Abstract: A shoe, particularly an athletic shoe, in which a multilayer assembly is disposed between the midsole and the insole of the shoe, with the multilayer assembly inhibiting the transfer of heat by virtue of a heat resistant layer or film disposed within the multilayer assembly. The multilayer assembly preferably includes a metalized Mylar (polyethylene terepthalate) film which is sandwiched between two layers of strobel material. This arrangement provides an effective and durable design which inhibits the transfer of heat from hot surfaces to the foot. In accordance with a further aspect, an advantageous ventilation system is provided in the insole, with the ventilation system particularly effective since it is shielded from heat utilizing the multilayer assembly.

Abstract: A shoe, particularly an athletic shoe, in which a multilayer assembly is disposed between the midsole and the insole of the shoe, with the multilayer assembly inhibiting the transfer of heat by virtue of a heat resistant layer or film disposed within the multilayer assembly. The multilayer assembly preferably includes a metalized Mylar (polyethylene terepthalate) film which is sandwiched between two layers of strobel material. This arrangement provides an effective and durable design which inhibits the transfer of heat from hot surfaces to the foot. In accordance with a further aspect, an advantageous ventilation system is provided in the insole, with the ventilation system particularly effective since it is shielded from heat utilizing the multilayer assembly.

Abstract: An improved cushioning assembly is provided in which separate, independent cushioning elements are loaded into a pocket of the sole assembly of the shoe. By providing separate and independent cushioning elements, greater variation of the performance of various regions of the shoe can be provided, by utilizing cushioning elements having variations in one or more of their size, shape, orientation, material properties, and amount of precompression. As a result, different regions of the shoe can be better tailored for a particular activity or a particular user. In addition, by providing separate independent cushioning elements, the cushioning elements can be more closely packed as compared with, for example, prior cushioning elements formed as contiguous sheets. With the enhanced ability to more closely pack the cushioning elements, the cushioning elements can better transfer forces laterally, to better absorb and dissipate the forces.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having a spring cushioned midsole assembly which is advantageous from a combined stability and impact absorption/energy dissipation standpoint. A preferred form of the invention includes a spring foam midsole unit having plural spaced projections in forefoot and heel regions, with an additional spring foam heel unit having projections facing the projections of the heel portion of the midsole unit. In addition, the central region of the midsole unit is substantially flat to provide sufficient support and stability, while also providing advantageous impact/force absorption and energy dissipation in the front and heel regions of the shoe. By providing spaced projections, in combination with a modulator or base portion having a substantial thickness, the projections can act independently with respect to one another and can interact with the modulator portion to provide an advantageous stable cushioning effect.

Abstract: A shoe having a support strap assembly which is advantageous in providing improved support and/or improved balance of the shoe, to assist in preventing ankle injury or in reducing the severity of an ankle injury. In a preferred form of the invention, an upper strap assembly extends adjacent a top region of the shoe, and side strap assemblies extend from the upper strap assembly and along each side of the shoe. With the arrangement, if the foot is tilted, the strap on the side of the foot opposite to the direction of tilting not only provides support to the wearer, but also can provide feedback to the wearer to inform the wearer of an improper foot position and thereby assist the wearer in returning the foot to a proper position. In a disclosed embodiment, the side strap assemblies extend in front of the ankle, and meet with a sole of the shoe in an arch region of the shoe, so that the support strap assemblies provides a stirrup-like balanced arrangement.

Abstract: A lace up shoe with shock absorbing and tensioning members which provides for a superior fit of the shoe to the wearer's foot and which provides for pronation and supination countering adjustability. The shock absorbing and tensioning member is affixed to the shoe at its lower region to the upper and/or the sole in the quarter area of the shoe at the medial and/or lateral sides of the shoe and has shoe lace engaging rings at its upper region. The user can selectively lace the shoe laces through some or all of these rings, on one or both the medial and/or lateral sides of the shoe, to put additional shock absorbency on one or both the medial and lateral sides of the shoe, to counteract pronation and supination.

