Abstract: A sole for an article of footwear, such as an athletic shoe, comprises a mass of sole-forming material having provided therein a block of material functioning harmoniously with the remaining mass of material and providing a receptacle in the sole; and a user-selectable, removable insert fitted in the receptacle to impart desired energy characteristics to the sole. The insert can be selected by the user according to his particular needs.

Abstract: A shoe wherein the organization pivots about a pivot hinge mounted coextensively between an intersection of the shoe heel and the shoe sole permitting pivoting separation of a forward portion of the shoe relative to a rear portion of the shoe, wherein the forward portion of the shoe includes a bifurcated edge mounted at each right and left side thereof to receive an associated flange of the rear portion of the shoe, with a locking plunger mounted within each flange of the rear portion of the shoe. A modification of the invention includes a cavity directed within the forward portion of the shoe positioned medially and orthogonally relative to each slot to receive a deodorant packet therefrom, wherein the deodorant packet directs a deodorizing fluid through a permeable inner liner of the shoe construction.

Abstract: An adjustable height shoe for leg lengthening procedures to correct for leg length discrepancy has a removable outer sole which is coupled to a midsole of a shoe upper with a number of unequal, graduated thickness interlocking connecting filler soles interposed therebetween. A removable heel pad provides a heel lift of one-half of the thickness of the thinnest filler sole. Gradual reduction in the vertical height of the stack of filler soles and the outer sole in conjunction with inclusion or exclusion of the heel pad is correlated to the increase in leg length of the wearer. Opposing, abutting faces of filler soles or of filler soles with the outer sole and midsole are interlocked by correspondingly sized, configured height projections and recesses such as circular pegs and circular holes for the abutting members. Straps passing through aligned vertical slots within the outer sole and the midsole maintain the filler soles as part of a stacked assembly.

Abstract: The sole structure comprises a lower part with a tread, preferably made of rubber or other synthetic material, and having holes formed therein which traverse its thickness. The lower part is covered by a membrane made of microporous, waterproof material which permits transpiration. The structure is completed by an upper part adapted for having a foot rested thereon and being made of rubber or other synthetic material. Holes which traverse the thickness of the upper part are provided at the portion thereof affected by the membrane.

Abstract: A formal marching shoe suitable for use in "corps style" marching maneuvers having a heel-free outer soleunit with a substantially planar ground engaging bottom surface, the shoe upper having a close encircling foot enclosure adapted for closing in a conventional manner by laces and the outer soleunit of the shoe extending upwardly in a curving, arcuate course from the rear heel-receiving end of the shoe to joinder with the outer surface of the rear of the shoe upper.

Abstract: A walking shoe is provided between its outer and inner soles, and substantially hidden by the ramp at the instep and toe, with a reverse wedge, i.e., one which increases in thickness in the forward direction. The reverse wedge terminates forwards of the shoe heel. The reverse wedge and the sole of which it forms a part remain flexible. The objective is the provision of a shoe which enhances the amount of exercise provided to the wearer's foot and leg muscles while walking.

Abstract: A split sole shoe has a front outer sole with an outwardly facing recessed section and a heel member with an inwardly facing recessed section, the outwardly facing recessed section being connected to the inwardly facing recessed section in an overlapping configuration so as to form an interior relief groove exposing a portion of the inwardly facing recessed section and an exterior relief groove exposing a portion of the outwardly facing recessed section, thereby increasing the flexibility of the shoe in the region which flexes while taking a heel-to-toe step. A toe cap portion is formed together with the front outer sole so as to provide a smooth and continuous transition from the top of the toe cap to the bottom of the front outer sole, thereby enabling an infant or child to drag the toe portion of the shole without stumbling or tripping on a protuberance in the transition region.

Abstract: A shoe sole includes a body portion which extends from a toe end of the shoe to a heel end and either two inflatable tubes that extend along the sides of the body portion or a single inflatable tube that extends around the periphery of the body portion so as to define an elongated recess that exposes the bottom surface of the body portion, the fluid in the inflatable tube(s) moving therewithin when more load is applied on one side of the shoe defining use than the other.

Abstract: A walking shoe having a sole provided with a toe section and a heel equipped with an outwardly directed U-shaped flange. The toe section has a longitudinal center pad located between transverse pads. Ground engaging cleats are located on the bottom of the flange and heel section located between the flange. A counter having a reinforcing cup provided with an outwardly directed lip is secured to the flange to laterally stabilize the heel of the shoe and ensure control of the foot during walking.

Abstract: An antistatic shoe including a sole having an insole and two soft antistatic projections corresponding to a medial plantar middle point and a medial calcanean point of the sole of an individual's foot. The projections are formed on the antistatic sole so as to be integrally therewith and project upwards through an insole. A charged static electricity accumulated on an individual's body and clothes is grounded to be effectively discharged through the two portions of the sole of the individual's foot. In addition, in the course of the foregoing grounding, the two portions are stimulated electrically by the electrostatic current to improve the circulation of the blood for promoting the health and development of the wearer.

