Abstract: A sole (12) for an athletic shoe (10) includes a base member (42) having a main lower surface (22). A contact surface (26) extends downwardly from the base member (42) to below the main lower surface (22) in order to contact the ground or floor before the main lower surface (22) as the shoe (10) descends. The contact surface (26) includes a horizontally elongate, resiliently flexible spiroidal member (38). The spiroidal member (38) has a plurality of involutions (56). Each involution (56) has a plurality of longitudinal portions (52-54) and a plurality of transverse portions (48-50). Portions (48-54) have flat bottom surfaces (30) for frictionally gripping the ground or floor disposed opposite the portions' attachments (96) to base member (42). Portions (48-54) provide a braking, shock-absorbing and anti-slipping action in response to horizontal shear forces normal to them.

Abstract: An insole (10) for disposal in a shoe adjacent the sole of the foot includes a cushioning layer (12) having one surface thereof for disposal adjacent the sole of the foot and having a profile around the perimeter thereof which generally conforms to the contour of the sole of the foot to better disperse forces thereabout. The cushioning layer (12) includes a heel portion (14), a mid portion (16) and a toe portion (18). A plurality of arcuate ridges (20) are disposed on the surface of mid portion (16) and are integrally formed therewith. Ridges (20) are disposed in spaced apart relationship on the surface of mid portion (16) and extend across the entire width of insole (10) to form arcs of concentric circles having their radial centers in the middle of the heel portion (14). Each of ridges (20) is triangular in shape with its apex located adjacent the arch of the foot. Ridges (20) are thus operative to create a raised portion (26) on the upper surface of insole (10) adjacent the arch of the foot.

Abstract: An athletic shoe (10) comprises an outsole (12) and an upper (14) secured thereto and cooperating therewith to enclose the foot of the wearer. Upper (14) is of a one-piece full slip-on construction and is designed to overlay the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the foot and thus completely enclose the foot of the wearer. Outsole (12) comprises an upper layer (16) for being disposed adjacent the bottom surface of upper (14) and a lower layer (18) secured thereto for being disposed adjacent the ground. Upper layer (16) overlays lower layer (18) and includes side portions (20) which extend upwardly to overlap upper (14) and to be secured thereto. The upper surface of upper layer (16) includes a bridge (22) consisting of a plurality of diamond-shaped recesses extending laterally across the width of the shoe and rearwardly from a point proximate the instep of the foot to the heel of the foot.

Abstract: The specification discloses a shoe counter having a first leather counter portion (12) hingedly connected to a second leather counter portion (14) by a hinge (20). Hinge (20) is formed of synthetic plastic and is stitched to counter portions (12) and (14) in order to conform to the shape of the wearer's heel while providing support and flexibility.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes a sole portion (12) for disposal adjacent the sole of the foot, an upper (14) secured to sole portion (12) about the periphery thereof and cooperating with sole portion (12) to enclose the foot of the wearer and an inner support covering (16) for disposal about the ankle of the foot to provide support therefor. Upper (14) is adapted to overlay the dorsum of the foot and extends upwardly therefrom above the ankle of the foot to provide additional support therefor. Lacing means (36) are provided to adjustably secure upper (14) about the foot of the wearer and a strap (40) is provided to secure the ankle portion of upper (14) about the ankle of the wearer. Inner support covering (16) is attached to sole portion (12) adjacent the inside surface of upper (14) and extends from the lateral side of sole portion (12) to the medial side of sole portion (12) rearwardly around the ankle of the wearer to provide support therefor.

Abstract: A shoe insole includes a heel portion (12), a mid portion (14) and a toe portion (16). On the under surface of the shoe insole, a cylindrical disc (18) is formed in the center of the heel portion (12). Annular rings (20) and (22) are also formed in the heel portion (12) and concentrically disposed about the cylindrical disc (18). A plurality of arcuate ridges (24) are disposed on the mid portion (14) and constituting arcs of concentric circles radiating outward from said cylindrical disc (18). The cylindrical disc (18), the annular ridges (20) and (22) and the arcuate ridges (24) have essentially the same height and are formed of a highly resilient material such as polyurethane.