Articles of footwear and sole structures with pressure-mapped midsole topographies and inlaid outsoles

Abstract

Presented are footwear sole structures with pressure-mapped midsole topographies and inlaid wear-mitigating outsoles, methods for making/using such sole structures, and footwear fabricated with such sole structures. An article of footwear includes an upper for receiving and attaching to a foot of a user, and a sole structure attached to the upper for supporting thereon the user's foot. The sole structure includes a midsole that is formed with a first material having a first hardness, and an outsole that is mounted to the midsole and formed with a second material that is harder than the first material. The midsole has a ground-facing surface with multiple cavities, multiple channels interspersed with the cavities, and ground-contacting land segments that separate the cavities from the channels. The outsole is disposed in the channels and positioned between the cavities such that a ground-contacting outsole surface is substantially flush with the midsole's ground-contacting land segments.

Claims

1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a midsole with a sidewall and a ground-facing surface adjoining the sidewall, the sidewall defining an outer perimeter of the sole structure, and the ground-facing surface having a plurality of cavities, a plurality of channels adjacent the cavities, and ground-contacting land segments separating the cavities from the channels, the plurality of channels including multiple sidewall channel segments extending from the ground-facing surface and onto the sidewall; and an outsole attached to the midsole, the outsole disposed in the channels and positioned between the cavities such that a ground-contacting outsole surface is substantially flush with the ground-contacting land segments of the midsole, the outsole including multiple outsole segments disposed in the sidewall channel segments of the midsole.

2. The sole structure of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fasteners extending through the outsole segments and into the sidewall channel segments, the fasteners being interference fit with pockets in the sidewall of the midsole.

3. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels includes a chain of elongated channel segments substantially parallel to each other and interconnected by multiple linking channel segments.

4. The sole structure of claim 3, wherein first and second ones of the linking channel segments are interposed between and substantially orthogonal to first and second ones of the elongated channel segments.

5. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels includes multiple elongated channel segments substantially parallel to each other and obliquely angled with respect to a longitudinal centerline extending lengthwise through forefoot, hindfoot and midfoot regions of the midsole.

6. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels includes first and second elongated channel segments extending from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure.

7. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels includes a first elongated channel segment having a first length and a first plan-view profile, and a second elongated channel segment having a second length and a second plan-view profile distinct from the first length and the first plan-view profile, respectively, of the first elongated channel.

8. The sole structure of claim 7, wherein the first plan-view profile has a first width that varies along the first length of the first channel segment, and the second plan-view profile has a second width that varies along the second length of the second channel segment.

9. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels includes first and second elongated channel segments substantially parallel to each other, and the plurality of cavities includes first and second elongated cavities substantially parallel to each other and interleaved with the first and second elongated channel segments.

10. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels includes discrete forefoot and hindfoot channels located in forefoot and hindfoot regions, respectively, of the midsole, and wherein the outsole includes discrete forefoot and hindfoot outsole segments disposed in the forefoot and hindfoot channels, respectively, of the midsole.

11. The sole structure of claim 10, wherein the plurality of cavities includes midfoot cavities located in a midfoot region of the midsole between the forefoot and hindfoot regions, the midfoot region of the midsole being characterized by a lack of a ground-contacting outsole.

12. The sole structure of claim 10, wherein the plurality of cavities includes discrete forefoot and hindfoot cavities located in the forefoot and hindfoot regions, respectively, of the midsole and exposed through the forefoot and hindfoot outsole segments, respectively.

13. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavities includes a first elongated cavity having a first length and a first plan-view profile, and a second elongated cavity having a second length and a second plan-view profile distinct from the first length and the first plan-view profile, respectively, of the first elongated cavity.

14. The sole structure of claim 13, wherein the first plan-view profile has a first width that varies along the first length of the first elongated cavity, and the second plan-view profile has a second width that varies along the second length of the second elongated cavity.

15. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavities includes a first elongated cavity having a first undulating base with a first depth that varies along a first length of the first elongated cavity, and a second elongated cavity having a second undulating base with a second depth that varies along a second length of the second elongated cavity.

16. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the midsole further includes multiple pockets, the sole structure further comprising multiple fasteners extending through the outsole and interference fitting with the pockets of the midsole, each of the fasteners including a ground-contacting head portion that protrudes from the ground-contacting outsole surface.

