Footwear strobel including a shank, an article of footwear, and a method of manufacturing an article of footwear

Abstract

An article of footwear may include a strobel that has a shank comprised of an elastomeric material. The shank may comprise an exterior surface of the strobel. The strobel may include a polymeric bladder with the shank and the polymeric bladder each be disposed in and partially defining at least one different one of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear may include adhering a shank included in a strobel to a foam midsole component. The shank may comprise an elastomeric material and may at least partially define an exterior surface of the strobel.

Description

FOOTWEAR STROBEL INCLUDING A SHANK. AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR, AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEARCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to United States Provisional Application No. 63 / 631,592, filed April 9, 2024 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a strobel for an article of footwear that includes a shank, an article of footwear including the strobel, and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear.BACKGROUND

[0003] Articles of footwear generally include two primary elements: an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure is configured to be located under a wearer’s foot to space the foot away from the ground. Mobility, flexibility, support, and cushioning are sometimes competing objectives in designing a sole structure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only, are schematic in nature, and are intended to be exemplary rather than to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a shank included in a strobel of FIG. 3.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the shank of FIG. 1.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a strobel including the shank of FIGS. 1-2 extending in a forefoot region and a midfoot region and including a polymeric bladder secured to the shank and extending in a heel region and the midfoot region.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a top view of the strobel of FIG. 3.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the shank taken at lines 5-5 in FIG.4

[0010] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the polymeric bladder of the strobel of FIGS. 3-4 taken at lines 6-6 in FIG. 4.

[0011] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the strobel of FIG. 3 and a footwear upper.

[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the strobel of FIG. 7 secured to the footwear upper of FIG. 7.

[0013] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the strobel and footwear upper of FIG. 8 on a footwear last.

[0014] FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of the strobel and footwear upper of FIG. 9 on the footwear last and a foam midsole component, and with adhesive disposed on the distal surface of the strobel.

[0015] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the article of footwear of FIG. 10 taken along the lines 11-11 in FIG. 10 after joining the foam midsole to the strobel.

[0016] FIG. 12 is a top view of an example of a strobel including a shank extending in a heel and midfoot region and a polymeric bladder extending in a forefoot region and the midfoot region and secured to the shank.

[0017] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the polymeric bladder of the strobel of FIG. 12 taken at lines 13-13 in FIG. 12.

[0018] FIG. 14 is a top view of an example of a strobel including a shank extending in a heel and midfoot region and a polymeric bladder extending in a forefoot region and the midfoot region and secured to the shank.

[0019] FIG. 15 is a top view of an example of a strobel including a shank extending in a heel and midfoot region, a polymeric bladder extending in a forefoot region and the midfoot region and secured to the shank, and a toe plate extending in a foremost extent of the forefoot region and secured to the polymeric bladder.

[0020] FIG. 16 is a top view of an example of a strobel including a shank extending in a heel and midfoot region, a polymeric bladder extending in a forefoot region and the midfoot region and secured to the shank, and a toe plate extending in a foremost extent of the forefoot region and secured to the polymeric bladder.

[0021] FIG. 17 is a top view of a strobel including a shank extending in a forefoot region and a midfoot region and including a polymeric bladder secured to the shank and extending in a heel region and the midfoot region.

[0022] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the polymeric bladder of FIG. 17 taken at lines 18-18 in FIG. 17.

[0023] FIG. 19 is a top view of a Strobel including a first polymeric bladder extending in a forefoot region, a second polymeric bladder extending in a heel region, and a shank extending in a midfoot region and secured to the first polymeric bladder and to the second polymeric bladder.

[0024] FIG. 20 is a top view of a Strobel including a first polymeric bladder extending in a forefoot region, a second polymeric bladder extending in a heel region, and a shank extending in a midfoot region and secured to the first polymeric bladder and to the second polymeric bladder.

[0025] FIG. 21 is a top view of a Strobel including a first polymeric bladder extending in a forefoot region, a second polymeric bladder extending in a heel region, and a shank extending in a midfoot region and secured to the first polymeric bladder and to the second polymeric bladder.

[0026] FIG. 22 is a top view of a Strobel including a first polymeric bladder extending in a forefoot region, a second polymeric bladder extending in a heel region, and a shank extending in a midfoot region and secured to the first polymeric bladder and to the second polymeric bladder.

[0027] FIG. 23 is a top view of a Strobel including a first polymeric bladder extending in a forefoot region, a second polymeric bladder extending in a heel region, and a shank extending in a midfoot region and partially in the forefoot region and the heel region and secured to the first polymeric bladder and to the second polymeric bladder.

[0028] FIG. 24 is a top view of a Strobel including a first polymeric bladder extending in a forefoot region, a second polymeric bladder extending in a heel region, and a shank extending in a midfoot region and partially in the forefoot region and the heel region and secured to the first polymeric bladder and to the second polymeric bladder.

[0029] FIG. 25 is a top view of a Strobel including a first polymeric bladder extending in a forefoot region, a second polymeric bladder extending in a heel region, and a shank extending in a midfoot region and partially in the forefoot region and the heel region and secured to the first polymeric bladder and to the second polymeric bladder.

[0030] FIG. 26 is a top view of a Strobel including a first polymeric bladder extending in a forefoot region, a second polymeric bladder extending in a heel region, and a shank extending in a midfoot region and partially in the forefoot region and the heel region and secured to the first polymeric bladder and to the second polymeric bladder.

[0031] FIG. 27 is a top view of a strobel including a toe plate extending in a foremost extent of a forefoot region, a first polymeric bladder extending in the forefoot region and secured to the toe plate, a second polymeric bladder extending in a heel region, and a shank extending in a midfoot region and partially in the forefoot region and the heel region and secured to the first polymeric bladder and to the second polymeric bladder.

[0032] FIG. 28 is a top view of a strobel including a toe plate extending in a foremost extent of a forefoot region, a first polymeric bladder extending in the forefoot region and secured to the toe plate, a second polymeric bladder extending in a heel region, and a shank extending in a midfoot region and partially in the forefoot region and the heel region and secured to the first polymeric bladder and to the second polymeric bladder.

[0033] FIG. 29 is a top view of a strobel including a toe plate extending in a foremost extent of a forefoot region, a first polymeric bladder extending in the forefoot region and secured to the toe plate, a second polymeric bladder extending in a heel region, and a shank extending in a midfoot region and partially in the forefoot region and the heel region and secured to the first polymeric bladder and to the second polymeric bladder.

[0034] FIG. 30 is a top view of a strobel including a toe plate extending in a foremost extent of a forefoot region, a first polymeric bladder extending in the forefoot region and secured to the toe plate, a second polymeric bladder extending in a heel region, and a shank extending in a midfoot region and partially in the forefoot region and the heel region and secured to the first polymeric bladder and to the second polymeric bladder.

[0035] FIG. 31 is a top view of a strobel including a shank extending in a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region.DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present disclosure generally relates to a strobel that includes a shank comprising an elastomeric material (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane material), an article of footwear including the strobel, and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear.

[0037] Footwear often includes a strobel secured to a lower perimeter of a footwear upper. A foam midsole component is then often secured to the strobel. Some sole structures may include not only a foam midsole component, but perhaps multiple foam midsole layers, a shank, and / or one or more fluid-filled bladders with each component providing a desired cushioning, stability, or other advantage. Traditionally, a strobel is formed from a relatively inelastic textile material.

[0038] The present disclosure provides a strobel that includes a shank. By incorporating the shank into the strobel, the number of components utilized may be reduced. Accordingly, the strobel can serve the traditional function of closing off the bottom end of the footwear upper as well as providing the stability of a shank. Stated differently, a separate shank may not be necessary as it is included in the strobel. Unnecessary stack height of the sole structure is thus avoided. Additionally, in some implementations, the elastomeric material of the shank may be sufficiently soft and flexible to enable it to be stitched to the footwear upper and to other components of the strobel. Once joined to the foam midsole component by adhesive or cement material, the combination of the shank and the foam midsole component to which it is secured by the adhesive or cement material may increase the stiffness or rigidity of the sole structure in comparison to a sole structure without such a shank cemented or adhered to the sole structure, providing stability advantages such as minimizing torsion (e.g., twisting) of the strobel under forces applied during wear. For example the bending and / or torsional stiffness may be increased.

[0039] In some implementations, in addition to the shank, a strobel disclosed herein further includes a polymeric bladder with a sealed, fluid-filled chamber. The addition of the polymeric bladder may provide greater comfort, resiliency, and energy return than a strobel of a traditional material and configuration. As discussed herein, the polymeric bladder and shank are configured such that they may be secured to one another, each defining a portion of the proximal surface of the strobel. In one or more embodiments, the article of footwear may be characterized by the absence of an insole. For example, the strobel may be configured to establish the foot-receivingsurface in direct contact with a foot when the article of footwear is worn. Because the polymeric bladder portion of the strobel is close to the foot, possibly defining a foot contact surface, the comfort and other features of the polymeric bladder are better conveyed to the wearer than when covered by a traditional strobel material.

[0040] An article of footwear may include a strobel that has a shank comprised of an elastomeric material (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane material). The shank may comprise an exterior surface of the strobel. In other words, the shank is not layered over or under a strobel but defines a portion of the length of the strobel and may define a portion of both the proximal surface of the strobel and the distal surface of the strobel.

[0041] The elastomeric material of the shank enables the shank to be relatively soft and flexible during securement to the footwear upper. For example, the material of the shank may enable the shank to be stitched to the footwear upper, as discussed herein. When a foam midsole component is subsequently joined with the shank with adhesive or cement, for example, the adhesive or cement attaching the shank to the foam midsole component may cause the sole structure to be held in a more rigid configuration than without such adhesive or cement, inhibiting twisting of the sole structure.

[0042] In some implementations, the shank may extend in at least one of a forefoot region or a midfoot region of the article of footwear. In other implementations, the shank may extend in at least one of a midfoot region or a heel region of the article of footwear. Prevention of tw isting in the midfoot region may be desired, and this goal may be best achieved by placing the shank at the midfoot region. In still other implementations, the shank may extend in each of the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region (e.g., as a ‘‘full length"’ shank).

[0043] The shank may be configured with a peripheral flange that enables relatively easy securement of the shank to the footw ear upper. For example, the shank may have a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank. The shank may include a central region surrounded by the peripheral flange, such as a perimeter of the central region outwardly surrounded by the peripheral flange. The shank, including the central region and the peripheral flange, may be a monolithic structure.

