Sole structure for article of footwear

1 . A sole structure for an article of footwear including an upper, the sole structure comprising:

a first plate extending from a forefoot region of the sole structure to a heel region of the sole structure, the first plate including a first surface opposing to the upper and a second surface opposite the first surface,

a second plate extending from the forefoot region of the sole structure to the heel region of the sole structure and including a third surface opposing the second surface of the first plate, and a fourth surface opposite than the third surface;

a heel pad extending from a first terminal end disposed in a mid-foot region of the sole structure to a second terminal end disposed in the heel region of the sole structure, such that the first terminal end of the heel pad terminates in the mid-foot region and the heel pad does not extend into the forefoot region, the heel pad connecting the first plate and the second plate in the mid-foot region such that the second plate is supported in the mid-foot region, wherein a portion of the heel pad extends along an outer side surface of the upper;

a first cushion, extending in a direction from the forefoot region to the heel region, wherein a widest part of the first cushion has a first width; and

a second cushion extending the direction from the forefoot region to the heel region, wherein a widest part of the second cushion has a second width different than the first width,

wherein the first cushion includes a concave side and the second cushion includes a convex side, the concave side of the first cushion facing the convex side of the second cushion, and

wherein a gap is defined between the concave side of the first cushion and the convex side of the second cushion.

2 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first cushion is disposed between the first plate and the second plate in the forefoot region.

3 . The sole structure of claim 2 , wherein the first cushion is attached to the second surface of the first plate and is attached to the third surface of the second plate.

4 . The sole structure of claim 2 , wherein the first cushion is a fluid-filled bladder.

5 . The sole structure of claim 4 , wherein the second cushion is disposed between the first plate and the second plate.

6 . The sole structure of claim 5 , wherein the heel pad is disposed between the first cushion and a posterior end of the sole structure.

7 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first cushion and the second cushion have an about rectangular shape.

8 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the first plate has a first thickness in the forefoot region and the first plate has a second thickness in the mid-foot region of the sole structure.

9 . The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the third surface is spaced apart from the second surface to define a cavity between the first plate and the second plate which extends from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure between the forefoot region and the heel region.

10 . A sole structure for an article of footwear including an upper, the sole structure comprising:

a first plate continuously extending from an anterior end at a forward most portion of the sole structure to posterior end at a rearmost portion of the sole structure, the first plate including a first surface opposing the upper and a second surface opposite the first surface;

a second plate extending from a forefoot region of the sole structure to a heel region of the sole structure and including a third surface opposing the second surface of the first plate, and a fourth surface opposite side the third surface, wherein the fourth surface of the second plate is a ground-engaging surface, and wherein the second plate is a rigid plate;

a first cushion extending discontinuously from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure, the first cushion comprising:

a first chamber attached to the second surface of the first plate and attached to the third surface of the second plate, wherein the first chamber includes a concave side;

a second cushion chamber attached to the second surface of the first plate and attached to the third surface of the second plate, wherein the second cushion chamber includes a convex side, the concave side of the first chamber and the convex side of the second chamber face one another; and

a first gap extending between the concave side and the convex side.

11 . The sole structure of claim 10 , comprising a second cushion, the second cushion disposed between the first plate and the second plate, and the second cushion disposed anterior to both a first end of the first chamber and a first end of the second chamber, wherein the second cushion is separated from each of the first chamber and the second chamber by a second gap.

12 . The sole structure of claim 11 , wherein the second plate includes one or more detachable traction elements in the forefoot region and one or more molded traction elements in the heel region, wherein the first chamber is a fluid-filled chamber and the second chamber is a fluid-filled chamber, and wherein a third cushion is foam.

13 . The sole structure of claim 10 , comprising a third cushion extending from a first end disposed adjacent to a second end of the first chamber and a second end of the second chamber, to the heel region of the sole structure, the third cushion attached to the first plate and the second plate from the first end of a fourth cushion through the heel region of the sole structure.

14 . A sole structure for an article of footwear including an upper, the sole structure comprising:

a first plate extending from a forefoot region of the sole structure to a heel region of the sole structure, the first plate including a first surface configured to oppose the upper and a second surface opposite the first surface;

a second plate extending from the forefoot region of the sole structure to the heel region of the sole structure and including a third surface opposing the second surface of the first plate, and a fourth surface opposite than the third surface;

a heel pad extending between a first terminal end that is disposed in a mid-foot region of the sole structure to a second terminal end that is disposed in the heel region of the sole structure, such that the first terminal end of the heel pad does not extend into the forefoot region, the heel pad connecting the first plate and the second plate in the mid-foot region such that the second plate is supported in the mid-foot region;

a first cushion, extending in a direction from the forefoot region to the heel region, wherein a widest part of the first cushion has a first width;

a second cushion extending the direction from the forefoot region to the heel region, wherein a widest part of the second cushion has a second width different than the first width, wherein the first cushion and the second cushion include corresponding concave and convex sides facing one another;

a first gap between the first cushion and the heel pad;

a second gap between the second cushion and the heel pad, wherein the first cushion and the second cushion are located in the forefoot region of the sole structure; and

a third gap between the first cushion and the second cushion.

15 . The sole structure of claim 14 , wherein the first cushion is attached to the second surface of the first plate and to the third surface of the second plate, and the second cushion is attached to the second surface of the first plate and to the third surface of the second plate.

16 . The sole structure of claim 14 , wherein the third gap is between the concave and convex sides.

17 . The sole structure of claim 14 , wherein the first cushion is disposed primarily on a medial side of the sole structure, and the second cushion is disposed primarily on a lateral side of the sole structure.

18 . The sole structure of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first cushion or the second cushion is a fluid-filled bladder.

19 . The sole structure of claim 14 , further comprising at least one traction element extending from the second plate.