Abstract: A ground engaging portion of an article of footwear for enhancing the traction and flexibility of the ground engaging portion has a plurality of multilevel cleats. The multilevel cleats include a plurality of cleat base elements extending upwardly from a surface thereof to define a first level of the multilevel cleats. A plurality of cleat top elements extend upwardly from a surface of a selected cleat base element to define a second level. The cleat base elements are arranged upon the surface of the ground engaging portion to define both longitudinal and transverse base element grooves therebetween. The cleat top elements are disposed upon a cleat base element to define both longitudinal and transverse top element grooves therebetween.

Abstract: A shoe for dance or athletics. The shoe includes a shoe upper having a respective toe portion, a ball portion and a heel portion. A split sole beneath the shoe upper. The split sole includes a front sole under the toe portion of the shoe upper, a middle sole under the ball portion of the shoe upper and a rear sole under the heel portion of the shoe upper. A mid-flex portion between the middle sole and the rear sole and a front-flex portion between the front sole and the middle sole enables the shoe to bend easily at the flex portions.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed having an upper secured to a longitudinal sole with a frame preferably having a stabilizing band extending between axially decoupled heel and opposite forefoot portions of the sole. The band has a central portion extending above the heel and forefoot portions of the sole and adjacent to an upper such that the forefoot and heel portions of the sole may axially pivot about a longitudinal axis parallel to and above the longitudinal axis of the heel and forefoot portions while resisting deflection in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the sole, thereby supporting a foot along its entire longitudinal length while permitting the article of footwear to conform with the axial movements of an athlete's foot while running. In a preferred embodiment, the axis of axial pivoting is the axis of pronation of a foot while running in the shoe.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe includes a midsole formed of soft elastic material, a corrugated sheet interposed in the heel portion of the midsole, a plurality of transverse holes formed at the contact regions of the midsole with the corrugated sheet, and through holes extending vertically and communicating with transverse holes. In using this shoe, air flows into the shoe through the transverse holes and the through holes. Thus, good ventilation can be acquired especially at the heel portion of the inside of the shoe. The corrugated sheet maintains the shape of the transverse holes and prevents them from being crushed by the impact load applied onto the midsole at the time of impacting the ground so that ventilation can be secured in a highly loaded athletic shoe.

Abstract: A flexible skate boot having lower and upper portions made of leather, synthetic leather or similar material is provided with a flexible ankle encircling cuff made of synthetic moldable plastic material capable flexing designed in amounts in the forward and aft and lateral directions to act as an energy storage and release device and without wrinkling so as to minimize discomfort and abrasion on the user's ankle and extend the useful life of the boot. The tongue portion of the boot has a similar molded synthetic flexible panel separating the upper and lower sections of the tongue, the tongue panel being aligned with the flexible ankle encircling cuff which separates the upper and lower parts of the boot from each other. The parts are designed to essentially lock the tongue in the desired frontal position to prevent tongue migration from the desired frontal position during skating.

Abstract: A skating boot adapted to be affixed to a chassis, the boot including a flexible, at least partially padded upper, shaped to envelope the foot and the lower leg, and a reinforcing portion including at least one rigid sole connected to the chassis and a heel reinforcement. The flexible upper includes a front foot covering portion having a rear scallop at least in the heel zone. A rear cuff, independent of the covering portion, includes a heel enveloping portion and a rising portion to envelope the lower leg. The front foot covering portion and the rear cuff are assembled detachably to form a flexible upper whose length can be adjusted. The boot is adaptable to a variety of sizes and foot morphologies, while ensuring a uniform enveloping and the same level of comfort, regardless of the adjustment length adopted.

