Flex groove sole assembly with biasing structure

Abstract

An article of footwear an upper and a sole structure that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed proximate the medial side of the footwear, and the second portion is disposed proximate the lateral side. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other. The article of footwear also includes a flexible biasing member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends across the first portion and the second portion. The first and second ends extend out from the outer surface of the footwear from either the medial or lateral side. The middle portion of the biasing member is configured to bias the first and second portions toward each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an upper;   a sole structure attached to the upper;   a cord including a first portion at least partially enclosed within the upper and a second portion at least partially enclosed within the sole structure; and   a tensioner attached to one of the upper and the sole structure and receiving a third portion of the cord, the tensioner operable to maintain tension in the cord to selectively adjust a stiffness of the upper.   
     
     
         22 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the sole structure includes a midsole, the second portion of the cord being received within at least one passage defined by the midsole. 
     
     
         23 . The article of footwear of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one reinforcing tube disposed within the at least one passage of the midsole and receiving the cord therein. 
     
     
         24 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , further comprising at least one reinforcing tube attached to at least one of the upper and the sole structure, the at least one reinforcing tube receiving the cord therein. 
     
     
         25 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the second portion of the cord extends substantially parallel to a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure. 
     
     
         26 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the second portion of the cord extends up from the sole structure in a direction toward the upper and joins with the first portion of the cord. 
     
     
         27 . The article of footwear of  claim 26 , wherein the first portion of the cord and the second portion of the cord are part of the same unitary cord. 
     
     
         28 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the first portion of the cord, the second portion of the cord, and the third portion of the cord are part of the same unitary cord. 
     
     
         29 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the first portion of the cord is disposed in a heel region of the upper and the second portion of the cord extends from the first portion in a direction toward a midfoot region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         30 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the tensioner is attached to an outer surface of the upper. 
     
     
         31 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an upper;   a sole structure attached to the upper;   a cord including a first portion extending within the sole structure and a second portion extending from the first portion in a direction toward the upper; and   a tensioner attached to one of the upper and the sole structure and receiving a third portion of the cord, the tensioner operable to maintain tension in the cord to selectively adjust a stiffness of the upper.   
     
     
         32 . The article of footwear of  claim 31 , wherein the sole structure includes a midsole, the first portion of the cord being received within at least one passage defined by the midsole. 
     
     
         33 . The article of footwear of  claim 32 , further comprising at least one reinforcing tube disposed within the at least one passage of the midsole and receiving the cord therein. 
     
     
         34 . The article of footwear of  claim 31 , further comprising at least one reinforcing tube attached to at least one of the upper and the sole structure, the at least one reinforcing tube receiving the cord therein. 
     
     
         35 . The article of footwear of  claim 31 , wherein the first portion of the cord extends substantially parallel to a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure. 
     
     
         36 . The article of footwear of  claim 31 , wherein the cord includes a fourth portion extending from the second portion of the cord and at least partially enclosed within the upper. 
     
     
         37 . The article of footwear of  claim 36 , wherein the first portion of the cord, the second portion of the cord, the third portion of the cord, and the fourth portion of the cord are part of the same unitary cord. 
     
     
         38 . The article of footwear of  claim 31 , wherein the first portion of the cord, the second portion of the cord, and the third portion of the cord are part of the same unitary cord. 
     
     
         39 . The article of footwear of  claim 31 , wherein the second portion of the cord is disposed in a heel region of the upper and the first portion of the cord extends from the second portion in a direction toward a midfoot region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         40 . The article of footwear of  claim 31 , wherein the tensioner is attached to an outer surface of the upper.