Patent ID: 8713819

Claim:
A sole structure, comprising: a bottom plate member having a top surface, a bottom surface, a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, wherein the forefoot region of the bottom plate member has a first protruding portion located above a cleat member, the first protruding portion being formed by a depression in the top surface and a corresponding protrusion formed in the bottom surface; and an intermediate plate member overlying the bottom plate member, the intermediate plate member being more rigid than the bottom plate member and having a top surface, a bottom surface, a forefoot region, a midfoot region, a heel region, and a second protruding portion extending from the bottom surface of the intermediate plate member, the second protruding portion having an apex; and wherein the second protruding portion in the bottom surface of the intermediate layer nests within the first protruding portion in the top surface of the bottom plate member such that the apex of the second protruding portion rests against a surface of the depression of the first protruding portion.