Abstract: A midsole (10 and 32) for heeled shoe (12) comprises a removable insert (10), a peripheral heel member (26) and a peripheral midsole member (32). The peripheral heel member (26) is joined to a portion of the perimeter of an upper surface (20) of an outsole (14) and peripheral midsole member (32) is joined to the remaining portion of upper surface (20) of outsole (14) and to an upper leveling surface (30) of heel member (26) to form a stepped orifice (38). A reinforcing layer (40) substantially less thick than the peripheral members (26 and 32) is joined to the outsole upper surface (20) within the orifice (38). A plurality of independent cushioning elements (46, 48 and 50) depend from a base member (44) of insert (10), and are sized in order to conform to the stepped orifice (38).

Abstract: A cycling shoe with a convertible and adjustable cleat system is disclosed. The shoe includes and upper and a sole. A first removable disc has an outer surface formed of a material markable by contact with a bicycle pedal wherein the outer surface can be left with a mark indicative of the longitudinal and angular pedal position with respect to the shoe sole of the cyclist wearing the shoe. A second removable disc has an outer surface defining a cleat with a plurality of spaced grooves for engaging the pedal of a bicycle. A mechanism is provided for removably attaching the first and second discs to the sole in a plurality of rotational positions wherein the grooves of the second cleat are alignable in the angular position with respect to the sole as indicated on the markable material on the outer surface of the first disc. The present invention is also directed to a method for securing and aligning a pedal engaging cleat to a cycling shoe.

Abstract: A ski boot comprising an upper. The upper has a rear portion comprising a foot maintenance apparatus. The foot maintenance apparatus comprises a support plate adjacent the internal wall of the rear portion of the upper. The support plate is at least partially affixed to the rear portion of the upper. The support plate has at least one deformation zone in a zone positioned above the heel of the foot being inserted in the boot.

Abstract: A shoe lace replacing and shoe fastening device comprising a pair of eyelet members, each member having a pair of spaced fasteners for securing one eyelet member to adjacent eyelets along one side of a shoe upper, after removal of the laces thereof, and for securing the other eyelet member to adjacent eyelets along the other side of a shoe upper. An elongated strip of Velcro material is secured to the eyelet members and adapted to extend removably secure to itself whereby the shoe can be fastened without conventional laces.

Abstract: A cross-country ski boot sole having a toe end and heel end, the sole comprising a first section including a portion substantially disposed at the toe-end of the sole, the first section formed of hard plastic, a second section substantially formed of plastic material softer than the first section, connecting surfaces connecting the first section and the second section, a hook disposed in and extending from the toe end of the first section for engagement with a cross-country ski binding, and support surfaces disposed on the periphery of the sole for interaction with a cross-country ski binding.

Abstract: An alpine ski boot includes a rigid shell base for receiving the foot of the skier, the base having a heel region and a instep region. An upper is journalled on the base for pivotal movement about a journal axis, the upper having a shoulder thereon cooperable with adjustment apparatus for controlling the advance angle of the upper on the base. The adjustment apparatus includes a first stopping element positioned on the base and cooperable with the shoulder for defining the minimum initial advance angle of the upper. The adjustment apparatus also includes an adjustment for adjusting the position of the stopping element on the base to thereby adjust the initial minimum advance angle of the upper.

Abstract: A differentially responsive sole for shoes is disclosed which includes a conventional outer sole, an inner sole and an inner liner, the inner sole having a plurality of empty chambers located to support biomechanical weight bearing pressure prints for which a norm has been established. Measurements are made of the individual user at the points and the chambers filled with an elastomer of certain durometer and compressive strength to compensate for the weight load at each weight bearing pressure point.

Abstract: A rear-entry ski boot whose rear piece (3) is provided with a flexibly connected guide device (15) constituting a tightening and closing system (8) which is always well positioned for gripping by the skier.

Abstract: A midsole (10 and 22) for an activewear shoe (12) comprises a removable insert (10) and a peripheral member (22). The peripheral member (22) is joined to the perimeter of an upper surface (18) of an outsole (14) to form a receptable (28). A reinforcing layer (31) substantially less thick than the peripheral member (22) is joined to the outsole upper surface (18) within the receptable (28). A plurality of independent cushioning elements (34) depend from a base member (32) of insert (10), and are sized in order to conform to the lift of peripheral member (22). The cushionability and resiliency of insert (10) may be selected according to the wearer's weight and cushionability preference.

Abstract: An alpine ski boot has an cuff mounted on a shell base for forward and rearward pivotal movement about a transverse axis. An element is mounted on the cuff in frictional engagement with an element mounted on the shell base so that the elements move relative to each other in response to pivotal movement of the cuff relative to the shell base. Control means, in association with the elements, are responsive to relative movement between the engaged elements such that the force required to move the elements relative to each other is dependent on the direction of pivotal movement of the cuff relative to the shell base.