[0044] In an implementation, the central region may be thicker than the peripheral flange. Stated differently, a thickness of the shank from a proximal side of the shank to a distal side of the shank may be greater at the central region than at the peripheral flange. The relative thinness of the peripheral flange enables it to be more easily stitched through while the relative thickness of the central region provides the stiffening characteristic of the shank once assembled in the article of footwear. For example, the central region may have a first bending stiffness and the peripheral flange may have a second bending stiffness less than the first bending stiffness.

[0045] In an implementation in which the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank, the article of footwear may include a footwear upper secured to the peripheral flange of the shank. For example, the shank may extend from a medial side of the footwear upper to a lateral side of the footwear upper. The medial side of the footwear upper may be secured to the peripheral flange of the shank at a medial side of the shank and the lateral side of the footw ear upper may be secured to the peripheral flange of the shank at a lateral side of the shank.

[0046] In an example, at least one elongated thread may extend through the peripheral flange and the footwear upper as multiple stitches stitching the footwear upper to the shank.

[0047] In some implementations, both a proximal side and a distal side of the peripheral flange may be flat. The peripheral flange may be of a substantially constant thickness from the proximal side of the peripheral flange to the distal side of the peripheral flange. This may provide ease of handling and stitching through the peripheral flange.

[0048] The shank may partially define a medial extent of the strobel and a lateral extent of the strobel and may extend continuously transversely from the medial extent to the lateral extent. For example, the peripheral flange may define the medial extent and the lateral extent, and the shank may extend as a continuous, monolithic structure from the peripheral flange at the medial extent and across the central region to the peripheral flange at the lateral extent.

[0049] In addition to the shank, the strobel may include a polymeric bladder secured to the peripheral flange of the shank. The shank and the polymeric bladder may each be disposed in and partially define at least one different one of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footw ear. By providing apolymeric bladder in addition to the shank, the strobel achieves both comfort and resiliency in regions having the polymeric bladder in addition to the stability of the shank.

[0050] The polymeric bladder may define an interior cavity and may be configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. Similar to the peripheral flange of the shank, the polymeric bladder may have a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of the interior cavity and enclosing the interior cavity. The peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder may be secured to the peripheral flange of the shank. For example, the polymeric flange of the bladder may be stitched to the polymeric flange of the shank, although other modes of securement, such as thermal bonding, adhering, cementing, etc., may instead be used. In an implementation, the article of footwear includes at least one elongated thread extending through the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder and the peripheral flange of the shank as multiple stitches stitching the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder to the peripheral flange of the shank.

[0051] The polymeric bladder may have different configurations. For example, the polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet together defining the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder and bonded to one another at the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder. In one configuration, the polymeric bladder may include a tensile component extending in the interior cavity from the first polymeric sheet to the second polymeric sheet. In another configuration, the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet may be further bonded to one another at multiple bonds inward of the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder.

[0052] The strobel may also include a toe plate to stiffen the toe region, allowing the article of footwear to effectively pivot forward from the toe region in a more efficient manner than a softer platform for toe-off. For example, the strobel may include a toe plate at a foremost extent of the forefoot region and composed of an elastomeric material, such as a thermoplastic polyurethane material, which may be the same or substantially similar material as the shank. The polymeric bladder may be secured to the toe plate.

[0053] In an implementation, the toe plate may include a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the toe plate. The peripheral flange of the polymericbladder may be further secured to the peripheral flange of the toe plate and the polymeric bladder may extend between the toe plate and the shank. For example, a front portion of the peripheral flange of the bladder may be secured to the toe plate and a rear portion of the peripheral flange of the bladder may be secured to the shank.

[0054] In some implementations, the shank may include protruding ribs. For example, a proximal side and / or a distal side of the shank may include a plurality of protruding ribs at the central region. The protruding ribs may help to stiffen the central region of the shank.

[0055] In an example, the protruding ribs may be concentric. In another example, the protruding ribs may be linear and include at least one rib extending lengthwise in a fore-aft direction of the shank and at least one rib extending lengthwise in a transverse direction of the shank. The protruding ribs may serve as locating features during manufacturing, such as for proper alignment of the shank with other components of the sole structure, such as a foam midsole component.

[0056] In addition to the strobel, the article of footwear may include a foam midsole component. Adhesive or cement material may secure the shank to the foam midsole component. For example, the adhesive or cement material may be disposed on a distal side of the shank and on a proximal side of the foam midsole component such that the proximal side of the foam midsole component underlies and is secured to the distal side of the shank. With the adhesive or cement material directly interfacing with the shank and the foam midsole component, the sole structure may be more rigid in comparison to a configuration in which the shank is not held to the foam midsole component with adhesive or cement material.

[0057] Within the scope of the present disclosure, a strobel for an article of footw ear may include both a shank comprised of an elastomeric material and a polymeric bladder. The shank and the polymeric bladder may each be disposed in and partially define at least one different one of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear. The shank and the polymeric bladder may have any of the features discussed above with respect to the article of footwear that includes the strobel.

[0058] Within the scope of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing an article of footwear may include joining by adhering, cementing, or thermally bonding a shank included in a strobel to a foam midsole component. The shank maycomprise an elastomeric material, such as one or more thermoplastic polyurethanes) and may at least partially define an exterior surface of the strobel.

[0059] The method of manufacturing may further include, prior to joining the shank to the foam midsole component, disposing adhesive or cement material on at least one of the shank or the foam midsole component, and, after disposing the adhesive or cement material on at least one of the shank or the foam midsole component, placing the shank against the foam midsole component at the adhesive or cement material. Still further, the method of manufacturing may include compressing the shank and the foam midsole component to one another and / or heating the shank and the foam midsole component. The compressing and / or heating may help to accomplish the joining of the shank to the foam midsole component.

[0060] In an implementation in which the strobel further includes a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity and is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the method of manufacturing may further include securing the polymeric bladder to the shank prior to joining the shank to the foam midsole component. Securing the polymeric bladder to the shank may include stitching the shank to the polymeric bladder. Joining the polymeric bladder to the foam midsole component may be simultaneous with joining the shank to the foam midsole component.

[0061] Prior to joining the shank to the foam midsole component, the method of manufacturing may include securing a peripheral flange of the shank to a footwear upper such that the strobel and the footwear upper define a foot-receiving cavity with a proximal surface of the shank facing the foot-receiving cavity. Securing the peripheral flange of the shank to the footwear upper may be by stitching the peripheral flange of the shank to the footwear upper. The strobel may further include a polymeric bladder that includes a peripheral flange sufficiently aligned with the peripheral flange of the shank at a medial side of the shank and at a lateral side of the shank such that the method of manufacturing further includes stitching the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder to the footwear upper sequentially with the same elongated thread and needle used for stitching the peripheral flange of the shank to the footwear upper.

[0062] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though in the following the embodiments may be separately described, single features thereof may be combined in additional embodiments.

[0063] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout the views, FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a shank 10 that is included in a Strobel 12 of FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the shank 10 of FIG. 1. The shank 10 is comprised of an elastomeric material that is relatively soft and pliable prior to joining to a remainder of a sole structure 13 as discussed herein, enabling securement by stitching to a footwear upper 14 as in FIG. 8 and placement on a footwear last 16 as in FIG. 16. Examples of elastomeric materials for the shank 10 include thermoplastic elastomers, such as elastomers derived from thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyamides, thermoplastic polyolefins, and combinations thereof. The shank 10 may be joined to the remainder of the sole structure 13 (such as a foam midsole component 18) such as with adhesive or cement material or thermal bonding, to provide stability and inhibit torsion in the final assembled state of the article of footwear 22 of FIG. 11.

[0064] FIGS. 1 and 4 show the proximal surface 24 of the shank 10 that will be the foot-facing surface when assembled in the article of footwear 22. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the distal surface 26 of the shank 10 that will be the ground -facing surface or side of the shank 10 when assembled in the article of footwear 22 and is the surface or side that is joined with the foam midsole component 18. The proximal surface 24 is also referred to as the proximal side, top side, top surface, inner side, or inner surface. The distal surface 26 of the shank 10 is also referred to as the distal side, bottom side, bottom surface, outer side, or outer surface of the shank 10.

[0065] As is apparent in FIGS. 3-4, the shank 10 comprises an exterior surface of the Strobel 12. In other words, the proximal surface 24 of the shank 10 is also a portion of the proximal surface of the strobel 12. The Strobel 12 also includes a polymeric bladder 29 secured to the shank 10 as discussed herein. A proximal surface 27 of the polymeric bladder 29 together with the proximal surface 24 of the shank 10 defines the proximal surface 24, 27 of the strobel 12. A distal surface 31 of the polymeric bladder 29 together with the distal surface 26 of the shank 10 defines the distal surface 26, 31 of the strobel 12. The proximal surface 24, 27 and the distal surface 26, 31 together define the exterior surface 24, 26, 27, 31 of the strobel 12.Stated differently, the shank 10 and the polymeric bladder 29 each define a portion of the proximal surface 24, 27 of the strobel 12, and each define a portion of the distal surface 26, 31 of the strobel 12. The shank 10 is not separate from or layered over or under the strobel 12 in the article of footwear 22, but instead defines a portion of the fore-aft length of the strobel 12 and defines a portion of both the proximal surface 24, 27 and the distal surface 26, 31 of the strobel 12.

[0066] The shank 10 is configured with a relatively thick central region 30 (best shown in FIG. 5) and a relatively thin peripheral flange 32 surrounding a perimeter 34 of the central region 30 and defining an outer perimeter 36 of the shank 10. The thinner peripheral flange 32 is easier to stitch through during securement to the footwear upper 14 while the relatively thick central region 30 helps to provide the requisite stiffness of the shank 10 in the final assembled article of footwear 22. Stated differently, a thickness of the shank 10 from a proximal side of the shank 10 (at proximal surface 24) to a distal side of the shank 10 (at distal surface 26) may be greater at the central region 30 than at the peripheral flange 32. In FIG. 5, the central region 30 is shown having a thickness T1 at a base portion not including the protruding ribs 38. The peripheral flange 32 is shown having a thickness T1 less than the thickness T2. As shown in FIG. 5, both the proximal side (the side at the proximal surface 24) and the distal side (the side at the distal surface 26) of the peripheral flange 32 are flat and the peripheral flange 32 is of a substantially constant thickness T1 from the proximal side of the peripheral flange 32 to the distal side of the peripheral flange 32. This may provide ease of handling and stitching through the peripheral flange 32. For example, the central region 30 may have a first bending stiffness and the peripheral flange 32 may have a second bending stiffness less than the first bending stiffness.

