be used, including compression molding and injection molding. For example, a foamed polymer material can be both injection molded and foamed, meaning the material is foamed and molded using an injection molding process, resulting in parts comprising both injection molded and foamed materials being injection molded foamed parts.

[0340] Polymer materials may include one or more foaming agents. As understood in the art, a foaming agent is a substance that reacts, decomposes, or evaporates to produce a large amount of gas or vapor. Chemical foaming agents are compounds that release gas when reacted with or decomposed with a second chemical. Examples of chemical foaming agents include sodium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, calcium azide, azodicarbonamide, hydrazine carbamate, benzenesulfonyl hydrazine, dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine, toluenesulfonyl hydrazine, p,p'-oxobis(benzenesulfonyl hydrazine), azobisisobutyronitrile, barium azodicarboxylate, and any combination thereof. Physical foaming agents are compounds that change phase from solid, liquid, or supercritical fluid to gas when temperature, pressure, or temperature and pressure change. Physical foaming agents include low-boiling hydrocarbons, including hydrocarbons (such as isobutylene and pentane), and partially halogenated hydrocarbons (such as partially halogenated chlorofluorocarbons), inert gases, and supercritical fluids. Foaming agents can be supercritical fluids, such as supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) or supercritical nitrogen (N2). Polymer materials may include one or more foaming agents, and these foaming agents may include chemical foaming agents, physical foaming agents, or a combination of both. A foaming material can be a chemically foamed material, meaning that a chemical foaming agent is used to foam the polymer material. A foaming material can be a physically foamed material, meaning that a physical foaming agent is used to foam the polymer material. A foaming material can be a combination of physically and chemically foamed materials, meaning that both physical and chemical foaming agents are used to foam the polymer material.

[0341] When a foaming agent is used, prior to the foaming step, the foaming agent may be present in the polymer material in an effective amount to foam the polymer material into a porous foam during the manufacturing process. The amount of foaming agent can be measured as the foaming agent concentration in the polymer material by weight prior to the foaming step. The amount of foaming agent is considered effective when the foaming process results in a volume increase of at least 10% in the polymer material. The foaming process may result in a volume increase of at least 20% or at least 30% in the polymer material. Based on the total weight of the polymer material, the polymer material may include about 1% to about 30% by weight, or about 1% to about 20% by weight, or about 1% to about 10% by weight of the foaming agent. The polymer material may include a foaming agent concentration sufficient to cause the polymer material to expand by at least 100% by volume (based on the initial volume of the polymer material before foaming), optionally 100% to 900% by volume, or 200% to 500% by volume, or 300% to 400% by volume (based on the initial volume of the polymer material before foaming).

[0342] The foamed polymer material may have a density of about 0.01 to about 0.7 g / cm³, or about 0.05 to about 0.5 g / cm³, or about 0.1 to about 0.4 g / cm³. Specific gravity (SG) and / or density can be measured using a digital balance or a Densicom tester (Qualitest Plantation, Florida, USA). Weigh each sample (g) and then immerse it in a distilled water bath (22°C ± 2°C). To avoid error, remove air bubbles from the sample surface, for example by wiping the sample with isopropyl alcohol before immersion in water, or by using a brush after immersion. Record the weight of the sample in distilled water. Specific gravity is calculated by dividing the weight of the sample in air (in grams) by (the weight of the sample in air (in grams) minus the weight of the sample in water (in grams)). The density of the sample (in grams per cubic centimeter) is calculated by multiplying SG by the density of water.

[0343] Foamed polymer materials may have tear strengths ranging from about 1.0 to about 10 kg / cm, or from about 1.6 to about 5.0 kg / cm, or from about 2.0 to about 4.0 kg / cm. The tear strength of the foam can be measured using ASTM D3574-95. Although this method involves bonded and molded urethane foams, it can be used for other foamed materials according to this disclosure. A sample of the foamed material with a thickness of 10 mm ± 1 mm is required. If the foamed material has a skin, there should be no skin on the test sample. A 3 cm long cut is placed at the center of one end of the sample, and five consecutive 2 cm segments are marked along the edge of the sample. The test sample is prepared as described in ASTM D3574-95.

[0344] Foamed polymer materials can have tensile strengths ranging from about 5 to about 25 kg / cm², or from about 10 to about 23 kg / cm², or from about 15 to about 22 kg / cm². Tensile strength can be measured on a die-cut sample of the foamed material in a standard-sized dumbbell shape, such as 2.5 cm wide, 11.5 cm long, and with a minimum thickness of 3 to 4 mm. The dumbbell conforms to the shape described in ASTM D412 Die C. The sample is symmetrically loaded into a long-stroke extensometer (such as Instron 2603-080) and tested using an extensometer that allows a minimum strain of 1000%, has a gauge length of 25 mm, and a resolution of at least 0.1 mm. The tensile value at the sample failure point (the point where the load initially decreases during the test) is the tensile strength of the sample.

[0345] The foamed polymer material may have an energy return of at least 50%, or at least 65%, or at least 70%, or at least 75%. The energy return of the foamed polymer material may range from about 50% to about 95%, or from about 60% to about 90%, or from about 65% to about 85%. The force / displacement behavior of the foamed material or cushioning element, including energy return, can be measured using an Instron Electropuls E10000 (Instron, Norwood, Massachusetts, USA) with a stainless steel 45mm circular cross-section impact geometry, using a foam sample with a thickness of approximately 10mm. The sample can be evaluated using "run" and / or "walk" compression cycles. A "run" compression cycle may involve compressing the sample from 0N to 300N within 180ms under displacement control and returning it to 0N, followed by a 400ms pause, with a total frequency of approximately 1.7Hz. The “walk” compression cycle can consist of compressing the sample from 0 N to 144 N and back to 0 N within 600 ms, followed by a 400 ms pause, with a total frequency of approximately 1 Hz. The corresponding force-displacement data can be used to calculate the modulus (stiffness), energy return, compression set, fatigue behavior, and other properties over multiple cycles. A typical characterization using the above compression sequence is run for 5000 cycles, simulating a walk / run of approximately 5 to 10 miles, with a test time of approximately 45 minutes on an electrical pulse. Longer runs of up to 100,000 compression cycles are performed to simulate the accelerated response of the material at approximately 100 to 200 miles of use. Energy input is expressed as the integral of the force-displacement curve during compressive loading. Energy output is expressed as the integral of the force-displacement curve during unloading. Hysteresis is expressed as a ratio: (energy output) / (energy input), which, when multiplied by 100, is the percentage of energy returned by the foam.

[0346] The sole structures and components thereof disclosed herein, particularly cushioning elements, can be elastic structures configured to retain fluids, especially gases. Typically, fluids need to be retained throughout the expected lifespan of the cushioning element, including when the cushioning element is exposed to repeated cycles of applied and released forces or pressures, as encountered when the cushioning element is used in footwear articles. Since many polymeric materials traditionally used in the manufacture of consumer products are relatively impermeable to water and aqueous solutions, but permeable to small gas molecules such as air, oxygen (O2), and nitrogen (N2), as well as inert gases, barrier materials, i.e., materials with relatively low fluid permeability and thus providing a relatively high level of liquid and gas retention to the cushioning element, can be used alone or in combination with conventional polymeric materials. Therefore, the sole structures disclosed herein (including components such as cushioning elements) can include, consist of, or be composed of barrier materials. Including a barrier material in a component or sole structure allows the component or sole structure to retain fluids, such as small gas molecules, throughout its lifespan. Including a barrier material allows the sole structure or component such as a cushioning element to remain adequately pressurized throughout its lifespan. For example, the buffer element can maintain a minimum pressure of about 2 PSI to 40 PSI for a minimum duration of about 5 to 30 years.

[0347] As used herein, a barrier material refers to a material that includes, is substantially composed of, or is composed of one or more gas barrier compounds. The gas barrier compound may be a polymeric gas barrier compound (i.e., a gas barrier polymer) or a non-polymeric gas barrier compound, such as an inorganic gas barrier compound. A barrier material may be a polymeric barrier material that includes, is substantially composed of, or is composed of one or more gas barrier polymers. A barrier material may be a polymeric barrier material that includes, is substantially composed of, or is composed of one or more non-gas barrier polymers and a mixture of one or more gas barrier polymers, or a barrier material that includes, is substantially composed of, or is composed of one or more non-gas barrier polymers and a mixture of one or more non-polymeric gas barrier compounds. A barrier material may include, is substantially composed of, or is composed of non-polymeric barrier materials, i.e., a material that includes, is substantially composed of, or is composed of non-polymeric gas barrier compounds. A barrier material may be present in a structure comprising regions of polymeric and non-polymeric barrier materials, such as a polymer film coated with one or more layers of non-polymeric barrier material. The gas permeability of the portion of the buffer element including the blocking material can be less than 4, less than 3, or less than 2 cubic centimeters / square meter / atmosphere / day / day. The portion of the buffer element including the blocking material can be a part of a tube, the entire tube, a part of the web region, the entire web region, or any combination thereof. The buffer element may include a blocking membrane comprising blocking material. The portion of the buffer element including the blocking membrane can be a part of a tube, the entire tube, a part of the web region, the entire web region, or any combination thereof. When measured at 23 degrees Celsius and 0% relative humidity, for a blocking membrane having a thickness of about 72 micrometers to about 320 micrometers, the gas permeability of the blocking membrane can be less than 4, less than 3, or less than 2 cubic centimeters / square meter / atmosphere / day / day. When measured at 23°C and 0% relative humidity, the gas permeability of the barrier membrane for a membrane having a thickness of approximately 72 micrometers to approximately 320 micrometers is from approximately 0.1 to approximately 3, or from approximately 0.5 to approximately 3, or from approximately 0.5 to approximately 3 cubic centimeters per square meter per atmosphere per day, including from approximately 0.1 to approximately 3, or from 0.5 to approximately 3, or from 0.5 to approximately 3 cubic centimeters per square meter per atmosphere per day. Gas permeability, such as oxygen or nitrogen permeability, can be measured using ASTM D1434.

