Patent ID: 8327560

Claim:
An article of footwear comprising, in combination: an upper; a midsole secured to the upper; and a support plate assembly comprising: a support member having an upper portion extending along a portion of the upper, an exterior surface of the upper portion defining a first plane, and a lower portion extending along a portion of and in direct contact with the midsole, an exterior surface of the lower portion defining a second plane; a plate extending inwardly from the support member, the plate being positioned between the upper and the midsole; and a groove formed in an exterior surface of the support member, the groove extending inwardly from a surface of both the upper and lower portions of the support member, having a first sidewall defining a third plane and a second sidewall defining a fourth plane, and extending longitudinally along the exterior surface of the support member; wherein the third plane intersects with the first and fourth planes, and the fourth plane intersects with the second and third planes.