A spring for a spring shoe, the spring including a conical disk, the conical disk having a flexible flange around the perimeter of the conical disk. A spring comprising a conical disk and a ring spring around the conical disk, the ring spring being movable up and down relative to the conical disk to adjust the spring force of the spring. A threaded engagement between the ring spring and the conical disk so that rotation of the conical disk moves the ring spring up or down relative to the conical disk. A damper ring around the perimeter of the conical disk to resist the expansion of the circumference of the conical disk. An eccentric ring or cam to adjust the position of the apex of the conical disk relative to an insole by rotating the eccentric ring or cam. An asymmetric conical disk to adjust the position of the apex of the conical disk by rotating the conical disk. A damper for a spring shoe comprising a flexible container containing a material with little or no propensity to return to its original shape. A spring array for a spring shoe, the springs of the spring array having a reducing force resisting compression over at least a portion of the spring range of travel as the spring compresses, and there being a damper associated with the array to oppose compression of the array towards maximum compression.

An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole and a midsole. The outsole has upper and lower surfaces. The midsole has a midsole lower surface that contacts the upper surface of the outsole. The midsole has at least one cavity located in a heel or a forefoot portion, which cavity opens to a midsole upper surface. A cushion is located in the cavity. The cushion includes resilient balls located in a resilient matrix material. The balls have a first durometer and the matrix material has a second durometer that is different than the first durometer. The midsole has a lower cavity in the lower surface of the midsole, which lower cavity is aligned with an opening in the outsole. Balls are located in the lower cavity. A retainer keeps the balls in the lower cavity and provides a visual indication of the balls in the lower cavity.

An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole and a midsole. The outsole has upper and lower surfaces. The midsole has a midsole lower surface that contacts the upper surface of the outsole. The midsole has at least one cavity located in a heel or a forefoot portion, which cavity opens to a midsole upper surface. A cushion is located in the cavity. The cushion includes resilient balls located in a resilient matrix material. The balls have a first durometer and the matrix material has a second durometer that is different than the first durometer. The midsole has a lower cavity in the lower surface of the midsole, which lower cavity is aligned with an opening in the outsole. Balls are located in the lower cavity. A retainer keeps the balls in the lower cavity and provides a visual indication of the balls in the lower cavity.

A sole structure for an article of footwear may include a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid, the chamber having a first chamber barrier layer and a second chamber barrier layer bonded to the first chamber barrier layer about peripheral portions of the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer to define an interior void between the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer. The sole structure may also include a tensile member bonded to, and extending between, the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer. The sole structure may include a bond inhibiting material located between the tensile member and the first chamber barrier layer, the tensile member and the first chamber barrier layer being unbonded in an unbonded area in which the bond inhibiting material is disposed. The chamber may include an outwardly extending bulge in the unbonded area.

A sole structure for an article of footwear may include a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid, the chamber having a first chamber barrier layer and a second chamber barrier layer bonded to the first chamber barrier layer about peripheral portions of the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer to define an interior void between the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer. The sole structure may also include a tensile member bonded to, and extending between, the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer. The sole structure may include a bond inhibiting material located between the tensile member and the first chamber barrier layer, the tensile member and the first chamber barrier layer being unbonded in an unbonded area in which the bond inhibiting material is disposed. The chamber may include an outwardly extending bulge in the unbonded area.

A sole structure for an article of footwear may include a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid, the chamber having a first chamber barrier layer and a second chamber barrier layer bonded to the first chamber barrier layer about peripheral portions of the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer to define an interior void between the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer. The sole structure may also include a tensile member bonded to, and extending between, the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer. The sole structure may include a bond inhibiting material located between the tensile member and the first chamber barrier layer, the tensile member and the first chamber barrier layer being unbonded in an unbonded area in which the bond inhibiting material is disposed. The chamber may include an outwardly extending bulge in the unbonded area.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A shoe includes a first plate, a second plate, a third plate, filler material, springs, an insole, and a midsole. The first plate and the second plate are hingedly connected to each other. The filler material is located between the first plate and the second plate. The springs are located within openings in the filler material. The third plate is affixed to a top surface of the first plate. The insole is located above the third plate. The first plate is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, and the third plate is made of carbon fiber. Another shoe includes a midsole, a plate located above the midsole, springs located at least partially within openings in the midsole, and a spring holding unit located below the midsole for holding the springs. The spring holding unit includes spring holding members and branches connecting corresponding spring holding members.

A shoe includes a first plate, a second plate, a third plate, filler material, springs, an insole, and a midsole. The first plate and the second plate are hingedly connected to each other. The filler material is located between the first plate and the second plate. The springs are located within openings in the filler material. The third plate is affixed to a top surface of the first plate. The insole is located above the third plate. The first plate is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, and the third plate is made of carbon fiber. Another shoe includes a midsole, a plate located above the midsole, springs located at least partially within openings in the midsole, and a spring holding unit located below the midsole for holding the springs. The spring holding unit includes spring holding members and branches connecting corresponding spring holding members.