Abstract: An athletic shoe includes a spring in the midsole of the shoe. The spring is generally oval-shaped and includes convex top and bottom walls and a laterally extending opening. The spring is molded from high tensile material such as graphite fibers and resin, kevlar fibers and resin, glass fibers and resin, or ceramic materials.

Abstract: A footwear stabilizer for athletic shoes comprising a sole, an upper attached to the sole and having an opening, and a tongue to complete the opening. Exterior stabilizer means comprising a collar compliant about the ankle and stiff vertically, and a pair of stiffening elements attached to and pivoted about pivot points on opposite sides of the foot below the malleoli, each element extending upwards to join the collar. The collar is tightened about the ankle and joined in front by the shoelaces which pass through eyelets or grommets and also through registered eyelets of the upper and grommets of the collar. The shoe also has a stiff support and a support plate protecting the heel and achilles tendon.

Abstract: A boat capable of being assembled, disassembled and transported by one individual and without any tools or special equipment. The boat comprises a superstructure which is substantially of lightweight buoyant material such as foam board, and which includes a pair of ski-like hulls, a longitudinal member removably attached to each hull, and a pair of transverse members removably interconnecting the hulls in spaced relation. A cockpit area is provided between the hulls and transverse members. The superstructure is preferably composed of only three components employed in pairs; the hull members, the longitudinal members, and the transverse members. Each of these components are preferably die cut from the same material, and each component of the superstructure has joint elements integrally formed therewith for interconnecting the components. When used as a sailing craft, a mast is removably attachable to the superstructure and to which a sail assembly is rigged.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is provided with means for increasing lateral stability of the heel area to increase ankle stability and reduce the possibility of ankle fatigue due to misalignment of the ankle joint and the possibility of promotion or supination injury. The heel peripheral area of a midsole or heel lift portion is made of a harder material than the heel central area, and extensions of the outsole are provided at the sides of the heel portion to interconnect the outsole and a heel counter member to stabilize the heel counter, without inhibiting heel cushioning, and may be glued to a covering of the heel counter, and to the peripheral edges of the midsole and heel lift portions.

Abstract: A molded outsole for an athletic shoe including molded, non-metallic studs or cleats includes a plurality of first substantially identical studs and a plurality of second substantially identical studs. The first studs have a shape characterized by three partially-overlapping frustoconical shapes, blended together to present an outline which does not retain dirt, in a triangular pattern, and produce a stud shorter than a second stud. The second studs have a shape characterized by a large frustoconical portion bounded by two partially-overlapping smaller frustoconical portions, of equal height, arranged to define a generally arcuate shape presenting a concave face and a convex face, the large frustoconical portion and the two small frustoconical portions being appropriately filleted to produce a smooth surface which does not retain dirt. These second studs may be oriented to support traction primarily in a predetermined direction, and to allow pivoting.

Abstract: A molded outsole for an athletic shoe including molded, non-metallic studs or cleats includes a plurality of first substantially identical studs and a plurality of second substantially identical studs. The first studs have a shape characterized by three partially-overlapping frustoconical shapes, blended together to present an outline which does not retain dirt, in a triangular pattern, and produce a stud shorter than a second stud. The second studs have a shape characterized by a large frustoconical portion bounded by two partially-overlapping smaller frustoconical portions, of equal height, arranged to define a generally arcuate shape presenting a concave face and a convex face, the large frustoconical portion and the two small frustoconical portions being appropriately filleted to produce a smooth surface which does not retain dirt. These second studs may be oriented to support traction primarily in a predetermined direction, and to allow pivoting.