Patent Publication Number: US-10321736-B2

Title: Shoe having sole with transverse grooves and tread members

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains to shoes having soles with treads. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the invention is a shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole extends in a longitudinal direction from a sole heel end to a sole toe end and extends transversely from a sole lateral edge to a sole medial edge. The sole includes a heel region, a midfoot region, a metatarsal region, a ball region and a toe region. The heel region extends longitudinally forward from the sole heel end to the midfoot region. The midfoot region extends longitudinally forward from the heel region to the metatarsal region. The metatarsal region extends longitudinally forward from the midfoot region to the ball region. The ball region extends longitudinally forward from the metatarsal region to the toe region. The toe region extends longitudinally forward from the ball region to the sole toe end. The sole has a plurality of tread members and a plurality of grooves. Each of the plurality of tread members extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge. Each of the plurality of grooves extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge. Each of at least most of the plurality of grooves is between an adjacent pair of the plurality of tread members and has a groove width constituting a distance in the longitudinal direction from one of the tread members of the adjacent pair of tread members to the other of the tread members of the adjacent pair of tread members. Each of the plurality of grooves has a groove depth. Each of at least most of the plurality of tread members is between an adjacent pair of the plurality of grooves and has a tread width constituting a distance in the longitudinal direction from one of the grooves of the adjacent pair of grooves to the other of the grooves of the adjacent pair of grooves. The plurality of grooves comprises a plurality of heel grooves in the sole heel region, a plurality of midfoot grooves in the sole midfoot region, a plurality of metatarsal grooves in the sole metatarsal region, a plurality of ball grooves in the sole ball region, and a plurality of toe grooves in the sole toe region. The plurality of tread members comprises a plurality of heel tread members in the sole heel region, a plurality of midfoot tread members in the sole midfoot region, a plurality of metatarsal tread members in the sole metatarsal region, a plurality of ball tread members in the sole ball region, and a plurality of toe tread members in the sole toe region. The groove width of each of the plurality of heel grooves is greater than the groove width of each of the plurality of midfoot grooves. The groove width of each of the plurality of metatarsal grooves is greater than the groove width of each of the plurality of midfoot grooves. The groove width of each of the plurality of ball grooves is greater than the groove width of each of the plurality of metatarsal grooves. The groove width of each of the plurality of ball grooves is greater than the groove width of each of the plurality of toe grooves. 
     Another aspect of the invention is a shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole extends in a longitudinal direction from a sole heel end to a sole toe end and extends transversely from a sole lateral edge to a sole medial edge. The sole includes a heel region, a midfoot region, a metatarsal region, a ball region and a toe region. The heel region extends longitudinally forward from the sole heel end to the midfoot region. The midfoot region extends longitudinally forward from the heel region to the metatarsal region. The metatarsal region extends longitudinally forward from the midfoot region to the ball region. The ball region extends longitudinally forward from the metatarsal region to the toe region. The toe region extends longitudinally forward from the ball region to the sole toe end. The sole has a plurality of tread members and a plurality of grooves. Each of the plurality of tread members extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge. Each of the plurality of grooves extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge. Each of at least most of the plurality of grooves is between an adjacent pair of the plurality of tread members and has a groove width constituting a distance in the longitudinal direction from one of the tread members of the adjacent pair of tread members to the other of the tread members of the adjacent pair of tread members. Each of the plurality of grooves has a groove depth. Each of at least most of the plurality of tread members is between an adjacent pair of the plurality of grooves and has a tread width constituting a distance in the longitudinal direction from one of the grooves of the adjacent pair of grooves to the other of the grooves of the adjacent pair of grooves. The plurality of grooves comprises a plurality of heel grooves in the sole heel region, a plurality of midfoot grooves in the sole midfoot region, a plurality of metatarsal grooves in the sole metatarsal region, a plurality of ball grooves in the sole ball region, and a plurality of toe grooves in the sole toe region. The plurality of tread members comprises a plurality of heel tread members in the sole heel region, a plurality of midfoot tread members in the sole midfoot region, a plurality of metatarsal tread members in the sole metatarsal region, a plurality of ball tread members in the sole ball region, and a plurality of toe tread members in the sole toe region. The groove depth of each of the plurality of heel grooves is greater than the groove depth of each of the plurality of midfoot grooves. The groove depth of each of the plurality of metatarsal grooves is greater than the groove depth of each of the plurality of midfoot grooves. The groove depth of each of the plurality of ball grooves is greater than the groove depth of each of the plurality of metatarsal grooves. The groove depth of each of the plurality of ball grooves is greater than the groove depth of each of the plurality of toe grooves. 
