Abstract: A recreational activity and component pieces for that activity in which one or more participants toss a specially designed article that fits over at least the toe portion of their footwear, the toss using their lower extremities (leg and foot) in combination with upper body for balance and coordination. The activity can be adapted as a game in which the participants or players score points while sometimes negotiating obstacles or making goals depending on the game of choice. The game tests a player's kick toss agility.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly includes a first member that is coupled to the upper and a second member that is moveably coupled to the first member. The first member moves relative to the second member in response to a first input load directed along a first vector, and the first member engages the second member in response to a second input load directed along a second vector.

Abstract: An interchangeable shoe strap system that permits the user to customize the fit and aesthetics of her footwear. The shoe includes a sole member 22 with an upper surface 24 to support a wearer's foot and a lower surface 26 to contact a support surface. An elastic binding 28 is affixed to a sole member 22 with a series of knots 36 and mounting studs 30, thusly creating loops in the elastic binding 28. An equal number of loops, of a substantially equal size, are aligned transversely along the side edges of the forward region of the shoe sole member 22. The shoe is completed when the wearer laces a strap 34 through the elastic bindings 28.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing shoes includes step (1): removing oily and organic substance from bamboo; step (2): splitting the bamboo into plates; step (3): sanitizing the bamboo plates; step (4): dehydrating the bamboo plates; step (5): cooling the bamboo plates; step (6): cutting the bamboo plates into sections; step (7): softening fibers in the bamboo sections in step (6); step (8): gluing the bamboo sections in step (7); step (9): compressing the bamboo sections in step (8) by a pressing head to form a combination; step (10): heating the combination in step (9); step (11): cooling the combination in the step (10), and step (12): machining the combination in step (11) to be desired shapes.

Abstract: A working boot designed such that the bottom of the foot of a wearer will be completely shielded by a metal sole yet still be capable of full, free movement. The shoe sole structure hinges a forward sole section to a rear sole section such that the straight hinge line passes below the lowest points of the first and fifth metatarsal heads of the foot of a wearer. It was found that, in order for a completely flat sole to work, the horizontal length of the hinge must be equal to the vertical thickness of the sole sections.

Abstract: A shoe sole consists of an upper sole part (1) consisting of wood, and of a running sole (7) found underneath this. The upper sole part (1) is divided in the ball region so that several narrow strips (3) are formed running crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the sole, and the strips are joined together as well as with the front and back sole parts (4, 5) by flexible intermediate pieces (6). In one form of embodiment, a reinforcing layer (8) is rigidly joined on the surface, at least in the region of strips (3) on the under side of upper sole part (1). This reinforcing layer (8) appropriately consists of at least a layer of a wood veneer, which is glued onto the under side of upper sole part (1).

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 cushioned heel inset for an orthopedic, postoperative shoe. The shoe has a lightweight, rigid orthopedic sole with a skid proof outer sole and a cushioned inner sole, the heel of the rigid sole having a recess for inset of a cushioning pad which interfaces the inner sole.

Abstract: A sole for shoes is provided which provides a resilient, shock-absorbing and gradual impact of the foot with the ground. The insoles on the surface facing the foot, has a plurality of parallel, mobile blocks, supported by springs, preferably spiral springs, of different stiffness, preferably in the ratio 9-4-5 corresponding respectively to the heel, the plantar arch and the metatarsus areas, located within cavities made in the rigid or semi-rigid sole. The outsole, which is connected to the insole by glueing or molding and which faces the ground, is made of an elastomeric material and has three protrusions connected transversely and arranged the first beneath the joints, the second under the metatarsus and the third under the heel respectively. The insole group containing cavities, springs and blocks is kept in position by an annular welt fixed to the sole by screws. Any type of vamp, especially the open type suitable for sandals, may be used with the sole.

Abstract: According to the process of the invention one starts with a block of wood of approximately parallelepipedal shape from which, by means of operations of milling and turning, there are obtained opposed surfaces on which there are subsequently milled parallel channels extending through almost one-half of the thickness of the block. Into the channels there is introduced resilient rubber so as then to obtain a pair of perfectly symmetrical insoles, by making a longitudinal cut along the plane corresponding to one-half the thickness of the block. The insoles being made perfectly resilient by transverse layers of rubber which furthermore have anti-slip properties.

Abstract: A method of making a sole construction for a shoe is disclosed, the sole construction being of the type having at least two independently prefabricated wooden parts which are interconnected at an area beneath the ball of the foot of a wearer by at least one flexible polyurethane intermediate part. The method includes steps of placing the wooden parts in a mold, introducing a polyurethane foaming material into the remaining free space in the mold, allowing the polyurethane foaming material to foam with the mold closed to form the intermediate parts in interconnected relation with the wooden parts, removing the wooden and intermediate parts from the mold and thereafter working the side surfaces of the sole construction and the surfaces thereof facing the foot sole by grinding or milling.

