Patent Description:
Footwear typically includes a sole structure configured to be located under a wearer's foot to space the foot away from the ground. Sole structures in athletic footwear are configured to provide one or more of desired cushioning, motion control, and resiliency. Document <CIT> also relates to a sole structure comprising a first and a second cushioning bodies of different hardness overlapping in certain regions.

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a unitary sole for insertion into a foot-receiving cavity of the article of footwear. The unitary sole has a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. Stated differently, the unitary sole is a full-length sole. The unitary sole provides cushioning, and is configured as a "drop-in" unitary sole that is removably insertable into the foot-receiving cavity of the article of footwear through an ankle opening of the article of footwear. Accordingly, the unitary sole is configured to function as a both a midsole and as an insole. The unitary sole is generally referred to herein as a midsole, but may also be referred to as an insole or as a unisole.

The unitary sole comprises a first cushioning body and a second cushioning body. The first cushioning body has a first hardness, and the second cushioning body has a second hardness greater than the first hardness. For example, the hardness of the first cushioning body may be but is not limited to from about <NUM> durometer to about <NUM> durometer greater than the hardness of the second cushioning body. The first cushioning body may comprise and be formed from a first foam material, and the second cushioning body may comprise and be formed from a second foam material different than the first foam material.

Both the first cushioning body and the second cushioning body are exposed at a periphery of the unitary sole. The periphery of the unitary sole is at the exterior surface of the unitary sole, and a cushioning body is exposed at the periphery if it forms a portion of the exterior surface of the unitary sole. Stated differently, even the softer first cushioning body forms a portion of the exterior surface of the unitary sole. For example, in an aspect of the disclosure, only the first cushioning body is exposed along a first portion of the periphery, and the second cushioning body is exposed along a remainder of the periphery. The first portion of the periphery at which the first cushioning body is exposed may be a medial side exterior surface of the unitary sole in the forefoot region.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the first cushioning body may include a first upwardly-extending flange at the first portion of the periphery, and the second cushioning body may include a second upwardly-extending flange at a second portion of the periphery. The first upwardly-extending flange and the second upwardly-extending flange partially define a footbed recess at the foot-facing exterior surface.

Both the first cushioning body and the second cushioning body may each be continuous configurations that extend in the forefoot region, in the midfoot region, and in the heel region, with some portions of the first and second cushioning bodies layered in the vertical direction with respect to one another, and at some other portions, only the first cushioning body or only the second cushioning body forming the entire thickness of the unitary sole without vertical layering. In a lateral direction as well (i.e., perpendicular to the vertical direction and to the longitudinal midline of the unitary sole), the first and second cushioning bodies may be juxtaposed differently at different portions. This enables the different hardnesses of the first and second cushioning bodies to be used advantageously alone or together to react vertical and lateral loads of the foot on the unitary sole.

For example, in an aspect of the disclosure, the second cushioning body underlies a portion of the first cushioning body in the forefoot region and establishes a ground-facing exterior surface of the unitary sole in the forefoot region under the portion of the first cushioning body.

The first cushioning body may have a continuous configuration that extends along a foot-facing exterior surface of the unitary sole from the first portion of the periphery in the forefoot region, through the midfoot region and into the heel region, and that also extends along the ground-facing exterior surface of the unitary sole from the first portion of the periphery in the forefoot region, through the midfoot region and into the heel region.

The first cushioning body may have a lateral extremity between a longitudinal midline of the unitary sole and a lateral side exterior surface of the unitary sole at the foot-facing exterior surface in the forefoot region, and the second cushioning body may extend from the lateral side exterior surface of the unitary sole to the lateral extremity of the first cushioning body at the foot-facing exterior surface in the forefoot region.

The second cushioning body may have a medial extremity between the longitudinal midline and the medial side exterior surface of the unitary sole at the ground-facing exterior surface in the forefoot region, and the first cushioning body may extend from the medial side exterior surface of the unitary sole to the medial extremity of the second cushioning body at the ground-facing exterior surface in the forefoot region. The lateral extremity of the first cushioning body at the foot-facing exterior surface may be nearer the lateral side exterior surface of the unitary sole than is the medial extremity of the second cushioning body at the ground-facing exterior surface. The first cushioning body may overlie the second cushioning body between the medial extremity of the second cushioning body and the lateral extremity of the first cushioning body in the forefoot region.

