HK1210678B

HK1210678B - Sole structures and articles of footwear having a lightweight midsole with segmented protective elements

Info

Publication number: HK1210678B
Application number: HK15111576.2A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 斯密德勒．A．阿德格堡; 查德．C．格罗弗; 塔米姆．A．谢伦; 凯文．W．霍夫; 马修．J．霍姆斯
Original assignee: 耐克创新有限合夥公司
Priority date: 2012-09-06
Filing date: 2013-09-05
Publication date: 2018-03-02

Abstract

Sole structures for articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include: (a) a lightweight foam midsole component for supporting the foot; and (b) a plurality of heavier and/or denser cage components covering selected areas of the midsole component. Spaces are provided between the cage components. These spaces may be sized, shaped, and oriented to define and/or correspond to flexion lines of the foot and/or to produce a more natural flex motion to the sole. The soles additionally may include one or more outsole components, e.g., on bottom surface(s) of the cage component(s) and/or the foam midsole. These sole structures may be engaged with an upper to form a shoe. The uppers may include one or more lace receiving openings supported by elongated wire or textile components. Methods of making footwear including such uppers and/or sole structures also are described.

Description

Sole structure and article of footwear having a lightweight midsole with segmented protective elements

Data of related applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. patent application No. 13/605,681 entitled "Sole Structures and arms of Footwear Having a Lightweight Midsole with Segmented Protective Elements" and filed on 9/6/2012. U.S. patent application No. 13/605,681 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of footwear. More particularly, aspects of this invention relate to sole structures and/or articles of footwear (e.g., athletic footwear) that include a relatively soft and/or lightweight foam midsole component partially covered by a more rigid and/or denser protective component.

Background

Conventional articles of athletic footwear include two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper provides a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure is secured to a lower surface of the upper and is positioned generally between the foot and any contact surfaces. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and absorbing energy, the sole structure may provide traction and control potentially harmful foot motions, such as over pronation. The general features and configurations of the upper and the sole structure are discussed in greater detail below.

The upper forms a void on an interior of the footwear for receiving a foot. The void has the general shape of a foot, and an entrance to the void is provided at the ankle opening. Accordingly, the upper extends over instep and toe areas of the foot, along medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around a heel area of the foot. A lacing system is often incorporated into the upper to selectively vary the size of the ankle opening and permit the wearer to modify certain dimensions of the upper, particularly girth, to accommodate feet with different proportions. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance the comfort of the footwear (e.g., to relieve pressure applied to the foot by the laces), and the upper may also include a heel counter to limit or control movement of the heel.

The sole structure generally incorporates multiple layers that are conventionally referred to as an insole, a midsole, and an outsole. The insole, which may also constitute a sockliner, is a thin member that is positioned within the upper and adjacent to the plantar (lower) surface of the foot to enhance footwear comfort (e.g., to wick moisture away and provide a soft, comfortable feel). The midsole, which is traditionally attached to the upper along the entire length of the upper, forms the middle layer of the sole structure and serves a variety of purposes that include controlling foot motions and attenuating impact forces. The outsole forms the ground-contacting element of footwear and is often fashioned from a durable, wear-resistant material that includes texturing or other features to improve traction.

The primary element of a conventional midsole is a resilient, polymer foam material, such as polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate ("EVA"), that extends throughout the length of the footwear. The properties of the polymer foam material in the midsole are primarily dependent upon factors including the dimensional configuration of the midsole and the specific characteristics of the material selected for the polymer foam, including the density of the polymer foam material. By varying these factors throughout the midsole, the relative stiffness, degree of ground reaction force attenuation, and energy absorption characteristics may be varied to meet the specific requirements of the activity for which the footwear is intended.

Despite the variety of footwear models and characteristics available, new footwear models and configurations continue to be developed and are a welcome advance in the art.

Summary of The Invention

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of general concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention.

While potentially useful with any desired type or style of footwear, aspects of the invention may be of particular interest with respect to sole structures of articles of athletic footwear, including basketball shoes, running shoes, cross-training shoes, spiking shoes, tennis shoes, golf shoes, and the like.

More specific aspects of the inventionTo sole structures for articles of footwear that include at least some of the following: (a) a foam midsole component having less than 0.25g/cm³A foam midsole component extending from a rear heel region to a forward forefoot region; (b) one or more rear heel cage components covering a portion of a rear heel region of the foam midsole component; (c) one or more forward heel cage components covering a portion of a forward heel region of the foam midsole component, wherein a first space exists between the rear heel cage component and the forward heel cage component, and wherein an outer surface of the foam midsole component may be exposed at the first space; (d) one or more midfoot cage components covering a portion of a midfoot region of the foam midsole component, wherein a second space exists between the forward heel cage component and the midfoot cage component, and wherein an outer surface of the foam midsole component may be exposed at the second space; and (e) one or more forefoot cage components covering a portion of a forefoot region of the foam midsole component, wherein a third space exists between the midfoot cage component and the forefoot cage component, and wherein an outer surface of the foam midsole component may be exposed at the third space. The sole structure may additionally include one or more outsole components, e.g., on a bottom surface of one or more of the cage component and/or the foam midsole component. The spacing between the cage components may be sized, shaped, and oriented so as to define and/or correspond with a flexion line in a generally lateral (medial side to lateral side) direction and/or in a generally longitudinal (heel to toe) direction, and/or so as to create a more natural motion flexion of the sole structure.

Additional aspects of this invention relate to articles of footwear that include sole structures of the various types described above engaged with upper components. The upper component may include one or more lace receiving or engaging openings or eyelets supported by one or more elongated wire or textile components.

Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods for manufacturing sole structures and/or articles of footwear of the various types described above (and in more detail below). More specific aspects of the invention are described in more detail below.

Brief Description of Drawings

The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar elements throughout the various views, and in which reference characters appear.

Figures 1A through 1D illustrate various views of an article of footwear including an upper and/or a sole structure, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate various examples of elongated wire or textile components used as lace receiving openings or eyelet support members in accordance with at least some aspects of the present invention; and

figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of another example sole structure according to this invention.

Detailed description of the invention

In the following description of various examples of footwear structures and components according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other configurations and environments may be used, and structural and functional modifications may be made in accordance with the specifically described configurations and methods without departing from the scope of the present invention.

I. General description of aspects of the invention

Aspects of this invention relate to sole structures and/or articles of footwear (e.g., athletic footwear) that include a relatively soft and lightweight foam midsole component partially covered by a more rigid and/or more dense cage (protective) component. More specific features and aspects of the invention are described in more detail below.

The term "longitudinal direction" as used in this specification is a direction determined by a line connecting the rearmost heel (or other) point of the article (see, e.g., point P1 of the sole structure of fig. 1D) and the forwardmost toe (or other) point of the article (see, e.g., point P2 of the sole structure of fig. 1D). If the foremost and/or rearmost location of a particular item constitutes a line segment, then the foremost and/or rearmost point constitutes the midpoint of the respective line segment. If the foremost and/or rearmost location of a particular item constitutes two or more separate points or line segments, then the foremost and/or rearmost point constitutes the midpoint of the line segment connecting the separate points or line segments. The "transverse direction" is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

A. Features of sole structures and articles of footwear according to examples of this invention

Aspects of this invention relate to sole structures for articles of footwear and articles of footwear (or other foot-receiving devices) including athletic footwear having such sole structures. Sole structures for articles of footwear according to at least some examples of this invention may include at least some of the following: (a) a foam midsole component having less than 0.25g/cm³(and in some examples, less than 0.2 g/cm)³At 0.075g/cm³To 0.2g/cm³And even in the range of 0.1g/cm³To 0.18g/cm³Density) (foam midsole elements may extend from a rear heel region to a forward forefoot region, although they need not be located entirely below the entire plantar surface of the foot); (b) one or more rear heel cage components covering a portion of a rear heel region of the foam midsole component; (c) one or more forward heel cage components that cover a portion of a forward heel region of the foam midsole component, wherein a first space exists between the rear heel cage component and the forward heel cage component (and, optionally, wherein an outer surface of the foam midsole component is exposed at the first space); (d) one or more midfoot cage components covering a midfoot region of a foam midsole componentA portion of a field in which a second space exists between the forward heel cage component and the midfoot cage component (and, optionally, in which an outer surface of the foam midsole component is exposed at the second space); and (e) one or more forefoot cage components covering a portion of a forefoot region of the foam midsole component, wherein a third space exists between the midfoot cage component and the forefoot cage component (and, optionally, wherein an outer surface of the foam midsole component is exposed at the third space). The spacing between the various cage components may act as generally transverse flexion lines in the sole structure (e.g., to provide increased flexibility to the sole structure). Additionally or alternatively, if desired, separate cage members (separated by spaces) may be provided on both the lateral side and the medial side of the sole structure, such as optionally to provide substantially longitudinal flexion lines in the sole structure.

