Footwear Strobel Including a Shank, an Article of Footwear, and a Method of Manufacturing an Article of Footwear

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/631,592, filed Apr. 9, 2024 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In some implementations, the shank may extend in at least one of a forefoot region or a midfoot region of the article of footwear. In other implementations, the shank may extend in at least one of a midfoot region or a heel region of the article of footwear. Prevention of twisting in the midfoot region may be desired, and this goal may be best achieved by placing the shank at the midfoot region. In still other implementations, the shank may extend in each of the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region (e.g., as a “full length” shank).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout the views,is a top perspective view of a shankthat is included in a strobelof.is a bottom perspective view of the shankof. The shankis comprised of an elastomeric material that is relatively soft and pliable prior to joining to a remainder of a sole structureas discussed herein, enabling securement by stitching to a footwear upperas inand placement on a footwear lastas in. Examples of elastomeric materials for the shankinclude thermoplastic elastomers, such as elastomers derived from thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyamides, thermoplastic polyolefins, and combinations thereof. The shankmay be joined to the remainder of the sole structure(such as a foam midsole component) such as with adhesive or cement material or thermal bonding, to provide stability and inhibit torsion in the final assembled state of the article of footwearof.

show the proximal surfaceof the shankthat will be the foot-facing surface when assembled in the article of footwear.show the distal surfaceof the shankthat will be the ground-facing surface or side of the shankwhen assembled in the article of footwearand is the surface or side that is joined with the foam midsole component. The proximal surfaceis also referred to as the proximal side, top side, top surface, inner side, or inner surface. The distal surfaceof the shankis also referred to as the distal side, bottom side, bottom surface, outer side, or outer surface of the shank.

As is apparent in, the shankcomprises an exterior surface of the strobel. In other words, the proximal surfaceof the shankis also a portion of the proximal surface of the strobel. The strobelalso includes a polymeric bladdersecured to the shankas discussed herein. A proximal surfaceof the polymeric bladdertogether with the proximal surfaceof the shankdefines the proximal surface,of the strobel. A distal surfaceof the polymeric bladdertogether with the distal surfaceof the shankdefines the distal surface,of the strobel. The proximal surface,and the distal surface,together define the exterior surface,,,of the strobel. Stated differently, the shankand the polymeric bladdereach define a portion of the proximal surface,of the strobel, and each define a portion of the distal surface,of the strobel. The shankis not separate from or layered over or under the strobelin the article of footwear, but instead defines a portion of the fore-aft length of the strobeland defines a portion of both the proximal surface,and the distal surface,of the strobel.

The shankis configured with a relatively thick central region(best shown in) and a relatively thin peripheral flangesurrounding a perimeterof the central regionand defining an outer perimeterof the shank. The thinner peripheral flangeis easier to stitch through during securement to the footwear upperwhile the relatively thick central regionhelps to provide the requisite stiffness of the shankin the final assembled article of footwear. Stated differently, a thickness of the shankfrom a proximal side of the shank(at proximal surface) to a distal side of the shank(at distal surface) may be greater at the central regionthan at the peripheral flange. In, the central regionis shown having a thickness Tat a base portion not including the protruding ribs. The peripheral flangeis shown having a thickness Tless than the thickness T. As shown in, both the proximal side (the side at the proximal surface) and the distal side (the side at the distal surface) of the peripheral flangeare flat and the peripheral flangeis of a substantially constant thickness Tfrom the proximal side of the peripheral flangeto the distal side of the peripheral flange. This may provide ease of handling and stitching through the peripheral flange. For example, the central regionmay have a first bending stiffness and the peripheral flangemay have a second bending stiffness less than the first bending stiffness.

Referring again to, the shankincludes protruding ribsat the central regionat both the proximal side (e.g., at proximal surface) and the distal side (e.g., distal surface) of the shank. The protruding ribsmay help to stiffen the central regionof the shank. For example, the protruding ribsmay provide a desired bending stiffness of the central regionwhile enabling the use of less material in comparison to a shank with a central region that is of the thickness of the protruding ribs throughout. The shank, including the peripheral flange, the central region, and the protruding ribs, is a monolithic structure that may be compression molded or otherwise formed.

