Patent Publication Number: US-2017367439-A1

Title: Sole Structure with Adjustable Flexibility

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/353,264, entitled “Sole structure with Adjustable Midsole Flexibility”, filed Jun. 22, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the sole structure of an article of footwear, and, in particular, a sole structure with a device configured to adjust the flexibility of the midsole. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional footwear contains a sole structure comprising a midsole and an outsole, where the midsole is designed to be flexible and provide support to the foot of a user, while the outsole is configured to be durable, resilient, and wear resistant. However, the sole structures of conventional footwear are limited to a singular degree of flexibility. In other words, the flexibility of each layer (e.g., midsole, outsole, insole, etc.) of the sole structures of the conventional footwear is fixed and not adjustable. By sole structures being limited to a singular degree of flexibility, the conventional footwear is often designed for a singular use (e.g., running, cross-training, climbing, basketball, etc.). This prevents the conventional footwear from being useful for activities that differ from its intended use. In addition, by the sole structure of the conventional footwear having a singular degree of flexibility, the sole structure of the conventional footwear is only comfortable and/or supportive to a limited number of users. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a sole structure for an article of footwear where the flexibility of the sole structure is adjustable by the user of the article of footwear. It would be further desirable to provide a sole structure with adjustable flexibility to provide proper support to a wide variety of users. It would also be desirable to provide a sole structure with adjustable flexibility to enable users to adjust the amount of comfort of the article of footwear. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The adjustable sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole and an outsole coupled to the midsole. The midsole further includes a channel sized and shaped to receive a housing having a plurality of segments that are hingedly coupled to one another via a base of the housing. The channel extends from proximate the toe end to proximate the rear end of the midsole. A cable, having a first end and a second end, is threaded through each one of the plurality of segments of the housing. When the housing is disposed within the channel of the midsole such that the first end of the cable is disposed proximate to the toe end of the midsole and the second end of the cable extends outwardly from the rear end of the midsole. A tensioning mechanism, or ratchet, is operatively coupled to the second end of the cable and coupled to the rear end of the midsole. Rotating the ratchet in a first direction may increase the tension in the cable, and rotating the ratchet in a second direction may decrease the tension in the cable. As the tension in the cable is increased, the degree of flexibility in the sole structure is decreased. Conversely, as the tension in the cable is decreased, the degree of flexibility in the sole structure is increased. Thus, a user of the article of footwear containing an adjustable sole structure may adjust the flexibility of the sole structure based on their desired properties and their intended use for the article of footwear. 
     In another embodiment, a sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole, a channel disposed within the midsole, and a flexible housing disposed within the channel. The sole structure may further include a cable threaded through the flexible housing, where the cable includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the cable is disposed within the channel, while the second end of the cable is disposed outside of the channel and the midsole. The sole structure may further include a tension mechanism. The tension mechanism may be coupled to the second end of the cable. Furthermore, the tension mechanism may be configured to alter the amount of tension in the cable such that the alteration of the tension in the cable alters the degree of flexibility of the midsole. 
     In yet another embodiment, an article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure coupled to one another. The sole structure of the article of footwear includes a channel disposed within the sole structure, and a cable disposed within the channel of the sole structure. The cable contains a first end and a second end, where the first end of the cable is disposed and affixed within the channel, and the second end of the cable is disposed outside of the channel and the sole structure. The sole structure also includes a tension mechanism that is coupled to the second end of the cable. The tension mechanism is configured to alter an amount of tension in the cable, wherein altering the tension in the cable alters a degree of flexibility of the sole structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the sole structure of an article of footwear according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top perspective view of a midsole of the embodiment of the sole structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a cable housing of the embodiment of the sole structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view the cable housing illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front view the cable housing illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of the cable housing illustrated in  FIG. 3  in a flexed or bent position. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an article of footwear containing the embodiment of the sole structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying figures which form a part hereof wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Aspects of the disclosure are disclosed in the accompanying description. Alternate embodiments of the present disclosure and their equivalents may be devised without parting from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that any discussion herein regarding “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and that such particular feature, structure, or characteristic may not necessarily be included in every embodiment. In addition, references to the foregoing do not necessarily comprise a reference to the same embodiment. Finally, irrespective of whether it is explicitly described, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that each of the particular features, structures, or characteristics of the given embodiments may be utilized in connection or combination with those of any other embodiment discussed herein. 
