Patent Description:
The present technology relates to the field of footwear. Aspects of the present technology pertain to foot support components (e.g., sole structures and/or components of sole structures) for articles of footwear that include multiple flexible projections at their ground-facing surfaces.

Conventional articles of athletic footwear include two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper provides a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure is secured to a lower surface of the upper and is generally positioned between the foot and any contact surface. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and absorbing energy, the sole structure may provide traction and control potentially harmful foot motion, such as over pronation. General features and configurations of uppers and sole structures are discussed in greater detail below.

The upper forms a void on the interior of the footwear for receiving the foot. The void has the general shape of the foot, and access to the void is provided at an ankle or foot-insertion opening. Accordingly, the upper extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of the foot. A lacing system often is incorporated into the upper to selectively change the size of the ankle opening and to permit the wearer to modify certain dimensions of the upper, particularly girth, to accommodate feet with varying proportions. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance the comfort of the footwear (e.g., to modulate pressure applied to the foot by the laces), and the upper also may include a heel counter to limit or control movement of the heel.

The sole structure generally incorporates multiple layers that are conventionally referred to as an "insole," a "midsole," and an "outsole. " The insole (which also may constitute a sock liner) is a thin member located within the upper and adjacent the plantar (lower) surface of the foot to enhance footwear comfort, e.g., to wick away moisture. The midsole, which is traditionally attached to the upper along the upper's entire length, forms the middle layer of the sole structure and serves a variety of purposes that include controlling foot motions and attenuating impact forces. The outsole forms the ground-contacting element of footwear and usually is fashioned from a durable, wear-resistant material that includes texturing or other features to improve traction. <CIT> and <CIT> disclose sole structures.

Some general terminology and information is provided that will assist in understanding various portions of this specification and the invention(s) as described herein. As noted above, the present technology relates to the field of footwear. "Footwear" means any type of wearing apparel for the feet, and this term includes, but is not limited to: all types of shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, thongs, flip-flops, mules, scuffs, slippers, sport-specific shoes (such as golf shoes, tennis shoes, baseball cleats, soccer or football cleats, ski boots, basketball shoes, cross training shoes, track shoes, track field event shoes (e.g., for high jump, triple jump, etc.), etc.), and the like.

The term "projection" as used herein means a component or part that extends from another part (e.g., a base surface); has an exposed free end; has a length dimension L extending from its origin point (e.g., at the base surface or other part) to the exposed free end of at least <NUM>; and has a transverse cross sectional dimension CS (transverse to its length dimension, such as a diameter, diagonal, etc.) that is less than the length dimension L over at least <NUM>% of the length dimension L. In some examples of this technology, a "projection" may have any one or more of the following "length-to-cross sectional dimension" features: (a) L = <NUM> x CS to <NUM> x CS; (b) L = <NUM> x CS to <NUM> x CS; (c) L = <NUM> x CS to <NUM> x CS; (d) L = <NUM> x CS to <NUM> x CS; (e) L = <NUM> x CS to <NUM> x CS; and/or (f) L = <NUM> x CS to <NUM> x CS. "Projections" may have any desired transverse cross sectional shape, such as round, circular, oval, elliptical, polygonal, rectangular, square, rounded rectangular, cross, star, irregularly shaped, etc. Furthermore, a "projection" may have any of the above noted length-to-cross sectional dimension features over a portion of its overall length dimension, such as over at least <NUM>% of the length dimension L, over at least <NUM>% of the length dimension L, over at least <NUM>% of the length dimension L, over at least <NUM>% of the length dimension L, over at least <NUM>% of the length dimension L, over at least <NUM>% of the length dimension L, or even over the entire length dimension L. In such examples, the "projection" may have the noted length-to-cross sectional dimension features over a portion of its overall length dimension measured from its free end.

The terms "field of projections" or "projection field" as used herein are interchangeable and mean a region of a sole structure that contains multiple projections of the types described above located within (e.g., dispersed over) its area. In some examples, each projection within the "field" may be located within a distance of <NUM> or less from another projection. In other words, in at least some examples, a "field of projections" or "projection field" may constitute the collection of projections (as defined above) located within <NUM> of at least one other projection. In some examples, the "field of projections" or "projection field" will be formed as a separate part that is engaged with other components of a sole structure. The projections may be regularly dispersed over the area of the projection field (e.g., have a substantially constant packing density of "x" projections per square inch) or the projections may have a varying packing density over the area of the projection field. A projection field may contain projections of the same or different sizes and/or shapes. A "field of projections" or a "projection field" may be integrally formed with another sole part (e.g., an outsole component) or it may be a separate part attached to another sole part or footwear part.

Further potential properties of "projection fields" in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology are described below. A "projection field" in accordance with at least some examples of this technology may include any area of a sole structure that includes a projection packing density of at least <NUM> projections (of the types described above) per square inch (at least <NUM> projections per square centimeter). At least some projection fields in accordance with aspects of this technology may include an area of <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM> having an average projection packing density within that area (i.e., the total number (N) of projections divided by the total area of the projection field or "projections per unit area") of at least <NUM> projections (of the types described above) per square inch (at least <NUM> projections per square centimeter). As some additional examples, some projection fields in accordance with aspects of this technology may include an area of <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM> having an average projection packing density within that area (i.e., projections per unit area) and/or a total number of projections (N) within that area of one or more of: (a) at least <NUM> projections per square inch (at least <NUM> projections per square centimeter); (b) at least <NUM> projections per square inch (at least <NUM> projections per square centimeter); (c) <NUM> to <NUM> projections per square inch (<NUM> to <NUM> projections per square centimeter); (d) <NUM> to <NUM> projections per square inch (<NUM> to <NUM> projections per square centimeter); (e) <NUM> to <NUM> projections per square inch (<NUM> to <NUM> projections per square centimeter); (f) at least <NUM> projections within the projection field area; (g) at least <NUM> projections within the projection field area; (g) at least <NUM> projections within the projection field area; (h) from <NUM> to <NUM> projections within the projection field area; (i) from <NUM> to <NUM> projections within the projection field area; (j) from <NUM> to <NUM> projections within the projection field area; (j) from <NUM> to <NUM> projections within the projection field area; (k) from <NUM> to <NUM> projections within the projection field area; and/or (<NUM>) from <NUM> to <NUM> projections within the projection field area. The various different ranges of average projection packing densities and/or total numbers of projections listed above also may be provided within areas of: (a) at least <NUM><NUM>; (b) at least <NUM><NUM>; (c) at least <NUM><NUM>; (d) from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>; (e) from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>; (f) from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>; (g) from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>; and/or (h) from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>. A "projection field" may have any one or more and/or any combination of the properties described above.

The term "majority" as used herein, means any amount "more than <NUM>%.

Foot support components include multiple flexible projections at their ground-facing surfaces, e.g., located in a field of projections. These projections may assist athletes in sports that include contact and/or control of a ball with the bottom of a foot, such as soccer/global football. As some more specific examples, the projections may assist in one or more of: gripping the ball, transmitting "feel" of the ball through the sole to the wearer's foot (e.g., producing proprioceptive benefits), and/or providing tactile and/or audio feedback confirming contact with the ball.

The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears.

The reader should understand that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

In the following description of various examples of footwear structures and components according to the present technology, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced.

Referring to the figures and following discussion, various foot support components, articles of footwear, and features thereof in accordance with aspects of the present invention are disclosed. Concepts disclosed with respect to these components and footwear may be applied with particular benefit to soccer/global football shoes, including "small sided soccer" activities, e.g., played on smaller fields where trapping the ball with the foot and more controlled movement of the ball is beneficial. Aspects of the invention may be applied to other footwear styles and specific sports as well.