[0067] Referring again to FIGS. 1-2. the shank 10 includes protruding ribs 38 at the central region 30 at both the proximal side (e.g., at proximal surface 24) and the distal side (e.g., distal surface 26) of the shank 10. The protruding ribs 38 may help to stiffen the central region 30 of the shank 10. For example, the protruding ribs 38 may provide a desired bending stiffness of the central region 30 while enabling the use of less material in comparison to a shank with a central region that is of the thickness of the protruding ribs throughout. The shank 10, including the peripheral flange 32, thecentral region 30, and the protruding ribs 38, is a monolithic structure that may be compression molded or otherwise formed.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the protruding ribs 38 at the proximal side (e.g., at proximal surface 24) include a group of ribs having concentric closed shapes. The concentric protruding ribs 38 are nonintersecting with one another and include an innermost rib 38A, an outermost rib 38B, and multiple intermediate ribs 38C, 38D, and 38E. During dorsiflexion, the shank 10 will be in compression nearest the proximal surface 24 and in tension nearest the distal surface 26. Bending stiffness may be lower at the portion of the central region 30 inward of the innermost rib 38A than at the ribs 38 A, 38B, 38C, 38D, and 38E (because the shank 10 is thickest at the ribs 38), and, with the w eight of the wearer, the concentric ribs may thereby help to focus bending at the centermost portion of the central region 30, inward of the innermost rib 38A.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of protruding ribs 38 at the distal side (e.g., at distal surface 26) are linear and include a rib 38F extending lengthwise in a fore-aft direction of the shank 10 and three ribs 38G, 38H, and 38 J extending lengthwise in a transverse direction of the shank 10 and intersecting with the longitudinal rib 38F. The pattern of the linear ribs 38F, 38G, 38H, and 38J may help to ensure proper alignment of the shank 10 with other components of the article of footwear 22 during manufacturing, such as the foam midsole component 18. The span of the transverse ribs 38G, 38H, and 38J in the transverse direction may also help to further inhibit torsion about the longitudinally -extending rib 38F. It should be appreciated that a shank within the scope of the disclosure is not limited to having the protruding ribs 38 shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1-4. For example, a shank with no protruding ribs, a shank with protruding ribs in a different pattern than shown on shank 10, or a shank with concentric ribs on the distal side (e.g., at distal surface 26) and linear ribs on the proximal side (e.g., at proximal surface 24) may be used within the scope of the disclosure.

[0070] The shank 10 is shown with multiple apertures 40 indicated in FIG. 1-2 that may be locating features used in aligning the shank 10 with the polymeric bladder 29 prior to securement thereto, and / or with the footwear last 16 prior to securing the strobel 12 to the foam midsole component 18. Additionally, the strobel 12 may be configured with other locating features, such as at least one of a notch in or aprotrusion at an outer edge of the peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10 or of the peripheral flange 42 of the polymeric bladder 29, an aperture in the polymeric bladder 29, a weld pattern of the polymeric bladder 29, or a marking on the polymeric bladder 29 such as a printed marking. The locating feature(s) may be used for accurate alignment of the strobel 12 with the footwear upper 14 and / or with the footwear last 16, as described herein.

[0071] FIGS. 3 and 11 show that the shank 10 extends in a forefoot region 44 and a midfoot region 46 of the strobel 12 and the polymeric bladder 29 extends in a heel region 48 and in the midfoot region 46. but neither extends the entire length of the strobel 12. The shank 10 thus defines the forefoot region 44 and a forw ard portion of the midfoot region 46, and the polymeric bladder 29 defines the heel region 48 and a rearward portion of the midfoot region 46. The forefoot region 44, midfoot region 46, and heel region 48 of the strobel 12 are also the forefoot region 44, midfoot region 46, and heel region 48 of the article of footwear 22.

[0072] The forefoot region 44 generally includes portions of the strobel 12 and the article of footwear 22 corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges (e.g., the metatarsophalangeal joints). The midfoot region 46 generally includes portions of the strobel 12 and the article of footwear 22 corresponding with the arch area of the foot, and the heel region 48 corresponds with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. The lateral side and the medial side of the strobel 12 and of the article of footwear 22 extend through each of forefoot region 44, the midfoot region 46, and the heel region 48 and fall on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis LA of the strobel 12 (indicated in FIG. 3) and article of footwear 22. The forefoot region 44, the midfoot region 46, the heel region 48, the lateral side and the medial side are not intended to demarcate precise areas of the strobel 12 and the article of footwear 22 but are instead intended to represent general areas of footwear to aid in the following discussion.

[0073] The polymeric bladder 29 and the shank 10 are secured to one another at their peripheral flanges 32 and 42. More specifically, a rear portion of the peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10 defines a rearmost edge 45 of the shank 10. A front portion of the peripheral flange 42 of the polymeric bladder 29 defines a foremost edge 47 of the polymeric bladder 29. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the flange 42 of the polymeric bladder 29 is stitched to the peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10 withat least one elongated thread 49 extending through the peripheral flanges 32, 42 as multiple stitches, stitching the peripheral flange 42 of the polymeric bladder 29 to the peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10. As shown, the edges 45 and 47 are abutted against one another prior to stitching the flanges 32. 42. Alternatively, the flanges 32, and 42 could be overlapped partially or completely such that the foremost edge 47 is forward of the rearmost edge 45 prior to stitching. Alternative modes of securement of the flanges 32 and 42 to one another may be used within the scope of the disclosure instead of or in addition to stitching, such as thermal bonding, adhering, cementing, etc.

[0074] The polymeric bladder 29 may provide greater comfort, resiliency, and energy7return than a Strobel of a traditional material and configuration.Accordingly, the article of footwear 22 may be characterized by the absence of an insole. For example, the proximal surface 24. 27 of the Strobel 12 may be exposed in the foot-receiving cavity 33 (shown in FIG. 11) of the article of footwear 22 as the foot-receiving surface in direct contact with a foot (or a sock if worn) when the article of footwear 22 is worn. Because the polymeric bladder 29 of the strobel 12 is close to the foot, the comfort and other features of the polymeric bladder 29 may be better conveyed to the wearer than when covered by a traditional strobel material or by other components. By' including a polymeric bladder 29 and a shank 10, the strobel 12 achieves both comfort and resiliency in regions having the polymeric bladder 29 in addition to the stability of the shank 10.

[0075] As is evident in FIGS. 3-5, the shank 10 partially defines a medial extent 50 of the strobel 12 and a lateral extent 52 of the strobel 12 and extends continuously transversely from the medial extent 50 to the lateral extent 52. For example, the peripheral flange 32 defines the medial extent 50 and the lateral extent 52 and the shank 10 extends as a continuous, monolithic structure from the peripheral flange 32 at the medial extent 50 and across the central region 30 to the peripheral flange 32 at the lateral extent 52.

[0076] The medial extent 50 may also be referred to as a medial edge of the strobel 12. The lateral extent 52 may also be referred to as a lateral edge of the strobel 12. The polymeric bladder 29 also partially defines the medial extent 50 and the lateral extent 52. The medial extent 50 extends from the longitudinal axis LA at the foremost extent 54 of the strobel 12 to the longitudinal axis LA at the rearmostextent 56 of the strobel 12 along a medial side of the strobel 12. The lateral extent 52 extends from the longitudinal axis LA at the foremost extent 54 of the strobel 12 to the longitudinal axis LA at the rearmost extent 56 of the strobel 12 along a lateral side of the strobel 12. The medial side of the strobel 12 includes all portions of the strobel 12 between the longitudinal axis LA and the medial extent 50. The lateral side of the strobel 12 includes all portions of the strobel 12 between the longitudinal axis LA and the lateral extent 52.

[0077] With reference to FIG. 6, the polymeric bladder 29 defines a sealed interior cavity 60 and retains a fluid in the interior cavity 60. The peripheral flange 42 extends around and encloses and seals the fluid-filled interior cavity 60. The polymeric bladders disclosed herein as portions of a strobel may have different configurations. For example, the polymeric bladder 29 includes a first polymeric sheet 62 and a second polymeric sheet 64 together defining the peripheral flange 42 and bonded to one another at the peripheral flange 42.

[0078] The first and second polymeric sheets 62, 64 can be a variety of polymeric materials that can resiliently retain a fluid such as nitrogen, air, or another gas. Examples of polymeric materials for the first and second polymeric sheets 62, 64 include thermoplastic elastomers, such as elastomers derived from thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyamides, thermoplastic polyolefins, and combinations thereof. . In some embodiments, the elastomeric materials of the shank 10 and the first and second polymeric sheets 62. 64 each comprise one or more thermoplastic polyurethane materials.

[0079] Furthermore, each of the first and second polymeric sheets 62, 64 may be formed from multi-layer films of one or more thermoplastic elastomer layers interlaced with one or more gas-barrier layers. For instance, each of the first and second polymeric sheets 62, 64 may include alternating layers of one or more thermoplastic polyurethanes and one or more copolymers of ethylene and vinyl alcohol (EV OH), such as a flexible microlayer membrane as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,082,025 and 6,127,026 to Bonk et al. which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. Alternatively, the layers may include one or more ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers, one or more thermoplastic polyurethanes, and a regrind material of the ethylene- vinyl alcohol copolymer(s) and thermoplastic polyurethane(s). Additional suitable materials for the first and second polymeric sheets 62, 64 aredisclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,183,156 and 4,219,945 to Rudy which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. Further suitable materials for the first and second polymeric sheets 62, 64 include thermoplastic films containing a crystalline material, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,936,029 and 5,042,176 to Rudy, and polyurethane including a polyester polyol, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,013,340, 6,203,868, and 6,321,465 to Bonk et al. which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. In selecting materials for the polymeric bladder 29, engineering properties such as tensile strength, stretch properties, fatigue characteristics, dynamic modulus, and loss tangent can be considered. For example, the thicknesses of the first and second polymeric sheets 62, 64 used to form the polymeric bladder 29 can be selected to provide these characteristics.