     Various operations may be described as multiple discrete actions or operations in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations may not be performed in the order of presentation. Operations described may be performed in a different order than the described embodiment. Various additional operations may be performed and/or described operations may be omitted in additional embodiments. 
     For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). 
     The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous. 
     As described herein with reference to the example embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 , a sole structure  100  of an article of footwear (also referred to herein as a shoe), in accordance with the invention, includes a toe (i.e., front) end  102  that corresponds with the toes of the user&#39;s foot, a heel (i.e., rear) end  104  that corresponds with the heel of the user&#39;s foot, a medial side  200  that is oriented along the medial or big toe side of the user&#39;s foot, and a lateral side  202  that is oriented along the lateral or little toe side of the user&#39;s foot. The sole structure  100  may include a forefoot region  106  that generally aligns with the ball and toes of a user&#39;s foot (i.e., when a user is wearing a shoe equipped with the sole structure  100 ), a midfoot region  107  that generally aligns with the arch and instep areas of the user&#39;s foot, and a hindfoot region  108  that generally aligns with the heel and ankle areas of the user&#39;s foot. While the example embodiment depicted in the figures (including  FIGS. 1-6 ) show a sole structure  100  configured for a left foot, it is noted that the same or similar features can also be provided for a sole structure  100  configured for a right foot (where such features of the right footed sole structure are a reflection or are “mirror image” symmetrical in relation to the left footed sole structure, e.g., the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-6 ). The invention of the sole structure  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6  may be utilized for any type of article of footwear, including, but not limited to, shoes, sneakers, boots, sandals, etc. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the sole structure  100  includes a midsole structure, or midsole,  110 , an outsole structure, or outsole,  120 , a cable housing  130 , a cable  140 , and a tension mechanism  150 . The midsole  110  may be constructed from a thermoplastic or thermoset material, such as an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam material, that is configured to provide cushion and support to a foot as the sole structure  100  impacts a support surface. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the midsole  110  includes a top surface  112  and a bottom surface  114  opposite the top surface  112 . The bottom surface  114  of the midsole further includes a plurality of protuberances  116 ( 1 )- 116 ( 10 ), a plurality of grooves  118 ( 1 )- 118 ( 8 ), and an arch  119 . The plurality of protuberances  116 ( 1 )- 116 ( 10 ) may extend downwardly from the bottom surface  114  of the midsole  110  in the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot regions  106 ,  107 ,  108 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the plurality of protuberances  116 ( 1 )- 116 ( 10 ) may extend laterally across the width of the sole structure  100  (e.g., from the medial side  200  to the lateral side  202  of the sole structure  100 ). Similarly, the plurality of grooves  118 ( 1 )- 118 ( 8 ) may extend laterally across the width of the sole structure  100 , where the plurality of grooves  118 ( 1 )- 118 ( 8 ) may be disposed between the plurality of protuberances  116 ( 1 )- 116 ( 10 ). Thus, the plurality of grooves  118 ( 1 )- 118 ( 8 ) separate the plurality of protuberances  116 ( 1 )- 116 ( 10 ) from one another. In addition, the arch  119 , which is disposed in the bottom surface  114  of the midsole  100  in the midfoot region  107  of the sole structure  100 , separates protuberance  116 ( 6 ) from protuberance  116 ( 7 ). Similar to the plurality of protuberances  116 ( 1 )- 116 ( 10 ) and the plurality of grooves  118 ( 1 )- 118 ( 8 ), the arch  119  may also extend laterally across the width of the sole structure  100 . While  FIG. 1  only illustrates that the bottom surface  114  of the midsole  110  contains the protuberances  116 ( 1 )- 116 ( 10 ) and the grooves  118 ( 1 )- 118 ( 8 ) that extend laterally across the width of the sole structure  100 , in other embodiments, the bottom surface  114  of the midsole  110  may contain a set of protuberances and grooves that form another pattern (e.g., longitudinally, checkered, latticed, etc.) across the bottom surface  114 . 
