Footwear midfoot support system

Abstract

An article of footwear comprising: an upper; a sole assembly comprising a midsole and an outsole; an insole component; a support system, and a securement system. The support system comprises a medial support extending under and along an inner midfoot region of the upper, the medial support including an elongated section that resists stretching in one or more directions and a plurality of stretchable sections positioned along the elongated section, and a lateral support extending under the insole component and over the inner midfoot region of the upper. The securement system comprises (i) a first cable configured to (a) pull the insole component up against a plantar surface of the foot and (b) draw the foot towards the lateral side, and (ii) a second cable configured to (a) adjustably secure the upper around the foot and (b) pull the foot down and back towards the heel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper;   a sole assembly connected to the upper, wherein the sole assembly comprises a midsole and an outsole;   an insole component configured to support a foot of a subject wearing the article of footwear;   a support system comprising (i) a medial support extending under and along an inner surface of the upper, wherein the medial support includes (a) an elongated section that resists stretching in one or more directions and (b) a plurality of stretchable sections positioned along the elongated section, and (ii) a lateral support extending under the insole component and over or above the inner surface of the upper; and   a securement system extending between the medial support and the lateral support, wherein the securement system comprises:   (i) a first cable configured to activate the medial support and the lateral support to (a) pull the insole component up against a plantar surface of the foot and (b) draw the foot towards a lateral side of the upper, the sole assembly, or the insole component, and   (ii) a second cable configured to (a) adjustably secure the upper around the foot and (b) pull the foot down and back towards a heel region of the upper, the sole assembly, or the insole component.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated section comprises a necked or tapered portion positioned at or near an arch region of the foot. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of stretchable sections are positioned on opposite sides of the necked or tapered portion. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stretchable sections comprise a multi-way stretch construction that conforms to a shape or a profile of an arch region of the foot. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated section is configured as a spinal structure or overlay that is substantially inelastic or inextensible in said one or more directions. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated section comprises a fastener configured to engage one or more replaceable or interchangeable arch supports. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener is positioned in a necked or tapered portion of the elongated section between the plurality of stretchable sections. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more replaceable or interchangeable arch supports configured to accommodate a transverse arch shape or profile of the foot, wherein the one or more replaceable or interchangeable arch supports are detachably coupled to the medial support. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the medial support is detachably coupled to the insole component. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the medial support comprises a first end that is detachably coupled to the insole component and a second end that extends around a medial side of the foot. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the second end comprises a plurality of extensions that are looped or folded to engage the securement system. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral support is configured to extend under the insole component. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral support is configured to extend to or from a bite line formed between the upper and the sole assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral support is detached or decoupled from the upper and independently movable relative to the upper. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral support is configured to translate along, over, or across the upper in response to a level of tension or a change in the level of tension in the securement system. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral support is positioned within and movable through a pocket or a sleeve that is integrated with the upper. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral support comprises a slot configured to receive a webbing material for connecting the lateral support to the securement system. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first cable and second cable of the securement system are independently adjustable. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising a shroud configured to separate the first cable and the second cable, wherein the shroud is positioned between the first cable and the second cable to minimize interference between the first and second cables. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising a side mounted dial configured to adjust or control the first cable and a heel mounted dial configured to adjust or control the second cable.