Sole Assembly For Article Of Footwear With Interlocking Members

Abstract

An article of footwear includes a sole assembly with a rib that is resiliently flexible, and the rib has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The transverse axis extends at an acute angle relative to the ground surface, and the rib includes a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, and a middle portion disposed between the first and second longitudinal ends. A height of the first and/or second longitudinal end is greater than that of the middle portion. The rib is operable to axially support a first force applied substantially along the acute angle relative to the ground surface, and the rib transverse axis remains substantially straight in response to the first force. The rib resiliently bends about the rib longitudinal axis in response to a second force applied substantially normal to the ground surface to make the rib transverse axis non-linear.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear having a forefoot region and a heel region comprising:
 an upper; and   a sole assembly that defines a ground engaging surface and that is attached to the upper, wherein the sole assembly includes:
 a first member that is unitary and that includes a first base and a plurality of first ribs, the first ribs depending from the first base toward the ground engaging surface, the first ribs being disposed in the forefoot region; and 
 a second member that is unitary and that includes a second base and a plurality of second ribs, the second base being proximate the ground engaging surface, the second ribs extending from the second base away from the ground engaging surface, the second ribs being disposed in the forefoot region; 
   wherein the first member and the second member are interlocked such that the at least some of the plurality of first ribs are received between respective pairs of the second ribs;   wherein the first ribs depend from the first base at a first acute angle relative to the ground engaging surface;   wherein the second ribs extend from the second base at a second acute angle relative to the ground engaging surface; and   wherein the first member has a different resistance to compression than the second member.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the second member is more resistant to compression than the first member. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first acute angle is substantially equal to the second acute angle. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first base extends continuously from the forefoot region, across a midfoot region, to the heel region;
 wherein the plurality of first ribs include first forefoot ribs disposed in the forefoot region, first midfoot ribs disposed in the midfoot region, and first heel ribs disposed in the heel region;   wherein the second base extends continuously from the forefoot region, across the midfoot region, to the heel region;   wherein the plurality of second ribs include second forefoot ribs disposed in the forefoot region, second midfoot ribs disposed in the midfoot region, and second heel ribs disposed in the heel region; and   wherein the plurality of first ribs and the plurality of second ribs are interlocked in an alternating arrangement from the forefoot region, across the midfoot region, to the heel region.   
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the article of footwear further includes a medial side and a lateral side; and
 wherein at least one of the plurality of first ribs extends continuously from the medial side to the lateral side; and   wherein at least one of the plurality of second ribs extends continuously from the medial side to the lateral side.   
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of first ribs is exposed on the medial side and the lateral side; and
 wherein the at least one of the plurality of second ribs is exposed on the medial side and the lateral side.   
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second ribs each include a first longitudinal end disposed proximate a medial side of the article of footwear, a second longitudinal end disposed proximate a lateral side of the article of footwear, and a middle portion that is disposed between the first and second longitudinal ends,
 wherein at least one of the plurality of second ribs has a height measured from the second base to a superior surface of the at least one second rib; and   wherein the height varies between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end.   
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 7 , wherein the height is greater at the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end as compared to the middle portion. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first ribs each include a first front surface and a first rear surface, wherein the first front surfaces generally face an anterior end of the article of footwear, wherein the first rear surfaces generally face a posterior end of the article of footwear;
 wherein the second ribs each include a second front surface and a second rear surface, wherein the second front surfaces generally face the anterior end, wherein the second rear surfaces generally face the posterior end, wherein the first front surfaces abut against respective ones of the second rear surfaces, and wherein the second front surfaces abut against respective ones of the first rear surfaces.   
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the second ribs includes a base end attached to the second base and a superior end, wherein the base end and the superior end are opposite each other;
 wherein the at least one of the second ribs includes a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the front surface and the rear surface both extend from the base end to the superior end;   wherein the at least one of the second ribs has a first width measured between the front surface and the rear surface proximate the base end;   wherein the at least one of the second ribs has a second width measured between the front surface and the rear surface proximate the superior end; and   wherein the first width is greater than the second width.   
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first base includes a superior surface;
 wherein the superior surface includes a peripheral edge that encircles a central area of the superior surface; and   wherein the peripheral edge is raised with respect to the central area.   
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the sole assembly further includes an outsole that defines the ground engaging surface;
 wherein the second ribs extend from a superior surface of the second base; and   wherein the outsole is attached to an inferior surface of the second base, the inferior surface facing the ground engaging surface, and the superior surface facing away from the ground engaging surface.   
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the sole assembly includes an anterior end and a posterior end;
 wherein at least one of the second ribs includes a base end attached to the second base and a superior end, wherein the base end and the superior end are opposite each other; and   wherein the at least one of the second ribs extends from the second base such that the superior end is directed generally toward the anterior end of the sole assembly.   
     
     
         14 . An article of footwear having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, a heel region, a medial side, and a lateral side comprising:
 an upper;   an outsole that defines a ground engaging surface of the footwear; and   a resiliently compressible midsole disposed between the upper and the outsole, the midsole including:
 a first member that is unitary and that includes a first base and a plurality of first ribs; and 
 a second member that is unitary and that includes a second base and a plurality of second ribs; 
 wherein the first ribs depend from the first base toward the ground engaging surface, wherein the first ribs extend continuously from the medial side to the lateral side, and wherein some of the first ribs are disposed in the forefoot region, others of the first ribs are disposed in the midfoot region, and others of the first ribs are disposed in the heel region; 
 wherein the second base is proximate the ground engaging surface, wherein the second ribs extend from the second base away from the ground engaging surface, wherein the second ribs extend continuously from the medial side to the lateral side, and wherein some of the second ribs are disposed in the forefoot region, others of the second ribs are disposed in the midfoot region, and others of the second ribs are disposed in the heel region; 
 wherein the first and second ribs extend at an acute angle relative to the ground engaging surface; 
 wherein the first member and the second member are interlocked such that at least some of the plurality of first ribs are received between respective pairs of the second ribs; and 
 wherein the first member has a different resistance to compression than the second member. 
   
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the second member is more resistant to compression than the first member. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the plurality of first ribs is exposed on the medial side and the lateral side; and
 wherein at least one of the plurality of second ribs is exposed on the medial side and the lateral side.   
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of second ribs each include a first longitudinal end disposed proximate a medial side of the article of footwear, a second longitudinal end disposed proximate a lateral side of the article of footwear, and a middle portion that is disposed between the first and second longitudinal ends,
 wherein at least one of the plurality of second ribs has a height measured from the second base to a superior surface of the at least one second rib; and   wherein the height varies between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end.   
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the height is greater at the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end as compared to the middle portion. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the first ribs each include a first front surface and a first rear surface, wherein the first front surfaces generally face an anterior end of the article of footwear, wherein the first rear surfaces generally face a posterior end of the article of footwear;
 wherein the second ribs each include a second front surface and a second rear surface, wherein the second front surfaces generally face the anterior end, wherein the second rear surfaces generally face the posterior end, wherein the first front surfaces abut against respective ones of the second rear surfaces, and wherein the second front surfaces abut against respective ones of the first rear surfaces.   
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the second ribs includes a base end attached to the second base and a superior end, wherein the base end and the superior end are opposite each other;
 wherein the at least one of the second ribs includes a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the front surface and the rear surface both extend from the base end to the superior end;   wherein the at least one of the second ribs has a first width measured between the front surface and the rear surface proximate the base end;   wherein the at least one of the second ribs has a second width measured between the front surface and the rear surface proximate the superior end; and   wherein the first width is greater than the second width.