Article of footwear with frame

Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The sole structure includes a frame attached to the upper, the frame having a frame outer surface and an inner surface defining a frame lumen. The sole structure also includes a midsole member disposed in the frame interior cavity, the midsole member formed by a supercritical foaming process. The lattice structure of the frame is formed by a plurality of apertures extending through the outer and inner surfaces of the frame such that at least some portions of the upper and midsole members adjacent the inner surface of the frame are exposed through the plurality of apertures.

Description

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No. 18 / 099,098, filed January 19, 2023, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 300,934, filed January 19, 2022, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Reference to a Federally Sponsored Research or Development

[0003] Not Applicable.

[0004] SEQUENCE LISTING

[0005] Not Applicable. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0006] The present utility model relates generally to an article of footwear having a sole structure that includes one or more midsole members and a frame surrounding the one or more midsole members, and to a method of manufacturing one or more midsole members of a sole structure of an article of footwear having a frame. BACKGROUND

[0007] Many conventional shoes or other articles of footwear generally include an upper and a sole structure attached to a lower end of the upper. Conventional shoes also include an interior space, i.e., void or cavity, formed by the interior surfaces of the upper and the sole structure that accommodates a user’s foot prior to securing the shoe to the foot. The sole structure is attached to a lower surface or boundary of the upper and is positioned between the upper and the ground. As a result, the sole structure generally provides stability and cushioning to the user when the shoe is being worn. In some cases, the sole structure can include multiple components, such as an outsole, a midsole, and a top. The outsole can provide traction to a bottom surface of the sole structure, the midsole can be attached to an interior surface of the outsole, and can provide cushioning or increase stability to the sole structure. For example, the sole structure can include a particular foam material that can increase stability at one or more desired locations along the sole structure, or a foam material that can reduce stress or impact energy on the foot or leg when the user is running, walking, or engaged in other activities. The sole structure can also include additional components, such as plates, embedded in the sole structure to increase the overall stiffness of the sole structure and reduce energy loss during use.

[0008] The upper generally extends upward from the sole structure and defines a void that fully or partially encloses a foot. In most cases, the upper extends over the instep and toe areas and around the sides and back of the foot. Many articles of footwear also include a tongue that extends across the instep area to bridge a gap between the medial and lateral sides of the upper that collectively define an opening into the void. The tongue can also be positioned under a lacing system and between the medial and lateral sides of the upper to allow for adjustment of the tightness of the shoe. The tongue can also be manipulated by the user to allow ingress and egress of the foot from the interior void or space. Additionally, the lacing system can allow the user to adjust certain dimensions of the upper or sole, thereby allowing the upper to accommodate various foot shapes and sizes.

[0009] The upper of many shoes can include a variety of materials that can be used to form the upper and selected for use depending on one or more intended uses of the shoe. The upper can also include portions that include different materials specific to certain areas of the upper. For example, increased stability can be desired in the front portion of the upper or adjacent to the heel region to provide a higher degree of resistance or rigidity. Conversely, other portions of the shoe can include soft textile fabrics to provide areas with stretch resistance, flexibility, breathability, or sweat wicking properties.

[0010] The sole assembly generally extends between the ground and the upper. In some examples, the sole assembly includes an outsole that provides abrasion resistance and traction with the ground. The outsole can be made of rubber or other materials that impart durability and abrasion resistance and enhance traction with the ground.

[0011] While many existing shoes have different features related to the characteristics described above, many shoes, including athletic shoes and even running shoes, have sole structures in which the outsole can wear out faster than the rest of the sole structure and / or the upper of the shoe. This results in the user needing to replace the entire shoe, even though the upper and sole structure of the shoe, other than the outsole, have not worn out to the point of needing replacement. Additionally, some sporting activities have different support requirements in different locations of the sole structure and / or the upper of the shoe, including athletic shoes, to benefit the user of the shoe in those sporting activities. For example, increased support in the heel region of the shoe can be beneficial to the user of the shoe for traditional running activities, while increased support along the lateral and medial sides of the shoe can be beneficial to the user of the shoe for traditional cross-training activities.

[0012] Accordingly, there is a need for articles of footwear having features that allow the outsole of the sole structure of the article of footwear to be replaced and / or allow the sole structure to be customized to the activities of a particular user. These and other deficiencies of the prior art are addressed by the disclosure below. SUMMARY

[0013] As described herein, an article of footwear can have various configurations. An article of footwear can have an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper.

[0014] In some aspects, the disclosure provides an article of footwear including an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The sole structure includes a frame attached to the upper, the frame having a frame outer surface and a frame inner surface opposite the frame outer surface defining a frame inner cavity, a midsole component formed by a supercritical foaming process and disposed in the frame inner cavity, and an outsole. The frame inner surface is adjacent portions of the upper and the midsole component. The frame has a lattice structure formed by a plurality of holes extending through the frame outer surface and the frame inner surface such that at least some portions of the upper and the midsole component adjacent the frame inner surface are exposed through the plurality of holes.

[0015] In some embodiments, the midsole component is not compressed after the supercritical foaming process. In some embodiments, the midsole component is disposed at least partially within each of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, the midsole component extends between a distal end and a proximal end of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, the midsole component extends between a lateral side and a medial side of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, the midsole component is disposed within a heel region of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, the frame extends at least along the medial side and the lateral side of the article of footwear, and the lattice structure of the frame extends at least along the lateral side of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, the frame extends along the medial side, the lateral side, and the proximal end of the article of footwear, and the lattice structure of the frame extends at least along the lateral side and the proximal end of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, the lattice structure of the frame extends along a percentage of the upper outer surface ranging from about 5% to about 60%. In some embodiments, a percentage of the frame ranging from about 30% to about 90% includes the lattice structure.

[0016] In some embodiments, at least portions of the midsole member are compressed when a user's foot exerts force on the sole structure, and at least some portions of the midsole member exposed by the plurality of apertures of the frame expand outwardly from the frame interior cavity at least in part through the plurality of apertures. In some embodiments, the frame includes an outsole member that at least partially defines an outsole of the sole structure. In some embodiments, the frame includes an upper frame member attached to an upper portion of the upper and a lower frame member attached to the upper frame member opposite the upper. In some embodiments, the lower frame member is removably attached to the upper frame member, and the midsole member is configured to be removable from or insertable into the frame interior cavity when the lower frame member is removed from the upper frame member. In some embodiments, the lower frame member at least partially defines an outsole of the structure. In some embodiments, at least the lattice structure of the frame includes an elastic material such that at least the lattice structure is configured to elastically deform under the force exerted on the sole structure by the user's foot. In some embodiments, an upper surface of the midsole member at least partially defines an insole of the sole structure. In some embodiments, the sole structure further includes an insole disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the midsole member. In some embodiments, the insole includes a textile material or a plastic film.

[0017] In other aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a sole structure of an article of footwear, the method including forming an initial midsole member having an initial density, and expanding the initial midsole member by a supercritical foaming process to form a final midsole member of the sole structure having a final density that is less than the initial density. The method further includes assembling the final midsole member having the final density in a frame interior cavity of a frame of the sole structure to form the sole structure. The frame has a lattice structure formed by a plurality of apertures extending through an outer surface of the frame and an inner surface of the frame such that at least some portions of the midsole member in the frame interior cavity and adjacent to the inner surface of the frame are exposed by the plurality of apertures.

[0018] In some embodiments, assembling the final midsole component with the frame inner cavity includes grinding the final midsole component to a final shape and inserting the final midsole component having the final shape into the frame inner cavity. In some embodiments, the supercritical foaming process includes embedding an initial midsole component having an initial density in a vessel, introducing a supercritical gas to the initial midsole component, removing the supercritical gas from the initial midsole component to form a final midsole component having a final density, and removing the final midsole component from the vessel. In some embodiments, the supercritical foaming process includes pumping a solution of a molten material and a supercritical fluid into a vessel having a pressure to form an initial midsole component having an initial density, releasing the pressure from the vessel to form a final midsole component having a final density, and removing the final midsole component from the vessel. In some embodiments, the midsole component is disposed at least partially within each of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the sole structure. In some embodiments, the midsole component extends between a distal end and a proximal end of the sole structure. In some embodiments, the midsole component extends between a lateral side and a medial side of the sole structure.

[0019] In some aspects, the disclosure provides an article of footwear including an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The sole structure includes a frame having a frame outer surface and a frame inner surface opposite the frame outer surface that defines a frame inner cavity, and one or more midsole components disposed within the frame inner cavity. The frame includes an upper frame member attached to the upper and a lower frame member attached to the upper frame member opposite the upper. The lower frame member at least partially defines an outsole of the sole structure, and the one or more midsole components at least partially define a midsole of the sole structure. The frame inner surface is partially adjacent to the upper and the one or more midsole components, and the frame has a lattice structure formed by a plurality of apertures extending through the frame outer surface and the frame inner surface such that at least some portions of the upper and the midsole components adjacent to the frame inner surface are exposed through the plurality of apertures. The one or more midsole components are formed by a supercritical foaming process.

[0020] In some embodiments, the lower frame member is removably attached to the upper frame member, and the one or more midsole members are configured to be removable from or insertable into the frame interior cavity when the lower frame member is removed from the upper frame member. In some embodiments, the one or more midsole members are not attached to the upper and the frame. In some embodiments, the one or more midsole members define a substantial entirety of a midsole, and the lower frame member defines a substantial entirety of an outsole. In some embodiments, the one or more midsole members include at least a first midsole member and a second midsole member, the at least first midsole member being disposed at least partially within a forefoot region of the article of footwear, and the second midsole member being disposed at least partially within a heel region of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, the first and second midsole members are not attached to the upper and the frame, and the first and second midsole members are not attached to each other. In some embodiments, the first midsole member has a first density, and the second midsole member has a second density different from the first density. In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second midsole members is exposed through the plurality of apertures of the frame.

[0021] Other aspects of the article of footwear and the method of manufacturing a midsole member for an article of footwear, including features and advantages thereof, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the descriptions contained herein and the associated drawings. As such, all such aspects, features and advantages of the article of footwear are intended to fall within the scope of the detailed description and the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a lateral side view of an article of footwear according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the article of footwear configured to include an upper, a sole structure, and a frame;

[0023] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a top plan view of the article of footwear of

[0024] Figure 3 is Figure 1 is a top plan view of the article of footwear of

[0025] Figure 4 is Figure 1 is a bottom view of the article of footwear of

[0026] Figure 5 is Figure 1 is a bottom view of the article of footwear of Figure 1 and Figure 4 is another example frame of the article of footwear of

[0027] Figure 6 is similar to Figure 1a lateral view of another example of an article of footwear of the article of footwear of

[0028] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a bottom view of the article of footwear of

[0029] Figure 8 is Figure 6 a bottom view of the article of footwear of another example midsole component in a first compressed configuration;

[0030] Figure 9 is Figure 8 a bottom view of the article of footwear of an example midsole component in a second compressed configuration;

[0031] Figure 10 is Figure 6 a bottom view of the article of footwear of an example outsole component included in the frame;

[0032] Figure 11 is Figure 6 a bottom view of the article of footwear of another example outsole component included in the frame;

[0033] Figure 12 is Figure 10 a bottom-distal side partial detail view of the frame and outsole component of the article of footwear of

[0034] Figure 13 is Figure 12 an exploded view of

[0035] Figure 14 is Figure 6 a bottom view of the article of footwear of yet another example outsole component included in the frame;

[0036] Figure 15 is Figure 14 a bottom-distal side partial detail view of the frame and outsole component of the article of footwear of

[0037] Figure 16 is Figure 15 an exploded view of

[0038] Figure 17 is Figure 6 a bottom view of the article of footwear of another example frame;

[0039] Figure 18 is Figure 17 a bottom view of the article of footwear of an example outsole component included in the frame;

[0040] Figure 19 is Figure 17a bottom-lateral perspective exploded view of another example footwear sole structure and frame of the article of footwear of

[0041] Figure 20 is Figure 17 a bottom-lateral perspective exploded view of another example footwear sole structure and frame of the article of footwear of

[0042] Figure 21 is Figure 6 a bottom-lateral perspective exploded view of another example footwear sole structure and frame of the article of footwear of

[0043] Figure 22 is Figure 21 a top-medial perspective exploded view of the frame and outsole member of

[0044] Figure 23 is Figure 21 a bottom-lateral perspective exploded view of another example footwear sole structure and frame of the article of footwear of

[0045] Figure 24 is Figure 23 a cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 of

[0046] Figure 25 is Figure 21 a bottom-lateral perspective exploded view of another example footwear sole structure and frame of the article of footwear of

[0047] Figure 26 is Figure 25 a cross-sectional view taken along line 26-26 of

[0048] Figure 27 is Figure 1 a lateral view of another example of the article of footwear similar to

[0049] Figure 28 is Figure 1 a lateral view of yet another example of the article of footwear similar to

[0050] Figure 29 is Figure 28 a lateral detailed view of another example of the fastening mechanism of the article of footwear of

[0051] Figure 30 is Figure 29 a lateral detailed view of the article of footwear of

[0052] Figure 31 is Figure 1 a lateral view of another example of the article of footwear similar to

[0053] Figure 32 is Figure 31a lateral view of another example of an article of footwear according to the present disclosure;

[0054] Figure 33 is similar to Figure 1 a lateral view of another example of an article of footwear according to the present disclosure;

[0055] Figure 34 is similar to Figure 1 a lateral view of another example of an article of footwear according to the present disclosure;

[0056] Figure 35 is similar to Figure 1 a lateral view of another example of an article of footwear according to the present disclosure;

[0057] Figure 36 is similar to Figure 1 a lateral view of another example of an article of footwear according to the present disclosure;

[0058] Figure 37 is similar to Figure 1 a lateral view of another example of an article of footwear according to the present disclosure;

[0059] Figure 38 is a lateral view of yet another example of an article of footwear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is similar in some respects to the article of footwear of Figure 1 ;

[0060] Figure 39 is an exploded view of a sole structure of the article of footwear of Figure 38 ;

[0061] Figure 40 is a top plan view of the article of footwear of Figure 38 , with the upper removed;

[0062] Figure 41 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 41-41 of Figure 40 ;

[0063] Figure 42 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 42-42 of Figure 40 ;

[0064] Figure 43 is another example sole structure and midsole member of the article of footwear of Figure 38 , according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0065] Figure 44 is a flowchart representative of an example method of manufacturing a midsole member of an article of footwear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0066] Figure 45is a flowchart representing another example method of manufacturing a midsole member for an article of footwear according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0067] Figure 46 is a flowchart representing another example method of manufacturing a midsole member for an article of footwear according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0068] Figure 47 is a flowchart representing another example method of manufacturing a midsole member for an article of footwear according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose various embodiments or configurations of shoes and sole structures. While embodiments of shoes or sole structures are disclosed with reference to athletic shoes, such as running shoes, tennis shoes, basketball shoes, etc., concepts related to embodiments of shoes or sole structures can be applied to various articles of footwear and footwear styles, including, for example, cross-training shoes, football shoes, golf shoes, hiking shoes, hiking boots, ski and snowboard boots, soccer shoes, and cleated shoes, walking shoes, and track cleats. Concepts of shoes or sole structures can also be applied to articles of footwear that are considered to be non-athletic, including dress shoes, sandals, loafers, slippers, and high heels. In addition to footwear, particular concepts described herein can also be applied and incorporated into other types of apparel or other sporting equipment, including helmets, pads or protective padding, shin guards, and gloves. Still further, particular concepts described herein can be incorporated into other consumer or industrial products, such as mattresses, backpack straps, golf clubs. Accordingly, concepts described herein can be used in a variety of products.

[0070] As used herein, the term "about" or "approximately" refers to a numerical value that can occur, for example, through typical measurement and manufacturing procedures for articles of footwear or other manufactured articles that can include embodiments disclosed herein; due to inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in manufacturing, source, or purity of ingredients used to manufacture compositions or mixtures or to carry out methods; and the like. Throughout the disclosure, the terms "about" and "approximately" refer to a range of ±5% of the numerical value that precedes the term, including the endpoints of the range. Similarly, the term "substantially equal to" and like terms as used herein with reference to a value, refers to a range of variation from the reference value that is less than ±10%, such as ±8%, ±5%, or ±3%, including these values. Where specified herein, the term "substantially" can specifically denote a variation in one direction from a reference value. For example, "substantially less than" a reference value denotes a value that is 10% or more less than the reference value, while "substantially greater than" a reference value denotes a value that is 10% or more greater than the reference value.

[0071] As used herein, directional terms are used for ease of discussing certain aspects of a particular example or drawing. For example, references to "downward," "upward," or other directions, or "lower," "upper," or other locations, can be used for discussing certain aspects of a particular example or drawing, but do not necessarily require similar orientations or geometries in all installations or configurations.

[0072] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. These terms are 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 specifically stated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below can be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

[0073] Further, the term "elastic" as used herein refers to the elastic or rubber-like properties of a material (e.g., a polymer). For example, a reference to an "elastic material" refers to a material that is configured to elastically deform when a load is applied to the material or a component or portion thereof composed of the material, and to recover its original shape when the load is removed from the material.

[0074] Some portions of this disclosure describe a method or process for manufacturing, producing, or forming a component of an article of footwear, such as a midsole, or particularly a midsole member of a sole structure of footwear. As used herein, the term "initial" preceding a component name, such as "initial midsole member," or preceding a property of an assembly, such as "initial density," refers to a particular state of the assembly, or its property, prior to or after one or more initial or first steps of a method or process of manufacturing the assembly, but after one or more intermediate or final steps. For example, an "initial midsole member" refers to an original or unfinished midsole member, including one or more properties thereof, that is formed by one or more initial or first steps or processes, and subsequently undergoes one or more intermediate or final steps or processes to form a midsole member that subsequently forms an article of footwear.

[0075] Relatedly, also used herein is the term "final" or "production ready" preceding a component name, e.g., "final midsole component" or "production ready midsole component," or a property of a component, e.g., "final size," refers to a particular state of such component, including one or more properties thereof, resulting from a final or third step or process of a method or process of manufacturing such component, i.e., after an initial or first step or process and any other intermediate steps or processes thereafter. Further, the particular state of such component, including one or more properties thereof, resulting from the final or third step or process, corresponds to a production ready or final state of such component, i.e., ready for assembly to one or more other components to form a final article of footwear, including a final component of footwear, e.g., a final sole structure of footwear. For example, "final midsole component" refers to a particular state of a midsole component, including one or more properties thereof, that has previously undergone one or more initial steps or processes, including any intermediate steps or processes thereafter, and is in a production ready or final state for inclusion in a final article of footwear, without undergoing any subsequent steps or processes that materially affect one or more particularly beneficial properties of the final midsole component, e.g., a final density.

[0076] Further, as used herein, the term "intermediate" preceding a component name, e.g., "intermediate midsole component," or a property of a component, e.g., "intermediate thickness," refers to a particular state of that component after one or more initial or first steps or processes of a method or process of manufacturing such component, but before one or more subsequent final steps or processes. For example, "intermediate midsole component" refers to a raw or unfinished midsole component, including one or more properties thereof, resulting from an intermediate or second step after one or more initial or first steps or processes of a method or process of manufacturing such component, but before one or more final or third steps, and that has not yet been subjected to or has not yet acquired the properties of a component in a production ready or final state.