     The outsole  120  may be in the form of a plurality of plates  122 ( 1 )- 122 ( 10 ), which each include a top surface  124  and a bottom surface  126  opposite the top surface  124 . The plurality of plates  122 ( 1 )- 122 ( 10 ) are disposed on the plurality of protuberances  116 ( 1 )- 116 ( 10 ), where the top surface  122  of each of the plurality of plates  122 ( 1 )- 122 ( 10 ) is coupled to one of the plurality of protuberances  116 ( 1 )- 116 ( 10 ) formed in the bottom surface  114  of the midsole  110 . The plurality of plates  122 ( 1 )- 122 ( 10 ) may be coupled to the plurality of protuberances  116 ( 1 )- 116 ( 10 ) via any conventional means, including, but not limited to, co-molding, adhesives, etc. The bottom surfaces  126  of plurality of plates  122 ( 1 )- 122 ( 10 ) of the outsole  120  are configured to contact a support surface and support the sole structure  100  on the support surface. The outsole  120  may be constructed from a material (e.g., rubber) that is durable and contains a durometer value greater than the midsole  110 . The term “durometer value”, as used herein, refers to any standard or other suitable durometer measurement (e.g., a Shore A durometer hardness value) that provides an indication of hardness and/or flexibility of the material, where lower durometer values indicates a softer/more flexible material and higher durometer values indicate a harder/less flexible material. In general, harder materials have more wear resistance, but they are also less flexible. Conversely, softer materials possess less wear resistance, but are more flexible. As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the outsole  120  may be not disposed within the plurality of grooves  118 ( 1 )- 118 ( 8 ) and the arch  119 , creating sole structure  100  flexure lines along the plurality of grooves  118 ( 1 )- 118 ( 8 ) and the arch  119 . In other words, the sole structure  100  more easily flexes and bends at the plurality of grooves  118 ( 1 )- 118 ( 8 ) and the arch  119  than at the areas of the sole structure  100  occupied by the plurality of protuberances  116 ( 1 )- 116 ( 10 ) and the plurality of outsole plates  122 ( 1 )- 122 ( 10 ) because of the higher durometer value of the outsole plates  122 ( 1 )- 122 ( 10 ). In addition, the sole structure  100  more easily flexes and bends at the plurality of grooves  118 ( 1 )- 118 ( 8 ) and the arch  119  because midsole  110  is thinner at the plurality of grooves  118 ( 1 )- 118 ( 8 ) and the arch  119  when compared to the plurality of protuberances  116 ( 1 )- 116 ( 10 ). 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , disposed within the midsole  110  is a cable housing  130  and a cable  140 . The cable housing  130  is disposed within the midsole  110  proximate to the top surface  112  and spans along the majority of the length of the midsole  110  (e.g., from the toe end  102  to the heel end  104 ). The cable housing  130  includes a first end  132  and a second end  134 , where the first end  132  is disposed in the midsole  110  proximate to the toe end  102  of the sole structure  100  and the second end  134  is disposed in the midsole proximate to the heel end  104  of the sole structure  100 . The cable  140  is at least partially disposed within the cable housing  130  and extends rearwardly from the second end  134  of the cable housing  130 , through the midsole  110 , and out of the heel end  104  of midsole  110 . The cable  140  may be constructed from, but not limited to, galvanized steel, stainless steel, natural fibers (e.g., cotton, jute, sisal, etc.), nylon, polypropylene, polyester, etc. In addition, the cable  140  may be in the form of a wire, a rope, twine, a chain, etc.  FIG. 1  further illustrates that a tension mechanism, ratchet system, or ratchet,  150  is operatively coupled to the midsole  110  proximate to the heel end  104  sole structure  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the ratchet  150  is disposed above the top surface  112  of the midsole  110 . Thus, the ratchet  150  is not disposed within the midsole  110  of the sole structure  100 . In other embodiments, however, the ratchet  150  may be disposed below the top surface  112  of the midsole  110 , on the medial sides  200  of the sole structure  100 , or on the lateral side  202  of the sole structure  100 . As further illustrated, the cable  140  exits the midsole  110  proximate the heel end  104  of the sole structure  100  and bends upwardly to couple to the ratchet  150 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , the midsole  110  contains a channel  210  disposed within the top surface  112  of the midsole  110 . The channel  210  may be formed within the top surface  112  of the midsole  110  by any suitable process including, without limitation, etching, engraving, carving, impressing, scoring, incising, stamping, defined during formation of the component (e.g., formed in a molding process), etc. As further illustrated, the channel  