[0348] The barrier material may include one or more non-polymer gas barrier compounds, substantially composed of one or more non-polymer gas barrier compounds, or composed of one or more non-polymer gas barrier compounds, including one or more inorganic gas barrier compounds. The one or more inorganic gas barrier compounds may be selected from carbon, silicon dioxide, silicates, clay, metals, or any combination thereof. Metals may include metal oxides or metal alloys. The one or more inorganic gas barrier compounds may take the form of fibers, particles, lamellar crystals, or combinations thereof. Fibers, particles, or lamellar crystals may be nanoscale structures, including nanoscale fibers, nanoscale particles, nanoscale lamellar crystals, and combinations thereof. Examples of inorganic barrier compounds include carbon fibers, glass fibers, glass sheets, silicon dioxide particles, silicon dioxide lamellar crystals, silicon dioxide flakes, silicate particles, silicate lamellar crystals, silicate flakes, calcium carbonate particles, clay particles, clay lamellar crystals, mica lamellar crystals, talc particles, carbon black particles, graphite particles, graphite lamellar crystals, graphite flakes, metal particles, metal lamellar crystals, metal flakes, etc. The barrier material may include an inorganic gas-blocking component consisting of all inorganic gas-blocking compounds present in the barrier material. The inorganic gas-blocking component may consist of one or more clays. Suitable clays include bentonite, montmorillonite, kaolinite, and mixtures thereof. Optionally, in addition to one or more non-polymer gas-blocking compounds, the barrier material may also include one or more additional components, such as polymers, processing aids, colorants, or any combination thereof. When one or more inorganic gas-blocking compounds are included in the barrier material, the total concentration of the inorganic gas-blocking component present in the barrier material may be less than 60% by weight, or less than 40% by weight, or less than 20% by weight of the barrier material.

[0349] The barrier material may include one or more gas-blocking compounds that can comprise, are substantially composed of, or consist of one or more gas-blocking polymers. The barrier material may be a thermoplastic material, meaning that the polymeric component of the barrier material consists of one or more thermoplastic polymers, optionally including thermoplastic polymers that are not gas-blocking polymers. The barrier material may include one or more thermoplastic gas-blocking polymers that are substantially composed of, or consist of one or more thermoplastic gas-blocking polymers. The barrier material includes a gas-blocking polymer component consisting of all the gas-blocking polymers present in the barrier material. The gas-blocking polymer component of the barrier material may consist of gas-blocking polymers of one or more single-class polymers, such as one or more polyolefins. The gas-blocking polymer component may consist of gas-blocking polymers having similar or identical chemical structures, such as one or more ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers. Optionally, the barrier material may also include one or more non-polymer additives, such as one or more fillers, processing aids, colorants, or any combination thereof; or one or more non-polymeric barrier compounds, such as one or more inorganic barrier compounds. Many gas-blocking polymers are known in the art. Examples of gas-barrier polymers include vinyl polymers such as vinylidene chloride polymers, acrylic polymers such as acrylonitrile polymers, polyamides, epoxy polymers, amine polymers, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, copolymers thereof (such as ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers), and mixtures thereof. When the barrier material comprises one or more gas-barrier polymers, is substantially composed of one or more gas-barrier polymers, or is composed of one or more gas-barrier polymers, the one or more gas-barrier polymers may be selected from vinyl polymers, acrylic polymers, amide polymers, imide polymers, epoxy polymers, olefin polymers, any homopolymers thereof, any copolymers thereof, and any mixtures thereof. One or more gas-barrier polymers may include one or more thermoplastic gas-barrier polymers, is substantially composed of one or more thermoplastic gas-barrier polymers, or is composed of one or more thermoplastic gas-barrier polymers. Examples of thermoplastic gas-barrier polymers include thermoplastic vinyl homopolymers and copolymers, thermoplastic acrylic homopolymers and copolymers, thermoplastic amine homopolymers and copolymers, thermoplastic polyolefin homopolymers and copolymers, and mixtures thereof. One or more gas barrier polymers may include one or more thermoplastic polyethylene copolymers, consisting essentially of one or more thermoplastic polyethylene copolymers, or consisting of one or more thermoplastic polyethylene copolymers. One or more gas barrier polymers may include one or more thermoplastic ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers, consisting essentially of one or more thermoplastic ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers, or consisting of one or more thermoplastic ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers.The thermoplastic ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer may be an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene content of about 28 mol% to about 44 mol% or about 32 mol% to about 44 mol% ethylene content. One or more gas-barrier polymers may include one or more polyethyleneimines, polyacrylic acid, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, polyamide amines or any combination thereof, or consist substantially of them, or consist of them.

[0350] Barrier materials (including first barrier materials, second barrier materials, etc.) can have low gas permeability. For example, when forming a monolayer membrane that is essentially composed of a barrier material, for a membrane having a thickness from about 72 micrometers to about 320 micrometers, the monolayer membrane can have a gas permeability of less than 4 cubic centimeters / square meter / atmosphere / day / day when measured at 23 degrees Celsius and 0% relative humidity, and can be measured using ASTM D1434. Barrier materials can include one or more gas barrier compounds, are essentially composed of one or more gas barrier compounds, or are composed of one or more gas barrier compounds. One or more gas barrier compounds can include one or more gas barrier polymers, are essentially composed of one or more gas barrier polymers, or can include one or more non-polymeric gas barrier compounds, including one or more inorganic gas barrier compounds. Barrier materials can include a combination of at least one gas barrier polymer and at least one inorganic gas barrier compound, are essentially composed of or are composed of the latter. Combinations of at least one gas barrier polymer and at least one inorganic gas barrier compound can include blends or mixtures, or can include composites in which fibers, particles, or lamellar crystals of the inorganic gas barrier compound are surrounded by the gas barrier polymer.

[0351] The buffer element disclosed herein may include or consist of a barrier membrane comprising one or more barrier materials. The barrier membrane may be thermoformed, welded, or molded. The barrier membrane may be thermoformed, welded, or molded into the shape of a portion or the entirety of a tube, or into the shape of a portion or the entirety of a web, or into the shape of a portion or the entirety of a tube and the web of a buffer element. The barrier membrane includes barrier materials as described herein. The barrier material of the barrier membrane may include a polymeric gas barrier compound (i.e., a gas barrier polymer), consisting essentially of a polymeric gas barrier compound, or consisting of a polymeric gas barrier compound; or the barrier material of the barrier membrane may include a non-polymeric gas barrier compound, consisting essentially of a non-polymeric gas barrier compound, or consisting of a non-polymeric gas barrier compound; or the barrier material of the barrier membrane may include a mixture of polymeric gas barrier compounds and non-polymeric gas barrier compounds, consisting essentially of a mixture of polymeric gas barrier compounds and non-polymeric gas barrier compounds, or consisting of a mixture of polymeric gas barrier compounds and non-polymeric gas barrier compounds. The barrier membrane may have the gas permeability described above. When used alone or in combination with other materials in a buffer element, the barrier membrane elastically retains fluid. Depending on the structure and application of the buffer element, a barrier membrane can hold a fluid at a pressure higher than, at, or lower than atmospheric pressure. The fluid can be a liquid or a gas, such as air, oxygen, or nitrogen. The barrier membrane can include a polymer barrier material that is a nitrogen barrier material having the nitrogen permeability described above.

[0352] The barrier film can be a multilayer film comprising multiple layers, wherein the multiple layers include one or more layers comprising one or more barrier materials, substantially composed of one or more barrier materials, or composed of one or more barrier materials, wherein the one or more barrier materials include one or more barrier materials, substantially composed of one or more gas barrier compounds, or composed of one or more gas barrier compounds. The one or more gas barrier compounds can include one or more gas barrier polymers, substantially composed of one or more gas barrier polymers, or composed of one or more gas barrier polymers. The multilayer film can include a total of at least 5 layers or at least 10 layers. The multilayer film can include a total of about 5 to about 200 layers, about 10 to about 100 layers, about 20 to about 80 layers, about 20 to about 50 layers, or about 40 to about 90 layers. The multilayer film can include about 5 to about 200 barrier layers, about 10 to about 100 barrier layers, about 20 to about 80 barrier layers, about 20 to about 50 barrier layers, or about 40 to about 90 barrier layers.

[0353] The multiple layers of a multilayer film may include a series of alternating layers, wherein each alternating layer includes two or more barrier layers, each of which individually includes a barrier material comprising one or more gas barrier compounds, substantially consisting of one or more gas barrier compounds, or consisting of one or more gas barrier compounds. Optionally, the one or more gas barrier compounds may include one or more gas barrier polymers, one or more non-polymer gas barrier compounds, or a mixture of one or more gas barrier polymers and one or more non-polymer gas barrier compounds, substantially consisting of or consisting of them. In a series of alternating layers, adjacent layers are individually formed of materials that differ from each other at least in the chemical composition of a single component present in the materials forming the adjacent layers. For example, the materials of adjacent layers may differ based on the presence or absence of a gas barrier compound, or may differ based on the class or type of gas barrier compounds present (e.g., based on the presence or absence of a gas barrier polymer or a non-polymer gas barrier compound), or may differ based on the concentration of a single compound present (e.g., based on the concentration of a gas barrier compound present), or any combination thereof. In one example, a series of alternating layers of a multilayer barrier membrane may include a barrier layer comprising a polymer barrier compound, a barrier layer substantially composed of or composed of a polymer barrier compound, and a layer substantially free of a polymer barrier compound. In another example, a series of alternating layers of a multilayer barrier membrane may include a barrier layer substantially composed of a polymer barrier compound, and a polymer material layer comprising one or more non-barrier polymers and a polymer barrier compound comprising less than about 20% by weight of the total polymer material. The multilayer membrane may have gas permeability as described herein.

[0354] The multiple layers of a multilayer film may include a first barrier layer comprising a first barrier material and a second barrier layer comprising a second barrier material, wherein the first and second barrier materials comprise a first gas barrier compound and a second gas barrier compound, and the first and second gas barrier compounds differ from each other based on their chemical structures, their concentrations in the barrier materials, or both their chemical structures and their concentrations in the barrier materials. The first barrier material may include a first gas barrier component, and may be substantially composed of or consist of a first gas barrier component, which is composed of all gas barrier compounds present in the first barrier material. Similarly, the second barrier material may include a second gas barrier component, and may be substantially composed of or consist of a second gas barrier component, which is composed of all gas barrier compounds present in the second barrier material. In a first example, the first barrier component may be composed of one or more gas barrier polymers, and the second barrier component may be composed of one or more inorganic gas barrier compounds. In a second example, the first barrier component may consist of a first gas-barrier polymer, and the second component may consist of a second gas-barrier polymer, wherein the first gas-barrier polymer differs from the second gas-barrier polymer based on its chemical structure, for example, based on the chemical structure of the monomers or oligomers used to prepare the polymer, or based on the molecular weight of the polymer, or both. In a third example, both the first and second barrier components may comprise one or more of the same gas-barrier compounds, but the concentrations of the gas-barrier compounds in the first and second barrier materials may differ, optionally based on the weight of the barrier materials, with the concentrations differing by at least 5% by weight. In a multilayer film, the first and second barrier layers may alternate with each other, or may alternate with additional barrier layers (e.g., a third barrier layer comprising a third barrier material, a fourth barrier layer comprising a fourth barrier material, etc., wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth barrier materials, etc., is different from each other as described above). The multilayer film may have gas permeability as described herein.

