Sole Structures and Articles of Footwear Having a Lightweight Midsole Member with Protective Elements

摘要

Sole structures for articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include a relatively soft and lightweight foam midsole component partially covered by at least one more rigid and/or dense cage (protective) component(s) and/or other protective component(s).

主权项

1. An article of footwear, comprising:
an upper; a sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the sole structure includes a first portion configured to support at least a heel and midfoot area of a wearer's foot, wherein an exposed outer edge of the first portion includes a billows structure that extends continuously from a medial midfoot or forefoot area of the sole structured to a lateral midfoot or forefoot area of the sole structure, and wherein the billows structure includes fewer than five billow outer ridges connected by billow interstitial areas located between adjacent billow outer ridges of the billow outer ridges, wherein at least some of the billow ridges extend downwardly from rear ends of the ridges toward a midfoot of the sole structure, wherein at least some of the billow ridges extend downwardly from front ends of the ridges toward a midfoot of the sole structure, and wherein an upper surface of the billows structure is secured to the upper; and an outsole assembly secured to a bottom surface of the sole structure.