Abstract: A footwear construction including an upper secured to a platform defining an aperture, a cushion at least partially in the aperture, a California construction joined with the upper that wraps the platform, and an outsole. The California construction can terminate short of the heel, and the upper can join the platform via another construction, for example, by adhering the upper to the platform, in the heel. The cushion insert can define one or more recesses, such as concave contours in which the toe(s) of a wearer can rest to reduce the profile of the toe(s) above the cushion insert. A method for making the footwear is provided, including: joining an upper with a platform defining an aperture on a last; placing a cushioned insert within the aperture; wrapping a California flange around a portion of the platform; and joining an outsole with the platform, the cushioned insert and/or the upper.

Abstract: A footwear construction including an upper secured to a platform defining an aperture, a cushion at least partially in the aperture, a California construction joined with the upper that wraps the platform, and an outsole. The California construction can terminate short of the heel, and the upper can join the platform via another construction, for example, by adhering the upper to the platform, in the heel. The cushion insert can define one or more recesses, such as concave contours in which the toe(s) of a wearer can rest to reduce the profile of the toe(s) above the cushion insert. A method for making the footwear is provided, including: joining an upper with a platform defining an aperture on a last; placing a cushioned insert within the aperture; wrapping a California flange around a portion of the platform; and joining an outsole with the platform, the cushioned insert and/or the upper.

Abstract: An outsole for an article of footwear having inclined lugs that protrude downwardly from the bottom of the outsole. The outsole defines an undercut around at least a portion of each lug to permit the lugs to collapse into the outsole when walking on hard, flat surfaces. The lugs in the forefoot portion of the outsole are inclined rearwardly and the lugs in the heel portion of the outsole are inclined forwardly. In a second aspect, the outsole includes a plurality of downwardly protruding ridges that undulate around the profile of the outsole in a generally horizontal direction to provide the profile of the outsole with a gripping surface.

Abstract: A footwear sole insert with a plurality of downwardly extending pumping channels. The pumping channels extend transversely across the insert and include opposite longitudinal edges that simultaneously undulate toward and away from each other to provide the channels with alternating wide and narrow portions. The channels are positioned such that the narrow portions of one channel are generally aligned with the wide portions of the adjacent channels, and vice versa. Also, adjacent channels are separated from each other by an undulating, tapered recess that is narrowest at the bottom surface of the insert.

Abstract: This cushioned shoe construction has an insert above the outer sole. The insert has transverse ridges tapered downwardly to reduced width, and angled toward the arched area of the shoe. The outsole is a relatively hard material selected for wear resistance, and has a translucent area to render the ribs visible. The insert is of a more resilient material.

Abstract: A shoe sole comprises an outsole having a recess formed in the upper surface and an insert formed of resilient material that fits in the recess. The insert has a plurality of longitudinally spaced, downwardly extending transverse ribs extending across the underside of the insert. The ribs are formed of at least two lengths, with longer ribs alternating with shorter ribs in a regular pattern along the longitudinal length of the insert. The ribs are formed in a wavy sinusoidal pattern across the width of the shoe and the individual ribs are formed in sinusoidal vertical patterns, so that each individual rib has downwardly extending portions of different lengths that repeat in a pattern across the width of the shoe. The varying lengths of the ribs provide a first cushioning rate for initial compression of the insert, while the shorter portion of the ribs provide a graduated increase in spring resistance upon further compression of the ribs.

Abstract: A sole for an article of footwear includes a heel area, an arch area, and a ball area, each defined on the top surface and corresponding to the respective areas of the foot. Each of the areas has a plurality of bulbous protrusions extending upwardly to contact the respective areas of the foot. A toe area is also defined on the top surface including a plurality of cavities in anatomical relation to the toes of the foot. The sole also has an air passage disposed between the top surface of the sole and the bottom surface of the sole. A plurality of upwardly extending sections connect the air passage to the top surface of the sole. The upwardly extending sections are disposed about the top of the sole between the bulbous protrusions and communicate ambient air surrounding the sole with ambient air above the top surface of the sole through repeated compression and expansion of the air passage.