阅读说明：本技术 鞋底结构和包括鞋底结构的鞋制品 (Sole structure and article of footwear including the same ) 是由 托马斯·福克森 于 2015-07-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种用于鞋制品的鞋底结构和包括该鞋底结构的鞋制品。鞋底结构包括：中底,该中底具有上表面、相反的下表面以及在上表面与下表面之间延伸的外边缘,中底还包括上部部分和下部部分；插入件,该插入件具有上凸缘和下凸缘,上凸缘具有朝向中底的上部部分的周边边缘延伸的外边缘,并且下凸缘具有朝向中底的下部部分的周边边缘延伸的外边缘；插入件还包括在上凸缘与下凸缘之间延伸的一对稳定性翼状部。(A sole structure for an article of footwear and an article of footwear including the sole structure are provided. The sole structure includes: a midsole having an upper surface, an opposing lower surface, and an outer edge extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the midsole further comprising an upper portion and a lower portion; an insert having an upper flange and a lower flange, the upper flange having an outer edge extending toward a peripheral edge of an upper portion of the midsole and the lower flange having an outer edge extending toward a peripheral edge of a lower portion of the midsole; the insert also includes a pair of stability wings extending between the upper flange and the lower flange.)

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

a midsole having an upper surface, an opposing lower surface, and an outer edge extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the midsole further comprising an upper portion and a lower portion;

an insert having an upper flange and a lower flange, the upper flange having an outer edge extending toward a peripheral edge of the upper portion of the midsole and the lower flange having an outer edge extending toward a peripheral edge of the lower portion of the midsole;

the insert further includes a pair of stability wings extending between the upper flange and the lower flange.

2. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the outer edge surrounds the midsole and corresponds to an overall footprint of the article of footwear.

3. The sole structure of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer edge includes a forefoot portion in a forefoot region, a medial side portion in a medial side, a lateral side portion in a lateral side, and a heel portion in a heel region.

4. The sole structure of claim 3, wherein the outer edge has a continuously concave elongated groove extending inwardly and disposed continuously along the medial side portion, the heel portion, and the lateral side portion.

5. The sole structure of claim 4, wherein the elongated groove divides the midsole and defines the upper portion, the lower portion, and a central base portion; optionally wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are spaced apart from each other along the elongate groove and engage each other at the central base portion.

6. The sole structure of claim 4 or 5,

(i) the insert is a continuous structural member that fits into the elongated recess and extends around the medial side portion, the heel portion, and the lateral side portion;

(ii) an inner surface of the insert is secured to the outer edge within the elongated groove;

(iii) the elongated groove has a substantially V-shaped cross-section;

(iv) the insert is in contact with or secured to at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion; and/or

(v) The upper flange and the lower flange are sized to be operably received within the elongated groove.

7. The sole structure of claims 4-6, wherein the upper and lower flanges have a substantially V-shaped cross-section extending along an entire length of the elongate groove.

8. The sole structure of any preceding claim, wherein the upper flange and the lower flange are joined together at a junction area.

9. The sole structure of claim 8, wherein the horizontal flange in the junction area extends inward into the midsole; optionally wherein the horizontal flange comprises a comb-shaped region in which inward extensions are separated by gaps.

10. A sole structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the stability wing is compressible, optionally wherein the stability wing is elastically stretchable.

11. The sole structure of claim 5, wherein the upper portion is further divided into an upper medial portion, an upper lateral portion, a lower medial portion, and a lower lateral portion; optionally wherein the upper medial portion and the upper lateral portion extend upwardly and away from the central base portion, and the lower medial portion and the lower lateral portion extend downwardly and away from the central base portion.

12. The sole structure of any preceding claim, wherein a peripheral surface of the midsole tapers in a direction toward a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure and extends from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure.