[0355] In addition to one or more barrier layers (e.g., one or more first barrier layers, one or more second barrier layers, etc.), the multilayer membrane may also include one or more second layers comprising a second material. The one or more second layers may include or consist of non-barrier layers, i.e., layers that do not contain barrier material and may have relatively high gas permeability. Second layers including non-barrier layers may include polymeric materials, such as thermoplastic materials, elastomer materials, or thermoplastic elastomer materials. The second material of the second layer may include one or more polymers. In one such configuration of the multilayer membrane, the one or more barrier layers comprise or consist of a plurality of barrier layers alternating with a plurality of second layers. Each of the one or more barrier layers may be located between two second layers (e.g., one second layer is located on a first side of the barrier layer, and another second layer is located on a second side of the barrier layer, the second side opposite the first side).

[0356] Depending on the gas barrier compound used and the intended use of the multilayer film, the second material can have a higher gas permeability than the barrier material, meaning the second material is a worse gas barrier than the barrier material. One or more second layers can act as a substrate for one or more barrier layers and can be used to increase the strength, elasticity, and / or durability of the multilayer film. These one or more second layers can be used to reduce the amount of gas barrier material required, thereby reducing the overall material cost. Even when the second material has a relatively high gas permeability, the presence of one or more second layers, especially when one or more second layers are located between one or more barrier layers, can help maintain the overall barrier properties of the film by increasing the distance between cracks in the barrier layers, thereby increasing the distance that gas molecules must travel between cracks in the barrier layers to pass through the multilayer film. While small cracks or fissures in the barrier layers of a multilayer film may not significantly affect the overall barrier properties of the film, using a larger amount of thinner barrier layers can prevent or reduce visible cracking, crazing, or fogging of the multilayer film. One or more second layers may include, but are not limited to, an adhesive layer located between two different layers of the multilayer film and promoting adhesion between the different layers of the multilayer film, a structural layer providing mechanical support for the multilayer film, an adhesive layer on the outer surface of the multilayer film including an adhesive material such as a hot melt adhesive, a covering layer providing protection to the outer surface of the multilayer film, and any combination thereof.

[0357] The second material can be an elastomeric material, including one or more elastomers, substantially composed of one or more elastomers, or composed of one or more elastomers. The one or more elastomers may be composed of one or more thermoplastic elastomers. Many gas-barrier compounds (including gas-barrier polymers) are brittle and / or relatively inflexible, so one or more barrier layers may be prone to breakage when subjected to repeated excessive stress loads, such as those that may occur when a multilayer film is exposed to repeated bending and release cycles. Multilayer films comprising one or more barrier layers alternating with a second layer, wherein the second layer is composed of one or more elastomeric materials, can produce multilayer films that are better able to withstand repeated bending and release cycles while maintaining their gas-barrier properties, compared to films comprising the same material but without an elastomeric second layer.

[0358] The second material may include one or more polymers, and is substantially composed of one or more polymers, or is composed of one or more polymers. As used herein, one or more polymers present in the second material are referred to as one or more “second polymers” or “second polymer” because these polymers are present in the second material. The reference to “second polymer” is not intended to indicate that the “first polymer” is necessarily present in the second material, or is present as a whole in the multilayer film, although multiple polymers may be present. The second material may include one or more thermoplastic polymers, and is substantially composed of one or more thermoplastic polymers, or is composed of one or more thermoplastic polymers. The second material may include one or more elastomeric polymers, and is substantially composed of one or more elastomeric polymers, or is composed of one or more elastomeric polymers. The second material may include one or more thermoplastic elastomers, and is substantially composed of one or more thermoplastic elastomers, or is composed of one or more thermoplastic elastomers. The second material may include a polymer component consisting of all the polymers present in the second material. The polymer component of the second material may include one or more elastomers (such as one or more thermoplastic elastomers), and is substantially composed of one or more elastomers, or is composed of one or more elastomers. Alternatively, the polymer component may include one or more thermosetting elastomers or thermosetting elastomers that react in the finished cushioning element to become thermosetting, and is substantially composed of them, or is composed of them. Examples of thermosetting and thermosetting elastomers include natural and synthetic rubbers, such as butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, silicone rubber, etc. Optionally, the second material may also include one or more non-polymer additives, such as fillers, processing aids, and / or colorants. Many polymers suitable for the second material are known in the art. Exemplary polymers that may be included in the second material (e.g., the second polymer) include polymers selected from polyolefins, polyamides, polyimides, polycarbonates, polyesters, polyethers, polyacrylates, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyurea, polyurethanes, polysilanes, polysiloxanes, any copolymers thereof, and any mixtures thereof. One or more second polymers of the second material may include polymers selected from polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polystyrene, and polyurethanes, and are substantially composed of or constitute of them.

[0359] The second material may include one or more polyolefins. The polymer component of the second material may include one or more polyolefins, consisting essentially of one or more polyolefins, or consisting of one or more polyolefins, including thermoplastic polyolefins, such as thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers. Polyolefins are a class of polymers comprising monomer units derived from simple olefins (such as ethylene, propylene, and butene). One or more polyolefins may be polyolefin homopolymers, polyolefin copolymers, or any mixture thereof. Examples of polyolefins include ethylene homopolymers, propylene homopolymers, propylene copolymers (including polyethylene-polypropylene copolymers), polybutene, ethylene-octene copolymers, olefin block copolymers, propylene-butane copolymers, and combinations thereof, including blends of ethylene homopolymers and propylene homopolymers. Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) is an example of an ethylene copolymer. Examples of polyolefin elastomers include polyisobutylene elastomers, poly(α-olefin) elastomers, ethylene-propylene elastomers, ethylene-propylene diene monomer elastomers, and combinations thereof.

[0360] The second material may include one or more polyamides. The polymer component of the second material may include one or more polyamides, consisting essentially of one or more polyamides, or consisting of one or more polyamides, including thermoplastic polyamides, such as thermoplastic polyamide elastomers. Polyamides are a class of polymers comprising monomer units linked by amide bonds. Naturally occurring polyamides include proteins (such as wool and silk), while synthetic amides include polymers such as nylon and aromatic polyamides. One or more second polymers may include thermoplastic polyamides such as nylon 6, nylon 6-6, and / or nylon-11, as well as thermoplastic amide copolymers and thermoplastic amide copolymer elastomers, such as polyether block amide (PEBA) copolymers.

[0361] The second material may include one or more polyesters. The polymeric component of the second material may include one or more polyesters, consisting essentially of one or more polyesters, or consisting of one or more polyesters, including thermoplastic polyesters, such as thermoplastic polyester elastomers. Polyesters are a class of polymers comprising monomeric units derived from ester functional groups and are typically prepared by condensing a diacid (such as, for example, terephthalic acid) with one or more polyols. One or more polyesters may include polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), poly(1,4-cyclohexylene-dimethylene terephthalate), and copolymers (polyester-ether copolymers and polyester-polyurethane copolymers).

[0362] The second material may include one or more polystyrene products. The polymer component of the second material may include one or more polystyrene products, consisting essentially of one or more polystyrene products, or consisting of one or more polystyrene products, including thermoplastic polystyrene, such as thermoplastic polystyrene elastomers. Polystyrene is a class of polymers comprising monomer units derived from styrene. One or more polymers may include polystyrene homopolymers, styrene random copolymers, styrene block copolymers, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) block copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymers, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS) block copolymers, or mixtures thereof.

[0363] The second material may include one or more polyurethanes. The polymer component of the second material may include one or more polyurethanes, substantially consisting of one or more polyurethanes, or consisting of one or more polyurethanes, including thermoplastic polyurethanes (commonly referred to as thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs), such as thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers). Polyurethanes are a class of polymers comprising monomer units linked by urethane bonds. Polyurethanes are typically formed by reacting polyisocyanates (e.g., diisocyanates or triisocyanates) with polyols (e.g., diols or triols) optionally in the presence of a chain extender. Monomer units derived from polyisocyanates are generally referred to as hard segments of polyurethanes, while monomer units derived from polyols are generally referred to as soft segments of polyurethanes. Hard segments may be derived from aliphatic polyisocyanates. The soft segment can be derived from saturated polyols, unsaturated polyols (such as polydiene polyols), or mixtures of both. When a second material is bonded to natural or synthetic rubber, the presence of a soft segment derived from one or more polydiene polyols can promote adhesion between the rubber and the second material when the rubber and the second material come into contact and crosslink, such as during vulcanization. Examples of suitable polyisocyanates from which hard segments of polyurethanes can be derived include hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), butene diisocyanate (BDI), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (HMDI), and 2,2,4-trimethylhexyl diisocyanate. Isocyanates (TMDI), cyclohexane dimethyl diisocyanate, bisisoglycol methyl tricyclodecane, norbornane diisocyanate (NDI), cyclohexane diisocyanate (CHDI), 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H12MDI), decane diisocyanate, lysine diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), TDI adduct with trimethylolpropane (TMP), methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), xylene diisocyanate (XDI), tetramethylphenyl dimethylene diisocyanate (TMXDI), hydrogenated xylene diisocyanate (HXDI) The polyurethane comprises, or is substantially composed of, hard segments derived from, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), or methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), or both. The soft segments of the polyurethane can be derived from a variety of polyols, including polyester polyols, polyether polyols, polyester-ether polyols, polycarbonate polyols, polycaprolactone polyethers, and combinations thereof. In one aspect, polyurethanes include hard segments derived from, or substantially composed of, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), or methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), or both.Polyurethane may comprise monomer units derived from C4-C12 polyols, or C6-C10 polyols, or C8 or lower polyols, substantially comprising or consisting of such units, meaning polyols having 4 to 12 carbon molecules, or 6 to 10 carbon molecules, or 8 or fewer carbon molecules in their chemical structure. Polyurethane may comprise monomer units derived from polyester polyols, polyester-ether polyols, polyether polyols, or any combination thereof, substantially comprising or consisting of such units. In another aspect, polyurethane comprises soft segments derived from polyols or diols having polyester functional units, or substantially comprising soft segments derived from polyols or diols having polyester functional units. Soft segments derived from polyols or diols having polyester functional units may comprise about 10 to about 50, or about 20 to about 40, or about 30% by weight of the soft segments present in the polyurethane. One or more polymers may comprise urethane copolymers. Examples of urethane copolymers include polyester-polyurethane copolymers, including polyester-polyurethane elastomers.

