Patent ID: 8215037

Claim:
An article of footwear comprising: an outsole including an outsole groove that extends generally in a thickness direction through the outsole to separate the outsole into first and second outsole elements, the first and second outsole elements each including a respective upper surface; a midsole including a midsole groove that extends generally in a thickness direction through the midsole to separate the midsole into first and second midsole elements, the first and second midsole elements each including a respective bottom surface, the bottom surface of the first midsole element overlapping and directly secured to the upper surface of the first outsole element to define a first element assembly, the bottom surface of the second midsole element overlapping and directly secured to the upper surface of the second outsole element to define a second element assembly, the outsole groove and the midsole groove being substantially aligned and in communication with each other in the thickness direction of the outsole and the thickness direction of the midsole, and the first and second element assemblies interlocking with each other.