     Another aspect of the invention is a shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole extends in a longitudinal direction from a sole heel end to a sole toe end and extends transversely from a sole lateral edge to a sole medial edge. The sole includes a heel region, a midfoot region, a metatarsal region, a ball region and a toe region. The heel region extends longitudinally forward from the sole heel end to the midfoot region. The midfoot region extends longitudinally forward from the heel region to the metatarsal region. The metatarsal region extends longitudinally forward from the midfoot region to the ball region. The ball region extends longitudinally forward from the metatarsal region to the toe region. The toe region extends longitudinally forward from the ball region to the sole toe end. The sole has a plurality of tread members and a plurality of grooves. Each of the plurality of tread members extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge. Each of the plurality of grooves extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge. Each of at least most of the plurality of grooves is between an adjacent pair of the plurality of tread members and has a groove width constituting a distance in the longitudinal direction from one of the tread members of the adjacent pair of tread members to the other of the tread members of the adjacent pair of tread members. Each of the plurality of grooves has a groove depth. Each of at least most of the plurality of tread members is between an adjacent pair of the plurality of grooves and has a tread width constituting a distance in the longitudinal direction from one of the grooves of the adjacent pair of grooves to the other of the grooves of the adjacent pair of grooves. The plurality of grooves comprises a plurality of heel grooves in the sole heel region, a plurality of midfoot grooves in the sole midfoot region, a plurality of metatarsal grooves in the sole metatarsal region, a plurality of ball grooves in the sole ball region, and a plurality of toe grooves in the sole toe region. The plurality of tread members comprises a plurality of heel tread members in the sole heel region, a plurality of midfoot tread members in the sole midfoot region, a plurality of metatarsal tread members in the sole metatarsal region, a plurality of ball tread members in the sole ball region, and a plurality of toe tread members in the sole toe region. The tread width of each of the plurality of heel tread members is less than the tread width of each of the plurality of midfoot tread members. The tread width of each of the plurality of metatarsal tread members is less than the tread width of each of the plurality of midfoot tread members. The tread width of each of the plurality of ball tread members is less than the tread width of each of the plurality of metatarsal tread members. The tread width of each of the plurality of ball tread members is less than the tread width of each of the plurality of toe tread members. 
     Another aspect of the invention is a shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole extends in a longitudinal direction from a sole heel end to a sole toe end and extends transversely from a sole lateral edge to a sole medial edge. The sole includes a heel region, a midfoot region, a metatarsal region, a ball region and a toe region. The heel region extends longitudinally forward from the sole heel end to the midfoot region. The midfoot region extends longitudinally forward from the heel region to the metatarsal region. The metatarsal region extends longitudinally forward from the midfoot region to the ball region. The ball region extends longitudinally forward from the metatarsal region to the toe region. The toe region extends longitudinally forward from the ball region to the sole toe end. The sole has a plurality of tread members and a plurality of grooves. Each of the plurality of tread members extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge. Each of the plurality of grooves extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge. Each of the plurality of grooves includes a plurality of upwardly projecting recesses. Each of the upwardly projecting recesses has a recess depth. Each of at least most of the plurality of grooves is between an adjacent pair of the plurality of tread members and has a groove width constituting a distance in the longitudinal direction from one of the tread members of the adjacent pair of tread members to the other of the tread members of the adjacent pair of tread members. Each of the plurality of grooves has a groove depth. Each of at least most of the plurality of tread members is between an adjacent pair of the plurality of grooves and has a tread width constituting a distance in the longitudinal direction from one of the grooves of the adjacent pair of grooves to the other of the grooves of the adjacent pair of grooves. The plurality of grooves comprises a plurality of heel grooves in the sole heel region, a plurality of midfoot grooves in the sole midfoot region, a plurality of metatarsal grooves in the sole metatarsal region, a plurality of ball grooves in the sole ball region, and a plurality of toe grooves in the sole toe region. The plurality of tread members comprises a plurality of heel tread members in the sole heel region, a plurality of midfoot tread members in the sole midfoot region, a plurality of metatarsal tread members in the sole metatarsal region, a plurality of ball tread members in the sole ball region, and a plurality of toe tread members in the sole toe region. The recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of heel grooves is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of midfoot grooves. The recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of metatarsal grooves is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of midfoot grooves. The recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of ball grooves is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of metatarsal grooves. The recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of ball grooves is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of toe grooves. 