[0364] Multilayer films can be produced through various methods, such as co-extrusion, lamination, and layer-by-layer deposition. When co-extruding one or more barrier layers individually or with one or more second layers, selecting materials with similar processing properties (such as melt temperature and melt flow index) (e.g., a first barrier material and a second barrier material, or a single barrier material and a second material) can reduce interlayer shear during extrusion and allow alternating barrier and second layer co-extrusion while maintaining their structural integrity and desired layer thickness. In one example, when using one or more barrier materials and an optional second material, they can be extruded into individual films, which can then be laminated together to form a multilayer film.

[0365] Multilayer films can be produced using a layer-by-layer deposition process. A substrate, optionally including a second material or barrier material, can be constructed into a multilayer film by depositing multiple layers onto the substrate. These layers may include one or more barrier layers (e.g., a first barrier layer, a second barrier layer, etc.). Optionally, these layers may include one or more second layers. One or more barrier layers and / or second layers can be deposited by any means known in the art, such as, for example, dipping, spraying, coating, or other methods. One or more barrier layers can be applied using charged solutions or suspensions, such as cationic solutions or suspensions or anionic solutions or suspensions, including charged polymer solutions or suspensions. One or more barrier layers can be applied using a series of two or more solutions with opposite charges, for example by applying a cationic solution followed by an anionic solution, then another cationic solution, then another anionic solution, etc.

[0366] Barrier films comprising multiple layers can have a total thickness from about 40 micrometers to about 500 micrometers, or from about 50 micrometers to about 400 micrometers, or from about 60 micrometers to about 350 micrometers. Each individual layer of the multiple layers of the multilayer film can have a thickness from about 0.001 micrometers to about 10 micrometers. The thickness of a single barrier layer can range from about 0.001 micrometers to about 3 micrometers, or from about 0.5 micrometers to about 2 micrometers, or from about 0.5 micrometers to about 1 micrometer. The thickness of a single second layer can range from about 2 micrometers to about 8 micrometers, or from about 2 micrometers to about 4 micrometers. The thickness of the film and / or its individual layers can be measured by any method known in the art, such as, for example, ASTM E252, ASTM D6988, ASTM D8136, or using an optical microscope or an electron microscope.

[0367] Barrier materials, including multilayer films comprising barrier materials, can have Shore hardness ranging from about 35 A to about 95 A, and optionally from about 55 A to about 90 A. In these respects, hardness can be measured using the Shore A scale according to ASTM D2240.

[0368] When a barrier film is formed from multiple alternating barrier layers and a second layer using a co-extrusion process, the barrier material has a melt flow index of from about 5 to about 7 g / 10 min at 190°C when using a weight of 2.16 kg, while the second material has a melt flow index of from about 20 to about 30 g / 10 min at 190°C when using a weight of 2.16 kg. When measured at 190°C using a weight of 2.16 kg, the melt flow index of the barrier material can be from about 80% to about 120% of the melt flow index per 10 min of the second material. The melt flow index can be measured using ASTM D1238. The barrier material or the second material, or both, can have a melting temperature from about 165°C to about 183°C, or from about 155°C to about 165°C. The barrier material can have a melting temperature ranging from about 165 degrees Celsius to about 183 degrees Celsius, while the second material can have a melting temperature ranging from about 155 degrees Celsius to about 165 degrees Celsius. The melting temperature can be measured using ASTM D3418.

[0369] The following terms provide exemplary configurations for the aforementioned footwear products and sole structures.

[0370] Clause 1. A footwear article comprising: a heel region including a rear end of the footwear article, a midfoot region, and a forefoot region including a front end of the footwear article; a lateral side, and a medial side opposite to the lateral side; an upper; a sole structure coupled to the upper, wherein the sole structure further comprises: a midsole having a first cushioning element extending from the rear end to the front end; and wherein the footwear article further comprises a heel clip disposed adjacent to the first cushioning element in the heel region.

[0371] Clause 2. The footwear article according to Clause 1, wherein the heel clip is disposed in the heel region, and wherein the heel clip extends from a first end on the inner side to a second end on the outer side.

[0372] Clause 3. The footwear article according to Clause 2, wherein the heel clip includes: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip; and a recess disposed within the outer surface of the heel clip between the support member and the base, and a receiving area disposed on the inner surface of the heel clip between the support member and the base.

[0373] Clause 4. The footwear article according to Clause 3, wherein: the support of the heel clip includes an inner surface having an edge extending from a third end to a fourth end, the edge forming a first boundary of the receiving area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to a second end, the upper surface including one or more raised portions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the edge are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the edge, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more raised portions are complementary in shape and the one or more raised portions abut the one or more receiving areas.

[0374] Clause 5. Footwear articles as described in Clause 3, wherein the heel clip is U-shaped.

[0375] Clause 6. The footwear article according to Clause 3, wherein the heel clip includes a pair of opposing protrusions extending from a first end of the base and a second end of the base, the pair of opposing protrusions bending away from the base.

[0376] Clause 7. Footwear article according to Clause 3, wherein the support has a parabolic shape, wherein the length of the parabolic shape decreases with distance from the base.

[0377] Clause 8. The footwear article according to Clause 3 further includes: a heel wrap extending around the rear end of the first cushioning element, the heel wrap being coupled to the first cushioning element on the inner and outer sides, the inner side of the heel wrap including a first end, and the outer side of the heel wrap including a second end.

[0378] Clause 9. The footwear article according to Clause 3 further includes a second cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the second cushioning element being coupled to the bottom surface of the base, wherein the top surface of the inner portion, the top surface of the outer portion, and the top surface of the base portion of the second cushioning element are covered by the base.

[0379] Clause 10. The footwear article according to Clause 9, wherein the sole structure further comprises: an outsole coupled to the midsole to form a ground contact surface, the outsole comprising: an outer layer extending from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the forefoot, the outer layer including a cavity and a recess; a heel pad disposed on the bottom surface of the outer layer; and a heel cup coupled to the bottom surface of the second cushioning element.

[0380] Clause 11. The footwear article according to Clause 10, wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the first cushioning element is exposed through the cavity and forms part of the outsole.

[0381] Clause 12. Footwear articles according to Clause 9, wherein the second cushioning element comprises a fluid-filled bladder.

[0382] Clause 13. Footwear articles as described in Clause 8, wherein the heel wrapping is U-shaped.

[0383] Clause 14. The footwear article according to Clause 4, wherein the heel is coupled to the first cushioning element between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area.

[0384] Clause 15. The footwear article according to Clause 1, wherein the first cushioning element and the heel wrap are coupled such that the midsole has a continuous and flush outer surface, wherein the outer surface extends between the top and bottom surfaces of the midsole.

[0385] Clause 16. A footwear article comprising: a heel region including a rear end of the footwear article, a midfoot region and a forefoot region including a front end of the footwear article; a midsole having: a first cushioning element extending from the rear end to the front end; and wherein the footwear article includes a heel clip disposed adjacent to the first cushioning element in the heel region.

[0386] Clause 17. The footwear article according to Clause 16, wherein the heel clip is disposed in the heel region, wherein the heel clip extends from a first end on the inner side to a second end on the outer side, the heel clip comprising: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from the first end to the second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip; a recess disposed within the outer surface of the heel clip between the support member and the base, and a receiving area disposed on the inner surface of the heel clip between the support member and the base.

[0387] Clause 18. The footwear article according to Clause 17, wherein: the support of the heel clip includes an inner surface having an edge extending from a third end to a fourth end, the edge forming a first boundary of the receiving area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to a second end, the upper surface including one or more raised portions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the edge are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the edge, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more raised portions are complementary in shape and the one or more raised portions abut the one or more receiving areas.

[0388] Clause 19. Footwear articles as described in Clause 17, wherein the heel clip is U-shaped.

[0389] Clause 20. The footwear article according to Clause 17, wherein the heel clip includes a pair of opposing protrusions extending from a first end of the base and a second end of the base, the pair of opposing protrusions bending away from the base.

[0390] Clause 21. The footwear article according to Clause 17, wherein the heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

[0391] Clause 22. Footwear article according to Clause 17, wherein the support has a parabolic shape, wherein the length of the parabolic shape decreases with distance from the base.

[0392] Clause 23. The footwear article according to Clause 17 further includes: a heel wrap extending around the rear end of the first cushioning element, the heel wrap being coupled to the first cushioning element on the inner and outer sides, the inner side of the heel wrap including a first end, and the outer side of the heel wrap including a second end.

[0393] Clause 24. The footwear article according to Clause 17 further includes a second cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the second cushioning element being coupled to the bottom surface of the base, wherein the top surface of the inner portion, the top surface of the outer portion, and the top surface of the base portion of the second cushioning element are covered by the base.

[0394] Clause 25. The footwear article according to Clause 24, further comprising: an outsole coupled to the midsole to form a ground contact surface, the outsole comprising: an outer layer extending from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the forefoot, the outer layer including a cavity and a recess; a heel pad disposed on the bottom surface of the outer layer; and a heel cup coupled to the bottom surface of the second cushioning element.

[0395] Clause 26. The footwear article according to Clause 25, wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the first cushioning element is exposed through the cavity and forms part of the outsole.

[0396] Clause 27. Footwear articles according to Clause 24, wherein the second cushioning element comprises a fluid-filled bladder.

[0397] Clause 28. Footwear articles as described in Clause 23, wherein the heel wrapping is U-shaped.

[0398] Clause 29. The footwear article according to Clause 18, wherein the heel is coupled to the first cushioning element between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area.

[0399] Clause 30. The footwear article according to Clause 23, wherein the first cushioning element and the heel wrap are coupled such that the midsole has a continuous and flush outer surface, wherein the outer surface extends between the top and bottom surfaces of the midsole.

[0400] Clause 31. A footwear article comprising: an upper; a heel region including a rear end of the footwear article, a midfoot region, a forefoot region including a front end of the footwear article, an inner side, and an outer side; a sole structure coupled to the upper, the sole structure including: a midsole having an outer surface, the midsole including: a first cushioning element extending from the rear end toward the front end, the first cushioning element including one or more engagement areas; and wherein the footwear article further includes a heel clip extending from a first end on the inner side to a second end on the outer side, the heel clip including an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from the first end to the second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip.

[0401] Clause 32. The footwear article according to Clause 31 further includes: a fluid-filled bladder disposed in the heel region; a heel wrap disposed in the heel region, the heel wrap being disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the heel clip and the heel wrap being coupled to the one or more engagement areas of the first cushioning element, wherein the fluid-filled bladder is coupled to the bottom surface of the heel clip.

