Abstract:
Embodiments provide a support structure (1470, 300) for an article of footwear (10, 1400, 1490, 1496), which may include upper (100) and lower support elements (310), upper (100) and lower, a compression element (1500, 1600, 1735, 1799, 320) disposed between the upper (100) and lower members, and a torsion element (1474, 1734, 1798, 334). A vertical force (301) applied to the upper support elements (310) compresses the compression element (1500, 1600, 1735, 1799, 320),rotationally displaces in a first direction (1540, 1542) the upper member (328) relative to the lower member (330), rotationally displaces in the first direction (1540, 1542) a second portion (336) of the torsion element (1474, 1734, 1798, 334) relative to a first portion (338) of the torsion element (1474, 1734, 1798, 334), deflects a torsion loading portion(340) of the torsion element (1474, 1734, 1798, 334), and moves the upper member (328) vertically towards the lower member (330). Upon release of the force (301), the torsion loading portion (340) rotationally displaces in a second direction (1540, 1542) opposite to the first direction (1540, 1542) the second portion (336) of the torsion element (1474, 1734, 1798, 334) relative to the first portion (338). Embodiments of methods of manufacturing a support structure (1470, 300) are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A sole structure for an article of footwear includes one or more outsole portions. At least some of these outsole portions include a plurality of alternating upward-facing and downward-facing elongate channels. The channels may have a base and two sidewalls, with adjacent channels sharing a common sidewall. The bases of the downward-facing channels and the upward-facing channels form upper and lower surfaces of the outsole portion, respectively. The sidewalls are arranged at non-perpendicular angles to the upper surface. A first outsole portion has a pressure-versus-strain curve having a local maximum at a "trip point" pressure value and a first strain value and wherein the pressure-versus-strain curve has a change in strain of at least approximately 10% before a second occurrence of the "trip point" pressure value is reached. An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.
Abstract:
An article of footwear including an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper and including a support assembly having an upper member and a lower member spaced from the upper member. A first layer is positioned beneath and in contact with the upper member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of first wave crests and first wave troughs. A second layer is positioned above the lower member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of second wave crests and second wave troughs.