Articles of footwear including a multi-part sole structure

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

a frame including a first sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein a first opening is defined through the first sidewall, and wherein the first opening includes a first interior surface extending from the outer surface to the inner surface; and

an interior midsole component directly attached to the frame by an adhesive or cement, wherein the interior midsole component includes a plantar support surface and a second sidewall that extends downwardly from the plantar support surface and along the inner surface of the first sidewall, wherein the interior midsole component further includes a first outwardly extending stem projecting sideways away from a base surface of the second sidewall, wherein the first outwardly extending stem extends into the first opening beyond the inner surface of the first sidewall toward the outer surface of the first sidewall, wherein the first outwardly extending stem includes a first exterior surface, wherein at least a portion of an axial length of the first exterior surface of the first outwardly extending stem extends along, is unfixed to, and is movable with respect to the first interior surface of the first opening, and wherein the first outwardly extending stem has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the first outwardly extending stem extends into the first opening beyond the inner surface of the first sidewall at least to a location at or adjacent the outer surface of the first sidewall;

(b) the first exterior surface of the first outwardly extending stem is complementary shaped with respect to the first interior surface of the first opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the first opening; or

(c) a free end of the first outwardly extending stem extends outward beyond an outermost extent of the first opening.

2. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein:

the frame further includes a second opening defined through the first sidewall, wherein the second opening includes a second interior surface extending from the outer surface to the inner surface; and

the interior midsole component further includes a second outwardly extending stem projecting sideways away from the base surface of the second sidewall, wherein the second outwardly extending stem extends into the second opening beyond the inner surface of the first sidewall toward the outer surface of the first sidewall, wherein the second outwardly extending stem includes a second exterior surface, wherein at least a portion of an axial length of the second exterior surface of the second outwardly extending stem extends along, is unfixed to, and is movable with respect to the second interior surface of the second opening, and wherein the second outwardly extending stem has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the second outwardly extending stem extends into the second opening beyond the inner surface of the first sidewall at least to a location at or adjacent the outer surface of the first sidewall;

(b) the second exterior surface of the second outwardly extending stem is complementary shaped with respect to the second interior surface of the second opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the second opening; or

(c) a free end of the second outwardly extending stem extends outward beyond an outermost extent of the second opening.

3. The sole structure according to claim 2 , wherein:

the frame further includes a third opening defined through the first sidewall, wherein the third opening includes a third interior surface extending from the outer surface to the inner surface; and

the interior midsole component further includes a third outwardly extending stem projecting sideways away from the base surface of the second sidewall, wherein the third outwardly extending stem extends into the third opening beyond the inner surface of the first sidewall, wherein the third outwardly extending stem includes a third exterior surface, wherein at least a portion of an axial length of the third exterior surface of the third outwardly extending stem extends along, is unfixed to, and is movable with respect to the third interior surface of the third opening, and wherein the third outwardly extending stem has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the third outwardly extending stem extends into the third opening beyond the inner surface of the first sidewall at least to a location at or adjacent the outer surface of the first sidewall;

(b) the third exterior surface of the third outwardly extending stem is complementary shaped with respect to the third interior surface of the third opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the third opening; or

(c) a free end of the third outwardly extending stem extends outward beyond an outermost extent of the third opening.

4. The sole structure according to claim 2 , wherein the interior midsole component is a multi-part component that includes: (a) a medial side part including the first outwardly extending stem and (b) a lateral side part including the second outwardly extending stem, wherein the lateral side part is an independent part from the medial side part.

5. The sole structure according to claim 4 , wherein the interior midsole component further includes a central part formed as an independent part from the lateral side part and the medial side part, wherein the central part extends between the lateral side part and the medial side part.

6. The sole structure according to claim 1 :

wherein the frame, including the outer surface and the inner surface thereof, is formed of a first polymer foam material;

wherein the interior midsole component, including the first outwardly extending stem thereof, is formed of a second polymer foam material; and

wherein the first polymer foam material has a first density, wherein the second polymer foam material has a second density, and wherein the first density is greater than the second density.

