Patent ID: 8453349

Claim:
An article of footwear, comprising: an outsole base; an elastic member having a first end fixed relative to the outsole base and a second end projecting away from the outsole base, the elastic member forming a portion of a traction element positioned for ground penetration when the article is used by a wearer of the article; an actuating member located within the elastic member and positioned to transfer force from a foot of the wearer to the elastic member second end, the actuating member comprising a flange; and a stop collar fixed relative to the outsole base and having a rim, wherein the actuating member flange moves away from the stop collar rim in response to downward force on the actuating member that elongates the elastic member, and the stop collar rim is positioned to contact the actuating member flange and limit movement of the actuating member toward an interior region within an upper of the article when downward force on the actuating member is reduced.