13. The sole structure of claim 12, optionally wherein:

(i) the upper flange is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the midsole, and the upper flange defines a recess between the upper flange and the lower flange adjacent the lower flange;

(ii) the upper flange and the lower flange extending from the medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure;

(iii) the stability wing extends from a surface of the upper flange and a surface of the lower flange, and the stability wing has a longitudinal axis extending from the surface of the upper flange to the surface of the lower flange;

(iv) the peripheral surface extends from the medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure along a heel region of the sole structure; and/or

(v) The upper flange is attached to the lower flange at a joint, the upper flange being attached to the outer peripheral surface from the outer edge of the upper flange to the joint.

14. The sole structure of any preceding claim, optionally wherein:

(i) the lower flange is disposed closer to the ground-contacting surface of the sole structure than the upper flange;

(ii) the midsole is formed of a different material than the insert;

(iii) the insert is formed of a material that is more rigid than a material of the midsole;

(iv) the upper flange and the lower flange extend continuously from the medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure;

(v) the stability wings are formed from the same material used to form the insert;

(vi) the stability wing is integrally formed as part of the insert; and/or

(vii) One of the stability wings is disposed on the medial side and one of the stability wings is disposed on the lateral side of the sole structure.

15. An article of footwear comprising the sole structure of any of the preceding claims.

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

a midsole comprising a peripheral surface that tapers in a direction toward a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure and extends from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure;

an insert having a first flange attached to the outer surface and a second flange opposite the first flange defining a recess between a first flange surface of the first flange and a second flange surface of the second flange, the first and second flanges extending from the medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure; and

a stability wing projecting from the first and second flange surfaces and having a longitudinal axis extending from the first flange surface to the second flange surface.

17. The sole structure of claim 16, wherein the first flange is joined to the second flange to provide the insert with a generally V-shaped cross-section.

18. The sole structure according to claim 16, wherein the outer surface extends along a heel region of the sole structure from the medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure.

19. The sole structure according to claim 18, wherein the insert extends along the heel region from the medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure.

20. The sole structure of claim 16, wherein the first flange is attached to the second flange at a joint, the first flange being attached to the outer surface from an outer edge of the first flange to the joint.

21. The sole structure of claim 16, wherein the second flange is disposed closer to the ground-contacting surface of the sole structure than the first flange.

22. The sole structure according to claim 16, wherein the midsole is formed of a different material than the insert.

23. The sole structure of claim 16, wherein the insert has a greater stiffness than the midsole.

24. The sole structure according to claim 16, wherein the first and second flange surfaces extend continuously from the medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure.

25. An article of footwear comprising the sole structure of claim 16.

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

a midsole comprising a peripheral surface that tapers in a direction toward a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure and extends from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure;

an insert having a first flange attached to the outer surface and a second flange attached to the first flange to provide the insert with a generally V-shaped cross-section, the first and second flanges extending from the medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure; and

a stability wing projecting from a first flange surface of the first flange and a second flange surface of the second flange, and having a longitudinal axis extending from the first flange surface to the second flange surface.

27. The sole structure according to claim 26, wherein the first flange surface is opposite the second flange surface.

28. The sole structure according to claim 27, wherein the outer surface extends along a heel region of the sole structure from the medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure.

29. A sole structure according to claim 28, wherein the insert extends along the heel region from the medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure.

30. The sole structure of claim 26, wherein the first flange is attached to the second flange at a joint, the first flange being attached to the outer surface from an outer edge of the first flange to the joint.

31. The sole structure according to claim 26, wherein the second flange is disposed closer to a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure than the first flange.

32. The sole structure of claim 26, wherein the midsole is formed of a different material than the insert.

33. The sole structure of claim 26, wherein the insert has a greater stiffness than the midsole.

34. The sole structure according to claim 26, wherein the first and second flange surfaces extend continuously from the medial side of the sole structure to the lateral side of the sole structure.

35. An article of footwear comprising the sole structure of claim 26.

Background

Articles of footwear generally include two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper is formed from various material elements (e.g., textiles, foam, leather, and synthetic leather) that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to form a void on the interior of the footwear for comfortably and securely receiving a foot. An ankle opening through the material elements provides access to the void, thereby facilitating entry and removal of the foot from the void. In addition, laces may be used to change the size of the void and secure the foot within the void.