     Another aspect of the invention is a shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole extends in a longitudinal direction from a sole heel end to a sole toe end and extends transversely from a sole lateral edge to a sole medial edge. The sole includes a heel region, a midfoot region, a metatarsal region, a ball region and a toe region. The heel region extends longitudinally forward from the sole heel end to the midfoot region. The midfoot region extends longitudinally forward from the heel region to the metatarsal region. The metatarsal region extends longitudinally forward from the midfoot region to the ball region. The ball region extends longitudinally forward from the metatarsal region to the toe region. The toe region extends longitudinally forward from the ball region to the sole toe end. The sole has a plurality of tread members and a plurality of grooves. Each of the plurality of tread members extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge. Each of the plurality of grooves extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge. Each of the plurality of grooves includes a plurality of upwardly projecting recesses. Each of the upwardly projecting recesses has a recess depth. Each of at least most of the plurality of grooves is between an adjacent pair of the plurality of tread members and has a groove width constituting a distance in the longitudinal direction from one of the tread members of the adjacent pair of tread members to the other of the tread members of the adjacent pair of tread members. Each of the plurality of grooves has a groove depth. Each of at least most of the plurality of tread members is between an adjacent pair of the plurality of grooves and has a tread width constituting a distance in the longitudinal direction from one of the grooves of the adjacent pair of grooves to the other of the grooves of the adjacent pair of grooves. The plurality of grooves comprises a plurality of heel grooves in the sole heel region, a plurality of midfoot grooves in the sole midfoot region, a plurality of metatarsal grooves in the sole metatarsal region, a plurality of ball grooves in the sole ball region, and a plurality of toe grooves in the sole toe region. The plurality of tread members comprises a plurality of heel tread members in the sole heel region, a plurality of midfoot tread members in the sole midfoot region, a plurality of metatarsal tread members in the sole metatarsal region, a plurality of ball tread members in the sole ball region, and a plurality of toe tread members in the sole toe region. Each of the plurality of tread members extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge in a zigzag pattern. Each of the plurality of grooves extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge in a zigzag pattern. 
     Further features and advantages, as well as the operation, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom lateral perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a shoe of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom medial perspective view of the shoe of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the shoe of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane of line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     Reference numerals in the written specification and in the figures indicate corresponding items. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An embodiment of a shoe in accordance with the present invention is indicated by reference numeral  10  in  FIGS. 1-4 . The shoe  10  comprises a sole, generally indicated at  12 , and an upper, generally indicated at  14 . The sole  12  is secured to the upper  14 . The sole  12  extends in a longitudinal direction from a sole heel end  16  to a sole toe end  18  and extends transversely from a sole lateral edge  20  to a sole medial edge  22 . The sole  12  includes a heel region  24 , a midfoot region  26 , a metatarsal region  28 , a ball region  30  and a toe region  32 . The heel region  24  extends longitudinally forward from the sole heel end  16  to the midfoot region  26 . As used herein, longitudinally forward means generally away from the sole heel end  16  and toward the sole toe end  18 , and longitudinally rearward means generally away from the toe end and toward the heel end. The midfoot region  26  extends longitudinally forward from the heel region  24  to the metatarsal region  28 . The metatarsal region  28  extends longitudinally forward from the midfoot region  26  to the ball region  30 . The ball region  30  extends longitudinally forward from the metatarsal region  28  to the toe region  32 . The toe region  32  extends longitudinally forward from the ball region  30  to the sole toe end  18 . 
