Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shoe, provided with a front region and a heel region. The method comprises the steps of stitching an upper to a piece of fabric in order to obtain an inner shoe which is closed at its lower portion, providing a rubber mid-sole having at least one inner cavity or seat and at least one outer cavity or seat, filling the at least one inner cavity with a lightweight filler, coupling said inner shoe with the mid-sole by a peripheral cover band, vulcanizing and placing one or more inserts in the at least one outer cavity or seat.

Abstract: An improved cushioning assembly is provided in which separate, independent cushioning elements are loaded into a pocket of the sole assembly of the shoe. By providing separate and independent cushioning elements, greater variation of the performance of various regions of the shoe can be provided, by utilizing cushioning elements having variations in one or more of their size, shape, orientation, material properties, and amount of precompression. As a result, different regions of the shoe can be better tailored for a particular activity or a particular user. In addition, by providing separate independent cushioning elements, the cushioning elements can be more closely packed as compared with, for example, prior cushioning elements formed as contiguous sheets. With the enhanced ability to more closely pack the cushioning elements, the cushioning elements can better transfer forces laterally, to better absorb and dissipate the forces.

Abstract: A highly flexible composite material having a flexible matrix containing a phase change thermal storage material. The composite material can be made to heat or cool the body or to act as a thermal buffer to protect the wearer from changing environmental conditions. The composite may also include an external thermal insulation layer and/or an internal thermal control layer to regulate the rate of heat exchange between the composite and the skin of the wearer. Other embodiments of the PCM composite also provide 1) a path for evaporation or direct absorption of perspiration from the skin of the wearer for improved comfort and thermal control, 2) heat conductive pathways within the material for thermal equalization, 3) surface treatments for improved absorption or rejection of heat by the material, and 4) means for quickly regenerating the thermal storage capacity for reuse of the material. Applications of the composite materials are also described which take advantage of the composite's thermal characteristics.

Abstract: A process which serves to seal and waterproof the outsole-side end area of a waterproof shoe shaft and/or to pad the outsole-side end of a shoe by putting a liquid, curable, filling material into the space between the insole and outsole is described. The outsole is provided with an input opening for putting in the filling material. The outsole is adhered to the shaft only in a circumferential area and in such a way that the outsole-side end area of the shaft remains unadhered. The liquid filling material is put in through the input opening, between the insole and the outsole, from where it flows into the outsole-side end area of the shaft due to its good flowability. The liquid material contains polyurethane precursor ingredients which react to form a foam polyurethane.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved golf shoe which incorporates a spike socket spine frame system that extends throughout the shoe sole for receiving all of the spike receptacles and is embedded in the outsole. The spine frame provides improved shoe performance and spike location and is made of a material that is stiffer than the outsole material. More particularly, the shoe sole is comprised of a spike socket spine having seventeen spike socket locations: three spike sockets in the toe section, six spike sockets in the metatarsal section, four spike sockets in the shank section and four spike sockets in the heel section, for receiving the posts of the golf spikes.

Abstract: An item of footwear such as a shoe comprises an outer sole which may include an intermediate mid sole, an upper having an insole with a cavity between the outer sole or mid sole. The cavity receives injected into it cushioning resilient foam material which may extend into a heal portion of or to the outer sole of a multi-layer sole and heel unit. In the method of manufacture and after the assembly of the shoe with the empty cavity, the resilient material is subsequently injected into the cavity e.g. through a small bore in the outer sole or elsewhere. Vent hole enable air to escape from the cavity to ensure full and intimate filling of the cavity with the foam material. The upper may be retained on a last during injection to maintain a desired profile of the insole. Quantity and/or pressure of the injected material may be varied for obtaining different degrees of cushioning.

Abstract: A method of making a shoe having a midsole, an upper, and an outsole. The method comprises providing a shoe midsole having a cavity in an underside thereof. The cavity is filled with a fluid which is curable to an elastomeric solid condition, and the fluid is allowed to cure to such solid condition. An outsole is secured to the underside of the midsole so that the outsole underlies the cavity, and an upper is secured to the midsole.

Abstract: A footwear outsole assembly including an outsole body, a pair of cleated windows, and a pair of cushioning inserts on top of the windows. The cleated windows form a portion of the outsole wear surface. Each insert is visible through the corresponding cleated window. The cleated windows extend below the outsole body so that impact forces are absorbed by the windows and inserts.