[0077] The present utility relates to an article of footwear and / or a particular component of the article of footwear, such as an upper and / or a sole or sole structure. The upper can include a knit component, a woven textile, and / or a non-woven textile. The knit component can be made from knit yarns, the woven textile can be made from woven yarns, and the non-woven textile can be made from a unitary non-woven web. The knit textile includes a fabric formed by warp knitting, weft knitting, flat knitting, circular knitting, and / or other suitable knitting operations. For example, the knit textile can have a flat knit construction, a mesh knit construction, and / or a rib knit construction. The woven textile includes, but is not limited to, a fabric formed by any of a variety of weaving forms, such as a plain weave, a twill weave, a satin weave, a pique weave, a jacquard weave, a double weave, and / or a double cloth weave. The non-woven textile includes a fabric made, for example, by air-laying and / or spunlacing. The upper can include a variety of materials, such as a first yarn, a second yarn, and / or a third yarn, which can have different properties or different visual characteristics.

[0078] In addition, the present disclosure relates to an article of footwear having a sole structure attached to an upper and a frame attached to the sole structure and / or the upper. The sole structure can include a midsole and an outsole. Each of the midsole and the outsole can be independent components coupled to one another, or one or more of these elements can be integrally formed with one another. The midsole can be made of a foam material and disposed between and connecting the upper and the outsole. The midsole can cushion the impact of a user's foot contacting the ground. The outsole can be attached to the midsole to define a bottom surface of the footwear. The outsole can be made of a rubber material and configured to contact the ground and provide traction. The outsole can include one or more portions, such as a heel portion and a forefoot portion, although the outsole can include more than two portions in different areas, or it can be a single component. The frame can be made of a rigid plastic, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or another type of plastic or composite material and provided to add structural support and / or contain components of the sole structure. In particular, the frame can surround the sole structure and have portions on both the lateral side and the medial side of the article of footwear. In addition, the frame can be configured to be detachably connected to the footwear, such as the sole structure and / or the upper. In some embodiments, the frame can also be configured to receive an outsole member disposed between the frame and the midsole, where the outsole member can function as the outsole of the footwear. Thus, the frame can provide customized support for the footwear while further providing a means to replace the outsole.

[0079] The frame is an elongated member that is joined with and surrounds portions of the sole structure and / or upper. The frame has an inner surface that faces the article of footwear and is configured to couple with the sole structure, and in some embodiments, at least a portion of the upper when the sole structure is connected with the upper. The frame also has an outer surface that in some embodiments can be smooth, contoured, or have other features such as holes. For example, the frame can be designed to match the contours of the adjacent portions of the sole structure and / or upper. These features can be used to tune the flexibility of the frame, making it stiffer in certain portions or along certain directions, such as the length of the frame. In addition, the frame can be used to increase the decorative aspects of the shoe. Furthermore, the edges of the frame can be generally smooth and curvilinear, wavy, jagged, or otherwise undulating. Some portions of the frame, such as those proximate the bottom surface, can have one or more flanges extending therefrom. In such embodiments, the flanges of the frame can be disposed between the insole, the outsole, and / or the upper to help secure the frame to the sole structure and / or upper.

[0080] As noted above, the frame surrounds the sole structure. In particular, the frame can define a first or distal end in the forefoot region proximate the medial side and the lateral side. The distal end can be located near the bottom surface of the sole structure, or it can extend partially onto the lateral side or medial side of the insole or upper. The frame can extend rearward along the bottom surface of the sole structure proximate the medial side and the lateral side to a second or proximal end in the heel region. The frame can extend over the insole proximate the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and / or the heel region, thereby connecting with the upper. The frame can also extend around the perimeter of the heel region from the lateral side to the medial side, forward and terminate at a distal end proximate or adjacent to the midfoot region or the forefoot region. The frame can be configured to connect with the sole structure and / or the upper over at least a portion of its length.

[0081] The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose various embodiments or configurations of an article of footwear. The article of footwear can be provided as a pair of shoes, including a first or left shoe and a second or right shoe. The left shoe and the right shoe can be similar in all materials except for the size and shape of the left shoe and the right shoe to accommodate the left foot and the right foot of a user, respectively. To facilitate disclosure, reference will be made to a single shoe or article of footwear to describe various aspects of the disclosure. In some figures, the article of footwear is depicted as a right shoe, while in some figures, the article of footwear is depicted as a left shoe. The following disclosure regarding the article of footwear applies to both the left shoe and the right shoe. In some embodiments, there can be differences between the left shoe and the right shoe in addition to the left / right configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the left shoe can include a frame while the right shoe can not include a frame, or vice versa. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the left shoe can include one or more additional elements that the right shoe does not include, or vice versa.

[0082] Figures 1-5 An exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear 100 is depicted that includes an upper 102 and a sole structure 104. With particular reference to Figure 1 , the upper 102 is attached to the sole structure 104, which together define an interior void 106 (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) into which a foot of a user can be inserted. Many conventional uppers are formed from a plurality of elements (e.g., textiles, polymeric foam, polymeric sheeting, leather, and synthetic leather) that are joined together by being bonded or stitched at seams. In some embodiments, the upper 102 of the article of footwear 100 is formed from a knit structure or knit component. In various embodiments, the knit component can incorporate various types of yarns that can provide different properties to the upper. For example, one region of the upper 102 can be formed from a first type of yarn that imparts a first set of properties, while another region of the upper 102 can be formed from a second type of yarn that imparts a second set of properties. Using this construction, the properties of the upper 102 can be varied throughout the upper 102 by selecting particular yarns for different regions of the upper 102.

[0083] With respect to the materials that make up the upper 102, the particular properties that a particular type of yarn will impart to a region of the knit component can depend at least in part on the materials of the various filaments and fibers that form the yarn. For example, cotton can provide a soft feel, biodegradability, or a natural aesthetic to the knit material. Spandex and stretch polyester can each provide the desired elasticity and recovery properties to the knit component. Rayon can provide a high luster and moisture absorbent material, wool can provide a moisture absorbent enhanced material, nylon can be a durable material that is resistant to abrasion, and polyester can provide a durable material that is resistant to water.

[0084] Other aspects of the knit component can also be varied to affect the properties of the knit component and provide desired attributes. For example, the yarns that form the knit component can include single filament yarns or multi-filament yarns, or the yarns can include filaments that are each formed from two or more different materials. Further, the knit component can be formed using a particular knit process to impart particular properties to regions of the knit component. Thus, the materials that form the yarns and other aspects of the yarns can be selected to impart a variety of properties to particular regions of the upper 102.

[0085] In some embodiments, the elasticity of the knit structure can be measured based on comparing a width or length of the knit structure in the first, non-stretched state, with a width or length of the knit structure in the second, stretched state, after the knit structure has had a force applied to it in the transverse direction. In further embodiments, the upper 102 can also include additional structural elements. For example, in some embodiments, a heel plate or overlay (not shown) can be disposed on the heel region 112 to provide additional support to the heel of the user. In certain instances, other elements, such as plastic materials, logos, trademarks, and the like, can also be applied and secured to the outer surface using a glue or thermoforming process. In some embodiments, the properties associated with the upper 102, such as the stitch type, the yarn type, or properties associated with different stitch types or yarn types, such as elasticity, aesthetics, thickness, breathability, or abrasion resistance, can vary.

[0086] With reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the article of footwear 100 also defines a lateral side 116 and a medial side 118. When the article of footwear 100 is worn by a user, the lateral side 116 corresponds to the outward-facing portion of the article of footwear 100, while the medial side 118 corresponds to the inward-facing portion of the article of footwear 100. As such, the article of footwear 100 has opposing lateral and medial sides 116, 118. The lateral and medial sides 116, 118 adjoin one another along a longitudinal center plane or axis 120 of the article of footwear 100, which is coplanar with the longitudinal axis L of the article of footwear 100. As will be discussed further herein, the longitudinal center plane or axis 120 can divide a central mid-axis between the lateral and medial sides 116, 118 of the article of footwear 100. In other words, the longitudinal plane or axis 120 can extend between a posterior proximal end 122 of the article of footwear 100 and an anterior distal end 124 of the article of footwear 100, and can continuously define a mid-portion of the sole structure 104 and / or the upper 102 of the article of footwear 100, i.e., the longitudinal plane or axis 120 is a straight axis extending from the proximal end 122 to the distal end 124 of the article of footwear 100.

[0087] With reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the article of footwear 100 can be defined by a forefoot region 108, a midfoot region 110, and a heel region 112. The forefoot region 108 can generally correspond to the portion of the article of footwear 100 that encases portions of the foot 128 including the toes or phalanges 130, the toe ball portion 132, and one or more joints 134 connecting the metatarsal bones 136 and the toes or phalanges 130 of the foot 128 (see Figure 3 ). The midfoot region 110 is proximate to and adjoins the forefoot region 108. The midfoot region 110 generally corresponds to the portion of the article of footwear 100 that encases the arch of the foot 128 and the ball of the foot of the foot 128 (see Figure 3). The heel region 112 is proximate to the midfoot region 110 and adjoins the midfoot region 110. The heel region 112 generally corresponds to the portion of the article of footwear 100 that encloses a rear portion of a foot 128, including a heel or calcaneus 138 (see Figure 3 ), an ankle (not shown), and / or an Achilles tendon (not shown).

[0088] Still referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, the heel region 112, the lateral side 116, and the medial side 118 are intended to define the boundaries or areas of the article of footwear 100. To this end, the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, the heel region 112, the lateral side 116, and the medial side 118 generally characterize portions of the article of footwear 100. Certain aspects of the present disclosure can refer to portions or elements that extend collectively with one or more of the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, the heel region 112, the lateral side 116, and / or the medial side 118. Further, both the upper 102 and the sole structure 104 are characterized as having portions that lie within the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, the heel region 112, and / or along the lateral side 116 and / or the medial side 118. Thus, the upper 102 and the sole structure 104, and / or individual portions of the upper 102 and the sole structure 104, can include portions disposed within the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, the heel region 112, and / or along the lateral side 116 and / or the medial side 118.

[0089] Still referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, the heel region 112, the lateral side 116, and the medial side 118 are illustrated in detail. The forefoot region 108 extends from a toe end 140 of the article of footwear 100 to a widest portion 142. The widest portion 142 is defined or measured along a first line 144 that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 120 that extends from a distal portion of the toe end 140 to a distal portion of a heel end 146, which is opposite the toe end 140. The midfoot region 110 extends from the widest portion 142 of the article of footwear 100 to a narrowest portion 148. The narrowest portion 148 of the article of footwear 100 is defined as the narrowest portion of the article of footwear 100 measured across a second line 150 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 120. The heel region 112 extends from the narrowest portion 148 of the article of footwear 100 to the heel end 146.

[0090] It should be appreciated that many modifications are possible in light of the foregoing description, and that individual components can be combined into many articles of footwear for those skilled in the art. Accordingly, various aspects of the article of footwear 100 and components thereof can be described with reference to general areas or portions of the article of footwear 100, with the understanding that the boundaries of the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, the heel region 112, the lateral side 116, and / or the medial side 118 as described herein can vary between articles of footwear. However, aspects of the article of footwear 100 and individual components thereof can also be described with reference to exact areas or portions of the article of footwear 100, and the scope of the claims appended herein can incorporate limitations related to these boundaries of the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, the heel region 112, the lateral side 116, and / or the medial side 118 as described herein.

[0091] Still referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The medial side 118 begins at the distal toe end 140 and curves outward along the forefoot region 108 toward the midfoot region 110 along the medial side of the article of footwear 100. The medial side 118 reaches the first line 144 at which point the medial side 118 curves inward toward the longitudinal center axis 120. The medial side 118 extends from the first line 144 (i.e., the widest portion 142) to the second line 150 (i.e., the narrowest portion 148) at which point the medial side 118 enters the midfoot region 110, i.e., upon crossing the first line 144. Upon reaching the second line 150, the medial side 118 curves outward, away from the longitudinal center axis 120, at which point the medial side 118 extends into the heel region 112, i.e., upon crossing the second line 150. The medial side 118 then curves outward and then inward toward the heel end 146 and terminates at the point where the medial side 118 intersects the longitudinal center axis 120.

[0092] The medial side 118 begins at the distal toe end 140 and curves outward along the forefoot region 108 toward the midfoot region 110 along the medial side of the article of footwear 100. The medial side 118 reaches the first line 144 at which point the medial side 118 curves inward toward the longitudinal center axis 120. The medial side 118 extends from the first line 144 (i.e., the widest portion 142) to the second line 150 (i.e., the narrowest portion 148) at which point the medial side 118 enters the midfoot region 110, i.e., upon crossing the first line 144. Upon reaching the second line 150, the medial side 118 curves outward, away from the longitudinal center axis 120, at which point the medial side 118 extends into the heel region 112, i.e., upon crossing the second line 150. The medial side 118 then curves outward and then inward toward the heel end 146 and terminates at the point where the medial side 118 intersects the longitudinal center axis 120.

[0093] Still referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3, the upper 102 extends along the lateral side 116 and the medial side 118, and across the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, and the heel region 112 to accommodate and enclose the foot of the user (see Figure 3 ). With particular reference to Figure 2 , when fully assembled, the upper 102 also includes an interior surface 152 and an exterior surface 154. The interior surface 152 faces inward and generally defines the interior void 106, while the exterior surface 154 of the upper 102 faces outward and generally defines the outer perimeter or boundary of the upper 102. The upper 102 also includes an opening 156 that is at least partially located in the heel region 112 of the article of footwear 100, which provides access to the interior void 106, and through which the foot 128 (see Figure 3 ) can be inserted and removed. In some embodiments, the upper 102 can also include an instep region 158 that extends from the opening 156 in the heel region 112 to a region corresponding to the instep of the foot, and to a region proximate the forefoot region 108. The instep region 158 can include an area in which a tongue 160 of the present embodiment is disposed. In some embodiments, the upper 102 does not include a tongue 160, i.e., the upper 102 is devoid of a tongue.

[0094] With reference again to Figure 1 , the sole structure 104 is connected or fixed to the upper 102, and extends between the foot 128 (see Figure 3 ) of the user and the ground (not shown) when the article of footwear 100 is worn by the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the sole structure 104 includes a midsole 162 and an outsole 164. The outsole 164 can define a bottom end or bottom surface 166 of the sole structure 104, spanning the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, and the heel region 112. Further, the outsole region 164 can be a ground-engaging portion or include a ground-engaging surface (e.g., the bottom surface 166) of the sole structure 104. The outsole 164 can be formed of one or more materials to impart durability, abrasion resistance, wear resistance, or traction to the sole structure 104. In some embodiments, the outsole 164 can be formed of any kind of resilient material, such as rubber, including thermoset or thermoplastic elastomers, or a thermoplastic material, such as TPU. In some embodiments, the outsole 164 can define a Shore A hardness of up to 95.

[0095] Still referring to Figure 1 , the midsole 162 can be configured of a thermoplastic material, such as polyurethane (PU), e.g., and / or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), copolymers thereof, or similar types of materials. In other embodiments, the midsole region 162 can be an EVA solid sponge (“ESS”) material, an EVA foam (e.g., PUMA® ProFoam Lite TMpolyurethane, polyether, olefin block copolymer, organic sheet, thermoplastic material (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyolefin, etc.), or supercritical foam. The midsole 162 can be a single polymeric material or can be a mixture of multiple materials, such as EVA copolymer, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyether block amide (PEBA) copolymer, and / or olefin block copolymer. One example of a PEBA material is PEBAX®. In some embodiments, the midsole region 162 is manufactured by a process involving injection molding, vulcanization, layer-by-layer printing, i.e., additive manufacturing systems or methods, etc.

[0096] In embodiments where the midsole region 162 is formed from a supercritical foaming process, the supercritical foam can include a microcellular foam or a cellular foam, such as TPU, EVA, PEBAX® or mixtures thereof, manufactured using a process that takes place within a pressurized vessel that is sufficiently heated / pressurized to handle the mixing of a supercritical fluid (e.g., CO2, N2, or mixtures thereof) with a material that is preferably molten (e.g., TPU, EVA, polyolefin elastomer, or mixtures thereof). In an exemplary process, a solution of the supercritical fluid and the molten material is pumped into the pressurized vessel, after which the pressure within the vessel is released, causing the molecules of the supercritical fluid to rapidly transform into a gas, forming small pockets within the material and causing the material to expand into a foam. In further embodiments, the midsole region 162 can be formed using alternative methods known in the art, including the use of an expansion press, injection machine, particle expansion process, cold foaming process, compression molding techniques, die cutting, or any combination thereof. For example, the midsole region 162 can be formed using a process that includes an initial foaming step in which a supercritical gas is used to foam the material, which is then compression molded or die cut into a particular shape.

[0097] Referring again to Figure 2 , the sole structure 104 can further include a sockliner 126 disposed above the midsole region 162 (see Figure 1 ). The sockliner 126 can be a strobel board, forefoot board, last board, etc., or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the sockliner 126 can be disposed between the upper 102 and the sole structure 104. In some embodiments, the sockliner 126 can be part of the upper 102. Further, the sockliner 126 can be located within the interior void 106 of the upper 102, which can be in direct contact with the user's foot 128 (see Figure 3 ) when the article of footwear 100 is worn. Further, the upper 102 can also include a liner (not shown) that can increase comfort, for example, by reducing the contact between the user's foot 128 (see Figure 3) and / or other components of the upper 102, insole 126, and / or sole structure 104, and / or by providing moisture-wicking properties. The liner can line all of the interior cavity 106, or only a portion thereof. In some embodiments, a combination (not shown) can surround the opening 156 of the interior cavity 106 to secure the liner to the upper 102 and / or to provide an aesthetic element for the article of footwear 100.

[0098] Referring again to Figure 1 , the upper 102 includes a fastening mechanism 172 that defines a plurality of first fastening members or lacing locks 174 disposed on the lateral side 116 and the medial side 118 (see Figure 4 ) of the article of footwear 100 adjacent to the tongue 160. The lacing locks 174 are configured to receive a second fastening member or lace 176 that is extendable in a crisscross manner through the tongue 160 and through the lacing locks 174. In some embodiments, the lace 176 extends through the lacing locks 174 disposed on the lateral side 116 of the upper 102, through the tongue 160 and instep region 158, and through the lacing locks 174 disposed on the medial side 118 of the upper 102. In some embodiments, the lace 176 has free ends that can be tied together by a user. In some embodiments, the lace 176 includes two laces each having a first end secured to the upper 102 and a second end that is free such that the second ends of the two laces can be tied together by a user. In some embodiments, the lace 176 can be a closed loop lace that is manually and / or automatically tightened by a tightening mechanism (not shown). In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism 172 includes more than one plurality of lacing locks 174 configured to receive one or more laces 176.

[0099] Still referring to Figure 1As noted above, the sole structure 104 includes a midsole or midsole region 162 and an outsole or outsole region 164. In the illustrated embodiment, the midsole region 162 includes a plurality of midsole members 178 disposed along the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, and the heel region 112. The plurality of midsole members 178 can have different properties, including different shapes, colors, thicknesses, and / or widths. In some embodiments, the midsole members 178 have other properties, such as color, that vary between one or more of the midsole members 178. In some embodiments, and as discussed further below, one or more of the midsole members 178 can be composed of a different material than the material that makes up the other midsole members 178. For example, in some embodiments, the midsole members 178 disposed in the heel region 112 are composed of a different material than the midsole members 178 disposed in the forefoot region 108 and / or the midfoot region 110. In some embodiments, the midsole members 178 can define the midsole 162 and the outsole 164 of the sole structure 104.

[0100] The plurality of midsole members 178 each have an upper portion 180 and a lower portion 182. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower portions 182 of the plurality of midsole members 178 define the outsole 164 of the sole structure 104 and are configured to at least partially contact the ground while providing traction for a user wearing the article of footwear 100. The upper 102 is connected to the upper portions 180 of the midsole members 178. In some embodiments, the upper 102 can be attached to the upper portions 180 of the midsole members 178 by glue or other adhesive. In some embodiments, the upper portions 180 of the plurality of midsole members 178 form a continuous surface. In such embodiments, the continuous surface of the upper portions 180 can serve as an insole 126 (see Figure 2 ) of the article of footwear 100. In some embodiments, there is one or more gaps between the upper portions 180 of the plurality of midsole members 178. In some embodiments, an insole 126 (see Figure 2 ) is connected to the upper portions 180 of the plurality of midsole members 178. In such embodiments, the upper 102 can be connected to the insole 126 of the sole structure 104.