     The sole  12  has a plurality of tread members, indicated via the reference prefix number  34 , and a plurality of grooves, indicated by the reference prefix number  36 . As shown in the Figures (and as set forth more explicitly below), the reference prefix numbers  34  and  36  are combined with letter suffixes to distinguish tread members and grooves in a region of the sole  12  from tread members and grooves in other regions of the sole. Each of the plurality of tread members  34  extends transversely between the sole lateral edge  20  and the sole medial edge  22 . Each of the plurality of grooves  36  extends transversely between the sole lateral edge  20  and the sole medial edge  22 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , each of the plurality of tread members  34  and each of the plurality of grooves  36  also extend transversely from adjacent the sole lateral edge  20  to adjacent the sole medial edge  22 . In an alternative embodiment, each of the plurality of tread members and each of the plurality of grooves extend transversely from the sole lateral edge to the sole medial edge. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , each of the plurality of tread members  34  extends transversely between the sole lateral edge  20  and the sole medial edge  22  in a zigzag pattern, and each of the plurality of grooves  36  extends transversely between the sole lateral edge and the sole medial edge in a zigzag pattern. Each of the plurality of grooves  36  has a groove depth D g  (see  FIG. 4 ). Each of the plurality of grooves  36  is between an adjacent pair of the plurality of tread members  34  and has a groove width W g  constituting a distance in the longitudinal direction from one of the tread members  34  of the adjacent pair of tread members to the other of the tread members of the adjacent pair of tread members. Each of the plurality of tread members  34  is between an adjacent pair of the plurality of grooves  36  and has a tread width W t  constituting a distance in the longitudinal direction from one of the grooves  36  of the adjacent pair of grooves to the other of the grooves of the adjacent pair of grooves. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , the sole  12  comprises a rubber heel member  38  at the sole heel end  16 , a rubber toe member  40  at the sole toe end  18 , and a closed-cell foam member  42  extending from the rubber heel member to the rubber toe member. The closed-cell foam member  42  is of any suitable, light-weight closed-cell foam, such as injection EVA. Each of the plurality of tread members  34  is in the closed-cell foam member  42 . Each of the plurality of grooves  36  is in the closed-cell foam member  42 . 
     The plurality of grooves  36  comprises a plurality of heel grooves  36   a  in the sole heel region  24 , a plurality of midfoot grooves  36   b  in the sole midfoot region  26 , a plurality of metatarsal grooves  36   c  in the sole metatarsal region  28 , a plurality of ball grooves  36   d  in the sole ball region  30 , and a plurality of toe grooves  36   e  in the sole toe region  32 . The plurality of tread members  34  comprises a plurality of heel tread members  34   a  in the sole heel region  24 , a plurality of midfoot tread members  34   b  in the sole midfoot region  26 , a plurality of metatarsal tread members  34   c  in the sole metatarsal region  28 , a plurality of ball tread members  34   d  in the sole ball region  30 , and a plurality of toe tread members  34   e  in the sole toe region  32 . 
     The groove width W g  of each of the plurality of heel grooves  36   a  is greater than the groove width of each of the plurality of midfoot grooves  36   b . The groove width W g  of each of the plurality of metatarsal grooves  36   c  is greater than the groove width of each of the plurality of midfoot grooves  36   b . The groove width W g  of each of the plurality of ball grooves  36   d  is greater than the groove width W g  of each of the plurality of metatarsal grooves  36   c . The groove width W g  of each of the plurality of ball grooves  36   d  is greater than the groove width of each of the plurality of toe grooves  36   e.    