[0402] Clause 33. The footwear article according to Clause 32, the heel clip further includes: a recess disposed between the support and the base within the outer surface of the heel clip, and a receiving area disposed between the support and the base on the inner surface of the heel clip, wherein the heel wrap is coupled to the outer surface of the heel clip, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

[0403] Clause 34. The footwear article according to Clause 33, wherein: the support member of the heel clip includes an inner surface having an edge extending from a third end to a fourth end, the edge forming a first boundary of the receiving area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to a second end, the upper surface including one or more raised portions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the edge are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the edge, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more raised portions are complementary in shape and the one or more raised portions abut the one or more receiving areas.

[0404] Clause 35. Footwear articles as described in Clause 33, wherein the heel clip is U-shaped.

[0405] Clause 36. The footwear article according to Clause 33, wherein the heel clip includes a pair of opposing protrusions extending from a first end of the base and a second end of the base, the pair of opposing protrusions bending away from the base.

[0406] Clause 37. Footwear article as described in Clause 33, wherein the heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

[0407] Clause 38. Footwear article according to Clause 33, wherein the support has a parabolic shape, and wherein the length of the parabolic shape decreases with distance from the base.

[0408] Clause 39. The footwear article according to Clause 33, wherein the heel clip includes a flange at the periphery of the base, the heel wrapping includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrapping is adjacent to the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

[0409] Clause 40. The footwear article according to Clause 33 further includes a second cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the second cushioning element being coupled to the bottom surface of the base, wherein the inner portion, outer portion and top surface of the base portion of the second cushioning element are covered by the base.

[0410] Clause 41. The footwear article according to Clause 40, wherein the sole structure further comprises: an outsole coupled to the midsole to form a ground contact surface, the outsole comprising: an outer layer extending from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the forefoot, the outer layer including a cavity and a recess; a heel pad disposed on the bottom surface of the outer layer; and a heel cup coupled to the bottom surface of the second cushioning element.

[0411] Clause 42. The footwear article according to Clause 41, wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the first cushioning element is exposed through the cavity and forms part of the outsole.

[0412] Clause 43. Footwear articles according to Clause 40, wherein the second cushioning element comprises a fluid-filled bladder.

[0413] Clause 44. Footwear articles as described in Clause 32, wherein the heel wrapping is U-shaped.

[0414] Clause 45. The footwear article according to Clause 34, wherein the heel is coupled to the first cushioning element between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area.

[0415] Clause 46. The footwear article according to Clause 32, wherein the first cushioning element and the heel wrap are coupled such that the midsole has a continuous and flush outer surface, wherein the outer surface extends between the top and bottom surfaces of the midsole.

[0416] Clause 47. A footwear article comprising: a heel region including a rear end of the footwear article, a midfoot region, and a forefoot region including a front end of the footwear article; a midsole having a lateral surface, the midsole including: a first cushioning element extending from the rear end toward the front end, the first cushioning element including one or more engagement areas; and wherein the footwear article further comprises a heel clip extending from a first end on the medial side to a second end on the lateral side, the heel clip including an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from the first end to the second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip.

[0417] Clause 48. The footwear article according to Clause 47 further includes: a fluid-filled bladder disposed in the heel region; a heel wrap disposed in the heel region, the heel wrap being disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the heel clip and the heel wrap being coupled to the one or more engagement areas of the first cushioning element, wherein the fluid-filled bladder is coupled to the bottom surface of the heel clip.

[0418] Clause 49. The footwear article according to Clause 48, the heel clip further includes: a recess disposed between the support and the base within the outer surface of the heel clip, and a receiving area disposed between the support and the base on the inner surface of the heel clip, wherein the heel wrap is coupled to the outer surface of the heel clip, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

[0419] Clause 50. The footwear article according to Clause 49, wherein: the support of the heel clip includes an inner surface having an edge extending from a third end to a fourth end, the edge forming a first boundary of the receiving area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to a second end, the upper surface including one or more raised portions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the edge are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the edge, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more raised portions are complementary in shape and the one or more raised portions abut the one or more receiving areas.

[0420] Clause 51. Footwear articles as described in Clause 49, wherein the heel clip is U-shaped.

[0421] Clause 52. The footwear article according to Clause 49, wherein the heel clip includes a pair of opposing protrusions extending from a first end of the base and a second end of the base, the pair of opposing protrusions bending away from the base.

[0422] Clause 53. The footwear article as described in Clause 49, wherein the heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

[0423] Clause 54. Footwear article according to Clause 49, wherein the support has a parabolic shape, and wherein the length of the parabolic shape decreases with distance from the base.

[0424] Clause 55. The footwear article according to Clause 49, wherein the heel clip includes a flange at the periphery of the base, the heel wrapping includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrapping is adjacent to the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

[0425] Clause 56. The footwear article according to Clause 49 further includes a second cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the second cushioning element being coupled to the bottom surface of the base, wherein the inner portion, outer portion and top surface of the base portion of the second cushioning element are covered by the base.

[0426] Clause 57. The footwear article according to Clause 56 further includes: an outsole coupled to the midsole to form a ground contact surface, the outsole comprising: an outer layer extending from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the forefoot, the outer layer including a cavity and a recess; a heel pad disposed on the bottom surface of the outer layer; and a heel cup coupled to the bottom surface of the second cushioning element.

[0427] Clause 58. The footwear article according to Clause 57, wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the first cushioning element is exposed through the cavity and forms part of the outsole.

[0428] Clause 59. Footwear articles as described in Clause 56, wherein the second cushioning element comprises a fluid-filled bladder.

[0429] Clause 60. Footwear articles as described in Clause 48, wherein the heel wrapping is U-shaped.

[0430] Clause 61. The footwear article according to Clause 50, wherein the heel is coupled to the first cushioning element between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area.

[0431] Clause 62. The footwear article according to Clause 48, wherein the first cushioning element and the heel wrap are coupled such that the midsole has a continuous and flush outer surface, wherein the outer surface extends between the top and bottom surfaces of the midsole.

[0432] Clause 63. A footwear article comprising: an upper; a heel region including a rear end of the footwear article, a midfoot region, and a forefoot region including a front end of the footwear article; a sole structure coupled to the upper, the sole structure comprising: a midsole having: a first cushioning element extending from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the front end of the footwear article; and wherein the footwear article further comprises a heel wrap extending around the first end of the first cushioning element, the heel wrap being coupled to the first cushioning element such that the heel wrap and the first cushioning element form a substantially continuous and flush outer surface of the footwear article.

[0433] Clause 64. The footwear article according to Clause 63 further includes an inner side and an outer side, wherein: the first cushioning element includes a first rearward-facing edge on the inner side and a second rearward-facing edge on the outer side; the heel clip includes an inner portion having a first end adjacent to the first rearward-facing edge and an outer portion having a second end adjacent to the second rearward-facing edge.

[0434] Clause 65. The footwear article according to Clause 64, wherein the first end of the heel clip includes a first forward-facing edge adjacent to the first rearward-facing edge, and the second end of the heel clip includes a second forward-facing edge adjacent to the second rearward-facing edge.

[0435] Clause 66. The footwear article according to Clause 65, wherein each of the first forward-facing edge and the second forward-facing edge has a downward taper in the forward direction.

[0436] Clause 67. A sole structure for footwear articles, the sole structure comprising: a heel region including a rear end of the footwear article; a midfoot region, a forefoot region including a front end of the footwear article, a lateral side, and a medial side opposite to the lateral side; a midsole having: a first cushioning element having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, extending from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the front end of the footwear article, the first cushioning element including a first rearward edge on the medial side and a second rearward edge on the lateral side, and the first cushioning element including one or more recessed portions.

[0437] Clause 68. A footwear article comprising: an upper; a first cushioning element coupled to the upper, the first cushioning element extending from a first end in a heel region to a second end at a forefoot of the footwear article; a heel clip extending around the first end of the first cushioning element, the heel clip coupled to the first cushioning element on an inner and outer side; and an exposed fluid-filled sac coupled to the heel clip.

[0438] Clause 69. Footwear articles according to Clause 68, wherein the outermost surface of the fluid-filled bladder is exposed and visible from the outside of the footwear article.

[0439] Clause 70. The footwear article according to Clause 68, the heel clip further comprising: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip; a recess disposed within the outer surface of the heel wrapper between the support member and the base, and a receiving area disposed on the inner surface of the heel clip between the support member and the base, wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrapper, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

[0440] Clause 71. The footwear article according to Clause 70, wherein: the support of the heel clip includes an inner surface having an edge extending from a third end to a fourth end, the edge forming a first boundary of the receiving area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to a second end, the upper surface including one or more raised portions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the edge are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the edge, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more raised portions are complementary in shape and the one or more raised portions abut the one or more receiving areas.

[0441] Clause 72. The footwear article according to Clause 71, wherein the heel is clamped between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area and connected to the first cushioning element.

[0442] Clause 73. The footwear article as described in Clause 68 further includes; an upper, wherein the upper is attached to the sole structure.

[0443] Clause 74. A footwear article comprising: a first cushioning element extending from a first end in a heel region to a second end at a front end of the footwear article; a heel clip extending around the first end of the first cushioning element, the heel clip being coupled to the first cushioning element on an inner and outer side; and an exposed fluid-filled sac coupled to the heel clip.

[0444] Clause 75. Footwear article according to Clause 74, wherein the outermost surface of the fluid-filled bladder is exposed and visible from the outside of the footwear article.

[0445] Clause 76. The footwear article according to Clause 74, the heel clip further comprising: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip; a recess disposed within the outer surface of the heel clip between the support member and the base, and a receiving area disposed on the inner surface of the heel clip between the support member and the base, wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel clip, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

[0446] Clause 77. The footwear article according to Clause 76, wherein: the support of the heel clip includes an inner surface having an edge extending from a third end to a fourth end, the edge forming a first boundary of the receiving area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to a second end, the upper surface including one or more raised portions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the edge are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the edge, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more raised portions are complementary in shape and the one or more raised portions abut the one or more receiving areas.

[0447] Clause 78. The footwear article according to Clause 77, wherein the heel is coupled to the first cushioning element between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area.

[0448] Clause 79. A heel clip comprising: a support extending from a first end on an inner side to a second end on an outer side, wherein the height of the support increases from the first end to a apex in a rear region of the support and decreases from the apex to the second end; and a base including a first surface and a second surface extending from the first end on the inner side to the second end on the outer side, the base including a first hook at a first end and a second hook at a second end, wherein the base is disposed adjacent to the support.