The sole structure is positioned adjacent to a lower portion of the upper and is generally positioned between the foot and the ground. In many articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, the sole structure generally includes an insole, a midsole, and an outsole. The insole, which may be located within the cavity and adjacent to the lower surface of the cavity, is a relatively thin compressible member that enhances footwear comfort. A midsole, which may be secured to a lower surface of the upper and extends downward from the upper, forms a middle layer of the sole structure. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces (i.e., providing cushioning to the foot), the midsole may, for example, limit the motion of the foot or impart stability. The outsole, which may be secured to the lower surface of the midsole, forms the ground-contacting portion of the footwear and is typically manufactured from a durable and wear-resistant material that is textured to enhance traction.

In general, the midsole is the primary source of cushioning for articles of footwear, and is primarily formed from a foamed polymer material, such as polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate, that extends throughout the length and width of the footwear. In some articles of footwear, the midsole may include a variety of additional footwear elements that enhance the comfort or performance of the footwear, including plates, bumpers, fluid-filled chambers, lasting elements, or motion control members. In some configurations, any of these additional footwear elements may be located between the midsole and the upper, between the midsole and the outsole, embedded within the midsole, or encapsulated by the foamed polymer material of the midsole, for example. Although many midsoles are primarily formed from foamed polymer materials, fluid-filled chambers or other non-foam structures may form a majority of some midsole configurations.

Midsoles tend to optimize support and cushioning comfort for the wearer when walking or running. Forces acting on the midsole during these activities tend to be directed vertically relative to the article of footwear as well as in the fore-aft direction. The midsole is designed to achieve predictable and consistent cushioning comfort and support when subjected to these forces.

Also common are side-to-side or "banking" sports, particularly for players such as soccer, basketball and tennis. In general, it is desirable for an athlete to quickly change his or her side-to-side direction while rolling. As a result, many athletes prefer a more stable and more supportive shoe with less cushioning during these rolling motions. However, whether walking, running, or rolling, the footwear, and particularly the midsole, tends to provide the same or similar level of cushioning and support throughout the entire range of use of the footwear.

Disclosure of Invention

The outer edge of the midsole may be modified to include an inwardly extending elongated groove having a V-shaped cross-section, and an elongated insert having a V-shaped cross-section may be secured to the groove. The insert may form an elongated spring on the medial, heel, and lateral portions of the midsole.

The support provided by the elongate insert may be particularly advantageous during "heeling" (e.g., leaning to one side or leaning toward one side from the medial or lateral side of the foot). During a rolling action, the amount of cushioning provided in the direction of the applied rolling force may decrease, while the support provided to the foot of the wearer may increase. This can improve the wearer's "feel" and response time to the ground during rolling.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole, an elongate resilient member, and an outsole. The midsole has an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, and an outer edge extending between the upper and lower surfaces. The outer edge has a forefoot portion, a heel portion, a lateral portion, and a medial portion. The midsole has an inwardly extending elongated groove disposed continuously along the medial, heel and lateral portions. An elongated spring is secured to the outer edge of the midsole along the entire length of the elongated groove. The outsole is secured to a lower surface of the midsole and forms a ground-engaging portion of the footwear.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole, an insert, and an outsole. The midsole is formed of a foamed polymer material and has an upper portion, an opposite lower portion, an inwardly extending elongated groove, and a central base portion. The upper and lower portions are spaced apart from each other along the elongate groove, and the upper and lower portions are joined to each other at the central base portion. The insert is formed of a non-foam polymeric material and has an inner surface and an opposite outer surface. An elongated groove covers the inner surface. The outsole is formed of a rubber material and is secured to a lower portion of the midsole.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has an edge insert that encircles the sole structure from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure. The edge insert has elastic properties that resist equally the vertical forces on the medial and lateral sides.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.

Drawings

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a lateral elevational view of an article of footwear having a midsole and an elongate insert.

Fig. 2 is a medial elevational view of the article of footwear.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the article of footwear as defined by section line 3-3 in figure 2.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the elongated insert.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of an elongated insert.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the midsole and elongate insert.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the article of footwear of fig. 1-6, illustrating a possible application of vertical forces.