Foot support components for articles of footwear according to some aspects of this technology include a sole structure having a ground-facing surface and an upper-facing surface. The sole structure includes a sole member made from one or more parts and including a base surface, a medial side, and a lateral side. A plurality of medial side primary traction elements (e.g., soccer cleats) may be located on the medial side of the sole member and may extend in a direction away from the base surface, and a plurality of lateral side primary traction elements (e.g., soccer cleats) may be located on the lateral side of the sole member and may extend in a direction away from the base surface. A central space may be defined between interior extents (e.g., interior-most surfaces) of the plurality of medial side primary traction elements and the plurality of lateral side primary traction elements, and this central space may be free of primary traction elements (e.g., free of cleats). In accordance with aspects of this technology, a projection field comprising a plurality of projections is located at least partially in the central space.

The projection field comprises a plurality of projections that may have a wide variety of features and/or characteristics, as will be described in more detail below. As some more specific examples, the projection field and/or at least some of the projections in the projection field may have a combination of two or more of the parameter values set forth in any one or more of Table <NUM>, Table <NUM>, and/or Table <NUM> below. If desired, a single sole structure may include two or more discrete projection fields.

As some additional or alternative examples, the projection field may include a plurality of projections (e.g., at least <NUM> projections) that extend beyond the base surface of the sole structure and have exposed free ends. The projection field may define an area of at least <NUM><NUM>, e.g., with projections dispersed throughout (e.g., with a constant packing density or a varying packing density), and at least a portion of this projection field includes a projection packing density of at least <NUM> projections per square inch (<NUM> projections per square centimeter). A first subset of the plurality of projections may have a length of at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, or even at least <NUM>, and at least a majority of the plurality of projections in the projection field will readily bend under force applied by weight of a user of the sole structure. In some examples, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the plurality of projections in the projection field will readily bend under force applied by weight of a user of the sole structure (i.e., when contacting the ground).

As yet additional or alternative examples, the projection field may include a plurality of projections (e.g., at least <NUM> projections) that extend beyond the base surface of the sole structure and have exposed free ends. At least a majority of the projections of this projection field will readily bend under force applied by weight of a user of the sole structure (and in some examples, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the plurality of projections in the projection field will readily bend under force applied by weight of a user of the sole structure). In such structures, with the sole structure supported on its ground-facing surface on a horizontal support surface, a first subset of the plurality of projections will have a sufficient longitudinal length L (at least when fully extended) to have their free ends extend toward the horizontal support surface (and away from the base surface of the sole member) beyond the free end of a closest primary traction element to the respective projection of the first subset.

Still additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of making footwear components and/or articles of footwear containing them, e.g., of the types and having the structures described above (and described in more detail below).

Given the above background and general description of aspects and examples of this technology, a more detailed description of specific examples of articles of footwear in accordance with at least some examples of this technology and this invention follows.

<FIG> provide various views of an article of footwear <NUM> containing sole structures <NUM> in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology. The term "sole structure" as used herein may include any one or more foot support parts, e.g., forming the entirety and/or a portion of an overall sole for an article of footwear <NUM>. Such "foot support parts" may include, for example, any individual part and/or combination of two or more foot support parts described in the examples below and shown in the figures. Various features, characteristics, and/or parts of example articles of footwear <NUM> and sole structures <NUM> thereof are described in more detail below.

The article of footwear <NUM> of <FIG> includes an upper <NUM> and a sole structure <NUM> engaged with the upper <NUM>. The upper <NUM> and sole structure <NUM> may be engaged together in any desired manner, including in manners conventionally known and used in the footwear arts (such as by one or more of adhesives or cements, stitching or sewing, mechanical connectors, etc.).

The upper <NUM>, potentially together with the sole structure <NUM>, define a foot-receiving interior chamber 100I for containing a wearer's foot. The bottom of the upper <NUM> may include a strobel <NUM> or other component engaged with or integrally formed with another portion of the upper <NUM>, e.g., a lateral side upper component <NUM> and/or a medial side upper component <NUM> (see <FIG>). The upper <NUM> may include other components as well. For example, the upper <NUM> may include a tongue member 102T located across the foot instep area and positioned to moderate the feel of the footwear's closure system on the wearer's foot; a closure system (e.g., including one or more of a lace type closure system, a zippered closure system, a buckle type closure system, elastic stretch elements, etc.); a heel counter; a toe cap; straps; etc. Additionally or alternatively, the upper <NUM> may include a "sock-like" upper component, e.g., made from fabric and configured to closely fit the wearer's foot like a conventional sock.

The upper <NUM> may be made from any desired material(s) and/or in any desired constructions and/or manners without departing from this technology. As some more specific examples, all or at least a portion of the upper <NUM> (and optionally a majority, substantially all, or even all of the upper <NUM>) may be formed as a woven textile component, a knitted textile component, another textile component, a natural leather component, a synthetic leather component, a polymeric component (e.g., a TPU, etc.), etc. The components for upper <NUM> may have structures and/or constructions like those used in footwear products commercially available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, OR and/or other manufacturers, including conventional structures and constructions (e.g., for soccer/global football shoes), as are known and used in the art.

Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the upper <NUM> construction may include uppers having foot securing and engaging structures (e.g., "dynamic" and/or "adaptive fit" structures), e.g., of the types described in <CIT>. As some additional examples, if desired, uppers and articles of footwear in accordance with this technology may include foot securing and engaging structures of the types used in footwear products commercially available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon. These types of wrap-around and/or adaptive or dynamic fit structures may at least partially wrap around and securely hold the wearer's foot.

As yet another alternative or additional feature, if desired, uppers <NUM> and articles of footwear <NUM> in accordance with at least some examples of this technology may include fused layers of upper materials, e.g., uppers of the types that include upper materials bonded by hot melt or other adhesive materials, such as in footwear products commercially available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon. As still additional examples, uppers of the types described in <CIT> and/or <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> may be used without departing from this technology.

Example sole structures <NUM> and components thereof now will be described in more detail. As shown in <FIG>, the sole structure <NUM> of this example is a cleated sole structure, e.g., well suited for use as part of a soccer/global football shoe. The sole structure <NUM> may be made from one or more parts, in any desired manner, including in manners conventionally known and used in the footwear arts (such as via injection molding techniques, etc.). The sole structure <NUM> includes a sole member <NUM> (made from one or more parts) having a base surface <NUM>, a medial side <NUM>, and a lateral side <NUM>. A plurality of medial side primary traction elements <NUM> are located on the medial side <NUM> of the sole member <NUM> and extend in a direction away from the base surface <NUM> (e.g., toward and to engage the ground). Similarly, a plurality of lateral side primary traction elements <NUM> are located on the lateral side <NUM> of the sole member <NUM> and extend in a direction away from the base surface <NUM> (e.g., toward and to engage the ground). The primary traction elements <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be located at or proximate to an outer perimeter edge of the sole member <NUM> and/or the overall sole structure <NUM>. The term "at or proximate to" as used herein in this context and with respect to these components means that at least some portion of the respective primary traction element <NUM> and/or <NUM> is located within <NUM> of an outermost perimeter edge of the sole member <NUM> and/or the overall sole structure <NUM> when the sole structure <NUM> is supported on a horizontal support surface in an unloaded condition. Collectively, primary traction elements <NUM> and <NUM> that are located "at or proximate to" the outer perimeter edge of the sole structure <NUM> and/or sole member <NUM> may be referred to as "outer edge primary traction elements" (and the projection field <NUM> (described in more detail below) may be at least partially contained within an area defined by the outer edge primary traction elements). In some examples of this invention, the sole structure <NUM> and/or sole member <NUM> will include outer edge primary traction elements as the only primary traction elements in the forefoot region and/or in the midfoot region.

