Article of footwear with a perforated midsole
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole element, an upper sheet, and a lower sheet. The midsole element has an upper surface and an opposite lower surface. In addition, the midsole element defines a plurality of bores extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. The upper sheet is secured to the upper surface and extends over at least a portion of the bores. The lower sheet is secured to the lower surface, and the lower sheet is positioned to correspond in location with the upper sheet and extend under the portion of the bores.
1. A sole structure, comprising:
a midsole element formed from a polymer material, the midsole element defining a plurality of bores extending in a direction from a top surface of the midsole element toward a bottom surface of the midsole element, wherein the plurality of bores includes a plurality of bores of a first size and a plurality of bores of a second size different from the first size;
an outsole provided at the bottom surface of the midsole element; and
a first sheet secured to the top surface, wherein the first sheet extends over and seals fluid within at least some of the plurality of bores of the first size and at least some of the plurality of bores of the second size between the first sheet and the outsole.
2. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of bores are tapered in a direction between the top surface and the bottom surface.
3. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein the outsole covers a substantial portion of the bottom surface of the midsole element.
4. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of bores have a hexagonal shape at the top surface of the midsole element.
5. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of bores in a midfoot area of the midsole element are larger than at least some of the plurality of bores in a forefoot area of the midsole element.
6. A sole structure, comprising:
a midsole element formed from a polymer material, the midsole element defining a plurality of bores extending in a direction from a top surface of the midsole element toward a bottom surface of the midsole element, wherein the plurality of bores includes a plurality of bores of a first size and a plurality of bores of a second size different from the first size;
a first sheet secured to the top surface; and
a second sheet secured to the bottom surface, wherein the first sheet and second sheet are positioned with respect to the midsole element so as to cover openings to and seal fluid within at least some of the plurality of bores of the first size and at least some of the plurality of bores of the second size between the first sheet and the second sheet.
7. The sole structure according to claim 6 , wherein at least some of the plurality of bores are tapered in a direction between the top surface and the bottom surface.
8. The sole structure according to claim 6 , wherein at least some of the plurality of bores have a hexagonal shape at the top surface of the midsole element.
9. The sole structure according to claim 6 , wherein at least some of the plurality of bores in a midfoot area of the midsole element are larger than at least some of the plurality of bores in a forefoot area of the midsole element.
10. A sole structure, comprising:
a midsole element formed from a polymer material and having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the midsole element defining a plurality of bores extending through the polymer material from the first surface to the second surface;
an outsole secured to the second surface; and
a first sheet secured to the first surface, wherein the first sheet extends over a first portion of the plurality of bores and seals a fluid within the first portion of the bores between the first sheet and the outsole, and wherein the first sheet does not seal a fluid within a second portion of the plurality of bores.
11. The sole structure according to claim 10 , wherein at least some of the plurality of bores are tapered in a direction between the first surface and the second surface.
12. The sole structure according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of bores includes a plurality of bores of a first size and a plurality of bores of a second size different from the first size.
13. The sole structure according to claim 12 , wherein the first sheet extends over and seals fluid within at least some of the plurality of bores of the first size and at least some of the plurality of bores of the second size.
14. The sole structure according to claim 10 , further comprising:
a second sheet secured to the first surface, wherein the second sheet extends over a third portion of the bores and seals a fluid within the third portion of the bores between the second sheet and the outsole, and wherein the second sheet does not seal a fluid within the second portion of the bores.
15. The sole structure according to claim 10 , further comprising:
a second sheet secured to the first surface, wherein the second sheet extends over a third portion of the bores and seals a fluid within the third portion of the bores between the second sheet and the outsole, and wherein the second sheet does not seal a fluid within the second portion of the bores; and
a third sheet secured to the first surface, wherein the third sheet extends over a fourth portion of the bores and seals a fluid within the fourth portion of the bores between the third sheet and the outsole, and wherein the third sheet does not seal a fluid within the second portion of the bores.
16. The sole structure according to claim 10 , wherein the outsole covers a substantial portion of the second surface of the midsole element.
17. A sole structure, comprising:
a midsole element formed from a polymer material, the midsole element defining a plurality of bores extending in a direction from a top surface of the midsole element toward a bottom surface of the midsole element;
an outsole provided at the bottom surface of the midsole element; and
a first sheet secured to the top surface, wherein the first sheet extends over a first portion of the bores and seals a fluid within the first portion of the bores between the first sheet and the outsole, and wherein the first sheet does not seal a fluid within the second portion of the bores.
18. The sole structure according to claim 17 , wherein at least some of the plurality of bores are tapered in a direction between the top surface and the bottom surface.
19. The sole structure according to claim 17 , wherein the plurality of bores includes a plurality of bores of a first size and a plurality of bores of a second size different from the first size.
20. The sole structure according to claim 19 , wherein the first sheet extends over and seals fluid within at least some of the plurality of bores of the first size and at least some of the plurality of bores of the second size.
21. The sole structure according to claim 17 , further comprising:
a second sheet secured to the top surface,
wherein the second sheet extends over a third portion of the bores and seals a fluid within the third portion of the bores between the second sheet and the outsole, and
wherein the second sheet does not seal a fluid within the second portion of the bores.
22. The sole structure according to claim 17 , further comprising:
a second sheet secured to the top surface, wherein the second sheet extends over a third portion of the bores and seals a fluid within the third portion of the bores between the second sheet and the outsole, and wherein the second sheet does not seal a fluid within the second portion of the bores; and
a third sheet secured to the top surface, wherein the third sheet extends over a fourth portion of the bores and seals a fluid within the fourth portion of the bores between the third sheet and the outsole, and wherein the third sheet does not seal a fluid within the second portion of the bores.
23. The sole structure according to claim 17 , wherein the outsole covers a substantial portion of the bottom surface of the midsole element.