Abstract: A shock absorbing component having a pair of surfaces with a plurality of inwardly extending indentations in the top and bottom surfaces. The indentations extend between the surfaces to provide support members for the shock absorbing component. At least some of the indentations are hemispherical. The surfaces may be formed of mesh material to allow the passage of gas or fluid therethrough. One or more inserts may be placed in the indentations. The shock absorbing component can be constructed by molding upper and lower shock absorbing component halves wherein the molds are configured to provide indentations in the top and bottom surfaces. The upper and lower halves are then joined to complete the shock absorbing component.

Abstract: A process for making a cushioning component from a pair of sheets of flexible thermoplastic resin in which the sheets are placed against a pair of molds having hemispherical protrusions for forming opposing hemispherical indentations in the sheets. The indentations in the first sheet abut those of the second sheet when the sheets are joined to complete the cushioning component. During the process, inserts may be positioned on the protrusions before the sheets are placed in the molds, and the inserts then may be adhered to the indentations during molding.

Abstract: A high polymer resin material is configured into a shoe sole component having a plurality of inwardly extending indentations in one or both of the top and bottom members of the component. The indentations extend into the interval between the members and adjacent to the opposite member to provide support members for the sole component. The sole component can be constructed by molding upper and lower sole component halves wherein the molds are configured to provide indentations in the top and bottom members. The upper and lower sole component halves are then joined to complete the sole component.

Abstract: A cushioning sole for use in footwear, in particular athletic shoes, is disclosed. The cushioning sole includes a pronation control device incorporated into the midsole. The device functions to gradually increase the resistance to compression of the midsole from the lateral side to a maximum along the medial side. The device includes generally vertically extending rigid members and a plurality of horizontally extending plate members.

Abstract: A shoe, especially a sport or rehabilitation shoe, is formed with at least one recess. In the at least one recess is contained an insert. The insert is comprised of a honeycomb body of elastic compressible material. The honeycomb cells increase in surface area from one side edge of the honeycomb body to an opposite side edge of the body as seen in a top view thereof.

Abstract: A shoe, especially a sport or rehabilitation shoe with a shoe sole with at least one insert part formed of a honeycomb body of elastic compressible material, and having honeycomb cells of which the central axes run at least approximately perpendicular to the plane of the sole provides the honeycomb cells, in an area under the heel bone, in a central portion of the honeycomb body with a greater surface area, when seen in top view, than honeycomb cells surrounding the central portion. Thus, the central part of the honeycomb body represents the actual damping part, while the edge area surrounding it, acts as a support for the heel edge part, having a controllable stiffness or restoring force. Furthermore, the surface area of the honeycomb cells decreases in radially outward directions from the center, and preferably, the honeycomb cells are arranged in rings about a largest central cell with the honeycomb cells of the rings being elongated in a circumferential direction about the central cell.

Abstract: A sport shoe or rehabilitation shoe with a shoe sole with at least one insert part that is formed as a honeycomb body of elastic compressible material, the cells of which have central axes that run at least approximately perpendicular to the sole plane, has honeycomb cells in an area under a flexible zone of the forefoot which are provided with a surface area that increases, as seen in top view, from one side edge to an opposite side edge of the sole or midsole. This feature has the effect of achieving a stabilizing of the foot in running, especially in long-distance running, for example, in jogging, cross-country running, marathon running or the like, in the area of the forefoot, if the user's foot usually tends to tilt inward or outward (forefoot varus or valgus) in running. Further, the damping effect and the flexibility of such a shoe in the area of the forefoot are optimized.

Abstract: A cushioning sole for use in footwear, in particular athletic shoes, is disclosed. The cushioning sole includes a pronation control device incorporated into the midsole. The device functions to gradually increase the resistance to compression of the midsole from the lateral side to a maximum along the medial side. The device includes generally vertically extending rigid members and a plurality of horizontally extending plate members.