The base surface <NUM> of the sole member <NUM> may be considered as including the area surrounding and/or around the primary traction elements <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., excluding the primary traction elements <NUM> and <NUM> themselves), including, if applicable, the area beneath detachable primary traction elements <NUM> and <NUM> that includes hardware for engaging the primary traction elements <NUM> and <NUM> to the sole member (e.g., a threaded base area for engaging a threaded attachment mechanism on the bottom of a detachable cleat). The base surface <NUM> may include secondary traction elements as well (e.g., traction elements having a projecting height of less than <NUM>% of the longitudinal length of the primary traction elements <NUM> and <NUM>). Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the primary traction elements <NUM>, <NUM> may be integrally formed with the sole member <NUM>, its base surface <NUM>, and/or other sole structure <NUM> component, e.g., by molding the primary traction element <NUM>, <NUM> with the sole member <NUM> and/or other sole component.

In this illustrated example, the sole member <NUM> extends to support an entire plantar surface of a wearer's foot (e.g., it extends continuously from a rear heel location, through the heel region, through the midfoot region, through the forefoot region, and to a forward toe location of the sole structure <NUM> as well as from the medial side to the lateral side throughout its length). Other options are possible. For example, the sole member <NUM> may be provided in any one or more of at least a portion of the forefoot region, at least a portion of the midfoot region, and/or at least a portion of the heel region of the sole member <NUM>. For purposes of reference in this specification: (a) the "forefoot region" may be considered the forward <NUM>/<NUM> of the footwear <NUM>/sole structure <NUM>, (b) the "midfoot region" may be considered the central <NUM>/<NUM> of the footwear <NUM>/sole structure <NUM>, and (c) the "heel region" may be considered the rear <NUM>/<NUM> of the footwear <NUM>/sole structure <NUM> (measured from a rearmost heel location RH to a fowardmost toe location FT-see the broken lines in <FIG>).

As illustrated in <FIG>, a central space <NUM> is defined between interior extents of the plurality of medial side primary traction elements <NUM> and the plurality of lateral side primary traction elements <NUM>. The "interior extents" of the various traction elements may be considered as the interior-most location of the primary traction elements along their lengths (e.g., the locations furthest away from the outer edge of the sole structure <NUM> and/or sole member <NUM>). Dot-dash lines 104E connecting interior extent locations of the primary traction elements <NUM> and <NUM> are shown in <FIG>.

In accordance with aspects of this technology, a projection field <NUM> is located at least partially in the central space <NUM>. In the illustrated example of <FIG>, the projection field <NUM> has a majority of its area (e.g., at least <NUM>%, and in some examples at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even <NUM>% of its area) located in the forefoot region of the sole member <NUM> and sole structure <NUM>. In this illustrated example, the projection field <NUM> extends into the midfoot area of the sole member <NUM> and sole structure <NUM>. The projection field <NUM> comprises a plurality of projections <NUM> that extend beyond the base surface <NUM> and have exposed free ends 202E. The projection field <NUM> and the individual projections <NUM> thereof may have various different properties and combinations of properties, as will be described in more detail below.

As some more specific examples, the plurality of projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> may include at least <NUM> projections, and in some examples, at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, or other number (N) of projections. The projection field <NUM> may define any desired area of any desired shape, including an area of at least <NUM><NUM> with projections <NUM> dispersed throughout (and in some example, areas within the ranges of one or more of: at least <NUM><NUM>, at least <NUM><NUM>, at least <NUM><NUM>, from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, etc.). The projection field <NUM> area may be defined at least by the area located within lines connecting the outermost extents of the plurality of projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM>.

The projections <NUM> may be dispersed evenly or unevenly throughout the projection field <NUM> area. At least a portion of the projection field <NUM> area (and in some examples, a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the projection field <NUM> area) will include a projection <NUM> packing density of at least <NUM> projections <NUM> per square inch (at least <NUM> projections per square centimeter) (and in some examples at least <NUM> projections <NUM> per square inch (at least <NUM> projections per square centimeter), at least <NUM> projections <NUM> per square inch (at least <NUM> projections per square centimeter), at least <NUM> projections <NUM> per square inch (at least <NUM> projections per square centimeter), at least <NUM> projections <NUM> per square inch (at least <NUM> projections per square centimeter), <NUM> to <NUM> projections <NUM> per square inch (<NUM> to <NUM> projections per square centimeter), <NUM> to <NUM> projections <NUM> per square inch (<NUM> to <NUM> projections per square centimeter), and/or <NUM> to <NUM> projections <NUM> per square inch (<NUM> to <NUM> projections per square centimeter). Any desired proportion of the total number N of projections <NUM> described in the specific ranges above may have any of the specific packing density ranges described above.

In some examples of this technology, a first subset of the plurality of projections <NUM> (and in some examples, a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> area) may have a length L of at least <NUM> (and in some examples, a length L of at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, less than <NUM>, less than <NUM>, within a range of <NUM> to <NUM>, within a range of <NUM> to <NUM>, within a range of <NUM> to <NUM>, and/or within a range of <NUM> to <NUM>). Additionally or alternatively, at least a majority of the plurality of projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> (and in some examples, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> area) will readily bend under force applied by weight of a user of the sole structure <NUM> and/or sole member <NUM> (e.g., when the wearer contacts the ground).

Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examples of this technology, with the sole structure <NUM> and/or sole member <NUM> supported on its ground-facing surface on a horizontal support surface S (e.g., as shown in <FIG>), a first subset of the plurality of projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> will have their free ends 202E extending toward the horizontal support surface S beyond the free end 104E of a closest primary traction element <NUM>, <NUM> to the respective projection <NUM>. See gap G shown in <FIG> (this measurement/determination may be made with the projection <NUM> extended to its full length (and not bent)). The first subset of the plurality of projections <NUM> having the free end length properties described above may constitute at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> area.

The projection field <NUM> may be incorporated into a footwear <NUM> structure and/or sole structure <NUM> in any desired manner without departing from this technology. As one example, if desired, one or more of the projections <NUM> (and optionally all of the projections <NUM>) could be individually engaged with the sole structure <NUM> (e.g., with sole base member <NUM>) by adhesives or cements, mechanical fasteners, etc. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the projections <NUM> (and optionally all of the projections <NUM>) could be integrally formed as part of the sole structure <NUM> (e.g., part of the sole base member <NUM>) when the sole structure is created (e.g., in a molding step).

As an alternative or additional possibility, the projection field <NUM> may be incorporated into a sole structure <NUM> as one or more separate components <NUM> that include one or more projections <NUM>. <FIG> show examples of such structures. As shown in these figures, the component <NUM> forming these projection fields <NUM> includes a projection field base 210B having a first surface 210U (e.g., an upper-facing surface) and a second surface <NUM> (e.g., a ground-facing surface) opposite the first surface 210U. A plurality of projections <NUM> originate at the second surface <NUM> and extend from the projection field base 210B in a direction away from the first surface 210U and the second surface <NUM>.

In the sole structure of <FIG>, the base surface <NUM> of the sole member <NUM> includes an interior surface 106I and an exterior surface 106X opposite the interior surface 106I. An opening <NUM> extends completely through the base surface <NUM> from the interior surface 106I to the exterior surface 106X. The edge of the opening <NUM> also is shown in <FIG>. In such structures, the second surface <NUM> (the ground-facing surface) of the projection field base 210B is engaged with the interior surface 106I of the base surface <NUM>, e.g., at least around a portion of the outer perimeter edge(s) of the projection field base 210B. The projection field base <NUM> is engaged with the base surface <NUM> of the interior surface 106I by one or more of adhesives or cements, mechanical connectors, fusing technology, etc. The plurality of projections <NUM> of the projection field <NUM> extend outward and through the opening <NUM>.