     The groove depth D g  of each of the plurality of heel grooves  36   a  is greater than the groove depth of each of the plurality of midfoot grooves  36   b . The groove depth D g  of each of the plurality of metatarsal grooves  36   c  is greater than the groove depth of each of the plurality of midfoot grooves  36   b . The groove depth D g  of each of the plurality of ball grooves  36   d  is greater than the groove depth D g  of each of the plurality of metatarsal grooves  36   c . The groove depth D g  of each of the plurality of ball grooves  36   d  is greater than the groove depth of each of the plurality of toe grooves  36   e.    
     The tread width W t  of each of the plurality of heel tread members  34   a  is less than the tread width of each of the plurality of midfoot tread members  34   b . The tread width W t  of each of the plurality of metatarsal tread members  34   c  is less than the tread width of each of the plurality of midfoot tread members  34   b . The tread width W t  of each of the plurality of ball tread members  34   d  is less than the tread width of each of the plurality of metatarsal tread members  34   c . The tread width W t  of each of the plurality of ball tread members  34   d  is less than the tread width of each of the plurality of toe tread members  34   e.    
     The plurality of heel grooves  36   a  comprises a first heel groove  36   a   1 , a second heel groove  36   a   2 , and a third heel groove  36   a   3 . The second heel groove  36   a2  is forward of the first heel groove  36   a   1 . The third heel groove  36   a   3  is forward of the second heel groove  36   a   2 . The groove width W g  of the first heel groove  36   a   1  is greater than the groove width W g  of the second heel groove  36   a   2 . The groove width W g  of the second heel groove  36   a   2  is greater than the groove width W g  of the third heel groove  36   a   3 . The plurality of heel tread members  34   a  comprises a first heel tread member  34   a   1 , a second heel tread member  34   a   2 , and a third heel tread member  34   a   3 . The second heel tread member  34   a   2  is forward of the first heel tread member  34   a   1 . The third heel tread member  34   a   3  is forward of the second heel tread member  34   a   2 . The tread width W t  of the first heel tread member  34   a   1  is less than the tread width of the second heel tread member  34   a   2 . The tread width W t  of the second heel tread member  34   a   2  is less than the tread width of the third heel tread member  34   a   3 . 
     The plurality of toe grooves  36   e  comprises a first toe groove  36   e   1 , a second toe groove  36   e   2 , and a third toe groove  36   e   3 . The second toe groove  36   e   2  is forward of the first toe groove  36   e   1 . The third toe groove  36   e   3  is forward of the second toe groove  36   e   2 . The groove width W g  of the first toe groove  36   e   1  is greater than the groove width of the second toe groove  36   e   2 . The groove width W g  of the second toe groove  36   e   2  is greater than the groove width of the third toe groove  36   e   3 . The plurality of toe tread members  34   e  comprises a first toe tread member  34   e   1 , a second toe tread member  34   e   2 , and a third toe tread member  34   e   3 . The second toe tread member  34   e   2  is forward of the first toe tread member  34   e   1 . The third toe tread member  34   e   3  is forward of the second toe tread member  34   e   2 . The tread width W t  of the first toe tread member  34   e   1  is less than the tread width W t  of the second toe tread member  34   e   2 . The tread width W t  of the second toe tread member  34   e   2  is less than the tread width of the third toe tread member  34   e   3 . 
     The plurality of metatarsal grooves  36   c  comprises a first metatarsal groove  36   c   1 , a second metatarsal groove  36   c   2 , and a third metatarsal groove  36   c   3 . The second metatarsal groove  36   c   2  is forward of the first metatarsal groove  36   c   1 , and the third metatarsal groove  36   c   3  is forward of the second metatarsal groove. The groove width W g  of the first metatarsal groove  36   c   1  is less than the groove width of the second metatarsal groove  36   c   2 , and the groove width of the second metatarsal groove is less than the groove width of the third metatarsal groove  36   c   3 . The plurality of metatarsal tread members  34   c  comprises a first metatarsal tread member  34   c   1 , a second metatarsal tread member  34   c   2 , and a third metatarsal tread member  34   c   3 . The second metatarsal tread member  34   c   2  is forward of the first metatarsal tread member  34   c   1 , and the third metatarsal tread member  34   c   3  is forward of the second metatarsal tread member  34   c   2 . The tread width W t  of the first metatarsal tread member  34   c   1  is greater than the tread width of the second metatarsal tread member  34   c   2 , and the tread width of the second metatarsal tread member is greater than the tread width of the third metatarsal tread member  34   c   3 . 
