US 12,225,968 B2
Article of footwear having a sole plate
Mauro Bonin, Nuremberg (DE); Andreas Siegismund, Rückersdorf (DE); and Arnaud Redon, Nuremberg (DE)
Assigned to PUMA SE, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed by PUMA SE, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed on Mar. 31, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/218,353.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/139,447, filed on Jan. 20, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0225729 A1, Jul. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. A43B 13/18 (2006.01); A43B 13/26 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 13/186 (2013.01) [A43B 13/183 (2013.01); A43B 13/188 (2013.01); A43B 13/26 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sole structure for an article of footwear with an upper and a strobel board attached to the upper, the sole structure comprising:
an outsole with a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion, the front portion and the middle portion of the outsole attached to the strobel board at a forefoot coupling point and a midfoot coupling point, respectively;
a front spacing defined between the front portion of the outsole and the strobel board, between the forefoot coupling point and the midfoot coupling point, and between a medial side and a lateral side, the front spacing defining a front curved length that follows a line positioned halfway between the outsole and the strobel board that extends between the forefoot coupling point and the midfoot coupling point, and further defining a front gap height between the outsole and the strobel board along the front curved length;
a front cushioning member comprising a foam material and located within the front spacing, extending along the front curved length;
a rear spacing defined between the rear portion of the outsole and the strobel board, between the midfoot coupling point and a terminal end of the rear portion, and between the medial side and the lateral side, the rear spacing defining a rear curved length that follows a line positioned halfway between the outsole and the strobel board that extends between the midfoot coupling point and the terminal end of the rear portion, and further defining a rear gap height between the outsole and the strobel board along the rear curved length;
a rear cushioning member comprising a foam material and located within the rear spacing, extending along the rear curved length; and
at least one ground engaging member extending from a bottom surface of the outsole,
wherein the outsole is a deformable rigid plate, and the combination of the outsole and the front and rear spacings can absorb downward forces induced by a user in the respective front and rear portions and the outsole can provide a spring effect as the downward forces are removed during use of the article of footwear, and
wherein the rear curved length is curved along an entire length thereof.