7. The sole structure according to claim 6 , wherein:

the frame further includes a second opening defined through the first sidewall, wherein the second opening includes a second interior surface extending from the outer surface to the inner surface; and

the interior midsole component further includes a second outwardly extending stem formed of the second polymer foam material and projecting sideways away from the base surface of the second sidewall, wherein the second outwardly extending stem extends into the second opening beyond the inner surface of the first sidewall, wherein the second outwardly extending stem includes a second exterior surface, wherein at least a portion of an axial length of the second exterior surface of the second outwardly extending stem extends along, is unfixed to, and is movable with respect to the second interior surface of the second opening, and wherein the second outwardly extending stem has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the second outwardly extending stem extends into the second opening beyond the inner surface of the first sidewall at least to a location at or adjacent the outer surface of the first sidewall;

(b) the second exterior surface of the second outwardly extending stem is complementary shaped with respect to the second interior surface of the second opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the second opening; or

(c) a free end of the second outwardly extending stem extends outward beyond an outermost extent of the second opening.

8. The sole structure according to claim 7 , wherein the first opening and the first outwardly extending stem are located on a medial side of the sole structure, and wherein the second opening and the second outwardly extending stem are located on the medial side of the sole structure forward of the first opening and the first outwardly extending stem.

9. The sole structure according to claim 7 , wherein the first opening and the first outwardly extending stem are located on a medial side of the sole structure, and wherein the second opening and the second outwardly extending stem are located on a lateral side of the sole structure.

10. The sole structure according to claim 7 , wherein a cross sectional area of the first opening is larger than a cross sectional area of the second opening, and wherein a cross sectional area of the first outwardly extending stem is larger than a cross section area of the second outwardly extending stem, wherein the cross sectional areas of the first opening, the second opening, the first outwardly extending stem, and the second outwardly extending stem are determined in a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of the respective opening or stem.

11. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein the frame further includes a base support surface, wherein the first sidewall extends upward from the base support surface, and wherein the interior midsole component is supported on the base support surface.

12. The sole structure according to claim 11 , wherein the first sidewall includes a medial sidewall region located on a medial side of the sole structure and a lateral sidewall region located on a lateral side of the sole structure, wherein the base support surface extends between and connects the medial sidewall region and the lateral sidewall region, and wherein the interior midsole component fits into a receptacle defined by the medial sidewall region, the lateral sidewall region, and the base support surface of the frame.

13. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein the free end of the first outwardly extending stem extends through the first opening to a location beyond the outer surface of the first sidewall.

14. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein the frame, including the outer surface and the inner surface thereof, is formed of a first polymer foam material, wherein the interior midsole component, including the first outwardly extending stem thereof, is formed of a second polymer foam material, and wherein the first polymer foam material is different from the second polymer foam material.

15. A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:

a frame including:

(a) a medial sidewall region located on a medial side of the sole structure, wherein the medial sidewall region includes a medial outer surface and a medial inner surface, wherein a first medial opening is defined through the medial sidewall region, and wherein the first medial opening includes an interior medial surface extending from the medial outer surface to the medial inner surface, and

(b) a lateral sidewall region located on a lateral side of the sole structure, wherein the lateral sidewall region includes a lateral outer surface and a lateral inner surface, wherein a first lateral opening is defined through the lateral sidewall region, and wherein the first lateral opening includes an interior lateral surface extending from the lateral outer surface to the lateral inner surface;

a medial interior midsole sidewall directly attached to the frame by an adhesive or cement, wherein the medial interior midsole sidewall includes an outwardly extending medial stem projecting sideways away from a base surface of the medial interior midsole sidewall, wherein the outwardly extending medial stem extends into the first medial opening beyond the medial inner surface of the medial sidewall region, wherein the outwardly extending medial stem includes an exterior medial stem surface, wherein at least a portion of an axial length of the exterior medial stem surface of the outwardly extending medial stem extends along, is unfixed to, and is movable with respect to the interior medial surface of the first medial opening, and wherein the outwardly extending medial stem has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the outwardly extending medial stem extends into the first medial opening beyond the medial inner surface of the medial sidewall region at least to a location at or adjacent the medial outer surface of the medial sidewall region;

(b) the exterior medial stem surface of the outwardly extending medial stem is complementary shaped with respect to the interior medial surface of the first medial opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the first medial opening; or