210  is longitudinal with a first end  212  and a second end  214 . The first end  212  of the channel  210  may be disposed proximate to the toe end  102  of the sole structure  100 . Conversely, the second end  214  of the channel  210  may be disposed proximate to the heel end  104  of the sole structure  100 . Thus, the channel  210  extends longitudinally along the upper surface  112  of the midsole  110  from proximate the toe end  102  to proximate the heel end  104 . The channel  210  may be disposed centrally along a lateral widthwise direction of the midsole  110 . Thus, the channel  210  may be equidistant from the medial side  200  and the lateral side  202  of the midsole  110 . In other embodiments, the channel  210  may be disposed in the top surface  112  of the midsole  110  closer to medial side  200  than the lateral side  202 , or vice versa. As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the channel  210  includes a ledge  216  and a lower trench  218 . The ledge  216  may be disposed within the channel  210  below the top surface  112  of the midsole  110 , and along all sides of the channel  210 . The trench  218  may be disposed farther into the midsole  110  from the top surface  112  than the ledge  216 . The trench may also be centrally disposed within the channel  210 . The channel  210  is sized and shaped to receive the cable housing  130  and the cable  140 . 
     The midsole  110  further includes an opening  220  disposed in the heel end  104  of the midsole  110 . The opening  220  may be in fluid communication with the channel  210 . The opening  220  may be sized and shaped to slidably receive the cable  140 . Thus, as the cable  140  extends rearwardly from the cable housing  130 , the cable  140  extends through the opening  220  in the midsole  110 . 
     The cable housing  130 , as best illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 , includes a first end  132  and a second end  134 . The cable housing  130  includes a base  300  having a top surface  302  and a bottom surface  304 . As illustrated, a plurality of segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) extend upwardly or vertically from the top surface  302  of the base  300  while flanges  310  extend horizontally or outwardly from the base  300 . The flanges  310  may extend from the base  300  in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. As illustrated, the cable housing  130  includes thirteen segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ). Other embodiments of the cable housing  130  may include more or fewer than thirteen segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ). The plurality of segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) are separated by a plurality of slots or slits  320 ( 1 )- 320 ( 12 ). Each of the plurality of segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) further includes an opening  330 . The opening  330  of each segment is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the cable  140 . While only segment  136 ( 1 ) and segment  136 ( 13 ) are illustrated with openings  330 , each of the plurality of segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) includes an opening  330  so that the cable  140  may be threaded through each of the plurality of segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ). As further illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , segments  136 ( 2 )- 136 ( 12 ) are substantially equal in length, with segments  136 ( 1 ) and  136 ( 13 ) being shorter in length than that of segments  136 ( 2 )- 136 ( 12 ). Segments  136 ( 1 ) and  136 ( 13 ) may be equal in length to one another. In another embodiment of the cable housing  130 , each of the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) may be equal in length. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 3 , each of the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) extend the same distance from top surface  302  of the base  300 . The cross sectional view of the cable housing  130  illustrated in  FIG. 5  further illustrates the dimensions of the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) and the flanges  310 . The flanges  310  may have a dimension of a first height H 1 , while the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) have the dimensions of H 2 , H 3 , and D 1 . Second height H 2  may represent the distance the opening  330  of each of the plurality of segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) is positioned above the top of the flange  310 . Furthermore, the third height H 3  may represent the distance the opening  330  of each of the plurality of segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) is positioned below the top of the plurality of segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ). The diameter D 1  may represent the diameter of the opening  330  of the plurality of segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ). As illustrated, the combination