17. The sole structure of claim 16, wherein the plurality of channels includes a first elongated channel segment substantially parallel to a second elongated channel segment, the plurality of fasteners including a first rows of fasteners extending into the first elongated channel segment and a second rows of fasteners extending into the second elongated channel segment.

18. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the midsole is molded as a single-piece structure from a polymer foam, and wherein the outsole is molded as a bipartite structure from a synthetic rubber.

19. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the midsole is formed with a first material having a first hardness, and the outsole is formed with a second material having a second hardness distinct from the first hardness.

20. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels includes multiple mutually parallel elongated channels, and the plurality of cavities includes multiple mutually parallel elongated cavities interleaved with and substantially parallel to the mutually parallel elongated channels.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a lateral, side-view illustration of a representative article of footwear with a multilayered sole structure having a pressure-mapped midsole topography inlaid with a wear-mitigating outsole in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

(2) FIG. 2 is a bottom-view illustration of the representative article of footwear and multilayered sole structure of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, side-view illustration of the representative multilayered sole structure of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, perspective-view illustration of the representative multilayered sole structure of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional, perspective-view illustration of the representative multilayered sole structure of FIG. 1 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

(6) The present disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, and some representative embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the novel aspects of this disclosure are not limited to the particular forms illustrated in the above-enumerated drawings. Rather, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, combinations, subcombinations, permutations, groupings, and alternatives falling within the scope of this disclosure as encompassed by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) This disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. Representative examples of the disclosure are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein with the understanding that these representative examples are provided as an exemplification of the disclosed principles, not limitations of the broad aspects of the disclosure. To that extent, elements and limitations that are described in the Abstract, Technical Field, Background, Summary, and Detailed Description sections, but not explicitly set forth in the claims, should not be incorporated into the claims, singly or collectively, by implication, inference or otherwise.

(8) For purposes of the present detailed description, unless specifically disclaimed: the singular includes the plural and vice versa; the words “and” and “or” shall be both conjunctive and disjunctive; the words “any” and “all” shall both mean “any and all”; and the words “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and the like shall each mean “including without limitation.” Moreover, words of approximation, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like, may be used herein in the sense of “at, near, or nearly at,” or “within 0-5% of,” or “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances,” or any logical combination thereof, for example. Lastly, directional adjectives and adverbs, such as fore, aft, medial, lateral, proximal, distal, vertical, horizontal, front, back, left, right, etc., may be with respect to an article of footwear when worn on a user's foot and operatively oriented with a ground-engaging portion of the sole structure seated on a flat surface, for example.

(9) Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like features throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a representative article of footwear, which is designated generally at 10 and portrayed herein for purposes of discussion as an athletic shoe or “sneaker.” The illustrated article of footwear 10—also referred to herein as “footwear” or “shoe” for brevity—is merely an exemplary application with which novel aspects and features of this disclosure may be practiced. In the same vein, implementation of the present concepts for a trilayer sole structure with a single-piece polymer foam midsole and a bipartite synthetic-rubber outsole should also be appreciated as a representative implementation of the disclosed concepts. It will therefore be understood that aspects and features of this disclosure may be utilized for sole structures with different chemical makeups and different layer compositions, and may be incorporated into any logically relevant type of footwear. As used herein, the terms “shoe” and “footwear,” including permutations thereof, may be used interchangeably and synonymously to reference any suitable type of garment worn on a human foot. Lastly, features presented in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and are provided purely for instructional purposes. Thus, the specific and relative dimensions shown in the drawings are not to be construed as limiting.

