Sole construction with stretch flex zone

Abstract

In accordance with one implementation, a sole construction includes a flexible membrane in a forefoot region of the sole construction. The flexible membrane interconnects a first rigid plate to a second rigid plate along a longitudinal axis of the sole construction. The flexible membrane is adapted to flex in the forefoot region responsive to a contact force, causing the first rigid plate to move relative to the second rigid plate.

1 . A sole construction for a shoe comprising:
 a substantially flexible membrane in a forefoot region of the sole construction interconnecting a first substantially rigid plate to a second substantially rigid plate, the first substantially rigid plate axially aligned with the second substantially rigid plate along a longitudinal axis of the sole construction.   
     
     
         2 . The sole construction of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane is adapted to flex in the forefoot region to allow movement of the first substantially rigid plate relative to the second substantially rigid plate. 
     
     
         3 . The sole construction of  claim 1 , wherein the first rigid plate is positioned in a toe region and the second rigid plate is positioned in the forefoot region. 
     
     
         4 . The sole construction of  claim 1 , wherein the first substantially rigid plate and the second substantially rigid plate are substantially planar and lie within a common plane in the absence of applied force. 
     
     
         5 . The sole construction of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane forms part of a ground-facing outer surface of the sole construction. 
     
     
         6 . The sole construction of  claim 1 , wherein the second substantially rigid plate extends into a midfoot region on a lateral side of the sole construction. 
     
     
         7 . The sole construction of  claim 1 , wherein the first substantially rigid plate includes a number of articulated regions adapted to move relative to one another. 
     
     
         8 . The sole construction of  claim 1 , wherein the first substantially rigid plate includes five articulated regions adapted to move relative to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The sole construction of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fastening means for attaching spikes to a ground-facing outer surface of the sole construction. 
     
     
         10 . The sole construction of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane allows for movement of a portion of the first substantially rigid plate about both a torsional axis and a lateral axis, the torsional axis substantially perpendicular to the lateral axis. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 flexing a membrane in a forefoot region of a sole construction, the membrane connecting a first substantially rigid plate to a second substantially rigid plate, the first substantially rigid plate axially aligned with the second substantially rigid plate along a longitudinal axis of the sole construction.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the flexing operation moves the first substantially rigid plate relative to the second substantially rigid plate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first substantially rigid plate is positioned in a toe region and the second substantially rigid plate is positioned in the forefoot region. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second substantially rigid plate extends into a midfoot region on a lateral side of the sole construction. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first substantially rigid plate includes a number of articulated regions adapted to move relative to one another. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first substantially rigid plate includes five articulated regions adapted to move relative to one another. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the membrane allows for movement of a portion of the first substantially rigid plate about both a torsional axis and a lateral axis, wherein the torsional axis is substantially perpendicular to the lateral axis. 
     
     
         18 . A sole construction comprising:
 a substantially rigid forefoot plate and a substantially rigid toe plate separated from one another and interconnected by a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane adapted to flex between the substantially rigid forefoot plate and the substantially rigid toe plate responsive to a contact force.   
     
     
         19 . The sole construction of  claim 18 , wherein the rigid forefoot plate includes a number of articulated regions adapted to move relative to one another. 
     
     
         20 . The sole construction of  claim 19 , wherein each articulated region is sized and shaped to underlie a corresponding metatarsal of a user's foot.