The individual cage members may be made of the same or different materials without departing from the invention, including having a thickness greater than 0.2g/cm³(and in some examples, greater than 0.25 g/cm)³And, in some further examples, at 0.25g/cm³To 1g/cm³Or even in the range of 0.25g/cm³To 0.75g/cm³Density within the range of (a) such as a polymer foam. As some more specific examples, each cage member may be made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of: ethylene vinyl acetate foam, polyurethane foam, phylon foam, phylite material, and rubber material. In some examples, at least some of the cage components (and optionally all of the cage components) will have a density at least 10% higher than the density of the midsole foam component, and in further examples, the cage component density will be at least 25% higher, at least 50% higher, at least 100% higher, or even at least 200% higher than the density of the foam midsole component.

Sole structures according to at least some examples of this invention may include an outsole component (e.g., made of rubber, phylon, phylite, thermoplastic polyurethane, or the like) on a bottom surface (e.g., in one of the exposed spaces) of one or more of the cage component and/or the foam midsole component. The outsole elements may provide, for example, stiffness, strength, wear-resistance, and traction (e.g., by providing texture, cleats, or other traction-enhancing structures on the bottom surface of the sole structure). In some example structures according to this invention, several separate outsole components would be positioned at various discrete locations around the bottom of the sole structure.

If desired, at least some portions of the outer side edges of one or more of the rear heel cage component, the forward heel cage component, the midfoot cage component, and/or the forefoot cage component may include billowed structures (described in more detail below), in accordance with at least some examples of this invention. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, at least some portions of the foam midsole component (e.g., an upper edge of the foam midsole component) may include a billowed structure, such as a billowed structure adjacent one or more cage components (if they are billowed). Although any number of single billows structures on each component are possible without departing from this invention, in some examples, a single sole structure may include 2 to 8 billows, and in some examples, 3-6 billows, in the top-to-bottom direction. In some more specific examples, the cage component will include more billows than the foam midsole component, such as where the cage component has 2-6 billows (and in some examples, 2-4 billows) and the foam midsole component has 1-3 billows (and in some examples, 1-2 billows).

One way to save weight in a sole structure according to some examples of this invention is to expose a relatively large area of the lightweight foam midsole component in the final sole structure, e.g., in the spaces defined between the cage components (i.e., by reducing the amount of cage material). For example, the rear heel cage component and the forward heel cage component may be shaped such that the central open area is defined as a first space (through which the foam midsole component may be exposed) that constitutes 20% to 50% of the total surface area enclosed by the combined outer periphery of the rear heel cage component and the forward heel cage component. As another example, the midfoot cage component and the forefoot cage component may be shaped such that the central open area is defined as a third space (through which the foam midsole component is exposed) that constitutes 20% to 50% of the total surface area enclosed by the outer perimeter of the combination of the midfoot cage component and the forefoot cage component. The shape of the spaces defined between the cage members may be any desired shape, including oval, elliptical, rectangular, U-shaped, irregular, and the like.

As another exemplary feature, a space may be provided between the cage members so as to correspond to a flexion line in a generally lateral (medial to lateral) direction and/or in a generally longitudinal (heel to toe) direction. The spacing between the cage members may be sized, shaped, and oriented to produce a more natural motion flexure of the sole structure.

Additional aspects of this invention relate to articles of footwear that include an upper engaged with sole structures of the various types described above (e.g., including any desired design, configuration, or structure conventionally referred to, configured, or structured). While any desired footwear configuration is possible, in some example footwear structures according to this aspect of the invention, the upper may include an instep opening having a plurality of lateral lace support elements on its lateral side and a plurality of medial lace support elements on its medial side. One or more of the lateral and/or medial lace support elements may include one or more elongated wire or textile components that loop around one of the lace receiving openings or eyelets, e.g., to support the lace and help wrap the upper around the wearer's foot when the lace is tightened. The elongated wire or textile component may comprise: (a) looping around the lace-receiving opening or eyelet and securing to a portion of an exterior surface of the upper, and (b) not securing to a portion of an exterior surface of the upper. If desired, at least some of the lace receiving openings or eyelets may include two or even more elongated wire or textile components that are looped or at least partially looped around the lace receiving openings or eyelets.

In other exemplary structures according to the invention, the elongated wire or textile component supporting the lace receiving openings or eyelets would include: (a) a first end located between the upper and an upper surface of the foam midsole component, (b) a second end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, and (c) a mid-portion between the first and second ends that is looped around the one or more lace receiving openings or eyelets. The intermediate portion may be secured to the upper at least in areas surrounding the lace receiving openings or eyelets.

B. Method features

Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of manufacturing articles of footwear or individual components thereof. Yet another particular aspect of the invention relates to methods for manufacturing sole structures for articles of footwear of the various types described above. While the various components and portions of the sole structure and article of footwear according to aspects of the present invention may be manufactured in manners conventionally known and used in the art, examples of method aspects of the present invention involve combining sole structures and/or footwear portions and joining them together in manners that result in the various structures described above. As some more specific examples, if desired, the upper may be joined to the sole structure using a lasting procedure, glue, adhesive, mechanical connectors, and the like (including methods conventionally known and used in the art).

As mentioned above, the lace receiving openings or eyelets may be supported by elongated wires or textile components. These threads or textile elements may be engaged with the upper material and/or the entire shoe structure in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including through the use of embroidery techniques, adhesives, stitching, fusing techniques, and the like. The ends of the threads or textile components may be secured between the upper and the upper surface of the sole structure, such as by adhesives or cements.

In view of the general description of features, aspects, structures, and arrangements according to the invention provided above, a more detailed description of specific example articles of footwear and methods according to the invention follows.

Detailed description of an exemplary sole structure and article of footwear according to the present invention

With reference to the figures and the following discussion, various sole structures, articles of footwear, and features thereof, in accordance with the present invention are disclosed. The sole structures and footwear depicted and discussed are athletic shoes, and the concepts disclosed with respect to various aspects of this footwear are applicable to a wide range of athletic footwear styles, including but not limited to: walking shoes, tennis shoes, soccer shoes, football shoes, basketball shoes, running shoes, cross-training shoes, spiking shoes, golf shoes, and the like. In addition, at least some concepts and aspects of the invention may be applied to a wide range of non-athletic footwear, including work boots, sandals, loafers, and dress shoes. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the precise embodiments disclosed herein, but is generally applicable to footwear.

Fig. 1A-1D illustrate various views of an exemplary article of footwear 100 that includes at least some aspects of the present invention. For purposes of this disclosure, and as shown in fig. 1A, a portion of an article of footwear (and its various components) may be identified based on a foot region located at or near the portion of the article of footwear. For example, as shown in fig. 1A, an article of footwear may be considered to have a "forefoot region" at the front of the foot, a "midfoot" region at the mid or arch area of the foot, and a "heel region" at the rear of the foot. The footwear also includes a "lateral side" (the "lateral" or "little toe side" of the foot) and a "medial side" (the "medial" or "big toe side" of the foot). The forefoot region generally includes portions of the footwear corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. The midfoot region generally includes portions of the footwear corresponding with the arch area of the foot. The heel region generally corresponds with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. The lateral side and the medial side of the footwear extend through the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region, and generally correspond with opposite sides of the footwear (and may be considered as being separated by a longitudinal axis, as shown in fig. 1D). These areas and sides are not intended to demarcate precise areas of footwear. Rather, the terms "forefoot region," "midfoot region," "heel region," "lateral side," and "medial side" are intended to represent general areas of an article of footwear and its various components to aid in the following discussion.

