Abstract: A footwear heel stabilizing construction comprising an upper portion, a midsole fitted to said upper and having a heel cushion portion in said midsole, said heel cushion embraced in a frame in which the frame has a series of cushion retaining finger elements surrounding said cushion to retain said cushion in a configuration presented to the bottom of said footwear upper portion, and an outsole secured to said midsole to provide a walking surface for the footwear.

Abstract: A shoe in the side of its upper or along its outsole has a transparent diffusing element with a convex front face and a multitude of facets in its back face. A pocket opens out of the back face and contains a light emitting diode which is connected to a energizing module in the outsole of the shoe. The circuit contains a switch which is sensitive to impacts, and a battery, and when the switch is subjected to an impact of sufficient magnitude, the circuit impresses across the diode an electrical potential that is derived from the battery. The electrical potential illuminates the diode and the illumination spreads through the diffusing element, reflecting off the facets of its back face so that the diffusing element illuminates large areas on the shoe.

Abstract: A cushion insert to fit inside a shoe of Oxford or boot character to support the foot of a wearer and provide comfort, shock absorption, and stability of foot position in the shoe to retain the optimum position of the foot. The cushion insert is molded of a ethylene vinyl acetate material in which there is an upper surface having a less dense characteristic than a bottom surface.

Abstract: A method for generating a computerized three dimensional model of a shoe heel and converting that computerized shoe heel model into two dimensional flat patterns for cutting material that is useful to cover the breast and back surfaces of the heel. The method also lends itself to applying a table of values for entry into a computer to enable the creation of a family of heel sizes with minimum changes in the table of values.

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: Footwear construction having a comfort cradle device disposed in a midsole socket for support above the outsole contact with a walking or running surface and in which the cradle device is shaped to afford self centering and position stability for the wearer's foot. The cradle device is interlocked with the midsole through a system of fingers that move in response to the shift in applied load to return energy to the cradle.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for automatically applying heel covers to women's heels including a rotatable work table with jigs for holding the heels fixed around the periphery. Positioned outwardly from the periphery of the table are work stations with independently programmed operating machines which are responsive to the instructions as to heel size and style which are placed into the controller for the process. The controller operates motors and air valves which control the operation and positioning of an automatic top trimmer, a seat roller, a breast notcher, upper and lower nippers, a dowel and lift inserter and a dowel setting device. Each of these is preset depending on the style and size heel being worked on. Instructions as to new styles or types can be inserted into the controller while the machine is running.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a water massage midsole and a shock absorption system characterized by assembling the midsole with a sock lining in the upper for directing a fluid in the midsole to flow forwardly and reversely in the footwear to massage the foot during walking. The footwear includes a shock absorbing plug in the heel area for absorbing the shock on the foot each time the heel strikes the walking surface. Further, the outsole for the footwear is formed on opposite sides of the outsole with major break indentations for rendering the forepart of the outsole and its associated portion of the upper torsionally flexible relative to the heel portion. Finally, the invention includes a method of capturing water in the water massage midsole for the article of footwear.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for automatically applying heel covers to women's heels including a rotatable work table with jigs for holding the heels fixed around the periphery. Positioned outwardly from the periphery of the table are work stations with independently programmed operating machines which are responsive to the instructions as to heel size and style which are placed into the controller for the process. The controller operates motors and air valves which control the operation and positioning of an automatic top trimmer, a seat roller, a breast notcher, upper and lower nippers, a dowel and lift inserter and a dowel setting device. Each of these is preset depending on the style and size heel being worked on. Instructions as to new styles or types can be inserted into the controller while the machine is running.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with an A.C. induction motor drive for a sewing machine to supplant a clutch-brake mechanism by supplying an A.C. induction motor drive to supply power to the motor to control its operating speed and needle position. The control embodies a programmable controller responsive to information loaded into it to derive a profile of how the sewing machine is to operate to sew workpieces, and to generate a control signal which is supplied to the motor drive to operate the motor in accordance with the profile in association with a speed command encoder responsive to a manipulative operator control to produce speed signals to speed up or slow down. The encoder senses the position of the motor and provides a position signal representative of the needle and signals the controller in a closed-loop control system.