[0101] With particular reference to Figure 1 and Figure 4 , the article of footwear 100 further includes a frame 170. The frame 170 is an elongate member that surrounds the midsole region 162 and the outsole region 164 of the sole structure 104 (i.e., the plurality of midsole members 178 in the illustrated embodiment). In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 170 also at least partially encases a lower portion of the upper 102 (see Figure 4 ). Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame 170 surrounds the lateral side 116, the medial side 118 (see Figure 2), the proximal end 122, the distal end 124, the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, and at least a portion of the heel region 112. The frame 170 is a unitary body and can be made of a plastic material, such as TPU. In some embodiments, the frame 170 is made of a translucent TPU or another translucent material. Further, two or more portions of the frame 170 can be composed of two or more materials that have different properties from one another. For example, in some embodiments, the frame 170 can have a portion that includes TPU and another portion that includes a composite material.

[0102] The frame 170 can be configured to be detachably attached to the sole structure 104 and / or the upper 102. In such embodiments, the frame 170 can be configured to include multiple frames having different geometric shapes and / or material properties, each of which can be removably attached to the sole structure 104 by a user to provide a particular support structure desired by the user for a particular physical activity. Further, as described below, the frame 170 can be configured such that a user can remove and replace the outsole 164 of the article of footwear 100. Further, as described below, including the frame 170 can increase the visual appeal of the shoe by allowing multiple midsole members 178 to be visible through the frame 170 from the exterior of the article of footwear 100.

[0103] Still referring to Figure 1 and Figure 4 , the frame 170 is an elongated member that wraps around the midsole member 178 along the lateral side 116 and the medial side 118 (see Figure 4 ) of the upper 102. The frame 170 has an exterior surface 184 that faces away from the article of footwear 100 and an interior surface 186 that faces toward the article of footwear 100. In some embodiments, the frame 170 covers at least a portion of the sole structure 104 and does not cover any portion of the upper 102. In some embodiments, the frame 170 covers a portion of the sole structure 104 and a portion of the upper 102. In some embodiments, the frame 170 covers a percentage of the upper 102, defined as the absolute surface area not accounting for the plurality of apertures 188 of the frame 170, in a range of about 2% to about 90%, in a range of about 5% to about 95%, in a range of about 15% to about 80%, in a range of about 25% to about 75%, in a range of about 30% to about 70%, or in a range of about 50% to about 65%.

[0104] The interior surface 186 of the frame 170 is configured to enclose or cover one or more midsole members 178 of the sole structure 104 and / or portions of the upper 102. In other words, the interior surface 186 along the lateral side 190, the medial side 192 (see Figure 6 ), the bottom side 194, the distal side 196, and the proximal side 198 of the frame 170 defines a frame interior cavity 199 (seeFigure 1 and Figure 4 ), which is configured to house at least a portion of one or more midsole members 178 and / or portions of the upper 102. In some embodiments, the frame 170 can be at least partially disposed within a plurality of channels or grooves (not shown) formed on the one or more midsole members 178. In some embodiments, the frame 170 is co-molded with the midsole members 178. In some embodiments, the frame 170 is adhered to the midsole members 178 or the upper 102. In some embodiments, the frame 170 is removably attached to the midsole members 178 by compression or otherwise. In some embodiments, the frame 170 can extend over or cover only a portion of the midsole members 178. For example, in such embodiments, the frame 170 can extend over only those midsole members 178 disposed in the heel region 112, such that the midsole members 178 disposed in the forefoot region 108 and the midfoot region 110 are not covered by the frame 170. In some embodiments, the article of footwear 100 can include more than one frame 170, for example, a first frame can extend over the midsole members 178 disposed in the heel region 112, and a second frame can extend over the midsole members 178 disposed in the forefoot region 108 and / or the midfoot region 110.

[0105] Still referring to Figure 1 and Figure 4 , the frame 170 has a lattice structure formed by a plurality of apertures 188 extending from an outer surface 184 to an inner surface 186 of the frame 170. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures 188 are disposed along each of the lateral side 190, the medial side 192 (see Figure 6 ), the bottom side 194, the distal side 196, and the proximal side 198 of the frame 170. Accordingly, the lattice structure of the frame 170 extends across the entire frame 170, such that the midsole members 178 covered by the frame 170 are visible from the exterior of the article of footwear 100 (e.g., along the lateral side 116, the medial side 118 (see Figure 2 ), the proximal end 122, the distal end 124, and the outsole region 164) through the lattice structure of the frame 170 (i.e., the apertures 188). In some embodiments, the apertures 188 are disposed entirely on the bottom side 194 of the frame 170, such that the lattice structure of the frame 170 extends only along the outsole region 164 of the article of footwear 100, while the remaining portions of the frame 170 can extend along the lateral side 116, the medial side 118 (see Figure 2 ), the proximal end 122, and the distal end 124 of the article of footwear 100. In some embodiments, the apertures 188 are disposed only on the lateral side 190 and the bottom side 194 of the frame 170, such that the lattice structure of the frame 170 extends only along the lateral side 116 and the outsole region 164 of the article of footwear 100, while the remaining portions of the frame can extend along the medial side 118 (seeFigure 2 ), the lateral side 190, and the proximal side 198. In some embodiments, the frame 170 includes a plurality of holes 188 (i.e., a mesh structure) extending along the lateral side 190 of the upper 102, the proximal side 198 of the upper 102, and the heel region 112 of the article of footwear 100. In some embodiments, the percentage of the frame 170 that includes the plurality of holes 188 (i.e., the mesh structure) is in a range of about 5% to about 30%, in a range of about 20% to about 60%, in a range of about 30% to about 80%, in a range of about 50% to about 90%, or in a range of about 10% to about 95%. In some embodiments, the mesh structure of the frame 170 can extend along the outer surface 154 of the upper 102 in a percentage in a range of about 5% to about 60%, in a range of about 10% to about 50%, in a range of about 15% to about 45%, or in a range of about 20% to about 40%. In some embodiments, the frame 170 or portions thereof can have a continuous outer surface 184 without holes 188. Figure 2 Continuing to refer to

[0106] and Figure 1 , the plurality of holes 188 can have different sizes and shapes. For example, with particular reference to Figure 4 , the holes 188 disposed on the lateral side 190 of the frame 170 have a generally oval shape and a smaller size compared to the holes 188 disposed on the proximal side 198 of the frame 170. Likewise, with particular reference to Figure 4 , the holes 188 disposed on the lateral side 190 of the frame 170 have a generally oval shape and a smaller size compared to the holes 188 disposed on the proximal side 198 of the frame 170. Likewise, with particular reference to Figure 1 , the holes 188 disposed on the lateral side 190 of the frame 170 have a generally oval shape and a smaller size compared to the holes 188 disposed on the proximal side 198 of the frame 170. Likewise, with particular reference to

[0107] With particular reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5As noted above, the bottom side 194 of the frame 170 is provided with apertures 188, and the frame 170 and the bottom portion 182 of the midsole member 178 partially define the bottom surface 166 of the outsole 164 of the sole structure 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures 188 provided on the bottom side 194 of the frame 170 are arranged such that at least two or more of the apertures 188 are at least partially disposed on each of the midsole members 178. In some embodiments, the bottom side 194 of the frame 170 and the bottom portion 182 of the midsole member 178 form a substantially planar or continuous bottom surface 166 of the outsole 164. In some embodiments, the midsole member 178 can include a plurality of protrusions (not shown) that are aligned with the two or more apertures 188 provided on the bottom side of the frame 170, such that the protrusions of the bottom portion 182 of the midsole member 178 at least partially extend through the apertures 188 of the frame 170.

[0108] Referring again to Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the midsole member 178 can be constructed of a compressible and / or deformable material that can provide a cushioning or shock-absorbing benefit to the user when wearing the article of footwear 100. In such embodiments, the frame 170 can be constructed of a material that is more rigid than the material comprising the midsole member 178, such that the frame 170 provides support to the midsole member 178 when a user’s foot exerts a force on the sole structure 104. In such embodiments, when a user wearing the article of footwear 100 exerts a downward force on the sole structure 104 opposite the ground, the frame 170 can flex inwardly toward the midsole member 178 while the midsole member 178 compresses between the user’s foot and the ground. In some embodiments, the upper portion 180 of the midsole member 178 can be constructed of a different material than the bottom portion 182 of the midsole member 178. In such embodiments, for example, the bottom portion 182 of the midsole member 178 can comprise a first material that provides traction between the midsole member 178 and the ground, while the upper portion 180 of the midsole member 178 comprises a second material that provides cushioning to the user wearing the article of footwear 100.

[0109] Likewise, the frame 170 can be composed of two or more materials having different properties. For example, the lateral side 190, the medial side 192 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ), the distal side 196, and / or the proximal side 198 of the frame 170 proximate the midsole region 162 can be constructed of a first, flexible material, while the bottom side 194 of the frame 170 proximate the outsole region 164 can be constructed of a second, more rigid material than the first material. In such embodiments, portions of the lateral side 190 and the medial side 192 of the frame 170 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5) can be composed of a third material that is more elastic than the first material. In some embodiments, these portions of the outer side 190 and the inner side 192 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) can function as fastening members of the fastening mechanism 172. For example, in addition to, or in place of, the second fastening members or lace locks 174, the first fastening members or laces 176 can extend through the apertures 188 disposed on the outer side 190 and the inner side 192 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) of the frame 170. In such embodiments, the third material comprising portions of the outer side 190 and the inner side 192 (see Figure 4 and 5 ) of the frame 170 can allow the frame 170 to elastically deform under tension of the laces 176. In such embodiments, the elastic deformation of the frame 170 can be defined as one or more portions of the lattice structure of the frame 170 being configured to maintain an elastic deformation when a force (e.g., tension of the tightened laces 176) is applied to the one or more portions of the frame 170, and to self-recover to an original shape of the lattice structure of the frame 170 when the force is removed (e.g., when the laces 176 are loosened).

[0110] As described above, the frame 170 can extend along different portions of the upper 102 that wrap around the foot 128 (see Figure 3 ) of the user. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the lattice structure of the frame 170 defined at least by the plurality of apertures 188 can be formed from a material configured to accommodate the foot of the wearer. For example, in such embodiments, the lattice structure of the frame 170 can be formed from an elastic material that is structured to accommodate the contours of the foot of the wearer and elastically deform around the contours of the foot of the wearer, including expanding to a first length at some locations of the foot of the wearer while expanding to a second length that is greater than the first length at other locations of the foot of the wearer. In some such embodiments, the material forming the lattice structure of the frame 170 can be structured to maintain a shape corresponding to the contours of the foot of the wearer after the article of footwear 100 is worn by the user for a period of time. In other embodiments, the material comprising the lattice structure of the frame 170 can be configured to accommodate the bending of the sole structure 104 and / or the upper 102 and elastically deform (e.g., when the forefoot region 108 of the bottom surface 166 of the outsole 164 contacts the ground while the heel region 112 of the bottom surface 166 of the outsole 164 is lifted from the ground during a certain phase of the wearer’s gait), and then be able to self-recover to an un-bent shape when the sole structure 104 and / or the upper 102 returns to the original shape (e.g., when the forefoot region 108 and the heel region 112 of the bottom surface 166 of the outsole 164 simultaneously contact the ground during another phase of the wearer’s gait, or when the wearer is standing still).

[0111] As noted above, the frame 170 can be composed of a translucent or partially transparent material. In this regard, Figure 5 An alternative embodiment of the frame 170 is shown as being translucent such that the entirety of the bottom 182 of the midsole member 178 is at least partially visible from the bottom surface 166 of the article of footwear 100 through the translucent frame 170, except for portions of the midsole member 178 that are visible through the apertures 188 disposed on the bottom side 194 of the frame 170. In some embodiments, the upper portion 180 of the midsole member 178 and / or portions of the upper 102 covered by the frame 170 can be visible or partially visible from a side (e.g., the lateral side 116) of the article of footwear 100 through the frame 170, except for portions that are visible through the apertures 188 disposed on the lateral side 190, medial side 192, bottom side 194, distal side 196, and / or proximal side 198 of the frame 170. In some embodiments, portions of the frame 170 can be translucent, while other portions of the frame 170 can be opaque. For example, in some embodiments, the lateral side 190 of the frame 170 can be translucent, while the medial side 192, bottom side 194, distal side 196, and / or proximal side 198 of the frame 170 can be opaque.

[0112] Referring again to Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, one or more of the midsole members 178 and / or the frame 170 can be configured to be removably attached to the sole structure 104. For example, in some embodiments, at least some portions of the frame 170 can be composed of an elastic material, and the frame 170 can be configured such that a user can remove the frame 170 from a fixedly attached midsole member 178 by inserting a finger into one or more of the apertures 188 and pulling the frame 170 outward and downward relative to the upper 102. In another example, both the frame 170 and the one or more midsole members 178 can be removably attached to the upper 102 such that the frame 170 can be removed, the one or more midsole members 178 can be replaced with different midsole members 178 having different properties, and then the frame 170 can be reattached to the different midsole members 178. In some embodiments, the midsole members 178 can not be attached to the upper 102, and the frame 170 can be configured to hold the midsole members 178 in contact with the upper 102 and / or to contain the midsole members 178 in a particular arrangement with one another. In such embodiments, the frame 170 can further include one or more protrusions (not shown) extending from the interior surface 186 that can be configured to extend at least partially between the unattached midsole members 178.

[0113] Still referring to Figure 1 , Figure 4 andFigure 5 The midsole member 178 and / or the frame 170 can be formed by additive manufacturing techniques, such as by 3D printing. To this end, a variety of 3D printing techniques can be implemented to form the midsole member 178 and / or the frame 170, such as light solidification, material jetting, binder jetting, powder bed fusion, material extrusion, directed energy deposition, and / or sheet lamination. In some embodiments, the frame 170 or components thereof can be 3D printed directly on the midsole member 178, or along some portion of the upper 102. In some embodiments, the frame 170 or components thereof can be 3D printed and then coupled separately from a portion of the article of footwear 100.

[0114] Reference is now made to Figures 6-14 depicts another example embodiment of an article of footwear 200, which includes an upper 202, a sole structure 204 having a midsole or midsole region 262 and an outsole or outsole region 264, and a frame 270. The article of footwear 200 is similar to the preceding embodiments, with like elements denoted by like reference numerals under the "2xx" series. For example, the upper 202 of the article of footwear 200 has an interior surface 252, an exterior surface 254, and an instep region 258, just as the upper 102 of the article of footwear 100 has an interior surface 152, an exterior surface 154, and an instep region 158 (see Figure 1 ). Further, similar to the sole structure 104 of the article of footwear 100, the sole structure 204 of the article of footwear 200 includes a plurality of midsole members 278 disposed within a frame internal cavity 299 (see Figure 6 and Figure 7 ) of the frame 270. While the article of footwear 200 is similar in many respects to the preceding embodiments, there are some different aspects. In particular, the fastening mechanism 272 includes a third fastening member or second plurality of lacing locks 274b in addition to the second fastening member or first plurality of lacing locks 274a.

[0115] With particular reference to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the first fastening member or lacing 276 extends through the tongue 260 in a crossing manner and through the first and second pluralities of lacing locks 274a, 274b in an alternating order or series, i.e., through one of the first plurality of lacing locks 274a, through the tongue 260, through one of the second plurality of lacing locks 274b, and so on. In the illustrated embodiment, the second plurality of lacing locks 274b is disposed between the first plurality of lacing locks 274a and the sole structure 204. The first and second pluralities of lacing locks 274a, 274b can each be disposed around the lateral side 216 and the medial side 218 (see Figure 7) a single tether or band of material is formed and partially adhered thereto, and has one or more broken portions that can form first and second pluralities of tether locks 274a, 274b.

[0116] Still referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the frame 270 extends along the lateral side 216, the medial side 218 (see Figure 7 ), the proximal end 222, and the distal end 224 of the sole structure 204, and at least along a lower portion of the upper 202. Similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5 , the frame 270 has a lattice structure formed by a plurality of apertures 288, including a first plurality of apertures 288a disposed at least partially along the lateral side 290, the medial side 292, the distal side 296, and / or the proximal side 298 of the frame 270, and extending through the outer surface 284 and the inner surface 286 of the frame 270 and into the frame interior cavity 299. However, unlike the aforementioned embodiment of Figures 1-5 , the frame 270 includes a large central aperture 288b defined on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 that extends partially along the forefoot region 208, the midfoot region 210, and the heel region 212 between the lateral side 216 and the medial side 218 (see Figure 7 ) of the article of footwear 200. The bottom side 294 of the frame 270 also includes a second plurality of apertures 288c (see Figure 6 ) disposed around a perimeter of the large central aperture 288b. Similar to the first plurality of apertures 288a, the large central aperture 288b and the second plurality of apertures 288c extend through the outer surface 284 and the inner surface 286 of the frame 270 and into the frame interior cavity 299.

[0117] Continuing to refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , in the illustrated embodiment, each of the midsole members 278 extends from the lateral side 216 to the medial side 218 (see Figure 7 ) of the sole structure 204. The plurality of midsole members 278 includes a first or forefoot midsole member 278a, a second or midfoot midsole member 278b, a third or distal-heel midsole member 278c, and a fourth or proximal-heel midsole member 278d. The first midsole member 278a is disposed entirely within the forefoot region 208 of the article of footwear 200, and the second midsole member 278b is disposed entirely within the midfoot region 210 of the article of footwear 200. The third and fourth midsole members 278c, 278d are disposed entirely within the distal and proximal portions, respectively, of the heel region 212 of the article of footwear 200.

[0118] In some embodiments, the one or more midsole members 278 can be configured such that at least some portions of the one or more midsole members 278 can expand through one or more of the first plurality of apertures 288a disposed on the lateral side 290, the medial side 292, and the proximal side 298 of the frame 270 when the sole structure 204 is compressed by a user’s foot. For example, Figure 8 and Figure 9 The article of footwear 200 is shown with various amounts of force being applied downward on the insole 226 (see Figure 6 ) of the sole structure 204, such as the downward force applied by a user’s foot when walking with a large stride, and the third and fourth midsole members 278c, 278d are configured to be expandable, and the first and second midsole members 278a, 278b are configured to be non-expandable. With particular reference to Figure 8 , when a first amount of force is applied downward on the insole 226 (see Figure 6 ) of the sole structure 204, the article of footwear 200 is shown in a first compressed position. In the first compressed position, the midsole members 278 of the sole structure 204 are compressed between the downward force on the insole 226 (see Figure 6 ) and the opposing ground surface (not shown) in contact with the bottom surface 266 of the outsole 264 of the sole structure 204, causing the third and fourth midsole members 278c, 278d to partially expand outward through the first plurality of apertures 288a of the frame 270. In such embodiments, the frame 270 can be configured to compress to a smaller or equal distance along at least the lateral side 290 and the medial side 292 of the frame 270 in which the midsole members 278 are compressed. In other embodiments, the frame 270 can be configured to move upward toward the opening 256 (see Figure 6 ) of the upper 202 when the sole structure 204 is compressed.