Fig. 1A shows a lateral side view, fig. 1B shows a medial side view, and fig. 1C shows a bottom view of article of footwear 100. Article of footwear 100 includes an upper 102 engaged with a sole structure 104. Each of upper 102 and sole structure 104 may be constructed from multiple components that may be joined together in any desired manner, including in conventional manners as are known and used in the footwear art, including through the use of cements or adhesives, through the use of mechanical connectors, and/or through fusing techniques (e.g., melting or fusion bonding of hot melt materials, etc.). Upper 102 and sole structure 104 may be joined to one another in any desired manner, including in conventional manners as are known and used in the footwear art, including through the use of cements or adhesives, through the use of mechanical connectors, and/or through fusing techniques (e.g., including melting or fusion bonding of hot melt materials, etc.). Examples of some construction techniques are described in more detail below.

Upper 102 may be made of any desired material and/or combination of materials without departing from this invention. In this illustrated example, upper 102 comprises a multi-layer construction, wherein each layer covers all or some portion of the total upper area. In some more specific examples, upper 102 will include an intermediate mesh layer sandwiched in at least some areas by an inner textile or fabric layer (e.g., for comfortable contact with the foot) and an outer "skin" layer 106 (e.g., made of a thermoplastic polyethylene film to provide better support in some areas, to provide wear or abrasion resistance in some areas, to provide a desired aesthetic, etc.). Any of the interior textile or textile layers, mesh layers, and/or skin layers 106 need not extend to cover the entire exterior surface of upper 102. Rather, the location of the various layers may be selected to control the properties of the upper, e.g., by omitting the skin layer 106 at certain areas to improve breathability, to improve flexibility, to provide a different aesthetic appearance (such as openings in the skin layer 106 to create "LOGO" or other design features from the underlying mesh material 108, as shown in fig. 1A), and so forth. Moreover, as shown in fig. 1A and 1B, upper 102 may define an ankle opening 110, and if desired, a comfort-enhancing foam or fabric loop 112 may be disposed around ankle opening 110. The bottom surface of the upper may include an interior strobel member that connects the medial side and the lateral side (e.g., the strobel member may be stitched to the medial side edge and the lateral side edge of the upper).

The multi-layer upper construction may be produced in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including in conventional manners as are known and used in the footwear art. For example, if desired, the skin layer 106 may be made of a "stitchless" type material that may be adhered to the underlying mesh layer 108 (or other layer) in a conventional manner (e.g., by application of heat and/or pressure) using an adhesive or hot melt material. As further examples, the skin layer 106 may be joined with the underlying mesh layer 108 (or other layers) by glue or adhesive and/or by stitched seams, if desired. As still further examples, if desired, upper 106 (or portions thereof) may be constructed by joining the various layers of material using a fusing technique, for example, as described in U.S. patent application publication No. 2011/0088282 and U.S. patent application publication No. 2011/0088285 (each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

Upper 102 may include other support elements at desired locations (e.g., sandwiched between outer skin layer 106 and underlying mesh layer 108). For example, as shown in fig. 1A and 1B, a heel counter 114 may be provided in the heel region to provide more support to the heel of the wearer. The heel counter 114 may be made of a rigid, thin plastic material, such as PEBAX, TPU, or other polymeric material, and it may include one or more openings (e.g., to control flexibility, breathability, support characteristics; to reduce weight; etc.). Additional supports may be provided in other areas of the shoe 100, if necessary or desired, such as in the forefoot or toe areas (to provide protection and wear resistance, etc.), at the lateral side areas proximate the fifth metatarsal head, etc. The skin material 106 may be thin and comfortable enough, and may press sufficiently into the underlying material such that the outer surface of the skin material 106 conforms to the surface characteristics of the underlying layer. In this manner, the texture of the outer surface of the underlying mesh layer 108, heel counter 114, and/or any other underlying material or structure may be visible through the epidermis layer 106, if desired.

The sole structure 104 of this example article of footwear 100 will now be described in greater detail. As shown in fig. 1A-1C, this example sole structure 104 includes a single midsole component 118 that extends in this particular structure 104 to support the entire plantar surface of the wearer's foot, i.e., from the rear heel area of the shoe 100 to the front toe area of the shoe 100 and from the lateral side edge (fig. 1A) to the medial side edge (fig. 1B) of the shoe 100. The midsole component 118 may be constructed from a foam material, such as ethylene vinyl acetate ("EVA") foam, polyurethane foam, phylon foam, and phylite foam, although other midsole configurations are possible according to some examples of this invention. In some more specific examples of the invention, the midsole member 118 will be at least partially formed from a material having a thickness of less than 0.25g/cm³(and in some examples, less than 0.2 g/cm)³At 0.075g/cm³To 0.2g/cm³And even in the range of 0.1g/cm³To 0.18g/cm³Density within the range of (a). If desired, the foam material may include one or more openings defined therein and/or another impact-attenuating member, such as a fluid-filled bag, included therein. In certain embodiments of the invention, the entire midsole component 118 will be constructed of such lightweight foam material (e.g., having density characteristics as described above) and will extend to support the full foot (e.g., the full plantar surface) of the wearer. In the example of fig. 1A-1C, the foam midsole component 118 is illustrated in phantom. Alternatively, if desired, the midsole portion of the solePiece 118 may be made of multiple component midsole (e.g., foam) portions.

As some even more specific examples, at least some of the midsole components 118 may be made from a foam material such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,941,938, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, in at least some example footwear structures 100 according to this invention, all, substantially all, or at least some portions of the midsole components 118 may include a foam material comprising the reaction product of about 10% to about 100% hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, 0% to about 40% modified hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, and 0% to about 90% α olefin copolymer, and at least one additive in an amount suitable for forming a foam material³Less than 0.20g/cm³Less than 18g/cm³Less than 0.15g/cm³Less than 0.12g/cm³And, in one aspect, about 0.10g/cm³. As an exemplary range, the foam density may fall within, for example, 0.05g/cm³To 0.25g/cm³Or within each of the ranges indicated above.

Moreover, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention, the foam material used for the midsole component 118 may have a resiliency of greater than 40%, greater than 45%, at least 50%, and in one aspect, 50% -70%. The compression set may be 60% or less, 50% or less, 45% or less, and in some cases in the range of 20% to 60%. The hardness (durometer Asker C) of the foam material for this example midsole component 118 may be, for example, 25 to 50, 25 to 45, 25 to 35, or 35 to 45, depending on the type of footwear, for example. The tensile strength of the foam material 118 may be at least 15kg/cm²And usually 15kg/cm²To 40kg/cm². The% elongation is from 150 to 500, usually above 250. The tear strength is from 6 to 15kg/cm, generally higher than 7. In at least some example configurations in accordance with this invention, at least some portions of midsole component 118The foam of (a) may have lower energy loss than conventional EVA foam and may be lighter weight than conventional EVA foam. The energy loss may be less than 30%, and optionally in the range of about 20% to about 30%. As a further example, if desired, at least some portions of the midsole member 118 may be made from a foam material in the LUNAR family for footwear products available from NIKE corporation of greater than fordon, oregon.

While the above paragraphs describe potential properties and characteristics of the foam material for the midsole component 118 according to some examples of this invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that the midsole component 118 may have other desired characteristics, features, and/or combinations of features without departing from this invention. Other lightweight foams may also be used. Due to the cage component described in greater detail below, the lightweight foam midsole component 118 need not have sufficient stiffness, durability, and/or abrasion resistance to contact the ground in use.

