Patent ID: 6751891
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
An article of footwear which includes an upper, a mid-sole, and an out-sole, said footwear incorporating a shock absorption and energy return assembly comprising:a resiliently strong lower guide member, a resiliently strong upper guide member, a plurality of springs positioned between said lower guide member and upper guide member; wherein said guide members include a plurality of spring retainer cavities for providing a more substantial means of holding said springs, wherein said spring retainer cavities each further include resilient cylindrical polyurethane connecting members that are fixedly attached to the interior portions of the upper and lower guide members and serve to limit the separation between the said lower guide member and upper guide member, preventing disengagement of the springs from within the guide members while simultaneously providing a means of allowing the said springs to compress below their uncompressed height when a force is applied on the said assembly, and said assembly is positionable within the mid-sole of said article of footwear, whereas the mid-sole is fixedly attached to the upper, and the out-sole is fixedly attached to the bottom portion of the mid-sole and the lower guide member.