Patent ID: 7533477

Claim:
An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure incorporating a support element comprising: a chamber formed of a polymer material and defining a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface, the chamber being devoid of internal connections that join the first surface and the second surface; and a first insert and a second insert, the first insert being secured to the first surface, and the second insert being secured to the second surface, wherein the chamber encloses a pressurized fluid that places an outward force upon the first surface to deform the first insert and decrease a curvature of the first insert, wherein the sole structure defines a void and the fluid-filled chamber, first insert and second insert are located within the void, wherein the support element extends between upper and lower surfaces of the void, and wherein the void is positioned in a heel region of the article of footwear, and the support element and three additional support elements are located within the void and extend between the upper and lower surfaces of the void.