Stability Structure

Abstract

A sole structure is provided having a stability structure. The stability structure may be located primarily in the midfoot area of the sole structure, but may extend into both the forefoot and heel regions. The stability structure may provide support along the longitudinal length of the foot so as to limit non-axial, vertical flexion. The stability structure may have various stability members that may curve in a unidirectional manner to provide targeted support to the foot of the wearer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A footwear member, the footwear member comprising:
 a first stability member integrally connected at a first proximal end to a connecting member, the first stability member having a unidirectional curve in a lateral direction in a medial-lateral plane extending to a first distal end;   a second stability member integrally connected at a second proximal end to the connecting member, the second stability member extending in a non-curved manner in a medial-lateral place to a second distal end;   a third stability member integrally connected at a third proximal end to the connecting member, the third stability member having a unidirectional curve of a first radius in a medial direction in the medial-lateral plane extending to a third distal end;   a fourth stability member integrally connected at a fourth proximal end to the connecting member, the fourth stability member having a unidirectional curve of a second radius in the medial direction in the medial-lateral place extending to a fourth distal end; and   the first radius is greater than the second radius.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear member of  claim 1 , wherein the first stability member has a first stability member first non-curved portion that is non-curved, a first stability member curved portion that is curved in a unidirectional manner in the lateral direction in the medial-lateral plane, and a first stability member second non-curved portion that is non-curved. 
     
     
         3 . The footwear member of  claim 2 , wherein the third stability member has a third stability member third non-curved portion that is non-curved, a third stability member curved portion that is curved in a unidirectional manner in the lateral direction in the medial-lateral plane, and a third stability member second non-curved portion that is non-curved. 
     
     
         4 . The footwear member of  claim 3 , wherein the fourth stability member has a fourth stability member fourth non-curved portion that is non-curved, a fourth stability member curved portion that is curved in a unidirectional manner in the lateral direction in the medial-lateral plane, and a fourth stability member second non-curved portion that is non-curved. 
     
     
         5 . The footwear member of  claim 4 , wherein the first stability member first non-curved portion extends from the first proximal end to a first stability member first transition point. 
     
     
         6 . The footwear member of  claim 5 , wherein the first stability member curved portion extends from the first stability member first transition point to a first stability member second transition point. 
     
     
         7 . The footwear member of  claim 4 , wherein the third stability member non-curved portion extends from the third proximal end to a third stability member first transition point. 
     
     
         8 . The footwear member of  claim 7 , wherein the third stability member curved portion extends from the third stability member transition point to a third stability member second transition point. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear member of  claim 4 , wherein the fourth stability member first non-curved portion extends from the fourth proximal end to a fourth stability member first transition point. 
     
     
         10 . The footwear member of  claim 9 , wherein the fourth stability member curved portion extends from the fourth stability member first transition point to a fourth stability member second transition point. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear member of  claim 1 , wherein the first distal end comprises a first disk, the second distal end comprises a second disk, the third distal end comprises a third disk, and the fourth distal end comprises a fourth disk. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear member of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first stability member, the second stability member, the third stability member, or the fourth stability member has a maximum height-to-width ratio found in the range of 1.5:1 and 8:1. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear member of  claim 1 , wherein the first stability member has a first distance between the first proximal end and the first distal end and wherein the second stability member has a second distance between the second proximal end and the second distal end. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear member of  claim 13 , wherein the third stability member has a third distance between the third proximal end and the third distal end. 
     
     
         15 . The footwear member of  claim 14 , wherein the fourth stability member has a fourth distance between the fourth proximal end and the fourth distal end. 
     
     
         16 . The footwear member of  claim 15 , wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, the third distance is greater than the second distance, and the fourth distance is lesser than the third distance. 
     
