The present invention provides a method for manufacturing shoes having springs embedded therein, the method in which comfort and body weight distribution effect can be enhanced by means of the shock-absorbing force of resilient members being more effectively transmitted to the soles of a wearer.

A shock absorbing device having at least one canted spring disposed between two members is described. When the members move toward each other, the one or more canted coil springs are canted and compressed. The shock absorbing device takes advantage of the unique force-displacement curve of canted springs and reduces bounce back.

Orthotic and prosthetic devices having integrated features such as cushioning features are described, as well as methods for computer aided designing and making of these devices. The orthotic or prosthetic devices comprise a cushioning layer superimposed onto an orthotic or prosthetic shell, the cushioning layer comprising an array (35) of discrete solid and resilient cushioning elements (31). In one preferred embodiment, said cushioning structure is a beam, defined around a centerline of any arbitrary shape. In another preferred embodiment, said cushioning structure has the shape of a spiral.

Embodiments provide a support structure for an article of footwear, which may include upper and lower support elements, upper and lower members, a compression element disposed between the upper and lower members, and a torsion element. A vertical force applied to the upper support element compresses the compression element, rotationally displaces in a first direction the upper member relative to the lower member, rotationally displaces in the first direction a second portion of the torsion element relative to a first portion of the torsion element, deflects a torsion loading portion of the torsion element, and moves the upper member vertically toward the lower member. Upon release of the force, the torsion loading portion rotationally displaces in a second direction opposite to the first direction the second portion of the torsion element relative to the first portion. Embodiments of methods of manufacturing a support structure are also disclosed.

An article of footwear an upper and a sole structure that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed proximate the medial side of the footwear, and the second portion is disposed proximate the lateral side. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other. The article of footwear also includes a flexible biasing member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends across the first portion and the second portion. The first and second ends extend out from the outer surface of the footwear from either the medial or lateral side. The middle portion of the biasing member is configured to bias the first and second portions toward each other.

Disclosed is a spring-loaded boot. The invention consists of a rigid boot bound to a set of plates, with shock absorbers situated on each end of, and sandwiched between, the plates. The top plate provides the platform for binding a ski boot, and the bottom plate provides ground contact and traction. The device allows the user to bounce with pogo-like motion. The rigid shell of the boot provides the ample ankle support and protection needed for rugged terrain.

Disclosed is a spring-loaded boot. The invention consists of a rigid boot bound to a set of plates, with shock absorbers situated on each end of, and sandwiched between, the plates. The top plate provides the platform for binding a ski boot, and the bottom plate provides ground contact and traction. The device allows the user to bounce with pogo-like motion. The rigid shell of the boot provides the ample ankle support and protection needed for rugged terrain.

Proposed is a technology which relates to a device for posture correction and Kegel exercises and is employed in a pair of foot-protecting means provided on the left and right feet to enable posture correction and Kegel exercises during walking without significant expense of time and cost. The device includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and a spiral compression part provided between the upper plate and the lower plate, wherein the upper plate rotates relative to the lower plate during vertical compression of the spiral compression part, the spiral compression part is coupled to the foot-protecting means of each of the left and right sides, and rotation directions of the spiral compression parts of the left and right sides are opposite to each other.

A shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are located in a portion of the shoe between an upper and an outsole of the shoe, and a nest formed as a bag filled with one or more gasses located between the first plate and the second plate. The shoe may further include one or more springs located in cavities in the gas filled nest for biasing the first plate and the second plate apart from each other. Pods may be located within the openings in the center of the springs, and the pods may be filled with one or more gasses. The pods may protrude from a bottom or a top surface of the nest. Spring sandwiches including one or more springs positioned between plates may be constructed and placed in various portions of a shoe. The shoe may also include piping with lights.

An article of footwear an upper and a sole structure that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed proximate the medial side of the footwear, and the second portion is disposed proximate the lateral side. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other. The article of footwear also includes a flexible biasing member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends across the first portion and the second portion. The first and second ends extend out from the outer surface of the footwear from either the medial or lateral side. The middle portion of the biasing member is configured to bias the first and second portions toward each other.