Abstract: A process for reducing heat transfer within a spring in a spring cushioned shoe, said process comprises the steps of applying a residual compressive stress to said spring, for example by shot peening, and then mounting the spring between an inner sole and an outer sole of the shoe.

Abstract: A sole assembly for a shock resistant shoe includes a sole having a heel region and a ball region. A first cone spring, disposed within the sole, includes a large diameter terminal end and an opposing small diameter terminal end. The large diameter terminal end is disposed above the small diameter terminal end.

Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear comprises a midsole, a sole having a heel region, and a first wave spring disposed within a vacuity located within the heel region. The wave spring includes a top surface and a bottom surface. A plate, resting upon the top surface of the wave spring, is unsecured to the midsole and sized to permit movement within the vacuity along with the wave spring responsive to a rolling footstrike.

Abstract: A fluid flow system for a spring-cushioned shoe is disclosed. The sole of the shoe includes a vacuity, a spring disposed within the vacuity, and a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the vacuity. The fluid flow passageway allows fluid, such as air, to escape the vacuity when the volume of the vacuity is reduced during a foot strike.

Abstract: A spring cushioned shoe is disclosed. The shoe includes a sole assembly that has a first spring disposed within a vacuity in the heel portion of the assembly, and a second spring disposed within a vacuity in the ball portion of the assembly. The springs are, e.g., wave springs that extend vertically from the upper to the lower internal boundaries of the vacuities.

Abstract: A hair drying curler apparatus comprises a curler body and a curler clip, whereby the curler clip is adapted to snap in place over the curler body with a damp lock of the user's hair captured therebetween. The curler body is formed such that a material having a high-surface area extends about and is bonded to an outer surface of the curler body so as to allow an ample amount of hair drying expediting material to be evenly dispersed therethrough. The curler clip is configured in a similar manner as the curler body, whereby the inner surface of the clip is lined with a material having a high-surface area for hair drying expediting material to be embedded therethrough. Additionally, the curler clip is configured so as to clip a lock of hair on the curler body, and so as to expedite the drying of the damp hair between adjacent curlers. Therefore, when the present apparatus is applied to damp hair, the hair is dried and curled simultaneously.