US 12,324,477 B2
Articles of footwear with support structures
Jerry C Ni, Marlborough, MA (US); Robert S Michalski, Milton, MA (US); and Thomas Le, Somerville, MA (US)
Assigned to PUMA SE, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed by PUMA SE, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/772,823.
Application 18/772,823 is a continuation of application No. 17/082,327, filed on Oct. 28, 2020, granted, now 12,064,003.
Prior Publication US 2024/0373976 A1, Nov. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. A43B 13/12 (2006.01); A43B 13/18 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 13/127 (2013.01) [A43B 13/18 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An article of footwear, comprising:
an upper; and
a sole structure coupled with the upper, the sole structure defining a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the sole structure further defining a toe end and a heel end, the sole structure comprising:
an upper midsole cushioning member;
a lower midsole cushioning member having a top surface, the lower midsole cushioning member including a surface that projects upwardly from the top surface of the lower midsole cushioning member, and the lower midsole cushioning member defining a cavity in the lower midsole cushioning member;
an outsole coupled to a bottom surface of the lower midsole cushioning member, the outsole including:
a first outsole portion positioned within the forefoot region of the sole structure, wherein a lateral side of the first outsole portion extends farther toward the heel end of the sole structure than a medial side of the first outsole portion,
a second outsole portion positioned within the heel region of the sole structure, and
a third outsole portion positioned within the heel region of the sole structure, wherein the first outsole portion, the second outsole portion, and the third outsole portion are spaced apart from one another and positioned about the cavity;
a plate positioned between the upper midsole cushioning member and the lower midsole cushioning member, the plate including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a thickness between the first surface and the second surface of the plate is substantially uniform,
wherein the plate includes:
a toe segment that extends through at least the forefoot region, the toe segment defining a first concave curved portion that extends downward from a distal end to a first inflection point disposed within the midfoot region; and
a middle segment defining a second concave curved portion that extends upward from the first inflection point and toward the heel region before transitioning to a convex curved portion at a second inflection point disposed within the midfoot region or the heel region.