Abstract: A footwear or orthotic device, including a footwear or orthotic sole and an insert with an outer bladder having an uppermost surface curved concavely relative to an intended wearer's foot location in the device, as viewed upright and unloaded in a frontal plane. The outer bladder forms a component of the sole. An inner bladder includes a gas located inside and is substantially surrounded on at least the top, bottom and sides by the outer bladder. The outer bladder and inner bladder are separated by an internal sipe including a media. The sipe is formed by an inner surface of the outer bladder and an outer surface of the inner bladder. The surfaces forming the sipe oppose each other, are separate from each other and therefore can move relative to each other in a sliding motion; and the surfaces forming the sipe are proximate to each other.

Abstract: A midsole structure of a sole assembly for a shoe improves a ride feeling and stability of the midfoot portion of the sole assembly during running. The sole assembly 1? of the shoe includes an upper plate 3 formed of a hard elastic member disposed on an upper side of a midfoot region M, a lower midsole 15 formed of a soft elastic member disposed under the upper plate 3 at the midfoot region, wherein the lower midsole has a downwardly convexedly curved upper surface that forms a void S relative to the upper plate and contacts the upper plate at the front and rear ends of the midfoot portion, and an outsole. The outsole includes a midfoot outsole 6 with a ground contact surface arranged below the lower midsole at the midfoot region, a heel outsole 5 of a heel region H, and a forefoot outsole 7 of a forefoot region F, wherein these outsole members are all discrete and separate from one another in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A footwear or orthotic sole including an outer sole and a footwear or orthotic device that includes a bladder having an uppermost surface being curved concavely relative to an intended wearer's foot location and interconnected internal structure formed by a foamed plastic, a plastic composite and/or a blown rubber. The internal structures are substantially surrounded on at least the top, bottom and sides by the bladder. The bladder and internal structures are separated by an internal sipe. The internal sipe is formed by an inner surface of the bladder and an opposing surface of the internal structures; and the opposing surfaces forming the sipe can move relative to each other in a sliding motion. The bladder includes inside at least one media selected from a gas, a liquid, and a gel. The internal structures are proximate to both an upper inner surface and a lower inner surface of the bladder.

Abstract: An outsole, in which in the heel and ball regions several elements protrude downward with respect to a stop surface which surrounds the outsole on all sides. The elements can be deformed vertically and/or horizontally to all sides by the forces acting thereon during walking until they are aligned with the stop surface. At least two groups of elements are Provided. With respect to the elements of a first group a force that is at least 10 N higher is required than with respect to the elements of a second group in order to bring the elements into alignment with the stop surface by vertical deformation. With respect to the elements of the first group force that is at least 5 N lower is required than with respect to the elements of the second group in order to bring the elements into alignment with the stop surface by horizontal deformation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part which can restrain the inclination of the foot toward the medial side while absorbing the shock of landing on the lateral side of the foot. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to the present invention, includes: a support element M; deformation elements 3 disposed below the support element, the deformation elements deforming to be compressed vertically at landing; and outer sole elements 2 contacting a ground at landing, each outer sole element being joined to a bottom surface of the respective deformation element. Both the deformation elements 3 and the outer sole elements 2 are substantially separated in a medial-lateral direction in the rear foot part to be arranged at least three regions of the rear foot part. A quotient obtained by dividing an area of a bottom surface of the support element M by an area of bottom surfaces of the outer sole elements 2 is set at about 1.

Abstract: Shoes and/or shoe elements facilitate natural foot motion and/or reduce forces tending to fight natural foot motion. In at least some such structures, a wearer's heel is secured to the hindfoot region of a shoe (e.g., by a strap system) in a manner that permits heel/forefoot rotation and that allows the lower leg to remain straight. In other structures, a shoe can include a heel supporting component that is separate from a midsole component, and this heel supporting component can move toward the lateral side and/or medial side of the shoe along an interface between the heel supporting component and the midsole component. Other suitable shoe and shoe component structures also are described.

