Patent ID: 8813387

Claim:
An article of footwear, comprising: an upper having an ankle opening and a connection element located opposite the ankle opening, the connection element forming at least a portion of a bottom portion of the upper, and the connection element defining a first aperture located at a lateral heel area of the connection element and a second aperture located at a medial heel area of the connection element; and a sole structure that is securable to and separable from the upper, the sole structure having a foot-supporting element, a first projection extending from a lateral heel area of the foot-supporting element, and a second projection extending from a medial heel area of the foot-supporting element, the sole structure being insertable through the ankle opening such that the foot-supporting element is positioned adjacent an upper surface of the connection element and such that the first projection extends through the first aperture and the second projection extends through the second aperture to provide a ground-contacting surface, wherein at least a portion of the foot-supporting element and the first and second projections are formed of a polymer foam material, wherein the connection element forms a first portion of a locking system and the sole structure forms a second portion of the locking system, the first portion being engagable with the second portion to secure the sole structure to the upper, wherein the locking system is a mechanical locking system.