Fig. 8-9 are cross-sectional views of an article of footwear having a midsole and an elongate insert, illustrating possible applications of lateral or heel forces.

Fig. 10-12 are cross-sectional views depicting additional articles of footwear having midsoles and elongate inserts.

Fig. 13-16 are top views corresponding to fig. 5 and depict additional configurations of the elongate insert.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view corresponding to fig. 6 and depicting an alternative configuration of the elongate insert.

Detailed Description

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose different configurations of sole structures. Concepts associated with the sole structure may be applied to a wide variety of athletic footwear styles, including basketball shoes, cross-country shoes, football shoes, golf shoes, hiking and hiking boots, ski and snowboard boots, football shoes, tennis shoes, and walking shoes, for example. Concepts associated with the sole structure may also be utilized with footwear styles that are generally considered to be non-athletic, including dress shoes, loafers, and sandals.

Overall shoe structure

Article of footwear 10 is depicted in fig. 1 and 2 as including an upper 20 and a sole structure 30. For reference purposes, as shown in FIG. 1, footwear 10 may be divided into three general regions: forefoot region 11, midfoot region 12, and heel region 13. Forefoot region 11 generally includes portions of footwear 10 corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. Midfoot region 12 generally includes portions of footwear 10 corresponding with the arch area of the foot. Heel region 13 generally includes portions of footwear 10 corresponding with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. Footwear 10 also includes a lateral side 14 and a medial side 15. Lateral side 14 and medial side 15 extend through each of regions 11-13 and correspond with opposite sides of footwear 10.

Regions 11-13 and sides 14-15 are not intended to demarcate precise areas of footwear 10. Rather, regions 11-13 and sides 14-15 are intended to generally represent areas of footwear 10 to aid in the following discussion. In addition to footwear 10, regions 11-13 and sides 14-15 may also be discussed with respect to their various elements, such as upper 20, sole structure 30, and the foot itself.

Upper 20 is depicted as having a substantially conventional configuration that includes various material elements (e.g., textiles, foam, leather, and synthetic leather) that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to form an interior void for securely and comfortably receiving a foot. The material elements may be selected and positioned with respect to upper 20 to selectively impart properties of durability, air-permeability, wear-resistance, flexibility, and comfort, for example. An ankle opening 21 in heel region 13 provides access to the interior void. In addition, upper 20 may include a lace 22 that is utilized in a conventional manner to modify the dimensions of the interior void, thereby securing the foot within the interior void and facilitating entry and removal of the foot from the interior void. Lace 22 may extend through apertures in upper 20, and a tongue portion of upper 20 may extend between the interior void and lace 22.

Where various aspects of the present application primarily relate to sole structure 30, upper 20 may have the general configuration described above or indeed any other conventional or non-conventional upper. Accordingly, the overall structure of upper 20 may vary widely.

Sole structure 30 is secured to upper 20 and has a configuration that extends between upper 20 and the ground. Accordingly, in effect, sole structure 30 is positioned to extend between the foot and the ground. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces (i.e., providing cushioning for the foot), sole structure 30 may provide traction, impart stability, and limit various foot motions, such as pronation.

The primary elements of sole structure 30 are a midsole 31 and an outsole 32. Midsole 31 may include a fluid-filled chamber. In addition, midsole 31 may include one or more additional footwear elements that enhance the comfort, performance, or ground reaction force attenuation properties of footwear 10, including polymer foam materials such as polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate, plates, bumpers, lasting elements, or motion control members. Outsole 32, which may not be present in some configurations of footwear 10, is secured to a lower surface of midsole 31 and may be formed of a rubber material that provides a durable and wear-resistant surface for engaging the ground. In addition, outsole 32 may also be textured to enhance the traction (i.e., frictional) properties between footwear 10 and the ground.

Sole structure 30 may also include an insole or sockliner located within the void in upper 20 and adjacent (i.e., located near or near, but not necessarily in contact with) the plantar or lower surface of the foot to enhance the comfort of footwear 10. A foot plate may additionally be provided between the insole and midsole 31 to further enhance support.