[0449] Clause 80. A footwear article comprising a heel clip as described in Clause 79.

[0450] Clause 81. The heel clip as described in Clause 79, wherein the heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

[0451] Clause 82. The footwear article according to Clause 3, wherein the heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

[0452] Clause 83. The footwear article according to Clause 8, wherein the heel wrapping includes an inner surface, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrapping, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

[0453] Clause 84. The footwear article according to Clause 83, wherein the heel wrapping is disposed around the heel clip, and the first end and the second end of the heel wrapping are adjacent to the first cushioning element.

[0454] Clause 85. The footwear article according to Clause 84, wherein the heel clip includes a flange at the periphery of the base, the heel wrapping includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrapping is adjacent to the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

[0455] Clause 86. The footwear article according to Clause 23, wherein the heel wrapping includes an inner surface, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrapping, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

[0456] Clause 87. The footwear article according to Clause 86, wherein the heel wrap is disposed around the heel clip, and the first end and the second end of the heel wrap are adjacent to the first cushioning element.

[0457] Clause 88. The footwear article according to Clause 87, wherein the heel clip includes a flange at the periphery of the base, the heel wrapping includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrapping is adjacent to the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

[0458] Clause 89. A heel clip comprising: a support extending from a first end on an inner side to a second end on an outer side, wherein the height of the support increases from the first end to a apex at a rear region of the support and decreases from the apex to the second end; a base including a first surface and a second surface extending from the first end on the inner side to the second end on the outer side; and one or more protrusions extending from the second surface of the base.

[0459] Clause 90. A footwear article comprising a heel clip as described in Clause 89.

[0460] Clause 91. The heel clip as described in Clause 89, wherein the base includes a first hook at a first end and a second hook at a second end.

[0461] Clause 92. The heel clip as described in Clause 89, wherein the one or more protruding portions include an integral protruding portion, the integral protruding portion including one or more protruding segments.

[0462] Clause 93. The heel clip as described in Clause 92, wherein one or more protruding segments are partially separated from an adjacent protruding segment by a recess.

[0463] Clause 94. The footwear article according to Clause 1, wherein the heel clip includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the heel clip further includes one or more protrusions extending from the second surface.

[0464] Clause 95. Footwear articles as described in Clause 94, wherein the one or more protruding portions include integral protruding portions.

[0465] Clause 96. The footwear article according to Clause 1, wherein the heel clip comprises: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip; and one or more protrusions extending from the bottom surface of the base.

[0466] Clause 97. Footwear article as described in Clause 3, wherein the heel clip includes a gap extending from a first end to a second end.

[0467] Clause 98. The footwear article according to Clause 8, wherein the heel wrapping includes an inner surface, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrapping, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

[0468] Clause 99. The footwear article according to Clause 98, wherein the heel wrap is disposed around the heel clip, and a first end and a second end of the heel wrap are adjacent to the first cushioning element.

[0469] Clause 100. The footwear article according to Clause 99, wherein the heel clip includes a flange on the periphery of the base, the heel wrapping includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrapping abuts the flange on the periphery of the heel clip.

[0470] Clause 101. The footwear article according to Clause 23, wherein the heel wrapping includes an inner surface, and wherein a heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrapping, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element through the receiving area.

[0471] Clause 102. The footwear article according to Clause 101, wherein the heel wrapping is disposed around the heel clip, and a first end and a second end of the heel wrapping are adjacent to the first cushioning element.

[0472] Clause 103. The footwear article of Clause 102, wherein the heel clip includes a flange on the periphery of the base, the heel wrapping includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrapping abuts the flange on the periphery of the heel clip. Clause 104. A footwear article comprising: a heel region including a rear end of the footwear article, a midfoot region, and a forefoot region including a front end of the footwear article; a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; a sole structure coupled to the upper, and wherein the sole structure further comprises: a midsole including: a first cushioning element extending from the rear end to the front end; a second cushioning element extending from the midfoot region to the rear end, the second cushioning element being formed of a material different from the first cushioning element; and a shell, wherein the shell includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions, each of the plurality of protrusions being directly coupled to the second cushioning element.

[0473] Clause 105. The footwear article according to Clause 104, wherein the footwear article further includes a heel counter disposed adjacent to the first cushioning element in the heel region.

[0474] Clause 106. Footwear articles as described in Clause 105, wherein the shoe shell and one or more protrusions include cavities.

[0475] Clause 107. Footwear articles according to Clause 106, wherein the heel counter includes one or more protrusions, each protrusion of the heel counter being disposed on the shoe shell.

[0476] Clause 108. The footwear article according to Clause 107, wherein the one or more protrusions of the heel counter extend radially outward from a first surface of the heel counter.

[0477] Clause 109. Footwear articles as described in Clause 108, wherein the heel counter does not directly contact the second cushioning element.

[0478] Clause 110. Footwear article as described in Clause 105, wherein the shoe shell does not directly contact the second cushioning element between circumferentially adjacent protrusions.

[0479] Clause 111. Footwear articles according to Clause 105, wherein the one or more protrusions of the shoe shell have a downward taper in the forward direction.

[0480] Clause 112. Footwear articles as described in Clause 105, wherein the one or more protrusions include a first protrusion, a second protrusion, a third protrusion, a fourth protrusion, and a fifth protrusion.

[0481] Clause 113. Footwear articles according to Clause 112, wherein the circumferentially adjacent protrusions of the shoe shell are separated by circumferentially extending gaps.

[0482] Clause 114. The footwear article according to Clause 105, wherein the shoe shell further includes a lateral front end and a medial front end, the lateral front end being coupled to the first cushioning element and the medial front end being coupled to the first cushioning element.

[0483] Clause 115. Footwear articles as described in Clause 104, wherein the second cushioning element is a pressurized airbag.

[0484] Clause 116. A sole structure for footwear articles, comprising: a first cushioning element disposed at a rear end of the footwear article, the first cushioning element including a first surface; a shoe shell directly coupled to the first surface of the first cushioning element, the shoe shell including a body and a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions forming a first concave surface; and a heel counter coupled to the shoe shell, the heel counter including a body and a plurality of protrusions forming a second concave surface, wherein the first concave surface of the shoe shell is aligned with the second concave surface of the heel counter.

[0485] Clause 117. The sole construction according to Clause 116, wherein the first cushioning element is a fluid-filled bladder.

[0486] Clause 118. The sole construction according to Clause 117, wherein the heel counter is disposed within the hollow interior of the shoe shell.

[0487] Clause 119. The sole structure according to Clause 118, wherein the sole shell includes a first protrusion, a second protrusion, a third protrusion, a fourth protrusion, and a fifth protrusion.

[0488] Clause 120. The sole structure according to Clause 119, wherein the first protrusion is symmetrical to the fifth protrusion about the central longitudinal axis of the shoe shell, and wherein the second protrusion is symmetrical to the fourth protrusion about the longitudinal axis of the shoe shell.

[0489] Clause 121. The sole structure according to Clause 119, wherein the third protrusion is disposed between the second protrusion and the fourth protrusion.

[0490] Clause 122. A footwear article comprising the sole structure described in Clause 116.

[0491] Other embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the present invention disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A footwear product, characterized in that, The footwear products include: It includes the heel area at the rear end of the footwear, the midfoot area, and the forefoot area at the front end of the footwear; The outer side, and the inner side opposite to the outer side; vamp; A sole structure, the sole structure being connected to the upper, and wherein the sole structure further includes: The midsole has a first cushioning element extending from the rear end to the front end; and the footwear article further includes a heel clip disposed adjacent to the first cushioning element in the heel region.

2. The footwear product according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heel clip is disposed in the heel area, and wherein the heel clip extends from a first end on the inner side to a second end on the outer side.

3. The footwear product according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heel clip includes: An outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end, and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip; and A recess between the support member and the base within the outer surface of the heel clip, and a receiving area between the support member and the base within the inner surface of the heel clip.

4. The footwear product according to claim 3, characterized in that: The support member of the heel clip includes an inner surface having an edge extending from a third end to a fourth end, the edge forming a first boundary of the receiving area; The base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to the second end, the upper surface including one or more protrusions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and The first buffer element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the edge are complementary in shape and the first flange is adjacent to the edge, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more protruding portions are complementary in shape and the one or more protruding portions are adjacent to the one or more receiving areas.

5. The footwear product according to claim 3, characterized in that, The heel clip is U-shaped.

6. The footwear product according to claim 3, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a pair of opposing protrusions extending from a first end and a second end of the base, the pair of opposing protrusions bending away from the base.

7. The footwear product according to claim 3, characterized in that, The support member has a parabolic shape, wherein the length of the parabolic shape decreases as it moves away from the base.

8. The footwear product according to claim 3, characterized in that, The footwear also includes a heel wrap extending around the rear end of the first cushioning element, the heel wrap being connected to the first cushioning element on the inner and outer sides, the inner side of the heel wrap including a first end, and the outer side of the heel wrap including a second end.

9. The footwear product according to claim 3, characterized in that, The footwear also includes a second cushioning element disposed in the heel area, the second cushioning element being coupled to the bottom surface of the base, wherein the top surface of the inner portion, the top surface of the outer portion, and the top surface of the base portion of the second cushioning element are covered by the base.

10. The footwear product according to claim 9, characterized in that, The sole structure also includes: Outsole, the outsole being attached to the midsole to form a ground contact surface, the outsole comprising: The outer bottom layer extends from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the front end, and the outer bottom layer includes a cavity and a recess. The heel pad is provided on the bottom surface of the outer bottom layer; and The heel cup is attached to the bottom surface of the second cushioning element.

11. The footwear product according to claim 10, characterized in that, A portion of the bottom surface of the first cushioning element is exposed through the cavity and forms part of the outsole.

12. The footwear product according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second buffer element comprises a fluid-filled sac.

13. The footwear product according to claim 8, characterized in that, The heel wrapping is U-shaped.

14. The footwear product according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heel is clamped between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area and connected to the first cushioning element.

15. The footwear product according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first cushioning element and the heel wrapping are connected such that the midsole has a continuous and flush outer surface, wherein the outer surface extends between the top and bottom surfaces of the midsole.

16. The footwear product according to claim 3, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

17. The footwear product according to claim 8, characterized in that, The heel wrapping includes an inner surface, and the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrapping, and the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

18. The footwear product according to claim 17, characterized in that, The heel wrap is disposed around the heel clip, and the first end and the second end of the heel wrap are adjacent to the first cushioning element.