Abstract: A layered cushioning system for a shoe sole for women's pumps is characterized by a flexible polyurethane outsole containing a recess in the upper forepart thereof within which is molded a shock-absorbing foam insert. A rigid insole tuck having a steel shank and a contoured configuration is mounted on the outsole and extends from the heel to the arch. A shock-absorbing heel pad is connected with the upper surface of the tuck in the heel area. Mounted on the insole tuck is a socklining including a lower shock-absorbing foam layer and a urethane coated cover. A further shock absorbing foam insole is provided for the forepart area. The sole thus has superior cushioning, flexibility in the forepart region and stability in the rear.

Abstract: A shoe sole insert has foam-filled independently compressible regions that extend through a midsole and beyond an outsole bottom surface so a particular region, when it strikes a traversed surface, is compressed vertically and expands horizontally against the midsole. In one embodiment, five groups of such regions are beneath the metatarsal bones and proximal phalanges. In a second embodiment, two transversely extending regions are beneath forward and rearward portions of the metatarsals. The rearward transverse region has a ridge that is farther from the outsole bottom face than a ridge of the forward transverse region. In another aspect, an array of regions below the tarsal and calcaneus bones is arranged so a region at the very rear of the heel compresses vertically to a greater extent than a lateral side region in response to the same striking force, so pronation tends to be corrected.

Abstract: An insert member for use in an athletic shoe. The insert member is made of a material which includes a plurality of rows of alternating peaks and valleys.

Abstract: A sanitary slipper type shoe comprising a sole and an upper. The sole having a top layer, a bottom layer, and a medial layer sandwiched between the two. The top layer has a corrugated, wave like upper surface, and the bottom layer has a rough lower surface. The medial layer is filled with dry plant materials obtained from agricultural waste and held together by an adhesive, thoroughly mixed with the plant material. A paper partition is centrally disposed within the medial layer and adheres to the filler on either side thereof. The paper sheet from which the bottom layer is composed extends outwards and wraps over the outer periphery of the medial layer to meet a lateral extension of the top layer, also made of paper sheet, which is wound over the sheet from the bottom layer in a tight an intimate to form a continuous seam around the top periphery of the sole. The paper upper is glued on its two ends to the respective left and right sides of the sole, near the toe area to complete the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe construction is provided with means for inclusion or orthotic and/or planar adjustment members in a shoe, without adversely affecting thereby the fit of the shoe on the foot or the distance of the foot from the walking surface.

Abstract: An improved shoe sole structure, wherein the sole made of rubber comprises a plurality of crosswise parallel grooves in the upper face of the front half section and a large recess in the upper face of the rear half section, and the grooves are filled in and glued with wooden strips and the recess filled in and glued with a wooden board.

Abstract: A differentially responsive sole for shoes is disclosed which includes a conventional outer sole, an inner sole and an inner liner, the inner sole having a plurality of empty chambers located to support biomechanical weight bearing pressure prints for which a norm has been established. Measurements are made of the individual user at the points and the chambers filled with an elastomer of certain durometer and compressive strength to compensate for the weight load at each weight bearing pressure point.

Abstract: The shoe sole (12) includes an insole (18), an outsole (16) and a midsole (20). The outsole includes openings (28, 30) at the ball of the foot and the heel of the foot and the midsole, of EVA material, is provided with cavities (46, 48) receiving polyurethane inserts (50, 52) disposed concentrically with respect to associated outsole openings. The inserts are larger in diameter than the outside openings and include a domed central portion (58) projecting through said openings.

Abstract: An antistatic shoe including a sole having an insole and two soft antistatic projections corresponding to a medial plantar middle point and a medial calcanean point of the sole of an individual's foot. The projections are formed on the antistatic sole so as to be integrally therewith and project upwards through an insole. A charged static electricity accumulated on an individual's body and clothes is grounded to be effectively discharged through the two portions of the sole of the individual's foot. In addition, in the course of the foregoing grounding, the two portions are stimulated electrically by the electrostatic current to improve the circulation of the blood for promoting the health and development of the wearer.