[0080] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first and second polymeric sheets 62, 64 function as gas barriers for retaining one or more gases within the polymeric bladder 29, where the gas transmission rate of the polymeric sheets 62, 64, such as an oxygen gas or nitrogen gas transmission rate, can be measured using ASTM D1434-23. Examples of oxygen gas and / or nitrogen gas transmission rates for the polymeric sheets 62, 64 (and the polymeric bladder 29) (as measured using ASTM D 1434-23) include rates of less than or equal to about 4 cubic centimeters per square meter of the sheets 62, 64 per day, and less than or equal to about 3 cubic centimeters per square meter of the sheets 62, 64 per day.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 3. 4, and 6, in addition to bonding at the peripheral flange 42, the first polymeric sheet 62 and the second polymeric sheet 64 are further bonded to one another at multiple bonds 66 inward of the peripheral flange 42. Only some of the bonds 66 are indicated with reference numbers in FIGS. 3 and 4. The bonds 66 are generally circular and may be referred to as dot bonds. None of the bonds 66 create subchambers within the interior cavity 60, and the fluid is able to flow within the interior cavity 60 around each of the bonds 66 such that the interior cavity 60 is the only fluid-filled chamber within the polymeric bladder 29. The polymeric bladders used in strobels within the scope of the disclosure are not limited to those having interior bonds like those of 66. For example, interior bonds may be used that are not shaped as dot bonds and / or interior bonds may be used that do create subchambers that are not in fluid communication with one another. The subchambersfunctioning as multiple fluid-filled chambers that may have different pressures may exist within the polymeric bladder.

[0082] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the strobel 12 and the footwear upper 14. The medial extent 50 of the strobel 12 is aligned with the medial extent 70 of a lower edge 71 the footwear upper 14 and the lateral extent 52 of the strobel 12 is aligned with the lateral extent 72 of the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14. The foremost extent 54 of the strobel 12 may be aligned with the foremost extent 74 of the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 and the rearmost extent 56 may be aligned with the rearmost extent 76 of the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14. As discussed herein, apertures, notches, markings, etc., may be used to assist with aligning the strobel with the footwear upper 14.

[0083] The polymeric bladder 29 may be more flexible and easier to manipulate prior to inflation of the interior cavity 60. Accordingly, to further improve the efficiencies of securing the footwear upper 14 to the strobel 12, the polymeric bladder 29 may be in an uninflated state when securing the footwear upper 14 to the polymeric bladder 29. After securing, the polymeric bladder 29 may be inflated through a fill port (not shown) that is then plugged.

[0084] After aligning the strobel 12 with the footwear upper 14, the peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10 and the peripheral flange 42 of the polymeric bladder 29 are secured to the footwear upper 14 such as by stitching with an elongated thread 78 with multiple stitches. Only some of the stitches of the elongated thread 78 are labeled with reference number 78 in FIG. 8. The peripheral flange 42 of the polymeric bladder 29 is sufficiently aligned with the peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10 at the medial side of the shank 10 (e.g., at the medial extent 50) and at a lateral side of the shank 10 (e.g., at the lateral extent 52) as indicated in FIG. 8 such that stitching the peripheral flange 42 of the polymeric bladder 29 to the footwear upper 14 may be accomplished sequentially with the same elongated thread 78 and needle used for stitching the peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10 to the footwear upper 14.Alternatively, a different elongated thread or a different mode of securing the polymeric bladder 29 to the footwear upper 14 may be used than that used for securing the shank 10 to the footwear upper 14. Once secured to the footwear upper 14, the shank 10 extends from a medial side 80 of the footw ear upper 14 to a lateral side 82 of the footwear upper 14. Stated differently, the medial side 80 of thefootwear upper 14 is secured to the peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10 at a medial side (e.g., at the medial extent 50) of the shank 10 and the lateral side 82 of the footwear upper 14 is secured to the peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10 at a lateral side (e.g., at the lateral extent 52) of the shank 10. As shown in FIG. 8. once the strobel 12 is secured to the footwear upper 14, the Strobel 12 and the footwear upper 14 define the foot-receiving cavity 33 with the proximal surface 24 of the shank 10 facing the foot-receiving cavity 33 and the proximal surface 27 of the polymeric bladder 29 facing the foot-receiving cavity 33.

[0085] After the footwear upper 14 is secured to the strobel 12. the footwear upper 14 and strobel 12 can be lasted. Stated differently, the footwear upper 14 with the strobel 12 secured thereto are positioned on the footwear last 16 shown in FIG. 9 by extending the footwear last 16 into the foot-receiving cavity 33 through an ankle opening 84 of the footwear upper 14. As shown in FIG. 10. adhesive or cement material 20 may then be disposed on the distal surface 26, 31 of the strobel 12. Alternatively, or in addition, adhesive or cement material 20 may be disposed on the proximal side 86 of the foam midsole component 18. The adhesive or cement material 20 may be spread to cover the proximal surface 86 of the foam midsole component 18. Joining the polymeric bladder 29 to the foam midsole component 18 is thus accomplished simultaneously with joining the shank 10 to the foam midsole component 18.

[0086] In FIG. 10, some portions of the flanges 32, 42 are shown not covered by the adhesive or cement material 20 for clarity in the drawings, but may be covered when the adhesive or cement material 20 is initially deposited and / or may be covered when the adhesive or cement material 20 is spread out due to the pressing of the foam midsole component 18 against the strobel 12. The proximal side 86 of the foam midsole component 18 is shown above the distal side of the strobel 12 in FIG. 10 during assembly but will underlie the distal side in the final assembled version of the article of footw ear 22 when worn on a foot, as shown in the position of FIG. 11.

[0087] With the adhesive or cement material 20 directly interfacing with the distal surface 26 of the shank 10, the combination of the adhesive or cement material 20 attaching the elastomeric material of the shank 10 to the foam midsole component 18 may enable the sole structure 13 to be more stiff or rigid than if the shank 10 w as not secured to the foam midsole component 18 with adhesive of cement material 20.Stated differently, the shank 10 is held in a more rigid configuration providing the desired inhibition against twisting. The adhesive or cement material 20 used to join the foam midsole component 18 to the strobel 12 may be solvent or waterbased polyurethane, for example. In some embodiments, the strobel 12 is stitched or otherwise secured to the foam midsole component 18 without using adhesive or cement material or thermal bonding.

[0088] The strobel 12 and / or the foam midsole component 18 may also be in a heated state or may be heated after the adhesive or cement material 20 is applied to cause the strobel 12 to thermally bond to the foam midsole component 18. In some embodiments, the assembled components may be heated by placing them in a heater to activate the adhesive or cement material 20. The shank 10 and foam midsole component 18 may also be compressed against one another at the adhesive or cement material 20. The compressing and / or heating may help to accomplish the joining of the shank 10 to the foam midsole component 18.

[0089] An outsole (not show n) or any other components of the sole structure 13 may also be secured to the foam midsole component 18 either before or after joining the foam midsole component 18 to the strobel 12.

[0090] FIG. 11 illustrates that, by incorporating the shank 10 into the strobel 12, the strobel 12 can serve the traditional function of closing off the low er end of the footw ear upper 14 as w ell as providing the stability7of a shank. Stated differently, a separate shank underlying a strobel is not necessary as it is included in the strobel 12. Unnecessary stack height of the sole structure 13 is thus avoided.

[0091] FIG. 12 is a top view of an example of a strobel 112 including a shank 110 and a polymeric bladder 129. The shank 110 is composed of the elastomeric material (e.g., the thermoplastic polyurethane material) described with respect to the shank 10 and includes the peripheral flange 132 and a central region 130 with concentric protruding ribs 38 similar to those described with respect to the shank 10. The proximal surface 124 of the shank 110 and the proximal surface 131 of the polymeric bladder 129 are show n, defining a portion of the exterior surface of the strobel 112. The shank 110 extends in the heel region 48 and partially in the midfoot region 46, and the polymeric bladder 129 extends in the forefoot region 44 and in the midfoot region 46. Accordingly, a foremost edge 145 of the shank 110 and a rearmost edge 147 of the polymeric bladder 129 are abutted or overlapped and aperipheral flange 142 of the polymeric bladder 129 is secured to a peripheral flange 132 of the shank 110 with an elongated thread 49 at multiple stitches as show n.

[0092] The polymeric bladder 129 includes a first polymeric sheet 62 and a second polymeric sheet 64 as described with respect to the polymeric bladder 29 and as best shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13. The polymeric sheets 62, 64 are secured to one another at a peripheral flange 142 to enclose and seal a fluid-filled interior cavity' 60. By way of non-limiting example, the peripheral flange 142 has a first weld W1 and a second weld W2 spaced apart from the first weld Wl. The first weld W 1 and the second weld W2 cause the first and second polymeric sheets 62, 64 to bond to one another at an interface of the sheets 62, 64 at the peripheral flange 142. The w elds Wl and W2 may be formed by using a tooling assembly. A first ridge R1 may protrude at an outer surface of the peripheral flange 142 adjacent to the first weld Wl and a second ridge R2 may protrude at the outer surface adjacent to the second weld W2. The ridges Rl, R2 may be due to material of the polymeric bladder 129 displaced by the first and second wields Wl, W2 and may help to define a groove G between the ridges Rl, R2.

[0093] The groove G may be a helpful guide for stitching the elongated thread 49 through the peripheral flange 142 of the bladder 129 and through the peripheral flange 132 of the shank 110 to secure the bladder 129 to the shank 110 as shown. The strobel 112 may then be secured to the footw ear upper 14 with elongated thread 78 extending through the aligned peripheral flanges 132, 142 (extending through the peripheral flange 142 at the groove G) to secure to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14, lasted on the footw ear last 16, and joined to the foam midsole component 18 with adhesive or cement material 20 in the same manner as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0094] Both the shank 110 and the polymeric bladder 129 have spaced notches 111 in their respective peripheral flanges 132, 142 that may be used to align the strobel 112 with corresponding locating features that may be provided on the footw ear last 16 and / or on the footwear upper 14 when securing the strobel 112 to the footwear upper 14.

[0095] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the polymeric bladder 129 of the strobel 112 of FIG. 12 taken at lines 13-13 in FIG. 12. The polymeric bladder 129 includes a tensile component 115 disposed in the interior cavity' 60 and extending inthe interior cavity 60 from the first polymeric sheet 62 to the second polymeric sheet 64. The tensile component 115 includes a first tensile layer 115A secured to the inner surface of the first polymeric sheet 62, a second tensile layer 115B secured to the inner surface of the second polymeric sheet 64, and a plurality’ of tethers 115C extending between and securing the first tensile layer 115 A to the second tensile layer 115B. Only some of the tethers 115C are indicated with reference numbers in FIG. 13. The tethers 115C may also be referred to as fabric tensile members or threads and may be in the form of drop threads that connect the first tensile layer 115 A and the second tensile layer 115B. The tensile component 115 may be formed as a unitary, one-piece textile element having a spacer-knit textile.