The structure of <FIG> (e.g., with at least a portion of a projection field component <NUM> mounted on and to the interior surface 106I of a sole member <NUM>) is advantageous in this technology because a substantial portion of the relatively stiff sole member <NUM> is removed at opening <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in this type of structure, the first surface 210U of the projection field <NUM> component <NUM> may be directly engaged with a bottom of the upper <NUM>, e.g., with a strobel component <NUM> or other bottom surface of the upper <NUM>. In such structures, the first surface 210U of the projection field base 210B may be flexible (e.g., to conform to the shape of a wearer's foot), planar, and/or smoothly contoured (e.g., suitable for engaging a wearer's foot through the bottom <NUM> of the upper <NUM>). In footwear <NUM> structures in which the projection field component <NUM> is sufficiently flexible, this arrangement can help transmit forces incident on the projection field component <NUM> and the projections <NUM> (e.g., from the foot engaging a soccer ball) to the wearer's foot located in the interior chamber 100I of the footwear structure <NUM>. This force transmission helps the wearer "feel" the ball beneath his/her foot, assists the wearer in knowing where the ball is located and what is it doing (with less need to view the ball visually), and helps the wearer better control the ball (with less need to view the ball visually).

The opening <NUM> through which the projection field component <NUM> is exposed may have a size (area) of at least <NUM><NUM> (and in some example, an area within the ranges of one or more of: at least <NUM><NUM>, at least <NUM><NUM>, at least <NUM><NUM>, from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, etc.).

<FIG> illustrates an additional or alternative arrangement of a projection field component <NUM> on a sole structure <NUM> and/or sole member <NUM> not in accordance with the claimed invention. In this example structure, the first surface 210U (the upper-facing surface) of the projection field base 210B is engaged with the exterior surface 106X of the base surface <NUM> of the sole member <NUM>. While the illustrated example of <FIG> does not include an opening <NUM> as shown in the example of <FIG>, such an opening could be provided, e.g., beneath at least some portion of the overall area where the projection field component <NUM> is engaged with the sole member <NUM>. The projection field component <NUM> may be engaged with exterior surface 106X of the base surface <NUM> and/or other part of the sole member <NUM>/sole structure <NUM> in any desired manner, including by one or more of adhesives or cements, mechanical connectors, fusing technology, etc. Because of the sole member <NUM> base surface <NUM> located between the projection field component <NUM> and the interior chamber 100I of the footwear structure <NUM> in this example (over at least some portion of their interface), this structure may provide somewhat less of the "feel" characteristics described above for the example of <FIG> (with the opening <NUM>). But, if desired, the base surface 106B may be made thin and/or flexible at least in the area above the projection field component <NUM> (e.g., less than <NUM> thick, or even less than <NUM> thick) to permit some level of force transmission (e.g., from ball contact) through the base surface 106B.

In the structures illustrated in <FIG>, the projection field <NUM> is located primarily in the forefoot region of the sole structure <NUM> and/or the sole member <NUM>. Other arrangements are possible. For example, <FIG> shows an article of footwear <NUM> having a sole structure <NUM> in which the projection field <NUM> extends continuously from the forefoot region at least into and through much of the midfoot region of the sole structure <NUM> and/or sole member <NUM>. Any other desired arrangement or proportion of the sole member <NUM> may include a projection field <NUM> without departing from this technology, including one or more of the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and/or the heel region. Also, if desired, a single sole structure <NUM> and/or sole member <NUM> may include two or more discrete projection fields <NUM> located in any individual region and/or combination of regions in the footwear <NUM>, sole structure <NUM>, and/or sole member <NUM> construction. Wherever located, the sole member <NUM> and the projection field <NUM> may have either of the structures and/or engagement arrangements shown in <FIG> and/or <NUM>.

The example projection field <NUM> of the sole structure <NUM> and sole member <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes: (a) a first portion 210F located primarily in a forefoot region of the sole structure <NUM> and sole member <NUM> (and extending into the midfoot region), and (b) a second portion <NUM> located primarily or fully in a midfoot region of the sole structure <NUM> and sole member <NUM>. Thus, in this illustrated example, the projection field <NUM> extends continuously from the forefoot region to the midfoot region of the sole structure.

In the example structure of <FIG>, the projection field <NUM> and the sole member <NUM> may be engaged together by either of the individual structures and/or engagement arrangements shown in <FIG>. As another example, however, the sole structure <NUM> of <FIG> (as well as other sole structures in accordance with aspects of this technology) may include features of both <FIG> in a single sole structure <NUM>/sole member <NUM>. More specifically, in this illustrated example, the base surface <NUM> of the sole member <NUM> includes an interior surface 106I and an exterior surface 106X opposite the interior surface 106I, as described above in conjunction with <FIG>. An opening <NUM>, as described above in conjunction with <FIG>, is provided through the base surface <NUM> over a portion of the sole member <NUM> (e.g., the opening <NUM> may be provided beneath the first portion 210F of the projection field <NUM> in the example of <FIG>). At this first portion (e.g., 210F) of the projection field <NUM>, the second surface <NUM> of the projection field base 210B is engaged with the interior surface 106I of the base surface <NUM> (e.g., around the perimeter of the projection field base 210B and the perimeter of the opening <NUM>) and the plurality of projections <NUM> extend through the opening <NUM> as described in conjunction with <FIG>. The outer perimeter of the opening <NUM> is shown as element 106P in <FIG>. Additionally, in this example structure, the projection field base <NUM> extends outside the sole member <NUM> at a second portion of the projection field (e.g., portion <NUM>). In this second portion <NUM>, the first surface 210U of the projection field base 210B is engaged with the exterior surface 106X of the base surface <NUM> of the sole member <NUM>, as described in conjunction with <FIG>. The different hatching in <FIG> illustrates: (a) the region with the opening <NUM> underlying the projection field component <NUM> (in region 210F in this example) and (b) the region without an underlying opening <NUM> (in region <NUM> in this example). Thus, in this example sole structure <NUM> of <FIG>: additional arch support is provided by including the sole member <NUM> base surface <NUM> in the midfoot region, improved feel is provided at the forefoot region (because of the opening <NUM>), and a larger projection field <NUM> area is provided for engaging the ball. Although present in this example sole structure <NUM>, the projections <NUM> are not shown in the depiction of <FIG> to prevent obscuring other details as described above.

Projection <NUM> length L also may vary over the area of a projection field <NUM>. As some more specific examples, projection length L may vary over a medial side-to-lateral side direction of a sole structure <NUM>. As one example, the projection length L may get longer or extend further downward in directions toward the center of the projection field (in the medial side-to-lateral side direction) so that the longest and/or furthest extending projections <NUM> are located in a central area of the projection field <NUM> and/or sole structure <NUM>. As another example, the projection length L may get shorter or extend less downward in directions toward the center of the projection field (in the medial side-to-lateral side direction) so that the longest and/or furthest extending projections <NUM> are located at the outer edges of the projection field <NUM> and/or sole structure <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, as another example, in the structure shown in <FIG>, the projection lengths L may get shorter or extend downward a shorter distance (e.g., progressively shorter) moving toward the rear of the sole structure <NUM> (e.g., so that the projections <NUM> in the forefoot region 210F are somewhat longer or project further downward than the projections <NUM> in the midfoot region <NUM>). Other variations in projection length L over the course of a projection field <NUM> and/or sole structure <NUM> are possible without departing from this technology.