Abstract: A shoe adapted to be used as a mule. The shoe has an upper that includes a quarter and a heel piece. These two parts of the shoe are connected by a band that extends to the sole, the band having a greater flexibility than the heel piece and the quarter. This constructive arrangement makes it possible to flatten the heel piece forwardly, and to thus permit entry of the foot into the shoe through the rear.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles of footwear and soles therefor, in particular sports shoe soles that include openings for ventilation and vapor exchange. The soles include an insole layer with a plurality of first openings, a support layer with a plurality of second openings that partially overlap the plurality of first openings, and an outsole layer with at least one third opening that at least partially overlaps the plurality of second openings to provide fluidic communications through the sole from an interior of the shoe to an exterior of the shoe. A substantial portion of the plurality of first openings in the insole are interconnected to provide a path for diffusion. The shoes and soles can include a cushioning layer, a tread layer, a breathable membrane, and additional support elements. In addition, the shoes can be used with climate control socks to further enhance the climate control properties of the shoes.

Abstract: A shoe includes a sole (2) that extends from a rear heel area (6) through a metatarsal area (7) to a front ball or toe area (8), the sole being composed of a sole body (10) and a sole covering (11) formed on the underside of the sole body (10) and a recess (13) extending approximately from metatarsal area (7) to heel area (6). The recess is provided between sole body (10) and sole covering (11), with the area of sole covering (11) associated with recess (13) forming a pivoting element (18) designed to pivot around a pivot axis (20) located in the end area of recess (13) facing metatarsal area (7). The end area of recess (13) facing metatarsal area (7) is defined by a tip (13a) of recess (13), and the pivot axis (20) is located in the area between a lengthwise center of shoe (1) and heel area (6), with heel area (6) extending over approximately one-third of the length of shoe (1).

Abstract: Spiked shoes enable the wearer to kick the ground with a minimum loss of power. The spiked shoes have spikes secured to the toe and heel portions of the sole to extend across the longitudinal centerline of the sole. An additional spike is mounted to the sole at its intermediate portion between the toe and heel portions to extend across the fourth metatarsal of the wearer's foot. While the wearer is walking or running, the additional spike bears the wearer's weight at the root of the fourth toe. The wearer can thus kick the ground with a minimum loss of power. As a result, this spike cooperates with the spikes at the toe and heel portions to grip the ground firmly so that the wearer can kick the ground strongly even with the heels off ground.

Abstract: A construction for a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe, which includes a sole that conforms to the natural shape of the foot shoe, including the bottom and the sides, when that foot sole deforms naturally by flattening under load while walking or running in order to provide a stable support base for the foot and ankle. Deformation sipes such as slits or channels are introduced in horizontal plane of the shoe sole to provide it with flexibility roughly equivalent to that of the foot. The result is a shoe sole that accurately parallels the frontal plane deformation of the foot sole, which creates a stable base that is wide and flat even when tilted sideways in extreme pronation or supination motion. In marked contrast, conventional shoe soles are rigid and become highly unstable when tilted sideways because they are supported only by a thin bottom edge.

Abstract: A boot that includes a sole made of at least two layered portions, i.e., a wear layer and a reinforcement, or nerve layer. The nerve layer is equipped with a flexible structure located inside a frame, the structure being formed by at least one transverse recess that defines, between its two ends, the contour of at least one strip centered in the nerve layer longitudinal direction. The sole of the invention offers reinforced longitudinal flexibility through the strip, while being capable of being transversely deformed in its central zone by attenuating ground surface roughness.

Abstract: An outsole having a body member with an inner-structure including a plurality of arcuately shaped ribs extending substantially from the medial to lateral sides thereof. The plurality of arcuately shaped ribs are spaced forwardly, rearwardly, and generally below the metatarsophalangeal joints of a wearer's foot inserted in footwear constructed from the outsole. The inner-structure includes a plurality of sidebars extending forwardly and rearwardly from each of the plurality of arcuately shaped ribs to promote arcuate flexure in front of, behind, and between each of the ribs. The body member includes a peripheral member spaced along the perimeter and connected to the ends of each of the plurality of arcuately shaped ribs, toe and heel support structures configured to reduce flexure in spaces defined between those structures and the peripheral member. The outsole also includes a tread member and a stabilizing member imposed between, and connected to each of, the body member and the tread member.