Fig. 1A-1C also show that the midsole component 118 is partially covered by a plurality of "cage components" in various areas. These cage components protect the lightweight foam midsole material 118 and provide the necessary degree of hardness, durability, and/or abrasion resistance to engage the ground. Four cage members are shown in the exemplary configuration of fig. 1A-1C, namely: (a) a rear heel cage component 120a (covering a portion of the rear heel area of the foam midsole component 118); (b) a forward heel cage component 120b (covering a portion of the forward heel area of the foam midsole component 118); (c) a midfoot cage component 120c (covering a portion of the midfoot region of the foam midsole component 118); and (d) a forefoot cage component 120d (covering a portion of the forefoot region of the foam midsole component 118). As best shown in fig. 1C, each of these example cage components 120a, 120b, 120C, and 120d includes a portion that extends in a continuous or uninterrupted manner from the lateral side (lateral side) of the sole structure 104 to the medial side (medial side) of the sole structure 104. Although cage members 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d may be made of any desired material and/or have any desired characteristics without departing from this invention, some example footwear pieces according to this inventionIn structure 100, cage components 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d may be made of the same or different materials, and optionally, each may be made at least partially of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: ethylene vinyl acetate foam, polyurethane foam, phylon foam, phylite material, and rubber material. In some examples of the invention, the cage members 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d may be at least partially formed from a foam material having a density higher than a density of a foam material of the midsole member 118 (and, as some more specific examples, from a foam material having a density greater than 0.2g/cm³And in some examples greater than 0.25g/cm³Ethylene vinyl acetate foam, polyurethane foam and/or phylon foam, and/or from materials similar to the skin material described in U.S. patent No. 7,941,938). The material of the cage member at one location may be different (e.g., in terms of density, hardness, abrasion resistance, color, thickness, etc.) from the material of the cage member at another location to provide the desired performance at the desired location. A cage member may be positioned around sole structure 104 so as to act as a primary ground-contacting element for sole structure 104.

If desired, cage components 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d may be sized, shaped, and oriented, according to at least some examples of this invention, to provide more natural bending and motion to the footwear and/or overall sole structure 104 (e.g., to facilitate bending of sole structure 104 in a manner that more closely corresponds with the natural motion of the foot). For example, as shown in fig. 1C, a space 122 is provided between the rear heel cage component 120a and the front heel cage component 120b such that the outer surface of the foam midsole component 118 (both its bottom surface and side surfaces) may be exposed at the space 122. Similarly, a space 124 exists between the forward heel cage component 120b and the midfoot cage component 120c such that the outer surface of the foam midsole component 118 (both its bottom and side surfaces) may be exposed at this space 124. A third space 126 exists between the midfoot cage component 120c and the forefoot cage component 120, and the outer surface of the foam midsole component 118 (both its bottom and side surfaces) may be exposed at this space 126. Spaces 122, 124, and 126 include at least some portions that extend continuously (and uninterrupted) in a substantially lateral direction from the medial side to the lateral side of sole structure 104. In this manner, the spaces 122, 124, and 126 provide generally transverse bend lines between the cage members that define the spaces. The lateral directional extent of these intervals 122, 124, and 126 in the illustrated example is provided at locations corresponding to the natural flexion area of the foot, e.g., during a normal walking or running step cycle. Furthermore, in this illustrated example 100, forefoot cage component 120d includes a thinned or recessed lateral region 128 that also functions as a flexion line for the forefoot region of sole structure 104. Alternatively, if desired, all or some portions of the thinned or recessed lateral region 128 of the forefoot cage component 120d may be eliminated to thereby expose the midsole component 118 and divide the forefoot cage component 120 into two (or more) separate cages.

The spacing 122, 124, and/or 126 between adjacent cage members 120a, 120b, 120c, and/or 120d is not limited to the spacing of relatively narrow straight lines bounding the flexion lines. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C, cage members 120a and 120b have a generally U-shaped perimeter such that a middle portion of the gap 122 is generally larger than the narrow linear section. Specifically, as shown in fig. 1C, the relatively close spacing 122 between the cage members 120a and 120b opens out or changes to a large open area 122a in which the bottom of the midsole member 118 is exposed 122 a. In this illustrated example, the outer surface of the foam midsole component 118 exposed in the first space 122 has a maximum or overall length dimension L in the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and/or sole structure that is greater than a maximum or overall width dimension W in the lateral direction of the article of footwear and/or sole structure. See fig. 1D. In contrast, in this illustrated example, the outer surface 124a of the foam midsole component 118 exposed in the second space 124 has a maximum or overall width dimension in the lateral direction of the article of footwear and/or sole structure that is greater than a maximum or overall length dimension in the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and/or sole structure. Moreover, an outer surface 126a of the foam midsole component 118 exposed in the third space 126 includes a generally U-shaped perimeter P (fig. 1D).

The cage members 120 a-120 d may be engaged with the foam midsole member 118 (and/or any other portion of the footwear structure 100) in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including in conventional manners as are known and used in the art. As some more specific examples, if desired, the foam midsole component 118 may be molded (e.g., by injection molding, compression molding, blow molding, etc.) to include recesses shaped like the interface surfaces of the cage components 120 a-120 d such that the cage components 120 a-120 d fit within the recesses and become engaged therein (e.g., by a glue or adhesive, by a mechanical connector, by a fusing technique, etc.). The cage members 120 a-120 d may also be formed by a molding process such as, for example, those mentioned above. The various portions may be suitably shaped such that at least some portions of the exposed bottom and/or side surfaces of the midsole component 118 are recessed in the overall sole structure 104 relative to the adjacent bottom and/or side surfaces of the cage components 120 a-120 d (such that the cage components 120 a-120 d have increased interaction with the ground as compared to the midsole component 118). At least some portions of the bottom surfaces 122a, 124a, and 126a may be recessed from the bottom surfaces of adjacent cage members 120 a-120 d. Additional recesses formed in the bottom surface 126a of the midsole component 118 may also be positioned to provide thinned midsole areas at selected areas to better support bending in a generally longitudinal and/or lateral direction (e.g., between adjacent outsole components as described in greater detail below).

In addition to providing the flexion advantage, providing the outer protective cage as a separate or spaced apart cage component results in a significant weight savings for the overall sole structure (as compared to a cage component that completely covers the midsole component 118), while also providing a sufficiently durable, strong, and wear resistant sole structure 104. In this illustrated structure, the midsole component 118 is sufficiently covered by the cage component at areas of stress and wear to enhance the useful life of the sole structure and remain exposed and/or recessed, for example, at areas that are typically exposed to less stress and/or wear.

Additional features may be provided to improve wear resistance and traction. In this illustrated structure 100, the bottom surface of sole structure 104 includes a plurality of separate outsole components that are designed to directly contact the ground or other contact surface in use. While any desired number, shape, and/or positioning of outsole components may be used without departing from this invention, this illustrated example sole structure 104 includes seven outsole components mounted on cage components 120a through 120d, namely: (a) rear heel outsole component 130a (which in this example extends around the rear heel from the lateral side to the medial side); (b) forward lateral heel outsole component 130 b; (c) lateral midfoot outsole component 130 c; (d) medial midfoot outsole component 130 d; (f) lateral forefoot outsole component 130 e; (f) medial forefoot outsole component 130 f; and (g) a forward forefoot outsole component 130g (which, in this example, extends from the lateral side to the medial side around the toe region). These outsole components are relatively thin disc or plate-like members that engage in recesses or other structures molded into the exterior surface of the cage component with which they engage.

Additional outsole components may be provided, for example, directly on the exposed outer surface of midsole component 118, if desired. This is illustrated in the example sole structure 104 of fig. 1C by outsole components 130h, 130i, 130j, and 130k being disposed on surface 126a of compartment 126 (e.g., on raised areas and/or compartments of midsole component 118 within compartment 126).

Outsole elements 130a through 130k are illustrated in FIG. 1C by hatching that extends only in a generally lateral direction. This hatching may also be considered to represent any desired type of traction enhancing structure, pattern or configuration, including, for example: raised ridges, recessed grooves, voids, cleats, nubs, pyramids, truncated pyramids, cones, truncated cones, or other traction elements. More or fewer outsole components may be included in sole structure 104 without departing from this invention, and/or some of the identified outsole components may be combined into a single outsole component, if desired.

Any desired material may be used for outsole components 130a through 130k without departing from this invention, including outsole materials as conventionally known and used in the art. Examples include: rubber-containing materials, thermoplastic polyurethane-containing materials, phylon, phylite, other plastics, and the like. Outsole components 130a through 130k may be manufactured by any desired method, including molding methods as conventionally known and used in the art. The outsole components 130 a-130 k may be shaped to fit within recessed areas or receptacles formed (e.g., molded) into the outer surfaces of the cage components 120 a-120 d and/or the midsole component 118; and may be secured to the recessed area or receptacle in any desired manner, including using cements or adhesives, mechanical connectors, fusing techniques, and the like. The outsole members 130a through 130k may have any desired thickness, such as from about 1/8 inches to about 1/2 inches.