Abstract: A differential-stiffness impact-attenuation member includes at least one spring element. The spring element has dimensions in height, length and width directions. The height dimension extends from a top surface to a bottom surface. The length dimension extends from a front end to a back end. At least one of the top and bottom surfaces is adapted for mounting. The impact-attenuation member has a first stiffness characteristic in the height direction at the front end of the spring element and a second stiffness characteristic in the height direction at the back end of the spring element. The spring element may define a cavity. A tension element may engage the spring element and be located at least partially within the cavity. The impact-attenuation member may engage at least one of a foot-covering member, a foot-supporting member and a surface-contacting member associated with a foot-receiving device.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper and including a support assembly having an upper member and a lower member spaced from the upper member. A first layer is positioned beneath and in contact with the upper member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of first wave crests and first wave troughs. A second layer is positioned above the lower member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of second wave crests and second wave troughs.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided. The sole structure extends longitudinally from a back edge to a front edge of the article of footwear and transversely from a medial side to a lateral side of the article of footwear. The sole structure includes an outsole having a ground-contacting layer. A first rib projects upward from the ground-contacting layer. The rib has side walls and an end wall. A channel is defined by the side walls and end wall. The channel opens downward through the ground-contacting layer and has a depth extending above the ground-contacting layer. The rib may have a multi-stage vertical stiffness profile. The sole structure may include a midsole attached to the outsole. An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.

Abstract: Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an outsole having a bottom surface including a primary ground contacting surface. The bottom surface of the outsole includes a forefoot bulge and a heel bulge which provide the footwear with controlled instability for providing dynamic conditioning of the wearer's muscles during the gait cycle.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes an upper, an outsole, a pair of hinged plates, and a spring. The pair of hinged plates are attached between the outsole and the upper in a forefoot portion of the shoe, and the spring biases the plates apart, so that energy is stored and returned during a propulsion phase of a gait cycle in a human step. Foam may be disposed between the plates. A shroud may enclose an outer periphery of the plates. An adjustable torsion spring may be disposed in a hinge portion of the plates, and one or more wave springs may be disposed between the plates.

Abstract: A sole is provided in a single-moulding made of non-rigid but elastic material having one or more vertical elements folded over each other in such a manner that the horizontal extension thereof mechanically adapts the width of the sole to the different width of the assembly lasts of the upper of a shoe. This also allows adapting the width of the sole to the variation of the conformation of the feet generated by the daily swellings thereof leaving the normal .flexibility and comfort of the shoe unaltered. The user may stabilize -the width of the sole to the possible -deformation of the foot by injecting, from, outside into the widened internal cavity, a foamed two-component fluid material which, upon solidification within a few minutes, blocks any widened part of the sole to the conformation or to the deformation of the feet of the user.

Abstract: An ergonomic footwear at least includes an outsole having a top surface including a datum plane and at least one contacting portion such configured that a difference in elevation is formed between the contacting portion and the datum plane, wherein the contacting portion is located at a place to which a force is applied by a treading human foot sole of a wearer. Accordingly, such structure can prevent the wearer's sole from sliding with respect to the outsole, thereby facilitating stable treading of the wearer's sole and further enhancing the wearer's walking smoothness.

Abstract: A force-responsive, bladder filled with a flowable, non-gaseous material, and disposed mainly within a recess having an opening presented at a foot-engaging surface of a substantially-inclined, aesthetically-oriented shoe. A compliant, resilient lamina is typically disposed at the foot-engaging surface, overlying at least a portion the opening. In response to a force applied by a user's foot, the bladder deforms both downwardly away from relatively projecting and/or relatively unyielding, pressure-applying portions of the foot, and upward toward other portions of the foot, providing conformal support to the contour of user's foot and attenuating the effects of cumulative forces incurred by the foot.

Abstract: An insole includes an upper foot contacting substrate and a lower substrate, wherein openings are provided in both the upper foot contacting substrate and the lower substrate. These openings are at least partially kept in alignment with each other to receive a flexible, shock absorbing unit therein. The insole according to the invention provides a good absorbance and at the same time improves the air flow inside the insole. Therefore, the moisture around the wearer's foot can easily escape, thus keeping foot dry.