As shown in, the protruding ribsat the proximal side (e.g., at proximal surface) include a group of ribs having concentric closed shapes. The concentric protruding ribsare nonintersecting with one another and include an innermost ribA, an outermost ribB, and multiple intermediate ribsC,D, andE. During dorsiflexion, the shankwill be in compression nearest the proximal surfaceand in tension nearest the distal surface. Bending stiffness may be lower at the portion of the central regioninward of the innermost ribA than at the ribsA,B,C,D, andE (because the shankis thickest at the ribs), and, with the weight of the wearer, the concentric ribs may thereby help to focus bending at the centermost portion of the central region, inward of the innermost ribA.

As shown in, the plurality of protruding ribsat the distal side (e.g., at distal surface) are linear and include a ribF extending lengthwise in a fore-aft direction of the shankand three ribsG,H, andJ extending lengthwise in a transverse direction of the shankand intersecting with the longitudinal ribF. The pattern of the linear ribsF,G,H, andJ may help to ensure proper alignment of the shankwith other components of the article of footwearduring manufacturing, such as the foam midsole component. The span of the transverse ribsG,H, andJ in the transverse direction may also help to further inhibit torsion about the longitudinally-extending ribF. It should be appreciated that a shank within the scope of the disclosure is not limited to having the protruding ribsshown and described with respect to. For example, a shank with no protruding ribs, a shank with protruding ribs in a different pattern than shown on shank, or a shank with concentric ribs on the distal side (e.g., at distal surface) and linear ribs on the proximal side (e.g., at proximal surface) may be used within the scope of the disclosure.

The shankis shown with multiple aperturesindicated inthat may be locating features used in aligning the shankwith the polymeric bladderprior to securement thereto, and/or with the footwear lastprior to securing the strobelto the foam midsole component. Additionally, the strobelmay be configured with other locating features, such as at least one of a notch in or a protrusion at an outer edge of the peripheral flangeof the shankor of the peripheral flangeof the polymeric bladder, an aperture in the polymeric bladder, a weld pattern of the polymeric bladder, or a marking on the polymeric bladdersuch as a printed marking. The locating feature(s) may be used for accurate alignment of the strobelwith the footwear upperand/or with the footwear last, as described herein.

show that the shankextends in a forefoot regionand a midfoot regionof the strobeland the polymeric bladderextends in a heel regionand in the midfoot region, but neither extends the entire length of the strobel. The shankthus defines the forefoot regionand a forward portion of the midfoot region, and the polymeric bladderdefines the heel regionand a rearward portion of the midfoot region. The forefoot region, midfoot region, and heel regionof the strobelare also the forefoot region, midfoot region, and heel regionof the article of footwear.

The forefoot regiongenerally includes portions of the strobeland the article of footwearcorresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges (e.g., the metatarsophalangeal joints). The midfoot regiongenerally includes portions of the strobeland the article of footwearcorresponding with the arch area of the foot, and the heel regioncorresponds with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. The lateral side and the medial side of the strobeland of the article of footwearextend through each of forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel regionand fall on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis LA of the strobel(indicated in) and article of footwear. The forefoot region, the midfoot region, the heel region, the lateral side and the medial side are not intended to demarcate precise areas of the strobeland the article of footwearbut are instead intended to represent general areas of footwear to aid in the following discussion.

The polymeric bladderand the shankare secured to one another at their peripheral flangesand. More specifically, a rear portion of the peripheral flangeof the shankdefines a rearmost edgeof the shank. A front portion of the peripheral flangeof the polymeric bladderdefines a foremost edgeof the polymeric bladder. As shown in, the flangeof the polymeric bladderis stitched to the peripheral flangeof the shankwith at least one elongated threadextending through the peripheral flanges,as multiple stitches, stitching the peripheral flangeof the polymeric bladderto the peripheral flangeof the shank. As shown, the edgesandare abutted against one another prior to stitching the flanges,. Alternatively, the flanges, andcould be overlapped partially or completely such that the foremost edgeis forward of the rearmost edgeprior to stitching. Alternative modes of securement of the flangesandto one another may be used within the scope of the disclosure instead of or in addition to stitching, such as thermal bonding, adhering, cementing, etc.

