Abstract: A footwear structure including an outsole and a separate midsole having interlocking shank portions. The outsole has an upward extending arc in the shank area which defines a shank interlock portion on the top surface of the outsole. The midsole has a corresponding arc which defines a shank interlock portion on a bottom surface thereof which mates with the arc in the outsole for resisting motion of the midsole relative to the outsole in the case where the midsole is unsecured within the structure to allow for removal of the midsole. A rigid shank insert may be provided between the midsole and outsole. The midsole further includes a plurality of cushioning pads on a bottom surface of the midsole which are separated by air channels. The air channels extend along the length of the midsole and intersect with a heel cavity. A plurality of thru holes are formed in the midsole to extend from the top surface thereof to the air channels in the bottom surface.

Abstract: A wedge outsole of generally triangular shaped configuration as viewed from a side thereof is integrated to an insole and shoe upper of a post-operative surgical shoe. The outsole has a flat top surface integrated to the bottom surface of the insole, with the outsole having a thickest portion of a wedge located under a part of the foot just in front of the heel, preferably centered, with the proximal portion of the arch of the user's foot. An integral, substantially thinner portion extends rearwardly from and underlying the heel of the foot from the thickest portion, thereby defining a rearwardly extending recess.

Abstract: A shank for providing stability and torsional control to a shoe comprises a generally rectangular body having a pair of legs extending non-symmetrically from a first end for providing flexibility at the ball of the shoe, and a semicircular tab formed from a second end for enhancing the rigidity and torsional stability. A crested ridge formed along the underside of the shank provides stiffness to the shank's body while the legs allow for flexibility in the shank to accommodate the slight angular bending, twisting or sideways rocking that occurs at the ball of the shoe. From a side view, the body of the shank is curved to look like a generally elongated S-shape which follows the inclined form of a shoe lasting board. A stabilizer protruding in relief from the top side of the shank is used to align the shank with the shoe lasting board prior to permanent affixation.

Abstract: An athletic shoe designed for kicker's kicking footballs from the ground having a toe portion that extends upwardly with respect to the horizontal plane formed by the heel and instep of the shoe. The toe has a kicking surface that is substantially flat and perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the heel and instep. Furthermore, the kicking surface is as wide as the widest part of the kicker's foot so that slight misalignment to the left or right of center of the kicker's foot with respect to the ball does not substantially affect kicking accuracy. A shank can be provided on the sole and substantially aligned with the kicking surface to prevent toe and ankle breakdown during kicking. Additionally, a last for forming the kicking shoe having the upwardly extending toe area and substantially flat kicking surface at the frontmost part of the toe area. The last also is as wide at the toe area as the widest part of the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe for use on a post-operative, traumatized, diabetic or insensitive foot includes a shock absorbing sole material, with an insole of shock absorbing foam that contours to and supports the sole of the foot, and being regulated in flexibility by a metatarsal shank that limits the amount of flexibility under the metatarsophalangeal joint to provide controlled support to that area. This sole is of a special rocker design that allows the wearer to roll through the gait cycle without placing undue pressure on the heel and forefoot. The upper material consists of an outer wall of breathable, nylon mesh material lined with a soft, conforming material, reinforced at the heel by a heel cup that provides lateral stability. The heel cup is lined from the top by a full-length heel collar that conforms to the Achilles Triangle of the user, providing padding to the achilles tendon and under the malleoli, while at the same time making it impossible for the heel to slip out of the shoe during ambulation.

Abstract: An article of footwear, such as a soccer boot (1) or training shoe has a sole (5) incorporating a stiffener (8;22,23) . The stiffener comprises a first portion (10;22) which stiffens the waist or shank of the sole and so resists transverse flexure, and a second portion (11;23) which both stiffens the fore-part of the sole and provides resilience to cause or assist in returning the fore-part of the sole to its original shape after it has been subjected, in use, to transverse flexure as the result of flexure of the wearer's foot at the ball of the foot. The stiffness of the second portion is less than the stiffness of the first portion. The stiffening (8) may be formed as a unitary body, with the forward end of the first portion integral with or united with the rear end of the second portion.

