US Patent 7882648 Footwear with laminated sole assembly

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly positioned beneath the upper. The sole assembly includes an outer layer having a plurality of recesses formed in an upper surface thereof, with each recess forming a corresponding projection on a lower surface of the outer layer. Each of a plurality of core members is received in one of the recesses. An inner layer is laminated to the outer layer, thereby capturing the core members between the outer and inner layers.