Article of footwear

Abstract

Embodiments of an article of footwear may include a semi-rigid base having a size and shape corresponding to a foot of a user and configured to be coupled to the foot of the user; and a first spring and a second spring coupled to the semi-rigid base, each of the first spring and the second spring including a top portion coupled to the semi-rigid base; a torsion spring; and a bottom portion configured to interface with the ground, wherein the torsion spring couples the top portion to the bottom portion, and wherein each of the first spring and second spring is coupled to the semi-rigid base such that the torsion spring is disposed proximate a center portion of the semi-rigid base and the top portion and bottom portion of each of the first spring and second spring extend towards a respective front portion and rear portion of the semi-rigid base.

1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a semi-rigid base having a size and shape corresponding to a foot of a user and configured to be coupled to the foot of the user; and   a first spring and a second spring coupled to the semi-rigid base, each of the first spring and the second spring comprising:
 a top portion coupled to the semi-rigid base; 
 a torsion spring; and 
 a bottom portion configured to interface with the ground, wherein the torsion spring couples the top portion to the bottom portion, and wherein each of the first spring and second spring is coupled to the semi-rigid base such that the torsion spring is disposed proximate a center portion of the semi-rigid base and the top portion and bottom portion of each of the first spring and second spring extend towards a respective front portion and rear portion of the semi-rigid base. 
   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first spring and second spring each comprise a wire frame. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a plurality of tabs coupled to a bottom surface of the semi-rigid base to couple the first spring and the second spring to the semi-rigid base, wherein each of the plurality of tabs comprise:
 an upper portion coupled to the bottom surface of the semi-rigid base; and 
 a ledge coupled to and extending away from the upper portion, the ledge having a semi-rigid base facing surface to interface with the top portion of the first or second spring to secure the top portion between the ledge and the bottom surface of the semi-rigid base. 
   
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-rigid base is configured to be coupled to a bottom of an upper portion, the upper portion configured to receive the foot of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the semi-rigid base is removably coupled to the upper portion via one or more adjustable straps coupled to the semi-rigid base. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion comprises a curved terminal end that curves toward the semi-rigid base. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first spring is coupled to the semi-rigid base such that a central axis perpendicular to the bottom portion of the first spring is substantially aligned with a central axis of a heel portion of the article of footwear and wherein the second spring is coupled to the semi-rigid base such that a central axis perpendicular to the bottom portion of the second spring is substantially aligned with a central axis of a metatarsal section of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         8 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a semi-rigid base having a size and shape corresponding to a foot of a user and configured to be coupled to a foot of a user; and   a substantially c-shaped first spring and a substantially c-shaped second spring coupled to the semi-rigid base, each having a top portion configured to be coupled to the semi-rigid base and a bottom portion configured to interface with a surface disposed beneath the bottom portion, wherein each of the substantially c-shaped first spring and the substantially c-shaped second spring is coupled to the semi-rigid base such that respective open ends of the first and second springs face away from each other.   
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the semi-rigid base is configured to be coupled to a bottom of an upper portion, the upper portion configured to receive the foot of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 9 , wherein the semi-rigid base is removably coupled to the upper portion via one or more adjustable straps coupled to the semi-rigid base. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the substantially c-shaped first spring is coupled to the semi-rigid base such that a central axis perpendicular to the bottom portion of the substantially c-shaped first spring is substantially aligned with a central axis of a heel portion of the article of footwear and wherein the substantially c-shaped second spring is coupled to the semi-rigid base such that a central axis perpendicular to the bottom portion of the substantially c-shaped second spring is substantially aligned with a central axis of a metatarsal section of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the semi-rigid base or the substantially c-shaped first spring and the substantially c-shaped second spring are fabricated from one of steel, polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate (PC), or a carbon fiber reinforced polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom portion comprises a curved terminal end that curves toward the semi-rigid base. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein at least two of the semi-rigid base, the substantially c-shaped first spring, or the substantially c-shaped second spring are fabricated from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the substantially c-shaped first spring or the substantially c-shaped second spring is movably coupled to the semi-rigid base to allow a position of the substantially c-shaped first spring or the substantially c-shaped second spring to be adjusted with respect to the semi-rigid base. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the substantially c-shaped first spring and the substantially c-shaped second spring are removably coupled to the semi-rigid base via a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
         17 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a semi-rigid base having a size and shape corresponding to a foot of a user and configured to be coupled to a foot of a user; and   a first spring and a second spring coupled to the semi-rigid base, wherein each of the first spring and the second spring has a linear shape, and wherein each of the first spring and the second spring comprises:
 a top portion configured to be coupled to the semi-rigid base; 
 a bottom portion configured to interface with the ground; and 
 a curved portion coupling the top portion to the bottom portion such that the bottom portion is spaced apart from the semi-rigid base, wherein each of the first spring and second spring is coupled to the semi-rigid base such that the top portion of each of the first spring and second spring are disposed toward a center portion of the semi-rigid base and the bottom portion of each of the first spring and second spring extend away from the center portion and toward a respective front portion and rear portion of the semi-rigid base. 
   
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the semi-rigid base is configured to be coupled to a bottom of an upper portion, the upper portion configured to receive the foot of the user. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the semi-rigid base is removably coupled to the upper portion via one or more adjustable straps coupled to the semi-rigid base. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the top portions of the first spring and the second spring are each removably coupled to the semi-rigid base by a plurality of fasteners.