SOLE STRUCTURE WITH BLADDER FOR ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
FIG8 is a section view of the plate taken along the line 8-8 of FIG7
In some embodiments, the base 142 can be relatively flat and smooth. In other embodiments, the base 142 can have some curvature. For example, as shown in FIG8, the base 142 can be relatively flat over the majority of the base 142; however, the base 142 can curve upwards slightly at the peripheral edge 148 to, in effect, "cup" the wearer's foot. As stated, the rib 164 can be spaced inwardly from the peripheral edge 148 of the base 142. As such, an outer area 175 of second surface 146 of base 142 can be defined, extending from the peripheral edge 148 to the rib 164. More specifically, in the embodiments of FIG8, the outer area 175 can include a medial outer area 177 that extends from the medial peripheral edge 150 to the first segment 172 of the rib 164. Also, as shown, the outer area 175 can include a lateral outer area 179 that extends from the lateral peripheral edge 152 to the third segment 176. Moreover, as shown in FIG7, the outer area 175 can include a heel outer area 185 that extends from the heel peripheral edge 154 to the second segment 174 of the rib 164. Moreover, the shape, dimensions, and surface features of the rib 164 can be preselected to provide the desired stiffness and flexibility for the plate 136. For example, the rib 164 can have a substantially constant height 183 along its length in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the height 183 can vary along its length, and areas of reduced height 183 can be more flexible than areas of increased height 183. Moreover, the cross sectional profile of the rib 164 represented in FIG8 can be substantially constant along the length of the rib 164 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the cross sectional profile of the rib 164 can vary along its length.
section view
166
first side surface
199
area
142
base
160
medial heel notch
158
notches
174
second segment
178
breaks break
112
midfoot region
152
edge
180
second break
115
lateral side
175
outer area
144
first surface
171
first longitudinal end
164
rib
154
edge
136
plate
173
second longitudinal end
156
forefoot edge
176
segment
185
heel outer area
170
end surface
117
medial side
172
segment segments
179
lateral outer area
177
medial outer area
183
height
162
lateral heel notch
181
relatively large radius
163
through-holes
107
vertical axis
146
second surface
168
second side surface second side surfaces
148
peripheral edge
105
longitudinal axis
111
forefoot region
106
transverse axis
150
edge
114
heel region
['1. A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper, the sole structure comprising: a plate including (i) a base having a first surface configured to face the upper and a second surface formed on an opposite side of the base than the first surface and (ii) a rib extending from the second surface in a direction away from the upper, the rib including a generally U-shape having a first portion extending along a medial side of the plate, a second portion extending along a lateral side of the plate, and a third portion extending between the first portion and the second portion.', '2. The sole structure of Claim 1, wherein the third portion extends along a heel region of the plate.', '3. The sole structure of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are spaced inward from a peripheral edge of the plate.', '5. The sole structure of any of Claims 1-3, wherein the first portion is separated from the third portion by a first break and the second portion is separated from the third portion by a second break.', '8. The sole structure of Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the first notch extends along a transverse axis extending in a direction between the medial edge and the lateral edge.', '13. The sole structure of Claim 12, wherein the rib includes a first side surface extending from the second surface of the plate, a second side surface extending from the second surface of the plate, and an end surface extending between the first side surface and the second side surface.']