Cushioning Heel Band for Footwear

(canceled)

The article of footwear of claim 4, wherein:

• the midsole comprises a midsole heel portion, the midsole heel portion having a midsole heel portion upper surface;
• the heel band contactsing the midsole heel portion upper surface.

The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the midsole comprises a midsection, the midsection having a midsection upper surface;

• wherein the midsole heel portion upper surface is lower than the midsection upper surface.

The article of footwear of claim 7, wherein:

• the cushion comprises resilient balls.

The article of footwear of claim 8, wherein the at least one cavity comprises a sole heel cavity, the sole heel cavity defined by the heel band, a midsole heel portion, and a front wall, the front wall being positioned at a juncture of the midsole heel portion and a midsection of the midsole.

The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the at least one cavity comprises a forefoot cavity.

The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the heel cavity is separated from the forefoot cavity by the midsection of the midsole.

The article of footwear of claim 14 wherein the cushioning material in the channel comprises resilient balls.

The article of footwear of claim 17 wherein the resilient balls are interconnected with adjacent respective resilient balls by spacing pins, the spacing pins creating gaps between adjacent respective resilient balls.

A heel band for footwear, the heel band comprising:

• a U-shaped configuration and a first surface, a second surface, a first end wall, a second end wall, and a perimeter wall, the second surface being opposite the first surface, the perimeter wall spanning between and joining the first and second surfaces to one another;
• the first surface, the second surface, the first end wall, the second end wall, and the perimeter wall defining a channel, the channel having a lateral channel opening that extends from the first end wall to the second end wall to permit a cushioning material to be inserted into the channel.

The heel band of claim 20, wherein the channel is adapted to retain the cushioning material.

The heel band of claim 20, wherein the heel band is at least partially transparent or translucent.

The heel band of claim 20, wherein the channel retains the cushioning material.

The heel band of claim 23, wherein the cushioning material comprises resilient balls.