[0119] With particular reference to Figure 9 , when a second amount of force greater than the first amount of force is applied downward on the insole 226 (see Figure 6 ) of the sole structure 204, the article of footwear 200 is shown in a second compressed configuration. In the second compressed position, the midsole members 278 of the sole structure 204 are compressed between the downward force on the insole 226 (see Figure 6the bottom surface 266 of the outsole 264 of the sole structure 204, causing the third and fourth midsole members 278c, 278d to further expand outwardly through the first plurality of apertures 288a of the frame 270. In some embodiments, the midsole members 278 can be configured to at least partially expand outwardly through the central aperture 288b and / or the second plurality of apertures 288c disposed on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 when the sole structure 204 is compressed. In such embodiments, at least the bottom surface of the midsole members 278 can be comprised of a material that provides a coefficient of friction against the ground between the expanded portion of the midsole members 278 that extends through the central aperture 288b and / or the second plurality of apertures 288c and the ground when the sole structure 204 is compressed.

[0120] Still referring to Figure 8 and Figure 9 As described above, the first and second midsole members 278a, 278b located in the forefoot region 208 and the midfoot region 210, respectively, are configured to be non-expandable when the sole structure 204 is compressed, and the third and fourth midsole members 278c, 278d located in the heel region 212 are configured to be expandable when the sole structure 204 is compressed. Thus, when the sole structure 204 is compressed in the illustrated embodiment, the third and fourth midsole members 278c, 278d expand through the first plurality of apertures 288a, while the first and second midsole members 278a, 278b do not expand through the first plurality of apertures 288a. In other embodiments, the midsole members 278 located in the forefoot region 208, the midfoot region 210, and the heel region 212 can be configured to be expandable through the first plurality of apertures 288a when the sole structure 204 is compressed.

[0121] Still referring to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The midsole members 278 can include a shell 279 within which the plurality of plastic bodies 281 are disposed. In some embodiments, the shell 279 of one or more of the midsole members 278 can be comprised of a translucent or partially translucent material, such that the plastic bodies 281 disposed therein are visible therethrough, and thus from the exterior of the article of footwear 200 through the apertures 288. In such embodiments, the fluid 283 can be contained within the shell 279 of the midsole members 278 such that the plastic bodies 281 are suspended in the fluid 283 and are free to move relative to one another within the shell 279. Thus, the fluid 283 can allow the plastic bodies 281 to move outwardly relative to the outer perimeter of the frame 270 into portions of the midsole members 278 that expand through the first plurality of apertures 288a of the frame 270, as described above, when the sole structure 204 is compressed. Figure 9The fluid 283 can be a liquid, a gel, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the fluid 283 can be a liquid, such as water, and the plurality of plastic bodies 281 can be spheres. In other embodiments, the fluid 283 can be a gel, such as a silicone gel, and the plurality of plastic bodies 281 can be spheres. In other embodiments, the fluid 283 can be a liquid, such as water, and the plurality of plastic bodies 281 can be spheroids. In other embodiments, the fluid 283 can be a gel, such as a silicone gel, and the plurality of plastic bodies 281 can be spheroids. In other embodiments, the fluid 283 can be a liquid, such as water, and the plurality of plastic bodies 281 can be ellipsoids. In other embodiments, the fluid 283 can be a gel, such as a silicone gel, and the plurality of plastic bodies 281 can be ellipsoids. In other embodiments, the fluid 283 can be an adhesive, such that movement of the plurality of plastic bodies 281 relative to one another is at least partially constrained.

[0122] With continued reference to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the plurality of plastic bodies 281 can have various shapes and sizes. For example, in the embodiments shown in Figure 8 and 9 , the first plurality of plastic bodies 281a disposed within the fourth midsole member 278d have a different shape and size than the second plurality of plastic bodies 281b disposed within the third midsole member 278c. In some embodiments, the plurality of plastic bodies 281 are spherical and / or ellipsoidal. In such embodiments, the spherical and / or ellipsoidal plastic bodies 281 have a dimension in three spatial directions in a range of between about 1 millimeter (mm) and about 18 mm, between about 2 mm and about 12 mm, or between about 3 mm and about 10 mm. In some embodiments, the plurality of plastic bodies 281 have other varying properties within the same or different midsole members 278a, 278b, 278c, 278d. For example, in the embodiments shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the first plurality of plastic bodies 281a can have a different color within the fourth midsole member 278d, or the first and second pluralities of plastic bodies 281a, 281b can have different colors within the third and fourth midsole members 278c, 278d, respectively. In some embodiments, the plastic bodies 281 can comprise between about 30% and about 95% of the weight of the midsole member 278, and the fluid 283 can comprise between about 5% and about 70% of the weight of the midsole member 278. In other embodiments, the plastic bodies 281 can comprise between about 50% and about 60% of the weight of the midsole member 278, and the fluid 283 can comprise between about 40% and about 50% of the weight of the midsole member 278.

[0123] With particular reference to Figure 10The frame 270 of the article of footwear 200 can be configured to receive a footwear outsole member 268 disposed between the bottom 282 and the inner surface 286 of the midsole member 278 along the bottom side 294 of the frame 270. In the illustrated embodiment, the footwear outsole member 268 is arranged such that portions of the footwear outsole member 268 cover some of the second plurality of apertures 288c disposed on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270. In some embodiments, the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 and the footwear outsole member 268 can together define a bottom surface 266 of the outsole 264 of the article of footwear 200. In some embodiments, the footwear outsole member 268 can cover every aperture 288 disposed on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270. In some embodiments, the footwear outsole member 268 can be composed of a different material than the frame 270 and / or the midsole member 278. For example, in such embodiments, the footwear outsole member 268 can be composed of a first material configured to provide traction between the article of footwear 200 and the ground, the frame 270 can be composed of a second material configured to provide structural support to the article of footwear 200, and the midsole member 278 can be composed of a third material configured to provide cushioning to a user wearing the article of footwear 200.

[0124] With particular reference to Figure 11 In such embodiments, the first and second footwear outsole members 268a, 268b can be arranged such that some of the apertures 288 disposed on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 open to the first or second footwear outsole members 268a, 268b, and some of the apertures 288 disposed on the bottom side of the frame 270 open to the bottom 282 of one or more of the midsole members 278a, 278b, 278c, 278d. In some embodiments, the first and second footwear outsole members 268a, 268b and the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 can collectively define a bottom surface 266 of the outsole 264 of the sole structure 204. More specifically, in such embodiments, the first footwear outsole member 268a can define a first or distal bottom surface portion 266a of the bottom surface 266, the second footwear outsole member 268b can define a second or proximal bottom surface portion 266b of the bottom surface 266, and the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 can define the remaining portion of the bottom surface 266. In some embodiments, the footwear outsole member 268 can include three or more footwear outsole members.

[0125] Figure 12 and Figure 13A detailed view of the outsole member 268 positioned on the inner surface 286 of the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 is depicted. For illustrative purposes, the outer, inner, and distal sides 290, 292, 296 of the frame 270, including the first plurality of holes 288a, have been removed. Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the outsole member 268 may include a plurality of protrusions 214 that, when the outsole member 268 is included between the inner surface 286 of the frame 270 and the bottom 282 of the midsole member 278, are configured to align with a plurality of holes 288, such as a second plurality of holes 288c, along the bottom side 294 of the frame 270. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of protrusions 214 extend downward from the outsole member 268 away from the midsole member 278 such that the plurality of protrusions 214 can be at least partially received within the second plurality of holes 288c of the frame 270 and extend from the inner surface 286 of the frame 270 toward the outer surface 284. As described above, in some embodiments, the footwear article 200 may be configured such that the frame 270 is removably attached to the sole structure 204. In such an embodiment, when the frame 270 is removed by the user from the sole structure 204, the outsole member 268 can be inserted into or removed from the inner surface 286 of the frame 270. For example, if the protrusions 214 of the outsole member 268 wear down after repeated use of the footwear article 200, the user can remove the frame 270, replace the worn outsole member 268 with a new outsole member 268 inserted into the inner surface 286 of the frame 270, and then reattach the frame 270 to the sole structure 204 of the footwear article 200.

[0126] Now for reference Figures 14-16 In some embodiments, the outsole member 268 may be configured to be attached to the outer surface 284 of the frame 270. In this respect, Figure 15 and Figure 16A detailed view of the outsole member 268 positioned on the outer surface 284 along the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 is depicted, with the outer side, medial side, and lateral side 290, 292, 296 of the frame 270 including the first plurality of apertures 288a removed for purposes of illustration. In such embodiments, the outsole member 268 can include one or more protrusions 214 configured to align with and be disposed within one or more apertures 288 (e.g., the second plurality of apertures 288c) disposed on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270. More particularly, the plurality of protrusions 214 can extend upward from the outsole member 268 toward the midsole member 278 such that the plurality of protrusions 214 can be at least partially housed within the second plurality of apertures 288c of the frame 270 and extend from the outer surface 284 toward the inner surface 286 of the frame 270. In such embodiments, a user can replace a worn outsole member 268 with a new outsole member 268 along the outer surface 284 of the frame 270 without removing the frame 270 from the sole structure 204.

[0127] With particular reference to Figure 14 , the first outsole member 268a is attached to the outer surface 284 of the frame 270 by engagement of the one or more protrusions 214 with at least some of the second plurality of apertures 288c of the frame 270 located in the forefoot region 208 and the midfoot region 210. Likewise, the second outsole member 268b is attached to the outer surface 284 of the frame 270 by engagement of the one or more protrusions of the second outsole member 268b with some of the second plurality of apertures 288c of the frame 270 located in the heel region 212. In this way, the first and second outsole members 268a, 268b each form a different bottom surface portion 266a, 266b located beneath the outer surface 284 of the frame 270 and at least partially define the bottom surface 266 of the outsole 264 of the article of footwear 200. In some embodiments, the first and second outsole members 268a, 268b can define the entire bottom surface 266 of the outsole 264 of the article of footwear 200. In some embodiments, the protrusions 214 can be removably attached to the one or more apertures 288 defined along the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 and / or the outer surface 284. In some embodiments, the outsole member 268 is fixedly attached to the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 using an adhesive or other known fastening means. In some embodiments, the one or more protrusions 214 of the outsole member 268 are attached to the bottom 282 of the one or more midsole members 278 using an adhesive or other known fastening means.

[0128] With reference now Figures 17-20 to the frame 270 of another example embodiment of the article of footwear 200 . Figures 17-20 of the article of footwear 200 Like Figures 6-16 the foregoing embodiments, like elements are denoted by like reference numerals. While Figures 17-20 the frame 270 of the article of footwear 200 is similar in many respects to the foregoing embodiments, there are some different aspects. In particular, the holes 288 disposed on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 have a generally circular shape. Further, two or more groups or sets of the holes 288 have different diameters. For example, a second plurality of holes 288c having a diameter D1 are disposed adjacent to a large central hole 288b disposed on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 . A third plurality of holes 288d having a diameter D2 are disposed toward a periphery of the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 , the diameter D2 being greater than the diameter D1 of the second plurality of holes 288c. A fourth plurality of holes 288e having a diameter D3 are disposed along the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 between the second plurality of holes 288c and the third plurality of holes 281d, the diameter D3 being less than the diameter D2 of the third plurality of holes 288d, but greater than the diameter D1 of the second plurality of holes 288c.

[0129] In some embodiments, the outsole member 268 can be configured to be attached to the outer surface 284 of the frame 270 by one or more protrusions 214 configured to be received by the holes 288 disposed on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 , similar to the example outsole member 268 described above Figures 14-16 , but can also be configured to be received by two or more holes 288 of different shapes and sizes. With particular reference to Figure 18 and Figure 19 , in the illustrated embodiments, the protrusions 214 of one or more outsole members 268 can be configured to be received by only one of the second, third, or fourth pluralities of holes 288c, 288d, 288e disposed on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 (e.g., the first outsole member 268a of Figure 18 ), or by two or more of the second, third, and fourth pluralities of holes 288c, 288d, 288e (e.g., the second and third outsole members 268b, 268c of Figure 18 , and the first and second outsole members 268a, 268b of Figure 19 ). In some embodiments, the frame 270 and the outsole member 268 can be configured such that the outsole member 268 is detachably connected to the frame 270 of the outer surface 284 of the frame 270 In some embodiments, the outsole member 268 can be adhered to the frame 270 of the outer surface 284 of the frame 270 of the inner surface 286 of the bottom side 294 of the frame 270

[0130] In Figure 18 , the first outsole member 268a is configured to attach to only the third plurality of apertures 288d, while the second and third outsole members 268b, 268c are configured to attach to the third and fourth pluralities of apertures 288d, 288e. Similarly, in Figure 19 , the first and second outsole members 268a, 268b are both configured to attach to the third and fourth pluralities of apertures 288d, 288e disposed on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 In such embodiments, the outsole members 268 can be configured to attach to the periphery of the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 proximal to the central aperture 288b via the second plurality of apertures 288c. Similar to the outsole members 268 of Figures 14-16 , the first, second, and third outsole members 268a, 268b, 268c of Figure 18 , and the first and second outsole members 268a, 268b of Figure 19 may each form a different bottom surface portion 266a, 266b, 266c underlying the outer surface 284 of the frame 270 may each form a different bottom surface portion 266a, 266b, 266c underlying the outer surface 284 of the frame 270 may provide greater traction for the article of footwear 200 on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 while providing greater flexibility for the frame 270 and greater support for the article of footwear 200 by the large central aperture 288b of the frame 270 .

[0131] In some embodiments, one or more outsole members 268 can be configured to attach to other portions of the frame 270 . For example, with particular reference to Figure 20The outsole component 268 can be further configured to be at least partially attached to each of the second, third, and fourth plurality of holes 288c, 288d, 288e and the frame 270. Part of the large central hole 288b. Figure 20 In the illustrated embodiment, the first outsole member 268a is attached to the second, third, and fourth plurality of holes 288c, 288d, and 288e provided in the forefoot region 208, and is partially attached to the distal portion of the central hole 288b in the forefoot region 208. In such an embodiment, the frame 270 The outsole component 268 can be placed in the frame 270. The bottom side 294 provides even greater adhesion friction for footwear 200, while also providing support for the frame 270. Provides greater flexibility, and through frame 270 The large central hole 288b provides support for the footwear article 200, that is, by providing a larger surface area of ​​the bottom surface portion 266a to at least the first outsole component 268a to contact the ground.

[0132] refer to Figures 6-20 Various components of footwear 200, including upper 202, midsole component 278, frame 270, 270 And / or the outsole component 268 may be formed by additive manufacturing techniques, such as one or more of the various 3D printing techniques described above. For example, in some embodiments, the frame 270 may be 3D printed using a first material, and the outsole component 268 may be simultaneously 3D printed within the frame 270 using a second material different from the first material. In some embodiments, the outsole component 268 may be 3D printed independently of the frame 270 and then attached to the frame 270. In some embodiments, the outsole component 268 may be 3D printed such that the protrusion 214 is formed of the first material, while the remainder of the outsole component 268 is formed of a second material different from the first material.

[0133] Now for reference Figures 21-26 Another exemplary embodiment of footwear article 200 is depicted, featuring a sole structure 204. and frame 270 . Figures 21-26 Footwear items 200, sole structure 204 and frame 270 Similar to Figures 6-20 In the aforementioned embodiments shown, similar elements are represented by similar reference numerals. Although Figures 21-26 204 sole structure and frame 270 Similar to the previous embodiment in many respects, but with some different aspects. In particular, the midsole member 278 has an upper portion 280 interconnected with a bottom portion 282 extending downward from the upper portion 280 such that one or more gaps 234 extend between the bottom portions 282 of the midsole member 278.

[0134] With particular reference to Figure 21 , the sole structure 204 of the article of footwear 200 and the frame 270 is shown in an exploded view. The frame 270 has a lattice structure formed by a plurality of apertures 288 disposed on the lateral side 290, the medial side 292, the bottom side 294, the distal side 296, and the proximal side 298, and extending through the frame 270 outer surface and the inner surface 284, 286 into the frame interior cavity 299. The frame 270 also includes a plurality of outsole members 268, including a first outsole member 268a and a second outsole member 268b, each having a protrusion 214a, 214b and disposed between the first inner surface 286a of the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 and the bottom portion 282 of the midsole member 278. With particular reference to Figure 23 , the first outsole member 268a is disposed in the forefoot region 208 of the sole structure 204 and partially disposed in the midfoot region 210, and the second outsole member 268b is entirely disposed in the heel region 212 of the sole structure 204 .

[0135] With reference again to Figure 21 , the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 may include a plurality of ribs 236 extending downward from the outer surface 284 and disposed between the plurality of apertures 288. In such embodiments, the plurality of ribs 236 on the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 may be configured to provide additional traction for the article of footwear 200 by at least partially defining a bottom surface 266 of the outsole 264 (see Figure 26 . Further, in some embodiments, the plurality of ribs 236 can provide enhanced structural support for the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 . In some embodiments, the ribs 236 extend from the frame 270 the outer surface 284 of the frame 270 the outer surface 284 of the frame 270 the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 the bottom side 294 of the frame 270

[0136] Referring to Figure 22 the first inner surface 286a of at least the bottom side 294 of the frame 270 the cavities 250 of the frame 270 the cavities 250 of the frame 270 Figure 24 Referring to the cavities 250 of the frame 270 the cavities 250 of the frame 270 the cavities 250 of the frame 270

[0137] Referring to Figure 22, the outsole member 268 can include one or more grooves 238 corresponding to one or more protrusions 214a. The grooves 238 can be disposed on the inner surface 242 of the outsole member 268 such that each groove 238 is aligned with at least one protrusion 214a, 214b disposed on the outer surface 248 of the outsole member 268. As shown in Figure 22 , some protrusions 214b of the outsole member 268 can not have a corresponding groove 238. In some embodiments, each protrusion 214a, 214b of the outsole member 268 can have a corresponding groove 238. Referring again to Figure 24 , the outsole member 268 has a thickness T2 measured at a point on the outsole member 268 that includes a protrusion 214a having a corresponding groove 238a from the inner surface 242 (i.e., within the corresponding groove 238 of the protrusion 214) to the outer surface 248. In some embodiments, the thickness T2 can be equal to the thickness Tl of the outsole member 268 such that the outsole member 268 has a uniform thickness measured from the inner surface 242 to the outer surface 248 of the outsole member 268 at any point. In some embodiments, the thickness T2 can be greater than or less than the thickness Tl of the outsole member 268.

[0138] With continued reference to Figure 24 , the gaps 234 extending between the bottom portions 282 of the midsole member 278 extend from the upper portions 280 through the bottom portions 282 and can extend through the lateral side 216 and / or the medial side 218 of the sole structure 204 . In some embodiments, the gaps 234 of the midsole member 278 can extend linearly from the lateral side 216 to the medial side 218 of the sole structure 204 . In some embodiments, the gaps 234 can extend through the proximal end 222 and / or the distal end 224 of the sole structure 204 . Referring to Figure 24 and Figure 25 , one or more channels 246 can be defined on the upper surface 234b of the upper portions 280 of the midsole member 278. In some embodiments, the channels 246 can be disposed above one or more bottom portions 282 between the gaps 234, for example, on a portion of the upper portions 280 aligned with the bottom portions 282 disposed in the forefoot region 208 of the sole structure 204 . In some embodiments, the midsole member 278 can be composed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which can be formed by a compression molding process.