Abstract: A shoe sole comprising an upper sole having a banana configuration and a lower sole, said upper sole containing a forward air pocket and a rearward air pocket, said forward air pocket communicating with the rearward air pocket by a hollow corrugated section, said hollow corrugated section functioning between an expanded and contracted state depending on the pressure applied to said air pockets.Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved version of footwear which enables one's body weight when combined with the footwear to provide additional power for walking or running.

Abstract: An improved construction of sole unit for running shoes features a longitudinally asymmetrical recess across the width of the heel area of the midsole and interchangeable inserts, differentiated by their durometer hardness, inserted to fill the recess, such that the shock absorption characteristics of the midsole can be suited to the user and the running surface and any tendency to over-pronation can be corrected, a larger anti-pronation insert being provided for insertion on the inner side of the heel and a smaller anti-supination insert being provided for insertion on the outer side of the heel and the two inserts being arranged to interlock with each other.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having a shock-absorbing running sole which has at least one intermediate support extending at least approximately in parallel with a major plane of the running sole. The intermediate openwork support is disposed in a softly elastic midsole provided between an insole and a running sole. For obtaining a targeted reduction of shock stresses occurring to a varying degree in the individual sole sections, plugs are inserted into the openwork support. The plugs are made of a material that is harder than that of the midsole and are disposed vertically with respect to the noted major plane thereof, at least in the sections that are highly or maximally stressed during the running and possibly also in the adjacent zones.

Abstract: An insole comprising a bladder which is filled with a water and air, and having a metatarsal and heel area for cushioning the foot of the user. Flow restrictions are located between the metatarsal and heel area of the bladder so as to restrict the flow of water and air from the metatarsal area to the heel area and vice versa. The flow restrictions are C-shaped seals in the bladder and provide a massaging action for the foot of the user.

Abstract: A cement construction shoe is provided having a soft, flexible insole and a cushioned outsole. In manufacturing the shoe, the insole is temporarily stiffened by a relatively firm member to which it is bonded by means of a wax. This enables the insole to withstand the normal lasting procedure. The outsole is provided with a cavity for receiving a cushion therein. The shoe upper is attached to the outsole such that the insole overlies the cushion. Once the shoe is completed, the wax bond between the insole and its stiffener may be heated to allow the separation and removal of the latter.

Abstract: The aim of the invention was to find a method of producing a sorptive body, to be used especially with objectives such as the elimination of odors and air freshening. In the invented process a granular or powdered solid component consisting of a sorptive material, e.g. active carbon, or a compound containing such a material, is mixed with a binding agent, by which it is generally fixed to a carrier substance. The essence of the invention is that at least part of the finely-ground solid component is mixed with a liquid sorbate; only then it is combined with the dissolved binding agent. In a subsequent operation heat is applied to the mixture, thereby expelling the sorbate. The heat causes pores and capillaries to form within the binding agent, thus enabling air to enter into the sorptive substances deposited in the binding agent and so effecting an increase in the active area of the surface of the body.

Abstract: A shoe construction characterized by flexible layers of inelastic material sandwiching a resilient mid-sole serves to provide stability to the length and width of the sole over a trailing portion thereof.

Abstract: An attractive, sleek, comfortable, light weight ladies shoe includes a hard molded, polyurethane unitary body forming an elevated heel, a shank and an outer sole. The body has a load bearing upwardly directed face and a flange extending upwardly approximately at right angles to the face from the periphery of the outer sole and shank to the exclusion of the heel. A resilient foam polyurethane soft cushion layer having a thickness of approximately one-quarter inch and an upper face as well as a bottom face bears against the load bearing face of the body. A sheet of material covers the upper face of the cushion layer and is secured to the upper face of the body underneath of the cushion. An upper is secured in place between the upwardly directed face of the body and the bottom face of the cushion layer.

Abstract: This invention covers a shoe sole composition compounded from polyvinyl chloride and organic cellulosic flock, and the shoe sole product produced therefrom.

Abstract: Outsole for a shoe including a first sole component molded of a relatively dense natural or synthetic rubber composition and having a cut-out shank region and a second sole component of a relatively less dense organic plastic material filling the cut-out shank region of the first sole component.

Abstract: This invention covers a shoe sole composition compounded from polyvinyl chloride and organic cellulosic flock, and the shoe sole product produced therefrom.