Shoe with spinner element

Abstract

A shoe with an upper, a midsole, and an outsole is provided with a spinner element rotatably mounted to at least one of the upper and the midsole. The spinner element is mounted for free rotation and generally defines a plane of rotation substantially parallel to the shoe at a point of attachment of the spinner element to the shoe.

1 . A shoe comprising: 
 an upper;    a midsole coupled to said upper;    an outsole fastened to said midsole; and    a spinner element rotatably mounted to at least one of said upper and said midsole.    
     
     
         2 . The shoe defined in  claim 1  wherein said spinner element defines a plane of rotation substantially parallel to said one of said upper and said midsole at a point of attachment of said spinner element to said one of said upper and said midsole.  
     
     
         3 . The shoe defined in  claim 2  wherein said spinner element includes a hub and a plurality of arms or spokes radiating from said hub.  
     
     
         4 . The shoe defined in  claim 3  wherein said spinner element is rotatably mounted to said one of said upper and said midsole via said hub.  
     
     
         5 . The shoe defined in  claim 4  wherein said spinner element is rotatably mounted to said one of said upper and said midsole via a pin projecting from said one of said upper and said midsole, said pin traversing a hole in said hub.  
     
     
         6 . The shoe defined in  claim 5  wherein said spinner element has a cruciform shape.  
     
     
         7 . The shoe defined in  claim 6  wherein said arms or spokes each have a flattened or planar configuration.  
     
     
         8 . The shoe defined in  claim 4  wherein said spinner element is mounted to said midsole at a point below an ankle opening of said upper.  
     
     
         9 . The shoe defined in  claim 4  wherein said spinner element is mounted to said upper along a vertically oriented portion thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The shoe defined in  claim 1  wherein said spinner element includes a hub and a plurality of arms or spokes radiating from said hub.  
     
     
         11 . The shoe defined in  claim 10  wherein said spinner element is rotatably mounted to said one of said upper and said midsole via said hub.  
     
     
         12 . The shoe defined in  claim 11  wherein said spinner element is rotatably mounted to said one of said upper and said midsole via a pin projecting from said one of said upper and said midsole, said pin traversing a hole in said hub.  
     
     
         13 . The shoe defined in  claim 10  wherein said arms or spokes each have a flattened or planar configuration.  
     
     
         14 . The shoe defined in  claim 1  wherein said spinner element has a cruciform shape.  
     
     
         15 . The shoe defined in  claim 1  wherein said spinner element is mounted to said midsole at a point below an ankle opening of said upper.  
     
     
         16 . The shoe defined in  claim 1  wherein said spinner element is mounted to said upper along a vertically oriented portion thereof.