Sole structure for article of footwear

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an upper cushion extending from a first end to a second end, a lower cushion having a first segment attached to the upper cushion adjacent to the first end and including a tray extending towards the second end of the upper cushion, and at least one bladder disposed between the tray of the lower cushion and the upper cushion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 an upper cushion extending from a first end to a second end;   a lower cushion, comprising:
 a first cushion attached to the upper cushion adjacent to the first end and including a tray extending towards a heel region of the sole structure, and 
 a second cushion attached to the upper cushion and spaced from the first cushion by a gap, the tray of the first cushion opposing the second cushion across the gap; and 
   at least one elastic element including an anterior end and a posterior end supported between the tray of the first cushion and the upper cushion, a terminal end of the tray aligning with or extending beyond the posterior end of the at least one elastic element.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a plate disposed between the at least one elastic element and the upper cushion. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 2 , wherein a first side of the at least one elastic element is attached to the tray and an opposite second side of the at least one elastic element is attached to the plate. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the lower cushion includes a support portion attached to the upper cushion, the tray being cantilevered from the support portion. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elastic element includes a first elastic element disposed at a medial side of the sole structure and a second elastic element disposed at a lateral side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 5 , wherein the tray includes a first socket receiving the first elastic element and a second socket receiving the second elastic element. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elastic element is columnar. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a gap disposed between the at least one elastic element and the first cushion, the gap being located closer to an anterior end of the sole structure than the at least one elastic element. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , further comprising an outsole disposed on an opposite side of the lower cushion from the at least one elastic element. 
     
     
         10 . An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 an upper cushion extending from a first end to a second end;   a lower cushion including a first cushion attached to the upper cushion adjacent to the first end and including a tray extending towards a heel region of the sole structure;   a plate attached to the upper cushion and disposed between the upper cushion and the first cushion; and   at least one elastic element including an anterior end and a posterior end supported between the tray of the first cushion and the plate, a terminal end of the tray aligning with or extending beyond the posterior end of the at least one elastic element.   
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein a first side of the at least one elastic element is attached to the tray and an opposite second side of the at least one elastic element is attached to the plate. 
     
     
         13 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the lower cushion includes a support portion attached to the upper cushion, the tray being cantilevered from the support portion. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one elastic element includes a first elastic element disposed at a medial side of the sole structure and a second elastic element disposed at a lateral side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure of  claim 14 , wherein the tray includes a first socket receiving the first elastic element and a second socket receiving the second elastic element. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one elastic element is columnar. 
     
     
         17 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , further comprising a gap disposed between the at least one elastic element and the first cushion, the gap being located closer to an anterior end of the sole structure than the at least one elastic element. 
     
     
         18 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , further comprising an outsole disposed on an opposite side of the lower cushion from the at least one elastic element. 
     
     
         19 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the tray of the lower cushion includes a foam material. 
     
     
         20 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the lower cushion includes a second cushion disposed in a heel region of the sole structure and spaced apart from the first cushion by a gap in a direction extending along a longitudinal axis of the sole structure, the tray opposing the second cushion across the gap.