Abstract: A flexible skate boot having lower and upper portions made of leather, synthetic leather or similar material is provided with a flexible ankle encircling cuff made of synthetic moldable plastic material capable flexing designed in amounts in the forward and aft and lateral directions to act as an energy storage and release device and without wrinkling so as to minimize discomfort and abrasion on the user's ankle and extend the useful life of the boot. The tongue portion of the boot has a similar molded synthetic flexible panel separating the upper and lower sections of the tongue, the tongue panel being aligned with the flexible ankle encircling cuff which separates the upper and lower parts of the boot from each other. The parts are designed to essentially lock the tongue in the desired frontal position to prevent tongue migration from the desired frontal position during skating.

Abstract: A sole structure having an outsole that extends from a heel region to a forefoot region of a shoe and a midsole that is disposed inside the outsole and extends from the heel region to a midfoot region of the shoe. The outsole includes a corrugated portion at a heel portion thereof. The midsole includes a corrugated portion at a heel portion thereof, which corresponds to the corrugated portion of the outsole. A plurality of cleats are provided at a bottom surface of the outsole. Forming the corrugated portion on the outsole makes it possible to secure a running stability. The sole structure having double layers with the outsole and the midsole decreases the weight of the shoe, simplifies a manufacturing process, and reduces a manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A boot for a ski or an in-line roller skate has a flexible upper and a sole allowing the foot to flex during walking. Its sole has a rigid part in the rear region of the boot, over about one half of the length of the sole, this rigid part being designed so as to form an interface between the heel and a binding of the ski or in-line roller skate. The interface may be standard, that is to say independent of the boot size.

Abstract: An outsole having a body member with an inner-structure including arcuately shaped channel members extending substantially from the medial to lateral sides thereof. The arcuately shaped channel members are spaced forwardly, rearwardly, and generally below the metatarsophalangeal joints of a wearer's foot inserted in footwear constructed from the outsole.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a footwear construction having an insert of unitary structure and made of a single flexible material for providing increased structural support and strength of the footwear while maintaining flexibility of the footwear. Unlike the prior art insert, the present invention makes use of only a single material is used to manufacture the insert. A preferred material should be pliant or flexible and yet can provide the strength and structural support to the footwear in which the insert is used. Instead of using materials of different softness for the various sections in the insert to facilitate bending of the footwear, openings are added to various locations in the insert to facilitate planar bending movement. Such openings are commonly located in the forefoot section. To increase structural support and strength to the footwear, the insert is fixedly secured to the footwear.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a camp shoe that is similar in most aspects to a typical shoe. However, to make it easy to pack and tote in a knapsack, for example, this shoe has construction features that permit it to be folded flat to conform with sole of the shoe and, therefore, be easily tucked in and toted in luggage where spare space is typically at a premium. The construction features include a rigid heel counter; a heel support flexibly attached to said heel counter; a pair of upper ankle supports flexibly attached to said heel support; and a pair of lower ankle supports flexibly attached to said upper ankle supports and said heel counter.

Abstract: An article of footwear, e.g., a shoe for running, jogging, and walling, that is designed to provide a better and more anatomical fit to the wearer's foot to enhance performance and provide better arch support. The shoe includes an articulated arch that is independent from the main sole unit to provide better arch support, optimal comfort, and enhanced articulation. A heel notch is cut in the medial and lateral quarter panels to enable the shoe to move in a manner more like the human foot. A heel clip is provided, in lieu of a traditional heel counter, to provide a secure fit in the heel region without the inflexibility and discomfort of a traditional heel counter.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a flexible outersole, an insole and an upper, the upper being formed from a flat Thermo Plastic Rubber blank, a toe cap first being fabricated in the blank by means of a teacup crease special-use sewing machine, the blank or preform subsequently affixed to a last and joined by a second special purpose sewing machine, or disc feed overseaming machine, to a non-woven fabric midsole or insole, substantially completing the upper. Thermal processing on the resulting preform completes processing of the upper without use of an insole board. A third element of the shoe, the outersole, is unitary in construction, and equipped with a unique pattern of intersecting grooves, as well as an external bridge or instep support in lieu of an inner steel shank. Following bonding of the upper and the outersole, a shoe of unique flexibility is produced, while still providing adequate protection to an active user's foot.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a flexible outersole, an insole and an upper, the upper being formed from a flat Thermo Plastic Rubber blank, a toe cap first being fabricated in the blank by means of a teacup crease special-use sewing machine, the blank or preform subsequently affixed to a last and joined by a second special purpose sewing machine, or disc feed overseaming machine, to a non-woven fabric midsole or insole, substantially completing the upper. Thermal processing on the resulting preform completes processing of the upper without use of an insole board. A third element of the shoe, the outersole, is unitary in construction, and equipped with a unique pattern of intersecting grooves, as well as an external bridge or instep support in lieu of an inner steel shank. Following bonding of the upper and the outersole, a shoe of unique flexibility is produced, while still providing adequate protection to an active user's foot.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a sole provided with at least one part (1; 5, 6) for supporting at least partially the forefoot, said part being divided into at least two elements (3,4; 3A, 3B, 4B; 15A, 16) distinct and separated with each other, so as to increase the flexibility of the sole in correspondence with said forefoot, said two distinct elements (3, 4; 3A, 3B, 4B; 15A, 16) being connected to an upper face (7) of the shoe.