Abstract: A shoe sole comprising a front sole portion passing over into a rear sole portion via an intermediate sole portion consists of an upper sole portion, being formed at the top surface of the sole facing the sole of the foot at least partially of wood or wood like materials, and of a lower sole portion connected with the bottom surface of the upper sole portion and consisting of an elastic material. The thickness of the lower sole portion within an area of the rear sole portion is, as measured in normal direction to the top surface of the sole, at least 1.5 times, preferably twice, the thickness of the lower sole portion within the area of the front sole portion.

Abstract: A sole for a shoe is described formed from a composite material. The composite material includes a plurality of plies with each ply having a plurality of high modulus, preferably unidirectional, fibers oriented at an angle from about .+-.40.degree. to about .+-.90.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the sole. The fibers are embedded within and bonded together by a low modulus resilient matrix. The sole is highly compliant about the forward roll axis of the sole while providing for lateral stability.

Abstract: Sport shoe sole provided with either stationary or replaceable obstacles, and more specifically to the sole of a sport shoe designed for running or jogging. The obstacles are located in the sole construction in the region between the point of support (C) of the ball of the foot and the center of gravity (P') of the heel. The moment arm (x2) of the foot is shorter than the respective moment arm (x1) with an ordinary sport shoe. This saves energy, and the dynamic resistance of the calf and the Achilles tendon with each step is reduced in comparison to the prior art, so that the running proceeds economically and effectively. The heel platform located behind the center of gravity (P') of the heel is lowered down, in which case the moment arm (x3) of the heel is eliminated, and the front muscle of the lower leg is released from unnecessary strain.

Abstract: In an article of footwear for use with a foot wherein the article has an upper portion and a sole. The sole has a forefoot and a rearfoot portion with the sole forefoot portion having a medial aspect and a lateral aspect. The sole forefoot portion is of varying thickness across the width thereof such that the sole slopes at an angle upwardly from the medial aspect to the lateral aspect to provide an inclined surface of greater thickness at the lateral aspect than at said medial aspect. This compensates the forefoot in its naturally everted angulation in those individuals who are recognized to have a forefoot valgus foot type and maintains the normal alignment, position, motion and function of the entire foot during use of said article of footwear.

Abstract: In an article of footwear for use with a foot wherein the article has an upper portion and a sole. The sole has a forefoot and a rearfoot portion with the sole forefoot portion having a medial aspect and a lateral aspect. The sole forefoot portion is of varying thickness across the width thereof such that the sole slopes at an angle upwardly from the lateral aspect to the medial aspect to provide an inclined surface of greater thickness at the medial aspect than at said lateral aspect. This compensates the forefoot in its naturally inverted angulation and maintains the normal alignment, position, motion and function of the entire foot during use of said article of footwear.

Abstract: A slipper including an upper defining a cover for substantially encompassing a foot which is formed at least partially of elastomeric material, and a sole divided into discrete, spaced fore and aft sections secured to a base portion of the cover.

Abstract: An exercise shoe (10) has an upper (14) and a sole (18) fastened to the upper. The sole (18) has first and second impervious, surface gripping portions (20, 22). The portions (20, 22) are separated by a third, moisture-penetrable fabric sole portion (24). The interior of the shoe (10) includes a terrycloth layer (54) for moisture absorption. An ankle strap (26) extends from upper rear (32) of heel (34), forward around a wearer's ankle (36) above the shoe (10). A body (56) of cushioning material is located between the terrycloth layer (54) and sole (18). Cushioning body (56) terminates at (58), behind a wearer's toes (60) and protects ball (62) of a wearer's foot (12).

Abstract: The sole for shoes comprises at least a substantially rigid rear portion and a flexible front portion connected with said rear portion approximately at the area of the ball of the foot. One of said both portions, preferably the rear portion, consists of a material having a cell structure, the cells of this portion being at least partially opened at the connecting surface with the other portion. This other portion, preferably the front portion, is formed of a synthetic plastics material being connected with said first portion by foaming thereto. Suitably the portion foamed onto the other portion consists of polyurethane.

Abstract: An outsole (10) for incorporation in a shoe or the like includes a generally shoe-shaped member of rubber-like material lower portion (14) contiguous with the lower surface of having an upper surface and a ground contacting bottom surface (19), the bottom surface (19) having a pair of depressed regions (21), (25) therein positioned for alignment with the heel and the ball of the foot, the bottom surface (19) surrounding the depressions (21), (25) and extending therebetween for supporting the foot about the ball and heel and in the shank region, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the depressions (21, 25) are generally oval-shaped and concave, and generally triangular indentations (32) are formed in the bottom surface 19 on either side of the shank region (23), the ground contacting bottom surface (19) thereby presenting the general appearance of a figure eight.