Some exposed areas of the bottom surface of cage components 120 a-120 d may include surfaces that may contact the ground without the outsole elements engaging them. Examples of such regions are shown as regions 132a, 132b, and 132C in fig. 1A-1C (and identified by the cross-lateral and longitudinal hatching in fig. 1C). These areas 132 a-132 c may have sufficient height to engage the ground, but may receive less wear (and thus do not require as much additional protection of the outsole component). If desired, the exposed surfaces of regions 132a, 132b, and 132c may include traction elements of various types, such as those described above. Alternatively, if desired, these areas may be treated in other ways (e.g., by coating or impregnating the foam with a hardener or the like) to increase hardness, abrasion resistance, wear resistance, and the like.

In this illustrated example structure 104, region 132a is located on a forward heel region of the lateral side of sole structure 104, and region 132b is located on a forward heel region of the medial side of sole structure 104. In the foot cycle, the user typically falls on the lateral side of the shoe and the shoe heel, and as the step progresses, weight is transferred forward and toward the medial side of the foot. Accordingly, regions 132a and 132b may receive less impact force and/or support less weight during a gait cycle than other regions of the foot, and/or may be substantially protected from excessive wear by adjacent outsole components 130a and 130 b. The absence of the outsole component at these areas 132a and 132b may also provide a somewhat softer and more comfortable overall ground contact feel. Area 132c may also be substantially protected from excessive wear by the surrounding portions of outsole component 130g (note how outsole component 130g partially surrounds (e.g., on three sides) exposed forefoot cage area 132 c). Since region 132c is located under the big toe (which is normally used to propel the foot into the next step), the absence of the outsole component at region 132c provides a comfortable softer feel for the push-off or toe-off phase of the step valve cycle. Fewer outsole components will also generally reduce the weight of the sole structure.

While one exemplary arrangement is shown in fig. 1A-1C, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various cage members, outsole members, and/or exposed bottom midsole regions may vary widely in size, shape, orientation, arrangement, and/or number without departing from the invention.

Fig. 1A-1B illustrate another feature that may be included in a sole structure 104 in accordance with at least some examples of this invention. As shown in these figures, at least some portions of the outer edges or sides of the various cage components 120 a-120 d may include a "billowed structure" 134. The term "billowed structure" as used herein means that the outer surface shape of the element has the outer surface shape of a billow (e.g., a wave-like structure having a series of wave crests (outermost portion) and troughs between the wave crests). In the sole structure, the "billowed structure" need not expand and compress in the same manner as a conventional billows. In the illustrated example 104, each of the cage components 120 a-120 d has a series of two billows 134 (e.g., looking like two stacked disks). These billows 134 are positioned such that the highest billows 134 of the cage components 120 a-120 d are located adjacent an additional billowed structure 136 disposed along an upper edge of the foam midsole component 118 (optionally, to give the appearance of an overall consistent billows structure in the top-to-bottom direction).

The size, number, shape, and/or other characteristics of billowed structures 134 may be selected to control the feel of the article of footwear. Generally, a deeper billow (i.e., a larger dimension from a wave crest to the bottom of an adjacent wave trough) will provide a more responsive feel (e.g., faster return to original shape). The size, density, and/or stiffness of midsole component 118 and/or cage components 120 a-120 d may also be controlled so as to achieve control over the feel of sole structure 104 to the wearer's foot.

Although any desired type of upper 102 may be included in the footwear structures described above, fig. 1A and 1B, along with fig. 2A and 2B, provide additional details regarding a portion of an upper construction 102 that may be included in an article of footwear 100 in accordance with at least some examples of this invention. As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, upper 102 includes an instep opening having a plurality of lace engaging elements 202 on both a lateral side and a medial side of the instep opening. These lace engaging elements 202 may be holes in the material of the upper that are optionally reinforced with metal or plastic eyelets and/or a tear resistant support material 204, which may constitute another layer of upper material (surrounding the lace engaging area 202, as shown in fig. 1A and 1B). In this illustrated example, the tear-resistant support material 204 constitutes an additional layer of upper material that is fused (e.g., heat-fused) or adhesively bonded to the exterior of the mesh material 108 that makes up the upper member 102 at the identified locations. As is conventional, a tongue member 206 may be provided to help regulate the pressure and feel of the lace 208 when the lace 208 is tightened on the wearer's foot. Tongue member 206 may be engaged with upper 102 by stitching (e.g., see stitch lines 240), by a fusing technique, etc., and/or it may be formed as a unitary piece with some other portion of upper 102. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, an interior bootie element may be provided within the footwear interior, and this bootie element may at least partially regulate the pressure and feel associated with the tightened lace 208.

Although also shown in fig. 1A and 1B, fig. 2A provides an enlarged view of the area surrounding a single lace engaging element 202. As shown in these figures, to further support the lace on each of the lateral and medial sides of the shoe and provide a tight, snug fit (e.g., a wrap-around fit) around the wearer's foot, at least one of the lace engaging elements 202 includes at least one elongated wire or textile component 210a that loops around the lace engaging element 202. In the illustrated example, several of the lace engaging elements 202 (eyelets) include two separate elongated wire or textile components (210a and 210b) looped around the lace engaging elements 202 to support the upper material and the lace 208. Any desired number of elongated wire or textile components may be disposed about a single lace engaging element 202 without departing from this invention (e.g., one to four).

Fig. 2B shows a view similar to that of fig. 2A, except that in the configuration shown in fig. 2B, the inner elongated wire or textile component 210a crosses itself below the lace engaging elements 202 and also wraps around the top of the lace engaging elements 202. Additionally or alternatively, the outer elongated wires or outer elongated textile components 210b may cross in the same manner, if desired. As a further alternative, the elongated wire or textile components 210a and/or 210b may be looped around the lace engaging elements 202 multiple times, if desired. As another alternative, if desired, the elongated wire or textile component may extend around two or more adjacent lace engaging elements 202 on one side of the shoe (e.g., such that the elongated wire or textile component extends around a first side of a first lace engaging element, along the upper to a next adjacent lace engaging element, and around an opposite side of the next adjacent lace engaging element (or lace engaging element further down the wire).

The elongated wire or textile elements 210a and/or 210b may be made of any desired material, including one-dimensional rope materials that can withstand tensile forces and resist stretching in the direction of the tensile forces (at least with respect to the tensile forces expected in this environment). As used with respect to the present disclosure, the term "one-dimensional" material (or variants thereof) is intended to encompass generally elongated materials exhibiting a length that is substantially greater than a width and a thickness. Thus, suitable materials for the elongated wire or textile element set forth herein include various filaments, fibers, yarns, wires, cables, or ropes formed from rayon, nylon, polyester, polyacrylic, silk, cotton, carbon, glass, aramid (e.g., para-aramid and meta-aramid fibers), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, liquid crystal polymer, copper, aluminum, and steel. While filaments have an infinite length and may be used individually as a cord according to embodiments set forth herein, fibers have a relatively short length and are typically subjected to a spinning or twisting process to produce a cord of suitable length. The individual filaments used in the tensile cords as set forth herein may be formed from a single material (i.e., monocomponent filaments) or from multiple materials (e.g., bicomponent filaments). Similarly, different elongate shapes may be formed of different materials. As an example, a yarn for a tensile strand may include filaments that are each formed of a common material; filaments each formed of two or more different materials may be included; or may comprise filaments each formed from two or more different materials. Similar concepts apply to sutures, cables or ropes. For example, the thickness (e.g., diameter) of each of the elongated wire or textile elements may also vary significantly, e.g., ranging from 0.03 millimeters to 5 millimeters or more. The elongated wire or textile elements 210a and/or 210b may exhibit any of the sizes, shapes, and/or configurations disclosed in, for example, U.S. patent application No. 13/529,381 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), filed on 21/6/2012 and entitled "food incorporation method TENSILE STRANDELEMENTS".