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 construction having an upper formed with a toe cap at one end and a heel receiving surface at the opposite end, a molded outsole and shank attached to the upper with a heel connecting the shank into the upper at the heel receiving surface, a single attachment means securing the connection, an aperture in the heel receiving surface and matching aperture in the shank so that a cushion carried internally of the upper is located in the matching apertures to be visible from the exterior of the upper at the heel as an identification of the shoe construction.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for maintaining the tuckboard of footwear in a particular shape. The apparatus includes a tuckboard member made from a sheet of deformable material such as a fiberboard. Retention members are attached to the opposite surfaces of the tuckboard at localized positions such as where the tuckboard has been or is to be deformed. One of the retention members is in compression and the other is in tension. Each of the retention members may be thermosetting or a thermoplastic composite material formed from fibers (preferably non-woven) impregnated and covered with a thermoplastic material. The fibers may be made from a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, glass and aramid. The thermoplastic material may be an acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate or ABS. The retention members help to maintain the tuckboard in a particular shape. The retention members may be initially attached to the tuckboard, and the retention members and the tuckwear may subsequently be deformed to the desired shape.

Abstract: A shoe which is provided with a permanently attached low heel can be converted to a high heel shoe by attaching the high heel bodily to the low heel. Additionally, there is an adjustable shank for retaining the shoe in a shape conforming to its high heel condition or in a shape conforming to its low heel condition.

Abstract: A shoe formed by an upper and a flat sole of a type having an air chamber made up of compartments, capable of being inflated by means of valves, the flat sole of which is provided with a raised perimetral edge. The sole receives the air chamber and is connected with a rigid countersole and upper by means of stitching, gluing or the like, there being also included in such flat sole a rigid layer. This combination provides a flexible cavity capable of allowing flat and parallel movement of the arch support of the shoe in relation to the outer sole.

Abstract: A pointe shoe is provided with a removable stiffening member 19 to enable inter alia the stiffeners of the shoe to be varied according to the characteristics of each chosen member 19, to replace the member 19 when the flexibility of the shoes becomes too great after normal use, and to extend the useful life of the remainder of the shoe.

Abstract: Footwear with an improved arch support including an exposed gripping surface through a window in the outer sole is presented. The arch support includes a heel flange and brace which stabilizes the support between the inner and outer soles and the serrated gripping surface provides the wearer with needed traction for activities such as climbing ladders, horseback riding or the like.

Abstract: The shank of a shoe bottom is stiffened by a stiffening member against bending in both directions about first and second axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shoe while permitting relative twisting movement of the front and rear sole portions.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprises an upper, a flexible metal midsole and an outsole. Between the flexible metal midsole and the outsole is located an internal arch-reinforcement member or "digging-plate".The "digging-plate" may be made of a rigid plastics material, suitably a fibre-reinforced plastics material.

Abstract: A sole insert for use in footwear includes a toe plate portion, a metatarsal portion and a heel portion all formed in an integral molded member. The heel portion includes a thickened block-type reinforcing frame merging smoothly into a similarly constructed-type metatarsal portion of reduced thickness which in turn merges into the flat toe portion. The toe portion includes laterally extending weakened portion such that the insert will resist to torsional twisting but will flex about a lateral axis located in the toe portion.

Abstract: A spring-type shank for a shoe sole is formed on the bottom of a shoe assembly during manufacture of the shoe. The heel end of the shank is formed so that it is raised slightly from the heel seat region of the insole to provide a "spring shank". The shank is formed directly on the bottom of the shoe insole from a strip of initially flexible, uncured thermosetting material which may be fiber reinforced. The spring portion at the heel end of the shank is formed by placing a wedge between the shoe insole and the heel end of the shank strip during the curing process thereby to cause the heel end of the shank strip to cure in a raised, inclined attitude, spaced from the bottom of the insole, while the more forward, remaining portions of the shank strip cure in secure attachment to the insole bottom.

Abstract: A spring-type shank for a shoe sole is formed on the bottom of a shoe assembly during manufacture of the shoe. The heel end of the shank is formed so that it is raised slightly from the heel seat region of the insole to provide a "spring shank". The shank is formed directly on the bottom of the shoe insole from a strip of initially flexible, uncured thermosetting material which may be fiber reinforced. The spring portion at the heel end of the shank is formed by placing a wedge between the shoe insole and the heel end of the shank strip during the curing process thereby to cause the heel end of the shank strip to cure in a raised, inclined attitude, spaced from the bottom of the insole, while the more forward, remaining portions of the shank strip cure in secure attachment to the insole bottom.