[0096] The perimeter of the tensile component 115 is indicated with hidden lines in FIG. 12. The first polymeric sheet 62 is further joined to the first tensile layer 115 A at a plurality of inwardly-protruding bonds 160 that protrude inward from the first polymeric sheet 62 only partially across the plurality of tethers 1 15C toward the second polymeric sheet 64, and the polymeric bladder 129 is narrowed at the inwardly-protruding bonds 160. One such bond 160 is indicated at the cross-section of FIG. 13. The inwardly-protruding bonds 160 may be formed by a welding process, such as radio frequency or ultrasonic welding using tooling that results in welds by thermal bonding of the polymeric bladder 129. Other embodiments of Strobels within the scope of the disclosure may include a polymeric bladder with the tensile component like tensile component 115 but without inwardly-protruding bonds 160.

[0097] FIG. 14 is a top view showing a proximal surface 124. 231 of an alternative example of a strobel 212 including the shank 1 10 described with respect to the strobel 112 and extending in the heel region 48 and the midfoot region 46, and a polymeric bladder 229 extending in the forefoot region 44 and partially in the midfoot region 46. The polymeric bladder 229 is secured to the shank 110 with an elongated thread 49 with multiple stitches in the same manner as described with respect to the strobel 112. The polymeric bladder 229 has a proximal surface 231 and is different from the poly meric bladder 129 in that it does not include a tensile component 115 or the inwardly-protruding bonds 160, and instead includes dot bonds 66 as described with respect to the polymeric bladder 29. A peripheral flange 242 of the polymeric bladder 229 includes the welds Wl, W2 and groove G like the peripheral flange 142. The strobel 212 may be stitched to the low er edge 71 of the footw ear upper 14 at theperipheral flanges 132, 242 similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the strobel 212 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0098] FIG. 15 is a top view showing a proximal surface 124. 331, 325 of an alternative example of a strobel 312 including the shank 1 10 described with respect to the strobel 112 and extending in the heel region 48 and the midfoot region 46, a polymeric bladder 329 extending in the forefoot region 44 and partially in the midfoot region 46 and secured to the shank 110 with an elongated thread 49 with multiple stitches in the same manner as described with respect to the strobel 112, and a toe plate 311 extending in a foremost extent of the forefoot region 44 and secured to the polymeric bladder 329.

[0099] The toe plate 311 is composed of an elastomeric material, such as a thermoplastic material, which may be the same or substantially similar material as the shank 110. The strobel 312 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 132, 342 as well as at peripheral flange 332 of the toe plate 311, similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. When joining the strobel 312 to the foam midsole component 18, adhesive or cement material 20 may also be applied to the proximal surface 325 of the toe plate 31 1 (in addition to the proximal surface 331 of the polymeric bladder 329 and the proximal surface 124 of the shank 110) and the toe plate 311 will be secured to the foam midsole component 18 along with the polymeric bladder 329 and the shank 110. As such, the toe plate 311 will stiffen the toe region (the foremost portion of the forefoot region 44) in comparison to if the polymeric bladder 329 extended to the foremost extent (assuming the inflation pressure of the polymeric bladder causes it to have a lower bending stiffness than the toe plate 311). The relatively stiff toe plate 311 allows an article of footwear to effectively pivot forward from the toe region in a more efficient manner than with a softer platform for toe-off, such as a polymeric bladder.

[0100] The toe plate 311 includes a peripheral flange 332 and a central region 330 that are a monolithic structure, and the central region 330 is thicker than the peripheral flange 332, similar to the configuration of the shank 110. The peripheral flange 332 defines an outer perimeter of the toe plate 311 and is relatively flat. A peripheral flange 342 of the polymeric bladder 329 is secured to the peripheral flange 332 of the toe plate 311 with an elongated thread 349 with multiple stitches, similar toelongated thread 49. The polymeric bladder 329 extends between the toe plate 31 1 and the shank 110. For example, a front portion 342A of the peripheral flange 342 of the polymeric bladder 329 is secured to the peripheral flange 332 of the toe plate 311 and a rear portion 342B of the peripheral flange 342 of the polymeric bladder 329 is secured to the shank 110.

[0101] The bladder 329 is similar to bladder 129 in that it includes the welds Wl, W2 and groove G in the peripheral flange 342, and a tensile component 115 as described with respect to bladder 129, but is shaped differently at the foremost edge (e.g.. does not extend as far forward) so that the toe plate 311, rather than the polymeric bladder 329, establishes the foremost extent of the strobel 312. The toe plate 311 includes a notch 111 for alignment with the footwear last 16 and / or the foam midsole component 18.

[0102] FIG. 16 is a top view showing a proximal surface 124. 431, 325 of an alternative example of a strobel 412 including the shank 110 extending in a heel region 48 and the midfoot region 46, the toe plate 311 as described with respect to FIG. 15, and a polymeric bladder 429 with a proximal surface 431. The polymeric bladder 429 is as described with respect to polymeric bladder 329 and different only in that it does not include a tensile component 115 or inwardly-protruding bonds 160, and instead includes dot bonds 66 as described with respect to the polymeric bladder 29. The strobel 412 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 132, 342 as well as at peripheral flange 332 of the toe plate 311, similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to secure the strobel 412 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0103] FIG. 17 is a top view showing a proximal surface 524, 531 of an alternative example of a strobel 512 including a shank 510 extending in a forefoot region 44 and a midfoot region 46 and including a polymeric bladder 529 secured to the shank 510 and extending in a heel region 48 and the midfoot region 46. The shank 510 is composed of the elastomeric material described with respect to the shank 10, is a monolithic structure, has a proximal surface 524, and includes a peripheral flange 532 and a central region 530 with concentric protruding nbs 38 similar to those described with respect to the shank 10. Similar to the peripheral flange 32 and central region 30, the peripheral flange 532 is thinner than the central region 530 and isrelatively flat. A rearmost edge 545 of the shank 510 is abutted against or overlapped with a foremost edge 547 of the polymeric bladder 529 and the peripheral flange 532 is secured to the peripheral flange 542 of the polymeric bladder 529 with an elongated thread 49 at multiple stitches. The Strobel 512 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 532, 542, similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the strobel 512 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0104] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the polymeric bladder 529 of FIG. 17 taken at lines 18-18 in FIG. 17. The polymeric bladder 529 has a proximal surface 531 and is similar to the polymeric bladder 129 in that it has a tensile component 115 and inwardly -protruding bonds 160 shown as linear bonds.

[0105] FIGS. 19-22 are examples of Strobels that include two separate polymeric bladders, each having peripheral flanges with the first and second welds W1 and W2 and groove G as described with respect to FIG. 12 and with a shank composed of the thermoplastic material described with respect to the shank 10. The polymeric bladders are generally in the forefoot and heel regions and the shank is generally in the midfoot region and has a peripheral flange that is secured to peripheral flanges of each of the polymeric bladders.

[0106] More specifically, FIG. 19 is a top view of a proximal surface of a strobel 612 including a first polymeric bladder 229 as described with respect to FIG. 14 and extending mainly in the forefoot region 44, a second polymeric bladder 629 extending mainly in the heel region 48, and a shank 610 extending mainly in the midfoot region 46. The shank 610 includes a peripheral flange 632 and a central region 630. Similar to the peripheral flange 32 and central region 30, the peripheral flange 632 is thinner than the central region 630 and is relatively flat. The polymeric bladder 629 is as described with respect to the polymeric bladder 529 except without a tensile component 115 and having dot bonds 66 instead of inwardly -protruding bonds 160 that are linear bonds. A peripheral flange 642 of the polymeric bladder 629 is secured to the peripheral flange 632 of the shank 610 at a rear of the shank 610 with an elongated thread 149 using multiple stitches. A peripheral flange 242 of the polymeric bladder 229 is similarly secured to the peripheral flange 632 of the shank 610 at a front of the shank 610 with an elongated thread 149 using multiple stitches.The proximal surface of the strobel 612 includes the proximal surface 231 of the polymeric bladder 229, the proximal surface 624 of the shank 610, and the proximal surface 631 of the polymeric bladder 629. The strobel 612 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 242. 632, 642. similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the proximal surface 231, 624, 631 of the strobel 612 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0107] FIG. 20 is a top view of a strobel 712 including the first polymeric bladder 229 and the shank 610 as descnbed with respect to the strobel 612 and a second polymeric bladder 529 as described with respect to FIG. 17 secured to the shank 610 at the rear of the shank 610 in place of the polymeric bladder 629. The strobel 712 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 242. 632, 542, similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the proximal surface 231, 624, 531 of the strobel 712 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0108] FIG. 21 is a top view of a strobel 812 including the second polymeric bladder 629 and the shank 610 as described with respect to the strobel 612 and a first polymeric bladder 129 as described with respect to FIG. 12 secured to the shank 610 at the front of the shank 610 in place of the polymeric bladder 229. The strobel 812 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 142, 632. 642, similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the proximal surface 131 , 624, 631 of the strobel 812 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0109] FIG. 22 is a top view of a strobel 912 including the first polymeric bladder 129 as described with respect to FIG. 12 secured to the shank 610 at the front of the shank 610, the shank 610 as described with respect to the strobel 612, and the second polymeric bladder 529 as described with respect to FIG. 17 secured to the shank 610 at the rear of the shank 610. The strobel 912 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the penpheral flanges 142, 632, 542. similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be usedto join the proximal surface 131, 624, 531 of the Strobel 912 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0110] FIGS. 23-26 are examples of strobels that include two separate polymeric bladders with a shank 1010 composed of an elastomeric material (e.g., one or more thermoplastic polyurethane materials) like shank 10 and extending between and secured to the peripheral flanges of the polymeric bladders similar to the strobels of FIGS. 19-22, except that the peripheral flanges of the polymeric bladders are relatively shorter in the fore-aft (longitudinal) direction than those of FIGS. 19-22, do not have the first and second welds W1 and W2, the ridges R1 and R2, or the groove G described with respect to FIG. 12, and the shank 1010 is relatively longer in the fore-aft direction than the shank 610.

[0111] More specifically, FIG. 23 is a top view of a proximal surface of a strobel 1212 including a first polymeric bladder 1029A having a peripheral flange 1042A and configured similar to the polymeric bladder 29, having dot bonds 66, and extending in the forefoot region 44. A second polymeric bladder 1029B extends mainly in the heel region 48, also includes dot bonds 66, and includes a peripheral flange 1042B. The shank 1010 extends through the midfoot region 46 and also into a rear extent of the forefoot region 44 and a front extent of the heel region 48.

[0112] The shank 1010 includes a peripheral flange 1032 and a central region 1030 similar to the peripheral flange 32 and central region 30 of the shank 10, with the peripheral flange 1032 thinner than the central region 1030 and the central region 1030 including concentric protruding ribs 38.

