Article of footwear having a sole structure

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure including a forefoot region and a heel region. The sole structure further includes a chassis plate, an outsole plate extending from the forefoot region to the heel region, the outsole plate including a recess disposed in a top surface, wherein the outsole plate is disposed below the chassis plate, and a cushioning element disposed within the recess.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a forefoot region and a heel region;   a rigid chassis plate;   a rigid outsole plate extending from the forefoot region to the heel region, wherein the outsole plate is disposed below the chassis plate; and   a cushioning element disposed between the chassis plate and the outsole plate.   
     
     
         22 . The sole structure of  claim 21 , wherein the cushioning element includes a fluid-filled bladder. 
     
     
         23 . The sole structure of  claim 21 , wherein a top surface of the cushioning element is flush with the top surface of the outsole plate when the cushioning element is disposed within the recess. 
     
     
         24 . The sole structure of  claim 21 , wherein the outsole plate includes;
 a bottom surface; and   a plurality of traction elements disposed on the bottom surface of the outsole plate.   
     
     
         25 . The sole structure of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of traction elements are integrally molded into the bottom surface of the outsole plate. 
     
     
         26 . The sole structure of  claim 21 , wherein a bottom surface of the outsole plate forms a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure. 
     
     
         27 . The sole structure of  claim 21 , wherein the outsole plate has a longitudinal length, and a midpoint along the longitudinal length, wherein the outsole plate includes an anterior area that is anterior to the midpoint, and wherein an area of the cushioning element is less than about 70% of the anterior area. 
     
     
         28 . The sole structure of  claim 21 , wherein the chassis plate and outsole plate have substantially the same length. 
     
     
         29 . The sole structure of  claim 21 , wherein the chassis plate has an oblong shape. 
     
     
         30 . The sole structure of  claim 21 , wherein the chassis plate is disposed in the forefoot region. 
     
     
         31 . The sole structure of  claim 21 , wherein the outsole plate includes a recess, and wherein the cushioning element is disposed within the recess of the outsole plate. 
     
     
         32 . An article of footwear comprising the sole structure of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         33 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a forefoot region and a heel region;   a chassis plate disposed in the forefoot region, the chassis plate having an oblong shape;   a cleated outsole plate extending from the forefoot region to the heel region, wherein the outsole plate is disposed below the chassis plate; and   a fluid-filled bladder disposed within the recess between the chassis plate and the outsole plate.   
     
     
         34 . The sole structure of  claim 33 , wherein a bottom surface of the outsole plate includes one or more traction elements. 
     
     
         35 . The sole structure of  claim 33 , wherein the cushioning element includes a fluid-filled bladder. 
     
     
         36 . An article of footwear comprising the sole structure of  claim 33 . 
     
     
         37 . The sole structure of  claim 33 , wherein the chassis plate is disposed solely in the forefoot region. 
     
     
         38 . The sole structure of  claim 33 , wherein the chassis plate is disposed solely in the forefoot region and a midfoot region. 
     
     
         39 . The sole structure of  claim 33 , wherein the chassis plate is not disposed in the heel region. 
     
     
         40 . The sole structure of  claim 33 , wherein the chassis plate is formed of a rigid material, and wherein the cleated outsole plate is formed of a rigid material.