Abstract: The sole for shoes comprises at least a substantially rigid rear portion and a flexible front portion connected with said rear portion approximately at the area of the ball of the foot. One of said both portions, preferably the rear portion, consists of a material having a cell structure, the cells of this portion being at least partially opened at the connecting surface with the other portion. This other portion, preferably the front portion, is formed of a synthetic plastics material being connected with said first portion by foaming thereto. Suitably the portion foamed onto the other portion consists of polyurethane.

Abstract: A sole construction for shoes is disclosed which includes at least two independently prefabricated wooden parts which are interconnected by at least one foamed polyurethane intermediate part. The interfacing surfaces between the wooden parts and the intermediate part are substantially free from sharp edges and the upper portions of the interfacing surfaces taper gradually arcuately upwardly and outwardly to the marginal areas thereof adjacent the surface supporting the sole of the wearer's foot, said marginal areas terminating in tangential relation with the latter surface without forming a step therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of footwear manufacture in which a footwear component for incorporation into an article of footwear is made. The footwear component is made by simultaneously forming from a piece of sheet material a rand extending at least part-way around an innersole, the rand and innersole being substantially coplanar whereby the rand forms a substantially lateral extension of the innersole. The rand may be integral with, separable from or separated from the innersole. The sheet material may be a single layer or may be multi-layered. A footwear article incorporating the the component of the invention is also contemplated.

Abstract: This invention is an orthopedic shoe particularly characterized by special configuration, both on the portion of the shoe which is in contact with the foot and the portion which is in contact with the surface to be walked upon. It is particularly characterized by special openings with various types of removable closures to the openings to accommodate unusual problems and by removable build-up layers for foot contact. It is further characterized by rigidity and a "rocker" configuration with a fully adjustable and removable upper fastening member.

Abstract: A flexible shoe, preferably of the sport shoe variety, includes a resilient sole which incorporates one or two transverse hinge joints. The principal hinge joint extends across the ball of the foot and preferably passes under the first metatarso-phalangeal joint. An optional second hinge joint extends across the anterior heel region of the foot. Both hinge joints function to keep the effective sole levers short and thereby permit the foot to function in a natural and comfortable manner. The shank of the sole may be longitudinally stiffened for additional stability.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a shoe having a bottom of wood or other rigid material, the bottom being divided by means of a transverse section in the region between the sole and the shank of the shoe. The partition section makes an acute angle with the plane of the sole, and a slot is provided in each section surface for accommodating a hinge of flexible material. The edge of the shank is beveled adjacent to the partition section approximately at right angles thereto, a material piece being secured in the thus-formed V-shaped groove by gluing.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction and method of making same comprising forward and rearward sole parts of wood having a flexible intermediate part of foamed polyurethane connecting said wood parts. Said polyurethane intermediate part is located adjacent the ball of the wearer's foot and has a laterally extending insert embedded therein, the ends of which are adapted to receive fastening means for securing the shoe upper at that location. During manufacture of the sole, the wooden parts are placed in a mold and then the polyurethane is introduced so as to form the intermediate part which upon curing, chemically bonds to the wooden parts.

Abstract: A shoe adapted for facile interchangeability into a multiplicity of styles comprising an outsole having a heel portion, with there being an intervening zone of flexure therebetween. Forward and rearward inner soles are provided on said outsole and with their adjacent end portions in overlapping relationship for relative slidability during foot movement. A retaining strap extending lengthwise of the shoe serves to optionally maintain a rear upper in operative position as well as to promote integration of the shoe components in selected mode of wear. A readily widthwise adjustable front upper or vamp is detachably mounted upon the forward portion of said outsole and replaceable by a thong detachable to the forward portion of the sole.

Abstract: A shoe having a wooden base is manufactured by providing a wooden member having a shape corresponding to the desired shape of the insole and sole of the finished shoe. The wooden member is divided along a line substantially parallel to the foot supporting surface of the shoe, thus forming a wooden strip or insole in which a series of openings and recesses are made parallel and adjacent to the edges thereof. The recesses extend in opposite directions toward each other and receive small lateral flap-like extensions provided in the front and heel upper portions of the shoe. The lateral flaps are passed through the openings and introduced into the recesses.

Abstract: A composite mid-sole especially adapted for incorporation into platform shoes and consisting of a rigid heel and shank part interconnected with a flexible forepart. The mid-sole parts are composed of moldable plastic material of differing densities, the composite mid-sole being a unit to be lasted to a shoe upper and a shoe outsole in a subsequent manufacturing operation. An improved fastening means conjoining the heel and shank part to the forepart of the mid-sole is disclosed.

Abstract: A sole construction for shoes is disclosed which includes at least two independently prefabricated wooden parts which are interconnected by at least one foamed polyurethane intermediate part. The interfacing surfaces between the wooden parts and the intermediate part are substantially free from sharp edges and the upper portions of the interfacing surfaces taper gradually arcuately upwardly and outwardly to the marginal areas thereof adjacent the surface supporting the sole of the wearer's foot, said marginal areas terminating in tangential relation with the latter surface without forming a step therewith.