The second cushioning body may have a wedge surface that interfaces with the first cushioning body at the lateral extremity of the first cushioning body. For example, the wedge surface may angle upward and laterally outward toward a lateral side exterior surface of the unitary sole from a lower interior surface of the first cushioning body overlaying the second cushioning body to the foot-facing exterior surface of the unitary sole. By way of non-limiting example, an angle between the wedge surface and the vertical axis may be from about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees. At angles within such a range, the wedge surface is subjected to various loads that extend downward and/or laterally outward, thereby allowing the harder, second cushioning body to react such loads. The wedge surface may extend along the lateral extremity of the first cushioning body in one or more of the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region. The angle between the wedge surface and the vertical axis may vary as the wedge surface extends along the lateral extremity. For example, the angle may be different in the forefoot region than in the midfoot region or than in the heel region.

The first cushioning body may have an interior surface that interfaces with an interior surface of the second cushioning body at the medial extremity of the second cushioning body in the forefoot region. The interior surface of the first cushioning body may extend vertically, may angle laterally outward and downward relative to a vertical axis (i.e., sloping downward and toward the medial side exterior surface of the unitary sole) from an upper interior surface of the second cushioning body underlying the first cushioning body to the ground-facing exterior surface of the unitary sole, or may angle laterally inward relative to a vertical axis (i.e., sloping downward and away from the medial side exterior surface of the unitary sole) from the upper interior surface of the second cushioning body underlying the first cushioning body to the ground-facing exterior surface of the unitary sole.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the first cushioning body may extend from the foot-facing exterior surface to the ground-facing exterior surface in the midfoot region and in the heel region, and may be bordered by the second cushioning body extending from the foot-facing exterior surface to the ground-facing exterior surface at a periphery of the first cushioning body in the midfoot region and in the heel region. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the first cushioning body is centrally located in the midfoot region and in the heel region, and the second cushioning body wraps laterally and around an exterior (e.g., a side and rear exterior) of the first cushioning body in the midfoot region and the heel region.

The first cushioning body and the second cushioning body may have complex, three-dimensional configurations that interfit with one another in different vertical and lateral arrangements in the different regions of the unitary sole, but may still be flush with one another where they abut at the exterior surface of the unitary sole, including the foot-facing exterior surface, the ground-facing exterior surface, the medial side exterior surface, and the lateral side exterior surface.

In an aspect of the disclosure, an article of footwear comprises an outsole, an upper, and a unitary, full-length midsole. The upper is secured to the outsole and defines a foot-receiving cavity and an ankle opening. The unitary, full-length midsole has a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, and is configured to be removably inserted into the foot-receiving cavity through the ankle opening. The midsole comprises a first cushioning body having a first hardness, and a second cushioning body having a second hardness greater than the first hardness. The second cushioning body underlies the first cushioning body in a portion of a forefoot region of the midsole such that the first cushioning body establishes a foot-facing exterior surface of the midsole and the second cushioning body establishes a ground-facing exterior surface of the midsole where the first cushioning body overlies the second cushioning body. The first cushioning body establishes both the foot-facing exterior surface of the midsole and the ground-facing exterior surface of the midsole in a central portion of the heel region of the midsole.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the first cushioning body is exposed at a periphery of the midsole at a medial side exterior surface of the midsole in the forefoot region, and the second cushioning body is exposed at the periphery of the midsole at a lateral side exterior surface of the midsole in the forefoot region. When the midsole is inserted into the foot-receiving cavity, the first cushioning body and the second cushioning body remain exposed at the exterior surfaces of the midsole (e.g., forming the exterior surfaces) as described, although in some embodiments they may not be exposed to view unless perhaps by looking down into the foot-receiving cavity from the ankle opening.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the second cushioning body has a wedge surface that interfaces with a lateral extremity of the first cushioning body. The wedge surface angles upward and laterally outward (i.e., sloping upward and toward a lateral side exterior surface of the midsole from a lower extent of the wedge surface to an upper extent of the wedge surface).