(10) The representative article of footwear 10 is generally depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a bipartite construction that is primarily composed of a foot-receiving upper 12 mounted on top of a subjacent sole structure 14. For ease of reference, footwear 10 may be divided into three anatomical regions: a forefoot region R.sub.FF, a midfoot region R.sub.MF, and a hindfoot (heel) region R.sub.HF, as shown in FIG. 2. Footwear 10 may also be divided along a vertical plane into a lateral segment S.sub.LA—a distal half of the shoe 10 farthest from the sagittal plane of the human body—and a medial segment S.sub.ME—a proximal half of the shoe 10 closest to the sagittal plane of the human body. In accordance with recognized anatomical classification, the forefoot region R.sub.FF is located at the front of the footwear 10 and generally corresponds with the phalanges (toes), metatarsals, and any interconnecting joints thereof. Interposed between the forefoot and hindfoot regions R.sub.FF and R.sub.HF is the midfoot region R.sub.MF, which generally corresponds with the cuneiform, navicular and cuboid bones (i.e., the arch area of the foot). Hindfoot region R.sub.HF, in contrast, is located at the rear of the footwear 10 and generally corresponds with the talus and calcaneus bones. Both lateral and medial segments S.sub.LA and S.sub.ME of the footwear 10 extend through all three anatomical regions R.sub.FF, R.sub.MF, R.sub.HF, and each corresponds to a respective transverse side of the footwear 10. While only a single shoe 10 for a right foot of a user is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a mirrored, substantially identical counterpart for a left foot of a user may be provided. Recognizably, the shape, size, material composition, and method of manufacture of the shoe 10 may be varied, singly or collectively, to accommodate practically any conventional or nonconventional footwear application.

(11) With reference again to FIG. 1, the upper 12 is depicted as having a shell-like, closed toe and heel configuration for encasing a human foot. Upper 12 of FIG. 1 is generally defined by three adjoining sections, namely a toe box 12A, a vamp 12B and a rear quarter 12C. The toe box 12A is shown as a rounded forward tip of the upper 12 that extends from distal to proximal phalanges to cover and protect the user's toes. By comparison, the vamp 12B is an arched midsection of the upper 12 that is located aft of the toe box 12A and extends from the metatarsals to the cuboid. As shown, the vamp 12B also provides a series of lace eyelets 16 and a shoe tongue 18. Positioned aft of the vamp 12B is a rear quarter 12C that extends from the transverse tarsal joint to the calcaneus bone, and includes the rear and sides of the upper 12. While portrayed in the drawings as comprising three primary segments, the upper 12 may be fabricated as a single-piece construction or may be composed of any number of segments, including a toe cap, heel cap, ankle cuff, interior liner, etc. For sandal and slipper applications, the upper 12 may take on an open toe or open heel configuration, or may be replaced with a single strap or multiple interconnected straps.

(12) The upper 12 portion of the footwear 10 may be fabricated from any one or combination of a variety of materials, such as textiles, engineered foams, polymers, natural and synthetic leathers, etc. Individual segments of the upper 12, once cut to shape and size, may be stitched, adhesively bonded, fastened, welded or otherwise joined together to form an interior void for comfortably receiving a foot. The individual material elements of the upper 12 may be selected and located with respect to the footwear 10 in order to impart desired properties of durability, air-permeability, wear-resistance, flexibility, appearance, and comfort, for example. An ankle opening 15 in the rear quarter 12C of the upper 12 provides access to the interior of the shoe 10. A shoelace 20, strap, buckle, or other conventional mechanism may be utilized to modify the girth of the upper 12 to more securely retain the foot within the interior of the shoe 10 as well as to facilitate entry and removal of the foot from the upper 12. Shoelace 20 may be threaded through a series of eyelets 16 in or attached to the upper 12; the tongue 18 may extend between the lace 20 and the interior void of the upper 12.

(13) Sole structure 14 is rigidly secured to the upper 12 such that the sole structure 14 extends between the upper 12 and a support surface upon which a user stands. In effect, the sole structure 14 functions as an intermediate support platform that separates and protects the user's foot from the ground. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and providing cushioning for the foot, sole structure 14 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may provide traction, impart stability, and help to limit various foot motions, such as inadvertent foot inversion and eversion. In accordance with the illustrated example, the sole structure 14 is fabricated as a sandwich structure with a top-most insole 22, an intermediate midsole 24, and a bottom-most outsole 26. Alternative sole configurations may be fabricated with greater or fewer than three layers. Insole 22 is shown located partially within the interior void of the footwear 10, operatively attached at a lower portion of the upper 12, such that the insole 22 abuts a plantar surface of the foot. Underneath the insole 22 is a midsole 24 that incorporates one or more materials or embedded elements that enhance the comfort, performance, and/or ground-reaction-force attenuation properties of footwear 10. These elements and materials may include, individually or in any combination, a polymer foam material, such as polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate (EVA), filler materials, moderators, air-filled bladders, plates, lasting elements, or motion control members. Outsole 26 is located underneath the midsole 24, defining some or all of the bottom-most, ground-engaging portion of the footwear 10. The outsole 26 may be formed from a natural or synthetic rubber material that provides a durable and wear-resistant surface for contacting the ground. In addition, the outsole 26 may be contoured and textured to enhance the traction (i.e., friction) properties between footwear 10 and the underlying support surface.