(c) a free end of the outwardly extending medial stem extends outward beyond an outermost extent of the first medial opening;

a lateral interior midsole sidewall directly attached to the frame by an adhesive or cement, wherein the lateral interior midsole sidewall includes an outwardly extending lateral stem projecting sideways away from a base surface of the lateral interior midsole sidewall, wherein the outwardly extending lateral stem extends into the first lateral opening beyond the lateral inner surface of the lateral sidewall region, wherein the outwardly extending lateral stem includes an exterior lateral stem surface, wherein at least a portion of an axial length of the exterior lateral stem surface of the outwardly extending lateral stem extends along, is unfixed to, and is movable with respect to the interior lateral surface of the first lateral opening, and wherein the outwardly extending lateral stem has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the outwardly extending lateral stem extends into the lateral opening beyond the lateral inner surface of the lateral sidewall region at least to a location at or adjacent the lateral outer surface of the lateral sidewall region;

(b) the exterior lateral stem surface of the outwardly extending lateral stem is complementary shaped with respect to the interior lateral surface of the first lateral opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the first lateral opening; or

(c) a free end of the outwardly extending lateral stem extends outward beyond an outermost extent of the first lateral opening.

16. The sole structure according to claim 15 , wherein the medial sidewall region and the lateral sidewall region of the frame are integrally formed as parts of a unitary, one-piece frame component.

17. The sole structure according to claim 15 , wherein a base support surface connects the medial sidewall region and the lateral sidewall region.

18. The sole structure according to claim 15 , wherein the medial interior midsole sidewall is formed as a portion of a first interior midsole component and the lateral interior midsole sidewall is formed as a portion of a second interior midsole component that is a separate part from the first interior midsole component.

19. The sole structure according to claim 18 , wherein a central midsole part extends between the first interior midsole component and the second interior midsole component.

20. A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising:

a frame including:

(a) a medial sidewall region located on a medial side of the sole structure, wherein the medial sidewall region includes a medial outer surface and a medial inner surface, wherein a first medial opening, a second medial opening, and a third medial opening are defined through the medial sidewall region extending from the medial outer surface to the medial inner surface, wherein the first medial opening includes a first interior medial surface extending from the medial outer surface to the medial inner surface, wherein the second medial opening includes a second interior medial surface extending from the medial outer surface to the medial inner surface, and wherein the third medial opening includes a third interior medial surface extending from the medial outer surface to the medial inner surface, and

(b) a lateral sidewall region located on a lateral side of the sole structure, wherein the lateral sidewall region includes a lateral outer surface and a lateral inner surface, wherein a first lateral opening, a second lateral opening, and a third lateral opening are defined through the lateral sidewall region extending from the lateral outer surface to the lateral inner surface, wherein the first lateral opening includes a first interior lateral surface extending from the lateral outer surface to the lateral inner surface, wherein the second lateral opening includes a second interior lateral surface extending from the lateral outer surface to the lateral inner surface, and wherein the third lateral opening includes a third interior lateral surface extending from the lateral outer surface to the lateral inner surface;

a medial interior midsole sidewall directly attached to the frame by an adhesive or cement, wherein the medial interior midsole sidewall includes a first outwardly extending medial stem, a second outwardly extending medial stem, and a third outwardly extending medial stem projecting sideways away from a base surface of the medial interior midsole sidewall, wherein the first outwardly extending medial stem extends into the first medial opening beyond the medial inner surface of the medial sidewall region, wherein the first outwardly extending medial stem includes a first exterior medial stem surface, wherein at least a portion of an axial length of the first exterior medial stem surface of the first outwardly extending medial stem extends along, is unfixed to, and is movable with respect to the first interior medial surface of the first medial opening, and wherein the first outwardly extending medial stem has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the first outwardly extending medial stem extends into the first medial opening beyond the medial inner surface of the medial sidewall region at least to a location at or adjacent the medial outer surface of the medial sidewall region,

(b) the first exterior medial stem surface of the first outwardly extending medial stem is complementary shaped with respect to the first interior medial surface of the first medial opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the first medial opening, or

(c) a free end of the first outwardly extending medial stem extends outward beyond an outermost extent of the first medial opening,

wherein the second outwardly extending medial stem extends into the second medial opening beyond the medial inner surface of the medial sidewall region, wherein the second outwardly extending medial stem includes a second exterior medial stem surface, wherein at least a portion of an axial length of the second exterior medial stem surface of the second outwardly extending medial stem extends along, is unfixed to, and is movable with respect to the second interior medial surface of the second medial opening, and wherein the second outwardly extending medial stem has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the second outwardly extending medial stem extends into the second medial opening beyond the medial inner surface of the medial sidewall region at least to a location at or adjacent the medial outer surface of the medial sidewall region,

