Footwear sole

Abstract

A sole for an article of footwear having an insert with a plurality of forefoot support tubes are configured to control the support characteristics of the sole in a forefoot region of the sole. In one embodiment, the forefoot support tubes each include a base, and a wall extending from the base. The wall is formed from a material that has a lower durometer value than the base. In another embodiment, the forefoot support tubes are arranged in a radiating pattern, such that at least two of the forefoot support tubes diverge as they extend toward the lateral side of the insert.

1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a two-component insert including a plurality of resilient compressible front support tubes, each of said front support tubes defining a base, and a wall extending from said base, wherein said base is formed from a first material, and said wall is formed from a second material softer than said first material, and;   an outsole positioned below said insert and forming a ground engaging wear surface for the article of footwear.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein said insert includes a lateral side and a medial side, and wherein at least two of said front support tubes are arranged in a radiating pattern such that they diverge as they extend from said medial side towards said lateral side. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2  wherein said insert includes a forefoot portion, said front support tubes positioned in said forefoot portion. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein said bases of each of said support tubes are connected to form a forefoot web, said forefoot web formed from said first material. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein said insert includes an arch portion and a heel portion, said heel portion including a plurality of resilient compressible rear support tubes, each of said rear support tubes defining an internal void; and a plurality of webs, each of said webs being disposed within a corresponding one of said rear support tubes and extending at an orientation, said orientation of each of said webs being pre-selected to provide said insert with a support profile. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein said front support tubes include a first end and a second end, at least one of said first and second ends of each of said front support tubes being open. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 6  wherein at least one of said first and second ends of at least one of said front support tubes is closed. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 6  wherein at least one of said first and second ends of each of said front support tubes includes a generally flat base and a generally semi-circular wall extending from said base. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear  claim 1  wherein said plurality of front support tubes includes at least one central support tube and at least two peripheral support tubes on opposite sides of said at least one central support tube, said at least one central support tube extending substantially across the lateral extent of said insert, said peripheral support tubes extending from the lateral side of said insert only partially across said insert. 
     
     
         10 . An article of footwear having a forefoot region, the article of footwear comprising:
 a two-component insert permanently affixed in the article of footwear, said insert including a lateral side, a medial side and a plurality of resilient compressive front support tubes, said front support tubes positioned in the forefoot region of the article of footwear and extending laterally across at least a portion of said insert, at least two of said front support tubes positioned in a radiating arrangement such that said at least two of said front support tubes diverge as they extend toward said lateral side of said insert, each said support tube including a base comprised of a first material and a wall extending from the base and formed from a second material, said second material being softer than said first material;   a cushioned midsole disposed above said insert; and   an outsole disposed below said insert and forming a wear resistant, ground engaging surface of the article of footwear.   
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 10  wherein said plurality of front support tubes include at least one central front support tube, and at least one peripheral front support tube, said central front support tube extending substantially across said insert, said peripheral front support tube extending partially across said insert. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said front support tubes has a semi-circular cross section. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 11  wherein said at least one peripheral front support tube extends from an open end adjacent to said lateral side of said insert to a closed end partially across said insert. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 11  wherein said at least one peripheral front support tube tapers to a point at said closed end. 
     
     
         15 . An article of footwear having a forefoot region, the article of footwear comprising:
 an upper;   an outsole having a ground engaging surface and an upper surface; and   an insert between said upper and said outsole, said insert positioned in the forefoot region of the article of footwear, said insert including a base formed from a first material, and a plurality of support tube walls attached to said base and extending upwardly from said base, said plurality of support tube walls formed integrally with each other from a second material that is softer than said first material.