Abstract: An efficient system to heat the insole of a heated insole of a shoe in which the Intelligent Circuit (IC) for a flat lithium battery is located outside the shoe and the placement of the heater for the insole is between more efficient heat insulation and heat conducting members.

Abstract: A sole for dance footwear such as a dance sneaker includes an outsole having forefoot, arch and heel portions and which contains openings in the forefoot and arch portions. The bottom surface of the outsole further includes a plurality of laterally extending spaced grooves. The grooves and openings provide increased flexure of the outsole from heel to toe and from side to side about a longitudinal axis of the outsole. A shank between the openings in the arch portion of the outsole supports the foot during dance movements, maintains the integrity of the shoe, and improves the aesthetics and ergonomic movement of the footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear may incorporate a chamber with an outer barrier and a tether element. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that defines an interior cavity, and tether element may be located within the interior cavity and joined to opposite sides of the barrier. Upon pressurization of the chamber, the tether element may extend across the interior cavity and be placed in tension by the outward force of a pressurized fluid within the interior cavity. The tether element may have a variety of configurations. For example, the tether element may have a diagonal orientation, or different tether elements may have different lengths. A tether element may also have plates or tie pieces secured to opposite sides of the chamber, with one or more tethers extending between. Also, the tether element may include one of more sheets that extend across the interior cavity.

Abstract: Devices with one or more internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, to provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability. An internal sipe is formed by at least a portion of two opposing internal surfaces that can move relative to each other in a sliding sideways motion. Siped devices can be used in most existing products, including footwear; orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding and cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and other structural or support elements in mechanical, architectural, or other products.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void.

Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may include an upper barrier portion, a lower barrier portion, and a tensile member. An upper tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the upper barrier portion, and a lower tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the lower barrier portion. The upper barrier portion and the lower barrier portion may have first areas and second areas. The first areas may be indentations extending into the chamber, and the second areas may be protrusions extending outward from the chamber. At least a portion of the first areas may be unbonded with the upper barrier portion and the lower barrier portion. Accordingly, one or more properties of the chamber, such as a flexibility, stiffness, rigidity, tensile response, compressibility, or force attenuation property, may be altered.

Abstract: A shoe sole 3 of the present invention comprises a midsole 4 and an outsole 5, in which the outsole 5 includes a cushion member 10 formed beneath the midsole 4, in a shape of a series of zigzags, with a determined thickness and width. The cushion member may disperse the wearer's weight uniformly to the whole area of the shoe sole and may provide comfortable deformation of the shoe sole according to the wearer's walking behavior due to spaces defined in the cushion member. Since the cushion member gets opened and shrunk repeatedly while walking, the wearer can propel one's round walking, thereby that the shoe sole can reduce the fatigue of the wearer's feet and protect the wearer's joints like ankles and knees safely.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper that at least in part defines an interior chamber for receiving a foot; an insertable interior midsole component received within the interior chamber; and an exterior sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the exterior sole structure includes: (a) an exterior midsole component and (b) optionally an outsole component that extends under the forefoot region, wherein the insertable interior midsole component is formed from a foam material comprising a reaction product of about 10 to about 100 phr hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, 0 to about 40 phr modified hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, and 0 to about 90 phr alpha olefin copolymer, and at least one additive in an amount suitable to form the foam material; wherein the density of the foam material is less than 0.25 g/cm3.

Abstract: Foot-receiving devices, such as articles of footwear (e.g., athletic footwear, etc.), include a foot-covering member (such as an upper member) and a foot-supporting member (such as a sole member, optionally including insole, midsole, and/or outsole portions) engaged with the foot-covering member. The foot-supporting member may include or define a cavity or void in the heel portion of the foot-receiving device. The foot-receiving device further may include a removable heel pad detachably engaged within the cavity or void.