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the modes for carrying out the present disclosure when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout the views, <FIG> shows a unitary sole <NUM> for an article of footwear <NUM>, which is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The unitary sole <NUM> is also referred to herein simply as sole <NUM>, and because the unitary sole <NUM> is configured to function as both a midsole and as an insole, it may be referred to herein as a midsole, an insole, or as a unisole. The article of footwear <NUM> may also be referred to simply as footwear <NUM>. The sole <NUM> is part of the sole structure <NUM> of the article of footwear <NUM>. The sole structure <NUM> also includes an outsole <NUM> that is secured to an upper <NUM>. The upper <NUM> defines a foot-receiving cavity <NUM> and an ankle opening <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the sole <NUM> may be divided into three general regions: a forefoot region <NUM>, a midfoot region <NUM>, and a heel region <NUM> which support respective regions of a foot resting on the sole <NUM>. As such, the sole <NUM> may be referred to as a full-length sole, and is a unitary, full-length midsole. The forefoot region <NUM> generally includes portions of the sole <NUM> corresponding with the toes and the metatarsophalangeal joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. The midfoot region <NUM> generally includes portions of the sole <NUM> corresponding with the arch area of the foot, and the heel region <NUM> includes portions of the sole <NUM> corresponding with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone.

The sole <NUM> has a longitudinal midline LM that extends fore-aft from the forefoot region <NUM> to the heel region <NUM>. Portions of the sole <NUM> disposed between the longitudinal midline LM and a lateral side exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM> may be considered the lateral side <NUM> of the sole <NUM>. Portions of the sole <NUM> disposed between the longitudinal midline LM and a medial side exterior surface <NUM> may be considered a medial side <NUM> of the sole <NUM>.

The forefoot region <NUM>, the midfoot region <NUM>, the heel region <NUM>, the lateral side <NUM> and the medial side <NUM> are not intended to demarcate precise areas of the sole <NUM>, but are instead intended to represent general areas of sole <NUM> to aid in the following discussion. In addition to the sole <NUM>, the relative locations of the forefoot region <NUM>, the midfoot region <NUM>, and the heel region <NUM>, lateral side <NUM> and medial side <NUM> may also be applied to the outsole <NUM>, and the upper <NUM>, and other components and individual elements thereof.

The sole <NUM> is configured to be removably inserted into the foot-receiving cavity <NUM> through the ankle opening <NUM>. In <FIG>, the sole <NUM> is shown in the process of being inserted into the foot-receiving cavity <NUM>, and is being directed therein in the direction of arrow A. The sole <NUM> is thus referred to as a "drop-in" midsole. The sole <NUM> is supported by the outsole <NUM> and may rest on a lower portion of the upper <NUM> if the upper <NUM> wraps under the foot, as shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, sidewalls of the outsole <NUM> may extend upward and be disposed laterally outward of the periphery P of the sole <NUM> to provide support around the entire periphery of the sole <NUM>. However, the sole <NUM> is not permanently secured to the outsole <NUM>, to the upper <NUM>, or to any other component within the foot-receiving cavity <NUM> such as by adhesive or otherwise, and as such may be removed from the foot-receiving cavity <NUM> without damage to the article of footwear <NUM> by lifting the sole <NUM> at the heel region <NUM>, and withdrawing the sole <NUM> through the ankle opening <NUM>.

The sole <NUM> is configured to cushion a foot of a wearer of the article of footwear <NUM>, reacting loading forces of the foot when positioned between the foot and the ground G. More specifically, the sole <NUM> includes a first cushioning body <NUM> and a second cushioning body <NUM>. In the drawings, the first cushioning body <NUM> is depicted with generally lighter shading than the second cushioning body <NUM> to readily differentiate the bodies <NUM>, <NUM>. The first cushioning body <NUM> has a first hardness, and the second cushioning body <NUM> has a second hardness greater than the first hardness. For example, the hardness of the first cushioning body <NUM> may be but is not limited to from about <NUM> durometer to about <NUM> durometer greater than the hardness of the second cushioning body <NUM>, such as on a Shore A, a Shore D, or an Asker C hardness scale. The first and second cushioning bodies <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed from the same material but with different densities to achieve the different hardnesses, or may be formed from different materials. In the embodiment shown, the first cushioning body <NUM> comprises and is formed from a first foam material, and the second cushioning body <NUM> comprises and is formed from a second foam material different than the first foam material. Example foam materials from which the first and second cushioning bodies <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed include a thermoplastic polymer foam or a thermoset polymer foam. By way of non-limiting example, the first foam material and the second foam material may each be any of: a polyurethane (PU) foam (also referred to as a PU-based foam); an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam (also referred to as an EVA-based foam), which in some embodiments may include heat-expanded and molded EVA foam pellets; or combinations of an EVA foam and rubber; foams referred to as phylon, phylite, of cushlon; or other foams, with the resulting second cushioning body being harder than the first cushioning body.