The elongated wire or textile elements 210a and 210b may be engaged with and/or incorporated into the upper 102 in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including in the various manners disclosed in the above-referenced U.S. patent application No. 13/529,381. As some more specific examples, the elongated wire or textile components 210a and 210b may be engaged with the tear resistant support material 204 by embroidery, by sewing or stitching, or the like, the tear resistant support material 204 being provided with the upper 102. In the illustrated example, as shown in fig. 2A, the elongated wire or textile components 210a and 210b are engaged with the upper 102 at the area including the tear resistant support material 204 by one or more embroidered or stitched threads 212. In this illustrated embodiment, at least some of the elongated wire or textile components 210a and/or 210b (and optionally all of these components) looped around the lace receiving openings or eyelets 202 include a first portion that is secured to the outer surface of the upper 102 (in this example, on the tear resistant support material 204) and a second portion that is not secured to the outer surface of the upper 102 (below the tear resistant support material 204). Thus, in this illustrated example structure, the elongated wire or textile components 210a and 210b may be free to separate from the upper 102 at a location below the tear resistant support material 204.

In the illustrated example, the elongated wire or textile component 210a is contained entirely within the space or region defined by the elongated wire or textile component 210 b. Other arrangements are possible, for example, where the elongated wire or textile components 210a and 210b cross each other. Also, in these illustrated examples, each lace engaging element 202 having an elongated wire or textile component associated therewith includes a pair of elongated wire or textile components 210a and 210 b. This is also not a requirement. Different lace engaging elements may include different numbers and/or arrangements of elongated wire or textile components without departing from this invention. Some lace engaging elements 202 may not have associated threads or textile components, if desired. Also, if desired, the elongated wire or textile components 210a and 210b associated with one lace engaging element 202 may cross one or more of the elongated wire or textile components 210a and/or 210b associated with other lace engaging elements 202 (e.g., immediately adjacent to lace engaging elements 202). Numerous specific arrangements and orientations of the elongated wire or textile components are possible without departing from this invention. The arrangement, color, and/or other features of the elongated wire or textile components (e.g., crossing, overlapping, etc.) may be selected to also produce a desired aesthetic appearance.

Fig. 1A and 1B illustrate additional features of elongated wire or textile elements 210a and 210B that may be included in upper structures 102 in accordance with at least some examples of this invention. As shown in these figures, at least some of the elongated wire or textile components 210a and 210b may include: (a) a first end located between the upper 102 and the upper surface of the foam midsole component 118, (b) a second end located between the upper 102 and the upper surface of the foam midsole component 118, and (c) a middle portion between the first and second ends that loops around the lace support member 202 (e.g., an opening or eyelet). In this illustrated example, areas of the elongated wire or textile elements 210a and 210b near their ends (e.g., near the foam midsole component 118) may be covered by the skin layer 106.

In production, the elongated wire or textile components 210a and/or 210b may: (a) engaged around lace support members 202 at their mid-portions (e.g., by embroidery, stitching, sewing, etc.), (b) at least slightly stretched or tensioned (e.g., to eliminate excess slack), and then (c) secured between mesh material 108 and skin layer 106 of the upper, e.g., by adhesives or cements, by fusion bonding techniques, etc. Once the upper is created, it may be engaged around the last such that the elongated wire or textile components 210a and/or 210b are wrapped around the sides of the last into position under the last. The elongated wire or textile component may be engaged around the lateral side of any strobel member included as part of upper structure 102. The elongated wire or textile components 210a and/or 210b may then be secured between the upper 102 and the top surface of the midsole component 118, such as by glue or adhesive. Other structures, techniques, and/or ordering of steps are possible without departing from the invention. As another potential alternative, if desired, the elongated wire or textile components 210a and/or 210b may extend completely across the bottom surface of the upper such that a single elongated wire or textile component 210a and/or 210b loops around one or more lace engaging supports 202 on both the medial and lateral sides of the shoe. Thus, if desired, at least some of the elongated wire or textile components may constitute a continuous loop that extends around lace-receiving elements 202 on both sides of the upper to encircle the foot of the wearer.

By extending at least partially under the plantar surface of the foot, when lace 208 is pulled and tightened, elongated wire or textile components 210a and/or 210b help wrap the upper around the foot to thereby provide a tight, snug, and supportive fit around the foot. Alternatively, if desired, the elongated wire or textile components 210a and/or 210b may be omitted, and/or other upper configurations 102 may be used with the sole structure 104 described above without departing from this invention.

As mentioned above, other arrangements of the elongated wire or textile components 210a and/or 210b may be provided in the upper structure 102, if desired, without departing from this invention. Fig. 2B shows an arrangement in which the inner elongated wire or textile component 210a crosses itself at a location below the lace support component 202. This member 210a may cross itself multiple times if desired, and/or it may cross an elongated wire or textile member 210b (or one or more adjacent elongated wire or textile members 210a and/or 210 b). Likewise, if desired, the elongated wire or textile component 210b may cross itself one or more times at a location below the lace support component 202, and/or it may cross the elongated wire or textile components 210a and/or 210b of adjacent lace support structures 202.

Fig. 3 includes a bottom view of an article of footwear 300 similar to the article of footwear shown in fig. 1C, but with another example sole structure 304. Where fig. 3 includes the same reference numerals as those shown in fig. 1C, the same or similar parts are intended, and detailed description thereof may be omitted (or at least abbreviated).

One primary difference between sole structure 104 shown in fig. 1C and sole structure 304 shown in fig. 3 is that sole structure 304 of fig. 3 includes features that further increase the relative flexibility in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the flexibility of the medial side and the lateral side of sole structure 304 with respect to each other). This improved lateral-to-medial flexibility is achieved by splitting one or more of the cage components (e.g., by eliminating at least some of the cage material in the longitudinal direction at and/or near the area along the longitudinal axis of the shoe 300 and sole structure 304).

As a more specific example, as shown in fig. 3, instead of a single rear heel cage component 120a in the structure of fig. 3, the rear heel cage component includes a lateral rear heel cage component 320a1 that covers a lateral rear heel area of the foam midsole component 118 and a medial rear heel cage component 320a2 that covers a medial rear heel area of the foam midsole component 118. The rear heel outsole component is also split into two parts in this illustrated example structure 304, namely outsole components 330a1 and 330a2 shown in fig. 3. These features leave voids 350 at the terminal rear heel area where the outer surface of the foam midsole component 118 is exposed. This void 350 helps provide improved flexibility of the sole structure 304 in a generally longitudinal direction at the heel region.

Additionally or alternatively, as also shown in fig. 3, the forward heel cage component of this illustrated structure 304 is also provided in two parts, namely: lateral forward heel cage component 320b1 (which covers the lateral forward heel portion of midsole component 118) and medial forward heel cage component 320b2 (which covers the medial forward heel portion of midsole component 118). This configuration exposes a relatively large central heel portion of the midsole component 118 between the interior sides of the forward heel cage components 320b1 and 320b 2.

As another additional or alternative feature, in the example sole structure 304 illustrated herein, the midfoot cage component is also provided in two parts, namely: a lateral midfoot cage component 320c1 (which covers a lateral midfoot portion of the foam midsole component 118) and a medial midfoot cage component 320c2 (which covers a medial midfoot portion of the midsole component 118). This configuration exposes a relatively large central midfoot portion of the midsole component 118 between the interior sides of the midfoot cage components 320c1 and 320c 2. As shown in fig. 3, the combined effect of the separate forward heel cage components 320b1, 320b2 and midfoot cage components 320c1, 320c2 is that in this example structure 304 a large central portion of the midsole component 118 is exposed, extending continuously from the rear heel area to the forefoot region.

Although not shown in the configuration of fig. 3, if desired, as an additional or alternative feature, the forefoot cage component 120d may also be made from a plurality of separate portions, optionally with a separation between the portions disposed in a generally longitudinal and/or transverse direction (e.g., in place of the thinned region 128).

In addition to increasing longitudinal flexibility (e.g., as weight is transferred from the lateral side of the foot to the medial side of the foot during a gait cycle), the sole structure 304 of fig. 3 may be somewhat lighter than the structure of fig. 1C due to the reduced amount of cage component material and/or outsole component material. Although it may have the same upper 102 and/or various types of upper characteristics described above in connection with fig. 1A-2B, any other desired upper configuration may be used with sole structure 304 without departing from this invention.