Abstract: A shoe slipper cover has an inexpensive top plastic shell and a bottom friction pad structure which includes a plurality of relatively thin friction fibrous pads mounted in telescoped and overlapping relationship. A bottom plastic sole member is secured abutting the upper surface of the pads to define a protective inner sole. The edges of the shell and inner sole are sewn to each other and to the pads which project upwardly therebetween. The multiple pads in overlapping relationship form an essentially continuous sole structure with the overlapping portion creating ridges within the sole structure. The sole provides an appropriate support of the shoe on the wet floor while minimizing cost.

Abstract: An sole having an upper elastomer foam pad supported by an overexpanded honeycomb structure, the overexpanded honeycomb structure made by intermittently bonding ribbons of elastomer and expanding them laterally to produce a honeycomb structure having rectangular cells with the longer opposite walls of the rectangle twice the length of the shorter opposite walls of the rectangle, with the shorter opposite walls of the rectangle being double walls, and with the shorter opposite walls of the rectangle elongated in the direction across the sole.

Abstract: A flexible shoe insole consisting of strips of narrow bands of wood spaced from each other and fixed to a pliable underlying support. The strips are oriented with the length of the strip being transverse to the longitudinal axis of the foot and the operative connection to the pliable underlying substrate allows flexure of the insole for beneficial support while the choice of materials associated with the insole allows aspiration of the foot as well as thermal protection.

Abstract: An article of footwear has upper and lower parts, wherein the lower part or sole has a plurality of roller-shaped portions separated from a remaining portion by depression. Four roller-shaped portions may be provided in four corners of the article. Two roller-shaped portions may be provided in each corner.

Abstract: This shoe sole has a resiliently deformable, arch-supporting middle segment extending between a heel-supporting rear segment and a toe-supporting front segment. The middle segment has an upwardly projecting, longitudinally convex, top face and a downwardly projecting, longitudinally convex, bottom face which, when flattened by the wearer's weight, pushes the top face up against the wearer's arch.

Abstract: A shoe sole structure is provided with an upper surface adapted to receive and support the entire foot of the wearer, the sole structure being resilient throughout the full length of its under surface, having a toe portion forwardly of the metatarsal arch region which is easily bendable, but having a relatively stiff and rigid upper surface from the metatarsal region rearwardly to the heel. The sole structure has an elevated central pedestal under the instep region and a separate impact pad underneath the heel, the heel impact pad being very resilient while the central pedestal has limited resiliency. In a running action the heel impact pad absorbs an initial impact with the ground, the central pedestal then provides a rolling support for the entire foot, and finally the bending of the toe portion of the sole structure provides an effective and well-controlled take-off.

Abstract: A walking aid device is disclosed which permits a user to increase his stride without requiring auxiliary elements that slide or roll, and makes use only of the muscles normally used in walking. The device has a lower part-circular base made of non-skid material and extending over an angular sector corresponding to a subtending chord of length equal to 1.5 times its radius of curvature, and a board fixed across the base equidistantly from the ends of the base, to receive the users foot. The board is equal in length to the radius of curvature of the base.

Abstract: A running shoe has an outer sole surface contoured uninterruptedly from a mid-sole landing zone to a relieved or negative heel at the rear and an upturned toe-off zone at the front to induce a rolling motion along the sole during the running stride. The shoe includes a shoe shell with a relatively incompressible outer sole structure and an internal suspension member compliant to the foot and formed of relatively compressible material formed to conform with the shoe shell.The method of manufacturing the shoe includes the steps of making a positive casting reflecting the weight bearing condition of the runner's foot or feet, and conforming the suspension member to the casting. The method also includes forming the outer shoe shells with curved outer soles and inserting the suspension members to complete the shoes.

Abstract: A sandal for wearing on the foot is provided having a plurality of elongated, wooden slats having their ends shaped to form the bottom of a sandal or shoe. The slats are held together by a flexible piece of material glued to one side thereof and a flexible sandal or shoe upper portion may be attached to the top of the flexible material holding the slats together to form a sandal.

Abstract: The specification describes a shoe, particularly of the moccasin type, having a sole body which is shaped, as viewed from above, substantially to conform to the shape of the foot so that it has a so-called "natural" shape. The sole of the shoe is lasted so that the upper surface has zero arching and located under the front portion and under the heel portion are downwardly extending projections, the two projections extending downwardly the same height from the upper surface so that, in use, the upper surface is parallel to the ground on which the shoe is placed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain novel and valuable improvements in sporting shoes used for running or jogging.

Abstract: .[.The present invention relates to certain novel and valuable improvements in sporting shoes used for running or jogging..]..Iadd.A sporting shoe has a relatively rigid sole whose longitudinal center portion is convexly curved in a longitudinal direction to form a pedestal about which the shoe rotates. It also has resilient sole portions at the heel and toe. .Iaddend.

Abstract: A slipper including an upper defining a cover for substantially encompassing a foot which is formed at least partially of elastomeric material, and a sole divided into discrete, spaced fore and aft sections secured to a base portion of the cover.