Both the first cushioning body <NUM> and the second cushioning body <NUM> are each of continuous configurations that extend in the forefoot region <NUM>, the midfoot region <NUM>, and the heel region <NUM>. The first and second cushioning bodies <NUM>, <NUM> may be injection molded or otherwise formed together so that the sole <NUM> is a unitary (i.e., one-piece) component comprised of the two cushioning bodies <NUM>, <NUM>. The first cushioning body <NUM> and the second cushioning body <NUM> have complex, three-dimensional configurations that interfit with one another in different vertical and lateral arrangements in the different regions of the sole <NUM>. This enables the first and second cushioning bodies <NUM>, <NUM> with their different hardnesses to be used advantageously alone or together to react vertical and lateral loads of the foot. The first and second cushioning bodies <NUM>, <NUM> are flush with one another at their respective extremities at the exterior surfaces of the sole <NUM> where they abut one another, including at a foot-facing exterior surface <NUM>, a ground-facing exterior surface <NUM>, a medial side exterior surface <NUM>, and a lateral side exterior surface <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, only some portions of the first and second cushioning bodies <NUM>, <NUM> are layered in the vertical direction with respect to one another. For example, as shown in <FIG> in the forefoot region <NUM>, a portion <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> underlies a portion <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> and establishes the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM> in the forefoot region <NUM> where it directly underlies the portion <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM>. The vertically-stacked configuration of the portions <NUM>, <NUM> may lend different cushioning properties to different regions of the sole <NUM>, such as a different resiliency or stiffness relative to a portion in which the softer first cushioning body <NUM> occupies the entire thickness of the sole <NUM> from the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) to the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), and relative to a portion in which the harder second cushioning body <NUM> occupies the entire thickness of the sole <NUM> from the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> to the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM>.

Both the first cushioning body <NUM> and the second cushioning body <NUM> are exposed at a periphery P of the sole <NUM>. For example, as best shown in <FIG>, only the first cushioning body <NUM> is exposed along a first portion P1 of the periphery P at the medial side exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM> in the forefoot region <NUM>. Stated differently, even the softer first cushioning body <NUM> forms a portion of the exterior surface of the sole <NUM>. The first cushioning body <NUM> is also exposed at and forms a portion of the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> and the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM>, as does the second cushioning body <NUM>.

The second cushioning body <NUM> is exposed along a remainder P2 of the periphery P as shown in <FIG>. The remainder P2 may also be referred to as a second portion P2 of the periphery P. The first and second portions P1, P2 may together form the entire periphery P. The second portion P2 is more extensive than the first portion P1, so that the harder second cushioning body <NUM> covers a greater extent of the exterior side surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> than does the first cushioning body <NUM>. The second cushioning body <NUM> forms the entire lateral exterior side surface <NUM> in order to provide a greater stiffness at the lateral side <NUM> of the sole <NUM> than if the first cushioning body <NUM> were disposed at the lateral exterior side surface <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG>, the first cushioning body <NUM> includes a first upwardly-extending flange <NUM> at the first portion P1 of the periphery P. The second cushioning body <NUM> includes a second upwardly-extending flange <NUM> at the second portion P2 of the periphery P. The first upwardly-extending flange <NUM> and the second upwardly-extending flange <NUM> partially defining a footbed recess <NUM> at the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> in the forefoot region <NUM> as best shown in <FIG>. The second upwardly-extending flange <NUM> generally continues around the entire remainder (i.e., the second portion P2) of the periphery P, including in the midfoot region <NUM> and the heel region <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG>. The flanges <NUM>, <NUM> together surround the entire foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> to cup or nest a foot in the footbed recess <NUM>. The harder material of the second cushioning body <NUM> bears lateral loading of the flange <NUM> on the lateral side <NUM> of the sole <NUM>. The flange <NUM> has a medial notch <NUM>, and the flange <NUM> has a lateral notch <NUM>. Both of the notches <NUM>, <NUM> are generally disposed adjacent to the metatarsophalangeal joints of a foot in the forefoot region <NUM> to promote flexibility and ease of dorsiflexion.

