Abstract: A track shoe is described having a cushion member of resilient elastomer material secured to the bottom surface of its spike plate beneath the metatarsal bones of the wearer's foot. The cushion member is positioned behind and separate from the rearmost spikes on such spike plate. Such cushion member has an average width longitudinally of the shoe greater than its thickness. The cushion member absorbs shock, helps runners stay on their toes by preventing "rock-back" onto the heel of the shoe, and aids in foot stability during landing.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is described having an external heel counter member made of a resilient material, such as rubber or other elastomer for greater stability and comfort. The external heel counter is bonded to the outer surface of both sides of the heel portion of the shoe upper and extends around the heel. A multi-layered shoe sole is provided including a heel wedge layer or other raised heel portion for raising the heel of the foot above the bottom surface of the toes. The shoe sole also employs a midsole layer which extends the entire length of the shoe. In one embodiment the bottom edge of the external heel counter member surrounds the rear portion of the midsole layer and is bonded to the top of the heel wedge layer. In another embodiment the bottom edge of the heel counter member is turned under the heel and is bonded between the shoe upper and the midsole layer.

Abstract: A track shoe is described having a shoe upper and sole made on a straight last, whose last axis bisects the heel and passes through the second metatarsal head of the wearer's foot. The spike plate portion of the sole has a rear pair of spike fasteners which place the two rearmost spikes behind the heads of the overlying first and fifth metatarsal bones. The spike fasteners of such rear pair are centered along a straight line which intersects the last axis at an obtuse angle in the range of about 102.degree. to 115.degree. which is substantially the same as the angle of intersection between such axis and a line between the first and fifth metatarsal heads. A third spike fastener is located behind the head of the third metatarsal bone ahead of the line adjoining the rear pair of spike fasteners. The track shoe is provided with a shoe upper of open mesh nylon fabric.

Abstract: Athletic shoes with molded cleats of resilient material for use on artificial turf or other hard surfaces are disclosed including first cleats provided on the bottom of the shoe sole positioned beneath the foot of the wearer and second cleats provided on both sides of the shoe. The second cleats are molded integral with a cover strip of resilient material bonded to the outer surface of the shoe upper at its lower edge so as to extend around the toe portion, along the opposite sides and around the heel portion of the shoe upper. Such second cleats provide added traction and enable more rapid changes in running direction, such as when playing football, baseball or soccer, especially under wet conditions. The cover strip may be a separate strip from the outer sole or may be a border portion formed integral with such outer sole layer of less thickness than such outer sole layer. The second cleats are preferably of smaller size and may be of different shape from the first cleats.

Abstract: An athletic shoe of reduced weight is described employing low density, closed cell, synthetic plastic foam for an intermediate sole layer and/or heel lift sole layer between a harder outer sole layer and the shoe upper. The foam is a polyethylene or ethylene vinyl acetate foam having a density not substantially less than 5 pounds per cubic foot, preferably at least 7 pounds per cubic foot. A lateral extending heel stabilizer plate of solid plastic material or a heel lift layer having a relatively hard outer border portion may be added to improve lateral stability.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is described with an outer sole having a laterally elongated matetarsal cleat of resilient material molded integral with such outer sole. The metatarsal cleat extends laterally across the entire width of the toe portion of the sole in a position immediately behind the heads of the metatarsal bones of the wearer's foot. In one embodiment the metatarsal cleat is in the form of a curved chevron including two wing shaped side portions each having curved front and rear surfaces to provide good longitudinal traction and self-cleaning action under wet condition. In additon, the chevron cleat is provided with two end portions and an intermediate porton having straight edges extending longitudinally to provide greater lateral traction. A plurality of other cleats of different shape and smaller ground engaging surface area than the metatarsal cleat are also molded integral with the outer sole.

Abstract: A cleated outer sole for an athletic shoe is described which includes two pairs of heel and toe cleats of large ground engaging surface area to provide a long wearing sole. These pairs of large cleats are surrounded by smaller gripping cleats of substantially the same height as such larger cleats and all cleats are molded of resilient material integral with the outer sole. The gripping cleats are in the shape of straight sided polygons such as a square or hexagon to provide superior traction and cushioning. The larger cleats are of a different shape and may be triangular, rectangular or other shapes. The pair of heel cleats is provided on opposite sides of the heel portion of the outer sole, while the pair of toe cleats may be provided on opposite sides of the front portion of such sole beneath the heads of the metatarsal bones of the foot. The heel cleat positioned on the inside edge of the shoe functions primarily to provide greater lateral stability to the shoe.