Article of footwear having a sole plate

Abstract

An article of footwear defines a lateral side, a medial side, a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The article of footwear includes an upper, a first cushioning member directly coupled to the upper in the heel region, a second cushioning member directly coupled to the upper in the forefoot region, and a plate. The plate is configured as a unitary plate that extends continuously from the forefoot region to the heel region. The plate is directly coupled to each of the upper, the first cushioning member, and the second cushioning member. The plate extends through a gap that is defined between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear defining a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the article of footwear comprising:
 an upper; and   a sole structure comprising:
 a first cushioning member disposed in the heel region; 
 a second cushioning member disposed in the forefoot region and the midfoot region, the second cushioning member spaced apart from the first cushioning member by a gap that extends between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member in the midfoot region; 
 a first plate that extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member; and 
 a second plate positioned below the first plate that extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member, 
   wherein the first cushioning member is positioned below the first plate and the second plate.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first cushioning member is directly coupled to the upper. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the second cushioning member is directly coupled to the upper. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the second cushioning member defines a longitudinal length that is greater than a longitudinal length defined by the first cushioning member. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first plate defines a longitudinal length that is greater than a longitudinal length defined by the second plate. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the sole structure further includes an outsole including a first outsole portion coupled to the first cushioning member and a second outsole portion coupled to the second cushioning member. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 6 , wherein the first outsole portion includes a first outsole element and a second outsole element that are separated from one another. 
     
     
         8 . An article of footwear defining a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the article of footwear comprising:
 an upper; and   a sole structure comprising:
 a first cushioning member disposed in the heel region; 
 a second cushioning member disposed in the forefoot region and the midfoot region, the second cushioning member spaced apart from the first cushioning member by a gap that extends between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member in the midfoot region; 
 a first plate that extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member; and 
 a second plate positioned below the first plate that extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member, 
   wherein the second plate includes a raised portion that extends upwardly from a top surface of the second plate.   
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the raised portion is part of a plurality of raised portions defined by the second plate. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the first plate includes a rear portion and a curved portion that includes an anterior portion and a posterior portion. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the posterior portion of the curved portion of the first plate extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the rear portion of the first plate is positioned above the first cushioning member. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the gap extends along a U-shaped path. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the sole structure further includes an outsole including a first outsole portion coupled to the first cushioning member and a second outsole portion coupled to the second cushioning member. 
     
     
         15 . An article of footwear defining a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the article of footwear comprising:
 an upper; and   a sole structure comprising:
 a first cushioning member disposed in the heel region; 
 a second cushioning member disposed in the forefoot region and the midfoot region, the second cushioning member spaced apart from the first cushioning member by a gap that extends between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member; 
 a first plate that extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member; 
 a second plate positioned below the first plate that extends across the gap between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member; and 
 an outsole including a first outsole portion coupled to the first cushioning member and a second outsole portion coupled to the second cushioning member. 
   
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the outsole defines a non-continuous ground engaging surface of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the first outsole portion includes a first outsole element and a second outsole element that are separated from one another. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the gap is located within the midfoot region of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the gap extends from a lateral side of the sole structure to a medial side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the first cushioning member is positioned between the first plate and the first outsole portion.