of the dimensions H 2 , H 3 , and D 1  represent the distance the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) extend vertically from the base  300 . Furthermore, the combination of the dimensions H 1 , H 2 , H 3  and D 1  represent the total height of the cable housing  130 . In one embodiment of the cable housing  130 , the heights H 1 , H 2 , H 3  and the diameter D 1  may be equal to one another. For example, the heights H 1 , H 2 , H 3  and the diameter D 1  may all equal 1.5 mm. However, in another embodiment, the dimensions of the heights H 1 , H 2 , H 3  and the diameter D 1  may differ from one another. For example, the heights H 1 , H 3  and the diameter D 1  may all equal 1.5 mm, but the second height H 2  may be equal to 3.5 mm. Thus, in this embodiment, the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) extend farther from the top surface  302  of the base  300  and from above the flanges  310  than the previous embodiments. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the base  300  may have a width of W 1 , while the flanges  310  may extend outwardly in the horizontal direction from the base  300  a distance of W 2 . In some embodiments of the cable housing  130 , the width W 1  of the base  300  may be equal to the distance W 2  that a flange  310  extends from the base  300 . Thus, the total width of the cable housing  130  would be three times the width of the base  300 . For example, the width W 1  of base  300  and the width W 2  of each flange  310  may be approximately 4.5 mm. Thus, the total width of this embodiment cable housing  130  would be approximately 13.5 mm. In other embodiments of the cable housing  130 , the dimensions of W 1  and W 2  may differ from one another. In these embodiments, the flanges  310  may extend outwardly from the base  300  a greater or lesser amount than the width W 1  of the base  300 . For example, the base  300  may have a width W 1  of approximately 4.5 mm, while the width W 2  of each flange  310  may be approximately 9.75 mm. Thus, the total width of the cable housing  130  would be 24 mm. In yet another embodiment of the cable housing  130 , the flanges  310  may be of varying widths such that the width of the flange  310  most proximate to the medial side  200  of the sole structure  100  may be longer or shorter than the width of the flange  310  most proximate to lateral side  202  of the sole structure  100 . 
     The cable housing  130  is sized and shaped to fit within the channel  210  of the midsole  110 . The cable housing  130  sits within the channel  210  of the midsole  110  with the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) of the cable housing  130  disposed within the trench  218  of the channel  210 . In addition, the flanges  310  of the cable housing  130  are configured to engage, and/or rest upon, the ledges  216  of the channel  210 . Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cable housing  130  is disposed within the channel  210  of the midsole  110  inverted from the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 3 . When disposed within the channel  210 , the bottom surface  304  of the base  300  of the cable housing  130  is aligned with the top surface  112  of the midsole  110 . The bottom surface  304  of the base  300  of the cable housing  130  may sit flush with the top surface  112  of the midsole  110 . Furthermore, the cable housing  130  may be disposed within the channel  210  of the midsole  110  such that the first end  132  of the cable housing  130  is disposed proximate to the first end  212  of the channel  210  and the second end  134  of the cable housing  130  is disposed proximate to the second end  214  of the channel  210 . While not illustrated, the openings  330  of the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) may align with the opening  220  disposed in the heel end  104  of the midsole  110 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the cable  140  is threaded through each the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 8 ) via the openings  330  in each of the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 8 ). While  FIG. 6  only illustrates a cable housing with eight segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 8 ) and seven slits  320 ( 1 )- 320 ( 7 ), the embodiment of the cable housing  130  illustrated in  FIG. 6  operates in substantially the same manner as the cable housing  130  illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 . The cable  140  may include a first end  600  and a second end  602 , where the first end  600  is affixed to or through the first segment  136 ( 1 ). While the second end  602  of the cable  140  is disposed proximate to the second end  134  of the cable housing  130 , the second end  602  of the cable  140  may not be affixed to the cable housing  130 . Thus, a portion  610  of the cable  140 , proximate to the second end  602 , extends from the second end  134  of the cable housing  130 . 
