Article of Footwear Having a Sole Plate

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/246,283, filed on Jun. 23, 2025, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/229,097, filed on Aug. 1, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/114,670, filed on Feb. 27, 2023, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/992,397, filed on Nov. 22, 2022, which are continuations of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/404,388, filed on Aug. 17, 2021, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/067,073, filed on Aug. 18, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, for any and all purposes.

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The present disclosure relates generally to an article of footwear including a sole plate.

Many conventional shoes or other articles of footwear generally comprise an upper and a sole attached to a lower end of the upper. Conventional shoes further include an internal space, i.e., a void or cavity, which is created by interior surfaces of the upper and sole, that receives a foot of a user before securing the shoe to the foot. The sole attaches to a lower surface or boundary of the upper and positions itself between the upper and the ground. As a result, the sole typically provides stability and cushioning to the user when the shoe is being worn. In some instances, the sole may include multiple components, such as an outsole, a midsole, and an insole. The outsole may provide traction to a bottom surface of the sole, and the midsole may be attached to an inner surface of the outsole, and may provide cushioning or added stability to the sole. For example, a sole may include a particular foam material that may increase stability at one or more desired locations along the sole, or a foam material that may reduce stress or impact energy on the foot or leg when a user is running, walking, or engaged in another activity. The sole may also include additional components, such as plates, embedded with the sole to increase the overall stiffness of the sole and reduce energy loss during use.

The upper generally extends upward from the sole and defines an interior cavity that completely or partially encases a foot. In most cases, the upper extends over the instep and toe regions of the foot, and across medial and lateral sides thereof. Many articles of footwear may also include a tongue that extends across the instep region to bridge a gap between edges of medial and lateral sides of the upper, which define an opening into the cavity. The tongue may also be disposed below a lacing system and between medial and lateral sides of the upper, to allow for adjustment of shoe tightness. The tongue may further be manipulable by a user to permit entry or exit of a foot from the internal space or cavity. In addition, the lacing system may allow a user to adjust certain dimensions of the upper or the sole, thereby allowing the upper to accommodate a wide variety of foot types having varying sizes and shapes.

The upper of many shoes may comprise a wide variety of materials, which may be utilized to form the upper and chosen for use based on one or more intended uses of the shoe. The upper may also include portions comprising varying materials specific to a particular area of the upper. For example, added stability may be desirable at a front of the upper or adjacent a heel region so as to provide a higher degree of resistance or rigidity. In contrast, other portions of a shoe may include a soft woven textile to provide an area with stretch-resistance, flexibility, air-permeability, or moisture-wicking properties.

However, in many cases, articles of footwear having uppers with an increased comfort and better fit are desired, along with soles having improved cushioning systems or structural characteristics such as a sole plate to add rigidity or spring-like properties.

An article of footwear, as described herein, may have various configurations. The article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure connected to the upper.

In some aspects, an article of footwear can define a lateral side, a medial side, a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The article of footwear can include an upper, a first cushioning member directly coupled to the upper in the heel region, and a second cushioning member directly coupled to the upper in the forefoot region. The article of footwear can also include a plate configured as a unitary plate that extends continuously from the forefoot region to the heel region. The plate can be directly coupled to each of the upper, the first cushioning member, and the second cushioning member, and can extend through a gap that is defined between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member.

In some examples, the plate can include an anterior curved portion that is directly coupled to the second cushioning member, a substantially planar portion that is directly coupled to the first cushioning member, and a posterior curved portion that extends between the anterior curved portion and the posterior curved portion.

In some examples, the posterior curved portion can be positioned in the gap.

In some examples, the first cushioning member, the second cushioning member, and the sole plate can define a sole structure of the article of footwear, and the second cushioning member can define a heelmost end of the sole structure.

In some examples, the first cushioning member can be entirely spaced apart from the second cushioning member by the gap.

In some examples, the article of footwear can further include an outsole coupled to the first cushioning member.

In some examples, a toemost end of the first cushioning member can be in the forefoot region and a heelmost end of the first cushioning member can be in the midfoot region, and a toemost end of the second cushioning member can be in the midfoot region and a heelmost end of the second cushioning member can be in the heel region.

In some examples, the plate can be visible when the article of footwear is viewed from both the lateral side and the medial side.

In some examples, the toemost end of the second cushioning member can overlap the heelmost end of the first cushioning member such that the toemost end of the second cushioning is above the heelmost end of the first cushioning member when the article of footwear is viewed from the lateral side.

In some examples, the toemost end of the second cushioning member can overlap the heelmost end of the first cushioning member such that the toemost end of the second cushioning is above the heelmost end of the first cushioning member when the article of footwear is viewed from the medial side.

In some aspects, an article of footwear can define a lateral side, a medial side, a forefoot region defining a toe end, a midfoot region, and a heel region defining a heel end. The article of footwear can include an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper and defining a ground-engaging surface of the article of footwear. The sole structure can include a first cushioning member directly coupled to the upper in the heel region, where a toemost end of the first cushioning member can be in the midfoot region and a heelmost end of the first cushioning member can define a heelmost end of the sole structure. The sole structure can also include a second cushioning member directly coupled to the upper in the forefoot region, where a toemost end of the second cushioning member can be in the forefoot region and a heelmost end of the second cushioning member can be in the midfoot region. The sole structure can further include a plate configured as a unitary plate that extends continuously from the forefoot region to the heel region, the plate extending through a gap that is defined between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member, and the plate being visible when the article of footwear is viewed from both the lateral side and the medial side. The sole structure can also include an outsole coupled to the second cushioning member, the outsole extending from a first end positioned in the forefoot region to a second end positioned in the midfoot region.

