Footwear

Abstract

An article of footwear including an upper having a bottom surface of predetermined length; an outsole positioned exteriorly of the upper; a midsole positioned between the outsole and said upper and being of about the predetermined length; a shank positioned between the midsole and the upper and having an upper surface and a bottom surface and being of about the predetermined length that extends from a heel region to a toe region; and first and second rollers incorporated into the bottom surface of the shank and extending is spaced, parallel relation to one another from the heel region towards the toe region.

1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a. an upper having a bottom surface of predetermined length;   b. an outsole positioned exteriorly of said upper;   c. a midsole positioned between said outsole and said upper and being of about said predetermined length;   d. a shank positioned between said midsole and said upper and having an upper surface and a bottom surface and being of about said predetermined length that extends from a heel region to a toe region; and   e. first and second rollers incorporated into said bottom surface of said shank and extending is spaced, parallel relation to one another from said heel region towards said toe region.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first roller and said second roller further comprises a maximum vertical thickness at about its midpoint. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein said midsole further comprises a sole portion with an upwardly facing surface, a first sidewall and a second sidewall, each of which extends upwardly from said upwardly facing surface of said sole portion, and wherein the combination of the sole portion, said first sidewall and said second sidewall are adapted to envelop at least a portion of said shank. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein said maximum vertical thickness is less than or equal to the vertical thickness of said sidewalls. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein said upwardly facing surface of said sole portion further comprises a first cavity and a second cavity, wherein said first cavity is adapted to at least partially envelop and contain said first roller and said second cavity is adapted to at least partially envelop and contain said second roller. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein said each of said sidewalls comprise a inset at about the middle thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 6 , wherein said insets are trapezoidal-shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 7 , wherein said insets further comprise inserts of a material more rigid than said sidewalls. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein said sole portion further comprises a bottom surface with a heel region, wherein said heel region of said bottom surface of said sole portion contains a recess formed therein. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 9 , wherein said recess contains a cushioned heal pad. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising a pliable pad positioned between said bottom surface of said upper and said upper surface of said shank and being of about said predetermined length. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein said pliable pad is composed of low density polyurethane. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said midsole is composed of a compression molded EVA.