Sole structure for article of footwear

Abstract

A sole structure includes at least one of a plate shell or a plate chassis extending from a forefoot region of the sole structure to a heel region of the sole structure and defining a peripheral edge of the sole structure. The sole structure further includes a plurality of first traction elements extending from the at least one of the plate shell or the plate chassis and arranged in an annular pattern in a forefoot region of the sole structure. A first rib extends along the peripheral edge of the sole structure from a first end adjacent to the forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end adjacent to the heel region of the sole structure, and a traction pad attached to the at least one of the plate shell or the plate chassis and surrounded by the plurality of the first traction elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 at least one of a plate shell or a plate chassis extending from a forefoot region of the sole structure to a heel region of the sole structure and defining a peripheral edge of the sole structure;   a plurality of first traction elements extending from the at least one of the plate shell or the plate chassis and arranged in an annular pattern in a forefoot region of the sole structure;   a first rib extending along the peripheral edge of the sole structure from a first end adjacent to the forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end adjacent to the heel region of the sole structure; and   a traction pad attached to the at least one of the plate shell or the plate chassis and surrounded by the plurality of the first traction elements.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first rib includes a first traction element disposed at the first end of the first rib and a second traction element disposed at the second end of the first rib. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 2 , wherein the first traction element is a directional traction element having a leading end facing the second end of the first rib and the second traction element is a directional traction element having a leading end facing the first end of the first rib. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first rib extends along a medial side of the sole structure and at least partially defines a portion of the peripheral edge. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first rib extends along an arcuate path from the first end to the second end and defines a concave ball receiving zone along a medial side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first rib includes a concave first sidewall facing a medial side of the sole structure and a convex second sidewall facing a lateral side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a second rib extending between the first rib and a lateral side of the sole structure from a third end adjacent to the forefoot region of the sole structure to a fourth end adjacent to the heel region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first traction elements are elongate traction elements arranged in a directional annular pattern in the forefoot region. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the traction pad includes a resilient material having a lower durometer than each of the at least one of the plate shell or the plate chassis. 
     
     
         10 . An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 at least one of a plate shell or a plate chassis extending from a forefoot region of the sole structure to a heel region of the sole structure and defining a peripheral edge of the sole structure;   a plurality of first traction elements extending from the at least one of the plate shell or the plate chassis and arranged in an annular pattern in a forefoot region of the sole structure;   a first rib extending along the peripheral edge of the sole structure from a first end adjacent to the forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end adjacent to the heel region of the sole structure; and   a second rib extending between the first rib and a lateral side of the sole structure from a third end adjacent to the forefoot region of the sole structure to a fourth end adjacent to the heel region of the sole structure.   
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first rib includes a first traction element disposed at the first end of the first rib and a second traction element disposed at the second end of the first rib. 
     
     
         13 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , wherein the first traction element is a directional traction element having a leading end facing the second end of the first rib and the second traction element is a directional traction element having a leading end facing the first end of the first rib. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first rib extends along a medial side of the sole structure and at least partially defines a portion of the peripheral edge. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first rib extends along an arcuate path from the first end to the second end and defines a concave ball receiving zone along a medial side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first rib includes a concave first sidewall facing a medial side of the sole structure and a convex second sidewall facing a lateral side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         17 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first traction elements are elongate traction elements arranged in a directional annular pattern in the forefoot region. 
     
     
         18 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , further comprising a traction pad attached to the at least one of the plate shell or the plate chassis and surrounded by the plurality of the first traction elements. 
     
     
         19 . The sole structure of  claim 18 , wherein the traction pad includes a resilient material having a lower durometer than each of the at least one of the plate shell or the plate chassis. 
     
     
         20 . An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of  claim 1 .