In some examples, the plate can be visible when the article of footwear is viewed from a bottom of the article of footwear.

In some examples, the plate can include a substantially planar portion that is coupled to the first cushioning member and a curved portion that extends through the gap.

In some examples, the curved portion can include a posterior curved portion that extends from the substantially planar portion and into the gap, and an anterior curved portion that extends from the posterior curved portion and that is coupled to the second cushioning member.

In some examples, the plate can define a protrusion that extends away from the upper.

In some examples, the protrusion can be positioned in the gap.

In some examples, the plate can comprise a thermoplastic polymer.

In some examples, the plate can be spaced from the upper at the gap so that there is an absence of material of the sole structure between the plate and the upper.

In some aspects, an article of footwear can define a lateral side, a medial side, a forefoot region defining a toe end, a midfoot region, and a heel region defining a heel end. The article of footwear can include an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper and defining a ground-engaging surface of the article of footwear. The sole structure can include a first cushioning member directly coupled to the upper in the heel region, where a toemost end of the first cushioning member can be in the midfoot region and a heelmost end of the first cushioning member can define a heelmost end of the sole structure. The sole structure can also include a second cushioning member directly coupled to the upper in the forefoot region, where a toemost end of the second cushioning member can be in the forefoot region and a heelmost end of the second cushioning member can be in the midfoot region. The sole structure can further include a plate configured as a unitary plate that includes a substantially planar portion coupled to the first cushioning member, an anterior curved portion coupled to the second cushioning member, and a posterior curved portion extending between the substantially planar portion and the anterior curved portion, the posterior curved portion positioned in a gap that is defined between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member.

In some aspects, an article of footwear can define a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, and the article of footwear can include an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure can include a first cushioning member disposed in the heel region and a second cushioning member disposed in the forefoot region and the midfoot region. The second cushioning member can be spaced apart from the first cushioning member by a gap that extends between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member in the midfoot region. The sole structure can further include a first plate that extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member. The sole structure can further include a second plate positioned below the first plate that extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member, and the first cushioning member can be positioned below the first plate and the second plate.

In some examples, the first cushioning member can be directly coupled to the upper.

In some examples, the second cushioning member can be directly coupled to the upper.

In some examples, the second cushioning member can define a longitudinal length that is greater than a longitudinal length defined by the first cushioning member.

In some examples, the first plate can define a longitudinal length that is greater than a longitudinal length defined by the second plate.

In some examples, the sole structure can further include an outsole including a first outsole portion coupled to the first cushioning member and a second outsole portion coupled to the second cushioning member.

In some examples, the first outsole portion can include a first outsole element and a second outsole element that are separated from one another.

In some aspects, an article of footwear can define a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, and the article of footwear can include an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure can include a first cushioning member disposed in the heel region and a second cushioning member disposed in the forefoot region and the midfoot region. The second cushioning member can be spaced apart from the first cushioning member by a gap that extends between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member in the midfoot region. The sole structure can further include a first plate that extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member. The sole structure can further include a second plate positioned below the first plate that extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member, and the second plate can include a raised portion that extends upwardly from a top surface of the second plate.

In some examples, the raised portion can be part of a plurality of raised portions defined by the second plate.

In some examples, the first plate can include a rear portion and a curved portion that includes an anterior portion and a posterior portion.

In some examples, the posterior portion of the curved portion of the first plate can extend across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member.

In some examples, the rear portion of the first plate can be positioned above the first cushioning member.

In some examples, the gap can extend along a U-shaped path.

In some examples, the sole structure can further include an outsole including a first outsole portion coupled to the first cushioning member and a second outsole portion coupled to the second cushioning member.

In some aspects, an article of footwear can define a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, and the article of footwear can include an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure can include a first cushioning member disposed in the heel region and a second cushioning member disposed in the forefoot region and the midfoot region. The second cushioning member can be spaced apart from the first cushioning member by a gap that extends between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member. The sole structure can further include a first plate that extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member. The sole structure can further include a second plate positioned below the first plate that extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member. The sole structure can further include an outsole including a first outsole portion coupled to the first cushioning member and a second outsole portion coupled to the second cushioning member.

In some examples, the outsole can define a non-continuous ground engaging surface of the article of footwear.

In some examples, the first outsole portion can include a first outsole element and a second outsole element that are separated from one another.

In some examples, the gap can be located within the midfoot region of the article of footwear.

In some examples, the gap can extend from a lateral side of the sole structure to a medial side of the sole structure.

In some examples, the first cushioning member can be positioned between the first plate and the first outsole portion.

Other aspects of the article of footwear, including features and advantages thereof, will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the figures and detailed description herein. Therefore, all such aspects of the article of footwear are intended to be included in the detailed description and this summary.

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose various embodiments or configurations of a shoe and a sole structure. Although embodiments of a shoe or sole structure are disclosed with reference to a sports shoe, such as a running shoe, tennis shoe, basketball shoe, etc., concepts associated with embodiments of the shoe or the sole structure may be applied to a wide range of footwear and footwear styles, including cross-training shoes, football shoes, golf shoes, hiking shoes, hiking boots, ski and snowboard boots, soccer shoes and cleats, walking shoes, and track cleats, for example. Concepts of the shoe or the sole structure may also be applied to articles of footwear that are considered non-athletic, including dress shoes, sandals, loafers, slippers, and heels. In addition to footwear, particular concepts described herein may also be applied and incorporated in other types of apparel or other athletic equipment, including helmets, padding or protective pads, shin guards, and gloves. Even further, particular concepts described herein may be incorporated in cushions, backpack straps, golf clubs, or other consumer or industrial products. Accordingly, concepts described herein may be utilized in a variety of products.