As noted above, the individual projections <NUM> may be formed of a material and structured so that they will readily bend, e.g., under force applied thereto by a wearer's foot and contact with a ground surface and/or under force applied thereto by contact with a ball. The individual projections also may be made from a resilient material, e.g., so that they tend to spring back toward or to their original shape after the force(s) is/are sufficiently relaxed. Examples of such materials for the individual projections <NUM> (as well as the entire projection field <NUM>) include thermoplastic polyurethane materials or other plastic materials. As the projections <NUM> interact with a ball, force from ball contact with the projections <NUM> may be transmitted to a wearer's foot (e.g., through the opening <NUM> in the sole member <NUM>, <NUM> and/or, in some examples, even through the base surface 106B of the sole member <NUM>, <NUM>). This force transmission, as noted above, may help the wearer "feel" the ball beneath his/her feet, may assist the wearer in knowing where the ball is located and what is it doing (with a lesser need for the player to look down at the ball), and may help the wearer better control the ball (e.g., by better knowing the ball position and what the ball is doing). The hardness of the projection material may impact the amount of force transmitted to the wearer's foot (e.g., with harder projections <NUM> bending less readily and thus potentially transmitting more force to the wearer's foot).

Additionally (or alternatively), interaction of the ball with the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> may produce an audible scraping or rustling sound as the projections <NUM> move with respect to the ball surface. This audible response also can provide user feedback, e.g., to help the wearer better understand ball position and what the ball is doing underfoot, to control ball possession, etc. Various features of the projections <NUM> and projection field <NUM> may enable control over the audible response, such as the number/packing density of the projections <NUM>, the hardness/stiffness of the projections, etc..

<FIG> illustrate various views of example projections <NUM> and portions of projection fields <NUM> that may be used in accordance with at least some examples of this technology. <FIG> provide a partial bottom view and a partial side view, respectively, of an example projection field <NUM>, and <FIG> provides an enlarged view of an individual projection <NUM>. As shown in these figures, the projection field <NUM> may include rows of projections <NUM> having a longitudinal length L and a transverse cross-sectional diameter or dimension. <FIG> shows that an individual projection <NUM> may originate at or extend from the projection field base 210B and extend to a free end 202E. The longitudinal length L extends between the projection origination point (e.g., at projection field base 210B) and the free end 202E. To measure this longitudinal length L, it may be necessary to extend the projection <NUM> to its full length (e.g., if the projection <NUM> has a curved or bent shape).

As shown in <FIG>, in this illustrated example, at least some of the individual projections <NUM> (and optionally a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the individual projections <NUM>) of the projection field <NUM> may have: (a) a top diameter DT (where the projection <NUM> extends from the projection field base 210B), (b) a bottom diameter DB (at the free end 202E), and (c) a longitudinal length L extending from the top to the free end 202E. One or more of the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> may include an angle α formed from the second surface <NUM> (ground-facing surface) of the projection field base 210B to the sidewall 202W of the projection <NUM> over at least a portion of the longitudinal length L, e.g., in a range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. Thus, the projection <NUM> may taper to its smallest diameter and/or transverse area at the free end 202E. These angular and taper features may be present, for example, over a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the longitudinal length L of an individual projection <NUM> (e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E). Additionally or alternatively, the projection sidewall 202W may extend at an angle of from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees with respect to the central axial direction A of the projection <NUM> over at least a portion of the longitudinal length L. Similarly, this angular feature may be present, for example, over a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the longitudinal length L of an individual projection <NUM> (e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E).

For the specific example shown in <FIG>, the projection field <NUM> and/or at least some of the individual projections <NUM> (and optionally a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the individual projections <NUM> of the projection field <NUM>) may have one or more of the following properties: (a) a circular transverse cross section (transverse to the longitudinal length L with the projection L oriented straight); (b) DT = <NUM> (or within the range of between <NUM> and <NUM>); (c) DB = <NUM> or less (or within the range of <NUM> (i.e., a point) to <NUM>; (d) DT/DB = <NUM> (or within a range of <NUM> to infinity); (e) length L = <NUM> (or within the range of <NUM> to <NUM>); (f) minimum axial length having transverse cross sectional diameter less than <NUM> = at least <NUM> (or within a range of <NUM> to <NUM>, e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E); and/or (g) L/DT = <NUM> (or within a range of <NUM> to <NUM>).

<FIG> provide a partial bottom view and a partial side view, respectively, of an example projection field <NUM>, and <FIG> provides an enlarged view of an individual projection <NUM>. The example of <FIG> has a wider base (DT) and a greater taper angle α as compared to the example of <FIG>. As shown in these figures, the projection field <NUM> may include rows of projections <NUM> having a longitudinal length L and a transverse cross-sectional diameter or dimension. <FIG> shows that an individual projection <NUM> may originate at or extend from the projection field base 210B and extend to a free end 202E. The longitudinal length L extends between the projection origination point (e.g., at projection field base 210B) and the free end 202E. To measure this longitudinal length L, it may be necessary to extend the projection <NUM> to its full length (e.g., if the projection <NUM> has a curved or bent shape).

As shown in <FIG>, in this illustrated example, at least some of the individual projections <NUM> (and optionally a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the individual projections <NUM>) of the projection field <NUM> may have: (a) a top diameter DT (where the projection <NUM> extends from the projection field base 210B), (b) a bottom diameter DB (at the free end 202E), and (c) a longitudinal length L extending from the top to the free end 202E. One or more of the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> may include an angle α formed from the second surface <NUM> (ground-facing surface) of the projection field base 210B to the sidewall 202W of the projection <NUM> over at least a portion of the longitudinal length L, e.g., in a range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. Thus, the projection <NUM> may taper to its smallest diameter and/or transverse area at free end 202E. These angular and taper features may be present, for example, over a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the longitudinal length L of an individual projection <NUM> (e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E). Additionally or alternatively, the projection sidewall 202W may extend at an angle of from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees with respect to the central axial direction A of the projection <NUM> over at least a portion of the longitudinal length L. Similarly, this angular feature may be present, for example, over a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the longitudinal length L of an individual projection <NUM> (e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E).

The examples of <FIG> show projections <NUM> having circular transverse cross sections. For projections <NUM> having a rounded shape but non-circular transverse cross sections (e.g., elliptical, oval, oblong, etc.), the term "diameter" in the discussion and equations above (and the discussion below) may be interpreted as the widest or largest transverse cross sectional dimension of the projection <NUM>. The same values and/or ranges of values described above for the examples of <FIG> apply to the widest or largest transverse cross sectional dimension of such other rounded but non-circular shape projections <NUM>. As some more specific examples, at least <NUM> projections <NUM> in projection fields <NUM> of the types shown in <FIG> may have one or more of the following properties: a largest transverse cross sectional diameter/dimension of <NUM> or less; a largest transverse cross sectional diameter/dimension of <NUM> or less; a largest transverse cross sectional diameter/dimension of <NUM> or less; and/or a tapered shape along the length dimension L to a smallest transverse cross sectional diameter/dimension at the free ends 202E of the respective projection <NUM>. Any of the above properties also may apply to at least <NUM> projections <NUM>, at least <NUM> projections <NUM>, at least <NUM> projections <NUM>, at least <NUM> projections <NUM>, or even at least <NUM> projections <NUM> in a projection field <NUM>.

In accordance with at least some examples of this technology, when including projections <NUM> having circular or other rounded transverse cross sections in a projection field <NUM>, at least some of the individual projections <NUM> (and optionally at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the individual projections <NUM>) of the projection field <NUM> may have one or more and/or any combination of the properties and/or property values set forth in Table <NUM> below:.

Projections <NUM> may have transverse cross sectional shapes other than rounded or circular. <FIG> show projections <NUM> having polygonal shapes (e.g., four sided parallelograms, optionally generally rectangular, square, etc.). <FIG> provides a partial bottom view of an example projection field <NUM>, <FIG> provides a narrow side (polygon narrow side) view of the projection field <NUM>, and <FIG> provides a wide side (polygon wide side) view of the projection field <NUM>. As shown in these figures, the projection field <NUM> may include rows of projections <NUM> having a longitudinal length L and a generally rectangular transverse cross-sectional shape. <FIG> show that an individual projection <NUM> may originate at or extend from the projection field base 210B and extend to a free end 202E. The longitudinal length L extends between the projection origination point (e.g., at projection field base 210B) and the free end 202E. To measure this longitudinal length L, it may be necessary to extend the projection <NUM> to its full length (e.g., if the projection <NUM> has a curved or bent shape).