19. The footwear article according to claim 18, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a flange at the periphery of the base, the heel wrapping includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrapping is adjacent to the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

20. The footwear product according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the heel clip also includes one or more protrusions extending from the second surface.

21. The footwear product according to claim 20, characterized in that, The one or more protruding portions include an overall protruding portion.

22. The footwear product according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heel clip includes: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip; and one or more protrusions extending from the bottom surface of the base.

23. The footwear product according to claim 3, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

24. The footwear product according to claim 8, characterized in that, The heel wrapping includes an inner surface, and the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrapping, and the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

25. The footwear article according to claim 24, characterized in that, The heel wrap is disposed around the heel clip, and the first and second ends of the heel wrap are adjacent to the first cushioning element.

26. The footwear product according to claim 25, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a flange on the periphery of the base, the heel wrapping includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrapping is adjacent to the flange on the periphery of the heel clip.

27. A type of footwear product, characterized in that, The footwear products include: It includes the heel area at the rear end of the footwear, the midfoot area, and the forefoot area at the front end of the footwear; The midsole has the following features: A first buffer element extending from the rear end to the front end; and The footwear product includes a heel clip disposed adjacent to the first cushioning element in the heel region.

28. The footwear product according to claim 27, characterized in that, The footwear product further includes an inner side and an outer side, the heel clip is disposed in the heel region, wherein the heel clip extends from a first end on the inner side to a second end on the outer side, and the heel clip includes: The outer surface, the inner surface, the base extending from the first end to the second end and the base including the bottom surface, and the support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip; A recess between the support member and the base within the outer surface of the heel clip, and a receiving area between the support member and the base within the inner surface of the heel clip.

29. The footwear product according to claim 28, characterized in that: The support member of the heel clip includes an inner surface having an edge extending from a third end to a fourth end, the edge forming a first boundary of the receiving area; The base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to the second end, the upper surface including one or more protrusions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and The first buffer element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the edge are complementary in shape and the first flange is adjacent to the edge, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more protruding portions are complementary in shape and the one or more protruding portions are adjacent to the one or more receiving areas.

30. The footwear article according to claim 28, characterized in that, The heel clip is U-shaped.

31. The footwear product according to claim 28, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a pair of opposing protrusions extending from a first end and a second end of the base, the pair of opposing protrusions bending away from the base.

32. The footwear product according to claim 28, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

33. The footwear product according to claim 28, characterized in that, The support member has a parabolic shape, wherein the length of the parabolic shape decreases as it moves away from the base.

34. The footwear article according to claim 28, characterized in that, The footwear also includes a heel wrap extending around the rear end of the first cushioning element, the heel wrap being connected to the first cushioning element on the inner and outer sides, the inner side of the heel wrap including a first end, and the outer side of the heel wrap including a second end.

35. The footwear article according to claim 28, characterized in that, The footwear also includes a second cushioning element disposed in the heel area, the second cushioning element being coupled to the bottom surface of the base, wherein the top surface of the inner portion, the top surface of the outer portion, and the top surface of the base portion of the second cushioning element are covered by the base.

36. The footwear article according to claim 35, characterized in that, The footwear products also include: Outsole, the outsole being attached to the midsole to form a ground contact surface, the outsole comprising: The outer bottom layer extends from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the front end, and the outer bottom layer includes a cavity and a recess. The heel pad is provided on the bottom surface of the outer bottom layer; and The heel cup is attached to the bottom surface of the second cushioning element.

37. The footwear product according to claim 36, characterized in that, A portion of the bottom surface of the first cushioning element is exposed through the cavity and forms part of the outsole.

38. The footwear product according to claim 35, characterized in that, The second buffer element comprises a fluid-filled sac.

39. The footwear product according to claim 34, characterized in that, The heel wrapping is U-shaped.

40. The footwear article according to claim 29, characterized in that, The heel is clamped between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area and connected to the first cushioning element.

41. The footwear article according to claim 34, characterized in that, The first cushioning element and the heel wrapping are connected such that the midsole has a continuous and flush outer surface, wherein the outer surface extends between the top and bottom surfaces of the midsole.

42. The footwear product according to claim 34, characterized in that, The heel wrapping includes an inner surface, and the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrapping, and the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

43. The footwear product according to claim 42, characterized in that, The heel wrap is disposed around the heel clip, and the first end and the second end of the heel wrap are adjacent to the first cushioning element.

44. The footwear product according to claim 43, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a flange at the periphery of the base, the heel wrapping includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrapping is adjacent to the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

45. The footwear article according to claim 34, characterized in that, The heel wrapping includes an inner surface, and a heel clip is attached to the inner surface of the heel wrapping, wherein the heel clip is attached to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

46. ​​The footwear article according to claim 45, characterized in that, The heel wrapping is disposed around the heel clip, and the first and second ends of the heel wrapping are adjacent to the first cushioning element.

47. The footwear article according to claim 46, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a flange on the periphery of the base, the heel wrapping includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrapping is adjacent to the flange on the periphery of the heel clip.

48. A type of footwear product, characterized in that, The footwear products include: vamp; This includes the heel area at the rear end of the footwear, the midfoot area, the forefoot area at the front end of the footwear, the inner side, and the outer side; A sole structure connected to the upper, the sole structure comprising: a midsole having a lateral surface, the midsole comprising: A first buffer element extending from the rear end toward the front end, the first buffer element including one or more engagement areas; and The footwear article further includes a heel clip extending from a first end on the inner side to a second end on the outer side, the heel clip including an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from the first end to the second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip.

49. The footwear article according to claim 48, characterized in that, The footwear products also include: A fluid-filled bladder disposed in the heel area; A heel wrap is disposed in the heel area, the heel wrap being disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the heel clip, and the heel wrap being connected to one or more engagement areas of the first cushioning element. The fluid-filled bladder is attached to the bottom surface of the heel clip.

50. The footwear article according to claim 49, characterized in that, The heel clip further includes: a recess disposed between the support member and the base within the outer surface of the heel clip, and a receiving area disposed between the support member and the base on the inner surface of the heel clip, wherein the heel wrap is attached to the outer surface of the heel clip, and wherein the heel clip is attached to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

51. The footwear product according to claim 50, characterized in that: The support member of the heel clip includes an inner surface having an edge extending from a third end to a fourth end, the edge forming a first boundary of the receiving area; The base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to the second end, the upper surface including one or more protrusions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and The first buffer element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the edge are complementary in shape and the first flange is adjacent to the edge, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more protruding portions are complementary in shape and the one or more protruding portions are adjacent to the one or more receiving areas.

52. The footwear article according to claim 50, characterized in that, The heel clip is U-shaped.

53. The footwear article according to claim 50, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a pair of opposing protrusions extending from a first end and a second end of the base, the pair of opposing protrusions bending away from the base.

54. The footwear article according to claim 50, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

55. The footwear article according to claim 50, characterized in that, The support has a parabolic shape, and the length of the parabolic shape decreases as it moves away from the base.

56. The footwear article according to claim 50, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a flange at the periphery of the base, the heel wrapping includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrapping is adjacent to the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

57. The footwear article according to claim 50, characterized in that, The footwear also includes a second cushioning element disposed in the heel area, the second cushioning element being coupled to the bottom surface of the base, wherein the inner, outer and top surfaces of the base portion of the second cushioning element are covered by the base.

58. The footwear product according to claim 57, characterized in that, The sole structure also includes: Outsole, the outsole being attached to the midsole to form a ground contact surface, the outsole comprising: The outer bottom layer extends from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the front end, and the outer bottom layer includes a cavity and a recess. The heel pad is provided on the bottom surface of the outer bottom layer; and The heel cup is attached to the bottom surface of the second cushioning element.

59. The footwear article according to claim 58, characterized in that, A portion of the bottom surface of the first cushioning element is exposed through the cavity and forms part of the outsole.

60. The footwear article according to claim 57, characterized in that, The second buffer element comprises a fluid-filled sac.

61. The footwear article according to claim 49, characterized in that, The heel wrapping is U-shaped.

62. The footwear product according to claim 51, characterized in that, The heel is clamped between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area and connected to the first cushioning element.

63. The footwear product according to claim 49, characterized in that, The first cushioning element and the heel wrapping are connected such that the midsole has a continuous and flush outer surface, wherein the outer surface extends between the top and bottom surfaces of the midsole.

64. A type of footwear product, characterized in that, The footwear product includes an inner side and an outer side, and the footwear product includes: It includes the heel area at the rear end of the footwear, the midfoot area, and the forefoot area at the front end of the footwear; A midsole having an outer surface, the midsole comprising: A first buffer element extending from the rear end toward the front end, the first buffer element including one or more engagement areas; and wherein The footwear article further includes a heel clip extending from a first end on the inner side to a second end on the outer side, the heel clip including an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from the first end to the second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip.

65. The footwear article according to claim 64, characterized in that, The footwear products also include: A fluid-filled bladder disposed in the heel area; A heel wrap is disposed in the heel area, the heel wrap is disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the heel clip, and the heel wrap is coupled to one or more engagement areas of the first cushioning element, wherein the fluid-filled bladder is coupled to the bottom surface of the heel clip.

66. The footwear article according to claim 65, characterized in that, The heel clip also includes: The recess provided within the outer surface of the heel clip between the support member and the base, and A receiving area is provided on the inner surface of the heel clip between the support and the base, wherein the heel wrap is coupled to the outer surface of the heel clip, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

67. The footwear product according to claim 66, characterized in that: The support member of the heel clip includes an inner surface having an edge extending from a third end to a fourth end, the edge forming a first boundary of the receiving area; The base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to the second end, the upper surface including one or more protrusions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; The first buffer element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the edge are complementary in shape and the first flange is adjacent to the edge, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more protruding portions are complementary in shape and the one or more protruding portions are adjacent to the one or more receiving areas.

68. The footwear article according to claim 66, characterized in that, The heel clip is U-shaped.

69. The footwear article according to claim 66, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a pair of opposing protrusions extending from a first end and a second end of the base, the pair of opposing protrusions bending away from the base.

70. The footwear article according to claim 66, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

71. The footwear product according to claim 66, characterized in that, The support has a parabolic shape, and the length of the parabolic shape decreases as it moves away from the base.

72. The footwear product according to claim 66, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a flange at the periphery of the base, the heel wrapping includes a bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the heel wrapping is adjacent to the flange at the periphery of the heel clip.

73. The footwear product according to claim 66, characterized in that, The footwear also includes a second cushioning element disposed in the heel area, the second cushioning element being coupled to the bottom surface of the base, wherein the inner, outer and top surfaces of the base portion of the second cushioning element are covered by the base.

