Patent ID: 6266897
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
A ground contacting system comprising:a sole; andat least one element depending from solely a portion of a bottom surface of the sole comprising:a ground-contacting member having a ground-contacting surface;at least one of a continuous sidewall and a top surface bonding the ground-contacting member to the portion of the bottom surface of the sole;an interior defined by the portion of the bottom surface of the sole, the sidewall and the top surface of the ground-contacting member and including at least one hollow portion;a perpendicular resistance to deformation relative to an axis perpendicular to the bottom surface of the sole; anda parallel resistance to deformation relative to a deformation surface parallel with the bottom surface of the sole where the parallel resistance to deformation allows the sole to move relative to a ground-contacting surface of the ground-contacting member of each element during foot fall, wherein a portion of the at least one element attached to a portion of a side of the sole.