Abstract: An inner boot for a ski boot which has wall portions that define the body of the inner boot. The wall portions are made from an open cell foam material. A lower portion of the inner boot includes a sealing coating of polyurethane that seals the foot of a skier against moisture and humidity. A process for manufacturing the inner boot includes degreasing the inner boot, soaking the inner boot in a polyurethane solution, removing excess polyurethane and drying the inner boot.

Abstract: A ski boot including an upper journalled on a rigid shell base around a journal axis so that the upper can undergo forward flexion around the journal axis in response to forward flexion of the leg of the skier. Also provided is a flexion control device which elastically opposes forward flexion of the upper. The flexion control device is an elastic element positioned between the shell base and the upper and extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the boot. One end of the elastic element is attached to the shell base at a linkage point spaced from the journal axis. Another portion of the elastic element is attached to the lower edge of the cuff at a support point by a retention element. These attachments are such that during forward flexion: the distance from the journal axis to the support is invariant, the distance from the journal axis to the linkage point is invariant, and the distance from the support point to the linkage point varies.

Abstract: A ski boot is provided having a heel element rotatable about an axis in the heel piece which, by means of screw bolts, is secured on the wall of the sole of the boot within the region of the heel of the ski boot. The axis extends essentially perpendicularly to the surface of the sole of the boot. The foot covering of the rotatable heel element comes to bear on the support plate of the ski brake when the ski boot is secured to the ski by means of the front and back bindings. Because the heel element is rotatable, the friction relationship between the heel element and the support plate no longer impacts on the release characteristics of the front binding in the event of a fall occurring while turning or of a fall resulting from a head-forward fall during turning.

Abstract: Toe portions of an outsole and an outsole pad are stitched together, the outsole having a longitudinally extending slit formed therethrough. A vamp is then stitched to the toe portions of the outsole with the vamp and outsole inside out from their position in a finished slipper. The vamp and outside are then stitched to a sock at the toe portions thereof and a portion of the outsole pad is pulled through the opening in the outsole. The outsole and vamp are then stitched completely to the sock. The slipper is then turned to its right side through the opening in the outsole. The opening is closed with tape, and the portions of the outsole and outsole pad rearwardly of the stitched portions thereof are adhesively secured together.

Abstract: An athletic shoe adapted for controlling an object with the foot includes multiple planar object control surfaces and a vertically enhanced sole to provide maximum control surface area. The interior portion of the shoe is conformed to the wearer's foot to provide maximum foot dexterity and comfort.

Abstract: Device for securing a shaft or shaft cover on ski boots comprising a shell and a leg. At least one part of the leg, when the leg comprises a leg cover and sleeve, is the leg cover which pivots about an axis of the shell or of any leg sleeve transverse to the boot's direction of travel. Located between the leg or cover and the heel section of the shell is a catch which is subjected to a spring force that moves the catch into the closed position and which may be forced open against the spring force acting on the inside of the boot and which is supported over a lower face on the heel section of the shell. In the locked position of the catch the leg or cover under load presses against the catch, which in turn presses against the shell without loading the pivoting pin of the catch.

Abstract: A process for applying a flocking fiber to a cloth surface of a shoe includes the step of spraying a clean dry cloth shoe with an adhesive, which adheres to the cloth substrate without excess penetration, which remains pliable, and is not water soluble when set. A short set time is desirable, and then flock fibers suitable for application are carried into a charge in an electrostatic field. A conventional flocking chamber is used, voltage is applied to the electric field, and the flock fibers are applied so that they adhere to the adhesive surface under controlled conditions. The shoe is dried in a drying oven, and then it is ready for use. The flocking process can use adhesives that are colored, flock that is colored, and the flock can be applied in any desired pattern because of the use of the adhesive for causing the flock material to adhere to the cloth surface.

Abstract: An insole base member in planar form for providing a mechanical interlock with a shoe insole is disclosed. The insole base provides a low volume, low profile molded pattern which contacts the underside of the insole material and prevents shearing shifts of the insole. In one embodiment, the insole base has a smooth upper surface in the region adjacent the metatarsal heads of the foot, with a plurality of raised ridges extending transversely across the smooth upper surface, and with the upper surface of the insole base having a cross hatch pattern extending over the remainder of the base anterior and posterior to the smooth upper surface portion. The raised ridges may be positioned so as to lie parallel to the transverse and oblique metatarsal axes of the foot. In alternative embodiments, a plurality of raised ridges are positioned adjacent to the heel or the ball of the foot, with such raised ridges being located outwardly of a central reference point in a pattern corresponding to the spokes of a wheel.

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: A combination of a shoe and a foot bed in which a predetermined foot girth is obtained by inserting a foot bed having a three dimensional shape adaptable to the shape of a bottom of a foot, for which the degree of fitness has been confirmed by placing a foot thereon, into a shoe having a foot length of a standard size and a foot girth larger than a standard size.