The first cushioning body <NUM> has a continuous configuration that extends along the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM> from the first portion P1 of the periphery in the forefoot region <NUM>, through the midfoot region <NUM> and into the heel region <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG>. The continuous configuration of the first cushioning body <NUM> is also such that the first cushioning body <NUM> extends along the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM> from the first portion P1 of the periphery in the forefoot region <NUM>, through the midfoot region <NUM> and into the heel region <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG>. The ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> and the medial side exterior surface <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> may have a surface texture (not shown). Additionally, the sole <NUM> may include grooves, recesses, and protrusions that help increase flexibility of the sole <NUM>, such as the laterally-extending grooves shown in the forefoot region <NUM> in the bottom view of <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, the first cushioning body <NUM> has a lateral extremity <NUM> between the longitudinal midline LM of the sole <NUM> and the lateral side exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM> at the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> in the forefoot region <NUM>. The lateral extremity <NUM> also extends through the midfoot region <NUM> and the heel region <NUM> at the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM>. The second cushioning body <NUM> extends from the lateral side exterior surface <NUM> to the lateral extremity <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> at the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> in the forefoot region <NUM>, and in the midfoot region <NUM> and the heel region <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The second cushioning body <NUM> has a medial extremity <NUM> between the longitudinal midline LM and the medial side exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM> at the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> in the forefoot region <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The medial extremity <NUM> also extends through the midfoot region <NUM> and the heel region <NUM> at the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM>. The first cushioning body <NUM> extends from the medial side exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM> to the medial extremity <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> at the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> in the forefoot region <NUM> and extends in the midfoot region <NUM> and the heel region <NUM>. At least in the forefoot region <NUM>, the lateral extremity <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> at the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> is nearer the lateral side exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM> than is the medial extremity <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> at the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM>, as can be seen by a comparison of the lateral extremity <NUM> and the medial extremity <NUM> (shown with hidden lines) in <FIG>.

Similarly, at least in the forefoot region <NUM>, the medial extremity <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> at the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> is nearer the medial side exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM> than is the lateral extremity <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> at the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG> by a comparison of the lateral extremity <NUM> (shown with hidden lines) and the medial extremity <NUM>.

Between the medial extremity <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> and the lateral extremity <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> in the forefoot region <NUM>, the first cushioning body <NUM> overlies the second cushioning body <NUM> (e.g., at portion <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> and portion <NUM> the second cushioning body <NUM>, as described with respect to <FIG>).

In a lateral direction (e.g., a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal midline LM), the first and second cushioning bodies <NUM>, <NUM> may be juxtaposed differently at different portions or regions. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the second cushioning body <NUM> has a wedge surface <NUM> that interfaces with a surface <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> at the lateral extremity <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM>. The wedge surface <NUM> angles laterally outward and upward (relative to a vertical axis V1 disposed at the intersection of the wedge surface <NUM> and a lower interior surface <NUM>) from the lower interior surface <NUM> of the portion <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> overlaying the portion <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> to the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM>. Stated differently, the wedge surface <NUM> angles laterally upward and outward toward the lateral side exterior surface <NUM> from a lower extremity 60A of the wedge surface <NUM> to an upper extremity 60B of the wedge surface <NUM>. By way of non-limiting example, an angle θ<NUM> of the wedge surface <NUM> to the vertical axis V1 may be from about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees. Angles within such a range allow the wedge surface <NUM> to be normal to various downward and laterally-outward directed loads, thereby allowing the harder, second cushioning body <NUM> to react such loads. For example, during certain activities, such as a lateral cutting move during basketball, the wedge surface <NUM> may react such loads and thereby provide increased lateral support.

