Sole structure for an article of footwear having longitudinal extending bridge portions with an interwoven stiffness controlling device

A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising:

• a sole plate including a forefoot portion, a heel portion, and a midfoot portion disposed between the forefoot portion and the heel portion, and including at least a first bridge portion, a second bridge portion, and a third bridge portion, each extending along a longitudinal axis, and each disposed within the forefoot portion of the sole plate;
• wherein the second bridge portion is disposed between the first bridge portion and the third bridge portion;
• a stiffness controlling device extending transversely relative to the longitudinal axis and woven between the first bridge portion, the second bridge portion, and the third bridge portion;
• wherein the stiffness controlling device includes a first terminal end disposed on the first bridge portion and a second terminal end disposed on the third bridge portion;
• wherein the stiffness controlling device is moveable fore and aft along the longitudinal axis of the sole plate between at least a first position disposed at an axial end of first bridge portion, the second bridge portion, and the third bridge portion, relative to the longitudinal axis, to provide a first bending stiffness against dorsiflexion of the forefoot portion of the sole plate along the longitudinal axis, and a second position disposed at a midsection of the first bridge portion, the second bridge portion, and the third bridge portion, relative to the longitudinal axis, to provide a second bending stiffness against dorsiflexion of the forefoot portion of the sole plate along the longitudinal axis, with the first bending stiffness being lower than the second bending stiffness;
• and wherein both the first terminal end and the second terminal end of the stiffness controlling device are further forward in the second position than in the first position.