     As illustrated, when the cable housing  130  is flexed or bent so that the first end  132  is bent rearwardly toward the second end  134 , or vice versa, where the bottom surface  304  of the base  300  is at least partially bent over itself, the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 8 ) separate from one another at the location of the slits  320 ( 1 )- 320 ( 7 ). Thus, the base  300  and the flanges  310  of the cable housing  130  may be configured to bend and flex, which results in separation of the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 8 ) from one another. The cable  140  may be fixed to the first segment  136 ( 1 ) of the housing, while a portion of the cable  140  may be capable of sliding through the remaining segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 8 ) of the housing  130 . As the cable housing  130  is flexed, a larger portion of cable  140  is pulled or slid through the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 8 ) (i.e., a larger portion of the cable  140  is disposed between the first segment  136 ( 1 ) and the last segment  136 ( 8 )) than when the cable housing  130  is in its resting, or horizontal, state (i.e., the cable housing  130  is not flexed). In other words, the length of the portion  610  of the cable  140  that extends outwardly from the second end  134  of the cable housing  130  is largest when the cable housing  130  is in the resting state (i.e., the smallest portion or amount of the cable  140  is disposed between the first segment  136 ( 1 ) and the last segment  136 ( 8 ). When the cable housing  130  is flexed, the second end  602  of the cable  140  is pulled toward the second end  134  of the cable housing  130 , decreasing the length of the portion  610  of the cable  140 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the second end  602  of the cable  140  is threaded through the opening  220  of the midsole  110  and operatively connected to the ratchet  150 . As previously explained, the ratchet  150  is configured to rotate with respect to the midsole  110  of the sole structure  100 . As the ratchet  150  is rotated in a first direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise), the second end  602  of the cable  140  and the portion  610  the cable  140  are at least partially wound around the ratchet  150 . In other words, rotating the ratchet  150  in the first direction reduces the amount of slack, if any, in the cable  140 . As the ratchet  150  is rotated in the first direction, tension is created in the cable  140  between the first end  600  and the second end  602  because the first end  600  is affixed to the cable housing  130  proximate the first end  132  of the cable housing  130  and the ratchet  150  is winding at least a portion  610  of the cable  140  proximate to the second end  602 . Rotation of the ratchet  150  imparts a pulling force onto the cable  140  from proximate the second end  602  of the cable  140 . The tension in the cable  140  increases as the degree in which the ratchet  150  rotates in the first direction increases. The increased tension in the cable  140  increases the stiffness in the cable housing  130  because the amount of cable  140  that may pass through the openings  330  of the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) when the cable housing  130  is bent or flexed is reduced. In other words, as the tension in the cable  140  increases, the amount of force imparted by the cable  140  onto the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) of the cable housing  130  to press the segments  136 ( 1 )- 136 ( 13 ) together also increases. The amount of force required to bend or flex the cable housing  130  is increased when the tension in the cable  140  is increased. Thus, increasing the tension in the cable  140  reduces the cable housing&#39;s  130  ability to flex and bend, which, in turn, reduces the midsole&#39;s  110  ability to flex and bend. It then follows that rotating the ratchet  150  in the first direction increases the stiffness and reduces the flexibility of the sole structure  100 . 
     Conversely, rotating the ratchet  150  a second direction, opposite the first direction, unwinds the cable  140  from the ratchet  150 . Thus, rotating ratchet  150  in the second direction decreases the amount of tension in the cable  140 , and increases the slack in the cable  140 . This results in a decrease in the stiffness of the cable housing  130  and the sole structure  100 , and an increase in the flexibility of the cable housing  130  and the sole structure  100 . While not illustrated, the ratchet  150  may be further equipped with a quick release mechanism that enables the tension in the cable  140  to be quickly returned to its minimal amount. The quick release mechanism may be a button on the ratchet  150  that allows the cable  140  to be quickly unwound. In another embodiment, the cable  140  may be quickly unwound by pushing the ratchet  150  into the footwear or pulling the ratchet  150  outwardly from the footwear to release the cable  140 . 
     The ratchet  150  may be capable of small rotations of only a couple degrees, which enables the precise adjustment to the tension in the cable  140 . Thus, the tension in the cable  140  may be set to a desired amount, which means the flexibility and stiffness of the sole structure  100  may be dialed to an exact degree/amount desired by the user of the sole structure  100 . The minute and precise rotations of the ratchet  150  further prevent big jumps or changes in the flexibility and stiffness of the sole structure  100 . 
     The ratchet  150  may be positioned on the sole structure  100  to enable the user of the sole structure  100  to easily locate the ratchet  150 . Furthermore, the ratchet  150  is also easily located by a user because the ratchet  150  protrudes from the sole structure  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . By locating the ratchet  150  on the sole structure  100  so that it is easily locatable by the user, a user may be able to quickly find the ratchet  150  on the sole structure  100  to adjust the tension in the sole structure  100  without having to look at the article of footwear. A user may then adjust the tension in the sole structure  100  during use, or without a long break in the activity they are performing. For example, if the sole structure  100  is equipped on a pair of baseball cleats, a user may be able to adjust the stiffness and flexibility of the sole structure  100  of their baseball cleats prior to entering the batter&#39;s box, or prior to fielding a ground ball. In another example, where the sole structure  100  is equipped on a pair of football cleats, the user may be able to adjust the stiffness and flexibility after each play. 
