Patent ID: 8763278
Filing Date: 2014-07-01
Classification: A43B,A43D,A61B

Abstract:
1. A footwear assembly, comprising: a sole; at least one blade attached to the sole and extending away from the sole and extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the sole, the at least one blade having a plurality of substantially vertical slots; an upper; a cradle, a plurality of ties coupling the cradle with the upper, the cradle being generally shaped as a footbed and configured to receive a foot and to suspend the foot above the sole whereby the upper and the cradle are moveable as a unit relative to the sole; an energy return system coupled intermediate with the at least one blade and the cradle, the energy return system comprising at least one resilient, flexible member; wherein each of the plurality of ties passes through, and is arranged to move within, a corresponding one of the plurality of substantially vertical slots in the at least one blade to act upon the energy return system; and wherein the energy return system is configured to resiliently deform away from a rest position under pressure from the foot and to return to the rest position when the pressure is relieved so the upper and cradle can move with the user's foot independently from the sole.