     The plurality of midfoot grooves  36   b  comprises a first midfoot groove  36   b   1 , a second midfoot groove  36   b   2 , and a third midfoot groove  36   b   3 . The second midfoot groove  36   b   2  is forward of the first midfoot groove  36   b   1 , and the third midfoot groove  36   b   3  is forward of the second midfoot groove. The groove width W g  of each of the first midfoot groove  36   b   1 , the second midfoot groove  36   b   2 , and the third midfoot groove  36   b   3  is less than the groove width of each of the first heel groove  36   a   1 , the second heel groove  36   a   2 , and the third heel groove  36   a   3 . The groove width of each of the first, second, and third midfoot grooves is less than the groove width of each of the first, second, and third metatarsal grooves. The plurality of midfoot tread members  34   b  comprises a first midfoot tread member  34   b   1 , a second midfoot tread member  34   b   2 , and a third midfoot tread member  34   b   3 . The second midfoot tread member  34   b   2  is forward of the first midfoot tread member  34   b   1 , and the third midfoot tread member  34   b   3  is forward of the second midfoot tread member. The tread width W t  of each of the first, second, and third midfoot tread members  34   b   1 ,  34   b   2 ,  34   b   3  is greater than the tread width of each of the first, second, and third heel tread members  34   a   1 ,  34   a   2 ,  34   a   3 , and the tread width of each of the first, second, and third midfoot tread members is greater than the tread width of each of the first, second, and third metatarsal tread members  34   c   1 ,  34   c   2 ,  34   c   3 . 
     The plurality of ball grooves  36   d  comprises a first ball groove  36   d   1 , a second ball groove  36   d   2 , and a third ball groove  36   d   3 . The second ball groove  36   d   2  is forward of the first ball groove  36   d   1 , and the third ball groove  36   d   3  is forward of the second ball groove. The groove width W g  of each of the first, second, and third ball grooves  36   d   1 ,  36   d   2 ,  36   d   3  is greater than the groove width of each of the first, second, and third toe grooves  36   e   1 ,  36   e   2 ,  36   e   3 , and the groove width of each of the first, second, and third ball grooves is greater than the groove width of each of the first, second, and third metatarsal grooves  36   c   1 ,  36   c   2 ,  36   c   3 . The plurality of ball tread members  34   d  comprises a first ball tread member  34   d   1 , a second ball tread member  34   d   2 , and a third ball tread member  34   d   3 . The second ball tread member  34   d   2  is forward of the first ball tread member  34   d   1 , and the third ball tread member  34   d   3  is forward of the second ball tread member. The tread width W t  of each of the first, second, and third ball tread members  34   d   1 ,  34   d   2 ,  34   d   3 , is less than the tread width of each of the first, second, and third toe tread members  34   e   1 ,  34   e   2 ,  34   e   3 , and the tread width of each of the first, second, and third ball tread members is less than the tread width of each of the first, second, and third metatarsal tread members  34   c   1 ,  34   c   2 ,  34   c   3 . 
     The groove depth D g  of the first heel groove  36   a   1  is greater than the groove depth of the second heel groove, and the groove depth of the second heel groove is greater than the groove depth of the third heel groove  36   a   3 . The groove depth D g  of the first toe groove  36   e   1  is greater than the groove depth of the second toe groove  36   e   2 , and the groove depth of the second toe groove is greater than the groove depth of the third toe groove  36   e   3 . The groove depth D g  of the first metatarsal groove  36   c   1  is less than the groove depth of the second metatarsal groove  36   c   2 , and the groove depth of the second metatarsal groove  36   c   2  is less than the groove depth of the third metatarsal groove  36   c   3 . The groove depth D g  of each of the first, second, and third midfoot grooves  36   b   1 ,  36   b   2 ,  36   b   3  is less than the groove depth of each of the first, second, and third heel grooves  36   a   1 ,  36   a   2 ,  36   a   3 . The groove depth D g  of each of the first, second, and third midfoot grooves  36   b   1 ,  36   b   2 ,  36   b   3  is less than the groove depth of each of the first, second, and third metatarsal grooves  36   c   1 ,  36   c   2 ,  36   c   3 . The groove depth D g  of each of the first, second, and third ball grooves  36   d   1 ,  36   d   2 ,  36   d   3  is greater than the groove depth of each of the first, second, and third toe grooves  36   e   1 ,  36   e   2 ,  36   e   3 . The groove depth D g  of each of the first, second, and third ball grooves  36   d   1 ,  36   d   2 ,  36   d   3  is greater than the groove depth of each of the first, second, and third metatarsal grooves  36   c   1 ,  36   c   2 ,  36   c   3 . 
