Patent ID: 7841105

Claim:
An article of footwear formed by the following steps: forming a fluid-filled bag in a first mold and comprising: a plurality of first recesses on a first side thereof and having a bottom; a plurality of second recesses on a second side thereof and having a top; and a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, each aperture extending through the bottom of a first recess and a top of a second recess; inserting the fluid-filled bag into a second mold; pouring a cushioning material into the second mold to form a support assembly with cushioning material covering the bag and extending into the recesses and through the apertures of the fluid-filled bag to form pillars; removing the support assembly from the second mold; cutting away a portion of the cushioning material about a periphery of the support assembly; cutting away a portion of a periphery of the fluid-filled bag to expose the pillars formed therein; and securing the support assembly between an upper and an outsole to form an article of footwear.