Abstract: A shoe having a stabilizer frame in combination with a midsole to provide stabilizing of the shoe and the user's foot when the shoe is weighted during the gait cycle. The stabilizer frame has a plurality of downwardly convex arch shaped load stabilizer elements which are closely fitted within seats formed in the sides of the midsole. The frame and load stabilizer elements are assembled in sandwich fashion between the midsole and an insole that is mounted with an upper on the shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear that acts to strengthen the foot through biofeedback, reduces stresses on the foot that occur during impact through midsole/outsole design characteristics, and enhances the foot's ability to pre-stabilize itself prior to striking the ground by utilizing the foot's “Windlass Effect”.

Abstract: An improved expandable shoe and inner assembly are disclosed. The expandable shoe includes an outer shell and an adjustable inner assembly is disposed within the outer shell. The inner assembly has a first board portion and a second board portion in overlapping engagement with each other and a control to adjust the position of the first board portion relative to the second board portion. A lighted visualization window provides a visualization window to the inner assembly. The inner assembly may include size markings through the visualization window so that a size of the adjusted shoe may be determined as shoe size is adjusted.

Abstract: A woman's high-heeled pump wherein the heel portion is relatively narrowed and lengthened to extend along and firmly embrace the entire calcaneus of the wearer. The forward portion of the shoe receives the forward part of the wearer's foot including her toes in a relatively unrestrained manner. A foot bed corresponding to the shoe size is received entirely over the shoe's insole and is provided with arch supports that assist in retaining the foot in place within the shoe. The heel is cradled at a level somewhat lower than the surrounding part of the foot bed. The foot bed is provided on its lower side with grooves for comfort and compressability and cavities are provided under the metatarsal pad and heel for compressability and comfort.

Abstract: A footwear assembly structured to be collapsible comprising a sole including a front portion and a rear portion movably interconnected by an intermediate segment. An upper extends along at least a portion of the length of the sole, depending upon the style of the footwear, wherein the upper and the sole are preferably structured to define the sandal configuration which may vary in style. The intermediate portion includes sufficient flexibility to significantly reduce the size of the sandal by folding the sole into a stored orientation defined by the front and rear portions disposed in at least partially overlying relation to one another. A pouch-like container is dimensioned and configured to receive and maintain at least a pair of the sandals on the interior thereof, when in the stored orientation.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes at least one of a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure. The upper may include an exterior layer and an interior layer. The exterior layer forms at least a portion of an exterior of the upper, and the exterior layer includes a plurality of incisions that extend through the exterior layer. The interior layer is located adjacent an inner surface of the exterior layer, and the interior layer is exposed through the incisions. The sole structure may include a connecting portion and a plurality of discrete sole elements. The connecting portion is positioned adjacent the upper and may extend along a longitudinal length of the upper. The sole elements extend from the connecting portion, and the sole elements are separated by a plurality of sipes that extend upward into the sole structure.

Abstract: A reinforcement for a boot, in particular a sports boot, more particularly a cross-country ski boot. The boot reinforcement makes it possible to improve the torsional stiffness, efficiency, durability, lightness, cost, foot protection, and industrial workability. To achieve this goal, the boot reinforcement according to the invention includes a front zone A from the front end up to the beginning of the plantar arch, a median zone B corresponding to the plantar arch, a rear zone C. The reinforcement includes, at least in the zones B and C, at least one “sandwich” structure constituted by at least one core inserted between at least two layers, and, in the zone A, it is flexible in a substantially longitudinal direction and torsionally stiff. The layers of the sandwich structure are made of composite, carbon fibers/polymeric resin, whereas the core of this sandwich structure is made of synthetic foam, wood or honeycomb.

Abstract: A shoe midsole (1) for shoes with exceptional walking comfort, eg hiking shoes. The shoe midsole is provided with a shock absorber (6) in its heel zone (4) and a bead (8) behind and adjacent the heel zone, said bead completely or partially following a U-shape and forming a side support for the heel of the wearer. The sole is flexible about at least two slightly curved bending lines (12,14), which are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (10) of the sole, said lines being defined by channels or grooves (12,14) in the sole material. The bending lines do not intersect each other and their cavities face away from each other. The sole (1) has a particularly elastic portion (16) of a hand-like shape with at least two finger-shaped zones (18a,18b,18c) pointing towards the toe end (30) of the midsole. As a result the shoe midsole offers a considerable degree of flexibility during the wearer's walking motion.