Abstract: A device for adjusting at least lengthwise a shoe as a function of growth of the size of the foot of the wearer, the shoe comprising a sole, with a front portion (28) and a rear portion (30), a lower insole (12) and an upper insole (14) and an upper (16) comprising an instep (20) and a rear quarter (22). The instep (20) is secured to the front portion (28) of the sole, the rear quarter (22) is secured to the rear portion (30) of the sole. The sole comprises a region of elongation (24) interposed between the front portion (28) and the rear portion (30) with elements for blocking as to length.

Abstract: A sole, especially for a sport boot, adapted to sports that require a foot movement or to gliding sports. The sole, especially an external sole, is constituted by a front part and a rear part. The rear part covers at least the base of the heel zone and is rigid and substantially non-flexible. Preferably, the rear part extends substantially up to the so-called metatarsophalangeal bending zone. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a sole, especially a sole such as described hereinabove. In addition, it relates to a boot having a sole such as described hereinabove.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing insole for footwear, including a top member adapted to be in contact with the user's foot; a bottom member partly connected to the top member and adapted to rest on the inside sole of a piece of footwear, and defining a space with a heel portion of the top member, and a shock-absorbing unit including, in superposition, a top plate, at least one rubber pad and at least one effective member provided with a plurality of elastically deformable elements, the at least one rubber pad and the at least one effective member forming a cohesive packet which is introducible into the space via a window-like opening in a rim portion of the bottom member.

Abstract: A combination insole board includes a shock diffusion plate for diffusing the shock of a heel strike and for providing torsional stiffness in the heel and midfoot areas and includes a flexible material in the forepart of the insole board. The semi-rigid shock diffusion shock diffusion plate is engineered with a contour which loosely correlates to the foot morphology. At least two alternative shoe construction methodologies may be used for incorporating a combination insole board into a shoe according to the present invention. In a first embodiment, the shock diffusion plate is attached to the flexible forepart to form the combination insole board. In this embodiment, the combination insole board is tacked to a shoemaker's last either mechanically or adhesively, an upper having a sufficient lasting margin extending beyond the feather edge is pulled over the last and the lasting margin is attached to the combination insole board with a suitable adhesive.

Abstract: A shoe produced by a vamp cut method and having an enlarged slip-on region while ensuring proper fitting and gripping on the foot. The shoe is formed with a sole, a vamp cut shaft, an apron, and a closure element cooperating with the apron. The closure element is variable in length and fastened by one end to the apron and by the other end in the region of the sole.

