Abstract: This cheerleader shoe (10) includes an upper (12) and a sole (14) the sole having a front portion (16), a heel porition (18) and an intermediate instep area (20). The instep area (20) includes an outside portion (22) and inside portion (24) and a connecting bottom portion (26). The outside portion (22) of the instep area (20) and the shoe heel (18) finger-receiving grooves (20,32), facilitating the holding of the shoe by a helper during the performance of cheerleader routines. The instep bottom portion (26) and inside portion (24) are molded to form a concave face (34) having ribs (36) to facilitate the seating of the instep area (20) by the shoulder of the cheerleader helper.

Abstract: This split vamp athletic shoe (10) includes separated upper and lower vamp sections (18, 22) which are independently adjustable and provide the shoe with a hinge zone providing the shoe with flexibility. The shoe also includes an outsole (14) and a midsole (16), the outsole being unitarily formed to include upwardly extending instep support portions (36) which are attached to the upper vamp and extend substantially to the leading edge of the upper vamp to stiffen the shoe particularly in the instep area and provide stabilizing restraint against lateral motion and enhance the hinge action. The outsole also includes a second set of upwardly extending side support portions (38) which are spaced from said instep side support portions. In a second embodiment the midsole (116) includes unitarily formed side portions (166) recessed to receive the outsole side portions (136) and cooperating with said side portions to provide additional lateral stabilization and further enhancing the hinge action.

Abstract: This lacing assembly is for use with an article of footwear (10) and includes lower and upper vamp sections (26 and 30) connected by a single continuous lace (36). The lower vamp section (26) includes opposed vamp portions (28) having lace-receiving eyelets (42) including opposed upper end locking eyelets (44). The upper vamp section (30) includes opposed vamp portions (32) having lace receiving eyelets (46) including opposed lower end locking eyelets (48). The locking eyelets (44 and 48) include a locking member (50) having an eyelet opening (54) and a communicating slit (60) which receives the lace (36) in locked relation. The locking eyelets (44 and 48) permit the fit of the lower vamp section (26) to be adjusted selectively and independently of the upper vamp section (30).

Abstract: This lacing assembly is for use with an article of footwear and includes lower and upper vamp sections connected by a single continuous lace. The lower vamp section includes opposed vamp portions having lace-receiving eyelets including opposed upper end locking eyelets. The upper vamp section includes opposed vamp portions having lace receiving eyelets including opposed lower end locking eyelets. The locking eyelets include a locking member having an eyelet opening and a communicating slit which receives the lace in locked relation. The locking eyelets permit the fit of the lower vamp section to be adjusted selectively and independently of the upper vamp section.

Abstract: This split vamp athletic shoe (10) includes separated upper and lower vamp sections (18, 22) which are independently adjustable and provide the shoe with a hinge zone providing the shoe with flexibility. The shoe also includes an outsole (14) and a midsole (16), the outsole being unitarily formed to include upwardly extending instep support portions (36) which are attached to the upper vamp and extend substantially to the leading edge of the upper vamp to stiffen the shoe particularly in the instep area and provide stabilizing restraint against lateral motion and enhance the hinge action. The outsole also includes a second set of upwardly extending side support portions (38) which are spaced from said instep side support portions. In a second embodiment the midsole (116) includes unitarily formed side portions (166) recessed to receive the outsole side portions (136) and cooperating with said side portions to provide additional lateral stabilization and further enhancing the hinge action.

Abstract: This lacing assembly is for use with an article of footwear and includes lower and upper vamp sections connected by a single continuous lace. The lower vamp section includes opposed vamp portions having lace-receiving eyelets including opposed upper end locking eyelets. The upper vamp section includes opposed vamp portions having lace receiving eyelets including opposed lower end locking eyelets. The locking eyelets include a locking member having an eyelet opening and a communicating slit which receives the lace in locked relation. The locking eyelets permit the fit of the lower vamp section to be adjusted selectively and independently of the upper vamp section.

Abstract: The shoe sole (12) includes an insole (18), an outsole (16) and a midsole (20). The outsole includes openings (28, 30) at the ball of the foot and the heel of the foot and the midsole, of EVA material, is provided with cavities (46, 48) receiving polyurethane inserts (50, 52) disposed concentrically with respect to associated outsole openings. The inserts are larger in diameter than the outside openings and include a domed central portion (58) projecting through said openings.