Midsole configuration

Sole structure 30 is depicted in fig. 1-6 as including a midsole 31 and an elongated midsole insert 80. Midsole 31 has an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, and an outer edge 50 extending between the upper and lower surfaces. Outer edge 50 thus surrounds midsole 31 and corresponds with the overall footprint of article of footwear 10. Lateral edge 50 includes a forefoot portion 52 located in forefoot region 11, a medial side portion 54 located on medial side 15, a lateral side portion 56 located on lateral side 14, and a heel portion 58 located in heel region 13.

The outer edge 50 has a continuously concave elongated groove 60, the elongated groove 60 extending inwardly and being continuously disposed along the medial side portion 54, the heel portion 58, and the lateral side portion 56. Elongated groove 60 divides midsole 31 and defines an upper portion 62, a lower portion 64, and a central base portion 68. Thus, the upper and lower portions 62, 64 are spaced apart from one another along the elongate groove 60 and engage one another at the central base portion 68. The upper portion 62 may be further divided into a cantilevered upper inside portion 70, a cantilevered upper outside portion 72, a lower inside portion 75, and a lower outside portion 77. The upper portions 70 and 72 extend upwardly and away from the central base portion 68, while the lower portions 75 and 77 extend downwardly and away from the central base portion 68. Portions 70, 72, 75, and 77 are depicted as extending approximately the same distance from central base portion 68. However, in other configurations, portions 70, 72, 75, and 77 may extend different distances from central base portion 68.

Referring to fig. 3, the elongated groove 60 may have a generally V-shaped cross-section. The same general cross-sectional shape may extend along medial portion 54, around heel portion 58, and into lateral portion 56. Elongate groove 60 may also extend inward far enough from the overall footprint of footwear 10 to impart a generally X-shaped cross-sectional shape to midsole 31.

The elongated insert 80 is a continuous structural member that fits into the elongated recess 60 and extends around the medial side portion 54, the heel portion 58, and the lateral side portion 56. The inner surface of the insert 80 is secured to the outer edge 50 within the elongated groove 60 using conventional methods such as thermal bonding, adhesives, and the like. Although insert 80 is depicted as being secured to both upper portion 62 and lower portion 64, in some configurations, insert 80 may be secured to only one of portions 62 and 64, or may contact only one of portions 62 and 64.

The insert 80 is depicted as having an upper flange 82 and a lower flange 84. The flanges 82 and 84 have outer edges 88 and are joined together at a joint region 90. Horizontal flange 92 in junction area 90 extends inward into midsole 31 for increased rigidity and durability. Outer edges 88 of upper flange 82 extend toward the peripheral edges of upper portions 70 and 72 of midsole 31, and outer edges of lower flange 84 extend toward the peripheral edges of lower portions 75 and 77 of midsole 31. Flanges 82 and 84 may be sized to be operatively received within continuous groove 60.

The insert 80 also includes a pair of stability wings 86 extending between the flanges 82 and 84, with one stability wing 86 positioned on the medial side 15 and one stability wing 86 positioned on the lateral side 14. Stability wings 86 are compressible and provide stability to footwear 10 when placed under heel forces. The stability wings 86 may be elastically stretchable in addition to being compressible. Thus, when placed under a roll force, the stabilizing wings 86 on one side portion of the insert 80 (e.g., the lateral side portion 14) may compress, while the stabilizing wings 86 on the opposite side portion of the insert 80 (e.g., the medial side portion 15) may elastically stretch. Although depicted as being located in a single location of midfoot region 12 on each of medial side 15 and lateral side 14, any number of stability wings 86 may be positioned at any location along insert 80. The stability wings 86 may also be concentrated in certain locations 80 along the insert or distributed throughout the insert 80.

Further, the horizontal flange 92 includes a comb-shaped region 94 in the forefoot region 11, in which comb-shaped region 94 inward extensions 96 are separated by gaps 98. Comb region 94 may advantageously allow insert 80 to be better secured to midsole 31 in forefoot region 11 while imparting an increased degree of flexibility to horizontal flange 92 in this region.