(b) the second exterior medial stem surface of the second outwardly extending medial stem is complementary shaped with respect to the second interior medial surface of the second medial opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the second medial opening, or

(c) a free end of the second outwardly extending medial stem extends outward beyond an outermost extent of the second medial opening,

wherein the third outwardly extending medial stem extends into the third medial opening beyond the medial inner surface of the medial sidewall region, wherein the third outwardly extending medial stem includes a third exterior medial stem surface, wherein at least a portion of an axial length of the third exterior medial stem surface of the third outwardly extending medial stem extends along, is unfixed to, and is movable with respect to the third interior medial surface of the third medial opening, and wherein the third outwardly extending medial stem has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the third outwardly extending medial stem extends into the third medial opening beyond the medial inner surface of the medial sidewall region at least to a location at or adjacent the medial outer surface of the medial sidewall region,

(b) the third exterior medial stem surface of the third outwardly extending medial stem is complementary shaped with respect to the third interior medial surface of the third medial opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the third medial opening, or

(c) a free end of the third outwardly extending medial stem extends outward beyond an outermost extent of the third medial opening; and

a lateral interior midsole sidewall directly attached to the frame by an adhesive or cement, wherein the lateral interior midsole sidewall includes a first outwardly extending lateral stem, a second outwardly extending lateral stem, and a third outwardly extending lateral stem projecting sideways away from a base surface of the lateral interior midsole sidewall, wherein the first outwardly extending lateral stem extends into the first lateral opening beyond the lateral inner surface of the lateral sidewall region, wherein the first outwardly extending lateral stem includes a first exterior lateral stem surface, wherein at least a portion of an axial length of the first exterior lateral stem surface of the first outwardly extending lateral stem extends along, is unfixed to, and is movable with respect to the first interior lateral surface of the first lateral opening, and wherein the first outwardly extending lateral stem has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the first outwardly extending lateral stem extends into the first lateral opening beyond the lateral inner surface of the lateral sidewall region at least to a location at or adjacent the lateral outer surface of the lateral sidewall region,

(b) the first exterior lateral stem surface of the first outwardly extending lateral stem is complementary shaped with respect to the first interior lateral surface of the first lateral opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the first lateral opening, or

(c) a free end of the first outwardly extending lateral stem extends outward beyond an outermost extent of the first lateral opening,

wherein the second outwardly extending lateral stem extends into the second lateral opening beyond the lateral inner surface of the lateral sidewall region, wherein the second outwardly extending lateral stem includes a second exterior lateral stem surface, wherein at least a portion of an axial length of the second exterior lateral stem surface of the second outwardly extending lateral stem extends along, is unfixed to, and is movable with respect to the second interior lateral surface of the second lateral opening, and wherein the second outwardly extending lateral stem has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the second outwardly extending lateral stem extends into the second lateral opening beyond the lateral inner surface of the lateral sidewall region at least to a location at or adjacent the lateral outer surface of the lateral sidewall region,

(b) the second exterior lateral stem surface of the second outwardly extending lateral stem is complementary shaped with respect to the second interior lateral surface of the second lateral opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the second lateral opening, or

(c) a free end of the second outwardly extending lateral stem extends outward beyond an outermost extent of the second lateral opening, and wherein the third outwardly extending lateral stem extends into the third lateral opening beyond the lateral inner surface of the lateral sidewall region, wherein the third outwardly extending lateral stem includes a third exterior lateral stem surface, wherein at least a portion of an axial length of the third exterior lateral stem surface of the third outwardly extending lateral stem extends along, is unfixed to, and is movable with respect to the third interior lateral surface of the third lateral opening, and wherein the third outwardly extending lateral stem has at least one feature selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the third outwardly extending lateral stem extends into the third lateral opening beyond the lateral inner surface of the lateral sidewall region at least to a location at or adjacent the lateral outer surface of the lateral sidewall region,

(b) the third exterior lateral stem surface of the third outwardly extending lateral stem is complementary shaped with respect to the third interior lateral surface of the third lateral opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the third lateral opening, or

(c) a free end of the third outwardly extending lateral stem extends outward beyond an outermost extent of the third lateral opening.