[0139] With particular reference to Figure 24 , the frame 270 has a thickness T3 measured at a point on the frame 270 the thickness T3 of the frame 270 The thickness T3 of the frame 270 In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion 214b of the outsole member 268 that does not have a corresponding recess 238 has a thickness T4 measured from the inner surface 242 of the outsole member 268 that contacts the bottom 282 of the midsole member 278 to the outer surface 248 of the protrusion 214b. In some embodiments, such a protrusion 214b of the outsole member 268 can have a thickness T4 in a range of about 0.3 mm to about 10 mm, in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 12 mm, in a range of about 0.8 mm to about 14 mm, in a range of about 1 mm to about 6 mm, or in a range of about 0.6 mm to about 5 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness T4 of the protrusion 214b can be greater than the thickness T3 of the frame 270 The thickness T3 of the frame 270 The thickness T3 of the frame 270 The thickness T3 of the frame 270 The thickness T3 of the frame 270

[0140] Continuing to refer to Figure 24 The gap 234 of the midsole member 278 has a width W measured between opposing surfaces of the bottom 282 of the midsole member 278. In some embodiments, the gap 234 of the midsole member 278 can have a width W in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm, in a range of about 0.2 mm to about 3 mm, in a range of about 0.3 mm to about 2 mm, or in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. Still referring to Figure 24The upper portion 280 of the interconnected midsole member 278 has a thickness T5 measured from the upper end 234a of the gap 234 to the upper surface 234b of the midsole member 278. In some embodiments, the upper portion 280 of the midsole member 278 can have a thickness T5 in a range of about 2.5 mm to about 10 mm, in a range of about 3 mm to about 8 mm, or in a range of about 3.5 mm to about 7 mm.

[0141] Referring to Figure 26 , the outsole member 268a, 268b can also include a second plurality of protrusions 214c extending from the inner surface 242 of the outsole member 268a, 268b. In some embodiments, the second plurality of protrusions 214c can be configured to be housed within the gap 234 of the midsole member 278 (as shown) or otherwise contact or engage the bottom portion 282 of the midsole member 278. Figure 26 Similarly, the frame 270 may also include one or more protrusions 228 extending from the first inner surface 186a of the lateral side 290, the medial side 292, the bottom side 294, the distal side 296, and / or the proximal side 298. In some embodiments, the protrusions 228 of the frame 270 may be configured to be housed within the gap 234 of the midsole member 278 (as shown) or otherwise contact or engage the bottom portion 282 of the midsole member 278. Figure 26

[0142] Referring now to Figure 27 , another exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear 300 is depicted that includes an upper 302, a sole structure 304, and a frame 370. The article of footwear 300 is similar to the previous embodiments, with like elements denoted by like reference numerals under the “3xx” series. In the article of footwear 300, the fastening mechanism 372 includes a first fastening member or a plurality of lace locks 374 disposed along the lateral and medial sides 316, 318 of the upper 302, proximate the tongue 360 and within the midfoot region 310 of the article of footwear 300. A second fastening member or a lace 376 extends through the plurality of lace locks 374 in a crossing manner through the tongue 360. In some embodiments, the plurality of lace locks 374 can extend proximate the tongue 360 within the forefoot region 308 and the midfoot region 310 of the article of footwear 300.

[0143] With continued reference to Figure 27 ​In the illustrated embodiment, the midsole region 362 of the sole structure 304 is formed by a plurality of midsole members 378 disposed within the frame 370. Specifically, the plurality of midsole members 378 includes a first midsole member 378a disposed proximate the distal end 324, a second midsole member 378b disposed proximate the first midsole member 378a, a third midsole member 378c disposed proximate the second midsole member 378b, and a fourth midsole member 378d disposed proximate the proximal end 322 and proximate the third midsole member 378c. Further, the first midsole member 378a is disposed within the forefoot region 308, the second midsole member 378b is at least partially disposed within the forefoot region 308 and the midfoot region 310, the third midsole member 378c is at least partially disposed within the midfoot region 310 and the heel region 312, and the fourth midsole member 378d is entirely disposed within the heel region 312. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the first, second, and third midsole members 378a, 378b, 378c contact or are attached to the upper 302, while at least the fourth midsole member 378d is not attached to the upper 302. Rather, the fourth midsole member 378d is held in position proximate the upper 302 by the frame 370.

[0144] Accordingly, in such embodiments, the fourth midsole member 378d can be configured to provide support to the user only when the user's heel strikes the ground, for example, by compressing or moving at least a portion of the frame 370 relative to the upper 302. In some embodiments, two or more of the midsole members 378a, 378b, 378c, 378d can not be attached to the upper 302, but rather held proximate the upper 302 by the frame 370. For example, in such embodiments, the third and fourth midsole members 378c, 378d can not be attached to the upper 302. In some embodiments, the fourth midsole member 378d can be attached to the frame 370. In some embodiments, two or more of the midsole members 378a, 378b, 378c, 378d can be attached to the frame 370, while two or more of the midsole members 378a, 378b, 378c, 378d can be attached to the upper 302. In some embodiments, the midsole 362 of the sole structure 304 can be comprised of five or more midsole members that are disconnected from one another and from the frame 370 and / or the upper 302.

[0145] Reference is now made to Figures 28-30, depicts yet another exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear 400 that includes an upper 402, a sole structure 404, and a frame 470. The article of footwear 400 is similar to the previous embodiments, with like elements denoted by like reference numerals under the "4xx" series. For example, in the article of footwear 400, a midsole region 462 of the sole structure 404 is formed by a plurality of midsole members 478 disposed within the frame 470, similar in some respects to the article of footwear 300 (see Figure 27 ). More specifically, the plurality of midsole members 478 includes a first midsole member 478a, a second midsole member 478b, a third midsole member 478c, and a fourth midsole member 478d. In the illustrated embodiment, the second midsole member 478b is attached to the first and third midsole members 478a, 478c, the third midsole member 478c is attached to the second and fourth midsole members 478b, 478d, and each of the midsole members 478a, 478b, 478c, 478d is attached to the upper 402. In addition, the fastening mechanism 472 includes a first fastening member or first plurality of lace locks 474a, a second fastening member or second plurality of lace locks 474b, a third fastening member or third plurality of lace locks 474c, a fourth fastening member or fourth plurality of lace locks 474d, a fifth fastening member or first lace 476a, and a fifth fastening member or second lace 476b.

[0146] With particular reference to Figure 28 , in the illustrated embodiment, the first plurality of lace locks 474a is a pair of holes extending through the lateral side 416 and the medial side 418 of the upper 402 and adjacent the tongue 460. The first lace 476a extends through the first plurality of lace locks 474a in a crisscrossing manner through the tongue 460. The free ends of the first lace 476a extend from the first plurality of lace locks 474a adjacent the opening 456 of the upper 402 such that a user can tighten and tie the free ends of the first lace 476a together along the tongue 460. The second plurality of lace locks 474b is disposed on the exterior surface 454 of the upper 402 on the lateral and medial sides 416, 418 between the first plurality of lace locks 474a and the sole structure 404. In some embodiments, the second plurality of lace locks 474b can be formed by one or more pieces of material adhered to the exterior surface 454 of the upper 402, with one or more unconnected portions forming a loop to receive the second lace 476b.

[0147] Still referring to Figure 28In the illustrated embodiment, the third plurality of lace locks 474c are part of the grid structure of the frame 470 formed by the plurality of apertures 488. More specifically, one or more apertures 488 disposed on the lateral side 490 and the medial side (not shown) of the frame 470 and aligned with the second plurality of lace locks 474b are configured to receive a portion of the second lace 476b that extends along the outer surface 484 to the inner surface 486 of the frame 470, and vice versa. In the illustrated embodiment, the third plurality of lace locks 474c includes three lace locks on each of the lateral side 416 and the medial side 418 of the article of footwear 400. In some embodiments, the third plurality of lace locks 474c can include four or more lace locks. In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d is one or more loops formed on the outer surface 454 of the upper 402 proximate the proximal end 422 and the opening 456 of the upper 402 and on each of the lateral and medial sides 416, 418 of the article of footwear 400.

[0148] With continued reference to Figure 28 , the second lace 476b extends through the second plurality of lace locks 474b and the third plurality of lace locks 474c on the tongue 460 in a crisscross manner and through the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d disposed proximate the proximal end 422 of the upper 402. The free ends of the second lace 476b extend from the second, third, and fourth pluralities of lace locks 474b, 474c, 474d along the lateral and medial sides 416, 418 of the upper 402 proximate the proximal end 422 and the opening 456 of the upper 402 such that the user can tighten and tie the free ends of the second lace 476b together along the proximal end 422 of the upper 402 proximate the opening 456. In some embodiments, the third plurality of lace locks 474c can include four or more apertures 488, which can be disposed on the lateral side 490 and the medial side (not shown) of the frame 470.

[0149] Still referring to Figure 28 In the illustrated embodiment, the second and third pluralities of lace locks 474b, 474c are disposed in each of the forefoot region 408, the midfoot region 410, and the heel region 412 of the article of footwear 400, and the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d is disposed entirely in the heel region 412 along the upper 402. When the second lace 476b is in the tightened configuration (as shown in FIG. 4), the second lace 476b is disposed in the heel region 412 of the article of footwear 400 and extends through the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d and the third plurality of lace locks 474c on the lateral side 416 and the medial side 418 of the article of footwear 400 proximate the proximal end 422 and the opening 456 of the upper 402. Figure 28As shown, the second lace 476b pulls the lateral and medial sides 416, 418 of the upper 402 inward toward the tongue 460 via the second plurality of lace locks 474b and pulls the tongue 460 downward toward the sole structure 404. Further, with the second lace 476b in the tightened configuration, the second lace 476b also pulls the frame 470 upward toward the upper 402 via the third plurality of lace locks 474c. Thus, tightening of the second lace 476b can provide additional support to the lateral and medial sides 416, 418 of the upper 402 and also provide tension to further secure the frame 470 to the sole structure 404 of the article of footwear 400.

[0150] In some embodiments, the free ends of the second lace 476b can extend around the proximal end 422 of the upper 402 such that a user can tighten and tie the free ends of the second lace 476b along the tongue 460 proximate the opening 456. In some embodiments, the second lace 476b can include two laces each having a fixed end disposed toward the distal end 424 of the upper 402 and a free end extending through the second and third pluralities of lace locks 474b, 474c toward the proximal end 422 of the upper 402. In some embodiments, the free ends of the second lace 476b can extend from the second plurality of lace locks 474b proximate the distal end 424 of the upper 402 such that a user can tighten and tie the free ends along the tongue 460 proximate the distal end 424. In some embodiments, the second lace 476b can be a closed loop lace. In such embodiments, the fastening mechanism 472 can also include a lace mechanism (not shown) that can be disposed along the proximal end 422 of the upper 402 and that can be configured to manually and / or automatically tighten or loosen the second lace 476b.

[0151] With particular reference to Figure 29 and Figure 30 , a fourth plurality of lace locks 474d of the fastening mechanism 472 of the article of footwear 400 is depicted. Figure 29 and Figure 30 the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d of the fastening mechanism 472 of the article of footwear 400 is depicted. Figure 28 Similar to the foregoing embodiments of , however, in the illustrated embodiment, the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d include one or more hooks and the second lace 476b is a closed loop lace. More specifically, the one or more hooks of the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d Figure 29, the closed loop second lace 476b of the fastening mechanism 472 is shown in a cinched configuration. In the cinched configuration, a portion of the second lace 476b extending from the aperture 488 of the frame 470 to an out-midfoot lace lock of the second plurality of lace locks 474b disposed proximate the proximal end 422 of the upper 402, around the proximal end 422 of the upper 402, and to the medial side 418 of the upper 402 (i.e., the “proximal portion of the second lace 476b”) is received in the hooks of the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d’. Further, in the cinched configuration (as shown in Figure 28 and Figure 29 ), the proximal portion of the second lace 476b extends around the proximal end 422 of the upper 402 proximate the opening 456 of the upper 402.

[0152] Referring to Figure 30 , the closed loop second lace 476b of the fastening mechanism 472 is shown in an uncinched configuration. In the uncinched configuration, the proximal portion of the second lace 476b extending around the proximal end 422 of the upper 402 is not disposed within the hooks of the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d. Thus, in the uncinched configuration, the proximal portion of the second lace 476b is free to move downward along the proximal end 422 and away from the opening 456 of the upper 402. As the proximal portion of the second lace 476b moves downward toward the out-midfoot lace lock of the second plurality of lace locks 474b, other portions of the second lace 476b are allowed to increase in length and, thus, loosen around the corresponding portions of the upper 402.

[0153] Still referring to Figure 29 and Figure 30 , in some embodiments, the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d may include a single hook disposed on the proximal end 422 of the upper 402 proximate a central or longitudinal axis 420 (see Figure 28 ) of the article of footwear 400. In some embodiments, the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d may include a plurality of hooks disposed on the proximal end 422 of the upper 402 proximate the central axis 420 (see Figure 28 ) and arranged in series between the opening 456 of the upper 402 and the sole structure 404 such that the degree of tightness of the closed loop second lace 476b can be adjusted based on which of the plurality of hooks of the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d is used to secure the second lace 476b. For example, a first hook can be disposed proximate the opening 456 configured to provide a first degree of tightness to the second lace 476b, and a second hook can be disposed below the first hook toward the sole structure 404 configured to provide a second degree of tightness to the second lace 476b that is less than the first degree of tightness. In some embodiments, the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d Three or more hooks can be included that can be disposed proximate the proximal end 422 of the upper 402. For example, the outboard-proximal lace lock (as shown in Figure 29 and Figure 30 shown) and the inboard-proximal lace lock (not shown) of the second plurality of lace locks 474b can each be replaced by a hook of the fourth plurality of lace locks 474d In some embodiments, the closed loop second lace 476b can be constructed of an elastic material.

[0154] Referring now to Figure 31 and Figure 32 , yet another example embodiment of an article of footwear 500 is depicted that includes an upper 502, a sole structure 504, and a frame 570. The article of footwear 500 is similar to the previous embodiments, with like elements denoted by like reference numerals under the “5xx” series. In the article of footwear 500, the plurality of midsole members 578 of the sole structure 504 includes a first midsole member 578a disposed proximate the distal end 524, within the forefoot region 508, and at least partially within the midfoot region 510 of the sole structure 504, a second midsole member 578b disposed proximate the first midsole member 578a and at least partially within the midfoot region 510 and the heel region 512, and a third midsole member 578c disposed proximate the proximal end 522 and entirely within the heel region 512.

[0155] With particular reference to Figure 31 , the frame 570 extends over the second and third midsole members 578b, 578c and along the lateral side 516, the medial side 518, and the proximal end 522 of the sole structure 504 and the upper 502. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 570 gradually rises along portions of the upper 502 from the midfoot region 510 toward the heel region 512, such that the frame 570 extends along a greater portion of the proximal end 522 of the upper 502 than the lateral and medial sides 516, 518 of the upper 502. A plurality of apertures 588 are disposed along the frame 570, forming a lattice structure of the frame 570 that allows the second and third midsole members 578b, 578c and the overlying portions of the upper 502 to be visible from the exterior of the article of footwear 500 through the apertures 588 of the frame 570.

[0156] With continuing reference to Figure 31 , a first outsole member 568a is disposed on the bottom side 594 of the frame 570 and a second outsole member 568b is disposed on the bottom side of the first midsole member 578a. Similar to Figures 10-13The first outsole member 268a of the article of footwear 200 can be disposed between the inner surface 286 of the bottom side 284 of the frame 270 and one or both of the second and third midsole members 278b, 278c, or can be disposed on the outer surface 282 of the bottom side 284 of the frame 270. In some embodiments, the second outsole member 268b can be removably attached or fixedly attached to the bottom of the first midsole member 278a. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second outsole members 268a, 268b together form the bottom surface 266 of the outsole 264 of the sole structure 204. In some embodiments, the first midsole member 278a can include a plurality of midsole members disposed at least partially within the forefoot region 208. In some embodiments, the frame 270a can include a first frame extending over the first midsole member 278a and a second frame extending over the second and third midsole members 278b, 278c.

[0157] With specific reference now to Figure 32 , a frame 570 of another example embodiment of an article of footwear 500 is depicted . Figure 32 the frame 570 of the frame 570 of Figure 31 is similar to the frame 570 of Figure 31 , however, in comparison to the frame 570 of covers a smaller portion of the proximal end 522 of the upper 502. Thus, in comparison to the frame 570 of Figure 31 , the frame 570 also covers a smaller portion of the lateral and medial sides 516, 518 of the upper 502. In some embodiments, and as discussed above with reference to other embodiments, the article of footwear 500 can be configured such that Figure 31 and Figure 32 the frames 570, 570 are removably attached to the sole structure 504. Thus, in such embodiments, a user can interchangeably secure either of the frames 570, 570 to the sole structure 504 of the article of footwear 500. In some embodiments, the frames 570, 570 may provide different structural characteristics of the sole structure 504 to a user of the article of footwear 500. For example, in such embodiments, at least a portion of the frame 570 can be formed of a first material, while the frame 570 Similar portions of the frame 570, 570 can be formed of a second material that is different than the first material. In some embodiments, when either of the frames 570, 570 is removed from the sole structure 504, the user can replace one or both of the second and third midsole members 578b, 578c with one or more midsole members that can have different properties than one or both of the midsole members 578b, 578c.

[0158] Reference is now made to Figure 33 , depicting yet another exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear 600 that includes an upper 602, a sole structure 604 having a midsole 662 formed of a plurality of midsole members 678, and a frame 670. The article of footwear 600 is similar to the previous embodiments, with like elements represented by like reference numerals under the "6xx" series. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 670 of the article of footwear 600 has a lattice structure formed of a plurality of apertures, including a first plurality of apertures 688a disposed substantially on the lateral side 690 and the medial side (not shown) of the frame 670, and a second plurality of apertures 688b disposed substantially on the bottom side 694 of the frame 670. Further, the frame 670 is configured such that it covers more of the lateral and medial sides 616, 618 of the upper 602 than the lateral and medial sides 616, 618 of the sole structure 604.

[0159] Still referring to Figure 33 , the bottom side 694 of the frame 670 extends over the bottom portions 682 of the plurality of midsole members 678, while the lateral side 690 and the medial side (not shown) of the frame 670 extend over the upper portions 680 of the plurality of midsole members 678 and portions of the lateral and medial sides 616, 618 of the upper 602. The distal side 696 of the frame 670 extends over the upper 602 between the distal end 624 of the article of footwear 600 and the tongue 660, while the proximal side 698 of the frame 670 extends around the proximal end 622 of the upper 602. The bottom side 694 of the frame 670 includes the second plurality of apertures 688b, which in this embodiment includes only two large apertures, such that the lattice structure along the bottom side 694 of the frame 670 extends between the gaps between each of the plurality of midsole members 678.

[0160] Still referring to Figure 33The fastening mechanism 672 of the article of footwear 600 includes a first fastening member or first plurality of lace locks 674a and a second fastening member or second plurality of lace locks 674b. In the illustrated embodiment, the first plurality of lace locks 674a are eyelets disposed on the lateral and medial sides 616, 618 of the upper 602 proximate the tongue 660, and the second plurality of lace locks 674b are one or more of the first plurality of apertures 688a of the frame 670 disposed between the first plurality of lace locks 674a and the sole structure 604. A third fastening member or lace 676 extends through the first plurality of lace locks 674a across the tongue 660 and in parallel through the first and second plurality of lace locks 674a, 674b, i.e., through one of the first plurality of lace locks 674a to one of the second plurality of lace locks 674b and back through another of the first plurality of lace locks 674a.

[0161] With continued reference to Figure 33 The free ends of the lace 676 extend through the second plurality of lace locks 674b proximate the opening 656 of the upper 602 so that a user can tighten and tie the free ends of the lace 676 along the tongue 660 proximate the opening 656 of the upper 602. In the illustrated embodiment, the user can tighten and tie the free ends of the lace 676 to provide tension on the frame 670, which can further secure the frame 670 to the sole structure 604 and provide further support along the lateral and medial sides 616, 618 of the upper 602 of the article of footwear 600 while pulling the tongue 660 down toward the sole structure 604.