Flanges 82 and 84 have a generally V-shaped cross-section, and this same general cross-sectional shape extends along the entire length of elongate groove 60. Flanges 82 and 84 are depicted as extending from a junction area 90 approximately the same distance on medial side 15 and lateral side 14 of footwear 10. However, in various other configurations, flanges 82 and 84 may extend different distances from engagement region 90.

Similarly, the stability wings 86 may extend a variety of different distances from the engagement region 90. For example, in some configurations, the stability wings 86 may extend to the outer edges 88 of the upper and lower flanges 82, 84. In other configurations, the stability wings 86 may be formed closer to the outer edge 88 on the upper flange 82 than to the outer edge 88 on the lower flange 84. In still other configurations, the stability wings 86 may be formed closer to the outer edge 88 on the lower flange 84 than to the outer edge 88 on the upper flange 82.

The insert 80 and its various portions (e.g., the upper flange 82, the lower flange 84, and the stability wings 86) may have a thickness ranging between 0.5mm and 5.0 mm. For example, the upper flange 82, lower flange 84, and stability wings 86 may all have a thickness of 2.0 mm. Alternatively, the upper flange 82 and the lower flange 84 may have a first thickness (e.g., 2.0mm), and the stability wings 86 may have a second, different thickness between 0.5mm and 5.0 mm. Further, the insert 80 and portions of the insert 80 may have different thicknesses in different regions, such as different thicknesses in the joining region 90 or the outer region 88 than in other regions of the insert 80.

Midsole 31 may be formed from a compressible polymer foam element (e.g., polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate foam) that attenuates ground reaction forces (i.e., provides cushioning) when compressed between the foot and the ground during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities. Midsole 31 and elongated grooves 60 may be formed using conventional molding techniques, or elongated grooves 60 may be cut away from molded midsole 31 using techniques applied after the molding process.

Insert 80 may be formed from a stronger, harder, or more rigid material than the material of midsole 31. For example, the elongate insert 80 may be formed from a non-foam polymer material such as Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). In such embodiments, the TPU sheet may be thermoformed into a configuration having a V-shaped cross-section corresponding with elongated groove 60 and thereafter may be secured to outer edge 50, or the TPU sheet may be co-molded with the polymer foam material to form midsole 31 having elongated groove 60. Other materials that may also be used for the elongated insert 80 include: an injection molding grade thermoplastic or thermoset polymeric material; composite materials, such as fiber-reinforced polymer materials, or carbon fiber materials; an engineered fabric having a fused, bonded sheath; or a multi-material laminate structure.

The stability wings 86 may be formed from the same material used to form the insert 80. For example, the stability wings 86 may be integrally formed as part of the insert 80 (such as by co-molding). Alternatively, the stability wings 86 may be formed separately from the other portions of the insert 80 and may be subsequently joined to the insert 80. Thus, in some configurations, the stability wings 86 may be adhesively secured to the insert 80, or may be mechanically secured to the insert 80.

The foamed polymer material of midsole 31 may have a first modulus of elasticity and the non-foamed polymer material of insert 80 may have a second modulus of elasticity, the first modulus of elasticity being less than the second modulus of elasticity. Accordingly, insert 80 may have a greater hardness or stiffness than midsole 31.

The generally V-shaped cross-sectional configuration of flanges 82 and 84 allows insert 80 to form an elongated resilient member 100 within groove 60. As shown in fig. 1 to 6, the elastic member 100 is in a neutral steady-state position.

Fig. 7-9 depict the response of spring 100 and shoe 10 to the application of different forces. For example, as depicted in fig. 7, footwear 10 is subjected to a primarily downward or vertical force applied by wearer 1000 in the direction of arrow 210, such as forces associated with standing, walking, or running. The substantially even distribution of downward vertical forces allows midsole 31 and insert 80 to cushion and support the medial and lateral sides equally.

In contrast, referring to FIG. 8, footwear 10 is subjected to a left side roll force applied by wearer 1000 in the direction of arrow 220. The left side tipping force applied to the shoe 10 deflects the left side of the spring 100 downward and the right side of the spring 100 upward. Thus, the amount of cushioning provided in the direction of the left side roll force is reduced while the support for the wearer's foot is increased.