Conclusion III

The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:

a foam midsole component having less than 0.25g/cm³The foam midsole component extending from a heel region to a forefoot region;

a first rear heel cage component that is different from the foam midsole component and covers side and bottom regions of a rear heel region of the foam midsole component, wherein the first rear heel cage component is at least partially formed of a foam material;

a first forward heel cage component that is different from the foam midsole component and covers side and bottom regions of a forward heel region of the foam midsole component, wherein a first spacing exists between the first rear heel cage component and the first forward heel cage component, wherein the first forward heel cage component is formed at least in part from a foam material;

a first midfoot cage component different from the foam midsole component and covering a lateral region and a bottom region of a midfoot region of the foam midsole component, wherein a second space exists between the first forward heel cage component and the first midfoot cage component, wherein the first midfoot cage component is at least partially formed of a foam material; and

a first forefoot cage component different from the foam midsole component and covering side and bottom regions of a forefoot region of the foam midsole component, wherein a third space exists between the first midfoot cage component and the first forefoot cage component, wherein the first forefoot cage component is formed at least in part from a foam material.

2. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising:

a second rear heel cage component that is different from the foam midsole component and covers side and bottom areas of the rear heel region of the foam midsole component, wherein the second rear heel cage component is at least partially formed from a foam material, and wherein the first rear heel cage component is positioned on a lateral side of the sole structure and the second rear heel cage component is positioned on a medial side of the sole structure.

3. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising:

a second forward heel cage component that is different from the foam midsole component and covers side and bottom regions of the forward heel region of the foam midsole component, wherein the second forward heel cage component is at least partially formed from a foam material, and wherein the first forward heel cage component is positioned on a lateral side of the sole structure and the second forward heel cage component is positioned on a medial side of the sole structure.

4. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising:

a second midfoot cage component different from the foam midsole component and covering side and bottom areas of the midfoot region of the foam midsole component, wherein the second midfoot cage component is at least partially formed of a foam material, and wherein the first midfoot cage component is positioned on a lateral side of the sole structure and the second midfoot cage component is positioned on a medial side of the sole structure.

5. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising:

a second forward heel cage component that is different from the foam midsole component and covers side and bottom regions of the forward heel region of the foam midsole component, wherein the second forward heel cage component is at least partially formed of a foam material, and wherein the first forward heel cage component is positioned on a lateral side of the sole structure and the second forward heel cage component is positioned on a medial side of the sole structure; and

a second midfoot cage component different from the foam midsole component and covering side and bottom areas of the midfoot area of the foam midsole component, wherein the second midfoot cage component is at least partially formed of a foam material, and wherein the first midfoot cage component is positioned on the lateral side of the sole structure and the second midfoot cage component is positioned on the medial side of the sole structure.

6. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein the first rear heel cage component extends from a lateral side to a medial side of the sole structure, wherein the first forward heel cage component extends from the lateral side to the medial side of the sole structure, wherein the first midfoot cage component extends from the lateral side to the medial side of the sole structure, and wherein the first forefoot cage component extends from the lateral side to the medial side of the sole structure.

7. A sole structure according to claim 6, wherein the first space includes a portion that extends in a substantially lateral direction from the medial side to the lateral side of the sole structure so as to provide a substantially lateral flexion line between the first rear heel cage component and the first forward heel cage component.

8. A sole structure according to claim 6, wherein the second spacing includes a portion that extends in a substantially lateral direction from the medial side to the lateral side of the sole structure so as to provide a substantially lateral flexion line between the first forward heel cage component and the first midfoot cage component.

9. A sole structure according to claim 6, wherein the third space includes a portion that extends in a substantially lateral direction from the medial side to the lateral side of the sole structure so as to provide a substantially lateral flexion line between the first midfoot cage component and the first forefoot cage component.

10. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising:

a first outsole component engaged with a bottom surface of the first rear heel cage component;

a second outsole component engaged with a bottom surface of the first forward heel cage component;

a third outsole component engaged at a lateral side of the first midfoot cage component;

a fourth outsole component engaged at a medial side of the first midfoot cage component; and

a fifth outsole component engaged with the first forefoot cage component.

11. A sole structure according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first outsole component, the second outsole component, the third outsole component, the fourth outsole component, and the fifth outsole component includes a rubber material.

12. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising:

a first outsole component engaged with a bottom surface of the foam midsole component within the third space.

13. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of separate outsole components engaged with the bottom surface of the foam midsole component within the third space.

14. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein the first rear heel cage component includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of: ethylene vinyl acetate foam, polyurethane foam, and rubber materials.

15. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein the first forward heel cage component includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of: ethylene vinyl acetate foam and polyurethane foam.

16. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first midfoot cage component comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of: ethylene vinyl acetate foam and polyurethane foam.

17. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first forefoot cage component includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of: ethylene vinyl acetate foam and polyurethane foam.

18. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first rear heel cage component, the first forward heel cage component, the first midfoot cage component, or the first forefoot cage component is at least partially formed from a foam material having a higher density than a density of the foam midsole component.

19. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an outer side edge of the first rear heel cage component includes a billowed structure.

20. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an outer side edge of the first forward heel cage component includes a billowed structure.

21. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an outer side edge of the first midfoot cage component includes a billowed structure.

22. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an outer side edge of the first forefoot cage component includes a billowed structure.

23. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an outer side edge of the first rear heel cage component includes a billowed structure, and wherein an upper edge of the foam midsole component includes a billowed structure adjacent the billowed structure of the first rear heel cage component.

24. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an outer side edge of the first forward heel cage component includes a billowed structure, and wherein an upper edge of the foam midsole component includes a billowed structure adjacent the billowed structure of the first forward heel cage component.

25. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an outer side edge of the first midfoot cage component includes a billowed structure, and wherein an upper edge of the foam midsole component includes a billowed structure adjacent the billowed structure of the first midfoot cage component.

26. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an outer side edge of the first forefoot cage component includes a billowed structure, and wherein an upper edge of the foam midsole component includes a billowed structure adjacent the billowed structure of the first forefoot cage component.

27. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the foam midsole component exposed in the first space has an overall length dimension in a longitudinal direction of the article of footwear that is greater than an overall width dimension in a lateral direction of the article of footwear.

28. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the foam midsole component exposed in the third space includes a substantially U-shaped perimeter.

29. A sole structure according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the foam midsole component exposed in the second space has an overall width dimension in a lateral direction of the article of footwear that is greater than an overall length dimension in a longitudinal direction of the article of footwear.

30. A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:

a foam midsole component having less than 0.25g/cm³The foam midsole component extending continuously from a rear heel region to a forward forefoot region;

a rear heel cage component that is different from the foam midsole component and covers side and bottom regions of a rear heel region of the foam midsole component, wherein the rear heel cage component extends from a lateral side to a medial side of the sole structure, wherein the rear heel cage component is at least partially formed from a foam material having a higher density than a density of the foam midsole component;

a forward heel cage component that is different from the foam midsole component and covers a side area and a bottom area of a forward heel region of the foam midsole component, wherein the forward heel cage component extends from the lateral side to the medial side of the sole structure, wherein a first spacing exists between the rear heel cage component and the forward heel cage component, wherein an outer surface of the foam midsole component is exposed at the first spacing, and wherein the forward heel cage component is at least partially formed from a foam material having a higher density than a density of the foam midsole component;

a midfoot cage component that is different from the foam midsole component and covers a lateral side area and a bottom area of a midfoot area of the foam midsole component, wherein the midfoot cage component extends from the lateral side to the medial side of the sole structure, wherein a second space exists between the forward heel cage component and the midfoot cage component, wherein the outer surface of the foam midsole component is exposed at the second space, and wherein the midfoot cage component is at least partially formed of a foam material having a higher density than a density of the foam midsole component; and

a forefoot cage component that is different from the foam midsole component and covers side and bottom areas of a forefoot region of the foam midsole component, wherein the forefoot cage component extends from the lateral side to the medial side of the sole structure, wherein a third space exists between the midfoot cage component and the forefoot cage component, wherein the outer surface of the foam midsole component is exposed at the third space, and wherein the forefoot cage component is formed at least in part from a foam material having a higher density than a density of the foam midsole component.