[0113] The peripheral flange 1042A of the polymeric bladder 1029A is secured to the peripheral flange 1032 of the shank 1010 at a front edge of the shank 1010 with an elongated thread 149 using multiple stitches. The peripheral flange 1042A of the polymeric bladder 1029B is secured to the peripheral flange 1032 of the shank 1010 at a rear edge of the shank 1010 with an elongated thread 149 using multiple stitches.

[0114] The proximal surface of the strobel 1212 includes the proximal surface 1031 A of the polymeric bladder 1029 A, the proximal surface 1024 of the shank 1010, and the proximal surface 103 IB of the polymeric bladder 1029B. The strobel 1012 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 1042A, 1032, 1042B similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12.Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the proximal surface 1031 A, 1024, 1031B of the strobel 1012 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0115] FIG. 24 is a top view of a strobel 1112 including the second polymeric bladder 1029B and the shank 1010 as described with respect to the strobel 1012 and a first polymeric bladder 1129A similar to the polymeric bladder 129 of FIG. 21 (including a tensile component 115 and inwardly-protruding bonds 160 shown as linear bonds), except shorter in the fore-aft direction than the polymeric bladder 129 and having a peripheral flange 1142A that is flat and without the welds Wl, W2. the ridges Rl, R2, or the groove G. The polymeric bladder 1129A has a proximal surface 1131 A and is secured to the shank 1010 at the front edge of the shank 1010 in place of the polymeric bladder 1029A.

[0116] The proximal surface of the strobel 1112 includes the proximal surface 1 131 A of the polymeric bladder 1129 A, the proximal surface 1024 of the shank 1010, and the proximal surface 1031B of the polymeric bladder 1029B. The strobel 1112 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 1142A. 1032, 1042B, similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the proximal surface 1131 A, 1024, 103 IB of the strobel 712 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0117] FIG. 25 is a top view of a strobel 1212 including the first polymeric bladder 1029 A and the shank 1010 as described with respect to the strobel 1012 and a second polymeric bladder 1229B similar to the polymeric bladder 529 of FIG. 17 including a tensile component 115 and one or more inwardly -protruding bonds 160 shown as linear bonds, except the polymeric bladder 1229B is shorter in the fore-aft direction than the polymeric bladder 529 and has a peripheral flange 1242B that is flat and without the welds Wl, W2, ridges Rl, R2, or the groove G. The polymeric bladder 1229B has a proximal surface 1231B and is secured to the shank 1010 at the rear edge of the shank 1010 with an elongated thread 149 at multiple stitches in place of the polymeric bladder 1029B.

[0118] The proximal surface of the strobel 1212 includes the proximal surface 1031A of the polymeric bladder 1029 A, the proximal surface 1024 of the shank 1010, and the proximal surface 123 IB of the polymeric bladder 1229B. The strobel 1212may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 1042A, 1032, 1242B, similarly as described with respect to the Strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the proximal surface 1031 A, 1024. 123 IB of the Strobel 1212 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the Strobel 12.

[0119] FIG. 26 is a top view of a Strobel 1312 including the first polymeric bladder 1129A and the shank 1010 as described with respect to the strobel 1112 and the second polymeric bladder 1229B as described with respect to the strobel 1212. The proximal surface of the strobel 1312 includes the proximal surface 1131 A of the polymeric bladder 1129A, the proximal surface 1024 of the shank 1010, and the proximal surface 1231B of the polymeric bladder 1229B. The strobel 1312 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 1142A. 1032, 1242B, similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to j oin the proximal surface 1131 A, 1024, 1231 B of the strobel 1312 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0120] FIGS. 27-30 are examples of Strobels that include two separate polymeric bladders, a shank, and a toe plate. The Strobels include one polymeric bladder in the forefoot region 44 a separate polymeric bladder in the heel region 48, with the shank 1010 of FIGS. 23-26 extending between and secured to the peripheral flanges of the polymeric bladders, and with a toe plate 1411 similar to the toe plate 311 of FIG. 15 secured to the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder in the forefoot region 44. Due to the toe plate 141 1, the polymeric bladder in the forefoot region is shorter in the fore-aft direction than the polymeric bladder in the forefoot region of any of FIGS. 23-26.

[0121] FIG. 27 is a top view of a strobel 1412 including a toe plate 1411 extending in a foremost extent of a forefoot region 44, a first polymeric bladder 1429 extending in the forefoot region 44 and having a peripheral flange 1442 secured to a peripheral flange 1432 of the toe plate 1411 with an elongated thread 149 using multiple stitches. The toe plate 1411 is composed of the same elastomeric material that the shank 1010 is composed of, as described with respect to the shank 10, and. like the shank 1010, is a monolithic structure with a central region 1430 and a relatively flat peripheral flange 1432 that is thinner than the central region 1430.

[0122] The Strobel 1412 includes the second polymeric bladder 1029B as described with respect to FIG. 23 extending in the heel region 48 and the shank 1010 extending in the midfoot region 46 and partially in the forefoot region 44 and the heel region 48. The peripheral flange 1032 of the shank 1010 is secured to the peripheral flange 1442 of the first polymeric bladder 1429 with at least one elongated thread 49 using multiple stitches and to the peripheral flange 1042B of the second polymeric bladder 1029B with at least one elongated thread 149 using multiple stitches. The proximal surface of the Strobel 1412 includes the proximal surface 1425 of the toe plate 141 1. the proximal surface 1431 A of the polymeric bladder 1429. the proximal surface 1024 of the shank 1010, and the proximal surface 103 IB of the polymeric bladder 1029B. The strobel 1412 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 1432, 1442, 1032. 1042B, similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the proximal surface 1425, 1431 A, 1024, 103 IB of the strobel 1412 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0123] FIG. 28 is a top view of a strobel 1512 including the toe plate 141, the first polymeric bladder 1429, and the shank 1010, as described with respect to the strobel 1412, and with the second polymeric bladder 1229B described with respect to FIG. 25 extending in the heel region 48 with the peripheral flange 1242B secured to the peripheral flange 1032 of the shank 1010 with the elongated thread 149 using multiple stitches.

[0124] The proximal surface of the strobel 1512 includes the proximal surface 1425 of the toe plate 141 1, the proximal surface 1431 A of the polymeric bladder 1429, the proximal surface 1024 of the shank 1010, and the proximal surface 123 IB of the polymeric bladder 1229B. The strobel 1512 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 1432, 1442, 1032. 1242B. similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the proximal surface 1425, 1431A, 1024, 1231B of the strobel 1512 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0125] FIG. 29 is a top view of a strobel 1612 including the toe plate 141, the second polymeric bladder 1029B and the shank 1010. as descnbed with respect to the strobel 1412, and with a first polymeric bladder 1629 extending in the forefoot region 44 and including a tensile component 115 and inwardly -protruding bonds 160 shownas linear bonds and as described with respect to FIG. 12. The polymeric bladder 1629 has a peripheral flange 1642 secured to the peripheral flange 1032 of the shank 1010 with an elongated thread 49 using multiple stitches and to the peripheral flange of the toe plate 1411 using an elongated thread 149 using multiple stitches.

[0126] The proximal surface of the Strobel 1612 includes the proximal surface 1425 of the toe plate 1411, the proximal surface 1631A of the polymeric bladder 1629, the proximal surface 1024 of the shank 1010, and the proximal surface 103 IB of the polymeric bladder 1029B. The Strobel 1612 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 1432, 1642. 1032. 1042B. similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the proximal surface 1425, 1631A, 1024, 1031B of the strobel 1612 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0127] FIG. 30 is a top view of a strobel 1712 including the toe plate 1411. the first polymeric bladder 1629 and the shank 1010, as described with respect to the strobel 1612, and with the second polymeric bladder 1229B as described with respect to FIG. 25 extending in the heel region 48.

[0128] The proximal surface of the strobel 1712 includes the proximal surface 1425 of the toe plate 141 1, the proximal surface 1631 A of the polymeric bladder 1629, the proximal surface 1024 of the shank 1010, and the proximal surface 123 IB of the polymeric bladder 1229B. The strobel 1712 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flanges 1432, 1642, 1032, 1242B. similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the proximal surface 1425, 1631 A, 1024, 123 IB of the strobel 1712 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0129] FIG. 31 is a top view of a strobel 1812 including a shank 1810. The shank 1710 is referred to as a "full-length” shank as it extends in the forefoot region 44, the midfoot region 46, and the heel region 48. The shank 1810 includes a peripheral flange 1832 and a central region 1830 surrounded by the peripheral flange 1832. The peripheral flange 1832 may be thinner than the central region 1830, and may be relatively flat, as described with respect to the corresponding components of the shank 10. The shank 1810 includes spaced notches 111 in the peripheral flanges 1832 that may be used to align the strobel 1812 with corresponding locating features that may be provided on the footwear last 16 and / or on the footwear upper 14 whensecuring the Strobel 1812 to the footwear upper 14. The shank 1810 is shown with multiple apertures 40 that may be locating features used in aligning the shank 1810 with the footwear last 16 prior to securing the strobel 1812 to the foam midsole component 18.

[0130] The proximal surface of the strobel 1812 includes the proximal surface 1824 of the shank 1810. The strobel 1812 may be stitched to the lower edge 71 of the footwear upper 14 at the peripheral flange 1832, similarly as described with respect to the strobel 12. Adhesive or cement material 20 may be used to join the proximal surface 1824 of the strobel 1812 to the foam midsole component 18 as described with respect to the strobel 12.

[0131] The shank 1810 includes protruding ribs 38 at the proximal surface 1824. at least some of which are concentric. The opposing distal surface (not shown) of the shank 1810 may include a plurality of protruding ribs that are linear, similar to those described with respect to FIGS. 2-3.

[0132] A method of manufacturing any of the Strobels 12-1712 and articles of footwear 22 described herein may include forming the strobel. Alternatively, in some examples of the method of manufacturing, the strobel 12, etc., may be already in a formed state when the method of manufacturing begins (e.g., the strobel may be obtained in a formed state by the entity carrying out the method). Accordingly, a separate entity may form the strobel and the entity carry ing out the method of manufacturing the article of footwear may obtain the formed strobel to carry out the method). In other examples, of the method of manufacturing, the same entity may both form the strobel and assemble it in the footwear.

[0133] Accordingly, as described herein, a method of manufacturing an article of footwear 22 may include joining a shank 10 included in a strobel 12 to a foam midsole component 18. The shank 10 may comprise an elastomeric material (e.g., one or more thermoplastic polyurethane materials) and may at least partially define an exterior surface of the strobel 12.

