Abstract: An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper, a sole secured to the upper and including a stabilizing member extending outwardly from the upper, where the stabilizing member includes a groove that separates the stabilizing member into a medial balancing member and a lateral balancing member, and the medial balancing member and the lateral balancing member move independently of each other to provide balance and stability on different terrains, and a support plate is positioned between the upper and the sole.

Abstract: A rearfoot post comprises a stop segment and an elastic segment operatively coupled along an axis of rotation. The stop segment is fabricated from a firm or rigid material. The elastic segment compresses and expands in response to foot motion. The elastic segment can include an elastomer or a spring. In some embodiments, the stop segment and the elastic segment are operatively coupled by a hinge, and the axis of rotation coincides with the axis of the hinge. Depending on service applications, a plate can be attached to the bottom of the stop segment and to the bottom of the elastic segment. Embodiments of the rearfoot post also include a heel cup. A heel cup with a flat bottom is advantageous for controlling stability of the foot and reducing shock on the heel.

Abstract: An article of footwear having an upper and an outer bottom assembly, the outer bottom assembly having an outsole and, in the heel zone, an elastically deformable element that extends downward from the lower end of the upper to the medial, lateral edges, respectively, of the outsole.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction includes a sole member formed from a synthetic plastic material having a first durometer value of hardness and including toe, ball, arch, and heel portions. Relatively rigid toe and heel plates are secured to bottom surface of the sole member on opposite sides of a relatively soft flex bar member that extends transversely across the ball portion of the sole member. A plurality of toe cushion members are mounted for independent movement within openings contained in the toe plate, and a stabilizing arch cushion member is mounted in the recess defined in the heel plate. These cushion members have an intermediate durometer value that, during use, permits compression of these cushion members in a footprint pattern.

Abstract: A support structure for footwear includes a longitudinally extending member to which a plurality of laterally extending supports members are secured at spaced apart locations along a length of the longitudinal member. The support structure may extend along the entire length of a footwear or may be specifically designed for the forefoot, midfoot, or hindfoot areas of a footwear. The support structure may be combined with plate-like structures or may include a plurality of longitudinally extending members. The lateral supports may extend in a generally horizontal plane or may extend in an upward or downward direction out of the horizontal plane. Furthermore, the longitudinal and lateral members may be made of different materials, or each may be made of a plurality of different materials to provide the desired characteristics of the support structure at a given location in the footwear. Different portions of the longitudinal member may be more or less flexible than the lateral supports.

Abstract: An article of footwear having an upper and an outer bottom assembly, the outer bottom assembly having an outsole and, in the heel zone, an elastically deformable element that is substantially arch-shaped in the transverse direction and extends downward from the lower end of the upper to the medial, lateral edges, respectively, of the outsole.

Abstract: A mid-sole comprises a sole body of resilient foam material and a horseshoe-shaped rigid synthetic resin plate placed on the upper surface of the heel section of the sole body along the periphery thereof. At least one leg extends downwardly from the underside of the plate adjacent the inside portion of the heel section over its thickness to prevent the inner portion from inclining inwardly when a load is imposed on the inner portion of the heel section.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fastener suitable for use in attaching a plastic heel to a shoe. The fastener comprises a generally flat head portion and at least three shank portions extending from the head portion. Each shank portion has at least one aperture therein into which melted or softened plastic material of the heel can flow and upon solidification, lock the fastener to the heel.