Sole structure for an article of footwear including a shank

Abstract

A sole structure includes an outsole having an outsole forefoot region, an outsole heel region, and an outsole midfoot region between the outsole heel region and the outsole forefoot region. The sole structure further includes a midsole secured to the outsole and a shank secured to the midsole and disposed between the midsole and the outsole. The shank has an asymmetrical shape and is at least partially made of a material that is stiffer than the materials forming the outsole and the midsole.

1 . A sole structure, comprising:
 an outsole having an outsole forefoot region, an outsole heel region, and an outsole midfoot region between the outsole heel region and the outsole forefoot region, wherein the outsole is at least partially made of a first material;   a midsole secured to the outsole, wherein the midsole is at least partially made of a second material; and   a shank secured to the midsole and disposed between the midsole and the outsole, wherein the shank has an asymmetrical shape, is at least partially made of a third material, and includes a shank body and a plurality of legs extending from the shank body; and   wherein a stiffness of the third material is greater than a stiffness of the first and second materials.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the third material is a carbon composite. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the third material is a glass filled carbon composite. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of any of  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of traction elements mounted to the outsole, and wherein each of the plurality of legs is adjacent a respective different one of the plurality of traction elements. 
     
     
         5 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A sole structure, comprising:
 an outsole extending along a longitudinal outsole axis and having an outsole forefoot region, an outsole heel region, and an outsole midfoot region between the outsole heel region and the outsole forefoot region;   a midsole secured to the outsole; and   a shank disposed between the midsole and the outsole at the outsole midfoot region, wherein the shank has an asymmetrical shape and includes:
 a shank body; and 
 a plurality of legs extending from the shank body, wherein at least one of the plurality of legs is obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal outsole axis. 
   
     
     
         19 . The sole structure of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of legs includes:
 a first leg extending from the shank body substantially toward the outsole forefoot region;   a second leg extending from the shank body substantially toward the outsole heel region;   a third leg extending from the shank body substantially toward the outsole forefoot region; and   a fourth leg extending from the shank body substantially toward the outsole heel region.   
     
     
         20 . The sole structure of  claim 19 , wherein the outsole has a lateral side and a medial side, and the first and second legs are closer to the lateral side than to the medial side, and the third and fourth legs are closer to the medial side than to the lateral side of the outsole. 
     
     
         21 . The sole structure of any of  claim 18 , the outsole is at least partially made of a first material, the midsole is at least partially made of a second material, and the shank is at least partially made of a third material, and a stiffness of the third material is greater than a stiffness of the first and second materials. 
     
     
         22 . The sole structure of  claim 21 , wherein the third material is a carbon composite. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled)