Spring boot

Claim 1

A footwear device comprising: (a) a boot having a resilient upper member rising above ankle height, a forward portion, rear portion, lower periphery elongated along an axis exending between said forward and rear portions, a sole associated with said lower periphery and forming a shoulder which protrudes outwardly from the boot, a heel associated with said lower periphery, and lacing means for securing said upper member upon the foot of the user, (b) a rigid monolithic anchoring base comprised of a plastic casting attached to said boot by way of engulfment of said shoulder and heel, and (c) a spring assembly comprising four identical coil springs having upper and lower extremities, at least two of the uppermost coils of said upper extremities being embedded within said plastic casting, said lower extremities being provided with non-skid footings having lower faces that lie in coplanar disposition, said springs being vertically positioned beneath said anchoring base as a forward pair and rear pair disposed in a substantially rectangular pattern with each pair centered upon a line perpendicularly oriented to the boot axis, said springs having a compressional deformation of less than about 15% during normal use and having a length between about 2 and 5 inches.