Abstract: A article of footwear is disclosed having a flexure member in the sole to facilitate abduction bending to provide footwear that is easy to don and doff. The footwear includes a split upper having a forefoot upper portion and a rear upper portion. A closure mechanism is provided to hold the upper closed while the footwear is worn by a user.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to design a sole (1), and a shoe with such a sole (1), so that the length of the sole (1) or of the upper attached to it can be easily adjusted, using adjustment means (11), to meet the needs of the wearer of the shoe. This is achieved by virtue of the act that a front thrust block (7) is fitted at the rear (5) of the front sole (2) and a rear thrust block (8) at the front (6) of the rear sole (3). The shoe is fitted with at least one adjustment means (11) which forms a force-locking connection with the two thrust blocks (7, 8), the jointed section (4) thus being adjustable by the adjustment means (11) to various lengths.

Abstract: A shoe sole which, in the heel and ball regions, comprises deformable cavities which are connected to one another and to the surrounding air by means of lines which can be closed by valves. Provided in the bending region of the sole is a transverse gap which is closed at the bottom and is filled by a further deformable and partially closable cavity which comprises at least one outlet line to the surrounding air and is connected to the cavity in the ball region via a line which can be closed by a valve. When stress is applied to the heel region, the line connecting the cavity in the region to the surrounding air is closed by the valve, the line leading to the cavity in the ball region is opened, the line leading to the cavity in the gap is closed, and the outlet lines in this cavity are open. When the sole is aligned straight as desired by opening the gap, the lines are closed again and the outer line is opened in order to re-establish the state in which the heel region can be stressed again.

Abstract: A construction for a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe, which includes a sole that conforms to the natural shape of the foot shoe, including the bottom and the sides, when that foot sole deforms naturally by flattening under load while walking or running in order to provide a stable support base for the foot and ankle. Deformation sipes such as slits or channels are introduced in the shoe sole along its long axis, and other axes, to provide it with flexibility roughly equivalent to that of the foot. The result is a shoe sole that accurately parallels the frontal plane deformation of the foot sole, which creates a stable base that is wide and flat even when tilted sideways in extreme pronation or supination motion. In marked contrast, conventional shoe soles are rigid and become highly unstable when tilted sideways because they are supported only by a thin bottom edge.

Abstract: An improved article of footwear, specifically for use in the sport of tennis. The article of footwear addresses motions prevalent in the sport of tennis by enhancing performance and preventing injuries. The article of footwear is asymmetrical and the lateral and medial portions have features to performs different functions to enhance flexibility, balance control, propulsion, stability and support in the specific areas where needed. In part, the medial portion of the article of footwear is designed to provide flexibility while the lateral portion is designed to create stability. These differences in the medial and lateral portions of the article of footwear exist in the upper, e.g., lacing system, material composition, and material thickness differences, and/or in the sole, e.g., different midsole materials, supporting elements effecting only the lateral side.

Abstract: A thin orthotic insert having a rigid rearfoot plate and a flexible forefoot cushion which are joined together without requiring a separate top cover. A connection is formed by a slot at the forward edge of the plate which receives and holds the rearward edge of the cushion layer. The rearfoot plate may be formed as a laminated structure, with forward edges of the upper and lower laminate layers being separated to form the wall portions above and below the slot. To form the slot, a spacer is inserted between the edges of the layers and then withdrawn after molding/curing. Because the need for a top cushion is eliminated, very low thicknesses can be achieved, on the order of 1.5 mm. The device is particularly advantageous for use in women's high-heeled shoes, where interior volume is extremely limited.

Abstract: A shoe construction is provided which conforms to the natural design and movement of a human foot. The shoe includes a bottom and an upper. The bottom is defined by a heel, an arch portion, a hinge portion and a forward portion. The upper is attached to a top surface of the bottom and includes a thinned section overlying the hinge portion. During use, the hinge portion and thinned section act in concert to facilitate a natural walking and/or running motion. In this regard, the hinge portion encourages pivoting of the foot at the ball. Similarly, the thinned section is configured to buckle during a pivoting motion of the foot. Thus, the thinned section provides minimal resistance as the foot maneuvers through a running motion.

