Sensory sole structure for an article of footwear

Abstract

An article of footwear can include an upper and a sole member coupled to the upper, where the sole member comprises a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending through the sole member. The article of footwear can further include a plurality of individual sensory nodes, where each sensory node has a first end coupled directly to the upper and an opposite, second end configured to engage with a ground surface. Each sensory node is configured to translate freely within a respective aperture of the sole member.

1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an upper;   a sole member coupled to the upper, wherein the sole member comprises a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending through the sole member; and   a plurality of individual sensory nodes, wherein each sensory node has a first end coupled directly to the upper and an opposite, second end configured to engage with a ground surface, and wherein each sensory node is configured to translate freely within a respective aperture of the sole member.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the sensory nodes of the plurality of sensory nodes are unattached to one another and spaced away from the sole member. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of each sensory node is attached to a strobel of the upper. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein the strobel comprises a knit material having a z height distention of greater than 10 mm at 200 kPa load. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the sensory nodes of the plurality of sensory nodes are spaced apart across a majority of the sole member. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the sensory nodes of the plurality of sensory nodes are spaced apart across a portion of the sole member. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of at least one sensory node of the plurality of sensory nodes is sloped. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the upper and the sole member are formed as one piece. 
     
     
         9 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole member comprising a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending through the sole member; and   a plurality of sensory nodes, wherein each sensory node extends through a respective aperture of the plurality of spaced apart apertures, and wherein the sensory nodes of the plurality of sensory nodes are not attached to the sole member and are freely movable relative to each other and the sole member.   
     
     
         10 . The sole structure of  claim 9 , wherein the sole member comprises one or more fixed nodes that are not freely movable relative to a remainder of the sole member. 
     
     
         11 . The sole structure of  claim 9 , wherein a first end of each sensory node is planar and an opposite, second end of each sensory node is spherical, and wherein the second end of each sensory node is configured to engage a ground surface. 
     
     
         12 . An assembly comprising the sole structure of  claim 9 , and further comprising an upper, wherein the sole member and the plurality of sensory nodes are attached to the upper, and wherein each sensory node of the plurality of sensory nodes is directly and individually attached to a strobel of the upper. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the strobel comprises a double layer circular knit comprising cationic dyeable polyester and elastane. 
     
     
         14 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole member comprising a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending through the sole member;   a fabric layer arranged across a foot facing surface of the sole member; and   a plurality of individual sensory nodes, wherein each sensory node has a first end coupled directly to the fabric layer and an opposite, second end configured to engage with a ground surface, and wherein each sensory node is configured to translate freely within a respective aperture of the sole member.   
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the fabric layer is attached to the foot facing surface of the sole member with an adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 14 , further comprising an upper, and wherein the fabric layer forms a strobel of the upper. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the upper and the sole member are formed as a single part. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the upper defines a foot receiving cavity of the article and a foot opening into the cavity, and wherein the foot opening extends from the sole member, forward toward a toe portion of the article, and upward toward a top portion of the upper. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the upper includes an elongate channel, and further comprising a tongue that is attached to the upper such that it covers the elongate channel. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 19 , wherein the elongate channel extends from a foot opening at a top portion of the upper toward a toe of the upper.