Abstract: A shoe sole includes a mid sole, and a reinforcing member reinforcing a portion of the mid sole, wherein the member (2) extends over an area from a mid foot part (12) to a rear foot part (13), the member (2) including: a rod-shaped or strip-shaped main bar (21) provided along a line that is at the center of the foot; mid foot medial blades (22) and (23) and mid foot lateral blades (24 and 25) extending from the bar (21) in the part (12); a plurality of rear foot blades (26a and 26b) extending from the bar (21) in the part (13), wherein the blades (22 to 26b) are integral with the bar (21), the blades (22 to 25) are attached to a lower surface of the mid sole, and at least a portion of each of the blades (26a and 26b) is buried in the part (13).

Abstract: A foot trainer having a generally planar footbed. A heel recess is formed in the footbed. The heel recess is positioned proximate a proximal end of the footbed. A generally longitudinal groove is formed in the footbed. The longitudinal groove extends generally along at least a portion of a lateral edge of the footbed. A transverse arch extends from the footbed medially from the longitudinal groove. The transverse arch is positioned to be disposed proximally relative to a ball of a user's foot.

Abstract: An improved welt construction for use in a welted shoe is disclosed, in which the construction contains a number of components, including: (1) an anti-fatigue layer with tapered recesses for providing cushioning; (2) a rigid shock diffusion welt-frame back part; (3) a flexible forepart welt-frame; (4) a torsional shank; and (5) a flexible ply rib, which may surround a periphery of the support system. Methods of: (1) constructing a shoe utilizing the aforementioned welt construction; and (2) manufacturing the aforementioned welt construction through the use of a mold(s) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A functional shoe pertains to a cushioning function and an air circulation function, which integrally performs the cushioning function and the air circulation function. The functional shoe includes: an insole (110) and a midsole (120) having a tunnel portion (122). The tunnel portion (122) has a lower surface (122a) and an upper surface (122b) having a predetermined angle (?) with the lower surface (122a); an outsole (130) having an anti-slip tread (132); a foldable resilient member (140) having a support portion (142) for supporting the lower surface (122a) of the tunnel portion (122), and a rotating portion (144). The rotating portion (144) is resiliently folded by the load being applied thereto; a sealing member (150); and an air channel (160) having one end communicated to the closed tunnel (122) and the other end located at the front end of the insole (110).

Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear. The cushioning member is a flexible bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber. The bladder is disposed above the sole and beneath the wearer's foot to provided added cushioning to the wearer. The bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure and can be formed by thermoforming or by welding two sheets of resilient, flexible material together. A connecting passage fluidly connects the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber. The connecting passage is narrow to control the flow of air between the two chambers.

Abstract: Impact-attenuation members include: (a) an impact-attenuating member and (b) a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member. Another example impact-attenuation member includes a shear resistant member having a continuous wall that bulges outward on opposing sides when in an uncompressed base orientation. The shear resistant members may be structured and arranged to allow bending or compression against impact forces in one direction (e.g., when landing a step or a jump), but remain highly stable against shear or lateral forces in another direction (e.g., in a side-to-side direction). Such impact-attenuation members may be used in footwear products, including in athletic footwear.

Abstract: Impact-attenuation members include: (a) an impact-attenuating member and (b) a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member. Another example impact-attenuation member includes a shear resistant member having a continuous wall that bulges outward on opposing sides when in an uncompressed base orientation. The shear resistant members may be structured and arranged to allow bending or compression against impact forces in one direction (e.g., when landing a step or a jump), but remain highly stable against shear or lateral forces in another direction (e.g., in a side-to-side direction). Such impact-attenuation members may be used in footwear products, including in athletic footwear.

Abstract: Impact-attenuation members include: (a) an impact-attenuating member and (b) a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member. Another example impact-attenuation member includes a shear resistant member having a continuous wall that bulges outward on opposing sides when in an uncompressed base orientation. The shear resistant members may be structured and arranged to allow bending or compression against impact forces in one direction (e.g., when landing a step or a jump), but remain highly stable against shear or lateral forces in another direction (e.g., in a side-to-side direction). Such impact-attenuation members may be used in footwear products, including in athletic footwear.

