Patent ID: 7997011

Claim:
An article of footwear comprising, in combination: an upper; and a sole assembly secured to the upper and including a midsole positioned beneath the upper and a support assembly positioned beneath the midsole, the support assembly comprising: an upper plate having an upper surface in contact with a lower surface of the midsole, and a plurality of recesses formed in a lower surface of the upper plate; a lower plate spaced from the upper plate, having a peripheral edge and including a plurality of spring arms, each spring arm having a longitudinal axis curving initially outwardly and upwardly and then inwardly and upwardly, each spring arm extending from the peripheral edge to a lower surface of the upper plate, the spring arms defining a gap between the upper and lower plates within which the spring arms are free to deflect without interference; and a flange member formed at a top end of each spring arm, each flange member being received in a corresponding recess in the upper plate.