Sole structure for article of footwear

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a cushioning element including a first material and a cradle including a second material. The cradle is attached to the cushioning element and includes a first plate disposed against the cushioning element and a second plate spaced apart from the cushioning element, the second plate including an aperture. The sole structure additionally includes a bladder disposed within the cradle and including a first portion contacting the first plate and a second portion extending through the aperture of the second plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a cushioning element extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a heel region of the sole structure;   an outsole spaced apart from the cushioning element to define a gap between the cushioning element and the outsole and defining a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure, the outsole extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region; and   a cradle disposed within the gap and defining an arcuate surface facing a posterior end of the sole structure, the second end of the cushioning element extending over the arcuate surface to define a first portion of a posterior surface of the sole structure.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the outsole extends over the arcuate surface to define a second portion of the posterior surface of the sole structure. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the outsole opposes the second end of the cushioning element at the arcuate surface. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the outsole abuts the second end of the cushioning element along the arcuate surface. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the arcuate surface of the cradle is formed as a first semi-circular end support extending between an upper plate and a lower plate of the cradle. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 5 , wherein the cradle further comprises a second semi-circular end support disposed at an anterior end of the cradle, the upper plate and the lower plate extending between and joining the first semi-circular end support and the second semi-circular end support. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the cradle defines a receptacle extending from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure, the arcuate surface being disposed at a posterior end of the receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 7 , further comprising a bladder disposed within the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 8 , wherein the arcuate surface of the cradle is spaced apart from the bladder. 
     
     
         10 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the cushioning element and the outsole cooperate to enclose the arcuate surface of the cradle at the posterior end of the sole structure. 
     
     
         11 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a cushioning element extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a heel region of the sole structure;   an outsole spaced apart from the cushioning element to define a gap between the cushioning element and the outsole and defining a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure, the outsole extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region; and   a cradle disposed within the gap and defining an arcuate surface facing a posterior end of the sole structure, the second end of the outsole extending over the arcuate surface to define a first portion of a posterior surface of the sole structure.   
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the second end of the cushioning element extends over the arcuate surface to define a second portion of the posterior surface of the sole structure. 
     
     
         13 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the second end of the cushioning element opposes the second end of the outsole at the arcuate surface. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the second end of the outsole abuts the second end of the cushioning element along the arcuate surface. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the arcuate surface of the cradle is formed as a first semi-circular end support extending between an upper plate and a lower plate of the cradle. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure of  claim 15 , wherein the cradle further comprises a second semi-circular end support disposed at an anterior end of the cradle, the upper plate and the lower plate extending between and joining the first semi-circular end support and the second semi-circular end support. 
     
     
         17 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the cradle defines a receptacle extending from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure, the arcuate surface being disposed at a posterior end of the receptacle. 
     
     
         18 . The sole structure of  claim 17 , further comprising a bladder disposed within the receptacle. 
     
     
         19 . The sole structure of  claim 18 , wherein the arcuate surface of the cradle is spaced apart from the bladder. 
     
     
         20 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the cushioning element and the outsole cooperate to enclose the arcuate surface of the cradle at the posterior end of the sole structure.