74. The footwear article according to claim 73, characterized in that, The footwear products also include: Outsole, the outsole being attached to the midsole to form a ground contact surface, the outsole comprising: The outer bottom layer extends from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the front end, and the outer bottom layer includes a cavity and a recess. The heel pad is provided on the bottom surface of the outer bottom layer; and The heel cup is attached to the bottom surface of the second cushioning element.

75. The footwear article according to claim 74, characterized in that, A portion of the bottom surface of the first cushioning element is exposed through the cavity and forms part of the outsole.

76. The footwear product according to claim 73, characterized in that, The second buffer element comprises a fluid-filled sac.

77. The footwear article according to claim 65, characterized in that, The heel wrapping is U-shaped.

78. The footwear article according to claim 67, characterized in that, The heel is clamped between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area and connected to the first cushioning element.

79. The footwear article according to claim 65, characterized in that, The first cushioning element and the heel wrapping are connected such that the midsole has a continuous and flush outer surface, wherein the outer surface extends between the top and bottom surfaces of the midsole.

80. A type of footwear product, characterized in that, The footwear products include: vamp; It includes the heel area at the rear end of the footwear, the midfoot area, and the forefoot area at the front end of the footwear; The sole structure is connected to the upper, and the sole structure includes: The midsole has: a first cushioning element extending from a first end disposed in the heel area toward a second end disposed at the forefoot of the footwear; and The footwear also includes a heel wrap extending around the first end of the first cushioning element, the heel wrap being coupled to the first cushioning element such that the heel wrap and the first cushioning element form a substantially continuous and flush outer surface of the footwear.

81. The footwear article according to claim 80, characterized in that, The footwear also includes an inner side and an outer side, wherein: the first cushioning element includes a first rearward edge on the inner side and a second rearward edge on the outer side; the heel clip includes an inner portion having a first end adjacent to the first rearward edge and an outer portion having a second end adjacent to the second rearward edge.

82. The footwear product according to claim 81, characterized in that, The footwear also includes a heel clip extending from a first end on the inside to a second end on the outside, the first end of the heel clip including a first forward-facing edge adjacent to the first rearward-facing edge, and the second end of the heel clip including a second forward-facing edge adjacent to the second rearward-facing edge.

83. The footwear product according to claim 82, characterized in that, Each of the first forward-facing edge and the second forward-facing edge has a downward taper in the forward direction.

84. A sole structure for footwear products, characterized in that, The sole structure includes: Including the heel area at the rear end of the footwear product; The midfoot area includes the forefoot area at the front end of the footwear, the outer side, and the inner side opposite to the outer side; The midsole has the following features: A first cushioning element having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, extending from a first end disposed in the heel region toward a second end disposed at the front end of the footwear, the first cushioning element including a first rearward edge on the inner side and a second rearward edge on the outer side, and the first cushioning element including one or more recessed portions.

85. A type of footwear product, characterized in that, The footwear products include: vamp; A first cushioning element is attached to the upper, extending from a first end in the heel region to a second end at the forefoot of the footwear. A heel clip extending around the first end of the first cushioning element, the heel clip being coupled to the first cushioning element on its inner and outer sides; and An exposed fluid-filled sac attached to the heel clip.

86. The footwear article according to claim 85, characterized in that, The outermost surface of the fluid-filled bladder is exposed and visible from the outside of the footwear.

87. The footwear article according to claim 85, characterized in that, The footwear also includes a heel wrap extending around the first end of the first cushioning element; The heel clip further includes: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip; a recess disposed within the outer surface of the heel wrapper between the support member and the base, and a receiving area disposed on the inner surface of the heel clip between the support member and the base, wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel wrapper, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

88. The footwear product according to claim 87, characterized in that: The support member of the heel clip includes an inner surface having an edge extending from a third end to a fourth end, the edge forming a first boundary of the receiving area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to a second end, the upper surface including one or more protruding portions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the edge are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the edge, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more protruding portions are complementary in shape and the one or more protruding portions abut the one or more receiving areas.

89. The footwear article according to claim 88, characterized in that, The heel is clamped between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area and connected to the first cushioning element.

90. The footwear article according to claim 85, characterized in that, The footwear product further includes: a sole structure, wherein the sole structure is connected to the upper.

91. A type of footwear product, characterized in that, The footwear products include: A first cushioning element extends from a first end in the heel area to a second end at the front end of the footwear. A heel clip extending around the first end of the first cushioning element, the heel clip being coupled to the first cushioning element on its inner and outer sides; and An exposed fluid-filled sac attached to the heel clip.

92. The footwear product according to claim 91, characterized in that, The outermost surface of the fluid-filled bladder is exposed and visible from the outside of the footwear.

93. The footwear product according to claim 91, characterized in that, The heel clip further includes: an outer surface, an inner surface, a base extending from a first end to a second end and the base including a bottom surface, and a support member, wherein the base and the support member together form the outer surface of the heel clip; a recess disposed within the outer surface of the heel clip between the support member and the base, and a receiving area disposed on the inner surface of the heel clip between the support member and the base, wherein the heel clip is coupled to the inner surface of the heel clip, and wherein the heel clip is coupled to the first cushioning element via the receiving area.

94. The footwear product according to claim 93, characterized in that: The support member of the heel clip includes an inner surface having an edge extending from a third end to a fourth end, the edge forming a first boundary of the receiving area; the base includes an upper surface extending from the first end to a second end, the upper surface including one or more protruding portions and forming a second boundary of the receiving area; and the first cushioning element includes a top surface and one or more receiving areas, the top surface including a first flange, wherein the first flange and the edge are complementary in shape and the first flange abuts the edge, and wherein the one or more receiving areas and the one or more protruding portions are complementary in shape and the one or more protruding portions abut the one or more receiving areas.

95. The footwear product according to claim 94, characterized in that, The heel is clamped between the first boundary of the receiving area and the second boundary of the receiving area and connected to the first cushioning element.

96. A shoe heel clip, characterized in that, The heel clip includes: A support member extending from a first end on an inner side to a second end on an outer side, wherein the height of the support member increases from the first end to a apex in a rear region of the support member and decreases from the apex to the second end; and The base includes a first surface and a second surface extending from a first end on the inner side to a second end on the outer side, the base including a first hook at a first end and a second hook at a second end, wherein the base is disposed adjacent to the support member.

97. The heel clip according to claim 96, characterized in that, The heel clip includes a gap extending from the first end to the second end.

98. A type of footwear product, characterized in that, The footwear product includes the heel clip according to claim 96.

99. A shoe heel clip, characterized in that, The heel clip includes: A support member extending from a first end on the inner side to a second end on the outer side, wherein the height of the support member increases from the first end to a vertex at a rear region of the support member and decreases from the vertex to the second end; The base includes a first surface and a second surface extending from a first end on the inside to a second end on the outside; and one or more protrusions extending from the second surface of the base.

100. The heel clip according to claim 99, characterized in that, The base includes a first hook at a first terminal and a second hook at a second terminal.

101. The heel clip according to claim 99, characterized in that, The one or more protruding portions include an overall protruding portion, and the overall protruding portion includes one or more protruding segments.

102. The shoe heel clip according to claim 101, characterized in that, One or more protruding segments are partially separated from adjacent protruding segments by recesses.

103. A footwear product, characterized in that, The footwear product includes the heel clip according to claim 99.

104. A footwear product, characterized in that, The footwear products include: It includes the heel area at the rear end of the footwear, the midfoot area, and the forefoot area at the front end of the footwear; The outer side, and the inner side opposite to the outer side; vamp; A sole structure, the sole structure being connected to the upper, and wherein the sole structure further includes: The midsole includes: a first cushioning element extending from the rear end to the front end; a second cushioning element extending from the midfoot region to the rear end, the second cushioning element being formed of a different material from the first cushioning element; and The shoe shell includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions, each of which is directly connected to the second cushioning element.

105. The footwear article according to claim 104, characterized in that, The footwear product also includes a heel counter, which is disposed adjacent to the first cushioning element in the heel region.

106. The footwear article according to claim 105, characterized in that, The shoe shell and one or more protrusions include cavities.

107. The footwear article according to claim 106, characterized in that, The heel counter includes one or more protrusions, each of which is disposed on the shoe shell.

108. The footwear article according to claim 107, characterized in that, The one or more protrusions of the heel counter extend radially outward from the first surface of the heel counter.

109. The footwear article according to claim 108, characterized in that, The heel counter does not directly contact the second cushioning element.

110. The footwear article according to claim 105, characterized in that, The shoe shell does not directly contact the second cushioning element between circumferentially adjacent protrusions.

111. The footwear article according to claim 105, characterized in that, The one or more protrusions of the shoe shell have a downward taper in the forward direction.

112. The footwear article according to claim 105, characterized in that, The one or more protrusions include a first protrusion, a second protrusion, a third protrusion, a fourth protrusion, and a fifth protrusion.

113. The footwear article according to claim 112, characterized in that, The circumferentially adjacent protrusions of the shoe shell are separated by circumferentially extending gaps.

114. The footwear article according to claim 105, characterized in that, The shoe shell also includes a front outer end and a front inner end, the front outer end being connected to the first cushioning element, and the front inner end being connected to the first cushioning element.

115. The footwear article according to claim 104, characterized in that, The second buffer element is a pressurized airbag.

116. A sole structure for footwear products, characterized in that, The sole structure includes: A first cushioning element is disposed at the rear end of the footwear product, the first cushioning element including a first surface; A shoe shell directly connected to a first surface of the first cushioning element, the shoe shell including a body and a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions forming a first concave surface; and A heel countertop attached to the shoe shell includes a body and a plurality of protrusions forming a second concave surface, wherein a first concave surface of the shoe shell is aligned with a second concave surface of the heel countertop.

117. The sole structure according to claim 116, characterized in that, The first buffer element is a fluid-filled capsule.

118. The sole structure according to claim 117, characterized in that, The heel counter is located inside the hollow part of the shoe shell.

119. The sole structure according to claim 118, characterized in that, The shoe shell includes a first protrusion, a second protrusion, a third protrusion, a fourth protrusion, and a fifth protrusion.

120. The sole structure according to claim 119, characterized in that, The first protrusion and the fifth protrusion are symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis of the shoe shell, and the second protrusion and the fourth protrusion are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the shoe shell.

121. The sole structure according to claim 119, characterized in that, The third protrusion is disposed between the second protrusion and the fourth protrusion.

122. A footwear product, characterized in that, The footwear product includes the sole structure according to claim 116.

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