Similarly, fig. 9 depicts footwear 10 subjected to a right-side rolling force applied by wearer 1000 in the direction of arrow 230. The right side roll force applied to the shoe 10 deflects the right side of the spring 100 downward and the left side of the spring 100 upward. Thus, the amount of cushioning provided in the direction of the right lateral force is reduced while the support for the wearer's foot is increased.

In fig. 8 and 9, the amount of cushioning in the direction of the applied force is reduced and the support provided to the wearer's foot is increased. This improves the wearer's "feel" of the ground when rolling laterally, and the reduced cushioning tends to improve the response time of the shoe, thereby making the wearer's lateral roll time faster. The shape of elongated recess 60 of midsole 31 may be optimized to provide a desired level of cushioning. Similarly, the material and thickness of elongate insert 80 may enable the support and cushioning of sole structure 30 to be optimized for a particular activity or player type.

Although elastic member 100 is depicted as resisting vertical forces equally on medial side 15 and lateral side 14 of footwear 10, in other configurations, elastic member 100 may resist vertical forces on medial side 15 to a greater extent than on lateral side 14, or resist vertical forces on lateral side 14 to a greater extent than on medial side 15. That is, a portion of the elongate insert 80 adjacent the medial portion 54 of the outer edge 50 may have a first stiffness, a portion of the elongate insert 80 adjacent the lateral portion 56 of the outer edge 50 may have a second stiffness, and the first stiffness may be less than, substantially equal to, or greater than the second stiffness.

Other configurations

In fig. 1-6, upper flange 82 and lower flange 84 are depicted as having outer edges 88 that extend toward, but not as far as, the peripheral edges of upper portion 62 and lower portion 64 of midsole 31. The elongate recess 60 thus covers the inner surface of the insert 80. In other configurations of footwear 10, the outward extent of outer edge 88 relative to the peripheral edge of midsole 31 may vary. For example, as depicted in fig. 10, outer edge 88 extends beyond the peripheral edges of portions 62 and 64 to cover portions 62 and 64. In contrast, as depicted in fig. 11, outer edge 88 is less outward relative to the peripheral edge of midsole 31 than depicted in fig. 1-6, and thus portions 62 and 68 are exposed to a greater degree.

As depicted in fig. 1-6, midsole 31 has a substantially planar upper surface secured to upper 20 and a substantially planar lower surface secured to outsole 32. In alternative configurations, such as the configuration depicted in fig. 12, an arcuate recess may extend into lower portion 62 of midsole 31, and a hole extending through outsole 32 may expose the arcuate recess.

The horizontal flange 92 of the insert 80 is depicted in fig. 1-6 as including a comb-shaped region 94. However, in some configurations of footwear 10, comb region 94 may not be present, and horizontal flange 92 of insert 80 may be smooth in forefoot region 11, as depicted in the exemplary configuration in fig. 13.

Furthermore, although fig. 1-6 depict insert 80 as extending around medial side portion 54, heel portion 58, and lateral side portion 56, while being substantially absent in forefoot region 11 of footwear 10, insert 80 may additionally extend around forefoot portion 52 as depicted in fig. 14. In some such configurations, a bridge member 81 may extend between the medial and lateral portions 54, 56 of the insert 80, as depicted in fig. 16. More generally, bridge member 81 may extend through midsole 31 and between various portions of insert 80.

Fig. 1-6 depict the insert 80 as a continuous structural member. Other configurations of the insert 80 are possible. For example, as depicted in fig. 15, the insert 80 may be discontinuous and may be secured as separate components to the forefoot portion 52, the medial side portion 54, the heel portion 58, and the lateral side portion 56 of the outer edge 50.

In another exemplary embodiment depicted in fig. 17, the insert 80 may include an inboard section 122 and an outboard section 124. The sections 122 and 124 may be inserted into the elongated groove 60 at the medial and lateral portions 54 and 56 and may optionally be joined together to form a seam at the heel portion 58.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and embodiments are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. In addition, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.