Patent ID: 8789296

Claim:
A sole structure, comprising: a sole base member; and a self-adjustinq stud, wherein the self-adjustinq stud is attached to the sole base member, and wherein the self-adjusting stud comprises a metal first portion having a first compressibility; and a second portion having a second compressibility that is greater than the first compressibility, wherein the second portion surrounds the first portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are substantially uncompressed when the self-adjusting stud comes into contact with a surface of a first hardness and the first portion is substantially uncompressed and the second portion is compressed when the self-adjusting stud comes into contact with a surface of a second hardness, and wherein the first hardness is less than the second hardness, and wherein the second portion includes a two plate structure comprising a first plate and a second plate that are spaced apart such that when a force is applied to the first plate, the space between the first plate and the second plate is decreased.