Abstract: Impact-attenuation members include: (a) an impact-attenuating member and (b) a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member. Another example impact-attenuation member includes a shear resistant member having a continuous wall that bulges outward on opposing sides when in an uncompressed base orientation. The shear resistant members may be structured and arranged to allow bending or compression against impact forces in one direction (e.g., when landing a step or a jump), but remain highly stable against shear or lateral forces in another direction (e.g., in a side-to-side direction). Such impact-attenuation members may be used in footwear products, including in athletic footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an outsole having a bottom surface including a primary ground contacting surface. The bottom surface of the outsole includes a forefoot bulge and a heel bulge which provide the footwear with controlled instability for providing dynamic conditioning of the wearer's muscles during the gait cycle.

Abstract: A shoe sole of the present invention includes a first member 10 including a first deformable portion 11, and a second member 20 including a second deformable portion 21. In a non-worn state, a first lower surface 10d of the first deformable portion 11 and a second upper surface 20u of the second deformable portion 21 are substantially spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction. Under a first load, the first deformable portion 11 deflects downward, whereby the first lower surface 10d can approach the second upper surface 20u until the first lower surface 10d contacts the second upper surface 20u. Under a second load, the deformable portions 11 and 21 both deflect downward with the engagement elements 12 and 22 of the deformable portions 11 and 21 engaging with each other.

Abstract: A sole construction for supporting at least a portion of a foot and for providing energy storage and return is provided. The sole construction includes a generally horizontal layer of stretchable material, at least one chamber positioned adjacent a first side of the layer and at least one actuator positioned adjacent a second side of the layer vertically aligned with a corresponding chamber. The sole when compressed causes the actuator to push against the layer and move the layer at least partially into the corresponding chamber.

Abstract: A first thin insole (2) having an arch insole (2a) configured with a recess (2b) in the metatarsal region (1b) is provided on the sole body (1) of a shoe, which extends from the heel region (1a) across the metatarsal region (1b) to the front ball/toe region (1c). A foam insert (3), which has a cutout (3a) corresponding to the size of the arch insole (2a), is disposed on the first insole (2), the insert extending from the heel region (1a) to the front ball/toe region (1c). A second insole (4) in the form of a support, which has a spherical segment-shaped or ellipsoid segment-shaped hollow body (4c), which protrudes in the metatarsal region (1b) from the bottom of the insole (4) and is adapted to the arch insole recess (2b), is provided on the foam insert (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe with a divided outsole having a piercing prevention means, and more specifically the object is to provide a shoe with a divided outsole, in which front and rear outsoles are detachably provided with a space in between, and which is adapted to be able to protect the sole of the foot of the wearer by providing a piercing prevention means that is soft, but at the same time averts piercing by sharp objects such as nails, on the inside floor surface of the shoe with the divided outsole, and which can exhibit outstanding cushioning while lightening the weight of the shoe by forming cushioning-material recesses in the front and rear outsoles stuck to the front and rear under-surface of the shoe upper and by then inserting cushioning materials, that are formed with air holes, in the cushioning-material recesses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with a cushioning system comprising a lower sole element and an upper sole element. The cushioning system further comprises at least one lever having at least two arms where an angle ? between the arms lies within the range 0°<?<180°. The first arm is connected to a deformation element and the second arm is connected to one of the two sole elements, wherein the lever is pivotably arranged at the other sole element.

Abstract: A midsole element is adapted for positioning on a medial or lateral side of a shoe. The midsole element, having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a compression element, which has at least two first strut members and at least two second strut members disposed between the top and bottom portions and supporting the top portion a distance away from the bottom portion. The at least two first strut members being separated by a first longitudinal distance in the longitudinal direction. The at least two second strut members being separated by a second longitudinal distance in the longitudinal direction and each of said first and second transversely disposed two strut members are oriented and adapted to preferentially deflect in the same direction in response to a force imparted on the midsole element.