Abstract: A shoe, e.g. for dance or athletics, having a split sole, with a front portion at the front of the foot, a rear portion beneath the rear of the foot and no sole beneath the mid-section of the shoe upper at the mid-section of the foot, beneath the arch. To help support the foot and prevent sag of the mid-section of the shoe upper, a band of flexible, but non-stretchable, fabric is stitched inside the shoe upper to extend from the bottom of the shoe upper, up the sides of the shoe upper, to the top of the shoe upper. The stitched in material supports the mid-section of the bottom of the shoe upper against sagging, while permitting the foot to be flexed. If the shoe has a split top side of the upper and is closed or laced, the closing of the top of the shoe upper pulls up on the band.

Abstract: An athletic shoe has a sole with a rearfoot strike zone segmented from the remaining heel area by a line of flexion which permits articulation of the strike zone during initial heel strike of a runner. The line of flexion is located to delimit a rearfoot strike zone reflecting the heel to toe running style of the majority of the running population. In addition to allowing articulation of the rearfoot strike zone about the line of flexion, the sole incorporates cushioning elements, including a resilient gas filled bladder, to provide differential cushioning characteristics in different parts of the heel, to attenuate force applications and shock associated with heel strike, without degrading footwear stability during subsequent phases of the running cycle. The line of flexion may be formed by various means including a deep groove, a line of relatively flexible midsole material, and a relatively flexible portion of a segmented fluid bladder.

Abstract: A sport boot adapted in particular to gliding on snow, ice or hard ground, having an outer sole adapted to be made integral with a gliding member if necessary, and from which an upper extends to cover the skater's foot, wherein the boot has two parts, the first of which, made from a relatively rigid material, constitutes a cradle forming a rear envelope adapted to house the skater's heel and extending forward to constitute the sole, which is adapted to be made integral, during assembly, with a second part, made from a relatively flexible material, constituting a vamp covering the skater's forefoot, having a plantar support, that is nested then respectively connected to the cradle by fixed connecting elements that are implemented after a relative adjustment of the vamp in the longitudinal direction with respect to said cradle, between at least two positions corresponding to at least two successive sizes, the vamp furthermore including deformation zones allowing its nesting in the cradle.

Abstract: A shoe assembly is described which is designed and constructed to permit and enhance the normal action of a human foot received in the shoe assembly during a stride and while standing. Among other things, the assembly includes a heel shaped to approximate the lower and rear shape of the calcaneum bone of the human foot, and separate relative moveable pads underlying the lateral arch and various contact points in the forefoot area of the human foot. Also, the thickness of the heel area is substantially the same as the thickness of the toe area, thereby to maintain the skeletal and muscular structure of the body above the foot in its natural position.

Abstract: A shoe construction is described in which a molded cup is provided with a flange extending outwardly from a top edge of the molded cup. A lasting margin of the upper of the shoe is wrapped around the outwardly extending flange and terminates on an exterior surface of the molded cup. The shoe is constructed such that the wearer's foot rests on an upper surface of a base of the molded cup. The outwardly extending flange is located some vertical distance above the bottom of the wearer's foot. The outwardly extending flange improves lateral stability by resisting the torque created by the horizontal component of the wearer's weight acting against a friction or other force acting at the bottom of the shoe. The variable location of the outwardly extending flange also provides a variety of aesthetic designs for the shoe.

Abstract: An unusually versatile dance shoe usable for both jazz dancing as well as tap and character dancing combining the flexibility of a jazz dancing shoe and the support strength of a shoe used for character/tap dancing. This combination shoe has at a minimum a semi-flexible arch made of hard rubber, flexible inserts on the sides of the shoe upper above the arch and a hard leather sole and heel that can accept taps for tap dancing. In the preferred embodiment, for manufacturing purposes, the rubber arch is part of a continuous rubber layer that extends front and back over the leather heel and sole so that it is the whole length and width of the shoe. Consequently, the dancer has the ability to achieve the aesthetic result from dancing flexibly such as by standing fully on pointe on the tip of the shoe or standing three-quarters on pointe while simultaneously having the support and strength necessary to tap dance and perform character dance steps such as stomping, kicking, scuffing, slamming and clicking.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved golf shoe which incorporates a spike socket spine frame system that extends throughout the shoe sole for receiving all of the spike receptacles and is embedded in the outsole. The spine frame provides improved shoe performance and spike location and is made of a material that is stiffer than the outsole material. More particularly, the shoe sole is comprised of a spike socket spine having seventeen spike socket locations: three spike sockets in the toe section, six spike sockets in the metatarsal section, four spike sockets in the shank section and four spike sockets in the heel section, for receiving the posts of the golf spikes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a two-layer outsole for use with a shoe. The outsole includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and a longitudinally extending axis. The outer layer forms the bottom of the outsole and has a plurality of first holes at spaced locations therethrough. The inner layer includes a base adjacent one side of the outer layer and a plurality of projections that extend from the base through the first holes in the outer layer, and terminate in a pointed free end. The projections protrude from the bottom of the outsole, and provide traction when the outsole interacts with the ground. The free end also forms a ridge. The ridge of each projection is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, each projection has an outline with a tear-drop shape. It has been found that when projections with this configuration are used with non-metal cleats, excellent traction is obtained.