31. The sole structure of claim 30, further comprising:

a first outsole component engaged with a bottom surface of the rear heel cage component;

a second outsole component engaged with a bottom surface of the forward heel cage component;

a third outsole component engaged at a lateral side of the midfoot cage component;

a fourth outsole component engaged at a medial side of the midfoot cage component; and

a fifth outsole component engaged with the forefoot cage component.

32. A sole structure according to claim 31, wherein at least one of the first outsole component, the second outsole component, the third outsole component, the fourth outsole component, and the fifth outsole component includes a rubber material.

33. The sole structure of claim 30, further comprising:

34. The sole structure of claim 30, further comprising:

35. A sole structure according to claim 30, wherein each of the rear heel cage component, the forward heel cage component, the midfoot cage component, and the forefoot cage component includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of: ethylene vinyl acetate foam and polyurethane foam.

36. A sole structure according to claim 30, wherein at least a portion of an outer side edge of the rear heel cage component includes a billowed structure, wherein at least a portion of an outer side edge of the front heel cage component includes a billowed structure, wherein at least a portion of an outer side edge of the midfoot cage component includes a billowed structure, and wherein at least a portion of an outer side edge of the forefoot cage component includes a billowed structure.

37. A sole structure according to claim 36, wherein an upper edge of the foam midsole component includes a continuous billowed structure adjacent the billowed structures of the rear heel cage component, the front heel cage component, the midfoot cage component, and the forefoot cage component.

38. A sole structure according to claim 30, wherein the outer surface of the foam midsole component exposed in the first space has an overall length dimension in a longitudinal direction of the article of footwear that is greater than an overall width dimension in a lateral direction of the article of footwear.

39. A sole structure according to claim 30, wherein the outer surface of the foam midsole component exposed in the third space includes a substantially U-shaped perimeter.

40. A sole structure according to claim 30, wherein the outer surface of the foam midsole component exposed in the second space has an overall width dimension in a lateral direction of the article of footwear that is greater than an overall length dimension in a longitudinal direction of the article of footwear.

41. An article of footwear comprising:

a shoe upper; and

the sole structure of claim 1, engaged with the upper.

42. The article of footwear recited in claim 41, wherein the upper includes an instep opening that includes a plurality of lateral lace support elements on a lateral side of the instep opening and a plurality of medial lace support elements on a medial side of the instep opening.

43. The article of footwear recited in claim 42, wherein at least one of the lateral lace support elements includes an elongated wire or textile component that is looped around a lateral lace receiving opening or eyelet, and wherein at least one of the medial lace support elements includes an elongated wire or textile component that is looped around a medial lace receiving opening or eyelet.

44. The article of footwear recited in claim 43, wherein a portion of the elongated wire or textile component looped around the lateral side lace-receiving opening or eyelet includes a first portion secured to an outer surface of the upper adjacent the lateral side lace-receiving opening or eyelet and a second portion not secured to the outer surface of the upper, and wherein a portion of the elongated wire or textile component looped around the medial side lace-receiving opening or eyelet includes a first portion secured to an outer surface of the upper adjacent the medial side lace-receiving opening or eyelet and a second portion not secured to the outer surface of the upper.

45. The article of footwear recited in claim 42, wherein at least one of the lateral lace support elements includes: (a) a first elongated wire or first elongated textile component looped around a first lateral side lace receiving opening or eyelet, and (b) a second elongated wire or second elongated textile component looped around the first lateral side lace receiving opening or eyelet; and is

Wherein at least one of the medial lace support elements comprises: (a) a third elongated wire or textile component looped around the first medial side lace receiving opening or eyelet, and (b) a fourth elongated wire or textile component looped around the first medial side lace receiving opening or eyelet.

46. The article of footwear of claim 45, wherein:

the first elongated wire or first elongated textile component comprises: (a) a first end located between the upper and an upper surface of the foam midsole component, (b) a second end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, and (c) a middle portion between the first and second ends of the first elongated wire or first elongated textile component, the middle portion looping around the first lateral side lace receiving opening or eyelet,

the second elongated wire or second elongated textile component comprises: (a) a first end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, (b) a second end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, and (c) an intermediate portion between the first and second ends of the second elongated wire or second elongated textile component that is looped around the first lateral side lace-receiving opening or eyelet,

the third elongated wire or third elongated textile component comprises: (a) a first end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, (b) a second end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, and (c) an intermediate portion between the first and second ends of the third elongated wire or third elongated textile component that is looped around the first medial side lace-receiving opening or eyelet, and

the fourth elongated wire or fourth elongated textile component comprises: (a) a first end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, (b) a second end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, and (c) an intermediate portion between the first and second ends of the fourth elongated wire or fourth elongated textile component that is looped around the first medial side lace-receiving opening or eyelet.

47. The article of footwear recited in claim 42, wherein each of the plurality of lateral lace support elements includes: (a) a first elongated wire or first elongated textile component looped around a first outer side lace receiving opening or eyelet, and (b) a second elongated wire or second elongated textile component looped around the first outer side lace receiving opening or eyelet, and

wherein each of the plurality of medial lace support elements comprises: (a) a third elongated wire or textile component looped around the first medial side lace receiving opening or eyelet, and (b) a fourth elongated wire or textile component looped around the first medial side lace receiving opening or eyelet.

48. The article of footwear of claim 47, wherein:

49. The article of footwear recited in claim 42, wherein at least one of the lateral lace support elements includes an elongate textile component that is looped around a lateral lace receiving opening or eyelet, and wherein at least one of the medial lace support elements includes an elongate textile component that is looped around a medial lace receiving opening or eyelet.

50. The article of footwear recited in claim 49, wherein a portion of the elongate textile component looped around the lateral side lace-receiving opening or eyelet includes a first portion secured to an outer surface of the upper adjacent to the lateral side lace-receiving opening or eyelet and a second portion not secured to the outer surface of the upper, and wherein a portion of the elongate textile component looped around the medial side lace-receiving opening or eyelet includes a first portion secured to an outer surface of the upper adjacent to the medial side lace-receiving opening or eyelet and a second portion not secured to the outer surface of the upper.

51. The article of footwear recited in claim 42, wherein at least one of the lateral lace support elements includes: (a) a first elongated textile component looped around a first outer side lace receiving opening or eyelet, and (b) a second elongated textile component looped around the first outer side lace receiving opening or eyelet, and

wherein at least one of the medial lace support elements comprises: (a) a third elongated textile component looped around the first inner side lace receiving opening or eyelet, and (b) a fourth elongated textile component looped around the first inner side lace receiving opening or eyelet.

52. The article of footwear of claim 51, wherein:

the first elongated textile component includes: (a) a first end located between the upper and an upper surface of the foam midsole component, (b) a second end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, and (c) a middle portion between the first and second ends of the first elongate textile component, the middle portion looped around the first lateral side lace receiving opening or eyelet,

the second elongated textile element comprises: (a) a first end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, (b) a second end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, and (c) a middle portion between the first and second ends of the second elongated textile component looped around the first lateral side lace receiving opening or eyelet,

the third elongated textile element comprises: (a) a first end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, (b) a second end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, and (c) a middle portion between the first and second ends of the third elongated textile component looped around the first medial lace-receiving opening or eyelet, and

the fourth elongated textile element comprises: (a) a first end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, (b) a second end located between the upper and the upper surface of the foam midsole component, and (c) a middle portion between the first and second ends of the fourth elongate textile component looped around the first medial lace-receiving opening or eyelet.

53. The article of footwear recited in claim 42, wherein each of the plurality of lateral lace support elements includes: (a) a first elongated textile component looped around a first outer side lace receiving opening or eyelet, and (b) a second elongated textile component looped around the first outer side lace receiving opening or eyelet, and

wherein each of the plurality of medial lace support elements comprises: (a) a third elongated textile component looped around the first inner side lace receiving opening or eyelet, and (b) a fourth elongated textile component looped around the first inner side lace receiving opening or eyelet.

54. The article of footwear of claim 53, wherein: