Support plate configured to be arranged in a sole structure of a shoe

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a support plate configured to be arranged in a sole structure of a shoe. The support plate may comprise a first portion associated with a forefoot area of the sole structure and a second portion associated with a heel area of the sole structure. The support plate may be thinner in at least a part of the first portion as compared to the second portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support plate configured to be arranged in a sole structure of a shoe, comprising:
 a first portion associated with a forefoot area of the sole structure; and   a second portion associated with a heel area of the sole structure,   wherein the support plate is thinner in at least a part of the first portion as compared to the second portion.   
     
     
         2 . The support plate according to  claim 1 , further comprising a middle portion associated with a mid-foot area of the sole structure, wherein the middle portion connects the first portion and the second portion, wherein the middle portion comprises reinforcement ribs. 
     
     
         3 . The support plate according to  claim 2 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are wider than the middle portion in a medial-lateral direction, and wherein the second portion is wider than the first portion in the medial-lateral direction. 
     
     
         4 . The support plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises at least one wing extending upwards to support a heel of a user. 
     
     
         5 . The support plate according to  claim 4 , wherein the second portion comprises at least two wings being arranged opposite each other on lateral and medial sides of the support plate. 
     
     
         6 . The support plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a middle portion connecting the first portion and the second portion, wherein the support plate comprises at least two fingers extending from the middle portion or the second portion towards a toe-end of the support plate, wherein at least one finger is arranged on a lateral side of the support plate and at least one finger is arranged on a medial side of the support plate. 
     
     
         7 . The support plate according to  claim 6 , wherein each finger of the at least two fingers comprises a hook, wherein the hook of the at least one finger on the lateral side is directed to the medial side and the hook of the at least one finger on the medial side is directed to the lateral side,
 wherein the at least one finger on the medial side is configured to support a big toe of a user.   
     
     
         8 . The support plate according to  claim 6 , wherein an additional finger is provided between the at least two fingers, wherein the additional finger is shorter than either of the at least two fingers. 
     
     
         9 . The support plate according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least two fingers taper towards the toe-end of the support plate. 
     
     
         10 . The support plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion has a thickness of greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 5.0 mm and the second portion has a thickness of greater than or equal to 1.0 mm and less than or equal to 8.0 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The support plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the support plate is configured to distribute a load over an entirety of a bottom of a foot. 
     
     
         12 . The support plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion is stiffer than the first portion. 
     
     
         13 . The support plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises an aperture in the heel area, wherein the aperture is configured to provide additional cushioning for a heel of a user. 
     
     
         14 . The support plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises at least two wings being arranged opposite each other on a lateral side of the support plate and a medial side of the support plate. 
     
     
         15 . The support plate according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one finger of the at least two fingers comprises a through hole, wherein the through hole comprises a shape that follows a contour of the at least one finger.