(14) With collective reference to FIGS. 1-3, the sole structure 14 is fabricated with an impact-force-attenuating midsole 24 that is formed with a pressure-mapped topography and inlaid with a wear-mitigating outsole 26. In accord with the illustrated example, the midsole 24 is formed, in whole or in part, from a first material having a first hardness, e.g., as measured according to a suitable one of the Shore Hardness Scales or other universally-recognized methodology for gauging material rigidity. By comparison, the outsole 26 is mounted to the midsole 24, e.g., via debossing, hot pressing, fusion, adhesives, and/or push fasteners, and is formed, in whole or in part, from a distinct second material with a second hardness that is greater than the hardness of the midsole's material. It may be desirable, for at least some applications, that the Shore A hardness of the second material be larger than the Shore A hardness of the first material by at least about 20%. As a non-limiting example, the first material may include a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) having a material hardness in the range of about 40 to about 60 Shore A; the second material may include a synthetic rubber material having a material hardness of about 75 to about 90 Shore A. In a specific implementation, the midsole is formed via compression molding as a one-piece, unitary structure from a polymer foam, such as an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer plastic or a TPU elastomer, having a density of about 0.15 to about 0.25 g/cm.sup.3. In this example, the outsole 26 is formed via extrusion and stamping as a bipartite structure from a synthetic rubber, such as ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), styrene isoprene styrene (SIS) copolymer rubber, styrene butadiene rubber.

(15) To enhance underfoot comfort for a variety of discrete gate movements during use of the footwear 10, while concomitantly enhancing ground-reaction-force attenuation, increasing energy return, and minimizing shoe weight, the midsole's topography is provided with an engineered pattern of channels and cavities, the shapes, depths, locations, orientations and mean densities of which are designed to coincide with pressure zones identified through sensor-generated pressure map data. A normative population of individuals were provided with athletic shoes retrofit with a distributed array of sensors in the sock liner. These individuals underwent pressure-map testing throughout a full day of use to chart the points along the plantar region of the foot that experiences the largest and smallest magnitudes of pressure from walking, running, frequent lateral maneuvers, and the like. The aforementioned topology parameters of the midsole were then derived through algebraic tiles applied to the resultant pressure map data to create a patterned midsole that allocates polymer foam density according to pressure magnitude distribution.

(16) Outwardly facing surfaces of the midsole 24, including the laterally and rearwardly-facing surfaces of the midsole sidewall 28 and the ground-facing surface of the midsole base 30, are formed with an assortment of recessed cavities 32 intermixed with an assortment of open channels 34. Separating the cavities 32 and the channels 34 are ground-contacting land segments 36 of varying shape, size and orientation that are coterminous with the cavities 32 and channels 34. The cavities 32 are mapped to predetermined sections of sole structure 14 that coincide with reduced-magnitude pressure zones of the user's plantar region. To do so, however, may require each cavity 32 have a distinct shape from every other cavity 32. In the same vein, the channels 34 are mapped to predetermined sections of sole structure 14 that coincide with increased-magnitude pressure zones of the plantar region; this necessitates each channel 34 have a distinct shape from every other channel 34. As a result of the distinctly shaped cavities 32 and channels 34, each land segment 36 may have a distinct shape from every other land segment 36. For at least some implementations, the outsole 26 substantially fills the midsole channels 34; in so doing, segments of the outsole 26 will share the shape and dimensions of the corresponding midsole channel 34 in which they fill. The nuanced geometries of the midsole's surface features and the outsole's channel-filling elements will be described in further detail hereinbelow.