Abstract: A safety waterproof boot of molded plastics material is provided having an integral sole and upper, the upper including a toe portion and a metatarsal portion, a metallic plate provided in the sole portion and extending the width and length thereof and allowing for longitudinal flexing of the sole, a box-shaped rigid toe guard provided in the toe portion, a rigid arched metatarsal guard member extending laterally and having side portions connected to the sole plate, the trailing edge of the toe guard being spaced inwardly relative to the leading edge of the metatarsal guard and the molded plastics material extending between the metatarsal guard and the toe guard having a flexible hinge portion in the form of a reverse fold such that the trailing edge of the toe guard will pivot inwardly of the leading edge of the metatarsal guard when the toe portion of the boot is being pivoted relative to the boot.

Abstract: A shoe shank support suitable for being molded into a unit sole for a ladies high heel shoe provides increased stability and resistance to flexing and comprises a shank of metal strapping sufficiently long to extend from the heel area to approximately the beginning of the ball of the foot and a heel post which extends the height of the heel. The shank may be generally flattened and include a strengthening rib or it may be oval in shape. The heel post is attached to the heel area of the shank by being inserted through a hole and tightened in position by a reversed wing nut. The threaded end of the heel post extends the length of the heel and protrudes a small distance therefrom to provide a mounting for top lifts on the bottom of the heel. Additional holes may be provided in the shank for positioning the shank in a mold and preventing slippage of the shank during the molding process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection molded, raised heel, shoe sole structure of improved strength characteristics. The shoe sole consists of (i) a unitary shoe sole member comprising a raised heel, a foot supporting member and a shank portion connecting the heel and the foot supporting member; (ii) a toplift member positioned on the terminal portion of the raised heel of the sole member; and (iii) a free-standing metallic support member embedded within the full length of the heel and a portion of the shank portion of the sole member. The toplift member is attached to and supported by a free end of the metallic support member.

Abstract: A shoe insole that will allow plantar flexion of the wearer's foot in an upward direction but will inhibit such flexion in a downward direction past a normal horizontal condition. The insole includes a rigid first member that extends from a toe end to a rear edge situated midway between the heel and toe of the wearer's foot. A flexible second member overlies the first rigid member and is hinged thereto at a transverse edge located between the toe and rear edge of the first plate. The second plate will flex upwardly in response to plantar flexion of the wearer's foot but will engage the first rigid member and resist further downward movement as the foot flexes downwardly beyond a normal horizontal extended condition. The members are positioned within the shoe by a sole-shaped pad.

Abstract: A strip which will form a rigid shoe stiffener, such as a shoe shank, is applied to the surface of a shoe to be stiffened, such as to the bottom of the insole. The shank strip is flexible and includes a carrier sleeve containing a plurality of fiberglass strands in an externally activatable thermosetting plastic matrix. The sleeve is formed from a pair of sheets of material which are bonded to each other along their lateral, longitudinally extending margins to seal the strip as well as to provide a means by which the strip may be handled and maintained in place on the shoe bottom during activation of the strip. The margins are heat sealed in a doubled-over, folded configuration which insures that the margins will not curl over and will remain substantially flat, to facilitate handling of the strip.

Abstract: A strip which will form a rigid shoe shank is applied to the bottom of an insole. The shank strip is flexible and includes a carrier sleeve which contains a plurality of fiberglass strands in a thermosetting plastic matrix. After the shank strip is in place, the matrix is activated by exposing it to an external stimulus such as heat or radiation. Heat can be applied locally to the shank strip and curing takes place directly on the insole bottom. The thermosetting resin can polymerize with or without an exothermic reaction. Preferably, sufficient heat is developed from exothermic heat or from the energy source and directed to melt the carrier sleeve to fuse it with the resin and to effect to a bond to the insole for forming a unitary and rigid shank attached firmly to the insole bottom. The shank strip may be cut from a "rope" which may be wound onto a reel for storage and to facilitate continuous paying out of the rope to enable a shank length to be severed and applied to the insole bottom.

Abstract: A hole is drilled into the sole of a conventional shoe. The user's foot is then placed into the shoe and a curable plastic material is injected into the shoe. The hole is located directly below the metatarsal arch of the user's foot. The foot is removed after the plastic has set.