As shown in <FIG>, in this illustrated example, at least some of the individual projections <NUM> (and optionally a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the individual projections <NUM>) of the projection field <NUM> may have: (a) a narrow side width dimension at the top WNT (where the projection <NUM> extends from the projection field base 210B), (b) a narrow side bottom dimension WNB (at the free end 202E), and (c) a longitudinal length L extending from the top to the free end 202E. As shown in <FIG>, one or more of the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> may include an angle α formed from the second surface <NUM> (ground-facing surface) of the projection field base 210B to the narrow sidewall 202NW of the projection <NUM> over at least a portion of the longitudinal length L, e.g., in a range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. Thus, the projection <NUM> may taper to its smallest transverse area at free end 202E. These angular and taper features may be present, for example, over a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the longitudinal length L of an individual projection <NUM> (e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E). Additionally or alternatively, the projection narrow sidewall 202NW may extend at an angle of from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees with respect to the central axial direction A of the projection <NUM> over at least a portion of the longitudinal length L. Similarly, this angular feature may be present, for example, over a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the longitudinal length L of an individual projection <NUM> (e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E).

Also, as shown in <FIG>, in this illustrated example, at least some of the individual projections <NUM> (and optionally a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the individual projections <NUM>) of the projection field <NUM> may have: (a) a wide side width dimension at the top WWT (where the projection <NUM> extends from the projection field base 210B), (b) a wide side bottom dimension WWB (at the free end 202E), and (c) a longitudinal length L extending from the top to the free end 202E. As shown in <FIG>, one or more of the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> may include an angle α formed from the second surface <NUM> (ground-facing surface) of the projection field base 210B to the wide sidewall 202WW of the projection <NUM> over at least a portion of the longitudinal length L, e.g., in a range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. Thus, the projection <NUM> may taper to its smallest transverse area at free end 202E. These angular and taper features may be present, for example, over a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the longitudinal length L of an individual projection <NUM> (e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E). Additionally or alternatively, the projection wide sidewall 202WW may extend at an angle of from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees with respect to the central axial direction A of the projection <NUM> over at least a portion of the longitudinal length L. Similarly, this angular feature may be present, for example, over a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the longitudinal length L of an individual projection <NUM> (e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E).

For the specific example shown in <FIG>, the projection field <NUM> and/or at least some of the individual projections <NUM> (and optionally a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the individual projections <NUM> of the projection field <NUM>) may have one or more of the following properties: (a) a polygonal (e.g., parallelogram, rectangular, rounded rectangular, square, etc.) transverse cross section (transverse to the longitudinal length L with the projection L oriented straight); (b) WWT = <NUM> (or within the range of between <NUM> and <NUM>); (c) WWB = <NUM> or less (or within the range of <NUM> to <NUM>); (d) WWT/WWB = <NUM> (or within a range of <NUM> to <NUM>); (e) WNT = <NUM> (or within the range of between <NUM> and <NUM>); (f) WNB = <NUM> or less (or within the range of <NUM> to <NUM>); (g) WNT/WNB = <NUM> (or within a range of <NUM> to infinity); (h) length L = <NUM> (or within the range of <NUM> to <NUM>); (i) WWT/WNT = <NUM> (or within the range of <NUM> to <NUM>); (j) L/WWT = <NUM> (or within the range of <NUM> to <NUM>); (k) L/WNT = <NUM> (or within the range of <NUM> to <NUM>); and/or (<NUM>) minimum axial length having transverse cross sectional area less than <NUM><NUM> = at least <NUM> (or within a range of <NUM> to <NUM>, e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E).

<FIG> provides a partial bottom view of an example projection field <NUM>, <FIG> provides a narrow side (polygon narrow side) view of the projection field <NUM>, and <FIG> provides a wide side (polygon wide side) view of the projection field <NUM>. The example of <FIG> has a greater amount of taper or greater taper angle from base 201B (e.g., more "doorstop" or "wedge" shaped) as compared to the example of <FIG> (which is more "fin" shaped). As shown in <FIG>, the projection field <NUM> of this example may include rows of projections <NUM> having a longitudinal length L and a generally rectangular transverse cross-sectional shape. <FIG> show that an individual projection <NUM> may originate at or extend from the projection field base 210B and extend to a free end 202E. The longitudinal length L extends between the projection origination point (e.g., at projection field base 210B) and the free end 202E. To measure this longitudinal length L, it may be necessary to extend the projection <NUM> to its full length (e.g., if the projection <NUM> has a curved or bent shape).

As shown in <FIG>, in this illustrated example, at least some of the individual projections <NUM> (and optionally a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the individual projections <NUM>) of the projection field <NUM> may have: (a) a narrow side width dimension at the top WNT (where the projection <NUM> extends from the projection field base 210B), (b) a narrow side bottom dimension WNB (at the free end 202E), and (c) a longitudinal length L extending from the top to the free end 202E. As shown in <FIG>, one or more of the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> may include an angle α formed from the second surface <NUM> (ground-facing surface) of the projection field base 210B to the narrow sidewall 202NW of the projection <NUM> over at least a portion of the longitudinal length L, e.g., in a range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. Thus, the projection <NUM> may taper to its smallest transverse cross-sectional area at free end 202E. These angular and taper features may be present, for example, over a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the longitudinal length L of an individual projection <NUM> (e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E). Additionally or alternatively, the projection narrow sidewall 202NW may extend at an angle of from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees with respect to the central axial direction A of the projection <NUM> over at least a portion of the longitudinal length L. Similarly, this angular feature may be present, for example, over a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the longitudinal length L of an individual projection <NUM> (e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E).

Also, as shown in <FIG>, in this illustrated example, at least some of the individual projections <NUM> (and optionally a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the individual projections <NUM>) of the projection field <NUM> may have: (a) a wide side width dimension at the top WWT (where the projection <NUM> extends from the projection field base 210B), (b) a wide side bottom dimension WWB (at the free end 202E), and (c) a longitudinal length L extending from the top to the free end 202E. As shown in <FIG>, one or more of the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> may include an angle α formed from the second surface <NUM> (ground-facing surface) of the projection field base 210B to the wide sidewall 202WW of the projection <NUM> over at least a portion of the longitudinal length L, e.g., in a range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. Thus, the projection <NUM> may taper to its smallest transverse cross-sectional area at its free end 202E. These angular and taper features may be present, for example, over a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the longitudinal length L of an individual projection <NUM> (e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E). Additionally or alternatively, the projection wide sidewall 202WW may extend at an angle of from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees with respect to the central axial direction A of the projection <NUM> over at least a portion of the longitudinal length L. Similarly, this angular feature may be present, for example, over a majority, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the longitudinal length L of an individual projection <NUM> (e.g., measured upward from the free end 202E).

The examples of <FIG> show projections <NUM> having rectangular or non-square parallelogram transverse cross sections. For projections <NUM> having a rounded rectangular or parallelogram shape, the term "wide side" in the discussion and equations above (and the discussion below) may be interpreted as the widest or largest transverse cross sectional dimension of the projection <NUM>, and the term "narrow side" in the discussion and equations above (and the discussion below) may be interpreted as the narrowest or smallest transverse cross sectional dimension of the projection <NUM>. The same values and/or ranges of values described above for the examples of <FIG> apply to the widest or largest transverse cross sectional dimensions and the narrowest or smallest transverse cross sectional dimensions of such other rounded rectangular or parallelogram shaped projections <NUM>. For projections <NUM> having a square transverse cross section, the sides may have any of the "wide side" or "narrow side" features described above. As some more specific examples, at least <NUM> projections <NUM> in projection fields <NUM> of the types shown in <FIG> may have one or more of the following properties: a polygonal transverse cross sectional shape with a largest polygon side dimension of <NUM> or less; a rectangular or parallelogram transverse cross sectional shape with a wide side dimension of <NUM> or less and a narrow side dimension of <NUM> or less; a rectangular or parallelogram transverse cross sectional shape with a wide side dimension of <NUM> or less and a narrow side dimension of <NUM> or less; a tapered shape along the length dimension L to a smallest transverse cross sectional size and/or area at the free ends 202E of the respective projection <NUM>. Any of the above properties also may apply to at least <NUM> projections <NUM>, at least <NUM> projections <NUM>, at least <NUM> projections <NUM>, at least <NUM> projections <NUM>, or even at least <NUM> projections <NUM> in a projection field <NUM>.

