Sole structures and articles of footwear having an elongated hexagonal siping pattern and/or a heel pocket structure

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

a foot-supporting surface extending longitudinally along a length of the sole structure and transversely between a medial side and a lateral side of the sole structure;

a ground-facing surface opposite the foot-supporting surface, wherein the ground-facing surface extends longitudinally along the length of the sole structure and transversely between the medial side and the lateral side of the sole structure;

a volume of sole material between the foot-supporting surface and the ground-facing surface to thereby define a thickness profile of the sole structure between the foot-supporting surface and the ground-facing surface; and

a plurality of sipes extending from the ground-facing surface into the volume of sole material, wherein at least some of the plurality of sipes form a hexagonal pattern and define a plurality of discrete hexagonally-shaped sole elements at the ground-facing surface, wherein individual hexagonally-shaped sole elements are at least partially defined by one or more sipes of the plurality of sipes, and wherein the plurality of discrete hexagonally-shaped sole elements includes:

(a) a plurality of heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements defining a first diagonal, a first diagonal dimension D 1 , a second diagonal, a second diagonal dimension D 2 , a third diagonal, and a third diagonal dimension D 3 , and wherein at least two heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements of the plurality of heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements include the following properties:

D 1 =0.8 D 2 to 1.2 D 2 ,

D 1 =0.8 D 3 to 1.2 D 3 , and

D 2 =0.8 D 3 to 1.2 D 3 ,

(b) a plurality of arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements defining a fourth diagonal, a fourth diagonal dimension D 4 , a fifth diagonal, a fifth diagonal dimension D 5 , a sixth diagonal, and a sixth diagonal dimension D 6 , and wherein at least two arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements of the plurality of arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements include the following properties:

D 4 =0.25 D 5 to 0.6 D 5 ,

D 4 =0.25 D 6 to 0.6 D 6 , and

D 5 =0.8 D 6 to 1.2 D 6 , and

(c) a plurality of forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, defining a seventh diagonal, a seventh diagonal dimension D 7 , an eighth diagonal, an eighth diagonal dimension D 8 , a ninth diagonal, and a ninth diagonal dimension D 9 , and wherein at least two forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements of the plurality of forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements include the following properties:

D 7 =0.8 D 8 to 1.2 D 8 ,

D 7 =0.8 D 9 to 1.2 D 9 , and

D 8 =0.8 D 9 to 1.2 D 9 ; and

 wherein in said at least two heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, said at least two arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, and said at least two forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, the first diagonal, the fourth diagonal, and the seventh diagonal, respectively, are oriented to extend within 10° of parallel to a transverse direction of the sole structure.

2. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said at least two heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, said at least two arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, and said at least two forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements include the following properties:

D 1 =0.9 D 2 to 1.1 D 2 ,

D 1 =0.9 D 3 to 1.1 D 3 ,

D 2 =0.9 D 3 to 1.1 D 3 ,

D 4 =0.3 D 5 to 0.5 D 5 ,

D 4 =0.3 D 6 to 0.5 D 6 ,

D 5 =0.9 D 6 to 1.1 D 6 ,

D 7 =0.9 D 8 to 1.1 D 8 ,

D 7 =0.9 D 9 to 1.1 D 9 , and

D 8 =0.9 D 9 to 1.1 D 9 .

3. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said at least two heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, said at least two arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, and said at least two forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements include the following properties:

D 4 =0.6 D 1 to 1.1 D 1 ,

D 4 =0.6 D 7 to 1.1 D 7 ,

D 5 =1.5 D 2 to 2.5 D 2 ,

D 5 =1.5 D 8 to 2.5 D 8 ,

D 6 =1.5 D 3 to 2.5 D 3 , and

D 5 =1.5 D 9 to 2.5 D 9 .

4. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein in said at least two heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, said at least two arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, and said at least two forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, each of D 1 , D 2 , D 3 , D 4 , D 5 , D 6 , D 7 , D 8 , and D 9 is less than 25 mm.

5. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein in said at least two heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, said at least two arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, and said at least two forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, each of D 1 , D 2 , D 3 , D 4 , D 7 , D 8 , and D 9 is less than 10 mm, and wherein each of D 5 and D 6 is greater than 12 mm.