The wedge surface <NUM> may extend along the lateral extremity <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> in the forefoot region <NUM>, the midfoot region <NUM>, and the heel region <NUM>. The angle θ<NUM> of the wedge surface <NUM> to the vertical axis V1 may vary as the wedge surface <NUM> extends along the lateral extremity <NUM>. For example, the angle θ<NUM> may be different in the forefoot region <NUM>, than in the midfoot region <NUM> or than in the heel region <NUM>.

With further reference to <FIG>, the first cushioning body <NUM> has an interior surface <NUM> that interfaces with an interior surface <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> at the medial extremity <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> in the forefoot region <NUM>. The interior surface <NUM> may angle laterally outward and downward relative to a vertical axis V2 (i.e., generally downward and toward the medial side exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM>) from an upper interior surface <NUM> of the portion <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> underlying the portion <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM>, to the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM>. By way of non-limiting example, an angle θ<NUM> between the interior surface <NUM> and the vertical axis V2 may be from about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees.

With reference to <FIG>, in another alternative embodiment of a sole <NUM> within the scope of the present disclosure that may be used as an alternative to sole <NUM> as a drop-in midsole in the article of footwear <NUM>, the interior surface <NUM> may angle laterally inward relative to the vertical axis V2 (i.e., generally downward and away from the medial side exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM>) from the upper interior surface <NUM> of the portion <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> underlying the portion <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> to the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM>. By way of non-limiting example, an angle θ<NUM> between the interior surface <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> of the sole <NUM> and the vertical axis V2 extending at the intersection of the surface <NUM> and the surface <NUM> may be from about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees. The sole <NUM> is alike in all other aspects to sole <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in another alternative embodiment of a sole <NUM> within the scope of the present disclosure that may be used as an alternative to sole <NUM>, the interior surface <NUM> may extend straight downward from the upper interior surface <NUM> of the portion <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> underlying the portion <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> to the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM>. Stated differently, the interior surface <NUM> extends along the vertical axis V2 in the sole <NUM> such that any angle θ<NUM> or θ<NUM> as defined with respect to <FIG>, respectively, has a numerical value of zero.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, in other portions of the sole <NUM> away from the stacked portions <NUM>, <NUM>, either the first cushioning body <NUM> or the second cushioning body <NUM> forms the entire thickness of the sole <NUM> from the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> to the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> (e.g., without any vertical layering of the first cushioning body <NUM> and the second cushioning body <NUM> in such portions). For example, between the lateral extremity <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> and the medial extremity <NUM> of the second cushioning body <NUM> in much of the midfoot region <NUM> and in the heel region <NUM>, the first cushioning body <NUM> extends from the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> to the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> and is exposed at both surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. This portion of the first cushioning body <NUM> is bordered by the second cushioning body <NUM>, which extends from the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> to the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> at a periphery of the first cushioning body <NUM> in the midfoot region <NUM> and in the heel region <NUM> (e.g., between the medial extremity <NUM> and the lateral side exterior surface <NUM>, and also between a medial extremity <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) and the medial side exterior surface <NUM>).

Accordingly, the first cushioning body <NUM> is centrally located in the midfoot region <NUM> and the heel region <NUM>, and the second cushioning body <NUM> wraps around the medial extremity <NUM>, around a lateral extremity <NUM>, and around a rear <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> in the midfoot region <NUM> and the heel region <NUM>. The lateral extremity <NUM> of the first cushioning body <NUM> is close in lateral position to and may coincide with the lateral extremity <NUM> in the midfoot region <NUM> and in the heel region <NUM>. The first cushioning body <NUM> is exposed at the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> and at the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> in the midfoot region <NUM> and in the heel region <NUM>. In fact, the first cushioning body <NUM> alone establishes both the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM> and the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM> of the sole <NUM> in a central portion <NUM> of the midfoot region <NUM> and the heel region <NUM> of the sole <NUM>, with the central portion <NUM> being spaced apart from both exterior side surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> by the second cushioning body <NUM>. At all portions of the sole <NUM> other than at the stacked portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and the central portion <NUM>, the second cushioning body <NUM> alone establishes both the foot-facing exterior surface <NUM> and the ground-facing exterior surface <NUM>.