In accordance with at least some examples of this technology, when including projections <NUM> having polygonal, parallelogram, rectangular, square, or rounded rectangular transverse cross sections in a projection field <NUM>, at least some of the individual projections <NUM> (and optionally at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the individual projections <NUM>) of the projection field <NUM> may have one or more and/or any combination of the properties and/or property values set forth in Table <NUM> below:.

In some examples of this technology, one or more of the primary traction elements <NUM> and <NUM> will have a transverse cross sectional diameter (D1), largest transverse cross sectional dimension (D2), and/or transverse cross sectional area (A1): (a) at a location halfway down their longitudinal length and/or (b) at a location <NUM> upward from their free ends 110E that is at least <NUM> times greater than the transverse cross sectional diameter (D3), largest transverse cross sectional dimension (D4), and/or transverse cross sectional area (A2) of a majority of the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM> (and in some examples, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM>): (a) at locations halfway down their respective longitudinal length and/or at a location <NUM> upward from their free ends 202E. As some more specific examples, at least one of the primary traction elements <NUM>, <NUM> (and optionally, at least <NUM>% of the primary traction elements <NUM>, <NUM>, or even all of the primary traction elements <NUM>, <NUM> (at least in the forefoot region)) may have one or more of the following features with respect to at least a majority (and in some examples, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or even all of the projections <NUM> in the projection field <NUM>): <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> wherein: (a) D1 corresponds to a transverse cross sectional diameter of the primary traction element <NUM>, <NUM> at a location halfway down its longitudinal length L and/or a transverse cross sectional diameter of the primary traction element <NUM>, <NUM> at a location <NUM> upward from its free end 110E; (b) D2 corresponds to a largest transverse cross sectional dimension of the primary traction element <NUM>, <NUM> at a location halfway down its longitudinal length L and/or a largest transverse cross sectional dimension of the primary traction element <NUM>, <NUM> at a location <NUM> upward from its free end 110E; (c) A1 corresponds to a transverse cross sectional area of the primary traction element <NUM>, <NUM> at a location halfway down its longitudinal length L and/or a transverse cross sectional area of the primary traction element <NUM>, <NUM> at a location <NUM> upward from its free end 110E; (d) D3 corresponds to a transverse cross sectional diameter of a projection <NUM> at a location halfway down its longitudinal length L and/or a transverse cross sectional diameter of a projection <NUM> at a location <NUM> upward from its free end 110E; (e) D4 corresponds to a largest transverse cross sectional dimension of a projection <NUM> at a location halfway down its longitudinal length L and/or a largest transverse cross sectional dimension of a projection <NUM> at a location <NUM> upward from its free end 110E; and (f) A2 corresponds to a transverse cross sectional area of a projection <NUM> at a location halfway down its longitudinal length L and/or a transverse cross sectional area of a projection <NUM> at a location <NUM> upward from its free end 202E.

An individual or discrete projection field <NUM> need not have all projections <NUM> contained therein of substantially the same size and/or shape. Rather, if desired, different projection <NUM> sizes (e.g., diameters, dimensions, areas, lengths, taper angles, etc.) and/or shapes (e.g., rounded cross section, rectangular cross section, circular cross section, and/or other cross sections) may be provided within a single projection field <NUM> without departing from this technology. As some more specific examples, the longitudinal lengths L of the projections <NUM> may vary such that the free ends 202E of the projections <NUM> provide a contoured arrangement (e.g., with shorter projections <NUM> located toward a central area of the projection field <NUM>, with shorter projections <NUM> located toward an outer perimeter of the projection field <NUM>, etc.).

Projections <NUM> and projection fields <NUM> in accordance with at least some examples of this technology may have one or more and/or any combination of the properties and/or property values set forth in Table <NUM> below:.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate additional example articles of footwear <NUM>, <NUM>, sole structures <NUM>, <NUM> and sole members <NUM>, <NUM>, in accordance with some examples of this technology. Like the examples described in conjunction with <FIG> above, these example sole structures <NUM>, <NUM> and sole members <NUM>, <NUM> define an opening <NUM> in the central space <NUM> defined between the interior-most extents of the primary traction elements <NUM>, <NUM>. Rather than a completely open opening <NUM>, however, the base surface <NUM> of the sole member <NUM> in these examples forms one or more support structures <NUM> across the opening <NUM>. One or more of the support structure(s) <NUM> may be integrally formed with the sole member <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the sole structure <NUM>, <NUM> when it is made (e.g., by molding techniques) and/or one or more of the support structure(s) <NUM> may be formed separately and then attached to the sole member <NUM>, <NUM> and/or other part of the sole structure <NUM>, <NUM> and/or footwear structure <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., by adhesives or cements, by mechanical fasteners, by fusing techniques, etc.).

In the example sole structure <NUM> and/or sole member <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the projection field <NUM> is mounted inside the support structure(s) <NUM> so that the support structure(s) <NUM> is (are) exposed at the exterior of the sole structure <NUM>. This mounting may be accomplished, e.g., with an assembly and structure like that shown in <FIG> (e.g., with the second surface <NUM> of the projection field <NUM> engaged with the interior surface 106I of the sole member <NUM>). Similarly, in this arrangement, the second surface <NUM> of the projection field <NUM> will be engaged with the interior surface of the support structure(s) <NUM>. The projection field <NUM> may be formed (e.g., during a molding process) to include one or more gaps between projections <NUM> and/or sets of projections <NUM> to accommodate placement and receipt of a corresponding support structure <NUM>. As other options or alternatives, projections <NUM> could be trimmed off an existing projection field <NUM> to provide gaps to accommodate the support structure <NUM> and/or projections <NUM> could be added to a projection field base 210B after the projection field <NUM> is engaged with the support structure <NUM>, sole structure <NUM>, and/or sole member <NUM>.

In the example sole structure <NUM> and/or sole member <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the projection field <NUM> is mounted outside the support structure(s) <NUM> so that the support structure(s) <NUM> is not (are not) exposed at the exterior of the sole structure <NUM>. This mounting may be accomplished by engaging the first surface 210U of the projection field <NUM> with the exterior surface 106X of the sole member <NUM> and covering an opening <NUM>. Similarly, in this arrangement, the first surface 210U of the projection field <NUM> will be engaged with (and cover) the exterior surface of the support structure(s) <NUM> that extend across an opening <NUM>. In this example footwear structure <NUM>, the projection field <NUM> need not be formed to include one or more gaps between projections <NUM> and/or sets of projections <NUM> for support structure(s) <NUM> because the support structure(s) <NUM> are located inside the projection field <NUM>.

Any desired number, positioning, and/or shape of support structure <NUM> may be provided without departing from aspects of this technology. In the illustrated examples of <FIG> and <FIG>, the base surface <NUM> of the sole member <NUM>, <NUM> is formed to include a two-dimensional matrix or monolithic structure as the support structure <NUM> that extends across the opening <NUM> to divide the opening <NUM> into a plurality of openings separated by the matrix/monolithic structure. The support member(s) <NUM> may be positioned to provide a desired level of support across the opening <NUM> while still accommodating transmission of forces from the projections <NUM> (e.g., due to contact with a ball) to the wearer's foot in the manner described above.