6. The sole structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a perimeter wall integrally formed with and extending upward from the foot-supporting surface at least at a rear heel area of the sole structure and forming a rear heel pocket, wherein the perimeter wall defines a free edge extending at least 1 inch in a perimeter direction and at least 0.25 inch in a height direction, and wherein the free edge of the perimeter wall is no more than 0.25 inch thick.

7. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber; and

the sole structure according to claim 1 engaged with the upper.

8. The sole structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a perimeter wall of the sole material integrally formed with and extending upward from the foot-supporting surface at least at a rear heel area of the sole structure.

9. The sole structure according to claim 8 , wherein the perimeter wall of the sole material defines a rear heel pocket that extends partially over the foot-supporting surface at the rear heel area of the sole structure.

10. The sole structure according to claim 8 , wherein the perimeter wall defines a free edge extending at least 1 inch in a perimeter direction and at least 0.25 inch in a height direction, and wherein the free edge of the perimeter wall is no more than 0.25 inch thick.

11. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber, wherein the upper further includes an enclosed rear heel portion; and

the sole structure according to claim 8 engaged with the upper, wherein at least a portion of the enclosed rear heel portion of the upper is engaged with an interior surface of the perimeter wall.

12. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein the sole structure constitutes a single, one piece structure made from a polymeric foam material.

13. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein the sole structure is formed from a polymeric foam material having a density of less than 0.25 g/cm 3 .

14. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sipes further includes plural sipes that extend from the arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements in the transverse direction toward the lateral side of the sole structure and plural sipes that extend from the arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements in the transverse direction toward the medial side of the sole structure.

15. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said at least two arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements includes at least 8 arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements having the properties identified for D 4 , D 5 , and D 6 .

16. The sole structure according to claim 15 , wherein the sole structure defines a longitudinal length L between a rearmost heel point of the sole structure and a forwardmost toe point of the sole structure, wherein said at least 8 arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements are located between 0.25L and 0.56L measured forward from the rearmost heel point of the sole structure.

17. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein said at least two arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements includes at least 16 arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements having the properties identified for D 4 , D 5 , and D 6 .

18. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein the ground-facing surface of the sole structure includes raised ridges integrally formed on the ground-facing surface of the sole structure as a series of enclosed rings.

19. The sole structure according to claim 18 , wherein the raised ridges are less than 2 mm high and less than 3 mm wide.

20. The sole structure according to claim 19 , wherein the series of enclosed rings are located in a forefoot area of the ground-facing surface.

21. The sole structure according to claim 19 , wherein the series of enclosed rings are located in a heel area of the ground-facing surface.

22. The sole structure according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sipes that form the plurality of discrete hexagonally-shaped sole elements has a width of about 1 mm when in an unstressed condition, and wherein the width is defined as a distance between the plurality of hexagonally-shaped sole elements.

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

a foot-supporting surface extending longitudinally along a length of the sole structure and transversely between a medial side and a lateral side of the sole structure;

a ground-facing surface opposite the foot-supporting surface, wherein the ground-facing surface extends longitudinally along the length of the sole structure and transversely between the medial side and the lateral side of the sole structure;

a volume of sole material between the foot-supporting surface and the ground-facing surface to thereby define a thickness profile of the sole structure between the foot-supporting surface and the ground-facing surface; and

a plurality of sipes extending from the ground-facing surface into the volume of sole material, wherein at least some of the plurality of sipes form a hexagonal pattern and define a plurality of discrete hexagonally-shaped sole elements at the ground-facing surface, wherein individual hexagonally-shaped sole elements are at least partially defined by one or more sipes of the plurality of sipes, and wherein the plurality of discrete hexagonally-shaped sole elements includes:

(a) a plurality of heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements defining a first diagonal, a first diagonal dimension D 1 , a second diagonal, a second diagonal dimension D 2 , a third diagonal, and a third diagonal dimension D 3 , and wherein at least two heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements of the plurality of heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements include the following properties:

D 1 =0.8 D 2 to 1.2 D 2 ,

D 1 =0.8 D 3 to 1.2 D 3 , and

D 2 =0.8 D 3 to 1.2 D 3 ,

(b) a plurality of arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements defining a fourth diagonal, a fourth diagonal dimension D 4 , a fifth diagonal, a fifth diagonal dimension D 5 , a sixth diagonal, and a sixth diagonal dimension D 6 , and wherein at least two arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements of the plurality of arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements include the following properties:

D 4 =0.25 D 5 to 0.6 D 5 ,

D 4 =0.25 D 6 to 0.6 D 6 , and

D 5 =0.8 D 6 to 1.2 D 6 , and

(c) a plurality of forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, defining a seventh diagonal, a seventh diagonal dimension D 7 , an eighth diagonal, an eighth diagonal dimension D 8 , a ninth diagonal, and a ninth diagonal dimension D 9 , and wherein at least two forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements of the plurality of forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements include the following properties:

D 7 =0.8 D 8 to 1.2 D 8 ,

D 7 =0.8 D 9 to 1.2 D 9 , and

D 8 =0.8 D 9 to 1.2 D 9 ; and

a plurality of sipes extending from the foot-supporting surface into the volume of sole material in a forefoot area of the foot-supporting surface.

24. The sole structure according to claim 23 , wherein at least some of the plurality of sipes extending from the foot-supporting surface in the forefoot area form a hexagonal pattern, wherein an unsiped thickness of the sole material is provided between and separates the plurality of sipes extending from the ground-facing surface in a forefoot area of the ground-facing surface and the plurality of sipes extending from the foot-supporting surface in the forefoot area of the foot-supporting surface, and wherein at least some portion of the unsiped thickness is at least 4 mm thick.

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

a foot-supporting surface extending longitudinally along a length of the sole structure and transversely between a medial side and a lateral side of the sole structure;

a ground-facing surface opposite the foot-supporting surface, wherein the ground-facing surface extends longitudinally along the length of the sole structure and transversely between the medial side and the lateral side of the sole structure;

a volume of sole material between the foot-supporting surface and the ground-facing surface to thereby define a thickness profile of the sole structure between the foot-supporting surface and the ground-facing surface; and

a plurality of sipes extending from the ground-facing surface into the volume of sole material, wherein at least some of the plurality of sipes form a hexagonal pattern and define a plurality of discrete hexagonally-shaped sole elements at the ground-facing surface, wherein individual hexagonally-shaped sole elements are at least partially defined by one or more sipes of the plurality of sipes, and wherein the plurality of discrete hexagonally-shaped sole elements includes:

(a) a plurality of heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements defining a first diagonal, a first diagonal dimension D 1 , a second diagonal, a second diagonal dimension D 2 , a third diagonal, and a third diagonal dimension D 3 , and wherein at least two heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements of the plurality of heel-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements include the following properties:

D 1 =0.8 D 2 to 1.2 D 2 ,

D 1 =0.8 D 3 to 1.2 D 3 , and

D 2 =0.8 D 3 to 1.2 D 3 ,

(b) a plurality of arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements defining a fourth diagonal, a fourth diagonal dimension D 4 , a fifth diagonal, a fifth diagonal dimension D 5 , a sixth diagonal, and a sixth diagonal dimension D 6 , and wherein at least two arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements of the plurality of arch-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements include the following properties:

D 4 =0.25 D 5 to 0.6 D 5 ,

D 4 =0.25 D 6 to 0.6 D 6 , and

D 5 =0.8 D 6 to 1.2 D 6 , and

(c) a plurality of forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements, defining a seventh diagonal, a seventh diagonal dimension D 7 , an eighth diagonal, an eighth diagonal dimension D 8 , a ninth diagonal, and a ninth diagonal dimension D 9 , and wherein at least two forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements of the plurality of forefoot-supporting hexagonally-shaped sole elements include the following properties:

D 7 =0.8 D 8 to 1.2 D 8 ,

D 7 =0.8 D 9 to 1.2 D 9 , and

D 8 =0.8 D 9 to 1.2 D 9 ; and

a plurality of sipes extending from the foot-supporting surface into the volume of sole material in a heel area of the foot-supporting surface.

26. The sole structure according to claim 25 , wherein at least some of the plurality of sipes extending from the foot-supporting surface in the heel area form a hexagonal pattern, wherein an unsiped thickness of the sole material is provided between and separates the plurality of sipes extending from the ground-facing surface in a heel area of the ground-facing surface and the plurality of sipes extending from the foot-supporting surface in the heel area of the foot-supporting surface, and wherein at least some portion of the unsiped thickness is at least 12 mm thick.