Patent ID: 8166673

Claim:
A sole system for an article of footwear, comprising: an outsole layer for contacting the surface of the ground, the outsole layer having a predetermined thickness and including an opening extending vertically through the layer; an insole layer having a predetermined thickness and including an opening extending vertically through the layer; a midsole layer disposed between the outsole layer and the insole layer, the midsole layer having a predetermined thickness and including a bottom surface and a top surface, the midsole layer further including an opening that extends vertically through the midsole layer and which defines a cavity therein, the cavity opening having a first dimension at the bottom surface which substantially corresponds to the opening in the outsole layer and a second dimension at the top surface which substantially corresponds to the opening in the insole layer; and a bladder element having a top and a base, wherein a portion of the bladder element is secured within the midsole cavity such that the top extends into at least a portion of the opening in the insole layer and the base extends into at least a portion of the opening in the outsole layer, wherein the bladder element and the midsole cavity include corresponding shapes and dimensions.