[0162] Reference is now made to Figure 34 Another example embodiment of an article of footwear 700 is depicted, which includes an upper 702, a sole structure 704 having a midsole 762 formed from a plurality of midsole members 778, and a frame 770. The article of footwear 700 is similar to the previous embodiments, with like elements denoted by like reference numerals under the "7xx" series. In contrast to the previous embodiments, in the article of footwear 700, neither a tongue nor a fastening mechanism is included along the instep region 758 of the upper 702.

[0163] Further, as Figure 34As shown, the plurality of midsole members 778 are disposed only in the forefoot region 708 and the heel region 712 of the sole structure 704. More specifically, the first, second, and third midsole members 778a, 778b, 778c are disposed entirely within the forefoot region 708, and the fourth midsole member 778d is disposed entirely within the heel region 712, such that a gap is formed in the midfoot region 710 between the third and fourth midsole members 778c, 778d. In some embodiments, a portion of the chassis 770 within the midfoot region 710 and adjacent to the gap formed between the third and fourth midsole members 778c, 778d can be attached to the upper 702. In some embodiments, each of the midsole members 778a, 778b, 778c, 778d can include a lateral member disposed along the lateral side 716 of the upper 702 and a medial member disposed along the medial side 718 of the upper 702. In some such embodiments, the lateral member of one or more of the midsole members 778a, 778b, 778b, 778d can not be connected to the corresponding medial member. For example, in some such embodiments, the fourth midsole member 778d can include a lateral member attached to the lateral side 716 of the upper 702 and a medial member attached to the medial side 718 of the upper 702, with a gap formed in the heel region 712 between the lateral and medial members.

[0164] With continued reference to Figure 34 , the chassis 770 extends along the lateral side 716, the medial side 718, the proximal end 722, and the distal end 724 of the sole structure 704, and along the lateral and medial sides 716, 718 of the lower portion of the upper 702 in the heel region 712 of the article of footwear 700. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom side 794 of the chassis 770 is shaped such that portions of the chassis 770 approach or contact the bottom side of the upper 702, while enlarged cavity portions are disposed adjacent to each of the midsole members 778a, 778b, 778c, 778d. In addition, the chassis 770 includes a plurality of apertures 788 having different shapes and sizes. For example, the apertures 788 disposed in the heel region 712 have a shape with a greater width compared to the apertures 788 disposed in the forefoot and midfoot regions 708, 710. In some embodiments, the apertures 788 disposed in the midfoot region 710 can have a shape with a greater width compared to the apertures 788 disposed in the forefoot region 708 and the heel region 712.

[0165] Reference is now made to Figure 35This illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of footwear article 800, which includes an upper 802, a sole structure 804 having a midsole 862 formed by a plurality of midsole components 878, and a frame 870. Footwear article 800 is similar to the preceding embodiments, with similar elements indicated by similar reference numerals under the “8xx” series. In contrast to the preceding embodiments, in footwear article 800, the frame 870 extends along the entire proximal end 822 of the upper 802, adjacent to an opening 856 in the upper 802, such that a large portion of the footwear article 800, including the upper 802 and the sole structure 804, is covered by the frame 870 in the heel region 812.

[0166] like Figure 35 As shown, the outer and inner sides 890, 892 of the frame 870 include a plurality of holes 888, which increase in length in a direction extending from the distal side 896 to the proximal side 898. As a result, the upper portion of the frame 870 along the outer, inner, and proximal sides 890, 892, 898 of the frame 870 gradually covers a larger portion of the upper 802 in a direction extending from the distal end 824 to the proximal end 822, such that the heel portion of the upper 802 within the heel region 812 is completely covered by the proximal side 898 of the frame 870. In some embodiments, the outer and inner sides 816, 818 of portions of the upper 802 within the forefoot region 808 and / or the midfoot region 810 may be completely covered by the outer and inner sides 890, 892 of the frame 870, respectively.

[0167] Now for reference Figure 36 This illustration depicts another exemplary embodiment of footwear article 900, which includes an upper 902, a sole structure 904, and a frame 970. The sole structure 904 has a midsole 962 formed by a plurality of midsole components 978. Footwear article 900 is similar to the preceding embodiments, with similar elements indicated by similar reference numerals under the “9xx” series. In contrast to the previous embodiments, in footwear article 900, the plurality of midsole components 978 include first, second, third, and fourth midsole components 978a, 978b, 978c, and 978d, each midsole component having an interconnected upper portion 980 and one of a plurality of bottom portions 982, the bottom portions 982 being independently connected to a corresponding portion of the interconnected upper portion 980 in one or more of forefoot, midfoot, or heel regions 908, 910, and 912. In addition, the frame 970 includes a plurality of first or bottom frames 970a attached to a corresponding one of a plurality of bottoms 982 of the midsole member 978, and a plurality of upper frames 970b attached to interconnected upper portions 980 of the midsole member 978.

[0168] Still referencing Figure 36interconnected upper portion 980 of the plurality of midsole members 978 extends from the distal end 924 to the proximal end 922 along the bottom side of the upper 902 and from the lateral side 916 to the medial side 918 of the upper 902. A first or distal protruding member 980a protrudes from the distal end 924 of the sole structure 904 and a second or proximal protruding member 980b protrudes from the proximal end 922 of the sole structure 904. Further, a plurality of connecting protrusions 980c extend downwardly from a respective one of a plurality of recesses 980d disposed along the interconnected upper portion 980 between the first and second protruding members 980a, 980b connecting the plurality of bottoms 982 to the interconnected upper portion 980.

[0169] In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of bottoms 982 includes a first or distal bottom 982a of the first midsole member 978a, a second or lateral-midfoot bottom 982b of the second midsole member 978b, a third or proximal-midfoot bottom 982c of the third midsole member 978c, and a fourth or proximal bottom 982d of the fourth midsole member 978d. Each bottom 982a, 982b, 982c, 982d of the plurality of midsole members 978 is connected to the interconnected upper portion 980 by a respective one of the plurality of connecting protrusions 980c extending downwardly from the upper portion 980. In some embodiments, two or more of the bottoms 982a, 982b, 982c, 982d can be connected to the interconnected upper portion 980 by a single connecting protrusion 980c. In some embodiments, two or more of the bottoms 982a, 982b, 982c, 982d can be interconnected. For example, in some such embodiments, the first and second bottoms 982a, 982b can be interconnected, the third and fourth bottoms 982c, 982d can be interconnected, and a gap can be formed between the second and third bottoms 982b, 982c. In some embodiments, the plurality of bottoms 982 can include three or fewer or five or more bottoms.

[0170] With continuing reference to Figure 36 The plurality of bottom frames 970a surround a respective one of the bottoms 982a, 982b, 982c, 982d of the plurality of midsole members 978. In the illustrated embodiment, each frame of the plurality of bottom frames 970a and each protruding member 980a, 980b of the upper portion 980 includes an outsole member 968 such that the plurality of bottom frames 970a and the protruding members 980a, 980b collectively define a bottom surface 966 of an outsole 964 of the sole structure 904. Similar to the previous embodiments described herein, in some embodiments of the article of footwear 900, the outsole member 968 can be removably attached or fixedly attached to the plurality of bottom frames 970a and / or the protruding members 980a, 980b.

[0171] Still with reference to Figure 36The plurality of upper frames 970b extend within the recess 980d and at least partially around the upper portion 980 and the connecting protrusion 980c of the midsole member 978, and around a lower portion of the upper 902. The frame loop 914 extends between the plurality of lower and upper frames 970a, 970b along the lateral and medial sides 916, 918 and the proximal and distal ends 922, 924 of the sole structure 904. In addition to providing aesthetic appeal, the frame loop 914 can be configured to provide structural support for the upper portion 980 of the midsole member 978 by structurally connecting the first and second protruding members 980a, 980b. In some embodiments, the frame loop 914 can extend through a hole (not shown) that can be defined in the first protruding member 980a and / or the second protruding member 980b. In some embodiments, the frame loop 914 can be integrally formed with the first protruding member 980a and / or the second protruding member 980b. In some embodiments, the frame loop 914 is fixedly attached to the upper portion 980 of the midsole member 978. In some embodiments, in addition to the first and second protruding members 980a, 980b, the frame loop 914 can be connected to each of the plurality of connecting protrusions 980c of the midsole member 978. In some embodiments, the frame loop 914 can be removably attached to the sole structure 904.

[0172] Still referring to Figure 36 The fastening mechanism 972 of the article of footwear 900 includes a first fastening member or a plurality of lace locks 974 and a second fastening member or a lace 976. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of lace locks 974 are pairs of eyelets disposed on the lateral and medial sides 916, 918 of the upper 902 proximate to the instep area 958 between the distal end 924 of the upper 902 and the opening 956. The lace 976 extends through the plurality of lace locks 974 in a crisscrossing manner through the instep area 958. The free ends of the lace 976 extend from the plurality of lace locks 974 proximate to the opening 956 of the upper 902, which can be tightened and tied together by a user. In some embodiments, a tongue (not shown) can be included on the upper 902 within the instep area 958, and the plurality of lace locks 974 can be disposed on the lateral and medial sides 916, 918 of the upper 902 proximate to the sides of the tongue. In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism 972 can further include a third fastening member, which can be defined by one or more of the following: a lattice structure formed by one or more holes 988 of one or more of the plurality of lower frames 970a; the plurality of upper frames 970b; or the frame loop 914.

[0173] Now referring to Figure 37This describes yet another exemplary embodiment of footwear article 1000, which includes an upper 1002, a sole structure 1004 having a midsole 962 formed by a plurality of midsole components 978, and a frame 1070. Footwear article 1000 is similar to the previous embodiments, with similar elements indicated by similar reference numerals under the “10xx” series of reference numerals. In contrast to the previous embodiments, in footwear article 1000, the winglets 1030 of the frame 1070 extend from the outer side 1016 to the inner side 1018 of the upper 1002, partially over the sole structure 1004 and the instep region 1058, and then around the proximal end 1022 of the upper 1002.

[0174] like Figure 37 As shown, the bottom side 1094 of the frame 1070 extends along the bottom 1082 of at least the first, second, and third midsole components 1078a, 1078b, and 1078c of a plurality of midsole components 1078 disposed in the forefoot and midfoot regions 1008 and 1010 of the sole structure 1004. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end 1096 of the frame 1070 does not extend to the distal end 1024 of the sole structure 1004, and the proximal end 1098 of the frame 1070 extends through the midfoot region 1010 of the sole structure 1004. The outer and inner sides 1090, 1092 of frame 1070 extend over the upper 1080 of a second midsole member 1078b, a third midsole member 1078c, and a fourth midsole member 1078d disposed within the midfoot and heel regions 1010, 1012. A wing 1030 of frame 1070 extends from the outer side 1090 of frame 1070 and across the instep region 1058 to the inner side 1018 of upper 1002. The wing 1030 of frame 1070 then extends along the inner side 1018 of upper to the lower portion of the proximal end 1022 of upper 1002 and along at least the upper 1080 of at least the third and fourth midsole members 1078c, 1078d disposed toward the proximal end 1022 of sole structure 1004. The wing 1030 of the frame 170 continues to extend around the proximal end 1022 of the upper 1002 and returns to the outer side 1016 of the upper 1002, where the wing 1030 terminates at the wing end 1032.

[0175] Continue to refer to Figure 37In some embodiments, the frame 1070 can be constructed of two or more materials, for example, at least a portion of the flaps 1030 of the frame 1070 can be constructed of a first material, for example, that is flexible, and the remainder of the frame 1070 can be constructed of a second material, for example, that is more rigid than the first material. In such embodiments, the flaps 1030 of the frame 1070 can be configured to be releasably attached to the upper 1002 and / or the sole structure 1004, such that the flaps 1030 can be bent away from the instep region 1058 by the user. In such embodiments, the flaps 1030 of the frame 1070 can function as the fastening mechanism 1072 of the article of footwear 1000 by releasably securing the flap ends 1032 of the flaps 1030 to the upper 1002 and / or the sole structure 1004. In such embodiments, the flap ends 1032 can include a recess or protrusion, and the upper 1002 and / or the sole structure 1004 can include a corresponding recess or protrusion that is configured to receive the recess or protrusion of the flap ends 1032. In some embodiments, the flaps 1030 extend from the medial side 1092 of the frame 1070, then over the instep region 1058 to the lateral side 1016 of the upper 1002. In some embodiments, the frame 1070 includes a first flap that extends from the lateral side 1090 of the frame 1070 over a first portion of the instep region 1058, and a second flap that extends from the medial side 1092 of the frame 1070 over a second portion of the instep region 1058 that is different than the first portion. In such embodiments, the fastening mechanism 1072 of the article of footwear 1000 can include the first flap on the lateral side 1090 and the second flap on the medial side 1092 of the frame 1070.

[0176] Reference is now made to Figure 38, depicts yet another exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear 1100 that includes an upper 1102, a sole structure 1104, and a frame 1170. The article of footwear 1100 is similar to the previous embodiments, with like elements being indicated by like reference numerals under the "11xx" series of reference numerals. However, in contrast to the previous embodiments, the frame 1170 of the article of footwear 1100 includes a first or upper frame member 1170a and a second or lower frame member 1170b that is coupled to the upper frame member 1170a. In addition, the midsole or midsole region 1162 of the sole structure 1104 is formed only by a single midsole member 1178 that is housed within a frame interior cavity 1199 that is co-formed by the upper and lower frame members 1170a, 1170b and that extends from a lateral side 1190 to a medial side (not shown) of the frame 1170 and from a distal end 1196 to a proximal end 1198 of the frame 1170. In other words, the single midsole member 1178 extends within each of the forefoot region 1108, the midfoot region 1110, and the heel region 1112 of the article of footwear 1100 and between the lateral and medial sides 1116, 1118.

[0177] With continued reference to Figure 38 In the illustrated embodiment, the upper frame member 1170a defines the lateral side 1190, the medial side (not shown), the distal side 1196, and the proximal side 1198 of the frame 1170, while the lower frame member 1170b forms the entire bottom side 1194 of the frame 1170. The lateral side 1190 and the medial side (not shown) of the frame 1170 are adjacent to the lateral side and the medial side 1116, 1118, respectively, of the upper 1102, and the distal end and the proximal end 1196, 1198 of the frame 1170 are adjacent to the distal end and the proximal end 1122, 1124, respectively, of the upper 1102.

[0178] As Figure 39As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper frame member 1170a is fixedly attached to the upper 1102, and the lower frame member 1170b is removably attached to the upper frame member 1170a. In this way, the midsole member 1178 can be removed and replaced from the sole structure 1104, i.e., the frame interior cavity 1199, when the lower frame member 1170b is removed from the upper frame member 1170a. In some embodiments, the upper frame member 1170a is removably attached to the upper 1102, and the lower frame member 1170b is removably attached to the upper frame member 1170a. In some embodiments, the lower frame member 1170b can include a plurality of lower frame members, each of which is fixedly or removably attached to a different portion of the upper frame member 1170a. For example, in some embodiments, the lower frame member 1170b can include a first or distal lower frame member attached to a first or distal portion of the upper frame member 1170a at least in the forefoot region 1108, and a second or proximal lower frame member attached to a second or proximal portion of the upper frame member 1170a at least in the heel region 1112. In such embodiments, at least one of the distal and proximal lower frame members of the lower frame member 1170b can be removably attached to the upper frame member 1170a, such that the midsole member 1178 can be removed and replaced from the frame interior cavity 1199 when the at least one of the distal and proximal lower frame members is removed from the upper frame member 1170a.

[0179] Referring again to Figure 38 , the lower frame member 1170b of the frame 1170 includes a plurality of outsole members 1168 extending downward from the bottom side 1194 of the frame 1170. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of outsole members 1168 are integrally formed with the lower frame member 1170b, such that the plurality of outsole members 1168 can be replaced by a user by removing and replacing the lower frame member 1170b with a different lower frame member. In some embodiments, the plurality of outsole members 1168 can be removably attached to the lower frame member 1170b, and thus can be replaced by a user by removing and replacing only the plurality of outsole members 1168. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of outsole members 1168 can be removably connected to the outer surface 1184 of the frame 1170 along the bottom side 1194, similar to the outsole members 268 and frame 270 illustrated in Figure 15 and Figure 16 In other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of outsole members 1168 can be disposed between the midsole member 1178 and the inner surface 1186 of the frame 1170 along the bottom side 1194, and extend through a plurality of holes along the bottom side 1194 of the frame 1170, similar to the outsole members 268 and frame 270 illustrated in Figure 12 and Figure 13The outsole members 268 and the frame 270 are shown. In such embodiments, one or more of the plurality of outsole members 1168 can be replaced by a user when the lower frame member 1170b is removed from the upper frame member 1170a. In some embodiments, the plurality of outsole members 1168 can be formed of the same material as at least the lower frame member 1170b, but have different densities. For example, in some embodiments, the plurality of outsole members 1168 can be integrally formed with the lower frame member 1170b in a single mold, and the plurality of outsole members 1168 can be formed with a greater density by a temperature elevated along the respective surface of the mold as compared to other surfaces of the mold.

[0180] Referring again to Figure 39 In the illustrated embodiment, the midsole member 1178 is not attached to the upper 1102 or the frame 1170, such that the midsole member 1178 is held in place adjacent to the upper 1102 by the frame 1170. Thus, the midsole member 1178 can be removed by a user from the sole structure 1104, i.e., the frame inner cavity 1199, when the lower frame member 1170b is removed from the upper frame member 1170b. In some embodiments, the midsole member 1178 can be attached to at least one of the upper 1102 and / or the frame 1170. In some embodiments, the midsole member 1178 can be attached to only at least one of the upper frame member 1170a and / or the lower frame member 1170b. In some embodiments, an upper side or upper surface 1180b of the midsole member 1178 can directly contact a bottom of a foot of a user when wearing the article of footwear 1100. In some embodiments, the sole structure 1104 can further include an insole (not shown) disposed between the upper surface 1180b of the midsole member 1178 and the bottom of the foot of the user wearing the article of footwear 1100. In such embodiments, the insole can be formed of a textile material, a foam pad, or a plastic film disposed in the inner cavity 1106 of the upper 1102. In other embodiments, the upper surface 1180b of the midsole member 1178 can at least partially define and function as an insole of the sole structure 1104.

[0181] Still referring to Figure 39The midsole member 1178 has a thickness T6 measured between an upper surface 1180b and a lower side or lower surface 1182b of the midsole member 1178 opposite the upper surface 1180b. In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness T6 of the midsole member 1178 is substantially uniform when the midsole member 1178 is removed from the frame 1170, i.e., the final size or thickness of the midsole member 1178. In some embodiments, the midsole member 1178 can be configured such that at least some portions of the midsole member 1178 can expand through one or more of a plurality of apertures 1188 disposed on the lateral, medial, and proximal sides 1190, 1192, 1198 of the frame 1170 when the sole structure 1104 is compressed by a user’s foot, similar to the midsole members 278c, 278d of the article of footwear 200 illustrated in Figure 8 and Figure 9 For example, in some such embodiments, the midsole member 1178 can include a compressible material such that the midsole member 1178 can compress in one or more areas or portions between the lower frame member 1170b and the upper 1102 and expand outward from the frame interior cavity 1199 and through at least some of the plurality of apertures 1188 of the frame 1170 in response to forces exerted on the midsole member 1178 by a user’s foot. In some embodiments, the thickness T6 of the midsole member 1178 can vary in one or more portions of the midsole member 1178. For example, in some embodiments, a midfoot portion of the midsole member 1178, i.e., a portion disposed at least partially in the midfoot region 1110 of the sole structure 1104, can have a thickness that is less than a forefoot portion or a heel portion of the midsole member 1178, i.e., portions disposed at least partially in the forefoot region 1108 or the heel region 1112 of the sole structure 1104, respectively. In some embodiments, each of the forefoot portion, the midfoot portion, and the heel portion of the midsole member 1178 can have a thickness that is different from other portions of the midsole member 1178.