     Each of the plurality of grooves  36  includes a plurality of upwardly projecting recesses  44 . Each of the upwardly projecting recesses  44  has a recess depth D r  (see  FIG. 4 ). The recess depth D r  of each of the plurality of recesses  44  in each of the plurality of heel grooves  36   a  is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of midfoot grooves  36   b . The recess depth D r  of each of the plurality of recesses  44  in each of the plurality of metatarsal grooves  36   c  is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of midfoot grooves  36   b . The recess depth D r  of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of ball grooves  36   d  is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of metatarsal grooves  36   c . The recess depth D r  of each of the plurality of recesses  44  in each of the plurality of ball grooves  36   d  is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of toe grooves  36   e.    
     The recess depth D r  of each of the plurality of recesses  44  in the first heel groove  36   a   1  is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses  44  in the second heel groove  36   a   2 , and the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in the second heel groove is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in the third heel groove  36   a   3 . The recess depth D r  of each of the plurality of recesses in the first toe groove  36   e   1  is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in the second toe groove  36   e   2 , and the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in the second toe groove  36   e   2  is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in the third toe groove  36   e   3 . 
     The recess depth D r  of each of the plurality of recesses in the first metatarsal groove  36   c   1  is less than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in the second metatarsal groove  36   c   2 , and the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in the second metatarsal groove  36   c   2  is less than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in the third metatarsal groove  36   c   3 . 
     The recess depth D r  of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the first, second, and third midfoot grooves  36   b   1 ,  36   b   2 ,  36   b   3  is less than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the first, second, and third heel grooves  36   a   1 ,  36   a   2 ,  36   a   3 , and the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the first, second, and third midfoot grooves is less than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the first, second, and third metatarsal grooves  36   c   1 ,  36   c   2 ,  36   c   3 . The recess depth D r  of each of the plurality of recesses  44  in each of the first, second, and third ball grooves  36   d   1 ,  36   d   2 ,  36   d   3  is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the first, second, and third toe grooves  36   e   1 ,  36   e   2 ,  36   e   3 , and the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the first, second, and third ball grooves is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the first, second, and third metatarsal grooves  36   c   1 ,  36   c   2 ,  36   c   3 . 
     The combination of features described herein provides a sole that is lightweight while providing greater flexibility in regions in which greater flexibility is desirable, and less flexibility in regions in which less flexibility is desirable. 
     In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the invention has several advantages over the prior art. 
     It should also be understood that when introducing elements of the present invention in the claims or in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, the term “portion” should be construed as meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies. Also, as used herein, the term “shoe” is synonymous with footwear. As such, shoe encompasses boots, sandals, oxfords, and other types of footwear. Moreover, use of identifiers such as first, second, and third should not be construed in a manner imposing any relative position or time sequence between limitations. Also, the term “plurality” when used in connection with an element should not be interpreted as referring to all such elements in the shoe. For example, the phrase “the recess depth D r  of each of the plurality of recesses  44  in each of the plurality of ball grooves  36   d  is greater than the recess depth of each of the plurality of recesses in each of the plurality of toe grooves  36   e ” merely means the recess depth of each of two or more of the recesses in each of two or more of the ball grooves is greater than the recess depth of each of two or more of the recesses in each of two or more of the toe grooves. 
     As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.