Abstract: A mold (4) for producing a shoe bottom (B) has a drag (20) which contains a mold cavity (24) in the configuration of the shoe bottom and a cope (22) which fits against the drag and closes the mold cavity. To form the drag, a model (40) is placed against the cope, and a metallic coating (30) is applied to the exposed surfaces of the model and the surrounding parting surface (34) of the cope. A form (50) is installed around the parting surface of the cope and a fluent backing material is introduced into it and allowed to solidify over the metallic coating to form a backing (34) for the metallic surface. After the drag and cope are separated the model is removed from the drag, thus providing the mold cavity in which shoe bottoms are molded.

Abstract: An outsole for a shoe has a bottom surface with a fabric insert glued into a recess. The method of gluing the fabric insert to the shoe outsole comprises cleaning the recess of the outsole, priming the recess to receive glue, applying glue to the recess; applying glue to the fabric insert; and pressing the fabric insert into the recess to fix the fabric insert in the recess.

Abstract: A shoe having an outsole and an upper associated with the outsole and configured to cover a user's foot. The outsole and the upper together provide an exterior surface. A plurality of illuminating devices are located along an exterior surface of the shoe where they are exposed. The plurality of illuminating devices are placed along the exterior of the shoe to generally form an arrangement of illuminating devices around the exterior of the shoe. A source of electrical energy is connected to the light source for illuminating the illuminating devices upon detection of motion of the shoe. The source is configured to light the illuminating devices according to a predetermined sequence wherein the arrangement provides the illusion of a point of light moving around the shoe, with simultaneous illumination of adjacent illuminating devices, so that only two illuminating devices on a side of the shoe are simultaneously lit.

Abstract: A mold for producing a shoe bottom has a drag which contains a mold cavity in the configuration of the shoe bottom and a cope which fits against the drag and closes the mold cavity. To form the drag, a model is placed against the cope, and a metallic coating is applied to the exposed surfaces of the model and the surrounding parting surface of the cope. A form is installed around the parting surface of the cope and a fluent backing is introduced into it and allowed to solidify over the metallic coating to form a backing for the metallic surface. After the drag and cope are separated the model is removed from the drag, thus providing the mold cavity in which shoe bottoms are molded.