Abstract: A component for supporting a wearer's foot includes a central plate joined at its periphery to one or more tubular portions.

Abstract: A shoe includes a heel/rear sole support receiving a rotatable and replaceable rear sole to provide longer wear. A flexible region positioned between the heel and the rear sole reduces midsole compression and provides additional spring. The flexible region is preferably curved or convex in shape and may be adapted to different desired performance characteristics depending upon the intended activity and terrain or playing surface.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is provided with a selectively adjustable shock-absorbing element. In one preferred aspect, a plate is provided with a plurality of independently moveable portions in contact with the shock-absorbing element. In another aspect, a plate is provided at an angle relative to a coil spring. A method is provided for adjusting a shock-absorbing spring.

Abstract: A component for supporting a wearer's foot. The heel support includes a flexible central plate joined at its periphery to one or more tubular portions. The heel support provides cushioning without the need for an air-tight enclosure in the rear sole of a shoe.

Abstract: An athletic shoe that in one embodiment includes an arch bridge that is visible from beneath the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe including an upper; a bottom located below the upper and facing the ground; and a flexible plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an interior portion and peripheral portions is disclosed. The flexible plate is positioned between at least a portion of the bottom and at least a portion of the upper. The peripheral portions are restrained from movement in a substantially vertical direction relative to the interior portion, so that the interior portion is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a substantially vertical direction. The flexible plate has a width that is greater than one-half the width of the upper. At least one opening is in the bottom of the shoe. The lower surface of the flexible plate is in air communication with the outside of the shoe through the at least one opening in the bottom of the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe including a heel support integrally formed of a material different from the midsole material of a rear sole for supporting the foot of a user. The heel support includes a wall along at least one of the medial side of the shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe that extends vertically at least in part and includes at least one window through which at least a portion of the midsole material of the rear sole is exposed to and visible from outside the shoe.

Abstract: A component for supporting a wearer's foot includes a central plate joined at its periphery to one or more tubular portions.

Abstract: A shoe including a heel support integrally formed of a material different from the midsole material of a rear sole for supporting the foot of a user. The heel support includes a wall along at least one of the medial side of the shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe that extends vertically at least in part and includes at least one window through which at least a portion of the midsole material of the rear sole is exposed to and visible from outside the shoe.

Abstract: An athletic shoe that in one embodiment includes an arch bridge that is visible from beneath the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe including an upper; a bottom located below the upper and facing the ground; and a flexible plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an interior portion and peripheral portions is disclosed. The flexible plate is positioned between at least a portion of the bottom and at least a portion of the upper. The peripheral portions are restrained from movement in a substantially vertical direction relative to the interior portion, so that the interior portion is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a substantially vertical direction. The flexible plate has a width that is greater than one-half the width of the upper. At least one opening is in the bottom of the shoe. The lower surface of the flexible plate is in air communication with the outside of the shoe through the at least one opening in the bottom of the shoe.

Abstract: A plate support for supporting a wearer's foot. The heel support includes a flexible central plate joined at its periphery to one or more tubular portions. The heel support provides cushioning without the need for an air-tight enclosure in the rear sole of a shoe.

Abstract: A shoe having an open interior, a plate positioned between the bottom of the shoe and a portion of the upper, and at least one opening extending from the bottom of the shoe into the midsole for providing air communication with the interior of the upper. In one embodiment, the opening has a height as measured from the bottom of the shoe along a vertical central axis that is greater than one-half the thickness of the rear sole. In another embodiment, the opening extends through the plate.

Abstract: A plate support for supporting a wearer's foot. The heel support includes a flexible central plate joined at its periphery to one or more tubular portions. The heel support provides cushioning without the need for an air-tight enclosure in the rear sole of a shoe.

Abstract: An athletic shoe that in one embodiment includes an arch bridge that is visible from beneath the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe has an upper and a sole including a member having a top wall with a lower surface. The member has a bottom wall with an upper surface. The bottom wall has at least two portions approximately planer with each other, parallel with the ground, and separated by a gap therebetween. The top wall and the bottom wall each are connected at a closed end by a curved wall proximate the mid-foot region of the shoe. The top, bottom, and curved walls are integral. The top and bottom walls are spaced a distance from each other so that during the wearer's gait cycle when the shoe is in contact with the ground the predetermined distance is reduced. The sole includes at least one element positioned between the top wall and the bottom wall. The element has an interior sidewall. A void is located beneath the lower surface of the top wall and above the upper surface of the bottom wall and defined at least in part by the interior sidewall of the element.

Abstract: A shoe has an upper, a foot support region positioned below at least a portion of the upper to support the bottom of a user's foot, a sole secured below the foot support region, and a flexible member positioned below at least a portion of the foot support region and above at least a portion of the sole. The flexible member has a top surface, a bottom surface, a peripheral portion, and an interior portion. The interior portion of the flexible member deflects in use in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major longitudinal axis of the shoe. At least a portion of the peripheral portion is restrained from movement relative to the interior portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe.

Abstract: A heel support for an athletic shoe that in one embodiment includes a recumbent-U shaped member to assist in shock absorption. The member may include a tent-shaped wall with an upper perimeter in contact with a non-ground-engaging member.

Abstract: A heel support for an athletic shoe that in one embodiment includes a recumbent-U shaped member to assist in shock absorption. The member may include a tent-shaped wall with an opening exposing the interior of the member.

Abstract: A shoe including a plate capable of being deflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe, an arch bridge integral with the plate, and at least one inflated cushion spaced apart from the plate during the entire walking gait cycle of the wearer, during the entire running gait cycle of the wearer, when the shoe is in an unloaded state and at all other times.