As used in the description and the accompanying claims, a value is considered to be "approximately" equal to a stated value if it is neither more than <NUM> percent greater than nor more than <NUM> percent less than the stated value.

The term "longitudinal" refers to a direction extending a length of a component. For example, a longitudinal direction of a shoe extends between a forefoot region and a heel region of the shoe. The term "forward" or "anterior" is used to refer to the general direction from a heel region toward a forefoot region, and the term "rearward" or "posterior" is used to refer to the opposite direction, i.e., the direction from the forefoot region toward the heel region. In some cases, a component may be identified with a longitudinal axis as well as a forward and rearward longitudinal direction along that axis. The longitudinal direction or axis may also be referred to as an anterior-posterior direction or axis.

The term "transverse" refers to a direction extending a width of a component. For example, a transverse direction of a shoe extends between a lateral side and a medial side of the shoe. The transverse direction or axis may also be referred to as a lateral direction or axis or a mediolateral direction or axis.

The term "vertical" refers to a direction generally perpendicular to both the lateral and longitudinal directions. For example, in cases where a sole is planted flat on a ground surface, the vertical direction may extend from the ground surface upward. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to individual components of a sole. The term "upward" or "upwards" refers to the vertical direction pointing towards a top of the component, which may include an instep, a fastening region and/or a throat of an upper. The term "downward" or "downwards" refers to the vertical direction pointing opposite the upwards direction, toward the bottom of a component and may generally point towards the bottom of a sole structure of an article of footwear.

The "interior" of an article of footwear, such as a shoe, refers to portions at the space that is occupied by a wearer's foot when the shoe is worn. The "inner side" of a component refers to the side or surface of the component that is (or will be) oriented toward the interior of the component or article of footwear in an assembled article of footwear. The "outer side" or "exterior" of a component refers to the side or surface of the component that is (or will be) oriented away from the interior of the shoe in an assembled shoe. In some cases, other components may be between the inner side of a component and the interior in the assembled article of footwear. Similarly, other components may be between an outer side of a component and the space external to the assembled article of footwear. Further, the terms "inward" and "inwardly" refer to the direction toward the interior of the component or article of footwear, such as a shoe, and the terms "outward" and "outwardly" refer to the direction toward the exterior of the component or article of footwear, such as the shoe. In addition, the term "proximal" refers to a direction that is nearer a center of a footwear component, or is closer toward a foot when the foot is inserted in the article of footwear as it is worn by a user. Likewise, the term "distal" refers to a relative position that is further away from a center of the footwear component or is further from a foot when the foot is inserted in the article of footwear as it is worn by a user. Thus, the terms proximal and distal may be understood to provide generally opposing terms to describe relative spatial positions.

Claim 1:
A sole structure (<NUM>) for an article of footwear (<NUM>) that has a foot-receiving cavity (<NUM>), the sole structure (<NUM>) comprising:
a unitary sole (<NUM>) configured for insertion into the foot-receiving cavity (<NUM>) and having a forefoot region (<NUM>), a midfoot region (<NUM>), and a heel region (<NUM>);
wherein the unitary sole (<NUM>) comprises a first cushioning body (<NUM>) and a second cushioning body (<NUM>), the first cushioning body (<NUM>) having a first hardness and the second cushioning body (<NUM>) having a second hardness greater than the first hardness, the second hardness preferably being from about <NUM> durometer to about <NUM> durometer greater than the first hardness;
wherein both the first cushioning body (<NUM>) and the second cushioning body (<NUM>) are exposed at a periphery (P) of the unitary sole (<NUM>),
wherein the second cushioning body (<NUM>) underlies a portion of the first cushioning body (<NUM>) in the forefoot region (<NUM>) and establishes a ground-facing exterior surface (<NUM>) of the unitary sole (<NUM>) in the forefoot region (<NUM>) under the portion of the first cushioning body (<NUM>), and
wherein the second cushioning body (<NUM>) has a wedge surface (<NUM>) that interfaces with the first cushioning body (<NUM>) at a lateral extremity (<NUM>) of the first cushioning body (<NUM>).