[0134] The method of manufacturing may further include, prior to joining the shank 10 to the foam midsole component 18, disposing adhesive or cement material 20 on at least one of the shank 10 or the foam midsole component 18. and, after disposing the adhesive or cement material 20 on at least one of the shank 10 or the foam midsole component 18, placing the shank 10 against the foam midsolecomponent 18 at the adhesive or cement material 20. In other embodiments, a shank may be joined to a foam midsole component or other sole component with stitches or otherwise rather than with adhesive or cement material or thermal bonding.

[0135] Still further, the method of manufacturing may include, after placing the shank 10 against the foam midsole component 18 at the adhesive or cement material 20, compressing the shank 10 and the foam midsole component 18 to one another and / or heating the shank 10 and the foam midsole component 18. The compressing and / or heating may help to accomplish the joining of the shank 10 to the foam midsole component 18.

[0136] In examples in which the Strobel further includes a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity and is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity7, such as an of Strobels 12-1712, the method of manufacturing may further include securing the polymeric bladder (e.g., polymeric bladder 29, 129, etc.) to the shank 10, 1 10, 510, 610, or 1010 prior to joining the shank to the foam midsole component 18. Securing the polymeric bladder to the shank may include stitching the shank to the polymeric bladder. Joining the polymeric bladder to the foam midsole component may be simultaneous with joining the shank to the foam midsole component.

[0137] Prior to j oining the shank to the foam midsole component, as discussed with respect to the article of footwear 22, the method of manufacturing may include securing a peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10 to a footwear upper 14 such that the strobel 12 and the footwear upper 14 define a foot-receiving cavity 33 with a proximal surface 24 of the shank 10 facing the foot-receiving cavity 33. Securing the peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10 to the footwear upper 14 may be by stitching the peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10 to the footwear upper 14 such as with an elongated thread 78. The strobel 12 may further include a polymeric bladder 29 that includes a peripheral flange 42 sufficiently aligned with the peripheral flange 32 of the shank at a medial side of the shank 10 and at a lateral side of the shank 10 such that the method of manufacturing further includes stitching the peripheral flange 42 of the polymeric bladder 29 to the footwear upper 14 sequentially with the same elongated thread and needle used for stitching the peripheral flange 32 of the shank 10 to the footwear upper 14, as indicated in FIG. 8.

[0138] Accordingly, by incorporating a shank into a strobel and joining the strobel to a foam midsole component as discussed herein, the strobel can serve thetraditional function of closing off the bottom end of the footwear upper as well as providing the stability of a shank. The Strobel may also include one or more polymeric bladders, and may include a toe plate, which may provide further desired comfort, resiliency, and performance advantages as discussed herein.

[0139] The following Clauses provide example configurations of an article of footwear, a Strobel, and a method of manufacturing an article of footwear as disclosed herein.

[0140] Clause 1. An article of footwear comprising: a Strobel including a shank comprised of an elastomeric material (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane material); and wherein the shank comprises an exterior surface of the strobel.

[0141] Clause 2. The article of footwear of clause 1, wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; the shank includes a central region surrounded by the peripheral flange; and the central region and the peripheral flange are a monolithic structure.

[0142] Clause 3. The article of footwear of clause 2, wherein the central region is thicker than the peripheral flange.

[0143] Clause 4. The article of footwear of clause 2, wherein the central region has a first bending stiffness, and the peripheral flange has a second bending stiffness less than the first bending stiffness.

[0144] Clause 5. The article of footwear of clause 1, wherein the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank, and the article of footwear further comprising: a footwear upper secured to the peripheral flange of the shank.

[0145] Clause 6. The article of footwear of clause 5, wherein: the shank extends from a medial side of the footwear upper to a lateral side of the footwear upper; and the medial side of the footwear upper is secured to the peripheral flange of the shank at a medial side of the shank and the lateral side of the footwear upper is secured to the peripheral flange of the shank at a lateral side of the shank.

[0146] Clause 7. The article of footwear of clause 5, further comprising: at least one elongated thread extending through the peripheral flange and the footwear upper as multiple stitches stitching the footwear upper to the shank.

[0147] Clause 8. The article of footwear of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the shank partially defines a medial extent of the strobel and a lateral extent of the strobel and extends continuously transversely from the medial extent to the lateral extent.

[0148] Clause 9. The article of footwear of clause 1, wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; the shank includes a central region surrounded by the peripheral flange; and a thickness of the shank from a proximal side of the shank to a distal side of the shank is greater at the central region than at the peripheral flange.

[0149] Clause 10. The article of footwear of clause 1, wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; a proximal side of the peripheral flange is flat; and a distal side of the peripheral flange is flat.

[0150] Clause 11. The article of footwear of clause 10. wherein the peripheral flange is of a substantially constant thickness from the proximal side of the peripheral flange to the distal side of the peripheral flange.

[0151] Clause 12. The article of footwear of clause 1. wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; the shank includes a central region surrounded by the peripheral flange; and a proximal side or a distal side of the shank includes a plurality of protruding ribs at the central region.

[0152] Clause 13. The article of footwear of clause 12, wherein the protruding ribs are concentric.

[0153] Clause 14. The article of footwear of clause 12, wherein the protruding ribs are linear and include at least one rib extending lengthwise in a fore- aft direction of the shank and at least one rib extending lengthwise in a transverse direction of the shank.

[0154] Clause 15. The article of footwear of any of clauses 1-2, further comprising: a foam midsole component; and adhesive securing the shank to the foam midsole component.

[0155] Clause 16. The article of footwear of clause 15, wherein the adhesive is disposed on a distal side of the shank and on a proximal side of the foam midsole component such that the proximal side of the foam midsole component underlies and is secured to the distal side of the shank.

[0156] Clause 17. The article of footwear of clause 1, wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; the Strobel further includes a polymeric bladder secured to the peripheral flange of the shank; and the shank and the polymeric bladder are each disposed in and partially define at least onedifferent one of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear.

[0157] Clause 18. The article of footwear of clause 17, wherein: the polymeric bladder defines an interior cavity and is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of the interior cavity and enclosing the interior cavity; and the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder is secured to the peripheral flange of the shank.

[0158] Clause 19. The article of footwear of clause 18. wherein the polymeric bladder includes: a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet together defining the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder and bonded to one another at the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder; and a tensile component extending in the interior cavity from the first polymeric sheet to the second polymeric sheet.

[0159] Clause 20. The article of footwear of clause 18, wherein: the polymeric bladder includes a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet together defining the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder and bonded to one another at the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder; and the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet are further bonded to one another at multiple bonds inward of the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder.

[0160] Clause 21. The article of footwear of clause 18, further comprising: at least one elongated thread extending through the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder and the peripheral flange of the shank as multiple stitches stitching the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder to the peripheral flange of the shank.

[0161] Clause 22. The article of footwear of clause 17, wherein: the strobel further includes a toe plate extending in a foremost extent of the forefoot region and composed of an elastomeric material; and the polymeric bladder is secured to the toe plate.

[0162] Clause 23. The article of footwear of clause 22, wherein: the toe plate includes a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the toe plate; and the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder is further secured to the peripheral flange of the toe plate and the polymeric bladder extends between the toe plate and the shank.

[0163] Clause 24. The article of footwear of any of clauses 1 -2, wherein the shank extends in at least one of a forefoot region or a midfoot region of the article of footwear.

[0164] Clause 25. The article of footwear of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the shank extends in at least one of a midfoot region or a heel region of the article of footwear.

[0165] Clause 26. The article of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the shank extends in a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear.

[0166] Clause 27. A strobel for an article of footwear in particular according to any of the preceding claims, the strobel comprising: a shank comprised of an elastomeric material; and a polymeric bladder; wherein the shank and the polymeric bladder are each disposed in and partially define at least one different one of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear.

[0167] Clause 28. The strobel of clause 27, wherein the shank and the polymeric bladder each define a portion of a proximal surface of the strobel.

[0168] Clause 29. The strobel of any of clauses 27-28, wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; the polymeric bladder is secured to the peripheral flange of the shank; the shank includes a central region surrounded by the peripheral flange of the shank; and the central region and the peripheral flange of the shank are a monolithic structure.

[0169] Clause 30. The strobel of clause 29, wherein the central region is thicker than the peripheral flange.

[0170] Clause 31. The strobel of clause 29, wherein the central region has a first bending stiffness, and the peripheral flange has a second bending stiffness less than the first bending stiffness.

[0171] Clause 32. The strobel of any of clauses 27-28, wherein the shank partially defines a medial extent of the strobel and a lateral extent of the strobel and extends continuously transversely from the medial extent to the lateral extent.

[0172] Clause 33. The strobel of any of clauses 27-28, wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; the polymeric bladder is secured to the peripheral flange of the shank; the shank includes a central region outw ardly surrounded by the peripheral flange of the shank; and a thickness of theshank from a proximal side of the shank to a distal side of the shank is greater at the central region than at the peripheral flange.

[0173] Clause 34. The Strobel of any of clauses 27-28, wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; the polymeric bladder is secured to the peripheral flange of the shank; and a proximal side of the peripheral flange of the shank is flat and a distal side of the peripheral flange of the shank is flat.

[0174] Clause 35. The Strobel of any of clauses 27-28, wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; the polymeric bladder is secured to the peripheral flange of the shank; and the peripheral flange of the shank is of a substantially constant thickness from a proximal side of the peripheral flange of the shank to a distal side of the peripheral flange of the shank.

[0175] Clause 36. The Strobel of any of clauses 27-28, wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; the polymeric bladder is secured to the peripheral flange of the shank; the shank includes a central region surrounded by the peripheral flange; and a proximal side or a distal side of the shank includes a plurality of protruding ribs at the central region.

[0176] Clause 37. The Strobel of clause 36, wherein the protruding ribs are concentric.

[0177] Clause 38. The Strobel of clause 36, wherein the protruding ribs are linear and include at least one rib extending lengthwise in a fore-aft direction of the shank and at least one rib extending lengthwise in a transverse direction of the shank.

[0178] Clause 39. The Strobel of clause 38, wherein: the polymeric bladder defines an interior cavity and is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of the interior cavity and enclosing the interior cavity; and the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder is secured to the peripheral flange of the shank.

[0179] Clause 40. The Strobel of clause 39, wherein the polymeric bladder includes: a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet together defining the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder and bonded to one another at the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder; and a tensile component extending in the interior cavity from the first polymeric sheet to the second polymeric sheet.