     The rotation of the ratchet  150  further enables a user to make quick adjustments to the stiffness and flexibility of the sole structure  100  of the shoe they are wearing. Rotating the ratchet  150  enables quicker adjustments to that compared to belts, laces, replacing insert members, etc. As explained previously, these adjustments may be made while the sole structure  100  is in use. Thus, rotation of the ratchet  150  to increase or decrease the stiffness of the sole structure  100  enables the user of the sole structure  100  to make fast adjustments to the flexibility of the sole structure  100  as the user sees fit during an activity. The rotational ratchet  150  enables users to adjust the sole structure  100  stiffness depending on the specific uses of the sole structure  100  during an activity. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , an article of footwear  700  may be equipped with the sole structure  100 , as described herein. The article of footwear  700  may includes an upper  710  disposed on sole structure  100 . More specifically, the upper  710  may be disposed on and coupled to the midsole  110  of the sole structure  100  via any conventional and/or other suitable manner (e.g., via any form of adhesion or bonding, via a woven connection, via one or more types of fasteners, etc.). The upper  710  may be constructed from various materials that are configured to conform and contour to a foot that is placed within the article of footwear  700 . In some embodiments, various materials may be used to construct the upper  710 , including, but not limited to, leather, synthetic leather, rubber, textile fabrics (e.g., breathable fabrics, mesh fabrics, synthetic fabrics), etc. One material used for the upper  710  may be configured to have a high degree of stretchability and compressibility, while another material used for the upper  710  may have a lower degree of stretchability and compressibility. The materials used for the upper  710  maybe generally lightweight and flexible, and may be configured to provide comfort to the user and provide other desirable features. Moreover, the materials used for the upper  710  may be configured to have desirable aesthetics and functional features that incorporate durability, flexibility, air permeability and/or other types of desirable properties to the upper  710 . The upper  710  and sole structure  100  cooperate to define a foot cavity adapted to receive a human foot. An opening provides access to the cavity, and enables a foot to enter and be disposed within the cavity. In addition, while not illustrated, the ratchet  150  may be operatively coupled to the upper  710  rather than to the midsole  110 . 
     Because the cable housing  130  and the cable  140  are aligned in the midsole  110  in the longitudinal or lengthwise direction (i.e., the cable housing  130  and the cable  140  are positioned within the midsole  110  such that they extend from proximate the toe end  102  to proximate the heel end  104  of the sole structure  100 ), rotation of the ratchet  150  in the first direction increases the longitudinal stiffness of the sole structure  100 . In other embodiments of the sole structure  100 , the cable housing  130  and the cable  140  may be disposed within the midsole  100  in the lateral, traverse, or widthwise direction (i.e., the cable housing  130  and the cable  140  are positioned within the midsole  110  such that they extend from proximate the medial side  200  to proximate the lateral side  202  of the sole structure  100 ). In this embodiment, rotation of the ratchet  150  in the first direction increases the lateral stiffness of the sole structure  100 . In yet another embodiment, a sole structure  100  may be equipped with cable housings  130  and cables  140  aligned in the midsole  110  in both the longitudinal and the lateral directions to adjust the stiffness and flexibility of the sole structure in both directions. 
     In other embodiments of the sole structure  100 , the midsole  110  may contain a plurality of cable housings  130  and cables  140  aligned in either the longitudinal or the lateral directions. For example, a sole structure  100  may include three cable housings and cables aligned in the longitudinal directions, one set proximate the medial side  200 , a second set proximate the lateral side  202 , and the third set centrally located in the sole structure  100 . This creates three longitudinal zones within the sole structure  100 , where a user can individually dial in the stiffness of each of the zones based on the needs of the activity they are performing. 
     In another embodiment of the sole structure  100 , the lengths of the cable housing  130  and the cable  140  may be configured to be disposed within the midsole in only one of the forefoot  106 , midfoot  107 , or hindfoot  108  regions. This would allow the user of the sole structure to only adjust the stiffness/flexibility of the sole structure  100  in one of these regions  106 ,  107 ,  108 . 
     It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention. 
     Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.