Patent ID: 8914998
Filing Date: 2014-12-23
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
1. An article of footwear that has an anterior end, a posterior end, a medial side and a lateral side, the article of footwear comprising: an upper; and a sole assembly that defines a ground engaging surface and that is operably coupled to the upper, wherein the sole assembly includes a first base and a second base each extending continuously between the anterior end, the posterior end, the lateral side, and the medial side, wherein the first base is exposed on the lateral side and the medial side of the article of footwear, wherein the sole assembly further includes a plurality of first ribs that are attached to the first base, the plurality of first ribs projecting generally inferiorly from the first base, the sole assembly further including a plurality of second ribs that are attached to the second base, the plurality of second ribs projecting generally superiorly from the second base, the plurality of second ribs being resiliently flexible, the plurality of second ribs each having a rib longitudinal axis that extends between the medial side and the lateral side, the plurality of second ribs each having a rib transverse axis that extends at an acute angle relative to the ground engaging surface, wherein the plurality of second ribs each include a first longitudinal end disposed adjacent the medial side, a second longitudinal end disposed adjacent the lateral side, and a middle portion that is disposed between the first and second longitudinal ends, wherein at least one of the plurality of second ribs has a height measured along the respective rib transverse axis, wherein the height of one of the first and second longitudinal ends is greater than the height measured at the respective middle portion, wherein at least two of the second ribs extend at different acute angles from each other, at least some of the first and second ribs being received between respective pairs of the other of the first and second ribs, the second base and the plurality of second ribs being more resistant to resilient deformation than the first base and the plurality of first ribs, wherein at least one of the plurality of second ribs is operable to support a first force applied substantially along the acute angle relative to the ground engaging surface, the respective rib transverse axis remaining substantially straight in response to the first force, the at least one of the plurality of second ribs resiliently bending about the respective rib longitudinal axis in response to a second force applied substantially normal to the ground engaging surface to make the respective rib transverse axis non-linear.