Patent ID: 6966130

Claim:
A shoe comprising: a bottom; a major longitudinal axis; an upper; a sole including an outsole and a midsole, the sole being beneath at least a portion of the upper; a plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, an interior portion and peripheral portions, the plate extending under at least a substantial portion of the area occupied by the upper, at least one of the peripheral portions of the plate being proximate at least one of a medial side of the shoe a lateral side of the shoe and a rear of the shoe, the interior portion of the plate being positioned over a void and exposed to the void, at least a portion of the plate capable of being deflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe; at least one opening in the shoe, the opening being in air communication with the void to expose the interior portion of the plate from outside the shoe through the opening and the void; and at least one rib integral with at least a portion of the lower surface of the plate, at least a portion of the at least one rib being exposed to and visible from outside the shoe.