The polymeric bladdermay provide greater comfort, resiliency, and energy return than a strobel of a traditional material and configuration. Accordingly, the article of footwearmay be characterized by the absence of an insole. For example, the proximal surface,of the strobelmay be exposed in the foot-receiving cavity(shown in) of the article of footwearas the foot-receiving surface in direct contact with a foot (or a sock if worn) when the article of footwearis worn. Because the polymeric bladderof the strobelis close to the foot, the comfort and other features of the polymeric bladdermay be better conveyed to the wearer than when covered by a traditional strobel material or by other components. By including a polymeric bladderand a shank, the strobelachieves both comfort and resiliency in regions having the polymeric bladderin addition to the stability of the shank.

As is evident in, the shankpartially defines a medial extentof the strobeland a lateral extentof the strobeland extends continuously transversely from the medial extentto the lateral extent. For example, the peripheral flangedefines the medial extentand the lateral extentand the shankextends as a continuous, monolithic structure from the peripheral flangeat the medial extentand across the central regionto the peripheral flangeat the lateral extent.

The medial extentmay also be referred to as a medial edge of the strobel. The lateral extentmay also be referred to as a lateral edge of the strobel. The polymeric bladderalso partially defines the medial extentand the lateral extent. The medial extentextends from the longitudinal axis LA at the foremost extentof the strobelto the longitudinal axis LA at the rearmost extentof the strobelalong a medial side of the strobel. The lateral extentextends from the longitudinal axis LA at the foremost extentof the strobelto the longitudinal axis LA at the rearmost extentof the strobelalong a lateral side of the strobel. The medial side of the strobelincludes all portions of the strobelbetween the longitudinal axis LA and the medial extent. The lateral side of the strobelincludes all portions of the strobelbetween the longitudinal axis LA and the lateral extent.

With reference to, the polymeric bladderdefines a sealed interior cavityand retains a fluid in the interior cavity. The peripheral flangeextends around and encloses and seals the fluid-filled interior cavity. The polymeric bladders disclosed herein as portions of a strobel may have different configurations. For example, the polymeric bladderincludes a first polymeric sheetand a second polymeric sheettogether defining the peripheral flangeand bonded to one another at the peripheral flange.

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

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

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

As shown in, in addition to bonding at the peripheral flange, the first polymeric sheetand the second polymeric sheetare further bonded to one another at multiple bondsinward of the peripheral flange. Only some of the bondsare indicated with reference numbers in. The bondsare generally circular and may be referred to as dot bonds. None of the bondscreate subchambers within the interior cavity, and the fluid is able to flow within the interior cavityaround each of the bondssuch that the interior cavityis the only fluid-filled chamber within the polymeric bladder. The polymeric bladders used in strobels within the scope of the disclosure are not limited to those having interior bonds like those of. For example, interior bonds may be used that are not shaped as dot bonds and/or interior bonds may be used that do create subchambers that are not in fluid communication with one another. The subchambers functioning as multiple fluid-filled chambers that may have different pressures may exist within the polymeric bladder.

is an exploded perspective view of the strobeland the footwear upper. The medial extentof the strobelis aligned with the medial extentof a lower edgethe footwear upperand the lateral extentof the strobelis aligned with the lateral extentof the lower edgeof the footwear upper. The foremost extentof the strobelmay be aligned with the foremost extentof the lower edgeof the footwear upperand the rearmost extentmay be aligned with the rearmost extentof the lower edgeof the footwear upper. As discussed herein, apertures, notches, markings, etc., may be used to assist with aligning the strobel with the footwear upper.