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: An adjustable fit insole system for shoes includes an insole member formed of flexible, resilient cushioning material that is removably inserted within the foot-receiving chamber of the shoe, the insole member and the shoe having corresponding heel, arch, ball and toe portions. In order to vary the internal width and girth dimensions of the ball portion of the chamber, a width adjustment pad of a desired thickness and/or hardness is removably connected with the bottom surface of the ball portion of the insole member, thereby to permit the user to customize the fit of the shoe. The top surface of the insole member is contoured to position the foot relative to the insole, and the bottom surface of the heel portion of the insole member is provided with an anti-slip stabilizing arrangement, thereby to prevent sliding movement of the insole member relative to the shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a flexible insole having a ball portion arranged below the ball of the user's foot, the bottom surface of the ball portion containing a plurality of transversely-arranged longitudinally-spaced flex grooves that define therebetween a plurality of flex bars which impart a desired degree of flexibility to the insole. A longitudinally-extending shank slot is provided beneath the arch portion of the insole member for receiving a bowed semi-rigid shank member that supports the arch portion of the user's foot. An annular sealing gasket may be provided in a sealing channel that extends around the flex grooves, flex bars and shank slot, thereby to prevent moisture from entering the depressions in the bottom of the insole member.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a flexible insole having a ball portion arranged below the ball of the user's foot, the bottom surface of the ball portion containing a plurality of transversely-arranged longitudinally-spaced flex grooves that define therebetween a plurality of flex bars which impart a desired degree of flexibility to the insole. A longitudinally-extending shank slot is provided beneath the arch portion of the insole member for receiving a bowed semi-rigid shank member that supports the arch portion of the user's foot. An annular sealing gasket may be provided in a sealing channel that extends around the flex grooves, flex bars and shank slot, thereby to prevent moisture from entering the depressions in the bottom of the insole member.

Abstract: An article of footwear of shortened midsole construction includes a heel wedge member that extends forwardly from the rear portion of the article a distance of about three-fourths the length of the article, thereby to increase the flexibility of the article. Lock stitching secures the heel wedge member to the adjacent rear end portion of an annular welt member that extends around the bottom periphery of the foot enclosure portion of the article. The front portion of the outsole member is secured by front stitching to the adjacent forward portion of the welt, and the rear portion of the outsole member is secured to the heel wedge member, preferably by a layer of adhesive. The front stitching and the lock stitching overlap adjacent the juncture between the arch and ball portions of the wearer's foot.