Abstract: A microtitre plate having a relieved perimeter includes a plate defining a plurality of wells and the perimeter of the plate is horizontally relieved. Alternatively, a microtitre plate may include a base and a holding section extending from the base. The holding section defines a plurality of wells and the perimeter thereof being horizontally relieved.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having sheet springs being rigidly fixed below a portion of the springs corresponding to the wearers ankle. The springs being unaffixed to the upper above a wearers ankle allowing the upper portion of the spring to stand free of the side of the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe including an arch support device that operates under tension to cradle the foot and lift the arch. In a preferred embodiment, the arch support arrangement includes an elastic strap attached on one end to the lateral portion of the top surface of the sole and on the other end to the upper by means of the lacing structure of the shoe and held in tension when the foot of the wearer is in the shoe and the lace is tightened. The degree of arch support can be adjusted by adjusting the tightness of the lacing. In another preferred embodiment, an insole with arch support padding may be placed into the shoe between the elastic strap and the foot of the wearer so that the strap and insole cradle and support the arch.

Abstract: A shoe for casual or athletic footwear which provides support cushioning and walking comfort due to the presence of an internal dynamic rocker element disposed in a forefoot area of the midsole.

Abstract: A shoe includes a midsole with an anti-G-force heel capsule that nests in a corresponding aperture in the heel. The heel capsule interacts with an anti-torsion member, the rearmost portion of which lies proximate to the heel plug, and with an energy-efficient forefoot midsole section, thus providing a support and cushioning system that absorbs shocks associated with walking, and also prevents excessive pronation.

Abstract: An athletic shoe employs a pair of spring structures in such a way that an arm of a Y-shaped spring on one side of the ankle fastens under tension to a corresponding arm of a spring on the other side of the ankle. The springs are preferably of sheet material conforming to and affixed to the upper. The two springs may be formed as a wrap-around single member.

Abstract: In an athletic shoe, an external counter and cushion assembly includes a substantially rigid external counter extending medially to approximately the front flex line, and a rearfoot cushion member is mounted within the rigid counter. This assembly mounts externally to the heel and counter region of a lasted upper. The floor of the cushion member also extends forwardly toward the front-flex region of the shoe and is preferably wedge-shaped to serve as a heel-lift layer. The cushion walls are generally coextensive with the counter walls, insulating the upper from the rigid counter in this region. The external counter construction includes a base flange which mounts atop the midsole periphery on a plane substantially below the bottom surface of the foot.

Abstract: An athletic shoe employs a pair of spring structures in such a way that an arm of a Y-shaped spring on one side of the ankle fastens under tension to a corresponding arm of a spring on the other side of the ankle. The springs are preferably of sheet material conforming to and affixed to the upper. The two springs may be formed as a wrap-around single member.

Abstract: In an athletic shoe, an external counter and cushion assembly includes a substantially rigid external counter extending medially to approximately the front flex line, and a rearfoot cushion member is mounted within the rigid counter. This assembly mounts externally to the heel and counter region of a lasted upper. The floor of the cushion member also extends forwardly toward the front-flex region of the shoe and is preferably wedge-shaped to serve as a heel-lift layer. The cushion walls are generally coextensive with the counter walls, insulating the upper from the rigid counter in this region. The external counter construction includes a base flange which mounts atop the midsole periphery on a plane substantially below the bottom surface of the foot.

Abstract: A shoe has an upper having a lateral lacing system and a band structure over the central longitudinal axis of the foot, so that the foot is retained conformally and the shoe fastening system is located over relatively planar regions of the wearer's foot. The upper has a slot disposed along a path commencing proximately to the connection of the phalanges with the metatarsus of the wearer's foot and continuing along the lateral side of the metatarsus to the top of the upper, so that the slot defines asymmetric lateral and medial panels of the upper. The medial panel overlies the central longitudinal axis of the foot and includes a plurality of bands disposed transverse to the axis. A fastening arrangement bridges the slot.