Abstract: A shoe having a preassembled spring assembly incorporated into the sole thereof is provided. The spring assembly includes a pair of plates having a plurality of apertures formed therein. The pair of plates define an upper plate and a lower plate in which the apertures formed in the upper and lower plates are axially aligned when the upper plate is disposed directly above the lower plate. A plurality of spring members are disposed between the upper and lower plates. The spring members are axially aligned with the plurality of apertures. A mechanism for retaining the spring members between the upper and lower plates is also provided. The mechanism for retaining is designed for retaining the upper and lower plates at a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A spring assembly particularly adapted for use in vehicular automatic transmissions comprising a pair of annular plates having a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced, parallel-oriented compression springs mounted therebetween. The annular plates are interconnected at circumferentially spaced points around their periphery so that the compression springs are held in a precompressed state. The interconnection means are designed so as to permit the overall axial length of the spring assembly to constrict as the springs are compressed. Two alternative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed: a first embodiment wherein the annular plates are made from stamped sheet metal and a second embodiment wherein the annular plates are made from injected molded plastic.