[0182] It should be appreciated that the midsole member of an article of footwear having a frame can be composed of a variety of one or more materials and can be formed by a variety of one or more manufacturing processes, e.g., by Figures 44-46One or more of the illustrated processes 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500. For example, one or more midsole members 178, 278, 378, 478, 578, 678, 778, 878, 978, 1078, 1178 of the articles of footwear 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, respectively, can be structured and arranged to primarily provide cushioning for the respective sole structures 104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104. Thus, the midsole member 1178, as well as any of the midsole members 178, 278, 378, 478, 578, 678, 778, 878, 978, 1078, can be composed of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), copolymers thereof, or similar types of materials. For example, in some embodiments, the midsole member 1178 can be composed of an EVA solid sponge ("ESS") material, an EVA foam (e.g., PUMA® ProFoam Lite™, IGNITE Foam), a polyurethane, a polyether, an olefin block copolymer, a thermoplastic material (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane, a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic polyolefin, etc.), or a supercritical foam. The midsole member 1178 can be composed of a single polymeric material, or can be a mixture of multiple materials, such as an EVA copolymer, a thermoplastic polyurethane, a polyether block amide (PEBA) copolymer, and / or an olefin block copolymer.

[0183] As one particular example, in some embodiments, the midsole member 1178 or any of the midsole members 178, 278, 378, 478, 578, 678, 778, 878, 978, 1078 can be formed of a foam material that can be formed through a supercritical foaming process such that the foam material forms a supercritical foam. The supercritical foam can include a microcellular foam or a cellular foam, such as a TPU, EVA, PEBAX®, or mixtures thereof, manufactured using one or more steps or processes that take place within an autoclave, injection molding equipment, or any vessel that is sufficiently heated / pressurized that can handle the mixing of a supercritical fluid (e.g., CO2, N2, or mixtures thereof) with a preferably molten material (e.g., TPU, EVA, polyolefin elastomer, or mixtures thereof). In an exemplary process, a solution of the supercritical fluid and the molten material is pumped into a pressurized vessel, after which the pressure within the vessel is released such that the molecules of the supercritical fluid rapidly transform into a gas to form small pockets or gaps within the material and cause the material to expand into a foam, which can be used as the midsole member 1178.

[0184] In some embodiments, such as where a supercritical gas is used as a blowing agent, the blowing agent forms hollow cells within the material. In some embodiments, the material can be formed as an "open cell foam," i.e., the blowing agent is substantially completely removed from such hollow cells, such that the final or production-ready midsole component does not include such supercritical gas, or as a "closed cell foam," i.e., the blowing agent remains in such hollow cells, such that the final or production-ready midsole component includes such supercritical gas. In such closed cell foam embodiments, it is preferred to use a non-toxic supercritical gas as the blowing agent, such as nitrogen. In further embodiments, the midsole component 1178 can be further formed using additional alternative methods known in the art, including using an expansion press, an injection machine, a particle expansion process, a cold foaming process, a compression molding technique, a die cutting, or any combination thereof, to further form the supercritical foam midsole component 1178. For example, the midsole component 1178 can be formed using a process that includes an initial or first step of forming an initial midsole component, an intermediate or second foaming step of forming an intermediate midsole component from the initial midsole component using a supercritical gas, and a final or third step of die molding or die cutting the intermediate midsole component into a particular shape to form a final midsole component that can be used as the midsole component 1178 in the article of footwear 1100.

[0185] In some embodiments, the midsole component 1178 can be composed of only a single foam material. However, in other embodiments, the midsole component 1178 can include a combination of two or more foam materials. For example, in some such embodiments, the midsole component 1178 can include a first portion formed of a first foam material and a second portion connected or attached to the first portion and formed of a second foam material, the second foam material having one or more properties different from the first foam material.

[0186] In some embodiments, the foam material from which the midsole component 1178, as well as any of the midsole components 178, 278, 378, 478, 578, 678, 778, 878, 978, 1078, is formed can have a density in a range between approximately 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter (g / cm 3 ) and approximately 0.30 g / cm 3 , in a range between approximately 0.07 g / cm 3 and approximately 0.25 g / cm 3 , or in a range between 0.10 g / cm 3 and approximately 0.20 g / cm 3density in a range of about five (5) Shore A to about forty (40) Shore A, in a range of about ten (10) Shore A to about thirty-five (35) Shore A, or in a range of about five (5) Shore A to about twenty (20) Shore A.

[0187] It should be appreciated that the midsole members of the sole structure can be configured to provide specific performance benefits to the user, such as by forming different portions or regions of the midsole member with different materials, or by varying one or more properties of one or more portions or regions, such as by varying one or more manufacturing processes used to form the midsole member. In this manner, the midsole members of the sole structure can provide one or more targeted properties or characteristics, such as varying densities, hardnesses, and / or elasticities between respective portions or regions, which can provide improved comfort, cushioning, and / or shock absorption to the user. Further, the midsole members can be tailored to provide one or more performance characteristics that are particularly beneficial for a specific activity of the user. For example, a first midsole member can have a first configuration that provides improved comfort for walking activities of the user, a second midsole member can have a second configuration that provides improved cushioning for running activities, and a third midsole member can have a third configuration that provides improved shock absorption for cross-training activities. Further, in embodiments in which the midsole members are removable and replaceable within the frame of the sole structure, such as by being removably attached to the sole structure 1104 (see FIG. 1 1) of the article of footwear 1100 (see FIG. 1), the user is able to customize the article of footwear for a specific activity by interchangeably removing and replacing one of a plurality of interchangeable midsole members with a different one of the plurality of interchangeable midsole members. Figure 38 and Figure 39 In this manner, the user is able to customize the article of footwear for a specific activity by interchangeably removing and replacing one of a plurality of interchangeable midsole members with a different one of the plurality of interchangeable midsole members.

[0188] Accordingly, the midsole member 1178 of the article of footwear 1100 can be configured such that one or more portions or regions of the midsole member 1178 have one or more properties that are different from one or more other portions or regions of the midsole member 1178, for example, by using different materials in the different portions or regions, or by using different manufacturing processes to form the different portions or regions. By varying one or more properties, such as density, hardness, etc., of two or more different portions or regions of the midsole member 1178, the sole structure 1104 can provide targeted performance characteristics to the user. More specifically, a first portion or region of the midsole member 1178 has a first density that is less than a second density of a second portion or region, which will compress more than the second portion or region when a load or weight is applied thereto as compared to the second portion or region. Accordingly, the less dense first portion or region of the midsole member 1178 is particularly useful in a load bearing arrangement to provide support to the sole structure 1104, while the more dense second portion or region is particularly useful in an impact force absorbing arrangement to provide cushioning to the sole structure 1104.

[0189] As one particular example, in some embodiments, an upper region or portion 1180a of the midsole member 1178, i.e., the portion or region that is vertically above the lower surface 1182b and can include the upper surface 1180b, can have one or more first or upper properties, such as density, hardness, and / or elasticity, that are different from one or more corresponding second or lower properties of a lower portion or region 1182a of the midsole member 1178, i.e., the portion or region that is vertically below the upper portion 1180a and can include the lower surface 1182a. In such embodiments, the upper and lower portions 1180a, 1182a of the midsole member 1178 can be integrally formed, or can be separately formed and then joined together, for example, by an overmolding process, an ultrasonic welding process, etc. As yet another example, in some embodiments, a forefoot portion or region 1108a of the midsole member 1178, i.e., the portion or region that is at least partially within the forefoot region 1108 of the sole structure 1104, can have one or more first or forefoot properties, such as density, hardness, and / or elasticity, that are different from one or more corresponding third or heel properties of a heel portion or region 1112a of the midsole member 1178, i.e., the portion or region that is at least partially within the heel region 1112 of the sole structure 1104.

[0190] Additionally, a midfoot portion or region 1110a of the midsole member 1178, i.e., the portion or region that is at least partially located within the midfoot region 1110 of the sole structure 1104, can have one or more second or midfoot properties, such as density, hardness, and / or elasticity, that are different from one or more respective forefoot and / or heel properties of the forefoot and / or heel portions 1108a, 1112a, respectively. In some embodiments, at least two of the forefoot, midfoot, and heel portions 1108a, 1110a, 1112a of the midsole member 1178 can be integrally formed, or can be separately formed and then joined together, such as by an overmolding process, an ultrasonic welding process, or the like. In some embodiments, the midsole member 1178 can have a density that is substantially uniform throughout each of the forefoot, midfoot, and heel regions 1108a, 1110a, 1112a.

[0191] In some embodiments, the midsole member 1178 can be formed of a first material, and the midsole member 1178 can further include an optional coating formed of a second material that is applied around the outer surface of the midsole member 1178. The optional coating can be a skin that is disposed around the outer side of the midsole member 1178. Alternatively, the coating can be added to the outer side of the midsole member 1178 by spraying, extrusion coating, painting, dipping, or any other suitable method. The coating can be composed of any material suitable for the particular application. For example, the coating can include a foam material as described herein, which can be a different foam material than the foam material of the midsole member 1178. The coating can alter or improve a targeted property of the midsole member 1178. For example, the coating can provide any or all of the following properties to the midsole member 1178: a harder outer surface, improved water resistance, improved stain resistance, a higher melting temperature, a higher flash point, improved bonding properties, and / or a better appearance. As one specific example benefit, the optional coating of the midsole member 1178 can provide improved water or stain resistance to the midsole member 1178, which can be particularly advantageous in improving the durability of the midsole member 1178 that has portions exposed through the plurality of apertures 1188 of the frame 1170.

[0192] It should be appreciated that the sole structure 1104 of the article of footwear 1100 can be configured to further secure the midsole member 1178 within the frame interior cavity 1199 of the frame 1170, and in relation, provide additional support to the foot of the user. For example, Figures 40-42 Another embodiment of the sole structure 1104 of the article of footwear 1100 is shown. In particular as Figure 41 and Figure 42 As shown, a plurality of struts 1128 extend from the inner surface 1186 of the frame 1170 along the bottom side 1194 and into the lower surface 1182b of the midsole member 1178 (seeFigure 39 In some embodiments, at least some of the upper ends 1128a of the plurality of struts 1128 can be disposed at a distance from an upper surface 1180b of the midsole member 1178. In some embodiments, at least some of the upper ends 1128a of the plurality of struts 1128 can extend through the upper surface 1180b of the midsole member 1178. In such embodiments, at least some of the upper ends 1128a of the plurality of struts 1128 can be fixedly or removably attached to the upper 1102, or additionally or alternatively, to an insole (not shown) of the sole structure 1104. As shown particularly in Figure 40 One or more of the plurality of struts 1128 are disposed in each of the forefoot region, midfoot region, and heel region 1108, 1110, 1112 of the sole structure 1104. In some embodiments, the plurality of struts 1128 are disposed in only one or two of the forefoot region 1108, midfoot region 1110, and heel region 1112. In some embodiments, the plurality of struts 1128 can include six or fewer or eight or more struts.

[0193] With continued reference to Figure 40 In some embodiments, the plurality of struts 1128 can be attached only to the midsole member 1178, such that the midsole member 1178 and each of the plurality of struts 1128 are not attached to the upper 1102 or the frame 1170. In other words, the plurality of struts 1128 can be included in the midsole member 1178 itself. In some such embodiments, the midsole member 1178 can be overmolded with the plurality of struts by one or more manufacturing processes. For example, in some such embodiments, the plurality of struts 1128 can be formed and / or arranged within a mold cavity, and one or more portions of the midsole member 1178 can be formed around the plurality of struts within the same mold cavity, for example by a multi-step injection molding process. In some embodiments, the plurality of struts 1128 can be configured to axially compress the midsole member 1178 between the lower frame member 1170b and the upper 1102, for example in response to dynamic forces exerted on the midsole member 1178 by a user’s foot in one or more vectors. In some embodiments, the midsole member 1178 can be formed of a first material, and the plurality of struts 1128 can be formed of a second material different from the first material. For example, in such embodiments, the midsole member 1178 can be formed of a first material having a first compressibility, and the plurality of struts can be formed of a second material having a second compressibility.

[0194] It will also be appreciated that the midsole 1162 of the sole structure 1104 of the article of footwear 1100 can be defined by a plurality of midsole members, and in some embodiments, the frame 1170 can define a plurality of internal cavities, each of which houses one of the plurality of midsole members. For example, Figure 43Yet another embodiment of a sole structure 1104 of an article of footwear 1100 is shown that includes a first or distal midsole member 1178a disposed within a first or distal frame internal cavity 1199a of a frame 1170 and a second or proximal midsole member 1178b disposed within a second or proximal frame internal cavity 1199b of the frame 1170. In the illustrated embodiment, the first frame internal cavity 1199a is separated from the second frame internal cavity 1199b by a bridge 1114 that extends between the lateral and medial sides 1190, 1192 of the frame 1170 such that the first midsole member 1178a does not contact the second midsole member 1178b. In some embodiments, the bridge 1114 can be integrally formed with at least the lower frame member 1170b and can extend upwardly from the interior surface 1186 of the frame 1170 along the bottom side 1194 to the upper 1102. In some embodiments, the bridge 1114 can comprise a material that is different from one or both of the upper and lower frame members 1170a, 1170b. For example, in some embodiments, the bridge 1114 can be formed from a first material and the lower frame member 1170a can be formed from a second material that is more rigid than the first material. In some such embodiments, the upper frame member 1170a can be formed from a third material and the second material can be more rigid than the first and third materials. Further, in some embodiments, the first distal midsole member 1178a can be formed from a material that is different from the second midsole member 1178b or has one or more properties in addition to the particular material or properties of the bridge 1114 that the second midsole member 1178b can provide one or more target performance characteristics of the sole structure 1104, as previously described.

[0195] With continued reference to Figure 43 In the illustrated embodiment, the first midsole member 1178a is disposed entirely within the forefoot region 1108 and the second midsole member 1178b is disposed entirely within the heel region 1112. In some embodiments, the second midsole member 1178b can be disposed at least partially within the forefoot and heel regions 1110, 1112. In some embodiments, the midsole 1162 of the sole structure 1104 can be formed from three or more midsole members and the frame 1170 can define three or more internal cavities separated by two or more bridges 1114. For example, in some embodiments, the first midsole member 1178a can include a first lateral midsole member disposed within a first lateral frame internal cavity adjacent the lateral side 1190 of the frame 1170 and a first medial midsole member disposed within a first medial frame internal cavity adjacent the medial side 1192 of the frame 1170 and separated from the first lateral frame internal cavity by a second bridge that extends from the second frame internal cavity to the distal end 1196 of the frame 1170.

[0196] As noted above, in some embodiments, the midsole member of an article of footwear having a frame can be formed from a process or method that includes a supercritical foaming process. Further, it should be appreciated that the method or process can be used to manufacture a midsole member of a sole structure of an article of footwear having a frame, for example, Figures 1-43 any one or more of the midsole members 178, 278, 378, 478, 578, 678, 778, 878, 978, 1078, 1178 of the articles of footwear 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100 having the frames 170, 270, 370, 470, 570, 670, 770, 870, 970, 1070, 1170 that differ from known supercritical foaming processes used to form traditional midsoles of conventional sole structures of articles of footwear, i.e., that are disposed between the upper and the outsole of the article of footwear and that only define the midsole region of the sole structure. For example, such traditional midsoles generally require a minimum density or hardness in order to provide lateral and compressive support to the sole structure. In contrast to such conventional sole structures, the frame of the article of footwear secures and supports one or more midsole members disposed within the frame lumen of the frame, e.g., the midsole member 1178 disposed within the frame lumen 1199 of the frame 1170 of the article of footwear 1100 in Figures 38-43 , the midsole member 1178 of the article of footwear 1100 in the frame lumen 1199 of the frame 1170 of the article of footwear 1100, thus can allow the midsole member to be formed with one or more properties, e.g., density, hardness, etc., that differ from traditional midsoles formed by some known processes. As such, the one or more midsole members that collectively define the midsole or midsole region of the sole structure with the frame can be formed to provide additional benefits to the user, e.g., enhanced comfort, cushioning, and / or shock absorption as compared to conventional sole structures.

[0197] In this regard, Figure 44 An exemplary process 1200 of manufacturing a midsole member of an article of footwear is shown, e.g., any one or more of the midsole members 178, 278, 378, 478, 578, 678, 778, 878, 978, 1078, 1178 of the articles of footwear 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0198] In Figure 44In the illustrated example, step 1210 of process 1200 can include forming an initial midsole component having an initial density ("pi"). As in step 1210, the initial midsole component can be formed by conventional thermoplastic molding techniques known in the art. For example, in one particular embodiment, the initial midsole component can be formed by an injection molding process in which thermoplastic pellets are heated to a predetermined temperature and injected into a pressurized cavity of a mold. In some embodiments, the initial midsole component can be formed by an extrusion process or the like. In some embodiments, the initial midsole component as formed in step 1210 can be composed of a thermoplastic plastic, such as TPU, EVA, polyolefin elastomer, or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the initial density pi of the initial midsole component formed in step 1210 can be in a range between about 0.10 g / cm 3 and about 1.50 g / cm 3 , in a range between about 0.20 g / cm 3 and about 1.25 g / cm 3 , or in a range between about 0.25 g / cm 3 and about 1.00 g / cm 3 . In some embodiments, the initial hardness of the initial midsole component formed in step 1210 can be in a range between about 40 Shore C and about 60 Shore C, in a range between about 42 Shore C and about 58 Shore C, or in a range between about 45 Shore C and about 55 Shore C.

[0199] With continued reference Figure 44, step 1220 of process 1200 can include expanding the initial midsole component having an initial density pi as formed in step 1210 to form a final midsole component having a final density ("p2") that is less than the initial density pi. Also, the final midsole component formed in step 1220 will also have a final hardness that is less than the initial hardness of the initial midsole formed in step 1210. In some embodiments, the initial midsole component having an initial density pi as formed in step 1210 can be exposed to a supercritical fluid, which causes the initial midsole component to expand, and accordingly decrease from the initial density pi, and result in the formation of a final midsole component having a final density p2, as formed in step 1220. For example, in one particular embodiment, the formation of the final midsole component as described in step 1220 is by placing the initial midsole component (as described in step 1210) into an autoclave and saturating the initial midsole component with a supercritical fluid (e.g., CO2, N2, or a mixture thereof) at a first or saturation pressure, and then after a predetermined time, rapidly reducing the saturation pressure within the autoclave to a second or foaming pressure to remove the supercritical fluid. By reducing from the saturation pressure to the foaming pressure, this relatively rapid removal of the supercritical fluid from the initial midsole component triggers a "foaming" process of the initial midsole component that causes the cells or voids within the initial midsole component to expand, and results in the formation of the final midsole component having a final density p2.

[0200] In some embodiments, expanding the initial midsole component to form a final midsole component as formed in step 1210, as in step 1220, can include introducing a foaming agent into the pressurized mold forming the initial midsole component, such that the foaming agent causes the molten thermoplastic to "foam" and create bubbles within the molten thermoplastic. In some embodiments, the initial midsole component as formed in step 1210 can be a molten mixture of two or more components within the mold, such that by inducing a predetermined condition within the mold, e.g., an increase or decrease in pressure or temperature within the mold, such that the two or more components of the molten mixture react and form bubbles therein, the molten mixture is expanded to form the final midsole component as in step 1220. In other such embodiments, the initial midsole component can be expanded to form the final midsole component by introducing an additional component, i.e., a second foaming agent, that interacts with the foaming agent to create the bubbles.