(17) In accord with the illustrated example, the midsole 24 may include one or more continuous chains of elongated channel segments. As seen in FIG. 2, for example, the midsole base 30 is formed with an irregular-shaped forefoot channel series 34A that is located in the forefoot region R.sub.FF of the sole structure 14, and an irregular-shaped hindfoot channel series 34B that is located in the hindfoot region R.sub.HF of the sole structure 14. The hindfoot channel series 34B has a cloud-like shape defined by an ovate central basin segment 38 with multiple round-edged plume segments 40 (nine in the illustrated example) projecting outwardly from the central basin segment 38. In contrast, the forefoot channel series 34A has multiple mutually parallel, elongated channel segments 42 (six in the illustrated example) that are interconnected by multiple linking channel segments 44 extending between the parallel channel segments 42. The midsole 24 has a longitudinal centerline CL.sub.1 that extends lengthwise through the sole structure's forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot regions R.sub.FF, R.sub.MF, R.sub.HF, e.g., parallel to the sagittal plane and perpendicular to the corona plane of the body. The plume segments 40 of the hindfoot channel series 34B and the parallel channel segments 42 and linking channel segments 44 of the forefoot channel series 34A are all obliquely angled with respect to the sole structure's longitudinal centerline CL.sub.1. For instance, two or more of the parallel channel segments 42 may extend from the medial side S.sub.ME of the sole structure 14, proximate a hallux (“big”) toe region of the footwear 10, to the lateral side S.sub.LA of the sole structure 14, proximate a minimus (“little”) toe region.

(18) It is desirable, for at least some configurations, to allocate the largest concentrations of the midsole 24 and outsole 26 at regions of the sole structure 14 that have been determined to coincide with increased-magnitude pressure zones of the plantar region, while contemporaneously minimizing or eliminating the respective volumes of midsole 24 and outsole 26 at regions of the sole structure 14 that have been determined to coincide with decreased-magnitude pressure zones of the plantar region. In order to realize this structural configuration, each segment of the midsole's discrete channel series 34A, 34B may have a distinct shape, orientation and set of dimensions. Each plume segment 40 of the hindfoot channel series 34B of FIG. 2, for example, is shown having a respective length and plan-view profile that are distinct from the lengths and profiles of all other plume segments 40. Likewise, each parallel channel segment 42 of the forefoot channel series 34A is shown having a distinct length and a distinct plan-view profile. The distinct channel segment lengths are represented in FIG. 2 by the different lengths of the dashed lines superimposed over the plume segments 40 and the channel segments 42. As opposed to a polygonal profile bounded by straight edges, the plan-view profile of each parallel channel segment 42 is defined by curved and undulating borders, having a width that varies along the length of that channel segment 42.

(19) Similar to the geometries of the forefoot and hindfoot channel series 34A, 34B, the midsole's recessed cavities 32 may each have a respective irregular shape and corresponding set of dimensions that are distinct from the shapes and dimensions of all other cavities 32. Looking once again to FIG. 2 as a point of reference, two or more of the cavities 32 in the forefoot region R.sub.FF of the sole structure 14 are elongated, mutually parallel cavities interleaved with and parallel to two or more of the parallel channel segments 42 of the forefoot channel series 34A. Each parallel, elongated cavity 32 in the forefoot region R.sub.FF is portrayed as having a distinct length and a distinct plan-view profile. Rather than utilizing a polygonal profile bounded by straight edges, the plan-view profile of each cavity 32 is defined predominantly by arcuate and undulating borders. With this configuration, the plan-view profile of each parallel, elongated cavity 32 in the forefoot region R.sub.FF has a respective width that varies along the length of that cavity 32. As seen in FIG. 4, each of the cavities 32.sub.A1 and 32.sub.A2 has a distinct length L.sub.A1 and L.sub.A2, respectively, and a distinct undulating base 46.sub.A1 and 46.sub.A2 with a respective depth D.sub.A1 and D.sub.A2 that varies along the length of the cavity 32.

