Article of footwear

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole and a stabilizing member. The stabilizing member can include a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is positioned along the bottom surface of the midsole. A first sub-portion of the first end portion extends along a first side of the midsole and a second sub-portion of the first end portion extends across the bottom surface from the first side of the midsole to a second side of the midsole. The second portion extends upwardly from the first portion and onto the second side of the midsole to wrap around at least a portion of a periphery of a heel region of the midsole and onto the first side of the midsole.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a midsole defining a first side and a second side that extend between a top surface and a bottom surface; and   a stabilizing member that includes:
 a first end portion positioned along the bottom surface of the midsole, the first end portion including a first sub-portion that extends along the first side of the midsole and a second sub-portion that extends across the bottom surface from the first side of the midsole to the second side of the midsole, and 
 a second end portion extending upwardly from the first end portion and onto the second side of the midsole, the second end portion wrapping around at least a portion of a periphery of a heel region of the sole structure to extend onto the first side of the midsole. 
   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing member is disposed at least partially above the midsole in the heel region. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the second end portion is positioned closer to a midfoot region of the midsole than to a heel end of the midsole. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first sub-portion of the stabilizing member is positioned in a forefoot region of the sole structure, the second sub-portion of the stabilizing member is positioned in a midfoot region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion is positioned in both a midfoot region and the heel region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the first end portion the stabilizing member is coupled to the midsole and an outer surface of the first end portion of the stabilizing member forms at least a portion of a ground engaging surface of the sole structure. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 6 , wherein the first end portion is at least partially disposed within a channel formed in the midsole. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 7 , further including an outsole having a first outsole portion and a second outsole portion that are separated by the stabilizing member, the first outsole portion and the second outsole portion forming a remainder of a ground engaging surface of the sole structure. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 8 , wherein the first end portion includes a first flange extending from a first edge of the of the first end portion, the first flange being secured between the midsole and at least one of the first outsole portion or the second outsole portion. 
     
     
         10 . The sole structure of  claim 9 , wherein the first end portion includes a second flange extending from an opposing second edge of the of the first end portion, the second flange being secured between the midsole and the other of the first outsole portion or the second outsole portion. 
     
     
         11 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper; and   a sole structure coupled to the upper and extending through a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a midsole; 
 an outsole coupled to a bottom surface of the midsole; and 
 a stabilizing member that wraps around the midsole from a first distal end at a medial side of the forefoot region of the outsole, across to a lateral side of the midsole at the midfoot region, upwardly along the lateral side of the midsole from the midfoot region to the heel region to continue around a periphery of the heel region to terminate at a second distal end within the midfoot region on the medial side. 
   
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein the stabilizing member is coupled to at least one of the midsole or the upper as it wraps around the periphery of the heel region. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , further including an outsole coupled to the bottom surface of the midsole, the outsole including a first outsole portion and a second outsole portion that are separated by the stabilizing member. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the outsole and a first end portion of the stabilizing member together form a ground engaging surface of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the stabilizing member includes a flange that is secured between the outsole and the midsole. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein an external surface of the stabilizing member includes a plurality of substantially parallel ridges that extend along a length of the stabilizing member from the first distal end to the second distal end. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein the first distal end of the stabilizing member is coupled to at least one of the medial side of the midsole or the upper in the forefoot region. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein the stabilizing member is at least partially disposed within a channel formed in the midsole. 
     
     
         19 . An article of footwear, comprising
 an upper; and   a sole structure coupled to the upper and extending through a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear, the sole structure including:
 a midsole, and 
 a stabilizing member that includes:
 a first end portion positioned along a bottom surface of the midsole, the first end portion including a first sub-portion that extends along a medial side of the midsole in the forefoot region and a second sub-portion that extends across the bottom surface from the medial side to a lateral side of the midsole in the midfoot region, and 
 a second end portion extending upwardly from the first end portion and onto the lateral side of the midsole in the midfoot region, the second end portion extending rearward along the lateral side of the midsole and wrapping around a heel end of the midsole to extend onto the medial side of the midsole. 
 
   
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 19 , wherein the stabilizing member is coupled to each of the midsole and the upper in at least one of the forefoot region or the heel region.