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Footwear heel spring device

  • US 10,568,385 B2
  • Filed: 10/25/2017
  • Issued: 02/25/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear, the device comprising:

  • a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment;

    a continuous base supporting the control bar and connected to both of the first side arm and the second side arm; and

    wherein the control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment of the control bar a first distance from the base, the control bar elastically deforms under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment of the control bar a second distance from the base less than the first distance, and the device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unstressed position upon removal of the applied force;

    wherein;

    the control bar has an extension that extends from the center segment of the control bar toward the base;

    the extension is spaced apart from the base when the control bar is in the unstressed position;

    the extension contacts the base when the control bar is in the loaded position, limiting further depression of the control bar;

    the base has a recess; and

    the extension protrudes into the recess when the control bar is in the loaded position.

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