Spring moderator for articles of footwear

Claim 1

An article of footwear of the type described, comprising: an upper and at least a sole secured to said upper such that the wearer's foot is positioned within said upper and above said sole, cushioning material located between said sole and the wearer's foot, a high modulus moderator located between the wearer's foot and above said cushioning material, said moderator being a relatively thin, lightweight member of a material having a modulus of elasticity of at least about 250,000 psi, said moderator including a medial leg and a lateral leg and a heel portion interconnecting said two legs, said legs and heel portion being relatively flat, said moderator being positioned within said midsole and above said cushioning material such that when the wearer's foot is inserted into the footwear the medial and lateral legs overlie the cushioning material and are located on each side of the calcaneus while the rear portion of the moderator overlies the cushioning material and is located behind the calcaneus whereby a cushioning medium is provided below the calcaneus, said moderator being characterized further by the ability to deflect without permanent deformation in response to an applied load creating a deflecting stress and to return to its original shape upon removal of the applied load causing the deflecting stress, said medial and lateral legs including peripheral portions spaced from the location of the calcaneus and portions adjacent to the location of the calcaneus whereby in response to a load the portions of said moderator adjacent to the calcaneus deflect in one direction while the portions thereof spaced from the calcaneus deflect in another direction, and said moderator being operative to absorb, redistribute and store the energy of localized loads applied thereto through deflection and to return energy to the wearer at a rate equal to or greater than the rate at which the applied load is removed.