Sole structure of an article of footwear

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first cushioning element, a second cushioning element, and a panel disposed within a joint formed between the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element. The first cushioning element includes a first surface and a second surface formed on an opposite side from the first surface. The second cushioning element includes a third surface and a fourth surface formed on an opposite side from the third surface. The third surface of the second cushioning element is joined to the second surface of the first cushioning element to form a joint between the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element, where the fabric panel is interposed between the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element within the joint. The panel may be a fabric panel, and more particularly, may include a mesh textile material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear including an upper, the sole structure comprising:
 a first cushion including a first surface opposing the upper and a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the first cushion than the first surface;   a second cushion including a third surface opposing the upper and a fourth surface disposed on an opposite side of the second cushion than the third surface; and   a panel including a first portion extending from the first surface between the second surface of the first cushion and the third surface of the second cushion in a direction toward a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure and a second portion connected to the first portion, extending between the second surface of the first cushion and the third surface of the second cushion, and extending to the first portion in a direction away from the ground-engaging surface.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes a third portion extending between the second surface of the first cushion and the third surface of the second cushion and connecting the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 2 , wherein the third portion extends substantially parallel to the ground-engaging surface. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion define a substantially U-shape. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are bonded to the second surface of the first cushion and to the third surface of the second cushion. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of steps formed into the second surface of the first cushion and into the third surface of the second cushion, at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the panel conforming to a shape of the plurality of steps. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 6 , wherein the third portion is substantially planar. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are bonded to the second surface of the first cushion and to the third surface of the second cushion. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of steps formed into the second surface of the first cushion and into the third surface of the second cushion, at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the panel conforming to a shape of the plurality of steps. 
     
     
         10 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is an embroidered textile. 
     
     
         11 . A sole structure for an article of footwear including an upper, the sole structure comprising:
 a first cushion including a first surface opposing the upper and a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the first cushion than the first surface;   a second cushion including a third surface opposing the upper and a fourth surface disposed on an opposite side of the second cushion than the third surface; and   a panel including a first portion extending from a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure between the second surface of the first cushion and the third surface of the second cushion in a direction toward the upper and a second portion connected to the first portion, extending between the second surface of the first cushion and the third surface of the second cushion, and extending to the ground-engaging surface in a direction away from the upper.   
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the panel includes a third portion extending between the second surface of the first cushion and the third surface of the second cushion and connecting the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         13 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , wherein the third portion extends substantially parallel to the ground-engaging surface. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion define a substantially U-shape. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are bonded to the second surface of the first cushion and to the third surface of the second cushion. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of steps formed into the second surface of the first cushion and into the third surface of the second cushion, at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the panel conforming to a shape of the plurality of steps. 
     
     
         17 . The sole structure of  claim 16 , wherein the third portion is substantially planar. 
     
     
         18 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are bonded to the second surface of the first cushion and to the third surface of the second cushion. 
     
     
         19 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of steps formed into the second surface of the first cushion and into the third surface of the second cushion, at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the panel conforming to a shape of the plurality of steps. 
     
     
         20 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the panel is an embroidered textile.