FOOTWEAR INCLUDING HEEL SPRING SUPPORT MEMBERS

摘要

A shoe includes spring type support members, optionally for at least a heel area of a foot. The support member includes a primary biasing element in the form of a V-shaped spring assembly and a secondary biasing element provided at least partially within a volume defined by the primary biasing element (e.g., between its base member and its flexing member, beneath the flexing member, etc.). When the primary biasing element compresses beyond a predetermined extent, it will compress the secondary biasing element. This construction allows the degree of ground reaction force attenuation and energy absorption properties of a shoe to be dually controlled to meet the specific demands of the activity for which the footwear is intended to be used.

主权项

1. An article of footwear, comprising:
an upper; and a sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the sole structure includes a support member for at least a heel area of the sole structure, wherein the support member includes:
a primary biasing element including a V-shaped spring assembly having a base member and a flexing member; anda secondary biasing element located at least partially beneath the flexing member of the primary biasing element, wherein when the flexing member moves toward the base member beyond a predetermined extent, the flexing member engages and bends the secondary biasing element.