Abstract: An article of footwear promotes complimentary movement and proprioceptive feedback of a user's foot (e.g., to help an infant learn to walk or an adult balance on an uneven surface) while wearing the article of footwear. The article of footwear includes an outsole having a forefoot region, a heel region, and a mid region substantially in between the forefoot and heel regions. The three regions are configured to provide complimentary movement with respect to the user's foot. The forefoot region of the outsole includes a base portion interconnecting ground contact pads configured to move relative to one another, each ground contact pad moving substantially independently of the other relative to the base portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a footwear upper and a sole assembly secured to the footwear upper. The sole assembly has a heelward portion and a toeward portion, and includes a deck assembly disposed substantially in the heelward portion of the sole assembly. The deck assembly includes an upper deck portion, a lower deck portion spaced from the upper deck portion, and right and left supports attached to respective right and left portions of the upper and lower deck portions substantially near respective right and left lateral edges of the upper and lower deck portions. The deck assembly defines a cavity between the upper and lower decks. The deck assembly directs translation of ground contact forces incurred by the heelward portion of the sole assembly at least partially laterally outwardly.

Abstract: A shoe sole structure includes a midsole body that extends from the heel region to the forefoot region of a shoe and an outsole that is attached to the midsole body. The outsole includes a plurality of protrusions arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, while extending at least partially between the lateral edge and the medial edge of the shoe. One or more of the half tube structures can include grooves and/or projections to enhance traction on a contact surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shoe having a detachable cushioning member, in which the cushioning member for relieving an impact is detachable from a lower surface of a heel. More particularly, in the shoe having a detachable cushioning member, the cushioning member is selectively mounted to a lower surface of a heel of the shoe, a structure of the heel for mounting the cushioning member is simple so that it is possible to easily manufacture the shoe, and only the cushioning member has the construction for cushioning so that it is possible to easily replace and repair the cushioning member.

Abstract: Various embodiments of this invention disclose a dynamically responsive shock attenuation system for apparel intended to protect boney areas of the body where skeletal structures are close to the surface and soft tissue layers are thin, that comprises two or more materials with different, narrowly prescribed physical properties which, when used together, produce a dynamic, continuous, and proportional response over a wide range of impact forces. In various embodiments of the invention, the two materials comprise a first material that exhibits generally Newtonian behavior to impact forces and a second material that exhibits generally non-Newtonian behavior to impact forces.

Abstract: A footwear sole assembly that includes a midsole, a strike pad disposed on the midsole in at least a heel region of the footwear sole assembly, and an outsole disposed on the strike pad. A heel top surface of the footwear sole assembly is elevated between about 4 mm and about 12 mm above a forefoot top surface of the footwear sole assembly.

Abstract: Impact attenuating/spring systems may include first and second body portions and at least one spring member at least partially included between the body portions. The spring member(s) may substantially enclose and/or be pivotally engaged with the body portion(s). The components of the impact attenuating and spring element may be arranged such that when a force is applied to the body portion(s), the spring member(s) will exert a counter force to urge the impact attenuating and spring element back toward its original orientation. The spring members may include one or more polymeric element that stretches under a tensile force. The impact attenuating and spring elements may be included in a piece of footwear or other device in a manner such that a user or a retailer (or others) can select an appropriate spring member (or portion thereof), e.g., depending on characteristics of the user or the intended use.

Abstract: A shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are located in a forefoot portion of the shoe between an upper and an outsole of the shoe, and one or more springs for biasing the first plate and the second plate apart from each other. A device for a shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are installable in a forefoot portion of the shoe, and an energy return member positioned between the first plate and the second plate. A method of using a shoe includes applying, with a foot, a force on at least one of two plates that is positioned in a forefoot portion of a shoe, so as to move the two plates together and increase a loading of a spring, and launching the foot due to the two plates being moved apart by the spring as the foot is being lifted.

Abstract: An elongated perimeter outlining a substantially planar foresole region, a substantially planar heel region, and an arch region recessed from the foresole and heel regions, each of the regions having medial and lateral sides; a heel pad attached to the heel region; a plurality of pockets formed in the foresole region, each pocket having a base and a rigid rim rising from the base above the plane of the foresole region; and a slide pad element in each pocket, having a bottom surface interchangeably secured to the base of the pocket and an outer slide surface, and a peripheral edge which closely conforms to the rim, wherein the conforming edge has a bottom edge portion substantially abutting the rim, and an upper edge portion that protrudes above the rim, whereby the rim is recessed relative to the slide surface.