Ground-Engaging Structures for Articles of Footwear

Abstract

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component; and (b) an inner perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an inner perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein an open space is defined between a lateral side portion of the inner perimeter boundary rim and a medial side portion of the inner perimeter boundary rim.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper; and   a sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the sole structure includes a ground contacting component having a U-shaped structure including:
 a lateral side forefoot support area, 
 an anterior forefoot support area, 
 a medial side forefoot support area, wherein an open space is defined between the lateral side forefoot support area and the medial side forefoot support area, 
 a first cleat support area formed in the U-shaped structure and located in the lateral side forefoot support area, wherein the first cleat support area includes a first plurality of secondary traction elements surrounding a first primary cleat mount area, 
 a second cleat support area formed in the U-shaped structure and located anterior of the first cleat support area, wherein the second cleat support area includes a second plurality of secondary traction elements surrounding a second primary cleat mount area, 
 a third cleat support area formed in the U-shaped structure and located in the medial side forefoot support area, wherein the third cleat support area includes a third plurality of secondary traction elements surrounding a third primary cleat mount area, and 
 a fourth cleat support area formed in the U-shaped structure and located anterior of the third cleat support area, wherein the fourth cleat support area includes a fourth plurality of secondary traction elements surrounding a fourth primary cleat mount area. 
   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first track spike engaged at the first primary cleat mount area and surrounded by the first plurality of secondary traction elements, wherein the first plurality of secondary traction elements includes plural raised, sharp points integrally formed in the U-shaped structure of the ground contacting component,
 a second track spike engaged at the second primary cleat mount area and surrounded by the second plurality of secondary traction elements, wherein the second plurality of secondary traction elements includes plural raised, sharp points integrally formed in the U-shaped structure of the ground contacting component,   a third track spike engaged at the third primary cleat mount area and surrounded by the third plurality of secondary traction elements, wherein the third plurality of secondary traction elements includes plural raised, sharp points integrally formed in the U-shaped structure of the ground contacting component, and   a fourth track spike engaged at the fourth primary cleat mount area and surrounded by the fourth plurality of secondary traction elements, wherein the first plurality of secondary traction elements includes plural raised, sharp points integrally formed in the U-shaped structure of the ground contacting component.   
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear according to  claim 2 , wherein the first plurality of secondary traction elements includes six secondary traction elements having their respective peaks or points located within a distance of 1 inch from a peak or point of the first track spike, wherein the second plurality of secondary traction elements includes six secondary traction elements having their respective peaks or points located within a distance of 1 inch from a peak or point of the second track spike, wherein the third plurality of secondary traction elements includes six secondary traction elements having their respective peaks or points located within a distance of 1 inch from a peak or point of the third track spike, and wherein the fourth plurality of secondary traction elements includes six secondary traction elements having their respective peaks or points located within a distance of 1 inch from a peak or point of the fourth track spike. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein cleat support areas formed in the ground contacting component having the U-shaped structure consist of: (a) the first cleat support area, (b) the second cleat support area, (c) the third cleat support area, and (d) the fourth cleat support area. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first track spike engaged at the first primary cleat mount area and surrounded by the first plurality of secondary traction elements, wherein the first plurality of secondary traction elements includes plural raised, sharp points located within a distance of 1 inch from a peak or point of the first track spike,
 a second track spike engaged at the second primary cleat mount area and surrounded by the second plurality of secondary traction elements, wherein the second plurality of secondary traction elements includes plural raised, sharp points located within a distance of 1 inch from a peak or point of the second track spike,   a third track spike engaged at the third primary cleat mount area and surrounded by the third plurality of secondary traction elements, wherein the third plurality of secondary traction elements includes plural raised, sharp points located within a distance of 1 inch from a peak or point of the third track spike, and   a fourth track spike engaged at the fourth primary cleat mount area and surrounded by the fourth plurality of secondary traction elements, wherein the fourth plurality of secondary traction elements includes plural raised, sharp points located within a distance of 1 inch from a peak or point of the fourth track spike.   
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein the article of footwear includes a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L extending from a rearmost heel location of the article of footwear to a forwardmost toe location of the article of footwear, and wherein:
 the first track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.5 L and 0.75 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location,   the second track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.62 L and 0.88 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location,   the third track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.57 L and 0.84 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and   the fourth track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.75 L and 0.96 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location.   
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein the article of footwear includes a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L extending from a rearmost heel location of the article of footwear to a forwardmost toe location of the article of footwear, and wherein:
 the first track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.53 L and 0.7 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location,   the second track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.64 L and 0.86 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location,   the third track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.6 L and 0.8 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and   the fourth track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.8 L and 0.95 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location.   
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein the article of footwear includes a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L extending from a rearmost heel location of the article of footwear to a forwardmost toe location of the article of footwear, and wherein:
 the first track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.55 L and 0.68 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location,   the second track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.7 L and 0.82 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location,   the third track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.63 L and 0.76 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and   the fourth track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.84 L and 0.94 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location.   
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the U-shaped structure of the ground contacting component includes a first free end on a lateral side of the sole structure and a second free end on a medial side of the sole structure, and wherein the first free end extends further posterior than does the second free end. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear according to  claim 9 , wherein the article of footwear includes a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L extending from a rearmost heel location of the article of footwear to a forwardmost toe location of the article of footwear, and wherein:
 a rearmost extent of the first free end of the U-shaped structure is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.275 L and 0.6 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and   a rearmost extent of the second free end of the U-shaped structure is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.4 L and 0.65 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location.   
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear according to  claim 9 , wherein the article of footwear includes a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L extending from a rearmost heel location of the article of footwear to a forwardmost toe location of the article of footwear, and wherein:
 a rearmost extent of the first free end of the U-shaped structure is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.3 L and 0.55 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and   a rearmost extent of the second free end of the U-shaped structure is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.45 L and 0.625 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location.   
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein an outside edge of the U-shaped structure of the ground contacting component and an inside edge of the U-shaped structure of the ground contacting component are separated from one another by a direct distance of no more than 1.5 inches (38.1 mm) around at least 80% of an outer perimeter of the U-shaped structure of the ground contacting component. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first plurality of secondary traction elements, the second plurality of secondary traction elements, the third plurality of secondary traction elements, and the fourth plurality of secondary traction elements is integrally formed with the U-shaped structure of the ground contacting component. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the sole structure further includes a midsole positioned between the ground contacting component and a bottom of the upper, and wherein a bottom surface of the midsole is exposed at an exterior of the sole structure in the open space defined between the lateral side forefoot support area and the medial side forefoot support area of the U-shaped structure. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear according to  claim 14 , wherein the bottom surface of the midsole exposed at the exterior of the sole structure extends from the open space to a rear heel support area of the sole structure. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the sole structure further includes a heel reinforcement component located at least at a lateral, rear heel support area of the sole structure. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear according to  claim 16 , wherein the heel reinforcement component includes a matrix structure. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear according to  claim 16 , wherein the heel reinforcement component includes ground-engaging traction elements. 
     