As noted above, the projections <NUM> included in sole structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in accordance with this technology are designed to readily bend under the weight of a wearer. Thus, the free ends 202E of the projections <NUM> are not intended to substantially penetrate and/or dig into the ground surface and/or to provide substantial traction for the wearer's foot by penetrating and/or digging into the ground surface. Rather, the projections <NUM> are intended to engage a ball (and potentially provide some ball gripping action) and help the user "feel" and control the ball and/or provide audio feedback of contact between the ball and the foot. Various features of the projections <NUM>, the projection field <NUM>, the sole structure <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the article of footwear <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be selected and varied to provide the desired "feedback" and control features, such as: the density of the projections <NUM> in one or more areas of the projection field <NUM>; the heights of the projections <NUM> in one or more areas of the projection field <NUM>; the hardness of the material of the projections <NUM>; the thickness of the projection field base 210B; the presence, absence, and/or locations of the sole member opening <NUM>, and/or support structures <NUM>; the thickness of the sole member <NUM> above the projection field; etc. Harder projections may tend to increase force transmission and feedback to the foot, increase the audible feedback, etc..

If necessary or desired, the projections <NUM> and/or projection field <NUM> may be formed of or include a material that helps avoid dirt, grass, and other materials from sticking to them/it, such as a hydrophobic coating material. As some more specific examples, the projections <NUM> and/or projection field <NUM> may be formed from and/or treated by materials used in clog resistant and/or anti-clog soccer shoes available from NIKE, Inc. (and/or otherwise use the anti-clog structures and/or technology provided in such soccer shoes).

Some additional and/or alternative features of footwear <NUM> and/or sole structures <NUM> not in accordance with the claimed invention are shown in <FIG> is similar to <FIG>, and where the same reference numbers are used in <FIG> as in <FIG> and/or <NUM> (and/or other figures), that reference number refers to the same part or a similar part (and the corresponding repetitive description is omitted). <FIG> show the projection field <NUM> as a separate part engaged with another sole member <NUM> part and/or a footwear upper <NUM> part (such as strobel <NUM>). In the example structure shown in <FIG>, however, the projection field <NUM> is integrally formed as part of a sole structure <NUM> component (e.g., integrally formed with an outsole component that includes primary traction elements <NUM> and <NUM> (or mounts therefor, if primary traction elements <NUM> and/or <NUM> are detachable) in this illustrated example). In this manner, the projection field <NUM> may be integrally formed with at least one sole component part, e.g., by molding techniques (such as injection molding). As shown in circled areas V in <FIG>, if desired (but not a requirement in all examples), the sole base <NUM> may include a "thinned area" corresponding to at least some portion of the projection field <NUM>, e.g., the ground facing surface <NUM>. This "thinned area" may better transmit forces incident on the projections <NUM> (e.g., from contact with a ball) to the wearer's foot. These "integrally formed" projection field <NUM> features may be provided in any examples of the technology described above, and may include any options thereof, any projection shapes, any of the options in Tables <NUM>-<NUM>, etc..

Also, while the examples of <FIG> show projection fields <NUM> devoid of primary traction elements, this is not a requirement. <FIG> further shows that the projection field <NUM> may include at least one primary traction element 110C within it (and optionally, two or more primary traction elements 110C). In this illustrated example, at least some of the projections <NUM>, when fully extended, extend beyond the free end of the primary traction elements <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or 110C.

Similarly, <FIG> shows an example footwear not in accordance with the claimed invention <NUM>/sole structure <NUM> that includes a centrally located primary traction element 110C within a projection field <NUM>. Thus, this centrally located primary traction element 110C has projections <NUM> located all around it (and surrounding it). If desired, two or more primary traction elements 110C may be located within a projection field <NUM> and have projections <NUM> at least partially or fully surrounding them.

<FIG> illustrates other potential features as well. <FIG> is similar to <FIG> and <FIG>, and where the same reference numbers are used in <FIG> as in <FIG> and/or <NUM> (and/or other figures), that reference number refers to the same part or a similar part (and the corresponding repetitive description is omitted). <FIG> shows the projection field <NUM> contained wholly within the central area between in the innermost extents of the side primary traction elements <NUM>, <NUM>. This is not a requirement. Rather, as shown in the example structure of <FIG>, the projection field <NUM> may extend into areas between the primary traction elements <NUM> and/or <NUM> on one or both sides of the sole structure <NUM>. Thus, the projection field <NUM> and individual projections <NUM> thereof may extend into and/or be included in any one or more of the areas enclosed within the dot-dash lines of <FIG> and between primary cleats <NUM> and/or <NUM> on one side (or both sides) of the sole structure <NUM>. Thus, the projection field <NUM> is not limited to the central area between a lateral set of primary cleats <NUM> and a medial set of primary cleats <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the projection field <NUM> and/or individual projections <NUM> thereof also may be provided in the forward toe area and/or the heel area, if desired (as shown by the enclosed areas in dot-dash lines in those regions).

While specific areas between the dot-dash lines are shown in <FIG>, the projection field <NUM> in any one or more of those areas, when present, may have any shape and/or any number of individual projections <NUM>. Further, the projection field(s) <NUM>, when included in any one or more of these additional areas shown in <FIG>, may have any of the structures and/or characteristics of projection fields <NUM> and/or individual projections <NUM> described above in conjunction with any of the figures and/or as described above in one or more of Tables <NUM>-<NUM>.

Further, while not shown in these figures, sole structures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in accordance with examples of this invention further may include one or more midsole components incorporated into its structure. Such midsole component(s) may include one or more of: foam material(s), one or more fluid-filled bladders, mechanical shock absorbing components, etc. Such midsole component(s), when present, may be located inside the upper <NUM> (e.g., inside the foot-receiving chamber 100I), outside the upper <NUM> (e.g., between the upper <NUM> and sole member <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, in both locations, etc.).

Claim 1:
A sole structure (<NUM>) having a ground-facing surface and an upper-facing surface, the sole structure (<NUM>) comprising:
a sole member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) made from one or more parts and including a base surface (<NUM>), a medial side (<NUM>), and a lateral side (<NUM>), wherein the sole member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) includes a first sole part and a projection field (<NUM>) engaged with or integrally formed with the first sole part, wherein the projection field (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of projections (<NUM>) that extend beyond the base surface (<NUM>) and have exposed free ends (202E), wherein the plurality of projections (<NUM>) includes at least <NUM> projections (<NUM>) having a projection packing density of at least <NUM> projections (<NUM>) per square centimeter (<NUM> projections (<NUM>) per square inch) in the projection field (<NUM>), wherein a first subset of the plurality of projections (<NUM>) have a length of at least <NUM>, and wherein at least a majority of the plurality of projections (<NUM>) in the projection field (<NUM>) readily bend under force applied by weight of a user of the sole structure (<NUM>);
wherein the projection field (<NUM>) includes a projection field base (210B) having a first surface (210U) and a second surface (<NUM>) opposite the first surface (210U), and wherein the plurality of projections (<NUM>) originate at the second surface (<NUM>) and extend from the projection field base (210B) in a direction away from the first surface (210U) and the second surface (<NUM>);
wherein the base surface (<NUM>) of the sole member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) includes an interior surface (106I) and an exterior surface (106X) opposite the interior surface (106I), wherein the base surface (<NUM>) has an opening (<NUM>) defined through it that extends completely from the interior surface (106I) to the exterior surface (106X), wherein the second surface (<NUM>) of the projection field base (210B) is engaged with the interior surface (106I) of the base surface (<NUM>), and wherein the plurality of projections (<NUM>) extend through the opening (<NUM>).