Patent ID: 8424137

Claim:
A ribbed gel cushioning member comprising: a first ribbed gel cushioning element having a plurality of first elongated element ribs extending continuously and longitudinally in a first direction in an undeformed condition, the first direction oriented parallel to a major plane of the ribbed gel cushioning member, at least some of the first element ribs being capable of deforming under a load; and a second ribbed gel cushioning element disposed adjacent to the first ribbed gel cushioning element and having a plurality of second elongated element ribs extending continuously and longitudinally in a second direction in an undeformed condition, the second direction oriented parallel to a major plane of the ribbed gel cushioning member, the second direction oriented at an angle relative to the first direction other than parallel, at least some of the second element ribs being capable of deforming under a load, at least some of the first element ribs and at least some of the second element ribs comprising an elastomeric gel; wherein the first ribbed gel cushioning element and the second ribbed gel cushioning element are integrally formed with one another such that the first ribbed gel cushioning element and the second ribbed gel cushioning element comprise regions of a single unitary body, each elongated element rib of the plurality of first elongated element ribs integrally adjoining at least one elongated element rib of the plurality of second elongated element ribs over a generally planar area in a plane of intersection between the first ribbed gel cushioning element and the second ribbed gel cushioning element, the generally planar area defined by a width of each of the integrally adjoining elongated element ribs of the plurality of first elongated element ribs and the at least one elongated element rib of the plurality of second elongated element ribs.