Patent ID: 7624517

Claim:
An article of footwear comprising, in combination: an upper having a tongue opening; a sole assembly secured to the upper; and a saddle having: a first portion on a medial side of the upper having a lower edge secured to at least one of the upper and the sole assembly in a midfoot portion of the upper and sole assembly, and an upper edge wrapped over a medial edge of the tongue opening and secured to an interior surface of the upper; a second portion on a lateral side of the upper having a lower edge secured to at least one of the upper and the sole assembly in a midfoot portion of the upper and sole assembly, and an upper edge wrapped over a medial edge of the tongue opening and secured to an interior surface of the upper; and a heel strap having a first end connected to the first portion and a second end connected to the second portion, the heel strap extending about a heel portion of the upper, the saddle being free from the upper at all locations other than the lower and upper edges of the first and second portions.