     
         17 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an outsole, the outsole extends in one continuous element from a toe end to an opposite heel end; and   a stability structure having a connecting member, a first stability member, a second stability member, a third stability member, and a fourth stability member,   the first stability member being integrally connected at a first proximal end to a connecting member, the first stability member having a first stability member first non-curved portion, a first stability member curved portion, and a first stability member second non-curved portion,
 (a) the first stability member first non-curved portion being non-curved and extending from the first proximal end to a first stability member first transition point, 
 (b) the first stability member curved portion extending from the first stability member first transition point in a unidirectional curve in a lateral direction in a medial-lateral plane to a first stability member second transition point, and 
 the first stability member second non-curved portion being non-curved and extending from the first stability member second transition point to the first distal end; 
   the second stability member being integrally connected at a second proximal end to the connecting member, the second stability member extending in a non-curved manner in a medial-lateral place to a second distal end;   the third stability member being integrally connected at a third proximal end to the connecting member, the third stability member having third stability member first non-curved portion, a third stability member curved portion, and a third stability member second non-curved portion,
 (a) the third stability member first non-curved portion being non-curved and extending from the third proximal end to a third stability member first transition point, 
 (b) the third stability member curved portion extending from the third stability member first transition point in a unidirectional curve having a first radius in a lateral direction in a medial-lateral plane to a third stability member second transition point, and 
 (c) the third stability member second non-curved portion being non-curved and extending from the third stability member second transition point to the third distal end; and 
   the fourth stability member being integrally connected at a fourth proximal end to the connecting member, the fourth stability member having a fourth stability member first non-curved portion, a fourth stability member curved portion, and a fourth stability member second non-curved portion,
 (a) the fourth stability member first non-curved portion being non-curved and extending from the fourth proximal end to a fourth stability member first transition point, 
 (b) the fourth stability member curved portion extending from the fourth stability member first transition point in a unidirectional curve having a second radius in a lateral direction in a medial-lateral plane to a fourth stability member second transition point, and 
 (c) the fourth stability member second non-curved portion being non-curved and extending from the fourth stability member second transition point to the fourth distal end. 
   
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the first radius is greater than the second radius. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the first stability member is more lateral than the second stability member, the third stability member is more medial than the second stability member, and the fourth stability member is more medial than the third stability member. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the first stability member, the second stability member, the third stability member, or the fourth stability member has a maximum height-to-width ratio found in the range of 1.5:1 and 8:1. 
     
     
         21 . A stability structure comprising:
 a first stability member being integrally connected at a first proximal end to a connecting member, the first stability member having a first stability member first non-curved portion, a first stability member curved portion, and a first stability member second non-curved portion,
 (a) the first stability member first non-curved portion being non-curved and extending from the first proximal end to a first stability member first transition point, 
 (b) the first stability member curved portion extending from the first stability member first transition point in a unidirectional curve in a lateral direction in a medial-lateral plane to a first stability member second transition point, and 
 the first stability member second non-curved portion being non-curved and extending from the first stability member second transition point to the first distal end; 
   a second stability member being integrally connected at a second proximal end to the connecting member, the second stability member extending in a non-curved manner in a medial-lateral place to a second distal end;   a third stability member being integrally connected at a third proximal end to the connecting member, the third stability member having third stability member first non-curved portion, a third stability member curved portion, and a third stability member second non-curved portion,
 (a) the third stability member first non-curved portion being non-curved and extending from the third proximal end to a third stability member first transition point, 
 (b) the third stability member curved portion extending from the third stability member first transition point in a unidirectional curve having a first radius in a lateral direction in a medial-lateral plane to a third stability member second transition point, and 
 (c) the third stability member second non-curved portion being non-curved and extending from the third stability member second transition point to the third distal end; 
   a fourth stability member being integrally connected at a fourth proximal end to the connecting member, the fourth stability member having a fourth stability member first non-curved portion, a fourth stability member curved portion, and a fourth stability member second non-curved portion,
 (a) the fourth stability member first non-curved portion being non-curved and extending from the fourth proximal end to a fourth stability member first transition point, 
 (b) the fourth stability member curved portion extending from the fourth stability member first transition point in a unidirectional curve having a second radius in a lateral direction in a medial-lateral plane to a fourth stability member second transition point, and 
 (c) the fourth stability member second non-curved portion being non-curved and extending from the fourth stability member second transition point to the fourth distal end; and 
   at least one of the first stability member, the second stability member, the third stability member, or the fourth stability member has a maximum height-to-width ratio found in the range of 1.5:1 and 8:1.