Sole structure for article of footwear

Abstract

An article of footwear includes a sole structure having a chassis, an outsole, and a cushioning element. The chassis extending from an anterior end to a posterior end and includes a dock formed between the anterior end and the posterior end. The outsole extends from a first end removably coupled to the anterior end of the chassis to a second end removably coupled to the posterior end of the chassis. The cushioning element is disposed between the chassis and the outsole and includes a first portion removably engaged with the dock of the chassis. The sole structure may include a carriage removably disposed between the chassis and the outsole adjacent to the cushioning element. The carriage includes an upper frame receiving and surrounding the dock and a lower frame receiving and surrounding a portion of the outsole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a chassis;   an outsole extending from a first end removably coupled to an anterior end of the chassis to a second end removably coupled to a posterior end of the chassis; and   a carriage disposed between the chassis and the outsole and including a pair of frames spaced apart from and connected to each other by a flexure, the frames converging toward one another in a direction from a heel region of the sole structure to a forefoot region of the sole structure.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a cushioning element disposed between the chassis and the outsole. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 2 , wherein the cushioning element is disposed within the carriage between the pair of frames. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 3 , wherein the cushioning element tapers in a direction away from the flexure. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 2 , wherein a first frame of the pair of frames includes a first aperture and a second frame of the pair of frames includes a second aperture, the chassis extending into the first aperture and engaging the cushioning element proximate to the first aperture and the outsole extending into the second aperture and engaging the cushioning element proximate to the second aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 2 , wherein the cushioning element is a fluid-filled chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the flexure is a living hinge. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the flexure includes an arcuate portion extending between a first frame of the pair of frames and a second frame of the pair of frames. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 8 , wherein the arcuate portion includes a convex surface facing a posterior end of the sole structure and a concave surface facing an anterior end of the sole structure. 
     
     
         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:
 a chassis;   an outsole extending from a first end removably coupled to an anterior end of the chassis to a second end removably coupled to a posterior end of the chassis; and   a carriage disposed between the chassis and the outsole and including a pair of frames spaced apart from each other in a direction extending from the chassis to the outsole, the pair of frames connected at a first end of each frame of the pair of frames by an arcuate portion having a convex surface facing a posterior end of the sole structure and a concave surface opposing an anterior end of the sole structure.   
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , further comprising a cushioning element disposed between the chassis and the outsole. 
     
     
         13 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , wherein the cushioning element is disposed within the carriage between the pair of frames. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure of  claim 13 , wherein the cushioning element tapers in a direction away from the arcuate portion. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , wherein a first frame of the pair of frames includes a first aperture and a second frame of the pair of frames includes a second aperture, the chassis extending into the first aperture and engaging the cushioning element proximate to the first aperture and the outsole extending into the second aperture and engaging the cushioning element proximate to the second aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , wherein the cushioning element is a fluid-filled chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the arcuate portion is a living hinge. 
     
     
         18 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the frames are convergent. 
     
     
         19 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the frames converge toward one another in a direction from a heel region of the sole structure to a forefoot region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         20 . An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of  claim 11 .