     
         19 . An article of footwear having a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L extending from a rearmost heel location of the article of footwear to a forwardmost toe location of the article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising:
 an upper;   a midsole engaged with the upper;   a U-shaped ground engaging component engaged with the midsole, the U-shaped ground engaging component including:
 a lateral side forefoot support area, 
 an anterior forefoot support area, 
 a medial side forefoot support area, wherein an open space is defined between the lateral side forefoot support area and the medial side forefoot support area, 
 a first free end located at a lateral side of the U-shaped ground engaging component, wherein a rearmost extent of the first free end is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.275 L and 0.6 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and 
 a second free end located at a medial side of the U-shaped ground engaging component, wherein the first free end extends further posterior than does the second free end, and wherein a rearmost extent of the second free end is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.4 L and 0.65 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location; and 
   a plurality of track spikes engaged with the U-shaped ground engaging component, wherein the plurality of track spikes includes: (a) a first track spike engaged with the U-shaped ground engaging component at the lateral side forefoot support area, (b) a second track spike engaged with the U-shaped ground engaging component and located anterior of the first track spike, (c) a third track spike engaged with the U-shaped ground engaging component at the medial side forefoot support area, and (d) a fourth track spike engaged with the U-shaped ground engaging component and located anterior of the third track spike.   
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 the first track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.5 L and 0.75 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location,   the second track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.62 L and 0.88 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location,   the third track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.57 L and 0.84 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and   the fourth track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.75 L and 0.96 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location.   
     
     
         21 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 the first track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.53 L and 0.7 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location,   the second track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.64 L and 0.86 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location,   the third track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.6 L and 0.8 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and   the fourth track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.8 L and 0.95 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location.   
     
     
         22 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 the first track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.55 L and 0.68 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location,   the second track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.7 L and 0.82 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location,   the third track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.63 L and 0.76 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and   the fourth track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.84 L and 0.94 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location.   
     
     
         23 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein the first track spike is surrounded by a first plurality of secondary traction elements formed in the U-shaped ground engaging component, wherein the first plurality of secondary traction elements includes plural raised, sharp points located within a distance of 1 inch from a peak or point of the first track spike,
 wherein the second track spike is surrounded by a second plurality of secondary traction elements formed in the U-shaped ground engaging component, wherein the second plurality of secondary traction elements includes plural raised, sharp points located within a distance of 1 inch from a peak or point of the second track spike,   wherein the third track spike is surrounded by a third plurality of secondary traction elements formed in the U-shaped ground engaging component, wherein the third plurality of secondary traction elements includes plural raised, sharp points located within a distance of 1 inch from a peak or point of the third track spike, and   wherein the fourth track spike is surrounded by a fourth plurality of secondary traction elements formed in the U-shaped ground engaging component, wherein the fourth plurality of secondary traction elements includes plural raised, sharp points located within a distance of 1 inch from a peak or point of the fourth track spike.   
     
