Abstract: A modular heel footwear system is provided which may comprise an outsole portion of a footwear article having a first interlocking groove which may comprise a plurality of cavities disposed therein. The plurality of cavities may be disposed symmetrically along the length of the first interlocking groove relative one another. Further, the system may comprise a modular heel device which may comprise a second interlocking groove, having a plurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom that may quantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities. The plurality of locking tabs may be disposed symmetrically along the length of the second interlocking groove relative one another. Additionally, the first interlocking groove may structurally correspond to the second interlocking groove.

Abstract: A composite footwear insole, and a method for making and assembling the composite footwear insole, includes a plurality of sections either removably or securably attachable to a bottom layer. The sections are made of different materials to provide different types of support, such as rigid or shock absorbing. Each section may also have different surface characteristics. The composite footwear insole may be used to at least partially abate and/or prevent foot and related ailments commonly suffered by diabetics and others with pathologic or painful foot conditions. A kit for making an insole is provided wherein a variety of insole sections are provided that have different cushioning or support features and/or different surface characteristics, allowing a user to choose the preferred insole sections and assemble the sections onto the bottom layer, thereby constructing a composite footwear insole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to footwear which has improved shock absorbency due to a cushioning and has superior support due to a rigid or semi-rigid orthotic plate. The orthotic plate may be removably or securably attachable to the upper, and the padding may be removably or securably attachable to the orthotic plate. The cushioning may further may have supporting blades incorporated therein to counteract any undesired deforming characteristics of the cushioning and/or a bottom plate may be securably or removably attachable to the bottom side of the cushioning. The bottom plate may also have gripping elements which are permanently or removably attachable to the plate to compensate for wear, or for a change in activities. Further, the upper may be removably and attachable and interchanged with other types of removably attachable uppers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insole for use in footwear, and is comprised of a plurality of sections that are removably or securably attachable to a bottom layer. The sections can be made of different materials to provide different types of support, e.g. rigid or shock absorbing. The sections may also have different surface characteristics, which for example grip a portion of the foot or are slick to enable the toes to move. The insole can be used to at least partially abate and/or prevent foot and related ailments commonly suffered by diabetics and others with pathologic or painful foot conditions. A kit for making an insole is also contemplated wherein a variety of insole sections are provided that have different cushioning or support features and/or different surface characteristics. The user can choose the preferred insole sections and assemble the sections onto the bottom layer, thereby constructing a customized insole.

Abstract: An insole for use in a shoe or other footwear which enables a better fit for feet that are narrower in girth than the upper of a shoe and/or narrower than the width of the sole. The insoles are also useful in footwear that have uppers that have stretched over time and/or feet that change in size due to swelling or weight gain and weight loss. The insole has at least one pair of flaps that are substantially vertical or perpendicular with respect to the insole pad when inserted into the footwear, and are positioned between a wearer's foot and the sidewalls of the upper, thus adjusting the inner girth of the footwear and decreasing the space within the upper. The insoles can be manufactured with varying thicknesses of the insole pad and/or flaps, or alternatively, a kit with removable, interchangeable and replaceable flaps and insoles of varying thicknesses can be made that enable the user to choose the insole and/or flaps which provide the best fit in varying types and styles of footwear.

Abstract: A shoe sole includes a rotatable pivot assembly to allow easy pivoting of a ball region of a shoe. The shoe sole includes a pivot cavity defined by an upper plate support surface and a lower plate support surface having an aperture therein. A rotatable pivot assembly includes a pivot plate and a sole element attached thereto. The pivot plate is pivotally constrained within the pivot cavity and the sole element extends through the aperture in the pivot cavity to define an exterior contact surface. Preferably contacting surfaces of the pivot plate and upper plate support surface are formed of a low coefficient of friction material to allow easy rotation of the pivot plate within the cavity. Because the assembly can be made thin with minimal parts, it results in a structure that substantially retains the look, feel and balance of a normal shoe while being able to achieve improved pivot action.

Abstract: A high-top shoe having an integrated internal ankle brace allows substantial forward and rearward movement of an ankle while substantially constraining side-to-side motion of the ankle. The ankle brace includes a semi-rigid orthotic plate shaped to receive a wearer's ankle thereon and a rear support portion. A longitudinally extending blade element is fixedly attached to the rear support portion at a proximal end thereof and substantially fixed relative to a leg of the wearer by at least one support member at a distal end thereof. The support member may be the shoe upper itself, or a separate element. The blade element has an axial length, a thickness T and a width W. The ratio of T to W is selected so that the distal end is free to flex about the proximal end in the fore/aft direction and the blade element is substantially constrained from flexure in the width direction.

Abstract: A shoe sole includes a rotatable pivot assembly to allow easy pivoting of a ball region of a shoe. The shoe sole includes a pivot cavity defined by an upper plate support surface and a lower plate support surface having an aperture therein. A rotatable pivot assembly includes a pivot plate and a sole element attached thereto. The pivot plate is pivotally constrained within the pivot cavity and the sole element extends through the aperture in the pivot cavity to define an exterior contact surface. Preferably contacting surfaces of the pivot plate and upper plate support surface are formed of a low coefficient of friction material to allow easy rotation of the pivot plate within the cavity. Because the assembly can be made thin with minimal parts, it results in a structure that substantially retains the look, feel and balance of a normal shoe while being able to achieve improved pivot action.

Abstract: A shoe for treating and preventing chronic foot wounds such as ulcerations in diabetes patients. A malleable shoe upper is attached to a sole and receives a custom-fitted orthosis produced by imprinting the patient's plantar aspect into heat-deformable foam or a hardening silicone. A heel of the shoe includes an internal spring to further dampen reactive forces.

Abstract: A high-top shoe having an integrated internal ankle brace allows substantial forward and rearward movement of an ankle while substantially limiting side-to-side motion of the ankle. The ankle brace includes a semi-rigid orthotic plate shaped to receive a wearer's ankle thereon and having a rear support portion. A longitudinally extending blade element is fixedly attached to the rear support portion at a proximal end thereof and substantially fixed relative to a leg of the wearer by at least one support member at a distal end thereof. The support member may be the shoe upper itself, or a separate element. The blade element has an axial length, a thickness T extending in a fore/aft direction of the orthotic plate corresponding to a fore/aft direction of a wearer's foot, and a width W. The axial length extends beyond the wearer's ankle, but should not extend beyond the shoe upper, such that the internal ankle brace is not exposed.

Abstract: An ankle brace and shoe therefor allows substantial forward and rearward movement of an ankle while substantially limiting side-to-side motion of the ankle. The ankle brace includes a semi-rigid orthotic plate shaped to receive a wearer's ankle thereon and having a rear support portion. At least one axial slip support bracket having an opening therethrough is fixedly provided on the rear support portion. A longitudinally extending blade element is slidably attachable to the at least one axial slip support bracket at a proximal end thereof and substantially fixed relative to a leg of the wearer by at least one support member at a distal end thereof. The blade element has an axial length, a thickness T extending in a fore/aft direction of the orthotic plate corresponding to a fore/aft direction of a wearer's foot, and a width W.