Article of footwear having a sole structure

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure including a forefoot region and a heel region. The sole structure further includes a chassis plate, an outsole plate extending from the forefoot region to the heel region, the outsole plate including a recess disposed in a top surface, wherein the outsole plate is disposed below the chassis plate, and a cushioning element disposed within the recess.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a forefoot region and a heel region;   a chassis plate;   an outsole plate extending from the forefoot region to the heel region, the outsole plate including a recess disposed in a top surface, wherein the outsole plate is disposed below the chassis plate; and   a cushioning element disposed within the recess.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the cushioning element includes a fluid-filled bladder. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the cushioning element is flush with the top surface of the outsole plate when the cushioning element is disposed within the recess. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the outsole plate includes;
 a bottom surface; and   a plurality of traction elements disposed on the bottom surface of the outsole plate.   
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of traction elements are integrally molded into the bottom surface of the outsole plate. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the outsole plate forms a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the outsole plate has a longitudinal length, and a midpoint along the longitudinal length, wherein the outsole plate includes an anterior area that is anterior to the midpoint, and wherein an area of the cushioning element is less than about 70% of the anterior area. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the chassis plate and outsole plate have substantially the same length. 
     
     
         9 . An article of footwear comprising the sole structure of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a forefoot region and a heel region;   a chassis plate;   an outsole plate extending from the forefoot region to the heel region, the outsole plate including an opening in the forefoot region, wherein the outsole plate is disposed below the chassis plate; and   a cushioning element disposed in the opening.   
     
     
         11 . The sole structure of  claim 10 , further including a moderator plate disposed in the opening and in contact with the cushioning element. 
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein a bottom surface of the outsole plate and a bottom surface of the moderator plate form a portion of a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure. 
     
     
         13 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , further including a gasket disposed within the opening, wherein the gasket radially surrounds the moderator plate and the cushioning element. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein a bottom surface of the moderator plate includes one or more traction elements. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure of  claim 10 , wherein a bottom surface of the outsole plate includes one or more traction elements. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure of  claim 10 , wherein the cushioning element includes a fluid-filled bladder. 
     
     
         17 . An article of footwear comprising the sole structure of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         18 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a forefoot region and a heel region;   an outsole plate extending from the forefoot region to the heel region, the outsole plate including an opening in the forefoot region;   a moderator plate disposed within the opening; and   a gasket surrounding the moderator plate.   
     
     
         19 . The sole structure of  claim 18 , wherein the outsole plate, the moderator plate, and the gasket, form a ground-contacting surface of the sole structure. 
     
     
         20 . An article of footwear comprising the sole structure of  claim 18 .