Abstract: An improved expandable shoe and inner assembly are disclosed. The expandable shoe includes an outer shell and an adjustable inner assembly is disposed within the outer shell. The inner assembly has a first board portion and a second board portion in overlapping engagement with each other and a control to adjust the position of the first board portion relative to the second board portion. The control includes a locking mechanism shaped to engage and hold one of the first and second board portions, a biasing mechanism to bias the locking mechanism into engagement with one of the first and second board portions; and an urging member having a proximal portion external of the shoe outer shell and positioned and movable transversely to a longitudinal direction of the shoe and in transverse alignment with the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A substantially pleatless ballet slipper has a non-elastic upper, and an elastic or stretchy toe piece affixed to the forward edge of the upper. The toe piece has a small amount of bunched material at its underside. An outsole is affixed to the toe piece and covers substantially all bunched material or pleats of the toe piece. One or more cushioning pads located on the interior of the slipper make the small amount of bunched material imperceptible to the dancer.

Abstract: The invention is an article of footwear that includes a sole structure having a plate assembly that includes a separator plate and a split plate. The split plate is located in a midfoot portion of the sole structure and includes a lateral portion and a medial portion separated by a split. The separator plate is located within the split and is attached to the split plate. When compressed against a surface, the longitudinal portion and the medial portion separate further, thereby increasing the width of the split and dissipating energy.

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 improved shoe, promoting a heel-to-toe motion of a foot, comprising an outsole and an upper part. The outsole has a contraction extending to a first area where a back of the foot is located. The upper part has a heel guide, including one of a heelplate and a flexible heel brace, which are arranged in a second area where the heel of the foot is located, such that an Achilles tendon of the foot is free.

Abstract: A sporting shoe equipped with a device to control the flexion of the toe includes a localized low friction protection body, particularly for a technical boot designed for practicing the sport of motorcycling, removable, attached along one side of the shoe with the use of reciprocal holder and engaging at least part of the point and of the side. The protection body is hinged to a second element, placed at the back, fixed along the external side of the shoe or a part of it, with the cooperation of a third element ovelapping the first two, which, engaging the second, provides two opposite stops that limit the run of the protection body and of the toe part of the relative shoe, or of a part thereof with respect to the back part.

Abstract: A footwear structure including an outsole, an upper and a midsole. The outsole may include at least one stretch zone for allowing expansion and contraction of the outsole, e.g. corresponding to expansion and contraction of a user's foot during wear. The upper may include stretch zones for allowing expansion of the upper, and the midsole may include varying regions of rigidity.

Abstract: An expandable shoe includes an outer shell and an adjustable inner assembly disposed within the outer shell. The inner assembly has a control to adjust a dimension of the inner assembly and thereby a corresponding dimension of the shoe. A visualization window provides a view port to the inner assembly so that size markings on the inner assembly may be visible through the view port. The inner assembly includes first and second board portions, each shaped for relative movement with respect to the other, and a manually urgable member. When the urgable member is released from an engagement member fixed to one of the first and second board portions, the first and second board portions may be moved to adjust the shoe dimension and when the urgable member is in engagement with the fixed engagement member the first and second board portions resist movement relative to one another.

Abstract: An article of footwear having an upper (10) with a rear portion (14) flexible enough to allow the rear part of the sole (16) to lie flat under the heel of the foot during the walking stride, and flexible enough to permit unimpeded hindfoot inversion; a level sole (16); an insole (20) with a gripping material (18) bonded to its upper surface; and a midsole (22) that provides shock absorption for the heel and forefoot without springiness. Full range of motion of the foot, balance of the foot and body, and proprioceptive and tactile sensitivity of the foot are achieved.

Abstract: An improved expandable shoe and inner assembly are disclosed. The expandable shoe includes an outer shell and an adjustable inner assembly is disposed within the outer shell. The inner assembly has a first board portion and a second board portion in overlapping engagement with each other and a control to adjust the position of the first board portion relative to the second board portion. One of the board portions has a longitudinal projection which extends into a corresponding cavity in the sole of the shoe.