[0180] Clause 41. The Strobel of clause 39, wherein the polymeric bladder includes: a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet together defining theperipheral flange of the polymeric bladder and bonded to one another at the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder and further bonded to one another at multiple bonds inward of the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder.

[0181] Clause 42. The Strobel of clause 39, further comprising: at least one elongated thread extending through the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder and the peripheral flange of the shank as multiple stitches stitching the polymeric bladder to the shank.

[0182] Clause 43. The Strobel of any of clauses 27-28, wherein the shank extends in at least one of the forefoot region or the midfoot region.

[0183] Clause 44. The Strobel of any of clauses 27-28, wherein the shank extends in at least one of the midfoot region or the heel region.

[0184] Clause 45. The Strobel of any of clauses 27-28, wherein the shank extends in the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region.

[0185] Clause 46. The strobel of any of clauses The strobel of any of clauses 27-28, wherein the shank extends in at least one of the midfoot region or the heel region., further including: a toe plate extending in a foremost extent of the forefoot region and composed of an elastomeric material; and wherein the polymeric bladder is secured to the toe plate.

[0186] Clause 47. The strobel of clause 46, wherein: the toe plate includes a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the toe plate; and the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder is further secured to the peripheral flange of the toe plate and extends between the toe plate and the shank.

[0187] Clause 48. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear in particular according to any of the preceding claims, the method of manufacturing comprising: joining a shank included in a strobel to a foam midsole component; wherein the shank comprises an elastomeric material and at least partially defines an exterior surface of the strobel.

[0188] Clause 49. The method of manufacturing of clause 48, further comprising: prior to joining the shank to the foam midsole component, disposing adhesive or cement material on at least one of the shank or the foam midsole component; and after disposing the adhesive or cement material on at least one of the shank or the foam midsole component, placing the shank against the foam midsole component at the adhesive.

[0189] Clause 50. The method of manufacturing of any of clauses 48-49, further comprising: compressing the shank and the foam midsole component to one another; and / or heating the shank and the foam midsole component.

[0190] Clause 51. The method of manufacturing of any of clauses 48-49. wherein the Strobel further includes a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity and is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, and the method of manufacturing further comprising: securing the polymeric bladder to the shank prior to joining the shank to the foam midsole component.

[0191] Clause 52. The method of manufacturing of clause 51 , further comprising: joining the polymeric bladder to the foam midsole component simultaneously with adhering the shank to the foam midsole component.

[0192] Clause 53. The method of manufacturing of clause 51, wherein securing the polymeric bladder to the shank includes stitching the shank to the polymeric bladder.

[0193] Clause 54. The method of manufacturing of any of clauses 48-49, further comprising: securing a peripheral flange of the shank to a footwear upper such that the Strobel and the footwear upper define a foot-receiving cavity with a proximal surface of the shank facing the foot-receiving cavity.

[0194] Clause 55. The method of manufacturing of clause 54, wherein securing the peripheral flange of the shank to the footw ear upper is by stitching the peripheral flange of the shank to the footwear upper.

[0195] Clause 56. The method of manufacturing of clause 55, wherein the strobel further includes a polymeric bladder that includes a peripheral flange sufficiently aligned with the peripheral flange of the shank at a medial side of the shank and at a lateral side of the shank such that the method of manufacturing further includes: stitching the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder to the footwear upper sequentially with the same elongated thread and needle used for stitching the peripheral flange of the shank to the footwear upper.

[0196] To assist and clarity' the description of various embodiments, various terms are defined herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions apply throughout this specification (including the claims). Additionally, all references referred to are incorporated herein in their entirety'.

[0197] An “article of footwear”, a “footwear article of manufacture”, and “footwear” may be considered to be both a machine and a manufacture. Assembled, ready to wear footwear articles (e.g.. shoes, sandals, boots, etc.), as well as discrete components of footwear articles (such as a midsole, an outsole, an upper component, etc.) prior to final assembly into ready to wear footwear articles, are considered and alternatively referred to herein in either the singular or plural as “article(s) of footwear”.

[0198] “A”, “an”, “the”, “at least one”, and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the items is present. A plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All numerical values of parameters (e.g., of quantities or conditions) in this specification, unless otherwise indicated expressly or clearly in view of the context, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” whether or not “about” actually appears before the numerical value. “About” indicates that the stated numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. In addition, a disclosure of a range is to be understood as specifically disclosing all values and further divided ranges within the range.

[0199] The terms "comprising", “including”, and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. Orders of steps, processes, and operations may be altered when possible, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term "or" includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term “any of’ is understood to include any possible combination of referenced items, including “any one of’ the referenced items. The term “any of’ is understood to include any possible combination of referenced claims of the appended claims, including “any one of’ the referenced claims.

[0200] For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives may be employed throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above’; “below”, “upward”, “downward”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., may be used descriptively relative to the figures, without representing limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

[0201] The term “longitudinal” particularly refers to a direction extending a length of a component. For example, a longitudinal direction of a shoe extends between a forefoot region and a heel region of the shoe. The term “forward” or “anterior” is used to particularly refer to the general direction from a heel region toward a forefoot region, and the term “rearward” or “posterior” is used to particularly refer to the opposite direction, i.e., the direction from the forefoot region toward the heel region. In some cases, a component may be identified with a longitudinal axis as well as a forward and rearward longitudinal direction along that axis. The longitudinal direction or axis may also be referred to as an anterior-posterior direction or axis.

[0202] The term “transverse” particularly refers to a direction extending a width of a component. For example, a transverse direction of a shoe extends between a lateral side and a medial side of the shoe. The transverse direction or axis may also be referred to as a lateral direction or axis or a mediolateral direction or axis.

[0203] The term “vertical” particularly refers to a direction generally perpendicular to both the lateral and longitudinal directions. For example, in cases where a sole is planted flat on a ground surface, the vertical direction may extend from the ground surface upward. It will be understood that each of these directional adj ectives may be applied to individual components of a sole. The term “upward” or “upwards” particularly refers to the vertical direction pointing towards a top of the component, which may include an instep, a fastening region and / or a throat of an upper. The term "downward" or "downwards" particularly refers to the vertical direction pointing opposite the upwards direction, toward the bottom of a component and may generally point towards the bottom of a sole structure of an article of footwear.

[0204] The “interior” of an article of footwear, such as a shoe, particularly refers to portions at the space that is occupied by a wearer’s foot when the shoe isworn. The “inner side” of a component particularly refers to the side or surface of the component that is (or will be) oriented toward the interior of the component or article of footwear in an assembled article of footwear. The “outer side” or “exterior” of a component particularly refers to the side or surface of the component that is (or will be) oriented away from the interior of the shoe in an assembled shoe. In some cases, other components may be between the inner side of a component and the interior in the assembled article of footwear. Similarly, other components may be between an outer side of a component and the space external to the assembled article of footwear. Further, the terms “inward” and “inwardly” particularly refer to the direction toward the interior of the component or article of footwear, such as a shoe, and the terms “outward” and “outwardly” particularly refer to the direction toward the exterior of the component or article of footwear, such as the shoe. In addition, the term “proximal” particularly refers to a direction that is nearer a center of a footwear component, or is closer toward a foot when the foot is inserted in the article of footwear as it is worn by a user. Likewise, the term “distal” particularly refers to a relative position that is further away from a center of the footwear component or is further from a foot when the foot is inserted in the article of footwear as it is worn by a user. Thus, the terms proximal and distal may be understood to provide generally opposing terms to describe relative spatial positions.

[0205] While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary’, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other embodiment unless specifically restricted. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.

[0206] While several modes for carry ing out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and exemplary of the entire range of alternative embodiments that an ordinarily skilled artisan would recognize as implied by, structurally and / or functionally equivalent to, or otherwise rendered obvious based upon the included content, and not as limited solely to those explicitly depicted and / or described embodiments.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An article of footwear comprising: a strobel including a shank comprised of an elastomeric material; and wherein the shank comprises an exterior surface of the strobel.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; the shank includes a central region surrounded by the peripheral flange; and the central region and the peripheral flange are a monolithic structure.

3. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the central region is thicker than the peripheral flange.

4. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank, and the article of footwear further comprising: a footwear upper secured to the peripheral flange of the shank.

5. The article of footwear of claim 4, wherein: the shank extends from a medial side of the footwear upper to a lateral side of the footwear upper; and the medial side of the footwear upper is secured to the peripheral flange of the shank at a medial side of the shank and the lateral side of the footwear upper is secured to the peripheral flange of the shank at a lateral side of the shank.

6. The article of footwear of claim 4, further comprising: at least one elongated thread extending through the peripheral flange and the footwear upper as multiple stitches stitching the footwear upper to the shank.

7. The article of footwear of any of claims 1-2. wherein the shank partially defines a medial extent of the strobel and a lateral extent of the strobel and extends continuously transversely from the medial extent to the lateral extent.

8. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; a proximal side of the peripheral flange is flat; and a distal side of the peripheral flange is flat.

9. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; the shank includes a central region surrounded by the peripheral flange; and a proximal side or a distal side of the shank includes a plurality of protruding ribs at the central region.

10. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the protruding ribs are concentric.

11. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the protruding ribs are linear and include at least one rib extending lengthwise in a fore-aft direction of the shank and at least one rib extending lengthwise in a transverse direction of the shank.

12. The article of footwear of any of claims 1-2, further comprising: a foam midsole component; and adhesive securing the shank to the foam midsole component.

13. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the adhesive is disposed on a distal side of the shank and on a proximal side of the foam midsole component such that the proximal side of the foam midsole component underlies and is secured to the distal side of the shank.

14. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein: the shank has a peripheral flange defining an outer perimeter of the shank; the strobel further includes a polymeric bladder secured to the peripheral flange of the shank; andthe shank and the polymeric bladder are each disposed in and partially define at least one different one of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear.

15. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein: the polymeric bladder defines an interior cavity and is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity', the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of the interior cavity and enclosing the interior cavity; and the peripheral flange of the polymeric bladder is secured to the peripheral flange of the shank.

16. The article of footwear claim 14. wherein: the strobel further includes a toe plate extending in a foremost extent of the forefoot region and composed of an elastomeric material; and the polymeric bladder is secured to the toe plate.

17. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the shank and the polymeric bladder each define a portion of a proximal surface of the strobel.

18. The article of footwear of any of claims 1-2, wherein the shank extends in at least one of a forefoot region or a midfoot region of the article of footwear.

19. The article of footwear of any of claims 1 -2, wherein the shank extends in at least one of a midfoot region or a heel region of the article of footwear.

20. The article of footwear of any of claims 1-2. wherein the shank extends in a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of an article of footwear.

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