| 主权项 |
1. An article of footwear comprising:
an upper that secures the article of footwear to a wearer; and a sole structure that is operably coupled to the upper, the sole structure extending from the upper generally in a vertical direction, the sole structure including an outsole having a base, the outsole further including an elongate rib that projects from the base generally in the vertical direction, the base and the rib cooperating to define a ground engaging surface of the sole structure; the base extending relative to the upper generally in a horizontal direction; the base defining a first section, a second section, and a third section that separates the first and second sections generally in the horizontal direction; wherein the sole structure has a thickness measured generally in the vertical direction, wherein the thickness at the third section is less than the thickness at the first and second sections to provide greater flexibility at the third section as compared to the first and second sections; wherein a step of the sole structure is defined at a transition from the third section to one of the first and second sections; the elongate rib extending along the base generally in the horizontal direction across the first section, the second section, and the third section; the outsole further including a groove extending into the elongate rib generally in the vertical direction, the groove defined by a first internal surface and a second internal surface; wherein the first and second internal surfaces are configured to move away from each other as the sole structure flexes in a first flex direction, the first and second internal surfaces abutting each other to limit flexure of the sole structure flexes in a second flex direction, the first and second flex directions being opposite each other; and wherein the groove is substantially aligned with the step in the horizontal direction. |
