Abstract: A spine for an article of footwear includes a base extending from a first end to a second end. The spine also includes a sidewall extending transversely from the base from the first end to the second end. The sidewall has a plurality of sidewall supports including a forefoot sidewall support at the first end, a heel sidewall support at the second end, and a mid-foot sidewall support disposed between the first end and the second end and defining a maximum height of the sidewall.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a tensioning element operable to move the upper between a tightened state and a loosened state. The tensioning element includes a first strand having (i) a first portion extending along a lateral side of an ankle opening of the upper to a first turn in the heel region, and (ii) a second portion extending from the first turn and along the lateral side of the ankle opening to a second end at an anterior end of the ankle opening. The tensioning element also includes a second strand having (i) a first portion extending along a medial side of the ankle opening to a second turn in the heel region, and (ii) a second portion extending from the second turn and along the medial side of the ankle opening to a fourth end at the anterior end of the ankle opening.

Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

Abstract: An outsole for an article of footwear includes a main body having a plurality of modules arranged in series from a first end to a second end, adjacent ones of the modules detachably connected to each other along one of a plurality of seams extending from a first side of the main body to a second side of the main body. The outsole further including at least one insert embedded in each of the modules and configured for selectively attaching a traction element to the outsole.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper including a body and a unitary support frame attached to the body. A sole structure may be attached to and underlie the upper. The unitary support frame may support the body over the sole structure, and the body may define a foot-receiving cavity over the sole structure and an ankle opening in communication with the foot-receiving cavity. The unitary support frame may define a medial peak at a medial side of the article of footwear and a lateral peak at a lateral side of the article of footwear and may extend forwardly and downwardly from the medial peak and the lateral peak.

Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear includes a control bar having a center segment, a medial side arm extending from the center segment, and a lateral side arm spaced from the medial side arm and extending from the center segment. The device may include an extension extending toward the control bar. At least a portion of the control bar may be elastically deformable under an applied force depressing the control bar toward the extension, and the extension may limit movement of the control bar. The control bar may be adapted to return to an unloaded position upon removal of the applied force.

Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear includes a control bar having a center segment, a medial side arm extending from the center segment, and a lateral side arm spaced from the medial side arm and extending from the center segment. The device may include an extension extending toward the control bar. At least a portion of the control bar may be elastically deformable under an applied force depressing the control bar toward the extension, and the extension may limit movement of the control bar. The control bar may be adapted to return to an unloaded position upon removal of the applied force.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole coupled to an outsole. The midsole comprises a plurality of sipes on a first side and a plurality of sipes on a second side opposite the first side. The sipes partition portions of the midsole body into impact attenuation cells on the first and second sides of the midsole. The second side of the midsole further comprises a plurality of grooves and a plurality of protruding members separated by the grooves. The protruding members extend from a midsole body towards the outsole when the midsole is coupled to the outsole, spacing the midsole body apart from the outsole. When coupled together, the midsole and the outsole form voids at the grooves. The grooves, protruding members, and sipes provide increased flexibility to the midsole even when the midsole is coupled to the outsole.

Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole coupled to an outsole. The midsole includes a plurality of sipes on a first side and a plurality of sipes on a second side opposite the first side. The sipes partition portions of the midsole body into impact attenuation cells on the first and second sides of the midsole. The second side of the midsole further includes a plurality of grooves and a plurality of protruding members separated by the grooves. The protruding members extend from a midsole body towards the outsole when the midsole is coupled to the outsole, spacing the midsole body apart from the outsole. When coupled together, the midsole and the outsole form voids at the grooves. The grooves, protruding members, and sipes provide increased flexibility to the midsole even when the midsole is coupled to the outsole.

Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole structure with an extension portion that maintains contact with the ground during a forward stride, extending the time period for deceleration of loads applied to the sole structure. The article of footwear comprises an upper and a sole structure. The upper has a forefoot region with a foremost extent. The sole structure has a forefoot portion underlying the forefoot region, and an extension portion extending forward from the forefoot portion. The extension portion extends forward of the foremost extent of the upper from a forward edge of the forefoot portion to a distal end. A top side of the extension portion is spaced apart from the upper between the forward edge and the distal end. The extension portion establishes a propulsion surface beyond the foremost extent of the upper during a forward stride.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper with tensioning components. The upper includes a fastening system with a tensioning device. The tensioning device may be utilized with a plurality of cables. The tensioning device is removably attached to the upper by a clasp element to facilitate entry of a foot into the article of footwear, or exit of a foot from the article of footwear. The tensioning device can allow the lengths of the cables to readily change in order to accommodate different foot shapes.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole coupled to an outsole. The midsole comprises a plurality of sipes on a first side and a plurality of sipes on a second side opposite the first side. The sipes partition portions of the midsole body into impact attenuation cells on the first and second sides of the midsole. The second side of the midsole further comprises a plurality of grooves and a plurality of protruding members separated by the grooves. The protruding members extend from a midsole body towards the outsole when the midsole is coupled to the outsole, spacing the midsole body apart from the outsole. When coupled together, the midsole and the outsole form voids at the grooves. The grooves, protruding members, and sipes provide increased flexibility to the midsole even when the midsole is coupled to the outsole.