Abstract: A golf shoe having an upper, a midsole, and an outsole is provided. A collapsible support element is positioned in a recess proximate to a wearer's first metatarsal bone. The collapsible support element has anisotropic mechanical properties and includes a series of longitudinal wave elements. The wave elements are stiffer in a longitudinal direction and more collapsible in a transverse direction. The wave elements resist collapsing when a golfer walks but have a propensity to collapse during the golfer's swing, which allows more efficient transfer of energy during the swing. The shoe further includes flexing channels in a forward portion as well as a flexing channel in the rear portion.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a shoe (10) including an upper (12), having lateral and medial sides, a midsole (14) joined to the upper (12), and an outsole (16) joined to the midsole (4). Shoe (10) is tightened around the wearer's foot using a lacing system (18) comprising a lace (20) and tightening mechanism (22). Lace (20) is threaded through shank (24) positioned under the arch and heel wrap (26) and attached at opposite ends to tightening mechanism (22). In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, lace (18) is tensioned to draw shank (24) upwards and towards the arch of the foot. In order to support the foot, shank (24) is comprised of a material having a strain rate lower than the upper (12).

Abstract: A shoe comprising an upper, a midsole, and an outsole, wherein a single collapsible support element is positioned in a recess proximate to a wearer's first metatarsal bone. The single collapsible support element has aniotropic mechanical proerties disposed in the recess, the support element being stiffer in a longitudinal direction and more collapsible in a transverse direction, and having a variable thickness in a transverse direction wherein an inner thickness is thicker than an outer thickness, The collapsible support element resists collapsing when a golfer walks but have a propensity to collapse during the golfer's swing, which allows more efficient transfer of energy during the swing. The shoe further comprises flexing channels in a forward portion as well as a flexing channel in the rear portion.

Abstract: The present invention is further directed towards a golf shoe having an outsole comprising of forward and rear base sections that are connected and molded together with an arch support shank. The base sections are relatively soft and made from thermoplastic polyurethane having a maximum Shore A hardness of between 75 to 85. The shank is also made of thermoplastic polyurethane having a minimum hardness of at least 95 Shore A hardness. Each base section has a plurality of openings, wherein a corresponding plurality of relatively hard pods are molded, each pod of a size and configuration to fit within a corresponding opening and extend at least 6.3 mm from the bottom surfaces of the base sections. The shoe provides flexibility both across the metatarsal area and longitudinally at approximately the metatarsal area thereby providing the golfer with improved traction and balance, especially when the golfer executes a golf shot.

Abstract: A shoe comprising an upper, a midsole, and an outsole, wherein a collapsible support element is positioned in a recess proximate to a wearer's first metatarsal bone, and the collapsible support element is stiffer in a longitudinal direction and is more collapsible in a transverse direction. The collapsible support element comprises a collapsible gel pad encased in a thermoplastic urethane, or a single collapsible element having a wave configuration, or a series of collapsible wave elements. Each embodiment of the collapsible support element resists collapsing when a golfer walks but have a propensity to collapse during the golfer's swing, which allows more efficient transfer of energy during the swing. The shoe further comprises flexing channels in a forward portion as well as a flexing channel in the rear portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a golf shoe outsole that is comprised of a generally soft, and flexible base having a plurality of raised portions on the lower surface of the base, a pair of flexing supports that are placed on the lower surface of the base in an abutting relationship with the raised portions, a pair of chassis that fit over and about the base and a two-piece arch support that acts as a shank for the arch section of the base. The base has a plurality of raised portions that are of a size shape, and number to correspond and mesh together with a plurality of cleat containing pods that are molded to both chassis. The two-piece arch support allows for the necessary rigidity in the arch area of the shoe which is vital for a good golf swing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a three-component releasable mounted cleat assembly for interlocking into a receptacle of a golf shoe. A locking component is biasly inserted into an open receptacle in the shoe and has a geometric construction of downwardly extending tongues causes a requirement for a greater torque remove the cleat than was necessary to install it. An outer component which is coupled to the locking component provides a plurality of rigid posts extending outward for firmly gripping turf. The posts have an exterior wall surface extending vertically from a base and are confined within the outer perimeter of the base. An inner component is secured within the outer component and has a plurality of resilient legs extending outward in a radial direction and originating from a central area of the component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a golf shoe outsole that is comprised of a generally soft, and flexible base having a plurality of raised portions on the lower surface of the base, a pair of flexing supports that are placed on the lower surface of the base in an abutting relationship with the raised portions, a pair of chassis that fit over and about the base and a two-piece arch support that acts as a shank for the arch section of the base. The base has a plurality of raised portions that are of a size shape, and number to correspond and mesh together with a plurality of cleat containing pods that are molded to both chassis. The two-piece arch support allows for the necessary rigidity in the arch area of the shoe which is vital for a good golf swing.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a shoe 10 including an upper 12, having lateral and medial sides, a midsole 14 joined to the upper 12, and an outsole 16 joined to the midsole 14. Shoe 10 is tightened around the wearer's foot using a lacing system 18 comprising a lace 20 and tightening mechanism 22. Lace 20 is threaded through shank 24 positioned under the arch and heel wrap 26 and attached at opposite ends to tightening mechanism 22. In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, lace 18 is tensioned to draw shank 24 upwards and towards the arch of the foot. In order to support the foot, shank 24 is comprised of a material having a strain rate lower than that of upper 12.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a shoe comprising an upper, a midsole, and an outsole, wherein a collapsible support element is positioned in a recess proximate to a wearer's first metatarsal bone, wherein said collapsible support element is stiffer in a longitudinal direction and is more collapsible in a transverse direction. More specifically, the collapsible support element comprises a collapsible gel pad encased in a thermoplastic urethane, or a single collapsible element having a wave configuration, or a series of collapsible wave elements. Each embodiment of the collapsible support element resists collapsing when a golfer walks but have a propensity to collapse during the golfer's swing, which allows more efficient transfer of energy during the swing. The shoe further comprises flexing channels in a forward portion as well as a flexing channel in the rear portion.

Abstract: The present invention is further directed towards a golf shoe having an outsole comprising of forward and rear base sections that are connected and molded together with an arch support shank. The base sections are relatively soft and made from thermoplastic polyurethane having a maximum Shore A hardness of between 75 to 85. The shank is also made of thermoplastic polyurethane having a minimum hardness of at least 95 Shore A hardness. Each base section has a plurality of openings, wherein a corresponding plurality of relatively hard pods are molded, each pod of a size and configuration to fit within a corresponding opening and extend at least 6.3 mm from the bottom surfaces of the base sections. The shoe provides flexibility both across the metatarsal area and longitudinally at approximately the metatarsal area thereby providing the golfer with improved traction and balance, especially when the golfer executes a golf shot.

Abstract: The present invention is further directed towards a golf shoe having an outsole comprising of forward and rear base sections that are connected and molded together with an arch support shank. The base sections are relatively soft and made from thermoplastic polyurethane having a maximum Shore A hardness of between 75 to 85. The shank is also made of thermoplastic polyurethane having a minimum hardness of at least 95 Shore A hardness. Each base section has a plurality of openings, wherein a corresponding plurality of relatively hard pods are molded, each pod of a size and configuration to fit within a corresponding opening and extend at least 6.3 mm from the bottom surfaces of the base sections. The shoe provides flexibility both across the metatarsal area and longitudinally at approximately the metatarsal area thereby providing the golfer with improved traction and balance, especially when the golfer executes a golf shot.