Abstract: An improved expandable shoe and inner assembly are disclosed. The expandable shoe includes an outer shell and an adjustable inner assembly is disposed within the outer shell. The inner assembly has a first board portion and a second board portion in overlapping engagement with each other and a control to adjust the position of the first board portion relative to the second board portion. The control includes a locking mechanism shaped to engage and hold one of the first and second board portions, a biasing mechanism to bias the locking mechanism into engagement with one of the first and second board portions; and an urging member having a proximal portion external of the shoe outer shell and positioned and movable transversely to a longitudinal direction of the shoe and in transverse alignment with the locking mechanism. In one embodiment, a lighted visualization window provides a visualization window to the inner assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides soles, platforms, or inserts incorporated into footwear, preferably athletic footwear, designed to promote a more efficient running technique by an energy-translating sole comprising one or more angular displacement members, balance-thrust members, and counterbalance as well as conventional features. Systems and methods of the present invention promote more efficient running technique by facilitating foot-strike to occur at a point under and behind the runner's center of gravity. This may be accomplished, for example, by a foot-strike member, angular displacement member and balance-thrust member working cooperatively to displace the runner's center of gravity and translate gravitational, inertial and ground reaction forces, as well as muscular tension forces, into linear momentum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe including an upper section, a flexible sole having first and second opposing surfaces and an opening, wherein at least a portion of a base periphery of the upper section is attached to the flexible sole, and at least one rigid member removably positioned in the opening of the flexible sole. The present invention also relates to a method of making the shoe and a method of treating a foot using the shoe.

Abstract: A walking shoe. According to one aspect of the present invention, a walking shoe includes a segmented midsole with a thickness that changes from back to front. The midsole includes a back portion and an arcuate front portion. The arcuate front portion interfaces with the back portion and includes a plurality of forward sections. At least one of the forward sections differs in density relative to another of the forward sections. Relatively denser forward sections facilitate a rebound or spring effect as a walker pushes off during a walking stride. Relatively less dense forward sections add cushioning, making the walking stride more comfortable by lessening impact to the walker's foot.

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: The present invention is directed to an outsole for use with a shoe and a shoe having an improved outsole. The outsole includes a forward portion and a rearward portion that are connected by a ball-and-socket connection that allows the portions to move freely. The outsole may include a flexible member disposed between two pieces, for example, of the forward portion to allow these pieces to flex freely. The outsole may be used with a sole construction that includes a gel cushion that is adjacent a transparent window member of the outsole.

Abstract: A footwear structure including an upper and a separate midsole having interlocking shank portions. The upper has an upward extending arc in the shank area which defines a shank interlock portion therein. The midsole has a corresponding arc which defines a shank interlock portion on a bottom surface thereof which mates with the arc in the upper for resisting motion of the midsole relative to the outsole in the case where the midsole is unsecured within the structure to allow for removal of the midsole. The structure may include an outsole having a shank interlock area that mates with the shank interlock of the midsole, with or without an upper disposed between the midsole and the outsole. The shank interlock areas may include a continuous arc or an abruptly changing arc, and the midsole may be removable or non-removable from the structure. A rigid shank insert may be provided between the midsole and outsole, and the midsole may include a variety of layers.

Abstract: A sole for a shoe with a foot guiding mechanism which has the particularity that the sole comprises a sole body which has, on an outer face thereof, at least one protrusion. The at least one protrusion is flexible in order to produce a desired movement of the protrusion which is suitable to force a guided sequence for a foot, wearing the shoe sole, from when the heel section initially contacts a ground surface to when the front edge of the sole breaks contact with the ground surface.

Abstract: This invention is a spring shoe whose sole is a structure constrained to compress without tilting. This optimally simple, anti-tilt, compressible structure comprises overlapping diamond and parallelogram linkages, which constrain an upper plate from tilting as it moves vertically up and down with respect to a lower plate. Applications include a space shoe with push-off means for natural foot action. Here, a minimal number of springs and stops can be changeably incorporated in the sole to optimi8ze walking and running performance. A heel hugger mechanism ensures that the shoe hugs the heel of the wearer during swing phase. A flex-rigger prevents sideways rollover and sprained ankles. The first shoe embodiment has springs at shoe level to minimize device weight at foot level. The shoe is energy-efficient as it returns maximum impact energy to the runner during thrust at toe-off.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper for holding a foot of a wearer and a sole having an outsole plate. Several ground engaging members extends downwardly from the outsole plate to provide traction. The outsole plate includes a flex control member composed of a superelastic shape memory material or a nickel-titanium alloy. The flex control member can be coupled to an inside surface, or bottom surface of the outsole plate. The outsole plate may include a rearfoot region, a midfoot region, and a first metatarsal head region, in which the regions generally correspond to the skeletal structure of a human foot. The flex control member extends from a medial side of the rearfoot region through the midfoot region and into the first metatarsal head region of the outsole plate. The ground engaging members may be positioned to extend from the location of the flex control member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe including an upper section, a flexible sole having first and second opposing surfaces and an opening, wherein at least a portion of a base periphery of the upper section is attached to the flexible sole, and at least one rigid member removably positioned in the opening of the flexible sole. The present invention also relates to a method of making the shoe and a method of treating a foot using the shoe.