(20) A further option may include varying the configurations of the cavities 32 based on their placement with respect to the sole structure 14. In accord with the representative article of footwear 10, for example, the midsole 24 is fabricated with forefoot cavities 32A located in the forefoot region R.sub.FF of the sole structure 14, hindfoot cavities 32B located in the hindfoot region R.sub.HF of the sole structure 14, and midfoot cavities 32C located in the midfoot region R.sub.MF of the sole structure 14. Many of the forefoot cavities 32A of FIG. 2 have a generally rectilinear orientation to complement the orientations of the parallel channel segments 42 with which they are coterminous. Conversely, many of the hindfoot cavities 32B are spaced circumferentially around the central basin segment 38 and interleaved with the plume segments 40 of the hindfoot channel series 34B. Midfoot cavities 32C, on the other hand, are erratically oriented on the ground-facing surface of the midfoot base 30; with the absence of an outsole 26 in the midfoot region R.sub.MF, these cavities 32C effectively minimize the volume of midsole 24 in the midfoot region R.sub.MF. While not per se required, a subset of the forefoot cavities 32A of FIG. 2 adjoin a subset of the midfoot cavities 32C, and a subset of the hindfoot cavities 32B adjoin a different subset of the midfoot cavities 32C.

(21) As indicated above, footwear 10 employs a midsole 24 that may be formed, in whole or in part, from a polymer foam composition that provides enhanced ground-reaction force attenuation while providing a softer feel with increased energy return. Such foam compositions, however, may result in a less-than-desirable durability with diminished resistance to normal wear and tear resulting from use of the footwear 10. To help improve the overall durability and resilience of the sole structure 14 without unduly increasing materials costs and shoe weight, the wear-resistant outsole 26 if fabricated as a bipartite structure with a forefoot outsole segment 26A that is longitudinally spaced from a hindfoot outsole segment 26B, each of which is disposed in and substantially fills a respective one of the forefoot and hindfoot channel series 34A, 34B. Each segment 26A and 26B of the outsole 26 is interspersed with a respective subset of the cavities 32A, 32B such that bottom-most, ground-contacting surfaces of the outsole 26 are substantially flush with the ground-contacting land segments 36 of the midsole 24, as seen in FIG. 3. Conversely, the midfoot region R.sub.MF of the midsole 24 is shown without a ground-contacting outsole. In other words, the outsole 26 may be limited to the forefoot and hindfoot regions R.sub.FF, R.sub.HF; the outsole 26 neither covers nor mounts to the midfoot region R.sub.MF of the midsole 24.

(22) By substantially filling the forefoot and hindfoot channel series 34A, 34B of the midsole 24 with the forefoot and hindfoot segments 26A, 26B of the outsole 26, respectively, the outsole segments 26A, 26B take on the shapes and dimensions of their corresponding midsole channel series 34A, 34B. For instance, the forefoot outsole segment 26B of FIG. 2 is formed with an ovate central region 48 with multiple round-edged arms 50 that generally correspond in shape, size, location and orientation with the central basin segment 38 and plume segments 40, respectively, of the hindfoot channel series 34B. In the same vein, the forefoot outsole segment 26A of FIG. 2 is formed with multiple mutually parallel, elongated sections 52 that are interconnected by multiple linking sections 54 that generally correspond in shape, size, location and orientation with the parallel channel segments 42 and linking channel segments 44, respectively, of the forefoot channel series 34A.

(23) The sole structure 14 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may employ fasteners for mechanically attaching the outsole 26 to the midsole 24. By way of example, and not limitation, the midsole 24 may be formed with a plurality of internal pockets 60 (FIG. 5), with each pocket positioned at a high-magnitude pressure location of the sole structure 14. Rubber push fasteners 62 extend through the outsole 26, into the midsole 24, and interference fit with the pockets 60. Each fastener 62 is formed with a ground-contacting head portion 64 that protrudes from the bottom-most, ground-contacting surface of the outsole 26, as best seen in FIG. 5. A subset of the fasteners 62 may be arranged in mutually parallel rows of fasteners, each of which extends through a respective one of the parallel channel segments 44, as seen in FIG. 2. As noted above, the midsole 24 is fabricated with a sidewall 28 that defines the outer perimeter of the sole structure 14; discrete segments of the outsole 26 extend from the ground-facing surface of the midsole base 30, wrap around the edge of the base 30, and cover discrete portions of the sidewall 28, as seen in FIG. 1. Multiple fasteners 62 extend through the outsole 26, into sidewall 28, and interference fit with pockets 60 in the midsole 24.

(24) Aspects of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments; those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the precise construction and compositions disclosed herein; any and all modifications, changes, and variations apparent from the foregoing descriptions are within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the present concepts expressly include any and all combinations and subcombinations of the preceding elements and features.