Abstract: This identifying device is attached to a portion of an article such as a shoe and includes a retainer having a flanged base and raised peripheral walls defining at least one socket. Identifying elements having the same configuration as the sockets are removably snap-fitted into the sockets. The shoe portion includes attached upper and lower plies of material, the upper ply having openings receiving the peripheral walls and overlying the flanged base to hold the retainer in place.

Abstract: This vamp assembly includes a vamp providing upper and lower vamp sections interconnected by flexible fastener elements. The lower vamp section includes an inside vamp portion having connections for the fastener elements which are forwardly arranged relative to a corresponding connections provided on the outside vamp portion. The lower fastener elements are thereby arranged to apply diagonal tension forces to the opposed vamp portions when the fastener elements are tightened. The upper vamp section includes an inside vamp portion having connection for the fastener elements which are substantially conventionally arranged relative to a corresponding set of connections provided on the outside vamp portion so that the upper fastener elements are arranged to apply perpendicular tension forces to the opposed vamp portions when the fastener elements are tightened.

Abstract: The shoe tongue holder assembly includes a vamp including oppositely disposed upper portions overlying a tongue, and a securing assembly for interconnecting the upper portions of the vamp for selectively adjusting the fit of the upper portions of the vamp over and on the tongue and adjusting the fit of the vamp for the comfort of the wearer. A hook and loop fastener operatively interconnects the tongue and vamp for holding the tongue in place while placing the shoe on the foot and while wearing the shoe. The hook and loop fastener includes a hook portion and a loop portion, one of the hook and loop portions being fixed to the tongue and the other of the hook and loop portions being fixed at one of the upper portions of the vamp, and the hook and loop portions engaging to hold the tongue to the one upper portion of the vamp. The tongue includes a fixed lower end and a free upper end. The hook and loop fastener is located near the free upper end of the tongue.

Abstract: This lacing assembly is for use with an article of footwear and includes lower and upper vamp sections connected by a single continuous lace. The lower vamp section includes opposed vamp portions having lace-receiving elements at the lower portion and upwardly adjacent lace-receiving locking elements fixedly attached to said vamp portions. The upper vamp section includes opposed vamp portions having lace receiving elements and the lower and upper vamp sections are secured by a single continuous lace. The opposed locking elements of the lower vamp permit the fit of the lower vamp section to be adjusted selectively and independently of the upper vamp sections.

Abstract: The shoe tongue holder assembly includes a vamp including oppositely disposed upper portions overlying a tongue, and a securing assembly for interconnecting the upper portions of the vamp for selectively adjusting the fit of the upper portions of the vamp over and on the tongue and adjusting the fit of the vamp for the comfort of the wearer. A hook and loop fastener operatively interconnects the tongue and vamp for holding the tongue in place while placing the shoe on the foot and while wearing the shoe. The hook and loop fastener includes a hook portion and a loop portion, one of the hook and loop portions being fixed to the tongue and the other of the hook and loop portions being fixed at one of the upper portions of the vamp, and the hook and loop portions engaging to hold the tongue to the one upper portion of the vamp. The tongue includes a fixed lower end and a free upper end. The hook and loop fastener is located near the free upper end of the tongue.

Abstract: An air-cushion insole for a shoe provided by an envelope having a sole portion with a sole compartment, and a heel portion with a heel compartment separate from the sole compartment. A first valve operatively interconnects the sole compartment with ambience. A second valve operatively interconnects the sole and heel compartments. The heel portion includes a first port operatively interconnecting the heel compartment with ambience. Elements that are compressible and expandable under pressure are located in the sole and heel compartments. An air passage operatively interconnects the second valve with a second port formed in the sole compartment. Upon compression of the sole compartment and its compressible element, air is exhausted from the sole compartment through the second port and into the air passage, and then through the second valve into the heel compartment.

Abstract: A lacing assembly for a shoe, and particularly an athletic shoe, in which the side quarters include separate lower and upper vamp sections that are secured by a single lace extending therebetween. A clamp connects the lace at the lower vamp section, while the lace is secured separately at the upper vamp section, for selectively adjusting and maintaining the fit of each vamp section independently of the other vamp section. The clamp is carried by the lace between the lower and upper vamp sections. More particularly, the clamp is slidably mounted on the lace for selectively moving down or up on the lace upon adjusting the fit of the lower vamp section, the clamp selectively fixing the lace to maintain the desired adjusted fit of the lower vamp section.