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 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 shoe sole includes an outsole molded integrally out of rubber. The top of the outsole 11 is covered with an insole having air holes formed therethrough. A rim rises from and extends around the bottom of the outsole. A first middle plate, a second middle plate and a third middle plate are formed in the waist of the outsole and widthwise partition the inside of the rim. The first and third plates are positioned on the front and rear sides respectively of the second plate. The first and second plates have air openings respectively formed through upper portions thereof. Front plates widthwise partition the cavity surrounded by the rim and the first middle plate. The front plates have air openings formed through upper portions thereof. The outsole bottom has holes formed therethrough between the second and third middle plates. The tops of the holes are covered with a fabric.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole structure includes a midsole body that extends from a heel region to a forefoot region of a shoe, and an outsole body that is disposed under the midsole body, extends from the heel region to the forefoot region of the shoe, and is formed of a harder material than the midsole body. A heel portion of the outsole body includes a corrugation. The sole structure further includes a lower midsole disposed under the heel portion of the outsole body, an outsole heel portion attached at a lower surface of the lower midsole, and cleats provided at a lower surface of the outsole body. The sole structure having only two layers with the outsole and the midsole decreases the weight of the shoe, simplifies a manufacturing process, and reduces a manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A shoe midsole (1) for shoes with exceptional walking comfort, eg hiking shoes. The shoe midsole is provided with a shock absorber (6) in its heel zone (4) and a bead (8) behind and adjacent the heel zone, said bead completely or partially following a U-shape and forming a side support for the heel of the wearer. The sole is flexible about at least two slightly curved bending lines (12,14), which are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (10) of the sole, said lines being defined by channels or grooves (12,14) in the sole material. The bending lines do not intersect each other and their cavities face away from each other. The sole (1) has a particularly elastic portion (16) of a hand-like shape with at least two finger-shaped zones (18a,18b,18c) pointing towards the toe end (30) of the midsole. As a result the shoe midsole offers a considerable degree of flexibility during the wearer's walking motion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an outsole for use with a shoe and a shoe having an improved outsole. The outsole includes a forward portion and a rearward portion that are connected by a ball-and-socket connection that allows the portions to move freely. The outsole may include a flexible member disposed between two pieces, for example, of the forward portion to allow these pieces to flex freely. The outsole may be used with a sole construction that includes a gel cushion that is adjacent a transparent window member of the outsole.

Abstract: A ballet shoe that includes a front shoe upper which defines a front portion of the shoe, a rear shoe upper which defines a rear portion of the shoe, and a gusset located at the underfoot and between the front portion of the shoe and the rear portion of the shoe to define a central portion of the underfoot of the shoe. The gusset has a generally diamond shape with an apex toward the front portion and an apex toward the rear portion. The front and rear portions of the shoe are complementary shaped to the shape of the gusset. The gusset extends completely across the central underside portion of the shoe, so that there is no seam extending longitudinally under the central portion of the shoe.

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: 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: An improved expandable shoe and inner assembly are disclosed. The expandable shoe includes an outer shell and an adjustable inner assembly is disposed within the outer shell. The inner assembly has a first board portion and a second board portion in overlapping engagement with each other and a control to adjust the position of the first board portion relative to the second board portion. The control includes a locking mechanism shaped to engage and hold one of the first and second board portions, a biasing mechanism to bias the locking mechanism into engagement with one of the first and second board portions; and an urging member having a proximal portion external of the shoe outer shell and positioned and movable transversely to a longitudinal direction of the shoe and in transverse alignment with the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A novel article of footwear that acts to strengthen the foot through biofeedback, reduces stresses on the foot that occur during impact through novel midsole/outsole design characteristics, and enhances the foot's ability to pre-stabilize itself prior to striking the ground by utilizing the foot's “Windlass Effect”.

