Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a ribbon structure. The ribbon structure includes a first set of ribbon sections oriented substantially in a first direction, a second set of ribbon sections oriented substantially in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, and a third set of ribbon sections oriented substantially in a third direction that is different from the first direction and the second direction. The first set of ribbon sections includes at least a first ribbon portion and the second set of ribbon sections includes at least a second ribbon portion, wherein the first ribbon portion and the second ribbon portion intersect at a node.

Abstract: An article of footwear is formed with an upper including a ribbon structure. Ribbon elements can be laid down in straight and winding sections, and the ribbon elements can be stitched or attached to a backing layer. A periphery of the ribbon structure can be embroidered to tack down any raised portions of the ribbon at the periphery.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a transition region between two sole structure layers. The transition region includes a curved portion having a geometry defined by a portion of an ellipse. A plate which includes the curved portion can be provided between the two sole structure layers. The sole structure enhances the roll acceleration of the article of footwear during use.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear includes a mesh textile portion including pillars including one or more first yarns aligned in a first direction and defining a major axis of the mesh textile portion and links including one or more second yarns and aligned in a second direction defining a minor axis of the mesh textile portion. The minor axis is transverse the major axis, the pillars have a greater thickness and/or greater denier than the links, and the major axis is offset from a lengthwise dimension of the upper by a bias angle ranging from about 30° to about 60°.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a transition region between two sole structure layers. The transition region includes a curved portion having a geometry defined by a portion of an ellipse. A plate which includes the curved portion can be provided between the two sole structure layers. The sole structure enhances the roll acceleration of the article of footwear during use.

Abstract: Hot melt sequins and methods of applying these sequins are disclosed. Sequins can be arranged in various patterns. Sequins can be arranged in dispersive patterns. Sequin patterns can be used to create gradients on the outside of an upper. The sequins can be used to attach two layers where the density of the sequins used to attach the layers can affect thermal properties, flexibility and relative motion between the layers.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a ribbon structure. The ribbon structure includes a first set of ribbon sections oriented substantially in a first direction, a second set of ribbon sections oriented substantially in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, and a third set of ribbon sections oriented substantially in a third direction that is different from the first direction and the second direction. The first set of ribbon sections includes at least a first ribbon portion and the second set of ribbon sections includes at least a second ribbon portion, wherein the first ribbon portion and the second ribbon portion intersect at a node.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an upper including a ribbon structure is disclosed. The ribbon structure comprises ribbon sections running in at least two different directions. Ribbon sections are connected at nodes. Between nodes portions of ribbon act like links joining the nodes. The links can be arranged in various geometries, including a rectangular grid and a triaxial grid. The ribbon structure may extend the entire length of the article of footwear, and may extend through a forefoot, midfoot and heel.

Abstract: An article of footwear is formed with an upper including a ribbon structure. Ribbon elements can be laid down in straight and winding sections, and the ribbon elements can be stitched or attached to a backing layer. A periphery of the ribbon structure can be embroidered to tack down any raised portions of the ribbon at the periphery.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an outsole, an upper coupled to the outsole, a midsole arranged on the outsole, and a segmented support plate positioned between the outsole and the midsole. The segmented support plate includes a plurality of segments including (i) a first segment having a longitudinal dimension that is greater than a lateral dimension of the first segment, and (ii) a second segment having a longitudinal dimension that is less than a lateral dimension of the second segment.

Abstract: An article of footwear is formed with an upper including a ribbon structure. Ribbon elements can be laid down in straight and winding sections, and the ribbon elements can be stitched or attached to a backing layer. A periphery of the ribbon structure can be embroidered to tack down any raised portions of the ribbon at the periphery.

Abstract: An article comprised of tape segments embroidered in place is disclosed. One embodiment includes tape segments embroidered to a self-supporting embroidered structure. Another embodiment includes tape segments embroidered together to form an embroidered lattice structure. In one embodiment, some of the tape segments may expand when exposed to heat and may be used to form cushioning regions for the article.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a transition region between two sole structure layers. The transition region includes a curved portion having a geometry defined by a portion of an ellipse. A plate which includes the curved portion can be provided between the two sole structure layers. The sole structure enhances the roll acceleration of the article of footwear during use.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an upper including a ribbon structure is disclosed. The ribbon structure comprises ribbon sections running in at least two different directions. Ribbon sections are connected at nodes. Between nodes portions of ribbon act like links joining the nodes. The links can be arranged in various geometries, including a rectangular grid and a triaxial grid. The ribbon structure may extend the entire length of the article of footwear, and may extend through a forefoot, midfoot and heel.

Abstract: Beads may be stitched to a substrate layer and then fused to form structures including foam midsoles, foam pads, and other foam structures. Beads may be embroidered to multiple substrate layers and then folded or stacked together to form a preform used in a mold to form a midsole.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a transition region between two sole structure layers. The transition region includes a curved portion having a geometry defined by a portion of an ellipse. A plate which includes the curved portion can be provided between the two sole structure layers. The sole structure enhances the roll acceleration of the article of footwear during use.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an upper including a ribbon structure is disclosed. The ribbon structure comprises ribbon sections running in at least two different directions. Ribbon sections are connected at nodes. Between nodes portions of ribbon act like links joining the nodes. The links can be arranged in various geometries, including a rectangular grid and a triaxial grid. The ribbon structure may extend the entire length of the article of footwear, and may extend through a forefoot, midfoot and heel.

Abstract: An article comprised of tape segments embroidered in place is disclosed. One embodiment includes tape segments embroidered to a self-supporting embroidered structure. Another embodiment includes tape segments embroidered together to form an embroidered lattice structure. In one embodiment, some of the tape segments may expand when exposed to heat and may be used to form cushioning regions for the article.