Abstract: A method of manufacture of footwear and the footwear comprising the steps of providing a last with an upper thereon, providing a mold insert on the bottom of the last, providing a mold having a mold cavity for a tread sole, disposing the last and upper against the mold with the mold insert disposed within the mold cavity, forming a sole in the mold cavity having a depression therein in the shape of the mold insert, providing an insole with a first portion in the shape of the depression and a second portion substantially in the shape of the sole and securing the first portion of the insole in the depression. The tread sole and insole are formed of materials preferably having different physical properties. The tread sole can include one of tongues and grooves and the insole would then have the other of tongues and grooves, said tongues and grooves mating with each other.

Abstract: A boot sole having an insole resistant to penetration of emitted particles and shock. An outsole is secured to the insole and an upper, the sole having a cavity provided therewithin with a shock attenuator capable of compression or collapse under high stress within the cavity. The portion of the shock attenuator remote from the insole is preferably V-shaped to deflect particles impinging thereon away from the boot wearer. The shock attenuator preferably is ringed with a high strength shell acting as a pressure plate at the time of shockwave from explosion for added protection. Rubber cleats can be disposed on the outsole to provide additional ground clearance for deflection of blast energy from under foot and to allow for additional wear of the sole. The overboot sole embodiment is fitted with adjustable straps to provide a good fit between the overboot and the boot on which it will be mounted and provides blast protection in identical fashion as the described boot.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing footwear and the footwear wherein the footwear is manufactured by providing a mold having a mold cavity, placing a sole member in the bottom of the mold cavity, placing a foamable material over the sole member within the mold cavity, providing a last having shoe upper means thereon, positioning the shoe upper means against the mold cavity to form an enclosed space therein formed by the shoe upper means and the sole member and foaming the foamable material within the enclosed space. The footwear comprises upper means and a sole member secured to the upper means, the sole member comprising a prevulcanized sole portion extending to and engaging the upper means to form a spew-proof cavity therebetween and a foamed material filling the cavity.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the manufacture of footwear with direct molded elastomeric soles wherein the last is built up in the center region to provide a sole which appears thick externally, yet is thin and relatively lightweight in its center region. The last includes grooves over the region of the stitches securing the upper to the welt to seal and waterproof the footwear in the region of the stitches by permitting the sole material, when molding takes place, to flow over the stitches.

Abstract: Improvements in the safety and comfort of footwear having the appearance of having very thick soles and improvements in the method of their manufacture.

Abstract: Improvements in the safety and comfort of footwear having the appearance of having very thick soles.