Abstract: A rigid midsole structure for footwear extends from the metatarsal area to a rear-most portion proximate the heel of a wearer. The rigid midsole accepts any form of replaceable undercarriage structure, and includes means for attaching the undercarriage structure to the bottom side of the rigid midsole. The rigid midsole is preferably formed with an upper surface configured to conform with the bottom of a wearer's foot to provide sufficient rigidity and comfort.

Abstract: A structural chassis includes a structural chassis and a foam chassis or sock liner sandwiched together to form an assembly that can be inserted into and substantially occupy a footbed of a shoe upper. Discrete sole elements are attached to a bottom side of the upper so as to expose certain portions of the bottom side therebetween. This absence of outsole material in those areas makes the upper collapsible about those areas since the outsole provides no support in those areas. Instead, the structure is provided by the chassis of the chassis, which is customized to the user's foot by placing one or more notches in strategic locations along the chassis where the foot naturally flexes. One such notch is located on the chassis in a position that allows the chassis to flex about a forward push-off axis of the foot that runs through the first and second MTP joints.

Abstract: A construction for a shoe, specifically a shoe sole, particularly the structure of an athletic shoe sole. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a lateral stability sipe that allows any shoe sole to provide significantly improved lateral support to the foot. Still more particularly, this invention relates to the use of a lateral stability sipe in an athletic shoe sole to provide it with sufficient flexibility along a natural axis so as to allow the shoe heel to remain relatively flat under the foot heel even when most of the forefoot of the shoe is lifted off the ground when tilted out sideways to a maximum in natural supination motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sole, especially for a sport bdot, adapted to sports that require a foot movement or to gliding sports. The sole, especially an external sole, is constituted by a front part and a rear part. The rear part covers at least the base of the heel zone and is rigid and substantially non-flexible. Preferably, the rear part extends substantially up to the so-called metatarsophalangeal bending zone. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a sole, especially a sole such as described hereinabove. In addition, it relates to a boot having a sole such as described hereinabove.

Abstract: This invention relates to folding shoes made with the use of shape-memory resins at least in their instep or, where a shaft is present, at least in their instep and shaft and transformable by folding into a given shape or restorable from the folded shape to the memorized shape by heating at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and below the melting temperature of said shape-memory resins and to a process for manufacturing said folding shoes. The folding shoes of this invention are of practical value as they can be restored to the memorized shape at the time of use, can be conveniently stored away or carried about in the fixed folded shape of reduced volume while not in use, and can be manufactured readily by the process of this invention.

Abstract: An athletic shoe comprising an upper mounted on a sole which is formed with a longitudinal channel that separates the sole into a pair of laterally adjacent compression elements which can move independent of each other. A rigid heel counter is provided in the upper above the heel portion. As the shoe pronates from the heel strike phase to the loading phase the compression element on the lateral side compresses to begin absorbing shock and moves independent of the medial compression element. At the same time the heel counter supports the foot so that the foot undergoes a more natural movement throughout the heel strike, loading and pronation phases.

Abstract: A shoe sole presenting a rear portion in turn presenting at the top a number of inclined, flexible transverse ribs defining a deformable heel support.