Abstract: A foot support structure which is attached to a shoe so as to provide support to the medial arch of a foot in a longitudinal direction while acting as a supplement to the longitudinal fascia, ligaments and tendons of the foot is disclosed. The structure includes a sling strap which is most effective when employed with and anchored to a relatively flexible outsole. On the medial side of the foot, the sling pulls from a point just forward of the first metatarsal head. On the lateral side, the sling pulls from a point adjacent the posterior portion of the fifth metatarsal. The sling could also be anchored to transverse shoe components in the midfoot region. In one embodiment, the longitudinal support sling of the present invention includes a medial-lateral connector strap which extends across the top of the foot in the forefoot region and interconnects the medial and lateral sling portions proximate to the anterior portions thereof.

Abstract: A foot support structure attached to the outsole of a shoe to provide support to the medial arch and to girth the midfoot in a sling configuration is disclosed. The support structure includes a plurality of sling straps attached to the outsole in positions beneath the upper and lower columns of the foot. In one embodiment, the sling straps which are attached beneath the upper, medial column are mounted in an arcuate slot in the upper surface of the outsole. The sling straps attached beneath the lower, lateral column are mounted in a linear slot in the upper surface of the outsole. By the present invention, the position of the foot relative to the shoe is maintained due to anchoring of the transverse sling in the outsole, and this is accomplished without pulling or pushing the medial longitudinal arch to the shoe. the sling straps are positioned relative to the outsole so as to coincide with certain anatomical landmarks of the foot. The straps are each capable of being adjusted for length independently.

Abstract: An athletic running shoe having a polymeric foamed midsole and a special stiffening formation formed separately of the midsole and received between two layers of the midsole to reduce non-uniform midsole degradation.

Abstract: An athletic type tennis or court shoe wherein spaced apart forefoot and rearfoot sole units are connected together only through a flexible soleless coupling to allow the wearer's forefoot and rearfoot to act independently of each other, wherein each sole unit has a resilient, shock-absorbing midsole, and wherein the sole units are sufficiently thin to place the wearer's foot close to the ground while maintaining sufficient cushioning for the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A golf shoe having improved transverse ground traction provided by a novel spike pattern which differs between the right-foot and the left-foot shoes in which the spikes are affixed to the lowermost surface of a specially designed sole and heel assembly. Improved comfort and foot stability can also be provided by use of a cushion pad insert of special configuration having a lateral arch support associated therewith. A first set of ground engaging spikes are arranged adjacent to the leading edges of both the right and the left shoe and at least two spikes in the set are positioned in the instep region of the shoes. A second set of spikes is also provided on the trailing edge of the shoes as defined by the direction of a golf club swing.

Abstract: There is disclosed an athletic shoe that finds most efficacy with joggers. The shoe is supplied with a conventional upper and sole. The usual lacing arrangement is provided with the exception that additional lacing means is provided along both sides of the shoe whereby the counter containing heel portion of the shoe is constrained in a manner so that the heel portion of the athletic shoe is brought inward in the direction of the centerline of the shoe to effectively lock the heel portion with the front portion. The tying arrangement may be a continuation of the usual lacings or may be two separate laces, but in any event essentially locks the front and back of the shoe together. The lace arrangement extending to the counter or heel portion is positioned whereby the means is substantially parallel to a "spring" ligament as normally located in the foot.

Abstract: There is disclosed an athletic shoe that finds most efficacy with joggers. The shoe is supplied with a conventional upper and sole. The usual lacing arrangement is provided with the exception that additional lacing means is provided along both sides of the shoe whereby the counter containing heel portion of the shoe is constrained in a manner so that the heel portion of the athletic shoe is brought inward in the direction of the centerline of the shoe to effectively lock the heel portion with the front portion. The tying arrangement may be a continuation of the usual lacings or may be two separate laces, but in any event essentially locks the front and back of the shoe together. The lace arrangement extending to the counter or heel portion is positioned whereby the means is substantially parallel to a "spring" ligament as normally located in the foot.