Sole structure for article of footwear

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a chassis and a cushioning arrangement. The chassis includes a recess formed between a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface. The cushioning arrangement includes a first cushioning element protruding from the first surface and including a first plurality of lobes and a second cushioning element protruding from the second surface and including a second plurality of lobes contacting the first plurality of lobes. At least one of the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element may include a fluid-filled bladder. A first side of each cushioning element includes a substantially planar base and a second side of each cushioning element includes the lobes formed on an opposite side from the base. The base of each cushioning element is attached to a respective one of the surfaces of the recess.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a chassis including a recess formed between a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface; and   a cushioning arrangement including a first cushioning element protruding from the first surface and including a plurality of first lobes and a second cushioning element protruding from the second surface and including a plurality of second lobes, at least one first lobe of the plurality of first lobes including a convex surface and at least one second lobe of the plurality of second lobes including a concave surface receiving the convex surface of the at least one first lobe.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one lobe of the plurality of first lobes of the first cushioning element is hemispherical in shape and at least one lobe of the plurality of second lobes of the second cushioning element is hemispherical in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first cushioning element includes a substantially planar base attached to the first surface. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 3 , wherein the second cushioning element includes a substantially planar base attached to the second surface. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein lobes of the plurality of first lobes and lobes of plurality of second lobes are arranged in a quad-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first cushioning element comprises a fluid-filled bladder. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the second cushioning element comprises a fluid-filled bladder. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first lobes define a first recess and the plurality of second lobes define a second recess. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 8 , wherein the first recess opposes the second recess to define a gap between the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element. 
     
     
         10 . The sole structure of  claim 8 , wherein the first recess is centrally located on the first cushioning element and the second recess is centrally located on the second cushioning element. 
     
     
         11 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a chassis including a recess formed between a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface; and   a cushioning arrangement including a first cushioning element protruding from the first surface and including a plurality of first lobes and a second cushioning element protruding from the second surface and including a plurality of second lobes, at least one first lobe of the plurality of first lobes is received in a receptacle of at least one second lobe of the plurality of second lobes.   
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein at least one lobe of the plurality of first lobes of the first cushioning element is hemispherical in shape and at least one lobe of the plurality of second lobes of the second cushioning element is hemispherical in shape. 
     
     
         13 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first cushioning element includes a substantially planar base attached to the first surface. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure of  claim 13 , wherein the second cushioning element includes a substantially planar base attached to the second surface. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein lobes of the plurality of first lobes and lobes of plurality of second lobes are arranged in a quad-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first cushioning element comprises a fluid-filled bladder. 
     
     
         17 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the second cushioning element comprises a fluid-filled bladder. 
     
     
         18 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of first lobes define a first recess and the plurality of second lobes define a second recess. 
     
     
         19 . The sole structure of  claim 18 , wherein the first recess opposes the second recess to define a gap between the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element. 
     
     
         20 . The sole structure of  claim 18 , wherein the first recess is centrally located on the first cushioning element and the second recess is centrally located on the second cushioning element.