Sole structure for an article of footwear

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole chassis having a first side defining a footbed, a second side disposed on an opposite side from the first side, a first pocket formed within the midsole chassis between the first side and the second side, and a first aperture extending between the second side and the first pocket. A first interior cushioning element is disposed in the first pocket of the midsole chassis and a first barrier element is disposed within the first pocket of the midsole chassis between the first interior cushioning element and the first aperture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a midsole chassis including a first side defining a footbed, a second side disposed on an opposite side from the first side, a first pocket formed within the midsole chassis between the first side and the second side, and a first aperture extending between the second side and the first pocket;   a first interior cushioning element disposed in the first pocket of the midsole chassis; and   a first barrier element disposed within the first pocket of the midsole chassis between the first interior cushioning element and the first aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the midsole chassis further includes a second pocket formed within the midsole chassis between the first side and the second side, and a second aperture extending between the second side and the second pocket, the sole structure further comprising:
 a second interior cushioning element disposed within the second pocket of the midsole chassis; and   a second barrier element disposed within the second pocket of the midsole chassis between the second interior cushioning element and the second aperture.   
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 2 , wherein the first pocket is disposed in one of a forefoot region of the sole structure or a heel region of the sole structure and the second pocket is disposed in the other of the forefoot region of the sole structure or the heel region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first interior cushioning element includes a first chamber disposed on a medial side of the sole structure and second chamber disposed on a lateral side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 4 , wherein the first chamber is separated from the second chamber by a flex joint extending along a direction of a longitudinal axis of the sole structure. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first aperture extends continuously from the second side of the midsole chassis to the first pocket and the first barrier element is exposed through the aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first pocket extends continuously from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first interior cushioning element is a bladder having a first barrier layer joined to a second barrier layer to define a chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 8 , wherein the first barrier element is disposed adjacent to the first barrier layer of the bladder. 
     
     
         10 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first barrier element comprises a light-transmissive material. 
     
     
         11 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 a lower cushioning element including a first side defining a cushion support bed, a second side disposed on an opposite side from the first side, a first channel defined by the cushion support bed on the first side, and a first aperture extending between the second side and the first channel;   a first interior cushioning element disposed in the first channel of the lower cushioning element; and   a first barrier element disposed within the first channel of the lower cushioning element between the first interior cushioning element and the first aperture.   
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the lower cushioning element further includes a second channel defined by the cushion support bed on the first side, and a second aperture extending between the second side and the second channel, the sole structure further comprising:
 a second interior cushioning element disposed within the second channel of the lower cushioning element; and   a second barrier element disposed within the second channel of the lower cushioning element between the second interior cushioning element and the second aperture.   
     
     
         13 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , wherein the first channel is disposed in one of a forefoot region of the sole structure or a heel region of the sole structure and the second channel is disposed in the other of the forefoot region of the sole structure or the heel region of the sole structure. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first interior cushioning element includes a first chamber disposed on a medial side of the sole structure and second chamber disposed on a lateral side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure of  claim 14 , wherein the first chamber is separated from the second chamber by a flex joint extending along a direction of a longitudinal axis of the sole structure. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first aperture extends continuously from the second side of the lower cushioning element to the cushion support bed and the first barrier element is exposed through the aperture. 
     
     
         17 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first channel extends continuously from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure. 
     
     
         18 . The sole structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first interior cushioning element is a bladder having a first barrier layer joined to a second barrier layer to define a chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The sole structure of  claim 18 , wherein the first barrier element is disposed adjacent to the first barrier layer of the bladder. 
     
     
         20 . A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 an upper cushioning element including a first superior side defining a footbed, a first inferior side disposed on an opposite side from the first superior side, and a first channel defined by the first inferior side;   a lower cushioning element including a second superior side defining a cushion support bed, a second inferior side disposed on an opposite side from the second superior side, a second channel defined by the cushion support bed and cooperating with the first channel to define a pocket, and an aperture extending between the second inferior side and the pocket;   an interior cushioning element disposed in the pocket; and   a first barrier element disposed within the second channel of the lower cushioning element between the interior cushioning element and the aperture.