[0201] In some embodiments, the final density p2 of the final midsole component formed in steps 1210, 1220 can be in a range between approximately 0.05 g / cm 3 and approximately 0.20 g / cm 3 In some embodiments, the final density p2 of the final midsole component formed in steps 1210, 1220 can be in a range between approximately 0.07 g / cm 3 and approximately 0.18 g / cm3 between about 0.10 g / cm 3 and about 0.17 g / cm 3 In some embodiments, the final hardness of the final midsole component formed in steps 1210, 1220 can be in a range between about 5 Shore C to about 35 Shore C, in a range between about 8 Shore C to about 30 Shore C, or in a range between about 10 Shore C to about 22 Shore C. In some embodiments, the final density p2and / or the final hardness of the final midsole component formed in steps 1210, 1220 can be substantially uniform throughout the final midsole component. In some embodiments, the expansion ratio, e.g., the ratio of the initial volume of the initial midsole component formed in step 1210 to the final volume of the final midsole component formed in step 1220, can be between about 1.1 and about 2.1, between about 1.3 and about 1.5, between about 1.5 and about 1.7, between about 1.7 and about 1.9, between about 1.9 and about 2.1, greater than about 2.1, or any range therein between. In some embodiments, the final midsole component, as formed in step 1220, can have cells or voids therein that can have an approximately uniform size and distribution throughout the final midsole component.

[0202] Still referring to Figure 44 , step 1230 of process 1200 can include arranging the final midsole component having the final density p2, as formed in step 1220, in the frame internal cavity of the frame of the article of footwear to form a final sole structure of the article of footwear. For example, with reference to the article of footwear 1100 shown in Figures 38-43 , the midsole component 1178 can be a final or production-ready midsole component, e.g., formed by steps 1210, 1220 of process 1200, and including the final density p2, and arranged within the frame internal cavity 1199 of the frame 1170 of the sole structure 1104 of the article of footwear 1100, e.g., as in step 1230 of process 1200. In other words, the final midsole component formed in steps 1210, 1220 is a production-ready midsole component that does not undergo any additional or ancillary processes that substantially affect the final density p2of the final midsole component prior to arranging the final midsole component in the frame internal cavity to form the final sole structure of the article of footwear, as in step 1230.

[0203] Additionally, as briefly mentioned above, since the frame of the article of footwear provides support for the final midsole component, no subsequent compression step is required to reduce the size or increase the final density or hardness of the final midsole component, as formed in step 1220. Specifically, in other known supercritical foaming methods of traditional midsoles, an initial midsole assembly having an initial density is typically inflated or foamed to form an intermediate midsole assembly having an intermediate density that is less than the initial density, and then placed into a compression mold where the intermediate midsole assembly is compressed to form a final midsole assembly having a final density that is less than the initial density but greater than the intermediate density. The time the midsole assembly remains under pressure varies with temperature, but is typically in the range of 500 to 550 seconds, resulting in increased complexity, cost, and cycle time. Additionally, such compression can result in localized density variations of different portions of the final midsole assembly, for example, to about 60% of the average density of the final midsole assembly. Thus, the final midsole component formed in steps 1210, 1220 can have a more uniform density compared to traditional midsoles formed by known foaming processes.

[0204] It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the final midsole component formed in steps 1210, 1220 can be subjected to one or more processes after step 1220 and before step 1230 that do not substantially change the final density p2 or final hardness of the final midsole component resulting from step 1220, and the final midsole component is subsequently disposed within the frame inner cavity, as in step 1230. For example, in one particular embodiment, the final midsole component having a final density p2 as formed in steps 1210, 1220 can undergo a coating process in which a protective outer coating is applied to the outer surface of the final midsole component to prevent liquid or other foreign matter from entering the hollow cells of the final midsole component. In such an embodiment, the outer coating does not substantially change or alter the final density p2 of the final midsole component assembled with the frame, as in step 1230. On the other hand, other additional or auxiliary processes or steps that can be performed on the final midsole component as formed in steps 1210, 1220 that can substantially change the final density p2 can include, for example, compression molding, heat treatment, etc.

[0205] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the midsole component of the article of footwear having a frame can be formed by a supercritical foaming process in which a blowing agent, such as a supercritical fluid, is introduced into the midsole component. In this regard, Figure 45Another example process 1300 of manufacturing a midsole component of an article of footwear is shown, e.g., according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, any one or more midsole components 178, 278, 378, 478, 578, 678, 778, 878, 978, 1078, 1178 of the articles of footwear 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100. In Figure 45 In the example shown, step 1310 of process 1300 can include forming an initial midsole component having an initial density pi, similar to step 1210 of process 1200 shown. Figure 44 In one particular example, as step 1310, the initial midsole component can be formed by an injection molding process or an extrusion process. Step 1320 of process 1300 can include introducing a supercritical gas, e.g., CO2, N2, or a mixture thereof, to the initial midsole component having the initial density pi formed as step 1310, and then removing the supercritical gas from the initial midsole component to form a final midsole component having a final density p2 that is less than the initial density pi, as step 1330.

[0206] For example, in some embodiments, the supercritical gas in the midsole component can be removed by rapidly evacuating the pressure of the autoclave in which the initial midsole component is first saturated with the supercritical gas as step 1320, as described in step 1330. In some embodiments, at least a majority of the supercritical gas introduced into the midsole component as step 1320 can be removed from the final midsole component as step 1330, such that the final midsole component does not include supercritical gas. In other embodiments, only a portion of the supercritical gas introduced into the midsole component as step 1320 can be removed from the final midsole component as step 1330, such that the final midsole component includes supercritical gas, e.g., that remains in cells or interstices within the final midsole component having the final density p2. In embodiments in which the final midsole component includes supercritical gas, it is preferred that a non-toxic supercritical gas, e.g., nitrogen gas, be used in step 1320.

[0207] With continuing reference to Figure 45 Step 1340 of process 1300 can include arranging the final midsole component having the final density p2 formed as steps 1310, 1320, 1330 in the frame interior cavity of the frame of the article of footwear to form a final sole structure of the article of footwear, similar to step 1230 of process 1200 shown in Figure 44

[0208] Figure 46 ​Another example process 1400 of manufacturing a midsole component of an article of footwear is shown, e.g., according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, any one or more midsole components 178, 278, 378, 478, 578, 678, 778, 878, 978, 1078, 1178 of the articles of footwear 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100. In Figure 46 In the example shown, step 1410 of process 1400 can include forming an initial midsole component having an initial density pi, similar to steps 1210, 1310 of processes 1200, 1300, respectively, as described above. Figure 44 and Figure 45 In one particular example, the initial midsole component can be formed by an injection molding process or an extrusion process, as in step 1410.

[0209] Once the initial midsole component having the initial density pi is formed, as in step 1410, step 1420 of process 1400 can include inserting the initial midsole component into a pressurized vessel, and then impregnating the initial midsole component with a supercritical fluid, as in step 1430. For example, in some embodiments, the initial midsole component can be inserted into the pressurized vessel at a first or atmospheric pressure, as in step 1420, and then a supercritical fluid, i.e., a blowing agent, can be injected into the pressurized vessel at a first or saturated vessel pressure, as in step 1430. In some embodiments, the saturated vessel pressure in step 1430 can be about 5 MegaPascals (MPa) to about 45 MPa greater than the atmospheric pressure in step 1420. The supercritical fluid can be injected into the pressurized vessel as a gas and then transition to a supercritical fluid, or the supercritical fluid can be injected directly into the pressurized vessel. In some embodiments, step 1430 can further include increasing a vessel temperature of the pressurized vessel.

[0210] In some embodiments, the supercritical fluid is held within the pressurized vessel for a predetermined period of time, i.e., a soak or dwell time, to allow the supercritical fluid to be absorbed by the initial midsole component, such that the initial midsole component is (fully) saturated with the supercritical fluid. The specific dwell time required to allow the supercritical fluid to permeate and saturate the initial midsole component can vary depending on the saturation vessel pressure, the temperature within the pressurized vessel, the size or volume of the initial midsole component, and the material of the initial midsole component. For example, in some embodiments, the predetermined dwell time can range between about 60 minutes to about 300 minutes, between about 90 minutes to about 240 minutes, between about 120 minutes to about 180 minutes, or less than about 60 minutes, or greater than about 300 minutes. In some embodiments, the dwell time can be selected to achieve partial saturation or full saturation of the initial midsole component. In some embodiments, the pressurized vessel can be an autoclave or any other vessel suitable for such an application.

[0211] With continued reference to Figure 46 Once the initial midsole component is sufficiently saturated with the supercritical gas, as in steps 1410, 1420, 1430, step 1440 of process 1400 can include reducing the vessel pressure to form a final midsole component having a final density p2 that is less than the initial density pi. This reduction in vessel pressure can cause the saturated supercritical fluid within the initial midsole component to nucleate and expand, thereby causing the initial midsole component to foam to form the final midsole component. In some embodiments, the nucleation of the supercritical fluid within the initial midsole component forms (enclosed) supercritical fluid-filled cells that expand as the pressure is reduced, thereby increasing the volume of the initial midsole component and correspondingly reducing the density. In some such embodiments, the cells can have a substantially uniform size and distribution throughout the final midsole component.

[0212] For example, in some embodiments, as implemented in step 1430, the saturation vessel pressure of the pressurized vessel can be reduced as in step 1440 to a second or foaming vessel pressure that is less than the saturation vessel pressure, such that the supercritical gas is fully removed from the final midsole component, as formed in step 1440, similar to Figure 45step 1330 of process 1300 shown in FIG. 13. In such embodiments, the second vessel pressure can be a percentage of the saturation vessel pressure, which can be in a range of about 0% to about 70%, in a range of about 2% to about 50%, or in a range of about 5% to about 30%. In other embodiments, as implemented in step 1430, the saturation vessel pressure of the pressurized vessel can be reduced to a third vessel pressure, e.g., which is less than the saturation vessel pressure and greater than the second vessel pressure, as in step 1440, such that at least a portion of the supercritical gas saturated within the initial midsole component in step 1430 remains trapped within the final midsole component having a final density p2 as formed in step 1440. In some embodiments, step 1440 can further include reducing the vessel temperature of the pressurized vessel.

[0213] Once the final midsole component having a final density p2 is formed, as in steps 1410, 1420, 1430, 1440, step 1450 of process 1400 can include removing the final midsole component from the pressurized vessel and then arranging the final midsole component in a frame internal cavity of a frame of an article of footwear to form a final sole structure of the article of footwear, as in step 1460 and similar to steps 1230, 1330 of processes 1200, 1300, respectively. Figures 44-45

[0214] In some embodiments, process 1400 can further include one or more additional steps after step 1410 and before step 1450. For example, in some embodiments, process 1400 can include, before or after step 1420, heating the pressurized vessel, e.g., to bring the initial midsole component to an at least partially molten state, or to reduce the residence time required in step 1430. Depending on the material of the initial midsole component, in some such embodiments, the pressurized vessel or the initial midsole component therein can be heated to a predetermined temperature, e.g., between about 115 degrees Celsius (°C) and about 180 °C. Further, in some embodiments, process 1400 can include, before or after step 1440, cooling the pressurized vessel, e.g., to allow the initial midsole component to solidify before or after the pressure reduction in step 1440.

[0215] Still referring to Figure 46 And as noted above, in some embodiments, the final midsole component having a final density can undergo additional processes prior to being arranged in the frame cavity that do not affect the final density. Accordingly, in some embodiments, process 1400 can further include step 1460 (in Figure 46 ​In some such embodiments, the final midsole component can be trimmed to a final shape prior to being disposed within the internal cavity of the frame, as represented by the dashed box, which can include trimming the final midsole component as formed in steps 1410, 1420, 1430, 1440, 1450 to a final shape, as in step 1470. For example, in some such embodiments, the outer surface of the final midsole component can be ground or otherwise abraded to correspond to the predetermined shape of the internal cavity of the frame.

[0216] Figure 47 Another example process 1500 of manufacturing a midsole component of an article of footwear, e.g., according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown, e.g., any one or more of the midsole components 178, 278, 378, 478, 578, 678, 778, 878, 978, 1078, 1178 of the articles of footwear 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100. In the example shown, the process 1500 can include injecting a solution of a molten material and a supercritical fluid into a pressurized vessel to form an initial midsole component having an initial density pi, as in step 1510, and then reducing the vessel pressure of the pressurized vessel to form a final midsole component having a final density p2, as in step 1520. As in step 1520, this reduction in the vessel pressure of the pressurized vessel can cause the supercritical fluid to nucleate and form bubbles within the molten material, which form cells within the final midsole component as the molten material solidifies. In some such embodiments, the cells can have a substantially uniform size and distribution throughout the final midsole component. Figure 47

[0217] In some embodiments, the solution used in step 1510 can include one or more molten thermoplastic materials, e.g., TPU, EVA, polyolefin elastomer, or mixtures thereof, and one or more supercritical gases, e.g., C02, N2, or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, step 1510 can further include increasing the vessel temperature of the pressurized vessel, e.g., to prevent the molten material of the solution from solidifying within the pressurized vessel prior to the vessel pressure being reduced, and step 1520 can further include reducing the vessel temperature, e.g., to allow the molten material having bubbles of the supercritical fluid to solidify within the pressurized vessel prior to the final midsole component being removed from the pressurized vessel. For example, in some embodiments, step 1510 can include increasing the vessel temperature of the pressurized vessel from a first vessel temperature, e.g., an atmospheric temperature, to a second vessel temperature that is higher than the first vessel temperature, and step 1520 can further include reducing the vessel temperature from the second vessel temperature to a third vessel temperature that is at least lower than the second vessel temperature.

[0218] ​Once the final midsole member having the final density p2 is formed, as in steps 1510, 1520, step 1530 of process 1500 can include removing the final midsole member from the pressurized vessel and then arranging the final midsole member in the frame internal cavity of the frame of the article of footwear to form a final sole structure of the article of footwear, as in step 1540 and similar to steps 1340, 1470 of processes 1300, 1400, respectively. Figures 44-46 In some embodiments, similar to optional step 1460 of process 1400 as shown, process 1500 can further include trimming the final midsole member formed in steps 1510, 1520 to a final shape prior to arranging the final midsole member within the frame internal cavity. Figure 46 In some embodiments, similar to optional step 1460 of process 1400 as shown, process 1500 can further include trimming the final midsole member formed in steps 1510, 1520 to a final shape prior to arranging the final midsole member within the frame internal cavity.

[0219] Referring again to Figures 27-43 In some cases, one or more various components of example articles of footwear 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100 can be formed by additive manufacturing techniques, such as by one or more of the various 3D printing techniques described above. For example, with reference to article of footwear 900, the interconnected upper portion 980 of the midsole member 978 of the article of footwear 900 can be 3D printed as a single unitary piece. Further, the plurality of lower frames 970a, the plurality of upper frames 970b, and / or the frame ring 914 of the article of footwear 900 can be 3D printed. As another example, and with reference to article of footwear 1100, the upper frame member 1170a can be 3D printed separately from the lower frame member 1170b, and the frame 1170 can be subsequently formed by connecting the upper frame member 1170a to the upper 1102 and coupling the lower frame member 1170b to the upper frame member 1170a. In such examples, the upper frame member 1170a can be 3D printed with a first material, the lower frame member 1170b can be 3D printed with a second material, the second material having one or more properties, such as elasticity, translucency, color, etc., that are different than the first material.

[0220] In other embodiments, other configurations are possible. For example, certain features and combinations of features presented in the discussion above with respect to particular embodiments can be used in other embodiments and other combinations as appropriate. Further, any of the embodiments described herein can be modified to include any of the structures or methods disclosed in connection with other embodiments. Further, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific types of articles of footwear shown. Further, aspects of the articles of footwear of any of the embodiments disclosed herein can be modified to work with any type of footwear, apparel, or other sporting equipment.

[0221] As previously described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, although specific embodiments and examples have been described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications and changes in light thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The entire disclosure of each patent and publication cited herein is incorporated by reference, as if each such patent or publication were individually incorporated by reference herein. Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

[0222] Industrial Applicability

[0223] In view of the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications to the disclosure can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure. The exclusive rights to all modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising: an upper; a sole structure attached to the upper, the sole structure comprising: a frame attached to the upper, the frame having a frame outer surface and a frame inner surface opposite the frame outer surface defining a frame inner cavity; a midsole member disposed in the frame inner cavity; and an outsole, wherein the frame inner surface is adjacent portions of the upper and the midsole member, wherein the frame has a lattice structure formed by a plurality of apertures extending through the frame outer surface and the frame inner surface such that at least some portions of the upper and the midsole member adjacent the frame inner surface are exposed through the plurality of apertures, and wherein the midsole member is formed by a supercritical foaming process.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein, the midsole member is not compressed after the supercritical foaming process.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein, the midsole member is at least partially disposed within each of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear.

4. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein, the midsole member extends between a distal end and a proximal end of the article of footwear and between a lateral side and a medial side of the article of footwear.

5. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein, the frame extends along at least the medial side and the lateral side of the article of footwear, and wherein the lattice structure of the frame extends at least along the lateral side of the article of footwear.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein, when a force is applied to the sole structure by a user's foot, at least a portion of the midsole member is compressed and at least a portion of the midsole member is exposed through the plurality of apertures of the frame, at least partially bulging outward from the frame inner cavity through the plurality of apertures.

7. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein, the frame includes an outsole member at least partially defining an outsole of the sole structure.

8. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein, the frame includes an upper frame member attached to the upper and a lower frame member attached to the upper frame member opposite the upper, and wherein the lower frame member at least partially defines an outsole of the sole structure.

9. The article of footwear of claim 8, wherein, the lower frame member is removably attached to the upper frame member, and wherein, when the lower frame member is removed from the upper frame member, the midsole member is configured to be removable from or insertable into the frame inner cavity.

10. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein, at least the lattice structure of the frame includes an elastic material such that at least the lattice structure is configured to elastically deform under the force exerted on the sole structure by a user's foot.

11. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein, the sole structure further includes an insole, and wherein the insole is disposed adjacent an upper surface of the midsole member.

12. An article of footwear comprising: an upper; a sole structure attached to the upper, the sole structure comprising: a frame having a frame outer surface and a frame inner surface opposite the frame outer surface defining a frame inner cavity, the frame comprising: an upper frame member attached to the upper; and a lower frame member connected to the upper frame member opposite the upper frame member; and one or more midsole members disposed in the frame inner cavity, wherein the lower frame member at least partially defines an outsole of the sole structure and the one or more midsole members at least partially define a midsole of the sole structure, wherein the frame inner surface is adjacent portions of the upper and the one or more midsole members, wherein the frame has a lattice structure formed by a plurality of holes extending through an outer surface of the frame and an inner surface of the frame, such that at least some portions of the upper and the midsole member adjacent the inner surface of the frame are exposed through the plurality of holes, and wherein one or more midsole members are formed by a supercritical foaming process.

13. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein, the lower frame member is removably attached to the upper frame member, and wherein, when the lower frame member is removed from the upper frame member, one or more midsole members are configured to be removable from or insertable into the frame interior cavity.

14. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein, the one or more midsole members are not attached to the upper or the frame.

15. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein, the one or more midsole members define a substantial entirety of a midsole, and the lower frame member defines a substantial entirety of the outsole.

16. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein, the one or more midsole members include at least a first midsole member and a second midsole member, and wherein the first midsole member is disposed at least partially within a forefoot region of the article of footwear, and the second midsole member is disposed at least partially within a heel region of the article of footwear.

17. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein, the first midsole member and the second midsole member are not attached to the upper and the frame, and wherein the first midsole member and the second midsole member are not attached to each other.

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