Sole structure for article of footwear

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first sole plate extending from an anterior end of the sole structure to a posterior end of the sole structure. The sole structure further includes a first cleat set disposed in a forefoot region and having a first plurality of traction elements arranged in a first annular pattern about a first axis disposed in the forefoot region. The sole structure also A second cleat set is disposed in a heel region of the sole structure and includes a second plurality of the traction elements arranged in a second annular pattern about a second axis disposed in the heel region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a first sole plate extending from an anterior end of the sole structure to a posterior end of the sole structure;   a first cleat set disposed in a forefoot region and including a first plurality of traction elements arranged in a first annular pattern about a first axis disposed in the forefoot region; and   a second cleat set disposed in a heel region of the sole structure and including a second plurality of the traction elements arranged in a second annular pattern about a second axis disposed in the heel region.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a third cleat set including a third plurality of traction elements arranged in a third annular pattern about the first axis. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 2 , wherein the first sole plate defines a flex zone formed between the first cleat set and the third cleat set. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 3 , wherein the flex zone extends from a first relief on a medial side of the first sole plate to a second relief on a lateral side of the first sole plate. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first plurality of traction elements are oriented in a first rotational direction about the first axis. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the second cleat set includes a first one of the traction elements oriented in a first rotational direction about the second axis and a second one of the traction elements oriented in an opposite second rotational direction about the second axis. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 6 , wherein the second cleat set includes a third one of the traction elements oriented in the first rotational direction about the second axis and a fourth one of the traction elements oriented in the second rotational direction about the second axis. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 7 , wherein the first one of the traction elements is diametrically opposed to the third one of the traction elements across the second axis and the second one of the traction elements is diametrically opposed to the fourth one of the traction elements across the second axis. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a second sole plate attached to the first sole plate and surrounded by the first plurality of traction elements. 
     
     
         10 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the traction elements includes a base portion including a first material of the first sole plate and a tip portion including a second material different than the first material. 
     
     
         11 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a first sole plate extending from an anterior end of the sole structure to a posterior end of the sole structure;   a first cleat set disposed in a forefoot region and including a first plurality of elongate traction elements arranged in a first annular pattern about a first axis disposed in the forefoot region; and   a second cleat set including a second plurality of elongate traction elements arranged in a second annular pattern about the first axis.   
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , further comprising a third cleat set disposed in a heel region of the sole structure and including a third plurality of elongate traction elements arranged in a third annular pattern about a second axis disposed in the heel region. 
     
     
         13 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , wherein the first sole plate defines a flex zone formed between the first cleat set and the second cleat set. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure of  claim 13 , wherein the flex zone extends from a first relief on a medial side of the first sole plate to a second relief on a lateral side of the first sole plate. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , wherein the third cleat set includes a first one of the traction elements oriented in a first rotational direction about the second axis and a second one of the traction elements oriented in an opposite second rotational direction about the second axis. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure of  claim 15 , wherein the third cleat set includes a third one of the traction elements oriented in the first rotational direction about the second axis and a fourth one of the traction elements oriented in the second rotational direction about the second axis. 
     
     
         17 . The sole structure of  claim 16 , wherein the first one of the traction elements is diametrically opposed to the third one of the traction elements across the second axis and the second one of the traction elements is diametrically opposed to the fourth one of the traction elements across the second axis. 
     
     
         18 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first plurality of elongate traction elements are oriented in a first rotational direction about the first axis. 
     
     
         19 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , further comprising a second sole plate attached to the first sole plate and surrounded by the first plurality of elongate traction elements. 
     
     
         20 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein each of the traction elements includes a base portion including a first material of the first sole plate and a tip portion including a second material different than the first material.