Spring supported athletic shoe

Abstract

An orthopedic athletic shoe with an improved energy return apparatus is provided in that provides artificial or enhanced lift and foot support while engaging in a physical activity. An otherwise conventional shoe upper is separated from an otherwise conventional shoe sole. Both the upper and the sole are then affixed to an upper attachment plate and a lower attachment plate, respectively. The attachment plates are connected along their periphery by a bellows hinge. Between the attachment plates are a series of foot springs that provide a spring urging force. A plurality of smaller forefoot springs are located near the toe. A pair of laterally aligned medial forefoot springs are located next. Three arch springs are linearly aligned along the center of the plates, and a single, large heel spring is located at the rearmost portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An orthopedic athletic shoe comprising: 
 a shoe upper affixed at a lower end by an upper attachment plate;    a shoe sole separated from said shoe upper, said sole affixed at an upper end to a lower attachment plate    a bellows hinge connected along a periphery of said upper attachment plate and said lower attachment plate by a bellows hinge.    
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic athletic shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring urging means between said upper attachment plate and lower attachment plate.  
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic athletic shoe of  claim 2 , wherein said spring urging means comprises a series of foot springs that provide a spring urging force.  
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic athletic shoe of  claim 3 , wherein said foot springs includes a plurality of forefoot springs are located near the toe of the shoe.  
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic athletic shoe of  claim 3 , wherein said foot springs includes a pair of laterally aligned medial forefoot springs.  
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic athletic shoe of  claim 3 , wherein said foot springs includes three arch springs linearly aligned along the center of said plates.  
     
     
         7 . The orthopedic athletic shoe of  claim 3 , wherein said foot springs includes a single, large heel spring located at the rearmost portion of said attachment plates.  
     
     
         8 . The orthopedic athletic shoe of  claim 3 , wherein said foot springs comprise a coil type spring physically attached in firm mechanical connection at a lower spring base securely to said lower attachment plate.  
     
     
         9 . The orthopedic athletic shoe of  claim 8 , wherein a lower surface of said upper attachment plate further forms a plurality of spring retaining cups forming recessed within said lower surface and aligned with each said spring such that an upper spring crown of each said spring rests firmly and centeredly within said spring retaining cup.