Patent ID: 9572399
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: A43B

Claim:
1. An article of footwear having a toe region, a heel region, and a longitudinal axis extending between the toe region and the heel region, the article of footwear comprising: an upper; and a sole assembly that is operably coupled to the upper, the sole assembly including an outsole and a midsole disposed between the outsole and the upper, the sole assembly including: a main body comprising a layer of the midsole and having an opening extending fully through from an upper surface of the main body to a lower surface of the main body, the main body being resilient and compressible, wherein the main body extends from the toe region to the heel region and extends entirely over the outsole in the heel region; a first cushioning member that is received within the opening, the first cushioning member being resilient and compressible; and a second cushioning member that is also received within the opening, the second cushioning member being resilient and compressible; wherein the first cushioning member overlaps the second cushioning member within the opening such that the second cushioning member is disposed between the outsole and the first cushioning member; wherein a first thickness of the first cushioning member decreases along the longitudinal axis in a direction away from the toe region toward the heel region, wherein a second thickness of the second cushioning member increases along the longitudinal axis in the direction away from the toe region toward the heel region; wherein the second cushioning member is stiffer under compression than the main body; and wherein the main body is stiffer under compression than the first cushioning member.