     
         24 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein the rearmost extent of the first free end of the U-shaped ground engaging component is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.3 L and 0.55 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and wherein the rearmost extent of the second free end of the U-shaped ground engaging component is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.45 L and 0.625 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location. 
     
     
         25 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein the first track spike is surrounded by a first plurality of secondary traction elements integrally formed in the U-shaped ground engaging component,
 wherein the second track spike is surrounded by a second plurality of secondary traction elements integrally formed in the U-shaped ground engaging component,   wherein the third track spike is surrounded by a third plurality of secondary traction elements integrally formed in the U-shaped ground engaging component, and   wherein the fourth track spike is surrounded by a fourth plurality of secondary traction elements integrally formed in the U-shaped ground engaging component.   
     
     
         26 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein a bottom surface of the midsole is exposed at an exterior of the article of footwear in the open space defined between the lateral side forefoot support area and the medial side forefoot support area of the U-shaped ground engaging component. 
     
     
         27 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , further comprising a heel reinforcement component engaged with the midsole at least at a lateral, rear heel support area of the midsole. 
     
     
         28 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein the heel reinforcement component includes a matrix structure. 
     
     
         29 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein the heel reinforcement component includes ground-engaging traction elements. 
     
     
         30 . An article of footwear having a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L extending from a rearmost heel location of the article of footwear to a forwardmost toe location of the article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising:
 an upper;   a midsole engaged with the upper;   a ground engaging component engaged with the midsole, the ground engaging component including:
 a lateral side forefoot support area, 
 an anterior forefoot support area, 
 a medial side forefoot support area, 
 an outer perimeter boundary rim connecting the lateral side forefoot support area, the anterior forefoot support area, and the medial side forefoot support area and defining an outer perimeter of the ground engaging component, 
 an inner perimeter boundary rim connecting the lateral side forefoot support area, the anterior forefoot support area, and the medial side forefoot support area and defining an inner perimeter of the ground engaging component, wherein an open space is defined between the inner perimeter boundary rim at the lateral side forefoot support area and the inner perimeter boundary rim at the medial side forefoot support area, and wherein an overall width dimension of the ground engaging component from the outer perimeter boundary rim to the inner perimeter boundary rim around at least 95% of an outer perimeter of the ground engaging component is no more than 1.5 inches, 
 a first cleat support area formed in the ground engaging component and located at the lateral side forefoot support area, wherein the first cleat support area includes a first plurality of secondary traction elements formed as plural sharp points surrounding a first primary cleat mount area, 
 a second cleat support area formed in the ground engaging component and located forward of the first cleat support area, wherein the second cleat support area includes a second plurality of secondary traction elements formed as plural sharp points surrounding a second primary cleat mount area, 
 a third cleat support area formed in the ground engaging component and located at the medial side forefoot support area, wherein the third cleat support area includes a third plurality of secondary traction elements formed as plural sharp points surrounding a third primary cleat mount area, and 
 a fourth cleat support area formed in the ground engaging component and located forward of the third cleat support area, wherein the fourth cleat support area includes a fourth plurality of secondary traction elements formed as plural sharp points surrounding a fourth primary cleat mount area, 
 a first free end connecting the outer perimeter boundary rim and the inner perimeter boundary rim, wherein the first free end is located at a lateral side of the ground engaging component, wherein a rearmost extent of the first free end is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.275 L and 0.6 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and 
 a second free end connecting the outer perimeter boundary rim and the inner perimeter boundary rim, wherein the second free end is located at a medial side of the ground engaging component, wherein the first free end is located more posterior than is the second free end, and wherein a rearmost extent of the second free end is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.4 L and 0.65 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location; 
   a plurality of track spikes engaged with the ground engaging component, wherein the plurality of track spikes includes:
 a first track spike engaged at the first primary cleat mount area, wherein the first track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.5 L and 0.75 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, 
 a second track spike engaged at the second primary cleat mount area, wherein the second track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.62 L and 0.88 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, 
 a third track spike engaged at the third primary cleat mount area, wherein the third track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.57 L and 0.84 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and 
 a fourth track spike engaged at the fourth primary cleat mount area, wherein the fourth track spike is located between planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article of footwear and located at 0.75 L and 0.96 L measured forward from the rearmost heel location; and 
   a heel component including plural ground-engaging traction elements extending from a bottom surface thereof, wherein the heel component is engaged with the midsole at least at a lateral, rear heel support area of the midsole.