Patent ID: 6018889
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
Footwear comprising an upper and a cushioning sole attached to said upper, said sole having a ground engaging surface including a group of relatively soft compliant traction elements and a group of relatively hard lugs, stiffer in compression than said traction elements, adjacent said group of traction elements, said traction elements extending downwardly below said lugs such that, in use, a bottom surface of said traction elements will make initial ground contact and partially compress to cushion impact of ground engagement and increase ground contact, and such that a bottom surface of said lugs is brought into ground contact after said initial ground contact, wherein said lugs limit compression of said traction elements and serve as a relatively rigid catch for irregular and soft ground surfaces;said group of traction elements comprising a plurality of said traction elements, each said traction element being located adjacent a corresponding said lug; andeach traction element and corresponding adjacent lug being integrally formed, respectively, as first and second portions of a single lug, said first portion including a cushioning element covered with a relatively thin layer of wear resistant material, said second portion comprising a solid block of rubber outsole material.