Abstract: An external bag support frame for attachment to a bag with side walls and a bottom wall. The external bag support frame has perimeter walls for attachment to the bag's side walls by stitching, adhesive, or with detachable means such as hook and loop material. The frame provides the bag with additional rigidity and abrasion resistance. In one embodiment, webbing straps passable through slots in the perimeter walls provide bottom support for the bags bottom. In another embodiment, a bottom grid, unitary with the perimeter side walls, form the bottom support for the bag.

Abstract: The invention is a single hand operation shoe lacing system which has an elongate lace strap which is affixed at its front end to a lacing area of the shoe in the vicinity of the vamp. The lace strap is looped through a series of lace strap loops positioned in the lacing area of the shoe, alternately on the medial and lateral quarter panels of the shoe. The rear end of the lace strap adjustably carries a first engagement member with a second engagement member being positioned on the counter of the shoe. The first engagement member is adjustably positionable on the lace strap to adjust its working length. When the first engagement member is engaged with the second engagement member, the lace strap will draw the medial and lateral sides of the quarter together, and thereby fit the shoe to the wearer's foot, and when the first and second engagement members are disengaged, the medial and lateral quarter panels of the shoe can be separated, and thereby loosen the shoe on the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A quick adjusting shoe lacing system. The system has a cinch plate having eyelets which are spaced apart to about the same distance as eyelets formed in the lacing area of the shoe. The shoe laces are laced through the cinch plate eyelets along with the eyelets in the lacing area of the shoe. A strap, fixably attached at a lower end to the shoe and loopable at an upper end through a slot in the cinch plate is used to adjustably pull the cinch plate and the shoe laces looped through its eyelets downwardly and thus increase the shoe lace tension. Alternatively, a latching buckle linked to the cinch place via a wire loop can be used to affect changes in lace tension. These changes in lace tension can be affected even after the shoe laces are laced and tied up, offering the ability to make quick and fine adjustments to shoe laces.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a novel shoe tongue construction wherein the tongue is made as an integral extension of preferably the heel portion of the shoe. The tongue may also be an integral extension of the quarter. The tongue construction provides greater comfort to the wearer of the shoe than do conventionally mounted tongue constructions because the tongue is integrally formed with either the counter or the quarter of the shoe rather than being stitched only to the vamp. This construction is also more economical to make because cutting and stitching requirements are reduced.

Abstract: A slip resistant shoe lace and a method to make same. A slip resistant shoe lace is provided by weaving strands having a conventional frictional coefficient with at least one strand having a higher frictional coefficiency, where the high-friction strands do not extend beyond the outer perimeter of the lace. The high-friction strands can be made by impregnating conventional strands with friction-enhancing substances such as resin or rubber, by using a unitary strand made of material such as rubber or soft plastic, or by using strands with grooves or serrations formed on its outside surface.

Abstract: The invention is a lacing system for shoes employing a plurality of strips, wherein the lower ends of the strips are rigidly attached to the lower portion of the shoe and the upper portion of the strips have a lacing ring fixed thereto. The upper ends of the strips are slideably retained by loops on the upper of the shoe, and the middle portion of the strips are unattached to the quarter of the shoe. The strips transfer the lacing force evenly along the quarter to mold the quarter of shoe evenly to the wearer's feet.

Abstract: The invention is a lacing system for shoes employing a plurality of strips, wherein the lower ends of the strips are rigidly attached to the lower portion of the shoe and the upper portion of the strips have a lacing ring fixed thereto. The upper ends of the strips are slideably retained by loops on the upper of the shoe, and the middle portion of the strips are unattached to the quarter of the shoe. The strips transfer the lacing force evenly along the quarter to mold the quarter of shoe evenly to the wearer's feet.

Abstract: A unitary multilayer sole construction for an athletic shoe in which a stiffening board member is provided between the outsole and the mid-sole of the shoe. The stiffening board member is placed in the rear foot portion of the shoe and immediately adjacent the inner surface of the outsole.

Abstract: Shoes having outlying lace receivers. The receivers can be in cinch arrangement or allow the lace to freely pass. Shoes with such lace arrangements have a more snug fit. The lacing arrangement of the present invention is particularly suited for athletic shoes.