Abstract: An outer sole includes an upper sole, a tread layer disposed below the upper sole, and a resilient mid-sol disposed between the upper sole and the tread layer. The mid-sole resists compression under load, and comprises at least one floating hinge extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the sole. Each floating hinge includes an upper resilient convex leaf spring, a lower resilient convex leaf spring, and a U-spring joining the leaf springs together. Each leaf spring has a root and a head opposite the root. Each U-spring has a pair of integrally-formed legs, each upper leaf spring is integrally formed at the root thereof with the upper sole, and each lower leaf spring is integrally formed at the root thereof with the tread layer. The leaf springs of each floating hinge are integrally joined at their heads to one of the legs of the associated U-spring.

Abstract: A financial transaction authorization server comprises a database of records of fixed-location transaction participants, and transaction authorization means in communication with the database of records. Each record of the database of records is associated with a respective one of the fixed-location transaction participants and identifies a physical location of the associated fixed-location transaction participant. The transaction authorization means is configured to (i) receive a request from one of the fixed-location transaction participants for completion of a financial transaction; (ii) receive current location information of a mobile-location transaction participant associated with the financial transaction; and (iii) authorize the transaction in accordance with a correlation between the received current location information and physical location of the fixed-location transaction participant.