Abstract: A footwear structure including an upper and a separate midsole having interlocking shank portions. The upper has an upward extending arc in the shank area which defines a shank interlock portion therein. The midsole has a corresponding arc which defines a shank interlock portion on a bottom surface thereof which mates with the arc in the upper for resisting motion of the midsole relative to the outsole in the case where the midsole is unsecured within the structure to allow for removal of the midsole. The structure may include an outsole having a shank interlock area that mates with the shank interlock of the midsole, with or without an upper disposed between the midsole and the outsole. The shank interlock areas may include a continuous arc or an abruptly changing arc, and the midsole may be removable or non-removable from the structure. A rigid shank insert may be provided between the midsole and outsole, and the midsole may include a variety of layers.

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 midsole structure for an athletic shoe includes a midsole (3) formed of a soft elastic material and extending from a shoe heel region through a midfoot region to a forefoot region and a plastic shank member (10) or shankpiece and provided at regions that cover a midfoot portion (B) of the midsole (3) and having an oblong cross sectional shape where a dimension (W) in a shoe elongated direction is greater than a dimension (h) in the vertical direction. Thus, flexural rigidity of the midfoot portion (B) of the midsole (3) increases. When a bending moment is applied to themidsole (3), the shankmember (10) effectively exercises a so-called “shank effect” and thus, bending deformation can be prevented from occurring at the midfoot portion (B) of the midsole (3). As a result, flexibility or bendability of the forefoot portion (C) of the midsole (3) can be relatively advanced.

Abstract: A reinforcement for a boot, in particular a sports boot, more particularly a cross-country ski boot. The boot reinforcement makes it possible to improve the torsional stiffness, efficiency, durability, lightness, cost, foot protection, and industrial workability. To achieve this goal, the boot reinforcement according to the invention includes a front zone A from the front end up to the beginning of the plantar arch, a median zone B corresponding to the plantar arch, a rear zone C. The reinforcement includes, at least in the zones B and C, at least one “sandwich” structure constituted by at least one core inserted between at least two layers, and, in the zone A, it is flexible in a substantially longitudinal direction and torsionally stiff. The layers of the sandwich structure are made of composite, carbon fibers/polymeric resin, whereas the core of this sandwich structure is made of synthetic foam, wood or honeycomb.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insole which comprises the following: a supporting sole (2), whose lateral limit (3) (supporting sole limit), corresponds at least in the front foot region to the actual outline of the insole; a bowl-shaped edge (4) (bowl edge) which curves upwards and consists of a supple, flexible material in contrast to the material of the supporting sole.

Abstract: A slipper having a sole and a foot covering that transforms into a toy play character by coupling the sole to the foot covering. The toy character may take the form of an animal, a human figure, or an imaginary, or abstract character, or other object. The transforming slipper toy may be made of plush material. Conveniently, the sole is coupled to the foot covering using Velcro®, button or snap fasteners, hooks, a zipper® or string. The sole may also have a pocket for receiving a heel portion of the sole whereby the sole and the foot covering are united.

Abstract: An expandable shoe and last board are disclosed. For the shoe, a front outer assembly and a rear outer assembly are attached to a flexible, expandable segment. An adjustable inner assembly has a manually urgable control to adjust a dimension of the inner assembly and thereby a corresponding dimension of the shoe. A visualization window may be used to provide a view port to the inner assembly to see the adjustment of a shoe dimension.

Abstract: A sport shoe includes an upper affixed to a structural frame system composed of a shock absorbing insole adhesively attached to the upper, a frame with front and rear cutouts adhesively secured to the insole to provide stability and impulsion to the shoe, and a sole made up of plural separate parts which are adhesively secured to the frame to impart traction and durability to the shoe, with one or more of the sole parts having a cutout which coincides with a cutout in the frame

Abstract: A golf shoe 1 comprises a sole portion (an outsole) 3 and an upper portion 5. The sole portion 3 is formed of an elastic material such as crosslinked rubber or synthetic resin. The golf shoe 1 has a toe side flexibility evaluation value (Gt) of 0.0015 to 0.0100. The toe side flexibility evaluation value (Gt) is calculated by the following equation (I).

Abstract: A contoured platform to be used in an article of footwear includes a contoured inner and outer surface, the inner and outer surface defining at least one integral portion, the integral portion including a curved arch portion and/or a raised portion, such that the contoured inner and outer surfaces extend beyond the arch of the footwear, either extending forward of the arch of the footwear, extending behind the arch of the footwear, or extending in both directions beyond the arch of the footwear. The outer surface of the contoured platform may be configured to have at least one outsole component attached to it, and at least a portion of an exterior bottom surface of the contoured platform may be formed to serve as a portion of an exterior bottom surface of the article of footwear. Articles of footwear and sole assemblies are constructed using the contoured platforms according to the present invention.