NIKE, Inc.
GROUND-ENGAGING STRUCTURES FOR ARTICLES OF FOOTWEAR

Abstract:

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include an upper-facing surface and a ground-facing surface opposite the upper-facing surface. At least the ground-facing surface may be formed to include a matrix structure, and this matrix structure may include a plurality of open cells (e.g., in a heel region and/or an arch region) and a forefoot region including a plurality of closed forefoot support cells. The ground-engaging component may be engaged with a midsole member (e.g., including a foam midsole element and/or one or more fluid-filled bladders), and this combination may form a sole structure that is engaged with an upper to form an article of footwear.